Author Archive
Pachyglossal!! Thy shall not speak – by Saad Mansoor: Coming back from work, I tuned into the daily news at nine bulletin. As the shalwar kameez adorning pretty news caster started firing off the headlines, I realized that my first five minutes would consist of yet another narcissitic
Benazir Bhutto murder case takes new turn as officials hunt for retired and serving army men: میں کس کے ہاتھ پہ اپنا لہو تلاش کروں Investigators are searching for four military personnel who had disappeared just before the assassination of the former prime minister. New twist in Benazir’s assassination probe ISLAMABAD: Investigations into murder of
Messy yet workable: The Raza Rabbani framework for judicial appointments – by Cyril Almeida: The Rabbani committee may actually have set up a rather workable framework for judicial appointments. –Photo by APP The Raza Rabbani court By Cyril Almeida Let’s walk through the process for appointing superior court judges devised by Raza Rabbani’s
My life with the Taliban – by Abdul Salam Zaeef: Humanising the monster Dr Mohammad Taqi My life with the Taliban By Abdul Salam Zaeef Translated from Pashto and edited by Alex Strick van Linschoten and Felix Kuehn Hurst/Columbia University Press; Pp 331 In his foreword to Mullah Abdul
A ‘friendly’ Afghanistan? — by Shahid Ilyas: The risk of failure and backfiring are much higher in trying to install a friendly government in a foreign country than in attempts to develop friendly relations with an incumbent government. The failure of Pakistan’s Afghan policy is a
Taliban kill Jaspal Singh and the mullahs keep mum — by Ishtiaq Ahmed: Photo Source: BBC Urdu A time to humanise Islam There is a screaming silence from the custodians of Islam — the ulema — on the execution of Jaspal Singh, probably because he was not a Muslim. The Muslim masses
Pakistani generals’ oath at the Kakul Academy and the bloody civilians – by Kamran Shafi: The ‘happening place’ “PAKISTAN is the most happening place in the world where there is never a dull moment.” So pronounced the Commando to a “packed audience” at Chatham House in London, to much laughter and mirth. ‘Happening place’
Secularism triumphs? Bangladesh Supreme Court sets an example – by Farooq Sulehria: Secularism triumphs? The Supreme Court of Bangladesh, on January 3, not only bucked an apparently prevalent trend in the Muslim world, but also dismissed a stereotype: Islam’s incompatibility with secular democracy. By ordering a ban on the abuse of
Evaluating democracy – by Ghazia Aslam and Wasim Q. Malik: Thanks: Dawn.com, Monday, 01 Mar, 2010 Advocates of democracy claim that it protects property rights, promoting an environment of collective growth. – File photo A passionate debate comparing and contrasting the performance of Pakistan’s democratic and dictatorial regimes has
Remembering Ajmal Khattak – by Harris Khalique: Sunday party In the darkness and apathy that surround us, the passing of another great man, scholar, poet and politician, Ajmal Khattak, was yet another blow to his comrades and disciples who believe in creating a modern, progressive and
Today we wear our religion on our sleeves and shout it from the housetops. – by Ayaz Amir: The misery on our faces Times may be hard but why add to the sum of national misery? Some of our afflictions, like the economic downturn and the war raging along the Afghan frontier, may be beyond anyone’s control.
