Saluting our heroes: the healthcare professionalson April 2, 2020COVID-19 is a global tsunami. It has hit the two power engines driving the world: the USA and China. It has derailed their way of life and their economies. China has a handle on the situation and the USA is still besieged. Despite all the resources and technology, the USA is struggling with ways to […]
Realities of a panic lockdownon March 21, 2020The difference between the rich and the poor has never been more glaring in Pakistan. The rich are emptying shelves of their favorite super markets and urging a lockdown. The poor are losing sleep over how they will feed their family should such a lockdown happen. The air we breathe is the only common factor […]
Straight Talk: Corona’s dark shadow on humans and economieson March 15, 2020Re locating from one continent to another takes its toll on the body and mind. I did it last week and did not write a column. I apologize to those who missed it. We are not living in normal times. We are crowded by fear and uncertainties. One sneeze in the airplane on the way […]
Straight Talk: failing accountability-beware ikon March 3, 2020Steal a few thousands and you will be caught, beaten up and punished. Steal a few billions, hire a good lawyer and you will become respectable. You will be sought after and lavished with praise of your nonexistent talents. This is how the Mafias flourish in our beloved homeland. You will probably smile. That is […]
Adios my friend Naeem Ul Haqueon February 22, 2020I vividly remember my first face to face meeting with Naeem Ul Haque. He walked into the room wearing a dark chocolate safari suit. He accompanied my dear friend, late Ahsan Rashid, who looked immaculate as always. I was sitting with Mehmood Awan, known as “Mooda” to friends. He was then Chief of Staff to […]
Straight talk: keep draining the swamp Mr Prime Ministeron February 17, 2020Turn on Pakistani news and talk shows and you feel as if the Government is about to fall. The system has totally failed, everything is topsy turvy and there is no hope. The opposition and big part of media is continuously stoking the fire. Watch National Assembly proceedings and you feel repulsed. These guys can’t […]
Straight Talk: is corona the new weapon of war?on February 11, 2020Corona Virus is a clear and present danger. Honestly, just researching for this article was a scary experience. I have relied on credible sources in an effort to inform my friends and readers about this deadly outbreak. I will feel redeemed if I can help prevent even one potential case from this cruel virus. Information […]
Straight talk: secularism in full retreaton February 2, 2020The first time I landed in Bombay, now Mumbai, was mid eighties. It was in the evening as the sun was going down. The view from the plane was breathtaking. The coastline with boats lined up conveyed vibrancy. I was excited. I was received by my host with his team. He was a successful businessman. […]
Straight Talk: 2020 Davos theme — save the earthon January 25, 2020Davos, Switzerland is where the rich, powerful and famous come together and rub shoulders with each other every year at the World Economic Forum (WEF). It was started in 1971 by Klaus Schwab, a business professor from University of Geneva. It is an NGO headquartered in a sprawling campus in Geneva. It started off being […]
Straight Talk: will humans destroy planet earth?on January 19, 2020The sunset in Bali is renowned around the globe. There is a lot of glamour and romance attached to it. It attracts visitors from all over. I am in Bali with the family for a vacation. I witnessed the sunset standing in ankle deep water on the beach with the breeze musically blowing on my […]