Saad Hafiz

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) in its recent annual report said, “At least 943 women were killed in the name of honour in the country, of which 93 were minors.” While reliable worldwide estimates of honour killing incidence do not exist, a UN study in 2000 suggested there were as many as 5,000 […]

The heightened rhetoric between Pakistan and the US has reached a fever pitch after the recent incident that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers on the Pak-Afghan border. The relationship, already beset by accusations, recriminations and threats since the bin Laden killing, seems to have gone into a tailspin in the last few weeks. Pakistan considers the […]

As another anniversary of the disintegration of Pakistan and the creation of Bangladesh approaches, I am reminded of the eventful period from 1965-1971 I spent as a student in the former East Pakistan. We arrived in Dhaka (Dacca) just before the September 1965 Indo-Pak War. Pakistan’s military strategy in 1965, apparent in 1971, effectively meant […]

US Republican and presidential frontrunner Mitt Romney said in a recent debate: “The right way to deal with Pakistan is to recognise that Pakistan is not a country, like other countries, with a strong political centre that you can go to and say, ‘Gee, can we come here, will you take care of this problem?’” […]

On August 14, 1947, Mr Jinnah sent a clear and well-defined message to the armed forces of nascent Pakistan: “Do not forget that the armed forces are the servants of the people and you do not make national policy; it is we, the civilians, who decide these issues and it is your duty to carry […]