How Modi is restrained by the Indian intelligentsia on March 15, 2019In Indian politics nowadays, there are two personalities whom I consider to represent Indian intelligentsia. They are Arundhati Roy and Shashi Tharoor. Roy is an internationally acclaimed Indian author, best known for her novel "The God of Small Things," which won the 1997 Man Booker Prize. She also writes political essays and has been advocating the rights of minority groups in India and beyond. … [Read more...] about How Modi is restrained by the Indian intelligentsia
How to deescalate tensions on March 4, 2019The present tension between India and Pakistan has become alarming. If the situation continues to deteriorate, the danger of full-scale war -- including the use of nuclear weapons -- between the two countries cannot be ruled out. In the interest of world peace and security, the international community and particularly the United Nations (UN) must intervene. The devastation as a result of such … [Read more...] about How to deescalate tensions
The lady who went unnoticed on February 21, 2019There is a strange paradox about the Quaid e Azam. We know so much about his person and his mission, but know so little about his better half, that is, Mrs. Jinnah commonly known as Mrs. Ruttie Jinnah. Most people only vaguely know that she was the daughter of a Parsi businessman, Sir Dinshaw Petitc who was also a friend of Mr, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the brilliant young Barrister of Bombay. Sir … [Read more...] about The lady who went unnoticed
Is the “Right to Assemble” absolute? on February 14, 2019The Supreme Court's decision on February 6, 2019 on the Faizabad Dharna is without a doubt a landmark judgment. It is likely to have far-reaching effects on our future political development, provided the ruling government gives its findings and recommendations due importance. After taking into account all the circumstances leading to the Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan's (TLP) Dharna and examining … [Read more...] about Is the “Right to Assemble” absolute?
A charter for compassion on December 24, 2018Since the events of September 11, 2001, most of the western world came to believe that Islam was irredeemably addicted to war. This falsified image gradually became a stereotype which did much damage to the Muslim world. The voice of Muslims to rebut these allegations had lost all relevance. It was in this background that the voice of Karen Armstrong, who is the greatest authority on … [Read more...] about A charter for compassion
Bigotry and intransigence hand in hand on December 13, 2018Last week Justice Markandey Katju of India stated that the 'much flaunted Indian secularism is a hoax', and taking a cue from Pakistani poet Fehmida Riaz, reminded us by saying, " Pakistaniyon, hum bhi bilkul tum jaise nikle." This is the truth very few Indians dare to speak in public. Though bigotry is common on both sides of the border, but a Pakistani will shun being branded as secular, … [Read more...] about Bigotry and intransigence hand in hand
Relevancy of a forgotten document on October 27, 2018Never before has there been a greater need than today to reprint a report commonly known as Munir Enquiry Report of 1954, about which few people must be aware of, and even fewer must have read it. But it is the most fundamental document ever to emerge after the creation of Pakistan. This is the first serious study of the genesis of Pakistani nation, its evolution and philosophy. It is unique … [Read more...] about Relevancy of a forgotten document
The hope in Imran Khan on October 22, 2018The present regime is passing through a very hard time by inheriting an economy in complete shambles. The opposition’s anti-government propaganda has sent a wave of despondency across the country which has gripped all classes and people. Despite PM’s assurance to steer the country from its present mess, if he is given time to let his present reforms take effect, the unrest due to the unprecedented … [Read more...] about The hope in Imran Khan
The dreadful seventies on July 7, 2018I was never so acutely aware of my formative years until I turned 70. Instinctively, I had always tried to conceal my age, and whenever I was forced to tell it, I scrupulously lied about it by posing at least two years younger than my actual age. Retirement from service at the age of 60 was the only time when I could not conceal my actual age, and all through the farewell function held to bid me … [Read more...] about The dreadful seventies
Why we need more of Manto’s salacious writing today on June 23, 2018I remember the days when I was just a 13- or 14-year-old boy in Murree. While scanning through my uncle’s book-shelf, I found a book titled Phundnay, a collection of short stories by Saadat Hasan Manto, whose name was not familiar to me at the time. From the very beginning I felt the writer making inroads into my teenage fancies, by rekindling my early romantic yearnings, since his stories … [Read more...] about Why we need more of Manto’s salacious writing today
