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Showing posts from January, 2022

Afghanistan: A battleground

On January 28, 2022, disturbing news surfaced in the Afghan news agency Tolo; ‘Faced with starvation, Afghans sell kidneys. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/dwgDiZIUy

Corruption, courts and the constitution

Corruption has reached pandemic levels in the land of the pure. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/U1hzF5SI2

Important, but futile debate

Once again, the current uncertainty these days in Pakistan produced a debate in political circles on whether or not to pave the way for a presidential system to address the deteriorating economic situation and bad governance. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/42CKSJjGL

Past in Perspective

We believe that visa quotas should be lifted and people should visit anywhere they wish freely. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/BZGndLohp

Better late than never

Pakistan was nowhere to be seen in the Oslo talks held last week between the Taliban and the representatives of Western powers to find ways and means to address the humanitarian crisis facing the forty million Afghans. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/xclPMNSXg

China and Pakistan: A shared future

On February 4, when 1. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/I3KHv9r81

Pakistan-China Relations: The Journey of Friendship

The Pakistan-China partnership is unparalleled among inter-state relations. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/nKqERig8d

Past in Perspective

“Nothing great is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/0OUnTVH6F

The Russo-Ukrainian crisis

A couple of days ago, Ukraine was hit by an episode of cyberattacks targeting some of the most prominent government websites including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/pTaXWrvAE

A new wave of terrorism

With the takeover of the Taliban in Afghanistan, some would believe that all threats have come to an end for Pakistan. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/r1mXOMo8b

A broken system?

Can you work with a broken system?Is it broken or is it unworkable?What can you do with an honest leader if the system won’t work?These are the questions Pakistan needs to ask and find a workable solution to move forward. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/0F9B1RIDo

Past in Perspective

“A brand for a company is like a reputation for a person. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/vlTmjdNbH

Regional connectivity challenges

In pursuit of their geo-economic and geo-strategic security interests, the two global superpowers, namely the US and China, seem to have locked horns on the domination of the global commons i. from The Nation - Columns https://bit.ly/3o8gzvM

Working on the tourism industry

The unchecked development of the tourism industry has given rise to destructive events where people go to enjoy natural beauty but they confront unforeseen and drastic threats which are not considered. from The Nation - Columns https://bit.ly/3o8BONR

The perils of breaking news

Ever since electronic media came to dominate the information landscape of Pakistan some two decades ago, the people, as the foremost consumers of news, have been gripped by the phenomenon generally referred to as ‘breaking news’. from The Nation - Columns https://bit.ly/33YHsLu

Past in Perspective

“This is not a war on drugs. from The Nation - Columns https://nation.com.pk/29-Jan-2022/past-in-perspective

Public service delivery and public trust

The landscape of public debate in Pakistan has been dominated in the last few decades, among other issues, on the quality of public service delivery by government machinery. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3rTLMUt

Understanding presidential democracy

An intense debate is being carried out on social media on the enforcement of the presidential system in Pakistan, which has invited the wrath of opposition parties and critics of the presidential system. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/35vymGF

Afghanistan on the brink

In the game of chess, there is a move called the “skewer”. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3g9iawA

Past in Perspective

“I don’t believe in astrology; I’m a Sagittarius and we’re skeptical. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/33YP9l1

Why can we not adjust?

My older brother Omer asked me today, ‘why can we not adjust?’ He considers adjustment as an acceptance of whatever life throws our way, if I understand correctly. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/349pkOQ

Urbanisation priorities

An aerial view of a city instantly informs us about its liveability standards. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3G3mDvC

Security, democracy and development crises

In my article last week, I wrote about the ongoing security crisis in Europe, involving Russia, Ukraine, NATO and Western Europe as a whole. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3r4sgVY

Past in Perspective

“What colonialism does is cause an identity crisis about one’s own culture. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3u1ulUq

Separatism in India

The north-east of India was marked by sustained separatist insurrections, mass unrest, ethnic riots and the reaction of the amateur kingdom that followed. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3ICZXnr

An attempt to change the political landscape

Kashmir remains the core issue between two nuclear states and archrivals in South Asia. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3ICSXqD

Can an inflatable economy survive?

