The other side of the story
The one rule emphasised in school was to balance our observations and views – and it didn’t matter if it was a science report or a literary essay that we…
A land of death
We have become so accustomed to death, and the many forms it comes in, that it no longer frightens us or creates anything more than a few discussions, some shaking…
Universities’ challenge
THE Punjab government is worried about higher education in the province. But why ask for a ‘Higher Education Commission’, parallel to the ‘Higher Education Department’ instead of initiating reforms? The…
End of imagination
A friend was all fire and brimstone when another one quoted Kaifi Azmi to drive home his message. In his piece titled ‘Indian Muslim Women: Bottom of the Bottom’, Syed…
Opening minds
WAS it a conscious politico-bureaucratic nuance or simplistic understanding? KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak recently said something about education that repudiates research of the last half a century in the…
Fractured conservatism
Pakistan has become increasingly conservative in recent decades. Conservatives dominate Pakistani politics, and have forced liberal parties to become centrist. However, when political coalitions become too dominating, they often become…
‘Ethical gold’ aims to curb mining’s toll in South America
Tucked between two desert ridges in southern Peru, Relave looks like any of the hundreds of ramshackle mining towns that blight the landscape in the world's sixth-largest gold exporter. Its…
Confronting violent extremists
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan announced the long-awaited national security policy yesterday, focusing on the operational aspects of governmental response to the threat of violent extremism. Much of what…
‘Tax Justice Agenda’
The extending of extraordinary tax-free benefits to the powerful classes, failure to tap actual tax potential, indulgence in wasteful expenditure and funding of inefficient public sector enterprises are continuously pushing…
Ramshackle policies and compromises
Why is Pakistan under siege? If this siege is to be done away with what is likely to be the outcome for the population. Has the political system any role…
