Maverick politicians
I HAVE a confession to make: there is not much left to say this week. The political crisis, the economic meltdown and the constitutional impasse — all seem to have…
The precarious lives of politicians
FORMER prime minister Imran Khan was shot in the leg during an assassination attempt last week while participating in the long march. He survived. But Pakistani politicians seldom survive assassination attempts, which…
‘Missing’ politicians
‘POLITICAL engineering’ in Pakistan has, over the decades, taken many forms. In recent times, these include causing defections in political parties through pressures, blackmail, and inducements; creating destabilisation through prolonged ‘sit-ins’; manufacturing media…
Shall we tell the politicians?
Pakistan continues to grapple with a multitude of complex challenges that threaten its national security, hinder its socio-economic progress and have been destabilizing the country in a perpetual manner. In…
People, politicians and political space
When Imran Khan came to power in 2018 many hoped he would break the hold of the corrupt and inefficient two-party system, which had controlled Pakistan’s political space since 1988.…
Our politicians’ dilemma
The recent move by President Arif Alvi to announce the date for provincial elections has plunged the country into a new political crisis. This action has triggered a debate about…
In US Supreme Court elections case, politicians could win either way
Though the US Supreme Court appears reluctant to free North Carolina Republican lawmakers from judicial scrutiny as much as they want on voting rules, the restrictions it may allow still…
Celebrity politicians
Once upon a time, in the not-so-distant past, the culture industry seemed content to play a supporting role in our politics. Celebrities surrogated for candidates, and reproduced social hierarchies through…
Politicians by inheritance
A politician is generally defined as a person who is ‘professionally’ involved in politics, especially as a holder of an elected office. However, almost all dictionaries also give the following…
Politicians and propaganda
Ruling elites all over the world are adroit at projecting their image as charismatic personalities who have a magic wand that can resolve all the problems being faced by the…
