Commentary - South Asia Times

Economic Engagement or Ethical Dilemma? Canada-India Relations and the Nijjar Case

SAT Commentary November 14, 2025

Canada’s renewed trade outreach to India comes at a moment of deep diplomatic strain. As Minister Maninder Sidhu seeks to revive economic cooperation, the unresolved assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, and allegations implicating senior Indian officials, cast a long shadow. The controversy raises critical questions about whether Ottawa can balance economic ambitions with justice, accountability, and the protection of Canadian sovereignty.

Playing the Victim: How the Taliban Endorse and Amplify Online Propaganda Against Pakistan

SAT Commentary November 3, 2025

Following the October 2025 border clashes, the Taliban have shifted their battlefield online, using propaganda, selective history, and digital disinformation to paint Pakistan as the aggressor. Through controlled media releases, colonial-era references, and victimhood narratives, Kabul seeks to manipulate regional perception and deflect blame for its own failures.

Zabihullah Mujahid’s Rhetoric and the Reality of Pakistan-Afghanistan Relations

SAT Editorial Desk November 2, 2025

Recent statements by Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid attempt to shift blame for strained Pakistan-Afghanistan ties onto Islamabad. Yet the real source of tension lies in Kabul’s refusal to dismantle terror networks like the TTP and BLA operating freely from Afghan soil—a failure that continues to endanger regional peace and Pakistan’s security.

Afghan Taliban and Cross Border Terrorism in Pakistan

SAT Commentary October 20, 2025

Pakistan is witnessing a sharp rise in terrorist attacks linked to the Afghan Taliban’s support for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). A new study reveals that Afghan nationals now dominate TTP infiltration groups, exposing Kabul’s complicity in cross-border militancy. As violence escalates, Islamabad must balance border control, diplomacy, and de-radicalisation to counter

The New Normal: End of Pakistan’s Strategic Restraint

SAT Commentary October 18, 2025

Any hope surrounding the Pakistan–Afghanistan dialogue in Doha is colliding with renewed violence and mutual distrust. Pakistan’s recent precision strikes in Paktika, following a shattered ceasefire and terrorist attacks, signal a shift toward active defense. The talks now hinge on whether Kabul can curb militant sanctuaries and move beyond its victim narrative.

An analysis of a false Financial Times report on a Pakistan-US port deal, its journalistic flaws, and its weaponization for political gain.

Geopolitics, Journalism, and the Anatomy of a False Narrative

SAT Commentary October 5, 2025

A recent Financial Times story claimed Pakistan was pitching a new Arabian Sea port to the US Built on anonymous sources and logical flaws, the report was quietly corrected. This article dissects how the flimsy reporting was weaponized by domestic and regional actors to push a false narrative, revealing more about their political agendas than Pakistan’s foreign policy.

Beyond Words: Why Afghanistan’s Actions on Terrorism Will Define Regional Trust

SAT Commentary September 21, 2025

Kabul’s calls for dialogue sound promising, but the continued presence of TTP sanctuaries on Afghan soil fuels deadly instability in Pakistan. Until the Taliban translates words into decisive action against terrorism, any talk of regional trust will remain hollow.

Multilateralism in Crisis: Pakistan’s Call for Collective Islamic Security

SAT Commentary September 16, 2025

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Pakistan’s Deputy PM Ishaq Dar declared the UN system broken and urged the Muslim world to move from words to action. He called for an Islamic security roadmap, highlighted Pakistan’s nuclear deterrence, and issued red lines on India and Afghanistan.

CPEC 2.0 marks a new phase in Pakistan-China ties, with trade, industry, and Gwadar at the center of regional connectivity and economic revival.

CPEC 2.0: A Lifeline for Pakistan’s Economic Revival and Regional Integration

SAT Commentary September 7, 2025

Pakistan and China have launched CPEC 2.0, shifting from roads and energy to industries, technology, and trade. With $64 billion in projects and Gwadar Port at its heart, the initiative promises jobs, growth, and regional integration at a critical time.

Pakistan at the SCO Summit: Strategic Messaging and Diplomatic Wins

SAT Commentary September 4, 2025

Pakistan’s active engagement at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit reflected a strategic balancing act between security concerns, economic connectivity, and regional diplomacy. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif not only internationalized India’s Indus Waters Treaty move but also secured explicit SCO condemnation of terrorist attacks inside Pakistan. Coupled with key bilateral meetings with China, Russia, Turkiye, Iran, and Azerbaijan, Islamabad emerged from the summit with both narrative and diplomatic gains, reinforcing its role as a pivotal regional actor.