History rarely offers second chances. In 2026, Pakistan has been offered three at once. Executive Summary Pakistan stands at a once-in-a-generation inflection point. The February 2026 disruption of the Strait of Hormuz exposed the fragility of Gulf-centered trade; war-risk premiums for Pakistani ports became multiples cheaper than those for ports inside the Persian Gulf. Simultaneously,…
Symbolism to an evolving strategic reality “The only sure basis of an alliance is for each party to be equally afraid of the other.” –Thucydides I have been commenting on the Makkah Accord from the very beginning that it was conceived – I labelled it as ‘dead-on-arrival’ and a symbolic arrangement more than any practical…
I have often been criticised for not saying the things I say now when I was in service. However, how does one know what I said or did not say at the time? Yet this criticism comes up so often that I have decided to address it, though I know that it will not affect…
“The whole earth is a sepulchre of famous men”, Thucydides, History of the Pelopeonnesian War An army is a strange entity. It is an organised institution, deliberately trained, equipped and structured for one fundamental purpose: to impose its will upon a defined enemy through controlled violence. Its success is measured not merely in territory gained…
A Prerequisite for Pakistan’s Economic, Trade and Investment Growth Pakistan’s economic challenges are generally discussed in terms of energy costs, taxation, inflation, exchange rates, political uncertainty and declining competitiveness. However, another equally important factor deserves serious attention: the efficiency, predictability and effectiveness of the country’s justice system, particularly in commercial and economic matters. This issue…
Navigating the geopolitical fault lines of the Middle East has always been a core requirement of Pakistan’s foreign policy, but few acts are as precarious as balancing its deepening alignment with Saudi Arabia against its delicate relationship with neighboring Iran. Managing these competing interests remains one of Pakistan’s ultimate diplomatic imperatives and perhaps reflects a…
History, Hopes and Hazards of Further Division Pakistan’s debate on the formation of new provinces continues to surface with renewed vigour, driven by the practical difficulties of governing a nation whose population now exceeds two hundred and forty million within an administrative framework that has remained largely unchanged since 1970. At present the country comprises…
An Intellectual Deconstruction of Secondary Compilations “The views and historical analysis presented in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy or official stance of DJ. This piece is published purely for scholarly reflection and historical inquiry, without intending to incite debate or endorse any specific school…
Dear General Tariq Khan: I read your statement with interest and with considerable sympathy for the distinction you draw between professional disagreement and public disobedience. You are correct that a military organization cannot operate as a debating forum and that officers in service generally voice their objections through the established chain of command. You are…
Why Pakistan’s Housing Sector Must Learn From Israel And Iran The recent conflict between Israel and Iran has exposed a fundamental truth that Pakistan’s housing sector has been long ignored. In a volatile region, the home is the first line of defense. While Israel has mandated protective residential construction for decades and Iran invested heavily…
