Dealing with the cancer menace on February 17, 2020The conduit through which news and views flow towards Balochistan (except social media activism) has been political or the one pertaining to security. Unlike conventional media-coverage of the issues, social media activism–the unleashed citizen journalism through social media–accentuates and highlights the issues, which mismatch 24/7 news-breaking trend. Intermittently, there has been a myriad of issues […]
Bravo, Balochistan education system! on February 2, 2020The recent harsh spell of snowfall across the country has claimed hundreds of lives. Balochistan has faced the wrath of harsh weather too. After the government’s resources fell short of assisting hundreds of people stuck on roads awaiting help, local people came forward to accomplish this feat. Mr Suleman Khan, a resident of Kuchlak, rescued […]
All problems are local! on January 13, 2020The entire political attitude has morphed into an administrative mode. Municipal corporations of cities have been turning the ugliest shape of the cities into pleasant and eye-catching edifices; constructed with “sweat and blood” of local governments. The suddenly-out-of-the-lamp Genie (jinn) of development indicates approaching of local government elections in Balochistan. 2020 might witness the local […]
The brazen act on October 18, 2019The harassment case, which has unfolded within the ranks of an educational institution of Balochistan, has broadly been described as a “scandal,” “blackmailing” or a “shocking” incident. The entire episode is hued with a verbatim that still needs to be shaped and mainstreamed as far as harassment cases are concerned. The terms “sexual harassment” and […]
Of Lyari, sports and drugs on October 2, 2019In response to one of the questions asked by a listener of the panel discussion on ‘Lyari, sports and drugs’, one of the three panellists made the Lyari Literature Festival a dichotomous example as a denial of drugs. The question was raised to rid the listener of his confusion about why the panellists were merely […]
A tale of unresolved issues! on July 17, 2019The arid land of Balochistan is in a desperate need of policies based on research. Does the government system consider research a “rudimentary” tool during policy-making or is it the light at the end of the tunnel, which shapes an effective policy to deal with a difficult situation? The answer is more or less satisfactory. […]
Whither Balochistan Public Service Commission? on May 1, 2019Nothing substantial, it seems, ever gets done in Pakistan without there being a controversy about it. There is a chorus, after every general election, of rigging allegations. Pakistan cannot lose a cricket game without there being suggestions of match fixing. Examination results in many cases are considered suspect. Not all controversies, unfortunately, can be blamed […]
A ban or a bane on March 28, 2019In a recent dramatic move, the government of Balochistan banned political activities at educational institutions. The decision has been frivolously criticised by students and academics alike, terming the ban a ‘calculated’ move to rob students of a fundamental right. The ban is imposed under Section (r) (13) of Balochistan Employees’ Efficiency and Discipline Act 2011 […]
People’s write to know on February 12, 2019Quest to know is a democratic attitude. Knowing the world leads one to explore the world. In contrast, the quest for knowing about the elected representatives in a democratic society ensures a transparent government. Almost 50 years ago, the 36th president of America Lyndon Johnson, while signing the Freedom of Information Act at the eve […]
An open letter to Jam Kamal Khan on August 31, 2018Mr. Jam Kamal Khan, I have nothing but praise for your initiatives, which are based on a commitment to address a myriad of issues pertaining to the social, political and economic conditions of Balochistan. The eleventh general election has been fruitful in terms of electing seasoned politicians into both, the Provincial and National Assemblies, as […]