The psy-ops of conspiracy theories – by Ayesha Siddiqa: Conspiracy theories galore I COULDN’T believe my ears when responsible quarters informed me of an American-Blackwater conspiracy to isolate Pakistan. According to this heinous plan the objective will be achieved by infiltrating the media, specifically through placing people in
The shameful role of Geo TV in Rawalpindi by-poll: Our fellow bloggers at Cafe Pyala have recently exposed the shameful role of Geo TV and Hamid Mir in the recent by-elections in NA-55. Nadeem Paracha too has written an article on this topic, an excerpt from which is
Voters in NA-55 mistakenly gave vote to ‘Lion’ thinking it was Imran Khan? A sneak peek into PTI Forum: Related article: Imran Khan will sweep next elections – by Abdul Nishapuri Here is an overview of unofficial results of NA-55 by-elections announced by the returning officer: 1) 63888 Shakeel Awan (PML-N) 2) 42530 Sheikh Rasheed (AML) 3) 5020
Iran gets its most wanted terrorist, Abdulmalik Rigi: This frame grab released February 23, 2010 from Iranian state TV shows Rigi under armed guard following his arrest. – Reuters Iran gets its man By Syed Saleem Shahzad ISLAMABAD – Iran on Tuesday triumphed in the arrest of
The judiciary and the Jamaat-ud-Dawa: An exterior view of the mosque where Hafiz Saeed, leader of Jamaat-ud-Dawa preached every Friday, in Lahore, Pakistan. – AP Jamaat-ud-Dawa easily evades ban Wednesday, 24 Feb, 2010 LAHORE: Long-haired jihadis toting automatic weapons patrolled a mosque last week
Would the PPP workers in Rawalpindi vote for PML-N? – by Ahsan Abbas: سیاسی طالبعلم بمقابلہ سیاسی طالبان ضمنی انتخابات نے سیاسی ماحول کو ایک مرتبہ پھر گرما دِیا ہِے۔ راولپنڈی حلقہ ٥٥ کے ضمنی انتخاب کی مُہم جوئی کا کل آخری دِن تھا۔ پوٹوھار کی خلقِ خُدا جلد ہی اپنے ووٹ
Facts about Chasma-Jhelum hydropower plant – by Qudrat Ulla: Now a days, the provinces of Sindh and Punjab are at odds over the issue of Chasma-Jhelum Canal Project which the government of Punjab is contemplating to set up at the Chasma Jhelum Canal with a total capacity of
Some rambling thoughts on Dr Shahid Masood’s hair transplant and Meray Mutabiq – by Kaleem Butt: If one is asked to name one media personality hosting a TV show whose presentations now a days are totally lacking in objectivity, fairness, sense of proportion and balance, one name pops up and that is Dr Shahid Masood.
Two years of democracy and counting – by Raza Rumi: ‘The obvious fallout of the media-government war has been a virtual blackout of what the civilian governments have achieved’, Writes Raza Rumi in his excellent article in The News on Sunday. Two years and counting Given the average shelf
These are the courts, and yes, this is the justice – by Saria Benazir: Today , the democracy is being challenged in the courts. Those cases, which stayed unproved after years of exploration are being opened again, and people, who themselves took illegal steps in the past, this day speak of law and
Pakistan’s apex court decides not to examine evidence against intelligence agencies in the missing persons case: Evidence against agencies not to be examined: SC Friday, 19 Feb, 2010 ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan said on Friday it will not examine evidence against intelligence agencies in the missing persons’ case. A written order released to
Pakistan’s Jinnah – by Ayesha Siddiqa: “Some devious elements are tinkering with Jinnah’s person and his narrative” Writes Ayesha Siddiqa in the following article. Some time ago, I had a chance to read veteran columnist Ardeshir Cowasjee’s article ‘Bring back Jinnah’s Pakistan’ in which he
Three pictures, a column and the mindset of Syed Talat Hussain: The first few paragraphs in Syed Talat Hussain’s op-ed today offer his choice and analysis of three pictures. However, more than anything else, this choice and analysis also betrays his mindset, explaining why this excellent anchor sometimes acts as
Pakistan is heading towards judicial dictatorship – Asma Jahangir: Asma says judicial dictatorship on the cards KARACHI: People will soon witness a judicial dictatorship in the country if the judiciary continuously moves ahead in its present direction and then we would forget military and political dictatorships, HRCP chairperson
PTUDC meeting in Peshawar – by Farhad Kayani: Thanks: www.Marxist.com In an area heavily dominated by the presence of Taliban forces, the Marxists in Pakistan organized a meeting of the PTUDC, with the participation of several important trade union leaders, with guest speaker Lal Khan, the editor
A poem dedicated to all mullahs and Taliban apologists: فرض کر لو کہ ہم مسلماں ہیں یوں سمجھ لو کہ ظلِ یزداں ہیں ہم ہیں توحید اور رسالت مست اہلِ سُنت ہیں، اہلِ قرآں ہیں یہ نہ دیکھو کہ ہم حقیقت میں ننگِ دیں اور ننگِ ایماں ہیں
The latest troika of Pakistan: judges, jihadis and generals – by Shoaib Mir: The question, “Why is Iftikhar Chaudhry destroying Pakistan?” is worryingly valid. A short answer could be because he’s not a politician, so the CJP is making a mess of mixing politics, which he doesn’t know, with his so-called constitutionalism.
