Author: Naveed Azhar

After months of conflict Pakistan is ready to end this prolonged war with Afghanistan. China has been trying to mediate a negotiated settlement to the conflict between the allies-turned-foes.Pakistan and Afghanistan confirmed that they are negotiating a durable solution in Northwestern part of china, in Urumqi.  On Thursday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said, “but Kabul must “demonstrate visible and verifiable actions”Since Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq against terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan on February 26. The diplomatic contact between the two sides had largely suspended.The fighting has killed dozens of people on Pakistan as well as Afghanistan. It disrupted trade…

In State of the Union Address, Donald Trump outlined the justification for possible military intervention against Iran. By declaring that another country would not be permitted to acquire a nuclear weapon. He declared that Iran is the number one country in the world supporting terrorism. While direct military action was not committed to in the speech, Washington has continued to bolster its troop presence in the region. This has now raised concerns both at home and abroad about whether or not the U.S. is getting ready for a more extensive military conflict with Iran. Establishing Iran as the Enemy of…

Pakistan’s social structures are considerably shaped by patriarchy. Patriarchal norms shape the social structure of Pakistan and assign men to be the primary decision makers and women to be subordinate to men both publicly and privately. Family structures and cultural expectations shape the way these patriarchal norms are practised, along with legal ambiguity, which creates systemic barriers to gender equality. The Extent of Gender Inequity Women in Pakistan face a number of restrictions in different spheres, such as; Education, employment, mobility and participation in politics. Although the literacy rate of women has improved over the past 20 years, it is…

Over the past 24 hours, Pakistan has experienced a sharp increase in militant violence and renewed confrontations along its border with Afghanistan. These events are drawing national and regional attention because of their implications for security, diplomacy, and internal stability. Deadly Attacks on Security Forces Militants launched coordinated assaults against police in two separate provinces. In Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, an ambush on a police patrol resulted in multiple fatalities. In Bhakkar, Punjab, a suicide bomber targeted a checkpoint, killing officers and injuring others. The extremist group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for these attacks, marking an escalation in its…

Sehri is one of Ramadan’s premier moments, allowing you to enjoy a peaceful meal before your fast begins. Karachi comes to life with its many dining options for sehri. During these early hours of sehri, there are plenty of restaurants/cafes serving everything from authentic Pakistani breakfast items to high-end buffet meals. All sehri locations offer something that will fit within any budget, giving you ample opportunity to find a sehri location that is both affordable and luxurious. 1. Clock Tower – The Food Bazaar Why go: This is one of Karachi’s most talked‑about sehri destinations because it pairs variety with…

Pakistan is facing a renewed wave of militant violence this year, prompting heightened security measures across the country. In recent weeks, authorities in Karachi Police Office and other key urban centres have placed forces on high alert after fresh intelligence pointed to possible terror threats in major cities, including Karachi. Growing Incidents of Terrorist Violence Across the northwestern provinces, militant groups continue to intensify attacks on security forces and civilians. On February 16, 2026, a suicide vehicle bomb and subsequent armed assault in Bajaur District killed 11 Pakistani soldiers and a civilian child, with security forces engaging the attackers in…

Undergraduate students at the University of Washington have created a groundbreaking wearable device to help improve communication for individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing. The SignAloud smart gloves created by Thomas Pryor and Navid Azodi will translate American Sign Language into text and spoken words almost instantly. The concept behind SignAloud is relatively simple but significant by allowing people who do not know American Sign Language to communicate with those who are using it. The smart gloves collect data about how the user’s hands move and how the person communicates with ASL to become a true representation of…

Eid holidays are traditionally a time for celebrations, family gatherings and of course, dressing up! You don’t need to spend a lot to look fashionable and festive this Eid. Online and Instagram‑based fashion retailers are introducing beautiful new collections for Eid 2018 that will keep you looking great without breaking the bank! Here is a list of some of the best affordably priced options available for you this Eid! Dyot.Pk Dyot.pk is an amazing resource for shoppers looking for modest, ready to wear clothes that don’t carry high price tags from designers. This company releases seasonal collections filled with beautiful…

