Search: For - Asia

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Pakistan has a Herculean challenge ahead
May 13, 2013

Pakistan has a Herculean challenge ahead

The outcome of Pakistan's elections has not been particularly surprising. Nawaz Sharief's PML-N is likely to form government soon. Having a trusted hand like Sharif at the helm is a plus point, but he would have to undertake a herculean labour to transform Pakistan's condition. If he fails, there will only be despair.

Pakistan in the 2012 Failed States Index: All that glitters is not gold?
Jul 26, 2012

Pakistan in the 2012 Failed States Index: All that glitters is not gold?

Although Pakistan does definitely have stability concerns, it was able. And, although the government and the institutions have generally weak legitimacy within the population, this does not necessarily translate in the rejection of the idea of Pakistan as a national entity.

Pakistan in the eye of the storm
Apr 15, 2015

Pakistan in the eye of the storm

The 12-point resolution approved by Pakistan's Parliament said that Islamabad must maintain "neutrality" in the Yemen conflict. Pakistan has good reasons to have rejected what could have become a quagmire for its forces. But, it has angered Pakistan's friends, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Emirates.

Pakistan in Yemen
Mar 31, 2015

Pakistan in Yemen

With Saudi Arabia now so fearful of a rising Iran, it is quite clearly Pakistan's payback time. And Yemen could mark the beginning of a new and more significant phase in Pakistan's involvement in the security politics of the Gulf.

Pakistan militant groups distracting State from people's problems
Jun 05, 2012

Pakistan militant groups distracting State from people's problems

The elimination of militant groups in Pakistan is a long and painful 'disposal process' but the State of Pakistan is not willing to face up to this challenge, says Prof. Stephen Tankel of the American University, an expert on Pakistan.

Pakistan Minister's visit to Delhi
Dec 15, 2012

Pakistan Minister's visit to Delhi

New Delhi's focus in the talks with Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik is on the bilateral agenda- especially justice for the plotters of the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai. But it is in India's interest to widen the conversation to include the latest developments in Afghanistan where Islamabad has begun to make some big moves.

Pakistan needs to be rescued from its current predicament
Nov 11, 2014

Pakistan needs to be rescued from its current predicament

On November 2, the Wagah border which collects curious crowds on either side of the border gate to witness the interesting manoeuvres of border guards on either side were witness to a gory incident of a terrific explosion on the Pakistani side,

Pakistan occupied Pakistan
Jan 20, 2006

Pakistan occupied Pakistan

Some years ago when Karan Thapar interviewed Pervez Musharraf, the general was self-assured and voluble. That was before 9/11 but after Kargil. Last fortnight, he was once again voluble, and when not talking about himself, he was talking about Kashmir. But his body language showed nervousness, impatience, an edginess and even tiredness. And Thapar drove a hard bargain.

Pakistan poll: Imran Khan down, but not out
May 22, 2013

Pakistan poll: Imran Khan down, but not out

All is not lost for Pakistan's Imran Khan. He may not have succeeded in "sweeping the elections" but his performance was a significant improvement from his previous outings. From having secured only one seat in 2002, his party emerged with a plurality in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Pakistan releases Taliban for role in Afghan peace process
Dec 10, 2012

Pakistan releases Taliban for role in Afghan peace process

In the Afghanistan peace process, Pakistan's significance lies more in its capability to play a destructive role than a constructive one. It is capable of scuttling the peace process and can stoke violence by supporting groups like the Haqqani network and engineer attacks against the government or foreign troops in Afghanistan.

Pakistan situation to get worse
Feb 16, 2008

Pakistan situation to get worse

The outcome of the February 18 elections was predetermined and the situation would only get worse as a consequence, said well-known media personality and commentator Saeed Naqvi at a talk organised by Observer Research Foundation on the Situation in Pakistan on the eve of elections on Saturday (Feb. 16).

Pakistan to remain unstable
Aug 22, 2008

Pakistan to remain unstable

Pakistan would continue to grapple with political instability, economic crisis and resurgence in radicalism even after the exit of former President Pervez Musharraf, leaving Pakistan Army in a jockeying position.

