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As the country prepares for a new chapter in its political history, it is imperative that all parties involved approach the transition process with a spirit of unity and reconciliation. The transfer of power should not be viewed as a zero-sum game, but rather as an opportunity to build a stronger and more inclusive democratic system.Pakistan’s political arena now stands at a precarious crossroads. Over the past five decades, the major political players have slipped into decline or teetering on the edge of irrelevance. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which enjoyed nearly three decades of dominance in Punjab and alternated comfortably between government and opposition, faces the most defining dilemma about its survival. Its credibility started to erode when it entered into a submissive alliance with the military establishment to regain power. This move was taken as a betrayal of the party’s ideology by the grassroots supporters who were disgruntled by the leadership’s pro-establishment approach since 2021. The long stay in London by Nawaz Sharif, the leader of the PML-N, compounded the problems for the party. During this period, the second tier of the PML-N leadership also dissociated itself from its vote bank. At the same time, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), a dominant force in Punjab decades ago, has been reduced to a shadow of its former self. Despite Asif Ali Zardari’s calculated maneuvering and Bilawal Bhutto’s youthful optimism, the party’s influence in the province withered after its dismal performance in the 2013 elections. Attempts to reclaim relevance have yielded little, leaving the PPP a regional actor at best, which is now confined to the province of Sind only. In stark contrast, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) remains Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s most popular party, even with its leader, Imran Khan, languishing in Adiala Jail for over a year. Factually speaking, popularity alone is not enough for the longevity of any political party. The same is true about the PTI. With a baggage of organizational chaos, infighting and lack of governing capacity, the PTI’s sustainability is heavily threatened. Despite captivating the public imagination at large, his strained relations with the powerful establishment and a lack of strategic vision are the main contributing factors to Imran Khan’s current predicament. Recent events have given a new turn to the political fortunes of the PTI. Once again, political missteps have cost the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) dearly, especially during its Nov. 24-26 protest march demanding the release of its jailed leader, Imran Khan. Leading her first protest, Bushra Bibi, Khan’s wife, reportedly ignored counsel and mishandled the protest march toward D-Chowk – the infamous protest point in the capital – a move that backfired spectacularly. A hasty retreat on the evening of Nov. 26 by Bushra Bibi – and Ali Amin Gandapur, Chief Minister of the PTI-governed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province – left PTI supporters disheartened and demoralized. This was the fifth protest march led by the PTI in recent months that ended in disaster. For obvious reasons, the PTI leadership’s recurring inability to manage expectations and prepare for contingencies has severely strained the party’s morale. Turning the protest into a dramatic "do-or-die" moment exacerbated the fallout when the plan unraveled. Though the PTI made gains during the three-day march, the cracks in its strategy became glaringly apparent once the state flexed its whole muscle. The party’s overreach and under-preparedness underscored its political immaturity, leaving its leadership and loyal cadres grappling with the costs of another botched showdown in the capital. All the five such attempts by the PTI to release Imran Khan have failed miserably. The last effort on Nov. 24 was proudly touted by Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, as the “final march” that would continue till his release. But the crowd was dispersed by the state power within hours after reaching the designated D-Chowk for a long sit-in. The PTI’s so-called “final call” fizzled out as unexpectedly as it began – chaotic, ill-prepared and devoid of accountability. By Tuesday night, supporters who had gathered in Islamabad were abandoned by their leaders. Bushra Bibi, who had vowed not to leave D-Chowk without Imran Khan’s release, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur reportedly fled to safer ground in KP, leaving behind a fractured and disillusioned base. This pattern of forsaking its own supporters has become emblematic of the PTI’s political playbook. The party’s workers, driven by unwavering loyalty to Imran Khan, endured harsh conditions and aggressive security measures, clinging to promises of an imminent revolution and the restoration of their “stolen mandate.” Instead, they found themselves on the front lines – facing tear gas and rubber bullets alone . Such incidents underscore a troubling reality: PTI’s rhetoric of transformation is often undercut by its inability to deliver leadership when it matters most, leaving its followers