Author: Nimra Khalil

After years of broken promises and cross-border terror, Pakistan finally said enough. As of February 28, 2026, smoke continues to rise from targeted military installations deep inside Afghanistan while the world watches a familiar but decisive chapter unfold along the Pakistan-Afghanistan International border. For years Pakistan showed extraordinary restraint. We hosted millions of Afghan refugees, extended diplomatic hand after hand, and sought every possible assurance that Afghan soil would never again become a launchpad for terrorism against us. Those assurances were repeatedly given, in multiple rounds of talks mediated by Qatar and Turkey, most recently in October and November 2025,…

In the early hours of February 22, 2026, Pakistan’s military executed intelligence-based airstrikes targeting seven militant camps in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar and Paktika provinces. These operations aimed at hideouts linked to the Fitna-al-Khawarij (FAK) and its affiliates, groups who are orchestrating a surge in cross-border attacks on Pakistani territory. Pakistani officials reported eliminating approximately 80 terrorists, describing the strikes as selective and necessary for national security. This action followed a series of deadly incidents, including a February 6 suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Islamabad that martyred 31 people, claimed by the Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISKP), and recent attacks in…

Pakistan is making waves in the world of digital money. On February 20, 2026, the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) launched a new framework called a “regulatory sandbox.” This is like a safe playground where companies can test crypto ideas under government watch. It’s a big deal because it shows Pakistan is serious about joining the global digital economy. As someone who follows tech trends, this is a wise move that could boost jobs, money transfers, and innovation in the country.What is the Regulatory Sandbox?The sandbox allows companies to experiment with new crypto products without complete regulations immediately. It…

In Pakistan’s turbulent political landscape, where alliances shift like desert sands, few figures embody the intersection of religion, power, and privilege as starkly as Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F). For over two decades, allegations of land favoritism have dogged him, painting a picture of a leader who leverages influence for personal and familial gain while the average citizen grapples with inequality and resource scarcity. These claims, rooted in documented investigations and media exposés, aren’t mere political mudslinging; they highlight a systemic flaw where public assets become bargaining chips for the political elite. It’s time we demand…

In the hallowed halls of India’s Parliament, where debates are meant to uphold democracy and accountability, a stark drama unfolded on February 4, 2026. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi attempted to quote from the unpublished memoir of former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane, titled Four Stars of Destiny, only to be swiftly silenced by senior BJP ministers, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah. The government’s frantic efforts to block any discussion on the book, citing parliamentary rules like Rule 349, which prohibits references to unauthenticated documents—reveal a deeper malaise: a growing disconnect between the nation’s…

Asymmetric warfare is one of the most elusive threats to nation-states in the modern age. The non-state actors take advantage of the civilian population, terrain lands, and political weaknesses to undermine the power of a state, and destabilize societies without necessarily fighting conventional wars. Pakistan has encountered these challenges severally and the recent coordinated terrorist attacks in Balochistan on January 31 are the testament of the changing face of this menace. However, when confronted with such intricate issues, the Pakistan Army, together with law enforcement agencies, have again shown operational superiority, intelligence-based accuracy and uncompromising dedication to the security of…

The recent offer of mediation between the US and Iran by the Turkish president has created a speculative but still clear ray of hope for peace amid rising US-Iran tensions and the growing Middle East crisis. As the calendar flips to February 2026, the region teeters on the edge of another potential conflagration. President Donald Trump’s repeated threats of military action against Iran, tied to its nuclear ambitions, ballistic missile program, support for regional proxies, and recent internal unrest, have escalated rhetoric in the ongoing Trump-Iran conflict. A U.S. armada steams toward the region, deadlines loom, and the specter of…

The growing tensions between Iran and the United States have once again pushed the Middle East to the edge of uncertainty. Recent developments, including military deployments, economic sanctions, and harsh political rhetoric, indicate that the relationship between Washington and Tehran is entering another critical phase. If not handled carefully, this confrontation could develop into a serious regional conflict with global consequences. Political Rivalry and Strategic Confrontation At the political level, relations between Iran and the US have continued to deteriorate. American officials accuse Iran of destabilizing the region through its nuclear ambitions and missile programs, while Iranian leaders view US…