Defence Journal

The intellectual debate on the idea of enlightenment defined by a Prussian Philosopher, Immanuel Kant, always remained an area of less scholarly importance in Pakistan due to the country’s explicit socio-cultural growth under specific ideological patterns centred in certain religious beliefs.

Introduction From the dawn of civilization, humans have wrestled with the question: Why are we here? Ancient Mesopotamian myths told of humans created to serve the gods; Egyptian beliefs tied purpose to maintaining cosmic order (Ma’at). The Greek philosophers, from Socrates (470/399BC) to Aristotle (428/347BC), sought reason-based foundations for human existence, with Aristotle emphasizing the pursuit of eudaimonia—flourishing through virtue.

Context Afghanistan’s strategic outlook is undergoing a dramatic overhaul amid escalating connectivity disputes, geopolitical realignments, and regional conflicts. The combined pressures of India–Pakistan instability, U.S. trade friction with India, Iran-Israel hostilities, and Pakistan’s rising diplomatic leverage are forcing Kabul into a balanced posture— nurturing Indian, Iranian, Chinese, and Pakistani ties while maintaining neutrality in broader conflicts.

There has been a paradigm shift in the Arabian Peninsula’s security calculus since Iran and Israel fought tooth-andnail for a drawdown conflict. The realpolitik intention of Washington and Tel Aviv was to bring Tehran on its knees and, somehow, engineer a regime change, but that did not materialize. Iran has emerged stronger at home, irrespective of severe socio-political fault-lines, and is looked upon by the global community as a resilient power.

“Education is out from books now – it’s time to work on personalized learning and smart tools” Sadaf Bhatt In today’s fast-moving world, technology is changing the way we live, talk, and most importantly, how we learn. One of the biggest change in education today is Artificial Intelligence (AI). It’s not just something for scientists anymore as it is becoming a part of daily life, and our schools need to keep up Why AI matters in education? AI helps make learning smarter, fa ster, and more fun.

In a country like Pakistan where millions of children lack access to quality education, it is easy to feel paralyzed by the degree of the problem. The numbers are daunting, the infrastructure gaps real and the inequality heartbreaking. But sometimes, all it takes is one small act of kindness to begin reshaping the entire system. For us, that act began with something as simple and powerful as a book.

Dr Huma Baqai, Moderator Respected guest, faith leaders, friends, and advocates of peace, a very warm good afternoon. It is a profound honor to welcome you all to the launch of the Pathfinder Interfaith Harmony Initiative. At a time when the world feels increasingly fragmented, we gather here today with a singular purpose. And that purpose is to build bridges of understanding, of empathy, and of shared humanity. This is not just an initiative. It is a commitment to coexistence, dialogue, and peace.

Every young heart is filled with radiant dreams of the future, and often these dreams are painted with the colors of courage, determination, and the desire to serve one’s people. Rashid Minhas, born on 17 February 1951 in Karachi, was one such youth whose dreams transcended the ordinary. From childhood, he displayed a natural curiosity and brilliance that set him apart.

India was the jewel in the crown of the British Empire during the 18th, 19th, and part of the 20th century; if that was so, the glare and shine emanated from the British Indian Army. The Air Force was still nascent, and the Navy had a secondary role per se. In 1947, when the partition of the country was underway to create two independent and sovereign states, there was talk of keeping the British Indian Army undivided. However, due to its impracticality, the idea soon died its own death.

Tax collection has always been an indispensable pillar in the architecture of a functioning state. Since the earliest formations of organized governance, levying taxes has been a standard practice to ensure the sustenance of administrative machinery, provision of public services, and the defense of the realm. No society, however prosperous or modest, can remain viable without a steady inflow of revenue, and taxes provide precisely that foundation.