PML-N has already lost the plot…and the narrative
Islamabad diary It is 10:30 in the morning (Monday) as I write this and different TV channels are reporting live on the deteriorating situation in Faisalabad. Whatever happens this much…
Israel: match in hand
With an arsenal of more than 300 weapons and strong delivery capabilities, Israel has already replaced the UK as the fifth largest nuclear power in the world. Israel’s secret nuclear…
Egypt destroys symbol of old regime but repression lives on
Metres from the epicentre of Egypt's uprising, bulldozers tear chunks of concrete and twisted metal from what remains of the headquarters of ousted strongman Hosni Mubarak's now disbanded party. During…
Opportunity beckons
A historic opportunity is presenting itself for Pakistan to reclaim its place as a leader in the Islamic bloc. Given the timber of the country’s leadership, however, it isn’t certain…
Deadly shipwreck fails to deter migrants in Egypt
A twist of fate stopped Abu Fahd boarding a doomed migrant boat that sank off Malta with hundreds aboard, but the Syrian and his family are already plotting another perilous…
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…
Tense borders
Lo and behold! In the present circumstances, the last thing we would have wanted to happen has happened. As if the continuous exchange of fire at the LoC with India…
An undiplomatic capital
The once beautiful Islamabad has increasingly become more polluted. A dust cloud caused by construction activity hangs over the city now that the cloudy weather is no more. In most…
The perils of protest politics
As we busy ourselves with the tasks of engineering a national front against terrorism, it would do us well to also reflect on the political unrest of the passing year.…
Spitting fire in the time of floods
The Kaptaan has not succeeded in his campaign to force the prime minister to resign but has caused collateral damage to the national economy and Pakistan’s foreign relations. The Chinese…
