The skewed male-female ratio on May 24, 2019In our culture one is not supposed to question any statement coming from those who claim to be religious scholars. The reference here is to preachers in our mosques, of whom most are not qualified for their jobs. Some of them become rich and powerful by constructing mosques on other people’s properties, secure in the […]
Using science and technology for moon-sighting on May 15, 2019It was one of those rare occasions when we actually heard someone in this government talk sense. The minister for science and technology pleaded that we should not depend on clerics to determine whether the moon has been sighted or not. There is no need, he said, to waste so much money on transporting scholars […]
Minister should really think before he speaks on May 8, 2019Whatever the critics might say about the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government, no one can deny that it keeps us entertained. Whether it’s the Great Khan saying that Jesus (peace be upon him) is not mentioned anywhere in history books or that Japan and Germany share a common border, or that a billion trees in his home […]
What will a presidential system change? on May 1, 2019When you are in a great hurry to transform a nation of beggars into a highly developed welfare state, no one is surprised if you fail. It has taken decades for China and the rich nations of the West to become what they are today. Our Dear Leader should have realised this by now, but […]
Gained in translation on April 25, 2019Sometimes one wishes to bang one’s head against a wall. Like when the learned minister for climate change asserts piously that the recent rainfall in the country was solely due to our prime minister being virtuous. Makes one wonder about the role of the ‘corrupt’ leaders over the past 10 years in the kind of […]
Tax amnesties are not the answer on April 17, 2019If there is one thing the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government is known for, it is the many policy U-turns it has taken in its first eight months. There have, in fact, been so many U-turns that the ordianry people can no longer tell whether the government is going to follow a certain policy or end up […]
When governments cannot control inflation on April 10, 2019Remember the optimists? It seems like ages, but did they not say Imran Khan and the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf will change the face of the country? That within hours of a PTI government taking over the US dollar would sell for Rs 60? That $200 billion would be repatriated the next day? Do you think any […]
Indian secularism on April 1, 2019We recently saw the hatred spewed by Indian TV anchors towards Muslims after the Pulwama incident (widely suspected to be organized by Indian intelligence). Mind you, they are very careful not to say anything against Islam or Muslims, but knowing that 96% of Pakistanis are Muslims, when they scream that Pakistan should be destroyed once […]
Time to increase our defense budget! on March 12, 2019If we have learnt one thing from the threats to destroy Pakistan by Indian leaders and media persons, it is this: we have to strengthen our defense capability. And for this we have to increase our defense budget by at least twenty five percent immediately. To give you an idea of how low our defense […]
Time to declare war on sugar! on February 26, 2019The sugar industry in Pakistan (most of which is controlled by politicians sitting in our assemblies) is perhaps the biggest drain on the country’s economy. Despite running on losses, the sugar barons manage to have lavish lifestyles and get elected to parliament, where they exercise their powers to get loans written off. Surely in these […]