Ayesha Mir

In this episode of Dossier with Ayesha, we trace how Nixon&#39;s 1972 handshake with Mao Zedong ended 25 years of isolation and set off a chain reaction that has never really stopped, through decades of deepening trade, a bruising tariff war, COVID, a spy balloon, and now Trump and Xi in Beijing.&nbsp; The Strait of Hormuz is closed, Xi is warning that mishandling Taiwan could lead to conflict, and both leaders have agreed that the strait must remain open.

Dossier with Ayesha

The Strait of Hormuz is closed, Xi is warning that mishandling Taiwan could lead to conflict, and both leaders have agreed that the strait must remain open.

From Nixon to Trump: Why US-China is the most consequential relationship

KARACHI: Former Pakistani foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has described the Iran-US ceasefire and its extension as a major diplomatic success, saying Pakistan&rsquo;s mediation helped create the conditions for dialogue at a critical moment for regional and global stability. Speaking to Pakistan TV Digital, Bhutto-Zardari said Pakistan&rsquo;s recent diplomatic engagement played a key role in helping secure a ceasefire between Iran and the United States and later its extension, paving the way for negotiations after weeks of conflict that rattled regional security and global energy markets. &ldquo;The fact that you established a ceasefire, that&rsquo;s a success. The fact that you extended the ceasefire, these are massive successes,&rdquo; Bhutto-Zardari said. &ldquo;It means the difference between the world being at war or not.&rdquo; Bhutto-Zardari said the conflict, now in its eighth week, has carried consequences far beyond the immediate region, with strikes inside Iran, wider instability across the Middle East and disruptions in energy markets driving up fuel prices and worsening inflationary pressures worldwide. He argued that the economic burden of the conflict is being felt globally, not just by the countries directly involved. &ldquo;Every single one of us are paying the price of this conflict at the petrol pumps, at the grocery store, every single day,&rdquo; he said, adding that unresolved issues continue to weigh on the global economy despite the ceasefire. The former foreign minister stressed that Pakistan&rsquo;s role should not be viewed as a standalone national achievement but as part of a broader international effort to restore stability. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s not a Pakistani victory&hellip; it is a victory for the international community,&rdquo; he said, adding that preserving the ceasefire and building toward a sustainable peace remained in the collective interest of all nations. Defending diplomacy as a long-term process, Bhutto-Zardari rejected expectations of immediate breakthroughs. &ldquo;This diplomacy is a process. It&rsquo;s not a cricket match that you either win or lose,&rdquo; he said, citing the years-long negotiations that culminated in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal as evidence that meaningful diplomatic progress requires patience and persistence.

Foreign Affairs

Talking to Pakistan TV Digital, the former foreign minister describes diplomacy as a process rather than a win-or-lose contest, stressing that meaningful progress demands patience and persistence, as shown by the years-long negotiations behind the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

Iran-US ceasefire a diplomatic success, says ex-Pakistan FM Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari

ISLAMABAD: JD Vance is en route to Islamabad to lead high-stakes peace talks with Iran, a rare diplomatic role for a US vice president that could shape the outcome of negotiations and signal renewed US engagement in the region.

JD Vance is en route to Islamabad to lead high-stakes peace talks with Iran, a rare diplomatic role for a US vice president that could shape the outcome of negotiations and signal renewed US engagement in the region.

Anti-war JD Vance leads Iran peace talks in Islamabad

As tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran continue, Pakistan is emerging as a potential diplomatic bridge. What makes Islamabad uniquely positioned to play this role, and could it actually influence the outcome?

Shorts

What makes Islamabad uniquely positioned to play this role, and could it actually influence the outcome?

Why world turned to Pakistan for ending hostilities in Middle East

DHAKA: In the narrow, bustling lanes of Mirpur area of Bangladeshi capital, the hum of handlooms is constant. A quiet, rhythmic pulse that has carried generations of artistry across borders. Here, in Banaroshi Palli, silk threads do more than shimmer; they tell stories of migration, labor, identity and survival. &ldquo;I have been working here since I was 15 years old,&rdquo; says Muhammad Pappu, his fingers moving instinctively across fine strands of silk. &ldquo;Everything we make is handmade. Everything is original.&rdquo; Banaroshi Palli is not simply a marketplace. It is a living archive of South Asian textile heritage, built decades ago by artisans who migrated from India&rsquo;s historic weaving city of Varanasi. They brought with them centuries-old techniques, transforming this corner of Dhaka into one of Bangladesh&rsquo;s most distinctive craft clusters. Today, the sarees produced here are part of a wider textile economy that underpins Bangladesh&rsquo;s global reputation. While the country is best known for its ready-made garment (RMG) sector, which accounts for more than 80% of export earnings and employs over four million workers, according to government and industry estimates, traditional handloom industries like Banaroshi weaving remain a vital, if often overlooked, cultural and economic backbone. Each saree produced in Mirpur is the result of intense collaboration. &ldquo;One saree takes 10 to 15 days,&rdquo; Pappu explains. &ldquo;If it is a wedding saree, it takes 15 days. There are different people, the design maker, the color cutter, the weaver. Ten to fifteen people can work on one piece.&rdquo; That labor-intensive process stands in stark contrast to the speed and scale of Bangladesh&rsquo;s factory-based apparel sector. Yet, it is precisely this slow craftsmanship that gives Banaroshi sarees their value, both culturally and commercially. Inside a modest but storied shop, Muhammad Sufiyan gestures toward neatly stacked sarees in jewel tones. He is a worker here, part of a business that has stood for nearly half a century. The shop, Banarshee Kothi, carries decades of craftsmanship woven into its shelves. A place where tradition is not owned by one person, but sustained collectively by the hands that keep it alive. &ldquo;This shop is 48 years old,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;We have silk, cotton, and Katan. Handloom sarees are very good quality and they are budget-friendly too.&rdquo; Prices range widely. A simple saree may cost as little as 2,000 taka (around $16), while intricate bridal pieces can reach 30,000 taka (about $245). Some of the finest pieces, Sufiyan notes, are exported abroad, finding buyers in diaspora communities and international markets where demand for handcrafted textiles is growing. Bangladesh&rsquo;s handloom sector employs hundreds of thousands of artisans nationwide, according to estimates from local industry groups. However, many face economic uncertainty, competition from machine-made imports, and limited access to global markets. &ldquo;There are expensive sarees that are sold outside,&rdquo; Sufiyan says, hinting at both opportunity and challenge. &ldquo;But what we make here, it is authentic.&rdquo; Walking through Banaroshi Palli, the sensory overload is immediate: flashes of gold thread, deep crimson silks, patterns inspired by flowers, leaves, and Mughal-era motifs. It feels less like a market and more like an open workshop where heritage is continuously being remade. For visitors, the saree often becomes more than a purchase. In Bangladesh, the saree is seen as far more than clothing. It embodies tradition, expressed through vibrant colors and cultural meaning. That sentiment resonates far beyond Dhaka. Across South Asia and in global diaspora communities, sarees mark weddings, festivals, and milestones, binding personal memory to collective identity. Yet behind each finished garment lies a complex human story: of artisans preserving ancestral skills, of families sustaining small businesses, and of a nation balancing industrial growth with cultural continuity. As Sufiyan carefully folds another saree, he pauses, almost as if weighing its significance. &ldquo;These are not just clothes,&rdquo; he says quietly. &ldquo;This is our history.&rdquo;

Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s saree business blends centuries-old craftsmanship with modern trade, employing thousands of artisans in handloom clusters like Mirpur while contributing to exports, sustaining cultural heritage, and facing challenges from mechanisation and global competition.

In Dhaka, saree artisans weave heritage into global markets

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has ruled out any dialogue with the Afghan Taliban, saying there is &ldquo;nothing to talk about&rdquo; until terrorism originating from Afghan soil comes to an end, Prime Minister&rsquo;s Spokesperson for Foreign Media Mosharraf Zaidi said Friday.&nbsp;Speaking to Pakistan TV Digital, Zaidi rejected suggestions of renewed talks after Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid indicated openness to dialogue.&nbsp;&ldquo;There won&rsquo;t be any talks. There&rsquo;s no dialogue. There&rsquo;s no negotiation. Terrorism from Afghanistan has to end,&rdquo; Zaidi said, describing Pakistan&rsquo;s position as clear and unchanged.<div class="fr-embed youtube-embed"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LbLPjNXSs4I" title="Pakistan seeks to neutralize threats from Afghanistan: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="" style="width: 100%; height: auto; aspect-ratio: 16 / 9; max-width: 100%; display: block;"></iframe>&nbsp;</div>He said militancy inside Afghanistan is an internal issue for the Afghan Taliban regime, but stressed that Pakistan&rsquo;s responsibility is limited to protecting its own citizens and territory.&nbsp;&ldquo;If we know that there&rsquo;s a terrorist at point A and there&rsquo;s a terrorist enabler at point A,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/trump-says-us-will-not-intervene-in-pakistanafghan-situation" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">we will find a weapon to land at point A and eliminate the threat</a>,&rdquo; Zaidi said, underscoring that Pakistan has already outlined both its actions and the conditions required for de-escalation.&nbsp;Zaidi added that responsibility for reducing instability rests not only with the Afghan Taliban &ldquo;regime in question&rdquo; but also with the wider international community, which he said must ensure Afghan soil is not used for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/ttptaliban-nexus-exposed-as-attacks-and-retaliation-mirror-each-other" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">cross-border terrorism</a>.&nbsp;In a separate interview, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar echoed the hardline stance, saying Pakistan&rsquo;s objective is to neutralize threats and ensure national security.&nbsp;Earlier, the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said military operations would continue &ldquo;until the desired end.&rdquo; Asked to clarify that objective, Tarar said it meant eliminating terrorist threats and making Pakistan safe.&nbsp;&ldquo;For us, we&rsquo;ve been good neighbors, very friendly and very generous neighbors,&rdquo; Tarar said. &ldquo;Our generosity has often been seen as weakness.&rdquo;&nbsp;On the possibility of a ceasefire, Tarar said it was &ldquo;too early to comment,&rdquo; citing a fluid security situation. He also dismissed the prospect of Afghanistan gaining meaningful external backing.&nbsp;&ldquo;They have been trying to make alliances, but whatever they stand for is not acceptable anywhere,&rdquo; he said, adding that expectations of outside support were &ldquo;wishful thinking.&rdquo;&nbsp;Both officials stressed that Pakistan&rsquo;s policy remains focused on countering militancy and restoring stability, with no immediate shift in approach under consideration.

Security

Talking to Pakistan TV Digital, Pakistani officials say there will be no dialogue with the Afghan Taliban until terrorism from Afghan soil ends, stressing Pakistan will act decisively to eliminate threats and protect national security.

