Offshore Havens, Secrecy and Due Process of Law- I on February 6, 2019When the story about Panama Leaks became a major headline news across the world in 2016, all hell broke loose in Pakistan too. More than 400 Pakistani nationals were identified as owning properties in offshore havens even though the value of those properties/funds may only constitute a miniscule proportion of the estimated $16 trillion—a staggering […]
Offshore havens, secrecy and due process of law — II on February 2, 2019Harrington further argues that the work of trust and estate planners does not just reflect the status quo in global wealth inequality; rather, it actually creates the legal and organizational structures that transform one generation’s accumulated wealth into dynastic privilege. This profession’s (Trust and Estate Planning) legal, organizational and financial expertise gives it a crucial […]
Kohinoor: World’s most infamous diamond on June 22, 2018Few possessors of the Koh-i-Noor have led happy lives thus goes the legend till the most sought after diamond in history landed with the House of Windsors but that too after surviving brutal conquests, great political upheavals and despite total ignorance of its value to most people except a few knowledgeable protagonists in history. It […]
‘Mr and Mrs Jinnah: The marriage that shook India’ shows Jinnah in a positive light on February 24, 2018A highly successful barrister in his early forties – known for his icy and incisive demeamour and having a dashingly impressive personality – was making waves in the political and social circles of the Bombay high society. The tall, lean and slightly greying Mr Jinnah did not so much owe his success at the bar […]
Sri Lanka: planes, trains and tea plantations on November 21, 2017“The recently introduced Chinese made trains are faster, more modern and comfortable”, the website candidly informs you about train travel in a South Asian country which may be better known for its rich cricketing culture, fabulous beaches and above all, its world famous tea plantations than its railways. While evaluating my chances of withstanding rough […]
My friend General Sabri: an open letter on October 1, 2017My dear Sabri, I know we haven’t met for a long enough time for me to write you this letter. I also know that one cannot keep living in one’s school days while judging people’s character but I believe one should trust people’s core nature, especially those close friends about whom even your fading memories […]
The time to resist is now! on August 9, 2017It was over a year before that the military junta had deposed ZA Bhutto’s elected government on charges of rigging in the March 1977 elections. A beleaguered and besieged Bhutto was adroitly walking the tightrope of not antagonizing and alarming the generals by keeping a very low profile. With Bhutto alive, his party was closely […]
Power Failure by Syeda Abida Hussain on July 7, 2017 Power Failure is truly a great autobiography by Syeda Abida Hussain on many counts. Firstly, it is a riveting and beautifully written page-turner and, secondly, the reason it is an absorbing read is because it comes across as a very personal account, what the author felt and experienced deep down. Begum Abida writes with […]