Democracy Archive
Some Balance Please: Thanks: Sohni Dhurti “The most important human endeavor is the striving for morality in our actions. Our inner balance and even our very existence depend on it. Only morality in our actions can give beauty and dignity to life.”
The PPP is its own worst enemy – by Irfan Husain: Power, perceptions and the PPP By Irfan Husain Saturday, 30 Jan, 2010 It isn’t often that I agree with Nawaz Sharif. However, when he said a few weeks ago that the PPP was its own worst enemy, he put
Pakistani media leading to chaos or consensus? – by Junaid Qaiser: Today, democracy and liberal development are interdependent with recognition by media. In an informed democracy, public reasoning based opinion is a vital aide for transparent governance. It is an age of advancement in communication technology where internet, push button
Laptop Warriors: Ayaz Amir presents two pressing challenges to the Supreme Court of Pakistan: < strong>While disregarding pawns of ‘the anti-democracy establishment’ (e.g. Dr Shahid Masood and Ansar Abbasi and other members of the Pakistani Taliban Union of Journalists (PTUJ)) as “laptop warriors” and “media samurais — of whom there are not a
Half-truth of the Supreme Court of Pakistan: An interesting conversation: Here are some excerpts from an interesting conversation at pkpolitics where ‘Bawa’, a pro-democracy blogger (with anti-Zardari inclinations), has raised some interesting points about the anti-NRO stance of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. آدھا سچ ہم میں سے ہر
Pakistan’s various governments and the approximate periods of their rule – by Kamran Shafi: Below, without comment a list of Pakistan’s various governments and the approximate periods of their rule, or misrule if you will. ‘Caretaker’ governments or those such as Mr Mohammad Khan Junejo’s, Mr Zafarullah Jamali’s and the Private Banker’s have
PPP Government: A window of opportunity for Pakistan – by Junaid Qaiser: In the words of Benazir Bhutto, democracy: “… is a birth right too often snatched at the point of the gun from the citizens by the very men who are to guard and defend us. This can stop to
Democracy under siege — by Dr Hasan-Askari Rizvi: The PPP-led federal government, especially President Asif Ali Zardari, faces a siege like situation due to the subtle behind-the-scene moves by the military top brass, the political fallout of the Supreme Court judgement on the NRO, and the off-again,
Making sense of the distorted history of Muslims in India – by Nadeem Paracha: “Why do many Pakistanis spend more time celebrating Islamic history of regions outside India (especially Arabian), the ummah, and seem to show more concern in what is happening to their brethren in Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan and Kashmir.” Writes Nadeem
In the heart of Pakistan – by Saria Benazir: The history of Pakistan Peoples Party is too long a saga of thrash about and forfeits. A time came, when the founder Chairman of our party Quaid e Awaam Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto had to rest down his life…choose
Asma Jahangir vs Justice Ramday – by Khalid Wasti: ذہنی عدم بلوغت اور منافقت ۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔ افسوس کہ من حیث القوم ہم ابھی تک بالغ نظر کہلانے کے حقدار نہیں ہیں ۔ ہماری ذہنی سطح اس حد سے اوپر تو اٹھ ہی نہیں رہی کہ جو شخص سپریم کورٹ
After the Bangladesh Model…: By Aliarqam Durrani The very much debated NRO and the SC judgment about it has clearly indicated the tendencies of our political class and the non political forces of a journey in the circle. Unfortunately biases and prejudices have
Jamhooriat ka manzar bam’a jamhooriat ke saath kia ho ga – by Qais Anwar: جمہوریت کا منظر بمعہ جمہوریت کے ساتھ کیا ہوگا بروزن ۔۔۔۔۔ موت کا منظر بمعہ مرنے کے بعد کیا ہوگا ۔۔۔ — کچھ بیس تیس سال پہلے ؛ دیواروں پر؛ جنسی معالجوں کے اشتہاروں کے درمیان ایک کتاب کا
Shape of things to come: corrupt generals and morally bankrupt judges in collaboration: SC can seek army’s help for implementation of verdicts: Pirzada Staff Report ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court can seek the army’s help in getting its verdicts implemented in letter and spirit, as the army is part of the executive and
For Pakistan, no turning back from reform – by Asif Ali Zardari: When I was elected president more than a year ago, Pakistan was in grave condition, strained by terrorism and a ravaged economy. Countering the effects of a decade of dictatorship requires bold actions, some of which are unpopular. I
Selective Morality of the Supreme Court of Pakistan – by Harris Azhar: Today I recall the words of the mother of the renowned writer Ms Arundhati Roy while in the Supreme Court of India, that I cannot accept any dictatorship and if you don’t allow me to discuss the Supreme Court’s
Democracy hanged till death. Thank you, my Lords! – by Qais Anwar: مبارک ہو؛ عزت مآ ب جج صاحبان؛ آپ نے جمہوریت کے گلے میں پھندہ ڈال دیا جمہوریت کی شکست اور ایسٹبلشمنٹ کی ایک اور فتح کی کہانی اپنے عروج کی طرف بڑھ رہی ہے ؛ ایسٹبلشمنٹ نے گھات لگا
Amb. Haqqani – Lobbying for “Transformation” – by Anas Muhammad: On January 15, 2009, Ambassador Husain Haqqani, was a special guest to a gathering at the Nixon Center, which discussed the US-Paksitan relations. This is one of the many forums Honorable Ambassador has addressed, since being appointed at his
Hussain Haqqani, Mere Mutabiq – by Ahsan Abbas Shah: حسین حقانی میرے مُطابق کل سے میرے ذہن میں ایک بھونچال سا مچا ہُوا ہے،پپلز پارٹی میں اندرونی اِختلافات کو جس طریقے سے میڈیا پیش کر رہا ہے اُس سے شاید یہ تاثر دینے کی کوشش کی جا رہی
What was the agenda of Shahbaz Sharif’s meeting with CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry? – By Junaid Qaiser: The so called custodian of democracy and judiciary Shahbaz Sharif had a 2 hours long meeting with Cheif Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary on 9 January after the funeral of Justice Ramday’s wife. Ethically and morally speaking, Shahbaz Sharif should have
We have too many governments in Pakistan – By Naseer Ahmed: We have too many governments in Pakistan. We have governments elected by people, i.e., central, provincial and local governments. We have self-designated governments like ISI (military), judiciary, media, extremists and feudal-industrial complex. The self-designated governments have four purposes. 1.
