Cover Story

Relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan will improve under the BNP’s rule, but expecting Dhaka and Islamabad to mend their fences completely is unrealistic

If the unpredictable policies of U.S. President Donald Trump continue, Asia will certainly strengthen its position in global affairs

US President Donald Trump’s dictatorial ways have changed the ways of global diplomacy

Asia is under the dangerous illusion of distance that it can remain an observer rather than a participant in this unfolding disorder

The United States remains influential in Asia, but it is no longer the uncontested center around which everything revolves

Given the still prevalent colonial system, it is highly doubtful that new provincial set-ups will serve the people better and resolve local issues

The proposal to upgrade Pakistan’s administrative divisions to provinces sounds interesting. Still, it cannot be functional unless there are constitutional changes and the people of the existing four provinces support such an idea

The proposed 20 provinces or administrative units in Pakistan, with power vested at the local level, will bring substantial efficiency to administration and greater convenience to the country’s people

Just as Hindutva springs from the falsity of Hindu supremacism, so too are Hindutva’s aspirations outside the Indian state fired by a fabricated version of the past

A man on a mission, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be remembered not as a reformer but as an undertaker in India’s history, as well as in the annals of Hindu dharma

Despite India’s military setback and its failure to diplomatically isolate Pakistan, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not reversed the BJP’s politics of hate and policy of exclusiveness

The Saudi-Pakistani defense pact represents a strategic recalibration for Pakistan, elevating its role in the Arab world while reinforcing its global standing as a middle power and reliable security provider

The Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia contains no ambiguity and is very specific in its language, clearly providing politico-strategic benefits and comfort to both countries

The implications of the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia defense pact, which positions Pakistan as a pivotal South Asian military power and an influential actor in the Middle East, are more far-reaching on the region than those of other agreements

The spectre of authoritarianism looms large, and the judicial actions seem to be part of a move to take away whatever independence of the judiciary is left.

Thanks to the 26th Amendment, the Executive, which by virtue of its majority in the Parliament, will be able to influence the Judiciary to its advantage.

The 26th Amendment violates all norms and the principles set forth by the international organisations.

Inevitably, Pakistan’s future relations with China and the USA will remain a continuing challenge.

While the US deliberately pushes the Doomsday Clock towards midnight, China is leading the global effort to avoid this man-made Armageddon. Pakistan must avoid making a strategic fool of itself.

Pakistan should be concerned about U.S. President Donald Trump’s transactional and unpredictable policies, and it would be in its best interest to be prepared for sudden policy shifts.

For Islamabad, tilting in favor of the U.S during the Donald Trump presidency will be risky and counter-productive.

Democracy now lies firmly in the grip of rascals who, by the inconsistencies of destiny, sit in the chair of authority.