Europe: The Architect of the Palestinian Conflict?
With the ongoing war in Gaza, Palestine has been dubbed an “open-air graveyard” by the EU’s Josep Borrell. Bilal Hyder Simair condemns Europe’s superficial concern for Palestinians and their land when it has been complicit in sowing the seeds of the Palestinian conflict in the first place. He notes that the European states and the US have actively supported Israel and its heinous war crimes in Palestine for decades and have, therefore, actively failed humanity, not just the people of Palestine.
The Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline Project: Diplomacy and Pakistan’s Options
Pakistan is facing challenges in navigating its relationship with the United States and its neighbors, particularly concerning its energy project with Iran.
Tufail Abbas argues that the United States’ diplomatic brinkmanship vis-à-vis the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline is an attempt to deprive Iran of breathing space and inflict damage on its economy. United States’ global image and standing have been on the decline due to its domestic irregularities, financial hardships, and eroding external influence.
He argues that Pakistan should adopt a non-adventurist external posture, engage with all major powers, and rally support for a more democratized, pluralistic, and multilateral global order.
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto: An Autocrat Disguised As a Democrat
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, often celebrated as a great democrat, exhibited authoritarian tendencies during his time in power. After refusing to accept election results in 1971, he made threatening statements and demonstrated a power-hungry attitude.
Hadiqa Maryam Abbasi is of the view that Bhutto and his government’s oppressive actions in Balochistan, including military operations and crackdowns on opposition parties, further showcased his autocratic leadership.
Bhutto’s regime also saw the arrest and banning of prominent leaders, undermining the democratic values he purported to uphold.
Disappointment and Allegations: Assessing the 2024 Elections in Pakistan
The 2024 elections in Pakistan were marred by disappointment and frustration, reflecting the country’s fractured democracy. The newly elected coalition government has been followed by allegations of electoral rigging, tarnishing Pakistan’s legitimacy internationally. In the midst of this, Aneeza Atif presents her view on what the future holds for Pakistan.
The Skepticism of Identifying Airdrop Packages in Gaza: A Bomb or A Food Box
Sabrina Sohail describes the dire situation in Gaza due to Israeli bombings and the subsequent humanitarian crisis.
She highlights the challenges faced by Palestinians, including the difficulty of receiving aid and the trauma caused by the aid distribution methods.
Netanyahu’s War on Gaza: Exploiting Lives for Political Gain
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s relentless pursuit of war in Gaza highlights his willingness to use civilian lives as bargaining chips to prolong the war, while evading accountability and international pressure.
The international community’s failure to intervene effectively underscores the urgent need for decisive action to end the Palestinian crisis.
Manipulation of Form 47 by the Election Commission in the 2024 Elections
Form 47 is an important document that provides an early overview of election results.
After the 2024 general elections, citizens across the state waited with bated breath for the announcements. However, instead of releasing official statements as soon as possible, the ECP removed Form 47 and its provisional results from its website servers.
This delay in disclosing election results raised doubts about the integrity of the ECP. The flames were further fanned by PTI and PML-N candidates.
The blatant manipulation of Form 47 is cause for concern. Such exploitation erodes people’s trust in their state machinery.
Maidah Tariq questions whether Pakistan’s democratic process can ever be fully transparent, or will it remain entwined with the will of the elites?
Much Ado About Elections
Multiple events unfolded following the 2024 general elections, but one that took centre stage was the Rawalpindi Commissioner’s declaration of his involvement in the rigging.
While much of the commotion eventually died down, not many know how this event wrapped up. Like many Shakespearean plays, it’s tragic.
Honestly, it’s disappointing to see our representatives sully the sanctity of our country’s institutions.
Palestine and the System that Controls the World
Palestine has been pleading for help since time immemorial, but its plight remains perpetually disregarded. Why is it so?
It is easy to overlook the rising Palestinian body count because we have become used to the massacre. The global media – directed by Western powers and the Israeli government in particular, plays a major role in this desensitization.
Sarmad Ishfaq explains the hierarchies of the world we live in. Those in power have erected systems of control – they decide what narratives remain relevant across the board. Hypocrisy and double standards run rampant. Against these odds, will Palestine ever be able to break free of its shackles?
Pakistan’s Blasphemy Laws: An Overdue Assignment
The recent Ichra Bazaar incident in Lahore, where a Maulvi claimed a female wearing a kurta with Arabic script to have committed blasphemy, has ignited an examination of the country’s draconian blasphemy laws.
Kalsoom Daad Khan gives an overview of the blasphemy laws present in the penal code as well as opinions by experts on the matter.
Voices Unheard in Pakistan’s General Elections: The Paradox of Gilgit Baltistan’s Political Rights
Wazir Zafar Hassan laments the political status of Gilgit Baltistan (GB), especially since the residents of the GB area do not have the right to vote in the general elections of Pakistan.
He raises his concerns in the hopes that he and the rest of the people of GB will be able to secure political representation in the National Assembly.
Rawalpindi Commissioner Admits To Rigging Elections
Hafsa Ammar highlights events that took place outside Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on 17th February. Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaqat Ali Chattha held a press conference where he admitted to playing a part in rigging the general elections and manipulating the final results.
Chattha confessed to fabricating wins for 13 seats and toppling leads of 80,000 votes. He further told the reporters that Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa were also involved in the electoral misconduct.
Many think this was a bold attempt at gaining political fame due to his upcoming retirement, but if so, why did he immediately surrender to the Rawalpindi Police afterward?
Trump’s Ukraine Policy: From Allies to Ambiguity
As US elections loom, people have started to pay closer attention to candidates and their policies regarding pressing global issues.
Sanan Lashari gives his candid opinion as he explains Donald Trump’s stance regarding the war in Ukraine.
Although Trump has publicly wished for the war to end, his sentiments are troubling for the Western world as he stated he would endorse a Russian invasion of Ukraine if the latter did not pay its share of the NATO defense budget.
Divorce in Pakistan: Re-evaluating Jurisdiction of Union Councils
The rising rates of divorce in Pakistan stress the need for a thorough examination of the role that union councils play in issuing divorce certificates.
This bureaucratic procedure not only prolongs the legal process but also poses significant challenges, particularly for women, in terms of mobility, economic strain, and susceptibility to harassment and corruption.
Mahroosha Saleem suggests that reforming the system to issue divorce certificates immediately upon the finalization of divorce decrees will not only promote gender equality but will also empower women to take the intimidating step.
US Support to Israel: Fueling the Palestinian Tragedy
George Salhab denounces the influence of the pro-Israel lobby on the decision-making of the United States. In a war where thousands have lost their lives to Israeli attacks, American support for the Zionist state is a clear indicator of where its loyalties lie.
The Balochistan Issue: Exploitative Politics?
The political structure of Balochistan has always remained a conflictual issue. The author, Irfan Ullah Buzdar, is of the opinion that political insecurity and inaction are at the root of the “Balochistan Issue.” The residents live a miserable reality, devoid of basic facilities and fundamental rights such as education, healthcare, and individual security.
It is high time for the state institutions and the government to take effective measures to meet the grievances of the people of Balochistan, otherwise, it will be too late.
The White Man’s Burden – An American Delusion
Hadiqa Maryam Abbasi delves into a deconstruction of Rudyard Kipling’s poem ‘The White Man’s Burden’ which was published in 1899 and elaborates on how the message of the poem is still reflected in the policies and operations of the American Hegemon.
She uses the invasions of Libya and Iraq to set the foundation for her argument and provides snippets from speeches and press claims of various US politicians such as Obama, Powell, and Bush, which reiterate the American liberal responsibility and authority over other states and their governments.