Dear Readers, In a nation with a long history of military coups where some previous Chiefs of the Army have not been content with ending their careers as a decorated General, the announcement by Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani that he will stand retired at the end of his term on November 29 comes as a…
These days, the entire nation is confronted with a serious quandary about engaging the Taliban in reconciliatory negotiations. Military history is full of examples highlighting the complexity of negotiations between the militant outfits and the governments. It has always been analogous to one step forward and two backwards. While making mockery of the so-called beefed…
Dear Readers, Nawaz Sharif’s decision to choose a Baloch, Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch, president of the National party (NP), from outside of his own party to be the Chief Minister of Balochistan has revived hopes for a return of good governance and progress to the province which has been persistently wronged. This is a positive…
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…
William Dalrymple’s latest work Return of a King is a fascinating account of First Anglo-Afghan War of 1939-42. Dalrymple is a well known historian of India and his previous works City of Djinns, White Mughals and The Last Mughal are based on his extensive research spanning several years while living in India. One crucial factor…
