Author: Uzma Ehtasham

By Uzma Ehtasham In a moment that laid bare the soul of a nation, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to the martyrs of what is now etched in the national psyche as the “Battle of Truth.” Their remarks did not merely commemorate the fallen; they offered a resounding endorsement of Pakistan’s military professionalism, national unity, and the enduring spirit of sacrifice. President Zardari rightly stated that the Pakistan Armed Forces, through Operation Bunyān al-Marsos, shattered the enemy’s arrogance—an operation that was far more than a strategic response. It was an unequivocal message: Pakistan will…

By Uzma Ehtasham The recent revelation by former US President Donald Trump—that the Indian government, led by Narendra Modi, has agreed to waive all tariffs on American goods—offers a glimpse into a far more intricate and troubling reality beneath the surface of global diplomacy and economics. This disclosure, shared casually at a business event in Doha, is not just about trade figures or economic policy. It is a reflection of a shifting geopolitical chessboard where economic incentives are intertwined with nationalist ambitions, historic grievances, and the looming threat of conflict. At first glance, the announcement might seem like a straightforward…

By Uzma Ehtasham There is a fundamental misconception that must be addressed: if you are powerful and you bully someone weaker than you, it is not courage. In fact, striking someone smaller than you is not a display of bravery; it is, at best, an act of cruelty, and at worst, a display of cowardice disguised as strength. True courage comes when the weak stand their ground or strike back, often resulting in the disgrace of the bully. This very dynamic unfolded in the recent tensions between Pakistan and India. The contrast between the two nations on the battlefield has…

By Uzma Ehtasham In a dramatic and historic turn, the interim government of Bangladesh has imposed a ban on the Awami League—the political party once heralded as the torchbearer of independence but long since accused of betraying the very ideals it claimed to uphold. With all political activities of the party now suspended until the conclusion of judicial proceedings, and with fresh amendments to the International Crimes Tribunal Act enabling legal action against political entities and their associated institutions, the country’s political landscape stands fundamentally reshaped. At the center of this storm is Sheikh Hasina Wajed, the ousted Prime Minister…

By Uzma Ehtasham It is telling — and perhaps tragic — that the Pahalgam tragedy, a moment that should have united South Asia in mourning, has instead become a stage for one of the most calculated geopolitical performances in recent memory. The blasts may have silenced the innocent, but what followed was anything but quiet. In Indian newsrooms, the chaos turned to frenzy. In political circles, fists clenched tighter. And in faraway capitals — Washington, London, Beijing — the phones lit up. Ceasefire talks. Emergency briefings. Media narratives sharpened like spears. Everyone had a stake. Everyone had a version. But…

By Uzma Ehtasham India’s cynical politicization of the Pahalgam incident—an attack that claimed the lives of 26 tourists—has unraveled into a sobering lesson in strategic miscalculation. What was meant to serve as a show of dominance, a chest-thumping performance before an increasingly hardline domestic audience, has ended up spotlighting the dangerous theatrics of New Delhi’s approach to regional politics. At its core, this episode is not only a failure of military judgement but a moral indictment of the political machinery that fed it. In its rush to project military superiority over Pakistan, India succeeded only in humiliating itself on the…

Pakistan’s deployment of the Chinese-made J-10C in the conflict marks a significant moment, downing an Indian Rafale fighter jet By Uzma Ehtasham KARACHI: The recent conflict between Pakistan and India has had a far-reaching impact on military dynamics in the region, notably increasing the demand for Chinese fighter jets. Media reports indicate that Egypt, following an 18-day joint military exercise with China last week, has expressed significant interest in acquiring Chinese-made warplanes. Experts believe that this development could have profound implications for the balance of power in the Middle East, where military alliances and defense technologies are increasingly shaping geopolitical…

By Uzma Ehtasham It was a sobering week for India. Stripped of its tough-talking veneer and exposed before the world, the self-proclaimed regional power found itself humiliated, not only on the battlefield but also on the diplomatic front. Pakistan’s blistering precision strikes under Operation Banyan Mursas shattered more than just Indian military targets — they punctured the illusion of Indian military supremacy and diplomatic poise. What followed from New Delhi was not introspection or restraint but a familiar descent into diplomatic tantrums, the most absurd of which was the threat to “suspend” the Indus Waters Treaty — an agreement that…

By Uzma Ehtasham KARACHI: The recent announcement of a ceasefire between Pakistan and India has been met with widespread international approval, with the United Nations, Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Kingdom and Germany all expressing hope that the development could mark a turning point towards lasting peace in South Asia. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres voiced optimism that the ceasefire would help create a more conducive environment for addressing deeper and long-standing issues between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. He emphasized the need for dialogue and restraint to ensure the ceasefire evolves into a pathway for enduring stability. Saudi Arabia’s Deputy…

By Uzma Ehtasham The unfolding situation on the diplomatic front has raised deep concerns about the future of regional and international stability. India’s recent missile attacks on Pakistan have taken a dangerous turn, with the Modi government failing to secure the support of key international players, particularly the United States. In an unexpected twist, US President Donald Trump’s remarks have dealt a significant blow to India’s diplomatic position. Describing India’s attack as “shameful,” President Trump made it clear that the United States would not condone such actions. His words were sharp and direct: “It is shameful. We have just heard…