Latest

Afghanistan: Tough Terrain, Tough Test

Published

5 years ago

July 14, 2021

A land like Afghanistan that has been home to numerous forces previously, drove by Alexander the Incomparable. Despite being such an incredible force, this force was not crushed anyplace on the planet and this force proceeded to win triumphs. Alexander the Incomparable’s military-experienced opposition from the Aspasui and Asakin clans during their mission in the Kabul Valley. The Aspasui and Asakin clans live in the Peshawar Valley in present-day eastern Afghanistan and present-day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

A land like Afghanistan that doesn’t meet any ocean is known as a land encompassed by mountains. What’s more, in a land encompassed by mountains, battling and winning force is just about as troublesome as ascending the Himalayan K-2 in an incredibly chilly climate. Afghanistan became a socialist state for the first time in the late 1970s. The place that is known for Afghanistan turned into a cemetery for a force like the Soviet Union. Political dissidents on Afghan soil crushed the Soviet Union with the assistance of the US and the Soviet Union self-destructed. After February 1986, Gorbachev recognized that there was no requirement for Soviet military activity in Afghanistan, and portrayed his impressions that Afghanistan had become a bleeding wound.

The US started testing a similar bleeding wound after the 9/11 attacks. After a long conflict of 20 years, the US gave a date for the withdrawal of troops. The CIA as of late gave a dystopian expression of remorse following the obliteration of new proof of Osama Bin Ladin inclusion in the 9/11 attacks. The expression of remorse didn’t ensnare any American Leader, nor did it convict any American General. The US gave a date of military withdrawal when the world economy, including the US, was hit by a pandemic like Coronavirus. A nation like the US, which may now perceive that Afghanistan will remain a bleeding wound. The wound also wounded a force like the United States.

The same weapon that the US utilized against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan, the same weapon that the US needed to destroy, however, fizzled. The US crushed the Soviet Union in Afghanistan with the assistance of the Taliban, however, the inquiry emerges concerning which force crushed the lone superpower on the planet in Afghanistan by having Uni-Polar status?

History has shown that whenever guerrilla warfare was fought anywhere, even the greatest power was defeated, be it the army of Alexander the Great, the Soviet Union or the United States.

The question arises, what will the mainland government of Afghanistan look like after the US leaves? Will there be an Al-Qaeda government there? The past tells us that land like Afghanistan never recognizes any external force.

International law tells us that conflict always comes to the table when both parties recognize each other as ‘parties’. The United States recognized Al-Qaeda as its adversary and joined it in negotiation. Now if the people of Afghanistan are allowed to decide that they should democratically decide the future of Afghanistan and bring the government to power with the help of the vote. So will the United States recognize a government that will come into being democratically, whether it is the government of al-Qaeda or one of Afghanistan’s most popular political parties?

Given the ongoing situation, it is not wrong to say that after the departure of the United States, the atmosphere of central power on the Afghan mainland will become vacant. Due to which there is a fear of civil war in Afghanistan due to which a country like Pakistan can be most affected. Due to the civil war, the resettlement of refugees in Pakistan may increase again, which Pakistan cannot afford.

The second biggest influence will be the mobilization of geopolitical forces. China, Russia’s intentions, and the use of Central Asian landlocked countries natural resources and access to the Arabian Peninsula will only be possible if the peace prevails in Afghanistan. Afghanistan has the largest border sharing with Pakistan. Pakistan has been the most important Non-NATO ally of the United States in the Afghan war. But now that the CPEC is in the final stages of completion, Pakistan also has to deal with the situation after the US withdrawal in Afghanistan.

Pakistan will have to discuss a number of important issues with Afghanistan, including its border disputes. Afghanistan’s accession to the CPEC is welcome, but before that, the flag of peace must be waved in Afghanistan, for which Pakistan will be the biggest beneficiary.

By: Yasir Uzair Ahmed

The writer is an Aspiring Scholar of Politics and IR based in Lahore.

Latest

University of Tennessee sues Anthropic over AI patent infringement

Published

7 days ago

July 21, 2026

Haris Sarfraz Ali

The image is AI-generated and used for illustration purposes only

Contents

About the patented technologies Anthropic and the University of Tennessee representatives Key points:

ISLAMABAD – The research arm of the University of Tennessee has filed a lawsuit against artificial intelligence company Anthropic, accusing it of infringing patents related to neural networks and machine-learning technology. The complaint, filed in the US District Court for the District of Delaware, alleges that Anthropic’s artificial intelligence systems unlawfully use technology protected under patents owned by the University of Tennessee Research Foundation (UTRF).

About the patented technologies

According to the lawsuit, the patents represent significant innovations in artificial intelligence, machine learning, neuromorphic computing and neuroscience-inspired computing. Professors at the University of Tennessee developed the patented technologies, which remain protected under US patent law.

The foundation argued that Anthropic’s alleged disregard for intellectual property extends beyond copyright issues and includes patented AI technologies.

“Anthropic’s cavalier approach to others’ intellectual property rights in the development of its products extends beyond the use of copyrighted material,” the complaint states. The university is seeking unspecified monetary damages and a court order preventing Anthropic from continuing the alleged patent infringement.

