Author Archives: Nadeem F. Paracha
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21st May, 2013
Cafe Black: History of factional politics in Pakistan
When asked by Hamida what that case was, he said, it was a bad case of the flu. ‘But mind you,’ he said. ‘Flu (Abdul Group).’ He was the only patient.
When asked by Hamida what that case was, he said, it was a bad case of the flu. ‘But mind you,’ he said. ‘Flu (Abdul Group).’ He was the only patient.
19th May, 2013
Smokers’ Corner: Lurching for meaning
I’m sure, by the time this column appears on these pages, a lot has already been said, written and investigated about the rather stunning results produced by the May 11 election.
I’m sure, by the time this column appears on these pages, a lot has already been said, written and investigated about the rather stunning results produced by the May 11 election.
12th May, 2013
Smokers’ Corner: How green was my valley?
Many years ago, when Swat was still green and free from bushy warlords, I knew a middle-aged man there who was also a tracking guide.
Many years ago, when Swat was still green and free from bushy warlords, I knew a middle-aged man there who was also a tracking guide.
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11th May, 2013
Make your day
Today two forces will be going out to decide Pakistan’s fate: One with the votes and the other with the bombs, writes NFP.
Today two forces will be going out to decide Pakistan’s fate: One with the votes and the other with the bombs, writes NFP.
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9th May, 2013
Pakistan-China relations: A history
Only China came to our rescue by sending an army of 77,000 chefs to Pakistan who prepared giant bowls of chicken corn soup, writes NFP.
Only China came to our rescue by sending an army of 77,000 chefs to Pakistan who prepared giant bowls of chicken corn soup, writes NFP.
6th May, 2013
The song remains the same
The political campaign song has become a mainstay of the Pakistan election scene, but the phenomenon is not exactly new, writes Nadeem F. Paracha.
The political campaign song has become a mainstay of the Pakistan election scene, but the phenomenon is not exactly new, writes Nadeem F. Paracha.
5th May, 2013
Smokers’ Corner: Pakistan: a very modern history
Pakistan occupies an area which was home to some of the earliest Neanderthal settlements, some of whose decedents can still be found hiding in caves in the mountains of North West Pakistan.
Pakistan occupies an area which was home to some of the earliest Neanderthal settlements, some of whose decedents can still be found hiding in caves in the mountains of North West Pakistan.
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2nd May, 2013
Political parties in Pakistan: Roots, fruit & juice
NFP gives us an in-depth look into the history of Pakistan’s political parties and their rise and falls.
NFP gives us an in-depth look into the history of Pakistan’s political parties and their rise and falls.
28th April, 2013
Smokers’ Corner: Pulp fantasies
A recent editorial in Dawn appropriately wondered about this year’s speech by COAS General Parvez Kayani at the annual passing out parade at the Pakistan Military Academy.
A recent editorial in Dawn appropriately wondered about this year’s speech by COAS General Parvez Kayani at the annual passing out parade at the Pakistan Military Academy.
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25th April, 2013
Cafe Black: Evil popcorn
NFP investigates a possibility of finding the cultural roots of what grew into religious and ideological extremism and myopia in Pakistan.
NFP investigates a possibility of finding the cultural roots of what grew into religious and ideological extremism and myopia in Pakistan.
21st April, 2013
Smokers’ Corner: A Tuesday in hell
Tuesday, the 16th of April was an extraordinary day in Pakistan. The sun rose to bring into view a brutal attack on the convoy of PML-N leader, Sannullah Zehri in Khuzdar, Balochistan.
Tuesday, the 16th of April was an extraordinary day in Pakistan. The sun rose to bring into view a brutal attack on the convoy of PML-N leader, Sannullah Zehri in Khuzdar, Balochistan.
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18th April, 2013
Middle Indo-Pak: A Survey
NFP conducts the survey of surveys: 87 per cent of middle-class Pakistanis say they trust the media; 82 per cent of these also trust Jerry Springer.
NFP conducts the survey of surveys: 87 per cent of middle-class Pakistanis say they trust the media; 82 per cent of these also trust Jerry Springer.
14th April, 2013
Smokers’ Corner: Past tense
Recently, a shocking display of self-righteous tactics employed by the Returning Officers (ROs) while whetting the moral standing of candidates for the May 11 election triggered a series of heated debates in the media.
Recently, a shocking display of self-righteous tactics employed by the Returning Officers (ROs) while whetting the moral standing of candidates for the May 11 election triggered a series of heated debates in the media.
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11th April, 2013
The curious history of US-Pakistan relations
Just why Pakistanis kept testing their friendship with the US by starting hopeless wars with India is anybody’s guess: NFP.
Just why Pakistanis kept testing their friendship with the US by starting hopeless wars with India is anybody’s guess: NFP.
7th April, 2013
Smokers’ Corner: The Baloch electoral enigma
One can be left rather perplexed trying to figure out the number of Baloch nationalist parties out there and their many factions and sub-factions.
One can be left rather perplexed trying to figure out the number of Baloch nationalist parties out there and their many factions and sub-factions.
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4th April, 2013
Generation landslide
A recent survey indicated that middle class Pakistanis are becoming increasingly conservative - the finding should not come as a surprise, NFP writes.
A recent survey indicated that middle class Pakistanis are becoming increasingly conservative - the finding should not come as a surprise, NFP writes.
31st March, 2013
Smokers’ Corner: Lahore, Barcelona
As a college student and a fancy ‘Marxist revolutionary’, back in the mid-1980s, one of the historical events that interested me the most was the Spanish Civil War (1936-39).
As a college student and a fancy ‘Marxist revolutionary’, back in the mid-1980s, one of the historical events that interested me the most was the Spanish Civil War (1936-39).
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28th March, 2013
Times of the Signs
NFP writes about Vital Signs’ journey on trying to play and sell the kind of pop that was a risky anomaly in the Pakistan of the ‘80s.
NFP writes about Vital Signs’ journey on trying to play and sell the kind of pop that was a risky anomaly in the Pakistan of the ‘80s.
24th March, 2013
Smokers’ Corner: The hate vote
Recently a number of non-religious political parties have come into focus for having electoral links with certain banned sectarian outfits.
Recently a number of non-religious political parties have come into focus for having electoral links with certain banned sectarian outfits.
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21st March, 2013
Crazy diamonds – VI
In the sixth part of this series, NFP continues to talk about highly talented Pakistanis who experienced the flip side of genius.
In the sixth part of this series, NFP continues to talk about highly talented Pakistanis who experienced the flip side of genius.
