By Shamsul HaqThe Middle East is passing through one of the most critical phases in its recent history, with war, diplomacy, energy security and shifting strategic alliances increasingly intertwined. Against this backdrop, the defence agreement signed by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye in Makkah carries significance far beyond the three signatories. It could potentially contribute…
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…
Riaz Hussain Global oil prices climbed sharply on Monday as escalating tensions in the Middle East heightened fears of disruptions to energy supplies, while stock markets across Asia — including Pakistan — came under renewed pressure.Brent crude rose by $2.01, or 1.84 per cent, to reach $111.27 per barrel during early trading after touching its…
By H. Nawaz Afghan : Islamabad has emerged as the focal point of high-level diplomacy as the United States and Iran engage in crucial peace negotiations aimed at easing tensions and converting a fragile ceasefire into a lasting agreement. Senior delegations from both countries have arrived in Pakistan’s federal capital under tight security arrangements. The…
At the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, the Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Egypt are scheduled to visit Islamabad from March 29 to 30, 2026. The visiting dignitaries include Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Hakan Fidan, and Badr Abdelatty. During their visit, the foreign ministers will engage…
By H. Nawaz Afghan : Afghanistan’s interim government has imposed a complete ban on the import of Pakistani pharmaceutical products, marking a fresh low in Pak-Afghan relations and raising serious concerns over healthcare access for millions of Afghans, while inflicting heavy losses on Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry. Under the decision, Afghan importers have been given a…
KABUL — 19-01-2026 A deadly explosion struck the Chinese Noodle restaurant, a joint Chinese–Afghan eatery, in the Gulforoshi street of Shahr-e-Naw, Kabul, at on Monday, killing at least seven people, including one Chinese national, and injuring several others. According to preliminary information,The blast occurred near the kitchen area of the restaurant, which was known for…
By Muhammad Younas TIRAH VALLEY / BARA — When Yaseen Khan returned to his village of Donga in Shalobar, Tirah Valley, eight years ago, he believed the worst chapter of his life had ended. “We came back after years of militancy and displacement,” he says. “My father and I tried to rebuild our home and…
Muhammad Younas TIRAH VALLEY, KHYBER DISTRICT — For residents of Pakistan’s Tirah Valley, displacement has once again become a looming reality, reopening old wounds for families who only recently rebuilt their lives after years of conflict-driven upheaval. Official notices announcing the registration of families for what authorities describe as a “managed displacement” have spread quiet…
Riaz Hussain Pakistan is witnessing an alarming resurgence of terrorism in 2025, with independent security monitors warning that the country may be headed toward its deadliest year in a decade. According to fresh data compiled by the Pakistan Institute of Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) and the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), over…
