Meena Kumari, the poet

After my earlier article on the life of Meena Kumari, I explored the iconic actor’s prowess in an entirely different area of personal expression…

Reclaiming the legacy of ZA Bukhari

By Raza Rumi Defining ‘Pakistani’ culture has been a problematic endeavour right from the inception of the country. Pakistan has straddled between 5,000 years…

The Hindus of Pakistan

A seminal book on the Hindu temples of Pakistan should be read by all Pakistanis. Journalist Reema Abbasi and photographer Madiha Aijaz have done…

‘Lahore broke my heart’

Author Reema Abbasi spoke to me about her travels across the country while researching for “Historic Temples in Pakistan”. Some excerpts from the conversation.…

‘I know how men in exile feed on dreams’

To the accompaniment of songs, poetry and history, Raza Rumi spent a bittersweet evening with fellow exiles exploring the state of his banishment “Our…

Long live Malaysia

Malaysia has entered the fifty first year of its existence. This has been a half-century of determination, progress and keeping a fine balance between…

History repeats itself?

It is time for Nawaz Sharif to revisit his earlier stints in power for obvious reasons TS Eliot had termed April as the cruellest…

Trade with India: Nawaz Sharif must fulfill his mandate

India will gain from freer mutual trade, but so will Pakistan It seems that the PML-N government may well be set to achieve one…

Paradise lost: Two tales of radicalization

Raza Rumi narrates two tales of radicalization (published in TFT March 2014). Writing about domestic help is distasteful as it means Pakistan’s obsession with…

Mullahs, mullahs everywhere

Raza Rumi It is a test for the state and the political parties of Pakistan as to how they can deal with a narrative…

New battle against old demons

After 30 years of self-defeating policies, the new National Internal Security Policy may be the right way to make a fresh start Pakistanis should…

Toxic narratives

Raza Rumi Al Qaeda’s plan for the region will succeed if Islamabad does not take stock of the deep penetration of its ideology into…

Magnificent Delusions: The Ebb and Flow of Pak-US Relations

Husain Haqqani’s new book Magnificent Delusions: Pakistan, the United States, and an Epic History of Misunderstanding comes at a critical juncture of Pakistan-US relations…

Long term solutions

Recent events and statements by the civilian leadership indicate that there is a move towards undertaking a military operation in North Waziristan Agency (NWA).…

Enduring Threads

Raza Rumi was fascinated by artist Aasim Akhtar’s unique curation of Pakistani textile heritage at the Rawalpindi NCA – Click here to see more:…

‘There is no shortcut to ending militancy, and even the worst militants have human rights’

Amnesty International’s recent publication, Will I be Next? US Drone Strikes in Pakistan has spurred a global debate on the use of drone strikes…

Japanese Art in Lahore / Artful Diplomacy

A recent exhibition of Japanese paintings brought the restrained artistry of the orient to Lahore. Review by Raza Rumi A recently held exhibition at…

Murder in the capital

A photographer takes picture of the spot where Nasiruddin Haqqani, a senior leader of the feared militant Haqqani network, was assassinated at an Afghan…

At the Abyss

By Raza Rumi The recent drone strike in Pakistan’s northwest has eliminated an enemy of the state and his close associates. Hakimullah Mehsud’s death…

Book Review: South Asia 2060: Envisioning Regional Futures

Book review for The Friday Times South Asia 2060: Envisioning Regional Futures is a comprehensive volume of essays edited by Adil Najam and Moeed…
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