Radicalism and Engineers
By Abdul Majeed Abid Professionals form the backbone of a society. Professionals include Doctors, engineers, bankers, businessmen, lawyers, soldiers and law-enforcers. Pakistani society as a whole has been affected by the problem of increasing intolerance and religious extremism over the years. One of the many causes of this rise is the state of textbooks in Pakistan that promote hatred and bigotry(Consider for instance Meri Kitab, which is a required text textbook for grade one students in most public schools. Seven out of 16 chapters in Meri Kitab contained religious sermons. A report by United States Commission on International Religious Freedom found that textbooks were filled with disparaging remarks about the Hindus, while never mentioning that for centuries Muslims and Hindus had lived peacefully in the subcontinent.). Students are taught from a young age to … Read entire article »
Filed under: Opinion
Philosophy of Change
By Engr. Syed Ghulam Mustafa M.E Electronics System Engineering Munna Muslim Pakistani is one of my best friends, I have known him since my childhood. He has sacrificed his whole life in motivating the people for change. He believes that one should struggle for the betterment of society and his surroundings in his utmost capacity. He is really an honest person, and unlike our conventional and seasonal politicians he does not seek any personal benefit for his … Read entire article »
Filed under: Opinion
Feedback at two am
The Karachi Literature Festival By Faisal Kapadia A freelance columnist, Faisal Kapadia lives in Karachi, writes on everything and social media and misses the time when we could tell the good guys from the bad by the color of their light sabers. He tweets with the same name and sometimes answers emails at faiskap666@gmail.com ________________________________________ Three years old, the Karachi literary festival at least by its lineup seems to have come of age finally. I was there last year and although … Read entire article »
Filed under: Opinion
Real estate projects in different cities of Pakistan
A guest post by William King During the last few years, all the economic parameters have shown a gradual drop in Pakistan realty market. However, 2012 brings good news that Pakistan property prices will be moderated, making it an attractive investment opportunity for realtors and investors. New projects like The Centaurus (Islamabad) and many other notable projects across the country hold much promise for the industry. Timely completion of the projects also helps them grab the attention of investors. Therefore, most of the developers may focus on execution and delivering the committed projects in 2012 rather than launching new projects to avoid reaching insurmountable inventory limit. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Opinion
Outside in
The stuff that owns us By Shahbaz Ali Khan Shahbaz, a former Industry relations and PR professional, has spent the past 8 years experimenting with the frontiers of professional competence by insisting on not specializing in anything but thinking, communicating and writing Before he begins his day, my friend looks at himself in the mirror. He wants to ensure he is ready, in every sense of the word. His shirt’s a tight fit, high-end marvel. His tie a … Read entire article »
Filed under: Opinion
New media fires old media
By Alee Paul I never want to criticize anything. We the people beautifully give a comprehensive solution to the problems, and even the way we identify problem that jolts me. Ask anybody over a cup of tea what is this nation’s biggest problem, everybody will close argument by wrapping it in one word, Education, poverty, bureaucracy and the list goes on. The continuous bombardment of issues from media to the nation’s head has made so many scholars out … Read entire article »
Filed under: Opinion
Maya Khan should not be fired
Terminating Maya Khan is not the solution. In fact, it only problematizes the issue of media bullying by making an individual sound solely responsible for something perpetrated by the channel itself. By Farwa Zahra: A few weeks ago, there was a whole FHM controversy surrounding Veena Malik posing nude (read topless) for an Indian magazine. Despite the fact that it was her “personal” matter, there were arguments about morality, nationality, honour and the list goes on. Then came Maya Khan and Malik was nowhere. Television channels and newspapers started off with another round of morality debate but this time on the grounds of Khan invading people’s “private” lives by raiding public parks for couple on dates. Both the stories revolved around morality and privacy. However, the way these issues were addressed was very … Read entire article »
Inshallah Kashmir : Living Terror ( A chilling documentary)
An excellent documentary on Kashmir which has not been cleared by the censors yet. There are certain parts which are rather disturbing so viewers’ discretion is advised. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Opinion
Challenge the Hegemony of the Pak-Army
