Author: Uzma Ehtasham

By Uzma Ehtasham The prominence of Pakistani defence manufacturers at the World Defense Show in Riyadh is not simply a matter of display space or diplomatic choreography. It signals a deeper shift in how Pakistan is perceived within the global arms market – and perhaps more importantly, how it sees itself. The Riyadh exhibition, sprawling across some 900 stalls representing 80 countries, is a reminder of how crowded and unforgiving the international defence industry has become. Competition is no longer limited to a handful of traditional powers. Established Western producers, emerging Asian manufacturers and regional players now compete fiercely for…

By Uzma Ehtasham KARACHI: A ceremony to mark the 47th anniversary of Iran’s Islamic Revolution was held at the Iranian consulate in Karachi, drawing senior Pakistani officials, foreign diplomats and business leaders. Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori attended as chief guest and was joined by PPP’s MNA Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Sindh government spokesperson Syeda Tahseen Abidi, and several consuls general based in Karachi, including representatives from Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Iraq, Thailand, Afghanistan, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Turkey, Vietnam and Kuwait. Addressing the gathering, Iran’s Consul General in Karachi Akbar Eissa Zadeh welcomed the guests…

By Uzma Ehtasham The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has sounded the alarm once again over what it describes as a troubling rise in attacks against religious minorities in India, drawing attention to incidents that seem to test the boundaries of constitutional guarantees in the world’s largest democracy. In its latest report, the commission highlights what it considers an escalation in aggression targeting Christians, citing the alleged assault on a priest in Odisha as emblematic of a broader pattern. Beyond acts of violence, the commission notes detentions and harassment of minority community members under allegations of forced religious…

By Uzma Ehtasham The announcement of the first Gaza Peace Board meeting in Washington on 19 February has been framed as a diplomatic breakthrough, a moment when the international community, led by the United States under President Donald Trump, might finally begin to chart a way out of one of the most enduring and morally charged conflicts of our time. Pakistan’s expected participation, at either prime ministerial or deputy prime ministerial level, alongside confirmed attendance from Hungary and Romania, lends the gathering an appearance of global engagement. Yet history counsels caution. Middle East diplomacy is littered with conferences that generated…

By Uzma Ehtasham The recent seizure of three oil tankers in the Arabian Sea by the Indian Coast Guard is more than a routine enforcement operation; it is a striking illustration of India’s growing disregard for the very countries that have historically supported its interests. Iranian media and independent analysts have traced the vessels—AL JAFZIA, ASPHALT STAR, and STELLAR RUBY—to Iran, noting that at least one was operating under the Iranian flag. The timing and context are impossible to ignore. Only weeks ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government abandoned the Chabahar port agreement, a cornerstone of India-Iran trade and regional…

By Uzma Ehtasham The recent signing of a sweeping set of trade agreements and memoranda of understanding between Pakistan and Uzbekistan in Islamabad is more than a ceremonial exercise in diplomacy; it signals Pakistan’s renewed ambitions to assert its influence in Central Asia. The accords, encompassing a wide spectrum of sectors—from trade, information technology, agriculture, and food security, to mining, defence cooperation, climate change, sports, culture, pharmaceuticals, and anti-narcotics measures—reflect an effort to broaden the scope of bilateral collaboration and establish a framework for long-term engagement. Both nations also set an ambitious target of increasing bilateral trade to $2 billion,…

By Uzma Ehtasham The White House’s recent statement on Iran has reverberated far beyond Washington, sending a signal as unmistakable as it is disquieting: the United States is asserting that its approach to Tehran is not confined to diplomacy alone. Behind the carefully measured language of negotiations lies a spectrum of options that Washington appears prepared to deploy if it deems dialogue insufficient. This message coincided with high-stakes nuclear talks in Muscat, Oman, where American and Iranian officials met under the cautious scrutiny of international observers. Despite the careful choreography of the discussions, insiders suggest the meetings concluded without any…

By Uzma Ehtasham Pakistan is currently encircled by multiple crises, but none are as grave or as intertwined as the resurgence of terrorism and the deepening economic malaise. These are not routine challenges that can be managed through partisan point-scoring or short-term political maneuvers. They demand an unusual degree of seriousness, restraint and collective effort from the country’s political leadership. Without unity of purpose and coherence of action, the prospect of regaining control over either security or the economy will remain elusive. It bears repeating that terrorism and economic decline are not the burdens of a single province, one government…

By Uzma Ehtasham The world seems once again perched on the edge of a precipice. President Donald Trump’s latest threats against Iran, amplified through social media, are far more than rhetorical flourishes—they reveal a disturbing preference for intimidation over diplomacy. Reports that a “massive American naval fleet” led by the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln is moving toward the region, prepared to deploy overwhelming force if necessary, underscore a familiar pattern: coercion is offered as a prelude to dialogue. The inclusion of Venezuela in these warnings is no accident. It is a rehearsed refrain: military might is presented as the default…

By Uzma Ehtasham KARACHI: The Chinese Consul-General in Karachi, Yang Yundong, welcomed 2026 as the Year of the Horse in the Chinese lunar calendar, noting its significance in traditional culture. Speaking at a formal gathering with local journalists at the Karachi consulate, he said the horse symbolizes freedom, passion, and boundless energy. He described the year as one of vibrant spirit, determination, and potential success. Consul-General Yang also reflected on the deepening ties between China and Pakistan over the past year. He highlighted practical cooperation in Sindh and Balochistan that reached new milestones. He praised the Pakistani media for reflecting…