A life lived with or without religion on November 14, 2018Pakistan: Asia Bibi a Pakistani Christian woman was convicted of blasphemy in 2010, and sentenced to death after she was accused of defiling the name of the Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W) during an argument a year earlier with Muslim colleagues. The workers had refused to drink from a bucket of water Bibi had touched, because she was not Muslim. At the time, Bibi said the case was a matter of women who … [Read more...] about A life lived with or without religion
Modern slavery on October 29, 2018The "sex work" discourse has turned the world's oldest profession into the world's most modern profession. The legal status of prostitution varies from country to country, from being legal and considered a profession to being punishable by death. Prostitution has been practiced throughout ancient and modern cultures. Prostitution has been described as the world's oldest profession, and despite … [Read more...] about Modern slavery
There are no illegitimate children on October 20, 2018There are no illegitimate children - only illegitimate parents Illegitimacy as defined by the Oxford Dictionary means, a child born of parents not lawfully married to each other. This means when the parents of a child are not lawfully wedded, the minor will be considered illegitimate. Since time immemorial, there is a societal stigma surrounding a child who is not born to legally married … [Read more...] about There are no illegitimate children
Stand with dignity on October 4, 2018Pain and suffering define the world. Sacrifice can hold pain and suffering in quiescence, to a greater or lesser degree and greater sacrifices can do that more effectively than lesser. The person who wishes to alleviate suffering, who wants to bring about the best of all possible futures, will make the greatest of sacrifices, of everything that is loved, to live a life aimed for the good. He will … [Read more...] about Stand with dignity
Democracy and the Muslim world on 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 decade on 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 reservoirs on 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 legacy on 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 Jahangir on 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’