Anthropic and the University of Tennessee representatives

The lawsuit is believed to be the first patent infringement case filed against Anthropic. It comes shortly after a California federal judge approved the company’s $1.5 billion settlement in a class-action copyright lawsuit brought by authors over the use of their works for AI training.

The outcome of the case could become another closely watched legal battle in the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence industry, where disputes over copyrights, patents and intellectual property continue to increase.

Key points:

University of Tennessee Research Foundation has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Anthropic.
The lawsuit alleges Anthropic’s AI systems violate two patents related to neural networks and machine learning.
The case was filed in Delaware federal court.
The university claims the patented technology covers AI, neuromorphic computing, and neuroscience-inspired computing.
The foundation is seeking monetary damages and a court order preventing further alleged infringement.
The lawsuit comes a day after a California judge approved Anthropic’s $1.5 billion copyright settlement involving authors.

Education

Central Park Medical College gaslights students into a fee reduction

Published

1 week ago

July 19, 2026

Staff Reporter

The image is AI-generated and used for illustration purposes only

LAHORE – Central Park Medical College(CPMC) on 18th July, 2026, issued a notification after students stormed the vicinity demanding a fee reduction. The notification explicitly stated that CPMC has filed an appeal with the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council(PMDC) for a revision of the fee structure of Session 2024-25 and Session 2025-26.

A student contacted an Upfront official and explained the situation, as to how the management tricked so many students. The protestors returned to their homes, satisfied with their success, until, allegedly, the principal deleted the notification claiming the fee reduction. According to the student, the principal said the students would be required to pay their original fee in full despite the notification showing otherwise.

The student alleged that Central Park Medical College was taking Rs. 25 lac for the first year and Rs. 28 lac for the second year, while the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council has revised the fee to Rs. 20 lac for each year.

Note: This is a developing story for further updates and videos. Visit our social handles. Upfront

Entertainment

Netflix officially begins Queenstown production in New Zealand

Published

2 weeks ago

July 17, 2026

Staff Reporter

Contents

What is Queenstown centered on?The cast of Queenstown Where is the production of Queenstown taking place Key Points:

KARACHI – Netflix has officially begun production on Queenstown, marking the streaming giant’s first original television series commissioned in New Zealand after more than a decade of offering content in the country.

The eight-episode drama is currently being filmed on location in Queenstown, one of New Zealand’s most popular luxury ski destinations on the South Island. Set against the backdrop of the town’s affluent ski-resort community, Queenstown follows a wealthy family whose internal conflicts spill over into the lives of the people who work for them.

The story explores themes of power, loyalty, family conflict and desire.

What is Queenstown centered on?

Netflix described the series as a drama centered on “a wealthy family at war with itself,” unfolding within the glamorous yet competitive world of Queenstown’s elite. The writer and creator of Queenstown is Chloe Stearns, who also serves as an executive producer. Moreover, Glendyn Ivin will direct the series and executive-produce it, while New Zealand filmmaker Roseanne Liang will direct selected episodes.

The cast of Queenstown

The cast is led by Emmy Award nominee Rufus Sewell, alongside Frances O’Connor, Alycia Debnam-Carey, and New Zealand actor Te Kohe Tuhaka. Amanda Duthie, Netflix’s Content Director for Australia and New Zealand, described the project as a significant milestone for the company.

She said that producing the first locally commissioned Netflix series in New Zealand represents an important step for the platform and praised the drama as a compelling story about class, family, and power set in the world of a luxury ski resort. On the other hand, Executive producers Jodi Matterson and Libbie Doherty also expressed confidence in the project, calling creator Chloe Stearns an exceptional new storytelling talent and predicting the series would become a favourite among audiences.

Where is the production of Queenstown taking place

Furthermore, Netflix’s original productions in the region have so far largely focused on Australia, producing successful titles including Heartbreak High, Boy Swallows Universe, and Apple Cider Vinegar. The production has received support from the New Zealand Film Commission and the country’s Screen Production Rebate programme.

Netflix has not yet announced an official release date for Queenstown.

Category	Details
Series Title	Queenstown
Platform	Netflix
Type	Original Drama Series
Episodes	8
Significance	Netflix’s first original series commissioned in New Zealand
Filming Location	Queenstown, South Island, New Zealand
Story	Power struggles, family conflict, loyalty and desire among a wealthy family and their employees
Creator & Writer	Chloe Stearns
Lead Directors	Glendyn Ivin and Roseanne Liang
Main Cast	Rufus Sewell, Frances O’Connor, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Te Kohe Tuhaka
Executive Producers	Chloe Stearns, Glendyn Ivin, Jodi Matterson, Libbie Doherty, Jeremy Platt and Erika North
Production Support	New Zealand Film Commission and Screen Production Rebate
Release Date	Not announced

Key Points:

Netflix has started production on Queenstown, its first original series commissioned in New Zealand.
The drama consists of eight episodes and is being filmed in Queenstown.
The story revolves around a wealthy family and the people working for them amid power struggles, loyalty and desire.
Rufus Sewell, Frances O’Connor, Alycia Debnam-Carey and Te Kohe Tuhaka lead the cast.
The series is created by Chloe Stearns and directed by Glendyn Ivin and Roseanne Liang.