Mashaal Gauhar

The recent assassination of India’s courageous journalist Gauri Lankesh outside her home in Bangalore sparked widespread indignation in India. Editor of the independent Kannada language newspaper Lankesh Patrike, Lankesh was an ardent campaigner for India’s minorities and a vociferous critic of far-right nationalist groups. Hours before being killed, she had posted a message on Facebook […]

Pakistan’s interest in importing Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from Algeria marks a welcome deepening of commercial relations between the two countries. Looking to the North African energy powerhouse not only addresses Pakistan’s energy shortfall, Algerian oil and gas expertise could also help Pakistan in building up much needed energy self-reliance. Pakistan’s planned construction of a […]

Karachi’s recent ranking on The Economist Intelligence Unit Index as one of the world’s least liveable cities only confirms what the people of Karachi have known and suffered for a long time. Despite the city’s importance as the country’s primary economic hub for trade and investment, Karachi has been the victim of chronic negligence and […]

As always, the game of cricket provides the most accurate barometer for gauging the state of play between Pakistan and India. Renowned journalist Mihir Bose’s mere suggestion of a resumption in matches between the two countries on a popular Indian talk show sparked angry consternation. Writing in the Guardian newspaper, he explained, “My argument was […]

With unceasing violence in the town of Parachinar, medical experts have concluded that over 60 percent of its residents suffer from post traumatic stress disorder, more commonly referred to as PTSD. In the absence of thorough documentation, it is estimated that about 40 percent of people living in Pakistan’s turbulent tribal region suffer from PTSD. […]

Though army counter-terrorism operations Zarb-e-Azb and  more recently Radd-ul-Fassad have significantly weakened the TTP, the recent attack in Lahore shows that the group is still capable of causing serious harm through the proliferation of offshoots and splinter groups   With over 26 people dead and 30 injured, Lahore’s recent suicide attack is the latest in […]

In a land where sufi philosophy forms an inextricable part of our heritage, the life and times of Algeria’s great saint Emir Abdel Kader (1808-1883) stands unique as a sufi who was also an exceptional political leader and humanitarian. In many ways, Abdel Kader’s life holds a particular significance for the subcontinent as in addition […]

The deaths of the rich and powerful often elicit extravagant claims, but the nationwide remembrance and tributes for Abdul Sattar Edhi on his first death anniversary last week stands as testament to the enduring legacy of Pakistan’s greatest philanthropist and ascetic. With the government facing persistent accusations of graft, one cannot help but see the […]

In commemoration of what would have been his 85th birthday, Pakistan’s most influential artist, Syed Sadequain Ahmed Naqvi, was honoured with a Google doodle last week. A prolific painter, poet and mystic, his enduring legacy still resonates across the world. Born in 1930 in Amroha, India, Sadequain was born into a family of Koranic scribes. […]

In an unprecedented move, the Chinese government has proposed to mediate between Pakistan and Afghanistan in a bid to defuse escalating tensions between the two countries. During his visit to Islamabad and Kabul last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi underlined the need to improve bilateral ties — an essential prerequisite for developing a coordinated […]