Author: Uzma Ehtasham

By Uzma Ehtasham In the air-conditioned halls of Doha, a conversation of profound consequence is tentatively beginning. The arrival of a high-level Pakistani delegation, led by Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, to sit with representatives of the Afghan Taliban, mediated by Qatari intelligence, represents a fragile flicker of hope in a landscape too often defined by shadow and violence. The agreement for an immediate ceasefire, a product of these talks, is more than a diplomatic formality; it is a vital, if precarious, breath of air for communities along the Pakistan-Afghan frontier for whom the sound of gunfire has been a…

By Uzma Ehtasham An important meeting was convened in Islamabad the previous day, chaired by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, to deliberate and decide on critical national security issues. The attendees included Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the Chief Ministers of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. However, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sahibzada Saeed Afridi, was notably absent from this crucial gathering. The meeting had been specifically called to formulate a plan of action to counter the incursions orchestrated by the Afghan Taliban and the Fitna al-Khawarij, which operate as Indian proxies,…

By Uzma Ehtasham Pakistan’s recent descent into violent unrest, orchestrated under the banner of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), has drawn sharp condemnation from federal ministers, who have stressed that while the nation stands unwaveringly in solidarity with Palestinians, it will not tolerate lawlessness. The protests, which erupted in several cities, have tragically claimed lives and injured scores of security personnel, highlighting a dangerous pattern of extremism cloaked in political and religious rhetoric. Speaking at a press conference alongside colleagues Mohsin Naqvi, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, and State Minister Talal Chaudhry, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar painted a stark contrast between peaceful demonstrations…

By Uzma Ehtasham Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent two-day state visit to Malaysia unfolded with all the trappings of ceremonial grandeur: red carpets, honor guards, and meticulously choreographed protocol. Onlookers, both domestic and international, might have been struck by the fanfare, the carefully staged handshakes, and the aura of political warmth that accompanied each photograph. But beneath the optics, the more pressing question remains: does the visit signify substantive diplomatic progress, or is it simply another pageant of flags and formalities? State visits, for all their pomp, are valuable only when they translate into tangible outcomes that improve the lives…

By Uzma Ehtasham KARACHI: On the International Day of Older Persons, the consul general of the United Arab Emirates in Karachi, H.E. Bakheet Ateeq Al Romaithi, paid a compassionate visit to Aaghosh Old Home, a charitable institution that for 25 years has provided shelter, dignity and care to elderly, destitute and differently-abled women. His visit lifted the spirits of residents and offered fresh hope for the expansion of Aaghosh’s humanitarian mission. During the visit, Al Romaithi met elderly women living at Aaghosh, presenting them with gifts and flowers, listening to their concerns and offering words of encouragement. His warmth and…