A full decade has gone by, and the project hasn’t taken off the ground as yet. The administrative and technical nitty gritty of how the project is going to be revived does not concern a layperson. All they want to see is the wheels of the project trundling along the tracks.

Another project that has been in the doldrums for a long period of time is the Karachi Safe City Project. Demands for the completion of the project has come from almost all segments of society. There is a consensus that the project must not be delayed anymore. The other day it was the Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PHMA) that called for the immediate implementation of the Karachi Safe City Project, saying it is essential for improving law and order, strengthening investor confidence and ensuring Pakistan’s socioeconomic stability. The association has urged both the federal and Sindh governments to give priority to the Safe City Project across the city’s entire jurisdiction.

Sohail Hassan (Karachi)

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

Many posts are based on personal opinions rather than verified facts, while others may present incomplete or misleading information. As a result, users must exercise caution and develop the habit of verifying information before accepting it as true.

Like every technological innovation, social media has both advantages and disadvantages. It is difficult to classify its vast and ever-growing content because it ranges from educational lectures and scientific discussions to entertainment, political commentary and misinformation. The same platform that hosts valuable educational material can also amplify rumours and conspiracy theories.

People also tend to judge content based on familiarity. A programme hosted by a well-known television anchor or an established journalist is often regarded as more trustworthy than one presented by an unfamiliar individual, even though credibility should ultimately depend on evidence rather than popularity. This illustrates how reputation continues to influence public perception in the digital age.

Recognising the profound influence of social media, universities in many advanced countries have established research centres dedicated to studying its impact on society. Scholars examine how digital platforms shape political opinions, mental health, social relationships and patterns of communication. Among them are researchers who have spent years investigating how the internet has transformed ordinary users from passive consumers of information into active creators of text, audio and video content.

Anwaruzzaman, Islamabad

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

These are but only a few very basic examples of how science has changed, and still changing, the world. Forty years ago the buzzword was computer. Nowadays it’s artificial intelligence. It is beginning to cast its spell in almost all aspects of life. It is even transforming the legal profession in Western countries.

While AI is not replacing lawyers there, it is becoming an indispensable tool that enables legal professionals to work more effectively by automating routine tasks and supporting informed decision-making. One of the most significant applications of AI in the legal sector is legal research. Traditionally, lawyers spent countless hours reviewing statutes, case law and legal precedents.

Today, AI-powered legal research platforms can analyse vast databases of judicial decisions within seconds, identify relevant precedents and suggest applicable legal principles. This allows lawyers to devote more time to strategic thinking, client counselling and courtroom advocacy.

AI is also widely used in contract analysis and document review. Large law firms in the United States, the United Kingdom and several European countries employ AI software to examine contracts, identify unusual clauses, detect inconsistencies and highlight potential legal risks.

Sultan Raja, Rawalpindi

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

However, the Islamic republic has said that more than 30 civilians have been killed and 260 injured in US attacks on southern Iran over the past few days.

The situation seems to be profoundly profound, as the current escalation could lead to a full-fledged war following US President Donald Trump’s threats that he would “bomb Iran’s bridges and power plants next week” if Tehran does not return to talks.

The Arab Gulf states that host US military bases could face a new round of attacks from Iran.

The sheikhdoms need to exert pressure on the US to take steps aimed at de-escalating the situation at the earliest.

Needless to say, the ongoing situation presents major global risks, including severe energy shocks, disrupted trade, and a wider Middle East conflict. Sanity must gain ground. What is needed at this point in time is reasonable thinking or calm behaviour.

Saleem Memon, Dubai

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Established in 1903, the organization has played a pivotal role in preserving Urdu’s rich literary heritage. It emerged at a time when Urdu faced growing linguistic and political challenges, making the Anjuman a key institution for safeguarding the language.

The Anjuman was founded under the guidance of renowned educationist and reformer Maulvi Abdul Haq, popularly known as Baba-e-Urdu. Over the decades, Anjuman-e-Taraqqi-e-Urdu has undertaken a wide range of initiatives.

It has published thousands of books, dictionaries, journals and research papers covering literature, history, science, philosophy and the social sciences. The organization has also organized literary conferences, seminars, workshops and cultural events to encourage scholarly debate and creative writing.

Today, Anjuman-e-Taraqqi-e-Urdu continues to serve as a guardian of Urdu language and culture. Despite the challenges posed by globalization and the growing dominance of English, the organization remains committed to promoting reading, research and literary excellence.

