Opinion

SMVDS Medical College Faces Uproar

01/12/2025
K N Pandita Chief Minister Omar Abdulla defends a bizarre and controversial event that happened recently at the SMVD Hospital at Kakriyal, Katra. The admission of MBBS students in the SMVD Medical College has become a subject of controversy. The controversy erupted in Jammu and Kashmir after 42 out of 50 MBBS seats at the newly established Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) went to Muslim students in the first-ever admission cycle for the 2025–26 sessio...

Minority Status for SMVDIME To Address Hindu Sentiments

26/11/2025
K B Jandial The ongoing turmoil surrounding admission of the first batch of fifty MBBS students for the 2025-26 academic year at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) has exposed the systemic fault lines and sensitive issue of Hindu Muslim parity in J&K. What should have been a routine academic exercise has escalated into a full-blown crisis, fuelling unending public protests of different sections of civil society especially the Hindu organisations. It has ...

Desperate Pakistan Launches Anti-Taliban Drive, Risking Another Afghan Civil War

25/11/2025
By Fatima Baloch When the Afghan Taliban captured Kabul on August 15, 2021, Pakistan celebrated. The Prime Minister, military officials, and other high-profile politicians declared it a victory for Pakistan. Yet continued attacks from Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the secular Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), combined with the Afghan–Pakistan clashes of October 14–15, 2025, quickly shifted the narrative. In the context of Afghanistan’s improving regional relations, Pakistan no...

Talaq, Once Again in Focus!

24/11/2025
Asad Mirza Recent observations by a Supreme Court bench on the topic of Talaq, has yet again opened a Pandora box. The issue could be resolved once and for all if the Muslim jurists make a review of the practice in keeping with the modern times. On November 19, a Supreme Court bench questioned the legality and social impact of Talaq-e-Hasan, as practiced by Indian Muslim men. It particularly objected to husbands using lawyers to issue divorce notices and indicating the matter may...

India and Afghanistan: A New Phase of Strategic Relations

20/11/2025
By Fatima Baloch India has long-standing historical ties with Afghanistan, consistently supporting Afghan governments in healthcare, education, development, infrastructure, and foreign diplomacy to safeguard Afghanistan’s sovereignty and security. These efforts have always been directed toward the welfare of ordinary Afghans. To further deepen bilateral relations, Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi visited India from October 9 to 15, 2025. His objectives included strengthenin...

Pakistan’s Sir Creek Strategy and Indian Objectives

19/11/2025
By K N Pandita & Fatima Baloch During Operation Sindoor and the India–Pakistan conflict in May 2025, the Pakistani military and air force retaliated against Indian strikes targeting terrorist camps. The Indian military focused on dismantling Pakistan-sponsored terrorist groups and military installations across the Line of Control (LoC), Punjab, and Sindh. Although India has paused Operation Sindoor, it issued a stern warning: any future terrorist attack in Kashmir will trigger it...

Pakistan-sponsored terrorism still threatens Kashmir’s path to peace

19/11/2025
By Farooq Ganderbali Pakistan-sponsored terrorism remains the most serious threat to peace and progress in Jammu & Kashmir. Even as the people of the region look forward to development, economic stability and a flourishing tourism sector, cross-border terror networks continue their attempts to disturb the hard-earned atmosphere of calm. Officials confirm that Pakistan-based handlers are increasingly using social media to target Kashmiri youth. By monitoring their online searches—especia...

US Weighs Selling F-35 To Saudi Arabia

18/11/2025
Asad Mirza US President Donald Trump has said he is considering Saudi Arabia’s request to buy F-35 fighter jets, as intelligence officials warn China could gain access to the aircraft’s latest American technology. The sale has also raised Israeli concerns as it will bring the Saudi fighters closer to Israel. US President Donald Trump last week said on Friday (November 14) that he is pondering a deal to supply Saudi Arabia with F-35 stealth fighter jets, which are made by Lockheed Ma...

Pakistan’s Constitutional Amendment: Military Above the Nation

16/11/2025
by Farooq Ganderbali Pakistan’s recent Constitutional Amendment has officially placed the military—and especially Field Marshal Asim Munir—above all civilian institutions. The amendment grants him lifelong authority, immunity, and complete control, making him the most powerful man in Pakistan with constitutional protection. In a normal country, the army exists to protect the people. But in Pakistan, the people exist to protect the army. No elected leader or constitutional authority i...

Operation Sindoor 2.0: The Ultimate Solution

13/11/2025
By Fatima Baloch Following the 1971 Indo-Pak war and the subsequent Shimla Agreement, India and Pakistan entered a prolonged phase of uneasy peace. The war, which culminated in the creation of Bangladesh, left Pakistan militarily weakened and politically fragile. In the ensuing years, Islamabad remained apprehensive about potential Indian offensives—particularly regarding Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) and the possibility of Indian advances into Punjabi towns where Sikh religious si...

