Dear readers,
Fall is here — the days are shortening, the air has that crisp bite, and the trees blaze their last, glorious colors. Change is everywhere, yet some things remain constant: the resilience of people, the dramas of politics, and, of course, cricket.
Take the international spotlight this quarter: Donald Trump, in a surprise moment at the Sharm El Sheikh Peace Summit, acknowledged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and even dubbed General Asim Munir his “favourite Field Marshal.” Part jest, part diplomacy, it was a reminder that Pakistan still matters on the global stage — that our voice, however quietly at times, carries weight.
Closer to home, nature tested us. Monsoon floods swept through Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan, leaving villages submerged and lives upended. Yet in the face of heartbreak, the country showed what it does best: come together. From the army rescuing stranded families to diaspora-led relief efforts, Pakistan’s strength lies not just in its leaders but in its people.
And then there’s cricket — always the mirror of our moods. The Asia Cup 2025 brought excitement, disappointment, and, unsurprisingly, controversy. Pakistan’s moments of brilliance were often overshadowed by inconsistency. Off the field, India’s refusal to shake hands and their declining of the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi was, frankly, unsporting. But these moments, frustrating as they are, remind us that the game — and life — is about more than just scores.
Through politics, floods, or cricket heartbreaks, Pakistan bends but never breaks. We stumble, we rebuild, and we rise — louder, stronger, more determined. That’s the story worth telling.
— MM