Deconstructing Husain Haqqani – by Aamir Mughal and Sarah Khan: From the days of General Zia ul Haq, the Islamofacist dictator of Pakistan, one name never seems to die out. Like a roach, it has survived the test of time and come back to haunt the scene once again
A shameful decision: The recently announced decision to suspend Dr. Israr Shah from the PPP CEC is a terrible one. Dr. Israr Shah has given an unimaginable sacrifice for his party and his country and should be honoured as a hero, not
Planned hype against President Zardari – by Dr Masooda Bano: The crisis mode created around President Zardari’s speech has an air of planned maneuvering around it. Zardari is not without his weaknesses but the air of tension being created after his speech on the second anniversary of Benazir Bhutto’s
President Zardari, implement the Charter of Democracy with no further ifs and buts please: Here are three articles, published in three different newspapers today (i.e. Dawn, Daily Times and Jang), which suggest that in order to safeguard democracy, President Asif Ali Zardari must listen to Nawaz Sharif’s voice. If united, PPP and PML-N,
The Sindh Card: Here are two articles, first one by Hasan Mujtaba of BBC Urdu and the second one by Nazir Naji. The articles suggest that contrary to the ‘mainstream’ propaganda, the so called Sindh Card is a tool which has been
Jamhoor dushman sahaafi – by Naseer Ahmed: Naseer Ahmed writes a critical piece on anti-democracy journalists in Pakistani media.
Some predictions for the new year – by Dr Syed Mansoor Hussain: Old predictions and new The 17th Amendment will eventually go this year but not until the PPP, without whose parliamentary support no new amendment can be passed, has extracted its ‘pound of flesh’ (and blood) from the N-League leadership
Has Zardari done anything which comes close to unbeatable follies of our military dictators? – by Ayaz Amir: The road to hell — and similar destinations By Ayaz Amir We have a developed talent, honed over the years, for counting the trees and missing the larger picture. We see things in one dimension and forget that there
Obsession with Zardari; Not in the New Year!: By Agha Haider Raza TV anchors must refrain from pretending as Chief Justice. Picture / Pakistan Media Watch It has of late become frustrating to read the newspapers in Pakistan. If the once a week suicide bombings are not bad
Why Zardari?: It is not a secret…………Asif Ali Zardari is always a favourite target for the pro-establishment and pro-Taliban journalists and politicians; he is portrayed as responsible for all of the Government’s alleged failures. This is despite the fact that Prime
Shaheed Benazir Bhutto’s Legacy (Urdu Version) – By Farahnaz Ispahani: Shahee Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Ka Virsa
Please join the “Save democracy, stop conspiracy” rally in Lahore: The ongoing media campaign to malign President Asif Ali Zardari is an unwelcome and indeed dangerous blow to Pakistan’s democracy. One
Pakistan Democracy Review 2009 – by Humza Ikram: In this article, Humza Ikram offers a comprehensive review of the performance of the PPP government in 2009. JANUARY 2009 OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) In January 2009, BISP was officially launched after its form distribution
Shaheed Benazir Bhutto’s legacy – by Farahnaz Ispahani: The second anniversary of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s tragic assassination coincides with the observance of Ashura, the annual reminder to the Muslims of the ultimate sacrifice of the holy prophet’s
Enclosed in my heart – by Saria Benazir: Enclosed in my heart, Are a few words? Not merely words,
Benazir Bhutto and Karbala – Guest post by Naseer Ahmed: Related post: Benazir Bhutto: Ik Kaneez-e-Karbala – by Abdul Nishapuri I remember a poem by a famous Pakistani poet, Mohsin Naqvi, on the dismissal of the first PPP govt by Ghulam Ishaq Khan in 1990. A maid of Karbala
When skewed high-rises discolor the city skyline – by Qudrat Ullah: With the tremendous trade and industrial progress of the United States in the last quarter of 19th century, the private sector turned to the idea of high-rises when prime urban lands became scanty and pricey. First ten-storey high-rise was
NRO: ‘Judicial Messiah’ or Democracy? – Guest Post by Ahmad Nadeem Gehla: I participated in movement for restoration of Chief Justice till his restoration with a belief of doing a right thing as a Lawyer and a common citizen. Since restoration of Judiciary things has not turned to our expectations. I have tried
Ayub Khan’s actions against politicians under EBDO or how to wipe out an entire political class: Facts about Elected Bodies Disqualification Order (EBDO) of 1959, compiled from “The Separation of East Pakistan” by Hasan Zaheer and “Bangladesh Past and Present” by Salahuddin Ahmed When Ayub Khan took power in 1958 one of his main priorities