Analysis: An IMF-mandated balancing act

Budget struggles to balance the IMF programme’s goal of fiscal consolidation with its desire to expand economy.

Updated 11 Jun, 2025 09:38am

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Analysis: Half-empty or half-full?

Aurangzeb’s optimism wasn’t shared by many who have repeatedly seen enthusiastic reforms being sacrificed at the altar of political expediency.

Updated 10 Jun, 2025 12:32pm

‘Lights, camera, action’ needed to bring folk back to big screens

Dozens of cinemas have shut in past years, while the affordability and diversity offered by OTT services have increasingly pulled audiences.

Published 08 Jun, 2025 08:26am

Analysis: Which national leader will champion the Balochistan cause?

Baloch politicians say consistent engagement, multi-dimensional approach needed to address province’s problems.

Updated 03 Jun, 2025 11:20am

27 years after Chagai: Nuclear shadows & doctrinal dilemma

Pakistan’s quid pro quo plus aims at preventing all-out conflicts, but India’s reckless behaviour to expand geographic scope risks nuclear catastrophe.

Updated 28 May, 2025 10:15am

Fragile Pak-India truce: a pause or a path to peace?

For Pakistan, stability means addressing root causes, not simply freezing the conflict, but the tone from New Delhi remains intentionally severe.

Published 17 May, 2025 08:17am

Nuclear neighbours in high wire act

Each side has played its hand to maximum effect, yet each also understands that pushing the envelope too far would risk mutual destruction.

Published 08 May, 2025 07:53am

How judges’ quest for seniority chips away at judiciary’s very foundations

The Constitutional Bench’s reluctance to take up the matter underscores complexity of the legal and constitutional issues at play.

Updated 14 Apr, 2025 03:23pm

How more imports from US can help weather tariff storm

US is still Pakistan’s "number one export destination"; govt constitutes committee to formulate policy response.

Published 05 Apr, 2025 08:14am

The cost of travelling on Balochistan’s highways

Protests, insurgent attacks and multitude of checkpoints make road journey longer, more risky.

Updated 10 Mar, 2025 10:42am

Trump’s aid cuts to hurt pro-democracy projects the most

Pakistani institutions, such as ECP, have benefitted from Washington’s support in the past.

Published 24 Feb, 2025 10:39am

How new cybercrime law puts digital rights at stake

Vague language and harsh punishments mean anyone can face prosecution for what they say or do online.

Published 03 Feb, 2025 10:04am

Pakistani blocs intensify lobbying before Trump’s inauguration

Ambassador Rizwan Sheikh’s schedule filled to brim with "meetings on the Hill"; PTI-allied diaspora groups set to hold Congressional briefing on 22nd.

Published 15 Jan, 2025 09:03am

PPP, PML-N marriage of convenience likely to endure

Analysts believe "the common adversary" will compel both parties to stay part of the alliance, held together with the establishment’s support.

Published 03 Jan, 2025 11:05am

Analysis: Can Pakistan stem the tide of terror resurgence?

"Own losses" far outstrip dent IBOs, kinetic actions put in militants’ operational ability; need to revisit existing anti-terror strategies.

Updated 02 Jan, 2025 07:27pm

The 2024 polio counter is still ticking

Despite end of calendar year, total tally will become clear well into January as collected samples are tested.

Published 01 Jan, 2025 08:13am

Situationer: Kurram’s road to suffering

Sadda and Central Kurram get by somehow, with supplies coming in through a rough mountainous road. Not Parachinar, though, which remains cut off.

Updated 13 Dec, 2024 10:57am

Analysis: Will Champions Trophy suffer from chill in ties?

Indian press, pundits call on New Delhi to reciprocate Pakistan team’s World Cup visit.

Updated 18 Nov, 2024 01:11pm

Analysis: Under Trump, Pakistan to be viewed through ‘China, India lens’: experts

Experts say many picks are decidedly anti-China, while nominees such as Rubio, Waltz have demonstrated their pro-India leanings in past.

Updated 16 Nov, 2024 11:25am

EXCLUSIVE: Questions over a cup of tea with Nawaz

Ex-PM says Indian team should come to Pakistan for Champions Trophy, blames Imran for reneging on "commitment to work together".

Updated 16 Nov, 2024 09:47am

PTI gears up for Nov 24 countrywide protest through gritted teeth

Imran committed to "final call" despite reservations, says Aleema.

Published 15 Nov, 2024 11:33am

Tackling smog will take more than ‘lockdowns and prohibitions’

Experts say poor air quality "not a seasonal issue"; call for holistic reforms, including cleaner fuels, checking emissions, legal reforms.

Published 06 Nov, 2024 09:30am

Situationer: Imran’s incarceration tests PTI’s cohesion

Bushra-Aleema "rift" takes centre stage as workers grow disillusioned with incumbent leadership.

Updated 31 Oct, 2024 10:18am

Thrilling feat — Pakistan cricket returns to form

Shan is no Mike Brearley, but he might prove to be the best man for the job.

Published 28 Oct, 2024 09:26am

Will India support Pakistan’s bid to join BRICS?

Progress in border talks between India and China may become the sweetener in the bargain, given the special relations Islamabad has with Beijing.

Updated 23 Oct, 2024 11:50am

Who will rule the SC roost?

“The constitutional package is a bundle of confusion and no institution can function with so many contradictions,” a senior counsel says.

Updated 22 Oct, 2024 12:12pm

The elected seek greater role in picking judges

Proposed changes include taking away SC’s suo motu powers, capping CJP’s term at three years, empowering special committee to name top judge from 3 senior-most ones.

Updated 19 Oct, 2024 10:27am

SCO moot showcases Pakistan’s importance on global stage

Observers believe hosting summit enhanced country’s diplomatic standing, showed that it was "open for business" with the world.

Published 18 Oct, 2024 08:49am

‘Leader-less’ PTI falls prey to infighting

Rank & file "frustrated" with decisions coming from top echelons, feel they have "abandoned Imran".

Published 17 Oct, 2024 09:13am

Beyond judiciary, amendments should restructure the state

More provinces, a revisiting of the first-past-the-post electoral system and a directly elected chief executive are some of the reforms Pakistan needs if it is to rise to its full potential.

Published 15 Oct, 2024 11:31am

Will new IPP deals make electricity any cheaper?

Energy experts believe merely renegotiating terms will not bring down cost of electricity.

Published 12 Oct, 2024 10:08am

Clamour subsides as CJP Isa’s ‘exit’ comes into view

Legal circles are still awaiting notification that Justice Mansoor Ali Shah will succeed outgoing CJP.

Published 12 Oct, 2024 09:02am

Three-year reform plan for IMF exit strategy

Govt must focus on increasing investment, controlling fiscal deficits, devolving services, addressing energy crisis and reforming civil services.

Published 06 Oct, 2024 07:41am

Constitutional Amendment ‘coming soon’

NA, Senate sessions likely to be called next week; ruling parties file references against two MNAs for "supporting opposition".

Published 04 Oct, 2024 07:41am

Why Pakistan cricket is still ‘hobbling at the crease’

Babar Azam’s resignation is latest symptom of rot that permeates sports affairs. But PCB is not getting the message, despite embarrassing losses to US and Bangladesh.

Published 03 Oct, 2024 10:07am