Why is Karachi Turning Into a Sell-Out?

Isn't this the same city that lost 20,000 of its young men in 1990's at the hands of this same military establishment that we seem to be so fond of these days?

Edward De Bono's Point C: Situtation in Pakistan

Capital of a nuclear power now plunges into darkness daily, for 5 to 6 hours. In small cities, this duration is 11 to 16 hours. With hottest months of the year still to come.

Pakistan (private) Ltd.

‘Why could you not have been brave enough, why do you not have some courage, why did you not ever go to jail, why did you never kill someone, why did you not ever embezzle money – ’

Delayed Justice

Centre’s decision to award a compensation package totaling Rs 330 crores to the victims of the 2002 Gujarat riots can at best be described as a pre-election effort at applying a healing touch.

Chasing a Mirage: The Tragic Illusion of an Islamic State

"I have not found a single period that I could in all honesty say I would trade for my 21st-century existence as a Muslim living in a secular democratic society."

Persecution of Religious Minorities In Islamic Countries

Meaningless protests over stupid cartoons do not achieve anything. Speaking up against injustices in their own countries does.

Race to the Finish

60 years ago, when Jackie Robinson, first Black Man to play in US Major League Baseball, walked onto the field, he was taunted, ridiculed, and booed, but despite all adversity, he delivered.

Benazir’s Legacy

How could Pakistan’s all-powerful president and chief of the army staff be dislodged -- other than through the political process?

Spinning the Public Beating and the Mob Justice

You really need to be a bad administrator or power usurper that people are so full of hatred for you that they can’t help but beat you.

The ‘shoey’ Side of Politics

People had not shut their ‘shocked’ mouths at the treatment meted out to Arbab Ghulam Rahim when they saw Sher Afgan being roughed up by the black coats.

How to End Politics of Hate and Intolerance

The man behind the politics of intolerance and hate, symbol of discord rather than harmony as president of State, is responsible for present state of affairs.

Student Movement Revisited

Dr Haroon Ahmed and Saleem Asmi, two stalwarts of the first student movement in Pakistan, the Democratic Students Federation (DSF) write to set the record straight about DSF.

Power to the People

There is suddenly a change in the air, amidst all this chaos which still continues to remain, still there seems to be something blooming, dare I say optimism.

Student Politics in Pakistan: A Profile

Student politics in Pakistan has had a history of mixed fortunes and shades. Though extremely tumultuous, it is also a history of rich democratic traditions.

An Unnecessary Interview with History

Tonight we have an unnecessary interview with ex- Chief Executive, ex- Chief of Army staff and soon to be the ex- President of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharaff.

The Spring of Discontentment

As of today 27th Feb 2008, the USD has touched its record low against Euro (1.50) while Oil has touched its record peak of 101 dollars.

Ralph Nader Joins 2008 Presidential Race

Attacking both Clinton and Obama in an interview, Nader said, "Obama is an overly cautious captive of his handlers and Clinton is a panderer and a flatterer.�

Surplus Majors and Jerk Chicken

Yesterday, when I went to collect my monthly dole from my local council, the officer in charge was apologetic, ‘Sorry Mr Nazir this is all we have for you at the moment,’ she said.

Islam as a political weapon in Pakistan

Manipulative Politics through the Bhutto and Zia Regimes

Saatchi, Musharraf and Britney Spears

‘Is there any chance of your catching Osama Bin Laden? That will definitely put you right back at the top of the charts...’

Benazir Bhutto: Death of Hope and Dilemma

She is an even more significant loss for the West that myopically supports personalities rather than masses and institutions in the countries of interest.

Interview: Imran Khan on Elections and Boycott

Participating in elections will only give legitimacy to an illegal action.

Chicken Biryani

Almost halfway to his house, the bus came to a halt. A lot of buses stood there, vacant, the passengers forced to stand outside. There was some trouble up ahead...

