Punjabi nationalism
IN comparison to other multiethnic/multicultural countries in Asia, like India and Malaysia, Pakistan is a bit of an anomaly in that the largest identity group is not formally politicised. While…
Popularity and effectiveness
RECENTLY, in an academic session with students abroad, I was discussing human effectiveness and leadership. Subliminal disturbance about the events back home led me to dwell on correlating the popularity…
Why did ANP lose popularity?
In the recently held election, perhaps the most unpopular and unfair election in Pakistan, the centre-left nationalist party the Awami National Party (ANP) is also one of the major casualties.…
Changing the national narrative
Pakistan has often been seen abroad as a crisis-prone country. That reputation has taken on a new life after the April 2022 parliamentary vote of no-confidence, and the unusual events…
Grand national bargain, anyone?
Pakistan is dangerously polarized. Pakistanis are divided between supporters and opponents of a charismatic leader deemed a messiah by his followers and a scary demagogue by his detractors. There are…
Erdogan’s popularity
The May 14 Turkish presidential election has failed to produce a clear winner in a close race. Turkish President Erdogan and opposition candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu have each failed to bag…
National congress
The meeting of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China is very important in the sense that it determines the leadership of China and its goals. The…
Imran’s popularity
Former prime minister Imran Khan has succeeded in attracting large crowds at his recent public rallies in Peshawar, Karachi and Lahore. He has succeeded in mobilizing his core support base.…
IMF and the ‘pseudo’ national govt
With the regime change completed in Pakistan, the geo-politico-economic situation is so fluid and intertwined that any attempt at offering crystal ball predictions can fall like deck of cards once…
Manufacturing Modi’s popularity
REVELATIONS of a secret app apparently used by Hindutva affiliates to inflate the BJP’s popularity or to intimidate political opponents reinforces the belief many hold that it is bluster more…
