November 2011

The virtues of honour, dignity, self-respect and self-esteem are neither linked to wealth and affluence, nor are they associated with poverty and misery. Sometimes, they are displayed by the poorest man, while on other occasions, they vanish from the home of the richest and most prosperous person. But one of the cruelest lessons of history is that it never likes …

The Supreme Court in his historic verdict has declared and observed certain issues and in view of the observations has directed the execution to take certain steps to ensure peace in Karachi. The city of Karachi is the capital of the province of Sindh and undoubtedly the hub of great economical and financial activities. Karachi handles most of the overseas …

A deterrent which one is afraid to implement when challenged ceases to be a deterrent. Henry Kissinger India and Pakistan have remained in a state of rivalry for almost 63 years; more than the historic rivalry that existed between the US and USSR. Furthermore the transformation in their respective war doctrines have also remained locked in the historic traditions of …

The fall of the colonel marks only the beginning of a hoped-for political, economic and moral renaissance. Justice will need to be done, and be seen to be done; but reconciliation must also be pursued FORTY-TWO years after he took power in a coup as a handsome 27-year-old captain, Africa’s longest-serving dictator was finally brought to bay on October 20th …

The Political turmoil wrought by the Arab Spring is a precursor to positive change in the Middle East. The crowds in Cairo gather these days not to denounce autocracy but to raid the Israeli embassy or rail against the American University. In Egypt, in Libya and elsewhere, the open political arena is empowering Islamists with thoroughly reactionary views. The mood …

Protests are proliferating across the world. Their aim is not obvious. Nor is how much they matter. The aims may be incoherent, but the common threads are clear. The protests that have mushroomed in over 900 cities in 80-plus countries over the past few days have voiced few practical demands, and in some cases they actually avoid making any. Participants …

Pakistan remains an important player in the region and has vital cards to foil any attempt at what has been termed as strategic encirclement. The two-day visit of Afghan President Hamid Karazi to India, which started on October 4, 2011, ended up with an establishment of Indo-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership duly signed by the visiting Afghan President and the Indian Prime …

Why India is democratic and Pakistan is not. What after all is wrong with Pakistan? On their emergence as two independent states on the map of the world as a result of a democratic political process, both India and Pakistan inherited a parliamentary tradition and began their independent statehood with a democratic path clearly charted out for them. To start …

Dr. Muhammad Azhar MBBS, MRCP (UK), Dip.Card (London), F.A.C.C. Professor of Cardiology and Chief Cardiologist At Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) Lahore, Pakistan. Introduction cum profile: Prof. Muhammad Azhar head of the Institution and Chief Cardiologist at Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) is an internationally acclaimed cardiologist and academician. He has more than 30 years experience of practicing cardiology and …

South Asia was globally important during the Cold War era and remains relevant to world’s peace and security even in today’s changed environment. The recent India-Pakistan peace process has offered no results as the two sides did not go beyond reiterating their respective positions on Kashmir and agreeing to continue discussions for a ‘peaceful negotiated’ settlement of this issue. After …