Enlightened Mediocrity

‘He (Musharraf) is better off than the Queen you know,’ I continued, ‘considering that even the poor lady is answerable at times...’

Overcoming Learned Helplessness and Apathy

The shackles of “learned helplessness� can only be broken if all the political parties and intelligentsia join hands to restore rule of democracy and the independence of judiciary.

Imran Khan at LUMS

Amidst speculation of the imposition of emergency in the country by the state, Imran was here to speak about the role of the youth in the country’s political future.

Media: A Catalyst for Social and Political Change

Media should connect the public spirit of politics by encouraging the people’s participation in political decisions.

Jeenay Do BB

A piece of satire targeted on Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto's return to Pakistan.

Shattered by the Status Quo

The recent pro Musharraf decision has been rationalized on the grounds that we need him for keeping democracy on “track�.

Old Wine, Still Older Bottles

If the people of Pakistan don’t take to the streets, the politicians are themselves to blame. They have chosen the politics of convenience and non-agitation.

The Chair

At no cost, I will leave
This chair and its power

The need for De-Bhuttofication of the Pakistan People's Party

In the last 5 years, PPP in the assembly at least has emerged as a strong force against obscurantism.

Emergency: From Behind the Sandbags

Emergency at this time serves Chaudhri Shujaat more than it serves Musharraf, who wants to play this final card not so early.

The Deal and Our Responsibility

Does the deal between Musharraf and Benazir Bhutto really matter? And will we sit and let others to continue muddling with the affairs of Pakistan.

Al-Qaeda In My House

After two days of intense negotiations more like US-India nuclear talks that failed, our negotiations bore fruit. We decided that we will bomb the place.

As The Drama Unfolds

Mulana Abdul Aziz calls for Jihad one minute and runs for his life the next second.

Musharaff Finds a Way Out

An election year usually carries lots of surprises in it and this one, perhaps the first official one since 70s, is no different.

Who Is the Target Here?

The never-die judicial-issue is spinning out of control and irony of the matter is that every player dealing with this is made to believe that he holds the trump card.

Our Tolerance of Comical Illusions

The only superpower in the world claims that it is fulfilling its majority’s wishes but does exactly the opposite. A third-world plutocratic state wishes to better its citizens living standard by investing in a policy that benefits only a privileged

On Zillae Huma Usman

What good is the facade of encouraging educated women to be at the forefront at the expense of their life?

The Dispatches On War: Part X

Metternich And the European Politics of Power: 1815-1850

Ejecting Parasitic Armies – Sea Cucumber’s Lesson

The animal kingdom teaches some ingenious tricks on how to get rid of parasitic armies.

Recognising Student Unions

Prohibiting political parties on campus is in actuality curbing students’ rights. That is why there are clashes and conflicts as well as demonstrations and strikes by these so-called ‘banned’ or rather, half-functional student parties.

Revolt in Paradise

The ongoing debate on the policies of the President Bush’s administration seems to be reaching its ultimate boiling point before the mid-term elections.

Blair’s Last Hurrah

Going, going, gone - the end of the road for Tony Blair

Lock on a coffin

Does a lock on a coffin says something about the military goverment’s fear?

Student Politics In Pakistan

From the heydays of political activity in the 60s to the politically dormant entity of the 90s, a lot of change has taken place in student attitudes towards political activity. Who and/or what factors have been responsible for fomenting this attitude of a

Valentine

The politics, which is practiced in Pakistan, has no bearing to the reality that exists in Pakistan and thus, the political debate in Pakistan is limited to a few personal arguments of the political parties in opposition and the government in power.

Prisoner of Conscience or Conscious Prisoner?

