Author Archives: Mahvish Ahmad
10th May, 2013
PML-N heartland in KP under pressure
Baba Haider Zaman does not want a province based on language or ethnicity. In his eyes, that defeats the very essence of what it means to be a Hazarawal.
Baba Haider Zaman does not want a province based on language or ethnicity. In his eyes, that defeats the very essence of what it means to be a Hazarawal.
9th May, 2013
Same old new Pakistan
While Imran is a new player on Pakistan’s political scene, many members of PTI are tried and tested.
While Imran is a new player on Pakistan’s political scene, many members of PTI are tried and tested.
17th April, 2013
Disenfranchised: the refugee voter
Pakistan’s approximately 750,000 internal refugees might find themselves disenfranchised voters.
Pakistan’s approximately 750,000 internal refugees might find themselves disenfranchised voters.
16th April, 2013
Minorities: “We want elections, not selections”
ASK Romana Bashir, and she will tell you that she wants political representation.
ASK Romana Bashir, and she will tell you that she wants political representation.
1st April, 2013
The lawyer, the Haveli and the tiger of Punjab
A-55 - and its neighbouring NA-56, for that matter - is turning out to be one of the key battlefronts in the upcoming election.
A-55 - and its neighbouring NA-56, for that matter - is turning out to be one of the key battlefronts in the upcoming election.
1st April, 2013
The lawyer, the Haveli and the tiger of Punjab
Sheikh Rashid Ahmad’s Laal Haveli stands fort-like across the street from Rawalpindi’s Moti Bazaar, guarded by sandbags and private security guards strapped with guns.
Sheikh Rashid Ahmad’s Laal Haveli stands fort-like across the street from Rawalpindi’s Moti Bazaar, guarded by sandbags and private security guards strapped with guns.
25th March, 2013
As Mengal lands, pressure builds to boycott elections
“THESE elections are nothing but a tool deployed by the central government in Islamabad to suppress the voices and demands of the Baloch people,” says Dr Allah Nazar, a commander in the separatist Baloch
“THESE elections are nothing but a tool deployed by the central government in Islamabad to suppress the voices and demands of the Baloch people,” says Dr Allah Nazar, a commander in the separatist Baloch
10th February, 2013
TTP-government negotiations Is everyone just looking to breathe?
Last weekend, the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) offered to start talks with the government, if Pakistan released seven of their leaders, and three politicians promised to act as guarantors.
Last weekend, the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) offered to start talks with the government, if Pakistan released seven of their leaders, and three politicians promised to act as guarantors.
8th February, 2013
I-11/4 katchi abadi: Residents get a breather
ISLAMABAD, Feb 7: On Thursday morning, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) threatened to evict almost 8,000 residents of a katchi abadi in front of the international department store, Metro, despite a stay order issued by a civil court.
ISLAMABAD, Feb 7: On Thursday morning, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) threatened to evict almost 8,000 residents of a katchi abadi in front of the international department store, Metro, despite a stay order issued by a civil court.
8th February, 2013
Islamabad katchi abadi residents get a breather
ISLAMABAD, Feb 7: On Thursday morning, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) threatened to evict almost 8,000 residents of a katchi abadi in front of the international department store, Metro, despite a stay order issued by a civil court.
ISLAMABAD, Feb 7: On Thursday morning, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) threatened to evict almost 8,000 residents of a katchi abadi in front of the international department store, Metro, despite a stay order issued by a civil court.
19th January, 2013
A visit to Dr Qadri’s sit-in venue reveals a different reality
As the street cleaners descended on Jinnah Avenue to clear up the final remnants of the three-and-a-half-day ‘revolution’, another enigma remains: How does a man who has lived in Canada for seven years get thousands
As the street cleaners descended on Jinnah Avenue to clear up the final remnants of the three-and-a-half-day ‘revolution’, another enigma remains: How does a man who has lived in Canada for seven years get thousands
1st January, 2013
BALOCHISTAN: Band-aid solutions?
AFTER nearly five years of silence on Balochistan, 2012 proved to be the year that Pakistan’s largest province finally got its turn. The first big…
AFTER nearly five years of silence on Balochistan, 2012 proved to be the year that Pakistan’s largest province finally got its turn. The first big…
7th December, 2012
Flood victims still waiting for help
Many hit by the floods have yet to receive basic relief goods — in the form of food packs, tents, blankets and so on.
Many hit by the floods have yet to receive basic relief goods — in the form of food packs, tents, blankets and so on.
6th December, 2012
Authorities ignore structural causes of floods
Flood affectees and experts say irrigation structures block the natural drainage paths between the mountains and the Indus River.
Flood affectees and experts say irrigation structures block the natural drainage paths between the mountains and the Indus River.
8th October, 2012
Rumours circulate on last day of PTI march
TANK, Oct 7: Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf’s (PTI) peace march came to an abrupt end after the party leadership stopped short of leading the caravan into South Waziristan, allegedly after the Pakistan Army cited “serious security threats” were Imran Khan to force his way in.
TANK, Oct 7: Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf’s (PTI) peace march came to an abrupt end after the party leadership stopped short of leading the caravan into South Waziristan, allegedly after the Pakistan Army cited “serious security threats” were Imran Khan to force his way in.
7th October, 2012
Imran march goes ahead despite hurdles
THE march was declared a political sham before it even got started. Newspapers and commentators called it an unnecessary security risk, concocted by a political leader interested in using the drone issue to garner political votes. And everyone — including Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf’s (PTI) own leaders and
THE march was declared a political sham before it even got started. Newspapers and commentators called it an unnecessary security risk, concocted by a political leader interested in using the drone issue to garner political votes. And everyone — including Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf’s (PTI) own leaders and
1st October, 2012
Scathing reviews as Mengal wraps up visit
"I have no expectations from the institutions that have spilt the blood of our young," Akhtar Mengal said.
"I have no expectations from the institutions that have spilt the blood of our young," Akhtar Mengal said.
5th June, 2012
Balochistan: middle-class rebellion
As active sympathisers of a rebellion calling for outright independence, they embody a new kind of Baloch freedom fighter – or sarmachar.
As active sympathisers of a rebellion calling for outright independence, they embody a new kind of Baloch freedom fighter – or sarmachar.
6th May, 2012
Families of missing Baloch to CJ: ‘We want results’
ISLAMABAD, May 5: While Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhury is hearing cases of abducted Baloch in Quetta, the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) staged a protest here on Saturday, sending a clear message to the Supreme Court.
ISLAMABAD, May 5: While Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhury is hearing cases of abducted Baloch in Quetta, the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) staged a protest here on Saturday, sending a clear message to the Supreme Court.
1st May, 2012
Balochistan: A history of betrayals and disillusionment
ISLAMABAD, April 30: Zakir Majid Baloch was picked up from Mastung three years ago. He was on his way to a university where he was enrolled as an MA English student. Zakir had always wanted to go to Balochistan University in Quetta but it was impossible for him to get admission there. According
ISLAMABAD, April 30: Zakir Majid Baloch was picked up from Mastung three years ago. He was on his way to a university where he was enrolled as an MA English student. Zakir had always wanted to go to Balochistan University in Quetta but it was impossible for him to get admission there. According
