Opinion
Pakistan's Politics Needs Rules Before It Needs Deals
Bilal Javed on four political fights this week, from new provinces to Islamabad's local polls and detentions, and why process matters more than a deal.
Journalist
Bilal Javed
Editor, World & Geopolitics
Bilal Javed edits The Indus Compass’s world and geopolitics coverage. He follows the United Nations, NATO, US politics, wars and conflicts, democracy and the global economy, and he also writes on business and sport.
His reports for the site include the US-Iran war and the mediation efforts around it, the Israeli election count, cases at the International Court of Justice, and the markets and oil prices that move with them. In stories on the Middle East he gives particular weight to the human cost of conflict and says where every casualty figure comes from.
He explains what each story means for readers in Pakistan.
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Articles by Bilal Javed
299 articles · page 1 of 10
- Europe
Putin tells US envoys no compromise on Ukraine, rules out peacekeepers
After meeting Witkoff and Kushner, Putin held to his demands, ruled out peacekeepers and offered a local truce. We set out where the talks stand.
- Economy
Pakistan pitches copper, gold and coal to investors at minerals forum
At the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum, ministers pitched their resources. We compare what each province offered and what it admits is still missing.
- Middle East
UN renews Yemen sanctions as Pakistan demands end to Houthi attacks on Saudi
The UN Security Council renewed Yemen sanctions for a year and told the Houthis to stop attacking Saudi Arabia. Pakistan voted yes. Here is what was dropped.
- Middle East
Trump says US does not need an Iran deal; Guards claim Bahrain radar strike
Trump told Vance to drop Iran talks as the Guards claimed a strike on a US radar in Bahrain. We set out the timeline, Pakistan's role and the fuel impact.
- Opinion
Chashma-5 Shows What the China Partnership Does Best. The Hard Part Is Ours
Bilal Javed on the Chashma-5 dome ceremony: why joint projects with China work, and why the grid, the finance and the public timetable now matter more than the speeches.
- Opinion
CPEC's Next Phase Needs a Joint Security Plan and a Dividend People Can See
Bilal Javed on why Pakistan and China need a coordinated security plan and visible local benefits for CPEC's next phase, from Gwadar to Sindh, and what to ask for now.
- Europe
Millions strike across Spain over housing costs ahead of Nov 29 vote
Unions say four million joined Spain's first general strike in 14 years over housing costs, under three weeks before a snap election called after a rent row.
- Europe
Witkoff and Kushner to meet Putin, then Zelensky, after Abu Dhabi talks
After two days of Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi, US envoys Witkoff and Kushner fly to Moscow and Dublin; Europe's seat at the table is the main dispute.
- Energy
Petrol falls Rs3 to Rs335 and diesel Rs7 to Rs364 from Thursday
Petrol will cost Rs335 a litre and diesel Rs364 from Thursday after a Rs3 and Rs7 cut. We compare the new rates with the April peak and the pre-war price.
- Middle East
Iran calls US $20m nuclear reward 'repugnant' as a Hormuz tanker hits a mine
Iran condemned a US $20m reward for nuclear information and said no enriched material will leave; a US-escorted tanker reportedly hit a mine in Hormuz.
- Middle East
Rubio tells G7 the blockade makes major combat in Iran unnecessary
Marco Rubio told G7 allies in Paris that sanctions and the naval blockade make major combat in Iran unnecessary; France says escalation is not ruled out.
- Middle East
Unicef says Israel blocked repairs to a Gaza stormwater basin
Unicef says Israel rejected a $3m plan to repair Gaza City's sewage-filled Sheikh Radwan basin as rain floods tents and nearly 1m people face flood risk.
- Europe
Britain says its bases are safe after US tankers leave RAF Mildenhall
Britain says its bases are safe after the US moved at least 10 KC-135 tankers from RAF Mildenhall, a move the Wall Street Journal tied to an Iranian threat.
- Balochistan
Pakistani delegation in Beijing discusses Gwadar, CPEC and trade ties
A Pakistani delegation led by expert M Mehdi met Chinese foreign ministry officials in Beijing to discuss Gwadar, CPEC and new avenues for trade.
- Asia
Sheikh Hasina asks for a new passport, a sign she plans to return in December
Ousted Bangladesh leader Sheikh Hasina, sentenced to death in absentia, asked for a new passport and ID card, her clearest step towards a December return.
- Middle East
PM Shehbaz orders an urgent push for more aid to rain-hit Gaza
PM Shehbaz Sharif told the foreign ministry to escalate humanitarian aid for Gaza after storms flooded about 70,000 tents of displaced Palestinians.
- Europe
COP31 opens in Antalya under a cloud, with a row over climate money
The UN climate summit COP31 opened in Antalya after a row over putting climate finance on the agenda; Guterres urged leaders to 'get serious' about emissions.
- Middle East
Trump says renewed war with Iran is 'highly unlikely', but not off the table
Trump told CNN renewed fighting with Iran is 'highly unlikely' but depends on a deal, hours before meeting Qatar's prime minister; Tehran says talks are paused.
- Middle East
Aramco Tower in Riyadh damaged by debris after Houthi missile attack
An Aramco building in Riyadh was damaged by debris after two Houthi missiles were intercepted; Houthi officials say Saudi strikes killed 33 near Sanaa.
- Middle East
Storm floods 70,000 tents in Gaza, leaving families in the open
A storm flooded 70,000 tents in Gaza, the government media office says; an official says drains work at 20% and 270 shelter sites are at risk.
- Americas
Trump orders Justice Department to look into Democrats over 'threats'
Trump told the Justice Department to look into Democrats over impeachment 'threats', calling it a 'criminal act' with no evidence, days after losing Congress.
- Opinion
Record Reserves Are Welcome. The Real Test Is Exports
Bilal Javed on why record reserves of $26.9bn do not settle Pakistan's economic story: the trade gap, the debt and the export target all point to the same test.
- Opinion
Diplomacy Must Not End When the Shooting Starts
Bilal Javed on why the UN Security Council's statement on diplomacy during war matters for Pakistan, and why it will mean little unless it is applied in Gaza, Iran and beyond.
- World
2026 on track to be the second-hottest year, EU climate monitor says
Copernicus says 2026 will most likely be the second-hottest year on record, after the warmest October ever at 1.75C above pre-industrial levels.
- Americas
Trump names Stephen Miller chief of staff after midterm defeat
Trump named hardline adviser Stephen Miller his chief of staff, replacing Susie Wiles, as Democrats prepare investigations after winning Congress in the midterms.
- Americas
Muslim Americans win at least 36 races in the US midterms
Muslim Americans won or led in at least 36 races, including Abdul El-Sayed, the first Muslim elected to the US Senate, after campaigns shaped by Gaza and Iran.
- World
UN Security Council backs Pakistan-led statement on diplomacy in wartime
The UN Security Council adopted a Pakistan-initiated presidential statement on the role of diplomacy during active hostilities, urging mediation and ceasefires.
- Markets
Asian stocks plunge as the AI sell-off spreads from Wall Street
Asian markets plunged on Friday after the Nasdaq fell 5.5%, with chipmakers, SoftBank and AI cloud firms hit as investors feared tougher rules on AI.
- Middle East
Trump says he may have to 'destroy the rest' of Iran
Trump said in the Oval Office he may have to 'destroy the rest' of Iran, as the IRGC claimed two more US drones were downed over Qeshm Island.
