Paksir

2012-01-31T11:49:00.000-08:00

The ‘Humsafar’ fever!The Revival of the Pakistani Drama: Why Humsafar Is Taking Everyone by Storm Log in to social networking websites on a Saturday evening and you can’t help but notice Twitter, Facebook and Youtube flooded with comments about ‘Humsafar’. The drama serial on HUM TV has more than 135,000 Facebook fans and it is topping the charts everywhere. Fawad Khan and his character of

2012-01-31T06:43:00.000-08:00

The State of Islam - Red, green and white The State of Islam is a seminal study on the cultural war that took place in Pakistan following the country’s independence. In this book Toor attempts to change the narrowly defined popular perceptions regarding nationalism, Islam and the concept of the state. In modern-day academics, the concept of the ideological state has been widely discussed and

2012-01-29T11:39:00.000-08:00

Pakistan humiliate England to take seriesLeft-arm spinner Abdul Rehman takes career best 6-25 to help Pakistan humble England by 72 runs. By AFP Published: January 28, 2012 Cricketer Saeed Ajmal (R) celebrates with teammates after he dismissed English batsman Matt Prior (unseen) during the fourth day of the second Test match between Pakistan and England at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on

2012-01-28T00:45:00.000-08:00

‘90% of girls in rural Balochistan remain unschooled’ Around 90% of girls in rural Balochistan are deprived of schooling. The insurgency is the key reason, while a lack of necessary funds, absence of a well-defined education policy, lack of girls’ schools, acute shortage of teaching staff, and poverty are other factors which contribute to the backwardness. Except for provincial capital Quetta

2012-01-21T14:27:00.000-08:00

The Mufti of Kazakhstan Urges Women to Wear Kazakh National Dress NOT the Hijab Filed under: Islam,moral issues,religious,Russian — 01varvara @ 00.00 Tags: Kazakh, Kazakhstan, modesty, MuslimMufti Absattar Derbisali, the Supreme Mufti of Kazakhstan, appealed to those who wear the hijab to dress appropriately in the Kazakh tradition. At a theological forum in Astana on Wednesday, he said, “

2012-01-21T14:24:00.000-08:00

ONLY in Russia… The Largest Koran in the World is in Kazan! Filed under: Islam,religious,Russian — 01varvara @ 00.00 Tags: Kazan, Koran, Qolşärif Mosque, Tatarstan, Volga Bulgaria _______________________________The Koran al-Karim is largest Koran in the world, it’s kept at the Qolşärif Mosque in Kazan. The book weighs 800 kilos (1,764 pounds); it measures 2 metres x 1.5 metres x 25 centimetres

2012-01-21T14:22:00.000-08:00

All-Russian Muftiate Favours Government Ban on Wahhabism in Russia “What’s that? We’re supposed to hate all ‘infidels’ and ban their churches? We’re true sons of Allah here… my pops got on well with the Russian neighbours, so do I, and so shall my son… you got a problem with that? Wanna rumble?” ******THIS is the face of Russian Islam… do NOT listen to the hate spewed by Fox News and Rush

2012-01-21T13:42:00.000-08:00

Let’s Not Rush to Win in Russia By BORIS AKUNIN On Sept. 24, when it was announced at the congress of the ruling party of Russia that our next president will once again be Vladimir Putin, my wife said to me: “That’s it. We need to leave. I don’t not want to spend the rest of my life in the country of Mister Dobby.” “This is not his country,” I replied. “Let’s wait some more. There will be a

2012-01-21T06:53:00.000-08:00

Pakistan Watches Iranian Nuclear Assassinations Despite stringent security measures, Pakistan remains a ‘soft’ target. A key area to watch: exposing Pakistani nuclear personnel to foreigners under the garb of UN or academic interactions. Pakistan—The clockwork mystery assassinations of Iran’s nuclear scientists pose an important security question for Pakistan, the next-door nuclear-armed

2012-01-21T06:46:00.000-08:00

Did This Pakistani General Teach Politicians A Lesson In Obeying The Law? The army chief shows respect to law. The politicians flout the law and defy the Supreme Court. But that’s not all. Pakistan—General Kayani, the army chief, has given the country’s politicians a lesson in tactics. While politicians often opt for knee-jerk responses to serious matters or follow their staffers’