The controversy surrounding cricketer Imad Wasim, his former wife Sannia Ashfaq, and influencer Nyla Rajah continues to stir debate online. But when actress Zara Noor Abbas addressed the issue publicly, the conversation shifted from gossip to something deeper. Speaking on Shan e Suhoor, Zara chose not to sensationalize the matter. Instead, she pointed to the long term emotional cost of public marital breakdowns, especially when children are involved. “Divorce Is Painful. Public Divorce Is Worse.” Zara stated that divorce under any circumstances is painful. But when children are part of the equation, the damage extends beyond two individuals. According to…

People often experience bloating after a meal during Ramadan. Bloating may be the result of consuming large meals, taking too long to eat, and changes in eating habits during Ramadan; for many, drinking fennel tea after iftar provides relief from these symptoms. The scientific evidence supports the use of fennel tea as a credible method for alleviating bloating quickly. Fennel tea is prepared by infusing the seeds of the Foeniculum vulgare plant. The seeds can be mildly licorice-flavored and have been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years as an herbal remedy for digestive complaints. The process of hot…

Pakistan’s poverty rate has climbed sharply to around 29 per cent in the fiscal year 2024‑25, the highest level recorded in more than a decade. At the same time, income inequality has widened to its highest point in nearly 30 years, reflecting a sustained decline in real incomes and household consumption across the country, according to a government survey released by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Friday The new estimates, based on the Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES) 2024‑25 and compiled by the Poverty Estimation Committee, reveal that approximately 70 million people are now living below the national poverty threshold…

What started as what seemed like harmless late-night texting has now turned into one of the biggest controversies in Pakistan’s entertainment industry. What could have remained a private matter is now tangled in allegations, fractured celebrity friendships, and intense public scrutiny. The situation has grown beyond two individuals. It now reflects the heavy moral expectations placed on public figures and the social consequences that follow when those expectations are questioned. Most recently, formal defamation proceedings have been initiated by both parties against one another. At the heart of this public eruption is model Mahnoor Rahim, who reported receiving inappropriate messages…

As Ramadan approaches, restaurants across Karachi offer special iftar buffets that will bring families and friends together to celebrate the end of the fasting day with delicious food. The diversity of cuisine. From Mughlai to Asian, it ensures that there is something on the menu for everyone. Below is a breakdown of five exceptional iftar buffet options in Karachi this year: Lal Qila​ Lal Qila continues to delight guests with authentic Mughlai cuisine, including tandoori items, live barbecues, curries, and traditional Pakistani dishes. Its Mughal-style décor and ambience create a warm, family-friendly dining experience. Ramada Plaza Karachi Hotel​ La Terrasse…

Another university tragedy has surfaced. After recent cases linked to the University of Lahore drew national attention, reports have now emerged of an MBBS student allegedly taking their own life. Each headline shocks the public for a few days. Then silence returns until the next loss forces the conversation again. This is no longer a series of isolated incidents. It points to something deeper inside Pakistan’s academic culture. The Weight of Academic Pressure For many students, especially in competitive programs like MBBS, failure is not seen as a setback. It is seen as collapse. Medical colleges demand long study hours,…

If iPhones are produced locally in Pakistan for assembly, could it potentially lower the price consumers will pay? Pakistan’s government has proposed creating a Mobile and Electronics Manufacturing Framework designed to provide incentives for foreign companies to either establish a presence in Pakistan or to shift existing operations from another country to Pakistan. Apple has also agreed (in principle) to refurbish existing used iPhones in Pakistan and then export them (“refurbished units”). Officials project that, in the first twelve months of this program, they will generate approximately $ 100 million in export revenues. This is a very positive development; however,…

For the majority of the people living in Pakistan, each year begins with immense change as districts complete an entire cycle of obligations and rituals (Ramzan) during the holy month. From restaurants changing their hours to those same restaurants extending their closing times due to increased crowds, in almost all aspects of life, there is a relative reorganization of time, i.e., the time spent between our individual lives and the wider, collective daily lives of other Pakistanis is altered. Some may ask, is this the same as transforming? This is a question worth reflecting upon. We often think of Ramadan…

