Naturally it is one’s own self that is too close and thoroughly knowable. Proximity then systematically leads to acceptance and projection of the individual self. This as a result defines the individual self against other who is distant and less knowable. Yes, the other appears to be different and thus indirectly rejected once one begins developing likeness for one’s personality ...

“Economics shapes politics; an increase in economic interests of neighbours in Afghanistan via transit routes can shape regional politics and can lead to more sustainable peace in Afghanistan.” Frederic Batait, a French economist, has rightly said that “when goods do not cross borders, soldiers will”. Afghanistan being a ‘Heart of the Asia’ has/had geo-political and geo-economic importance for the region. ...

The question of democracy in Pakistan is far from settled despite the commitment of the founding fathers and political leaders of following generations. Dissolution of the first Constituent Assembly of the country in 1954 after a bureaucratic coup heralded a 6/10 years cycle of intervention by dictatorial forces for ambushing the democratic process. But it is also true that people ...

Talking about issues of governance in today’s Pakistan can be part of a very relevant debate as failure of the present state system in delivering on its functions of public interest has already become a serious challenge. This has to be the focus of national discourse if we want to avoid an Arab Spring like situation in Pakistan. But there ...

Pakistan is on very shaky grounds. With each dawn the problems are getting worse and the country plunges deeper in its woven web. Since the terrorism has assumed the status of a vital organ of the State Structure the problems have increased manifold internally and externally. Though the roots of terrorism goes back to Aligarh but it was first time ...

The debate about the status of FATA has so far involved only two options: should FATA become part of KP or an independent province. I have so far vehemently emphasized the importance of ‘the process of arriving at the decision’, and I have essentially argued that the ultimately decision should be taken by the people of FATA themselves. Deferring to ...

Amidst the persistent military tension on the Line of Control between India and Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir, the first week of October saw a deepening civil-military schism in Pakistan’s power structure surfacing to the public and getting reported in national and international press. Massive protests in the streets of Indian controlled Kashmir for the last almost three months have ...

The end to the great bloody game is not in sight as predicted by our leaders when it was started that it will go till the last Pashtun/ Afghan. It was obvious from the start that the agenda is colossal needs blood to complete the script. In the present political scenario “Terror” is the need of the period for the ...

In view of growing and rising Asian economic power houses like China, India and some South East Asian states, the 21st century has been described by many analysts as an Asian century. Russia, a Eurasian power also plays a significant role in the new political alignment. Iran, despite its theocratic shackles, exudes confidence after the lifting of western sanctions in ...

Contrary to the general perception, terrorism was started in South West Asia long before the Soviets invasion of Afghanistan. It was State terrorism then and State terrorism now. It is an obscured notion that they are Non-State actors; they are assets of States but not publically owned by them. Though as such, terrorism is as old as human being, going ...