2012-01-21T06:44:00.001-08:00

US-Pakistan Relation: A Troubled Geostrategic Marriage US-Pakistan relations date back to the establishment of Pakistan and have gone through ups and downs. The first significant bond between the two was in the context of the 1955 Baghdad Pact, which allied the Muslim nations bordering the USSR and was supposed to serve as a buffer against Soviet expansion into Asia. During the India-Pakistan

2012-01-21T06:42:00.000-08:00

Hateful Indians At It, Again Pakistan faces a political crisis, the result of a failed democracy and fake democrats. But who is more excited about this? It is the Indians, who surface like autumn frogs at every story concerning Pakistan. They offer themselves as top experts on anything Pakistani. And their arrogant refrain is becoming laughable to everyone: ‘Since we’re a democracy, we can

2012-01-21T06:37:00.000-08:00

U.S. Costs Soar For New War Supply Routes WASHINGTON — The U.S. is paying six times as much to send war supplies to troops in Afghanistan through alternate routes after Pakistan’s punitive decision in November to close border crossings to NATO convoys, the Associated Press has learned. Islamabad shut down two key Pakistan border crossings after a U.S. airstrike killed two dozen Pakistani

2012-01-19T07:12:00.000-08:00

Musharraf May Delay Return to PakistanAides to Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf say he may delay a planned return from self-imposed exile because of a warning from the government that he could be arrested. Earlier this month Musharraf announced he would return between January 27 and January 30 to take part in future general elections. He leads his own faction of the All

2012-01-19T07:05:00.000-08:00

CCan Pakistan step back from the brink? The murder of Salman Taseer was both the start and the symbol of Pakistan's unravelling in 2011 One year ago, Pakistan was shaken when leading politician Salman Taseer was murdered by his own bodyguard. His violent death and the lack of government response were merely the beginning of a turbulent year for the country. Writer Ahmed Rashid considers whether

2012-01-19T06:35:00.001-08:00

Pakistan political crisis: Key playersPakistan is in the midst of a political crisis with the government, military and judiciary at loggerheads. At the heart of the dispute is a controversial anonymous memo asking for US help to suppress a coup and ongoing allegations of political corruption. The BBC profiles the key players in Pakistan's government, opposition and military. President Asif Ali

2012-01-19T06:34:00.000-08:00

As drama grips nation Pakistan PM Gilani in court That Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani would walk out of the country's increasingly aggressive Supreme Court without wearing handcuffs had been predicted by all seasoned observers. But emotions in Pakistan run on a short leash, and doomsday scenarios sell like hot cakes. So when the prime minister arrived for an unusual hearing at

2012-01-15T01:11:00.000-08:00

Child prodigy: Lights dim on a beautiful mind Arfa Karim passes away: Whiz kid loses battle for her life Last farewell for child prodigy Arfa Karim Funeral prayers of the World’s Youngest Microsoft Certified Professional Arfa Karim Randhawa, who passed away on Saturday after protracted illness, were held on Sunday in Lahore The prayers, held in Cavalry Ground, were attended by Punjab Chief

2012-01-15T01:00:00.000-08:00

PM holds out olive branch to military In a sudden reversal in the tide of events, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani lauded on Saturday the army’s role in preserving country’s security and impressed on national institutions to work in harmony, days after he accused Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani of acting ‘unconstitutionally’. “National unity is the need of the hour. Each organ and state

2012-01-15T00:51:00.000-08:00

Islamabad: where facts meet fiction Oh our love for the conspiracies. We truly present the image of a mentally sick, addicted child. Every simple event turns into a conspiracy, everybody is an evil enemy. I just hope somebody can cure this sick child one day. Or we leave it to God to intervene… Saturday may have been quiet in comparison to the crisis-ridden week that just passed but it had its

2012-01-14T06:48:00.000-08:00

Desi treat. Nargis Fakhri first Pakistani appeared in the America’s Next Top Model Nargis Fakhri is the American model from New York. She will appear in the upcoming Bollywood movie Rockstar, next to Ranbir Kapoor.Personal LifeFakhri was born in New York, her father is Pakistani, her mother is from Czechoslovakia. Nargis Fakhri was a semifinalist during Cycle 3 of ANTM. Born and raised in

2012-01-11T23:59:00.000-08:00

Pir Pagara passes away: The political oracle goes silent Veteran politician and spiritual leader of the Hur Jamaat, Pir Pagara died in London on Tuesday. The 83-year-old suffered from a lung problem, but initial reports suggest he passed away due to a heart attack. His body will be flown to Karachi today (Wednesday) evening before being taken to his home town Pir Jo Goth in Khairpur Mirs.