Pakistan trending towards collapse
Oct 28, 2014

Pakistan trending towards collapse

Since 1991, India has pursued a policy of engaging Pakistan, regardless of what the latter has thrown at us - bombs, terror assaults, fedayeen. Maybe the time has come to change course ? not by reaching out to the military or taking recourse to tit-for-tat covert war. But by encouraging the peaceful breakup of Pakistan.

Pakistan will remain unstable: Selig Harrison
Feb 06, 2008

Pakistan will remain unstable: Selig Harrison

Ethnic divisions will deepen in Pakistan along with popular sentiments against the military in the near future, says renowned area specialist Dr Selig Harrison. "In 10 years, there will be a different landscape in Pakistan," he said addressing the faculty members of Observer Research Foundation here on February 6.

Pakistan's Army, Post-Osama
May 17, 2011

Pakistan's Army, Post-Osama

The Pakistani Army is keen to repair its image after the battering it has taken following the discovery that Osama bin Laden was ensconced in a mansion in Abbotabad. And while US criticism has made international headlines,

Pakistan's Beirut, Karachi: A Terror Capital in the Making by Wilson John
Jan 20, 2004

Pakistan's Beirut, Karachi: A Terror Capital in the Making by Wilson John

Just as Lebanon's capital Beirut was under the thumb of an unbridled reign of crime, terrorism, sectarian and religious fundamentalism in the 1980s, Pakistan's port city of Karachi has hit headlines for all the wrong reasons during the decade of the 1990s.

Pakistan's charm offensive
Jan 07, 2004

Pakistan's charm offensive

It would not be fair to term Syed Salahuddin's statements on Kashmir as the official Pakistan policy. But the fact that Salahuddin has been making, rather freely, statements on Kashmir, which seem to be contrary to the stance taken by Islamabad-at least for the time being-is a clear pointer to Pakistan's strategy on Kashmir.

Pakistan's domestic jihad
Jun 17, 2014

Pakistan's domestic jihad

It is possible that, unable to control the various jihadis in their country or control events in Afghanistan, Pakistan's military rulers will first try to blame India for all its troubles and then launch a diversionary jihadi attack to provoke a reaction from the Indians and bring the whole world into play.

Pakistan's naval transformation: Dangerous delusions, soaring ambitions
Dec 12, 2016

Pakistan's naval transformation: Dangerous delusions, soaring ambitions

The combination of dangerous delusions, soaring ambitions and a fatal nuclear obsession could spark another round of strategic brinkmanship in South Asia, with disastrous consequences for regional security. Navy is supposed to be the new domain for another round of brinkmanship

Pakistan's new army chief: Seniority or politics?
Nov 02, 2013

Pakistan's new army chief: Seniority or politics?

What magnifies Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif's dilemma in picking up a successor to Gen Kayani is his own experience of picking Pervez Musharraf way down the seniority line to lead the army and regretting it forever. He will not like to repeat his past folly.

Pakistan's new Kashmir offensive
Sep 17, 2003

Pakistan's new Kashmir offensive

Kashmir is in trouble. Several incidents in quick succession that shattered peace in the State over the past few weeks are ominous. Trouble brewing in the Middle East, the regrouping of the Al Qaeda and various elements of terror groups, their re-emergence from the badlands of Afghanistan and Pakistan and the rising crescendo of bickering within Pakistan-all of this poses a serious threat to peace and stability in the region and elsewhere.

Pakistan's nuclear tango
Jan 21, 2004

Pakistan's nuclear tango

When the world attention was riveted by the US-choreographed peace moves between New Delhi and Islamabad early this month, a South African Jewish businessman, Asher Karni, 50, was being trapped in a sting operation launched by the US Commerce Department and other federal investigating agencies. On January 2,

Pakistan's politics: Back to the 1990s?
May 07, 2011

Pakistan's politics: Back to the 1990s?

After more than two years of lull in the political arena, Pakistan is witnessing some visible and dramatic changes which can influence the political scenario in the next few months.

