POSTED BY HUSHAM AHMED After going through the Herald magazine’s annual issue, which this year included a survey on Pakistani youth, I was compelled to write about the identity crisis plaguing the youngsters of this country today. Pakistan’s turbulent history has widened, rather than resolved, the contradictions present in our society, leaving society as polarised as ever. The young generation is still searching for the answers that previous generations of Pakistanis have failed to provide. This prevalent identity crisis is spurred at an early school-going age. Text books are written to pursue expedient policies and internalise certain notions of ‘national interest,’ which … Continue reading Pakistani youths identity crisis

The communities secretary, John Denham, has promised to make changes to the anti-extremism programme Prevent after Islamic groups accused it of stigmatising all Muslims as terrrorists and even spying on them. Haroon Siddique talks to participants on one of the schemes, the Digital Disruption project, about the value of what they are learning Haroon Siddique guardian.co.uk, // // ‘If you know about propaganda, you won’t be fooled into anything’ Link to this videoSixteen-year-old Abdul Sahed recalled how at a rally earlier this year where he was protesting against the Israeli bombardment of Gaza, a few people started shouting “it’s the … Continue reading How young Muslims are fighting extremist propaganda or are the UK police just fighting all Muslims?

Pakistani Taliban chief Mehsud buried – state TV Hakimullah Mehsud’s predecessor was killed by a drone last year There are fresh claims that the Pakistani Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud is dead, after state TV reported that he had been buried. But within hours of the report the Taliban again denied Mehsud had been killed and challenged reporters to provide proof of it. Pakistan’s army said it could not confirm the death and said its agents were seeking clarification. Reports of Mehsud’s death first began after a drone strike on 14 January. US drones have mounted numerous missile strikes in recent … Continue reading Pakistan Terror Mullah dead, cremated and ashes flushed

A matter of will By Nadeem F. Paracha “It seems every other middle-class person, young or old, has become an expert religious adviser.” Like most urban middle class folks these days, a friend of mine too has a habit of using the term Inshallah (God willing) a lot. So one day I asked him why is almost every sentence uttered by my fellow Pakistanis punctuated with an Inshallah? His reply was the usual: “So? What is wrong with using Inshallah?” “Absolutely nothing,” I said. “In fact I sometimes use it myself. But why do some of us use it constantly? … Continue reading False Arabistan or True Pakistan?

By Huma Yusuf This file photo taken on Sep. 26, 2008 shows fighters with Afghanistan’s Taliban militia standing on a hillside at Maydan Shahr in Wardak province. World powers supported President Karzai’s plan to woo moderate Taliban fighters who disarm, as it emerged that senior figures in the militia held secret talks with UN officials. – Photo by AFP. In the matter of reintegrating Taliban fighters into Afghan society, the question is no longer whether to talk or not. President Hamid Karzai has already invited the Taliban to a peace jirga and UN representatives reportedly met members of the Quetta … Continue reading Talks with the Taliban a realistic option?

View from US: If only it cared enough! By Anjum Niaz Somewhere up there is the PIA office, New York. – File Photo. “Thank you for calling PIA,” says an American (his accent is unmistakable) on the other side of the phone line followed by music. “Your call will be answered momentarily.” A few minutes later, the same voice rolls on, “We invite you to the land of majestic mountains, 5,000 year old rich heritage and culture. Assistance is only moments away.” More minutes pass and message #3 comes on “We know you’re holding and we’ve not forgotten about you. … Continue reading PIA – The worlds worst airline fit only for Mullahs

By Jonaid Iqbal A Frontier Corps paramilitary soldier swirls to provide a fitting climax to a Khattak dance performance during the Sarhad cultural festival at Lok Virsa here on Saturday. – Photos by Tanveer Shahzad ISLAMABAD: The message from the Sarhad Cultural Festival in the capital is that normalcy has returned to most parts of NWFP including Swat, said Lok Virsa Executive Director Khalid Javaid as he listened to pounding drums and looked at the panorama of pavilions hawking ethnic tinsels and fabrics spun out of lamb wool. As Javed, a 22-year-old artist from Peshawar, strikes his stringed traditional musical … Continue reading ‘Sarhad festival reflects return of normalcy’ despite Mullah Atta ur Rehman