‘No dialogue’: Pakistan says terrorism from Afghanistan must end

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is fully prepared for the upcoming review by the International Monetary Fund and is confident about its economic trajectory, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said.&nbsp;Speaking to Pakistan TV Digital, Aurangzeb confirmed that the IMF mission has begun its technical discussions in Karachi and that he will meet the team in Islamabad on Monday for the third review under Pakistan&rsquo;s ongoing program.&nbsp;&ldquo;We are getting ready for the third review,&rdquo; Aurangzeb said. &ldquo;It will cover both performance benchmarks and structural benchmarks, as well as a forward-looking assessment of the program.&rdquo;&nbsp;He added that Pakistan is entering the review from a position of strength. &ldquo;It is premature to say how it will go,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;But I would say we are well-positioned for this review.&rdquo;&nbsp;Strong economic fundamentalsAurangzeb highlighted the country&rsquo;s consolidation of macroeconomic stability over the past two years. Consecutive primary fiscal surpluses, a stable currency, easing inflation, and rising foreign exchange reserves reflect these gains, he said.&nbsp;Inflation has fallen into single digits, allowing the policy rate to drop to 10.5%, while reserves have grown from roughly two weeks of import cover in July 2023 to about 2.5 months.&nbsp;&ldquo;If the current trajectory continues, we expect to reach the international benchmark of three months of import cover by year-end,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;Remittances rose to $38 billion last fiscal year and are projected to reach around $42 billion this year. IT exports are also strengthening, expected to reach $4 billion to $5 billion, alongside traditional export sectors.&nbsp;From aid-led to investment-led growthAurangzeb emphasized that Pakistan is shifting from an aid-led model to a trade and investment-focused approach, targeting business-to-business engagement with international partners.&nbsp;&ldquo;We are very focused on sectors like oil and gas, minerals, mining and IT to attract further trade and investment,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;He noted recent diplomatic and economic initiatives, including CPEC Phase 2.0 with China and strengthened ties with GCC countries and the United States. Tariff negotiations with the US have reduced Pakistan&rsquo;s trade duties, further supporting competitive exports.&nbsp;Reform and continuityThe finance minister outlined ongoing reforms to strengthen fiscal sustainability.&nbsp;These include modernization of the Federal Board of Revenue, pension restructuring, government right-sizing, privatization of select state assets and enhanced debt management, which saved about Rs850 billion last year.&nbsp;&ldquo;We are focused on continuity, credibility, and reform,&rdquo; Aurangzeb said. &ldquo;Our engagement with the IMF is part of a broader strategy to ensure lasting stability, sustainable growth, and increased private-sector investment for Pakistan.&rdquo;&nbsp;The IMF mission will also examine governance reforms, electricity tariff adjustments, and the FY2026-27 federal budget framework. Completion of the review is expected to unlock $1.2 billion in funding, reinforcing Pakistan&rsquo;s recovery and reform momentum.

Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb speaks with Pakistan TV Digital ahead of the IMF review mission. (Pakistan TV Digital)

Economy

Pakistan is well-prepared for IMF reviews this week, Muhammad Aurangzeb said, with $1.2 billion funding pending. Officials report program targets on track, including fiscal, monetary, and governance benchmarks.

Pakistan confident ahead of IMF review, eyes investment-led growth

Muhammad Ibrahim

DHAKA: Pakistan signaled important meetings and an intent to deepen political, economic and regional cooperation with Bangladesh as Islamabad&rsquo;s senior leadership attends the oath-taking of Dhaka&rsquo;s incoming government, following a landslide election that reset the country&rsquo;s power balance and endorsed sweeping constitutional reforms.&nbsp;Speaking to Pakistan TV Digital in Dhaka on Tuesday, Pakistan Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal said he was representing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at what he described as a &ldquo;historic democratic transition&rdquo; in Bangladesh, adding that the Pakistani leader was keen to visit at the earliest opportunity. He also extended an invitation to Tarique Rahman to plan a visit to Pakistan at his earliest convenience.&nbsp;&ldquo;I am here to represent the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the people of Pakistan at a very historic moment when Bangladesh is making a democratic transition and a new government is being sworn in,&rdquo; Iqbal said. &ldquo;Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would very much like to visit Bangladesh as early as possible.&rdquo;&nbsp;Iqbal said he would meet Bangladesh&rsquo;s interim Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, Prime Minister-elect Tarique Rahman, and the leader of the opposition, conveying Islamabad&rsquo;s message of partnership and support.&nbsp;&ldquo;We look forward to a new journey between Pakistan and Bangladesh, towards prosperity and stability, not only for our region but for our people,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;Bangladesh&rsquo;s new government takes office after the 13th National Parliamentary Election, the first competitive vote since the 2024 uprising that ended Sheikh Hasina&rsquo;s 15-year rule. Final results show the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) securing 209 of 297 declared seats, rising to 212 seats with allies, giving it a commanding parliamentary majority. Voter turnout stood at 59.44%.&nbsp;&lsquo;Twin brothers&rsquo; and a regional resetFraming Pakistan-Bangladesh ties as historically deep and forward-looking, Iqbal described the two countries as &ldquo;twin brothers,&rdquo; citing shared civilizational links, similar demographic profiles and parallel development challenges.&nbsp;&ldquo;Both Pakistan and Bangladesh are young countries with very similar economic characteristics,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;This gives us a great opportunity to build bridges between our youth and work together to create opportunities.&rdquo;&nbsp;Iqbal said Islamabad sees Dhaka as a key partner in reviving regional cooperation, particularly through South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, which he said has long been stalled.&nbsp;&ldquo;South Asia is the least regionally integrated region in the world,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Both Pakistan and Bangladesh can play a very important role in reviving and reactivating SAARC, because regional cooperation is now key to economic progress.&rdquo;&nbsp;Founded in 1985, SAARC brings together eight South Asian countries with the stated aim of promoting regional integration through trade, connectivity and people-to-people ties. Despite representing nearly a quarter of the world&rsquo;s population, intra-regional trade remains below 6%, with political tensions repeatedly stalling summits and initiatives.&nbsp;Trade, youth and investmentIqbal said economic ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh remain far below potential, with bilateral trade still under $1 billion, and called for an urgent push to expand commerce, investment and connectivity.&nbsp;&ldquo;There is tremendous opportunity to promote trade between Pakistan and Bangladesh,&rdquo; he said, adding that he would meet Bangladeshi business leaders during the visit and engage with students to strengthen youth-to-youth links.&nbsp;He highlighted Pakistan&rsquo;s announcement of 500 scholarships for Bangladeshi students, calling it the foundation of a &ldquo;Bangladesh-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor.&rdquo;&nbsp;Shared sovereignty, shared challengesOn foreign policy, Iqbal stressed strategic autonomy and equal sovereignty as guiding principles, drawing parallels between Pakistan&rsquo;s and Bangladesh&rsquo;s political trajectories.&nbsp;&ldquo;Every country, no matter how small, has equal sovereignty,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We cannot accept hegemony on the basis of geography or power.&rdquo;&nbsp;He said both countries also share vulnerabilities to climate change, water security challenges and the need to build economic resilience, arguing that cooperation in climate adaptation, technology and skills development should be priorities. &quot;Both countries would like to see that international conventions for water should be respected. Recently, India has weaponized water from a controversial region. Which is not India, it occupied Jammu and Kashmir. And from there, it is weaponizing water. I think Bangladesh also would be closely watching these developments&quot;&nbsp;Cultural bridges and Iqbal AcademyBeyond economics and diplomacy, Iqbal pointed to cultural and intellectual links, proposing the revival of an Iqbal Academy in Bangladesh ahead of the 150th birth anniversary of philosopher-poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal next year.&nbsp;&ldquo;Iqbal is a common bridge between our people,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;He gave South Asian Muslims a sense of identity and hope during colonial rule.&rdquo;&nbsp;With Bangladesh&rsquo;s new government taking office on the back of a strong electoral mandate and a voter-endorsed reform charter, both sides framed the moment as an opportunity to reset ties on pragmatic, forward-looking lines.&nbsp;&ldquo;We are not authors of the bitter past,&rdquo; Iqbal said. &ldquo;We are custodians of the future. History will judge us by the path we choose now.&rdquo;

