THE MADNESS OF MODI’S MEDIA

THE MADNESS OF MODI’S MEDIA

India’s mainstream media has traded fact for fantasy, devolving into a propaganda machine that espouses delusional narratives, endangers regional peace and erodes public reason. Updated 18 May, 2025 12:16pm
CRICKET: FROM UNDERDOGS TO CONTENDERS

CRICKET: FROM UNDERDOGS TO CONTENDERS

Led by Fatima Sana, Pakistan’s women cricketers have defied expectations, qualifying for the World Cup in style. Now, the
Published 18 May, 2025 07:52am
EXHIBITION: PARADISE IN PARIS

EXHIBITION: PARADISE IN PARIS

The third iteration of an art show in Paris, which draws inspiration from the Shalimar Gardens, grappled with the relatio
Published 18 May, 2025 07:52am
ESSAY: HOW A DREAM WAS TRANSFORMED

ESSAY: HOW A DREAM WAS TRANSFORMED

Born from Sufi and Bhakti traditions, Sikhism was India’s great interfaith experiment… until persecution and betrayals turned
Published 18 May, 2025 07:52am
CLIFTONIA: FANTASY NEWS

CLIFTONIA: FANTASY NEWS

The Republic of Gangetica’s loudest news show host has his knives out, including for the Cliftonia Post
Published 18 May, 2025 07:52am
GARDENING: CARING FOR THE CUCUMBER

GARDENING: CARING FOR THE CUCUMBER

While the Armenian cucumber is easy to grow, gardeners must ensure the balance between sunlight exposure and soil moisture at the
Published 18 May, 2025 07:52am
CRICKET: DETHRONING OF THE SULTANS

CRICKET: DETHRONING OF THE SULTANS

Multan Sultans had played in the finals of the last four seasons of the Pakistan Super League, building a reputation as one of
Published 11 May, 2025 07:31am
EXHIBITION: THE UNAPOLOGETIC MUSLIM

EXHIBITION: THE UNAPOLOGETIC MUSLIM

Themes of faith, surveillance and belonging dominate Mahtab Hussain’s latest exhibition, providing a window into the UK’s ‘Muslim
Updated 11 May, 2025 04:07pm
ARTSPEAK: STANDING UP TO THE HAWKS

ARTSPEAK: STANDING UP TO THE HAWKS

In contrast to the Indian media’s war cries, Pakistanis are using social media to satirise conflict, ridicule aggression and
Updated 11 May, 2025 09:36pm
SMOKERS’ CORNER: BETWEEN DOGMA AND SURVIVAL

SMOKERS’ CORNER: BETWEEN DOGMA AND SURVIVAL

In an age of rising populism and fragile states, Pakistan’s ‘hybrid system’ may be less about democratic ideals and more about national survival and political pragmatism.
Published 11 May, 2025 07:31am
EPICURIOUS: THE PEERLESS TART

EPICURIOUS: THE PEERLESS TART

Crunchy and soft at the same time, this Parisian pastry combines the nutty richness of almond with the sweetness of pears
Published 11 May, 2025 07:31am
GARDENING: THE KAKRI FROM ARMENIA

GARDENING: THE KAKRI FROM ARMENIA

The popular cucumber is not only a preferred savoury snack in South Asia, but also convenient to plant and grow at home
Published 11 May, 2025 07:31am
CAN INDIA STILL GO TO WAR WITH PAKISTAN?

CAN INDIA STILL GO TO WAR WITH PAKISTAN?

Why do India and Pakistan keep returning to this state of brinkmanship? Can India actually conduct a military strike against a nuclear Pakistan?
Updated 04 May, 2025 12:17pm
ECONOMY: THE GREAT TEXTILE UNRAVELLING

ECONOMY: THE GREAT TEXTILE UNRAVELLING

Pakistan’s textile sector, once a global player, is facing an existential crisis as rising power costs and inflationary pressure
Published 04 May, 2025 06:17am
CRICKET: QUEENS OF CRICKET

CRICKET: QUEENS OF CRICKET

The 1st Transgender Cricket Cup held in Sukkur recently was a remarkable story of inclusivity and has brought hop
Published 04 May, 2025 06:17am
ADVICE: AUNTIE AGNI

ADVICE: AUNTIE AGNI

‘My Toxic Home Environment Is Stressing Me Out’
Published 04 May, 2025 06:17am
CULTURE: THE EQUINE PRIDES OF SINDH