2012-01-11T23:35:00.000-08:00

Judiciary always supports army rule Judiciary should not consider itself as an all-knowledgeable entity. Former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association Asma Jahangir condemned the judiciary on Wednesday, saying it has always approved military rules in the past. She said if judges wanted a hand in politics, they should contest elections. Talking to reporters at the Lahore High Court, she

2012-01-11T23:19:00.000-08:00

Army statement given with my consent: Gilani Shooting down any talk of a clash between civil and military forces, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that the army’s strong-worded statement, in response to his earlier criticism, was released after his consent.The premier said that he spoke to Chief of Army staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani over the phone prior to the ISPR’s release of the

2012-01-11T11:31:00.000-08:00

ISPR warns of severe consequences concerning Prime Minister’s statement In a deepening civil-military divide, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has taken notice of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s interview to a Chinese newspaper in which he said that the army chief and DG ISI gave statements to the Supreme Court without the government’s approval. Allegations leveled by Gilani against

2012-01-10T02:44:00.000-08:00

Memogate case: Kayani, Pasha replies were illegal, implies PM Having initially backtracked from cutting comments made against the military in a scathing speech in parliament, the prime minister has fired another salvo – this time questioning the acts of the military brass.Speaking to Peoples Daily Online, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani is reported to have stated that army chief General Ashfaq

2012-01-10T02:26:00.000-08:00

Pakistan’s next batch of intrigues The generals play politics America has suffered Pakistan's duplicity out of a feeling of helplessness Since the decade-old war in Afghanistan forced America and Pakistan back together, they have maintained a mutually understood deception. America considers Pakistan a threat to world peace, sponsor of terrorism, obliging host to the Taliban and so enemy of

2012-01-10T02:18:00.000-08:00

Are Pakistani Generals fighting for survival? The memo scandal has entirely confused Pakistani people when they do not understand who is fighting with whom? Is Pakistan army fighting for its survival? Is Judiciary undermining constitution? Is civil government not bringing facts on ground to safe democratic system and institutions? Why Nawaz Sharif hurried to approach Supreme Court of Pakistan?

2012-01-09T01:57:00.000-08:00

‘Brotherly’ countries turn down Pakistan’s request All rhetoric of brotherhood notwithstanding, two ‘friendly’ Arab countries have refused to supply oil to Pakistan on long-term credit. Plagued by circular debt, and faced with high international oil prices, Pakistan had requested Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to extend their credit term for oil payments. During his two-day visit in August last year,

2012-01-09T01:41:00.000-08:00

Pakistan tops Google search for ‘Muhammad (pbuh)’, 'Quran' Pakistan is ranked number one in the world to search for the word ‘Muhammad (pbuh)’ and ‘Quran’. A recent report by ProPakistani shows words which were searched the most by Pakistan during the year 2011. The list of those words is as follows: 1. Muhammad (pbuh) Pakistan tops the list among all countries in the world to search for the

2012-01-09T00:39:00.000-08:00

Karachi rally: Musharraf to defy threats, return home this month As political fervor whips up across the country, the former dictator has decided to jump in, head first. Clad in a crisp white shalwar kameez, former president and chairman All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) Pervez Musharraf announced he would return to Pakistan between January 27 and 30, despite ‘baseless’ court cases, and risks to

2012-01-06T23:11:00.000-08:00

Nato troops get ‘nappy rash’Face the pain of blocked diapers Technologically well equipped and facility-wise pampered, the US-led Nato forces, which are already eating dust in Afghanistan at the hands of Taliban, are finding it impossible to fight as they don’t have “diapers to wear”. A diplomatic source said that the Nato supply line cut by Pakistan has hurt the US-led Nato forces in many