Pakistan Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, speaks to Pakistan TV Digital in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on February 17, 2026.

Pakistan Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal in Dhaka says the country aims to expand trade, revive regional cooperation, and build stronger youth and cultural links with Bangladesh following its election and formation of the new government.

Pakistan minister signals PM visit intent as Bangladesh's new government takes office

DHAKA: Bangladesh&rsquo;s incoming leadership has placed the revival of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) at the center of its regional strategy, framing South Asian integration as both an economic necessity and a political priority following the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)&rsquo;s sweeping election victory.&nbsp;Speaking to Pakistan TV Digital ahead of the swearing-in ceremony, BNP Standing Committee member and former commerce minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said the party sees its sweeping mandate not as a victory, but as a responsibility entrusted by voters after years of disenfranchisement.&nbsp;&ldquo;We don&rsquo;t see this as a victory. We see this as a trust that the people have put on us,&rdquo; Chowdhury said, adding that restoring democratic order and economic stability would be the government&rsquo;s immediate focus.&nbsp;Chowdhury said the BNP believes Bangladesh historically turns to the party during periods of national difficulty, and argued that voters backed the BNP this time to deliver democratic transition, economic recovery and institutional reform.&nbsp;On foreign policy, he stressed that the BNP would pursue a non-aligned, multilateral approach rooted in national interest, rejecting any country-centric alignment.&nbsp;&ldquo;Our foreign policy is never country-centric. It is based on mutual respect, mutual interest, non-interference and strategic autonomy for Bangladesh,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;Within that framework, Chowdhury identified Pakistan as an important regional partner, particularly in the broader push to revive South Asian cooperation.&nbsp;&ldquo;South Asian integration is very important. We are the least integrated region in the world, with only five to six percent intra-regional trade,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We need to integrate for the benefit of all countries in the region.&rdquo;&nbsp;He acknowledged that tensions between India and Pakistan have stalled SAARC in the past but insisted Dhaka would work to overcome political roadblocks. <figure id="isPasted"><img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/e267e889-0d1e-4fa6-9a78-25069b43d3a5-WhatsApp Image 2026-02-15 at 11.26.47 PM.jpeg" alt="WhatsApp Image 2026-02-15 at 11.26.47 PM.jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dii"><figcaption>Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, BNP Standing Committee member and former commerce minister, speaks during an interview with Pakistan TV Digital in Dhaka on February 15, 2026, ahead of Bangladesh&#39;s incoming government swearing-in ceremony. (Pakistan TV Digital)</figcaption></figure>&nbsp;&ldquo;It has been a problem, we have to admit it. But we have to work around it. Integration is a must for the future of South Asia,&rdquo; he said, citing trade, textiles, pharmaceuticals, connectivity and supply chains as shared regional priorities.&nbsp;Chowdhury also downplayed allegations of foreign propaganda and misinformation during the election period, saying external narratives had little bearing on the outcome.&nbsp;&ldquo;The people of Bangladesh are the ultimate judges. As long as there is no interference in our domestic affairs, what others say is their own business,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;On bilateral ties, Chowdhury confirmed that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had called BNP leader Tarique Rahman to congratulate him, underscoring what he described as improving regional engagement. He said neighbourhood diplomacy would remain central to the BNP&rsquo;s outlook.&nbsp;Domestically, Chowdhury outlined plans for wide-ranging economic reform, including deregulation, liberalization and restoring damaged institutions to attract investment and create jobs.&nbsp;&ldquo;Investment is the only thing that can drive the economy and create jobs,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Government&rsquo;s role is to facilitate, not to control.&rdquo;&nbsp;He added that small and medium enterprises, youth employment, women and underprivileged groups would be covered under what he described as a holistic reform agenda, aligned with constitutional commitments to social welfare.&nbsp;On constitutional reform, Chowdhury said the outcome of the recent national referendum would now be debated in parliament.&nbsp;&ldquo;Now that we have an elected parliament, it will be placed there for discussion and decision,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;As Bangladesh prepares for a new government, the BNP is positioning regional integration, economic openness and institutional rebuilding as the pillars of what it calls a post-authoritarian reset, with SAARC&rsquo;s revival framed as both a strategic goal and a test of South Asia&rsquo;s political will.

