Ali Malik

Sixty-seven years into independence and amid all the social and political noise and chaos around us, in a very sublime way, it is the technological innovation that is changing our world in the most radical ways. Probably, these changes are more rapid and impactful than most can envisage in their wildest imaginations. What is happening […]

Uncertainty and chaos are increasing as we approach the date for the “azaadi (independence) march” of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on August 14. Just when he has become clear about his agenda, it is unclear what game plan Imran Khan has for the day. Even more unclear is how the government intends to handle the […]

In the aftermath of Benazir Bhutto’s tragic assassination, many thought that in the absence of a charismatic, undisputed leader, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) would soon fall apart. Many did bet that its government would crumble sooner in the absence of Benazir Bhutto. At that time, I, however, disagreed. The reason for my disagreement was […]

With mounting pressure on the government by the likes of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT), the political temperature has risen significantly. In this heated atmosphere, government sources are claiming that the proposed agitation of the PTI and PAT is an effort to derail democracy. On the other hand, the PTI and […]

With the launch of the privatisation initiative by the PML-N government, memories of the early 1990s have come back to haunt many. In the 1990s, the then PML-N government carried out the privatisation of national assets, which left many question marks on the transparency of the process. Many also have serious issues with how the […]

Ever wondered why, despite the best of plans, infrastructure projects and chants about having all the resources in the world, our economic woes continue? There has to be something that is missing and that needs to be fixed. Around us, China, South East Asia and East Asia have moved to the first and second worlds […]

In the aftermath of police violence against Minhaj-ul-Quran (MQ) workers in Lahore, the political turmoil has reached a new height. The development is disturbing at many levels. For one, it is the worst state violence against political opponents in decades. Just when, after a democratic transition, there was hope of democratic systems taking hold in […]

The arrest of Altaf Hussain by British authorities has created panic and chaos in Karachi. The present turmoil, violence, and agitation are a serious threat to the city and its denizens. However, it is the long-term implications of what may happen that are worrisome and need immediate attention of the state and all the key […]

I am a helpless bathroom singer. I can start humming unconsciously anywhere and that is despite having a dreadful voice. And, of course, I crave good music. It is one of the things that make me run and yet it is something about which I talk very little. That is a bit ungrateful. But today, […]

When I was a child, my grandmother would often tell us a saying by King Farouk of Egypt, which goes something like this: “Soon there will only be five kings left — the king of England, the king of spades, the king of clubs, the king of hearts and the king of diamonds.” This quote […]