An SMDA with KSA last year, now talks with Libya and Sudan for JF-17, and even possibility of yet another pact with Turks in the mix. Can Pakistan expand military footprint across Arab world, and will it manage to keep its promises while maintaining the balance? www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/...

While Pakistan has long been marketing the qualities of its JF-17, the India conflict put the spotlight on PAF. The delivery of five JF-17s to Azerbaijan, followed by reported interest by Libya, KSA and now BD, shows that Islamabad’s defence diplomacy is driving new interest in the fighter jet.

At the beginning of 2025, I wrote a piece which said this year Pakistan's foreign policy will be in the spotlight. The year saw country's growing role in regional geopolitics and many observers credited the revival to Field Marshal Asim Munir. My latest for AJE. www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12...

With renewed fighting on border overnight between Pakistan and Afghan forces, some observers believe Islamabad is trying to establish a “new normal” with the Taliban, by making clear that future attacks on its soil could invite retribution inside Afghanistan. www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10...

With Indian prime minister Modi invoking the spectre of war while congratulating India after Asia Cup final which was played in an acrimonious atmosphere, the message, say analysts, was clear — cricket had turned into the latest weapon of war. www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/...

After Pahalgam attack, India decided to hold the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance, which Pakistan has termed an act of war. So can India really stop Pakistan’s water, and could this suspension see the two nuclear-armed nation wage a deadly war? My essay for AJE. www.aljazeera.com/features/202...

Spoke to a number of participants who were present at the dinner hosted by the Pak Embassy on Wednesday, during which COAS Munir spoke at length about his meeting with Trump, and Pakistan's views on regional neighbours and country's policies. www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/...

On Field Marshal Asim Munir's extraordinary, unprecedented lunch with US President Trump on Wednesday, its near-to-medium term implications on Pak-US ties, geopolitical imperatives, and what impact it could have on civil-military relationship in Pakistan. www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/...

With Indian PM Modi putting on an aggressive front and threatening Pakistan, his counterpart Shehbaz Sharif is undertaking a high-level, four-country tour to flip India’s narrative and projecting Pakistan as an advocate of peace and stability in South Asia. www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/...

Continuing the trend of increased diplomatic engagements, Pakistan and Afghan officials met in China, and have "expressed willingness" to elevate their diplomatic ties, a first since August 2021. www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/...

With COAS Asim Munir getting govt approval for promotion to the rank of field marshal – only the second time in Pakistan's history – an explainer on why was he promoted, what does the rank signify, and what does this move portend for our civil-military imbalance. www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/...

Following the four-day conflict with India, military has seen a surge of popularity in the country, with initial trends from a Gallup poll show 92% of respondents displaying positive opinion towards military — but analysts warn such support could be temporary. www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/...

While both Pakistan and India are claiming to have achieved a decisive win after their 4-day conflict, observers believe reality is more grey than black or white. At best, both India and Pakistan can claim strategic gains even as they each also suffered losses. www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/...

As Pakistan still contemplates its retaliatory move, having denied its involvement in any attacks on India yesterday, I was able to visit Muridke on Wednesday to the compound which was targeted by Indian missiles and killed three civilians. This is what i saw - www.aljazeera.com/features/202...

Pakistan's former NSA Moeeed Yusuf says action from India remains possible, but the window where imminence was a real concern has passed. "Pakistan has to show commitment to prepare for any eventuality. You don’t know what will come next, so you have to be ready." www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/...

The status of Kashmir is the primary conflict between Pakistan and India, who each control part of the region but claim it fully. Here is a simple, but comprehensive explainer on the background of the issue affecting over 15 million people on both sides. www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/...

Responding to Indian actions, Pakistan announced various similar measures, including a threat to suspend its participation in Simla Agreement and other bilateral pacts. So what exactly is Simla Agreement, and what are the implications if Pakistan pulls out of it? www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/...

Pakistan has strongly responded to Indian decision to unilaterally suspend IWT, calling it an "act of war". However, many in Pakistan believe that Indian military action could now be possible, adding the country was “ready for any Indian misadventure”. www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/...

When Ishaq Dar landed in Kabul on April 19, it was the first visit by a top Pakistani minister since February '23. The visit came days after a JCC meeting, and analysts believe that this signals a willingness from both sides to reset ties through diplomacy. www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/...

After the formation of a Crypto Council, Pakistan has now brought Binance founder CZ as a "strategic advisor", signaling an openness to cryptocurrencies. But despite the recent flurry of activities, questions remain if the country is needs to be in this sector. www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/...

While the Green Pakistan Initiative was launched 2 years ago, the controversy surrounding it really picked up pace once the idea of Cholistan Canal became public. I try to unpack what is this project and why have canals become such a flashpoint. www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/...

It has been 24-hrs since the BLA attacked the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express near Mashkaf Tunnels towards Sibbi. The separatist group claims to have over 200 hostages, whereas security sources say over 150 people have been rescued. Here is what we know so far. www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/...

