By Syed Shamsuddin HUMILITY is among the most misunderstood virtues of the human moral tradition. Often mistaken for weakness or self-negation, humility is in fact a profound strength—a clear recognition of reality and an honest acceptance of one’s place within it. The timeless reminder, “You are dust, and to dust you shall return,” strips away illusions of superiority and calls the human conscience back to truth. It is a statement that humbles the proud, comforts the afflicted, and equalizes all of humanity. The Illusion of Superiority Human history is a long record of misplaced pride. Individuals and societies alike have believed themselves superior by virtue of wealth, power, lineage, knowledge, or faith. Yet these distinctions, however impressive they may appear, are transient. Empires rise and fall, reputations fade, and the strongest of bodies eventually surrender to frailty. The earth receives all without distinction—rulers...
By Syed Shamsuddin HIGH-ALTITUDE Engineering and Connectivity: Lessons from China for Pakistan' The recent unveiling by China of the world’s longest expressway tunnel, constructed at nearly 10,000 feet above sea level, marks a watershed moment in global infrastructure development. This monumental project is not merely a feat of length or altitude; it represents the maturation of high-altitude engineering, where extreme geography, harsh climate, and seismic complexity converge. The tunnel stands as a symbol of how modern engineering can overcome nature’s most formidable barriers to improve connectivity, safety, and economic integration. Significance of the Project Building an expressway tunnel at such elevation involves extraordinary challenges—thin air, extreme cold, geological instability, and logistical constraints. Successfully addressing these factors reflects China’s advanced capabilities in tunneling technology, geological s...