Looming danger of further Talibanisation of the constitution on February 13, 2014Strange are the ways of politics: on the one hand, former president General Pervez Musharraf is being tried by the present government for violating the constitution by promulgating emergency, ostensibly to curb terrorism while actually it was terrorism against the judiciary and media, while on the other hand the same government has constituted a committee […]
Turf war huffing and puffing in Sindh on January 8, 2014Elusive local government elections are in sight now thanks to the pressure of the judiciary. However, in the process, political threats are being hurled by the MQM chief, creating ripples in the country. The MQM is upset because of re-demarcation of the constituencies by the Sindh government. So, do not take the huffing and puffing […]
Extremism breeds terrorism on December 30, 2013It is seldom that journalists from the print and electronic media take time out to reflect and introspect on the crucial issues they cover on a day-to-day basis in the line of duty. Once in a year, the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) provides such an opportunity. Last week it invited over 100 journalists […]
Will change of COAS shift the balance of power? on December 2, 2013In most developed democratic polities, the appointment of a new military chief would not be as big news as it is in Pakistan. It was the lead story in the media last week. Anywhere else, it would have been a simple two column headline. The appointment of the defence minister, who is supposed to be […]
Talking to the TTP from a position of strength on November 11, 2013Unabashedly, the apologists of the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) are coming out of the cupboard. On television screens, they are screaming and wailing on the killing of Hakeemullah Mehsud. They are more vociferous in condemning his death than they ever were when thousands of civilians and military personnel were butchered by the Mehsud-led TTP. Let us analyse […]
Indians wants peace ignoring their TV hawks on October 10, 2013The most rewarding thing while attending a literature festival or a seminar for me is not the speaking opportunity but the interaction with people, particularly the younger generation. Most enlightening is meeting so many writers, persons of words and wisdom at such events. Most assuring is the fact that not many people are influenced by […]
Political quackery rules the country on September 23, 2013My friend and contemporary columnist Ayaz Amir said a few days ago that he is writing two columns a week, as there is too much happening in the country that inspires comment. Another friend Zahid Hussain who writes a column once in two weeks agreed. I am out of the country and could not contribute […]
National Security Policy should be in sync with peoples interest on September 2, 2013Finally, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif bites the bullet and has agreed to set-up the ‘Cabinet Committee on National Security’ (CCNS) replacing the Defence Committee of the Cabinet. As they say ‘once bitten twice shy’. In his third stint the prime minister who was twice bitten from the same hole was pragmatic this time and accepted […]
Eid celebrations in a rain of blood on August 11, 2013Tragically this Eid followed the killings of 40 people who had gathered to offer Namaz-e-Jinazah of their colleague who was shot dead a day earlier. The Islamist TTP claimed responsibility. And I wondered why Namaz-e-Jinazah, which is an Islamic farz, was attacked by the Islamic militants who claim they know Shariah better than other Muslims […]
Malalas struggle critics are blinded by anti-westernism on July 31, 2013If I am killed by a stray bullet in a gunfight between the security forces and terrorists or dacoits, as bad luck would have it I was at the wrong place at the wrong time. But surely I would not be and should not be labelled as a ‘martyr’ or a ‘hero’. Why? Because I […]