The wilted blossoms of MayFifty years ago this week, on May 20, 1968, a volatile period of civil unrest began in Paris. Eventually, the government of General Charles de Gaulle was brought to a standstill. This would inspire yo...
Pakistan’s defiant PakhtunsWhat is it that has driven Pakhtuns out of their ancestral homelands in the country’s North-West, to engage in a non-violent human rights movement? Is it conflict fatigue? Extremism? Terrorism? Or a d...
How labels become a tool to suppress dissentThe strength of any progressive civil society stems from its ability to actively engage, critique and question the existing order around them. Societies in history have evolved through this very exper...
Uncivilised trafficSir: Someone has very rightly said that if one wants to know how civilised a country is, all he needs to observe is the country’s traffic. By observing the drivers’ traffic discipline and patience, on...
The end of the JCPOASir: The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) — also known as the Iran Nuclear Deal was signed and ratified by the US and Iran in 2015. Its main purpose was to limit Iran’s stockpile of enriched...
Senate bill on Human TraffickingSir: It has taken Pakistan over 70 years to legislate against Human Trafficking. Regardless, the Senate of Pakistan deserves kudos for this belated bill. One only hopes that this bill is implemented...
Depression and the youthSir: Depression is one of the most severe kinds of mental illness. If it is not treated on time, it can be deadly. The sad reality of our society is that we only give attention to the physical sicknes...
A landmark achievementSir: Recent approval of a bill for the Protection of Transgender Persons’ Rights by the National Assembly of Pakistan is a landmark achievement for the most mocked and humiliated community living in P...
Ramadan inflationSir: Ramadan is almost upon us, and as we all know, during this Holy month several essential commodities double in price. In 2015 and 2016, tomatoes which are normally Rs 40 or 50 per kg jumped to Rs...
Nawaz’s new rhetoricSir: It is raining ‘condemnations’ after Nawaz’s statement on the Mumbai attacks, but it is of no use as the damage has already been done. No funny business this time. This was neither a slip of tongu...