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Business Recorder
12-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
They're still flying high
EDITORIAL: The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has always drawn praise from everyone – not through grandstanding, but by delivering whenever it is tested. The latest nod came from the Chief of Staff of China's People's Liberation Army Air Force, Lieutenant General Wang Gang, who called the PAF's performance in the recent war with India 'a textbook example of precision, discipline, and courage' in the face of unprovoked aggression. The remark came during a high-level visit to Air Headquarters in Islamabad, where General Wang also noted China's keen interest in learning from the PAF's battle-tested integration of Multi-Domain Operations, which says a lot. That's not a compliment Beijing hands out lightly – especially given its own airpower ambitions. But for those who've watched the PAF over the decades, this shouldn't come as a surprise. The Pakistan Air Force has always punched well above its weight. It captured international attention during the 1965 war, when a much smaller fleet held its own against a numerically superior Indian Air Force. Some of its wartime manoeuvres became case studies in combat aviation. The legend only grew over time – with stories of PAF pilots flying for Arab states and downing Israeli jets during the Yom Kippur War becoming part of regional military lore. Even in peacetime, the service maintained its edge, consistently training to a standard that attracted foreign observers, joint drills, and deep bilateral engagements – not least with China, which co-developed the JF-17 Thunder with Pakistan. That same platform has since matured into a credible deterrent force, operated by highly trained PAF squadrons who've adapted to modern hybrid warfare challenges without bloating the budget. What's more, the PAF's operational discipline and strategic clarity often stand in contrast to the disarray that marks other parts of the country's institutional machinery. Whether it's political paralysis, economic stasis, or diplomatic drift, Pakistan struggles to project stability in most arenas – except when its military, particularly its air wing, is in frame. So when China singles out the PAF for praise – and explicitly expresses a desire to learn from it – the statement carries weight beyond flattery. It confirms what military analysts have long argued: that the Pakistan Air Force remains one of the region's most competent and coherent fighting forces. It also reinforces the reality that Pakistan's strategic partnerships are not just alive – they're evolving. China is not lavishing praise as a favour; it is acknowledging value. A battle-tested, professionally run air force with multi-domain integration capabilities is an asset, especially as China gears up for its own next-generation military transformation. And for Pakistan, deeper integration with China's airpower doctrines and technologies could be the edge it needs to maintain parity with a larger neighbour constantly updating its arsenal. Yet there's a larger implication here, one worth noting. Pakistan's military, and the PAF in particular, has remained committed to hard capability even as fiscal realities have shrunk civilian development space. One might argue whether this allocation of resources is sustainable – that's a different debate – but there is little doubt that it has paid operational dividends. For a country still fighting an internal insurgency, struggling with fiscal meltdown, and burdened by political disarray, having one institution consistently deliver competence and reliability on the global stage is more than just optics – it's leverage. That's not to say the country can fly on the wings of the PAF alone. But when the civilian leadership is largely absent from diplomatic or economic strategy, and parliament rarely debates serious national security matters, such moments of international recognition carry weight far beyond military circles. They serve as reminders of what disciplined focus can achieve, even under systemic stress. So yes, the PAF deserves the recognition. Not just for what it did this summer, but for the decades of consistency, evolution, and excellence that led up to it. If anything still commands quiet respect for Pakistan abroad, it's not its economy, its democracy, or its diplomacy. It's the precision of its pilots. And they're still flying high. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Newsweek
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Four Signs Iran and Israel Risk Return to War
