Ginger: A small root with big benefits

Liver specialists in the United Arab Emirates are warning that liver disease can develop silently for many years.  Many people do not know they have a liver problem until the damage becomes severe. Doctors explain that the liver does not have pain sensing nerves so it usually does not hurt even when it is damaged.  It is also a very strong organ that can keep working normally even after 70% to 80% of it has been affected. Because of this fatty liver disease and other liver conditions may progress quietly for 10 to 30 years without clear symptoms. If they are not found early they can lead to liver scarring (cirrhosis) liver failure and in some cases the need for a liver transplant. Fatty liver cases are increasing Experts estimate that around 30% to 40% of adults in the UAE have fatty liver disease.  The condition is now called Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) because it is mainly linked to problems with the body’s metabolism. Without treatment MASLD can progress to liver inflammation scarring cirrhosis and even complete liver failure. Young adults are also at risk Doctors say liver disease is no longer a problem only for older adults. Rising rates of obesity type 2 diabetes excess weight and metabolic syndrome are increasing the number of cases among younger people as well. As obesity and diabetes continue to rise experts expect more people to develop serious liver disease in the future.   Why Symptoms Often go unnoticed The liver stays “silent” for two main reasons. First it does not have pain nerves. Second the healthy part of the liver continues to do its job even when a large portion is damaged. Early symptoms if they appear are often mild. These may include ongoing tiredness low energy weakness or slight discomfort in the upper abdomen.  Many people ignore these signs. Who is most at risk? People with type 2 diabetes obesity high cholesterol metabolic syndrome heavy alcohol use or a lack of physical activity have a higher risk of developing fatty liver disease. Research suggests that about 60% of people with type 2 diabetes also have fatty liver disease. However experts stress that even people with a healthy weight can develop the condition especially if they have a family history of liver disease an unhealthy diet or low levels of exercise. Gym goers should be careful too Doctors say they are seeing more people with fatty liver who do not drink alcohol are not overweight and consider themselves healthy. Experts warn that  eating too much sugar taking low quality supplements especially muscle building products getting too little sleep dealing with long-term stress, and sitting for many hours can all harm the liver. Unnecessary medicines and unregulated herbal supplements may also put extra pressure on the liver. Warning Signs that need medical attention Although liver disease may not cause symptoms at first you should see a doctor if you experience •Constant tiredness or weakness •Unexplained weight loss •Loss of appetite •Pain or swelling in the abdomen •Ongoing nausea •Seek urgent medical care if you notice. •Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice) •Dark colored urine •Very pale stools •Swelling in the legs or abdomen •Easy bruising •Confusion or changes in mental alertness •Vomiting blood or blood in the stool Early detection can make a difference Experts say many liver diseases can be slowed down if they are diagnosed early.  In some cases part of the damage can even improve with proper treatment and healthy lifestyle changes. Losing excess weight controlling blood sugar and cholesterol eating a balanced diet exercising regularly and staying active are all important for keeping the liver healthy. Get regular liver checkups Doctors recommend that people at higher risk have liver function tests blood sugar and cholesterol checks and a liver ultrasound or FibroScan at least once a year. A FibroScan is a quick painless test that can detect fat buildup and scarring in the liver within minutes. Experts say the liver often gives no warning signs making regular screening one of the best ways to protect your liver health.

 August 17, 2026 marked the 100th birth anniversary of Jiang Zemin, one of the most consequential leaders of modern China. A grand commemorative gathering at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, presided over by President Xi Jinping, reflected the enduring importance of Jiang’s political and economic legacy. Jiang Zemin’s life was remarkable because he was, at his core, an engineer who later became a statesman. Born in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, on August 17, 1926, he studied electrical engineering at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and graduated in 1947. His technical training shaped a practical approach to leadership: understand the problem, assess the available resources and build a solution capable of lasting. His rise coincided with one of the most turbulent periods in modern history. After serving as mayor of Shanghai and later as secretary of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee, Jiang played an important role in the city’s reform and modernization. He supported the transformation of Pudong into a major international and modern urban district, helping establish the foundations for Shanghai’s emergence as a global economic center. When Jiang assumed China’s top leadership in 1989, the international environment was changing rapidly. The political transformation of Eastern Europe, the collapse of the Soviet Union and major domestic challenges created enormous uncertainty. Yet China maintained political stability and continued its programme of reform and opening up. One of the defining features of the Jiang era was the consolidation of the socialist market economy, following the strategic direction established by Deng Xiaoping and formally advanced after Deng’s southern tour in 1992. Jiang helped translate this vision into institutional and economic transformation. The result was a period in which China accelerated market-oriented reforms, expanded its engagement with the global economy and strengthened the foundations for the extraordinary growth that followed. China’s accession to the World Trade Organization in 2001 was among the most significant milestones of this period. It opened a new chapter in China’s integration with international trade and investment and contributed to the rapid expansion of Chinese exports and global economic engagement. Jiang’s leadership was also associated with deeper regional cooperation, including the establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in 2001. For Pakistan, however, Jiang Zemin was more than a distant Chinese leader. His connection with Pakistan began long before he entered China’s highest office. In 1976, as a professional engineer and leader of a Chinese technical delegation, he spent time at Taxila and was involved in important technical and administrative decisions connected with the commissioning of the Foundry and Forge Works of the Heavy Mechanical Complex. This cooperation formed part of China’s broader contribution to Pakistan’s industrial and engineering capacity. The story of Jiang and Taxila carries special significance. It represents a relationship built not only through diplomatic statements but also through factories, machines, engineers and skilled workers. The Heavy Mechanical Complex became an important symbol of Pakistan-China industrial cooperation, and Jiang’s personal association with it gave Pakistan a unique connection with a man who would later lead the world’s most populous country. During his state visit to Pakistan in 1996, Jiang reportedly maintained contact with former Pakistani colleagues from his earlier days at Taxila, demonstrating that he had not forgotten the professional relationships and human connections formed decades earlier. It would therefore be fair to describe Jiang Zemin as a leader who helped strengthen the modern foundations of China-Pakistan friendship. He was not the founder of the relationship, whose roots go back to earlier generations of leaders, but he was a major bridge-builder who gave that friendship a distinctive personal and industrial dimension. At 100, Jiang Zemin’s legacy remains substantial. He was bold during uncertainty, pragmatic during transition and confident in China’s capacity to reform without abandoning its strategic direction. He understood Deng Xiaoping’s vision and helped carry the reform and opening-up process into a new era. For China, Jiang will be remembered as a major reform-era leader. For Pakistan, he will also be remembered as an engineer who once worked at Taxila, a statesman who valued friendship, and a leader whose life connected the development journeys of two nations. His legacy is not confined to history; it remains visible in the enduring strength of China-Pakistan cooperation. Author: Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Sinologist – Diplomat – Advisor – Consultant, Founding Chair, Global Silk Route research Alliance.