2012-01-05T07:10:00.000-08:00

A pro-veil ad by the Islamic Republic Police. The text down to the right reads, “According to the psychologists, people who use improper outfits or disgusting make-up are suffering from character disorders” ............................................. Iran shrugs at looming EU ban on its oil Iran on Thursday played down the impact of new Western sanctions targeting its vital oil sector, after

2012-01-05T07:00:00.000-08:00

Energy ResourcesU.S. concerned by Iran-Pakistan pipeline Washington has serious concerns about decisions by Islamabad to move closer to a decision on a natural gas pipeline from Iran, a U.S. official said. Pakistan is facing an energy crisis due to a 33 percent decline in natural gas supplies compared with last year. The government last month said it would ration natural gas to cope with the

2012-01-02T01:46:00.000-08:00

Iran tests missile as Obama approves tighter sanctions Iran said Sunday it tested a new medium-range missile during war games near a vital Gulf oil transit channel, hours after US President Barack Obama signed a law tightening sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear programme. A military spokesman also announced that Iranian ships and submarines will on Monday carry out manoeuvres designed to

2012-01-01T22:55:00.000-08:00

A true leader in the making? The Karachi rally was undoubtedly a success. Pakistan’s ‘third option’ — ahead of the rally — had confidently stated, “The PTI and the Karachi jalsa will make people forget the Egyptian revolution.” Well, I sure hope that despite the rallies huge turnout this doesn’t happen. The youth of Egypt, geared with every ounce of revolutionary zeal and having successfully

2011-12-29T22:21:00.000-08:00

Pakistani politics, a messy affair Why is Pakistani politics so insipid? With no charismatic leaders to look up to after the country’s founder, parties floundering in their unkept charters and distinctions between left and right shrinking, it is no wonder that a majority of Pakistanis give the ballot box a miss. Coupled with the irregularities in the electoral system that have finally been

2011-12-29T22:15:00.000-08:00

Nuclear Iran is not in Pakistan’s interest Since the International Atomic Energy Agency issued its latest findings on Iran’s nuclear program and activities, policy-makers in the West and the United States in particular are weighing their options on how to respond to Iran’s continued defiance of its Non-Proliferation Treaty obligations. The Islamic Republic’s nuclear program has possible

2011-12-28T22:08:00.000-08:00

Pakistan maintains top slot in Google search for 'sex' Narrowing the analytics for the search term to just 2011, Pakistan maintains the number one position, followed by India and Vietnam. With over 20 million internet users and growing fast, Pakistan has managed to secure the number one slot for searching the term ‘sex’ globally for all years. According to a 2010 Fox News report, Pakistan

2011-12-26T04:21:00.000-08:00

Pakistan turning away from bald eagle and towards red dragon Pakistan is turning away from the US and looking east for its future partnerships, with the president now firming up the country’s friendship with China. Asif Ali Zardari hailed the strengthening ties between the two countries on Saturday as he met with Chinese State Councillor Dai Bingguo. The senior official was visiting Pakistan

2011-12-26T03:29:00.000-08:00

Imran vows to make Pakistan an Islamic welfare stateImran’s tsunami sweeps Karachi He didn’t wave any magic wand nor did he present any specific solutions to the myriad of problems facing the country, yet everything Imran Khan said and every promise he made at a massive rally here on Sunday was cheered on and applauded. The reason was simple: his supporters believed he was their only hope. The

2011-12-23T06:44:00.000-08:00

Pakistani Army Denies Coup Plans Pakistan’s army chief has denied accusations that the military is working to oust the country’s civilian government amid tension over a secret memo sent to Washington earlier this year about an alleged coup, the military said Friday.The memo scandal has heightened long-standing tensions between the army and the government at a time when the country is struggling

2011-12-23T06:39:00.000-08:00

Prime minister's conspiracy'comments jolt Pakistan A sense of foreboding gripped the country on Thursday as a showdown between the civilian arm of the government and the army-led security establishment looked imminent, with the Supreme Court also making it abundantly clear that instead of backing off from the so-called `memogate` scandal, it would like to take it to its logical conclusion.

