Author Archive
President Zardari stays execution of Asia Bibi: President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday stayed the execution of a Christian woman who was sentenced to death on charges of blasphemy. The woman, Aasia Bibi, was given the death sentence by an additional sessions judge in Nankana Sahib
US Annual Report Says Religious Freedom Under Threat From Authoritarian Regimes: In Pakistan, against the backdrop of continued extremist violence against civilian targets, the number and severity of reported cases against religious minorities increased. For example, in May, extremist attacks on two Ahmadi congregations in Lahore killed at least 86
Time to repeal the blasphemy law -by Nasim Zehra: In June 2008, Asiya Bibi, a Pakistani farm worker and mother of five, fetched water for others working on the farm. Many refused the water because Asiya was Christian. The situation got ugly. Reports indicate Asiya was harassed because
Asma Jahangir awarded UN prize for promoting human rights: UNITED NATIONS: One of Pakistan’s leading human rights defenders, Asma Jahangir, was Tuesday named as this year’s winner of a UN award that recognizes outstanding individual contribution to promoting a culture of human rights around the world. The Director-General
The divorce of religion and politics —by Dr Manzur Ejaz: Sufis were witnessing the misuse of religion by qazis and other ‘pillars’ of religious institutions. They were aware of the corruption, nepotism and injustice being practiced in the name of Islam. Therefore, to save the spirituality of religion, they
PML-N leader and supporters bulldoze a Church: Lahore: Hundreds of Christians protestors block Raiwind-Lahore Road when staged protest in front of Chief Minister Punjab Farmhouse in Raiwind on bulldozing a Church was bulldozed by an influential Muslim[leagues] to grab Church land on November 15,
‘I’m not free until the people are free’ – Suu Kyi: As overjoyed crowds celebrated the release of Aung San Suu Kyi yesterday, their leader gave a message that tempered their jubilation with a call to action. For the woman who has made so many personal sacrifices for the sake
Political stability must for economic growth: Gilani: * PM appreciates duty-free access for 75 Pakistani products to EU markets * US trade markets next target for Pakistan By Hussain Kashif LAHORE: The national economy cannot strengthen without political stability, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on
Pakistan seeks $50bn foreign debt waiver -by Khaleeq Kiani: ISLAMABAD: As federal and provincial economic teams assured the international community on Sunday of their resolve to introduce wide-ranging taxation measures, including Reformed General Sales Tax (RGST) and taxes on agriculture and real estate, Interior Minister Rahman Malik made
Freedom from fear – by Aung Sang Suu Kyi: Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, an icon of democracy, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and leader of the fight against military dictatorship in Burma (Myanmar), was released after seven and a half years of house arrest. She has been detained
Now the whole world demands: repeal Pakistan’s blasphemy law: The whole world is deeply shocked and concerned over Asia Bibi’s death sentence for blasphemy, issued by a local court in Pakistan. Concerned citizens and human rights activists say the case of Asia Bibi – the first woman to
Daily Times Editorial: Nuisance of loudspeakers: The move by the National Assembly on Friday to pass The Regulation and Control of Loudspeakers and Sound Amplifiers (Amendment) Bill 2010, is a step in the right direction. The bill is intended to curb attempts to create sectarian
Pakistan looking forward to free trade agreement with EU: President Zardari: * President meets with FoDP countries’ ambassadors * Says country’s already fragile economy suffered setback due to flood devastation ISLAMABAD: Pakistan looks forward to a comprehensive free trade agreement with the European Union and a solid, multidimensional and comprehensive
A review of Christian-Muslim conflict and a modest proposal to counter it: If outside experts could help disentangle religion from the other issues, the argument goes, that could help neutralise religion’s capacity to mobilise and inflame, in the hope of leading to a de-escalation of the crisis. Is this idealistic? Maybe………
Rich [Irresponsible] Media, Poor Democracy: Robert McChesney argues in his book, “Rich Media, Poor Democracy”that the media, far from providing bedrock for freedom and democracy, have become a significant antidemocratic force in the United States and, to varying degrees, worldwide. Rich Media, Poor Democracy
Christians ask Obama to condemn violent Hindu extremism: Christians in India are asking U.S. President Barack Obama to stand up for issues such as human rights, peace, justice, and dialogue, says Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay and Chairman of the Bishops’ Conference of India, in an
Friday massacre at mosques: Deobandi Taliban massacre 70 namazis: More than 70 people including children have been killed in bomb and grenade attacks on two mosques in northwest Pakistan, according to reports. Up to 70 people have been killed in two attacks on mosques in north-western Pakistan. A
Pakistan’s endangered Sufi spirit – by Shaheen Buneri: A man weeps while praying for victims at the Data Darbar Sufi shrine in Lahore, , where a double suicide attack in July killed 40 people and injured more than 200. Peace, tolerance, and humanity are the fundamental values
Ukrainian-Born Female Rabbi Ordained In Berlin: Ukrainian-born Alina Treiger has become the first female rabbi ordained in Berlin since before World War II. The ceremony — attended by German President Christian Wulff and leading rabbis worldwide — hearkened back to the ordination of the world’s
