Author: Uzma Ehtasham

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…

By Uzma Ehtasham The national conference on prison and justice sector reforms convened by the Supreme Court has highlighted an uncomfortable reality that Pakistan has struggled with for decades. While laws exist, courts function and prisons continue to operate, the broader criminal justice system remains burdened by delays, overcrowding and institutional weaknesses that deny countless citizens their constitutional right to timely and fair justice. The participation of the country’s four chief ministers, the federal law minister, chief justices of the high courts, senior police officials and prison administrators reflected a rare consensus that meaningful reform cannot be achieved by any…

By Uzma Ehtasham The latest exchange of accusations between Pakistan and India over military operations linked to Afghanistan is another reminder of how fragile security remains in South Asia. The rhetoric may be familiar, but the underlying challenges have become increasingly serious. Cross-border militancy, competing strategic interests and a deep absence of trust continue to shape relations not only between Islamabad and New Delhi but also between Pakistan and Afghanistan. In such an atmosphere, every military action, diplomatic statement and security incident risks widening an already dangerous regional divide. Pakistan has forcefully rejected India’s criticism of its recent military operations…

By Uzma Ehtasham Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has once again placed Pakistan’s growing population at the centre of the country’s development debate, describing it as one of the greatest challenges facing the nation. While chairing a meeting on population welfare, he directed officials to convene the first meeting of the National Population Council and emphasised that sustainable development depends upon balancing population growth with available resources. He also called for population planning to be linked with broader economic development, human capital and social protection initiatives. These are reasonable objectives, and few would dispute that population planning deserves serious policy attention.…

By Uzma Ehtasham The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty has once again laid bare the deep fragility of relations between Pakistan and India, reminding the international community that even the most enduring agreements are vulnerable when political tensions override legal commitments. Signed in 1960 under the mediation of the World Bank, the treaty has long been regarded as one of the most successful examples of international water diplomacy. For more than six decades it withstood wars, military confrontations and prolonged diplomatic breakdowns, largely because both countries accepted that the management of shared rivers should remain insulated from political disputes.…

By Uzma Hashmi KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah defended the province’s local government system on Wednesday, saying those criticising its performance should first assess the functioning of local bodies in their own provinces before questioning the model adopted in Sindh. Speaking to reporters in Karachi, the chief minister said criticism of Sindh’s local government structure often overlooked the fact that local government institutions remained weak or were absent in several other parts of the country. He argued that provinces where local bodies were not functioning effectively had little justification for criticising Sindh’s system. “Those commenting on Sindh’s local…

By Uzma Ehtasham The government’s decision to keep petrol and diesel prices unchanged despite a marked decline in international crude oil prices has once again exposed the gap between official promises and economic reality. At a time when global energy markets have eased following the reduction of military tensions between the United States and Iran, consumers across Pakistan had every reason to believe they would finally receive some relief after months of bearing the burden of elevated fuel costs. Instead, the latest pricing announcement has delivered disappointment, leaving millions of households questioning why the benefits of falling global oil prices…

By Uzma Ehtasham For much of Pakistan, climate change is often discussed in terms of rising temperatures, longer heatwaves and increasingly unpredictable rainfall. In Balochistan, however, the crisis has become far more personal. It is measured by empty wells, dry taps and the daily search for water. Across Pakistan’s largest province, shrinking groundwater reserves, prolonged droughts, devastating floods and the collapse of centuries-old irrigation systems are combining to create an unprecedented water emergency. From the crowded streets of Quetta to the flood-hit plains of Nasirabad and the date orchards of Makran, communities are finding it harder each year to secure…