The continuous and exceptional sacrifices of the martial Sharifs have secured them a legendary place in the annals of modern Pakistan. The 16th volume of my series, “A Personal Chronicle of Pakistan,” is dedicated to the family that embodies the nation’s finest qualities. The unparalleled familial commitment and service of the martial Sharifs remain truly…
Pakistan’s Structural Opportunity in a Fragmenting Global Trade Order The escalating conflict in the Middle East is not confined to the battlefield; it is increasingly a contest over trade, energy, and the control of global supply lines. It increasingly resembles a modern proxy war, where major powers are influencing the flow of goods and resources….
“The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn, but to unlearn.” Gloria Steinem Human mind simplifies complex problems with multiple facets to ease the burden of processing. In this process quantifiable measures take precedence over the unquantifiable. In case of conflict, quantifiable measures such as numbers and quality of weapons…
The modern American presidency depends not only on constitutional powers but on a network of democratic norms, institutional restraints, and public trust that give those powers legitimacy. Many scholars, journalists, and former officials argue that Donald Trump’s conduct in office, and in the political arena more broadly, has weakened both the institution of the presidency…
When the Pakistan Air Force used the PL-15 beyond-visual-range missiles for bringing down Indian aircrafts during the May stand-off with India; that particular moment produced a spark that the international community could not set aside. In Islamabad, the reaction was relief as much as pride. It revealed decades of Chinese aerospace partnership that had given…
Pakistan’s Role in the US-Iran-Israel Crisis and South Asian Stability “The pursuit of peace cannot end in a few years in either victory or defeat.” (Dag Hammarskjold) The US- Iran- Israel war is not just a not-too-distant conflict in the Gulf region, but one with intense geopolitical and economic consequences to South Asia. What has…
A long forgotten Battalion-plus sized operations in 1962 In Then East Pakistan (Now Bangladesh) Compiled by (Late) Col (Retd) Nusrat Ullah – Chairman Pathfinder Group (1983-2004) Reproduced from Defence Journal, October 2001, July 2021 & July 2024 1. Mouza ASALONG, J. L. No 183, Police Station Ramgarh, Distt Chittagong Hill Tracts having an area of…
Awareness and Endurance in the Maritime Domain AbstractThis article articulates a transformative maritime doctrine for the 21st century, contending that the ocean has evolved from a vast emptiness into a fluid chessboard – a transparent, intelligent, and contested battlespace. For a maritime nation like Pakistan, this shift is existential. Drawing on pivotal historical episodes from…
Making the Transition Practical This multi-part series examines Pakistan’s energy vulnerability through complementary strategic lenses. Part II provided a deep dive into grid transmission and the Grid Recovery Mechanism. This third instalment delivers a comprehensive, data-driven blueprint for transport electrification – including a two-year mandatory cutoff for new internal combustion engine (ICE) passenger vehicles, a…
The Ground under our feetThe world as we knew it is no longer holding together. This is neither a prediction nor a warning but a simple observation available to anyone watching the news headlines. The genocide in Gaza, the fires in Ukraine, the missile exchanges and smoldering across the Middle East, the trade wars between…
