Author: Ayan Achakzai

Pakistan Power Generation Decline: What’s Driving the 17.4% Drop? In August 2024, Pakistan’s power generation reached a seven-year low, with a 17.4% year-over-year decline. The power generation fell to 13,179 gigawatt-hours (GWh) compared to 15,959 GWh in the same period last year, reflecting the significant challenges faced by the country’s energy sector amid a subdued economy and declining energy demand. This sharp decline has raised concerns about the future of power generation in Pakistan and the country’s ability to meet its energy needs. What’s Causing Pakistan’s Power Generation Decline? The economic slowdown is a key driver behind Pakistan’s power generation…

Khawaja Asif at UN Summit: Sustainable Development Impossible Without Addressing Gaza Defence Minister Khawaja Asif highlighted that no sustainable development can take place while tragedies like Gaza are allowed to continue. His remarks came at the United Nations Summit of the Future in New York, part of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA). At the start of his speech, Asif condemned the ongoing Israeli onslaught on Gaza, which has claimed over 41,000 Palestinian lives, underscoring that the developed world must act to prevent such crises. وزیر دفاع پاکستان خواجہ محمد آصف کا اقوام متحدہ کے “مستقبل کے…

Sindh Industrial Shutdown Amid Electricity Crisis: What’s Being Done? The Sindh Assembly was informed on Monday that 81 industrial units, including 10 textile mills and five sugar mills, have shut down over the past five years due to the ongoing electricity crisis. This industrial shutdown highlights significant challenges faced by key sectors in Sindh. The question remains: What’s being done to address the crisis? Government’s Response to Sindh’s Industrial Shutdown Ali Ahmed, the Parliamentary Secretary of Industries and Commerce Department, told lawmakers that the Sindh government is extending cooperation to industrialists affected by the shutdowns. However, Leader of Opposition Ali…

Sindh Education Reform Failure: What Went Wrong? Despite securing $75 million in funding from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Sindh Secondary Education Improvement Project (SSEIP) failed to deliver meaningful change. The project, which aimed to revolutionize secondary education in Sindh, is a clear case of education reform failure due to poor management and misallocation of resources. Why Did Sindh’s Education Reform Fail? The Sindh education reform failure can be traced back to a lack of accountability and mismanagement. The project was supposed to: 1. Build 160 new educational blocks. 2.Train teachers in science subjects. 3. Implement an automated grading…

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Global Peace Agenda at the 79th UNGA ISLAMABAD – PM Shehbaz Sharif will present Pakistan’s global peace agenda at the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) from September 23 to 27. His address, set for September 27, will highlight critical global issues, including Palestine, Islamophobia, and the conflict in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The Foreign Office (FO) confirmed that PM Shehbaz Sharif will emphasize Pakistan’s commitment to global peace, security, and prosperity. Departing for New York to represent Pakistan at the 79th UN General Assembly. Looking forward to a busy…

Seven Dead in Kurram Over Land Dispute as Violence Escalates KURRAM – A firing incident over a land dispute in the Lower Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has left at least seven people dead, according to local police reports. Authorities are now working to mediate a ceasefire between the two groups involved in the violent confrontation. Tensions Over Land Disputes in Kurram The tragedy in Lower Kurram reflects the persistent problem of land disputes in KP, particularly in tribal areas. Local police are making efforts to resolve the conflict and prevent further violence, but the region has long been…

Swat IED Blast Targets Police Convoy Escorting Diplomats SWAT – An improvised explosive device (IED) blast struck a police mobile on Jahanabad Road, Malam Jabba, on Sunday. The attack, which targeted a police convoy escorting diplomats from 12 countries, resulted in the martyrdom of one policeman and injuries to three others. Fortunately, the diplomats remained unharmed and were safely returned to Islamabad, as confirmed by the Foreign Office. The convoy, which included representatives from countries such as Indonesia, Portugal, Kazakhstan, Iran, and Russia, was in the region at the invitation of a local chamber of commerce. Immediate Aftermath of the…

Supreme Court Declares PTI Eligible for Reserved Seats in Detailed Verdict ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court of Pakistan has issued a detailed verdict, confirming that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) remains eligible for reserved seats. The 70-page judgment, written by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, came after recent concerns raised by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq. He had questioned the implementation of the Supreme Court’s July 12 short order following amendments to the Election Act 2017. The Supreme Court clarified that the lack of an electoral symbol, such as PTI’s revoked “bat” symbol, does not impact a party’s right to contest elections.…

Lt Gen Asim Malik Appointed New ISI Chief ISLAMABAD – Lt Gen Asim Malik has officially been appointed as the new Director General (DG) of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). He will take charge on September 30, replacing Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum, who has served in this position since 2021. The announcement came via a press release from the Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) on Monday. Lt Gen Asim Malik is currently serving as the Adjutant General at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, a role that has given him valuable leadership experience ahead of his new responsibilities as the head of Pakistan’s…

Bridging the Digital Divide in Pakistan: A Story of Two Worlds Imagine this: you’re sitting at a café with two friends. One, Ali, is from a big city like Karachi, with easy access to the internet. The other, Zara, lives in a rural village in Balochistan, where getting online is still a distant dream. Their lives couldn’t be more different. And the thing is, this isn’t just about personal preferences or lifestyle choices—it’s about access. Access to the internet, to information, and to opportunities. This gap is what we call the “digital divide”, and it’s becoming a bigger issue in…