Questioning patriotism
“It is lamentable, that to be a good patriot one must become the enemy of the rest of mankind.” — Voltaire “HOW could you question someone’s patriotism?” the chief justice…
Prada, poverty & patriotism
THE ever-widening rift between the ‘common’ man and the Pakistani elite is a fascinating phenomenon. It is quite common nowadays to hear the phrase ‘the poor are getting poorer and…
On treason and patriotism
“During part of her childhood, Elizabeth was illegitimate. In 1534, parliament ruled that it was treason to believe her illegitimate. In 1536, it was treason to believe her legitimate. Signals…
Khan’s patriotism mantra
“Patriotism is the virtue of the vicious.” — Oscar Wilde THE falsified use of the ‘patriotism’ label is not uncommon in Pakistan’s power politics. Yet Imran Khan has taken the…
Patriotism unchallenged
Patriotism is an open concept to debate. It is determined by the standpoint of which side of the fence is acceptable to the environment one lives in. At best, any…
Parents and patriotism
During my recent visit to Karachi, I happened to talk with an ordinary resident, a father of two, about the dilemmas of conventional patriotism, expectations of children, and challenges of…
Patriotism in the time of Corona
Some of my readers have observed – or rather complained – that in these columns I have been focusing on just one school of thought that is left-wing, liberal, progressive,…
The patriotism card
"Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel" - Samuel Johnson. Nothing exemplifies the role of the patriotism card in our national affairs better than the raging brouhaha about Nawaz…
Pathways to patriotism
Modi is not mad. He did overreach himself by crossing a red line, but it was a calculated move with clear strategic and political objectives. The calculation was all wrong.…
The only patriotism
The caretakers are in place. Good luck to them. They will need it. Fair elections are their responsibility. But they have limited authority and time. Moreover, fair elections are not…
