Opinion

Istanbul Talks: Between Hope and Deadlock in Pak-Afghan Relations

Opinion /

(Shamim Shahid)  The Istanbul talks, currently underway between Pakistan and Afghanistan, mark the second and perhaps the most crucial phase of negotiations between the two uneasy neighbours. Convened on October 25, the three-day dialogue was expected to bring clarity on bilateral security concerns and the resurgence of cross-border militancy. Yet, despite the presence of high-level […]

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The Deadlock in Tirah: How KP’s Politics Is Undermining the War for Peace

Opinion /

Irfan Khan  The recent jirgas in Tirah Valley and the failed rounds of dialogue with the Taliban mark a decisive moment in Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts. Despite repeated attempts at negotiation, the state’s patience has worn thin. Security officials have now delivered a clear, uncompromising message: “Work with us, hand over the militants, leave the area,

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Hangu Attack Exposes Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Counterterrorism Gaps

Opinion /

Aqeel Yousafzai  The recent martyrdom of two police officers, including SP Zubair, in the Hangu bombing once again lays bare the grim reality that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains the frontline of Pakistan’s unfinished war against terrorism. The tragedy exposes not only the persistence of militancy but also the provincial government’s chronic failure to equip and protect

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From Hangu to Kabul: The Unfinished War Pakistan Can’t Afford to Ignore

Opinion /

The terrorist attack in Hangu once again exposes the deep cracks in Pakistan’s counterterrorism strategy and the absence of political will to back those fighting on the front lines. A police check-post was first targeted with an explosion, followed by a devastating attack on the convoy of SP Operations Asad Zubair, leading to his martyrdom

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Federal-Provincial Disconnect Undermines Counterterrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Opinion /

Shamim Shahid The controversy over the return of bulletproof vehicles by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has once again exposed the widening gap between the federal and provincial authorities  a rift that continues to weaken Pakistan’s collective fight against terrorism. What began as a routine administrative matter has now evolved into a political flashpoint, revealing

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Fractured but Dangerous: Afghan Taliban’s Split Ranks Pose Global Peril

Opinion /

Despite their internal rifts and power struggles, the Afghan Taliban remain one of the most potent threats to global security. Behind the façade of governance in Kabul lies a deeply fractured movement — divided between the Kandahari and Haqqani factions, undermined by infighting, yet still capable of exporting violence across borders. Their unwillingness to evolve,

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Talks, Turmoil and Transition: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Struggle for Peace and Political Coherence

Opinion /

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) once again stands at a critical junction caught between political disarray, intensifying militancy, and uneasy relations with Afghanistan. The province’s new chief minister, Sohail Afridi, faces the formidable task of navigating a complex security environment while trying to unite a deeply divided party and restore the people’s trust in governance. His leadership

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Doha, Pak-Afghan Tensions, Taliban, Afghan Soil, Turkey Meeting On October 25

Doha Talks Offer Hope; But Can Taliban Walk the Talk?

Opinion /

The recent peace dialogue between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Doha marks a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to curb cross-border militancy. The Taliban’s assurance that Afghan soil will no longer be used against Pakistan is, at least diplomatically, a welcome step. More importantly, their acknowledgement of Pakistan’s right to act in self-defence if attacked

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Pak-Afghan Peace, Doha Talks, Ceasefire Agreement, CM Sohail Afridi, Afghan Safe Havens

From Crossfire to Ceasefire: Doha Talks Revive Hope for Pak-Afghan Peace

Opinion /

Let’s celebrate the Pak-Afghan peace first as New Delhi’s dream to destabilise Pakistan has, once again, turned into a nightmare. The decades-old relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been a mixture of fraternal affinity, strategic necessity, and political turbulence. At a time when tensions between the two neighbours had reached a critical high, it is

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