Environment journalism: a lesser childBy: Idrees Haider on August 21, 2019The environment is a crucial and decisive factor wielding influence on sustainable growth and development prospects. Important environmental issues like deforestation, loss of fertile soil, salinity, water and air pollution, solid waste disposal, etc., are the direct result of human-driven activities and an impediment to the development.The environment and development are joined at the hip. … [Read more...] about Environment journalism: a lesser child
Minority Rights and Sufi IdeologyBy: Dr Sughra Sadaf on August 21, 2019There was a time when there was no division with respect to religion in Pakistan. Different religions existed but human behaviour was reflective of universal moral principles. So, a kind of harmony, sincerity and tolerance tied them together, so that they would come together on occasions of suffering and goodwill.They not only respected religious festivals but also attended and fostered the … [Read more...] about Minority Rights and Sufi Ideology
Viable solutions for independent KashmirBy: Nasir Khan on August 19, 2019“The people of Kashmir have lived in conflict since I was a child, since my mother and father were children, since my grandparents were young." (Malala Yousafzai)Kashmir has become a crossroad and flashpoint between Pakistan, China and India. Presently, a boundary or frontier, the Line of Control (LOC), gulfs the region into two sections, with one section administered by Pakistan and the other … [Read more...] about Viable solutions for independent Kashmir
The philanthropy of INGOsBy: Razeen Ahmed/ Nadir Mumtaz on August 19, 2019Affluent INGOs tend to eclipse poor NGOs when it comes to initiating projects because they have their agendas.Conceptual Framework of INGOsThere is an implicit notion that external donor agencies can create, develop and engender change through innovation, at times through think tanks, to aid beneficiary countries as well as provide a moral check on markets to sustain the egalitarian … [Read more...] about The philanthropy of INGOs
India is Pied Piper Leading Global Investment to WarBy: Aasma Wadud on August 18, 2019As we celebrate one of our very few diplomatic successes in the Security Council, the situation in Kashmir remains critical. On the other hand, the proposal of an open Security Council session on Kashmir was opposed by France and the Dominican Republic. The curfew in Kashmir enters its third week with the aggression mounting on both sides.India is experiencing defeat one after another on the … [Read more...] about India is Pied Piper Leading Global Investment to War
The HeadmasterBy: Akbar Ahmed on August 18, 2019When he bulges his eyeas the orbed sunjust over the morning hillhe frightens meand I contractto the detumescenceof my fresher daysthe Headmasters griplies unbrokenthough carrying the cancer of timeon his crooked backlike my forgotten friendQuasimodoand when he smilesI relief in toykind joythough in distancehe appears shrunkand I … [Read more...] about The Headmaster
Heaven beyond the Golden LotusBy: Salman Ali Bhittani/ Gulshan Rafiq on August 16, 2019Many religions believe in various versions of afterlife destinations: Heaven and Hell. Both are two extremes. While hell is considered to be a place where damned souls suffer for all their committed sins, heaven is believed to be the holiest, most wonderful and peaceful place. It is filled with glory and grace. It is for people who do good deeds. Because of its ethereal beauty, the valley of Jammu … [Read more...] about Heaven beyond the Golden Lotus
Humans and animalsBy: Huzaima Bukhari on August 16, 2019“We have certainly created man in the best of compositions. Then we return him to the lowest of the low. Except for those who believe and do righteous deeds, for they will have a reward uninterrupted." (Al-Quran, Surah At-Tin verses 4, 5 and 6)When the Creator has admitted that man was conceived with the best possible elements and form, who are we to deny it? As human beings, we know that … [Read more...] about Humans and animals
In quest of HappinessBy: Zafar Aziz Chaudhry on August 16, 2019Socrates (b. 460 BCE) has a unique place in the history of happiness. Socrates argued that happiness being a godly quality is a rare occurrence and is reserved only for those whom the gods specially favoured. It was at the time when Greeks had a rather cynical view of human existence. The idea that one could obtain happiness for oneself was considered arrogance.From Socrates onwards, while … [Read more...] about In quest of Happiness
One year of many humiliationsBy: Munir Ahmed on August 15, 2019Congratulation on completing one year of historically unprecedented public and international humiliation of the country to all those who voted, supported, manoeuvred and blatantly rigged the 2018 elections for Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaaf (PTI).The process adopted by the 'change-makers' to bring 'third party' into the so-called political governance of Pakistan has shown the extent of ridiculous … [Read more...] about One year of many humiliations
