Qamar Bashir

On the fateful day of October 7, 2023, Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing many of its soldiers and civilians and taking as many as 250 Israelis and other nationals hostage, aiming to use them as leverage to prevent any Israeli retaliation. The attack enraged both Israelis and Americans, prompting a robust, comprehensive, and […]

Many countries have established both a constitutional court and a supreme court to handle different aspects of their legal systems, particularly separating constitutional matters from other judicial issues. For instance, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, South Africa, and Poland have constitutional courts dedicated to ensuring laws comply with their constitutions, while their supreme courts handle civil […]

Before switching parties, Mr Vawda made numerous predictions, but the majority of them never materialized, damaging the reputation of PTI’s government and eroding its political capital. I vividly recall one of his most outlandish and illogical predictions, made shortly after PTI assumed power in 2018. He confidently predicted that within a month or two, 20 […]

In Pakistan, we often adhere to the belief that force is the primary solution for dealing with terrorists, extremists, separatists, insurgents, and even civil unrest, whether it involves political, religious parties, students, or civil society. The prevailing notion is that if force doesn’t achieve the desired outcome, more force should be applied. In contrast, China’s […]

We often do the opposite of what drives progress in developed nations. While wise nations protect, promote, respect, and honour their heroes, we have a history of persecuting them. Figures like Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto, and Liaquat Ali Khan were assassinated, while others like Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan and Imran Khan were imprisoned. We […]

It was deeply disheartening and revolting to witness the way our politicians, bureaucrats, and elites swarmed around Arshad Nadeem like vultures, each trying to claim a piece of his unprecedented victory at the Paris Olympics. As soon as he landed, he was handed a prepared statement to read during interviews. PTI’s social media brigade was […]

The student protests in Bangladesh which began in June 2024, in Dhaka, quickly spreading to other cities such as Chattogram, Comilla, Rajshahi, and Sylhet have taught numerous lessons to all pillars of the state – political parties, civil society, and students. Students should understand that if they perceive injustice, their genuine rights being usurped, meritocracy […]

I was posted in France as Press Minister in September 2016, and I had the unique opportunity to witness France being awarded the hosting rights for the 2024 Summer Olympics on September 13, 2017, during the 131st IOC Session in Lima, Peru. From that pivotal moment until our return to Pakistan after four years, we […]

The divine approval seemed to suddenly turn away from Joe Biden after he fumbled, lost his words, and struggled to maintain the sequence while making points, showing visible signs of ageing. Later, he contracted coronavirus, perhaps seen as the final push of the divine to move him out of the president’s slot. The “Huma,” the […]

During Obama’s visit to Kenya, a boy as young as seven-years-old had asked him, “Are you the king of the world?” Whether one likes it or not, the President of the US does wield considerable power and authority, capable of lifting a compliant country from ashes to prosperity or, conversely, reducing a non-compliant country to […]