Newspaper - Column - March 5, 2026

The IMF’s culpability

The IMF’s culpability

By endorsing sham austerity, IMF has failed its duty-of-care responsibility to Pakistanis.
Updated 05 Mar, 2026 09:24am
The burdens of war

The burdens of war

With the prospect of protracted conflict on the entire western flank, Pakistan must now take sober stock of its resource position.
Updated 05 Mar, 2026 09:34am
Rex Mundi

Rex Mundi

Who knew better than Kissinger the lessons history provides?
Published 05 Mar, 2026 07:26am
Working animals

Working animals

The humble donkey does not receive humane treatment.
Published 05 Mar, 2026 07:24am
Trump’s no-win war

Trump’s no-win war

The US president has continued to shift the stated aims of his military campaign against Iran.
Updated 04 Mar, 2026 09:16am
When the Western dream is over

When the Western dream is over

How do Pakistanis adjust to a world where they can no longer readily leave their country for foreign shores?
Published 04 Mar, 2026 07:47am
Law and language

Law and language

Why can’t we reciprocate the language of respect?
Published 04 Mar, 2026 07:44am
Warmongers Inc

Warmongers Inc

The ME is being ruptured rather than restructured.
Updated 04 Mar, 2026 09:39am
A capable state

A capable state

The neoliberal mantra of states shrinking their size is wrong.
Published 03 Mar, 2026 07:20am
Young and restless

Young and restless

The young feel ignored and excluded even though it is they who will determine Pakistan’s future.
Updated 02 Mar, 2026 09:16am
Geography or ethnicity

Geography or ethnicity

If ethnic identities were perennial status groups, such assimilation would be considerably harder.
Updated 02 Mar, 2026 09:33am
Forbidden play

Forbidden play

A dedicated space is needed to empower girls through sports.
Published 02 Mar, 2026 07:20am
Lessons from the Taliban

Lessons from the Taliban

Pakistan must use all means to eliminate terrorist networks operating from Afghan soil.
Updated 01 Mar, 2026 09:38am
What next after Iran?

What next after Iran?

The Israel-US attack on Iran has absolutely nothing to do with Iran’s nuclear programme.
Published 01 Mar, 2026 08:07am
Flying high

Flying high

The test is not who is speaking but what they are saying.
Published 01 Mar, 2026 08:00am
Board of Peace

Board of Peace

Pakistan has taken a prudent position.
Updated 01 Mar, 2026 09:48am
The invisible hand at 250

The invisible hand at 250

Pakistan’s policymakers need to channel the invisible hand to bring about social order and economic opportunities.
Published 28 Feb, 2026 06:40am
Budget 2026-27 as a bridge

Budget 2026-27 as a bridge

The next budget should signal that Pakistan is preparing to graduate from stabilisation under IMF supervision to self-sustaining growth.
Updated 28 Feb, 2026 09:28am
Silver linings

Silver linings

As Syria endures revolutionary pangs, the undaunted women of the SWPM are working to ensure that Syrian women will claim a place in their unwritten future.
Updated 28 Feb, 2026 09:37am
Festivals and conferences

Festivals and conferences

Each festival had some 40 to 50 sessions and 200-plus panellists or speakers.
Published 27 Feb, 2026 08:20am
Our mining sector

Our mining sector

How does Pakistan compare with other countries in terms of actual mineral extraction?
Updated 27 Feb, 2026 09:09am
Quranic voice

Quranic voice

Much of our religious discourse has been outsourced to translations.
Published 27 Feb, 2026 08:16am
Age of reaction

Age of reaction

Reactionary politics and repressive state nationalism dominate.
Updated 27 Feb, 2026 09:23am
Climate finance in RoB

Climate finance in RoB

The Rules of Business lack clarity on specific institutional roles in climate governance.
Published 26 Feb, 2026 07:39am
Welcome to the future

Welcome to the future

We pay for their failures, and they give themselves pay raises instead. In truth, the system is working just fine.
Updated 26 Feb, 2026 09:09am
Personal indulgences

Personal indulgences

Every day, a new name is added to the roll of dishonour.
Published 26 Feb, 2026 07:35am
Poverty and privilege

Poverty and privilege

The ruling elite has no qualms about indulging in a life of luxury at taxpayers’ expense.
Updated 25 Feb, 2026 09:17am
Minerals diplomacy

Minerals diplomacy

There are several reasons why Pakistan is trying to position itself as a ‘mineral state’.
Published 25 Feb, 2026 08:00am
Federation demolition

Federation demolition

LGs need to exist as a logical extension of the federal structure.
Updated 25 Feb, 2026 09:26am
Note: Updated 7:30 AM (PKT) every morning