When Protests Go Too Far on November 30, 2024The recent crackdown on protesters in Islamabad has not only brought the streets of the capital to a standstill but also ignited a larger conversation about the very nature of protest, power, and the limits of democratic rights. What we witnessed over the past few days was not merely a clash between opposition supporters and […]
One Earth One Breath on November 18, 2024When smog rolls across the subcontinent, it makes no distinction between Lahore and Delhi, friend or foe. This toxic haze defies borders and geopolitical tensions, drifting freely from one city to another, creating an unspoken crisis that endangers millions. As a policy analyst in Islamabad, I can’t help but ponder the possibility of cross-border cooperation […]
Empowering Women’s Resilience at COP29 on November 8, 2024In Pakistan, climate change isn’t just a distant concern or the subject of summits; it’s part of the reality we live every day. As a policy analyst, I see it play out on the faces of rural women burdened with heavier, longer walks to fetch water from wells running dry. I hear it in the […]
Pakistan’s Moment at COP29 on November 1, 2024COP29 is more than just another climate conference- it’s a pivotal moment, especially for developing nations like Pakistan, where the stakes are higher than ever. As the global community continues to grapple with the devastating effects of climate change, this year presents an unparalleled opportunity for countries on the front lines of the crisis to […]
Disarmament for a Sustainable Future on October 29, 2024Disarmament Week arrives like a clarion call for introspection, compelling us in Pakistan to rethink our approach to security, climate change, and national defense. We find ourselves ensnared in an arms race, propelled by regional tensions and a relentless pursuit of military might. Yet, amidst this fervent drive for accumulation, we face an undeniable truth: […]
Pakistan’s Push for Proactive Disaster Risk Reduction on October 9, 2024Disaster risk often comes to our attention only after the devastation has already occurred, but what if we began addressing disaster risk before the disaster struck? The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR), observed every year on October 13, offers a critical reminder to shift from disaster response to disaster prevention. As we reflect […]
The Dawn of a Greener Pakistan on August 14, 2024As Pakistan celebrates its 77th Independence Day, the air is filled with fervour, pride, and nostalgia. Yet, amidst the discussions on debt, inflation, and corruption, a critical issue remains conspicuously absent: climate change. While the nation immerses itself in the festivities, we must redirect some of our attention to this existential threat that looms larger […]
Urban Flood Management in Islamabad on July 27, 2024On July 9, 2024, I attended the Urban Floods: Implications for Resilience workshop co-hosted by SDPI and the Pak-German Climate & Energy Partnership in Islamabad. Major takeaways from the event entailed the grim situation of climate change susceptibility and its impact on Urban Flooding. Islamabad is in jeopardy as not only the forecasts entail that […]
Defence Day Calls to Reinvigorate the Kashmir Cause on September 8, 2021Amidst the preparations to celebrate the 56th Defence Day of Pakistan, Indian Illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) has concluded its second year. Unfortunately, our Kashmiri brethren have faced the brunt of Indian cruelty for more than 70 years. On September 6, 196, India and Pakistan went to war over Kashmir. Defence Day commemorates the […]
Is Arresting a Model over ‘Obscene’ Photoshoot a Panacea for our Ills? on September 2, 2021Just weeks after #ArrestTheCouple made headlines all over social media, one of the “Gender Jihad activists, ” Zulfiqar Mannan, was reportedly arrested by the Koral Town Islamabad police on August 24. The police had registered a case under Section 294 against him. This holds that any person guilty of unethical deeds, vulgar words or songs […]