Author Archives: Aasim Sajjad Akhtar
3 days ago
What has changed?
THE good thing about elections is that they help us distinguish between ‘what should be’ and ‘what actually is’
THE good thing about elections is that they help us distinguish between ‘what should be’ and ‘what actually is’
10th May, 2013
When all is said and done
PUNJAB goes to the polls tomorrow — if you believe what you have been seeing on your television screen for the past few weeks
PUNJAB goes to the polls tomorrow — if you believe what you have been seeing on your television screen for the past few weeks
3rd May, 2013
On classification
WITH the advent of the modern state, humanity’s unerring quest for control — over the natural environment, of one class over another, of man over woman — arguably reached its climax.
WITH the advent of the modern state, humanity’s unerring quest for control — over the natural environment, of one class over another, of man over woman — arguably reached its climax.
26th April, 2013
The terrorism industry
AS was widely predicted, the menace of ‘terrorism’ has reared its ugly head yet again in the run-up to the general election.
AS was widely predicted, the menace of ‘terrorism’ has reared its ugly head yet again in the run-up to the general election.
19th April, 2013
Double burden
ONE after the other, all major political parties in Pakistan are unveiling their election manifestos in a predictably over-the-top fashion. Each claims to offer novel solutions to the country’s myriad problems.
ONE after the other, all major political parties in Pakistan are unveiling their election manifestos in a predictably over-the-top fashion. Each claims to offer novel solutions to the country’s myriad problems.
12th April, 2013
Hegemony unravelling
IT is remarkable to think that it has been more than six years since a coterie of pompous generals summoned the chief justice and ‘advised’ him to gracefully vacate his post.
IT is remarkable to think that it has been more than six years since a coterie of pompous generals summoned the chief justice and ‘advised’ him to gracefully vacate his post.
5th April, 2013
As good as it gets?
IT has been almost five years since the onset of the global financial crisis. For much of this time political leaders and corporate bigwigs alike have prophesied recovery (and redemption).
IT has been almost five years since the onset of the global financial crisis. For much of this time political leaders and corporate bigwigs alike have prophesied recovery (and redemption).
29th March, 2013
The mundanity of it all
IT is a measure of the primacy of politics in this country that intrigue and sensation actually increases during ‘interim’ periods as compared to ‘normal’ circumstances.
IT is a measure of the primacy of politics in this country that intrigue and sensation actually increases during ‘interim’ periods as compared to ‘normal’ circumstances.
22nd March, 2013
A tale of two cities
MOST of us grow up being taught that patience is a virtue. And rightfully so. Almost every modern society, including this one, would be more humane and just if respect and tolerance for others was part of our basic socialisation.
MOST of us grow up being taught that patience is a virtue. And rightfully so. Almost every modern society, including this one, would be more humane and just if respect and tolerance for others was part of our basic socialisation.
15th March, 2013
Headless chickens
TO be a political worker on the left of the spectrum in Pakistan is a genuinely thankless task.
TO be a political worker on the left of the spectrum in Pakistan is a genuinely thankless task.
8th March, 2013
Chavez’s epic battle
THE president of Venezuela, Hugo Rafael Chavez, passed away on Tuesday after a protracted battle with cancer. Chavez had only recently returned to what he liked to call the ‘great fatherland’ after a fourth operation in Cuba as part of his battle against the disease.
THE president of Venezuela, Hugo Rafael Chavez, passed away on Tuesday after a protracted battle with cancer. Chavez had only recently returned to what he liked to call the ‘great fatherland’ after a fourth operation in Cuba as part of his battle against the disease.
1st March, 2013
Festive season
I AM not one of those who yearns for Pakistan to be in the news “for the right reasons”.
I AM not one of those who yearns for Pakistan to be in the news “for the right reasons”.
22nd February, 2013
Optimism of the will
ARGUABLY the most prominent dimension of the latest round of dharnas against the killings of Hazara Shia in Quetta was the participation and leading role of youth.
ARGUABLY the most prominent dimension of the latest round of dharnas against the killings of Hazara Shia in Quetta was the participation and leading role of youth.
15th February, 2013
An elite like no other
WHILE continuity is the word to characterise much of Pakistan’s social and political life, a great deal has also changed over the years.
WHILE continuity is the word to characterise much of Pakistan’s social and political life, a great deal has also changed over the years.
8th February, 2013
Two steps backward
WHAT with the unending melodrama that is the democratic transition in Islamabad, it is hardly surprising that recent happenings in Mali and Algeria have passed under our collective radar screen.
WHAT with the unending melodrama that is the democratic transition in Islamabad, it is hardly surprising that recent happenings in Mali and Algeria have passed under our collective radar screen.
1st February, 2013
For the people
THE recommendation, some days ago, for the withdrawal of criminal charges against the owners of a Karachi factory in which over 250 workers were horrifically burned to death last September went virtually unnoticed.
THE recommendation, some days ago, for the withdrawal of criminal charges against the owners of a Karachi factory in which over 250 workers were horrifically burned to death last September went virtually unnoticed.
25th January, 2013
The highs and lows
ENOUGH time has now passed for a reasonably dispassionate analysis of the series of events that led to the imposition of governor’s rule in Balochistan to become possible.
ENOUGH time has now passed for a reasonably dispassionate analysis of the series of events that led to the imposition of governor’s rule in Balochistan to become possible.
18th January, 2013
Writing a new script
IN terms of pure political theatre, Tahirul Qadri’s Blue Area ‘revolution’ has been compelling viewing. Many of us were chaos junkies even before cable TV; round-the-clock coverage means that charlatans like Qadri
IN terms of pure political theatre, Tahirul Qadri’s Blue Area ‘revolution’ has been compelling viewing. Many of us were chaos junkies even before cable TV; round-the-clock coverage means that charlatans like Qadri
11th January, 2013
Much ado about Punjab
THOSE of us with short memories will not remember that there was a time when Punjab was not the most populous province in the country.
THOSE of us with short memories will not remember that there was a time when Punjab was not the most populous province in the country.
4th January, 2013
Empire of chaos
FOR someone intellectually predisposed to viewing just about everything through the lens of class, learning how to navigate the choppy waters of Pakistan’s political economy is nothing less than an epic challenge.
FOR someone intellectually predisposed to viewing just about everything through the lens of class, learning how to navigate the choppy waters of Pakistan’s political economy is nothing less than an epic challenge.
