Is a change coming?on July 18, 2018According to the Zodiac, July 25 is a day of strong intellectual energies and a powerful time to be born in. Given the feudal tendency to coerce and intimidate voters in the rural areas, even if Pakistanis vote rationally, the country is unlikely to go through an immediate transformation. Given the importance of charisma in a country with inherent feudalism becoming stronger, can the common … [Read more...] about Is a change coming?
A looter’s democracyon July 12, 2018Billions of ill-gotten dollars are laundered through financial institutions every year globally. Illegally acquired money can also be laundered without the assistance of the financial sector. The nature of the services and products offered by the financial services industry (namely managing, controlling and possessing money and property belonging to others) means that it is vulnerable to abuse by … [Read more...] about A looter’s democracy
Is NAB becoming effective again?on July 6, 2018The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) came into existence on 16 Nov 1999. Simultaneously the Special Investigation Wings (SIWs) was created from within the ISI to assist NAB in collecting relevant information about their cases. FIA and ACE directors of all four provinces were placed under direct command with investigation officers and allied staff for conduct of probes, … [Read more...] about Is NAB becoming effective again?
Clearing the air around CPECon June 30, 2018The One Belt One Road (OBOR) Initiative launched by China's Xi Jinping aims to recreate the legendary Silk Road. A flagship project of OBOR, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) envisions connecting Kashgar city Xinjiang Province with Pakistan's Gwadar deep sea port through a network of highways, railways and pipelines. An international interchange for Eurasian land and maritime silk … [Read more...] about Clearing the air around CPEC
Never give inon June 23, 2018The last few months have been quite difficult for the Dubai-based Abraaj Group. At the beginning of the year there were reports saying something was amiss at the premier investment firm, which has specialised in private equity investments in the MENSA region. A torrent of revelations followed in February, relating to allegations of poor corporate governance and misuse of clients' money. The … [Read more...] about Never give in
The caretaker regime’s dutieson June 1, 2018Headed by former Chief Justice (CJ) Nasirul Mulk, the caretaker regime taking office today is tasked with running the government in accordance with the Constitution and providing the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) with administrative and operational back-up. Not only must the caretaker regime be neutral and impartial, they must also be seen to be so. Violators of the Constitution and the … [Read more...] about The caretaker regime’s duties
PSL must remain in Pakistanon March 25, 2018Attracting some of the best international cricketers, an auction will encourage each team to make an extra effort to get the best players. Big names in the teams will give cricket lovers an even greater incentive to go to stadiums and see their favourite stars in action. However, Rameez Raja’s other suggestion on how to fill up the near empty stadiums in Dubai and Sharjah by ‘hiring international … [Read more...] about PSL must remain in Pakistan
The Calibri fonton March 11, 2018Adverse media focus propagating perceptions quite contrary to reality about the ‘Calibri font’ is meant to discredit the allegations of alleged forgery pertaining to trust deeds in which Maryam Nawaz figures prominently. This concerted ‘whitewash’ campaign implies that Robert Radley, the forensic expert who analysed the trust deeds, accepted in cross-examination that while the font came into … [Read more...] about The Calibri font
Pakistan breakfast at Davos 2018on February 8, 2018Truly independent and impartial the World Economic Forum (WEF) is not tied to any special interests or groups. WEF’s Annual Meeting at Davos presents a unique once-a-year opportunity bringing together the world’s most prominent politicians, Heads of State and/or government, business and industrial leaders, policy makers, academics and scholars, scientists, philanthropists, social workers, media … [Read more...] about Pakistan breakfast at Davos 2018
A polite ‘shut up’ callon December 29, 2017Alongwith one of my platoons, radio operator and runner, I was hugging the bottom of a steep ridge with Marri militants firing down at us on Dec 30, 1973 a few miles west of Kahan. The Marris thought we were trapped, their bullets were ricocheting10-12 feet away from us, luckily for us they had no concept of “plunging fire”. While one of the platoons was making their way around the ridge behind … [Read more...] about A polite ‘shut up’ call