In a wide-ranging interview to Pakistan TV Digital ahead of the swearing-in ceremony, BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury says voters’ mandate prioritizes democratic restoration, economic revival and South Asian integration.

Bangladesh’s incoming government signals regional reset, pushes SAARC revival

DHAKA: Bangladesh&rsquo;s prime minister-in-waiting Tarique Rahman on Saturday called for national unity and a reset in regional engagement, signaling renewed outreach across South Asia after his party&rsquo;s sweeping victory in the country&rsquo;s first competitive election since the 2024 uprising. &ldquo;Our paths and opinions may differ, but in the interest of the country, we must remain united,&rdquo; Rahman said at his first post-election press conference. &ldquo;National unity is a collective strength. Division is a weakness.&rdquo; Dedicating the victory to pro-democracy activists, Rahman said, &ldquo;This victory belongs to Bangladesh. It belongs to democracy. It belongs to the people who aspired to and sacrificed for democracy.&rdquo; Rahman&rsquo;s Bangladesh Nationalist Party secured more than two-thirds of parliamentary seats, positioning him to form the next government after nearly two decades in political exile. Focus on India, Pakistan and SAARCPressed on relations with India, Rahman said Dhaka would prioritise strategic interests over ideology. &ldquo;We do not have country-centric policies,&rdquo; he told an Indian journalist. &ldquo;Our strategic interests come first. We prefer mutual, bilateral ties based on respect.&rdquo; On regional diplomacy, Rahman said Bangladesh would seek to revive the SAARC, noting Dhaka&rsquo;s historical role in launching the forum. &ldquo;As you know, SAARC was initiated by Bangladesh,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We will try to re-initiate that process.&rdquo; Asked whether Bangladesh could act as a negotiating bridge between India and Pakistan following tensions after the May 2025 crisis, Rahman said regional stability remained a priority but stopped short of committing to formal mediation. On the sensitive question of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina&rsquo;s status in India, Rahman said any decision would follow due process. &ldquo;The handing-over issue depends on legalities,&rdquo; he said. Domestic challenges acknowledgedRahman acknowledged the scale of challenges facing the incoming administration. &ldquo;We are about to begin our journey in a situation marked by a fragile economy left behind by an authoritarian regime, weakened constitutional institutions and a breakdown in law and order,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Restoring democracy is only the first step. Ensuring good governance is the real test.&rdquo; Responding to suggestions that his party&rsquo;s large majority could enable political &ldquo;engineering,&rdquo; Rahman rejected the claim. &ldquo;I think we engineered our campaign so that people would come out and vote,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We have been given a mandate by the people.&rdquo; He said the new government would listen closely to young voters while governing inclusively. &ldquo;Naturally we will listen to the youth, but we have other people in the country too, and we will take care of them as well.&rdquo; Election and reform&nbsp;Rahman&rsquo;s remarks came as Bangladesh concluded its 13th National Parliamentary Election, the first since a 2024 uprising ended 15 years of authoritarian rule. Final results show the BNP winning 209 seats outright, rising to 212 with allies. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami secured 68 seats, rising to 77 with alliance partners, emerging as the largest opposition force. Overall voter turnout stood at 59.44%. Running alongside the election, voters also endorsed the July National Charter in a nationwide referendum. More than 70 million ballots were cast, with nearly 48 million voters, about two-thirds, backing constitutional reforms aimed at limiting executive power, strengthening judicial independence, and restructuring parliament. European Union observers described the elections as credible, calling them &ldquo;a pivotal step towards restoring democratic governance and the rule of law.&rdquo; From the opposition, Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman accepted the outcome, pledging to act as a &ldquo;vigilant, principled and peaceful opposition.&rdquo; Pakistan-Bangladesh tiesInternational reaction, particularly from Pakistan, framed the outcome as a milestone for democratic continuity. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif telephoned Rahman to congratulate him on what he termed a &ldquo;historic and resounding victory,&rdquo; reaffirming Islamabad&rsquo;s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation. President Asif Ali Zardari also congratulated Rahman and the people of Bangladesh on the successful and peaceful conduct of the polls, while Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan would continue to engage Bangladesh &ldquo;on the basis of sovereign equality and mutual respect.&rdquo; With a clear mandate at home and reform legitimacy secured at the ballot box, Rahman now faces the task of translating electoral momentum into governance, while redefining Bangladesh&rsquo;s regional posture in a fractured South Asian landscape.

Tarique Rahman secures a commanding parliamentary majority as EU observers say Bangladesh’s vote is credible, competently managed and a pivotal step toward restoring democratic governance.