Pakistan has recently introduced a national policy for prevention of violent extremism. While analysts acknowledge that the NPVE strikes a balance between military and non-military strategies, they say the new plan is, in effect, “old wine in a new bottle”. www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/...

The Pakistan government is once again gearing up to launch a repatriation operation against foreigners through a 3-stage plan. Afghan citizens, both with visas and PoR/ACC documents, are once again at the mercy of vague policies, not knowing what fate awaits them. www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/...

After 29 years, Pakistan will finally host a major ICC tournament, with all top countries, except India, to play in the country. Despite security concerns, political instability, and chaos due to Indian pull-out, is this finally Pakistan sport’s moment to shine? www.aljazeera.com/sports/2025/...

Pakistan-Bangladesh ties have remained mostly lukewarm at best since the latter gained independence in 1971. But lately, the two nations have edged closer in an apparent reset, overriding their historical animosity. But how significant, lasting is this shift? www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/...

Pakistani calculus of strategic-depth in Afghanistan appears to have backfired, as deteriorating relations with Afg. Taliban during the last year show. But what further complicates the matter is to see Kabul's new rulers edge closer to India, Pakistan's archrival. www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/...

After roughly 30 months, Pakistan's domestic turmoil appears to have subsided a little, but geopolitical upheaval in the region means year 2025 could bring with it plethora of foreign policy challenges for the country. Experts weigh in on what lies ahead. www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/...

The TTP has issued an ominous statement, threatening to target Pakistan Army's businesses, as well as warned civilians working for those organisations to quit or beware of consequences. Analysts say this policy could well see return of urban violence in the country. www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/...

As I started to this piece, I could not help but recall Shehzad Roy's 2008 song Laga Reh and its intro. My journalism career started two years later and I often wonder: while so much has changed in the country since then, has anything really, truly changed? www.aljazeera.com/features/202...

Last week saw a sharp escalation in hostilities between Pakistan and Afghanistan. But now, as the guns quiet down on both sides, a familiar question has arisen: What is next for these two neighbours, entangled in a decades-long, fraught and fragile relationship? www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12...

When I reported on Adriana sinking last year, this boy I met said nothing will change despite 700~ casualties. A year later, another boat capsized, more young Pakistanis perished, while those who were lucky to survive, don't know what the future holds for them. www.aljazeera.com/features/202...

The bill weakening gov't oversight over religious schools was a part of a political deal to push through a constitutional amendment. Now Islamabad is backtracking, with the military concerned, too. Why a bill on religious seminaries is Pakistan’s latest flashpoint? www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12...

The Pakistani military formally indicted former ISI chief, retd Lt. Gen Faiz Hamid, charging him of “engaging in political activities”, in essence accusing him of working with ex-PM Imran Khan to sow chaos. But some ex military officials have questioned the motive. www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12...

The four-day protests in Pak-administered Kashmir were discontinued after the authorities withdrew the controversial public assembly ordinance. But it does indicate growing resentment among large sections of local population, who also protested in May this year. www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12...

Govt remain adamant that last week's protest did not result in a single death of a civilian. However, PTI, after claiming 00s of death, have issued a list of 12 individuals who the party says died between November 24 and 26. I spoke to four such families. www.aljazeera.com/features/202...

Pakistan has deployed Chinese technology to build what officials familiar with the project are calling a new, national internet “firewall” that will allow authorities to monitor online traffic and regulate the use of popular apps with greater control than before. www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/11...

Just drove around Islamabad for an hour, covering areas from F-11 to all of Constitutional Avenue and then Nazimuddin Road. Turns out it rained all over the city and the AQI right now is around 80ish or so, making it absolutely a joy to drive in this rather lovely weather.

Punjab officials are "seriously considering" implementing Covid-style lockdowns in smog affected areas to counter the devastating pollution crisis in short-term, but experts argue that the government’s approach this year in tackling pollution is in adequate. www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/11...

Pakistani Army has announced the appointment Lt. General Asim Malik as the head of ISI, its premier intelligence agency. A look at Malik's career, as well as the legacy of the outgoing DG Nadeem Anjum, and what challenges lie ahead for the new chief. www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/...

Pakistan and India used the Indus Waters Treaty to irrigate their fertile lands for six decades. But the pact could emerge as the latest flashpoint in the fragile relationship between them, with India serving a notice seeking to renegotiate the terms. For AJE - www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/...

With Islamabad set to host the SCO summit next month, analysts believe the invite to Indian PM Modi will not result in a visit. However, the other question is, would these bilateral tensions b/w Pakistan and India also end up impacting the SCO itself? www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/...

Despite the evident risks for non-Baloch people from other parts of Pakistan, many continue to seek economic opportunity in Balochistan, and have been doing it for years. What are the underlying reasons behind it, and what about the locals? www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/...

On the 18th death anniversary of Nawab Bugti, BLA launches deadly strikes, killing LEAs and civilians both. Yet, despite increasing violence, why does the government continue to act in a manner that only further alienates the locals and increases resentment? www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/...