Wish I were there
I have watched, in live telecasts, those massive protests staged in Cairo's Tahrir Square and in Istanbul’s Taksim Square some time back – with a sense of longing as well…
What took Nawaz to China
The pairing may seem a bit odd because Z A Bhutto was the first one to open channels with China in 1963-4 while still the foreign minister in Ayub Khan's…
Wearing the hat
“I have a hat. It is graceful and gives me a certain dignity...Someday I may get up enough courage to wear it, instead of carrying it.” – Erma Bombeck Over…
Confronting economic challenges
Pakistanis are entitled to congratulations on their courage and will to install a democratic government in Pakistan. Despite all threats people from all walks of life participated in elections and…
Don’t resume hanging
Among the first acts of the new rulers is their reported decision to roll back one of the most ennobling policies of the previous government — the moratorium on execution…
Terror requires a tough response
PML-N's first month in office was tough for several reasons: forming the federal cabinet, putting together a coalition regime in Balochistan, announcing the federal budget, and taking a stance on…
Bad inheritance
Following the May 11, 2013 elections, the PML-N leadership appointed Senator Ishaq Dar as the country’s finance minister, a portfolio he has held twice in the past. The finance minister…
Can the new democratic government deliver?
It's in position and already the euphoria is spreading thin. Why? Why with such stalwarts as Chaudhry Nisar, Ishaq Dar and Sartaj Aziz the situation does not seem to be…
Anchoring KP province
I learnt there is just one flight per week from Lahore to Peshawar and it returns three days later. This prompted an investigation of how Peshawar is connected to the…
A shambolic budget
The budget was passed with a majority vote this Thursday which, given the PML (N) strength in parliament as well as the constitutional amendment stipulating that a national assembly member…