Bangladesh’s next PM signals regional reset, unity and SAARC revival in first address

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: The US Senate on Tuesday advanced a resolution to limit President Donald Trump&rsquo;s authority to conduct military action against Iran without congressional approval, marking the first time Democrats have cleared such a procedural vote after seven failed attempts. The joint resolution, introduced by Democratic Senator Tim Kaine and several other senators, directs the president to remove US armed forces from &quot;hostilities within or against Iran&quot; unless Congress formally authorizes military action through a declaration of war or a specific use-of-force authorization. According to the text of the resolution, lawmakers argued that Congress alone has the constitutional authority to declare war under Article I of the US Constitution and that Congress has neither declared war on Iran nor approved military force against the country. The Senate voted 50-47 to discharge the resolution from the Committee, with four Republican senators, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, and Bill Cassidy, joining most Democrats in backing the resolution, while Democratic Senator John Fetterman voted against it, CBS News reported. The resolution further states that military action against Iran, including the enforcement of a naval blockade, would constitute hostilities under the War Powers Resolution. However, the measure includes provisions allowing the United States to defend itself against attacks, continue intelligence-sharing with allies, and assist partner countries targeted by Iran or its proxies through defensive support, according to the resolution. Speaking before the vote, Kaine said Americans were increasingly opposed to another conflict in the Middle East. &quot;They are deeply opposed to this war,&quot; he told reporters, according to CBS News. Kaine also linked the conflict to rising economic pressure on Americans, particularly fuel prices ahead of the Memorial Day holiday travel period. &quot;We&rsquo;re coming up on Memorial Day. A lot of people do a lot of driving, they&rsquo;re going to be paying a lot for gas,&quot; Kaine said, according to CBS News. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the vote showed growing Republican unease over the administration&rsquo;s Iran policy. &ldquo;Momentum is building to check him,&rdquo; Schumer said. The resolution still has to pass a final vote and, even then, would face major obstacles in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, which has already rejected similar efforts, and would almost certainly be vetoed by Trump if it reached his desk, AFP reported.

US Senator Tim Kaine speaks following the Senate's vote on the War Powers resolution, at the US Capitol in Washington, DC on February 13, 2020. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP)

Americas

Middle East

The Senate has approved a procedural step to limit unauthorized US hostilities against Iran. However, the resolution still has to pass a final vote in both chambers of Congress and likely presidential opposition. 

US Senate moves to restrict unauthorized hostilities against Iran

ISLAMABAD: The United Nations has warned of a growing and potentially grave threat of nuclear terrorism emerging from Afghanistan under the Taliban.&nbsp;According to a UN report, the Taliban regime has sheltered international terrorist groups to sustain its rule, allowing militant networks operating from Afghan territory to pose a serious danger to global security.&nbsp;The report raises particular alarm over 133 tablets of stolen uranium dioxide taken from Tajikistan, which could potentially be acquired by the banned al-Qaeda network in Afghanistan. &ldquo;I think the threat has never been so high as it is today,&rdquo; according to Mauro Miedico, Director of the UN Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT). &ldquo;Terrorist groups and individuals engage much more strongly with new technologies. Terrorist groups have recruited experts, including AI specialists, and we have seen the use of drones in terrorist acts. This potentially makes it more possible that they will launch a dirty bomb via drone.&rdquo;&nbsp;The report notes that al‑Qaeda has repeatedly signaled intent to conduct nuclear attacks, and that incidents of smuggling and theft of radioactive material have been recorded in several countries.&nbsp;Experts cited in the report say the combination of foreign fighters, modern technology available to militant groups in Afghanistan, and the sanctuary provided by the Taliban creates a real risk of nuclear terrorism.&nbsp;The findings echo warnings previously issued by the United States, Pakistan, European states and Central Asian countries, which have repeatedly described terrorism emanating from Afghanistan as a major security threat.&nbsp;The UN has called for strengthened international cooperation, improved controls on nuclear and radiological materials across the region, and enhanced monitoring and interdiction efforts to prevent dangerous materials from reaching extremist hands.

Artillery shells have hit areas near the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine since the full-scare Russian invasion of the country in 2022. (File photo: United Nations/IAEA)

Afghanistan

The report notes that al‑Qaeda has repeatedly signaled intent to conduct nuclear attacks, and that incidents of smuggling and theft of radioactive material have been recorded in several countries.

UN warns of rising nuclear terrorism risk from Afghanistan under Taliban

STRASBOURG (FRANCE): EU lawmakers and member states reached a deal in the early hours of Wednesday to implement the bloc&#39;s nearly year-old trade pact with the United States, as President Donald Trump threatened new tariffs unless the pact is implemented by July 4. The 27-nation bloc struck an accord with Washington last July, setting levies on most European goods at 15%, but to Trump&#39;s frustration, it had yet to make good on its pledge to scrap levies on most US imports in return. Negotiators from the EU&#39;s parliament and capitals wrangled late into the night, finally emerging several hours after midnight with news of an agreement to move forward. &quot;This means we will soon deliver on our part,&quot; EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said as she welcomed the agreement and called for the implementation process to be finalized quickly. &quot;Together, we can ensure stable, predictable, balanced, and mutually beneficial transatlantic trade,&quot; von der Leyen said in a social media post. The EU agreement puts the bloc on track to meet Trump&#39;s deadline for ratification of the deal sealed in Turnberry, Scotland, between Trump and von der Leyen, and hopefully turn the page on more than a year of transatlantic trade battles. Short of that, Trump had warned the European Union should expect &quot;much higher&quot; tariffs -- and had already vowed to raise duties on European cars and trucks from 15% to 25%. The tariff blitz unleashed by Trump before the Turnberry accord, including hefty levies on steel, aluminum and car parts, jolted the bloc into cultivating trade ties around the world. But the EU cannot afford to neglect the &euro;1.6-trillion ($1.9-trillion) relationship with the US, its largest trade partner. No more &#39;sunrise&#39;&nbsp;The EU parliament gave the deal a conditional green light in March, after months of delay caused by Trump&#39;s designs on Greenland and a US Supreme Court ruling striking down many of the president&#39;s tariffs. Lawmakers were under pressure to renege on several amendments that the Americans considered unacceptable -- including a suspension clause that would scrap favorable tariff conditions for US exporters should the US breach the deal. The final text empowers the European Commission to trigger the suspension mechanism if the US fails to meet its commitments or disrupts trade and investment with the EU, including by &quot;discriminating against or targeting EU economic operators.&quot; It also gives the EU means to address spikes in US imports &quot;that cause or threaten to cause serious injury to domestic producers,&quot; with suspension again a possible outcome. But parliament also agreed to scale back some demands -- and the final text notably gave the US until the end of the year to drop surtaxes above 15% on steel components, rather than insisting on it as a precondition. Another fight was over so-called &quot;sunrise&quot; and &quot;sunset&quot; clauses under which the EU side of the accord would kick in once the US makes good on its pledges, and would expire unless renewed in 2028. The sunrise clause was removed altogether, while the sunset was pushed back to the end of 2029, according to a parliament statement. The head of parliament&#39;s trade committee, Bernd Lange, faced the challenge of hammering out a common stance between different factions that haggled until the last moment. Lange played down the concessions extracted from lawmakers, declaring after the deal was announced that &quot;parliament has prevailed with its demands for a comprehensive safety net.&quot; But Anna Cavazzini of the EU&#39;s Greens was less effusive, saying the &quot;deal puts the EU at a disadvantage&quot; while conceding &quot;it can secure a certain degree of economic stability.&quot; &quot;One can only hope that the agreement on the tariff deal will now calm the situation, so that other major issues in the EU-US relationship can be addressed,&quot; she said.

