Pakistan has challenges beyond politics on January 13, 2021During my university days in the late sixties and early seventies politics was reentering our civil discourse. After ten years under Ayub Khan, Pakistan transitioned from a “Basic Democracy” system to an “Adult Franchise”. The present borders of Pakistan were then known as West Pakistan where Zulifiqar Ali Bhutto had captured the hearts and minds […]
PDM implosion is a national opportunity on January 7, 2021December 2020 was a tumultuous month in Pakistani politics. It started with thunder, threatening a severe storm but ended in a whimper despite intense rumblings. PML(N)’s de-facto leaderMaryam loudly proclaimed a “now or never” agenda for PDM leaders. Lahore’s public meeting on December 13th would unravel PTI’s Government with unprecedented turnout. It was decent, but […]
You reap what you sow on December 28, 2020Rustic wisdom emanates from centuries of experience transferred from generation to generation. These universal truths are common amongst cultures and geography. In the subcontinent folklore, it goes as “jo beejo gay so kaato gay”. Yet our political leaders overlook this basic wisdom blinded by the shine and glamour of money and power. Despite multiple examples […]
Straight talk Saudi blowback leads to change of guard on December 20, 2020Rub al Khali, the Empty Quarter covers a third of the Arabian Peninsula. It hugs the belly of Saudi Arabia in the south linking it to Yemen, Oman and UAE. Our farm was on the edge of Rub al Khali, south of Riyadh close to an oasis town Al Kharj, now a thriving industrial city […]
PDM on warpath on December 14, 2020Battle lines are drawn between PDM opposition and PTI Government. Maulana Fazal is roaring in his characteristic style. Maryam Nawaz has declared that PDM struggle is at a decisive stage. She had threatened “Ya Aar Ya Paar” that translates “It’s now or never!” in PDM’s December 8 th meeting. Great for the hype, but in […]
What is PDM Agenda? on December 7, 2020Baba Bulleh Shah, Kasur’s Sufi Saint’s writings are full of wisdom. His words are a balm when seeking answers for simple yet elusive questions. Recently a close friend sought my advice about a recent upheaval in his life. He narrated how his business partner and childhood companion had let him down. A tough one to […]
Straight talk The social debacle we face on December 2, 2020Growing up in Abbottabad, each year we would spend our winter holidays with my grandfather in Lahore or Lyallpur farms depending on his location. Dr. Sardar Ali was a family friend. His medical practice in Baghbanpura, Lahore was in proximity of my uncle Dr. Abdul Rasheed Khan’s clinic. My cousins and I were close to […]
Straight talk PTI needs to walk the talk for common man on November 23, 2020When we joined the New Campus in late sixties, Punjab University had a vibrant rowing club. The boats were shifted from River Ravi to the canal running through the heart of the Campus. The equipment was reserved for the team and discipline was strictly imposed. Not for long when the first batch of undergraduate honors […]
US Pak relations in Biden era on November 17, 2020I remember playing weekend cricket in Abbottabad as a kid. One of our playmates used to walk off with the wickets if he got out. A spoiler who could not accept defeat. President Trump reminds me of him. Despite putting up a strong resistance and getting more votes than 2016 he could not get to […]
How will US elections impact Pakistanis on November 3, 2020Lebron James is a legend in Basketball. He has dominated this extremely popular sport in North Americafor 16 years. He has accumulated a fortune and is an icon for the younger generation. What sets him apart is that he is a star with a conscience. Black people make up about 12 percent of Americans. They […]