The easy way out
How to sell dumb ideas The downside of democracy is that ‘the public’ is not prone to checking what it hears, and those elected to lead the public understand this only too…
The role models of a free society
Some alternative role models Howard Zinn, the historian, socialist and great thinker died ten years ago. He described himself as ‘a bit of an anarchist, something of a socialist, and perhaps a…
Diversionary tactics?
Why did Trump test positive now At the 2020 Presidential Debate on September29th in Cleveland the President of the USA said about his adversary Joe Biden: “I don’t wear a mask like…
She who must not be named?
Why can’t mothers be named? According to an Afghan Taliban spokesman in an interview with Reuters, “Mentioning the names of mothers, wives, sisters and daughters is not culturally tolerable in our society,”…
Is the death penalty a solution?
Capital punishment should not be an option in Pakistan A just society is one in which citizens fully comprehend the result of committing an offence; in which citizens know that if they…
Another day another 16,000 mouths to feed
Large populations do not allow prosperity A huge population is a threat to its components both individually and collectively, particularly if the size precedes prosperity; a poor country cannot feed or educate…
Getting what you foster
Do we need to encourage violence? Well, the inevitable has happened: Dirilis (Ertugrul), the Turkish play dubbed into Urdu, an enthusiastic project of the Prime Minister, has taken viewers by storm in…
The polio story
A disease overshadowed by covid-19 While Covid-19 takes its toll in Pakistan; polio, the disease that has been around much longer, has made a comeback. The WHO also extended its travel restrictions…
Innocent until proven guilty
Sexual harassers should have this rule applied to them Social media─ informative, wide-ranging, crossing boundaries: both national and social; influential, entertaining, fast moving─ social media has brought about a change which little…
Back in the bonds we were freed from
Where do we stand? Legend goes that there was once a small fishing settlement on the coast of the Arabian Sea. It was home to a community of fishermen and their families,…
Childhood denied
The problem can no longer be brushed under the carpet Back in 1999 the members of the International Labour Organisation signed Convention 182 which concerns the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the…
So, what about the Jawab-e-Shikwa?
The new Punjab bill will not enhance anything So, the Jawab-e-Shikwa, the great poem by Allama Iqbal, poet, philosopher, theorist, and barrister, called the national poet of Pakistan and its “Spiritual Father…
The role of monuments
Statues are visible and occuy ublic sace There are all kinds of monuments, roads named after prominent persons, mausoleums, structures, artifacts, columns, tombs, war memorials etc. Monuments commemorate history. You find them…
Free and open debate
Silencing opposing views is wrong, whoever does it “The way to defeat bad ideas is by exposure, argument and persuasion, not by trying to silence or wish them away.” That letter about…
Once upon a time there was a great airline
Once things were different Once upon a time there was an airline called PIA that was known by the slogan ‘Great people to fly with.’ It really was a good airline. It…
Who let the dogs out?
Sexual harassment allegations must be taken seriously; they’re probably true That must be the song ringing in the Pakistan People’s Party’s ears these days, a song that fits neatly with the rest…