TTP and BLA: Security Guarantees for Afghanistan and India

10/11/2025
By Fatima Baloch The religious insurgent group Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) emerged in 2007 amid the Afghan Taliban’s resistance against U.S. and NATO forces. Simultaneously, it launched a campaign against Pakistan’s military establishment, aiming to dismantle the military-dominated state, overthrow its controlled democracy, and establish an Islamic Sharia-based government modeled after the Afghan Taliban—known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Afghanistan (TTA). Its vision: a corruption-free...

From Holy Guest to Namak Haram – Disloyal Afghans

08/11/2025
By Fatima Baloch For Pakistan, a strong, independent, and nationalist Afghanistan has long been perceived as a strategic threat. Islamabad feared that such a government could reignite Pashtun nationalism—reviving calls for an independent Pashtunistan or a merger with Afghanistan—challenge the legitimacy of the Durand Line, and potentially support Baloch separatism. This would threaten Pakistan’s territorial integrity from both the west (Pashtunistan) and the south (Balochistan). Pak...

American deep state and Kashmiri Brahmans

04/11/2025
K N Pandita On September 1, the World News reported that President Trump's Trade Advisor, Peter Navarro, doubled down on his accusation that India is profiting from the Russia-Ukraine war by buying Moscow's oil at a discount, refining it, and selling it to buyers in Europe and elsewhere. In an interview with Fox News, Navarro dubbed New Delhi a "laundromat for the Kremlin" and slammed the country's elite for profiteering "at the expense of the Indian people." Trump's trade czar cl...

Trump-Xi Meeting: Just Optics, No Concrete Deliverables

03/11/2025
Asad Mirza The much-awaited meeting between the US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, finally took place last week in Busan, South Korea. Reportedly, the two adversaries reached a wide-ranging trade and economic agreement at the meeting. The deal addresses fentanyl precursors, rare earth export controls, tariffs, and semiconductor trade restrictions, signalling a possible stabilisation in US-China ties. The Busan meeting between US President Trump and his Chi...

Mumbai Attack: The Darkest Chapter in India’s Fight Against Terrorism

03/11/2025
by Farooq Ganderbali The 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks remain one of the most horrific assaults on Indian soil, shaking the nation’s conscience and exposing the brutal face of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. On the night of November 26, 2008, ten heavily armed gunmen, trained and sent by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) — a Pakistan-based terrorist organization — launched coordinated attacks across Mumbai. They carried automatic weapons and grenades, targeting innocent civilians in the bustli...

Remembering Sarwanand Kaul “Premi Ji”:The eternal beacon of Kashmiryat, Literature and Humanity

01/11/2025
By Rakesh Koul (Brah) As Jammu and Kashmir observes the birth anniversary of Sarwanand Koul “Premi Ji” on 2nd November 2025, the air once again fills with reverence for a man who embodied the truest essence of Kashmiryat — the spirit of love, coexistence, and universal brotherhood. Premi Ji was not just a writer or poet; he was a moral force, a teacher, and a visionary who enlightened generations with his words and deeds. A Multilingual Genius and Messenger of Harmony...

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel–The Iron Man Who United the Soul of India

29/10/2025
By Farooq Ganderbali Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man of India, was not merely a political leader — he was the architect of national unity, the visionary who transformed India’s dream of oneness into reality. With courage, conviction, and clarity of purpose, he welded together a fragmented nation and gave India her unshakable identity. He firmly believed that India’s true strength lies in her unity amidst diversity, where every citizen — regardless of faith or region — li...

People of Jammu and Kashmir Celebrate Accession Day with Pride and Gratitude

27/10/2025
By Farooq Ganderbali On October 26, 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh, the ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, signed the Instrument of Accession, officially joining the princely state with the Union of India. This historic decision marked the beginning of Jammu and Kashmir’s integration into the world’s largest democracy. Initially, Maharaja Hari Singh had desired to remain independent, maintaining neutrality between India and Pakistan. However, his hand was forced after the tribal invasion, kn...

Indo-US Diplomatic Tussle at ASEAN Summit

27/10/2025
Asad Mirza The 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and related meetings began in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Sunday (26 October) under the theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability." The summit is keenly watched due to the absence of the Indian PM and presence of the POTUS, who’ll try to get a deal done with the Chinese leadership, present at the summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not travel to Malaysia but instead attended the ASEAN Summit’s inaugural ce...

Sir Creek Standoff: Pakistan’s Strategic Diversion and India’s Calculated Response

26/10/2025
By Fatima Baloch During Operation Sindoor and the India–Pakistan conflict in May 2025, the Pakistani military and air force retaliated against Indian strikes targeting terrorist camps. The Indian military focused on dismantling Pakistan-sponsored terrorist groups and military installations across the Line of Control (LoC), Punjab, and Sindh. Although India has paused Operation Sindoor, it issued a stern warning: any future terrorist attack in Kashmir will trigger its resumption—thi...

