Zeal gives religious right in Pakistan the upper hand
By Salman Masood As Pakistan reels from last week’s murder of another political opponent of its blasphemy law, the divide between the country’s liberals…
Bulleh for our times
By Ali Abbas Mystifying is the turn of time, indeed. Refuted by clerics of his time, the same Bulleh Shah who was refused burial…
Shola tha jal bujha hoon
The Man & His Music Asif Noorani Liberty Books Karachi (Pakistan) 2010 Pg 80 Rs 695 To make a living he became a motor…
Seven artists in Delhi: Gigi Scaria – video
Tim Hinman, Source: third ear The first of seven films looking at Indian artists’ responses to the city of Delhi features Gigi Scaria, a sculptor…
Tahrir square eastward?
February 2011 saw the iron fist of Hosni Mubarak being wrenched open after three decades of repressive rule. During this period, the Egyptian secret…
The lost diary of Queen Victoria’s final companion
By Ben Leach Abdul Karim’s writings, hidden by his family until now, throw new light on a close and controversial relationship, says Ben Leach.…
Diplomatic duplicity
By C. CHRISTINE FAIR LAHORE — This much is clear about the latest convulsion in U.S.-Pakistan relations: an American man, operating under the name…
KLF: a mixed bag
By Huma Imtiaz When a literary festival’s headliner is author and religious thinker Karen Armstrong, one wonders whether to be amused, or descend into…
Karachi Literature Festival: Too many divides to bridge
By Ali Syed KARACHI: ‘Bridging divides’, as the name suggests, was about a certain disparity within the Pakistani society, perhaps religion vs secularism, moderation…
Literature Festival ends with homage to Faiz
By Peerzada Salman KARACHI: A befitting and heartfelt tribute to Faiz Ahmed Faiz ended the 2nd Karachi Literature Festival at a local hotel on…
Pakistan radicals rule the streets
TENS of thousands of people crowded the streets of Lahore late on Sunday demanding freedom for the assassin of Punjab governor Salman Taseer. The…
Karachi Literature Festival 2011 Programme
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE All set for the 2nd Karachi Literature Festival Karachi (31 January 2011): The 2nd Karachi Literature Festival is all set to…
Could there be a liberal resurgence in Pakistan? Lawmaker Sherry Rehman says she’s working on it.
By Issam Ahmed Fri Jan 28 | Karachi, Pakistan – Liberal Pakistani lawmaker Sherry Rehman left a comfortable life researching a book in London…
Mixed emotions complicate Punjab governor’s assassination
Salman Masood [NATION] ISLAMABAD // Analysts said yesterday that the assassination of Salman Taseer shows the extent of extremism in a deeply divided society…
Students at the Old Delhi School
Students at the Old Delhi School, originally uploaded by Jahane Rumi. This photograph captured in March 2011 happens to be the most viewed picture…
In prayer continually
Rumi, once again The ritual prayer is five times daily, but the guide for lovers is the verse, they who are in prayer continually.*…
Le grande exposé: South Asia and WikiLeaks
An extraordinary exposé through WikiLeaks has shaken the closed doors diplomacy and the global security establishment, which flourishes on a culture of secrecy. The…
History must not lie
By Shahid Javed Burki EVER since gaining independence Pakistan has done a remarkable job of either ignoring its history or simply not telling the…
Down melody lane
A book review published in DAWN mentions my piece on Mehdi Hasan: … Raza Rumi’s piece ‘The Melodious Age of Mehdi Hasan’ discusses in…
We’re all to blame for lawlessness
I have been quoted in this report – on law and order in Pakistan (the backdrop is World Justice Report). My quotes are slightly…