Democracy and the Muslim worldon June 20, 2018The economic empowerment of women does not only better a country’s women’s rights situation, but also results in economic development and increases the size of the middle class. A reliable yardstick through which women’s emancipation from traditional gender roles can be measured is the level of economic self-sufficiency they enjoy. If the Prophet’s wife could work outside the household, all Muslim … [Read more...] about Democracy and the Muslim world
Economic policies of the last decadeon May 6, 2018After listening to Mr Salman Shah — a former caretaker Finance Minister — speak at a talk show, I decided to peruse the economic policies followed in the country over the past ten years. The process of development in an underdeveloped country like Pakistan is held hostage by a lack of basic social and economic factors such as schools, technical institutions and research institutes, hospitals … [Read more...] about Economic policies of the last decade
Our drying water reservoirson April 27, 2018Water connects every aspect of life. The water crisis is a health crisis. Access to safe water and sanitation means opportunity for improved health and the ability to help fight disease. It means increased dignity and reduced psychological stress for young ladies and women. The human body consists of 70 percent of water. Roughly 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water, of which … [Read more...] about Our drying water reservoirs
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s legacyon April 4, 2018So what if Dacca falls? So what if the whole of East Pakistan falls? So what if the whole of East Pakistan falls? We will build a new Pakistan. We will build a better Pakistan. Mr President you referred to the distinguished, Foreign Minister of India. How is he distinguished when his hands are full of blood, when his heart is full of venom? I extended a hand of friendship to him. I am … [Read more...] about Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s legacy
Rest in peace, Asma Jahangiron February 15, 2018Asma Jahangir, a woman who kept the torch of civil liberties aflame for almost five decades in the darkness of despotism, passed away on 11 February. It was during my school days when General Ziaul Haq imposed martial law 1977. Benazir Bhutto was my first inspiration, and the other name was Asma Jahangir — who was put under house arrest and later imprisoned when she pushed for women’s rights … [Read more...] about Rest in peace, Asma Jahangir
Iqbal Lala – ‘The bravest Pakhtun alive’on January 23, 2018It was pouring down in London on last Saturday evening. I had reached at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) twenty minutes before the scheduled event, although the history of most of Asian events taught me not to arrive early if not late. After five minutes I noticed a group of people approaching the entrance of the main reception. Two of the faces were quite familiar to me. One was … [Read more...] about Iqbal Lala – ‘The bravest Pakhtun alive’
The importance of forestson January 19, 2018The world is going into a new era of ecosystem restoration motivated by the Aichi Targets which include, The Bonn Challenge set up in 2011 that calls for the restoration of 150 million hectares of deforested and degraded lands by 2020, and 350 million hectares by 2030. Furthermore, the New York Declaration on Forests was launched at the UN Climate Summit 2014. Article 5 of the Paris Agreement … [Read more...] about The importance of forests
Sarmila Bose changes perspective on 71 war through Dead Reckoningon January 7, 2018I have some faded memories of 1971 war. We used to live in Islamabad and had about 4 Bengali neighbours in our street as far as I remember. During the war they were all living there but one morning I found out that they had all left. They disappeared overnight. I don’t recall what the outcome of the war was, and how we lost East Pakistan. I always trusted that there was only one villain behind the … [Read more...] about Sarmila Bose changes perspective on 71 war through Dead Reckoning
Changing mindsetson January 5, 2018The problem of the blasphemy law is that the government is constantly trying to avoid dealing with it. The actual problem is that the government is not prepared to face religious fanaticism head on. The thing I find worrisome is that if you examine the cases of the hundreds tried under this law, you have to ask, why is it that only the poor and defenceless are targeted? How come over 50 percent of … [Read more...] about Changing mindsets
Rhapsodising Benazir Bhuttoon December 25, 2017Gender Religion Country Democracy State Judiciary Parliament Whether it’s a public rally, floor of the Parliament or any International forum, I always found brave Benazir Bhutto eloquently defending the above mentioned. "The fundamental ethos of Islam is tolerance, dialogue, and democracy. Just as in Christianity and Judaism, we must always be on guard for those who will exploit and … [Read more...] about Rhapsodising Benazir Bhutto
