Courage under fire
No holds barred confrontation A widespread perception is fast developing that space for a democratic discourse is perceptibly shrinking. Frequent gagging of the media and concerted efforts to tighten the noose around…
Economic bailout!
In an era of confrontation While the political landscape remains murky, economic wizards will heave a sigh of relief that Pakistan has finally entered its 13th IMF (International Monetary Fund) bailout since…
APC an abject failure?
Or an impending threat The recently held opposition moot under the stewardship of the enigmatic Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman is being touted by most as a damp squib, or somewhat of an anti-climax. Perhaps…
Sanity prevails-finally
Charter on economy a pipedream? After a free-for-all during the budget debate in the National Assembly, a semblance of sanity has finally prevailed. A hiatus of three days during which there was…
It takes two to tango
Islamabad and New Delhi Bishkek the capital of Kirgizstan perhaps was another opportunity lost for initiating a thaw between the two adversarial neighbours of South Asia. Islamabad on more than one occasion…
The opposition’s putsch
And return of Shehbaz Sharif Now that the holy month of Ramzan is over, like the scorching heat the political temperature in the country is also bound to further go up in…
Summer of discontent
While Nero fiddling So many fronts opened simultaneously it seems that the Pakistani state is at war with itself. The higher judiciary under siege, the ongoing confrontation with the PTM (Pashtun Tahaffuz…
‘Modi ka jo yaar…’
Dealing with his jingoistic agenda In a post Trumpian world of rising right wing populism, it is no surprise that in our neighbourhood ultra nationalist BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) spearheaded by its…
Opposition in agitation mode
Long hot summer for Khan The Pakistani rupee earning the dubious distinction of being the worst performing currency of Asia and all economic indicators heading south, the opposition is girding its loins…
Budget Blues
And hardships galore Barring a last minute glitch, around a $7billion IMF (International Monetary Fund) bailout package is virtually clinched. Now begins the hard part of meeting the international lending agency’s tough…
Sharifs out?
The PML-N in disarray With the Sharif brothers –Nawaz and Shahbaz- out of reckoning for the time being the PML-N faces an existential crisis. It seems a demoralized Shahbaz Sharif has decided…
Khan’s indiscretion
Need for introspection Prime minister Imran Khan’s misogynic remarks addressing PPP co-Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto as ‘sahiba’ have evoked a strong reaction. Not only the opposition but also women rights groups are quite…
Night of the long knives
Another first by Khan The sacking of Asad Umar as finance minister Thursday morning and later in the evening a few key ministers’ portfolios reshuffled has raised many questions about the style…
Foreign policy pronouncements
The need to tread cautiously A litany of statements purported to be taken ‘out of context’ has become the hallmark of the PTI government. Starting from the prime minister downwards a number…
The malaise is getting worse
Should Asad Umar be shown the door? As the poet Mirza Ghalib famously said: Marz bharta hi gaya joon joon dawa ki (the more medicine you administered the malaise got from bad…
Smugness galore
In the wake of a Twitter war Prime Minister Imran Khan’s recent suggestion that an interim setup should hold elections in Afghanistan stirred up a hornet’s nest. Afghan president Ashraf Ghani, considering…
While Rome burns
Empty rhetoric rules the roost While the Islamic Republic is mired in a deep existential crisis, instead of trying to evolve a modicum of consensus on major issues confronting the nation, its…