Author: Uzma Ehtasham

By Uzma Ehtasham The latest session of the Pakistan-Iran Joint Trade Committee in Islamabad was far more than another scheduled meeting between two neighboring countries. It arrived at a moment when the Middle East continues to experience one of its most uncertain periods in recent years, making every diplomatic exchange carry greater weight than usual. Co-chaired by Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Iran’s Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Mohammad Atabak, the meeting reflected a shared determination to deepen economic cooperation despite an increasingly fragile regional environment. More importantly, Iran publicly acknowledged Pakistan’s diplomatic support during its recent…

By Uzma Hashmi KARACHI: The Sindh government had moved towards introducing a new legal framework for the management of state land, with the provincial cabinet reviewing the draft Sindh Government Lands Management Bill 2026 during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah. The proposed legislation was aimed at creating a modern, transparent and comprehensive system for the management, allotment and utilization of government land across the province. Officials told the cabinet that the new law would provide a structured mechanism to address long-standing challenges linked with state land management. The meeting was informed that the bill was…

By Uzma Ehtasham KARACHI: The Sindh government has approved a decision to close all public and private schools across the province on Saturdays, giving students a two-day weekend on Saturday and Sunday. The decision was approved by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah as part of the provincial government’s austerity measures and efforts to make more effective use of available resources. Under the new arrangement, teaching hours will be extended by one hour from Monday to Friday to ensure that academic activities continue effectively despite the additional weekly holiday. The decision comes after Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali…

By Uzma Ehtasham           Pakistan and Iran have once again pledged to deepen economic cooperation, using the 10th Joint Trade Committee meeting in Islamabad to reaffirm their commitment to expanding bilateral trade, investment and private-sector collaboration. Co-chaired by Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Iran’s Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade, Dr Mohammad Atabak, the meeting highlighted a shared recognition that the economic relationship between the two neighbors has never reflected its true potential. Despite decades of close political engagement, cultural affinity and a long shared border, commercial ties have remained modest, constrained by regulatory hurdles, inadequate infrastructure and shifting…

By Uzma Hashmi KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah approved the launch of a facial recognition-based attendance system for government schools, saying the initiative would strengthen monitoring, improve accountability and support efforts to raise standards in the province’s education sector. The decision was taken during a meeting of the School Education Department chaired by the chief minister to review the proposed Facial Recognition Attendance Monitoring and Evaluation System, known as FRAMES. Senior officials briefed the meeting on the project’s objectives and its expected role in improving attendance management across schools in Sindh. Officials said the system had been…

By Uzma Ehtasham KARACHI: The Sindh government has decided to launch an electric vehicle (EV) taxi service in September and introduce 50 new double-decker buses in Karachi in October as part of efforts to modernise public transport in the province. The decisions were taken during a meeting of the Transport and Mass Transit Department chaired by Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon. A department spokesperson said the government also planned to introduce 1,000 electric buses in phases from the end of this year. New People’s Bus Service routes will also be launched between Larkana and Qambar, and Qambar and Shahdadkot. Memon…

By Uzma Ehtasham The reported disruption of access to Qatar-based international broadcaster Al Jazeera’s website and live streaming services in parts of Pakistan has revived a long-running and increasingly significant question facing governments around the world: how can states protect legitimate national interests while ensuring that citizens retain their right to access information freely? In an age where news travels across borders in seconds and digital platforms have become central to public discourse, restrictions on access to information inevitably attract attention. Reports from several parts of Pakistan suggested that users were facing difficulties reaching Al Jazeera’s digital platforms, with some…

By Uzma Hashmi KARACHI: A high-level United States business delegation expressed strong interest in exploring investment opportunities in Pakistan during a two-day visit to Karachi, supported by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). The delegation appreciated the improving business environment in Pakistan and acknowledged the role of SIFC in promoting investor confidence, streamlining procedures and creating greater ease of doing business. During its visit, the US business representatives held meetings with Sindh provincial ministers and reviewed potential investment opportunities in key economic projects, including Bin Qasim Industrial Park, Karachi Industrial Park and other development initiatives. The delegation was briefed on…

By Uzma Ehtasham Claims by US President Donald Trump that his Peace Board has secured an agreement under which Hamas will disarm in Gaza and Israeli forces will withdraw once the territory is demilitarized have once again placed the Middle East peace process at the center of international attention. According to Trump, the proposed arrangement would be introduced in carefully managed stages, eventually leading to the establishment of a new Palestinian administration supported by an international stabilization force working alongside Palestinian police. He described the initiative as an important step towards lasting peace and security, presenting it as a breakthrough…

By Uzma Ehtasham For decades, the security of the Gulf and surrounding maritime routes has largely depended on the presence and influence of major global powers. The protection of vital waterways, energy routes and commercial shipping lanes was often viewed through the lens of international military presence rather than regional cooperation. However, the emergence of a Saudi Arabia-led maritime defence alliance involving Pakistan and 13 other countries represents a notable shift in regional thinking. It reflects a growing realization among states directly affected by maritime insecurity that they must play a greater role in protecting their own interests. The question…