The thaw that never was
In the wake of positive diplomacy It is indeed a positive development that the Imran Khan led PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) within a month of its induction is making all out efforts to…
RIP Kulsoom
No light at the end of the tunnel The massive outpouring of sympathy across the political spectrum for the family on the demise of the Sharif matriarch begum Kulsoom Nawaz was a…
Jinnah’s Pakistan
And the Mian affair The PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) government has succumbed to forces of obscurantism and bigotry even before it could start resisting them. It was a pleasant surprise to notice that…
‘Taliban Khan’ to the rescue?
No time for a honeymoon Prime minster Khan has appealed to the media to give him three months before criticizing his government. Fair enough. After all he has been barely two weeks…
Chartering a new course
Easier said than done The newly inducted PTI government is mainly focusing upon ending Pakistan’s growing international and regional isolation. And this is how it should be. Owing to the prolonged corruption…
PTI’s test begins
It will be unable to deliver without building bridges Imran Khan has been sworn in as Pakistan’s 22nd prime minister. Spanning over two decades his consistent struggle finally bearing fruit. Even in…
Khan’s new Pakistan
Or, more of the same? It has been more than two weeks since the general elections were held. Imran-led Pakistan Tehreek-e -Insaf (PTI) emerged as the largest party in the Centre, also…
Tough times ahead
Need for consensual politics The post poll 2018 scenario is a royal mess. More than 10 days have elapsed the front-runner Imran Khan’s PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) — the largest party in the…
An upset of sorts
The PML-N playing both sides Elections 2018 is an upset of sorts. Most analysts were predicting a hung parliament. The conventional wisdom expressed was that the ubiquitous establishment had rigged the system…
Elections 2018
And Orwellian Doublespeak Despite hiccups aplenty, Elections 2018 are finally being held. Pakistan in its checkered political history since 1970 has held ten national elections. But 2018 is unique in many respects.…
The Sharif verdict
And the political fallout The dice heavily loaded against them, Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz’s conviction in the Avenfield properties case by a NAB (National Accountability Bureau) court was a…
Understating grey listing
And our diplomatic isolation The caretaker finance minister Shamshad Akhtar was given the bad news while attending FATF’s plenary session in Paris on Wednesday. But Pakistan’s inclusion in the Financial Action Task…
Elections sans hype
Where is the beef? Despite general elections just a month away the hype and excitement traditionally associated with them is conspicuously missing. Perhaps the action will start soon after political parties finalize…
The man who would be King?
And the media under fire After initial hiccups the caretaker set up is finally in place, all systems go towards polling in the general elections on July 25. Initially a lot of…
Why do we need a caretaker setup anyway?
And the Khan’s flip-flops As announced, general elections will be held on July 25. But will they be? There are dark clouds of uncertainty looming over the horizon. Unsurprisingly the Baluchistan government…
The Sharif Leaks
More than he can chew? Despite having being blackballed by the apex court a little less than a year ago; Nawaz Sharif continues to dominate the agenda. Disqualified for life to hold…
Sharif’s recalcitrance
And inevitable party splits As per the schedule the announcement of General Elections 2018 is less than two weeks away but there is confusion worst confounded. Despite assurances that the polls will…