An expert who knows the Pashtuns intimately says we are wasting our time trying to change their society James Fergusson The Observer, Sunday 15 August 2010 Article history The case of Bibi Sanubar, the Afghan widow brutally flogged and shot dead by the Taliban for the crime of being pregnant, caused outrage in the wes. Earlier in the month, Time magazine published a truly shocking picture of Aisha, an 18-year-old girl whose nose had been cut off because she had run away from her inlaws. With so much talk recently of political reconciliation with the Taliban leadership, their attitude towards … Continue reading Should British soldiers be dying for the rights of Afghan women? No.

A leading translator argues that if we rely solely on English we’ll lose the curiosity that drove Milton and Orwell Michael Hofmann The Observer, Sunday 15 August 2010 Article history In 2004, the Labour government removed modern languages from the “core curriculum”. That must be “core” as in “apple core”. For it meant the study of a foreign language is no longer compulsory at schools past age 14. Theoretically, primary schools are supposed to introduce languages instead, but that’s like the road sign with the big black arrow pointing one way and the skinny little red arrow going the other. … Continue reading To speak another language isn’t just cultured, it’s a blow against stupidity

American writer Nicholas Carr’s claim that the internet is not only shaping our lives but physically altering our brains has sparked a lively and ongoing debate, says John Naughton. Below, a selection of writers and experts offer their opinion John Naughton The Observer, Sunday 15 August 2010 Article history Are our minds being altered due to our increasing reliance on search engines, social networking sites and other digital technologies? Photograph: Chris Jackson/Getty ImagesEvery 50 years or so, American magazine the Atlantic lobs an intellectual grenade into our culture. In the summer of 1945, for example, it published an essay by the Massachusetts Institute … Continue reading The internet: is it changing the way we think?

VIEW: US-China strategic competition —S P Seth China has not forgotten the humiliation of western domination in the 19th century. The recent holding of the joint US-South Korean naval exercises in regional waters, against China’s stated opposition, has angered Beijing. It regards such activities by foreign warships and aircraft as a threat to China’s security The reported military exercises by Chinese forces to defend against a possible US attack have raised tensions between China and the US. The question is: why has China raised the stakes in its relations with the US? It is important to realise that this is … Continue reading US-China strategic competition

VIEW: The art of deception —Andleeb Abbas The fight for market share makes organisations look at more and more ways of impressing upon customers what they do not have and what they ought to have. In order to convince the customer, they actually take him into a world of fantasy There is a fine line between explanation, exaggeration and deception. Many times, knowingly or unknowingly, we cross the line. As individuals, organisations and leaders, sustainable success depends on how much you deliver on what you promise. However, in today’s world, words rather than deeds are the focus of attention. The … Continue reading The art of deception

ANALYSIS: Is there a way out? —Dr Hasan-Askari Rizvi What has happened in Pakistan during the last two weeks represents the abysmal failure of the political class to first quickly recognise the dimensions of the tragedy and then come forward with ways and means to cope with it The floods have increased Pakistan’s vulnerabilities at a time when it is already combating Islamic extremism and terrorism that threatens the Pakistani state and society. The floodwater will start receding in a week but the post-flood human tragedy is expected to haunt Pakistan for a long time. The most challenging task will … Continue reading Is there a way out?

ANALYSIS: Old saga: dangerous new dimensions —Mir Mohammad Ali Talpur Settlers’ deaths in Balochistan evoke widespread condemnation but there is deafening silence at Baloch deaths. Silence is equated with condoning the crimes and encourages perpetrators to more barbarism The old saga of missing persons in Balochistan has recently assumed dangerous new dimensions. A new and more gruesome chapter of atrocities has been opened. Baloch from all walks of life — picked up by the agencies — turn up dead, shot point-blank. Then these black deeds are claimed by fictitious organisations going by the name of Sipah-e-Shuhada-e-Balochistan, etc. How do persons … Continue reading Old saga: dangerous new dimensions

By Ahmad Hassan dawn.com A flood survivor collects fire wood from the debris of his destroyed home in the flood affected area of Nowshera. -AFP Photo National Muzaffargarh city cleared for resettlement Muzaffargarh city cleared for resettlement ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and PML-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif agreed on Saturday to set up a ‘credible national body comprising men of integrity’ to ensure transparency in the collection, management and distribution of relief funds among the flood-affected. Mr Sharif said it was gratifying for him that Mr Gilani had accepted his proposal regarding the commission. Mr Gilani hinted at … Continue reading Gilani accepts Nawaz proposal on relief panel

By Ali K Chishti Imagine if al Qaeda and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) train a team of suicide bombers in FATA and send them to the US and all the European capitals to carry out a series of suicide bombings and 26/11-style fidai attacks? A logical question countering the argument would be: who will provide the logistics and visas? Well, there is no need for one, now: thanks to dozens of fake and stolen European passports readily available in Pakistan. A European passport not only insures you visa free entry to the EU countries but a visa on arrival for … Continue reading Fake EU passport trade a boon for terrorists