While certain terms and concepts have assumed the status of regular add-ons in prime-time TV shows, social media news, and print media editorials and opinions, any serious student of social development with an intersectional perspective would be puzzled. The devil lies in the details. Under the heavy weight of umbrella terms like SDGs, Elite Capture, […] Read more
Education Interrupted: Gaza Students Struggle as Schools and Universities Become Targets of Conflict
An Israeli airstrike devastated Gaza’s Al-Azhar University, along with several other educational institutions in the occupied territory. The Israelis damaged nine university buildings in Gaza and two in the West Bank. This resulted in over 227,335 Palestinian students, including 555 with scholarships abroad. It also experiences disruptions to their higher education. Then, on Jan. 18, […] Read more
A contemplation of the complexities and contradictions inherent in the pursuit of women’s empowerment Abuse is not confined to vulnerable women alone. The victims or survivors can include various labels, dictums, and watchwords. One such impactful term is ’empowerment,’ especially concerning women’s emancipation. Both academic literature and discourse beyond academia have extensively utilized this expression […] Read more
SHE had long been groomed as heir apparent to the country’s most prominent political dynasty and her election as Punjab’s chief minister this week marked her crowning. Maryam Nawaz, the daughter of former three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif, now holds one of the most powerful political positions in the country. With uncle Shehbaz Sharif assured of […] Read more
IN Pakistan, we do things family style, and politics is a part of family. Elections are contested family style — brothers, uncles, sons and daughters all running from different constituencies. The most eminent families have entire political parties available at their disposal, and heading them means a decent shot at the best, highest and most […] Read more
NOTWITHSTANDING Pakistan’s marginal contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions and the country’s greater vulnerability to climate change-driven natural disasters, policymakers seem preoccupied with climate mitigation, ie, GHG emission reduction. COP28 refreshed the resolve of countries to achieve the Nationally Determined Contributions; however, the NDC’s focus in Pakistan is on climate mitigation. For example, the NDC […] Read more
THE election is over, government formation underway and the uncertainty of who will govern is coming to an end. But unlike a short Hollywood film, our crisis is not about to end. In fact, this is a long Bollywood film where one dramatic moment comes midway (interval), allowing for a smoke, a trip to the […] Read more
BUDGET 2023-24 that was passed by parliament yesterday after the introduction of large fiscal-tightening measures to sweeten it for the IMF might resuscitate the bailout deal with the Fund, stalled since last November. As Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said in his closing budget speech, the IMF’s concerns regarding the original budgeted deficit of 6.5pc of […] Read more
THE question would seem odd, given the chorus of drumbeats from the media, mostly Indian but also some foreign, proclaiming victory for the Indian prime minister in the coming April-May elections. Do revisit the claims anyway, preferably with an open mind. Two lessons from India’s electoral history beg a fresh discussion about the prospects for […] Read more
The tragic events in Jaranwala, situated in the central Punjab district of Faisalabad, unfolded on August 16, 2023, claimed the lives of two Christian brothers who were accused of desecrating the holy Quran and offending the religious sentiments of local Muslims.The accusation swiftly escalated into a violent rampage, resulting in the destruction of more than […] Read more