Pakistan desperately needs new political mandate on December 3, 2017If we, here in Pakistan, were to take it upon ourselves to print a list of insults that our politicians have been prone to hurl at each other over the decades — we would inevitably end up with several tomes. For our leadership has long been preoccupied with personal tiffs. Though today the name calling […]
COAS and the need for tax reform on October 27, 2017By now, everyone knows about the not so civil remark that found itself set adrift in civilian waters. After all, it sparked an awful hullabaloo. Yet there is something of which not many may be aware. And that is the ‘uncivil’ musings that drew the latter’s attention to a matter of utmost importance: Pakistan’s defence-growth […]
Will Pakistan see a military coup before the next elections? on October 10, 2017While many Pakistani citizens tout democracy as the solution to many of the country’s problems, the resolve to uphold democracy wanes at the first sign of trouble. Underpinned by feelings of panic and impatience, even the slightest hint of dismal service is enough to drive democracy out. But the loss of trust in Pakistan’s executive […]
Will Pakistan see a military coup before the next elections? on October 10, 2017While many Pakistani citizens tout democracy as the solution to many of the country’s problems, the resolve to uphold democracy wanes at the first sign of trouble. Underpinned by feelings of panic and impatience, even the slightest hint of dismal service is enough to drive democracy out. But the loss of trust in Pakistan’s executive […]
Rohingyas of Karachi need attention too on September 18, 2017 Following the mounting death toll in Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi’s image as vanguard of peace lies in obvious tatters. Aung San Suu Kyi, the biggest hope for peace activists around the world, has clearly failed the masses. Her conspicuous silence over indiscriminate attacks by lowly cowards in Myanmar has cast deep doubts over […]
Is trade deficit the precursor to doom? on September 10, 2017An increase in trade deficit kills GDP, stunts growth, and makes the country poorer; it is also indicative of a widening gap between national investment and savings — a major concern for developing countries like Pakistan The recent outcry over Pakistan’s sliding foreign exchange reserve underscores an exceedingly pressing concern in the country. The […]
Reassessing priorities on September 6, 2017Plenty of ink has been spilled over how it’s in Pakistan’s interest to help US in its fight against Taliban, but little has been said about Iran’s interest in the situation. There are sufficient grounds to believe that peace in war-torn Afghanistan is high on Iran’s list — at least as high as Pakistan, if […]
Will both Ayeshas be treated equally? on August 8, 2017When Ayesha Gulalai dished harassment allegations at Imran Khan, little did she know the can of worms she was about to open. She did not know where she will wind up but was enthralled enough to go down the path anyway. Her expedition into whimsical absurdity began the moment she claimed she had been receiving lewd […]
Was Panama Leaks case a conspiracy? on August 5, 2017Panama Leaks is a story of leakage of confidential documents that triggered panic among top tiers of bureaucracy and an uproar from citizens. The leaked documents linked Nawaz Sharif’s children to offshore companies that owned fairly expensive real estate in London. The leaked documents held by Mossack Fonseca, a Panama-based law firm, called Nawaz Sharif’s […]