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Tensions between Iran and Israel remain high following their 12-day war in June—their most direct and destructive confrontation to date. The conflict began on June 13 with Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets, triggering a major Iranian response involving hundreds of drones and ballistic missiles aimed at Israel. On June 22, the U.S. launched air and missile strikes on key Iranian nuclear facilities. Iran retaliated by targeting a U.S. base in Qatar. Although a ceasefire was reached on June 24, deep strategic and nuclear tensions remain unresolved. Why It Matters Further Iran–Israel conflict could destabilize the Middle East, threaten global energy and security, and risk pulling major powers—such as the U.S. and China—into direct conflict. The ceasefire left key grievances unaddressed, setting the stage for renewed confrontation. Some recent developments now point to a growing risk of the conflict resuming: 1. Iran and Israel Are Rapidly Rearming Both sides are rearming. Iran has acquired Chinese surface-to-air missile batteries as it swiftly works to rebuild defenses damaged by Israel, according to sources cited by Middle East Eye. Additionally, China's defense ministry has confirmed its willingness to supply J-10 multi-role fighter aircraft to "friendly countries," amid reports that Iran is seeking these jets to modernize its aging, mostly Russian-supplied air defenses. Meanwhile, Israel has boosted air patrols over Lebanon, formed new domestic security units to protect civilians, and reactivated reserves to support front-line troops, as confirmed by Defence Minister Israel Katz. The United States has accelerated arms shipments to Israel to replace equipment lost during the recent conflict and supplied advanced precision munitions and missile defense systems. J-10 jet fighters perform in formation to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army Air Force in Beijing, China, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009. The aerobatic show was postponed until today due to weather... J-10 jet fighters perform in formation to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army Air Force in Beijing, China, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009. The aerobatic show was postponed until today due to weather conditions in the last few days. More AP Photo 2. Iran's Nuclear Program Status Despite significant damage to Iranian nuclear sites during the conflict, it is not clear that key facilities were put beyond use. Iran says it continues to enrich uranium and develop advanced centrifuges, maintaining its nuclear ambitions. It has ceased cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on inspections. Meanwhile, prospects for negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump's administration remain uncertain. 3. Trump and Netanyahu Aligned Not too long ago, Trump and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared divided over how to handle Iran. However, recent meetings give greater indications of alignment in confronting Tehran's nuclear ambitions and support for regional proxies. Netanyahu said, "Israel will take all necessary measures to defend itself," while publicly supporting Trump's approach. Highlighting their close partnership, Netanyahu even nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, emphasizing their united front on Middle East security. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, hands President Donald Trump a folder during a meeting in the Blue Room of the White House, Monday, July 7, 2025, in Washington. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, hands President Donald Trump a folder during a meeting in the Blue Room of the White House, Monday, July 7, 2025, in Washington. Alex Brandon/AP Photo 4. Escalating Proxy Activities Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have recently intensified attacks on Israel, launching missiles and drones targeting areas near Tel Aviv. Within days, they also sank two vessels in the Red Sea—the Greek-operated Eternity C and Magic Seas, which they had accused of links to Israel. These coordinated strikes showcase the Houthis' growing military capabilities and Iran's broader strategy to pressure Israel and disrupt critical shipping lanes. This surge in hostilities raises the possibility of drawing the U.S. back into direct military confrontation in the region. What Happens Next Tensions remain high as Iran strengthens its military capabilities and proxies such as the Houthis escalate regional attacks. Tehran has expressed cautious interest in diplomacy but shows no sign of halting its nuclear or missile development, while Israel remains committed to confronting those threats. With pressure mounting on multiple fronts, the risk of renewed direct conflict remains real.
