Sunday, September 21st, 2025
UK, Portugal to recognise Palestinian state ahead of UN debate
LONDON, SEPT 21 (AFP/APP): Britain and Portugal were on Sunday expected to recognise a Palestinian state, ahead of a key week at the UN’s gathering where a suite of nations are set to do the same to pressure Israel over Gaza. A growing number of longtime Israeli allies have shifted positions in recent months as Israel has intensified its Gaza offensive, triggered by Hamas’s unprecedented 2023 attack. The besieged Palestinian territory has suffered vast destruction, death and lack of food that have resulted in a major humanitarian crisis. WorldRead More
Pak-Saudi defence pact a guarantee of peace, unity in Muslim world: Ashrafi
LAHORE, SEP 21 (APP/DNA): Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) Chairman Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi has said the recently signed historic strategic defence agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia would serve as a guarantor of peace and stability not only for both nations but also for the entire Muslim Ummah. Addressing a press conference at Jamia Masjid Tauheed on Sunday along with scholars and religious leaders from different schools of thought on International Day of Peace, Ashrafi said the pact, finalized under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and SaudiRead More
PM commends security forces for successful DI Khan operation
ISLAMABAD, Sep 21 (APP/DNA):Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday appreciated the security forces for successful operation against terrorists of Fitna al-Khwarij in Kulachi, District Dera Ismail Khan. The prime minister commended the security forces for killing seven terrorists of Fitna al-Khwarij during the operation, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release. In the war against terrorism, he said the entire nation stood with the security forces. The prime minister reiterated to completely eliminate all forms of terrorism from the country.
Self Checkout; Journey into the Heart of U.S. Society
By Qamar Bashir The American economy is again showing signs of vitality. With the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates, the hope of lower borrowing costs has sparked renewed optimism in trade, investment, and employment. Markets are responding with resilience, businesses are regaining confidence, and households are cautiously optimistic about relief from inflation. Yet behind the statistics, the true pulse of the nation is best felt not in the halls of power, but in the daily interactions between ordinary citizens. For a newcomer, one of the richest ways to understand AmericaRead More
The Saudi-Pakistan Defense Pact
By Altaf Kumail The Saudi-Pakistan Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA), signed on September 17, 2025, marks a pivotal moment in the evolving geopolitics of the Middle East and South Asia. This pact, forged amid regional instability and shifting global alliances, underscores a deepening of the historic ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan while introducing new complexities to an already volatile region. It is a bold move that reflects both nations’ strategic imperatives but also raises questions about its long-term implications for regional stability, particularly concerning India and the broader GulfRead More
Bagram: The Happy Invasion, the Humiliating Exit
By Abdul Waheed Waheed Recent U.S. policy signals point toward a potentially disruptive new phase in Afghanistan’s fragile political landscape. The U.S. House of Representatives has approved an amendment to the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, instructing the Pentagon to share intelligence with remnants of the former Afghan army, police units, and other designated resistance forces in order to counter the Taliban. Simultaneously, President Trump has publicly declared his intention to reclaim Bagram Air Base, emphasizing its strategic location near China’s nuclear facilities. Taken together, these moves suggest that Washington’sRead More