Disenchanted allies on January 22, 2018The present US-Pakistan bilateral relationship resembles a poor quality soap opera, full of sentimentality and melodrama. Words like lies, deceit, disloyalty and betrayal from a cast of characters including US President Trump and Pakistan’s powerful Army Chief Bajwa describe the state of a complex and strained relationship. This unwelcome disruption in ties between the two […]
The enigmatic Jinnah on January 6, 2018It is common for new nation-states to give their founding fathers a larger-than-life image. Jinnah, without whom the creation of Pakistan wouldn’t have taken place, is one such heroic national figure. However, hero-worship of political leader scan hamper an honest appraisal of their record. Undoubtedly, Jinnah enjoyed unique authority within the Indian Muslim community, despite […]
The mean dog on December 23, 2017A wise tale, attributed to a Native American elder went like this: “Inside of me, there are two dogs. One of the dogs is mean and evil. The other dog is good. The mean dog fights the good dog, all of the time.” When asked which dog wins, he reflected for a moment and replied, […]
Islamic lab results on December 12, 2017Recent events have clearly demonstrated the massive power wielded by religious fascists in Pakistan. The organs of state power have never before so easily capitulated to extremist threats and intimidation. Unfortunately, state institutions not working in harmony played into the hands of extremists. Simply put, the law of the jungle prevailed. The country continues to […]
Holding up the mirror on November 25, 2017Decades of ruinous domestic and foreign policies have tarnished Pakistan’s international image. The country’s current profile is not welcoming. Militancy, militarism, and insecurity are the major challenges. Diplomats and expatriates have the difficult task of defending the epicentre and export of terror, nuclear proliferation, state instability, and religious persecution. Whether this image is inaccurate, exaggerated […]
Client state on November 13, 2017Money and its corrupting influence on politics is a significant challenge for democracies. Global media commentaries are replete with denunciations of the collusion between crooked politicians and powerful interest groups. To describe this patron-client system of exchange, political scientists and economists use concepts like patronage, clientelism and vote buying. This system of political patronage and […]
Servants not masters on October 29, 2017Securing the subordination of military forces to civilian authority remains a distant dream in Pakistan. Democracy, as a viable alternative to military and quasi-military rule is yet to sink in. The military monopolises power in a wobbly political structure. It operates more like a state within a state. Its institutional definition of national security and […]
Captain Safdar’s demagoguery on October 15, 2017Political leaders invoking meaningless clichés and delivering empty sound bites all in a bid to bamboozle the masses is hardly a case of breaking news. Demagoguery, historically speaking, has served as a useful tool to suppress dissent as well as to target minorities, arguably the most vulnerable group in any society. Aristophanes, a Greek poet […]
Accepting hate on October 7, 2017The world is in the grip of forces of divisiveness, hatred and violence. Global extremism is thriving under various causes like populism, hyper-nationalism and religious fundamentalism. Despite fair economic conditions, the industrialized world has seen a boost in right-wing extremism. Criminals and thugs, including neo-Nazis, Ku Klux Clan, white supremacists, and other hate groups targeting […]
The Indian obsession on September 23, 2017Hurling abuse and invective have long served as substitutes for reason and reality in India-Pakistan relations. For Pakistan, India is the mortal enemy and existential threat. To advocate otherwise invites criticism or worse. The enormous national cost of maintaining the military deterrence against India receives scant attention. Arguably, the 70 years unremitting hostility with India […]