SMOKERS’ CORNER: STUDENTS OF A FEATHER
What makes a university campus left wing or right wing?
Nadeem F. Paracha
SMOKERS’ CORNER: PAKISTAN AND IRAN’S THIN RED LINE
Since 1981, relations with Iran have remained tense and enigmatic, in contrast to their earlier unqualified warmth.
SMOKERS’ CORNER: EULOGISING NAZI GERMANY IN SOUTH ASIA
The curious case of ‘brown’ folks fawning over Hitler and his policies.
SMOKERS’ CORNER: A ‘PRIVATE MATTER’ PUNISHABLE BY DEATH
When the British introduced the blasphemy law in India in 1860, it did not carry the death sentence. How did the law
SMOKERS’ CORNER: HOW ADJUSTABLE SHOULD A CONSTITUTION BE?
Constitutional amendments made in bad faith prove tough to reverse when they become tools in hands of political lobbies.
SMOKERS’ CORNER: VAGUE IDEALS AND WORD DANCES
The New Left’s relativist and psychological critique of capitalism made intellectual vagueness ‘hip’ in the postmodern
SMOKERS’ CORNER: WHEN DID STUDENTS BECOME VIOLENT?
It is important to debunk misconceptions about Pakistan’s student politics history.
SMOKERS’ CORNER: WHY DO EXPATS VOTE DIFFERENTLY?
Are Pakistani expatriates far removed from the changing reality of domestic politics?
SMOKERS’ CORNER: WHO'S AFRAID OF STUDENT ACTIVISM?
Organised student politics needs brand new strategies and newer models instead of those from bygone times.
SMOKERS’ CORNER: THE LANGUAGE OF THE AZAAN
There is a long history of rebellion against state-imposed religious practices.
SMOKERS’ CORNER: THE NUTSHELL VERSION OF HISTORY
In analysing historical events, context provides uncomfortable perspectives.
SMOKERS’ CORNER: THE SAVIOUR COMPLEX
The wheel of messianic politics in the country continues to turn.
SMOKERS’ CORNER: REVOLUTION OR COURSE CORRECTION?
Political turmoil in the shape of riots and protests is largely about a system correcting itself.
SMOKERS’ CORNER: FASCISM: WHAT’S IN A LABEL?
Is ‘fascism’, a hugely destructive phenomenon of the 20th century, relevant today as anything more than a buzzword?
SMOKERS’ CORNER: THE ‘RELIGIOUS CARD’
The state, politicians and various influential segments of society are frequently accused of using religious propaganda.
SMOKERS’ CORNER: GOING BEYOND BANTERING ABOUT EXTREMISM
PM Imran has frequently negated the nature of reforms suggested in the NAP.
SMOKERS’ CORNER: THE POLITICS OF CLIMATE STRIFE
Perhaps the most alarming aspect of climate change is how it might actually be causing civil strife within countries.
SMOKERS’ CORNER: ELEPHANTS IN THE ROOM
Dress codes for female students in most Pakistani educational institutions are already sufficiently modest.
SMOKERS’ CORNER: CONSPIRACY AND FANTASY
Complex socio-political changes and the internet explosion have allowed conspiracy theories once relegated to the
SMOKERS’ CORNER: PAKISTAN AND THE MUSLIM UMMAH
With the Saudi monarchy and Gulf Arabs making unprecedented and self-interested political moves, Pakistan should