The Friday Times

The Friday Times (TFT) is an independent newsweekly published in English in Lahore, Pakistan.

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Articles

A World Ruled By Autocrats

1 week ago | thefridaytimes.com | Zahid Hussain

The failure of liberal democracies in recent decades to address people’s problems was evident in the recent election results in many countries. There is widespread discontent among people with their governments' misplaced priorities as they struggle to make ends meet, pay bills, obtain quality education for their children, access affordable healthcare and housing, and live in safe communities.
How Gwadar Became A Part Of Pakistan?

1 week ago | thefridaytimes.com | Adnan Aamir

A recent statement by Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi sparked widespread backlash and reignited a long-running debate over Gwadar and its place in the larger issue of Balochistan’s grievances. In a controversial remark, Abbasi claimed that ‘Gwadar is not a property of anyone’s father or grandfather.’ He added that it was purchased by Pakistan from Oman in 1958 by paying money. This comment drew strong reactions, particularly from voices in Balochistan.
Dr. Haroon Ahmed: A Healer, Comrade, And Peacemonger Across Southasia

2 weeks ago | thefridaytimes.com | Beena Sarwar

Dr. Haroon Ahmed was to be one of the key speakers at the Southasia Peace Action Network, or Sapan, seminar on the last Sunday of June 2021. The seminar, titled 'Neighbours in Peace and Health' focused on public health as a basic human right, and I was excited about having Haroon Cha, as I called him, on the same platform as another public health giant, Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury, from Bangladesh. Sadly, Dr. Haroon suffered a stroke just a week earlier and was unable to join.
ABHI & National Foods Launch Earned Wage Access To Empower Employees With Financial Flexibility

2 weeks ago | thefridaytimes.com

ABHI partners with National Foods Limited to provide Earned Wage Access, enabling real-time salary withdrawals for employees, promoting financial well-being and control.
All We Want Is Respect: The Voices Pakistan Ignores

2 weeks ago | thefridaytimes.com | Lubna Jerar Naqvi

“You are from Karachi? So am I!” The soft, sing-song voice belonged to Saima, a tall person with a gentle quality about her. Her accent was Pakistani, but she spoke quite good English, hinting she had a basic education. Saima (name changed for privacy) relocated to the capital in 2023 after living in Karachi for over a decade. Now, she lives around G7 in Islamabad. She left Karachi because she was fed up with the street crimes and harassment of the people.
Punjab’s Quiet Revolution Of Harmony Faces A Legal Storm

2 weeks ago | thefridaytimes.com | Rohinee Singh

For over a decade, India’s Muslims have felt the squeeze of second-class citizenship in a country constitutionally committed to secularism. Amidst growing communal cacophony elsewhere, Punjab has stood apart, an island of interfaith harmony. But that delicate equilibrium now faces an uncertain future after the Indian Parliament’s passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025.
A Path Forward For Pakistan: Breaking Free From The Sunk Cost Trap

3 weeks ago | thefridaytimes.com | Saleem Khan

In psychology and economics, the term sunk cost fallacy refers to the tendency to continue investing in a failing project solely because resources such as time, money, or effort have already been spent. As explained by Nobel laureates like Daniel Kahneman and Richard Thaler, this cognitive bias influences decision-making at individual, organisational, and governmental levels, often leading to poor choices.
No Motorway For Balochistan

3 weeks ago | thefridaytimes.com | Adnan Aamir

Last week, the federal government approved over a dozen major development projects totaling an impressive Rs1.3 trillion. Among them was the greenlighting of a new federally-funded motorway in Punjab — the Lahore-Sahiwal-Bahawalnagar Motorway. Spanning 295 kilometers, the project will cost national exchequer Rs436 billion.
Rebuilding Lives: Sindh’s Flood Rehabilitation Efforts In Karo Khaow

4 weeks ago | thefridaytimes.com | Lubna Jerar Naqvi

A group of laughing children playing in the dirt does not reveal the devastation the water caused in this area two years ago. The rustic surroundings exuded a serene vibe that enticed one to relax and enjoy life. However, this area was inundated in 2020 as its residents frantically looked for a safe place to find shelter. Karo Khaow village in Kotri, Jamshoro, Sindh, is one of the many villages that were affected by the heavy rains and flood water in 2020.
Catapulting Funding Crisis Into Opportunity By Getting On Track To End TB And Tobacco Use

1 month ago | thefridaytimes.com | Bobby Ramakant

The funding crises forced upon by the US government on several low- and middle-income countries is an opportunity in disguise to improve programme efficiency and outcome and invest optimally in health and development responses from domestic coffers. Evidence shows that tobacco alone costs an economic loss of US$ 1.4 trillion every year.