Extremism in politics on May 16, 2018For a politician, to hold a tight grip on national discourse guarantees success in politics. Losing that grip, on the other hand, sets the seal on failure. Which is why, every preeminent politician knows how to keep the populace engaged. They often get attention by raising certain issues whether it is corruption or constitution; how […]
The ‘strategic location’ curse on May 8, 2018Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, Yemen and Egypt: what do these countries share in common? Aside from carrying a Muslim majority, a poor economic status, a civil war like situation, numerous external threats and internal chaos, they also share an ‘ideal’ strategic location. According to the ‘ideally-placed-Pakistan’ doctrine, our geopolitical position makes us so important in world […]
Is the problem religious extremism or jingoism? on May 2, 2018In a country like Pakistan — that has lost thousands of its citizens in terrorism — not talking about the relationship between violence and religion should constitute as a crime, an injustice bestowed upon its people by its own cognoscenti. To that I must affirm, the nation has generated a number of arguments, has evoked […]
Minorities in America on April 17, 2018While sitting in a lustrous and ornate theatre that accommodated more than thousand people, I and my friend, Zahid, were feeling both excited and nervous; the gathering was called in to ascertain the fate of the construction of a mosque. Only a month ago, it seemed that the proposal would fail to get an approval. […]
Islamisation on WhatsApp on March 30, 2018Most likely, WhatsApp-a free messaging and voice calling software — trumps every other non-essential mobile application in its popularity. Everyone has to carry it in their smart phones, even those who do not buy the internet data and rely on Wi-Fi for the connection. Unlike Facebook or Twitter, which run on larger public platform, WhatsApp […]
Imran Khan loves chaos on March 9, 2017If you like Donald Trump’s rocky presidency, you will enjoy Imran Khan in the Prime Minister office even more. Why? because of the similarities in politics and personalities between the two: both of them know how to attract media attention; both of them hurl unfounded accusations at their rivals like that of the thirty-five punctures […]
Operation Raddul Fassad on March 2, 2017Lahore shudders with terror again. After completing the whole circle across Pakistan, the blast struck a plaza in the upscale market of Defense Housing Authority (DHA) last week; tearing down the whole building, killing eight people while injuring dozens more, and needless to say, setting off ripples of fear through the provincial capital-one more time. […]
Terror reigns again on February 23, 2017Terror sweeps through Pakistan once again. Starting from Lahore, then touching down in Peshawar and finally landing at Sehwan, it rips apart the facade of the success of operation Zarb e Azab, the military action launched against the radicals in 2014 and intensified after the Army Public School massacre in January of 2015. To everyone’s […]
Womens legs and a psychopath on February 16, 2017How do you define impossible? Any attempt to reason with a person who utters nonsense at breakneck speed as though he is on a racing track thrusting the gas paddle, who speaks at the top of his lungs to the person sitting next to him and the one who talks ceaselessly without having an interruption […]
Latest IRI survey on February 9, 2017 In a recent IRI (International Republican Institute) survey, Mian Nawaz Sharif once again trumps his opposition by clutching the top spot at sixty three percent in the personal popularity ratings. Conducted between September and December of last year, the survey places Imran Khan, the most vocal opposition leader, at the second position. Trailing far […]