UNPACKING THE BLASPHEMY LAWS OF PAKISTAN
Introduction Pakistan’s draconian blasphemy laws have been used to perpetrate legitimised violence, executed in the name of religion. These laws have been used particularly…
State Control, Corporate Interests, and Media Independence in Pakistan
During the past two decades, the media sector in Pakistan has grown immensely in terms of scale and influence. With the deregulation policy and…
As Pakistan approaches a crucial election, its media watchdog bans critical voices from TV
On 18 August, Pakistan’s media watchdog directed all TV channels to stop giving airtime to 11 people: a group including journalists considered close to former Prime…
Sayyid Ahmad Khan’s Search for a Modern Muslim
I grew up in Pakistan where we are taught about Sayyid Ahmad Khan throughout our school years as the grandfather of Muslim Nationalism in…
Before it’s too late
Pakistan’s radicalization is now a threat to its society and the region. Whilst General Zia ul Haq will be remembered for institutionalizing extremism, most…
On secularism, Jinnah and Pakistan
My contribution for Jinnah Institute’s secular space What are we fighting for? What are we aiming at? It is not theocracy, not for a…
Music sans frontiers
By GEETA NANDAKUMAR Song of the soul Farida Khanum ‘Aaj jaane ki zid na karo, haaye mar jaayenge ham to lut jaaenge, aisii baatein…
The Speech of Mr. Sris Chandra Chattopadhya (Opposition to Objectives Resolution, Constitutent Assembly of Pak, 12 March 1949)
This is a historic speech and a document that posterity will re-examine. Seldom has one piece of legislation caused so much trepidation. Thanks to…
On Habib Jalib
Kazim Aizaz Alam has sent this piece on the great poet for publication at Jahane Rumi. I was recently introduced to someone who had…
Rediscovering Jinnah’s Politics: Pakistan and Democratic Nation-Building in South Asia
A special contribution by Dr. TT Sreekumar Jinnah’s image as an adamant fighter for a separate Muslim Homeland and hence as someone responsible for…
The sad reality of Indo-Pak relations
The inimitable Khalid Hasan writes with veiled frustration: “….the last six decades of India-Pakistan relations have proved the step-by-step approach to be a dismal…
Godless Bullets
Salman Taseer’s killing reflects the fight over Pakistan’s soul (OUTLOOK INDIA) AMIR MIR When Punjab governor Salman Taseer stepped out of the Table Talk…
The Spectacular Rise Of TLP And The Challenges Ahead
Even without a wider platform or broad agenda to achieve victory in the polls, groups such as TLP are poised to exploit the grievances…
Civil Services Reform: Pakistan’s Lingering Challenge
There is widespread consensus in Pakistan that the bureaucracy needs reform. However, focusing on the federal level alone and ignoring the requisite changes needed…
LLF 2021: Raza Rumi Discusses ‘Desi Delicacies’ Book By Claire Chambers
In Lahore Literary Festival 2021, Raza Rumi moderated a panel discussion with author Claire Chambers who shed light on her latest work ‘Desi Delicacies’.…
ThinkFest Pakistan 2021: Debating Jinnah’s Successes And Failures With Ishtiaq Ahmad
Raza Rumi interviews Professor Ishtiaq Ahmad for his latest, insightful and challenging book on the founder of Pakistan: ‘Jinnah: His Successes, Failures and Role…
My Interview On Digital Media In Pakistan And Beyond
The mainstream media in Pakistan does not give a full picture or cover all pertinent angles. The main job of media is to inform…
When Will COVID Vaccine Arrive In Pakistan?
Lately with each passing day, the debate on procurement of coronavirus vaccine is gaining momentum. At the same time, the confusion is also multiplying…
New US Administration And Indo-Pak Relations; Is There A Way Forward?
Raza Rumi shares key insights on impact of prospective Biden administration on foreign front, especially in South Asian context, Indo-Pak stalemate and nationalism, and…
Was Iqbal Against The Idea of Secularism? Watch Faisal Devji’s Interview with Raza Rumi
Faisal Devji is one of the foremost historians on the politics of Indian subcontinent. In this interview with Raza Rumi for Naya Daur Media,…