“Pakistan–Saudi Defense Pact: A Blow to U.S. Influence Amid Israel’s Gaza War” Pakistan-Saudi Arabia mutual defense treaty 1. On 17 September 2025, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia entered a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA). 2. Under the treaty, any aggression or attack on one country will be treated as an aggression against both. 3. It commits the two nations to strengthen defense cooperation and enhance joint deterrence. (Al Jazeera) Participants and Context The agreement was signed in **Riyadh**, between Pakistani Prime Minister *Shehbaz Sharif* and Saudi Crown Prince *Mohammed bin Salman*. Senior military officials were also present, reinforcing its strategic nature. Key Details & Ambiguities 1. The treaty uses strong language: “any aggression against either shall be considered aggression against both.” 2. It is described as “comprehensive” in terms of defense cooperation. However, the details are vague in terms of what kind of military means are includ...
This ghazal, written by Afzal Shakeel Sandhu, captures the essence of profound disillusionment and a deep sense of detachment from worldly desires and fleeting dreams. It reflects the poet's internal struggle and his resignation to the transience of life and its aspirations. ### Description of the Ghazal **1. Embracing Emptiness:** The poet begins by expressing that despite a lifetime spent in pursuit of desires, there remains a void, a lack of fulfillment. This sentiment sets the tone for the rest of the ghazal, where the repeated refrain is the absence of longing and desire. **2. Worldly Disappointments:** He speaks of the incomplete thoughts and dreams in a transient world, highlighting the futility of efforts and the entanglements that fail to bring satisfaction. This verse portrays a world where incomplete aspirations and scattered efforts dominate, yet fail to fulfill the heart's desires. **3. The Illusion of Beauty:** The poet reflects on the superficiality o...