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan’s approval ratings were consistently positive up until recently, demonstrating hope among his supporters and the liberal media that he can fulfil at least some of his campaign promises. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/35pPGNe

Past in Perspective

The Diwani of Bengal was a cornerstone of British colonial expansion in the subcontinent. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3KDtejT

Anti-Muslim bigotry

There was a flurry of news reporting last month after a newly elected Republican member of Congress was captured on video telling a crowd of supporters about her nervous elevator ride with a Muslim member of Congress. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3rQ95hI

Energy and Indigenisation drives the economy

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan is out of fuel. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3KG6lw7

Appraising Pakistan’s NSP - PART-II

Pakistan is a part of a sub-region, a region, Asia and the international community. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3FSVGKN

Past in Perspective

“People didn’t matter to the Company. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3rLL7o2

ISI: A symbol of pride

The main task of an intelligence organisation is to look into the future, study the signs and symptoms and predict an impending event. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3fPziHA

Essential skills for life

The pandemic affected the schedules of educational institutions across Pakistan and the world. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3Kw8zhD

NSP: Pipe dream or silver bullet

A few days before the National Security Policy (NSP) was made public, in this space, on January 10, while highlighting the importance of its appropriate and timely ‘implementation’, it was hoped that the NSP would contain not only the goals set in all-important areas but also dilate on how to achieve the desired objectives during a. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3GUO0ZS

Past in Perspective

“Now, evolution is the substance of fossils hoped for, the evidence of links not seen. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3KFmIZG

Appraising Pakistan’s NSP

International Relations (IR) and foreign policies are functions of geopolitical, geostrategic and geoeconomic interests. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3Kzq1l8

The UAE model

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is presently celebrating its Golden Jubilee, highlighting fifty years of resplendent progress and heralding plans for an even more effulgent future. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3IqvPvu

Us, Taliban and Afghanistan

Afghanistan has been at the forefront of Pakistan’s foreign policy for at least thirty of the last forty years of our history. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3FXlZQ6

Past in Perspective

When you start to develop your powers of empathy and imagination, the whole world opens up to you. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3FN4YrX

A holistic approach to counter extremism

The radicalisation of minds, progressing to ever expanding extremism and terrorism needs a fresh holistic approach to counter and overcome this menacing problem. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3nP5Aa9

Access to sanitation and hygiene

The ghastly truth of rural Pakistan is that around 25 million people, mostly in rural areas, do not have access to water and sanitation (WASH) services. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/32ktnqW

Ukraine and the Zugzwang option

Zugzwang is a position on the chess board where you are in the game in an untenable situation, with a number of moves available to you, every one of which loses more ground; so you have a set of bad and worst options only. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3Aq4S8C

Past in Perspective

“All the sciences came to exist in Arabic. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3Aq3oLl

Responses to gender-based violence

Gender is an immeasurable, complex and intersectional social reality in Pakistan, one that the state is still struggling to fully understand. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3IuArAZ

Pakistan’s evolving IT industry: A pinnacle of success

Pakistan has always been an agrarian economy and with its abundance of natural resources, it has flourished with the passage of time. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3KGZ9Qz

The concept of human rights in Islam

In order for us to do justice to the topic of Islamophobia, it is imperative that we understand what fear implies. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/359W1fE

Past in Perspective

The experience of reading a printed comic book will never change, but now, thanks to the digital age, there are many different ways to enjoy the same story. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3qVSeLv

Fortunate son

Privilege. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3GOsZjq

The naysayers

A few days ago, Pakistani actress Saboor Ali and her husband Ali Ansari came under fire by netizens for sharing photos of their public display of affection (PDA) at their wedding. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/33xZX9u

Security crisis in Europe

It is easy to criticise, and it is more difficult to do something constructive. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3nIC5Xv

Past in Perspective

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3ryR1Zp

Great achievements and historical experience

The Centennial Journey of the Communist Party of China The Communist Party of China (CPC) has become the world’s largest ruling party with global influence. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3nzWDRR

An unending quagmire

On August 15, 2021, Afghanistan apparently added the US to its list of failed conflicts. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/32cKBqd

A difficult time for Afghanistan

Pakistan has been stressing for durable peace and security in war-torn Afghanistan all along, prior to and after the departure of US-led NATO forces from there, calling upon the international community at large to extend all possible help and assistance to the Afghan people to avert the great humanitarian crisis which is looming large as the. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3tDub5y

Past in Perspective

It is far better to live like a lion for a day then to live like a jackal for hundred years. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3GBvjKF

The vanguard of geoeconomics

As the new National Security Policy (NSP) unequivocally states, geoeconomics is the new paradigm through which Pakistan will shape its security calculus. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3FE6zQL

Who wants a country?

