Author Archives: Anjum Niaz
19th May, 2013
Naya Pakistan, how?
At the seat of government on May 12, 2013, Islamabad witnessed benevolent skies, power washed roads, bathed afresh flowers, grass, trees and everything Nature willed anew.
At the seat of government on May 12, 2013, Islamabad witnessed benevolent skies, power washed roads, bathed afresh flowers, grass, trees and everything Nature willed anew.
12th May, 2013
Change unbound
Make no mistake change is already here. You can feel it on the roads, at social events, fashion shows, in branded stores, shopping malls, food courts, parks, on television talk shows, in schools and colleges.
Make no mistake change is already here. You can feel it on the roads, at social events, fashion shows, in branded stores, shopping malls, food courts, parks, on television talk shows, in schools and colleges.
5th May, 2013
Battle for Takht-i-Islamabad
It’s politically incorrect to ask the effete elites who they will vote for. You can get a shut-up call from them. It’s worse still to ask whether he or she will get out to vote on Election Day?
It’s politically incorrect to ask the effete elites who they will vote for. You can get a shut-up call from them. It’s worse still to ask whether he or she will get out to vote on Election Day?
28th April, 2013
Bold and the beautiful
Beautiful is Islamabad. Bold are the people of Pakistan. Spring has a hold on the Capital. It is refusing entry to summer, lying restlessly in wait to descend.
Beautiful is Islamabad. Bold are the people of Pakistan. Spring has a hold on the Capital. It is refusing entry to summer, lying restlessly in wait to descend.
21st April, 2013
The 20-watt fountain of energy
“Many of us fear death. We believe in death because we have been told we will die. We associate ourselves with the body, and we know that bodies die.
“Many of us fear death. We believe in death because we have been told we will die. We associate ourselves with the body, and we know that bodies die.
14th April, 2013
Catching business barracudas
Think and then answer: has the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) the capacity to scan around 15,000 poll contenders in 15 days?
Think and then answer: has the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) the capacity to scan around 15,000 poll contenders in 15 days?
7th April, 2013
Of octogenarians and octopuses
We have breaking news out of America. The world is duly informed that the doyen of television Barbara Walters, 83, will retire.
We have breaking news out of America. The world is duly informed that the doyen of television Barbara Walters, 83, will retire.
31st March, 2013
Dateline Islamabad: Arrival of three wise men
Why not three wise women? Pakistan International Airline continues to be the preserve of men. Where are the women?
Why not three wise women? Pakistan International Airline continues to be the preserve of men. Where are the women?
24th March, 2013
Dateline Islamabad: Of heroes, villains and in-betweens
On my cell I get a text message from the Election Commissioner of Pakistan. He’s asking for the verification of my NIC number to make sure I’m on their voter’s list. The cost for an SMS reply to him is a mere Rs two plus tax.
On my cell I get a text message from the Election Commissioner of Pakistan. He’s asking for the verification of my NIC number to make sure I’m on their voter’s list. The cost for an SMS reply to him is a mere Rs two plus tax.
17th March, 2013
Dateline Islamabad: What’s in a name?
“Oh! Loads”, says Farogh Naweed, a former additional secretary who has held key positions in Nawaz Sharif’s and Benazir Bhutto’s governments. Ask him how and he’s got a story to tell why names matter, especially
“Oh! Loads”, says Farogh Naweed, a former additional secretary who has held key positions in Nawaz Sharif’s and Benazir Bhutto’s governments. Ask him how and he’s got a story to tell why names matter, especially
10th March, 2013
Dateline Islamabad: Listen to live
Years ago, one of our finest diplomats got the coveted foreign secretary’s slot. I went to the Foreign Office in Islamabad to interview him. Chain-smoking, chirpy with a clipped English accent, he took me on a long tour de force on how he planned running the store. “I have just one regret,” he said as the interview came to
Years ago, one of our finest diplomats got the coveted foreign secretary’s slot. I went to the Foreign Office in Islamabad to interview him. Chain-smoking, chirpy with a clipped English accent, he took me on a long tour de force on how he planned running the store. “I have just one regret,” he said as the interview came to
3rd March, 2013
What a country!
