Aafia Siddiqui to Appear in Court

Disappeared in Pakistan, hysterical screams heard in Afghanistan, and now appearing in a New York court

Pakistan and the Death Penalty: Time to Call it Quits

Those who are awarded capital punishment are usually “the poorest of the poor.” Most of them are illiterate and have no resources or support.

Democracy is the Best Revenge?

2007 – 2008 will certainly be remembered as one of the most historically significant and turbulent for Pakistan with unprecedented public protests and mass revenges.

The Lucifer Effect

The only things that can truly slow the decay of our society, is to make sure the rule of law is implemented ‘equally and across the board’ to everyone.

Delayed Justice

Centre’s decision to award a compensation package totaling Rs 330 crores to the victims of the 2002 Gujarat riots can at best be described as a pre-election effort at applying a healing touch.

Fatima Bhutto Fighting for Justice

The man Fatima Bhutto holds responsible for her father’s death is not only out of prison after 11 years without conviction, but is suddenly the most powerful man in the country.

National Reconciliation Order

The concept of Truth and Reconciliation of Nelson Mandela cannot be offered as a parallel of pardoning the outlaws.

May 12: One Year Passed, No Lessons Learned

On May 12, the entire nation would be mourning the death of forty-four innocent civilians on what turned out to be one of the darkest days in the history of Karachi.

People of Gilgit Baltistan Waiting to be Heard

A week after sending this letter to the Supreme Court of Pakistan, emergency was imposed in Pakistan, constitution was suspended and the Chief Justice was deposed.

Talking to Jamil Dehlavi about Infinite Justice and More

Jamil Dehlavi's film “Infinite Justice” recently opened in Britain. The Indo-Pakistani-French film maker was born in Calcutta to an Indian father and French mother.

Vi Veri Universum Vivus Vici

Feigning infant-like naivety, we assume that like a chess board, war remains restricted to an 8x8 playing field and will never reach our doors.

Medals of Freedom for Justice Chaudary

He (Justice Chaudhry) sat on four pivotal Supreme Court benches between 2000-2005 that validated the military takeover by General Musharraf, his referendum, his LFO and the 17th amendment

Where's the news?

The so-called "movement against Musharraf" and the unfolding "democratic revolution" seems like a shrinking reality no bigger than a 26-inch TV screen.

The Ghost of Justice Munir is Still Alive

Islamabad’s nervous and jittery ‘guardians’ have turned the capital city into a fenced-of, ‘no-go’ town.

PM Shoukat Aziz Ponders a Term for Chief Justice

Given the crucial role of Chief Justice and Supreme Court in current Pakistani politics, ruling elite is busy looking at various options to remove this stumbling block.

Cutting Down the Law

With the banishment of Nawaz Sharif once again the General and the incumbent Government has, shown its myopia, arrogance and contempt for the laws of Pakistan.

Days of Rage

“However flawed democracy here is, it is still the only answer,” she (Asma Jahangir) continued.

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.

What about Bombay 1992?

As the perpetrators of Bombay 1993 are brought to justice, it is only fair to ask where are those who planned the Bombay 1992 carnage?

An Empowering Verdict!

Reinstatement of the Chief Justice of Pakistan is indeed a victory for the entire nation.

Musharaff Finds a Way Out

An election year usually carries lots of surprises in it and this one, perhaps the first official one since 70s, is no different.

The General vs. the Judge

The attempt to browbeat a Judge has released a new fissure in Pakistani society. The violence in Karachi makes compromise difficult for both sides. There is an easy solution...

Chief Justice’s Chess

The chess fable illustrates the consequence of exponential growth! It begins slowly and no one notices. But then before you know it you have reached the center of the chess board and things really begin to make an impact.

An Appeal to Honourable Supreme Court Justices

It is time to write a new chapter in the badly chequered history of unfortunate country of ours.

Pakistans Permanent Revolution

The tradition of judicial spinelessness continued in Pakistan facilitating three martial laws and the judicial murder of atleast one prime minister till last week when it was brought to a crashing halt by the actions of one brave justice, Chief Justice of

A Nation Reborn

Just when I thought my people would once again silently ignore this new form of oppression, and resign themselves to a fate written by politicians and generals, they responded! They awoke! They said in one voice, “enough is enough!” I have ne

Is this Pakistan’s Democratic Revolution?