The outgoing Programme Director of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Mr Marc Andre Franche has raised a very scary question; “Want a country or not”? According to him, no one seems interested in nation building. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3qDZZWg

Visa waivers and protecting rights

Last week the Jerusalem Post ran a story under the headline “Palestinian Americans to be allowed to land at Ben Gurion Airport. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3tBsN3i

Past in Perspective

“Totalitarianism is not only hell, but all the dream of paradise-- the age-old dream of a world where everybody would live in harmony, united by a single common will and faith, without secrets from one another. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/33FvK8a

The last few moments

Child: I am getting increasingly cold and clearly losing my body heat. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3fxsyxX

Missile threat to Pakistan

It is said that the Chinese first used missiles in the 13 century. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3Ie3sjU

Spirit of Riyasat-i-Madina: Transforming Pakistan

The rise and fall of nations is different from the rise and fall of civilisations. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3Acul59

Past in Perspective

“Trees are poems that the earth writes upon the sky. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3nyN5Xn

Innovation in Punjab’s education system

For a very long time Pakistan’s education system has operated in a bifurcated environment, where those with means opted for the best schools and the less privileged opted for the most economically viable option. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3rgNyOU

Parliamentary oversight through PAC

The primary focus of the present government in the last three years among other things has been on issues and matters relating to accountability. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3GsZGmt

National security doctrine

This week, Pakistan formally issued its first comprehensive National Security Policy (NSP) document, through a consensus of the civilian and military leadership in the country. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/33C9Lio

Past in Perspective

“Violence isn’t a Democrat or Republican problem. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3GyFsYF

“Pre-educated” children

The hope for ‘pre-educated’ or ‘scholar’ babies, now seems to be the only hope to cure the chaotic education mess and the embarrassing lack of excellence in science, industry, technology and business in Pakistan even after seventy years of its inception. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3IaoMHo

Developing Gwadar Port

The Gwadar Port is viewed as a flagship project under the umbrella of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3Gqqq77

UP: The final showdown

As the Uttar Pradesh (UP) elections get close, there is a huge debate in India on how this critical state will shape the political landscape. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3nvOxd5

Past in Perspective

“When change cometh, she will bring peace at her back. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3fsZTtS

Regional framework for Afghanistan

Afghanistan under Taliban control is a reality that has come around after 20 years long conflict, which saw the US and allies exiting Afghanistan without achieving almost all of their declared and undeclared aims and objectives. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3GsgvOt

Youth and opportunities

The latest Pakistan National Human Development Report (NHDR) was published by the United Nations Development Programme in 2017. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/33y1njU

Ukraine invasion

The recent statement of Tajik president in favor of the Tajik Taliban and against the Afghan Taliban should be taken seriously as Tajikistan is a very close strategic partner of the US whereas its economy and defence is fully dependent on Russia. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3fjS61E

Past in Perspective

Rather fail with honor than succeed by fraud. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3zYpcNX

Reinvigorating SAARC

One of the key challenges that states face across the globe is how to effectively deal with Collective Goods’ Problems. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3nnHJhx

Racial prejudice

Have you ever experienced jokes related to your skin tone or seen someone around you having a nickname linked to their complexion? Racism has been running down in our history for centuries, to the extent it is now considered an everyday act. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3zWXKAm

Change after authoritarian rule

The world is not becoming more democratic these days. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3FolaiQ

Past in Perspective

“Almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3GvDSa0

Can Nadir Shah fix Lahore?

Nadir Shah, the Emperor of Iran, invaded India five times. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3FlkXx9

Metaverse: Gateway to the modern workplace

With the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the need for digitisation has never been more apparent than it is now, with companies and individuals alike able to carry out their designated duties from the comfort of their homes. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3zQLm4L

Understanding inflation

Inflation has become central to the Pakistani zeitgeist in 2021-22 in a way that it hadn’t been in decades. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3qlcJ3T

Past in Perspective

“Surgeons can cut out everything except cause. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/31UIOGk

The UAE’s new ME policies

One year ago, looking at the many Middle East messes Joseph Biden was inheriting from his predecessors, I wrote a paper suggesting that he needed to adopt a bold and creative approach toward the region. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3ngdx8e

Feminism in Pakistan

Blinded by the ravages of cultural radicalism, it seemed as though that, forsaking the rights of women in Pakistan became additionally widespread as a discrepancy between the two genders was formed. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3ngk6Ya

Empowering the parliament

Except at the time of formulating the constitution or the 18th amendment, which is also hanging at present as bone of contention between Federation and provinces, the parliament has never acted effectively in the larger interest of the public. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3f91KUu

Past in Perspective

“The political transformation is painful. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3tb7Qfv

Security policy vs real security

The last week of 2021 witnessed the National Security Committee approving Pakistan’s first ever National Security Policy (NSP) that will be reviewed annually and last for five years. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3r4pMpf

Balochistan; Moving forward

Balochistan constitutes 43. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3HQuopO

Goodbye 2021

The year 2021 was nothing short of revolutionary and historical in multiple facets. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3G7sroy

