KHYBER   –  The business community in Landi Kotal observed a shutter-down strike on Saturday to protest the alleged abduction of arms dealer Zareef Shinwari, alias Landay Haji, and demanded his immediate and safe recovery.

Under the banner of Anjuman-e-Tajeran, Landi Kotal, traders partially closed their businesses and staged a demonstration at Bacha Khan Chowk. Tribal elders, political and social activists, and relatives and friends of the missing businessman also attended the protest.

Addressing the rally, speakers said a week had passed since Zareef Shinwari was allegedly abducted or went missing, but his whereabouts remained unknown.

They expressed concern that no government institution had so far acknowledged his detention and that he had not been produced before any court.

The protesters said that if Zareef Shinwari had been taken into custody by any government agency, he should immediately be produced before a court and the charges against him should be made public.

Carrying banners and placards bearing slogans in support of his recovery, the protesters demanded that the government ensure his immediate recovery and provide relief to his family and the wider business community.

They warned that their protest would continue until the trader was recovered.

Meanwhile, a protest sit-in has reportedly been continuing for the past week on the Pak-Afghan Highway at the Charwazgai point over the alleged abduction of the local trader.

In world politics, influence is often associated with military strength, economic power and the ability to reward or punish. Yet a recent analysis published by South Asian Voices, a publication of the Stimson Center, highlights how Pakistan demonstrated that a middle power can exercise diplomatic influence through geography, credibility, access and timing. According to the analysis, Pakistan was uniquely positioned to facilitate dialogue between the United States and Iran. It shares a long border with Iran, maintains longstanding relations with the United States and possesses credibility within the wider Muslim world. Unlike major powers that can employ economic incentives or coercive pressure, Pakistan’s principal assets were access, relationships and strategic timing. The analysis describes this combination as Pakistan’s “geo-positional capital”.
Pakistan’s role also recalls its historic diplomatic contribution in 1971, when Islamabad facilitated Henry Kissinger’s secret visit to China. That initiative helped establish a channel between Washington and Beijing and eventually contributed to the normalization of US-China relations. Although the geopolitical circumstances are different today, the underlying principle remains similar: Pakistan possesses the ability to act as a bridge between states that lack suffic ient trust or direct communication.
The timing of Islamabad’s intervention was equally important. Drawing on conflict-resolution theory, the South Asian Voices analysis explains Pakistan’s intervention through William Zartman’s concept of a “mutually hurting stalemate.” This occurs when neither side believes it can achieve its objectives without incurring excessive costs, while continued conflict becomes increasingly painful for both. Such circumstances create what conflict-resolution theory calls “ripeness” for mediation.
Pakistan’s intervention came at precisely such a moment. Continued confrontation had imposed significant military, economic and strategic costs on both Washington and Tehran, creating an incentive to explore a diplomatic exit. Pakistan helped facilitate a ceasefire and enabled direct US-Iran engagement in Islamabad. The analysis notes that more than 20 hours of negotiations represented the highest-level direct contact between the two countries since the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
However, mediation should not be confused with conflict resolution. A mediator can create communication channels, facilitate negotiations and help establish a ceasefire, but it cannot manufacture trust or resolve the fundamental strategic disagreements of the conflicting parties. The persistence of US-Iran tensions, therefore, should not automatically be interpreted as a failure of Pakistani diplomacy.
Indeed, as the South Asian Voices analysis emphasizes, the durability of peace depends primarily on the objectives and calculations of Washington and Tehran. A mediator cannot control how the principal parties perceive their interests or whether they remain committed to an agreement. Pakistan’s diplomatic role should consequently be judged by a more realistic standard: whether it reduced the risk of escalation, opened channels of communication and created opportunities for the parties themselves to negotiate. The broader lesson is significant. Pakistan has demonstrated the potential of a middle power to act as a bridge rather than a bloc actor. Its diplomatic strength lies not in coercive power but in its relationships, geographical position and ability to engage competing sides. Ultimately, mediation is a process, not a one-time achievement. A mediator cannot manufacture the moment when peace becomes possible; it can only ensure that a channel exists when that moment arrives.

Sarah Ameer

–The writer is a freelance columnist

MOHMAND  –  Agricultural machinery worth crores of rupees has reportedly remained largely unused at the Upper Mohmand Farm Service Centre in Ekka­ghund for an extended period, prompting local farmers to question the utilisation and mainte­nance of public assets.

The machinery was procured to provide mod­ern farming facilities to growers and improve agricultural productivity in the district. How­ever, farmers said much of the equipment had remained at the service centre, with some ma­chinery reportedly showing signs of rust be­cause of prolonged inactivity and inadequate maintenance.

Farmers from Danish Kool, Tamanzai, Dweizai, Halimzai, Khwaizai, Baizai and Safi said locating the machinery at a single centre had made access difficult for many growers.

They said agricultural fields were spread over a large area, with several villages located doz­ens of kilometres from the facility, making it dif­ficult for farmers to obtain the equipment when needed.

