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Will not talking usher in peace?

INDIA’S home minister says there can’t be any talks with Pakistan until peace comes to Jammu and Kashmir first. It’s not clear if he was posturing as politicians often do…

Thriving South Asia a pipe dream?

SOME two weeks back, the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), a 23-member inter-governmental organisation, held its annual meeting in Colombo. Pakistan has been intentionally kept out of this forum despite…

Unlocking the top slotsG Shabbir Shah

With the power to make or break governments, the Supreme Court (SC) has undoubtedly emerged as the most powerful institution in the country. Whether it is the fate of one…

Petroleum price conundrum

A visibly agitated Finance Minister Miftah Ismail gave one press conference, addressed the All Parties Economic Recovery Conference and was a guest in at least five talk shows on Tuesday…

The Pyrrhic Victory Of Dr Faustus

The Pyrrhic victory of Dr Faustus

First, let’s examine the concept of a Pyrrhic victory. Pyrrhus was an army general who suffered tremendous losses even though he defeated the Romans in 280 BC. Since then, a…

Sher Shah Suri Of The 21st Century

Sher Shah Suri of the 21st Century

Sher Shah Suri, the Lion King, reigned over India for a short stint from 1540 to 1545 interrupting the Moghul dynastic rule. He carried out lasting administrative reforms and opened…

Dragging It Out

Dragging it Out

When two parties to a conflict both declare victory, it’s usually a good thing. But in the aftermath of the Supreme Court intervention, both the PTI and PML-N are sulking,…

Malala, Salam, Faiz And Dr Khan

Malala, Salam, Faiz and Dr Khan

In Pakistan, with Malala Yousafzai winning the Nobel Peace Prize, it is proven once again that those subscribing to conservative social and political views reject new facts if they challenge…

The Qadri-Imran Joint Enterprise

The Qadri-Imran joint enterprise

Martin Luther, the German theologian whose writings inspired the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century, also believed uncompromisingly that “God would prefer to suffer the government to exist no matter…

Drones And Deception

Drones and deception

The tragedy of Pakistan is that in this age of realism, its leaders are never realistic. They are creatures of absurd emotions, the consequences of which can be catastrophic. The…