What went wrong with us?on May 22, 2019In our daily life, we witness the culture of the people living in the Western hemisphere because of media and the Internet. The startling scientific and technological advancements of the West have left us far behind in almost all spheres of life. Compared to them, we seem to still live in the medieval ages. That compels every intelligent Pakistani Muslim to think: what really went wrong with … [Read more...] about What went wrong with us?
Why Eighteenth Amendment is there to stay?on May 10, 2019In the recent past since the time, NAB has initiated cases against the PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari, the Eighteenth Amendment to the constitution has come into the limelight. Mr. Zardari is reported to have said that the present regime is conspiring to do away with the 18thAmendment to bring in a Presidential form of government. It is a matter of concern that his remarks have been orchestrated by … [Read more...] about Why Eighteenth Amendment is there to stay?
Khalid Hasan’s humouron May 1, 2019Long ago, I became enamoured of Khalid Hasan's humorous diction when I borrowed a book by him namely, "The Fourth Estate" from a good friend of mine who was gracious enough never to ask for its return.The book still adorns my shelf along with nearly half a dozen more books by the same author. Of the two writers whose prose has inspired me most are Khushwant Singh from India and Khalid Hasan from … [Read more...] about Khalid Hasan’s humour
Enlightenment and Islamon April 22, 2019In the early part of this month, during my sojourn to the Holy Land, the question which perplexed me most was whether there was a real connection between enlightenment and faith, and whether in their genesis these two are all-embracing or mutually exclusive. My deep reflections on various texts of the Holy Quran, and some references gathered from history did reaffirm my belief that they are … [Read more...] about Enlightenment and Islam
A many-splendored geniuson March 26, 2019In our region, nobody has done better for the Punjab, Lahore, as it stands today than Sir Ganga Ram. Most people know him by reference to the hospital founded and named after him without knowing that it is only a small fraction of his total contributions. Perhaps calling him the Father of Modern Lahore would be a more appropriate appellation. For his unparalleled services to make Lahore what it … [Read more...] about A many-splendored genius
How Modi is restrained by the Indian intelligentsiaon 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 tensionson 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 unnoticedon 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 compassionon 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
