The Consulate General of Pakistan in Hong Kong organised three days of cultural events celebrating Pakistani art, culture and spiritualism. “It is important for us to educate the world about the rich, syncretic culture of Pakistan,” says Consul General Abdul Qadir Memon. “We have designed events that are both informative and entraining. I believe that […]
The US is angry
On my visit to the US, apart from many a thing that had brought me here, I tried to figure out what it is that is allowing outsider candidates gain traction among the voters. Both Donald Trump from the Republican Party and Bernie Sanders from the Democratic Party are considered outsiders and are running a […]
Times of political change?
Just when everything seemed stable on the political front, in the last three weeks three key developments hinted at a brewing storm underlying this aura of political stability. First came the news of increased default risk on Pakistan’s debt, owing to large debt refinancing due with a sizable foreign debt component. Then, out of nowhere, […]
PIA: what is the haste?
Privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has become a hot political issue in the country. The government is bent on privatising the body, owing to its commitments to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). PIA worker unions and opposition parties have decided to resist the government’s plans to privatise PIA, even accusing it of serving vested […]
Harmony and times ahead
In statecraft and the history of societies and nations, harmony is one factor that has always remained paramount. With harmony and balance lacking, even the swiftest and most dominant of triumphs turn into disaster in no time. The Mughal Empire saw unparalleled reach and conquest under the reign of Aurangzeb, yet the Empire fell like […]
Rout in financial markets
Slowdown in the Chinese market is driving the world towards a global recession. Almost a year-and-a-half ago, when oil and other commodity prices started sliding, it was announced that the global economy was heading for a slowdown. Then things started getting worse, particularly in countries that were heavily reliant on commodities revenue. Brazil remains a […]
The National Action Plan
I intended to write on the US’s role in the ending of European colonisation and why it is important for us to understand this Atlantic divide as we go through turbulent times in the region and the world. However, as I was sipping my cup of tea, the television screen started flashing with the horrible […]
Songs of war
Following the execution of Shia cleric Nimr Al-Nimr, tension between Iran and Saudi Arabia has heightened once again. The event led to demonstrations in Iran and other parts of the world against Saudi Arabia and the high point came when the Saudi embassy in Tehran was burnt down by angry protestors. Just when Tehran has […]
What Modi understands
Narendra Modi’s visit to Lahore has created headlines across the world. Depending on who and where you are, it has stirred reactions ranging from surprise, pleasant surprise to controversy. The global media and peace quacks in both India and Pakistan are hailing the visit as an icebreaker for negotiations amidst stalled Indo-Pak bilateral relations. Hawks […]
Are we living under the third Reich?
Yesterday was the anniversary of the Army Public School (APS) attack. We are still all grieving the massacre of the 144 innocent souls who were killed in the ultimate act of savagery by terrorists. This act of terror became an act that decisively shook the nation and forced the state and its key functionaries to […]