NAB’s media trials
CJ takes notice Finally it took Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar to take note of NAB’s (National Accountability Bureau) habit of dragging names of people it is investigating into the public domain.…
Pakistan after Jinnah
Musings on the founding father’s 70th death anniversary The ruling elite, both civilian and military, have turned Pakistan into a country where Jinnah would not have liked to live. An outstanding parliamentarian that…
Rash opposition ultimatum
Constitute election rigging commission — or else! Shrill protests and slogan-chanting by opposition members in the new National Assembly commenced on August 17, the same day Imran Khan was elected prime minister.…
CPEC must be supported
Differences should be ironed out through discussion At a time when Pakistan is facing an unprecedented financial crunch and FDI has shrunk to the minimum, China has committed $60b, the largest ever…
Time for action, not contemplation
Cabinet ECC delays difficult decision on gas price hike These are indeed the times in the life of a nation that try men’s souls, and reveal their true worth and endurance in…
Opposition’s many concerns
Threats and disruptions Good that the government has, as promised, agreed to PML-N’s demands of probing alleged rigging in the national election and spared everybody the prospect of another circus in the…
Remember the circular debt?
Number one priority please That the circular debt has been allowed to balloon 454pc (from Rs105b to Rs582b) in 10 years, despite the mysterious Rs480b injection by the PML-N government in 2013,…
PTI and China
A friendly but critical approach is the need The Chinese government had reasons to be worried about the over a yearlong political confrontation in Pakistan. The Chinese government was keen to…
Looming water crisis
More than charity will be required With only 30 days of average water storage capacity Pakistan in on the brink of a water crisis. What organizations like the IMF and UNDP have…
Slow on the uptake
Imran Khan gets on-the-job training While he was in the opposition Imran Khan had little time to prepare himself for the office he was seeking. He is now getting tutorials. The last…
Reprehensible back-tracking
Credibility, image, merit go up in smoke …And the only buoyed up ‘winner’ in the PTI’s abrupt about-face in first laudably appointing and then abruptly removing an internationally renowned economist who just…
Remembering the martyrs
The need to resolve conflicts peacefully The nation commemorated the 53rd Defence Day on Thursday paying richly deserved tributes to those who died defending the country’s borders, particularly those who laid down…
PM’s style of governance
Efficient but centralised The new government’s charged cabinet sessions are a welcome break from the past. Wednesday’s cabinet meeting, for example, put the final touches in its drive to bring back looted…
The complication of a transactional relationship
Trying to reset Pak-US ties The visit by the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and CJCSC General Joseph F. Dunford was welcome as it showed that both sides were keen to…
Pakistan’s minorities
PTI’s bold position PTI’s robust defence of Dr Atif Mian – who has been appointed to the prime minister’s Economic Advisory Council (EAC) – is welcome and sends the right message to…
Pak-US talks
The need to improve relations Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and CJCSC General Joseph F. Dunford are arriving at a time when Pak-US relations are in a tailspin, with fears being expressed…
Graveyard of games?
Funereal silence on Pakistan sports scene The 18th Asian Games held in Indonesia recently, participated by 11,000 athletes from 45 countries, was essentially a celebration of youthful physical prowess and sporting skills,…