An insidious agenda
There can be little doubt Gen Raheel Sharif hasn’t put a foot wrong in the popular perception since being elevated to the position of the chief of army staff and…
The ‘Not-Raheel’ Sharif
Since Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif went into stealth mode, which experts now seem to agree happened around May 13, 2013 upon learning that he was going to be prime minister…
The three Sharifs
As things stand today, Pakistan’s political, security and social situations are defined by three Sharifs: Nawaz Sharif, Raheel Sharif and Ramzan Sharif. The first Sharif is caught up in political…
A general’s views
LATELY, Pervez Musharraf has been unburdening himself of some of his views on democracy. In a BBC interview, he said that while he believed in democracy, he did not consider…
PM Sharif in a changing world
Four world events last week had deep and long-term significance for Pakistan. At the Education Summit in Oslo, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif reiterated a promise he has made repeatedly since…
The general speaks
Fortunate is the country that has professionally ‘thinking’ generals but unfortunate is the country that has politically ‘thinking’ generals. In Pakistan, our battles have largely been planned and fought by…
‘I made all my generals…’
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is no Napoleon Bonaparte; nor is he a Niccolo Machiavelli. The seemingly surprise appointment of Lieutenant-General Raheel Sharif, the third in the seniority order, as the…
The unshakable shield
For the past century, the Middle East has been plagued by border tensions, territorial disputes, internal instability, and external aggression. Generally, it is believed that Pakistan's cordial ties with Gulf…
Elusive common ground
Pakistan has seen several extreme levels of confrontation between political actors in its 75 years of existence. A mammoth people’s movement had mobilised against the 10-year-long rule of then president…
Misplaced optimism?
PAKISTAN can take comfort in the decision taken by Iran and Saudi Arabia, after mediation by China, to restore diplomatic ties. Pakistan has long been struggling to maintain a balance…
