Category: Guest Blog

  • Am I Part of the Problem or Part of the Solution?

    We fail to participate in democratic processes while we recognize democracy as a utopian ideal form. We fail to contribute to the national kitty while demanding increasing state services. We can apply the same line of argument to other segments of society. We must recognize our own failures for allowing society to reach the state…

  • The Future of Punjabi

    Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was sent to live with a Bedouin family soon after his birth; Bedouins were thought to be the pure speaker of Arabic language, while people living in urban center of Mecca were considered too cosmopolitan, and it was felt that language spoken in Mecca was corrupted. It is astonishing how much the…

  • Intolerance in The Name of Religion

    After Lahore blast, people will give you different reasons for the blasts; they will say that it is Pakistan and America’s fault; America and Pakistan trained these people earlier to fight against Soviets, and now they have turned against both; they will say these people have nothing to do with Islam, and Islam is a…

  • Sahil Saeed’s Recovery – Spotlight should now Focus on Local Kidnapping Victims

    Along with most people, I was glad to hear that young Sahil Saaed had been safely recovered. What a relief! Finally some good news to lift our spirits! However, in the aftermath of Sahil’s rescue more questions are being raised. For one his kidnapping has shed light to the awful spectre of child kidnappings that…

  • Why perceptions matter more than grievances: Conspiracy theories, our Achilles heal?

    Conspiracy theories are making a big splash in both the domestic and international media. While we in Pakistan are often angered as to how Pakistan is portrayed in the Western media, the same people seem to be supporting various individuals and right wing parties who are also gaining much traction with foreign correspondents in Pakistan.…

  • NRO Order, CJ Or 18th Amendment

    Guest blog by Barrister Amjad Malik 16 December 2010 Supreme Court order on NRO (National Reconciliation Ordinance) has shattered the ruling govt which was standing on the 4 pillars of this barter orchestrated by military & Pentagon , USA &UK and (PPP) Pak people party leadership which is clutching and hanging on to a straw…

  • Terrorists are the American Agents: Shia Scholars

    Guest Blog by Farhan Janjua In the aftermath of today’s deadly twin bomb blasts at the Shia pilgrims, the scholars of Jafarria Alliance notably Allama Hasan Zafar Naqvi has blasted the United States of America in strong words stating that these terrorists pretend to be Anti-American and in fact are working on the very own…

  • Dr Aafia’s Case Exposed the US judicial System

    Guest Blog by Talkhaba “The American court acquits Dr Aafia Siddiqui” The ticker blinks on TV screens is followed by the screen flashes “Breaking News; The US court releases Afia Siddiqui” “The justice has been made by the exemplary American judicial system.” The News anchors inform us that Pakistani Ambassador to the US Mr. Hussain…

  • Zaid Hamid, a Leader in the making! Would be a nightmare

    I moved to USA about 17 years back and hence was relatively out of touch with the developments in Pakistan. Therefore it was not only abysmal but rather surprising to see Zaid Zaman now Zaid Hamid (I am not sure what is he up to or why did he change his name) portrayed as a…

  • Jahil Online Spreading Superstitions

    Guest blog by Naeem Sadiq Aamer Liaquat Hussain, an ex-MNA and a fake degree holder during his ‘Aalim on line’ show [customarily referred to as Jahil Online on this blog] on Geo TV (January 29, 2010) explained the reason for the poor performance of Pakistan’s cricket team. [Particularly Watch the section between times 3:30-4:15] He…

  • Mesmerization of Pakistani Politics

    Guest blog by Agha Haider Raza Politics in Pakistan mesmerize me. Not only does one enjoy the daily dose of rhetoric that is spewed from the mouths of our beloved politicians, but the one track mind of those in and out of government baffles the mind. Politics in Pakistan, much like the political parties themselves…

  • Targeted killings and the Land Mafia in Karachi – Open Letter by SHEHRI

    An Open Letter to Rehman Malik by Shehri Mr Rehman Malik has been making rather interesting statements about stopping the “targeted killings” in Karachi. The simple fact is that the land mafia of Karachi is behind a number of these murders and the motive for these assassinations is money. Let us take the case of…

  • The Business of Violence – Naeem Sadiq

    Naeem Sadiq writes in Dawn today about the business of violence in Karachi, this is part of his recent initiative to work towards de-weaponizing Karachi. He writes “Violence in Karachi is a lucrative corporate business. It appears to be financed and sponsored by big-time politicos, political parties, religious groups and state agencies. The Puppoos, Rehmans…

  • Roads need Bicycles

    Blog post by Naeem Sadiq, published in The News on 16th January 2010 Bicycle, the most energy-efficient form of transport ever devised. It doesn’t emit pollution, it runs on renewable energy, it makes its user healthier, it’s easy to repair, it requires little in the way of pavement or parking, and 80 percent of the…

  • Survey – Who is responsible for Bolton Market Tragedy?

    Please take part in this survey designed by Omar Javaid – Critic Magazine, to decipher the public perception of the 28th December Bolton Market Bomb blast – Survey Form As of my last response there were about 96 people who had filled in the survey showing an overwhelming majority of 84% respondents thinking that the…