Friday, March 21st, 2025
Captain martyred, 10 terrorists killed in DIK operation
RAWALPINDI, MAR 21: A Pakistan Army captain was martyred while leading a successful anti-terror operation in Dera Ismail Khan, where security forces eliminated 10 terrorists, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed on Thursday. The operation, based on intelligence, took place on March 20, 2025. During a fierce exchange of gunfire, Captain Hasnain Akhtar, a 24-year-old officer from Jhelum district, embraced martyrdom while fearlessly leading his troops from the front. The ISPR report stated that the security forces had recovered a significant cache of arms and ammunition during the operation. TheRead More
Democratic vs. Military Decision-Making
Qamar Bashir Pakistan’s decision-making process is heavily dominated by military leadership, rendering civilian politicians mere figureheads without real authority. Despite holding official positions, they lack the autonomy to implement policies independently, as the final say rests with the military establishment. This power-centric governance model has plunged the country into political and economic chaos, fueling regional alienation and insurgencies, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Balochistan, in particular, has faced insurgency for decades, and rather than seeing a decline, the conflict has intensified due to the systemic exclusion of genuine BalochRead More
PIDE, Tsinghua University explore bold economic fix for Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, MAR 21: /DNA/ – Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) held a high-level meeting with Professor David Daokui Li, Mansfield Freeman Chair Professor at Tsinghua University, China, to deliberate on Pakistan’s economic challenges and explore areas for strategic collaboration. The PIDE delegation was led by Dr. Nasir Iqbal, Registrar and Acting Vice Chancellor, and included Dr. Shujaat Farooq (Chief of Research), Dr. Usman Qadir (Senior Research Economists), Ms. Afia Malik (Senior Research Economists), Dr. Mehmood Khalid (Senior Research Economists), Dr. Muhammad Zeshan (Research Fellows) and Dr. Muhammad Faisal (ResearchRead More
“All Political Forces should join hands in the Fight against Violent Extremism”, Faisal Karim Kundi
ISLAMABAD, MAR 21: /DNA/ – In his keynote address at the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) on “Strategies and Way Forward to Address the Security Challenges’, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi reaffirmed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK)’S commitment and resolve building peace and stability through strategic reforms and sustainable development. Highlighting the province’s vanguard role in Pakistan’s fight against extremism and terrorism, he lauded the resilience and courage of the people of KPK. Governor Kundi also emphasized that the instability in Afghanistan directly impacted upon Pakistan’s security, citing cross-border movement of non-stateRead More
US-Taliban Re-engagement on Multiple Fronts: A Signal of Prolonged Regional Struggles
By Shamim Shahid While the covert engagements between the United States and the Taliban have been ongoing in Doha for the past two years, the recent high-level, direct meeting in Kabul marks a significant shift. This unprecedented encounter between senior U.S. officials and Taliban representatives suggests a new phase in the geopolitical and strategic contest that has shaped the region since the early 1970s. The evolving U.S.-Afghan relations could create unease within Pakistan’s political and military establishment, particularly regarding engagements in Kabul. The outcomes of these interactions might run counterRead More
IMF talks on track, no major hurdles: finance minister
ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has expressed confidence that Pakistan will soon receive positive news from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), saying that negotiations are in their final stages with no major hurdles in the way. Speaking to journalists on Friday, the minister reassured that Pakistan is on track to meet the IMF’s economic discipline targets. He emphasised that discussions with the global lender are progressing smoothly and that the ongoing talks will conclude soon. Aurangzeb underscored the government’s commitment to economic reforms, adding that Pakistan is adhering to theRead More