Its enduring legacy reflects the timeless importance of preserving linguistic heritage while adapting to the changing demands of the modern world.

Rehan Farooqui (Karachi)

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

The commitment of the FPCCI to working with international organizations to promote small and medium enterprises (SMEs), entrepreneurship, investment, innovation, vocational training and technology transfer, particularly for women and young entrepreneurs, is highly commendable.

During his three-day visit, Dr Hussain met people from different walks of life to foster cooperation and to deliberate upon strategies to advance bilateral ties.

Perhaps the high point of the head of the UNIDO-ITPO, Bahrain, had been his meetings with young entrepreneurs, members of the Balochistan business community and participants of the FPCCI’s Launchpad Programme, focusing on entrepreneurship, innovation, international networking and market access.

Dr. Hussain later met Meezan Bank’s management to discuss expanding financial support for SMEs.

Meanwhile, FPCCI chief Sheikh expressed confidence that the visit would lead to stronger collaboration between FPCCI and UNIDO-ITPO Bahrain in promoting entrepreneurship, investment, skills development and sustainable economic growth.

Farrukh Javed, Islamabad

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

One thing led to another. VCR’s popularity increasd by the day. The then indigenous industry wondered what to do to mitigate the adverse effects of the VCR. The survival of the whole indigenous industry was at stake. Alas, there had been little they could do.

And then came the time when cinema houses began to be demolished. A whole film industry vanished before our eyes.

But all is not lost. A new generation of filmmakers is experimenting with diverse themes, improved storytelling and higher production value. The task before them is daunting. Yet they appear to be confident to revive the film industry and bring back its glory of the golden era. One wishes them the best of luck.

Munir Hassan, Islamabad

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

The fundamental challenge facing humanity today is therefore larger than any single war. The challenge is whether the international community can adapt its institutions, strengthen international law, preserve the freedom of global commerce and reduce reliance on military coercion before future crises become even more dangerous.

Ukraine and Iran have demonstrated that technology, geography, innovation and national determination can challenge even the strongest powers. They have shown that military superiority does not automatically translate into political success. They have revealed the vulnerability of global supply chains, maritime commerce and existing security structures. Above all, they have reminded the world that the pursuit of dominance often produces resistance rather than submission.

The future now presents two possible paths. One path leads toward greater militarization, nuclear proliferation, expanding maritime confrontation and intensified geopolitical rivalry. The other leads toward institutional reform, collective security, strengthened international law and renewed commitment to diplomacy.

The choice between those paths will determine not merely the outcome of future conflicts but the future of international order itself.

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Equally important is the need to reform international governance. The wars in Ukraine and Iran have revived longstanding debates regarding the structure of the United Nations. Critics argue that the veto power enjoyed by the five permanent members of the Security Council frequently prevents effective collective action and allows geopolitical interests to override broader international consensus.

Many advocates of reform contend that decisions affecting international peace and security should more accurately reflect the collective judgment of the international community. They argue that the authority of the General Assembly should be strengthened and that mechanisms should be developed to reduce paralysis caused by competing vetoes.

Whether such reforms are politically achievable remains uncertain. Nevertheless, the debate itself reflects growing frustration with a system many view as increasingly disconnected from contemporary realities.

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The experiences of Ukraine and Iran are likely to influence strategic thinking across the globe. Some major powers may conclude that conventional military superiority is no longer sufficient to guarantee desired outcomes. Some smaller powers may conclude that international law alone cannot guarantee security. Both conclusions risk producing the same result: increased reliance on nuclear weapons.

For nuclear-armed states, the temptation may arise to rely more heavily upon nuclear deterrence when conventional coercion proves insufficient. For non-nuclear states, the lesson may be that survival ultimately requires acquiring a nuclear capability of their own. Such a trend would be extraordinarily dangerous.

For this reason, the long-term lesson of these conflicts should not be nuclear expansion but renewed nuclear disarmament. A stable international system cannot permanently rest upon a hierarchy in which some states possess ultimate weapons while others do not. Lasting security requires moving toward a universally applied and verifiable framework that reduces and ultimately eliminates nuclear arsenals.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

Modern warfare is no longer fought exclusively with tanks, aircraft and artillery. It is increasingly fought through drones, cyber capabilities, intelligence networks, financial systems, supply chains and strategic chokepoints. Geography itself has become a weapon.

