Avoiding meltdown
A comprehensive review of overall US policy by the Obama administration notwithstanding, many independent entities have undertaken such analyses. One such exercise is "The Strategy for Stability of Afghanistan-Pakistan" by…
Responsible discourse
The public discourse on the causes of the militancy in Pakistan is very common. People are concerned about the growing incidents of militancy occurring right in the heart of the…
Unforgivable crimes
There are some crimes that even the most kind-hearted pacifist would agree call for exemplary punishment. These include rape, child molestation, kidnapping of girls, kidnapping for ransom and murder of…
Justice for the common man
How far the judiciary has emerged not only independent but also efficient and free from bias remains to be seen. Beyond doubt, however, is the indiscipline that has come to…
French crusade against veil
The French National Assembly passed a draft law on July 13 banning wearing of the veil by Muslim women, with all but one member supporting the bill. This rare show…
When Kashmiris, Nagas, Maoists and others sought justice
The creation of Pakistan from the Indian subcontinent was not inevitable. It happened despite several attempts to avert its formation, including efforts by the Muslim League. Former Indian foreign minister…
Anatomy of neo-colonialism
The day I arrived in Lahore, it seemed that the greatest event in the world was the quarter final between Pakistan and the West Indies. Bombs were raining down from…
The forgotten camps
Even as the UN Security Council dithers on granting Palestine full membership in the world body, it would be useful to recall the fate of the millions of dis-possessed Palestinians…
Salala remains a fresh wound
Since the events of 9/11, Pakistan’s relations with the US have experienced numerous ups and downs. Even during periods of honeymoon there has been no smooth sailing. Ties have often…
Tyranny of the minority
The shameful incarceration of a young Christian girl on trumped-up blasphemy charges has provoked outrage across a wide cross section of ordinary people in Pakistan and beyond, and expectedly so.…
