The long wait, in vain?
Consensus on Election Reforms Bill 2017 remains elusive After two years of apparently laid-back consultations between 34 members of political parties, 25 meetings of the main parliamentary committee and 93 of…
Nawaz Sharif jumps the shark
Public rhetoric is like whistling in the dark By setting up the JIT the SC had given another opportunity to the Sharif family to vindicate their position. The Sharifs as well…
Financial Year 2017
No sound strategy in place At a whopping $12.1 billion Pakistan’s current account deficit is now double what it was last fiscal year which translates into 4% of GDP. Although an increase…
Time to put an end to the terrorist connection
State policies should be implemented by state institutions The leaders of the Afghan Taliban are still being hosted in Pakistan as owned last year by a candid Sartaj Aziz. As he…
Toying and tinkering with police
Punjab and Sindh’s mischief regarding top appointments The PML-N dominated Punjab and PPP – ruled Sindh governments have, it seems, another dubious common denominator besides rampant corruption – indeed the two…
Failing to explain the Midas’ touch
“Don’t accept, don’t reveal — that seems to be the thinking,” Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family have failed to explain how they managed to acquire their fabulous wealth. Qatari…
Securing the western border
New ground offensive to deny IS space and safe havens Operation Khyber 4 initiated on Sunday is another sign, if indeed one was still needed, of the serious intent and commitment of Pakistan Army…
The countdown begins
The sooner it finishes the better In April this year Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif narrowly escaped disqualification after the apex court ruled there was insufficient evidence to remove him — by a…
All that kite flying about the flood of desertions
Don’t count the chickens before they’re hatched The ongoing debate on post Nawaz Sharif scenario is somewhat premature. It is being assumed that mass desertions would take place in the PML-N…
A steady drumbeat of bad headlines from Sindh
Mismanaging drinking water Karachi still stinks of garbage strewn along its roads and spreading diseases. Now there are also complaints about contaminated drinking water causing diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery and hepatitis A.…
And, now, remittances!
More current account strain There’s not much time left in the present electoral cycle – less, still, if the JIT mess worsens – but Dar sb had still better keep an eye…
Quetta attacks
Far too many! Despite the many successes of the anti-terror operation, Quetta continues to struggle. And though it’s much better than the really dark days of not too long ago –…
Back to the SC
And the media trial Those hoping that resumption of Panamagate proceedings at the Supreme Court will help tone down the incessant media circus are likely to be disappointed – unless, of…
Shedding stubbornness
Benefits of Kashmir talks outweigh everything else Kashmir’s worsening situation has recently attracted growing attention from a worried world, alarmed at the increasing frequency and casualties of cross-border clashes along the…
The flame out Nawaz Sharif
And the senseless call for early polls On Thursday the federal cabinet reposed trust in Nawaz Sharif. On Friday the parliamentary party resolved to put its weight behind its leader. Meanwhile chiefs of allied…
Selective Accountability
What of all those holy cows? Terming the Panama Joint Investigation Team (JIT) report as based on mere “assumptions and accusations”, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has refused to step down. All Opposition…
CPEC: openness and improvement go hand in hand
Democracies do not fear debates COAS Qamar Bajwa has called for an open debate on all aspects of the CPEC so that policies best suited for the country could be framed.…