Dear Prime Minister on September 23, 2021Dear Prime Minister, Allah SWT has ordained you as our head of state. A ruler has the greatest level of accountability on the Day of Judgment. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “On the day of Judgment, a just ruler would be one of the seven under the shade of Allah, when there would be no […]
Television’s Evolution on September 16, 2021I had penned an op-ed column about the Pakistani media way back in 2010. It had discussed how political, religious and entertainment programs dominated the media and the military was maligned. Looking back, it is heartening to note that the media has changed for the better. The military engaged in the psyops war by producing […]
Pakistan’s Educational Policy on September 14, 2021Pakistan’s ranking on the Human Development Index (HDI) in 2020 was 154 out of a total of 189 countries. The HDI employs three basic dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life; access to knowledge and a decent standard of living. The state’s priorities should have addressed hunger and malnutrition before focusing on education. […]
Women’s Clothing on September 7, 2021The clothing of world-class western female athletes has lately become a source of controversy. An athlete in the Paralympics was told by a female official that her outfit was inappropriate. On the other hand, the women’s team from Norway was fined for modest dressing at the European beach handball championship. Sports historian, Johanna Mellis, shed […]
Boys will be Boys on August 31, 2021Manhood is a source of pride. It may mean different things to different people, but the word has a very significant connotation for every man. Within our patriarchal son-worshipping society, manhood represents power, influence and dominance. The caretaker role is alien to the Pakistani perception of manhood when understood in the context of gender relations. […]
A Blasphemous Eight-year-old? on August 23, 2021It was shocking to see a Hindu temple recently ransacked by an angry mob, somewhere in Pakistan. Angry young men were seen damaging Hindu idols. Thankfully, Prime Minister Imran Khan had promptly condemned the attack and ordered the provincial police chief to take action against anyone involved, including negligent police officers. He even promised that […]
The True Essence of Riyasat-e-Madina on August 12, 2021As a child I read an Urdu series with a setting in ancient India about the intriguing travels of a child named Anusha, with his wise older guru. One particular story masterfully communicated the precarious state of a resident in an unjust state. Anusha and his guru, weary and emaciated from their long sojourn, entered […]
Readers are Leaders on July 29, 2021The pithy axiom “Readers are leaders” was painted on the facade of my alma mater’s decrepit and a rather gloomy library in Karachi. Later, my alma mater in the US had a library–architecturally the most beautiful building on campus–, one which was specially designed to allow sunlight inside. It made you want to spend time […]
Complaint 90421167 on July 4, 2021Dear Prime Minister! You have been divinely ordained, to be our head of state, and to be accountable for it, on the day of Judgment. Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, “On the Day of Judgment, a just ruler would be one of the seven under the shade of Allah, when there would be no shade.” (Sahih […]