Nadeem F. Paracha

SMOKERS’ CORNER: THE EVOLUTION OF PARTIES

SMOKERS’ CORNER: THE EVOLUTION OF PARTIES

Across history, political parties have had to learn to balance their incipient ideology with pragmatism in order to ensure mainstream appeal and survival. Published 08 Dec, 2024 06:55am
SMOKERS’ CORNER: READING INTO POLITICS

SMOKERS’ CORNER: READING INTO POLITICS

Across history, politicians and statesmen have often found inspiration and political strategies in books. However, the age of "leader-readers" now seems to be at an end. Published 24 Nov, 2024 07:46am
SMOKERS’ CORNER: IDEALS AND IDEOLOGIES

SMOKERS’ CORNER: IDEALS AND IDEOLOGIES

Since the inception of Pakistan, Islamic modernists such as Allama Muhammad Iqbal and Sir Syed Ahmad Khan have had their ideas selectively reinterpreted by the state. Published 17 Nov, 2024 09:15am
SMOKERS’ CORNER: MISGUIDED OUTRAGE

SMOKERS’ CORNER: MISGUIDED OUTRAGE

In the age of fake news and its proliferation on social media, very serious societal issues can become trivialised by the unwarranted anger of "useful idiots", who end up harming the cause more than helping it. Published 27 Oct, 2024 09:21am
SMOKERS’ CORNER: MANAGING CIVIL UNREST

SMOKERS’ CORNER: MANAGING CIVIL UNREST

While police forces across the globe are now better equipped to manage and contain riots without causing casualties, they claim to have become more vulnerable themselves and are still largely perceived as ‘aggressors’ in such encounters. Published 20 Oct, 2024 08:39am
SMOKERS’ CORNER: SAFEGUARDING SINDH

SMOKERS’ CORNER: SAFEGUARDING SINDH

Incidents of violence and killings in the name of religion in Sindh are the remnants of a state-sponsored project that is no longer in play. Updated 06 Oct, 2024 10:22am
SMOKERS’ CORNER: THE PARADOX OF TOLERANCE

SMOKERS’ CORNER: THE PARADOX OF TOLERANCE

Some are accusing Pakistan’s judiciary of becoming overtly politicised and ‘intolerant’ towards parliament, while others are alleging the ruling coalition is undermining the judiciary’s independence. Published 29 Sep, 2024 08:05am
SMOKERS’ CORNER: A CONFEDERACY OF DUNCES

SMOKERS’ CORNER: A CONFEDERACY OF DUNCES

The stupidity of many politicians, billionaire entrepreneurs and social media activists today stems from a conceptual failure to understand and read certain circumstances. Updated 22 Sep, 2024 09:50am
SMOKERS’ CORNER: THE OUTRAGE INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

SMOKERS’ CORNER: THE OUTRAGE INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

The mid-to-late 20th century archetype of the "angry young man" that dominated popular media has now been replaced by a culture where everyone is in constant outrage. Updated 01 Sep, 2024 01:10pm
SMOKERS’ CORNER: NARRATIVES OF DECLINE

SMOKERS’ CORNER: NARRATIVES OF DECLINE

Ever since his ouster, Imran Khan has desperately tried to foster a narrative built on fear-mongering, with respect to the future of Pakistan. Updated 25 Aug, 2024 10:00am
SMOKERS’ CORNER: FEAR AND LOATHING IN BRITAIN

SMOKERS’ CORNER: FEAR AND LOATHING IN BRITAIN

Although far-right groups in the UK have initiated hostile attacks against Muslims for decades, could the recent "race riots" prove to be a tipping point for both the rioters and Muslims in Britain? Updated 18 Aug, 2024 09:55am
SMOKERS’ CORNER: THE MIRROR ARGUMENT

SMOKERS’ CORNER: THE MIRROR ARGUMENT

Throughout history, demagogues and political opportunists have used mirror arguments to project their own desires or plans on to their opponents. Updated 11 Aug, 2024 12:03pm
SMOKERS’ CORNER: COURTING CONSITUTIONAL CHAOS

SMOKERS’ CORNER: COURTING CONSITUTIONAL CHAOS

While Pakistan’s Constitution was formulated with the intention of shaping a collective identity by mediating between varied ethnic groups, it now faces existential challenges as some judges seek revolutionary roles. Updated 04 Aug, 2024 01:07pm