Nuclear warheads and their delivery vehicles were a hallmark of the Cold War period as most of the Asian and European countries were awash with them during that span. The period soon after the abrupt ending of the World War II till the breakup of the USSR (1947–1991) witnesses some dramatic changes in the warfare…
Akbar Khan (1912-1994) was a Pathan from Charsadda area of Khyber-Pukhtunkhwa. He was from the pareech khel clan of Muhammad zai tribe that inhabits the village of Utmanzai. Akbar was from the last batch of Indian officers commissioned from Royal Military College Sandhurst in February 1934. Lieutenant General B.M. Kaul “Bijji” was his course mate at Sandhurst…
The tremendous performance of the Pakistan Army, and other law enforcement agencies involved in counter-insurgency operations and eliminating the major pockets of terrorism in Pakistan notwithstanding, the fact remains that it is almost impossible to completely wipe out this security menace, particularly when terrorists can take refuge in urban centers or even in some tribal areas….
Afghanistan rivals failed to reach a breakthrough on holding direct peace negotiations during international talks in Moscow, the latest international effort to end the conflict. Russia had invited representatives from the United States as well as India, Iran, China and Central Asian Republics; all hailed the Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan as an opportunity to…
The prevailing world order is known for acting very fast in Muslim versus non-Muslim conflicts where the outcome is likely to benefit non-Muslims but it shows criminal negligence when Muslims are likely to gain through political settlement of any such conflict. When pushed too hard, the conflict is settled in a way that it is…
Dear Readers, Financial inclusion is the delivery of financial services at affordable costs to all sections of disadvantaged and low-income segments in society. According to the World Bank, around 2 billion people do not use formal financial services and more than 50% of adults in poorest households are unbanked. As of 2017, nearly a quarter…
Introduction My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge [Bible, Hosea 4:6] On 25th December, Christians all over the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The status of Jesus Christ has been debated extensively during last two millenniums, it continues even now. Throughout the history there have always been…
Context As the global balance power remains in flux, some dramatic changes indicate how complicated this shift has become. The equilibrium is swinging between the established and the emerging powers with both striving to shape the process of change towards their camp. As the tug and pull continues between US, Russia, and China, the Cold…
In 2013, Shoaib Suddle, the Federal Tax Ombudsman investigating Malik Riaz and Arsalan Iftikhar, son of former chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, ordered the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to recover of Rs. 119 billion owed by real estate tycoon Malik Riaz in taxes. No surprise that this was set aside by then president, Asif Ali Zardari. The…
After the Panama Papers surfaced it was an even bet that Pakistan would be rocked by revelations about improprieties in many areas, corruption cases would include some of the worst scandals. The difference between corrupt practices at the creation of Pakistan and of today is usually not only mammoth in nature but directly or indirectly…
