Editorial

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Chief Senator Sirajul Haq’s statement about “secular and liberal lobbies” dominating the political arena after elections is misleading at best. Addressing the Friday congregation at Mansoora, Siraj said no one could turn the country into a secular state because people will always be ready to lay down their lives for Islam and the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The practice of … [Read more...] about Misleading views

Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddique has declined an invitation to speak at a workshop titled Human Rights and the Rule of Law in Hull University, United Kingdom. In a letter to the IHC Chief Justice, he stated that,“there are serious threats to him and his family, and that he does not find it appropriate to leave his family in a state of fear and stress”.The IHC judge has … [Read more...] about Witness protection missing

The ambiguity over possibility of an alliance between ruling party-in-waiting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Mutahidda Qaumi Movement — Pakistan (MQM-P) has been resolved. The two parties on Friday entered into an agreement whereby MQM-P announced its support to PTI for formation of government at the centre. Politics – as they say – makes for strange bedfellows. Not too long ago, PTI chief was … [Read more...] about Unnatural allies

As Pakistan-Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) prepares for the Prime Minister’s oath-taking ceremony, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) alongside various other regional parties have announced their ‘grand opposition alliance’ Although none have called Imran Khan out personally, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and its election result, 2018 has been outright … [Read more...] about Politics and governance

The sealing of the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) office by the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has once again highlighted the antagonistic nature of the relationship between the media and the Pakistani state. According to the LDA, it took the action based on complaints received from residents in the area about commercial activities at the SAFMA office. What it has not commented on … [Read more...] about SAFMA under attack

The opposition bigwigs are getting serious. They seem to be moving away from allegations of rigging towards mounting a more serious challenge to largest party in the National Assembly. In a meeting held on Thursday, it was announced that our major parties would attempt to form government on their own. A draft prepared by Senate opposition leader Sherry Rehman and PML-N’s Mushahid Hussain aims … [Read more...] about Desperate measures indeed

Millions of women in Pakistan are reminded everyday that it is an unsafe world for them. However for a lot of women in Pakistan, nothing is more dangerous and violent than the physical and mental torture they suffer within their domestic familial contexts. Just a day ago, news surfaced of a woman who was electrocuted to death by her husband and his family. In the past six months, nineteen women … [Read more...] about End domestic violence

The latest episode of our democratic system promises change and doing away with the unfortunate practices of the past. Imran Khan’s first speech reinforced this message and was lauded by almost all segments of our society. Things have gone back to the usual. From forging alliances with extremists to attracting political support through financial inducements — we are witnessing the return of … [Read more...] about Purana  Pakistan repackaged?