Syed Irfan Ashraf

Kakar inducts two dozen into cabinet

Kakar inducts two dozen into cabinet

16 federal ministers, 3 advisers to PM, 5 SAPMs enlisted; Shamshad Akhtar named finance minister, Jalil Abbas made foreign minister. Updated 18 Aug, 2023 08:15am
The Taliban’s dilemma

The Taliban’s dilemma

The swelling ranks of exiled Afghan journalists are going to be a serious challenge for the Taliban rule. Updated 17 Mar, 2022 09:16am
Digital apartheid in ex-Fata

Digital apartheid in ex-Fata

Internet services in ex-Fata are still considered a ‘security risk’ and are, therefore, denied. Published 10 Dec, 2021 07:22am
The rise of IS-K militancy

The rise of IS-K militancy

The lethal interplay of ideology and technology has a role in Afghanistan’s turf war. Updated 11 Nov, 2021 09:01am
Pakhtuns, state and nationalism

Pakhtuns, state and nationalism

They have lost the most in the ‘war on terror’. Why then is the PM painting Pakhtuns as a nation of holy warriors? Updated 15 Oct, 2021 08:31am

TTP turf war

IS the turf war within the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan an outcome of muscle-flexing or a shift in the militancy... Published 19 May, 2014 06:50am

Let’s play ‘talk, talk’

AFTER several days of sustained air strikes against militants’ hideouts in the tribal belt and adjacent settled... Published 10 Mar, 2014 07:49am

Media under fire

WHY would the Taliban try to recruit insiders from the ranks of journalists? This was the first question that came ... Published 15 Feb, 2014 06:37am

Anatomy of a jailbreak

THE Dera Ismail Khan jailbreak was alarming. But the government’s response was equally embarrassing. Over 100... Updated 17 Aug, 2013 07:57am

Behind the conspiracy theories

ON television, a couple of celebrity anchors were discussing the rising tide of conspiracy theories in Pakistan. One... Published 23 Jul, 2013 07:19am

A drama called terrorism

TO borrow an idea from sociologist Victor Burner, terrorism in Pakistan has become a social drama. Almost every... Published 08 Jul, 2013 04:54am

Perils of reaching out

IN his first press conference after winning the elections last month, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Pervez... Published 18 Jun, 2013 05:02am

Farcical debate

WITH a congressional hearing in the United States on the drone issue set for April 23, some groups in that country are making efforts to create a consensus for bringing an end to drone strikes in Pakistan and elsewhere. Published 22 Apr, 2013 05:10am