Human bombs
THE grand mufti of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah Al Sheikh, recently termed suicide bombers as `criminals` who will go to `hell`. In the 1980s, suicide attacks were…
New Year resolutions
If we can change one thing about Pakistan in 2014 can that please be our mindset? Can we cure ourselves of the Pakistan-versus-the-rest paranoia that cultivates the image of a…
Counterterrorism confusion
Although more than six months have elapsed since the new government came to power, neither the federal nor provincial policymakers have been able to formulate a clear strategy on combating…
Spectre of targeted killings
Two-Year-OLD Zala, cradled in her uncle’s arms and chewing gum, was completely unaware that she was participating in the funeral procession of her father. She had no idea of the…
Time to be angry
Ours is the country where the 15-year old Aitezaz Hussain was left to engage the suicide bomber heading to blow up a school full of students. He sacrificed his life…
Predictions
It’s become a small industry. In foreign policy research institutes around Europe and the US the last six months have been spent producing papers, attending seminars, giving lectures and contributing…
Incentives, class, unions & reform
There is no chance whatsoever of substantial reform of any element of the Pakistani state without the active participation and ownership of government employees. This seems a simple enough proposition…
Understand, not punish
December 19, 2013 will always be remembered as the darkest day in the history of North Waziristan. On that day the Khajori check post near Mir Ali in North Waziristan…
The elite vs everyone else
When leaders of a democratic nation plan civilian infrastructure, they place the capacities of the most vulnerable and lowest socioeconomic class of citizens first, and those of the rich and…
Terrorism and national security
The first ever meeting of the newly established Cabinet Committee on National Security was held on Tuesday and it could do no better than assign top priority to peace talks…
