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Your right to know Sunday, September 15, 2019


Askari Raza Malik

The writer is author of the book Pakistan, in Search of a Messiah

People and politics

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The founder of the nation died. His only sister, the 'Mother of the Nation' was not allowed press coverage for two long years. Nothing happened. Liaquat Ali Khan, the 'leader of the nation' was killed. Ayub Khan, the then C-in-C, cut his London tour short and rushed to join the nation in mourning. According to him it was a shock to see, 'business as usual', a queer calm, in the corridors of power. … [Read more...] about People and politics

Seeing signs

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Most Pakistanis are Muslims by faith and spiritual by default. To the uninitiated superstition appears as spiritualism. The conceptual uniqueness of unity in Islam, however, is different.Many Pakistanis ascribe the creation of Pakistan to a higher spiritual purpose. Jinnah, settled in London, "was ordered by the Prophet (peace be upon him) to proceed to India to lead the struggle for an … [Read more...] about Seeing signs

The crisis of political leadership

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A bus carrying a hundred politicians crashed near a farm. The farmer dug a mass grave and promptly buried them all. The police chief asked him, "were they all dead?". "Some said they were not. But you know the way politicians are". The quip is purely American. On this side of the seven seas politicians are also perceived to be liars. Some solace.There was a Persian poet by the name of Anwari. … [Read more...] about The crisis of political leadership

India — playing with fire

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India continues to indulge in blatant, unrelenting ceasefire violations, all along the Line of Control (LoC) and the Working Boundary. In its recent frenzy, it seems to be possessed by a demon crossing all the limits of sane human behaviour. Scores of civilians have been unnecessarily killed including women and children and many more wounded. Not to mention the colossal damage to civilian … [Read more...] about India — playing with fire

Nowhere to go

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‘Na jai raftan' (nowhere to go) and 'na pai mandan' (no place to set a foot). This describes the predicament the politicians in Pakistan have brought upon us to bear. To be, or not to be, that is the question: whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer, the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing end them." (Shakespeare)Lies upon lies, … [Read more...] about Nowhere to go

The ‘historic’ decision

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It was going to be a historic decision but it turned out to be a disappointment. The majority could not break away from its tradition of being timid, lame, and uninspiring. Though all honourable judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan were convinced that the nation had been cheated by its current rulers, but they differed in their opinions on the way forward. Two of them wanted to make an example … [Read more...] about The ‘historic’ decision

The sinews of democracy

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Absolute power corrupts absolutely. It might have become a fancy idiom in other societies, but in Pakistan, we are forced to swallow its bitter truth and live with it. Our democratic force is composed of such knights who are the architects, custodians and champions of our democracy. They are also known as the electable. Zardaris and Sharifs have them in abundance. In a democracy, they all flourish … [Read more...] about The sinews of democracy

This is Americ

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“Welcome to America, but what are you doing in a Muslim country?” He must have been as usual amused. Colonel (r) Anil Madan is a Christian from an illustrious family of Lahore. He was visiting the US. Anil was known for his truthfulness. His Commanding Officer, Colonel Dilawar Bangesh, called him the best Muslim young officer in the unit. This was despite the fact that in those days … [Read more...] about This is Americ

Welcoming new army chief

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Taimur Hassan, the famous Pakistan golf champion, was once visiting General Zahid Ali Akbar, the president of Pakistan Golf Association. Taimur, nicknamed Timmy, has been a brazenly blunt person. As the general was giving his plan of bringing some significant changes in Rawalpindi golf course, Timmy was visibly amused. He volunteered to suggest an operational plan to the General. It was too much … [Read more...] about Welcoming new army chief

‘Haman Yaran Dozakh’

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My grandfather had joined the Khilafat Movement. He lost his job, his property and the laurels won by his father by courtesy of the British bosses. Worst of all, he had boycotted the British school system ruining the careers of his seven sons of no mean abilities. Since grandpa is always right, no one ever questioned his judgment. I had visited Turkey twice before, on official purpose. Our hosts … [Read more...] about ‘Haman Yaran Dozakh’