Author Archives: Zahid Hussain
11th May, 2013
Battle at the ballot
PAKISTAN goes to landmark polls today that mark a huge stride forward for the democratic process in the country. A blood-stained run-up to the elections does not seem to have dampened the voters’ fervour.
PAKISTAN goes to landmark polls today that mark a huge stride forward for the democratic process in the country. A blood-stained run-up to the elections does not seem to have dampened the voters’ fervour.
7th May, 2013
Twilight of the PPP?
THE battle lines have been drawn as polling day closes in. The outcome of these elections, now less than a week away, is perhaps the most difficult to predict since the 1970s.
THE battle lines have been drawn as polling day closes in. The outcome of these elections, now less than a week away, is perhaps the most difficult to predict since the 1970s.
25th April, 2013
The battle for Balochistan
There has been a turnaround in Baloch politics after Mengal returned home to lead his faction of the BNP-M for the elections.
There has been a turnaround in Baloch politics after Mengal returned home to lead his faction of the BNP-M for the elections.
23rd April, 2013
A deafening silence
A TRAUMATISED young boy fiercely slapping his face repeatedly and crying incessantly in the midst of burnt corpses — the scene from the latest bombing in Peshawar was haunting.
A TRAUMATISED young boy fiercely slapping his face repeatedly and crying incessantly in the midst of burnt corpses — the scene from the latest bombing in Peshawar was haunting.
9th April, 2013
Imran Khan’s dream
IMRAN Khan says he had a dream that his party had swept the upcoming elections. He believes that like in the past this time too his dream will come true.
IMRAN Khan says he had a dream that his party had swept the upcoming elections. He believes that like in the past this time too his dream will come true.
26th March, 2013
The Zardari legacy
FOR the past four decades the PPP has thrived on the enduring Bhutto legacy. But it is the Zardari legacy on which the party is likely to be judged in the upcoming elections.
FOR the past four decades the PPP has thrived on the enduring Bhutto legacy. But it is the Zardari legacy on which the party is likely to be judged in the upcoming elections.
12th March, 2013
‘Security’ via appeasement
PAKISTAN is at war with itself on many fronts. It is not only a battle for its soul but also for its very existence. But the battle is already half lost when there is confusion in the ranks about who is the enemy and fear paralyses the will to fight.
PAKISTAN is at war with itself on many fronts. It is not only a battle for its soul but also for its very existence. But the battle is already half lost when there is confusion in the ranks about who is the enemy and fear paralyses the will to fight.
26th February, 2013
Dangerous liaison
PITY the nation where the blood of innocents comes cheap and murderers live under state patronage.
PITY the nation where the blood of innocents comes cheap and murderers live under state patronage.
12th February, 2013
No point in talking
TERRORISM is an extreme form of criminality and one doesn’t talk to criminals. But some political leaders are shamelessly calling on the state to surrender to the very criminals who have killed thousands of Pakistanis in suicide bombings, beheaded soldiers and bombed schools.
TERRORISM is an extreme form of criminality and one doesn’t talk to criminals. But some political leaders are shamelessly calling on the state to surrender to the very criminals who have killed thousands of Pakistanis in suicide bombings, beheaded soldiers and bombed schools.
29th January, 2013
Weak democratic process
IT is a season of defections and of new alliances as the political parties gear up for the coming elections. Horse-trading is the name of the game and political loyalties change overnight.
IT is a season of defections and of new alliances as the political parties gear up for the coming elections. Horse-trading is the name of the game and political loyalties change overnight.
18th January, 2013
Qadri succeeded in bringing out the nation’s anger
DR Qadri’s self-proclaimed ‘people’s revolution’ may not have happened, but the events of the past few days have significantly changed the political dynamics in the country. The march on Islamabad has led to closing
DR Qadri’s self-proclaimed ‘people’s revolution’ may not have happened, but the events of the past few days have significantly changed the political dynamics in the country. The march on Islamabad has led to closing
15th January, 2013
The Quetta tragedy
SECTARIAN militants have caused Quetta to be drenched in blood many times in the past. But the ghastly carnage of the Hazara Shias last week was shocking even by Pakistan’s bloody standards. A crumbling state has
SECTARIAN militants have caused Quetta to be drenched in blood many times in the past. But the ghastly carnage of the Hazara Shias last week was shocking even by Pakistan’s bloody standards. A crumbling state has
1st January, 2013
MILITANCY: A radicalised worldview
VIOLENT extremism and escalating militancy remained the biggest challenge for Pakistan in 2012. There has been a marked surge in terrorist attacks and sectarian killings…
VIOLENT extremism and escalating militancy remained the biggest challenge for Pakistan in 2012. There has been a marked surge in terrorist attacks and sectarian killings…
1st January, 2013
Will the son also rise?
TALL and handsome, he resembles his illustrious grandfather. His voice evokes the memory of his courageous mother who gave her life fighting for the people’s rights. But for 24-year-old Bilawal Bhutto Zardari the mantle of leadership of the country’s most powerful political
TALL and handsome, he resembles his illustrious grandfather. His voice evokes the memory of his courageous mother who gave her life fighting for the people’s rights. But for 24-year-old Bilawal Bhutto Zardari the mantle of leadership of the country’s most powerful political
18th December, 2012
Why corruption matters
THE figure of Rs12 billion lost daily to corruption may sound staggering, but the assessment does not seem completely off the mark. It is not the figure alone, but the decadence of our society in general and of the ruling
THE figure of Rs12 billion lost daily to corruption may sound staggering, but the assessment does not seem completely off the mark. It is not the figure alone, but the decadence of our society in general and of the ruling
6th December, 2012
Need for broader Lal Masjid probe
It is more important for the commission to ascertain the circumstances that led to the 2007 military operation.
It is more important for the commission to ascertain the circumstances that led to the 2007 military operation.
4th December, 2012
Nacta: a non-starter
IT has taken more than three years for the federal cabinet to finally approve a draft bill providing legal cover to the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta).
IT has taken more than three years for the federal cabinet to finally approve a draft bill providing legal cover to the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta).
20th November, 2012
The Karachi cauldron
KARACHI may have witnessed worse spates of violence in the past, but the present crumbling of state authority is unprecedented.
KARACHI may have witnessed worse spates of violence in the past, but the present crumbling of state authority is unprecedented.
6th November, 2012
An inexplicable delay
MALALA Yousufzai has defeated her assailant who sought to silence her voice which has been a source of inspiration not only for Pakistan’s young generation, but also for people across the world.
MALALA Yousufzai has defeated her assailant who sought to silence her voice which has been a source of inspiration not only for Pakistan’s young generation, but also for people across the world.
23rd October, 2012
Judging the generals
“THE elections are stolen,” a stunned Benazir Bhutto declared after the 1990 general elections. More than two decades later, she has been vindicated by the Supreme Court judgment.
“THE elections are stolen,” a stunned Benazir Bhutto declared after the 1990 general elections. More than two decades later, she has been vindicated by the Supreme Court judgment.