stranded amid the fallout. The PTI’s repeated abandonment of its workers reveals a troubling disconnect between its rhetoric and reality. Since Imran Khan’s imprisonment, the PTI leadership, which has been subjected to frequent reshuffling by Imran Khan himself in the last year, has been treating their most loyal supporters as mere pawns who are abandoned at every crucial time to bear the brunt of crackdowns alone. Now, a profound betrayal of trust is visible among the PTI supporters. The recent events in Islamabad reveal a stark failure of politics, with the coalition government opting for unnecessary high-handedness to silence dissent. In its overreach, it overlooked a fundamental truth: the essence of democracy lies in accommodating protests, differences and coexistence under the constitutional framework. The PML-N’s fiery rhetoric of revenge for past PTI sit-ins amounted to political theatrics devoid of maturity, while the PPP’s silent distancing offers little absolution from complicity in the consequences. PTI workers, confined within the Red Zone and D-Chowk limits, were met with an unjustified crackdown. Patience, not force, should have been employed. Allowing the protesters to disperse naturally under Islamabad’s chilling winter while initiating constructive dialogue with PTI leadership could have averted bloody escalation . Instead, the Interior Minister’s heavy-handed approach has set a dangerous precedent, undermining lawful political engagement. The aftermath leaves PTI traumatized yet defiant, vowing to sustain its protests while the core issues - the release of Imran Khan and recognition of the Feb. 8 mandate - remain unmet. All the stakeholders are repeatedly ignoring history’s lessons. The PTI’s failed “revolution” has left the party battered and bereft of momentum. With its leaders retreating under pressure and Imran Khan’s release now a distant prospect, the protest strategy to besiege Islamabad has backfired spectacularly. What was intended as a show of defiance became a stark revelation of the party’s limitations: its core strength was increasingly confined to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), where it has governed for over a decade. The toll has been grim – reportedly nine lives lost, including four security personnel, with scores injured on both sides. Rather than advancing its cause, PTI’s march has seriously dented its. The incursion into the capital has left Imran Khan weakened and stands on precarious ground, eroding whatever leverage he once wielded to negotiate his release. The establishment – and, to some extent, the ruling coalition – now find themselves in a much stronger position. Now, after the botched protest campaign, the PTI is facing intense infighting and internal cracks, and many leaders, including the party’s secretary general, are expected to desert the party in anticipation of a massive crackdown by the government. There is widespread thinking among the PTI leadership that now the emboldened establishment will tighten the noose around the PTI leadership. Therefore, we may see many PTI leaders leaving the party, particularly from Punjab and Sind provinces, who failed to mobilize supporters for the “final march” on Nov. 24. Damage has been done to the PTI, and its disillusioned supporters are not likely to support any protest campaign in the coming days. Their enthusiasm, ignited by promises of revolution, has been effectively extinguished by disappointment. Exhaustion and disillusionment have enveloped the entire party, which now faces the stark reality that Imran Khan will remain behind bars for the foreseeable future. The federal government, emboldened by its ability to handle the chaos, now stands stronger. The establishment has grown more resolute, clearly signaling little tolerance for further PTI maneuvers. Against this backdrop, a pricking question arises: if this outpouring of effort could not secure Imran Khan’s release, what possibly could? The grim answer is becoming inescapably clear. Rather than igniting a revolution, the failed march has deepened PTI’s internal fractures and political isolation. A sobering reckoning remains: PTI lost the fragility of its national appeal at the cost of an ill-conceived protest strategy.Nio ET9 Interior Spy Photos Revealed: Luxurious Features Ignite Anticipation
One of the key reasons for the focus on stability in the real estate market is to prevent systemic risks to the economy. The real estate market is closely tied to other sectors of the economy, such as banking and construction, and any significant disruptions in the market could have far-reaching consequences. By emphasizing the need for stability, the central government is working to mitigate these risks and create a more sustainable and resilient real estate market.UL guard Kentrell Garnett (2) and the Ragin' Cajuns will have another chance to snap their losing streak against Louisiana Tech at 3:30 p.m. Sunday in the Cajundome. Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Things didn’t get much better on the scoreboard for the UL men’s basketball team over the holiday week off. Coach Bob Marlin’s Ragin’ Cajuns lost three games in the U.S. Virgin Islands and the fell to Nicholls 76-75 on Saturday in the Cajundome. The Cajuns are 1-7 for the season for the worst start since opening 1-8 and 2-11 in Marlin’s first season at UL in 2010-11. UL’s next chance to end its six-game losing streak will actually be at 3:30 p.m. Sunday against Louisiana Tech at home. The game was originally scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday, but moved to not conflict with football’s 6:30 p.m. Sun Belt championship game against Marshall. Believe it or not, though, there were a few positive signs in the boxscores. Leading the way is 6-foot-8 redshirt sophomore Kyran Ratliff, who has enjoyed career highs in each of his last three games. The best one came Saturday when the New Orleans native poured in 25 points on 10-of-14 shooting to go along with 13 rebounds and two steals. “He’s really stepped up and done a nice job,” Marlin said of Ratliff. “He played better in the Virgin Islands and showed from fight against the all-conference MVP from UAB. “He’s been shooting the 3-point shot well, something he can do. He’s shooting free throws better. He’s rebounding the ball, and that’s the main thing we’re encouraged about.” Moreover, Ratliff is the only Cajun player who make more than one 3-pointer at 3-for-5 shooting behind the arc. “We certainly need it,” Marlin said. “We have trouble scoring at times. He’s a guy who can shoot the ball.” The other aspect of the losing that doesn’t add up is how few times UL had turned it over. The only game the Cajuns had more than 11 turnovers was 14 in their one win of the season. UL turned it over eight times twice, 10 and 11 in the last four losses. “We’ve really valued the basketball, taking good care of it,” Marlin said. “I saw improvement during the three games in the Virgin Islands and also saw a lot of improvement this past week.” Illness and injuries haven’t helped either. Jeremiah Evans could return for Sunday’s game after missing the Nicholls loss with a concussion. Marlin said Louisville transfer Koron Davis is currently “unavailable” and his status for future games are uncertain for a non-basketball issue. “Right now, he’s unavailable,” Marlin said of Davis. “I’m going to meet with him (Tuesday) and we’re going to make a decision on what we’re going to do moving forward. “But nothing happened in Virgin Islands, no. He played good. He played really well and had some good games. In limited minutes, he scored some points for us and that’s something he can do.” Although UL outrebounded Nicholls 35-30, it’s been difficult to find much encouragement in the rebounding or defensive areas. “The biggest issue is guarding the ball and rebounding,” Marlin said. “We’ve got to guard the ball. We did better the other day I thought.” Nicholls was only 2-fo-12 shooting from 3-point land in the first half, but drilled bombs eight times in 11 attempts in the second half. “We’ve got to get out on people and still keep them from driving to the paint and scoring,” Marlin added. In Monday’s 98-86 loss to UAB, the Blazers had 20 offensive rebounds. “They were just playing volleyball up there on the glass,” Marlin said. “Eventually, they’re going to get one in. “We’ve got to come together defensively. I think once we start making shots, I think our defense will get better and vice versa.”
Giants star WR Malik Nabers (toe) says he's a game-time decisionJimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100 ATLANTA (AP) — Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has died. He was 100 years old and had spent roughly 22 months in hospice care. The Georgia peanut farmer served one turbulent term in the White House before building a reputation as a global humanitarian and champion of democracy. He defeated President Gerald Ford in 1976 promising to restore trust in government but lost to Ronald Reagan four years later amid soaring inflation, gas station lines and the Iran hostage crisis. He and his wife Rosalynn then formed The Carter Center, and he earned a Nobel Peace Prize while making himself the most internationally engaged of former presidents. The Carter Center said he died peacefully Sunday afternoon in Plains, Georgia, surrounded by his family. Jimmy Carter: Many evolutions for a centenarian ‘citizen of the world’ PLAINS, Ga. (AP) — The 39th and longest-lived U.S. president, James Earl Carter Jr., died Sunday at the age of 100. His life ended where it began, in Plains, Georgia. He left and returned to the tiny town many times as he climbed to the nation’s highest office and lost it after four tumultuous years. Carter spent the next 40 years setting new standards for what a former president can do. Carter wrote nearly a decade ago that he found all the phases of his life challenging but also successful and enjoyable. The Democrat's principled but pragmatic approach defied American political labels, especially the idea that one-term presidents are failures. The Latest: Former President Jimmy Carter is dead at age 100 Former President Jimmy Carter has died at the age of 100. The 39th president of the United States was a Georgia peanut farmer who sought to restore trust in government when he assumed the presidency in 1977 and then built a reputation for tireless work as a humanitarian. He earned a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. He died Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care, at his home in