V.P.Singh is back with a new Jan Morcha. Look at the timing. ‘Mandal 2’ is staining the streets. Is he capitalising on the wave? He says in this interview, “We are sitting on a volcano. The very backward are looking up to me. In 15 years

Bollywood and Gender Equality

Bollywood has been abused at the hands of the male dominant Indian Cinema elite that not only includes directors and producers, but also the Indian political elite who have shrewdly used cinema for their own interests

Anatomy of a Karachi Bomb Blast

With so many issues whipping the air like a tornado on the national canvas it is impossible to assign responsibility of such terrorism to any single group unless someone claims it and provides a signed affidavit to that effect

An Ode to Euthanasia

The Muslim ummah is a myth. The myriad nature of Islamic and Muslim political thought defies such a myopic conceptualization due to the multitude of variances

Iran, Geopolitics and the Bomb

When Iran does not have a bomb and Israel has 200 of them why not threaten Israel with sanctions?

Pakistan’s Territorial Integrity: Lessons from American Democracy

Kalabagh Dam issue divides us today. Pakistanis can take a leaf from the USA.What was true of American states in the 1770s and 80s is true for Pakistani provinces today. We must hang together or else we would hang separately

The Dispatches on War (Part VII)

Once, the power of the feudal barons had been checked and they were resoundingly defeated by the innovative combination of finances and technology, the sole obstacle towards unification of power in Europe remained the Holy Roman Catholic church

Chickens are Coming Home to Roost

According to washingtonpost.com, “John Hannah, an aide to Cheney and one of two dozen people questioned in the CIA leak case, has told friends in recent months he is worried he may be implicated by the investigation, according to two U.S. officials.

Political Sustainability, Media Freedom and Women

The general’s regime has been utterly impotent to even initiate any semblance of a debate on real issues plaguing women in Pakistan, such as rampant domestic violence, education and the infamous Zina Ordinance.

A Moment of Silence

This poem seeks to draw a wider awareness to the anguish and affliction victims undergo every ticking moment on life’s clock.

Bunty aur Babli: The latest RSS-BJP tango

The con-game has been going on for over a decade.Advani was the RSS’ foot soldier who did all he could in Pakistan to lay the foundation for the return of Hindutva. He followed his brief well: Create confusion and fulfil the mission of the hardliner

Education: An Abysmal Situation

The sons and daughters of the most privileged class study in Cambridge system, the less privileged ones, in private schools and appear under metric system of examination; the poor, in so called “yellow schools” with ghost teachers.

The Barbarians Within The Gates!

The time for half measures is over and there is no more room left to retreat before the creeping evil of religion in Pakistan.

Religion in Politics

Contrary to popular belief that Pakistan was created to make an Islamic society, I have attempted to show that religion and politics are a dangerous mix particularly in the case of Pakistan.

The Dispatches on War

An ode to the game of war and those, who play it!

Stage Set for BB’s Prime-Ministership?

The political contours of Pakistan are about to undergo a paradigm change; whether the change is going to be conducive or otherwise, only the future will determine

Shaukat Aziz’s Speech: Hypocrisy at its Best

Shaukat Aziz, if he really wants to achieve stability in the country, will have to eschew the politician’s rhetoric and work towards taking the state out of religion

The Troubled History of Jews

Historically, whichever society had welcomed the Jews to live in peace with it, it had gained not only in terms of scholarship and knowledge but also in terms of commerce, trade and wealth creation. So could the Middle East.

Benazir Bhutto: Third Time Lucky?

Tea leaves readers and crystal ball gazing political pundits believe that BB’s persistence to seek yet another crack at office may be about to pay off.

Democracy!

Another victorious candidate from the state of Bihar was unavailable for comment on his win, even though he’d just won the right to sit in India’s Parliament. Why? Well, the prison rules didn’t allow for media visits.

We Don’t Need You Shaukat Aziz

Notwithstanding the fact that Musharraf has done more than enough for the Americans, he is still considered unreliable by them. Shaukat Aziz has been foisted on Pakistan as part of post-Musharraf scenario

Burning Dreams

This poem is based on the misery of young children starving in Somalia, a country already destroyed by years of civil war and anarchy.

Indira Gandhi Bunaam Bush!

