PAV 5th Edition
PAV@pakamericanvoice.com
Aug 16, 2026
Trump signals plan to claim Hormuz ‘soon’
WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested that the United States should have a greater role in controlling or managing the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route. Trump argued that America has long protected the waterway and deserves a stronger position in its future administration.
Iran strongly rejected the proposal, calling it a violation of regional sovereignty. The remarks have increased tensions in the Gulf and raised concerns among energy markets, as the Strait of Hormuz handles a significant share of the world’s oil exports. Analysts warn that any dispute over the strategic waterway could affect global energy prices and regional stability.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye Sign Historic Mecca Defence Pact
MAKKAH: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye have signed the landmark Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, aimed at strengthening regional security and defence cooperation among the three countries. Under the agreement, any attack on one member state will be considered an attack on all three, reflecting a collective commitment to mutual security.
The pact was signed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during a high-level summit in Makkah. Leaders described the agreement as a defensive measure designed to promote stability, enhance military cooperation, expand intelligence sharing, and strengthen joint responses to regional threats.
Europe Battles Deadly Wildfires as Thousands Flee Homes
JAKARTA: Rescue teams in Indonesia are searching for survivors after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Flores Island, killing at least 38 people and injuring 13 others. Thousands of residents have been forced to flee their homes as dozens of buildings were damaged or destroyed. Rescue operations have been hampered by landslides and damaged roads, while authorities continue to warn of strong aftershocks. The earthquake also triggered a brief tsunami warning, which was later lifted.
KARACHI’S DECLINE: WHY HAS EVERY POLITICAL PARTY FAILED?
(By Faheem Akhoond)
Karachi is Sindh’s capital, Pakistan’s economic engine and home to more than 20 million people. Yet broken roads, sewage, water shortages, garbage, poor transport and unplanned construction continue to define daily life.
PPP, MQM, PML-N, Jamaat-e-Islami and PTI have all exercised power at different levels. Military governments also ruled Pakistan. Their responsibility is not equal, but no major political force can claim complete innocence.
Mazar-e-Quaid — a symbol of Karachi’s historic importance.
PPP carries the greatest present responsibility because of its prolonged control of Sindh. MQM had major influence and important opportunities but failed to build lasting, transparent institutions. PTI received a strong Karachi mandate in 2018, yet its federal government did not deliver structural reform. PML-N never established a sustained national policy for the country’s largest economic centre. Jamaat-e-Islami has raised municipal concerns but has held limited recent executive power. Military rulers created temporary arrangements instead of permanent democratic institutions.
The central failure is fragmented government. Karachi is divided among the Sindh government, KMC, town administrations, cantonments, development authorities, water and waste agencies, port bodies and federal institutions. Authority is scattered, so accountability disappears. The mayor receives public blame but lacks full control over essential services.Karachi’s population grew far faster than housing, water, drainage, roads and transport. Informal systems became profitable: tankers replaced reliable water, private transport replaced mass transit, and encroachments replaced planning. Meanwhile, governments treated Karachi mainly as a source of taxes and political leverage.
The solution is not another temporary package. Karachi needs one empowered metropolitan government, a directly elected mayor, control over water, waste, transport and planning, a guaranteed share of revenue, independent audits and a long-term development plan protected from political changes.Karachi has not failed because its people lack talent or resilience. It has declined because those controlling its authority and revenue avoided complete responsibility. Until power, money and accountability are placed together, the blame game will continue—and Karachi will keep paying the price.
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