New scholarship on religion and reform: Part – II
'The latest contribution by Ali Usman Qasmi to the existing scholarship on the history of Pakistan and how religion has influenced citizenship and other issues in the country is Qaum,…
New scholarship on religion and reform: Part – I
Despite a general apathy – or even despondency – about falling academic standards in Pakistan, some relatively young researchers and writers have made their mark in academic circles in the…
True riba-free Islamic banking
The motivation to provide interest- (riba) free financial services is derived from the desire of Muslim communities living in the modern age. The general perception of most of the critics…
Islamic banking: the challenges ahead
WILL our economic and financial system be able to eliminate riba (interest) by December 2027, as ordained by the Federal Shariat Court? If the past is any guide, this time…
Islamic environmentalism
IT is no secret that Pakistan faces an existential climate change crisis. Currently ranked fifth in the Global Climate Risk Index, we are at severe risk of exposure to extreme…
Islamic banking: a success story
Last week the largest transformation from conventional to Islamic banking was achieved as all the branches of the Faysal Bank spread across the country completed their conversion to Islamic banking.…
A critique of three scholars
Some of my readers have asked me to write more on historiography in Pakistan other than the writers such as Ali Abbas Jalalpuri, Dr Mubarak Ali, and Sibte Hasan. In…
Islamic banking
Pakistan's economy has been experiencing pressure since past few years. The country's current account deficit swelled by 43% to highest-ever level of $18 billion in the fiscal year ended June…
Islamic finance industry: Diversity of challenges
Islamic banks are constantly challenged with excess liquidity and the country is constantly in dire need of funds. Sounds like a heavenly match. However, their paths often do not cross…
The deepening crisis of scholarship
One’s view is primarily that of a creative writer. But since one’s interests straddle history, politics, culture and society, there is an inherent compulsion to comment on issues that surround…
