Islamabad: An analysis of 1,712 opinion columns and editorials in 12 Urdu and English newspapers during August 2026 reveals that the US-Israel war on Iran, politics, and social issues were the most prominent themes. According to the Monthly Newspaper Content Analysis Research Study conducted by Gallup & Gilani Pakistan, the media’s focus on these topics reflects a landscape dominated by geopolitical tensions and domestic issues.

The study, supervised by Executive Director Bilal I. Gilani, forms part of an ongoing effort by the Media Research Division to understand how national and international issues are covered by opinion leaders in Pakistan. English newspapers focused heavily on the US-Israel war on Iran, with 15% of op-eds covering the topic, compared to 1% in Urdu publications. Politics and social issues were more prevalent in Urdu newspapers, while economic topics were more frequently discussed in English outlets.

The analysis highlighted distinct differences between Urdu and English media content. Politics accounted for 11% of Urdu coverage compared to 4% in English, while social issues were discussed in 10% of Urdu op-eds compared to 4% in English. In contrast, the economy featured in 8% of English pieces and 3% of Urdu content. The study also noted changes in media focus from July to August, with a significant increase in coverage of the US-Israel war on Iran, rising from 8% to 15%.

The study, released by the Gilani Research Foundation and conducted by Gallup & Gilani Pakistan, provides insights into the themes shaping media discourse in Pakistan. It aims to support informed conversations among media practitioners about improving the quality and reach of media coverage.