Yes, what a country! A paradise on earth, that’s what Pakistan got — from shining sea to the second highest peak in the world. Before you declare it ‘paradise lost’, tarry a while and think:
Yes, what a country! A paradise on earth, that’s what Pakistan got — from shining sea to the second highest peak in the world. Before you declare it ‘paradise lost’, tarry a while and think:
24th February, 2013
Dateline Islamabad: Constitutional imbroglio
Tahirul Qadri got the chop. In the end, it all came down to the Queen. If she’s your sovereign, sorry you’ve come to the wrong court with your petition was the curt message to the Pakistani-Canadian cleric from the
Tahirul Qadri got the chop. In the end, it all came down to the Queen. If she’s your sovereign, sorry you’ve come to the wrong court with your petition was the curt message to the Pakistani-Canadian cleric from the
17th February, 2013
Dateline Islamabad: NAB at ‘work’
‘Do not disturb, we’re at work’ sign should make the Supreme Court go away when it comes knocking at Fasih Bokhari’s door to ask about one of his men found hanging. The Chairman National Accountability Bureau, like Don Quixote, currently tilts at windmills to show the apex
‘Do not disturb, we’re at work’ sign should make the Supreme Court go away when it comes knocking at Fasih Bokhari’s door to ask about one of his men found hanging. The Chairman National Accountability Bureau, like Don Quixote, currently tilts at windmills to show the apex
10th February, 2013
View from US: Media cannot a change bring?
Dr Mubashir Hasan thinks it can. “I would urge you to consider that to induct radical reforms, power is the primary factor,” the 91-year-old former PPP stalwart tells a columnist of an English daily. “By power, I mean
Dr Mubashir Hasan thinks it can. “I would urge you to consider that to induct radical reforms, power is the primary factor,” the 91-year-old former PPP stalwart tells a columnist of an English daily. “By power, I mean
3rd February, 2013
View from US: Too convincing to check?
There’s a class of journalists who take things at face value, trusting them to be true and therefore not worth checking. Olympian pronouncements on Pakistan’s kleptocrats appropriated long-drawn-out discussions on air and in print the past two decades. So much got said and written that it ended in the slush files where it lives on till today.
There’s a class of journalists who take things at face value, trusting them to be true and therefore not worth checking. Olympian pronouncements on Pakistan’s kleptocrats appropriated long-drawn-out discussions on air and in print the past two decades. So much got said and written that it ended in the slush files where it lives on till today.
27th January, 2013
View from US: What would she say?
Except, she’s dead. If alive, we could have asked her about ‘Dr Deadline’ a.k.a Tahir-ul-Qadri. Long before pop psychologists cropped up with cheesy counsel on how to be happy, fulfilled and cheerful, a Californian housewife named Pauline Phillips launched a column ‘Dear Abby’ syndicated in hundreds of newspapers drawing tens of thousands readers across the world. Long before the internet’s firm grip girdled our lives, the only forum available to thousands was her advice column.
Except, she’s dead. If alive, we could have asked her about ‘Dr Deadline’ a.k.a Tahir-ul-Qadri. Long before pop psychologists cropped up with cheesy counsel on how to be happy, fulfilled and cheerful, a Californian housewife named Pauline Phillips launched a column ‘Dear Abby’ syndicated in hundreds of newspapers drawing tens of thousands readers across the world. Long before the internet’s firm grip girdled our lives, the only forum available to thousands was her advice column.
20th January, 2013
Life or style? Gangnam rules
As if the world waited for a new musician; as if Pakistan awaited a new messiah. Well, both arrived late 2012. The former from South Korea; the latter from Canada. Few knew PSY, creator of Gangnam Style dance.
As if the world waited for a new musician; as if Pakistan awaited a new messiah. Well, both arrived late 2012. The former from South Korea; the latter from Canada. Few knew PSY, creator of Gangnam Style dance.
13th January, 2013
View from US: Meet the parents
Was Nancy Lanza to speak from beyond the grave where her ashes lie interred, she’d have a tragic tale as a single mother caring for a 20-year-old son with a mental disorder to tell.
Was Nancy Lanza to speak from beyond the grave where her ashes lie interred, she’d have a tragic tale as a single mother caring for a 20-year-old son with a mental disorder to tell.
6th January, 2013
View from US: Hello 2013!
Learn we must the art of being still. Can we? As prisoners of technology, it is like the body-hugging octopus that feeds our frenzy. Hallelujah!
Learn we must the art of being still. Can we? As prisoners of technology, it is like the body-hugging octopus that feeds our frenzy. Hallelujah!
