Author Archives: Muhammad Amir Rana
19th May, 2013
Master strategy
A SORT of unprecedented political pragmatism has followed the 2013 election. As in other areas, improvement in the country’s security situation is also being projected by many who are optimistic about the incoming government’s ability to fight the menace of terrorism.
A SORT of unprecedented political pragmatism has followed the 2013 election. As in other areas, improvement in the country’s security situation is also being projected by many who are optimistic about the incoming government’s ability to fight the menace of terrorism.
5th May, 2013
Strategic burden
DOES Pakistan still have a prominent position in the eyes of the Afghan Taliban? If not, then who does? Another related question is:
DOES Pakistan still have a prominent position in the eyes of the Afghan Taliban? If not, then who does? Another related question is:
21st April, 2013
In the throes of discourse
INCONSISTENT and at times contradictory statements in the Urdu- and English-language manifestos of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazal (JUI-F) for the upcoming general elections eliminate the impression given by some political analysts that the party is taking a more pronounced anti-establishment stance and is struggling to go beyond religion-oriented politics.
INCONSISTENT and at times contradictory statements in the Urdu- and English-language manifestos of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazal (JUI-F) for the upcoming general elections eliminate the impression given by some political analysts that the party is taking a more pronounced anti-establishment stance and is struggling to go beyond religion-oriented politics.
7th April, 2013
In search of hope
IS the ideological scrutiny of our future lawmakers largely a reflection on the existing religiosity in Pakistani society or an indication of the inefficacy and lack of capacity permeating most state institutions?
IS the ideological scrutiny of our future lawmakers largely a reflection on the existing religiosity in Pakistani society or an indication of the inefficacy and lack of capacity permeating most state institutions?
24th March, 2013
Who stands where
THIS time last year, drone attacks, suspended Nato supplies, trade with India and, above all, relations with the US were issues that were causing political temperatures in the country to rise.
THIS time last year, drone attacks, suspended Nato supplies, trade with India and, above all, relations with the US were issues that were causing political temperatures in the country to rise.
10th March, 2013
Violent elections
WILL the upcoming elections be violent? Can a substantial surge in incidents of violence and terrorism cause a delay? These and similar questions are in many minds these days.
WILL the upcoming elections be violent? Can a substantial surge in incidents of violence and terrorism cause a delay? These and similar questions are in many minds these days.
24th February, 2013
The Punjab factor
THE persistent structural flaws in information processing and coordination among intelligence and law-enforcement agencies were once again exposed during the Supreme Court suo motu hearing of the
THE persistent structural flaws in information processing and coordination among intelligence and law-enforcement agencies were once again exposed during the Supreme Court suo motu hearing of the
10th February, 2013
Roots of mistrust
CAN militants reignite the insurgency in India-held Kashmir? This apprehension is a major hurdle in the trust-building process between India and Pakistan.
CAN militants reignite the insurgency in India-held Kashmir? This apprehension is a major hurdle in the trust-building process between India and Pakistan.
27th January, 2013
Critical responses
IN dealing with the menace of terrorism, clarity is finally emerging at the institutional level.
IN dealing with the menace of terrorism, clarity is finally emerging at the institutional level.
13th January, 2013
Epitome of hate
THE terrorist sectarian outfit Lashkar-i-Jhangvi (LJ), which has been active in Pakistan since the mid-1990s, has become a strategic asset for many including Al Qaeda, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the so-called non-violent religious sectarian parties.
THE terrorist sectarian outfit Lashkar-i-Jhangvi (LJ), which has been active in Pakistan since the mid-1990s, has become a strategic asset for many including Al Qaeda, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the so-called non-violent religious sectarian parties.
30th December, 2012
Militants’ demands
THE Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP) ceasefire offer to the state and the political leadership may surprise many, but one thing is obvious that the terrorist group is speaking from a position of strength.
THE Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP) ceasefire offer to the state and the political leadership may surprise many, but one thing is obvious that the terrorist group is speaking from a position of strength.
16th December, 2012
The fiscal side
Muhammad Amir Rana assesses the economic aspect of the crisis. Pakistan’s economic system is widely believed to contain inherent discriminations. The resultant economic pressures, growing…
Muhammad Amir Rana assesses the economic aspect of the crisis. Pakistan’s economic system is widely believed to contain inherent discriminations. The resultant economic pressures, growing…
16th December, 2012
Minimal role for police
THE police are responsible not just for maintaining law and order but also for keeping intact the faith of the common man in state systems.
THE police are responsible not just for maintaining law and order but also for keeping intact the faith of the common man in state systems.
2nd December, 2012
Under the garb of charity
THE growth of faith-based charity organisations in Pakistan can be linked to increasing religiosity in society. These organisations are mainly part of the larger religious political discourse in the country and, in one way
THE growth of faith-based charity organisations in Pakistan can be linked to increasing religiosity in society. These organisations are mainly part of the larger religious political discourse in the country and, in one way
18th November, 2012
Sectarian infiltration
SECTARIAN discrimination is increasingly penetrating individuals’ attitudes and behaviours in Pakistan. That has been the outcome of sectarian tensions that have been nurtured at the level where they can be described as one of the structural problems that lead to the cessation of state functions.
SECTARIAN discrimination is increasingly penetrating individuals’ attitudes and behaviours in Pakistan. That has been the outcome of sectarian tensions that have been nurtured at the level where they can be described as one of the structural problems that lead to the cessation of state functions.
4th November, 2012
Caught in the middle
The PTI is generally typecast as a Pakistani middle class archetypal party, with the backing of the youth bulge, aiming to bring about change in the country while engaging in the traditional craft of power play.
The PTI is generally typecast as a Pakistani middle class archetypal party, with the backing of the youth bulge, aiming to bring about change in the country while engaging in the traditional craft of power play.
2nd November, 2012
In the name of God
As many as 239 religious organisations operated in Pakistan in 2002; presently reduced to 232, writes Muhammad Amir Rana.
As many as 239 religious organisations operated in Pakistan in 2002; presently reduced to 232, writes Muhammad Amir Rana.
21st October, 2012
Signs of frustration
SIGNS of panic are evident in Pakistani Taliban ranks following the attack on Malala Yousufzai. They are clearly trying to recover from their biggest defeat on the propaganda front after the attack on the 14-year-old
SIGNS of panic are evident in Pakistani Taliban ranks following the attack on Malala Yousufzai. They are clearly trying to recover from their biggest defeat on the propaganda front after the attack on the 14-year-old
7th October, 2012
Wider perspective needed
AFGHAN President Hamid Karzai lashed out at the foreign media recently for painting a gloomy picture of Afghanistan after the pullout of Western troops.
AFGHAN President Hamid Karzai lashed out at the foreign media recently for painting a gloomy picture of Afghanistan after the pullout of Western troops.
23rd September, 2012
A militant’s stereotype
A MILITANT, if we were to stereotype one in Pakistan, would appear to have three characteristics. He would be considered emotionally charged with a narrow worldview, be seen as religiously conservative and appear
A MILITANT, if we were to stereotype one in Pakistan, would appear to have three characteristics. He would be considered emotionally charged with a narrow worldview, be seen as religiously conservative and appear
