The crisis of conscience that Pakistan reels from on January 18, 2021In the Netherlands, Prime Minister Mark Rutte Friday resigned over a child benefits scandal, involving thousands of parents wrongly accused by Dutch authorities of fraudulently claiming child allowance. In Pakistan, politicians and generals have been wailing that authorities have failed in proving they acquired properties in London, for example, through assets beyond means. Meaning the […]
The shock it gave us all! on January 4, 2021As if driven by intuition, only a few days before MumtazQadri gunned him down at Kohsar Market in the heart of the federal capital of Islamabad, Salman Taseer had tweeted: “I was under huge pressure sure 2 cow down b4 rightist pressure on blasphemy. Refused. Even if I’m the last man standing.” January 4 (2011) […]
Contest between pro and anti status quo on December 11, 2020How do we explain opposition parties’ cacophony of protests and resignations? Is it opposition for the sake of opposition, or a quest for power which PDM wants to achieve through whatever means – even if involved a direct military intervention? Is it a match between the conventional status quo and those opposed to it – […]
China, Turkey & Israel on December 2, 2020There is quite a fuss about Saudi Arabia possibly positioning itself for direct or indirect ties with Israel. It has just allowed an overflight to the Israeli airlines. The UAE and Bahrain have already accorded recognition to the oppressor of the Palestinians. Egypt and Jordan did this decades ago. All of them enjoy excellent political […]
‘Positive vibes’ ahead of Imran Khan’s Kabul visit on November 19, 2020Ahead of Prime Minister’s visit to Kabul, US Secretary Chris Miller announced to bring home around 2,000 troops from Afghanistan by January, following up President Trump’s promise of disengaging the US from conflicts that have smouldered through three presidencies with no end in sight since 2001- also known as the “9/11 wars.” “With the blessings […]
Delisting of anti-China ETIM: beginning of a new proxy war? on November 8, 2020On November 5, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo removed the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) from the list of designated terrorist organizations, signaling perhaps the beginning of a new phase of intense cold war with China via Afghanistan. “I hereby revoke the designation of the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, also known as ETIM, as […]
Pak Afghan Relations: Keep Business & Politics separate on November 3, 2020After a long time, the vibes accompanying bilateral relations are encouraging. The heavily-attended two-day Pakistan-Afghanistan Trade and Investment conference at Islamabad left positive impressions, and resulted in a number of recommendations for improving bilateral political and trade relations. The conference also highlighted the centrality of the parliament in pushing political and economic agenda. Several times […]
PML-N narrative: are Sharif and Sadiq acting as Trojan horses? on November 2, 2020Did Ayaz Sadiq, as a repository of national interest and secrets, cross red lines? Most probably yes. Did his message synch in with the Indo-US narrative on China? Certainly yes! Did two holders of top positions cross the red lines to exact revenge on an institution that they hold responsible for their plight – an […]
Pak-Afghan relations: keep business and politics separate on October 30, 2020After a long time, the vibes accompanying bilateral relations are encouraging. The heavily-attended two-day Pakistan-Afghanistan Trade and Investment conference at Islamabad left positive impressions, and resulted in a number of recommendations for improving bilateral political and trade relations. The conference also highlighted the centrality of the parliament in pushing political and economic agenda. Several times […]
Deadlocked Doha Talks & Continued Uncertainty on October 20, 2020Over five weeks into their first face to face meeting, the Afghan government and the Taliban delegations have yet to agree even on the so-called standard operating procedures (SOPs). Quite a dismal outcome of the huddle that began at Doha with big fanfare on September 12. And as the Taliban ramp up their attacks – […]