Europe

EU lawmakers and member states approve progress on a major US trade pact to avoid fresh Trump tariffs and stabilize the $1.9 trillion transatlantic economic relationship after months of tensions.

EU agrees to implement US trade pact after Trump threats

SYLHET:&nbsp;Spinner Taijul Islam took six wickets to lead Bangladesh to a 78-run win over Pakistan in the second Test and clinch a famous 2-0 series win on Wednesday. Pakistan, who started the fifth day on 316-7 chasing a record 437, were bowled out for 328 in the first session in Sylhet after Mohammad Rizwan hit a valiant 94. It was Bangladesh&#39;s first Test series win at home against Pakistan and a second successive sweep after their 2-0 triumph on Pakistani soil in 2024. The win marked another major milestone for Bangladesh, who secured four successive Test series victories for the first time in their history. &quot;It&#39;s difficult to explain the emotions of that final hour because Pakistan were batting really well and we were under pressure,&quot; Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said. &quot;But compared to previous matches, we controlled our emotions better and avoided panic. &quot;Every player and member of the support staff contributed, and as captain I feel very proud of the team&#39;s work ethic.&quot; Wicketkeeper Rizwan kept Pakistan in the hunt for an unlikely win with a 166-ball stay after the visitors had slumped to 162-5 on day four. Rizwan put on an eighth-wicket partnership of 54 with overnight partner Sajid Khan, who made 28. Taijul broke through to dismiss Sajid for his 18th Test five-wicket haul, and pace bowler Shoriful Islam had Rizwan caught in the next over to end Pakistan&#39;s resistance. &quot;It&#39;s never good to lose games,&quot; said Pakistan skipper Shan Masood. &quot;In both matches we had significant chances, but we need to reflect on where we lost the game in batting, bowling and fielding if we want to move forward as a side.&quot; Taijul took the final wicket of Khurram Shahzad to return second-innings figures of 6-120 and trigger the Bangladesh celebrations. Taijul&#39;s four wickets on Tuesday had left Pakistan in deep trouble. Former captain Babar Azam counter-attacked with 47 before wicketkeeper Litton Das produced a stunning catch off Taijul. Captain Masood made 71, while Salman Ali Agha added 71 in a crucial 134-run sixth-wicket stand with Rizwan before Taijul broke through. Taijul, a left-arm spinner, also took 3-67 during Pakistan&#39;s first innings of 232. Litton, who was named player of the match, scored 126 in Bangladesh&#39;s first innings of 278. Veteran batsman Mushfiqur Rahim scored 137 in the second to guide Bangladesh to 390, with contributions from Mahmudul Hasan Joy (52) and Litton (69). The 39-year-old Mushfiqur was named player of the series for his 253 runs in two matches. Bangladesh won the opening Test by 104 runs.

Bangladesh's players celebrate after the dismissal of Pakistan’s Babar Azam during the fourth day of the second Test cricket match between Bangladesh and Pakistan at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet on May 19, 2026. (Photo: AFP)

Cricket

With this win, Bangladesh completes a 2-0 whitewash, marking their second consecutive series win against Pakistan in red ball cricket.

Taijul takes six to lead Bangladesh to Pakistan Test series win

ISLAMABAD: Taliban authorities in southern Afghanistan&rsquo;s Kandahar province have imposed new restrictions on YouTubers and video content creators, warning them against producing and publishing videos on social media platforms, according to Afghanistan International on Wednesday. According to the report, officials from the Taliban&rsquo;s Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice recently summoned several YouTubers and social media activists in Kandahar and ordered them to stop creating video content.&nbsp; The move has alarmed young Afghan creators who say social media platforms such as YouTube have become one of the few remaining outlets for cultural expression and employment in the country. Youtubers spoke to Afghanistan International that they made videos about the city, historical sites, markets, traditions and people&rsquo;s lives.&nbsp; They said some of the videos also focused on social issues, including harmful customs, drug addiction and illiteracy. Other creators said their content had attracted thousands, and in some cases millions, of online views, helping showcase Afghan culture and daily life to international audiences. &ldquo;YouTube was one of our main sources of income, but now that making videos has been banned, we are effectively unemployed,&rdquo; another creator said. The restrictions currently appear to apply only in Kandahar province, though creators expressed concern that the policy could expand to other parts of Afghanistan. Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have steadily tightened restrictions on media and public expression. Under the Taliban&#39;s morality law, the publication of images of &ldquo;living beings&rdquo; is prohibited. As part of enforcing the policy, Taliban authorities have suspended state television broadcasts and shut down or restricted several local media outlets in different provinces. International rights organizations and media advocacy groups have repeatedly condemned the Taliban&rsquo;s restrictions on images and media content, calling on the authorities to respect freedom of expression and reverse policies limiting independent journalism and digital media activity in Afghanistan.

