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Looking back in 2026 DATELINE: September 10, 2026: Today was a sad day at college; the 11th student dropped out of my Freshman history class. I can’t help but wonder whether this is because I...		The concept of thermidor CONCEPTS have a way of living on, long after the events which gave them birth, pass into history, are even forgotten. Thermidor, the eleventh month of the French revolutionary calendar, refers...
A Hardly Talked interview Recently, a famous global news channel conducted an interview with yours truly. It was subsequently denied broadcast by the network’s authorities “due to national security concerns”. For the benefit of Dawn...		Iftar parties and diplomatic hosts Iftar parties continue to be popular in the country despite the policy of the current rulers to frown on official Iftar....
Sorry to be leaving, but not unhappy AFTER our visit to Sinkiang, there remained a formal, on-the-record interview with Chou En Lai and we would be done, and already we were making plans to go home. We were...		A gang of begging hands AS I stopped by the main Tariq Road’s signal, a bang on the windscreen shook me up from a serene doze of light Indian music combined with the coolness of my...
The most lucrative profession One cannot understand why professionals waste considerable money, time and energy in obtaining academic degrees in colleges and universities, when the most lucrative profession — beggary — can be practised without...		The coming of winter Weather takes a cold turn by end November but winter has been a late arrival for some years. The onset of winter has, however, never been as lethargic and reluctant as...
Serene and scenic Samana Situated over a ridge at an altitude of more than 6,500 feet, Samana is at a distance of about three hours from Kohat in the NWFP. As one travels from Kohat...		Haleji Lake: the wintering paradise THE wetlands of Sindh have always been regarded as welcoming grounds for millions of waterfowls who immigrate to Pakistan from Siberia and Russia during winter. A very important among these wetlands...
Preparing for Haj Scores of books, pamphlets and websites are available on the subject of Haj and Umrah, and are generally very useful. Haj training sessions are organized before the departure of Haj flights....		Train travel traumas Travel is an education no doubt. In Pakistan, however, it is more of an experience than education; and the experience varies with the mode of travel chosen....
Digging the past THE historians and the archaeologists have one thing in common. That is “digging the past” — the historians do it figuratively while the archaeologists are literally involved in digging. The works...		Mirza Ghalib rules out clash of civilizations INTELLECTUALS have been talking of the “clash of civilizations” for several years before New York’s World Trade Center towers, the world’s tallest twins, vanished in a pall of smoke in less...
CHAPTERS FROM HISTORY: To live with duality Before the advent of industrial revolution changes in social order, culture and beliefs were always smooth, slow, imperceptible and without break. But with the initiation of industrial revolution the changes were...		POINT OF VIEW: Dawood Rahbar as a poet DR Dawood Rahbar is primarily known to us as a scholar specializing in the study of religions and cultures. His book, Culture Ke Roohani Anasar, may be regarded as his representative...
Down to earth in Perth IN the way the world loves a lover, most of us have an innate desire to back the underdog — to see David humble Goliath...		Hockey needs a facelift Pakistan’s failure at the recently concluded 23rd Champions Trophy at Rotterdam, The Netherlands, has no element of surprise, though negating the tall claim by the PHF bosses and team management that...
THROUGH THE COVERS: An anti-climax of sorts THE way the first Test between Australia and South Africa went, many would have been disappointed. It was certainly an anti-climax after all the hype of being the series to decide...		Thoughts on Christmas tide Christmas season found me once in Europe and once in America, and each time I brought back some happy memories. Something that struck me particularly at both of these places in...
Undeniable reality A scorching Saturday morning found me staring into the faces of two men whom I presumed to be on the brink of absolute death! It’s not like I haven’t seen...		NEWSMAKER THE recent decision by Pakistan Cricket Board to include Shoaib Akhtar in its Bangladesh-bound squad is set to bring it head-to-head with the International Cricket Conference...