Let us hope that the administration has the capacity to learn from other people’s mistakes instead of making their own and turn the Iraq misadventure into a bigger tragedy than it already is.

The Door To The Barracks

How to end the role of the military in politics

Open Letter to Prime Minister Jamali

Show us that you are more than just a docile ‘teddy bear’! Lead Prime Minister Jamali! Lead!

Luring Muslim Vote

“No other party comes anywhere close in having Muslims at the heart of decision-making and influence in Britain today

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Remembered

Was he a Saint or Sinner or a bit of both?

Zen Pakistanis

The “Father of the Bomb” is undoubtedly realizing that from now on when they call him “Father of the Bum” it won’t merely be a mistake in pronunciation.

2004 Democratic Presidential Candidates and Pakistan

The race among the Democratic US Presidential hopefuls is heating up. With the primaries underway, the seven candidates hold debates and issue frequent policy statements on hot-topics such as the war in Iraq, homeland security and the continuing efforts a

Birth Of A Nation

Just like Eskimos are a snow based, as Venice is water based society, Desis are a Shaadee based culture. Without these functions we can not function. It is our basic right. You are asking the Pharoah to break the pyramid.

Seducing The Devil

PPP and ARD and PML-N have no one, but themselves to blame for their political marginalization in Pakistani politics.

Quashing Time Pakistan: A Parody

The following is an excerpt from what led to the ban of a popular current-affairs talk-show episode. But according to official sources, what you’re about to read - never took place…

Hypocrisy of Musharraf Lovers

When BB/NS deploy their own people at important positions then it is corruption and they are just trying to keep their favorites happy. But if any post is given to Generals it is only because they are ultra competent and really deserve the job!

Of Enmity, Freedom, And Other Things

It is a sad fact that many of our educational institutions are being abused for purposes that are not only unacademic but are also generating enmity and paranoia among people.

The Last Trumpets

The choices are whether to adopt a presidential or a prime ministerial form of government and the second set of choices are whether Pakistan needs to be governed as an administrative state or as a democracy

The Razor’s Edge

The United States seems to be losing the proverbial battle for the “hearts and minds” of the Afghans. The biggest problem was that the United States was not prepared for the post-war situation and had no plans to tackle the problems

The Follies of the Natives

A circus called Pakistan

Gujrat - The Verdict Of God

Stop Indian Atrocities in Kashmir

Lets put an end to all atrocities - without being selective.

IS Waging Another War on Iraq Justified?

More than 500,000 toddlers and infants have died due to the consequences of the sanctions (UNICEF, 1999).

Muslims in India: Communalism vs. Backwardness-Minority Syndrome

Today, it is imperative that the Muslim community fights the ogre of communalism

The March of Folly

All The Bridges Are Burning

The United States’ foreign policy has historically oscillated between recklessness of unilateralism and the cautious nature of multilateralism.

A Work In Progress

Jinnah put Pakistan in such a location that the future state would always be involved in the geo-politics of world

The Unmaking Of Gujrat

The key players in these elections and therefore Indian polity seem like characters in a drama of the absurd.

Generals: A case study (I)

For generals, on the other hand, any deviation from regimental loyalty and unquestioning obedience is sin

Analysis of Stunning Gains by Religious Parties in Pakistan’s Elections

Pakistan’s Elections: An Unintended Consequence of US War against Terrorism?

Sobho: the struggle continues

I still believe in the revolution, in a society that provides justice for all

Military, Musharraf and Magic

Political experts can opine all they want. They can criticize Musharraf, the Military and the short-term nature of US support.

Unraveling Pakistan: Taming The Shrew-Mare

Pakistan’s Army has become a wild mare. It has to be broken into. It has to be re-taught to walk, run, trot

The Day Of All Days

Pakistan will re-take its first fledging steps towards democracy

Organized Irrelevance

Are Muslims hopeless? With the OIC, they are...