Freedom of expression - (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

The Taliban in Kandahar have banned YouTubers and content creators from making videos, further tightening media restrictions and threatening livelihoods and freedom of expression in Afghanistan.

Afghan Taliban tighten restrictions on youtubers and video creators in Kandahar

BEIJING: Beijing has agreed to work with Washington on reducing levies affecting tens of billions of dollars in goods, a commerce ministry statement said Wednesday, days after US President Donald Trump visited China. Under the auspices of a newly established trade council, &quot;both sides agreed in principle to discuss a framework arrangement for reciprocal tariff reductions on products of equivalent scale&quot;, covering &quot;$30 billion or more on each side&quot;, the online statement said. US President Donald Trump was in Beijing last week, where he held talks with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, over a variety of issues, especially the trade tariffs.

Asia

A statement from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said that Beijing and Washington agreed in principle to discuss a framework arrangement for reciprocal tariff reductions on products of equivalent scale.

China says to work with US on reciprocal tariff cuts for $30 billion of goods each

ISLAMABAD: Students across Afghanistan are growing discouraged as the Taliban expand religious schools while public education facilities continue to deteriorate, according to the daily Hasht-e-Subh. Images circulating on social media in recent days showed students sleeping inside classrooms, highlighting worsening conditions in public schools and sparking renewed criticism of the Taliban&rsquo;s education policies. Since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, modern education has been systematically weakened while the group has prioritized religious instruction through madrasa networks. According to the daily, subjects such as mathematics, physics and chemistry have received less attention in some schools, while greater emphasis has been placed on ideological, political and military-related topics aligned with Taliban teachings. The concerns come as Afghanistan&rsquo;s education sector continues to face severe economic strain. Many families struggling with poverty are unable to keep children in school, while restrictions imposed by the Taliban have further discouraged students from pursuing education.&nbsp; International observers and education advocates have repeatedly warned about the growing imbalance between religious and public education in Afghanistan. An international survey found that the Taliban had built 15 religious schools for every one public school, despite the country&rsquo;s deepening education crisis. Afghanistan&rsquo;s public schools also continue to suffer from shortages of qualified teachers, learning materials and proper classroom facilities, particularly in rural areas.

Afghan schoolboys in Helmand (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Afghanistan’s public education system is deteriorating under Taliban rule as religious schools expand, classrooms decline, and students lose access to quality modern education.

Afghan Taliban’s focus on religious schools is discouraging students from education

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has emphasized the need for sustained &ldquo;confidence-building measures&rdquo; and expedited &ldquo;resumption of negotiations,&rdquo; reiterating Islamabad&rsquo;s deep concern over the ongoing war in Ukraine.&nbsp; Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with the ensuing conflict resulting in a tidal wave of destruction that has left entire cities in ruins. Speaking at the UNSC, Acting UN Permanent Representative of Pakistan Ambassador Usman Jadoon, the ambassador said, &ldquo;The conflict has persisted for over four years, resulting in widespread devastation that has severely impacted human lives and livelihoods.&rdquo; He said that Islamabad was concerned about the prolongation of the war, condemning reports of increased attacks. Such actions prolong the conflict, erode trust, and obstruct meaningful progress toward peace, he said, stressing that civilians remained the primary victims.&nbsp; The ambassador reiterated that protection of civilians, humanitarian workers, and civilian infrastructure was a fundamental legal obligation under international humanitarian law, which all parties must uphold under all circumstances. Welcoming the recent ceasefire announcements, the ambassador said these measures can help build confidence and should be sustained to create an enabling environment for a complete ceasefire and lasting peace. He also urged both parties to &ldquo;prioritize diplomacy, demonstrate genuine political will, and move forward constructively toward a just and enduring solution.&rdquo;

Acting UN Permanent Representative of Pakistan says Islamabad is concerned about the prolongation of the war, condemns reports of increased attacks.

At UN, Pakistan calls for confidence-building measures, revival of talks on Ukraine

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump will attend next month&#39;s G7 summit in France, a White House official told AFP Tuesday, despite tensions between Washington and its allies over a host of issues, from Iran to tariffs. Trump&#39;s attendance had not previously been confirmed at the meeting of the Group of Seven leading economies in the French Alpine lakeside resort of Evian, June 15-17. The White House said in January that France had changed the dates to accommodate Trump&#39;s schedule. Trump is holding a cage fight at the White House on June 14, his 80th birthday. The US president wants to discuss topics including artificial intelligence, trade and crime-fighting at the leaders&#39; summit, Axios reported. But the summit takes place against a backdrop of frictions between the United States and other G7 members, particularly over the war Trump launched on Iran in February. Trump has lashed out at US allies for failing to help open up the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway that Iran has effectively shut down, causing global oil prices to spike. Western allies, including the G7, have in return expressed concerns about the impact of the US-Israeli war on their economies, particularly at a time when they are dealing with tariffs imposed by Trump. Trump&#39;s attendance at a NATO summit in Turkey in early July has still not yet been confirmed. The Group of Seven countries are Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States. Each country assumes the group&#39;s rotating leadership, organizing annual summits and ministerial meetings.

Trump has lashed out at US allies for failing to help open up the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway that Iran has effectively shut down, causing global oil prices to spike.

Trump to attend G7 summit in France: White House

Web Desk/AFP

Trump says will resume strikes on Iran if deal not reached within 'two or three ⁠days'; Araghchi says Iran will benefit from the lessons learned and the knowledge gained; Moscow notes Pakistan's active role in stabilizing the situation, creating conditions for lasting peace.

Articles by Ayesha Mir