Most recently, the Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan has introduced a number of reforms relating to political rights, party organization, and propaganda in non-Turkish languages. It has already started hot debate in the country. The government defends it as another giant step (silent revolution) towards further democratization process while opposition labels it loll-pop to please…
In an all encompassing, first speech since the general elections, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif admitted that the country’s institutions have failed on almost all fronts, including the war on terror. He thanked the people for expressing their confidence in him. But he said, “We should face reality that the country faces severe challenges”. This frank…
Pakistan has become hub of problems Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif We are passing through series of conflicts, contradictions and confrontation internally, regionally and internationally. New government, new hopes, new rhetoric and new ways of squeezing revenues/taxes from the people and public servants at large are being implemented at every level. New cronyism, compromises, and…
IntroductionMilitary forces are an important element of national power. Their role in national domains depends upon the history and government structures of the nation. In some states where military dictators rule the country, the armed forces have strict control on the affairs of the state. On the other hand, in most democratic states military forces…
The Muslim civilization was developed historically (spanning from 7th through the 17th centuries) dominating the world close to millennia. It had transformed the world particularly during its golden age (8th to the 12th centuries); had become universal, supremely successful in all human endeavors, education, democratic ideals, sciences and technology of the era. Civilization in the…
Introduction“Abraham was neither a “Jew” nor a “Christian”, but was one who turned away from all that is false, having surrendered himself unto God; and he was not of those who joined gods with Him.”(Qur’an;3:67)“Surely the people who have the best claim to Abraham are those who follow him as does this Prophet and all…
Visits of Dignitaries and CommunicationGhaus-e-Azam never stood up to give obedient reception to the Caliph or his ministers. Whenever he was informed about the arrival of such dignitaries, he would go inside his house and return after they had arrived and were seated, with the result that the Caliph and his ministers had to stand…
Most Pakistanis, while not oblivious to the country’s multiple challenges, still think that the country, resting on weak foundations of democracy, conservative religious orthodoxy, and poor economy, remains fundamentally instable. Optimists think the country has survived numerous crises over the past more than six and half decades and there is little reason to think it…
IntroductionThe politically progressive Muslim majority countries such as Indonesia, Turkey and Malaysia, ambiguous state of affairs in Pakistan and ongoing struggles with popular uprisings in the Middle East/North Africa have highlighted the need for a conceptualization of the socio political shifts and aspirations sweeping the Muslim World. These shifts are not exclusively secular or sacred…
With its waning social gauge, degenerating economy, dividing society on ethnic, sectarian bases and the government’s mislaid priorities, Pakistan is emerging as a disturbed state. Institutions like independent judiciary, strong vibrant civil society and moderate-thinking Pakistanis are delaying its fatal decline. Pakistan as a state is weakening but the Pakistani society is strengthening with every…