Does a Bachelor’s degree mean education in politics

Can an election that disqualifies 98% of the country’s citizens be legitimate?

Of Errant Politicians And The Kashmir Cause

In politics being good is not necessarily good enough

The Last Crusade

Sharon’s visit finally removed the façade from the Israeli diplomacy

Empty Vessels And All That Jazz

do you think he is up to task to rid us of feudals next?

Pakistanis in Afghanistan, Nothing New

The more the government cuts back on the opportunities available to the Mullah to interact with the citizen, the more the government is cutting back on the Mullahs sources of revenue

A Reason For Change

What is really interesting about Marianne Pearl’s interview with CNN is not what she said

Taliban : An Analysis

an ideal Islamic society.

An International Failure

do the Pakistanis know who they are themselves

The Clash Of Un-Civilizations And Osama-ism

It is misleading to think and give an impression that these issues will just disappear if Osama is captured or killed today.

Here Are the Muslim Feminist Voices, Mr. Rushdie!

Muslim women HAVE been speaking out against the obscurantist Islam he decries

Whither Democracy?

Musharraf appears to have killed two birds with one stone

A Decision to Regret

the Afghans have always resisted a government imposed from abroad

Caught In Between

Pakistan is on the defensive almost constantly

The Real Jehad

Birth control and Education together should be the focus of our Jehad.

The Countdown Begins

... the contours of Pakistan’s emerging political scenario point to the first signs of an uneasy coexistence between the military regime and the political forces ...

Mocking the Frontier: The Baba’s Dargah and Chamaliyal

What would the Baba have to say ...

Across the River

Why are the poor poor?

The Chicken Hawks Of Pakistan

The military should accept the fact that it is a dictatorship

Obsession with Borderline Issues

pre-occupation with insignificant extremes in the name of religion is misplaced

Democracy in Pakistan: The Missing Link?

Democracy has long been a buzzword in Pakistan

The Soft Option

How can we say that Pakistan is misrepresenting the term ’jehad’ with regard to Kashmir when we Indians are doing the same?

Elections, Pakistani Style

One moment we were leading, the next we fell behind

A Different Story

The winds of change are slowly whispering their way across the South Asian sub-continent

Should Pakistan Honor the Lahore Resolution?

why Pakistan failed to become a confederation in accordance with the spirit and content of the Lahore resolution?.

The Imperatives of Power

A physically injured leader has won hands down against the leader of a psychologically injured nation in the world of diplomacy

Faith, Religion and National Direction

A winner makes commitments, a loser makes promises

Lahore Notes, March 2000

I took the famous Bus to Lahore

The Flip Side of Democracy

The US public allows its government to make decisions that can alienate a billion people

Looking for Razia

Razia (Zafar) Chaudhury, are you out there?

Just another cry in the dark

In our 53 years of turbulent history the country has seen nothing but thieves and self righteous leaders

A Rumor Of Lies

Pakistan, as a nation, seems to have entered a political terra incognita from which it is unlikely to return

Game Theory and Pakistan

the elite in Pakistan are nothing short of omnivorous parasites

Open Letter to General Musharraf

Field Marshal Ayub Khan was forced out of power after extensive rioting . . .

Eqbal Ahmad: Post - Pokhran Days

The mountain had turned white. I wondered how much pain had been felt by nature ...

Pssst...This is Rest of South Asia speaking

for every Indian dollar-billionaire, there are at least a hundred million paupers

Famous Last Words or a Messiah in Khakis?

Can the army deliver?

Twosome Troubles of Troublesome Two

The adolescent behavior of both the Indian and Pakistani elites and their awry management of bilateral relations has become a matter of international notoriety

Who will Bell the Bad, Fat Cats?