Plains, Georgia. Carter was sworn in as president on Jan. 20, 1977, after defeating President Gerald R. Ford in the 1976 general election. He left office on Jan. 20, 1981, following his 1980 general election loss to Ronald Reagan. Jimmy Carter: A brief bio Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has died at his home in Plains, Georgia. His death comes more than a year after the former president entered hospice care. He was 100 years old. Jetliner skids off runway and bursts into flames while landing in South Korea, killing 179 SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A jetliner skidded off a runway, slammed into a concrete fence and burst into flames in South Korea after its landing gear apparently failed to deploy. Officials said all but two of the 181 people on board were killed Sunday in one of the country’s worst aviation disasters. The 737-800 operated by Jeju Air plane arrived from Bangkok and crashed while attempting to land in the town of Muan, about 290 kilometers (180 miles) south of Seoul. Footage of the crash aired by South Korean television channels showed the plane skidding across the airstrip at high speed, evidently with its landing gear still closed. Tornadoes in Texas and Mississippi kill 2 and injure 6 as severe weather system moves east HOUSTON (AP) — A strong storm system is threatening to whip up tornadoes in parts of the U.S. Southeast, a day after severe weather claimed at least two lives as twisters touched down in Texas and Mississippi. Strong storms moving eastward Sunday are expected to continue producing gusty, damaging winds, hail and tornadoes through Sunday. That is according to National Weather Service meteorologist Frank Pereira. So far, the line of severe weather has led to about 40 tornado reports from southeastern Texas to Alabama, Pereira said, but those reports remain unconfirmed until surveys of damage are completed. Israeli hospital says Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — An Israeli hospital says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery. Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center said his prostate was removed late Sunday and that he was recovering. Netanyahu’s office had said Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a close ally, would serve as acting prime minister during the procedure. Doctors ordered the operation after detecting an infection last week. Netanyahu is expected to remain hospitalized for several days. With so much at stake, Netanyahu’s health in wartime is a concern for both Israelis and the wider world. Syria's de facto leader says it could take up to 4 years to hold elections BEIRUT (AP) — Syria’s de facto leader has said it could take up to four years to hold elections in Syria, and that he plans on dissolving his Islamist group that led the country’s insurgency at an anticipated national dialogue summit for the country. Ahmad al-Sharaa, who leads Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group leading the new authority in Syria, made the remarks in an interview Sunday. That's according to the Saudi television network Al-Arabiyya. It comes almost a month after a lightning insurgency led by HTS overthrew President Bashar Assad’s decades-long rule, ending the country’s uprising-turned civil war that started back in 2011. A fourth infant dies of the winter cold in Gaza as families share blankets in seaside tents DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — A fourth infant has died of hypothermia in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced by nearly 15 months of war are huddled in tents along the rainy, windswept coast as winter arrives. The baby's father says the 20-day-old child was found with his head as “cold as ice” Sunday morning in their tent. The baby’s twin brother was moved to the intensive care unit of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Their father says the twins were born one month premature and spent just a day in hospital, which like other Gaza health centers has been overwhelmed and only partially functions. Musk causes uproar for backing Germany's far-right party ahead of key elections BERLIN (AP) — Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has caused uproar after backing Germany’s far-right party in a major newspaper ahead of key parliamentary elections in the Western European country, leading to the resignation of the paper’s opinion editor in protest. Germany is to vote in an early election on Feb. 23 after Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party governing coalition collapsed last month in a dispute over how to revitalize the country’s stagnant economy. Musk’s guest opinion piece for Welt am Sonntag, published in German over the weekend, was the second time this month he supported the Alternative for Germany, or AfD.Infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori is another well-established risk factor for stomach cancer. This bacterium is a known carcinogen and can lead to chronic inflammation in the stomach lining, increasing the likelihood of cancer development over time. Early detection and treatment of H. pylori infections are essential in reducing the risk of stomach cancer, especially in younger individuals who may not be aware of their infection status.