Author: Uzma Ehtasham

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…

By Uzma Ehtasham Pakistan’s growing engagement with Kuwait and other Gulf partners reflects a broader effort to strengthen its place in a region that remains central to its economic security, diplomatic priorities and strategic interests. At a time when the Middle East continues to face recurring tensions and shifting geopolitical realities, Islamabad’s emphasis on dialogue, cooperation and long-term partnerships is both timely and necessary. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s condemnation of attacks on Kuwait and other friendly Gulf states was more than a routine diplomatic statement. It reaffirmed Pakistan’s long-standing position that regional peace and stability remain essential not only for…

By Uzma Ehtasham Governments often assume that political authority, electoral mandates and the machinery of the state are enough to withstand public anger. History repeatedly proves otherwise. Power can command institutions, but it cannot indefinitely command public consent. When citizens conclude that their grievances are being ignored and their rights dismissed, even the strongest administrations eventually discover that legitimacy rests not on official declarations but on the confidence of the people they govern. Recent events in India have once again illustrated this enduring political reality. A student-led movement identifying itself as the “Cockroach Janata Party”, driven largely by members of…

By Uzma Hashmi KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah invited American investors to explore business opportunities in the province, highlighting potential investment areas including energy, technology, infrastructure, tourism, health and agriculture. The chief minister held a meeting with a high-level American business delegation, attended by representatives of the Special Investment Facilitation Council, provincial ministers, senior government officials, Karachi Mayor and officials from Sindh’s investment and public-private partnership institutions. During the meeting, Murad Ali Shah said Sindh offered significant opportunities for foreign investment and was positioned as a gateway connecting regional and global markets. He said the provincial government…

By Uzma Ehtasham The apparent pause in hostilities between the United States and Iran has created a rare moment of hope in a region long shaped by conflict, mistrust and repeated cycles of retaliation. After 13 days of American strikes on Iran, the absence of further attacks during the night between Friday and Saturday offered a small but significant sign that the possibility of diplomacy had not completely disappeared. For a world already burdened by wars, economic uncertainty and political instability, even a temporary silence of weapons has been welcomed as a chance to seek a more lasting solution. But…

By Uzma Hashmi KARACHI: President Asif Ali Zardari directed that projects agreed between the Government of Sindh and Chinese companies should be advanced without delay, with all remaining procedural and technical requirements completed at the earliest. President Zardari chaired a meeting in Karachi with Chinese delegations from Anhui Nengtong New Energy Technology Company Limited and Luoyang Modern Biology Group to review progress on previously agreed areas of cooperation. The President was briefed on collaboration in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, veterinary biological vaccines, animal identification and traceability, agricultural technology, healthcare, fire safety equipment and other sectors. He was informed about Anhui…

By Uzma Hashmi KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain held a virtual meeting on Sunday and agreed to strengthen inter-provincial cooperation through closer coordination on governance, development and climate resilience. The two chief ministers discussed a range of issues aimed at improving public service delivery and promoting sustainable development in both regions. They agreed that stronger collaboration between provincial governments could help address common challenges and encourage the exchange of expertise and best practices. During the meeting, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah offered Sindh’s technical support to Gilgit-Baltistan in the areas of…

By Uzma Ehtasham Every monsoon in Pakistan seems to follow a painfully familiar script. Heavy clouds gather, torrential rain begins to fall, roads disappear beneath floodwater, homes collapse, electricity infrastructure becomes hazardous and rescue teams rush into action only after lives have already been lost. Once again, families are mourning loved ones while thousands face damaged homes, disrupted livelihoods and uncertain futures. Reports of more than 20 deaths caused by collapsing roofs, falling walls, electrocution and rain-related accidents are not simply the consequence of unusually severe weather. They are a reminder that natural hazards become disasters when governments fail to…