2011-12-22T07:27:00.001-08:00

Dead general brings history debate alive for MPAsKARACHI: General Zia-ul Haq may have died 23 years ago but his spectre still looms large on Pakistani politics. On Wednesday, Education Minister Pir Mazharul Haq was asked in the Sindh Assembly whether it were true that O’ Level students are being taught from a book in which the dictator has been given a more favourable profile than Zulfikar Ali

2011-12-22T06:53:00.000-08:00

Who fills the global power vacuum?The question of who will fill the global power vacuum has never before been felt as acutely as it is today – or in as many different arenas of politics and economics simultaneously. Today, after a week’s geopolitical drama driven by the Palestinian bid for statehood at the UN, it is evident that the global power vacuum is not limited to economics and the

2011-12-22T06:39:00.000-08:00

Peril and paranoia in the new Middle East The year of the Arab Awakening is drawing to a close with an ominous air of peril and paranoia hanging over the Middle East. A movement of genuine promise for more legitimate and accountable government for the peoples of the Arab world is in danger of being overwhelmed by the forces of tyranny, corruption, fundamentalism and conflict. From Syria to Egypt

2011-12-22T06:18:00.000-08:00

Exclusive: Pakistan army wants Zardari out but not a coup Pakistan's powerful army is fed up with unpopular President Asif Ali Zardari and wants him out of office, but through legal means and without a repeat of the coups that are a hallmark of the country's 64 years of independence, military sources said. Tensions are rising between Pakistan's civilian leaders and its generals over a memo that

2011-12-21T03:54:00.000-08:00

1971 War: Origins of the Conflict The Setting: The partition of the Indian Subcontinent in 1947 created two independent countries: India and Pakistan. India, which became independent on 15 August 1947, stood for a secular, equitable polity based on the universally accepted idea that all men are created equal and should be treated as such. Pakistan, which officially came into existence a day

2011-12-21T03:27:00.000-08:00

Pakistan holding trump card on NATO supply halt Though initially the United States was not showing any anxiety on Pakistan’s action to halt all supplies to US-led forces in Afghanistan through Pakistani soil, at least the statements emanated from Washington reflected so, but, after three weeks, the reports reaching from Afghanistan suggested that Pakistani action has inflicted a telling blow on

2011-12-18T21:25:00.000-08:00

Facing the music: President Zardari returns under the cover of night The president’s arrival prompted almost as much confusion as his departure.Protocol was in place for a landing in Islamabad and Karachi, but ultimately President Asif Zardari arrived back in Karachi, where top Pakistan Peoples Party officials had gathered at Bilawal House. Despite initial reports of an afternoon arrival,

2011-12-18T07:57:00.000-08:00

Mehreen Syed joins list of power women as L’Oréal Spokesperson Claiming a right for a multi-faceted beauty over a standardised or perfect beauty, L’Oréal Paris, the world’s leading beauty brand, and its international ambassadors have always been influential personalities from the world of arts, fashion and beauty: Penelope Cruz, Aishwarya Rai, Eva Longoria, Beyonce Knowles, Jane Fonda and

2011-12-18T07:46:00.000-08:00

Real revolutions There is disappointment among many young Egyptians who took part in the movement that toppled the autocratic government of Hosni Mubarak. The cause of this disappointment is the impressive electoral showing of both the moderate as well as hardcore Islamist parties in the recently concluded parliamentary election (the first of its kind in that country).The same transpired in

2011-12-18T07:22:00.001-08:00

The Bangladesh model The debacle of Dhaka is regarded as a national tragedy in the history of Pakistan whereas the people of Bangladesh celebrate December 16 as their day of Independence. 40 years have passed, but our feudal vanity has restrained us from learning any lesson from the catastrophe of Dhaka or to mend our policies or priorities in any sector. I have no desire of highlighting the

2011-12-18T07:00:00.000-08:00

Pakistan PM rules out military intervention Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani denied a military intervention was imminent against his government over a secret memo that sought US help to prevent a supposed coup. Tensions between the army and government appear to have soared in recent days as intelligence chiefs demanded an inquiry into the scandal that threatens to implicate President

2011-12-18T06:14:00.000-08:00

The PIA syndrome In 1962, PIA, Pakistan’s flag carrier, created a world record flying from London to Karachi nonstop in the shortest amount of time which was 6 hours 43 minutes and 51 seconds. The record remains unbeaten to this day. Enter 2011, and the Hajj season: one of the busiest times of the year, with an immense amount of passengers, calling for good services, crucially on time flights

