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The ANP Challenge

What if instead of a PPP prime minister or PML-N prime minister, ANP’s Asfandyar Wali Khan was to become the Prime Minister of Pakistan? Could this be a viable option?

Pakistan Elections 2008 - An analysis

For the first time since the constitution of 1973,elections promise to be fought around an agenda that has to do with democracy, social welfare and minorities rights.

Abdul Latif Khalid (1944-2007)

My father’s sudden demise at only 63 years of age through a massive heart attack has been by far the most profound life experience I have had to endure.

Communists and the Making of Pakistan

History of the last years of Punjab under the Raj

Army and the President

November 16, 2007, if he sticks to his submission before the Supreme Court through his counsel, Musharraf will leave the post of army chief and become a civilian president.

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.

Remembering the Presidential Election of 1965

Today Musharraf looks to Benazir Bhutto to rescue him from his spot between devil and the deep blue sea. He forgets what her father did to Ayub Khan.

Khuda Ke Liye

"In the Name of God", it is about us - the people of Pakistan warts and all.

Rest in Peace Pakistan (1947-1974)

You cannot understand Pakistan until and unless you understand how the demise of the ideal of Pakistan was brought about by its own people

Allama Iqbal- Is he still relevant?

Given the current turmoil, which has made it abundantly clear that the people of Pakistan desire a truly representative democratic civilian order, the question above has become very relevant.

Citizenship and Identity in Pakistan

Before the British colonised the subcontinent, the people of this region existed in overlapping sets of multiple identities, where contending sovereignty of identity groups was negotiated and power was shared at several levels. When the British came alon

Pakistans Permanent Revolution

The tradition of judicial spinelessness continued in Pakistan facilitating three martial laws and the judicial murder of atleast one prime minister till last week when it was brought to a crashing halt by the actions of one brave justice, Chief Justice of

Remembering a great Pakistani: Sir Zafrullah Khan

His greatest contribution came when he drafted the famous Lahore Resolution, which till this day is the rallying point of Pakistan and Pakistani nationalism.

Change Management:Marx and Muslims

Today the Islamists couch their demands in terms that were once used by Marxists. Indeed there has come to be a complete conformity of views between these two very disparate groups of the past

Saviour or Tinpot Dictator?

If Musharraf was to exit after conducting a free and fair round of elections both for the parliament and the office of the president, then he will go down as a dictator who came to end all dictators in Pakistan. The 2007 polls should be his cut-off point

Women's Voices in the Pakistan Movement

Was there, then, a strong feminist dimension to the Pakistan movement? The League leadership relied on the women in their ranks to take their message forward to the common people as well as the media

Ready for a Modern Pakistan?

The return of international musicians like Bryan Adams to Pakistan is just one indication that General Zia’s 11 years are now finally behind us, even if our understanding of Islam has not reverted to pre-1977 or some would argue pre-1974 period

Looking for a New Islamic Fiqh

Today Islam needs a new Fiqh to implement its Shariat. Not many Muslims appreciate the difference between these two very important and distinct terms

Changing Radio Stations

Did he, a mere clerk, teach me a lesson- an Amrika returned Pakistani who knows all- a lesson in equality?

Remembering H.M. Seervai (1906-1996)

Those who are familiar with the legal profession know that his 4 volume work on Constitutional Law is the finest work on the subject.

Non-Reformist but Non-Cleric

Since the 15th century the Islamic World has seen a rivalry between the predominantly Sunni Turks and Shiite Iranians in form of the Ottomans and the Safavids. It is therefore interesting to note that both nations/countries have followed a very similar r

Jerry’s Pakistan

The jazba that there is for Pakistan seems to be entirely in the non-Muslim Pakistanis and they have a much better way of showing it too. No law-breaking, no gunfire, no silencer-less motorcycles, no women-teasing as has become commonplace on Independence

South Asia’s Clarence Darrow

An anglicized barrister who ended up founding a separate Muslim majority state is an apparent paradox but not really so...