After almost seven years of arbitrariness, Musharraf’s attack on the judiciary has the potential of being the last straw that broke the camel’s back?

Where Are They?

In Pakistan, since the past few years, there have been a number of missing persons who have been picked up by “law enforcement agencies” and these people have had a clear record.

Mirza Tahir Hussain – the ongoing tragedy

Prince Charles’ visit to Pakistan has brought into sharp focus the case of Mirza Tahir Hussain, a 36 year old dual British and Pakistani national who has been on and off death row for the last 18 years.

The Lament of Master Yoda

Double standards might well be the last bastion of universal brotherhood, seeing as they are practiced by all people everywhere to some degree or other.

Hang Guru, if that helps

Right from the day, the death warrants were pronounced Srinagar city is under virtual siege as it has become difficult for the government and forces and keep protesting people off streets.

Let me say..

the hypocrisy of nature’s law
that will now make some millions draw
to selflessly ask for pity and grace
from the one who brought distress!

Bihar : Where Kangaroo Courts Rule

Caste panchayats in the heartland of our country often display a lack of consciousness and humaneness which belies the 21st century we live in.

Blasphemy, Photocopy and Electromagnetic Theory

One of the strategic assumptions made by him was that the “Puraana Daur” is back. “Puraana Daur” signified the old times when students, backed by corrupt local politicians, walked on campus brandishing guns, acting like mafia guys.

Celebrity Courts and Kangaroo Justice

I protest against this abuse of a cause by people like Aamir Khan, for it is gimmicky and counter-productive. News channels are behaving like nautch girls and social butterflies as the nawabs of vigilance. Page 3 justice is the latest fad

Who Tarnished the Image of Pakistan?

The Government placed her name on the Exit Control List thus canceling her scheduled visit to the U.S. with the President announcing shamelessly that it was done so that she wouldn’t blemish the image of the country. Her name was very conveniently r

Mukhtaran Mai vs. the Rest of Pakistan

There are examples in history where armies were dispatched to protect the honour of a single woman. There is however no example of a single woman dispatching herself to fight against an army of institutions that collectively represent an entire countr

Erica

Her morals were of the highest standards and she always stood for values like truth and justice. She resolved issues with wisdom and pretty soon her stance on issues were valued and respected by people everywhere.

A Rapist-Friendly System

The verdict is out. Five of the six men received a non-guilty verdict and for one the death sentence was reduced to life imprisonment.

flying kites, playing flutes

wine and tharra flowing unabashed
right beneath the minaret’s shadow
who deludes whom is for whom to wonder

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.

The “D” Word

I sometimes joked that had we had blackened eyes and bruised bodies as proofs of torture it would have been easy to sell our “D” idea. But unfortunately mental and emotional scars cannot be brought forward as evidence for dissolution of marria

Judicial Murder of a Prime Minister

Bhutto was removed from the political scene of Pakistan to satisfy the power lust and perpetuate the rule of the vily military dictator General Zia Ul Haque

Is Islam Anti-Semitic?

To work towards peace requires an acceptance of criticism from both sides. Unfortunately, the scars on the psyche of the Jews have not healed, and they remain a widely paranoid and sensitive people to any statement comment or action they perceive to be an

The Dream of a Crime-Free Society

He seemed agonized. I asked him what was wrong. He had called his folks in Karachi and learnt about a robbery next door to where they live.

International Law: Applicability and Real Politik in the Middle East

For the first time since 1948, an Israeli prime minister or government elect has publicly stated what the Palestinians have been crying out for years

The Mullah and the Munir Report

Never again did any judicial officer in Pakistan speak his or her mind so clearly and so eloquently.

Trial of Saddam Hussein & The Rule of Law

This event is part of pattern of west’s demonisation of eastern leadership. Double standards on the 1990 invasion of Kuwait and 2003 Invasion of Iraq, both illegal .

The Abu Ghraib Scandal: Who’s Shame is it?

As a Pakistani-American, it is especially difficult to watch this war between “good” and “evil.” On the one hand, our government bombs countries and encroaches on the civil rights of people...

Human Rights, Justice and Affluence

Islam fully compatible with democracy: It doesn’t take much brainpower to realize that a society can never flourish where rules and laws are being implemented selectively.

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.