The notion that Gen Z has a lower IQ due to its reliance on AI tools is becoming a popular talking point. It may sound dramatic, but upon examining the evidence, the claim does not hold up. What we are seeing is a shift in how intelligence is expressed and applied, not a measurable collapse in cognitive ability. The IQ Argument: What Does the Data Say? There is no credible, large-scale research showing that Gen Z has lower IQ scores because of artificial intelligence. IQ trends over decades are influenced by many factors such as education systems, nutrition, environment, and…

Across public controversies involving relationships, women frequently face disproportionate criticism, while men’s accountability is overlooked. Recent high-profile cases, such as the marriage of Nyla Rajah to cricketer Imad Wasim and the second marriage of Shoaib Malik, illustrate this pattern. The Double Standard at Play In these cases, media and public attention often focus more on the women involved than the men. Nyla Rajah faced intense scrutiny and backlash when her relationship with Imad Wasim became public, even though he was married at the time. In contrast, Imad received comparatively little criticism. Similarly, when Shoaib Malik entered a second marriage, public…

Social media creators Laraib Khalid and Zarnab Fatima recently made headlines after their widely publicised wedding, which was attended by fellow creators and celebrities, including actor Danish Taimoor. The couple, known for their content on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, appeared on the FHM podcast, where Laraib shared candid views on the glamorous lifestyles often portrayed by YouTubers. A Wedding That Reflected Creator Culture Laraib Khalid and Zarnab Fatima have built a strong following through consistent digital content, and their wedding became a social media event in itself. Videos and photos from the celebrations circulated widely, reflecting the growing influence of…

Recent clarification by the council has outlined specific legal circumstances under which a woman may seek annulment or dissolution of marriage. These provisions aim to protect women from prolonged uncertainty, neglect, and hardship within a marital relationship, while adhering to established legal and religious principles. Right to Annulment in Cases of Absence or Imprisonment According to the clarification, a woman has the legal right to file a petition for annulment if her husband has been missing for a continuous period of two years. Prolonged absence without communication or support is recognised as a valid ground for ending a marriage, as…

Weddings in Pakistan are celebrations that span days, and the bridal outfit is central to the experience. Pakistani designers have built a global reputation for their craftsmanship, use of luxurious fabrics, and ability to balance tradition and modern aesthetics. Below are five designers whose work is widely admired by brides, stylists, and fashion editors alike. 1. Faraz Manan Faraz Manan is one of the most recognised names in bridal couture in Pakistan. His work is known for its refined luxury, combining classic South Asian silhouettes with contemporary detailing and global sensibility. His bridal dresses often feature intricate embroidery, rich fabrics,…

Rethinking What We Throw Away Wisdom teeth are usually treated as a problem to be removed and forgotten. For decades, extracted teeth have been considered medical waste, discarded immediately after surgery. Recent research, however, challenges that assumption. Scientists are now finding that wisdom teeth may contain valuable biological material with serious medical potential. What once caused pain and inconvenience may turn out to be an unexpected resource in regenerative medicine. The Science Inside a Wisdom Tooth At the center of this discovery is the dental pulp, the soft tissue found inside wisdom teeth. This pulp contains a special type of…

Veteran Pakistani actor Nouman Ijaz recently shared his views on what makes a home stable and emotionally healthy. Rather than placing responsibility on one person, he emphasized that a strong household is built on mutual understanding, patience, and emotional awareness from both partners. His remarks quickly gained attention online, largely because they shifted the conversation away from traditional, one-sided expectations and toward shared responsibility. Stability Begins with Emotional Awareness According to Nouman Ijaz, harmony in a home is not accidental. It comes from conscious effort, emotional balance, and the ability to understand one another’s perspectives. He pointed out that awareness…

Karachi, the largest city in Pakistan and the heart of its economy, is in the midst of a serious infrastructure crisis. You can see the frustration on people’s faces, hear it in their voices, and it’s fueling political debates all over the place. Years of neglect and endless mismanagement have made daily life a struggle for millions who call this city home. High‑Profile Incidents Highlighting Infrastructure Failures Back in January 2026, a huge fire broke out at Gul Plaza shopping mall on MA Jinnah Road. The building went up in flames, and the tragedy left over 79 people dead, with…

Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) is preparing to shift from traditional fingerprint-based verification to an advanced facial recognition system. The move aims to enhance accuracy, speed, and accessibility while reducing reliance on physical contact during identity checks. This transition marks a significant step in modernizing Pakistan’s national identity infrastructure. Why Fingerprint Verification Is Being Phased Out Fingerprint verification has long been the backbone of NADRA’s biometric system. However, it has shown consistent limitations. Older citizens often face difficulties due to faded or worn fingerprints, while manual workers experience frequent mismatches because of rough skin and injuries. These issues…

For many students in Pakistani universities, mental health does not quietly deteriorate. It collapses. By the time a student gathers the courage to ask for help, they have often already learned an uncomfortable lesson: the system is not built to respond. Years of silence, stigma, and institutional neglect train students to expect very little, and that expectation is usually met. This is not a matter of individual weakness. It is a systemic failure. A System Built Without Capacity Pakistan’s mental health infrastructure is critically underdeveloped. The country has roughly one psychologist for every 360,000 people, a figure that falls far…

Scientists have reported early success with an experimental hair regrowth serum that appears to activate dormant hair follicles within just 48 hours. During initial testing, researchers observed visible biological changes at the follicle level, suggesting the treatment may jump-start hair growth faster than existing options. While the findings are still preliminary, the speed of the response has drawn attention in dermatology research, where hair regeneration has traditionally been slow and difficult to achieve. How the Serum Works at the Scalp Level According to researchers, the serum targets two key mechanisms linked to hair loss. First, it stimulates inactive or dormant…

The detection of the Nipah virus in India’s West Bengal has revived concerns across Asia, not because this is a new virus, but because of how easily modern movement allows local outbreaks to cross borders. With no approved vaccine or targeted treatment, containment depends heavily on early vigilance, public awareness, and regional coordination. What Makes Nipah Virus a Regional Threat Nipah is a zoonotic virus, meaning it can jump from animals to humans. Fruit bats are its natural carriers, and humans can become infected through contaminated food, close contact with infected animals, or exposure to bodily fluids of infected people.…

Bottled water is often marketed as a cleaner and safer alternative to tap water. However, emerging research suggests that regular consumption of bottled water may expose people to far higher levels of microplastics than previously assumed. Estimates indicate that individuals who rely on bottled water daily can ingest up to 90,000 additional microplastic particles each year compared to those who drink filtered tap water. Microplastics are tiny plastic fragments, often smaller than a grain of sand and invisible to the naked eye. They enter bottled water through the breakdown of plastic packaging, manufacturing processes, and even the caps used to…

A recent large-scale study has brought renewed attention to an important but often overlooked aspect of women’s health: bone strength. The research, which followed more than 26,000 women, found that those following vegetarian diets had a 33 percent higher risk of hip fractures compared to women who regularly consumed meat. At first glance, this finding may seem to challenge the widely accepted health benefits of plant-based eating. In reality, the issue is more nuanced and has less to do with vegetarianism itself and more to do with how these diets are planned and maintained. Understanding the Nutritional Gap Experts analysing…

You can’t run a city of 20 million people and treat public safety like it’s an afterthought. But that’s exactly what’s happening in Karachi. A fire safety audit checked 266 buildings along three of the city’s busiest roads, and the results are pretty grim. Just six buildings passed even the most basic fire safety checks. Two years after that audit, not much has changed. So we’re left with a bigger question than just bad wiring or missing alarms: Why is a city this big run with such weak oversight? And when something goes wrong, who actually answers for it? A…

Dates and Butter: A Classic Combo That Still Makes Sense Long before anyone thought to unwrap a protein bar, people leaned on simple, real foods for energy and recovery. Take dates and butter or ghee. This combo appears everywhere, from the Middle East to South Asia and North Africa. People ate it when they were working hard, recovering from illness, or breaking a fast. These days, most folks reach for supplements or isolate their macros, but this old-school pairing just gets how our bodies actually work. Carbs and fat together? It’s not just tasty; it’s practical. Why Dates and Fats…

