Rouhani’s major challenges: Isolation, economy, relations with neighbours Iran attracts international attention not merely because of its geographic location and its oil and gas resources. Its uneasy relationship with the Arab kingdoms…
Realisation of opportunities shall be a challenge Pakistan and China assign a high priority to their bilateral relations. Though these relations are mutually advantageous and China has won over Pakistan as a…
If declared targets are met, the economy can improve There are two major perspectives on the new federal budget. One perspective emphasizes the election promises and the other perspective judges the budget…
If the pledges are not met The euphoria of democratic transition is gradually giving way to the realities of domestic politics and foreign policy. Every sector of governance is beset with problems…
Why central and northern Punjab should not have a monopoly over key federal positions The new era of democracy in Pakistan is characterized by civilian continuity and peaceful constitutional transfer of power…
Pakistan’s political leaders excel in undercutting each other. They are now refusing to fully acknowledge each other’s electoral success. If this trend persists they will become vulnerable to manipulation to state institutions…
PML-N needs to partnerships cutting across provinces The 10th general elections have proved to be a mixed blessing. It is now clear which parties enjoy popular mandate at the federal and provincial…
With real issues staring it in the face The people of Pakistan have spoken by exercising their right to vote. The increased voter turn-out is a positive development, showing that more people…
Parties and their high-sounding propaganda Party manifesto and party leaders talk of high policy matters. High sounding and wild promises are made without paying any attention to financial and administrative imperatives for…
Election Diary – 5: Dissecting the high-sounding, catch-all party programmes Election campaign and the disposition of political parties can be judged at two levels: the election manifesto and the statements of the top…
Election campaign and modern technology The final list of the candidates is out. There are more contestants in these elections than was the case in the 2008 elections. Invariably four to five…
Militants threaten peaceful, orderly hustings Balochistan has 14 general seats in the National Assembly and 51 general seats in the Provincial Assembly. There are additional seats reserved for women and non-Muslims. They…
The process moves on The electoral process entered the third phase of appeals against the decisions of the scrutiny officers on April 8. The first two phases were the filing of the…
Where the parties stand on the eve of their election campaigns The process for the 2013 general elections has entered the second stage of scrutiny of nomination papers while the political parties…
There is difference between procedure of democracy and substance of democracy The election schedule has been announced and the voting will take place on May 11, 2013. The politics in Pakistan will…
There is difference between procedure of democracy and substance of democracy The election schedule has been announced and the voting will take place on May 11, 2013. The politics in Pakistan…
Election is the most civilised way to elect new assemblies and new governments March 16, 2013, is a landmark date in Pakistan’s troubled political history. The elected National Assembly and elected civilian…