On the Miltary Farms, Okara

The Government’s inaction in the face of the reported brutalities carried out by the Military authorities and Pakistan Rangers in forcing the tenants of the Military Farms, Okara to execute the new “cash rent” system is criminal.

The Conversion Chiaroscuro

Didi became a Hindu. Long before the RSS and the Pope got into a tiff about conversions. At that time it meant nothing to me.

The Follies of the Natives

A circus called Pakistan

Trembling Camera Flare on a Column Within a Column

women who end up in this exclusive club-like section

On the Assertion of Rights

Why Pakistan’s institutions are ass backwards

Doctors or the Disease

Analysis of the khaki-clad messiahs of Pakistan

Loitering with Intent in Ayodhya

My basic contention is that Indian Muslims never had a claim to the Babri mosque...

As the Bald Eagle Tries to Rule

I knew some guys who hitch-hiked this route.

Excavating India

I say, thank god for Babar, for the dear departed Mughal badshah has revealed how the purring cats are jumping on a hot tin roof.

Feb 15 Rally

A personal perspective on the Feb15 Rally

The Urdu Press in New York

We never thought we would flee America

Towards Greater Tolerance

Anti-Pakistanism and neo-Indian Nationalism

The March of Folly

Documentarians Hope to Enlighten Americans about Prophet

the program provides a more balanced explanation of Muhammad's prophetic message of justice and mercy

Mukhtar Mai

We, the people, are the feudal’s shadow. Without us – the dark side of us – the feudal cannot exist.

Changing The Thana Culture

as time passes land holdings of Feudals continue to decrease through an ongoing evolutionary process

Hypocrisy Big

Is America an Empire? Is the Pope Catholic?

Gandhi, Godse and Geeta

Who was following the message of Geeta in the true sense? Gandhi, Godse or both?

Jihad – The Misperceptions

It would be unfair to mistrust the dedication and valour of the jihadis

A Captain's Dream

I met up with Mohan, an old friend going back to our days as cadets under

Land Reforms: A Landlord's Perspective

It is incorrect to say that the tillers of the soil are at the mercy of the landlord.

Our Landlord System...Good or Bad?

Government of Pakistan helped Landlords producing more crops.

Sobho: the struggle continues

I still believe in the revolution, in a society that provides justice for all

What is Islam?

What's a pig got to do with it?

All The Way To Maine

How some Pakistani and Indian kids found out that the enemy has a face.

Bitter, Not Sweet

We were treated to a shootout between seven Al-Qaeda suspects hiding in a residential apartment about three minutes away from my house.

Action To Support Displaced Community in Gujrat

I grow more certain day by day that we must start in Gujarat, what we did not do in Kashmir

The Hindu Right

Advani’s yathra in an air-conditioned Toyota left a trail of blood in its wake

The Aga Khani

Since the Aga Khani does not fit a stereotype the believer cannot be recognised

An Interview with Noam Chomsky

I don’t feel that I have important messages to convey

Empty Vessels And All That Jazz

do you think he is up to task to rid us of feudals next?

1971: A Forgotten Story

We ‘forgot’ to ask for our men to be returned

A Reason For Change

What is really interesting about Marianne Pearl’s interview with CNN is not what she said

The Clash Of Un-Civilizations And Osama-ism

It is misleading to think and give an impression that these issues will just disappear if Osama is captured or killed today.

Benazir Bhutto in Sacramento

the terrorist’s greatest fear is the spread of information, social equality and democracy

Jihad: Paradoxes and Defining Moments

There will always be a lunatic fringe in the Muslim society

Explaining it to an American Friend

godspeed and prudence in this time of grieving

The Real Jehad

Birth control and Education together should be the focus of our Jehad.

Remembering Mushtaq Gazdar

In the memory of Mushtaq Gazdar

Yet Another South Asian Story

The rapist was convicted for seven years... the victim to solitary confinement for life

A Long Night’s Odyssey

we do not have the luxury of time

Protest in New York!

Stop killing Christians in Pakistan ...

Negotiating Human Rights

arrested in Pakistan for saving the life of a battered woman

Would Devolution Empower “We the People”?

Musharraf’s devolution plan is likely to empower the people of Pakistan. But, how?

1971 in 2000

... this singular event is consigned to the dustbin of history.

