US, China reach deal to ease export curbs, keep tariff truce alive
LONDON – US and Chinese officials said on Tuesday they had agreed on a framework to get their trade truce back on track and remove China’s export restrictions on rare earths while offering little sign of a durable resolution to longstanding trade tensions.At the end of two days of intense negotiations in London, US Commerce […]
US supports ongoing ceasefire between Pakistan and India: State Dept
WASHINGTON – US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce while briefing the media in Washington on Tuesday said that the United States supports the ongoing ceasefire between Pakistan and India.Tammy Bruce said that State Department officials, including Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, met with the Pakistani parliamentary delegation during their visit last week. She […]
Rising Poverty in Pakistan: A Call for Urgent and Targeted Action
The recent World Bank revelation that nearly 45 percent of Pakistan’s population lives below the poverty line is deeply alarming, though hardly unexpected. Even more concerning is the surge in extreme poverty, which has increased from 4.9 percent to 16.5 percent. These figures are derived from a 2018-19 household survey and therefore do not reflect […]
A Vaccine Independence Movement for Pakistan
Pakistan faces a weak public health future. With over seven million births annually and a population growth rate of 2.55%, we face a looming threat — and a rare opportunity — in the form of vaccine self-reliance. The clock is ticking: by 2031, Pakistan will graduate from GAVI support, losing access to subsidized vaccines currently […]
Eid-ul-Azha: a festival of faith, sacrifice, and social spirit
As the crescent moon announces the arrival of Eid-ul-Azha, markets bustle with buyers and sellers, kitchens prepare for days of festivity, and communities gather for one of the most sacred celebrations in Islam. However, beyond the fanfare, feasting, and festivity lies the true spirit of Eid-ul-Azha — one that calls on Muslims to reflect deeply […]
Tackling the Roots of Violence Against Women
The recent murder of teenager Sana Yousaf has once again forced our nation to confront a harrowing truth: punitive justice alone cannot dismantle the deeply rooted misogyny that breeds violence against women. Despite the high-profile Supreme Court ruling that upheld the death sentence for Zahir Jaffer—the convicted killer of Noor Muqaddam—women in Pakistan continue to […]
Unparalleled signs of sacrifice
As the sacred month of Dhul-Hijjah approaches its zenith, the global Muslim community turns its gaze to the holy city of Makkah, where millions gather to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. For those unable to attend, the days of Eidul Azha are marked by remembrance, devotion, and sacrifice. Yet, in the midst of festivity and ritual, […]
Beyond Dams and Costly Hydropower
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent remarks on consulting provinces to increase Pakistan’s water storage capacity—particularly in light of India’s announcement of suspending the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)—signal a proactive but possibly misplaced approach to a complex national challenge. While the consultation process is a step in the right direction to defuse interprovincial tensions on controversial […]
Bridging the Development Gap
The federal government’s target of Rs4.1 trillion for national development expenditure in the upcoming fiscal year presents a sobering reality: Islamabad’s share in driving long-term economic growth continues to diminish amid an unrelenting resource crunch. With provinces shouldering Rs2.8 trillion of the development burden — over two-thirds of the total — the federal contribution has […]
Japan’s Commitment to Pakistan’s Social and Economic Progress
The recent grant aid agreement between the Government of Japan, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the Government of Pakistan marks a vital milestone in the development of Pakistan’s urban infrastructure—specifically in the water supply sector. Under the “Economic and Social Development Programme,” Japan has extended a generous grant of 510 million yen (approx. […]