Sifarish udooli ka haq – by Anwar Sin Rai: سفارش ‘عدولی’ کا حق انور سِن رائے اگرچہ ابھی یہ واضح نہیں ہے کہ پاکستان کے چیف جسٹس صاحب، لاہور ہائی کورٹ اور سپریم کورٹ میں تقرریاں روایت کے برخلاف کیوں چاہتے ہیں اور حکومت یا صدر کو ان
Clashing egos and the so-called clash between the judiciary and the executive – by Nadeem F. Paracha: Clashing egos The day President Asif Zardari supposedly unleashed yet another round of the so-called clash between the judiciary and the executive – nay, an ‘independent judiciary’ and a ‘tainted, corrupt executive’ – I rushed home to catch the
Traitor in court: An account of Iftikhar Cuaudhry’s brilliant career: Judge Iftikhar Chaudhry is a traitor to Pakistan’s constitution. He must go. نا انصافی نا منظور جو آئین کا غدار ہے اک پی سی او کی مار ہے جو فوج کا خدمتگار ہے اور مللاؤں کا یار ہے جو
Lawyers’ struggle: another view – by Kaiser Bengali: In light of the current situation, we consider it pertinent to re-print the following article written by Kaiser Bengali. Reprinted from Dawn, 30 March 2009. THE successful movement for the reinstatement of Iftikhar Chaudhry is being billed as a
Why is Iftikhar Chaudhry destroying Pakistan? – by Bilal Qureshi: Every objective analyst who follows Pakistan has come to the same conclusion – Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry is becoming a serious threat not only to the country, but also to the entire democratic system that is already under tremendous
The Speech of Mr Sri Chandra Chattopadhyay in Opposition to Objectives Resolution, Constitutent Assembly of Pakistan, 12 March 1949: This is a historic speech and a document that posterity will re-examine because of its ever increasing influence on the amalgamation of religion and politics in Pakistan. Seldom has one piece of legislation caused so much trepidation. Here is
Lahore’s traffic: Jam anyone? – by Masood Hasan: To describe Lahore traffic – or for that matter any other urban city here – as an eternal traffic jam would do no justice to the ground reality. The stage of rough-cut orange marmalade or strawberry conserve is long
Shazia murder case: Accused Naeem advocate granted bail by Islamofacist judiciary in Lahore: Family members of Shazia Masih, including, from left, her sister; her mother, Nasreen Bibi; and her aunt and brother. The girl died while working as a maid. Photo: NY Times Lahore: February 13, 2010. (PCP) Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz
Pakistani Taliban apologists – by Gulmina Bilal Ahmad: It is baffling to note how anyone can support and justify the TTP while at the same time proclaim to be champions of democracy, rule of law, equality before the law and most of all justice. Or do they
The (misdirected) yearning for Zardari’s removal from office – by Ayaz Amir: The (misdirected) yearning for change Ayaz Amir The Pakistani non-voting middle class represents a strange phenomenon, a category waiting to be defined in some seminal work on the social sciences. This class will not be bothered to vote. It
Congratulations, General Kayani, on defeating ‘bad’ Taliban and ‘bad’ politicians at the same time – by Cyril Almeida: Coming full circle Friday, 12 Feb, 2010 OUR boys in uniform have a spring in their step again. Domestically, they have taken on two enemies and appear to be winning: the civilian government has been reduced to parroting the
Zardari bashing reaches ABC News blog – by Sarah Khan: It was saddening to see how an engineered video clip defaming President Asif Zardari made its way to ABC News blog. Here is the article which inspired me to write this post particularly because I was in the audience