‘The government should investigate the source and nature of threats to Asma Jahangir’s life, and take appropriate action’
‘The government should investigate the source and nature of threats to Asma Jahangir’s life, and take appropriate action’ Here is an interview with Ali…
‘On the wings of time, grief flies away’
Salma Mahmud’s new book is not a just a readable memoir, it sets a standard for fine writing. Perhaps the most memorable time of…
“A rights-respecting federation can only be created through negotiation” – an interview on Balochistan
Ali Dayan Hasan, Pakistan Director, Human Rights Watch, was one of the few people who recently gave testimony to US Congress on the issue…
It is time to engage with the Baloch nationalists
There seems to be a serious dearth of imagination while searching for solutions on Balochistan As Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy recently wrote, “Men like Rohrabacher…
Book Review: Indian Mass Media and the Politics of Change
Making sense of the rising Indian mass media and its ubiquitous nature, its articulation of a middle class vision, and how through this process…
Book review: “Lahore -Topophilia of Space and Place”
There is no city like Lahore/ Everything that is wrong is set right here It is a mystery as to how a layered city…
A season of quotes
Never a dull moment. And, increasing requests for quotes, opinions and reactions. Sometimes I wonder if it makes a difference? I am putting some…
Hundreds of decaying historical buildings across Lahore await Attention
Third story for the Herald’s annual heritage issue: Once renowned as a city of gardens and monuments, Lahore now manifests decaying cultural heritage, rampant…
Consensus is vital for democracy
Any morality-led reinterpretation of the supreme law will open doors for future misuse The federal government seems to have escaped many a crisis in…
Coups are not easy anymore
By Raza Rumi: A situationer that was written last week.. Published: January 12, 2012 If there is one phrase that would summarise the events…
Mughal era: Lahore’s neglected heritage is a sad shadow of its glorious past
The second story from Herald’s annual supplement on heritage As the second Mughal capital, Lahore was home to emperors and noblemen during the 16th…
Governance crisis cannot be treated by old formula of changing faces
An old piece that I could not post earlier: Commenting on the melting state of the economy, a reputed economic analyst stated how the…
History’s ghetto – (Geneva Camp, Dhaka)
My recent piece for the The Friday Times – about the bitterness and destitution in a Dhaka camp for Biharis It was almost by…
Enigma of democratic governance
Pakistan’s President Iskander Mirza (1956-58) is remarked to have said that democracy was ‘unsuited’ to the genius of Pakistani people. Decades later, similar questions…
Khalifa Abdul Hakim (1896-1959)
For years I had been planning to write about Dr Khalifa Abdul Hakim (1896-1959), the great philosopher and intellectual of the twentieth century. Last…
A universe with four moons
Neelam Ahmad Basheer is best known as a short story writer with a new voice in Urdu fiction. She has been writing all her…
Book review: A psycho-social perspective on terror
The launch of Dr Unaiza Niaz’s excellent book in September was most symbolic, as the world commemorated the ghastly incident of 9/11 and the…
Death Sentence in Slaying of Pakistani Governor
From the New York Times: “Today’s judgment is a positive development whereby norms of justice have prevailed. Pakistan cannot be allowed to become a…
Heart to Heart: Remembering Naina Devi
My dear friend Vidya Rao’s labour of love is finally out. She has been working on this project for quite a while. Her book…
Greater role for women in decision-making
Last week, I was invited to speak at a seminar on ‘Exploring the Gender Friendliness in Democratic Institutions’ orgnaised by The South Asia Partnership…