Book Review: Punjabi Taliban: In the following article, Hamid Akhtar offers a review of Mujahid Hussain’s book “Punjabi Taliban”. The book reveals the linkages between the ISI, Sipah-e-Sahaba and certain pro-PML-N politicians and religious leaders in Punjab. The book also reveals how jihadi

Remembering Sohail Qalandar – by Muhammad Amir Khakwani and Latif Chaudhry: Muhammad Amir Hashim Khakwani remembers Sohail Qalandar in the following article:

Anti-Americanism – by Talat Masood: Monday, December 14, 2009 Anti-Americanism continues to rise unabated in Pakistan. It is not confined to fringe elements alone but is spreading in the mainstream. A few recently retired military officers and politicians have gone as far as accusing

Blackwater in Pakistan? A clandestine affair: Blackwater Worldwide, now known as Xe Services, has been in the news for many months now. It is a private military security firm, also serving as one of the private security contractors used by the US State Department. Recently

The 7th NFC Award – a step towards attaining fiscal federalism in Pakistan – Guest post by Qudrat Ullah: Amid the daily reports of truculent Taliban’s interminable terrorism, explosions and deaths, coupled with a gasping economy with little respite for the indigent hoi polloi of the society, the unanimous approval of 7th National Finance Commission Award in Lahore

How to Mend Fences With Pakistan – by Asif Ali Zardari: December 9, 2009. With thanks. NYtimes NOW that President Obama has recommitted the United States to stand with Pakistan and Afghanistan in our common fight against terrorism, extremism and fanaticism, it would be useful for Americans and Pakistanis to

National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA): A wise step by the people’s government: Pakistan creates Counter Terrorism Authority Sat, 12 Dec 2009 The move comes days after series of terror attacks in all major Pakistani cities that had left hundreds of people dead. The Pakistani government has established an agency called National

Speculative stories and the PPP – by Dr Hasan-Askari Rizvi: The increased role of the intelligence agencies, especially the ISI and the MI, in the political domain from the mid-1980s onwards caused distortions in politics and made it easy to float speculative reports about civilian political leaders An interesting

$1.5 billion per year – by Dr Farrukh Saleem: Sunday, December 13, 2009 Has the government of Pakistan made a plan as to how it will spend $1.5 billion that will be coming our way courtesy the Treasury Building, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC? Has any of

In the name of religion – by Ghazi Salahuddin: Sunday, December 13, 2009 This insane surge in terror bombings early this week is bound to prey on our minds. Yes, the instinctive response is likely to be that of utter dejection. Still, the situation calls for some soul-searching.

Why is Imran Khan’s idea of dialogue with Taliban not workable? by Muhammad Amir Khakwani: Here is an op-ed by Muhammad Amir Hashim Khakwani describing the impracticality of a dialogue with the sectarian groups infested Pakistani (Punjabi) Taliban.

NRO for Balochistan – by Asadullah Ghalib: Asadullah Ghalib welcomes the PPP government’s national reconciliation (NRO) for Balochi rights fighters.

Renowned journalist Sohail Qalandar passes away: Sohail Qalandar, one of the very few courageous, anti-Taliban and anti-terrorism voices in Pakistani journalism, is no longer with us.

Anti-Asif Zardari malice exposed – by Fasihur Rehman: Saturday, December 12, 2009 Is democracy all about a plethora of documents whose authenticity remains doubtful for more than 13 years now, on many counts and in the backdrop of the PML-N Quaid’s own statement that the accountability process

How teenagers were lured by Taliban. Security forces discover jannat and porn in South Waziristan.: MAKIN (South Waziristan): A soldier guards a damaged training centre of militants in the once stronghold of the Taliban.—AFP How teenagers were lured by Taliban Saturday, 12 Dec, 2009 PESHAWAR: An artificial paradise (Jannat) established by terrorists for brainwashing

Spurting savagery – by Babar Sattar: One form of such denial produced by a misplaced sense of patriotism is the assertion that perpetrators of such depraved attacks cannot be Pakistanis and the increasing spate of terror attacks has to be the handiwork of our foreign

Mirza Sarwar, an associate of Professor Ahmad Rafique Akhtar, martyred by Taliban – by Haroon-ur-Rasheed: Mirza Sarwar was a driver and close associate of a famous religious scholar Professor Ahmad Rafique Akhtar. Originally from Gujar Khan, Sarwar was killed in Friday’s suicide attack by Taliban in Parade Lane Mosque in Rawalpindi, which claimed at

Enemies of Quaid-e-Azam, saviours of Pakistan? – by Asadullah Ghalib: Asadullah Ghalib offers an historical perspective on those elements in Pakistani establishment, politics and media (e.g. Munawar Hassan, Hameed Gul, Ansar Abbasi) who have been, at various points in history, consistently conspiring against the state and the nation of

Finally, NFC Award deadlock is over: In 1996 the interim government of Farooq Leghari gave a draconian and discriminatory NFC award  which was adopted by successive governments; PML-N government in 1998 and also by the Musharaf regime, Leghari’s NFC award further  maligned the smaller provinces  and added to

Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry disappoints Dr Shahid Masood, Shaheen Sehbai and other democracy haters. “We won’t let system derail”: CJP: ISLAMABAD: The government filed a petition in the Supreme Court on Thursday, contending that any decision on the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) outside the scope of what the challengers had sought could destabilise the democratic system. After remaining silent