Babar Ayaz

What did the four-day sit-in in Islamabad’s chilling winter led by Dr Tahirul Qadri achieve is the question frequently raised by people. In his speech of December 23, 2012, he had raised three operative demands. One, declaring the army and judiciary as genuine stakeholders, he said both should be consulted in the appointment of the […]

For three days during the eighth South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA) conference held in Amritsar and Lahore early this month, over 250 journalists heard the leading policy makers from India and Pakistan ensuring their commitment to peace between the two countries. In Amritsar, we heard Indian External Minister Salman Khurshid thanking the journalists for […]

The discourse on the ‘Islamic ideology of Pakistan’ has become prominent once again. Its timing is interesting as it is just before Pakistan’s historic elections. Liberal and secular forces are being physically attacked and intellectual freedom is being curbed. The elections are not being contested on an even playing field. Thus, the fundamental question that […]

In the run-up to the 2013 elections two cynical terms are oft repeated by some politicians and, unfortunately, by a large section of media. These terms are ‘muk mukka’ (meaning a deal between the two parties, with the connotation of an underhand deal between the two parties) and a similar term ‘noora kushti’ (meaning a […]

Moments of rejoicing in this country are few and far between. While the democrats are rejoicing that for the first time a smooth transfer of power is in sight through free and fair elections, their spirits are dampened by the holy warriors of the country. This time around for the forthcoming elections no General Hamid […]

In times of civil war human rights are endangered. Pakistan is no different. The only difference is that the war in Pakistan is labelled as ‘war against terrorism’. Irrespective of what it is called we are in a state of war indisputably, and an undeclared emergency has been imposed in a ‘soft coup’. The real […]

Once again the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) is in the midst of a storm. Political pundits are having a good time on prime time talk shows guessing whether this controversial political party will come through the storm or it would be considerably weakened. Logically, references are being made to the unsuccessful bid by the establishment […]

For a journalist, it is always good to attend subject specific conferences and seminars because it helps in focusing on the topic and stimulates one’s thoughts on that particular subject without disturbance. It also helps in collecting good information and in having access to knowledgeable participants. Unfortunately, many journalists do not avail this opportunity. Last […]

Islamist militants want to establish their cherished ‘Islamic khilafat’ through jihad against the governments siding with the ‘infidel’ Americans. They draw their inspiration from the teachings of Ibn Taimiyya, Farraj and Qutb on how the ulema (clergy) have failed to rise and call for jihad against the government declaring the rulers as infidel lackeys of […]

Once again, the debate about civil-military relations is raging in the media. The cue has been taken from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release, which stated that in the last corps commanders’ meeting, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) “while appreciating the progress of the ongoing operation and intelligence-based operations, their achievements and effects, […]