Iqbal’s Spiritual Legacy and the Unity of the Muslim Ummah By Muhammad Mohsin Iqbal The history of humanity is, in essence, a continuous journey in search of divine guidance. From the creation of mankind, when Allah Almighty bestowed His guidance upon Prophet Adam (peace be upon him), this sacred mission continued through a succession of prophets until it reached its ultimate perfection with the advent of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), the Seal of the Prophets. With his departure from this world, the institution of prophethood…
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When the Ballot Box Challenges Presidential Power
When the Ballot Box Challenges Presidential Power By Muhammad Mohsin Iqbal The American midterm elections have delivered a message that extends far beyond the boundaries of domestic politics. They have demonstrated that while the people possess the power to place a president in the White House, they also retain the authority to challenge his policies, restrain his ambitions and reject the direction in which he seeks to lead the country. Democracy is not a licence granted to those in power to govern without restraint; it is a continuing relationship between…
Read MoreMental Health Crisis in Pakistan: Rising Anxiety, Poverty and Stress
The Growing Burden of Anxiety in Pakistan by Muhammad Mohsin Iqbal A child enters the world without an understanding of fear, uncertainty or responsibility. His days are governed by immediate needs, and tomorrow holds no particular threat. But as childhood gives way to adolescence and adulthood, the mind gradually becomes occupied with questions about education, employment, financial security, family responsibilities and social standing. What begins as a natural concern for the future can eventually become a persistent psychological burden. In a society where economic insecurity and social pressures are widespread,…
Read MoreWomen on Wheels: Promoting Safe Mobility for Women in Pakistan
Women on Wheels By Muhammad Mohsin Iqbal The freedom to move independently is often taken for granted, but for many women in Pakistan, it remains an aspiration negotiated against social expectations, transport constraints and concerns about personal safety. The growing number of women riding motorcycles and electric scooters is beginning to change this reality. Yet, if this modest revolution is to endure, the state must ensure that women can exercise their freedom without being subjected to harassment, intimidation or unnecessary risk. The economic circumstances encouraging this change are difficult to…
Read MoreThe Soldier Who Chose Peace: Asim Munir’s Diplomatic Role
The Soldier Who Chose the Path of Peace by Muhammad Mohsin Iqbal The true stature of a nation is measured not merely by the strength of its weapons, but by the wisdom with which it employs that strength. Defence remains the foremost responsibility of every sovereign state, for without security neither freedom nor prosperity can flourish. Yet the finest military leadership understands that victory on the battlefield is only one dimension of national service; the greater achievement lies in preventing the next war, reconciling estranged nations and creating conditions in…
Read MoreWhen Conflict Becomes an Electoral Asset: Politics and War
When Conflict Becomes an Electoral Asset By Muhammad Mohsin Iqbal Democracy is meant to be a contest of performance. Governments seek re-election by presenting their achievements, while opposition parties challenge their record and offer alternative policies. Voters are expected to judge them on matters that shape everyday life; employment, inflation, education, healthcare and the quality of public institutions. Yet this democratic ideal is often overshadowed by a more expedient political calculation. When domestic performance becomes difficult to defend, political leaders increasingly turn to external threats to shift public attention from…
Read MoreFrance and the Enduring Politics of Protest
France and the Enduring Politics of Protest by Muhammad Mohsin Iqbal Nations are shaped not only by their institutions and constitutions but also by historical experiences that leave a lasting imprint on the collective mind. Some societies develop a particular sensitivity to injustice, while others acquire a deep suspicion of authority. In France, the memory of revolution continues to inform the relationship between the state and its citizens. More than two centuries after the overthrow of the monarchy, the French remain willing to challenge policies they regard as unfair, defend…
Read MorePakistan’s Maritime Diplomacy: AMAN Exercise and Regional Peace
Pakistan’s Maritime Diplomacy By Muhammad Mohsin Iqbal The history of Pakistan’s creation is a testament to the power of political conviction, constitutional argument and determined leadership. The Two-Nation Theory, which gave intellectual and political direction to the demand for a separate homeland for the Muslims of the Subcontinent, found its fulfilment not through violence or terror, but through negotiation, reason and an organised struggle for freedom. The sacrifices of the Muslim leadership and the people who rallied behind it were directed towards the establishment of a state where dignity, security…
Read MoreIndia’s Democratic Contradictions: Rights, Politics and Global Power
India’s Democratic Contradictions by Muhammad Mohsin Iqbal India’s claim to democratic greatness rests on its vast electorate, constitutional framework and extraordinary diversity. Yet democracy is measured not merely by the frequency of elections or the size of the population, but by the protection of fundamental freedoms, the independence of institutions and the equal treatment of citizens. By these standards, India faces serious questions that economic growth and international influence cannot indefinitely conceal. Under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Indian politics has increasingly been shaped by Hindutva, an ideology that places…
Read MoreMuslim Unity and the Designs of Great Powers
Muslim Unity and the Designs of Great Powers by Muhammad Mohsin Iqbal History is a stern teacher, but nations that refuse to learn from its lessons are condemned to repeat its tragedies. The Muslim world, blessed with immense natural wealth, strategic geography, a common faith and a civilisation that once illuminated the world with knowledge and wisdom, has too often found itself divided, weakened and exposed to the ambitions of powerful nations. The question that demands serious reflection is whether these calamities are merely the consequences of internal failures or…
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