An optical illusion
Richard Powers’ ‘The Overstory’, a poignant reminder of humanity's intricate connection with nature, seemed almost prophetic during COP29. Like the characters in the novel, negotiators at COP29 appeared blinded by…
Punitive governance
The Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index 2023 downgraded an 11 places back-pedalling Pakistan from a hybrid to an authoritarian regime. The report stated that unsurprisingly elections with opposition forces subject…
PTI: popular but not organised
Despite the PTI committing two big blunders on May 9 (2023) and November 26 (2024), the majority of the population in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa still support the party. While…
Export industry: challenges and solutions
It is heartening to note that a multinational company operating in Pakistan has successfully showcased and set an example that the challenges faced by the export industry in the country…
Oh, Textiles! What business you are in?
“A slow sort of country!” said the Queen. “Now, here, you see, it takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place. If you want to…
Disunited legal community
EVER SINCE the passage of the 26th Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan, influential lawyers, one after the other, have come out to threaten a widespread lawyers’ movement. Notable lawyers leading the…
A hollow victory
After much huffing and puffing during the last few days if not weeks, the government has finally managed to get the 26th Amendment to the Constitution passed by both houses…
Hook-line-sinker
THE Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) of India allows persecuted minorities belonging to the Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Parsi, Jain, and Christian communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan to gain Indian citizenship.…
Balochistan — a way forward
AS violence erupted in Balochistan on the 18th anniversary of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti’s killing, about two dozen unarmed civilian bus travellers and lorry drivers, mostly from southern Punjab, were…
Gas infrastructure & communities
NATURAL gas has played a major role in Pakistan’s energy matrix since the first large reserve was discovered in Sui, Balochistan, in 1952. Significant gas fields of smaller sizes were…
