Author: HeraldStar

By Qaiser Nawab, Chairman BRISD The recent economic and trade consultations held between China and the United States in Kuala Lumpur have delivered a significant, if hard-won, set of consensuses, injecting a much-needed degree of certainty into a relationship often characterized by friction and volatility. Following an in-depth meeting between the Chinese and U.S. presidents in Busan, South Korea, where they had earlier agreed to strengthen cooperation in economic and trade relations, the subsequent dialogue in Malaysia aimed to translate that high-level commitment into tangible, working arrangements. The positive outcomes, as confirmed by the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) spokesperson, fully…

By Qaiser Nawab, Chairman BRISD The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee concluded in Beijing, adopting the guiding proposals for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030). The four-day meeting, widely seen as one of the most important political events of the year, marks a defining moment in China’s march toward its 2035 goal of “basically achieving socialist modernization.” The session underscored continuity in China’s economic strategy strengthening industrial foundations, deepening technological innovation, and sustaining reform while expanding the country’s global engagement. It reaffirmed the achievements of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025), emphasizing that the…

ByQaiser Nawab, Chairman BRISD As leaders convene in Gyeongju, South Korea, for the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, the forum carries a renewed sense of purpose. The setting evokes echoes of the Malaysia round of negotiations where dialogue, pragmatism, and regional unity prevailed over confrontation. Today, with the global order in flux, the underlying message from Gyeongju is once again clear: engagement, not estrangement, must guide the Asia-Pacific forward. The gathering comes at a time of heightened strategic competition between the United States and China, the world’s two largest economies, whose uneasy coexistence continues to shape the global economic…

By Qaiser Nawab, Chairman BRISD The weekend in Kuala Lumpur offered a rare moment of optimism in the fraught trade relations between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, as both sides tentatively agreed on a framework aimed at preventing the imminent escalation of tariffs while leaving many of the deeper structural issues open for further dialogue. After intensive negotiations held on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the threat of imposing 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese imports set to take effect on November 1 had been effectively taken off the table. At the…

By Qaiser Nawab, Student Voice Champion, University of London Cultural heritage is not just a reflection of history; it is the soul of humanity. Across continents, artefacts, manuscripts, sculptures, and relics embody the stories, wisdom, and identities of entire civilizations. Yet, much of this shared heritage remains displaced — removed during centuries of colonial conquest and imperial expansion. Today, as the world re-examines its historical injustices, the question of cultural restitution has become one of the most pressing legal and moral challenges of our time. The Historical Context of Loss From the temples of South Asia to the palaces of…

By Qaiser Nawab, Chairman BRISD The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) concluded in Beijing this week, setting the course for the nation’s long-term economic and social trajectory. Over four days of deliberations, the meeting reviewed the progress made during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–2025) and laid the groundwork for the formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030). As the meeting concluded, the emphasis was clear: China seeks to advance toward a phase of “high-quality development” — one defined not merely by the pace of growth, but by innovation, sustainability,…

By Wania Tahir A recent study by the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) has reignited debate over the United States’ pharmaceutical vulnerability. According to the report, nearly 700 American active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) — the essential compounds that make drugs effective — depend on at least one chemical sourced entirely from China. These range from antibiotics and heart medications to cancer and HIV treatments. Even the humble antihistamine found in everyday cold medicine traces its molecular origins back to Chinese factories. Pharmaceutical manufacturing is not a single process but a complex chain spanning continents. It begins with Key Starting Materials (KSMs), the…

By Wania Tahir As global politics enters a period of accelerated change, Pakistan once again finds itself navigating the competing pulls of the world’s two major powers. In this complex landscape, Pakistan’s strategic calibration must rest on a clear understanding of who offers genuine partnership and who views it merely as a regional instrument. Over the past decade, China has demonstrated what a true economic partnership looks like. The China–Pakistan Economic Corridor has already transformed infrastructure, expanded energy capacity, and stimulated new industries across Pakistan. The vision underpinning these efforts is grounded in shared prosperity and mutual respect. Chinese investments…

By Sania Afzal The United States economy today appears to be coasting on borrowed time. Federal debt has exploded past $38 trillion (well over 125 percent of GDP), and interest payments are surging toward $1 trillion a year – already second only to Social Security and Medicare in the budget. Such debt levels are historically unprecedented and crowd out productive investment, even as political leaders double down on fiscal stimulus. In effect, vast sums of money are trapped in financing obligations rather than fueling genuine growth. The famed investor Ray Dalio warns the country is at a “debt-induced economic heart attack” point, a sentiment…

The event was jointly organised by Centre for Regional Connectivity with Shared Future (CRCSF), Daily ITTEHADMedia Group & Embassy of Republic of Uzbekistan in Islamabad . The event was graced by Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mr. Atta Ullah Tarar as the Chief Guest. Among the Guests of Honour were Mr. Murtaza Solangi Media advisor and spokesperson to the President of Pakistan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs, Mr Talha Burki, the Dean of Diplomatic Corps, Ambassador of Turkmenistan His Excellency Atad jan Molamov and Ambassador of Uzbekistan Mr. Ali Sher Tukhtaev. Distinguished speakers included Mr.…