Author Archives: Rafia Zakaria
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3 days ago
Turning Khyber into Karachi
An alliance with the JI does not seem to be bothering any of PTI’s supporters. In the euphoria of PTI's first provincial victory, everything seems justifiable.
An alliance with the JI does not seem to be bothering any of PTI’s supporters. In the euphoria of PTI's first provincial victory, everything seems justifiable.
15th May, 2013
The virtual vote
IN those heady first days of the Arab Spring, it was the internet that mattered most.
IN those heady first days of the Arab Spring, it was the internet that mattered most.
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10th May, 2013
The great expectations of historic elections
Pakistan, on election eve appears much like Miss Havisham, steeped just as much in denial, and haunted just as much by the memories of betrayals past.
Pakistan, on election eve appears much like Miss Havisham, steeped just as much in denial, and haunted just as much by the memories of betrayals past.
8th May, 2013
The real Pakistan
IT would seem that the sorrows of the subcontinent are neatly divided into two. On one side lie the shroud-covered bodies of terror’s victims.
IT would seem that the sorrows of the subcontinent are neatly divided into two. On one side lie the shroud-covered bodies of terror’s victims.
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3rd May, 2013
Bombing the vote in Karachi
Indeed, it is known by all that not participating in the vote is capitulation to those bent on establishing the Emirate of Karachi and returning to medieval times.
Indeed, it is known by all that not participating in the vote is capitulation to those bent on establishing the Emirate of Karachi and returning to medieval times.
1st May, 2013
The Al-Awlaki affair
THE group of drones that scouted and killed Anwar al-Awlaki took off from southern Saudi Arabia. It was a morning in September 2011 and the sun was shining clear and bright.
THE group of drones that scouted and killed Anwar al-Awlaki took off from southern Saudi Arabia. It was a morning in September 2011 and the sun was shining clear and bright.
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26th April, 2013
Pakistani City: A Story in Walls
The barriers that are present, the ones that are not and the ones that are wished for define collectively the story of a country and of all the people in it.
The barriers that are present, the ones that are not and the ones that are wished for define collectively the story of a country and of all the people in it.
24th April, 2013
Silencing dissent
THE trial of Saudi Mohammad Fahad al-Qahtani had been going on since June 2012 in the criminal court in Riyadh.
THE trial of Saudi Mohammad Fahad al-Qahtani had been going on since June 2012 in the criminal court in Riyadh.
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19th April, 2013
(Only) Male voters matter
No political party contesting elections has considered the competitive advantage of developing a platform to cater to women – the ignored half of the country’s voter.
No political party contesting elections has considered the competitive advantage of developing a platform to cater to women – the ignored half of the country’s voter.
17th April, 2013
Human rights and the future
THE Human Rights Commission of Pakistan’s annual report was released last week. Unsurprisingly, it is a compendium of the country’s failures over the past year.
THE Human Rights Commission of Pakistan’s annual report was released last week. Unsurprisingly, it is a compendium of the country’s failures over the past year.
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12th April, 2013
India, Pakistan and the ghosts of leaders past
How important are leaders in leading countries through arduous and emotionally painful transitions?
How important are leaders in leading countries through arduous and emotionally painful transitions?
10th April, 2013
The co-option solution
ELECTION season is in full gear in Pakistan. Nomination papers are being filed and rejected; claims are being made about the future and the past; inroads are being carved with candidates such as the courageous Badam Zari; and old names are surfacing again.
ELECTION season is in full gear in Pakistan. Nomination papers are being filed and rejected; claims are being made about the future and the past; inroads are being carved with candidates such as the courageous Badam Zari; and old names are surfacing again.
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5th April, 2013
If Jinnah had lived
Pakistan’s loss was the untimely early death of its leader, the man with the plan, without which a country already born had to face questions it did not yet know how to answer.
Pakistan’s loss was the untimely early death of its leader, the man with the plan, without which a country already born had to face questions it did not yet know how to answer.
3rd April, 2013
The Pakistan exception
DRONES have been dotting the skies above Pakistan for several years now. In Fata, they are routine inhabitants of the thankless sky, their characteristic sound an accompaniment to the rhythms of daily life as
DRONES have been dotting the skies above Pakistan for several years now. In Fata, they are routine inhabitants of the thankless sky, their characteristic sound an accompaniment to the rhythms of daily life as
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29th March, 2013
Shoot a teacher: Kill a country
Thus, proceeds the war against learning, where being a female student or a male professor or anyone asking others to think, to pause, to consider, is a target.
Thus, proceeds the war against learning, where being a female student or a male professor or anyone asking others to think, to pause, to consider, is a target.
27th March, 2013
Elections past
IT seemed to be a terrible risk. When Benazir Bhutto decided to return to Pakistan in 2007 amid the drumbeats of another election, the threat of arrest, of infamy, of terrorist attacks all lurked unhappily around.
IT seemed to be a terrible risk. When Benazir Bhutto decided to return to Pakistan in 2007 amid the drumbeats of another election, the threat of arrest, of infamy, of terrorist attacks all lurked unhappily around.
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22nd March, 2013
The city, the slum and the savior
Parveen Rehman was a savior in a city that defies saving. When a city begins to kill its hopeful, only the cowardly live, convinced that hope is fatal.
Parveen Rehman was a savior in a city that defies saving. When a city begins to kill its hopeful, only the cowardly live, convinced that hope is fatal.
20th March, 2013
Gender battles at the UN
ON March 10, more than halfway through the meetings of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, delegates that had come together from countries all around the world had failed to reach an agreement on a joint statement.
ON March 10, more than halfway through the meetings of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, delegates that had come together from countries all around the world had failed to reach an agreement on a joint statement.
13th March, 2013
Elections and betrayals
ON March 9, Kenya’s Election Commission declared Uhuru Kenyatta, the son of the country’s first president and a suspect wanted for war crimes, Kenya’s next president.
ON March 9, Kenya’s Election Commission declared Uhuru Kenyatta, the son of the country’s first president and a suspect wanted for war crimes, Kenya’s next president.
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8th March, 2013
Almost Rwanda?
There are comparisons whose similarity suggest an urgency with which Pakistanis must consider sectarian violence beyond simply the paeans of protests.
There are comparisons whose similarity suggest an urgency with which Pakistanis must consider sectarian violence beyond simply the paeans of protests.
