Don’t turn CPEC into another holy cow. Transparency is a must
On the positive side, the CPEC will certainly lead to a shift in Pakistan’s reliance on Islamist proxies in the region There is no…
Civil-military tensions continue even after Nawaz’s ouster
The tense relations between the civilian government and the khakis indicate that despite Nawaz Sharif’s exit, the latter has not yet lost the political…
Mainstreaming militants? Not without a political strategy
The powers-that-be are all set to undertake a new experiment — mainstreaming of militants into national politics. This is yet another rushed plan that…
Beijing has signaled. Is Islamabad listening?
Though China has repeatedly blocked Indian moves to sanction JeM and its leadership, it has given a clear signal to Islamabad through BRICS declaration…
Our selective solidarity with the Ummah
The brutal treatment of the Rohingya community by Myanmar has attracted international indignation. Thousands have fled Myanmar and have been entering neighbouring Bangladesh. Aung…
Facilitating peace process in Afghanistan is in Pakistan’s national interest
During his election campaign, President Trump had vowed to end the foreign wars and redirect the resources towards domestic needs such as infrastructure development.…
In search of Jinnah’s Pakistan
As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of Pakistan’s creation, it is important to revisit the key questions that have befuddled the country. What is…
Nawaz’s forced exit redraws power matrix
Nawaz Sharif’s disqualification was not an unforeseen event. The situation since last year had been leading towards a grand finale and his forced exit…
Accountability or regime change?
Another déjà vu moment is knocking at our doors. The Supreme Court has reserved its verdict on the Panama Leaks case implicating the…
Media portrayals of Muslims fuel xenophobia
Scholars who undertook a study on how Western media covers terrorism have confirmed what we had known for some time. The news media wield…
The unhealed wounds of July 5, 1977
The anniversary of General Zia-ul-Haq’s 1977 coup is a particularly difficult time for the Pakistani democrat. The very name given to the coup sounds…
Five myths that need to be buried for good
Popular narratives in Pakistan regurgitated by civil and military leadership with the support of mainstream media suggest that certain things have changed over the…
This summer Pakistan enters into another phase of instability
Pakistan is slowly gearing up for another round of political instability. By all accounts, the Prime Minister and his political fortunes are likely to…
‘Jobless’ white men can’t be terrorists
On Monday morning, a van ploughed down Muslim worshippers, as they were leaving a north London mosque after late night prayers. This was the…
To protect Pakistanis, reframe security policy
Image credits: Naseer Ahmed/Reuters Pakistan’s treatment of its minorities is unenviable to say the least. It is ironic that a country created to protect…
To protect Pakistanis, reframe security policy
Pakistan’s treatment of its minorities is unenviable to say the least. It is ironic that a country created to protect the Muslim minority of…
Govt is digging own grave by muzzling online freedoms
The ongoing campaign against digital media is an extension of the established patterns of how the state – including elected government – can muzzle…
Dissent is not blasphemy
Last week, a bizarre public notice issued by the federal investigation agency (FIA) appealed to the general public to provide evidence about social media…
Should we let the India problem ruin our ties with Afghanistan and Iran?
It is unfortunate to see something of a siege mentality developing in Pakistan’s regional posture. For a country that is situated at the crossroads…
Sagacious move by the military – Pakistan wins
Pakistan’s military leadership, by issuing its latest statement on the Dawn Leaks issue through the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), has done the democratic process…