Author Archives: Zubeida Mustafa
2nd November, 2011
Manufacturing happiness
THE grass is always greener on the other side, so it is said. Crises also assume a more horrific image when viewed from a distance,…
THE grass is always greener on the other side, so it is said. Crises also assume a more horrific image when viewed from a distance,…
26th October, 2011
Can happiness be measured?
NOT widely noticed internationally, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution in July declaring “happiness was critical in advancing economic growth and social progress”. The…
NOT widely noticed internationally, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution in July declaring “happiness was critical in advancing economic growth and social progress”. The…
19th October, 2011
Violence: beyond statistics
A NEW book that is making waves in the West these days is The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined. Written by…
A NEW book that is making waves in the West these days is The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined. Written by…
12th October, 2011
The burka debate
IT is a debate that is unending and can go on ad infinitum. The object of this global controversy is the contentious hijab that has…
IT is a debate that is unending and can go on ad infinitum. The object of this global controversy is the contentious hijab that has…
5th October, 2011
A nation of 335 million?
MORE than climate change, more than the depletion of fresh water supply, a fast population growth rate is the key element which will determine the…
MORE than climate change, more than the depletion of fresh water supply, a fast population growth rate is the key element which will determine the…
28th September, 2011
Inequalities in education
LAST Thursday, massive demonstrations in Santiago, Chile, captured the world’s attention. It was not the Latin American version of the Arab Spring. It was something…
LAST Thursday, massive demonstrations in Santiago, Chile, captured the world’s attention. It was not the Latin American version of the Arab Spring. It was something…
21st September, 2011
The economy after 9/11
AS Americans focused on remembering those who died 10 years ago on Sept 11 at the World Trade Centre in New York and debated how…
AS Americans focused on remembering those who died 10 years ago on Sept 11 at the World Trade Centre in New York and debated how…
14th September, 2011
Chinese in Sindh schools
STILL mired in its indecisiveness about an effective language in education policy and its implementation, the Sindh government has decided to move a step further…
STILL mired in its indecisiveness about an effective language in education policy and its implementation, the Sindh government has decided to move a step further…
7th September, 2011
Canada and 9/11 anniversary
SUNDAY will be the 10th anniversary of 9/11 which turned out to be a watershed event in contemporary politics. It also changed the lives of…
SUNDAY will be the 10th anniversary of 9/11 which turned out to be a watershed event in contemporary politics. It also changed the lives of…
31st August, 2011
When books are spared
WHEN England burnt in the fires lit by rioters and looters earlier this month newspapers in Pakistan gave it wide coverage. Such is the level…
WHEN England burnt in the fires lit by rioters and looters earlier this month newspapers in Pakistan gave it wide coverage. Such is the level…
24th August, 2011
Time for healing
AN article, ‘Rapprochement is possible, by Abrar Kazi and Zulfiqar Halepoto of the Sindh Democratic Forum in this space on Aug 21 was an invitation…
AN article, ‘Rapprochement is possible, by Abrar Kazi and Zulfiqar Halepoto of the Sindh Democratic Forum in this space on Aug 21 was an invitation…
17th August, 2011
Victims of disappearance
GOVERNMENTS in Islamabad have traditionally had a dismal human rights record. Even civilian leaderships have followed the brutal traditions set by their military partners, though…
GOVERNMENTS in Islamabad have traditionally had a dismal human rights record. Even civilian leaderships have followed the brutal traditions set by their military partners, though…
10th August, 2011
Where are the peace women?
IS peace in Karachi on the mend? Quite likely. The political reconciliation that is in the air will hopefully lower the level of violence. But…
IS peace in Karachi on the mend? Quite likely. The political reconciliation that is in the air will hopefully lower the level of violence. But…
3rd August, 2011
Consensus at Harvard
OF late, the education sector in Pakistan has come under intense scrutiny abroad. Aid-givers and the so-called partners in the war on terror have belatedly…
OF late, the education sector in Pakistan has come under intense scrutiny abroad. Aid-givers and the so-called partners in the war on terror have belatedly…
27th July, 2011
Media without dignity
THE scandal surrounding the now defunct News of the World which has brought much embarrassment to the high and mighty in London will hopefully prove…
THE scandal surrounding the now defunct News of the World which has brought much embarrassment to the high and mighty in London will hopefully prove…
20th July, 2011
From Caux to Karachi
AFTER five days at the Human Security Forum in Caux (Switzerland), the news from Karachi left me stunned — more than 100 people killed in…
AFTER five days at the Human Security Forum in Caux (Switzerland), the news from Karachi left me stunned — more than 100 people killed in…
13th July, 2011
Child labour in the home
IN June, ILO adopted Convention (189) on Decent Work for Domestic Workers that is something historic since it enters the informal sector setting out standards…
IN June, ILO adopted Convention (189) on Decent Work for Domestic Workers that is something historic since it enters the informal sector setting out standards…
6th July, 2011
Organ racket again
A REPORT in Dawn last week brought to light the unearthing of an illegal organ transplant centre in Lahore and the arrest of a doctor…
A REPORT in Dawn last week brought to light the unearthing of an illegal organ transplant centre in Lahore and the arrest of a doctor…
29th June, 2011
Performance & the image
A CORPS commanders’ conference held recently in Islamabad noted that some quarters are trying to deliberately “run down the armed forces”. What the generals found…
A CORPS commanders’ conference held recently in Islamabad noted that some quarters are trying to deliberately “run down the armed forces”. What the generals found…
22nd June, 2011
Starved for love
AJAT Shah is 13. He sells sherbet he prepares by the roadside in Majeed Colony, Landhi. Shah has a dream. He wants to study —…
AJAT Shah is 13. He sells sherbet he prepares by the roadside in Majeed Colony, Landhi. Shah has a dream. He wants to study —…
