Author: Zuha Malik
A bold new environmental initiative is taking root — literally. One of the world’s leading corporations has announced a landmark commitment to plant 500,000 saplings throughout 2026, signaling a renewed and long-term dedication to environmental sustainability and ecological rehabilitation. A Milestone Moment for Corporate Environmentalism In an era when climate action has moved from boardroom buzzword to business imperative, this sweeping tree-planting initiative stands out as one of the most ambitious corporate greening efforts of the decade. The program, which kicks off at the start of 2026, sets a clear and measurable target: half a million young trees in the…
Pakistan’s government has taken a landmark step toward transparent, inclusive social welfare this Ramazan. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently unveiled a Rs38 billion Ramazan Relief Package — the largest of its kind in the country’s history — designed to provide direct financial support to more than 12 million families across the nation. A Significant Jump in Per-Family Support One of the most notable aspects of this year’s package is the dramatic increase in per-family assistance. Families will receive Rs13,000 each, up from the Rs5,000 distributed in the previous year. This 160 percent increase reflects the government’s acknowledgment of rising inflation…
In a rapidly shifting global technology landscape, nations are racing to define their relationship with artificial intelligence — not just as consumers of the technology, but as architects of it. Pakistan has now stepped into this arena with a clear and ambitious statement of intent. The adoption of the Islamabad AI Declaration marks a defining moment in the country’s technological history, formally establishing its sovereign AI position and signalling a desire to be a meaningful, independent voice in the global AI conversation. What Is the Islamabad AI Declaration? The Islamabad AI Declaration is Pakistan’s formal policy commitment to developing, governing,…
Pakistan’s digital workforce is making history. In the first half of the current fiscal year, Pakistani freelancers earned a staggering $557 million in foreign exchange — a 58% surge compared to the same period last year. The milestone signals far more than a statistical uptick; it marks Pakistan’s confident arrival as a serious player in the global digital economy. A Nation Going Digital For decades, Pakistan’s economy relied heavily on traditional exports like textiles and agriculture. But a new generation of digitally skilled professionals is rewriting that story, one remote project at a time. From software engineers in Lahore coding…
Pakistan has taken center stage in regional diplomacy by hosting the Informal Retreat of D-8 Commissioners in Lahore, reaffirming its commitment to multilateral economic cooperation and South-South engagement ahead of the landmark 12th D-8 Summit scheduled for April 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia. A Strategic Gathering in Lahore The retreat, convened in the historic city of Lahore, brought together commissioners from the eight member states of the Developing 8 (D-8) Organization for Economic Cooperation. The gathering was designed as an informal but strategically important session, providing commissioners with the opportunity to deliberate on institutional reforms, operational priorities, and collaborative frameworks in…
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held informal and cordial interactions with several world leaders in Washington, where he attended the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace — signaling Pakistan’s growing role in global diplomacy. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made a prominent appearance on the world stage this week as he traveled to Washington to attend the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace. The high-profile gathering brought together heads of state and senior government officials from across the globe, offering a platform for dialogue on peace, stability, and multilateral cooperation. On the sidelines of the event, Prime Minister Sharif…
Islamabad, Pakistan — The Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Dr. Khaled El-Enany, arrived in Islamabad on an official visit aimed at strengthening the longstanding partnership between Pakistan and UNESCO. The high-level visit marks a significant milestone in bilateral cooperation, with discussions spanning the full breadth of UNESCO’s mandate — from education and science to culture, communication, and the preservation of heritage. A Visit of Strategic Significance Dr. El-Enany’s arrival was welcomed by senior Pakistani officials, reflecting the importance both sides place on deepening their collaborative ties. The visit comes at a pivotal moment, as…
In a significant diplomatic milestone, Pakistan hosted back-to-back state visits from two of Central Asia’s most influential leaders in early February 2026. The Presidents of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan both made official trips to Islamabad, signaling a new chapter in Pakistan’s engagement with the broader region and underlining the growing strategic importance of South-Central Asian connectivity. Uzbekistan Visit: Trade, Industry, and the Railway That Could Change Everything The visit by Uzbekistan’s President marked one of the most substantive bilateral exchanges between the two countries in recent memory. At its heart was a shared economic ambition: both sides reaffirmed their commitment to…
For a country that has weathered years of economic turbulence, political uncertainty, and social strain, Pakistan’s latest showing in Gallup’s annual wellbeing survey carries a quiet but meaningful weight. According to new data released in 2025, Pakistanis are feeling more optimistic about their lives, their economy, and their leadership than they have in years — and the numbers tell a genuinely encouraging story. A Turning Point in Life Satisfaction Perhaps the most striking finding from this year’s report is the shift in how Pakistanis evaluate their own lives. Gallup uses a “Cantril Self-Anchoring Striving Scale” to classify respondents as “thriving,”…
In a significant diplomatic and economic development, Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb held high-level talks with United States Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington, signalling a renewed push to deepen bilateral trade and investment ties between the two nations. The meeting, which underscored growing mutual interest in economic cooperation, focused on identifying pathways to attract American businesses into Pakistan’s most promising sectors — and set the stage for a landmark forum later this month. A Meeting With Substance The talks between Aurangzeb and Lutnick were not merely ceremonial. Both sides expressed clear intent to move beyond dialogue and into action.…