2011-12-17T13:56:00.000-08:00

Aisamul Haq ties the knot Aisamul Haq Qureshi married Faha Akmal in Lahore on Saturday. Aisamul Haq Qureshi poses along with his wife after their wedding ceremony on Saturday evening. PHOTO: APP LAHORE: Pakistan tennis star Aisamul Haq Qureshi tied the knot with Faha Akmal on Saturday evening at an elaborate ceremony in Lahore, Express News reported. Qureshi, decked out in a trendy

2011-12-17T13:51:00.000-08:00

Social media users widely criticized and circulated a picture of a female Egyptian protester who was stripped from her black abaya by some army men. (Photo courtesy of twitter users) Is Egypt becoming another Pakistan? The past experience of three major players on the Egyptian political scene ― the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), the US Embassy and Islamists ― suggests

2011-12-17T00:19:00.000-08:00

Pakistan PM seeks to dispel rumors of army rift Pakistan's prime minister dismissed speculation of a rift between the government and the military over a secret memo sent to Washington seeking its help in averting a supposed military coup, saying the country was committed to democracy. Political tensions have soared in recent days as the Supreme Court begins a hearing into the circumstance

2011-12-17T00:13:00.000-08:00

Pakistan’s memo scandal pits military against Zardari government Pakistan’s powerful army was on a collision course Friday with the beleaguered civilian government after it presented conflicting evidence to a Supreme Court inquiry into a scandal dubbed “Memogate.” The army is said to be furious about an unsigned memo that surfaced last month, supposedly soliciting Washington’s help to rein in

2011-12-15T22:08:00.000-08:00

Remembering 1971 War in East Pakistan was an intra-state conflict that has once again become familiar in Pakistan: unequal development. We continue to hurt Bangladesh by writing false textbooks on how we lost it. The dismemberment of Pakistan in 1971 and the creation of Bangladesh are mourned here as routine every December 16, during which most of the blame for what happened, is

2011-12-15T21:53:00.000-08:00

Pakistan hacks drone technology Pakistan has been able to hack drone technology to the extent that it can now command transgressing drone to land in Pakistan, reliable sources told Pakistan Observer. This achievement by Pakistan is utmost significant amid desperate scenario that emerged as a result of attacks inside Pakistan by the United States CIA operated drones despite persistent calls from

2011-12-15T21:35:00.000-08:00

Nato's fraught roads to Afghanistan The Obama administration is clearly scared as 2014 is approaching ” Pakistan's decision to shut down Nato supply routes going through its territory means that for the coalition the only remaining overland route to Afghanistan is through Central Asia. The US military is now preparing to shift more traffic along the roads, rail and air routes that run between

2011-12-15T08:20:00.000-08:00

Fiction? The American dream is failing to deliver for millions of families and workers living below the poverty line Half Americans 'poor or low-income' A record number of Americans - nearly one-in-two - have fallen into poverty or are scraping by on earnings that classify them as low-income, according to new figures. The latest census data reveals a middle class that is shrinking as

2011-12-15T08:00:00.000-08:00

US exit from Iraq: 'this is not a withdrawal, this is an act on a stage'Iraqi people greet pullout ceremony with ambivalence mixed with concern over an uncertain future U.S. War in Iraq Declared Officially Over The United States military officially declared an end to its mission in Iraq on Thursday even as violence continues to plague the country and the Muslim world remains distrustful of

2011-12-14T08:47:00.000-08:00

French ex-minister questioned in 'Karachigate' inquiry Former culture minister Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres (pictured) was questioned on Tuesday over alleged kickbacks from the 1994 sale of submarines to Pakistan, suspected of having been used to fund a campaign for an ally of President Nicolas Sarkozy. By Tony Todd (text) A former French minister was detained for questioning on Tuesday as part

2011-12-13T04:14:00.000-08:00

Pakistan’s Oversized Islamist Partieshttp://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2011/12/12/pakistans-oversized-islamist-parties/?mod=google_news_blogPakistan’s radical Islamic parties may not do well at the ballot box but they exert outsized influence through their stranglehold on religious education and control over networks of violent militias that project their power onto the street. The sway of

