The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024, to amend the 1995 Waqf Act (1995 Act), recently passed by India’s upper house of parliament, is not only a manifestation of the racist ideology of Punyabhumi, it also suggests the Indian government is adopting tactics reminiscent of Netanyahu’s policies, signalling a move towards the ‘Israelification’ of India. The proposed […]
No one is above the State
The PTI’s choice to skip the Parliamentary Committee meeting isn’t just about political ethics; it highlights complex legal issues that are deeply rooted in Parliamentary jurisprudence. It’s simple: one can opt out of an all-parties conference, as that choice falls within the realm of political ethics. Yet, a member of parliament who declines to attend […]
Politics in a Post-Truth Era
Following Ali Amin Gandapur’s unconstructive diatribe on February 8, I find myself grappling with several questions, the ultimate of which is whether genuine performance is still a vital component of politics or whether we have succumbed to a faction driven solely by hateful, post-truth rhetoric. What is the true essence of politics? Is it genuinely […]
Israelization of Kashmir
The striking parallels between the situations in Israel and India-particularly in the contexts of Palestine and Kashmir-highlight a concerning reality: India seems to be veering toward the Israelization of Kashmir. At the core of Israel’s ideological framework lies a dual belief system. The first tenet posits that Jews are the chosen people of God. The […]
PTI: The Quicksand of Post-Truth
The recent D-Chowk incident serves as a prime example of the destructive power of fake news. While it is essential to ensure the freedom of expression, this does not mean that the overwhelming tide of fake news should go unchecked. The hydra-headed monster of Fake news has eviscerated the social fabric. This pandemic can potentially […]
Constitutional Amendment and Judicial Oversight
The senior-most judges of the Supreme Court, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Muneeb Akhtar have requested Chief Justice Yahya Afridi to present the case regarding the 26th Amendment to the full court bench this week. This has prompted some serious questions. The first question is: Can a constitutional amendment be challenged in a court […]
Kashmir: A Legal Perspective
Despite the Indian government’s recent actions, it is undeniable that, under international law, Kashmir is not acknowledged as part of India’s union territory. It remains a territory in dispute, with its future still to be decided in line with United Nations resolutions. Kashmir is governed by an established principle of international law that prohibits any […]
The Imperative Need for a Constitutional Court
The necessity of a Constitutional Court in the presence of the Supreme Court is a topic of considerable complexity, warranting in-depth consideration. With the introduction of new judges, staff, salaries, and associated benefits, the question arises as to why an economically depressed nation should shoulder this additional burden. However, the unequivocal answer to this multifaceted […]
Diplomacy and Proxies Within
The Afghan Consulate General’s unprofessional and unethical conduct has not only strained Pak-Afghan relations significantly but also brought to light two prominent fault lines within Pakistani society. Firstly, there is a tendency to attribute any global events or occurrences to the state, resulting in a culture of self-blame for errors that have not been committed. […]
Looking beyond the UN?
Shouldn’t the world start considering alternative solutions beyond the UN, given its glaring failure to halt the ongoing Palestinian genocide? The United Nations, established as a platform for all nations to have equal representation, unfortunately mirrors the influence of the victorious powers of World War II. This inequitable setup draws parallels to the power dynamics […]