Amidst protests against price rises of essential items throughout the country, the PM Manmohan Singh has again started harping on the issue of the Indo-US Nuclear Deal. The Deal has been pushed forward in India in an anti-democratic manner without approval of the Parliament - in fact in the teeth of

"Have you ever worn a burqa before?" asked the Amnesty International representative.
One by one, the journalism students in the class I was teaching at American University of Paris took turns trying on a burqa, a piece of clothing that fully covers a woman's body, head and face. When it was my turn

Despite of the India's legally-binding Cigarette and Other tobacco products Act (2003) and repeated appeals of India's Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Anbumani Ramadoss to bollywood film-stars to refrain from on-screen smoking, there seems to be less compliance in the guise of 'creative libert

Amidst protests against price rises of essential items throughout the country, the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has again started harping on the issue of the Indo-US Nuclear Deal. Activists of National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM) - the largest network of people's struggles in India - oppo

It's a very disappointing day for democracy when supporters of religious tolerance are publicly beaten. But that is precisely what happened this month in Jakarta when 200 activists of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) suddenly stormed the Monas Square where supporters of the Alliance for Freedom of

Several programs were held by the co-operation of the Asia Foundation Pakistan, the benefactor agency and the Rays of Development Organization (ROD), at different institutions of Sargodha.
The Asia Foundation Pakistan (TAF) is a private organization, which is functioning since 50 years in different

In the greatest interest of the economy, the rolling back of the plan of Kalabagh dam sounds a hasty, myopic and detrimental decision to economists, to statesmen only opportune one.
The economists lament arguing that, pathetically the per capita surface water for irrigation which equaled 5260 cubi

“Friendship is a buffer”. Social contacts are important for us in our life. It helps us in getting support and empathy from others as well as provides us opportunities to discuss our problem and difficulties with others. Others are important in one’s life either in the form of friends, coworker, nei

US Senator Barack Obama represents a phenomenon that has drawn global attention and captivated the minds of Muslims around the world as he wages a spirited campaign to become the next president of the United States. In spite of the campaign's heated debate and some controversial rhetoric regarding I

The Federal Budget 2008-2009 must not potentially worsen the plight of the poor if it does not ameliorate lot of the rich. Whether it is pro-poor or pre-poor, the budget was desired to go parallel with the two Misery Indices: 1) considering the rate of consumer-price inflation and unemployment rate

Following the massive anti-terrorism convention organized by the Dar ul-Ulum Deoband two months ago, literally dozens of such public meetings have been held by Muslim groups, particularly those led by Deobandi ulema, across India. Ulema who have addressed these rallies have insisted that terrorism h

The recent announcement that indirect peace talks between Israel and Syria are being conducted in Turkey has led many to ask whether this round of negotiations represents anything more than political games. Given that Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is facing a deepening corruption investigation

Deposed Chief Justice of Pakistan Supreme Court, named Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudry is leading rallies for his restoration! He is addressing gatherings!! He is challenging dictatorship in press conferences!!! Have you ever seen such a judge around globe? Have you read or heard any news story like this

One of my many major grouses with the 'mainstream' Indian media (and this applies to the dominant Western media as well) is the despicable way in which it treats Pakistan. It is as if bad news about Pakistan is always good news for the media. It is also if there is nothing at all good in that countr

"There is no military solution in Iraq, only a political one." General David Petraeus's aphorism is about the only thing on which war proponents and opponents agree. The question is why so few American policy makers hold the same view about Pakistan.
As Pakistan's recently elected government negot