Author: HeraldStar

By Qaiser Nawab, Chairman, Belt and Road Initiative for Sustainable Development, BRISD As the world races into a digital financial future, stablecoins – a form of cryptocurrency pegged to fiat currencies like the US dollar – are emerging not only as instruments of innovation but also as stealthy tools of geopolitical leverage. While their promise of fast, borderless, and stable-value digital payments captures global attention, the quieter and more dangerous implications are being largely ignored, especially in the Global South. The explosion of dollar-backed stablecoins such as Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC), now collectively worth over $250 billion, is…

By Qaiser Nawab, Chairman BRISD At the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) held in Shanghai, Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s message was clear: China does not seek to monopolize AI technologies, but rather to democratize them. He stated unequivocally that AI should serve all of humanity, not just a select few, and committed China to making AI “openly shared” to ensure that “more countries and groups will benefit.” This vision is backed by policy. Beijing’s Global AI Governance Initiative, AI Capacity-Building Action Plan, and the newly proposed World AI Cooperation Organization reflect a growing consensus within China’s leadership: AI development…

Beijing, July 2025 — Mohamed Hoodh Ibrahim, the UNESCO IYF Asia Pacific Regional Facilitator and Director of Global Strategic Institute for Sustainable Development, has been awarded the prestigious Excellence Actions Award at the 2025 World Youth Development Forum, in recognition of his groundbreaking work contributing to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.The award, co-hosted by UNICEF, the All-China Youth Federation (ACYF), and the Suzhou Municipal Government, was part of this year’s global celebration marking 80 years of the United Nations and 30 years of the Action Plan for Global Youth Development. From a pool of over 10,000 applicants…

By Qaiser Nawab In the first half of 2025, the Chinese economy demonstrated notable resilience amid complex global headwinds and ongoing domestic structural adjustments. According to preliminary figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), China’s gross domestic product (GDP) reached 66,053.6 billion yuan between January and June, representing a 5.3% year-on-year increase at constant prices. This sustained growth reflects the effectiveness of China’s policy approach in balancing short-term economic stability with long-term structural transformation. The structure of the economy remained balanced across all three sectors. The primary industry, which includes agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, recorded a value-added output…

By Sardar Waqar Shahzad Amid the optimism surrounding Pakistan’s potential embrace of Starlink—a satellite internet service promising to bridge the digital divide—lie numerous unresolved questions and overlooked consequences. Beyond national security, foreign policy entanglements, and competition with domestic telecom operators, there exists a broader set of challenges that demand critical reflection. These include unaffordability for the average citizen, limited local regulatory control, potential for technological dependence, and structural misalignment with Pakistan’s digital policy goals. These factors, taken together, present a compelling case for caution. The affordability of Starlink has been a subject of public debate since its trial operations were…

By Sardar Waqar Shahzad As Pakistan endeavors to build a robust digital economy and reduce its dependency on foreign technological infrastructure, the sudden and uncritical acceptance of foreign satellite services like Starlink threatens to disrupt years of hard-earned progress in national telecom development. In particular, the aggressive entry of Starlink into the Pakistani market, without comprehensive regulations and economic foresight, could undermine domestic operators, distort the competitive landscape, and derail the country’s broader digitalization agenda. For the past decade, Pakistan has made consistent efforts to expand its digital infrastructure through both public and private sector partnerships. Projects spearheaded by the…

By Qaiser Nawab In geopolitics, timing and alignment are everything. Decisions that may appear purely technical on the surface often carry deeper political ramifications. The ongoing debate over the approval of Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, in Pakistan presents a situation where a technological decision could have significant implications for foreign relations, particularly with the United States. Given the complex political entanglements surrounding Musk and former President Donald Trump, introducing Starlink into Pakistan’s infrastructure at this time risks sending the wrong signal to key international partners and could undermine Pakistan’s traditionally balanced diplomatic posture. To understand this concern, one…

By Qaiser Nawab In an era where data is currency and communication infrastructure forms the backbone of national security, the entry of any foreign-controlled satellite internet service into Pakistan must be scrutinized with due diligence and foresight. The recent discussions surrounding the potential approval of Elon Musk’s Starlink service in Pakistan have triggered a wave of concern among policymakers, security analysts, and citizens alike. While proponents cite expanded internet coverage and increased connectivity, critics warn of far-reaching consequences that could compromise Pakistan’s sovereignty, pose national security threats, and violate the personal privacy rights of its citizens. The stakes are simply…

By Barrister Maham Fadia, When the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015, it was hailed as a historic breakthrough. Nearly every nation pledged to limit global warming to “well below” two degrees Celsius, with an aspirational goal of 1.5 degrees. Yet, a decade later, the world remains on track for 2.7 to 3 degrees of warming. This glaring gap between promises and reality raises an uncomfortable truth: international climate agreements, though ambitious in rhetoric, are weak in enforcement. The Paris Agreement rests on voluntary commitments—known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs). Each country sets its own climate targets, reports progress, and…

Islamabad, July 4, 2025 — Qaiser Nawab, Chairman of the Belt and Road Initiative for Sustainable Development (BRISD), was warmly invited by Her Excellency HARERIMANA Fatou, High Commissioner of Rwanda to Pakistan, to attend the celebration of Rwanda’s 31st National Liberation Day (Kwibohora31) held at Serena Hotel. Upon arrival, Mr. Nawab was warmly received by the High Commissioner and extended his heartfelt congratulations on the occasion. He praised Rwanda’s remarkable progress and resilience, acknowledging the nation’s inspiring journey toward unity, development, and peace since its liberation. During the event, Chairman BRISD had the opportunity to engage with several esteemed members…