Not Misbah’s fault
It’s probably in ours stars Pakistan has suffered yet another clean sweep Down Under. This was the first overseas tour under Misbah-ul-Haq. In all fairness, considering past tours of Australia, the result…
Once upon a time in UET
No student unions, please Last week saw demands for revival of student unions, amid a lot of ‘Asia is red’ poppycock. The latter merits no response except mirth, but after the tweets…
The myth of PTI media savviness
With a detour to media incompetence/dishonesty Imran Khan inaugurated the Havelian-Mansehra section of the Hazara Motorway last week. The N-Leaguers, as expected, are claiming that the credit goes to Nawaz Sharif, who…
Directed by Robert B. Weide
Aka, what the hell was that? The Azadi March is over. Well, technically it’s still going on in the form of Plan B: blocking of highways ‘across the country’. (Or is it…
The phenomenon of Iqbal
As relevant as ever Was it a coincidence that the Indian Supreme Court chose to announce the Babri Masjid verdict on Allama Iqbal’s 142nd birth anniversary? It would appear to be so,…
Life’s greatest tragedy
Some crimes are their own worst punishment Prime minister Imran Khan is set to inaugurate the Kartarpur Corridor on November 9. The project has been completed in record duration to make it…
How difficult is the Quran?
And what one requires for its understanding Is Quran a difficult book to understand? Of course, the words ‘easy’ and ‘difficult’ are relative, so what’s easy for one man may be difficult…
On istikharah
And the misconceptions surrounding it The other day, Mufti Kifayatullah of JUI-F let it slip on live TV, during an altercation with anchor Yashfeen Jamal, that as per his istikharah Maulana Fazlur…
Where have all the creative souls gone?
A polite reminder that music is not plastic Recycling is a great idea. Provided one is talking about plastic, paper or metals. Not so much when it comes to music and certainly…
Blue whales on Noah’s Ark?
On reason and religion Are reason and religion two non-overlapping domains? Many Muslims would argue that that’s not the case. The Quran repeatedly invites its reader to use his intellect. Unfortunately, not…
Imran Khan at the UNGA
A job well done Imran Khan is back home after his week-long trip to the United States. Upon his return he thanked the nation for its support and prayers. Displaying continuation of…
Dress codes, liberty and state interference
On the Haripur fiasco The KP Department of Education successfully triggered a nationwide debate by directing the heads of government-run schools in Haripur and Peshawar to instruct all schoolgirls to wear chadors/gowns…
‘God’s Plan’
And does everything happen for the best? There’s no dearth of misery and misfortune in the world. There’s plenty of joy and happiness too, but as far as most thoughtful individuals are…
Million-marches and capital-lockdowns
A brief history Maulana Fazlur Rehman is firm in his resolve to lockdown the federal capital. He had warned Imran Khan to resign by August 31 or face the consequences. Khan hasn’t…
How not to approach the Kashmir issue
An unpopular opinion The heart goes out to the residents of Indian Occupied Kashmir, for their dark night may just have gotten a whole lot longer. The problem, which has defied settlement…
On gender equality
A politically incorrect column Are women equal to men? This is an old question, and there have been all sorts of responses to it. There are men who have laughed at the…
Independence Day celebrations
About time eight things were realised The 72nd anniversary of Pakistan’s Independence Day was celebrated with customary fervour and excitement. Customary fervour is a great thing of course, but it has been…