Sixty seven years ago, Pakistan came into being as a result of the years of long struggle of Muslims of the sub-continent under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The aim was the creation of a peaceful nation state where Muslims and Non-Muslims alike could live any way they chose to, without fear and outside intervention. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s address of 11th August to the members of the
Pakistan has always been one for keeping up with the Joneses. While a highly juvenile and soon to be obsolete way of conspicuous consumption, this pattern of spending and misplaced priorities seems to have grown to determine most of the country’s political agenda and foreign policy. It doesn’t matter if we’re liquid-asset poor, neck deep in debt and have to keep borrowing more just to keep the economy afloat; if
The term ‘Hindu Terrorism’ (also known as Saffron Terror) came into the limelight in 2010, when Wikileaks reported a statement by Rahul Gandhi to the US ambassador to India. While talking to the US ambassador, Rahul Gandhi said, “Although there was evidence of some support for Lashkar-e-Taiba among certain elements in India’s indigenous Muslim community, the bigger threat may be the growth of radicalized Hindu groups, which create religious tensions
All hail democracy! All hail democracy! That’s all we heard around the end of the Musharraf era. Thinkers, bloggers, scientists, politicians, bureaucrats, businessmen, people on the streets, janitors, tea boys, they all wanted it. We had had enough of dictators and finally the people had an opportunity to decide their own fate. Well like they say, ‘be careful what you wish for, you just might get it!’ That above statement
Corruption, Corruption and Corruption…. We listen, read and discuss daily about this one word more than any other word. In fact this has become a norm for us to talk about this word. From morning tea to dinner, somewhere in the world this word always remain under discussion. But what Corruption exactly is? Transparency International defines corruption as: “Corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for private gain. It hurts
Elections ahoy! Elections Ahoy! Yes people it’s almost time! For the first time in the history of Pakistan a civilian government will hand over power to another civilian government (I got the chills just typing that). But that’s the truth and it is time for us civilians to now decide who is going to plunder and loot… uh… I mean ‘govern’ us for the next five years. The Contenders… To
In August last year my parents went to Canada to visit my sister. The whole time they were there they were all praise for the place and every other Skype call had the same lecture for me: Apply for immigration! Why don’t you apply for Canadian immigration? What is it in Pakistan that has you stuck there? Apply for Canadian immigration IMMEDIATELY! I didn’t. Why you ask? Well for one
He who controls the media, controls minds. This rightly quoted line by the iconic singer Jim Morrison is perhaps not given heed by our media persons and organizations, where sensationalism and high ratings become the sole objective. The battle to gain commercials has even deteriorated the moral values and media ethics of our newsmen. However, this impish trend can be eradicated if cognizance is propagated. Since the very inception of
One of the more important reasons for the formation of Pakistan was the need for a separate religious identity for the Muslims of the Sub-continent. Islam was hence declared the state religion in 1973. This was considered a logical move as 95- 97 percent of the population is Muslim, and there was a need to counter the otherwise secular nature of the constitution. Pakistan had a brief flirtation with religion
In the ever-expanding scandal-ridden landscape of Pakistan my favorite one yet is the Malik Riaz saga! It’s really an amazing tale of “idiocy” on the part of the players and ineptness on the part of the system. How it all Began… The story begins one fine day with a certain Mr. Malik Riaz – a high profile real estate tycoon – giving a statement that he bribed the Chief Justice’s