COMMNT: The idea of Pakistan —Ammar Ali Qureshi Pakistan as an idea in the 1940s appealed to all sections of Muslim society in India. It would be wrong to assume that sects such as the Ahmedis or Shias took a collective decision Professor Ishtiaq Ahmed, in his article “The demand for Pakistan and Islam” (Daily Times, June 8, 2010), has raised a number of contradictory and controversial points that demand clarification and refutation. His statement about Ahmedis and Shias, of being initially wary of joining Pakistan or rejecting it first before accepting it, can be disproved from his own article. … Continue reading The idea of Pakistan

VIEW: Heretic, communist and Muslim Leaguer —Yasser Latif Hamdani The blatant use of Islam had been very much a part of Indian politics since Mahatma Gandhi encouraged Muslim divines to come into politics during the Khilafat Movement. At the time, Jinnah was the lone voice of dissent in Congress I have been receiving a plethora of e-mails in response to my article ‘Two Nation Theory’ (Daily Times, June 7, 2010), which has now necessitated that I further develop my thoughts on the complex political scenario that 1940s’ British India presented and which ultimately led to two distinct events that are … Continue reading Heretic, Commie, Muslim!

Religious parties fail to revive MMA Maulana Fazlur Rehman says JUI-F will pull out of ruling coalition if all former component parties of MMA make such a demand LAHORE: Central leaders of six religio-political parties met in Lahore on Sunday to evolve a consensus on the revival of their 2002 electoral alliance – the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) – but failed to narrow down their differences. However, they agreed to meet again in the federal capital to decide the fate of their alliance. “The meeting participants agreed that efforts for the revival of the MMA will continue in our next meeting … Continue reading Pakistani Mullah parties fail to revive ‘ MMA (Multi Mullah Alliance)’

Another Apple miracle By Martin J Young HUA HIN, Thailand – Expectations were so high for the latest version of Apple’s iPhone that it was dubbed “Jesus-Phone” before it was unveiled at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference on Monday amid choreographed bright lights and the excessive hype that is now the norm from CEO Steve Jobs and Co at product launches. Apple worshipers will no doubt be marveling at the slightly squarer corners and 24% reduction in thickness of the iPhone4, or drooling over the new aluminosilicate glass screen which, Apple claims, is also used in helicopters. The real test will … Continue reading Steve Jobs – Satanist or a Money Loving Mullah?

Why men will judge a woman in milliseconds Men take a fraction of a second to decide if they are attracted to a woman or not – but they should not be called shallow because they are genetically programmed to do so, scientists say. Men who instantly judge a woman based on her looks are simply following their survival instincts, scientists say Photo: GETTY IMAGES Men weigh up potential partners almost instantaneously based on their appearance because their “ancient” genetic preference for attractive mates leads them to, experts claim. According to research, a woman with an attractive face is taken … Continue reading Judge a woman in milliseconds?

Vast ocean covered one third of surface of Mars A vast Earth-like ocean covered a third of the surface of Mars 3.5 billion years ago, new research suggests. Artist’s impression of a Martian ocean shoreline seen from the air 3.5 billion years ago, based on satellite images Photo: PA Scientists believe it stretched around the planet’s northern hemisphere and held 10 times more water than all the Earth’s oceans combined. It may also have provided a cradle for the emergence of extraterrestrial life. Related Articles Ancient lake found on Mars Scientists have long debated whether oceans, seas lakes or rivers … Continue reading Mars had ten times more water than Earth

Is Pakistan like Israel? By Khaled Ahmed The writer is a director at the South Asia Free Media Association, Lahore (khaled.ahmed@tribune.com.pk) Ayesha Siddiqa in her June 6 column in The Express Tribune made a very interesting comparison between Pakistan and Israel: both were supposedly formed on the basis of religion, both are national security states with illegal nukes and are internationally isolated. The comparison is favourable to neither. There are minor differences, however. Pakistan has a constitution which says it is a religious state. Israel doesn’t have a constitution, so its legal status is undecided. But were the two demanded … Continue reading Israeli Pakistani? or Pakistani Israeli?

By Syed Talat HussainJune 13, 2010 The writer is executive director news and current affairs at Aaj TV (syed.talat@tribune.com.pk). The website democracynow.org gives a vivid, and by far the most authentic, video account of Israel’s attack on the main ship of the freedom flotilla carrying over 600 passengers including an eight-month-old baby. The video is one of the many that are likely to come out in the weeks ahead captured by those who witnessed recent history’s most audacious insult to efforts to highlight the plight of 1.5 million Palestinians stranded in the Gaza Strip. It shows bullets being fired from … Continue reading Murders on the Mediterranean

Turning outrage into courage By Ayesha Ijaz Khan The writer is a lawyer and political commentator based in London. (ayesha.khan@tribune.com.pk) The brazen attack on innocent Ahmadis in Lahore late last month is not just another terrible terrorist atrocity.  It is more significant because there is speculation that the attack by extremist exclusivist forces targeted Ahmadis in order to bolster their own diminishing popularity among the population at large. The argument is that we have among us people who harbour such bizarre views of righteousness that to them eliminating those who may have slightly different beliefs is justifiable and praiseworthy. The … Continue reading Pakistani outrage into courage?