“The purpose of providing the machinery was to facilitate farmers in the field, but keep­ing it idle at the centre defeats that purpose,” the farmers said, calling for a transparent and practical mechanism for its allocation and op­eration.

They said proper deployment and main­tenance of the equipment could help reduce farming costs, ensure timely agricultural oper­ations and improve crop yields.

Mohmand has three farm service centres, lo­cated in Ekkaghund, Prang Ghar and Ambar. However, growers in Upper Mohmand said the machinery available at the Ekkaghund facility was not being utilised according to local agri­cultural requirements.

They urged the Agriculture Department to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the machinery to determine its operational condi­tion, utilisation and maintenance needs. They also called for a proper schedule for making the equipment available in different farming areas during peak agricultural seasons.

Farmers Qasim Khan, Amir Khan, Rawish Gul, Shah Zam Khan and Ajmal, among others, appealed to the Secretary Agriculture, Depu­ty Commissioner Mohmand and the provincial government to intervene and ensure that the machinery was put to productive use.

They said effective management, regular maintenance and transparent access to the equipment would help safeguard public invest­ment while providing much-needed support to the farming community and strengthening the district’s agricultural economy.

PESHAWAR  –  Government City Girls’ College Gulbahar held an Independence Day ceremony on Saturday, with students, faculty members and adminis­trative staff participating in the celebrations with patriotic fervour.

The ceremony was aimed at commemorating the sacrifices made during the struggle for Pa­kistan and promoting a sense of national unity, solidarity and responsibility among students.

Principal Prof Rabia Sikandar presided over the ceremony, while Director Higher Education Dr Farid Ullah Shah attended as chief guest. Dep­uty Director Jameel and a large number of faculty members, administrative staff and students were also present. The college premises were decorat­ed with national flags, green and white buntings and banners to mark Independence Day.

The ceremony began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by hoisting of the nation­al flag and the national anthem. Students also presented activities highlighting their commit­ment to Pakistan and its national ideals. A spe­cial prayer was offered for the security, peace, stability, progress and prosperity of the country.

Addressing the ceremony, the speakers said Pakistan had been achieved through the sac­rifices and struggle of its founding generation and urged students to shoulder their respon­sibility for the country’s development through education, hard work, unity and discipline.

They said Independence Day served as a re­minder of the value of freedom, national iden­tity and the collective responsibility to contrib­ute to the country’s progress and prosperity.

In her concluding remarks, Prof Rabia Sikan­dar thanked the chief guest, faculty members, administrative staff and students for participat­ing in the celebrations.

She reaffirmed the college’s commitment to providing quality education while fostering na­tional unity, positive social values and a sense of responsibility among students.

The ceremony concluded with the cutting of an Independence Day cake.

PESHAWAR – Khyber Pakh­tunkhwa Minister for Information and Public Relations Shafi Jan has congratulated senior journalist and Pesha­war Press Club President M. Riaz Khan on the approval of his name for the prestigious Sitara-e-Imtiaz.

In a statement issued here on Saturday, the minister said the proposed national honour in recognition of Mr Riaz’s services to journalism was a matter of pride for the jour­nalist community and people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Shafi Jan said the award was a fitting recognition of Riaz Khan’s decades-long commitment to journalism, profes­sional excellence and efforts to promote the profession.

He expressed the hope that Riaz Khan would continue to contribute to independent journalism, uphold high eth­ical and professional standards and work for the welfare of journalists.

The minister reaffirmed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa gov­ernment’s commitment to the welfare of journalists, pro­tection of press freedom and promotion of a free and re­sponsible media.

He said the provincial government would continue tak­ing measures to support journalists and strengthen the media sector.

ISLAMABAD   –  Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration officers and staff at Islamabad International Airport joined passengers in celebrating Pakistan’s Independence Day, bringing together border officials and travellers in a display of national spirit and patriotism. An FIA official told on Saturday that the celebrations were held at the airport on August 14, where immigration officials marked the national day while continuing to perform their official duties. The official said FIA personnel and passengers celebrated the occasion together, exchanged Independence Day greetings and shared the spirit of the national celebration at the airport.

The participation of passengers alongside immigration officials added to the festive atmosphere and made the occasion memorable for travellers passing through the airport.

The FIA Islamabad Zone said the agency remained vigilant in protecting the country’s borders and citizens, adding that the Independence Day occasion further strengthened its resolve to discharge its responsibilities with commitment.

The officials also reaffirmed their commitment to serving the country while marking the occasion with the message of “Pakistan Zindabad.”

Bangladesh thrashed Australia by nine wickets in the first Test in Darwin on Sunday for a historic maiden win on Australian soil.

After bowling the hosts out for 284 and being set 57 to win, Bangladesh reached the total when Mominul Haque slashed Beau Webster to the backward point boundary.

It is only Bangladesh’s ninth Test win away from home in 77 matches and just their second win over Australia, and first in the country.