By refusing to reimburse Pakistan with the $300 million Coalition Support Fund (CSF) (“aid” being a misnomer), many believe that Washington DC has unwisely given up on its strategic leverage over Islamabad; a necessary leverage required to gain access to the land-locked, strategically quintessential, Afghanistan. This is money that is owed to Pakistan, given her […]
FATF’s big grey list and Pakistan’s fate
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a watchdog combating money laundering (AML) and countering terrorism financing (CTF) convened a plenary session in Paris on June 23, placing Pakistan on the dreaded “grey list”. This is a moment of soul-searching scrutiny for the caretaker cabinet, incoming government, and the law enforcement agencies. FATF’s “grey-listing” compels Pakistan […]
Justice for Khadija Siddiqi: call to action
Social media outcry and pressure can be a life-changing catalyst. Khadija Siddiqui’s case amply demonstrates this. The Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar, has rightly taken notice of Khadija Siddiqui’s plight and Pakistan’s Supreme Court will now hear her deserving case on June 10, 2018. However, we cannot rest on our laurels, the media […]
A Halloween from hell
On October 31, 2017, as a rented truck ruthlessly rammed into cyclists, pedestrians and a school bus, leaving at least 8 civilians dead, “Manhattanites” witnessed what seemed to be a haunting Halloween prank only to discover that this was real-life Halloween terror unfolding before their unbelieving eyes. The location of the terrorist attack was symbolic […]