Pakistan's Taliban proxy and Afghan power sharing
Jul 04, 2013

Pakistan's Taliban proxy and Afghan power sharing

As tensions between Kabul and Islamabad threaten the fragile peace process in Afghanistan, the Taliban's role as a proxy for Pakistan's interests has come back into sharp focus again.

Pakistan's War on Terror: A Question of Skill, or Will?
Apr 30, 2011

Pakistan's War on Terror: A Question of Skill, or Will?

A reasonably objective assessment of Pakistan's War on Terror can only begin with acknowledging two facts. First, there has been an unprecedented level of terrorist violence in Pakistan for the past three years.

Pakistan, China's new frontline state
Jun 22, 2015

Pakistan, China's new frontline state

India cannot ignore what is happening in its North-West. It is not clear what is going to be Indian policy to protect its political, strategic and economic interests in Afghanistan. May be the Indian policy-makers will have to sit back and think of ways to ensure that India's role in Af-Pak region doesn't become minimal.

Pakistan, in Modi's eyes
Apr 22, 2014

Pakistan, in Modi's eyes

If the reports that Narendra Modi has sent emissaries to Pakistan are true, they indicate a recognition of the need to reassure leaders across the border that, were he to become prime minister, he would not be throwing a grenade at the bilateral relationship.

Pakistan, post-Peshawar
Feb 27, 2015

Pakistan, post-Peshawar

After the horrific attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar in December last year by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants, Pakistan is trying to crack down on militancy in the country.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the Bomb: Brothers and Arms
Mar 31, 2010

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the Bomb: Brothers and Arms

Although concrete evidence about Saudi intentions to acquire nuclear weapons' capabilities is not there the story continues to attract international commentary

Pakistan-Israel Cladenstine Ties
Sep 21, 2005

Pakistan-Israel Cladenstine Ties

That is, in short, the general Israeli reaction to the initiative recently taken by General Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan to bring into the open Pakistan's hitherto clandestine relations with Israel. Nobody denies the previous existence of clandestine contacts between the two countries, which recently culminated in an open,

Pakistan:   Energy crisis and its immediate consequences
Apr 06, 2012

Pakistan: Energy crisis and its immediate consequences

Pakistan is facing an acute energy crisis. In times such as these, when energy resources are an important marker of future prosperity of a nation, Pakistan's grip over its energy resources is loosening day by day. The country has been facing major deficit in power supply over the last two years, forcing citizens to resort to violent protests on the streets.

Pakistan: Anxiously waiting for its first democratic transfer of power
Mar 11, 2013

Pakistan: Anxiously waiting for its first democratic transfer of power

It may not have been pretty, but the finish-line is within sight for the Zardari-led coalition government in Pakistan. And the first democratic transfer of power is a significant milestone in the growth of democracy in the country.

Pakistan: Ceasefire violations could undo peace moves
Jul 18, 2014

Pakistan: Ceasefire violations could undo peace moves

The continuing ceasefire violations on the India-Pakistan border could become a stumbling block in the renewed attempts by the leadership of the two neighbours to improve their relationship.

Pakistan: Challenges before the new Army chief
Jan 22, 2014

Pakistan: Challenges before the new Army chief

For Pakistan and its army, the year 2014 is crucial as the NATO troops withdraw from Afghanistan. There are fears in Pakistan of an Afghan civil war. There is also the long pursued Pakistani strategy of supporting the Afghan Taliban which may backfire.

Pakistan: End India's one-sided love affair
Jul 13, 2012

Pakistan: End India's one-sided love affair

India's interest lies in peace, not in coddling Pakistan, not necessarily in pursuing "most favoured nation" status, trade and visa issues with that country, but in ensuring it remains irrelevant in Kashmir and realises it is irrelevant. This will not happen by our mere say-so.

Pakistan: F-16S & after
Apr 05, 2005

Pakistan: F-16S & after

The enthusiasm bordering on euphoria generated by the talks of Ms.Condoleezza Rice, US Secretary of State, with Indian leaders during her recent visit to New Delhi has been somewhat dissipated by the announcement of the decision of President George Bush to clear the sale of the latest version of the F-16 aircraft to Pakistan.

