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Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

Business Recorder

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Iran’s strongest leverage lies beyond the battlefield

WHEN people think about war, they usually picture airstrikes, missile exchanges, troop movements and battlefield dominance. But that lens is too...

17.03.2026 30

Pakistan Observer

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

Economic weakness breeds geopolitical vulnerability

ACROSS recent decades, a striking pattern has emerged: nations facing contestation often experience significant economic and military weakening before...

15.03.2026 30

Pakistan Observer

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

AI lessons from Iran-Israel+US war

IN early 2026, the Iran–Israe US conflict showed the world that modern wars are no longer fought with missiles and soldiers alone. Artificial...

10.03.2026 40

Pakistan Observer

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

Escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan

THE relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan has long been fraught with territorial disputes and ideological divides. However, recent events have...

05.03.2026 30

Pakistan Observer

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

CPEC and Neom: A Vision for Tomorrow

Humanity has always been captivated by grand visions and ambitious goals. From the ancient pyramids of Egypt to the towering skyscrapers of New York...

04.03.2026 20

Pakistan Observer

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

CPEC and Neom: A Vision for Tomorrow

Humanity has always been captivated by grand visions and ambitious goals. From the ancient pyramids of Egypt to the towering skyscrapers of New York...

04.03.2026 60

Pakistan Observer

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

Securing CPEC Through Inclusion and Stability

Pakistan stands at a defining moment where economic ambition and internal stability are tightly bound together. Nowhere is this more evident than in...

26.02.2026 150

Pakistan Observer

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

Breaking barriers for SMEs

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are critical to the economic fabric of many countries, including Pakistan. Despite their importance, SMEs in...

15.02.2026 100

Business Recorder

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

Over the counter: A growing crisis

ACROSS Pakistan, a silent but dangerous crisis is unfolding. From major cities to small towns and villages, many young people are falling into...

15.02.2026 10

Pakistan Observer

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

Securing CPEC Through Inclusion and Stability

04.02.2026 20

Pakistan Observer

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

Lahore’s rooftops come alive: Basant is here!

03.02.2026 10

Pakistan Observer

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

Reforming Pakistan’s SOEs

Pakistan’s State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) occupy a central role in the country’s economic landscape. These entities are meant to safeguard the...

27.01.2026 50

Business Recorder

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

Nationalism: The key to economic stability

26.01.2026 40

Pakistan Observer

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

From mines to markets

23.01.2026 20

Pakistan Observer

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

Pakistan’s economic crossroads: a call for urgent reforms

Pakistan is currently facing a critical economic situation, grappling with challenges that threaten its stability and future growth. Despite promises...

14.01.2026 40

Business Recorder

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

CPEC: Pakistan Before the Corridor, Under It, and Without It

14.01.2026 80

Pakistan Observer

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

CPEC 2.0: Transforming Challenges into Green Opportunities

07.01.2026 30

Pakistan Observer

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

OPINION: Balancing grades and well-being in education

Education in Pakistan is currently at a crossroads. It should be a tool for personal growth and societal progress, yet the overwhelming academic...

26.12.2025 30

Business Recorder

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

Balancing grades and well-being in education

Education in Pakistan is currently at a crossroads. It should be a tool for personal growth and societal progress, yet the overwhelming academic...

26.12.2025 20

Business Recorder

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

Transforming resources into opportunities

The future of Pakistan is intricately tied to its ability to manage its population and resources effectively. With a population exceeding 240 million,...

24.12.2025 30

Business Recorder

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

The water emergency: a crisis demanding immediate action

Water scarcity has shifted from a distant concern to a pressing crisis. The combined effects of climate change, poor water management, and growing...

18.12.2025 50

Business Recorder

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

From roads to riches

The Grand Trunk Road or GT Road has shaped the economic and cultural landscape of South Asia for over two millennia. Today, roads like it continue to...

17.12.2025 20

Business Recorder

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

Two cities, one smog crisis

This winter has revealed a clear difference between two cities that usually share the same smog season. Lahore and New Delhi sit in the same region...

11.12.2025 20

Business Recorder

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

Pakistan’s untapped mineral potential

Across the world, rare earth minerals have become a central topic of discussion, influencing global politics, technological development, and long-term...

09.12.2025 20

Business Recorder

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

Innovation in Pakistan’s textile revival

Pakistan’s textile industry has long served as a backbone of the national economy. It contributes heavily to the country’s GDP, drives export...

02.12.2025 30

Business Recorder

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

The evolving world: globalisation, nationalism, and what will remain

Globalisation changed the world during the last two decades. It promised a future where countries would cooperate. They would share resources and grow...

27.11.2025 70

Business Recorder

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

OPINION: The mirror we can’t look away from

Every few years, a new report lands on Pakistan’s doorstep, promising reform and renewal. Yet, how many times have we let them slip away without...

27.11.2025 30

Business Recorder

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

Afghanistan’s growing belligerence

Afghanistan’s ongoing instability remains a serious challenge not only for its people but also for its neighbours, particularly Pakistan. The...

12.11.2025 40

Business Recorder

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

Clearing the air

Punjab, Pakistan’s most populous province, has long struggled with severe smog during the winter months. This challenge is compounded by factors...

10.11.2025 20

Business Recorder

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

Building a smarter Pakistan: hybrid model for public sector reform

What if Pakistan’s hospitals provided world-class care, its schools embraced the latest technology, and government departments operated with the...

07.11.2025 20

Business Recorder

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

From gas to grid: navigating Pakistan’s vehicle transition

In a country where power outages are common and roads are filled with cars that have been running for decades, the idea of electric vehicles feels...

07.11.2025 10

Business Recorder

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

Long live Pakistan-China friendship

Pakistan’s decision to ship rare earth minerals to the United States has sparked a lot of conversation around the world. It seems surprising to many...

01.11.2025 30

Business Recorder

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

Bridging the divide: challenges to stability and prosperity in region

For over two decades, Pakistan has generously hosted Afghan refugees, despite the financial burden, demonstrating its longstanding commitment to...

19.10.2025 40

Business Recorder

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

From tax strain to economic gain: Pakistan’s journey toward growth

Pakistan has recently experienced multiple rounds of fuel price hikes, significantly impacting both consumers and businesses. The government has...

14.10.2025 30

Business Recorder

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

AI: Our partner in progress, companion for life

As we continue to live in a world increasingly shaped by technology, it’s impossible to ignore how our relationship with new tools has always been a...

02.10.2025 30

Business Recorder

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

Unlocking the ‘Via Factor’

Pakistan has long been described as a country of immense promise but limited progress. Our land is fertile, our mountains rich in minerals, and our...

20.09.2025 30

Business Recorder

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh

The fall of SOEs

In light of recent developments regarding the closure of the Utility Stores Corporation (USC), I believe this article provides timely insight into the...

19.09.2025 20

Business Recorder

Zahid Maqsood Sheikh