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.
Opinion
Commentary and editorials from our writers and contributors. Latest opinion news and analysis from The Indus Compass.
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.
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.
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.
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.
After the Midterms: What the World Expects from Washington
Democrats are projected to have taken Congress. Bilal Javed on what a divided Washington means for trade, Ukraine, China, South Asia and global markets.
Editorial: A troubled UN is still the world's best forum, and Pakistan is showing why
The UN faces a crisis of effectiveness, but this week in New York showed why Pakistan still needs it. The answer is to strengthen it, not walk away.