Pakistan’s Guy Fawkes night on November 7, 2018It was Guy Fawkes night in the year 1996 when sporadic fireworks were noticed on Islamabad’s horizon. Some kids in Halloween make up were doing the rounds celebrating. Sitting in Prime Minister House with my wife, on hearing a blast of fire works I reminded the Prime Minister that it was Guy Fawkes night when in the year 1605 Catholic terrorist Guy Fawkes with his seven comrades plotted to blow up … [Read more...] about Pakistan’s Guy Fawkes night
Swati versus KP IG Police on October 31, 2018July 2018 elections were yet another big step forward for consolidating gains of democracy made after noble sacrifice in blood rendered by martyred Benazir Bhutto that first forced President General Pervez Musharraf to doff his inform and then hold elections to exit from Pakistan’s political scenario. It was an outstanding accomplishment of the PPP to complete its tenure, hold elections and … [Read more...] about Swati versus KP IG Police
Remembering Begum Bhutto on October 25, 2018London: As I sat down to write memorial article on the death anniversary of Begum Nusrat Bhutto (Died Oct 23, 2011) I found my eyes dried of tears. Before me rolled a life of sacrifices that cannot be measured in words. Not many suffered as she — as a wife, mother, mother-in-law, grand-mother and god mother to an entire nation especially those under-privileged found in her a voice for … [Read more...] about Remembering Begum Bhutto
October manifestations on October 10, 2018Amongst the twelve months, October is most enigmatic in its multifaceted manifestations in the history of Pakistan. In this month Muslims of India were rendered into "hewers of wood and drawers of water" following the unsuccessful revolt of 1857. However they had among their depleted ranks a man of vision with unparalleled qualities of leadership. It was Sir Syed Ahmed Khan — the harbinger of … [Read more...] about October manifestations
Making of a foreign minister on October 3, 2018Lots of Kashmiris and Pakistanis were expecting Foreign Minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi to give a stern warning to India and the world community that the patience of Kashmiri and Pakistani people was exhausted and they would no longer tolerate the occupation and killing of Kashmiris. He was expected to say that a war in the sub-continent is around the corner and given the situation, it may result … [Read more...] about Making of a foreign minister
Reforming the Babushahi on September 19, 2018At the time of partition, Pakistan was the main recipient of British bureaucratic legacy. Those we inherited included good, bad and the ugly. The good contributed their share by helping lay the foundation of the new state from scratch. I remember growing up in the vicinity of the new Pakistan Secretariat where we used to see our ‘Babus’ burning their candles at both ends in their tented offices … [Read more...] about Reforming the Babushahi
Anecdotes on the Quaid — II on September 12, 2018Corruption has become one of the defining features of Pakistani politics. Our Quaid, considered this the most lethal disease afflicting our country. His motto was ‘If character is lost, all is lost’. Jinnah’s take on taking graft can easily be found in his documents and letters. My own family had access to 72 well-catalogued letters and documents, which he had received from various leaders in … [Read more...] about Anecdotes on the Quaid — II
Anecdotes on the Quaid on September 5, 2018A nation’s greatest treasure is its history. Unfortunately soon after Partition, Pakistan’s history fell into the hands of charlatans who distorted and disgorged it. Even the Quaid was not spared. Some so-called historians present him as a man on horseback, sword in hand. Though he is without a beard, he is wearing a cap with some inscription in Arabic, more or less like the Kurd crusader … [Read more...] about Anecdotes on the Quaid
When Kuldip Nayar outwitted Zia on August 29, 2018Kuldip Nayar Sahib's ageless passion made him seem immortal. He was an inspiration to everyone. However, his contemporary Khushwant Sindh was much more colourful. Kuldip Nayar on the other hand, was more political and more scholarly. Both of them died leaving behind a massive, multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multicultural following, that continues to mourn them today. If one talks about … [Read more...] about When Kuldip Nayar outwitted Zia
Foreign policy predicaments on August 22, 2018We should be thankful that for the third time a in a row, a smooth transition has taken place and a new government has taken the country's reigns through democratic processes rather than extra-constitutional intervention. It is heartening that despite their reservations, all major parties have agreed to work within the parameters of the constitution to make Parliament reassert the sovereignty of … [Read more...] about Foreign policy predicaments