Business Recorder
10-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Punching above our weight — on an IV drip
Diplomatic optics don't usually favour countries still dancing around the possibility of sovereign default. And yet here we are — on an IMF lifeline, with next to no foreign exchange cover and a political setup too timid to lead — watching Pakistan make a sustained play on the global stage with more success than many would care to admit. Just this week, the Chief of Staff of the People's Liberation Army Air Force, Lieutenant General Wang Gang, visited Air Headquarters in Islamabad and praised the Pakistan Air Force's performance in the recent war with India as 'a textbook example of precision, discipline, and courage' in the face of unprovoked aggression. This came within days of Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir meeting US President Donald Trump at the White House — an unusually high-profile one-on-one between a Pakistani military leader and an American president. Trump praised Pakistan's efforts to de-escalate the recent war with India and said progress was also being made on the trade front. The meeting stood in sharp contrast to India's heavily publicised diplomatic visit a little earlier which climaxed with a photo op with Vice President JD Vance – no White House invite. And the balancing act didn't end there. China's warmth and America's unexpected openness followed the widely reported, if not officially confirmed, suggestion that Pakistan played a quiet but effective part in brokering a ceasefire in the Iran-Israel war. The claim — originating in Middle Eastern press — gained traction after both sides stood down with minimal external mediation, and with Islamabad condemning Israeli actions while carefully steering clear of antagonising Washington. Even if indirect, the timing raised eyebrows. This is not how struggling economies typically behave. And yet, Pakistan has managed to follow a tactical military victory — against a rival more than five times its size — with a flurry of effective diplomacy. Its post-war outreach, particularly with multilateral groups, has also delivered. India's push to include its version of the Pahalgam attack in final communiqués at SCO, BRICS, and QUAD summits was unsuccessful, which in diplomatic terms is a win for Pakistan — especially since silence, in such venues, rarely comes without consensus. Some might call it luck. Others, opportunism. But for anyone paying attention, a more plausible explanation lies in the state's real command structure. If — as everybody knows — the fountainhead of Pakistani policymaking in this Islamic Republic remains its military high command, then it is worth analysing how it has played its cards in one of the most delicate moments in the country's modern history. Because there is no elected civilian consensus on foreign policy. There is barely a functioning civilian apparatus at all. No parliamentarian spoke of recalibrating alliances after the Iran-Israel war. No elected representative gave a vision for how to manage the US-China rivalry. Yet the Pakistan army has somehow positioned the country in a rare space where both Washington and Beijing are listening. It may not follow any diplomatic playbook, but it is delivering the strangest results. And in power politics, showing up — consistently, visibly — often matters more than protocol. Make what you will of that. Of course, there is something unnerving about all this. A country with no money, weak institutions, and a paralysed political structure has no business threading needles between competing superpowers. And yet, it is doing just that — with surprising nerve. To be fair, some of this is circumstantial. The global environment is fractured. The US-China trade war is escalating again, disrupting supply chains, rattling financial markets, and inching toward a phase where countries may be forced to take sides. The Middle East remains unsettled. And many capitals are searching for stable diplomatic anchors in an increasingly unpredictable order. Pakistan, for all its internal contradictions, is at least projecting coherence on the world stage — even if that coherence wears military uniform. But hedging is not a long-term strategy. At some point, someone will demand clarity. A pledge. A pivot. And when that moment comes, it will test not just Pakistan's strategic balance, but its internal stability as well. Because hedging between powers is a luxury when you are solvent. When you're not, it becomes a risk you cannot afford to miscalculate. And we need both Chinese and American money to stay afloat. Until then, this is where we are: punching above our weight while still hooked up to the financial equivalent of a ventilator. And whatever else one might say about the structure that has enabled it — from shadow policymaking to absent civilian leadership — there is something undeniably impressive about the sheer audacity of it all. After all, in a year when even major powers are floundering to maintain their alliances, Pakistan has somehow emerged as a case study in diplomatic over-achievement. Whether it's sustainable, sensible, or simply absurd, depends on where — and when — you're standing. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Beijing, Ankara hail PAF's combat edge amid tensions with India
