Columns

The Bharti Janata Party (BJP) seems intent on hoisting the tricolour at Lal Chowk in Srinagar. While patriotism might be the pretext for this 'tiranga yatra', the underlying narrative is vile nose-thumbing at a people who have been oppressed under distorted interpretations of patriotism and related politics. As such, it wouldn't be surprising if the BJP bigwigs either hoist the tiranga under heavy paramilitary protection and curfew, or are forced to make a run for it amidst a barrage

Some days ago, one of the counsels before the Supreme Court in the Reko Diq case filed a contempt petition against the respondent mining company on the grounds that the company had sought to influence the course of pending litigation by putting out full-page advertisements detailing their version of the facts. Notice has since been issued to the mining company, which in turn means that the mining company now has to explain why it should not be punished for committing contempt of

"Na tezi, na dum, aiwein bharum," exclaims an extremely irate Veena Malik in a done-to-death chai ad. The ad was done many years ago, but the girl's convictions are still the same.
You can interpret that any way you want to.
But people are just jealous. And why wouldn't they be? Veena is the kind of girl who lends herself to easy objectification. Moves like an item girl, stings like an ex-girlfriend scorned and can actually tell a joke to save her life, if it comes down to

It was my second week at the Government Department and the Personal Assistant of the Man In-charge had just broken the office record for Solitaire. Apparently, many in the Federation of Pakistan had tried to emulate such a feat but, as is often the case, there was only one winner. It was a pity we could not issue a Notification to celebrate this achievement. It takes a certain dogged determination to never do any work, to refuse to move a limb even when deemed necessary by those

The media trial of Veena Malik - epitomised by that scary TV interview the other night by Kamran Shahid, who showed an amazing streak of self-righteousness - brought to the fore underlying propaganda that only serves to divide people beyond the border. When Veena, who, brought the house down towards the end of the show with a compelling riposte to the mufti, looked in the eye of the host to ask "where was my media when they (Big Boss participants) were using choice expletives to

As our political, social and economic situation is deteriorating and, as a result of it, common people are facing hardships in life, there is an urge to change the system in order to get rid of corruption and disorder. The idea to change by introducing reforms appeals no body. At this stage people talk of revolution. It is in the collective memory of people that how in history revolutions radically changed societies by eradicating old system and replacing it with a progressive one.

For multiple decades after independence, mainstream politics, and public perception, remained heavily tilted towards agrarian Pakistan. The nature of our political system fortified the view held by residents of 'urbanistan' that 'landlordism' was the number one socio-economic ill in this country - responsible for everything ranging from lack of educational attainment, to female oppression, to lower levels of capital accumulation. The most recent manifestation of this particular

The first time I heard the name 'Muslim Shower' I thought it was a party for someone who has converted to Islam in which he or she is 'showered' with gifts. I took this from the 'shower' that parents have for their newborn babies where friends and relatives 'shower' the baby with gifts. "No," I was told, "it is an actual shower." Wow, I thought. Now inanimate objects have started getting religion. "Idiot," they said. "It is a small shower attached to the side of a water closet with

Government is instinctively equated with power; and we expect the powerful to fall with a thud like an oak tree that makes the earth quiver. The ambience of authority makes us oblivious to another possibility. A government can also fall like a leaf. The time between twig and turf can stretch beyond the laws of gravity as the leaf is tossed by gusts of wind, or even driven up by continual storms. The turmoil of movement creates the illusion of life, but the truth is that the leaf is

That Iran has banned the printing and production of material relating to Valentine's Day made me laugh. Say hello to a boom in Valentine Day merchandise, Iran, just as the sudden flooding of the markets with red heart shaped merchandise in Pakistan, come February. Not that Valentine's Day is banned here, but the disapproval on some faces is almost as effective.
We have to realise that banning things only makes them infinitely more alluring. Remember the Satanic Verses? Even

Media reports suggest that the Obama administration is re-thinking its strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. In that regard, while many in the U.S. government have called for greater military action against Taliban sanctuaries in western Pakistan in general, and North Waziristan specifically, by Pakistani or American forces, that sentiment may be changing given better understanding of the ramifications of such operations on Pakistani stability. In fact there are reports that the US

Finally there is a modicum of consensus between the PPP and PML(N) on fixing the economy. Mr. Ishaq Dar has promised the nation "good news'" on 26th of January when the joint committee of the two parties meets to discuss Nawaz Sharif's ten-point agenda - a sine qua non for co-operation with the government.
But given the dire economic straits that we are in, it is easier said then done. As it is, none of the International Financial Institutions, IMF inclusive, are willing to give

The national flag carrier maybe looking to improve its business but there is one VVIP that is not lending a helping hand. We hear that this VVIP recently went on an official trip to Washington (via Dubai of course) and PIA reps were not unreasonably hoping to get his custom. To their surprise the VVIP opted for the rival UAE airline's commercial flight and felt no qualms landing in Washington in a UAE flag carrier. There could be a number of reasons for the choice. Perhaps it is

In the wake of the harrowing spectacles enacted on the streets of the country in the recent times, it is generally being feared that Pakistan has been hijacked for a cause that is inimical to the spirit of its creation just over six decades ago. Apparently, there is a lot of rationale to this contention and considerable circumstantial evidence, too.
The fact that Quaid-e-Azam did not want Pakistan to become a religious theocracy is evident from his numerous speeches and

The MQM's decision to say goodbye to the government, thus turning the PPP-led administration into a minority government, has created a soft corner in the latter for the time-being for its arch rival PML(N) While the MQM has meanwhile made a conditional comeback, the PPP is not sure when the unpredictable ethnic outfit will throw another tantrum creating a fresh crisis. What has further generated a need for dialogue with Mian Nawaz Sharif is the mounting resentment in Sindh PPP against

The Mutahidda Qaumi Movement wants to purge Pakistan of all weapons; I want to be Pope. Legitimate but improbable. Pigs don't fly, as a rule, and when they are made to, as one was in Stephen Dobyns' short story A Happy Vacancy, they tend to tumble from the sky and kill "Jason W Plover, a poet with six books".
I love books and guns and some unmentionables but despite the love for guns have never had the desire to go out and kill people. And for all the decades I have handled

She is young. She is drop dead gorgeous. She is the single and extremely dedicated mother of a beautiful young boy, a dutiful daughter and an affectionate sibling. She is the only pop diva of the country and yet she finds time for those who are less fortunate in life. She is Hadiq Kiyani. A roving ambassador for the United Nations; a philanthropist who is not busy getting donations to build a hospital, but instead is passionate about making homes for those less fortunate in life,