Newspaper Articles Archive
A tribute to Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto – by Ali Nawaz Chowhan: Former premier Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. — Photo by White Star Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto entered public life at the early age of 30, in 1958. In his book The Myth of Independence he writes about his views on foreign policy
The Swat flogging video — by Samar Minallah: At a time when the entire country was under the threat of militants, I not only brought the attention of the country to this video but also condemned it at the risk of my own life. Much to the
Full text of the 18th Amendment Bill: The National Assembly of Pakistan has now made public the full text of the 18th Amendment Bill, which is currently under review in the parliament. We are uploading a PDF version of the full text on LUBP for the
Negativity unlimited: Ansar Abbasi’s reaction to the Constitutional Package: Agents of dark forces (establishment, Taliban, right wing) are as usual busy in spreading mischief and disinformation in the land of the pure. Ansar Abbasi, a key leader of Pakistani Taliban Union of Journalists (PTUJ), has recently written two
A review of PML-Q and other factions of PML – by Amir Mateen: PML-O (O for Others) By Amir Mateen Friday, April 02, 2010 ISLAMABAD: Mohammad Ali Jinnah must be turning in his grave at the various Muslim League factions that are pandering his name and integrity for their political perpetuation, and
A legal analysis of Article 248 and the presidential immunity – by Babar Sattar: In the following excerpt taken from his most recent op-ed in The News (3 April 2010), Babar Sattar examines some legal implications of Article 248 of Pakistan’s constitution, and advises judges in the Supreme Court to not to cross
Mohmand IDPs: forced expulsion? — by Farhat Taj: The IDPs from Mohmand must not be forced to leave the camp. Let us not forget that the people of Mohmand Agency, like people from elsewhere in FATA, are paying the torturous price for the military establishment’s policy of
Balochistan: Pakistan’s broken mirror – by Madiha Tahir: Source: The National – via Raza Rumi Baloch children hold up nationalist posters. Photographs by Asim Hafeez for The National Islamabad’s brutal attempts to crush ethnic Baloch nationalism have met with fierce, escalating resistance – and have laid bare the
Autism — obsession inexplicable – by Sadaf Shahid: I am at a park. I see a smart little boy. He is in the pink of health and seems perfect in every respect. Yet, he is somehow different. He has a detached attitude, is disinterested in the games
Constitutional Reforms: A victory of democracy – by Ayaz Amir: Thank God for small mercies Islamabad diary This could have been a wrecking moment, another corrosive chapter in a history not given to too many bright moments. But if the worst did not happen, and if disaster was averted,
Imran Khan’s campaign for Zac Goldsmith: Who is Imran fooling? Ayesha Ijaz Khan: Imran Khan continues to mislead. I cannot help but wonder if he can even relate to the troubles many Pakistanis and Muslims would encounter in being forcibly removed from Britain if the Conservative Party was to have its way
Hooligans of Islami Jamiat put Punjab University professor in hospital: ‘IJT hooligans’ put PU professor in hospital * Injured principal of College of Earth & Environmental Sciences also chairman of disciplinary committee * PU VC calls on Punjab CM to take notice * IJT distances itself Staff Report LAHORE:
Pakhtoon will always remember President Asif Ali Zardari: If there is one person who can be in the main credited with the change of name of the NWFP to Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa, it is President Asif Zardari. The movement for renaming the NWFP saw many ups and downs over
Faith in democracy: A review of political parties of Pakistan – by Nadeem Paracha: An apt analysis by NFP of the political parties in Pakistan and their attributes and religious tendencies: Islam holds an important place in the workings of society and thus politics of Pakistan, a fact even some of the most
Ameerul Momineen Nawaz Sharif respected the judiciary once – by Saeed Minhas: ISLAMABAD: Ministers disclosing the misdeeds of their colleagues, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani ordering a probe into the shabby deals of cabinet members coupled with the twinge of the judiciary and arm-twisting of political players remains the order of
Nawaz’s crowning glory – Fasi Zaka: Nawaz Sharif has finally achieved what no one has been able to do in politics for the past two years, which is to make Asif Ali Zardari’s PPP look good by comparison. He inadvertently whitewashed them when he decided
Masses erupt against power cuts in Rawlakot – Marxists lead them: The following is a report written by comrade Yasir Irshad of The Struggle a Marxist group oriented towards the working class. The Struggle, the Pakistani section of the International Marxist Tendency, demands that the Peoples’ Party as the party of
Understanding Nawaz Sharif – by Amir Mateen: Amir Mateen has recently written a series of extremely interesting and thought provoking articles on Nawaz Sharif and his politics. Amir has in the past written some of the most balanced articles on Pakistani politics, for example, his piece
Views on the constitutional review — by Peter Jacob: The review process has to foresee and incorporate a framework for social, legal and economic reforms. The part that seems to be missing as yet is, in fact, of immense importance for common Pakistanis. It concerns human rights Ever
My Lord, Why NRO only? – Kamran Shafi: We are told that Ziaul Haq, yes the very same Ziaul Haq at whose door the responsibility of unleashing the demons responsible for most of our present travails can and should be placed, is to be excised from the
