Author: Raja Zahid Khanzada
The Cursed Pilgrimage — The Commerce of Fear and the Voice of a Sufi Heart By Raja Zahid Akhtar Khanzada “She said to me: ‘I am going to the House of God. Beware, if you do not do what I ask, I will curse you!’ And I fell silent for a moment, lost in thought. What kind of pilgrimage is this, where the traveler carries hatred instead of humility? What kind of devotion begins not with love, but with threats and resentment? What kind of worshipper approaches God’s house without first cleansing the stains of the heart?” Umrah ceases to…
Injustice at Karachi’s Leading Hospital — Labour Court Orders Liaquat National Hospital to Reinstate Dismissed Employee Special Report KARACHI: In a landmark ruling exposing the inner workings of one of Karachi’s most prominent healthcare institutions, the Sindh Labour Court-I has directed Liaquat National Hospital (LNH) to immediately reinstate its former Head of Biomedical Engineering, Ansar Ahmed Chishti, with full back pay and benefits. https://youtu.be/SUsEwPwT51Q?si=AbmHmf6-2DvhhKv4 The judgment, delivered on September 29, 2025, declared the hospital’s allegations of misconduct “unsubstantiated and unlawful,” terming the dismissal a violation of labour laws and due process. The case, however, goes far beyond an individual’s reinstatement…
ISLAMABAD – Eight influential Muslim nations that engaged with U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration on a plan to halt Israel’s invasion and alleged genocide in Gaza have offered a measured welcome to “the steps taken by Hamas,” the Foreign Office (FO) announced on Sunday. The development comes days after Hamas stated on Friday that it would agree to some of the terms of the Trump plan—which was unveiled earlier in the week following a meeting between the U.S. President and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—and seek further negotiations. The Muslim nations view Hamas’s partial agreement as a potential breakthrough for…
The Crown, the Jet, and the Spectacle — America’s Fractured Dream By Raja Zahid Akhtar Khanzada It was not merely a video — it was a reflection of an age, a twenty-second digital dream where vanity outweighed truth, and irony revealed more reality than satire. Donald Trump appeared wearing a crown, seated in the cockpit of a fighter jet emblazoned in gold letters: “King Trump.” Below him, on the streets of New York, thousands of citizens chanted, “No Kings!” as the aircraft soared to the rhythm of Kenny Loggins’ Danger Zone. When it reached the city’s skyline, the jet released…
Blazing Quill Flattery as Foreign Policy: The Command of Praise and the Court of Sharm el-Sheikh By Raja Zahid Akhtar Khanzada They say the dust of royal courts holds an alchemy that turns brass into gold — and reason into silence. It is that very soil of submission from which our rulers’ carpets are woven. Today’s age is not one of diplomacy, but of recommendation, elevated to an art form. And the masters of this delicate craft are those before whom even the Alexanders of history hesitate before holding a microphone. When the lexicon of history redefined flattery as “diplomacy”…
Opinion | A Crown of Peace Amid the Shadows of Blood Maria Corina Machado’s Nobel Victory and the Triumph of Conscience Over Power By: Raja Zahid Akhtar Khanzada In the cold Oslo air, a name echoed: Maria Corina Machado, the woman who lit the lamp of democracy amid darkness, whose hand did not tremble even in the shadow of fear, whose language never wavered, whose path never changed. On October 10, 2025, the Norwegian Nobel Committee placed the crown of peace upon her head. This decision felt like a statement: the prize belongs not to towers of power but to…
Health and Nutrition While peeling a pomegranate might seem tedious, the reward of its ruby-red, juicy seeds is worth the effort. Beyond its refreshing taste, this ancient fruit is a nutritional powerhouse with remarkable benefits for cardiovascular, cognitive, and overall health. A Shield Against Cellular Damage Pomegranates are heavily loaded with polyphenols, which are potent antioxidants that shield body cells from damage caused by free radicals. The flavonoids within these compounds are known to not only lower the risk of chronic conditions like high blood pressure and cancer but also enhance overall well-being. Gut Health and Immune…
San Francisco, United States Tesla is expected to unveil a more affordable version of its best-selling Model Y SUV on Tuesday, as the electric vehicle (EV) maker attempts to reverse falling sales and waning market share amid fierce global competition. Chief Executive Elon Musk has long promised mass-market vehicles, though Reuters first reported last year that plans to build an all-new $25,000 EV were canceled. The vehicle anticipated this week is an “affordable” version based on current manufacturing and design platforms. Tesla fueled excitement among its fans by posting two cryptic video clips on X (formerly Twitter) over the weekend.…
Islamabad, Pakistan Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) have signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at strengthening cooperation in the fight against corruption. According to the National Accountability Bureau, the agreement was signed by the NAB Deputy Chairman and the Chief Commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s three-day visit to Malaysia. Under the terms of the agreement, the anti-graft institutions from both countries will work collaboratively on the prevention and elimination of corruption. This pact is designed to enhance accountability and transparency across both nations by facilitating the…