The implications are profound.

Middle powers throughout the world are closely observing these developments. They see that drones costing thousands of dollars can threaten systems worth millions. They see that intelligence and innovation can offset numerical disadvantages. They see that geography can provide leverage against stronger opponents. Most importantly, they see that determined resistance can frustrate even the most powerful adversaries.

Yet this lesson contains a dangerous paradox. If asymmetric warfare allows smaller states to resist larger powers, what happens when larger powers become frustrated? The answer may lie in the world’s nuclear arsenals.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

Yet Iran possessed advantages that could not be measured solely in GDP, military spending or advanced weapon systems. It possessed strategic depth, resilience and geography. Iran’s ability to absorb pressure while maintaining its military and political cohesion surprised many observers. Rather than relying on conventional parity, Tehran emphasized missiles, drones, asymmetric warfare and maritime leverage. It demonstrated that a state facing superior conventional military power could nevertheless impose significant costs on stronger adversaries.

Most importantly, Iran highlighted the strategic importance of geography. The Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately one-fifth of global oil consumption and more than one-quarter of seaborne oil trade passes, became a focal point of international concern. Suddenly, a regional conflict was no longer merely a regional conflict. It became a potential threat to the global economy.

History demonstrates that major powers often respond to resistance by increasing pressure rather than reassessing assumptions. What begins as a regional confrontation can gradually expand geographically and economically. Maritime competition can spread from one strategic corridor to another. Economic warfare can become a global phenomenon affecting billions of people who have no direct connection to the original conflict.

This is perhaps the most important lesson emerging from both Ukraine and Iran.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

As the war evolved, Ukraine carried the battlefield deep into Russian territory. Airfields, logistics centers, energy infrastructure and strategic military facilities once believed beyond reach became vulnerable. Russia discovered that military power alone could not guarantee security. This represented a profound strategic shock. A smaller nation had denied a much larger power the victory it expected.

The second shock came in the Middle East. Unlike Ukraine, Iran did not enjoy broad Western military support. For decades, Iran operated under sanctions, financial restrictions and diplomatic pressure. Its economy remained constrained compared to the overwhelming economic power of the United States and Israel. America’s economy exceeds $28 trillion annually. Israel possesses one of the world’s most technologically advanced military establishments. Iran’s economic and military resources are significantly smaller by comparison.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

Russia possesses approximately 16.4 million square kilometers of territory, making it the largest country in the world. Ukraine covers roughly 579,000 square kilometers. Russia’s economy before the conflict exceeded $2.4 trillion, while Ukraine’s economy was only a fraction of that size. Russia enjoyed superiority in military manpower, industrial capacity, missile forces and strategic reserves.

Yet Ukraine refused to collapse. With substantial support from Europe and the United States, combined with extraordinary national determination, Ukraine transformed itself into one of the most innovative military forces in modern history. Ukrainian engineers, military planners and scientists pioneered large-scale drone warfare, integrated battlefield intelligence and precision long-range strikes. They demonstrated that innovation could compensate for numerical inferiority.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

For decades, the international system operated on an assumption that major powers could ultimately impose their will upon smaller states. The experiences of Ukraine and Iran have challenged that assumption. In doing so, they may have altered not only the nature of warfare but also the future direction of global politics.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

History rewards nations that prepare before transformations arrive. The countries that embraced industrialization early became economic powers. Those that mastered information technology dominated the digital age. The same principle will likely apply to quantum computing.

The Quantum Age may not solve every mystery of the universe, nor answer every philosophical question regarding consciousness, existence, or the origins of reality. But it may provide humanity — and nations such as Pakistan — with the most powerful tool ever created for understanding complex systems and making better decisions. In a world increasingly defined by complexity, that capability alone could prove revolutionary.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

Recognizing these limitations does not diminish the promise of quantum computing. Rather, it places that promise within a practical framework. The technology should be viewed not as a near-term miracle solution to every national challenge, but as a potentially transformative capability that will require sustained preparation, realistic expectations, and long-term commitment.

Pakistan therefore should not wait passively for the technology to mature. The country should begin preparing now by investing in mathematics, physics, computer science, artificial intelligence, data infrastructure, and advanced research institutions.

Partnerships with global technology companies, universities, and quantum research centres should become national priorities. By the time practical quantum computing reaches maturity, Pakistan should be ready not merely to consume the technology but to participate in its development and application.