Recent Terror in Egypt

Egypt is where it all started as early as 1928. Indeed it was not as much a reaction to non-Muslims or even colonial rule as it was opposed to its own co-religionists.

Mahadev Gobind Ranade (1842-1901)

...some historical figures, intellectual giants in their own right, who Pakistanis know nothing about, and certainly many Indians as well...

Myths about the Golden Age of Islam

The history of Islam, especially the golden age of Islam, is full of instances of narrow parochial, sectarian and tribal divisions.

Remembering Maqbool Butt

He stood for a united, independent and secular Kashmir, something which was unpalatable to the two countries that are laying a claim to it.

Book: Purdah to Parliament

Women in the Pakistan Movement

The Mullah and the Munir Report

Never again did any judicial officer in Pakistan speak his or her mind so clearly and so eloquently.

Prophecy and the Mullah: Hotel Mohenjodaro

Saving Pakistan from the Mullahs

Another Forgotten Hero of Pakistan

Pakistani historians ignore him because he was too modern, secular and liberal for them, and the Indians ignore him because he was Muslim League’s brightest young super star.

History, Culture and the Mullahs

Once again Lahore is getting ready to enter into its most festive, cultural and colorful month... It seems however that Basant has suddenly over night become controversial for those in the city who are the self styled guardians of this country’s mor

Founding Mothers

The most famous image of the Pakistan Movement is when a young woman climbed up atop the civil secretariat building in Lahore and planted the league flag instead instead of the union jack.

Are Secularism and Islam Incompatible?

Ever since, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk abolished the Khilafat and separated Church from state, a great debate has raged in the Islamic world. Perhaps no where is it more intensely debated than in Pakistan, where Jinnah very clearly and consistently declared t

Rescinding the ’Concordat’

Like Napoleon, Bhutto has a dubious legacy. While he will be remembered for his heroism, his global vision and his genuine ambition to transform Pakistan into a world power under his leadership, he will be condemned for making the deal with the devil and

Muslim League’s Politics (1937-1947)

League’s transformation from a Nationalist party to a Separatist Party. Author's note: I want this to be first in a series of articles by Pakistanis and Indians to unemotionally reconsider the events of that very important decade in our history whic

A New Constitution for Pakistan

Pakistan needs a workable and flexible document which is practical and can be sustained over a longer period of time.

Book: The Trial of Bhagat Singh, Politics of Justice

An investigation into the role of the British Government, and the popular independence leaders in the Bhagat Singh Saga.

Dislodging a Dictator

Why Benazir Bhutto is Pakistan’s best hope!

Music: Samparoon

Blending East with West

Basant in Lahore

Lahore Lahore Hai!

Towards Greater Tolerance

Anti-Pakistanism and neo-Indian Nationalism

Islamic Utopia?

Reconciling Islam and Modernity

Peace in South Asia

Arundhati Roy gave the Pakistanis a glimpse of what free-thinking is

Happy 56th Anniversary, Pakistan and India

Practising indifference towards thy neighbor is the only solution

Movie: Ali` Bumaye

Muhammad Ali aka Cassius Marcillus Clay goes beyond being a mere sporting figure.

Book: An American Brat

A review of Bapsi Sidwah`s work

Tilak and Gokhale

That was the beginning of Jinnah’s journey on the road to Pakistan ...

Sher Shah Suri

the first true social reformer in the history of Indo-Pakistan

Qaum Aur Mulk

Pakistan has to be essentially secular in order to survive.

The Beautiful Dawn

Pakistan has come a long way from what it used to be

Oh Manhattan my New York

So speak Lady of Liberty speak , when will this night of oppression end

Yasser Latif Hamdani

• Articles on Chowk: 52
• First article: Mar 12, 2000
• Latest article: Apr 22, 2008
• Times read on Chowk: 1207592