Blocking an Age-Linked Protein Restores Cartilage in Mice Stanford Medicine researchers have made a real breakthrough in cartilage repair. They found that blocking a protein that ramps up with age can actually restore knee cartilage in older mice. Even more impressive, the treatment stopped arthritis from developing after joint injuries. Instead of just dealing with the aches and pains, this approach goes deeper, right to the source of the problem. The Role of 15-PGDH in Cartilage Degeneration The focus is on a protein called 15-PGDH. As we get older, this protein becomes more active and gets in the way of…

Financial Illiteracy as a Structural Tool Financial illiteracy among women in Pakistan is often discussed as an individual failing or an education gap. In reality, it is structural. It is produced and maintained through social norms, household power dynamics, and institutional neglect. When access to financial knowledge is intentionally limited, dependency becomes normalized rather than questioned. This exclusion is rarely loud or explicit. It operates quietly through assumptions about who should manage money, who should ask questions, and who should trust. Over time, these assumptions harden into systems that reinforce male authority and female reliance. The Household as the First…

In an effort to increase the efficiency of government services in Lahore, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has given final approval to the recommendation of partitioning the city and creating two (2) separate districts. The creation of additional districts will reduce administrative burden on the existing city administration while increasing the ability of government service workers to effectively deliver the services they provide to the citizens of Lahore. Many government officials have stated that the rate and speed of population growth, combined with the vast amount of urban sprawl that has occurred in Lahore, have resulted in a level of…

Creatine Is Not Just for Men or Muscle It’s one of the most researched supplements out there, but you’d never know it from the way companies market it: mostly to men, mostly for bulking up or sports. Even though women need it too, only about 5 to 10 percent of them actually take creatine. That’s surprising, considering how much the female body relies on this molecule for way more than just muscle growth. Why Women Have Higher Creatine Needs Here’s something a lot of people miss: creatine isn’t just a powder you add to your smoothie. Your body actually makes…

A growing body of psychological and neuroscience research is reshaping how we understand a father’s role in child development. Beyond genetics and discipline, a father’s emotional state actively shapes how a child’s brain learns to respond to the world, especially in moments of stress. The Brain Learns Before Words Do Kids pick up on things long before they have words for them. There’s a study from Penn and Cambridge that shows children don’t just watch their fathers, they copy them, even without realizing it. If a dad stays steady when things go sideways, the child’s brain starts linking stress with…

People tend to brush off migraines as just nasty headaches, but for millions, they’re a whole different beast, a relentless neurological condition that can hijack everyday life. Recent global research spells it out: women don’t just get migraines more often than men; they also end up spending way more of their lives dealing with migraine pain and all the fallout that comes with it. Migraines: Not Just a Headache The thing about migraines is, they’re not simple. Sure, there’s the crushing head pain, but that’s just the start. A lot of people get slammed with nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and this…

Lately, there’s been this wild story bouncing around online: people claimed the Netherlands rolled out a brand-new ice cream, packed with paracetamol, so you could treat a headache while enjoying dessert. The idea caught fire, an ice cream tub marked “Paracetamol 500 mg” made the rounds, and suddenly, folks were convinced Dutch shops were selling this headache-busting treat. The Origin of the Viral Claim Here’s what really happened. The whole thing started at a small Dutch bakery back in 2016. For a local carnival in Oudenbosch, they whipped up a single batch of paracetamol-infused ice cream as a joke, a…

How Kefir Helps with Lactose Intolerance Lactose intolerance is a problem for a lot of people. Even a splash of milk can lead to bloating, gas, pain, or worse. That’s because their bodies don’t make enough lactase, the enzyme that’s supposed to break down lactose in dairy. For them, drinking milk isn’t worth the trouble. But kefir, that tangy fermented milk drink, actually changes the game. The Role of Fermentation Here’s why kefir sits easier on the stomach. When you make kefir, you use these odd little “grains”, a mix of bacteria and yeasts. They feast on the lactose in…