Protecting free speech
When Pakistan’s greatest war for freedom of expression was raging in the dark decade of General Ziaul Haq in the late 1970s, Ahfaz-ur-Rahman and Nasir Zaidi were at the forefront…
The bounced cheque
THERE are some people who are born superheroes. Others have superhero-ship thrust upon them, once a particular robe and wig becomes theirs to wear. But there are yet others who…
Grim challenges before 29th CJP
On completion of term of Justice Umar Ata Bandial as 28th Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Justice Qazi Faez Isa took oath of office as his successor on September 17,…
Judicial imperialism: Threat to democracy
When honourable judges, while claiming to enforce the constitution, render verdicts that cannot plausibly be related to the constitution the result is judicial imperialism posing a serious threat to the…
Inching towards the white list
In June 2018, the international watchdog on money-laundering and terror financing, Financial Action Task Force (FATF), placed Pakistan in its increased monitoring list (grey list) for the third time over…
‘Gangsters’ checkmated
Consensus on matters ensuring security and welfare of the common man is rarely achieved by our parliament. Such unanimity is only displayed when their own self-interest is at stake, like…
FBR: new chairman old challenges
On July 4, 2017, Tariq Mahmood Pasha, a seasoned grade-22 officer from Internal Revenue Service (IRS), assumed the charge of Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The appointment of chairman from…
He’s changed his mind!
Two days before ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif decided to fly back to Pakistan to appear before an accountability court, he had refused to answer a journalist's repeated question if…
Pick and choose
JUSTICE Ayesha Malik has been elevated to the Supreme Court. She is the first woman to have been chosen for the highest judicial forum in the country, and she fully…
Balochistan’s troubled landscape
The discovery of the bullet-riddled bodies of 20 young men from Punjab within three days in Balochistan has evoked anger, condemnation, and calls for 'revenge', cleaving the ethnic divide in…
