THE desire for change is not something bad in itself. But when it is used as a source of political manoeuvring, the mantra of change may become an excuse for exercising power disproportionately. For the common man, change is largely linked to bringing relief and adding some meaning to life. However, change cannot be manufactured […]

THIS past week has been full of surprises for the people of Balochistan. First, Prime Minister Imran Khan said during his Gwadar visit that he was considering holding talks with the Baloch nationalists. Later, a media report claimed that the federal cabinet had given the go-ahead for discussions with annoyed Baloch tribes. As a sign of quick […]

THE deadline for US forces’ withdrawal from Afghanistan is approaching, and major international stakeholders are looking towards Pakistan to play a leading but voluntary role in bringing stability to its neighbourhood with the US particularly expecting a lot from the country in terms of short-term mutual interests. Apparently, Pakistan wants a much longer partnership and restoration of […]

THE government is anticipating substantial relief for Pakistan in the Financial Action Task Force’s upcoming plenary meeting scheduled at the end of the month. The official statements give the impression that Pakistan is successfully approaching full compliance on most FATF recommendations. They also believe that the international political environment on the eve of American forces’ […]

AFTER the reports that the US is scouting for new bases in Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries, the Afghan Taliban warned the latter against committing such a “historic mistake”. For Pakistan, the Taliban reaction appears more serious as it came at a time when the US assistant secretary of defence stated that Pakistan would continue to provide […]

AFGHANISTAN has recently witnessed a significant upsurge in security incidents. Indeed, experts have been projecting ‘increased violence’ as one of the most probable scenarios post-US troops’ withdrawal. Security strategists in Pakistan have been trying to prevent the impact of the increasing insecurity in this country’s neighbourhood, including through fencing the borders. Yet the Pakistani Taliban […]

THE reaction to the one-member Shoaib Suddle Commission report, which recommended that content on Islamic teachings and history be only carried in Islamic Studies textbooks was not unexpected. The report came at a time when the protests of the now banned Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan was underway and the state could not afford an upsurge in emotions. […]

IN Pakistan, frenzied protests entailing roadblocks and violence have apparently emerged as a new way of communicating with the state. While multiple religiously inspired groups have contributed to the development of this particular protest feature, the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan has taken this chaotic tactic to new heights. The TLP threat had been growing at an alarming […]

A SERIES of recent events has led many to speculate that winds of change pertaining to the national security paradigm may be blowing in Islamabad’s policy corridors. From the Pakistan army chief’s calling on India and Pakistan to bury the past and move on, and the exchange of letters between the two countries’ prime ministers, to the renewed discourse […]