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…
Judicial Interventions In Political System Must End
As the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) hears a petition against the postponement of elections for the Punjab assembly, the crisis within the Pakistani…
Pakistan’s Economy Won’t ‘Stabilise’ Unless Ruling Elites Give Up Privileges
Pakistan’s economic crisis poses a great challenge for a coalition government struggling to keep the country afloat. The country’s foreign exchange reserves lurk around…
Pakistan’s Ruling Classes Squabble As Masses Endure Hyperinflation
The ongoing polycrisis exhibits the longstanding contradictions within the Pakistani governance system, wherein there is no consensus on who will run the country. Are…
The almost forgotten radical message of Iqbal
I am reposting this old blog on Iqbal Day: God, You created the night, I made the lamp You created the earth, I made…
A message from Nizamudddin Dargah
I have never met Marta but the attachment to Nizamuddin Dargah has bound us for years. Yesterday I got this email and beautiful photographs…
A twist in the tale
My Interview conducted by Abdullah Khan for Earthen Lamp Journal: ELJ: Tell us something about your journey from being a civil servant to a…
The day I’m killed
Dr Az a fearless and sensitive soul – sent me this poem via email. Travel TicketsThe day I’m killed,my killer, rifling through my pockets,will…
Countless walls that divide the hearts – by Majeed Amjad
I had written about Majeed Amjad, a forgotten but outstanding Urdu poet of twentieth century. Today, a friend tagged me (on facebook) with another…
Destruction of Lahore’s Walled City is rampant as restoration efforts remain sketchy
One of my three reports published earlier this year in Herald’s annual issue on heritage Lahore fabled Walled City is now a grand metaphor…
Marta Franceschini: H Nizamuddin Auliya’s devotee
This message cheered me up. Amazing that some of us have never met yet there is a bond we share – the calm space…
Beo Zafar – Pakistan’s ace-comediane
A short piece that I wrote on Beo, Pakistan’s ace-comediane whose talents are diverse and ever-blooming. Beo [Khala] as I have known her for…
Pakistan’s crumbling institutions
Published in The News (Sunday) Pakistan’s instability is a clichè, almost a self-fulfilling prophecy. All the theoretical ingredients for stability are there: an elected…
Eighteen years later…
It took eighteen years to locate a friend. Much like a star, the moon, a constellation and an ancient river my friend R has…
Journalism
My writings for the Pakistan weekly The Friday Times My articles published by The News, Pakistan My writings for DAWN newspaper My articles for…
Loveable Murree
I was recently asked to write where I would spend my summer. For a few minutes I kept my anguish at Pakistan’s situation…
A special message for Jahane Rumi
Sometimes I am most touched by such messages concerning my blog. I am posting this message not because I want to beat my own…
On Buddha, Silence and Impermanence
The celebrated artiste Vidya Rao from Delhi has sent this tender and profound letter after reading my post on destruction of Buddhas in Swat (and the painting that…
My painting
This painting was inspired by a dusk view of the Qutub Minar.…
Poetry
A Strange Problem? by Kunwar Narain Adieu Naguib Mahfouz Blake Golden Sufi Hafiz-e Shirazi Omar Khayyam Poet Seers Poet Seers Rumi Poet of the…