Author: Uzma Ehtasham

By Uzma Ehtasham The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has sounded the alarm once again over what it describes as a troubling rise in attacks against religious minorities in India, drawing attention to incidents that seem to test the boundaries of constitutional guarantees in the world’s largest democracy. In its latest report, the commission highlights what it considers an escalation in aggression targeting Christians, citing the alleged assault on a priest in Odisha as emblematic of a broader pattern. Beyond acts of violence, the commission notes detentions and harassment of minority community members under allegations of forced religious…

By Uzma Ehtasham The announcement of the first Gaza Peace Board meeting in Washington on 19 February has been framed as a diplomatic breakthrough, a moment when the international community, led by the United States under President Donald Trump, might finally begin to chart a way out of one of the most enduring and morally charged conflicts of our time. Pakistan’s expected participation, at either prime ministerial or deputy prime ministerial level, alongside confirmed attendance from Hungary and Romania, lends the gathering an appearance of global engagement. Yet history counsels caution. Middle East diplomacy is littered with conferences that generated…

By Uzma Ehtasham The recent seizure of three oil tankers in the Arabian Sea by the Indian Coast Guard is more than a routine enforcement operation; it is a striking illustration of India’s growing disregard for the very countries that have historically supported its interests. Iranian media and independent analysts have traced the vessels—AL JAFZIA, ASPHALT STAR, and STELLAR RUBY—to Iran, noting that at least one was operating under the Iranian flag. The timing and context are impossible to ignore. Only weeks ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government abandoned the Chabahar port agreement, a cornerstone of India-Iran trade and regional…

By Uzma Ehtasham The recent signing of a sweeping set of trade agreements and memoranda of understanding between Pakistan and Uzbekistan in Islamabad is more than a ceremonial exercise in diplomacy; it signals Pakistan’s renewed ambitions to assert its influence in Central Asia. The accords, encompassing a wide spectrum of sectors—from trade, information technology, agriculture, and food security, to mining, defence cooperation, climate change, sports, culture, pharmaceuticals, and anti-narcotics measures—reflect an effort to broaden the scope of bilateral collaboration and establish a framework for long-term engagement. Both nations also set an ambitious target of increasing bilateral trade to $2 billion,…

By Uzma Ehtasham The White House’s recent statement on Iran has reverberated far beyond Washington, sending a signal as unmistakable as it is disquieting: the United States is asserting that its approach to Tehran is not confined to diplomacy alone. Behind the carefully measured language of negotiations lies a spectrum of options that Washington appears prepared to deploy if it deems dialogue insufficient. This message coincided with high-stakes nuclear talks in Muscat, Oman, where American and Iranian officials met under the cautious scrutiny of international observers. Despite the careful choreography of the discussions, insiders suggest the meetings concluded without any…

By Uzma Ehtasham Pakistan is currently encircled by multiple crises, but none are as grave or as intertwined as the resurgence of terrorism and the deepening economic malaise. These are not routine challenges that can be managed through partisan point-scoring or short-term political maneuvers. They demand an unusual degree of seriousness, restraint and collective effort from the country’s political leadership. Without unity of purpose and coherence of action, the prospect of regaining control over either security or the economy will remain elusive. It bears repeating that terrorism and economic decline are not the burdens of a single province, one government…

By Uzma Ehtasham The world seems once again perched on the edge of a precipice. President Donald Trump’s latest threats against Iran, amplified through social media, are far more than rhetorical flourishes—they reveal a disturbing preference for intimidation over diplomacy. Reports that a “massive American naval fleet” led by the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln is moving toward the region, prepared to deploy overwhelming force if necessary, underscore a familiar pattern: coercion is offered as a prelude to dialogue. The inclusion of Venezuela in these warnings is no accident. It is a rehearsed refrain: military might is presented as the default…

By Uzma Ehtasham KARACHI: The Chinese Consul-General in Karachi, Yang Yundong, welcomed 2026 as the Year of the Horse in the Chinese lunar calendar, noting its significance in traditional culture. Speaking at a formal gathering with local journalists at the Karachi consulate, he said the horse symbolizes freedom, passion, and boundless energy. He described the year as one of vibrant spirit, determination, and potential success. Consul-General Yang also reflected on the deepening ties between China and Pakistan over the past year. He highlighted practical cooperation in Sindh and Balochistan that reached new milestones. He praised the Pakistani media for reflecting…

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…