Stories by Umar Riaz

The author is a civil servant with a background in law enforcement, finance, and anti-corruption. He studied public policy at Syracuse University as a Hubert H. Humphrey fellow, and holds a masters in law and policy from the University of Sydney. He tweets at: @UmarRiazOficial

Dying for a dream: Pakistan’s migrant crisis from GT Road to Europe

Human smuggling networks in Pakistan are thriving as the lure of a stable future in Europe drives both rich and poor to gamble their lives on dangerous migration routes. Updated 04 Feb, 2025 02:09pm

Let these 8 acid attack survivors inspire you to turn your life around

With help from Masarrat Misbah's Depilex Smile Again Foundation, these women are taking control of their lives Published 09 Jan, 2018 09:34am

Civil service reform

The fact that the civil service is inefficient is taken as a given. Published 22 Nov, 2016 01:14am

Kaneez Fatima — whom acid could not silence

The sight of a young, 17-year-old girl in a typical Pakistani courtroom is a rarity. Kaneez Fatima is that rarity. Updated 12 Jan, 2015 03:44pm

Burnt human flesh, once more

There was a severed hand with a pink Mickey Mouse watch...an amputated foot with the familiar Cheetah joggers. Updated 23 Dec, 2014 06:29pm