Just another cry in the dark

In our 53 years of turbulent history the country has seen nothing but thieves and self righteous leaders

A Rumor Of Lies

Pakistan, as a nation, seems to have entered a political terra incognita from which it is unlikely to return

Famous Last Words or a Messiah in Khakis?

Can the army deliver?

Talibanization or the Turkish Model?

My son is a U.S Citizen, and he is going to Afghanistan to join the Taliban.

Let us Not be Foolish

Mistakes, misunderstandings and downright hate have led us too long in India-Pakistan relations...

Hegemony of the Ruling Elite in Pakistan

We have a chequered past in our experiments with democracy

Scandalising the Pakistani Courts

Ardeshir Cowasjee has been hauled into court again on contempt charges ...

Compilation of Opinions on the Military Takeover in Pakistan

Peoples opinions and reactions

Text of Speech by Gen. Pervez Musharraf

The choice before us on Oct 12th was between saving the body - that is the nation, at the cost of a limb - which is the Constitution, or saving the limb and losing the whole body

Of Boylove and Boylovers

We (even in the oh-so-liberal West) live in a more conformist society that we are led to believe

Imran Khan: Pakistan’s Next PM?

In terms of being a hypocrite - who in Pakistan isn’t?

I Protest!

The Peshawar branch of the Aurat Foundation held a protest march on April 13, 1999.

The Decline and Fall of Pakistan

Pakistan on the crossroads of a dilemma

Another Hope Killed

My 15 year-old brother, Farrukh Ali, was kidnapped near our house

Balkan Tragedy: A Re-enactment of the 1971 Genocide in Bangladesh

The escalating human tragedy in Kosovo gives me a sense of deja vu

Waiting Upon the Prime Miniterial Burp

In Lahore we are expecting to hear a burp

Growing up an American Muslim

You’re related to Saddam aren’t ya?

Dust and Color

From the world of glass and gray to a world of dust and color.

Agenda for Pakistani Press

The press has no credibility

The Weakest Link

An individual in a crowd is a grain of sand...

The Gentleman Must Go

Crisis in the shadows of power: Is Pakistan entering an institutional crisis acknowledging Nawaz Sharif’s imperial designs?

The lack of Women’s Rights in Pakistan

Tracing the roots of oppression

And now, the army!

A scathing commentary with strong opinions

What Is Your Caste?

Caste is South Asia’s apartheid

Human Rights Groups Slam Sharif

Women are often the first victims of such moves

Wag the Dog

A war between the lackeys of capitalism claiming to represent the free world, and violent, fascist mercenaries

Dow and NASDAQ set new records

A bull market that bears watching.

Nuclear Bomb for Sale

the demand for nuclear bombs outstripped that of mangoes, movies, health services, designer labels, paan, clean water,

Living with the Bomb

A 2-5 minute flight time, almost zero chances of interception, and the impossibility of recall

Blasphemy

One helpless Bishop with a gun in his hand...

To Quota or Not to Quota

A look at the divisive quota issue.

Dodging the Law of Extradition

A look at extradition treaties in the context of the Aimal Kansi case.

UN Sanctions Against Iraq: 10 Myths

Economic sanctions against industrialized countries, which include a ban on foreign trade, can be more lethal than limited military attacks.

Selective Islam in Pakistan

I feel there are certain western countries with far more Islamic traits than us, especially in the way they protect the rights of their citizens.

A Bad Day For Ahmeds

The boy, Ahmed Mallah, made an abortive bid to cross the road pushing his wheelbarrow loaded with bananas, while a convoy of VIP bird hunters, was about to pass through.

Chowkwalas Interview Pak. Law Minister

Chowk readers conduct a cyber interview with Law Minister Khalid Anwer

The People of 1997

Who should be named Pakistan’s Political Person of the Year for 1997?

President Leghari Resigns, SC in conflict

When right is wrong and wrong is right then who can tell right from wrong?

Time For Contempt

In today’s Pakistan, the word Contempt is what the Government of Pakistan thinks of the people of Pakistan.

SC to PM: Do You Plead Guilty?

Is the fall of the nine-month old government of Nawaz Sharif eminent ?

Constitutional Chess Game Nearing Climax

If Supreme Court invokes Article 63(g) of constitution, it is empowered to disqualify the prime minister from being a member of the parliament.

YOUR HONOR: You are dismissed!

Are the President and Prime Minister exercising their muscle to turn the Supreme Court in their favor?