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…
Taimoor Khan Civilian gun ownership is rapidly increasing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with experts linking the trend to rising insecurity, fear of violence, deep-rooted social traditions, and the state’s growing reliance on arms licensing as a source of revenue. Official data show that between January 2024 and March 2026, more than 400,000 people applied for arms…
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…
Zakia Marwat Lakki Marwat, a strategically significant district in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is witnessing a sharp deterioration in its security environment as militant attacks surge, exposing critical weaknesses in the region’s law enforcement and governance structures. Recent incidents, including the killing of seven police personnel—among them a station house officer—have underscored the severity of 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…
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has released American detainee Dennis Walter Coyle on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, handing him over to his family in Kabul on Tuesday. Afghan officials said Coyle had been held for violating local laws and was freed after the Supreme Court deemed his detention period sufficient, following an appeal from…
By Muhammad Younas TIRAH VALLEY / BARA — On the dusty roads leading out of Pakistan’s Tirah Valley, the argument over who is responsible for displacement feels distant to the families sleeping inside vehicles, huddled against the cold, and waiting for their names to be called. For them, survival has little to do with narratives….
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…
