By Shamsul Haq Every summer, as tobacco leaves begin to mature across the fertile plains of Mardan, Swabi and Charsadda, a familiar dispute resurfaces. Farmers demand higher prices for their crop, tobacco companies complain of overproduction and regulatory constraints, while the Pakistan Tobacco Board (PTB) finds itself accused by both sides of failing to ensure…
Reuter Oil prices rose on Friday as escalating military tensions between the United States and Iran heightened concerns over disruptions to global energy supplies through two of the world’s most critical shipping routes—the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.Brent crude futures gained 70 cents, or 0.83%, to $84.93 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas…
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has reported a major transformation in global opioid markets following a dramatic decline in Afghanistan’s opium production. According to the 2026 World Drug Report, Afghanistan’s opium production has dropped by 95 percent since 2023, leading to a significant reduction in heroin supplies and rapidly shrinking existing…
