By Rafia Zakaria The explosive mix of appearing to be the obedient Muslim woman clad in burka and a would-be assassin defying the US make Dr Aafia Siddiqui irresistible as a heroine and an icon. But should such defiance be the only mark of heroism in our society? – File photo dawn THE aftermath of Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s conviction nearly two weeks ago in a New York courtroom has seen several protests. On Feb 13, students from universities all over Islamabad congregated at Aapbara Chowk and demanded her release, while pointing out the silence of human rights groups. A day … Continue reading Dr Aafia’s appeal that unites the Takfir Mullah with the Westernised whiskey drinkers

Irfan Husain dawn The belief in a god is generally quite low in all the major European countries.—Photo by Reuters Consider this demographic projection for the UK, and ponder its implications for a moment: within five years, the majority of babies will be born to unmarried parents. However, before you put this down to yet another example of Western immorality, just remember that all these babies will have the same legal rights as those born to married couples. This trend is part of the wider decline of marriage as an institution. According to a recent study, the figures for people … Continue reading Morality and atheism

Posted by Murtaza Ali Jafri I hate to break to all the women out there, but men are not stupid, boorish, or simply clueless (well, at least 90 per cent of the time). These are regrettable (yet mutually advantageous) myths. I will confirm that women are highly complex creatures blessed with tremendous faculties that allow for a great deal of lateral, profound, and esoteric thinking, most of which men are highly unlikely to ever understand, let alone appreciate. But the fact is, men aren’t as limited as women like to believe. It is in Pakistani men’s interest to perpetuate certain … Continue reading The men and the myths

Seven year-old disabled Pakistan girl, Laiba adjusts her artificial foot as she sits in a wheelchair in the street outside her house at Hayatabad in Peshawar. – AFP dawn PESHAWAR: Laiba is only seven years old, but she’s a poster girl for thousands of Pakistanis who have lost limbs in the war between the militants and the armed forces. The girl, whose name means “Fairy of the Heavens”, was shopping in Peshawar with her uncle for a new pair of socks for the Muslim festival of Eid in November 2008 when tragedy struck. Their car was travelling alongside a convoy … Continue reading Pakistan’s victims of war struggle to move on

Dawn Editorial Ms Patterson’s strong criticism came at a critical juncture when political tensions are at fever pitch.—Photo by APP FRONT PAGE US envoy calls for urgent measures to improve economy dawn US ambassador Anne Patterson’s recent comments on how the Pakistan economy is being managed are not entirely without merit. As a major donor, America perhaps feels it has a right to expect that the funds it provides are used not just to plug existing fiscal holes but to build a foundation for future sustainability. And yes, it must be acknowledged that whatever Washington has pledged needs to be … Continue reading American envoy’s remarks

dawn US Marines from Bravo Company of the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines kneel during an operation in the town of Marjah in Nad Ali district of Helmand province. US Marines are leading one of Nato’s biggest offensives against Taliban militants in Afghanistan are facing fierce resistance in some areas, bogged down by heavy gunfire, snipers and booby traps. –Reuters Photo/Goran Tomasevic PAKISTAN Military confirms Mullah Baradar’s arrest Military confirms Mullah Baradar’s arrest QARI SAHEB: Afghan army Sergeant Rafiullah says he is so afraid of the mines Taliban militants have spread all over a southern battlezone he even takes a metal … Continue reading EDs ‘give Taliban upper hand’ in Afghan assault

Witchcraft is the most benign of all the silly religions Tanya Gold The Guardian Worshipping the stones and the trees . . . a pagan priestess. Photograph: Alamy Last weekend, a photograph of a witch appeared next to a newspaper story about the 2011 census. This census is reportedly in jeopardy because of “prank responses to questions”: 400,000 people listed their religion as “Jedi” in 2001, “in addition to 7,000 people who said they were witches”. I paused. Why are witches bunged together with Jedi in the mock-me-I’m-a-twit corner? Why are they being fingered for the disappearance of the census, … Continue reading Please don’t lump witches in with Jedi?