Comment: report””s footnotes tell the real story
The footnotes published by the State Bank of Pakistan in its Annual Report 2011-2012, tell the real story of country''''s economy and not the heavily vetted analysis that was issued…
The saviour delusion
In terms of our national consciousness three trends seem to be ascendant: we have lost faith in the ability of individuals to possess integrity or be guided by principles, firm…
The orphan economy
There are at least six different parties and groups giving their own views about the state of the economy and the required direction of policies, and their viewpoints differ drastically…
Purple bamboo
The early morning mist hangs heavy. Seemingly light and ephemeral, it smothers the ground and hangs heavy on the soul too. No one knows when it will lift its burden.…
The Congress and the ‘middle class’
Rahul Gandhi’s elevation as the Congress Party’s vice-president was an organisational non-event. He was already functioning as its Number Two, and dynastically destined to succeed his mother. The appointment’s significance…
The new kingmaker
Since the return to Pakistan last month of the Tehreek-e-Minhaj-ul-Quran (TMQ) chief, Tahirul Qadri, strange things have happened in unexpected ways. A political analyst, thinking loudly, quoted William Cowper’s 1773…
This is history’: Inaugural crowd celebrates Obama
This is how Americans celebrate their president: Braving ear-freezing cold and long security lines, hundreds of thousands of people flocked to the nation's Capitol to send off Barack Obama into…
Changing mindsets
When Sheema Kermani launched her play Zehreela Dhooan, she probably didn’t realise how formidable would be her battle against the cigarette. In this play a cast of eight earnest people…
Belgian queen in hot water over inheritance foundation
For a long time, Queen Fabiola of Belgium seemed above reproach - lauded for her religious fervour, praised for her social deeds and sympathised with after a series of miscarriages…
Merkel faces emboldened opposition after state poll loss
German Chancellor Angela Merkel starts an election year facing an emboldened opposition after her conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) suffered a bitter defeat in a key state poll. The narrow victory…
