The messiah complex
The ‘messiah complex’ – the belief (or grand delusion) that one is destined to save others – has long affected our non-elected state institutions, and the latest victim appears to…
A fair trial
The recent judgment of the Supreme Court disqualifying the elected prime minister of the country in exercise of its original constitutional jurisdiction – on the ground that he is not…
Accountability and democracy must go together
Like all his predecessors, except Bhutto who was judicially murdered, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif once again seems to be destined to not complete his mandated term. This time on the…
Constitutional order at war with itself
It seems we have now entered a critical phase of a constitutional order at war with itself. Even if the heavens were to fall, the judiciary is continuing to grapple…
The fog of law
The proceedings in the Panama case have thankfully concluded and the Supreme Court has reserved judgement. The Sharifs have not exactly come out rosy: a first family that cannot afford…
An ominous development
Reportedly, the PTI and the PAT have decided to bury the hatchet and join hands in locking down Islamabad. It is said that the PAT has agreed to join the…
World focus on disappearances
The government might have been surprised at some foreign governments’ expressions of concern at the enforced disappearance of five social activists/ bloggers. Instead of taking umbrage, it should look for…
Budget 2016-17: In the same old mould!-II
Our tragedy is that on the one hand we have too many taxes and on the other revenue collection is much below the real potential. The biggest failure of the…
Jurisdiction lost with passage of time – I
The following is provided in sub-section (2) of section 33 in Pakistani Federal Excise Act, 2005: "Provided that such order shall be passed not later than one hundred and twenty…
Fear of truth and transparency
Pakistani people’s refusal to face the truth was again demonstrated last Friday when the fall of Dhaka in 1971 and the carnage at Peshawar’s Army Public School two years ago…
