Author: Raja Zahid Khanzada

Pakistan-Malaysia Partnership Deepens: $200M Halal Meat Deal Signals New Economic Trajectory

Pakistan October 6, 20253 Mins Read

PUTRAJAYA – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday hailed his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement to import $200 million worth of Halal meat from Pakistan as a “welcome step,” anticipating a significant boost in bilateral engagement within the Halal sector. The announcement followed comprehensive bilateral talks between the two leaders in Putrajaya. During a joint press conference, PM Shehbaz shared that he had a “most productive exchange of views” with PM Ibrahim, focusing on strengthening their “historic partnership.” Discussions covered a wide array of areas, including trade and investment, climate, defence, education, and tourism, reflecting a strategic intent to deepen…

Pakistan Intensifies Diplomatic Push for Safe Return of Ex-Senator Detained by Israel on Gaza Aid Flotilla

Pakistan October 6, 20253 Mins Read

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FO) announced on Monday that it is engaged in intense diplomatic efforts for the safe evacuation of former Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, who was detained by Israeli forces last week. The detention occurred after Israel intercepted a Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) carrying essential aid to the besieged Gaza Strip. The FO stated that its embassy in Amman is “working tirelessly to secure the safe evacuation of former senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan.” Highlighting the critical role of a key ally, the statement added, “With the invaluable assistance of the Jordanian government, we…

Ex-Senate Chair Demands Parliament Scrutiny of Pakistan’s ‘New US Policy’ Amid Mineral Deal and Port ReportISLAMABAD – Former Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani has strongly urged the federal government to “immediately” take Parliament into confidence regarding its evolving policy towards the United States. His assertion focuses on alarming media reports concerning the sale of rare earth minerals and the purported plan to offer Pasni port to Washington, raising fundamental questions about national sovereignty and resource ownership. In a press release issued on Monday, Rabbani voiced deep concern that the federal government “has not taken the people or parliament into confidence on the dynamics of the new relationship with the United States.” He emphasised that “It is the right of the people to know the details and the direction of the foreign policy,” adding a historical note of caution: “In history, the US has never been a reliable friend to depend upon.” Constitutional Concerns over Mineral Deal Addressing the reported deal for the sale of precious and rare minerals to the American company, US Strategic Metals (USSM), Rabbani stated it was “unfortunate” that information about the significant transaction surfaced through the media. He stressed that the provinces are the “real stakeholders” and should have been consulted via the Council of Common Interests (CCI). Rabbani pointed to Article 172 of the 1973 Constitution, which stipulates that “mineral oil and natural gas within the province… shall vest jointly and equally in that province and the federal government.” He asserted, “The federal government fails to realise that Article 172… is in operation, [and] the provinces are 50 per cent owners of the mineral resources.” He further recalled that provinces had previously “rejected the federal government-sponsored minerals law.” Strategic Alarm over Pasni Port The former Senate chief also raised the alarm over international media reports suggesting that the deep-sea Pasni port on the Balochistan coast might be offered to Washington. “This will have very serious repercussions on the other regional relationships,” he warned, suggesting the move could impact Pakistan’s strategic balance with key regional allies. Rabbani’s assertion comes as Pakistan enters a new phase of economic and strategic engagement with the US. USSM, which signed an MoU in September to invest roughly $500 million in mineral processing facilities, recently dispatched its first consignment of mineral samples to the US to advance the deal. The shipment, prepared in collaboration with the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO), included antimony, copper concentrate, and rare earth elements such as neodymium and praseodymium. Sources in Washington reportedly hope this collaboration will pave the way for Pakistan’s formal entry into the global supply chain for critical minerals, a sector with increasing implications for global industries and national security. The former Senate chairperson’s demand underscores a growing call for transparency and parliamentary oversight as Pakistan navigates a sensitive strategic realignment and makes critical decisions about its national assets.

Pakistan October 6, 20253 Mins Read

ISLAMABAD – Former Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani has strongly urged the federal government to “immediately” take Parliament into confidence regarding its evolving policy towards the United States. His assertion focuses on alarming media reports concerning the sale of rare earth minerals and the purported plan to offer Pasni port to Washington, raising fundamental questions about national sovereignty and resource ownership. In a press release issued on Monday, Rabbani voiced deep concern that the federal government “has not taken the people or parliament into confidence on the dynamics of the new relationship with the United States.” He emphasised that “It is…

Pakistan Court Issues Bailable Arrest Warrants for Senior PTI Leaders Amid Political Tensions

Pakistan October 6, 20253 Mins Read

ISLAMABAD – An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad has issued bailable arrest warrants for key Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, including Omar Ayub, Zartaj Gul, and central information secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram, in a case stemming from the Sangjani rally held in September last year. The move marks a renewed legal escalation against the leadership of the party founded by former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The case dates back to September 8, 2024, when clashes erupted between PTI supporters and the Islamabad police during a rally on the outskirts of the capital. The demonstration was staged to demand the “immediate release”…

Opinion | The “Chicken Man” Who Threatened Imran Khan in Jail — The Modern Koça Reza: The Nouveau Riche and the Rusted Mirror

Article October 6, 20256 Mins Read

Opinion | The “Chicken Man” Who Threatened Imran Khan in Jail — The Modern Koça Reza: The Nouveau Riche and the Rusted Mirror By Raja Zahid Akhtar Khanzada ⸻ They say that in the narrow streets of old Istanbul lived a humble copper merchant named Koça Reza. He polished pots for a living, earning barely two coins by the end of the day. Then, one day, fortune stumbled upon him — the Sultan’s royal kitchen commissioned thousands of utensils. Within months, Reza, who once knocked on doors saying, “Sir, would you buy this bowl?”, was bribing palace guards for…