Joining the social connectivity dots
People are strange. I am socially awkward. I want “me” time. I am a private person. Wish I was an extrovert. These are some comments that we hear from people…
Education emergency: a social X-ray
THE prime minister recently declared an education emergency, a much-needed and welcome call to action. Our education system is in critical condition and experts must now step forward to revive it.…
Understanding change
THE changes that are taking place in the built environment of Karachi’s low- and middle-income neighbourhoods are hard to ignore by those vested in urban planning. The increase in population,…
A social democratic, green, mission-oriented budget
In contrast to the usual approach to a budget discourse based on ideas around raising taxes, and expenditure allocations with slight hints of expanding the tax base, and having progressivity,…
Understanding judicial chaos
“Fear cuts deeper than swords” — George R.R. Martin, A Game of Thrones LIKE the Supreme Court of Pakistan, it is normal for the supreme courts of other countries to…
Understanding austerity
There is a general confusion in Pakistan, whereby austerity policies are taken as belt-tightening in terms of prioritising against less important expenditures or reduction in expenditures with regard to running…
Understanding the present crisis
Understanding the problem is half the solution. This article spells out the top three problems that constitute the present crisis: an urgent (“dollar”), an immediate (“fiscal”), and an underlying longer-term…
China: developing a strong socialist culture
Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has attached great importance to the development…
Understanding the ordinary
A comprehensive understanding of the life of a ‘commoner’ and the means and methods of people’s upward social mobility is mandatory for urban planning. For reasons well-understood, city planners and…
Understanding the music
The article below was written three years ago in response to the various versions of the anthem posted on social media by anyone who could sing, play an instrument, or…
