Tag Archives: corruption

Imran Khan and Swat

Posted on May 11, 2009 by sm
And, if you haven’t conducted a poll, what long-standing connections do you have in the Valley that opens you up to the pulse of its population? What network of people have you set up to gather and analyse information from the general population (and, especially, from the women), besides what the Swat Bar Association head (who happens to also be a card-carrying member of the party) passes on to you? Continue reading →

Posted in politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

What’s Sauce for the Goose…

Posted on December 4, 2008 by sm
“Following in the footsteps of the National Assembly, the Senate Standing Committee on Education will also discuss the controversy of extra marks awarded to Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar’s daughter…” (source: The News International, November 28) Extra marks. Wow. So … Continue reading →

Posted in politics | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Black Day

Posted on September 10, 2008 by sm
I remember the frenzy with which our Press Hounds fed on the wounds of President Musharraf just a few months back, the harping, the carping, the constant berating. Many ‘journalists’ and hosts showed their ugly sides with bitter recriminations and … Continue reading →

Posted in politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Rewriting History?

Posted on August 7, 2008 by sm
While the ideals of Democracy are great, the implementation of it is so far from great in Pakistan, and so easily taken advantage of, that we will eventually reach a point of civil war if we continue without serious reform. Let us also stop this stupid fiction that all the ills of this country stem from the last government’s management. It’s taken 60 years, and numerous crooks and murderers at the helm of power for us to arrive at this place. Continue reading →

Posted in politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Blind Lead The Blind

Posted on July 16, 2008 by sm
Enjoin ye righteousness upon mankind while ye yourselves forget (to practise it)? And ye are readers of the Scripture! Have ye then no sense? – Surah-al-Baqarah, verse 44 Continue reading →

Posted in politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

St Augustine

Posted on May 24, 2008 by sm
I got a petition in the mail today: A demand that the government address a looming food crisis, a global phenomenon that has Pakistan in second place as countries that may be the worst affected. Ironically, a news channel flashed … Continue reading →

Posted in politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

In the Kingdom of Bhutto…

Posted on December 31, 2007 by sm
“The Queen has died. Long live the King!” In essence, these were the chants coming from the back of the room where their Lordships held court to their minions. The boy King sat in the middle, flanked by father and … Continue reading →

Posted in politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Pakistani Blogger

Posted on May 28, 2007 by sm
There is one thing about Pakistani bloggers (and our media, for that matter) that I find very distasteful: Government-bashing. It doesn’t matter who is in power, as long as they hold the seat, it seems Pakistanis must hate them. Consider … Continue reading →

Posted in politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Judiciary Above Suspicion

Posted on March 21, 2007 by sm
When the Prophet brought Islam to Arabia, one of the first things he requested of his followers was to abandon the tradition of long, trailing robes worn by the elite tribesmen at the time. The length of the robe indicated … Continue reading →

Posted in politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment