The cost of political uncertainty
The failed attempt on the life of former prime minister Imran Khan has raised temperatures throughout the country with obvious repercussions on the state of the union (federation versus at…
Geopolitical prudence
The Ukraine War, its complexities and global spillover effects, have not been adequately depicted by either political leaders or the more influential media. Most commonly, the Ukraine War has been…
Is it geopolitical pressure?
This past weekend, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) hosted the Shangri La Dialogue – the Asia security summit it hosts in Singapore each year and has been doing…
Search for a political settlement
Three years ago – on May 6, 2018 – I barely survived an assassination attempt on my life as the interior minister of the country. Although my bullet wounds have…
The political chessboard
POLITICS is a war of nerves and political battles can result in terrible mistakes. What happened in the NA-75 by-election last week shows how one incident can unravel politics in…
Political dilemmas
THE evolving political situation in the country confronts both the government and opposition with difficult dilemmas. The decisions that followed the PDM’s Lahore rally and the atmosphere its combative campaign has created…
Political’ versus ‘liberal’ capitalism
Pakistan’s economy has always remained in a state of confusion. Except for the first decade or so when we went for import substitution our attempts to set our economy on…
Apolitical youth
DESPITE the economy, geopolitics, the climate — despite it all — Pakistan’s major cities are abuzz. There are theatre, food, literary, and film festivals. Art biennales and gallery openings. New…
Political prisoners, not missing persons
The news of the missing bloggers at the beginning of 2017 sent shockwaves through activist circles. No one was sure why sections of the state would abduct citizens for the…
This political theatre
Whatever is happening in Pakistan at this time seems so unreal. Or surreal, if you are distracted by the drama and the suspense provoked by the unfolding events. There is…