Pakistan: Girls as compensation for crimes
Jun 29, 2012

Pakistan: Girls as compensation for crimes

On June 2, 2012, The News International reported, that in the Dera Ismail Khan district of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province in Pakistan the 11-year-old Niazmina and her two-year-old sister Bakhtawar were given as compensation to the house of Juma Khan for the crime that their uncle, Muhammad Ikram, had committed.

Pakistan: Military offensive in North Waziristan
Feb 14, 2014

Pakistan: Military offensive in North Waziristan

The long-awaited military offensive in Pakistan's North Waziristan region, which began in mid-December, has raised questions about the overall objectives and intentions of the nation's army in fighting terrorism.

Pakistan: Military ties with Russia strengthen
Jul 03, 2015

Pakistan: Military ties with Russia strengthen

Throughout the Cold War - and afterwards - Russia's relations with Pakistan remained almost non-existent. However, with the United States and NATO pulling out its troops from Afghanistan in 2013,

Pakistan: Neutrality in Yemen and Arabian displeasure
May 15, 2015

Pakistan: Neutrality in Yemen and Arabian displeasure

During the recent crisis in Yemen, between the Houthis and the nine-nation military coalition led by the Saudis, a joint sitting of Pakistan's Parliament voted against joining the Saudi-led coalition.

Pakistan: Post-poll challenges before the nation
Mar 08, 2013

Pakistan: Post-poll challenges before the nation

The rapidly-approaching March 16 deadline for the dissolution of the Government led by Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, ahead of scheduled May elections, is an occasion worthy of note and reflection for Pakistan.

Pakistan: PPP's game in Karachi, a sign of desperation
Jul 15, 2011

Pakistan: PPP's game in Karachi, a sign of desperation

Recent political moves by the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) in Sindh reflect more desperation than confidence, while the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) is doing what every political party in Pakistan excels in - crying foul for having been deprived of effective power by a stronger adversary.

Pakistan: Relationship with US deteriorating
Jun 28, 2015

Pakistan: Relationship with US deteriorating

The relationship between the United States and Pakistan is one that grew exponentially in the first decade of the new millennia. However, following the post-US drawdown from Afghanistan, the United States' relationship with Pakistan has hit a roadblock of sorts.

Pakistan: Singh should make a bold move
Jul 09, 2013

Pakistan: Singh should make a bold move

The UPA government needs to inject some boldness into its Pakistan policy. A.B. Vajpayee, representing the "communal" BJP, visited Pakistan twice during his six-year tenure as PM. Manmohan Singh representing the "secular" Congress has been too timid to go across the border.

Pakistan: Stemming sectarian violence, Sharif's tough task
Dec 07, 2013

Pakistan: Stemming sectarian violence, Sharif's tough task

Of the many pressing challenges and crises facing Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the one which is perhaps the most difficult to address is the sectarian blood-letting that has been tearing the social fabric of Pakistan for decades now.

Pakistan: The cost of poll violence
May 10, 2013

Pakistan: The cost of poll violence

Pakistan's first democratic transfer of power should have been a moment of hope and triumph. But, as it stands, widespread violence has marred the historic elections and all but halted the public campaigning by several prominent parties outside of Punjab.

Pakistan: The difficult task of continuing legacy of Chief Justice Chaudhury
Dec 13, 2013

Pakistan: The difficult task of continuing legacy of Chief Justice Chaudhury

Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary, who retired on December 12 after heading Pakistan's apex court for seven years, has left behind a contentious legacy of judicial activism, in many senses unprecedented and extraordinarily difficult to follow.

Pakistan: The drama begins to unfold
Jan 12, 2012

Pakistan: The drama begins to unfold

In the ongoing power game in Pakistan, the US would secretly back the Army despite all the ill feeling in recent weeks while publicly supporting the civilian government. Probably the US would prefer that the PPP government be sacrificed in an early election, something the Army would appreciate.