2011: THE YEAR OF INTRIGUE
2011: The Year Of Intrigue
No suspense novelist could have invented the events Pakistan lived through in 2011
No suspense novelist could have invented the events Pakistan lived through in 2011
PAKISTAN
From scandal to success
On Nov 3, when Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt were handed jail sentences and carted off in a prison van, it was a cataclysmic event not just for Pakistan cricket but for the sport as a whole
On Nov 3, when Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt were handed jail sentences and carted off in a prison van, it was a cataclysmic event not just for Pakistan cricket but for the sport as a whole
Who belled the cat?
It was a bombshell, the explosion of a gathering storm. It created turmoil in an already tense province. It hit hard the main ally of the ruling Pakistan People’s Party and the most powerful political
It was a bombshell, the explosion of a gathering storm. It created turmoil in an already tense province. It hit hard the main ally of the ruling Pakistan People’s Party and the most powerful political
Musical chairs
By most accounts 2011 was yet another difficult year for Pakistan’s economy. Stalled reform, energy shortages, floods, political uncertainty and a dramatic rise in geopolitical tensions
By most accounts 2011 was yet another difficult year for Pakistan’s economy. Stalled reform, energy shortages, floods, political uncertainty and a dramatic rise in geopolitical tensions
All’s fair in love and politics
Akin to high school dating, in which the only rule is that there are no rules, political parties and politicians played out the game of love in public and in private.
Akin to high school dating, in which the only rule is that there are no rules, political parties and politicians played out the game of love in public and in private.
Murder most foul
Seven journalists were killed in the line of duty Pakistan in 2011, making the country one of the most dangerous on the planet for the media. But the brutal killing of 40-year-old Syed Saleem Shahzad
Seven journalists were killed in the line of duty Pakistan in 2011, making the country one of the most dangerous on the planet for the media. But the brutal killing of 40-year-old Syed Saleem Shahzad
Hot n cold
A Muttahida Qaumi Movement activist would fumble for an answer if asked whether his political party is currently in government. Strangely enough, there is no yes-or-no answer to this simple question
A Muttahida Qaumi Movement activist would fumble for an answer if asked whether his political party is currently in government. Strangely enough, there is no yes-or-no answer to this simple question
Our crippling contagion
In 2011 Pakistan retained its place within the upper echelons of the world’s most corrupt countries. The scale of the problem was such that the wrongfulness of the acts of public-office holders appeared
In 2011 Pakistan retained its place within the upper echelons of the world’s most corrupt countries. The scale of the problem was such that the wrongfulness of the acts of public-office holders appeared
THE WORLD IN 2011
The blind men and the elephant
Can two nuclear-armed states that share a tense land border and a habit of snarling at each other begin to resolve any of their problems through a cricket match or two?
Can two nuclear-armed states that share a tense land border and a habit of snarling at each other begin to resolve any of their problems through a cricket match or two?
Free at last
Twenty-six-year-old Tunisian fruit vendor Mohammad Bouazizi could not have thought in his wildest imagination that his fiery act of protest would set off a democratic tsunami that would rock the Arab world and craft a new
Twenty-six-year-old Tunisian fruit vendor Mohammad Bouazizi could not have thought in his wildest imagination that his fiery act of protest would set off a democratic tsunami that would rock the Arab world and craft a new
Things fall apart
As a young reporter in Brussels, I remember the days when former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher banged her handbag on the table and demanded her “money back” from the European Union — a reference to Britain’s payment
As a young reporter in Brussels, I remember the days when former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher banged her handbag on the table and demanded her “money back” from the European Union — a reference to Britain’s payment
HUMAN RIGHTS 2011
Sectarian cleansing"
On Oct 4, gunmen stopped a bus carrying mostly Hazara Shia who were headed to work on the outskirts of Quetta. The attackers forced the passengers off the bus, made them stand in a row and opened fire
On Oct 4, gunmen stopped a bus carrying mostly Hazara Shia who were headed to work on the outskirts of Quetta. The attackers forced the passengers off the bus, made them stand in a row and opened fire
Declared profane"
When in December 2010 late Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer visited Aasiya Bibi, who had been sentenced to death on a blasphemy charge, and promised to appeal for clemency for her
When in December 2010 late Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer visited Aasiya Bibi, who had been sentenced to death on a blasphemy charge, and promised to appeal for clemency for her
Law enforcement run amok"
As Pakistan continued to face challenges to its internal security in 2011, the year also saw serious human rights violations by law enforcement personnel.