A scathing look at journalism in Pakistan

Hegemony of the Ruling Elite in Pakistan

We have a chequered past in our experiments with democracy

The Case for De jure Legalization

A Rs.1000 excise tax on an imported bottle of Scotch could easily net additional daily revenues

Compilation of Articles on the Military Takeover in Pakistan

Views and reviews on the recent events in Pakistan

An Open Letter to Gen. Pervaiz Musharaff

In your one action, you have violated and trashed the Constitution of Pakistan

Why An Interim Civilian Government will Fail

Putting up a front government will achieve simply nothing

Time for a fresh start

Where do we go from here?

A State of Confusion

Will Pakistan benefit from a change of government?

Kargil and the Myth of Losing the Media War

Consider for a moment that you are NOT a Pakistani

Save India

A martial law administration has to take over the country

Imran Khan: Pakistan’s Next PM?

In terms of being a hypocrite - who in Pakistan isn’t?

A Road To Siachen

An analysis of the Pakistani military thought and its interests in the present crisis

A Visit to Pakistan

Could it be that there is a feeling that India does not accept the existence of Pakistan?

Make ’Nobody’ Indian Prime Minister

Keep away from politics and electricity, cautions an Ethiopian proverb

WW III? An Analysis of Yugoslavia

The media has been lying to the world about the crisis in Kosova

The Battle For Kosovo

An argument for the use of NATO ground forces in Kosovo

Need for a Confederation

India had never been a Nation, it is still not one

Jinnah, My Hero

Jinnah, the fragile man with an iron will.

An Interview with Naseeruddin Shah

3 pages of Manto tells you what you want to know [about Partition]

A Line Runs Through It

Siachen-Kargil: India, Pakistan, Kashmir and forgotton lessons of history

Agenda for Pakistani Press

The press has no credibility

India is South Asia’s Natural Hegemon

Pakistan is more an army with a state than a state with an army.

The Gentleman Must Go

Crisis in the shadows of power: Is Pakistan entering an institutional crisis acknowledging Nawaz Sharif’s imperial designs?

Talking of Talks

...the Prime Ministers have had a telephone talk

Pride and Potatoes: Trade with India

Is importing Potatoes a source of pride?

Giving Way to Intolerance

During the last many years, religious intolerance and sectarian fanaticism have created a war-like situation in Pakistan

Communists and Congress Should Give Birth to ’Red Indians’

The Communist parties and the Congress (I) are toying with the idea of coming closer to form an alternative political dispensation

The Man Who Stooped to Conquer

And he did it all with a smile

Wake up Deluded Muslims

A plea to Muslims across the world to recognize the oppression they endure.

International War Crimes Court

The US finds itself allied with Cuba, Libya, Iran and the Sudan!

Onwards to the Nuclear Abyss

India, Pakistan and the March of Folly

There Might Not be a Tomorrow

one more institution lost to learning ... turned into a political battle field

So, We Are Nuclear Too!!

Scenes from a nuclear world

The Intellectual Imperative

As a people and a nation, Pakistan’s need for intellectual direction has never been greater. So where are the intellectuals?

Art Festival to Explore Web Communities

This year’s Art/Culture Festival in Toronto, Canada holds special appeal for South Asian Web Citizens.

Imperatives For Economic Development Of Pakistan

So how can we hammer out a consensus around the proposition that we have to rapidly raise the standard of living of the people in Pakistan?

The Exploding Cities of the Developing World

With ever-increasing global integration, problems that arise in one city can quickly spread throughout its region and even worldwide.

Gender and Literacy in Pakistan

By looking at agendas and practices of some organizations involved with women’s literacy in Pakistan this paper attempts to clarify ideas related to gender, assumed or consciously advocated in their various approaches.

The People of 1997

Who should be named Pakistan’s Political Person of the Year for 1997?

Time For Contempt

In today’s Pakistan, the word Contempt is what the Government of Pakistan thinks of the people of Pakistan.

A Word to the Wise: Industrialize

Industrialization: That has the potential to take care of ethnic divides, over-population, in-law (and out-law) problems, poverty, corruption, arranged marriage woes...