Stories by Ahmed Bilal Mehboob

By-elections 2025

By-elections 2025

It is difficult to comment on the fairness or otherwise of the recent by-elections at this stage. Updated 29 Nov, 2025 08:39am
Provincial autonomy

Provincial autonomy

Parties' top leadership designs the system to keep CMs dependent on its directions. Updated 22 Nov, 2025 09:00am
LG constitutional amendment

LG constitutional amendment

There is a growing realisation in Pakistan that Article 140-A needs to be expanded. Updated 08 Nov, 2025 08:19am
New KP saga begins

New KP saga begins

It is unclear how far the new CM’s conduct will be different from that of his predecessor. Updated 18 Oct, 2025 08:45am
Politics of boycott

Politics of boycott

Traditionally, rival parties sat together in times of emergency. Not anymore, it seems. Updated 05 Sep, 2025 08:44am
New provinces?

New provinces?

Is creating new provinces the best way to achieve better governance? Updated 23 Aug, 2025 08:28am
Pandemonium in assembly

Pandemonium in assembly

The Punjab Assembly has been experiencing extraordinary turmoil for the last three years. Published 02 Aug, 2025 05:50am
Budget democratisation

Budget democratisation

There is ample room to introduce more democratic provisions in the budget processes. Updated 14 Jun, 2025 10:09am
CEC impasse

CEC impasse

The government seems to be in no hurry to initiate the process of new appointments. Updated 06 Apr, 2025 08:32am
A deserving raise?

A deserving raise?

The recent increase in legislators’ salaries is in sync with similar raises for other public officials. Published 06 Feb, 2025 07:47am
Delayed electoral justice

Delayed electoral justice

The element of fear from "the long arm of justice" has almost disappeared. Updated 24 Nov, 2024 08:57am
High-stakes reserved seats

High-stakes reserved seats

The July 12 order is very much a legitimate SC order. On the other hand, the 2nd amendment to Elections Act is a legitimate law. Updated 02 Nov, 2024 10:17am
Unpacking the amendment

Unpacking the amendment

Most governments want to find a way to blunt the judicial weapon of accountability. Updated 27 Oct, 2024 09:00am
Missing NSC

Missing NSC

The NSC should meet regularly, and not just in reaction to specific security-related episodes. Updated 07 Sep, 2024 05:44pm
Test for fragile democracy

Test for fragile democracy

In this highly combustible environment, when the Supreme Court resumes work next month, there are bound to be fireworks. Published 22 Aug, 2024 08:44am
Budget and parliament

Budget and parliament

The little respect accorded to the budget was highlighted this year more than previously. Published 20 Jul, 2024 07:47am
Saga of reserved seats

Saga of reserved seats

The question of reserved seats will require interpretation of the Constitution and Elections Act, 2017. Updated 18 May, 2024 11:34am
Senate election controversy

Senate election controversy

The major controversy concerns the ECP’s unprecedented move to postpone election in the KP provincial assembly. Updated 08 Apr, 2024 08:51am