Author: Uzma Ehtasham

By Uzma Ehtasham In recent months, the country has endured a series of deadly attacks following determined operations by the Pakistan Army against safe havens of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, Fitna al-Khawarij, and Fitna al-Hindustan in neighboring Afghanistan. These offensives, aimed at neutralizing extremist networks that have long threatened Pakistan’s stability, appear to have provoked a calculated surge in retaliatory attacks on Pakistani soil. The consequences have been severe: in Kohat, a militant strike on a police van claimed the lives of a deputy superintendent, five officers, and a civilian. Bhakkar witnessed a suicide attack that killed two officers, while in…

By Uzma Ehtasham In a demonstration of enduring bonds and shared interests, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have once again underscored the resilience of their relationship. The recent cabinet meeting in Riyadh, chaired by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, approved a series of measures designed to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors, signaling a renewed commitment to a partnership that has spanned generations. At the heart of these decisions lies a bilateral agreement between the interior ministries of both countries, focusing on scientific collaboration, training, and research—a step that promises to enhance administrative and security capacities while promoting the…

By Uzma Ehtasham KARACHI: The Consulate of Italy in Karachi hosted a special Iftar dinner, welcoming government officials, diplomats, and friends of Italy to commemorate the holy month of Ramadan and promote interfaith harmony. Consul of Italy in Karachi, Mr. Fabrizio Bielli, led the event, celebrating the spirit of Ramadan alongside Pakistani guests. The Honorable Governor of Sindh, Kamran Khan Tessori, attended the Iftar, along with other dignitaries, including Rear Admiral Salman Ilyas, Managing Director of Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works, and Sector Commander Cdr. Nasir Mehmood. Consul Bielli, in his address, emphasized the spiritual significance of fasting, describing it…

By Uzma Ehatsham It is a sobering moment for much of the Muslim world that, despite the announcement of a ceasefire, military operations by Israel have continued in Gaza, even during the sacred month of fasting. For many observers, the persistence of bombardment in such a period carries not only political weight but moral symbolism. The reported truce reached in October 2025 was meant to pause the devastation. Instead, it has come to look fragile, partial or, in the eyes of critics, largely illusory. Since that agreement, hundreds more Palestinians have reportedly been killed and thousands injured. The cumulative toll…

By Uzma Ehtasham Pakistan’s foreign policy seems to be entering a deliberate new phase, one that moves beyond the reflexive posturing and episodic diplomacy of the past, and towards a more coordinated, purposeful, and results-oriented approach. In recent weeks, this shift has become increasingly evident through a series of high-profile interactions, signaling that Islamabad is keen not only to safeguard its interests but also to reshape how the country is perceived on the global stage. A telling example came with the outreach of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to his Bangladeshi counterpart, Dr Khalilur Rahman. In his…

By Uzma Ehtasham The recent remarks by US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, defending Israel’s killings of Palestinian children in Gaza, reveal a moral indifference that is both chilling and deeply troubling. Graham’s argument, that if he were in Israel’s position he would act similarly, invokes the Allied bombing of German cities during the Second World War as justification. In his framing, the immense civilian suffering inflicted by aerial bombardments and blockades in 1940s Europe becomes a lens through which contemporary violence in Gaza is excused. To equate these circumstances is not merely historically simplistic; it is ethically grotesque. The children,…

By Uzma Ehtasham The standoff between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the federal government continues to unravel in a way that seems less about policy or governance and more about a relentless struggle for narrative dominance. Each side trades barbs with the precision of seasoned orators, as though shaping public opinion alone might tilt the balance of power. Yet behind the rhetoric lies a reality that is often overlooked: ordinary citizens, already burdened by economic hardship and insecurity, bear the brunt of this high-stakes political theatre. Recent developments in the Supreme Court, concerning the cases of PTI’s founder, Imran Khan, have…

By Uzma Ehtasham KARACHI: The United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) has opened applications for the 2027 Fulbright Student Program, one of the country’s most prestigious merit-based scholarships. Funded by the U.S. government in partnership with Pakistan, the program offers graduate study opportunities at leading U.S. universities. Scholarships cover tuition, living expenses, insurance, and air travel. Candidates are assessed not only on academic achievement but also on leadership potential and commitment to contributing to Pakistan’s development. Students from all fields are encouraged to apply, with particular focus on sciences, technology, artificial intelligence, trade, economics, and natural resource management. While…

By Uzma Ehtasham North Korea has long captivated the world with its secrecy, rigid hierarchies, and the almost mythic persona of its leaders. The announcement, according to South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, that Kim Jong Un has designated his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, as his successor, represents a startling moment in the country’s opaque political landscape. It is a development that is at once symbolic, strategic, and profoundly challenging to the global understanding of Pyongyang’s inner workings. At just 13 years old, Kim Ju Ae’s elevation signals a deliberate and carefully orchestrated preparation for a transfer of power that few…

By Uzma Ehtasham KARACHI: The universities minister in Sindh has said more than 172,000 young people have found formal employment after completing skills training under a provincial human resources program. The figures were shared at a meeting of the Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Human Resources Board, chaired by the provincial universities minister, Muhammad Ismail Rahu. The board’s chairperson, Tamizuddin Khero, its secretary, Munwar Ali Mithani, and other officials were also present. Officials told the meeting that since 2008 a total of 540,758 young people have registered with the board. Of those, 422,701 have completed training, while 172,044 are now in regular…