By Engr. Saqlain Abid Political Commentator and NFPA-Certified Electrical Engineer   Elections are the vital organ of a living democracy. If they are conducted according to the people’s choice, without interference, on equal grounds, and with the consensus of all democratic participants, then the state not only remains in good health but also flourishes with the hope and commitment promised before the elections.   For the first time in the history of Pakistan, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections are not being held on a single polling day. Instead, the electoral process has been divided into three different phases—27 July, 8 August, and 20 August 2026. This unusual arrangement raises several important questions. Why is the state preparing this electoral model? What are the conditions on the ground that necessitated such a strategy? More importantly, how could this experiment influence Pakistan’s national elections next year?   The political environment surrounding these elections has already become highly contested. The major political force JAAC has been banned by the government, and several of its leaders have been detained. The party has consequently boycotted the elections. PTI, another major opposition force, has also chosen to boycott the electoral process. According to its leadership, the party has been forced to contest only through independent candidates rather than under its official party platform. PTI argues that the government has failed to provide the safety, guarantees, and political environment necessary for free and fair elections. Under such circumstances, the party believes participation would merely legitimize a process it does not trust.   On the other hand, the ruling coalition, led by PML-N and PPP, has entered the campaign with promises of development projects, including new motorways and business initiatives aimed at attracting voters. While development remains an important component of any election campaign, questions regarding electoral credibility continue to overshadow these promises.   In principle, elections should be transparent, efficient, and completed within the shortest possible time. If technological solutions such as secure online systems become feasible in the future, they may further reduce the chances of manipulation. However, extending the polling process over three different days also creates a debate. While supporters argue that it makes election management easier, critics believe that a prolonged process increases opportunities for allegations of interference and weakens public confidence.   The government should have taken all political parties on board before announcing such an unprecedented electoral model. A genuinely inclusive process requires the participation of every major democratic stakeholder. JAAC, which commands significant public support in parts of Azad Kashmir, should have been engaged through political dialogue rather than exclusion. The credibility of elections depends not only on voting day but also on the perception that every political voice has been given an equal opportunity to participate.   Pakistan has previously criticized India for conducting elections in Jammu and Kashmir while sections of the local political leadership remained outside the process. At the time, Islamabad argued that elections held without broad political participation reflected only a procedural exercise rather than the genuine will of the people. The obvious question now is what circumstances have led Pakistan toward a model that some critics argue resembles the same approach.   Some political analysts believe that the AJK elections may serve as a pilot project to test a phased electoral model before its possible application across Pakistan during future general elections. Whether this perception is accurate or not, the debate itself demonstrates the level of public skepticism surrounding the process.   Another factor attracting attention is the role of the Chief Election Commissioner, whose tenure continues to face criticism following the February 2024 general elections. Allegations raised by former Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha regarding manipulation of election results remain part of Pakistan’s political discourse, despite subsequent developments in the case. These controversies have inevitably shaped public perceptions regarding electoral transparency.   If voter turnout remains significantly low because of political boycotts and public distrust, the legitimacy of the exercise may come under further scrutiny. It is therefore the moral responsibility of the government and the Election Commission to create an environment where every democratic force feels secure enough to participate and where no stakeholder can reasonably question the fairness of the process.   The electoral process ultimately determines the political shelf life of a state. When governments emerge through elections widely accepted by the public, trust between the people and the state grows stronger. When that trust weakens, political polarization deepens, frustration increases, and hostile external actors find greater opportunities to exploit internal divisions. With Balochistan already facing serious security challenges and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa confronting persistent instability, any controversy surrounding the AJK electoral process may further strengthen perceptions that democratic space is shrinking rather than expanding.   Ultimately, the success of these elections will not be measured solely by administrative efficiency but by whether the people of Azad Kashmir believe that their voices were freely heard and genuinely counted. A credible electoral process strengthens democracy; a disputed one risks weakening the very foundations upon which democratic legitimacy depends.