Luteray on May 4, 2019Being the youngest member of a kite flying family I was exposed to ‘Luteray’ early in life. The team lead is called the ‘Pecha Master’ (One who cuts the opponents kite) is usually an elder member of the family as the competition is highly technical. In the support role is the ‘Chota’ (Young) who is […]
Ground realities for the common man on April 19, 2019The common man continues to be in wilderness as the ground realities remain grim for him. There is a serious disconnect between what is needed and what is being done. The recent price like in utility bills is a prime example of this flawed approach. Even the well thought out plans face implementation problems that […]
Instant results from deliverers on April 11, 2019Like most countries, Pakistan also suffers from ‘Instant Results Syndrome’ (IRS). Deliverers are the ones who suffer most from this misgiving. In the end, short term greed prevails over long drawn gains of the nation. Since October 1958 when the first usurper took control of the country in the name of development, common good became […]
The enemy within on April 6, 2019On August 14, 1947, Pakistan started its transition to freedom. The first National Assembly session was called on August 15, 1947 and Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan and his 8 member’s cabinet started to govern the new state operating out of the barracks in Karachi. The Royal Armed Forces, bureaucracy and the Judiciary now reported to […]
Heroes not wanted on April 4, 2019Signs should be posted all over the country saying “HEROES NOT WANTED WE ARE HAPPY WITH ZEROES”. On March 18, 2013 the hero of the 1965 war Muhammad Mahmood Alam or M.M. Alam passed away. He was one of the most patriotic and outstanding soldiers of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Never married, dedicated his […]
Unfriendly business environment on March 29, 2019The business environment in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan continues to be unfriendly. It is because of this, the country has one of the fastest growing informal sector and slowest expanding formal in South East Asia. In order to enter the ranks of the ‘Asian Tigers’ the situation has to change, Pakistan will get nowhere […]
Reaching for the black gold at Thar on March 25, 2019On August 14, 2018 I stood at the base of Pakistan’s first open pit coal mine to touch the black gold hidden under the sand at Thar. It was a proud moment for all of us. With me were two other major players who turned this dream into reality. Shamsuddin Sheikh as Chief Executive Officer […]
End of an era? on March 23, 2019On August 18, 2018 Imran Khan was sworn in as the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan. It was an end of an era, as the Zia inflicted dark ages are finally over. The establishment launched political agents are now either rotting in jails or facing National Accountability (NAB) references. Loot and plunder of the nations’ […]
Ready for revolution? on March 17, 2019Dr Muhammad Iqbal Lahori was one of the architects of the Iranian Revolution of 1979. Iqbal’s poetry in ‘Farsi’ inspired the generation that stood up against the Shah. Dr Ali Shariati picked up from where Iqbal departed in 1938. Allama saw the first revolution of the 20th century (Bolshevik 1917) that toppled the kingdom of […]
Is socialism back? on March 14, 2019The University of Chicago has done it again. This outstanding institution churns out change managers who can make the world more humane. In the sixties two universities played a leading role to end the Vietnam War (Universities of Chicago and Berkeley) in which 50,000 Americans lost their lives. Senator Bernie Sanders is a graduate of […]