ISLAMABAD: In a rare show of coordinated praise, senior defence officials from China and Turkiye have commended the combat readiness and operational capability of the following last month's four-day conflict with India, a development seen in Islamabad as quiet validation of its evolving airpower doctrine. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In back-to-back high-level visits to Air Headquarters in Islamabad this week, top officials from the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and the Turkish ministry of defence hailed PAF's 'decisive' response and 'battle-proven' performance during the May clashes. China's Chief of Air Staff, Lt Gen Wang Gang, met PAF chief Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu on Tuesday and described Pakistan's aerial actions as 'a textbook example of precision, discipline and courage in the face of unprovoked aggression'. He praised PAF's integration of multi-domain operations (MDOs), calling it a 'hallmark of modern air warfare', and expressed interest in adopting elements of PAF's doctrine for the PLAAF. A day later, on Wednesday, Turkiye defence minister Yaşar Güler offered similar praise. Calling the PAF's performance 'exceptional', Güler lauded Sidhu's 'insightful leadership' and highlighted PAF's role in the 'resolute defence of national sovereignty'. He also proposed expanded cooperation in training, unmanned aerial systems, and disruptive technologies. Güler's visit coincided with the arrival of Turkiye foreign minister Hakan Fidan on Wednesday, signalling coordinated diplomatic and military outreach as Pakistan seeks to shore up support from key allies. Neither China nor Turkiye elaborated on the details of the May conflict — downplayed by Islamabad and denied outright by New Delhi — but both echoed Pakistan's military narrative, offering a diplomatic boost as Islamabad contends with regional isolation and growing India-West defence ties. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Both delegations were briefed on PAF's restructured posture, including its focus on AI-driven targeting and cyber-electronic warfare. PLAAF officials reportedly showed strong interest in the JF-17 Block III, a jointly developed fighter jet now equipped with AESA (active electronically scanned array) radar and advanced avionics. The Turkish side proposed joint working groups to fast-track industry-to-industry ties — part of Ankara's push to expand its defence footprint in South Asia amid rising collaboration with Pakistan on drones, pilot training, and aerospace development. The rare twin endorsements from two of Pakistan's closest allies reflect a shifting regional balance, with China and Turkiye increasingly positioning themselves as strategic counterweights to India's deepening ties with the US, France and Israel. While India denies any aerial losses, the external praise for PAF suggests otherwise, raising questions about whether these visits signal deeper strategic alignment or simply calculated shows of support. Islamabad and Ankara on Wednesday agreed to boost their cooperation in a range of sectors, including defence, trade, energy and infrastructure, aiming to enhance bilateral trade volume to $5 billion. This was agreed during talks between Fidan and Guler with Pakistan foreign minister Ishaq Dar here. 'Pakistan would like to benefit from Turkiye's expertise and experiences in this (defence) field,' Dar said. 'We are actively engaged in different activities, including capacity building and counterterrorism,' Dar said, describing Turkiye as a "trusted friend" and a "reliable brother'. "We are pursuing the establishment of a Special Economic Zone dedicated to Turkish entrepreneurs at Karachi,' Dar said. He also mentioned finalising the revival of the Istanbul-Tehran-Islamabad train.
Business Recorder
09-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
China air chief praises performance of PAF
ISLAMABAD: The Chief of Staff of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), Lieutenant General Wang Gang, has praised the Pakistan Air Force (PAF)'s exemplary performance during the recent conflict with India, calling it a 'textbook example of precision, discipline, and courage' in the face of unprovoked aggression. The remarks came during a high-level meeting at Air Headquarters Islamabad, where General Wang led a Chinese defence delegation and called on Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force. General Wang commended PAF's cutting-edge capabilities and its seamless integration of Multi-Domain Operations, highlighting China's keen interest in learning from PAF's battle-proven experience. He also paid tribute to the strategic foresight and professional acumen of the PAF leadership. The two sides discussed regional security dynamics, mutual interests, and avenues for enhanced bilateral cooperation, particularly in airpower and operational synergy. The Air Chief reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to strengthening strategic and technological cooperation with China. During the meeting, the visiting delegation was briefed on PAF's evolving force structure, operational doctrine, and strategic initiatives. Air Chief Marshal Sidhu reiterated the historic and time-tested nature of Pakistan-China ties, rooted in mutual trust and shared aspirations for regional peace and stability. The engagement reaffirmed the two countries' resolve to deepen their defence partnership through collaboration, innovation, and mutual learning. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
