Kashmir is Pakistan on September 12, 2019For me, middle-class Pakistanis represent an amalgam of internal conflict and hypocrisy. They are indecisive about their identity, their faith and their ideology. They are not sure whether they should pick religion over culture, democracy over authoritarianism, capitalism over Islamic Socialism, or Sharia Law over the secular school of thought. Think about Muslims living in […]
The shame of that name on June 9, 2019Through an official memo last year, the prime minister advised various departments of the government that in formal correspondence he should be addressed as Imran Khan and not identified by his full name, Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi. Ask for a reason and the explanation provided would be his preference for simplicity, familiarity, practicality or brevity. […]
Toxicity of opinion journalism on May 29, 2019Like a virulent infection, opinion journalism has played a toxic role in the political discourse in our country. Some seasoned journalists, acting in collusion, have brought down the ‘fourth pillar of the state’ to the abysmal level. Worse, juniors growing up in this unprofessional environment reckon that to be the industry standard. I am not […]
The political scope of blasphemys on May 7, 2019If you think the concept of ‘blasphemy’ is limited to showing contempt for religious practices, ideas, personalities or deities you are wrong – although most of the cases reported in newspapers concern that. Blasphemy covers a wide variety of topics and areas, beyond matters of faith, and includes politics and social values, historical events and […]
Who is Amitabh Bachchan? on May 1, 2019As tensions between Pakistan and India escalated after the suicide attack in Pulwama, Kashmir, that killed more than 40 CRPF personnels, and as that incidence led up to a mini air combat, one of the most compelling conclusions to emerge was that peace between India and Pakistan would always be fragile without a just solution […]
Expatriates are ignoring the prime minister on April 16, 2019If you want to know how the economy is doing, do not bother listening to the convoluted arguments on television. Instead, call your friends or relatives living abroad. Ask them if they would like to invest their savings in Pakistan or keep their money in the West. Their response, in words and deeds, will answer […]
Pursuit of a free spirit on December 17, 2018If you ask a ten-years old, “who invented the incandescent light bulb?” “Edison,” he will respond. But, a question about the scientist’s other achievements, some of whom may hold equal importance, will put the child at a loss. With 1093 patents collected in his lifetime, we must recognize Thomas Alva Edison not only as a […]
Tyranny of majority on November 15, 2018Whenever people bring up the loopholes in (or the misuse of) the blasphemy law as a part of a larger discussion about the freedom of speech, they hear two arguments against it. First, the orthodox Muslims proclaim freedom of speech is not a basic human right. It is a privilege hinged upon national security which […]
Women deserve better on October 31, 2018There is always a woman behind every successful man. You, like me, I am sure, have heard this dictum on numerous occasions. I am also sure you have never questioned its validity. The statement sounds-as simple and concise as it is — both believable and legitimate, consistent with what we see around us in the […]
Should expats fund the dam? on September 16, 2018If you are a first-generation city dweller, you know how people from your village resent that decision; how they disapprove of your drive to be successful; and how they taunt (or used to taunt) you for abandoning your ‘own people.’ For them, you choose comfort over values, facilities over loyalty. Aggrieved, they might call you […]