Religious extremism: Bomb with the fuse lit – by Zafar Hilaly: Once upon a time to get on in Pakistan religion did not matter. On the other hand, a criminal record did not help. Today, by the looks of it, one can have a criminal record and still actually occupy
Did Jinnah know about the Kashmir War? — by Ishtiaq Ahmed: Those who want us to believe that an obscure colonel forced Pakistan into a war without the knowledge of the top political leadership, especially someone of the stature of Jinnah, are insulting common sense In his comment, ‘Jinnah’s role
The case for Pakhtunkhwa – by Rahimullah Yusufzai: The debate on renaming the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) is serious business because it concerns the identity of its people and their place in the federation of Pakistan. However, the direction it has taken is sometimes comical, and at
Need a boost, PML-N? They’ll never admit it – by Shafiq Awan: The telltale between British Foreign Secretary David Miliband and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif over the latter’s U-turn on constitutional reforms made Nawaz blush. Reportedly, Nawaz Sharif demanded assurance from the foreign guarantor that his political survival would not be
This is what “Men at Their Best” do the best!: Arrested woman alleges being raped by Rangers * Uzma was caught carrying liquor at a picket near the Pak-India border * Medical examiner refusing to disclose whether Uzma was raped or not * Rangers SP claims woman was in
A parochial stance – by Murtaza Razvi: Originally Published at DAWN MIAN Nawaz Sharif’s abrupt about-turn on the constitutional amendments that MNAs of his own party hammered out after intense negotiations with their counterparts from other major political parties will be seen as doing little service
Pashtun nationalism — by Dr Manzur Ejaz: Most of the time, secular Pashtun nationalists have highlighted their economic deprivation. But if the Pashtuns’ share in the army, the bureaucracy and the economy in Pakistan is higher than the proportion of their population, such an argument becomes
An analysis of price hike in Pakistan – by Dr Farrukh Saleem: Capital suggestion: Price hike Just before Election 2008, the average retail price of Dal Masoor (pulse) was Rs64 per kilogram. Dal Masoor now sells for Rs129 per kilogram; that’s up a whopping 101 per cent. In 2007-2008, the average
Smug thugs: the shameful role of right wing media in Pakistan – by Nadeem Paracha: The truth is, if men (and some women) gladly sacrifice the concept of responsible (and sane) journalism just so they can pull off a sensational show that would win them fame and a bagful of corporate sponsors, if they
Mian Nawaz Sharif, the lion wakes up — by Naeem Tahir: The Sharifs are leading the second largest political party and the largest province. People take them seriously even if they do not take the people or the province or the federation seriously. Let there be no mistake; the people
Sharifs plea against tax evasion notices admitted: Originally Published at THENEWS Saturday, March 27, 2010 By The News Correspondent LAHORE A TWO-member bench of the Supreme Court on Friday admitted for regular hearing the petitions of the Sharif family, challenging notices of the Federal Board of
Pak-US dialogue: a Pakhtun perspective — by Farhat Taj: Basically, the jirga is saying that it does not trust the military establishment, which is leading the dialogue with the US. The military establishment will follow the policy of strategic depth in Afghanistan, which is the key cause of
One jab in Punjab — by Salman Tarik Kureshi: It is clear that there is such a thing as the Punjabi Taliban. One can no longer refer to the Taliban as a uniquely Pakhtun phenomenon. Punjabi militants are running training facilities and have established cells across the province
Dealing with the divides: Aman Ittehad – by Babar Sattar: Dealing with the divides Legal eye Saturday, March 27, 2010 Babar Sattar In October 2009, concerned citizens and activists from all four provinces and Islamabad congregated in Murree to develop a shared vision for peace in Pakistan and consider
Justice Iftikhar protects scoundrels and ignores honest judges: Civil judges in Punjab rally against lawyer Dawn Report Saturday, 27 Mar, 2010 LAHORE, March 26: Judicial officers took to the streets on Friday in protest against slapping of a civil judge by a lawyer in Faisalabad earlier this
Who is in control? What are you up to Mr Gilani?: PM Gilani honours PPP tormentor Dawn Reporter Saturday, 27 Mar, 2010 ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani conferred the Nazria-i-Pakistan (posthumous) award on the late Lt-Gen Mujibur Rahman, one of Zia-era tormentors of the PPP. Gen Mujib was
Press Ctrl-Alt-Del to transform from the Zia generation to the Jinnah generation – by Gulmina Bilal Ahmad: The Zia generation can best be described as the confused generation. They have seen public flogging, but were told that it is best to forgive. They have experienced newspapers being censored but were told that it is best to
Sharifs unveil ‘Punjab Card’ to prolong zero-sum game – by Saeed Minhas: ISLAMABAD: With the Sharifs unveiling their ‘Punjab Card’, Maulana Diesel trying to get even with the government, ‘Bhai logs’ of Karachi going into a pensive mood and nationalists getting a hint coupled with the success of the Kiyani-Qureshi-led strategic
Zaid Hamid, the phoenix, flops on 23 March – by Nadeem Paracha: For months the Zaid Hamid brigade had been congesting cyber space and the two TV channels that the haughty ideological quack is a regular fixture on, with promises of holding a ‘massive gathering of youth’ at the Minar-e-Pakistan on
Provincial autonomy, myths and reality – by Asif Ezdi: Part I The News, March 22, 2010 The Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Reform is reported to be very close to completing its task and is expected to submit its report later this week. This news has been widely welcomed