As Pakistan continued to face challenges to its internal security in 2011, the year also saw serious human rights violations by law enforcement personnel.
Swept away"
Earlier this year I visited a makeshift camp just outside Mirpurkhas city housing about 45 displaced families.
Earlier this year I visited a makeshift camp just outside Mirpurkhas city housing about 45 displaced families.
BIZARRE MOMENTS 2011
YouTube baby"
In an era in which idealistic young people have only managed to be shell-shocked recipients of tales of rebellion from the 1960s to the 1980s, a passionate young man emerged.
In an era in which idealistic young people have only managed to be shell-shocked recipients of tales of rebellion from the 1960s to the 1980s, a passionate young man emerged.
Love in Lahore"
If you can make a direct call at will to a country’s most sought-after opposition politician, you are a skilful reporter.
If you can make a direct call at will to a country’s most sought-after opposition politician, you are a skilful reporter.
Gag order"
Some among us get irked from time to time by sundry efforts to police our morality. Quite frequently, though, someone comes up with something so bizarre that one is left at a loss for words.
Some among us get irked from time to time by sundry efforts to police our morality. Quite frequently, though, someone comes up with something so bizarre that one is left at a loss for words.
Of Star Wars and murderous girlfriends"
Everyone has ‘that’ friend. You know, the one you hang out with despite their arrogance stemming from total obliviousness. It’s fun hearing them boast
Everyone has ‘that’ friend. You know, the one you hang out with despite their arrogance stemming from total obliviousness. It’s fun hearing them boast
Veena vs mullah"
Everyone is born naked, some achieve nakedness and some have nakedness thrust upon them. Or so Veena Malik might contend.
Everyone is born naked, some achieve nakedness and some have nakedness thrust upon them. Or so Veena Malik might contend.
An assembly of lotas"
You don’t need to be a women’s rights activist to see the consequences of an honourable man’s aversion to a lota. When someone came up with the idea of a frivolous but entertaining lota-laden MPA
You don’t need to be a women’s rights activist to see the consequences of an honourable man’s aversion to a lota. When someone came up with the idea of a frivolous but entertaining lota-laden MPA
Flying low"
Once upon a time, when a pixie haircut was still the rage, a smart adman took up the catchy words of an executive at the national carrier as its slogan: ‘Great people to fly with’.
Once upon a time, when a pixie haircut was still the rage, a smart adman took up the catchy words of an executive at the national carrier as its slogan: ‘Great people to fly with’.
Chinese, made in Pakistan"
One fine, i.e. muggy, September morning in Karachi, education lovers in the Sindh government decided that Mandarin should be taught at the secondary school level, and perhaps even be made mandatory, come 2013.
One fine, i.e. muggy, September morning in Karachi, education lovers in the Sindh government decided that Mandarin should be taught at the secondary school level, and perhaps even be made mandatory, come 2013.
multimedia
Riots and revolutions: 2011 in pictures"
Riots, revolutions, occupy movements and a debt crisis. Things were neither quiet in Pakistan or on the international front –…
Riots, revolutions, occupy movements and a debt crisis. Things were neither quiet in Pakistan or on the international front –…
Pakistan in 2011: A year in pictures"
From the murder of politicians and journalists, to Nato bombings and political shuffling, 2011 proved to be a turbulent year…
From the murder of politicians and journalists, to Nato bombings and political shuffling, 2011 proved to be a turbulent year…
