Sleepless in Kabul
Afghanistan is on the brink of history. The Americans are about to leave, and elections are around the corner as well. And just when the world thought that peace in…
Raja in Kabul
Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf went on a day trip to Afghanistan on the invitation of Afghan President Karzai. The actual invitation was given to his predecessor Yousuf Raza Gilani…
Some Kabul themes
Apart from the negotiations with the Taliban and the US troops’ withdrawal plans, much of what is happening in Afghanistan, especially the impact of the state’s reconstruction on society, should…
As Kabul and Delhi edge closer
It would be like riding the proverbial tiger. If we think we can somehow play the kingmaker and reap the harvest, that would be like Alice in Wonderland. Even the…
From Kabul without love
Kabul is shrouded in dust. Until a few years ago, dust would cover the town mostly during summer. Now it envelops it the whole year round. Millions of saplings have…
Water deficit
RATHER than augmenting water productivity, our planners are obsessed with building new reservoirs and expanding irrigated areas. The reason? More structures mean more money. Barring the wet monsoon years, the…
Kurram carnage
VIOLENCE in Kurram has spiked in frequency and magnitude recently. Fresh clashes erupted on Nov 21, when passenger vehicles were ambushed near Mandori. Forty-four persons lost their lives, including women and children. In revenge…
Poll verdict slams cancel culture
PAKISTAN’S voters have reprimanded anti-democratic power centres for seeking to ‘cancel’ political opponents. Voters ensured that Imran Khan’s popularity increased in inverse proportion to the reported repression he and his…
Limits of coercion
IT is widely believed that Pakistan’s geostrategic location has been a great asset for the country. But it has also been an enormous challenge. In fact, the tyranny of geography…
Limits of coercion
IT is widely believed that Pakistan’s geostrategic location has been a great asset for the country. But it has also been an enormous challenge. In fact, the tyranny of geography…