By Danish Khan: In the apprentice of political economy, there are distinct theories to elucidate the lack of development in the developing countries. Some political economists point towards the colonial days to trace back the roots of the contemporary social and political institutions of the developing countries, while others rest blame on the geography of the developing world, and the variance to the doctrine of the free market capitalism as some of the possible sources of the nuance. The inclusion and the close examination of the social and political institutions of the developing countries are certainly worth discussing, while I cannot say same about the other posed explanations. One of the few possible explanations of the developing countries to being socially, politically and economically astern are their historical “extractive colonial institutions” which … Read entire article »
Filed under: Opinion
Our inane leader
By Usmann Rana One of the rallying points in favor of the rise of Pakistani politician Imran Khan, apart from the utter disillusionment of the masses and corruption of both the major and leading parties, has been his charismatic personality. But Khan’s recent interview to NDTV’s Barkha Dutt, seemed to have lost that element and for once laid bare the stark contradictions between his own statements showing his inanity. For example, Khan believes, to quote him, ‘the age of martial law is over… Whatever happens I don’t see military takeover.’ Yes, Mr Khan it is. But the ‘military Raj’ has not ended, it has found new ways to penetrate back into the Pakistani society. To believe that military makes its presence felt only through martial laws and coups is naïve. Furthermore according … Read entire article »
Happy birthday, Bibi Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari!
By Saria Benazir. “Benazir Lives”… I’ve always have heard this and possess an unyielding credence in these words. Nevertheless, as I turn up to gaze at the heavens in moments of obscurity, she is there to placate me and to grant me hope and direction. The instant, I see myself ripped by obstructions, she is there to give me valor and vigor. The empathy twinges into trillions and splits my soul as I heed of her … Read entire article »
Filed under: Benazir Bhutto, Opinion
See No Evil
By Ali Aftab Saeed: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority blocks access to porn sites in Pakistan. The central theme of this piece is not porn per se, but the pros and cons of the decision to ban it. In principle of course, if we decide as a nation that we shouldn’t have porn only a click away, then we should have the right to ban it. What is unacceptable is for some agency to control the flow and content of information. Because when authorities decide the content people should have access to, it is usually not for the sake of providing quality information. The concern shown by people about the potential misuse of SOPA and PIPA is a valid one. Porn may be very few Pakistanis’ cup of tea (or is it?), … Read entire article »
Filed under: Opinion
Outside in
Premature emancipation – The Shamsul Anwar affair By Shahbaz Ali Khan Shahbaz, a former Industry relations and PR professional, has spent the past 8 years experimenting with the frontiers of professional competence by insisting on not specializing in anything but thinking, communicating and writing. Social media usage has changed people’s perception of what human experiences and contact means. Therefore, what was once dehumanized, is now part of the process of’re-humanization’. Social networks are experiencing a new kind … Read entire article »
Filed under: Opinion
An Australian takes issue over skewed article on Pakistan by Time Magazine
The Editor, Time Magazine Dear Editor, I recently returned from a charitable trip to Pakistan, whereby I visited both Karachi and Islamabad. I spoke with several universities, key businesses, prominent business leaders and several religious people from all generations….On the day I returned to the office, someone had placed your magazine (January 16, 2012), on my desk. I read with interest your article on Karachi and the city in doom. For a person to have just returned from the very same place that your magazine described was somewhat bizarre, so I read with great detail your writer (Andrew Marshall’s) account. Let me begin by saying that I often flick through your magazine and find the articles of great interest, but on this particular day and this particular article, I found certain comments to … Read entire article »
Filed under: Opinion
Outside in
Our anthem as a symphony By Shahbaz Ali Khan Shahbaz, a former Industry relations and PR professional, has spent the past 8 years experimenting with the frontiers of professional competence by insisting on not specializing in anything but thinking, communicating and writing. ________________________________________________________ Symphonies tell stories. It is a universally accepted truth. Beethoven’s 9th tells the story of a life of angst and frustration expressed by a genius. Wagner’s Bridal Chorus invokes visions of sun-rays glimmering off the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Opinion
PTH biweekly Cartoon
Picture of the Week
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Sunrise at the Arabian Sea, Charna Island
24 Dec 2011
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