Past in Perspective

Anaximander was an ancient Greek thinker who was born in 610 BC and was a polymath who lent his talents in pre-Socratic Greek philosophy, geography, geometry, cosmology and politics. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3G7sn8i

Death of an idea called India

Pm Modi’s team made all efforts to fly to Ferozepur in India’s Punjab for a BJP public rally to announce widescale development projects, knowing what awaited them on the ground. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3n86Jte

The role of parliament and accountability

How can national institutions and parliaments play an active role in enforcing the rule of law and improving governance; this is an important question in the mind of every sane person. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3r3mKSe

Elections and Bar reform

Each year, during the months of January—February, Bar associations across Pakistan hold elections to choose their office-bearers. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3f6Geje

Past in Perspective

“You can best serve civilization by being against what usually passes for it. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3FcADCC

Circular economy: An opportunity to exploit

The idea of recycling and managing of solid waste was first established by Professor Kenneth E Boulding in the 1960s, which is a model of production and consumption involving reusing, repairing and recycling of industrial waste and by-products as long as possible. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3n6QaxK

Bangladesh’s thriving economic story

Despite thousands of challenges, Bangladesh continues to move forward on the path of development and prosperity. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3F6nlrp

Hopes of an integrated region

Spanning over two decades, the end of the Afghan war heralds a new era not just for Afghanistan, but for the entire region and brings forth an opportunity to rebuild and reconnect for a better future. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/32WQFDH

Past in Perspective

“I am Emperor, my descendants will be numerous. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3qYKGWX

Failing democracy in Pakistan

Around the globe, developed nations have devised viable policies and strengthened their political structure in support of the smooth functioning of democracy. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3n2kv0i

Electoral autocracy: A new term

The US and India, with their false claims to be the largest democracies of the world, are drowning gradually. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/32QK0em

The simmering cold war

The Joe Biden Administration has made a very perceptible paradigm shift in the strategic orientation of US’ foreign policy. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3zFFxHd

Past in Perspective

I It is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive but those who can best manage change. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3t6jl7U

New-age kangaroo courts

Kangaroo courts, known for about two centuries around the world, captivated the imagination of some segments and the enthusiasts for the instant delivery of a preconceived judgment. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3JHM9tg

A lesson in humility

Last week I attempted to write about the role of the body in the psychological process. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3eWNQVu

The importance of being social

Mark Twain (1835-1910), the famous American writer, humourist and entrepreneur, wrote in 1867 that God made war so that Americans could learn world geography. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3JJVosU

Past in Perspective

“Stem cell research is the key to developing cures for degenerative conditions like Parkinson’s and motor neuron disease from which I and many others suffer. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3n2IQDo

Vision and courage: ZAB

We are celebrating ZAB’s birthday today throughout the country. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3JKj4NE

The fate of SEZs

The first phase of CPEC had been all about developing infrastructure such as building roads and setting up power plants. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3FYrCyr

The gas crisis

Under Article 158 of the 1973 constitution, the province which is well headed in natural gas shall have precedence over the rest. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3t38StR

Past in Perspective

If the Earth gets hit by an asteroid, it’s game over. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3FYRXfB

Dwindling institutions

A lot of friends approach me to write more about problems and challenges afflicting our beloved country. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3JGng1a

Enlightening the future

The pressure of acquiring grades has accentuated among the youth—especially with parents becoming vocally active and instructing their children to acquire them. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3FTyTzu

Shooting the messenger

The present government, since its election campaign days, has claimed among other things to promote the accountability process and strengthen the institutions while introducing the necessary reforms. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/32Ehpc9

Past in Perspective

Hades is the Ancient Greek god of the Underworld, according to the mythology. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3JDuEds

Gender inequality

Gender inequality, also known as gender discrimination, is the unequal treatment between the opposite sex based on their gender roles. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3Ju1ihE

Warding off the electable’s spell?

After the mammoth gathering in October 2011 at the Minar-e-Pakistan, PTI came under the ‘evil spell of the electables’. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/32UeRq2

Remembering Tutu

South Africa is a beautiful country. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3pLSMTm

Past in Perspective

“I have decided to stick to love. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3pMwUXU

Questions on addiction

‘Addiction’ is a word which comes with a negative connotation; however, it is very widely used today. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3JKTWqr

The roots of US’ ME decline

Since the United States withdrawal from Afghanistan, I have received questions from a number of journalists, both American and Arab. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3pJP7Fy

Iran-Israel confrontation

Iran was one of the first countries to recognise Israel in 1948 and the second Muslim country after Turkey. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3eJyzHq

Past in Perspective

“I wonder if our names determine our destiny, or if destiny leads us to choose certain names. from The Nation - Columns https://ift.tt/3Hx4xmT