Taliban’s shadow
PAKISTAN and Afghanistan have always had a complex relationship that has been mishandled by both sides. Each has expected the other to make up for the failure of its own…
Terrorism and election
THE ongoing political crisis in the country is turning ugly and chaotic. It is slowly undercutting any trust or hope people still repose in the state and its institutions. It…
A lifetime of struggle
A PROMINENT voice of progressive left politics in Pakistan, Yousuf Mustikhan passed away this week at the age of 78. Head of the Awami Workers Party, he had been fighting…
Realignment of security policy
THE state institutions made a mistake by deciding to initiate peace talks with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan. The talks were doomed from the start. They allowed the TTP to regain their lost…
Taliban version of Islam
THE Taliban regime in Afghanistan has started enforcing Sharia laws based on their own interpretation of the precepts of Islam. Pakistan is among those Muslim countries that have distanced themselves…
Claiming attacks
TERRORISM is aimed not only at inflicting damage, but also gaining attention. After every incident, ordinary citizens, the media and investigators look for someone to hold responsible. By claiming responsibility,…
Militancy in Sindh
A COLLECTION of small nationalist insurgent groups has been making its presence felt in Sindh for the last several years. However, the government and security institutions appear to be least…
Dangerous arena
THE withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan had been widely anticipated, with hopes of improved security and peace to follow. Such hopes were quickly dashed. Instead, we saw the US…
Reviewing CT strategy
THERE was nothing in the communiqué issued after the latest National Security Committee meeting that we have not heard before. Phrases like ‘zero tolerance for terrorism’ and ‘violence will be dealt with,…
Revolt of the hopeless
SINCE 2008, UN figures show that some 250 Israelis and over 5,500 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip, which equals a ratio of one Israeli to 22 Palestinians…