2011-12-11T10:52:00.000-08:00

Russia’s flawed election and the humbling of a starIn Soviet days, citizens could generally tell a political crisis was afoot when, in place of the news, radio and television stations played nothing but loops of Swan Lake. Today’s equivalent to Tchaikovsky’s ballet score is the message “application unreachable”. When it flashes up on a web browser in Russia, whatever one was trying to find is

2011-12-11T04:25:00.000-08:00

U.S. flag lowered at Pakistani airbase US personnel vacate Shamsi airbase US meets deadline to vacate Pakistan air baseUS army personnel vacated the Shamsi airbase located in the Washak district of Balochistan on Sunday, according to DawnNews.The last U.S. cargo planes were loaded and took off Sunday from the Shamsi Air Base after the Pakistan government ordered the United States to vacate the

2011-12-09T05:39:00.001-08:00

Pakistan's Latest Political Trial Pakistan's security establishment has a history of using politically motivated trials to get rid of inconvenient civilian governments. Most famously, Gen. Zia-ul-Haq's 1977 coup was finalised when a military court sentenced Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto to death following what international officials dismissed as a mock trial fought in a Kangaroo court.

2011-12-09T00:52:00.000-08:00

Virender Sehwag smashes 219 to steal one-day record from Sachin Tendulkar as India thrash West Indies The only moment Virender Sehwag wobbled during his record breaking innings of 219 was when an official tried to present him with a bunch of roses moment after he brought up his double hundred.Swashbuckling Indian batsmanVirender Sehwag said the opportunity to score an ODI double hundred comes

2011-12-09T00:06:00.000-08:00

Shia-Sunni reconciliation Even if there is disagreement over history, we can move beyond such provocative displays of disfavour for each other. Muharram is a time for reflection on many accounts. It is the start of the Islamic new year and also a time of remembrance and renewal. Unlike most other faith traditions, the start of the new year for Muslims is sombre and even melancholic in

2011-12-08T23:56:00.000-08:00

Sectarian massacre: Afghan president points finger at Pakistan Afghan President Hamid Karzai pointed his finger towards the banned militant outfit Lashkar-e-Jhangvi on Wednesday for an unprecedented attack on Shias in Kabul that killed 55 people, demanding justice from the government in Islamabad in a move that is likely to ratchet up tensions between the two countries. Officials accuse

2011-12-07T09:29:00.001-08:00

Global Game and Chess Board of PakistanPakistan is the World’s Sixth Most-Populous and Second Muslim-Majority Country and also has the Second-Largest Shi'a Population in the World. About 97% of the Pakistanis are Muslim. Pakistan has the Seventh Largest Standing Armed Force and is the only Muslim-Majority Nation to possess Nuclear Weapons. It is designated as a Major Non-NATO ally of the United

2011-12-07T07:40:00.000-08:00

Pakistan officials dispel 'coup' rumours as Asif Ali Zardari recovers from heart attackAsif Ali Zardari, the President of Pakistan, was being treated in Dubai for a suspected heart attack on Wednesday, as officials tried to head off fears of deepening political instability and dispel rumours of a "soft coup".Asif Ali Zardari is threatening to sue the Jang Group, one of Pakistan's largest media

2011-12-06T09:54:00.000-08:00

After the Arab SpringJohn R. Bradley, the author of the new book After the Arab Spring: How Islamists Hijacked the Middle East Revolts. He has been reporting from the Middle East for more than a decade. Fluent in Arabic and a frequent contributor to The Daily Mail, The Jewish Chronicle and The Spectator, his previous books include Saudi Arabia ExposedInside Egypt: The Land of the Pharaohs on the

2011-12-06T08:30:00.000-08:00

US tilt towards Pak, China led India to 1st N-test US tilt towards Pakistan and its overtures to China in the early 70s apparently led India to go ahead with the decision to conduct its first nuclear test in Pokharan in 1974, which caught the entire western intelligence by surprise. A secret State Department intelligence note, dated... Declassified American documents of the era reveal that

2011-12-06T08:23:00.000-08:00

India ‘proud of’ Pakistan’s Thunder