Israel at 70By: Daily Times on April 20, 2018As Israel turns 70, it should be bowing its head. Not because there are those who still choose to preach Holocaust denial; though it is morally reprehensible to dismiss massacres that left some six million dead as mere conspiracies conjured up for political traction. That being said, the Jewish state should take time out from the festivities to reflect on how just because things have been going … [Read more...] about Israel at 70
‘The Gender Guardian’By: Daily Times on April 20, 2018Pakistan is now home to the country’s first-ever school catering exclusively to the transgender community. Located in Lahore, The Gender Guardian says it offers a full 12 years of academic matriculation; from primary through to secondary level and then up to college. Thus far it boasts a student body of just 30. But in a conservative country like this one where even little girls can get shot in … [Read more...] about ‘The Gender Guardian’
Media resistanceBy: Daily Times on April 19, 2018The witch-hunt shows no signs of abating. Indeed, certain institutions will not be happy until Nawaz Sharif is politically no more. And caught up in the crossfire is the fourth estate. In fact, some might say that the latter is being used and abused to do the establishment’s dirty work. The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) is not happy. He has blamed the country’s media for misreporting that the … [Read more...] about Media resistance
Who is anti-state?By: Daily Times on April 19, 2018If the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman were wanting to give Pakistan’s military establishment a clean ‘chit’ on matters of enforced disappearances — it may have backfired somewhat. Justice (rtd) Javed Iqbal told the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Human Rights that 70 percent of missing persons had links to militancy. Moreover, he believed it was fear that kept those who … [Read more...] about Who is anti-state?
No justice for TayyabaBy: Daily Times on April 19, 2018Little Tayyaba is still awaiting justice. True, the couple for whom she had been working as a maid when she was just 10-years-old and who were guilty of torturing her have been sentenced. And there are those claiming victory on the grounds that a precedent has been sent. After all, a judge has been sent to the slammer. Nevertheless, that additional district and sessions judge (ADSJ) Raja … [Read more...] about No justice for Tayyaba
Tell us moreBy: Daily Times on April 18, 2018Gen Pervez Musharraf (rtd) is back in the headlines. Though the man who likes to boast of having gifted Pakistan a free media is not breaking rank to speak out against the ongoing muzzling of the fourth estate. In fact, the one-time president-general has remained uncharacteristically unforthcoming on all fronts. Thereby allowing the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman to shine the … [Read more...] about Tell us more
Arab League in need of biteBy: Daily Times on April 18, 2018The Arab League is threatening to give the United Nations a run for its money to be crowned the most toothless of organisations. The former is charged with ensuring the closest possible ties among member states as well as safeguarding each one’s individual sovereignty. Yet as the 29th summit convened at the weekend, several dark shadows loomed large. That the powwow was not held in Riyadh but … [Read more...] about Arab League in need of bite
Science in SwatBy: Daily Times on April 18, 2018Education is the best revenge. Especially for the young generation of Malala’s hometown of Swat. This is the message sent by all the pupils — some 5,000 boys and 1,500 girls — who are exhibiting their inventions in the area’s first-ever two-day science festival. That those participating come from both the public and private education sector is important. For in countries like Pakistan, … [Read more...] about Science in Swat
Revisiting refugee questionBy: Daily Times on April 17, 2018The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has confirmed what this country has long known: Pakistan has hosted the largest refugee population in the world. Today this translates into 1.45 million. Most of whom are from neighbouring Afghanistan. Similarly, the voluntary repatriation of this group is also the largest. Pakistan has been home to refugees for more than three decades. … [Read more...] about Revisiting refugee question
France’s controversial immigration billBy: Daily Times on April 17, 2018France is all set to vote on a controversial immigration and asylum bill at the end of the week. In fact, parliamentary debate is already underway in the country’s Lower house; a mere three days after Paris, along with London and Washington, conducted coordinated air strikes on Syria. The bill is tabled by the Macron government. Its objective is to toughen immigration policies while … [Read more...] about France’s controversial immigration bill
