Category: Columns

THE question would seem odd, given the chorus of drumbeats from the media, mostly Indian but also some foreign, proclaiming victory for the Indian prime minister in the coming April-May elections. Do revisit the claims anyway, preferably with an open mind. Two lessons from India’s electoral history beg a fresh discussion about the prospects for...

The tragic events in Jaranwala, situated in the central Punjab district of Faisalabad, unfolded on August 16, 2023, claimed the lives of two Christian brothers who were accused of desecrating the holy Quran and offending the religious sentiments of local Muslims.The accusation swiftly escalated into a violent rampage, resulting in the destruction of more than...

Pakistan finds itself at the forefront of climate-induced disasters, with the catastrophic floods of 2022 serving as a stark reminder of the nation’s vulnerability to the escalating impacts of climate change. Described by the Minister of Climate Change as a “humanitarian disaster of epic proportions,” these floods illuminate the urgent need for comprehensive action to...

On February 8th, Pakistan witnessed its 14th general elections, marking another milestone in the country’s democratic journey. However, the celebrations of strengthened democracy are marred by a stark reality – a substantial impediment to the full exercise of political rights for all citizens, particularly persons with disabilities (PWDs). As I cast my ballot during this...

The Malakand district in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) holds significant strategic importance, serving as a historical battleground from the times of Buddhism through British rule, the Sikh era, and conflicts involving the Yousafzai tribe. Alladand, a small valley within district Malakand, holds historical significance as the first capital of the Yousafzai tribe in over five...

Pakistan is a fascinating country, especially when examining the two extremes of the same spectrum. At one end lies the country’s landscape of inequalities with stories of incredible discrimination against women, girls, and other marginalized communities, as evidenced by reported cases of GBV, VAW, disabling and toxic workplaces, and much more. On the other end,...

Neelam Bibi* is working as a nurse in a far-flung area of Balochistan, shahkarez village, to provide maternal care services to women who are less aware of Modern Family Planning (FP) methods. Today, she rushed to the civil hospital Quetta with a close family member to treat an unexpected pregnancy-related issue. The condition of the...

Watching a live genocide unfold on Al Jazeera English, whether on TV or the internet and perceiving it as either propaganda against Israel or a war where one side is filled with prayers while the other is armed to the teeth with weapons and wealth from various sources, is nothing short of a test of...

Pregnancy-friendly voting spaces: Gaps in voting facilities Misbah Bibi, 35 years a resident of Shakargarh says, she won’t be able to cast her vote to anyone, because she is just about to deliver her baby in the coming few days. She is afraid that there are any kind of facilities available for pregnant women at...

In elections time difficulties and concerns of minorities are never accentuated by mainstream media in their election-related reports mentioned by a citizen Kavita Kumari. Especially candidates who belong to minorities are not seen in mainstream media. The minorities are neglected pretty well by the mainstream media during elections. The problems of registration, name in the...