As Iran strikes Gulf targets, Pakistan navigates alliance with Riyadh while avoiding confrontation with Tehran.
But with the war intensifying, and CDF Munir meeting Saudi defence minister, that posture will be hard to manintin, esp with the defence agreement.
www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/...
A new 'strategic embrace' is unfolding as Indian PM Modi visits Israel, eyeing defense/cyber tech.
With Bibi proposing a "hexagon of alliances" to counter what he calls "radical axes," how will this deepening partnership reshape Pakistan’s security calculus?
www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/...
The charter of the Trump's Board of Peace proposes a new entity to resolve global conflicts, while not once mentioning Gaza, its raison d'etre. While several nations have agreed to join the board, many, including US allies, haven't. We unpack why is that so.
www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/...
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/...
