The foolhardy ‘Cold Start Doctrine’ on January 24, 2018The ‘Cold Start Doctrine’ is India’s limited-war strategy, which was formulated to grab Pakistani territory swiftly without risking a nuclear conflict. It also seeks to mobilise its troops, using limited armoured thrusts with infantry and the necessary air support. If this is India’s military doctrine then it is extremely foolish. India can’t control Pakistan’s decision […]
Kasur imbroglio and mob mentality on January 16, 2018Last week Kasur witnessed a horrific incident of rape and murder of a 7-year-old girl, Zainab, followed by ugly violence by the unruly mob that had ganged up to protest the unfortunate incident. The crowd went berserk and attacked the office of the deputy commissioner, a police station and later on the hospital as well. […]
The power of fatwa on January 8, 2018A bearded religious billionaire friend of mine told me in all earnestness that he had taken a fatwa to evade income tax; if he paid zakat there was no need to pay income tax. I was taken aback at this arrangement, which clearly messed with crucial fiscal system of the state. Many of us might […]
Blood for the nation on December 27, 2017The rain was pouring down relentlessly. Second Lieutenant Abdul Moeed’s father was walking steadily without an umbrella, along with hundreds of mourners, behind the funeral procession of his martyred son. His cheeks were wet. Nobody could tell whether they were tears or raindrops that soaked them. “I like walking in the rain because nobody can […]
Two woeful tales of a December day on December 16, 2017 As 16th December approaches, agonizing memories flood through. Though separated by forty-three years and more than one thousand miles- two harrowing occurrences left indelible scars on our souls that changed the fate and outlook of the nation. First, I think of the debacle that took place in December 1971- East Pakistan now Bangladesh. Pakistan, […]
Tug of war with the terrorists on December 12, 2017It is now a fact that terrorists are on the run in Pakistan. They have been flushed out of their strongholds in Waziristan and elsewhere in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). The Global Terror index shows marked reduction in terrorist attacks and in terror related deaths over the past three years. In 2016, there were […]
Tackling the menace of extremism on December 6, 2017Extremism has become an effective method to get heard. The extremists cross the lines of normal ethics, values, principles and traditions to sell their ideas and demands. The temerity often goes unpunished due to inactivity of the overcautious concerned quarters. This encourages the budding extremists to operate with impunity. The recent dharna at Islamabad was […]
Strategising CPEC security on November 29, 2017CPEC has been touted as a game-changer for Pakistan. This ambitious $60 billion venture includes connectivity, energy, and infrastructure projects. Thus it not only offers great opportunities for the long-term economic prosperity of China and Pakistan — it is also expected to afford both a tremendous geo-strategic boost. Indeed, the Corridor is the flagship project […]
Strategy for the security of Pakistan Railways on November 21, 2017According to reports in the media a couple of weeks ago; terrorists attempted to blow up the Akbar train which travels from Quetta to Lahore. Six passengers were injured. Although it was a comparatively small incident, it is serious enough to warrant elaborate pre-emptive measures. The Pakistan railways need to be secured to the hilt! […]
Drones strike again on October 24, 2017After a brief lull, US drone attacks have again resumed in the tribal areas of Pakistan as well as in Afghanistan. Four people were killed in a US drone attack in the Kurram Agency along the Pak-Afghan border on 15September 2017. According to the Political Administration of Kurram Agency, the drone targeted the house of […]