No joy in Dhaka
THERE is a sense of irony in watching tanks and armoured personnel carriers on the streets of Dhaka, defending a government that traces its lineage to the forces that resisted…
Rebuild ties with Dhaka
For someone who grew up in what was then East Pakistan and what is now Bangladesh, and who lived there through the tumultuous years between 1969 and 1971, it is…
Big trade deals likely elusive at WTO meet in Abu Dhabi
The world’s trade ministers could put the final touches to a historic fisheries deal when they meet in Abu Dhabi later this month, but other landmark agreements will likely prove…
Gandhara corridor
A few years ago, when the government of Pakistan announced the establishment of the Kartarpur Corridor, I clearly expressed my hope that this corridor would pave the way for opening…
Gandhara dreams
Today, I can count myself among the few luckiest people in the world who have seen their dream come true in their own lifetime. Honourable Buddhist monks from Thailand, Nepal,…
Exploring Gandhara
On the occasion of completing one month of taking charge as chairperson of the prime minister’s taskforce on Gandhara Tourism with the status of minister of state – on Wednesday…
The Buddha caves
Being the chairman of the Prime Minister’s Task Force on Gandhara Tourism, I have visited the historical Buddha ‘s Caves located at the Shah Allah Ditta town of Islamabad as…
Gandhara tourism
The northern territories of Pakistan were once an integral part of Buddhist-dominated ancient Gandhara civilization, which extended from the 1st century to the 7th century. Many historical monuments and holy…
Stability: Dhaka vs Islamabad
A lot of people ask why Bangladesh has been able to manufacture over a decade of economic growth enabling political stability. Part of the answer casts the intensity and transformative…
Promoting Gandhara
Today, on February 4, the people of Sri Lanka are celebrating their 74th Independence Day to commemorate their freedom and sovereignty from British imperialism. The 5,000-year-old ancient island is also…
