Pak Affairs

2013 Elections have brought to light many firsts in Pakistan. Firstly, there was an independent and impartial Election Commission that conducted the general elections. Secondly, a caretaker setup, to ensure free, fair and transparent elections, was installed through a constitutional process. We are also heading towards a first-ever civilian transition. Since the general elections 1970, seven general elections ‘1985, 1988, …

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 …

The latest book entitled ‘Lee Kuan Yew’, based on the interviews with the legendary Singapore leader, Lee Kuan Yew, is being widely acclaimed the world over. In this book, Lee Kuan Yew expresses his views about the law and order in Pakistan in the chapter ‘On Islamic Extremism’ in the following words: ‘We should learn to live with the Pakistan …

May 11 Elections were held in Pakistan amidst fears, apprehensions and widespread scepticism. With a hope for ‘change’ and a better future people flocked to the polling stations and exercised their democratic right. Although the election fervour attached to campaigning was lacking, especially in Karachi and Khyber Pk, Pakistan witnessed the highest voting turnout in nearly four decades. For the …

Nearly 15 years after he was ousted in a bloodless coup, business tycoon Nawaz Sharif and his center-right party are poised to regain control over Pakistan’s government, according to early returns from the historic May 11 vote — the first transfer of power from one elected government to another in the country’s history. Like the last two times he won …

As long-term national interests and structural factors generally determine foreign policy, such policies often persist regardless of who holds political power. Decision-making on Pakistan’s foreign affairs is an increasingly complex process reflecting a growing number of interest groups and external factors. Elections, therefore, affect foreign policy mostly on the margins, but they can and do influence decisions and set the …

Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Najam Sethi, in a press conference, denied US role in his appointment, adding that he never held one-on-one meeting with the US envoy Richard Olson. Even if he had no one-on-one meeting with US envoy recently, it does not mean that US had no role in his appointment. In the past, there were reports that he …

While casting the Horoscope and Taroscope for the General Elections 2013, one thing that incessantly struck to my mind was that could there have been any more troubled time than what we are going through nowadays. General Elections 2013 will be held at a time when the whole world is passing through a chaotic period with a lot of hullabaloo …

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province of Pakistan blessed with scenic landscapes and unmatched beauty, is a region where the Indian Subcontinent meets the Hindu Kush Mountain range of Afghanistan. Having the most varied terrain and a vigorous cultural spectrum, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the most diverse province of Pakistan. The area is famous across the globe due to its geographical location, hospitable …

The PML-N’s manifesto says that ‘Education must be number one national priority.’ And the PTI and PPP manifestos also accord similar importance to education. There is a clear realisation, coming through the documents, that education is not only necessary for the social and economic well-being of the country, it is crucial for ensuring social mobility, reducing inequality and addressing poverty. …