Author: Uzma Ehtasham

By Uzma Ehtasham The latest figures on measles in Sindh should leave no room for complacency. The deaths of 53 children in the province during the first half of this year are not simply another set of troubling health statistics. They represent lives cut short by a disease that modern medicine has long known how to prevent. When more than half of the country’s 102 reported measles deaths have occurred in a single province, it signals a public health emergency that demands urgent and sustained action rather than temporary concern. The numbers reveal the scale of the challenge. Sindh has…

By Uzma Ehtasham Pakistan’s successful hosting of the Ninth Ministerial Conference of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Women has placed the country at the center of a significant global conversation about the future role of women in the Muslim world. The event was more than a diplomatic gathering; it was an opportunity for Pakistan to present itself as a country willing to engage with one of the defining questions of modern development — how societies can ensure women are not only included but empowered to shape economic, political and social progress. With Pakistan assuming the presidency of the…

By Uzma Ehtasham The world’s natural resources have always shaped the rise and fall of nations. They have powered economies, sustained civilizations and lifted millions out of poverty. Yet history also offers countless examples of oil, gas, minerals and water becoming sources of rivalry, conflict and instability instead of prosperity. As the global race for strategic resources intensifies, the challenge before the international community is no longer simply about securing supplies. It is about ensuring that these resources are governed fairly, responsibly and in accordance with international law so they become instruments of cooperation rather than catalysts for confrontation. Pakistan’s…

By Uzma Ehtasham KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Monday directed authorities to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards negligence in healthcare services after a number of HIV cases were detected at the Sindh Employees’ Social Security Institution (SESSI)-run Kulsum Bai Valika Hospital in Karachi. Chairing a high-level review meeting at the Chief Minister’s House, Murad Ali Shah expressed serious concern over the reported cases and sought detailed briefings from health officials and relevant departments. He said protecting patients from preventable infections was the government’s foremost responsibility and no compromise would be accepted in maintaining healthcare standards. The…

By Uzma Ehtasham The guns have fallen silent, for now. After two days of intense aerial and missile exchanges between the United States and Iran, following discussions at foreign ministerial level, a temporary ceasefire has taken hold. According to international news agencies, diplomatic efforts by Pakistan, Qatar and Oman have succeeded in de-escalating tensions in the Middle East, reviving fragile hopes for the resumption of US-Iran nuclear negotiations. Sources familiar with these diplomatic initiatives indicate that the mediating nations are pressing both parties to refrain from further attacks and return to the negotiating table over contentious issues, particularly shipping through…

By Uzma Ehtasham The deadly attack on a police post in Balochistan’s Ziarat district, which reportedly claimed the lives of nine police officers, is another grim reminder that terrorism remains one of Pakistan’s most pressing national security challenges. Every such attack represents not only a human tragedy for the families of those killed but also an assault on the state’s ability to protect its citizens and maintain public confidence in the rule of law. According to official statements, the assault was followed by a security operation in which several terrorists were killed, while military officials said that police personnel taken…

By Uzma Ehtasham Pakistan’s latest glacial flooding in Upper Chitral is another stark reminder that the climate crisis is no longer a distant threat but an unfolding national emergency. The sudden surge of water in the Yarkhun Valley, triggered by accelerated glacial melt, swept away the only bridge connecting thousands of residents, leaving communities isolated and exposing the vulnerability of critical infrastructure in one of the country’s most climate-sensitive regions. While the immediate concern is restoring access and providing relief to affected communities, the larger challenge lies in recognising that such disasters are becoming part of a dangerous new reality…

By Uzma Ehtasham The funeral of Iran’s Supreme Leader became far more than a state ceremony. It evolved into one of the largest public gatherings in the country’s recent history, bringing together immense crowds in Tehran alongside official delegations from around 100 countries. The scale of the mourning reflected not only the constitutional importance of the office but also the profound emotional impact of the death of a leader who shaped Iran’s political, religious and strategic direction for decades. Whether admired or criticised, his influence extended well beyond Iran’s borders, and the extraordinary public response illustrated how moments of national…

By Uzma Ehtasham Relations between Pakistan and Türkiye have never been confined to the narrow framework of conventional diplomacy. Over decades, the two countries have cultivated a relationship rooted in political trust, shared historical ties and mutual support during moments of regional and international uncertainty. While many bilateral partnerships fluctuate according to changing geopolitical realities, the bond between Islamabad and Ankara has shown remarkable resilience. It has endured changes of government, shifting regional alliances and global political transformations, demonstrating that the relationship is based on far more than temporary strategic convenience. Yet while political solidarity has remained a defining feature…

By Uzma Ehtasham The latest statement from the US State Department reaffirming Pakistan’s right to defend itself against terrorist attacks has added a new dimension to an already complex regional security debate. While statements issued by major powers are often shaped by diplomatic calculations, this one reflected an important recognition of Pakistan’s long and costly campaign against militancy. For more than two decades, Pakistan has remained on the frontline of the fight against terrorism, enduring immense human and economic losses while confronting extremist groups that have repeatedly threatened its security and stability. Acknowledging these sacrifices is not simply a diplomatic…