Synod: Christians and Muslims demand religious freedom, to fight extremism -by Samir Khalil Samir: New strengths in mission emerge at the Synod for the Middle East: the scourge of extremism that suffocates Christians and Muslims, the need to recognize Christians as citizens with full rights in society, the right to the proclamation of
YouTube has started removing Al-Qaeda’s videos: YouTube has reportedly started removing hundreds of videos of Anwar al Awlaki, the radical American-born cleric based in Yemen who has been linked to several terrorist plots against the US and the UK, under the instructions of American and
Karachi’s deadly divide unites two families in grief – by Declan Walsh: Escalating political battle for control of Pakistan metropolis is conducted through drive-by shootings, stabbings and murders One bleeding city, two grieving families. In a shabby apartment block in northern Karachi, Hina Muhammad and her sisters sat quietly in a
Raiwand’s Dream shattered as all political parties opposed mid term poll: It seems Mian Nawaz Sharif who don’t believe in democratic institutions and political process, along with his buddies (especially Chaudahry Nisar), wants to build a anarchist state or Talibanized society in which modern representative system, voter’s choice and individual freedoms will
Meesaq-e-Pakistan: PML-N’s olive branch to PPP -by Muhammad Akram: Related Article: Arshad Mahmood’s column on Nawaz Sharif’s Meesaq-e-Pakistan and Mubarik Haider’s response Nawaz Sharif now wants a “Meesaq-e-Pakistan” PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif’s proposal for 10 years political accord with the name of Misaq-e-Pakistan is an olive branch to the
Zardari for out of box solutions to meet energy needs: * USAID to build 150MW wind power plant in Sindh * President calls for phasing out of gas geysers in government buildings KARACHI: President Asif Ali Zardari, on Tuesday, called for stepping up search for an out of the
Arshad Mahmood’s column on Nawaz Sharif’s Meesaq-e-Pakistan and Mubarik Haider’s response: Mubarik Haider’s Response: I wish to appreciate the conciliatory stance taken by Mr. Waseem Altaf. Even worthier is his emphasis on evidential logic and on the need for intellectually honest discourse. Let me add another emphasis: correction of concepts
Pakistan’s ‘Mother Teresa’ saving flood victims -by Mark Lobel: A tiny, frail lady – her silver grey hair tucked under a white head scarf with a red floral trim – stands defiantly at a relief camp she set up for minority people displaced by Pakistan’s recent deadly flooding.
Schizophrenia on women’s rights – by Mahmood Adeel: Two diametrically opposed articles on the status of women’s rights in this country appear in today’s news. They should both be read together, hopefully resulting in an open and honest discussion of one of the great . For all
Arundhati Roy’s Statement on media and mob justice: There is too much similarities between Pakistani and Indian right wing media, both are inciting hatred and violence among the country’s citizens and especially against those having unpopular views and thoughts. Indian media was present around Arundhati Roy’s house with live coverage facilities
Trust deficit emerges into newly Muslim League alliance: Related Articles: PML-N alliance with Musharraf League: Tariq Azeem to meet Nawaz In London Nawaz Sharif’s alliance with Musharraf League: Where are the principles now? IJI style game plan IJI style game plan: phase two One day after the
Finalization of APNS-CPNE Media Codes Urged: Related Articles: “Ethical Codes for Media: Yes or No?” Free, independent and responsible media -by Farhad Jarral QUETTA: All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) and Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE) would have to play their role to curb non-professionalism in media
Pakistan Resists Military Action in ‘Epicenter of Terrorism’: Foreign media published numbers of reports indicating that Pakistan’s military is resisting pressure to begin a promised offensive against Taliban sanctuaries in its border region. In Washington, however, there is increasing anger at Pakistan’s reluctance to take on groups
Asma Jahangir becomes first female SCBA president; once again Pakistani liberals defeated the right wingers: Related articles: Congratulations, Asma Jahangir won the SCBA elections – by pejamistri Asma Jahangir’s victory is a loss for Jang Group’s yellow journalism – by Ahmed Iqbalabadi President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani felicitated Asma
UN bodies urge Pakistan to prevent women, minorities ‘victimization’: Related Articles: Doctor rapes Christian student nurse, sexual assault and violence adds greatly to minorities vulnerability Situation of minorities in Pakistan GENEVA — Three UN human rights bodies on Wednesday called on Pakistan to ensure that women, minorities and
Obama reiterates support for democracy in Pakistan: US President Barack Obama and Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari agreed in a phone call Tuesday that more needs to be done to combat terror groups in Pakistan, the White House said. “Both President Obama and President Zardari acknowledged
Senator Talha Mehmood’s Media Circus -by Mahmood Adeel: The following article by Mahmood Adeel was originally posted on New Pakistan. This article is an excellent examination of the poor conditions of too much of our right wing political type and is recommended to read.The sentenced of Dr
My enemy, my friend, my neighborer; let’s celebrate Disarmament Week, 24-30 October: “The United Nations stands today at a new Ground Zero — a “ground zero” for global disarmament, no longer a place of dread but of hope. Those who stand with us share the vision of a nuclear-free world. If