Abandoning Afghanistan by the international community would lead to unimaginable consequences, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has warned. Speaking in an event at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, Zardari called on the international community to maintain a pragmatic approach and constructive engagement with Afghanistan and provide support to avert any potential humanitarian disaster in the country. “The international […]

In the 21st century, it is unthinkable for foreigners from countries such as China, Japan or European countries to live without power even for a short amount. It is even said that during World War II, almost every home in Germany had a constant (24/7) supply of electricity. The word “load-shedding” is foreign to many of the citizens living in […]

A recent outcry vis-à-vis the trial of 9th May offenders in military court has been used as a tool to intensify the blame game against state institutions. Use of military courts is not a new phenomenon in international politics. Such measures have been utilized in history by many countries including United Kingdom and United States to stabilize law and order […]

Traditionally, the territory of Pakistan has been home to followers of various religions. However, due to the division of British India along religious lines, Pakistan has become a de facto mono-religious country, with a large majority of Muslim citizens. [1, 21-45] However, even after 1947, communities of Christians, Sikhs, Hindus and some other religions continued to live in the country. […]

Since the beginning of 2023, Pakistani politicians have repeatedly asserted that a ‘deal’ with the IMF is anywhere from days to weeks away. However, earlier this week, the IMF rejected Pakistan’s request for a loan, as per Pakistani media reports[1]. Herein lies an open secret. Pakistan is close to defaulting on its international loans, with official forex reserves of $4.09 […]

According to a Reuters report, Pakistan has paid for its first government to government import of discounted Russian crude in Chinese currency. It is a significant shift in its US dollar dominated export payments policy. Discounted crude offers respite as Pakistan faces an acute balance of payments crisis, risking a default on its debt obligations. The foreign exchange reserves held […]

The word ‘ally’ despite its length and extrinsic appearance, is disproportionately more involved, tightly knit and cannot be indicative of the growing relationship between India and the U.S. This understanding is even more imperative ahead of the Modi-Biden meet in Washington D.C., where Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi will be on an official state visit. Given the growing influence […]

Author Brahma Chelani, a professor of strategic studies at the Center for Policy Research in New Delhi and a former adviser to India’s National Security Council said in an article ‘Uneven U.S. treatment of Bangladesh and Pakistan makes little sense’ published n the Nikkei Asia published on June 12 that the USA has adopted a double standard policy towards Bangladesh. […]

Attacks by TTP have been rising since peace talks with government broke down in November Three Pakistani soldiers were killed in a gun battle with Taliban militants near the Afghan-Pakistan border on Saturday, the latest violent incident in the restive, semi-mountainous frontier region. Pakistan’s army has been battling an escalating number of attacks from Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or the Pakistani Taliban […]

The history of the Islamization of indigenous non-Muslim populations of Kashmir is similar to that of the Middle East and North Africa: native non-Muslim peoples were first conquered by Islamic armies and then subjected to discrimination and persecution, which led to either death, conversion to Islam or departure/flight. Due to killings and forced conversions, there are no Hindus remaining in […]