Stories by Muhammad Amir Rana

Closing the Afghan file

Bhutto’s policy was just the lever. It was Zia who turned it into an ideology.

Updated 18 Oct, 2026 08:37am

The lost civilian CT body

An obituary for the National Counter Terrorism Authority, once conceived as a civilian counterterrorism body.

Updated 11 Oct, 2026 08:29am

Pakistan’s Russian dilemma

Russia is likely to remain cautious about deepening its cooperation with Pakistan.

Updated 04 Oct, 2026 09:07am

A broken power accord

Serious fractures exist among the elites over the division of power.

Published 27 Sep, 2026 07:51am

An eye on Balochistan border

The situation along the Pakistan-Iran border in the broader conflict has been largely overlooked.

Updated 20 Sep, 2026 09:29am

Pakistan: 25 years post-2001

The country’s biggest achievements and major failures have been in counterterrorism.

Updated 13 Sep, 2026 10:07am

Searching for past glory

Pakistan is deepening its West Asian ties to bolster its defence power and strategic weight.

Updated 06 Sep, 2026 10:28am

Durbar legacy in Balochistan

Dismantling an institution isn’t the same as changing the political culture that sustained it.

Updated 30 Aug, 2026 08:45am

Muslim politics struggle

The Gulf model always inspires Pakistanis as an authoritarian success story.

Published 23 Aug, 2026 08:08am

Endless wait for a miracle

Pakistanis have been conditioned to look outward for a change in their fate.

Updated 16 Aug, 2026 09:04am

Counterterrorism paradox

The country lacks a coordinated strategy that converts operational success into durable peace.

Updated 09 Aug, 2026 09:38am

Power and youth

The youth are not politically blind; they see how the system works and how it is manoeuvred.

Updated 02 Aug, 2026 08:19am

Outsourcing security

Why do states encourage local populations in conflict zones to stand up against violent actors?

Updated 26 Jul, 2026 09:08am

Destination Pakistan

The EU report will hardly impact the power elite’s approach to rights and the rule of law.

Updated 19 Jul, 2026 09:24am

Balochistan security crisis

The state must revisit its security policies in the volatile province.

Updated 12 Jul, 2026 09:08am

Security without safety

Instead of investing in accountable policing, the authorities are relying on coercive legislation.

Updated 05 Jul, 2026 08:55am

Dreaming of connectivity

Pakistan’s growing economic engagement with Iran is driven by strategic considerations.

Updated 28 Jun, 2026 08:39am

Managing peripheral dissent

If there is political will to find a solution, numerous options can be explored.

Updated 14 Jun, 2026 09:38am

Putin’s Pakistan puzzle

Putin finds Pakistan another window through which to engage and send messages to Washington.

Updated 07 Jun, 2026 06:37pm

Misreading Baloch youth

Dialogue remains part of the solution, particularly with those who are still willing to talk.

Updated 31 May, 2026 09:02am