State of Political Satire in Pakistan

Shifting attentions

Anti-Americanism is one of the most overtly used marketing ploys of various political outfits in Pakistan. Once the sole fixation of radical left-wing groups and student organisations (NSF, DSF, BSO), and of progressive mainstream parties such as the PPP, NAP/ANP and others (especially during the Cold War), anti-American rhetoric and posturing began to be adopted by [...]

Sovereignty and hysteria

Pakistan has become a classic case of a callous socio-political contradiction. Its people and politicians, its army and holy men can be seen lovingly engaging with the most ubiquitous symbols and gadgets of what they all ridicule as ‘western materialism/imperialism’, and yet without even blinking for a second, many can be expected to roll out [...]

We shall overrun – The young, urban, middle-class Pakistani’s manifesto:

1. Asif Ali Zardari is the devil incarnate. 2. The Pakistan Army is the saviour. 3. The Taliban are resisting American imperialism. 4. We hate American foreign policy unless it suits us. We are against American imperialism if it means we have to ditch the Taliban as that would be against the aspirations of our [...]

Dr. Q T Khan’s concise history of Pakistan – PT:I

8th-19th century Pakistan came into being on the 14th of August 712 AD. Gallant Arab leader, conqueror, poet, and expert javelin thrower, Muhammad Bin Qasim, is believed to have founded the country. However, some modern-day Pakistani historians suggest that Pakistan was first established by Adam, eons ago (and that is why some areas of Pakistan [...]

‘Concerned’ journalism

Last week I visited one of Karachi’s sprawling (and impoverished) areas. I went there at the invitation of an old college friend who still lives there. Both of us were members of a progressive student organisation in college in the late 1980s. I took this opportunity to talk to some folks of the locality. Almost [...]

Lost bearings?

A few weeks ago a young lady wrote a moving blog for dawn.com called ‘Confessions of a hijabi,’ she predictably rambled on about how painful it has been for her to hold on to her hijab in the face of taunts by the people around her. The event that inspired her to write this piece [...]

The passion for Bhutto

The majority of Muslims in Pakistan are ensconced in the popular Barelvi creed of Islam that is the mainstay of Muslims in the subcontinent. It reassures the enshrinement of the traditional Sufism that prevailed due to a long period of interaction between Islam and the esoteric strains of Hinduism and other faiths of India. ‘Folk’ [...]

Preaching games

Much has been lamented about the Pakistan cricket team’s pathetic surrender against Australia in the second Test at Sydney. Much more will be said about the lack of experience, talent and a prominent backbone in the Pakistan team. Very little however is being said about the psychology that triggers long periods of haplessness and sheer [...]

Klashni-country

The famous Russian assault rifle, the Kalashnikov, also called the AK-47, or Klashni in the street and campus lingo of urban Pakistan, has become a permanent feature of the Pakistani landscape. The weapon of choice during student movements, ethnic and sectarian clashes, kidnappings, government raids, and militant uprisings, the AK-47 continues to feature in most [...]