As the election dust settles and political landscape becomes clearer, allegations and counter allegations of rigging are cropping up. Some parties are demanding recount of votes in certain constituencies while some want fresh polls to be held in Karachi and some other parts of the country. Media spotlight on instances of rigging has further intensified the debate whether elections were …

At a time when the nation is inching towards the polls scheduled on May 11, a fresh wave of violence in Karachi, KPK and Balochistan has marred the political landscape of the moment. While these lines are being written, nearly 20 people have lost their lives and scores of others injured in attacks on election rallies in Khyber PK and …

Historically speaking, Pak-India bilateral relations have predictably been unpredictable. The more both countries seem to make headway the more pitfalls they have to contend with in trying to negotiate this fragile and volatile relationship. Just at a time when all was set for the third round of composite dialogue between Islamabad and New Delhi, the incidents at the Line of …

An analysis of Pakistan’s internal and external problems is in order here. At the risk of sounding repetitive, it may be said that Pakistan is literally passing through the most critical phase of its existence. Pakistan continues to lurch from one crisis to the other. Each day, the Sun dawns with graver news for the people of Pakistan. It appears …

‘Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Iraq could form an economic bloc and become a role-model not only for the Muslim World but also for the global community.’ The Islamabad Declaration emphasised the resolve of the 8-D member-countries to promote peace, tolerance and democratic stability. The Declaration identified the role of private sector concerning the economic growth and increasing the intra-D8 trade …

What actually drove both countries apart were their respective approaches to Afghanistan imbroglio, especially in the background of Washington’s declared intent to complete its drawdown by December 2014. Having legitimate interests there and being a next door neighbour that stands to benefit or lose depending upon how situation transpires in the war-torn country, the American efforts to give greater role …

The term ‘Islamophobia’ refers to demonstration of hatred or fear of and the prejudice against the Muslims on the basis of their religion. British Runnymade Trust defined the term as ‘the dread or hatred of Islam, and therefore to the fear and dislike of all Muslims.’ The western response to the 9/11 attacks on Twin Towers led by the United …

During his inaugural address, Supreme Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made it clear that his country was pursuing nuclear technology for peaceful purpose. He alleged the United Nations Security Council of exerting ‘overt dictatorship’ on Iran at the behest of the US, UK, and France. Another high point of Summit was President Zardari’s meeting with Ahmadinejad in which both leaders …

Pakistan sits on one of the largest coal deposits in the world, which range between 175,000 tons and 185,000 tons. They have the potential of 100,000 megawatt power generation, which can take care of the country’s power needs for 300 years. Ms. Benazir Bhutto laid the foundation of development of Thar coalfields in 1993. It is unfortunate that no substantial …

The Tokyo moot, which came on the heels of Istanbul and Bonn II initiatives in 2011 and extraordinary Chicago summit in 2012, was meant to determine the post-withdrawal reconstruction needs of Afghanistan, review the financial assistance requirements and make arrangements for the provision of international funding in at attempt to make the war-torn country stand on its feet.   The …