Epic culture of retribution
The idea of justice and retribution has bitterly divided India yet again. The age-old culture of settling scores with bloodletting as the primary impulse is ingrained in the Indian DNA…
Extreme nation
PAKISTAN’s political character is a product of extraordinary circumstances, the British Empire’s geopolitical imperatives, and the absence of a blueprint for the post-independence state. It came into existence in a…
The return of IS
The operation to liberate the Iraqi city of Mosul from the grip of the militant Islamic State group may take a few more weeks, or maybe even months. But the…
The demon we created
It took yet another militant attack across the border and increasing pressure from outside powers for us to finally act against Masood Azhar and his militant network — although one…
Why bash the elite?
ELITE-BASHING is Pakistan’s newest sport. As the country stares into the default abyss, the ubiquitous phrase — ‘elite state capture’ — putatively explains all that has gone awry. Fat-cats are…
Roots of the Taliban
PAKISTAN’S initial support for the Afghan Taliban regime proved short-lived — a surprising turn of events for many observers. After actively lobbying for international recognition for the Taliban administration, Pakistan…
What went wrong?
REGARDLESS of whoever ruled Afghanistan, the country has always been a problem for Pakistan. The latter’s strategic planners may have hoped that with the Afghan Taliban’s return to power the…
Stories from Hazara
The tradition of writing historical novels in Urdu is over a century old. From Abdul Halim Sharar and Rashidul Khairi to Aslam Rahi, M Aslam, and Naseem Hijazi, there is…
Crises old and new
It is hardly breaking news on the first day of the new (not so happy) year that Pakistan faces a slate of challenges if not crises that seem destined to…
Health Assessment
Afghan spectators’ angry and violent reaction to the defeat by Pakistan at the Asia Cup has disappointed Pakistanis. Many feel outraged by the Afghans’ ‘ingratitude’ after Pakistan had done so…