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Yet perhaps the greatest contribution of quantum computing would not be technical but strategic. Nations often fail not because they lack resources but because they lack clarity. They pursue multiple objectives simultaneously without understanding trade-offs. They change direction frequently. They implement policies without fully appreciating long-term consequences. Quantum computing could provide policymakers with an unprecedented ability to evaluate competing strategies before committing national resources.

Pakistan also faces important capacity constraints that must be acknowledged. The country currently has a limited pool of quantum physicists, quantum engineers, and specialized researchers. Research funding remains constrained relative to leading technological nations. Advanced laboratory infrastructure is still developing, and broader challenges in education, digital connectivity, data quality, and institutional coordination could slow adoption. Even if powerful quantum systems become available globally, Pakistan’s ability to benefit from them will depend heavily on investments made today in human capital, scientific research, and technological ecosystems.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

The private sector would also benefit enormously. Businesses could optimize production schedules, supply chains, inventory management, pricing strategies, and investment decisions. Banks could improve risk assessment. Airlines could optimize routes and fuel consumption. Telecommunications companies could enhance network efficiency. The cumulative effect would be higher productivity across the entire economy.

Consider Pakistan International Airlines. Rather than relying solely on traditional planning tools, a quantum-powered system could analyse global passenger demand, fuel costs, aircraft utilization rates, airport congestion patterns, maintenance schedules, and competitive dynamics simultaneously. Such analysis could help transform operational efficiency and improve profitability.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

Similarly, the energy sector could use quantum-powered optimization to reduce transmission losses, improve power distribution, integrate renewable energy sources, and identify the most cost-effective infrastructure investments. Such improvements would reduce energy shortages and increase industrial competitiveness.

Transportation represents another area where quantum computing could have significant impact. Pakistan Railways, road networks, urban transportation systems, airports, and logistics corridors could be analysed as a unified system. Quantum simulations could identify the most efficient allocation of resources, optimize routes, reduce congestion, and improve connectivity between economic centres.

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Instead of evaluating a handful of policy options, the system could potentially analyse millions of possible combinations simultaneously.

For example, Pakistan’s agricultural sector could benefit immensely from such capabilities. A quantum system could evaluate soil conditions, weather patterns, irrigation availability, fertilizer utilization, seed varieties, transportation costs, market demand, and export opportunities to identify the optimal agricultural strategy for each region of the country. The result could be higher yields, lower costs, improved food security, and increased farmer incomes.

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These challenges do not exist independently. Education affects productivity. Productivity influences income. Income shapes investment. Investment drives industrialization. Industrialization creates employment.

Employment reduces poverty. Poverty affects social stability. Social stability influences governance. Governance impacts investment. The entire national system functions as a vast interconnected network of variables that continuously influence one another.

The difficulty facing policymakers is not necessarily a lack of intelligence or commitment. Rather, it is the overwhelming complexity of modern governance.

Every policy decision produces intended consequences, unintended consequences, secondary effects, and long-term implications that are often difficult to predict.

Traditional decision-making methods frequently rely on incomplete information, limited simulations, and assumptions that may not accurately reflect reality. This is where quantum computing could become revolutionary.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

However, for developing nations such as Pakistan, the most transformative application may be entirely different.

Quantum computing could become a national decision-support system capable of helping policymakers identify the most effective pathways toward economic growth, social stability, and institutional reform.

Pakistan today faces a complex web of interconnected challenges. Educational attainment remains below desired levels. Agricultural productivity lags behind international benchmarks. Industrial output remains limited relative to the country’s population and resource base.

Infrastructure development struggles to keep pace with demand. Political instability periodically disrupts long-term planning. Informal economic activity remains substantial, reducing the government’s ability to generate revenue and provide public services.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

This may sound absurd but we are all familiar with how the new owners will be harassed/coerced for employing their ‘favourites’ not to mention nepotism. The HR Department should be in Islamabad where all cadres, i.e., blue-collar and white-collar will be tested for jobs and evaluated etc. No hiring or firing power should be in Karachi.

This is my considered free advice to the new owners and I wish them the very best.

Isphanyar M. Bhandara, Rawalpindi

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

The Communication Revolution connected people across continents. The Information Age digitized knowledge and placed unprecedented computing power in the hands of ordinary citizens. Today, humanity stands at the threshold of yet another transformative epoch: the Quantum Age.

