Where Billions Vanish

The Musharraf years are over. It is now time for parliament to carry out a public inquiry into the irresponsible and crazy policies that have hitherto been the hall-mark of decision-making.

Corruption and Freedom of Press in Pakistan

There have been a number of statements lauding the “freedom” of the press accompanied by a grim reminder of the “dark” days under the democratic governments of the 90s. What does the evidence say?

An Alternative Approach to International Development

Although many nations have promised 0.7% of GNI to relieve suffering and secure the enjoyment of basic human rights, no one is able to hold them accountable.

The Recluse

The man could easily have taken little more trouble to develop his works, sold the patents and earned millions...

Suo Motu Action Against Corrupt Stock Brokers of KSE

Investors lost more than $13 billion in stock market crash of March 2005. 88 stock brokers of KSE were found responsible but no action has been taken.

Fake Killings: People as Trophies

The manner in which the fake killing(s) have snowballed into a major embarassment for the ’invincible looking’ Modi regime is for everyone to see.

Pak Fauj ke NaPak Generals

Indian Corruption Reaches the World

It was in this atmosphere that Natwar Singh apparently found his calling, a move that would make him some money and later destroy his political career though it is widely believed that he has been made a scapegoat

Samosey mein aloo: why not Laloo?

Dishonesty and corruption are a part of democratic politics. Laloo is upfront about both. You know where you stand with him, and you know where to place him.

History Does Repeat Itself in Pakistan

A gory tale of how each government, be it the so called ’democratic’ or a dictator in the guise of democracy, all have one agenda- to stick to power at any and all costs.

Diary of Yar Khan

“I wonder whether we should waste our lives in memorizing the verses of God ... we are wasting our time and depriving our selves from something more pleasant, something more rewarding.'

Running Scared

The cardinal rule of business everywhere is 'survival of the fittest.' while in Pakistan it is 'survival of the fattest -- and the most connected.'

Fraud and Forgery in Science

Fraud and forgery is rare in the science world but it’s there.

The Sugar Coated Shaft

Why hasn’t any real estate transaction been taxed in this budget? Could it be because everyone in Islamabad is heavily involved in the real estate business? Could it that files are being bought and sold by the mighty of this land that they don’

A Call for Justice

More than four weeks have passed since the print media first reported about a gang-rape of a lady doctor, allegedly by military personnel, at Sui. Not a single suspect has been apprehended yet.

Gang-rape in Sui

Outrage is hardly the word, this is just dreadful. So far there are no reports accusing Americans of raping, let alone gang-raping, Iraqi women.

Cost of Questioning

Dr. Isa Daudpota was fired from his job recently after having pointed in his Spider and Chowk articles the affiliation of various Pakistani educational institutions to fake degree awarding institutions in US and UK.

Reforming Pakistan’s Universities -- II

Three years ago the first serious effort to deal with Pakistan’s chronically ill universities was finally initiated. Unfortunately, this effort by the Higher Education Commission has now become mired in an intense, growing controversy.

Reforming Pakistan’s Universties -- I

In this article I will look at the problems in our higher education system and why the HEC reforms are set to make a bad situation worse rather than better.

Fake Degrees for the Big Boys in Pakistan

Fake degrees have been sold in Pakistan for a long time. Now, though, the scope of it has enlarged considerably with many shady outfits offering degrees in return for little or no work.

Stop Sleaze

Transparency International recently released a corruption perception index for 145 countries around the world, placing Pakistan much nearer to the bottom than any self-respecting Pakistani would have fancied.

Dubious Universities

For an unaccredited institution, the 14-year old American World University (AWU) does remarkably well with over 7,000 students globally. No one would guess that the hub of this hugely profitable enterprise is a posh apartment building in the Los Angeles

Rangers and the Fishermen

The men in uniform are also trying to control the fishing in the Sindh coastal areas bringing misery to poor fishermen who are already facing serious problems and have seen their population significantly depleted in recent years

Where are Pakistan’s Refuseniks and Whistleblowers?

In the US, three women have been honoured for exposing corporate crimes as well as critical official lapses. Time magazine named the three women as Persons of the Year 2002.

The Immoral Family

The most obedient youth form the more corrupt societies.

Is Dr. Qadeer Guilty as Accused?

Allegorically speaking, Musharraf has dealt as symbolic a blow to Qadeer’s aura and stature as the American ‘conquerors’ of Iraq did last year to Saddam Hussain’s by dismantling his bronze statue in Baghdad’s Firdousi Square.

The Nuclear Noose Around Pakistan’s Neck

Thirty years ago, fearful of India’s newly acquired nuclear weapons, Pakistan set out on its own quest to become a nuclear weapons state...Few could have imagined then that the move from buyer to seller of the world’s deadliest technology w

Killing the Nation with Impunity

Those who bear the ultimate responsibility for reinforcing a culture of lawlessness where lawbreaking garners more respect than law-abiding should be reviled not admired; cursed not praised.

LUMS -- Lahore University of mis-Management Sciences

If this is the level of planning in a university that is teaching management, god helps those who graduate.

Travels through America - Deep Thoughts

Finally, it was one sight that took my heart and left a lasting impression on me of the beauty and simple innocence of a human being...

The Damned And The Damnable

They left because they were out of the ‘right things to say.’

Love and Hate Online

Net dreams net realities

An Inward Journey to Pakistan - Part 1

An introspective travlelogue of a journey to Pakistan after 16 years of absence.