London, 28th January 2026.(Dr. Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur) __ European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s recent portrayal of India as “the world’s largest democracy” and a pillar of “global stability, prosperity, and security”, coupled with her framing of the EU–India Security and Defence Partnership as a union between “the world’s two largest democracies”, is not...
Pakistan’s recent decision to align with yet another United States–initiated peace framework demands a clear and uncompromising reassessment. The US-led formula, as reflected in similar initiatives across conflict-prone regions, follows a standardized policy template: calibrated engagement with selected political and non-state actors; conditional security cooperation tied to counter-terrorism performance indicators; pressure for regional de-escalation aligned...
Every country’s foreign policy has two dimensions. One is hard power—military and economic strength. The other is soft power—the cultural influence that wins hearts without firing a single shot. In today’s world, where technology has compressed distances, cultural diplomacy is no longer a choice; it has become a national necessity. Propaganda vs. Reality Global media...
Pakistan today stands at a critical crossroads where political polarisation has emerged as one of the most serious and persistent obstacles to national prosperity. The country is grappling simultaneously with soaring inflation, a widening fiscal deficit, declining foreign exchange reserves, rising unemployment, and shrinking industrial activity. While these challenges are often discussed in isolation and...
The World Bank’s recent report has delivered a stark warning: in the past three years, 20 million Pakistanis have fallen below the poverty line, while the unemployment rate has surged to 22%. These figures, alarming as they are, only reveal part of a much deeper and more troubling reality. Before analyzing these statistics, it is...
Over the past two years, nearly 150 large textile units in Pakistan have shut down, marking a dramatic contraction in an industry that has historically been the backbone of Pakistan’s economy. Textiles have long accounted for over 60% of Pakistan’s total exports and employ millions across manufacturing, spinning, weaving, and garment sectors, providing livelihoods in...
Pakistan’s repeated engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) raises serious questions about the country’s long-term economic direction. While IMF programmes may provide temporary balance-of-payments relief, they often come at the expense of sustainable industrial growth, domestic investment, and economic sovereignty. It is important to recognize that IMF policies are not politically neutral. Despite official...
An official alert has been issued by the Animal Husbandry Commissioner (AHC) Office, Islamabad, to all provincial livestock authorities, referencing the FAO SAT‑1 alert, warning Pakistan about the imminent risk of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) serotype SAT‑1 in the region. Foot-and-Mouth Disease has been one of the most significant infectious threats to livestock worldwide, causing substantial...
Pakistan’s economy is under sustained pressure from weak export growth, a persistent trade deficit, declining foreign exchange reserves and rising external debt obligations. Despite repeated stabilization efforts, the core structural problem remains unchanged: Pakistan exports too little and relies on a narrow range of products. In this situation, expanding exports from underutilized but high-potential sectors...
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