Gulmina Bilal Ahmad

Gone are the days when Ramzan used to be celebrated by the people of Pakistan along with the state run PTV. The transmissions at sehri and iftar were filled with recitations from the Holy Quran and experts gave solutions to various problems as per the Islamic approach. This was accompanied by praises for Allah and […]

On July 12, 2013, a young Pakistani took the podium at one of the most celebrated gatherings in the world and spoke for her country and its citizens, especially the youth. The scars from the attempt on her life were still visible. However, unfortunately, it seems that everyone except her own country seemed to be […]

“Honest, honourable and innocent men, who died without a reason…They leave behind…a question mark as to the value of life in this country.” This was conveyed to me by someone who experienced the recent deadly attack in Mardan. We are paying a high cost for the declining value of life in Pakistan. There is an […]

The second highest voter turnout at 55 percent in Pakistan’s history. It will be an understatement to say that the election run up was overwrought and bloodied. For those under threat it was not about political choice. Rather, it seemed as if the choice was who was going to remain alive. Some candidates and parties […]

Pakistan votes tomorrow. I am not going to write about who one should vote for. Neither would I use this space to share with readers who I would ‘give my life for so that the person can lead’. Neither is this scribble of mine intended to be an emotional call for the shaheeds, mullahs, the […]

A few weeks before the election, the environment around me is like a pre-wedding house. People excited, families and friends coming together for discussions albeit via the social media, people running around trying to tie up loose ends before the election. There is an environment of fanfare, anticipation and hope for the elections, which are […]

A friend on Facebook summed it up. He posted, “Dear Ghairat Brigade! Now that the US has apologised, how about seeking an apology from the Taliban for beheading Pakistani soldiers?” It seems as if the big game hunting season is always on for the Taliban, without any questions asked. I am constantly amazed when I […]

The whole nation was taken aback by the allegations levelled against the Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry’s son, Dr Arsalan Iftikhar by the real estate tycoon, Mr Malik Riaz. Not just this, the leaked footage of a TV programme of a private TV channel was also a shocking revelation for people. This charade did not […]

Weddings are supposed to be occasions for celebration and joy; at least that was the case until now. Especially in our culture, they are colourful events where friends and family members meet and share the happiness of a holy matrimony. But now, I will have to think twice before rejoicing at any wedding. The law […]

Ahmed Ali was a third-year student at the Sindh Medical College. He was waiting eagerly for the summer holidays so that he could go to his native town, Jaffarabad, and meet his family and friends. His family, particularly his eight-year-old sister Amina, was equally excited about his impending homecoming. When finally the holidays started, Ahmed […]