Author Archives: Asha’ar Rehman
3 days ago
Cruel law of evidence
IT is simply not enough to say that an occurrence does not appear to be the logical outcome of events in the build-up.
IT is simply not enough to say that an occurrence does not appear to be the logical outcome of events in the build-up.
14th May, 2013
Enough of repeats
FIRST half exciting, second half formulaic: purely from a spectator’s point of view this is 2013 election in a nutshell.
FIRST half exciting, second half formulaic: purely from a spectator’s point of view this is 2013 election in a nutshell.
10th May, 2013
It’s never a complete deal
Fears, doubts, hope, ambition come in a package for Pakistan, where days before polls, people still wonder: are we going to have an election?
Fears, doubts, hope, ambition come in a package for Pakistan, where days before polls, people still wonder: are we going to have an election?
10th May, 2013
It takes two to have an election
Nawaz Sharif may have proved to be a political operator, but is now confronting the toughest challenge of his career since 1988 — Imran Khan.
Nawaz Sharif may have proved to be a political operator, but is now confronting the toughest challenge of his career since 1988 — Imran Khan.
7th May, 2013
Campaign themes
FOR those who like the offerings to be spiced up, perhaps the catchiest line spoken during the campaign was when Imran Khan described his party’s challenge to the Muslim League-Nawaz as a fight between ‘Noon’ and Junoon.
FOR those who like the offerings to be spiced up, perhaps the catchiest line spoken during the campaign was when Imran Khan described his party’s challenge to the Muslim League-Nawaz as a fight between ‘Noon’ and Junoon.
30th April, 2013
Young Pakistan is dying
HE is one Chaudhry these days obscured by the Chaudhrys busy fighting for family honour and election glory. And he is angry at his work having been eclipsed by the media obsession with election and electoral campaigns.
HE is one Chaudhry these days obscured by the Chaudhrys busy fighting for family honour and election glory. And he is angry at his work having been eclipsed by the media obsession with election and electoral campaigns.
29th April, 2013
Heirs to all too apparent kings
It is a difficult act to balance – carving out a niche in a running dynasty without disowning the benefits of royal lineage.
It is a difficult act to balance – carving out a niche in a running dynasty without disowning the benefits of royal lineage.
23rd April, 2013
Messiahs in waiting
WHY do people fight? Now if this were not difficult enough to answer, these days the question is, why do people want to fight an election?
WHY do people fight? Now if this were not difficult enough to answer, these days the question is, why do people want to fight an election?
16th April, 2013
Silence and neutrality
SILENCE is the most profound expression of neutrality. Some of the caretakers appear to disagree, though.
SILENCE is the most profound expression of neutrality. Some of the caretakers appear to disagree, though.
14th April, 2013
My name is Khan and I am the replacement
Imran has kept his youthful front and shown greater openness in embracing ideals that could bring him the support of the ‘conservatives’.
Imran has kept his youthful front and shown greater openness in embracing ideals that could bring him the support of the ‘conservatives’.
9th April, 2013
Returning politicians
AS part of the series of inherently self-revealing riddles in the run-up to elections, it wouldn’t be too difficult to guess really what makes Mian Shahbaz Sharif so unhappy.
AS part of the series of inherently self-revealing riddles in the run-up to elections, it wouldn’t be too difficult to guess really what makes Mian Shahbaz Sharif so unhappy.
2nd April, 2013
Party over individual
EVERY general election since has acted as a reminder of the uncomplicated and happy days under Gen Ziaul Haq.
EVERY general election since has acted as a reminder of the uncomplicated and happy days under Gen Ziaul Haq.
26th March, 2013
Rally, faith, & ideology
SINCE October 30, 2011, the organic sprouting has been replaced by synthetic organisation.
SINCE October 30, 2011, the organic sprouting has been replaced by synthetic organisation.
26th March, 2013
The signs the people read
Election symbols tell a story of sorts and are a source of banter and argument which is sustained by the people’s own reading of the symbols.
Election symbols tell a story of sorts and are a source of banter and argument which is sustained by the people’s own reading of the symbols.
19th March, 2013
All leagues in one league
SOME important bits of Sindh have been connecting with Lahore in recent days, contributing not at all insignificantly to the growing gathering inside the powerful PML-N camp, which is drawing droves of new and old devotees from various parts of the country
SOME important bits of Sindh have been connecting with Lahore in recent days, contributing not at all insignificantly to the growing gathering inside the powerful PML-N camp, which is drawing droves of new and old devotees from various parts of the country
12th March, 2013
Jalibs for everyone
IT has been exactly 20 years — 20 long years — since Habib Jalib passed away on March 12, 1993. The anger shows no signs of ebbing.
IT has been exactly 20 years — 20 long years — since Habib Jalib passed away on March 12, 1993. The anger shows no signs of ebbing.
5th March, 2013
Black and white world of colours
ANTICIPATING an election always enriches the horizon with a fascinating mosaic.
ANTICIPATING an election always enriches the horizon with a fascinating mosaic.
26th February, 2013
People who must do more
FOUR men stood having an animated discussion in front of graffiti on sidelines of the literary festival last weekend.
FOUR men stood having an animated discussion in front of graffiti on sidelines of the literary festival last weekend.
19th February, 2013
The festival that is Lahore
THE culture of historical Lahore has had problems coming to terms with the new and the modern.
THE culture of historical Lahore has had problems coming to terms with the new and the modern.
12th February, 2013
Bus bhai bus and chief saab
SHAHBAZ Sharif’s dream metro bus finally kicked off on Sunday, the red of the long line of coaches complementing the Valentine mood.
SHAHBAZ Sharif’s dream metro bus finally kicked off on Sunday, the red of the long line of coaches complementing the Valentine mood.
