Fahmida Riaz, the Poet Who Lost Two Countries in One Lifetime
She wrote for and about ordinary people and their plight, which is why she will be remembered alongside that other great Pakistani poet, Faiz Ahmed Faiz.
Pakistan’s Middle Class Awaits a Miracle
Imran Khan and his PTI compare with any hyper-nationalist, politically ultra-conservative leadership of modern times, like Narendra Modi, Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu or Kim Jong-un
The Changing Face of Sufism in South Asia
Sufi syncretic culture today in South Asia is overstated. While tolerance may have been an inherent trait, the Sufi institution has evolved in a manner that it may not be able to deliver on this count.
Islam Marches On, In and On Islamabad
The latest chapter in the mullah-military alliance marks the metamorphosis of Pakistan’s socio-polity from a post-colonial form to a more organic religious one.
From Jadhav to Jindal, It’s Clear the Pakistani Military is Feeling More Confident Than Ever
The current state of hostilities between India and Pakistan has grown sharper, more intense and ugly than what it was a decade ago. There is now little formal communication but increased finger pointing. Part of the problem is that the key decision makers on either side look through a different set of lenses.
Sorry, India, This is Not the Way to Help the People of Balochistan
By moving Balochistan centre-stage as a pawn in the larger strategic game between India and Pakistan, Modi is not showing concern for human rights violations but engaging in pure realpolitik. With unknown consequences.
India and Pakistan are Rearranging the Thresholds of Conflict
These are indeed tricky times for the subcontinent in which excessive or incorrect claims can both be dangerous. They could raise expectations that could later force the hand of political leaders to act less rationally or even irrationally.
Why Musharraf’s Exit is Bad for Pakistan but May End Up Helping Nawaz Sharif
Nawaz Sharif’s constituents may think less of him for allowing Pervez Musharraf to leave, but he now appears to have strong ties with the army, and is therefore seen as someone who can deliver.
Raheel, not Nawaz, Sharif Holds the Key to the India-Pakistan Peace Mystery
The idea of improving relations with India does occur to the Pakistani army but it is not sure about the terms of engagement.
This is Not Diplomacy But a Battle of Perceptions and Postures
Right now, each side seems to behave as if it has no interest in peace and that it is the other side which is desperate for talks