Doha Agreement for Ceasefire: A Failure for Pakistan

25/10/2025
By K N Pandita and Fatima Baloch Following the devastating Afghan civil war in 1992—engineered by Pakistan’s ISI through its support for Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, notoriously known as the "Butcher of Kabul"—Afghanistan plunged into chaos as Mujahideen factions fought for control of Kabul, driven by a hunger for power. In 1994, Pakistan launched the Afghan Taliban, establishing a government overtly aligned with Islamabad. Pakistan proudly viewed Afghanistan as its strategic depth against Ind...

Indian Defence Presence on Chagos Islands

22/10/2025
Asad Mirza Reportedly, India has secured an agreement with the government of Mauritius allowing it to establish a satellite station in the Chagos archipelago, near the controversial Diego Garcia base. According to reports the purpose of the new station, will be to track satellites and “to serve as a strategic asset for monitoring the region,” a formula normally used to describe SIGINT collection sites. Apparently, India has signed an agreement with the Mauritian government to ...

From 22 October 1947 to the Pahalgam Terror Attack

22/10/2025
By Farooq Ganderbali Introduction The date 22 October 1947 will forever remain a Black Day in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. On this day, Pakistan, in a deliberate act of aggression, launched an invasion of the princely state through thousands of armed tribal raiders backed by the Pakistan Army. This was not merely a military operation — it was a planned massacre, an attempt to destroy the very identity and unity of Jammu and Kashmir. The raiders came under the false banner ...

What Should Be Done with Such World Records?

21/10/2025
By Adv. Sanjay Pandey The Deepotsav celebrations in Uttar Pradesh began in 2017, when only 171,000 lamps were lit. Since then, the event has grown more grandiose each year, reaching 2.617 million lamps in 2025. In Ayodhya this year, during Deepotsav 2025, around 2,617,215 lamps were lit simultaneously on the ghats and banks of the Saryu River, establishing a world record. This event is in the process of being certified by Guinness World Records. On this occasion, 2,128 dev...

Doha Agreement for Ceasefire: A Failure for Pakistan

20/10/2025
By Fatima Baloch Following the devastating Afghan civil war in 1992—engineered by Pakistan’s ISI through its support for Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, notoriously known as the "Butcher of Kabul"—Afghanistan plunged into chaos as Mujahideen factions fought for control of Kabul, driven by a hunger for power. In 1994, Pakistan launched the Afghan Taliban, establishing a government overtly aligned with Islamabad. Pakistan proudly viewed Afghanistan as its strategic depth against India, transformi...

Pakistan’s Failed War in Afghanistan

18/10/2025
By Fatima Baloch Following the devastating Afghan civil war in 1992—engineered by Pakistan’s ISI through support for Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, notoriously known as the "Butcher of Kabul"—Afghanistan plunged into chaos as Mujahideen factions fought for control of Kabul, driven by greed for power. In 1994, Pakistan launched the Afghan Taliban, establishing a government that was notably pro-Pakistan. Islamabad proudly considered Afghanistan its strategic depth against India, transforming t...

Kashmir at the crossroad of past and future

18/10/2025
Prof. Tabasum Firdous Kashmir is a historic entity. Its ancient history, glory and civilizational fund can be gleaned from the pages of histories written by eminent Kashmiri historians like Kalhana, Jonaraja, Suka and others. The rulers of ancient Kashmiri architectural specimens are still there to speak of their grandeur. Be it Martand or Avantipora ruins, Wangat or Parihasapora remains or the excavations at Tapar and Boniyar, Kashmiri temple and iconographic architecture had its o...

Indian and Afghan Unity for Balochistan

16/10/2025
By Fatima Baloch Pakistan has launched a full-fledged war against its western neighbor, Afghanistan. While temporary ceasefires may occur under pressure from Saudi Arabia and Qatar, this conflict is likely to persist until Pakistan collapses. Historically, Afghanistan has resisted foreign domination. In 1979, the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) intervened militarily, toppling President Mohammad Daud Khan and installing a communist regime under Babrak Karmal. In respons...

Muttaqi’s visit to India and Darul Uloom

13/10/2025
Asad Mirza The Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Amir Khan Muttaqi is on a 7-days visit to India. The visit assumes importance as it is the first such high level visit by any Afghan official to India since the Taliban-led government of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan was proclaimed in August 2021, after the abrupt and hasty withdrawal of American forces from the country. Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Amir Khan Muttaqi, who arrived in New Delhi on Friday (October 10) hel...

Cashmir, Bear’s Throne

09/10/2025
Review by Adil Hussain A Mystic, Political, and Psychological Odyssey into the Forbidden Heart of Kashmir In “Cashmir, Bear’s Throne,” acclaimed Kashmiri author Khwaja Farooq Renzushah returns with what can only be described as a monumental and unflinching exploration of Kashmir’s mystic soul and tormented history. A literary architect of immense depth, Renzushah constructs not merely a narrative but an intricate labyrinth of memory, mythology, power, illusion, and resistance. T...