Author: Uzma Ehtasham

By Uzma Ehtasham The Middle East has learned, through bitter experience, how quickly warnings harden into wars. Today, it once again finds itself poised at the edge of a familiar and terrifying precipice. Fresh signals from US president Donald Trump, hinting at a possible military strike on Iran, have injected a volatile mix of bravado and brinkmanship into a region already exhausted by conflict. The deployment of American naval forces and the announcement of combat exercises by the US air force are not neutral gestures. They are messages, read clearly in Tehran and across the region, that military options are…

By Uzma Ehtasham KARACHI: The Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Karachi, Yang Yundong, highlighted the enduring and “ironclad” friendship between China and Pakistan at the 2026 Chinese New Year Media Reception on Thursday.Speaking on the Year of the Horse, Yang said bilateral ties have grown stronger, more resilient, and increasingly comprehensive over time. He described the year as symbolizing vitality, determination, and success, and expressed hope that 2026 would bring progress and prosperity for both nations. He also noted ongoing cooperation in Sindh and Balochistan, citing new milestones achieved under the guidance of both countries’ leadership…

By Uzma Ehtasham A striking admission has appeared in some corners of the Indian media: Pakistan is no longer being regarded merely as a regional state, but increasingly as a formidable rival, while Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir is being portrayed as a guardian of nuclear deterrence and a symbol of strategic balance in South Asia. This recognition extends beyond military strength. It reflects an acknowledgment of Pakistan’s growing relevance on diplomatic, moral and ideological fronts, signaling a shift in New Delhi’s perception and revealing a deeper unease rooted in the consequences of its assertive policies. Nowhere is this anxiety…

By Uzma Ehtasham KARACHI: Traffic around Karachi Press Club came to a standstill on Monday amid a protest over the conviction of lawyer-activist Imaan Mazari and her husband, Advocate Hadi Ali Chattha. The couple was sentenced on Saturday to a total of 17 years in prison each under different sections of a case linked to controversial social media posts. Karachi police blocked roads leading to the press club, causing heavy disruption on II Chundrigar Road and across the Saddar area. Commuters reported delays of several hours as traffic slowed to a crawl. Authorities also prevented Zulfikar Junior, grandson of former…

By Uzma Ehtasham KARACHI: A delegation of journalists met Iran’s consul general in Karachi, Akbar Eissa Zadeh, to discuss current diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Iran. During the meeting, the Iranian diplomat briefed media representatives on the recent unrest in Iran. He said the country’s fragile economic situation was largely the result of what he described as unfounded sanctions imposed by the United States and western countries. These restrictions, he said, had prevented Iran from engaging freely in trade and economic activity, creating widespread frustration among the public. Eissa Zadeh said the protests had initially begun as peaceful demonstrations by…

By Uzma Ehtasham Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s recent address at a national workshop in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) was a pointed reminder of the intricate nexus between development, national security, and regional diplomacy that Pakistan continues to navigate. Speaking to an audience of provincial officials, policy planners, and civil society representatives, Sharif framed the discussion not merely as a matter of governance, but as a moral and strategic imperative, emphasizing that the stability of the nation depends on the ability to unite disparate regions under a shared vision of progress and resilience. Central to his address was a critique of…

By Uzma Ehtasham KARACHI: A delegation from the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire recently visited Karachi to participate in the Sustainable Tourism Forum and Expo, jointly organized by the International Center for Cultural Diplomacy (ICCD) and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI). The visit offered the Ivorian representatives a chance to explore the city’s cultural, historical, and economic landscape. During their stay, the delegation toured various parts of Karachi, gaining firsthand exposure to its rich cultural diversity, heritage sites, and vibrant urban life. They also visited the Quaid-e-Azam Flagstaff, paying homage to Pakistan’s founding father and reflecting…

By Uzma Ehtasham KARACHI: The Iranian Consul General in Karachi, Akbar Isa Zadeh, expressed profound sorrow over the devastating fire at Gul Plaza, extending his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and to those injured in the tragedy. In a message, he also conveyed sympathies to the officials of the Sindh government, including the Governor and Chief Minister, and to the wider citizens of Karachi affected by the incident. Isa Zadeh assured the public that Iran stands in solidarity with them during this difficult time, offering prayers for the departed. Akbar Zadeh prayed Almighty Allah to…

By Uzma Ehtasham In recent months, tensions between India and Pakistan have taken on a dimension that extends beyond the usual political and military rhetoric, entering a domain that strikes at the very lifeblood of both nations: water. The dispute over the Indus River basin, which sustains millions of lives and underpins agricultural economies across the subcontinent, has now become a focal point for what Islamabad describes as a deliberate campaign of “hydraulic aggression” by New Delhi. The most recent flashpoint is a hydropower project on the Chenab River, a development that Pakistan warns could have profound downstream implications for…

By Uzma Ehtasham KARACHI: A ceremony marking the birth anniversary of Hazrat Ali (AS) and the “World Day of Resistance” was held at the Iranian consulate in Karachi, where speakers paid tribute to the “martyrs of Quds” and reaffirmed their support. Welcoming the guests, Iran’s Consul General in Karachi, Akbar Eissa Zadeh, said the resistance front had not weakened but had instead entered what he called a new phase that would produce “meaningful results”. He argued that the Muslim world had no alternative path to progress and higher goals except resistance. Eissa Zadeh said Iran would continue its political, legal…