While the exact timeline remains uncertain, leading technology companies, research institutions, and governments are investing billions of dollars in the development of practical quantum computers. Some experts predict commercially useful quantum systems within a few years, while others believe widespread adoption may take a decade or more. Regardless of the timeline, one reality is becoming increasingly clear: quantum computing has the potential to become one of the most consequential technologies in human history.

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Business leaders argue that Pakistan’s competitiveness in international markets has been reduced. At a time when global supply chain disruptions created opportunities for developing countries to expand their exports, Pakistan failed to capitalize on these opportunities.

While governments require revenue to meet public expenditures, excessive taxation can discourage entrepreneurship, investment, and business expansion. A tax system should encourage productive economic activity rather than penalize success. Sustainable revenue growth can only be achieved through economic expansion and a broader tax base.

Industrial electricity in Pakistan is significantly more expensive. Competing countries such as India, Bangladesh, and Vietnam continue to offer more competitive energy prices, allowing their industries to attract export orders that Pakistan is increasingly losing. Restoring competitive energy tariffs could play a vital role in revitalizing industrial growth and job creation.

The business community is not merely criticizing government policies; it is offering constructive, evidence-based recommendations.

Pakistan’s economic future depends on a strong partnership between the government and the private sector, working together to promote investment, exports, competitiveness, and sustainable growth.

Hina Khan, Islamabad

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In an interview with Axios, an American media outlet, Trump has reportedly stated that Pakistani leaders leveraged their deep familiarity with Iranian counterparts, playing a vital role in a complex negotiation process which often involved difficult decisions by both sides.

That the whole world, including the US and the Islamic republic, is acknowledging Pakistan’s proactive role in this regard is a fact.

The Pakistani prime minister, chief of defence staff, several ministers, and others had been working day in and day out to help both US and Iran reach a peace deal at the earliest. Pakistan has done something extraordinary, so to speak. Their dedication and perseverance towards a noble goal will surely pay off, even if it takes time.

Kamal Nasir, Karachi

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The newspaper has concluded its argument by stating, among other things, that “Pakistan’s health indicators are not merely statistics; they reflect the lived realities of millions of citizens. Unless health — alongside education — is placed at the centre of national development planning and supported by substantially greater public investment, the country will continue to pay a heavy economic and social price for this neglect.”

While fully endorsing or agreeing to the newspaper’s viewpoint, I would like to say that the importance of universal health and education cannot be over-emphasized. Chairman Mao, for example, ensured for his people universal health and education for his people despite the fact that China was then one of the poorest countries in the world. Communist Party of China’s greater focus on investments in basic education and public health helped Deng Xiaoping build modern China.

Samina Kazim (Karachi)

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

I would like to argue that whatever else might be the outcome of the peace agreement that has been signed between the USA and Iran, one thing appears to be clear: the world is likely to see a less hegemonic USA.

Gone are the days when Trump dreamt of making Canada America’s 51st state or putting Greenland in his pocket. What Trump should now be worrying about is the midterm elections. This time round, it’s Canada’s and Greenland’s turn to have the last laugh.

As far as Iran is concerned, it had adopted a very sensible course of action during its confrontation with the USA. It appears as if Iranian strategist had deeply studied US actions in Vietnam and in Iraq.

The Iranians knew they might not be able to take the USA head on. Therefore, they relied on hitherto untried strategy. They put all the arsenals underground. Having sheltered their arsenals from the reach of the USA, all the Iranians were left to lose were its people who had not been worried about whether they lived or died. We saw Iranian nationalism at its best during the conflict.

As the peace deal has been signed one wonders how much Iran has given away. Has it agreed to do away with its nuclear programme? We will come to know about it sooner or later.

Ebrahim Hunarmand, Tehran

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

The US has other muscles to flex besides the military one. That is its economic might with the help of which the US had had its way in several disputes with one state or the other in the past.

In the 1970s when the US had been under huge debt it withdrew from the gold standard and managed to have the price of oil fixed in dollars.

Things further spiraled out of America’s control when Iran exercised total control of the Strait of Hormuz and fixed the payment of transit charges in several currencies. This development has raised many new issues for the United States. The petrodollar had become the pivot around which the politics of the Middle East revolved. This feature, too, has come under a strain resulting in the fissure of the defence pacts the United States has with the Middle Eastern countries. Only history will tell how much the world changes after the Iran-US encounter comes to an end.

Salman Nizamani, Karachi

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026