CULTURE: THE EQUINE PRIDES OF SINDH

Horses are central to Sindh’s cultural soul — symbols of strength, grace and pride. But with rising costs and changing lifestyles
Published 04 May, 2025 06:17am
EXHIBITION: THE ART OF ACCOUNTABILITY

EXHIBITION: THE ART OF ACCOUNTABILITY

The powerful social commentary that permeates much of Adeela Suleman’s art was once again on display at her latest exhibition,
Published 04 May, 2025 06:17am
SMOKERS’ CORNER: SEDUCED BY THE SPOTLIGHT

SMOKERS’ CORNER: SEDUCED BY THE SPOTLIGHT

Pursuit of attention, even in the political arena, can lead to distorted priorities and the manipulation of genuine causes for personal visibility.
Updated 04 May, 2025 10:26am
GARDENING: THE VERTICAL GARDEN

GARDENING: THE VERTICAL GARDEN

Hanging gardens are ideal for urban enthusiasts who can’t pursue their horticultural passions due to want of space…
Published 04 May, 2025 06:17am
RETHINKING STATE STRATEGY IN BALOCHISTAN

RETHINKING STATE STRATEGY IN BALOCHISTAN

The issue of how to deal with the insurgency and dissent in Balochistan continues to divide people and often elicits the most entrenched, if not predictable, responses.
Updated 27 Apr, 2025 10:04am
ECONOMY: BONDS OVER BUSINESSES

ECONOMY: BONDS OVER BUSINESSES

Even as Pakistani banks earn record returns by investing in low-risk government securities, this is happening at the expense of
Published 27 Apr, 2025 06:24am
ESSAY: STAMPING THE FEET

ESSAY: STAMPING THE FEET

Between Kafkaesque red tape, a discriminatory global visa regime and national self-loathing, the dream of travel for many
Published 27 Apr, 2025 06:24am
EDUCATION: SPARKING LOVE FOR SCIENCE

EDUCATION: SPARKING LOVE FOR SCIENCE

Most Pakistani students miss out on the joyous revelations the hard sciences have to offer, often due to an education system that
Published 27 Apr, 2025 06:24am
EXHIBITION: VALADON’S VISION

EXHIBITION: VALADON’S VISION

A retrospective exhibition in Paris highlights Suzanne Valadon’s pioneering but often underestimated role in the birth
Published 27 Apr, 2025 06:24am
ARTSPEAK: THE PASSION OF TEACHERS

ARTSPEAK: THE PASSION OF TEACHERS

From Ancient Greece to contemporary rural India, teachers across generations have awakened minds and sustained cur
Published 27 Apr, 2025 06:24am
NON-FICTION: LIVING TO TELL THE TALE

NON-FICTION: LIVING TO TELL THE TALE

Zafar Masud, one of the only two survivors of PIA Flight 8303 that crashed in Karachi five years ago, has penned a first-person
Published 18 May, 2025 08:40am
FICTION: THE ROBOTIC LIFE

FICTION: THE ROBOTIC LIFE

A sci-fi novel with a robot as a protagonist is a sarcastic commentary on human society and the futility of human ambition
Published 18 May, 2025 08:35am
NON-FICTION: AROUND THE WORLD

NON-FICTION: AROUND THE WORLD

A slim compilation of fascinating accounts of travels inside and outside Pakistan makes the reader feel like the author’s constant
Updated 18 May, 2025 12:02pm
COLUMN: EXCAVATING NARRATIVES

COLUMN: EXCAVATING NARRATIVES

In The Museum Detective, Maha Khan Phillips returns with a fast-paced archaeological thriller. Set in Karachi, the...
Published 18 May, 2025 08:25am
COLUMN: AUTHORS AND WAR

COLUMN: AUTHORS AND WAR

In the works of Urdu’s prominent poet and cultural historian Farrukh Yar, the compositeness of South Asian civilisation and its...
Updated 11 May, 2025 02:17pm
FICTION: ROMANCE AND REALISM

FICTION: ROMANCE AND REALISM

A formulaic romance novel segues into a study of the emotional and psychological challenges faced by its protagonists, exploring
Published 11 May, 2025 09:02am
FICTION: RADICALISATION AND REDEMPTION

FICTION: RADICALISATION AND REDEMPTION

A debut novel by a Middle East political analyst forces readers to reconsider their assumptions about ideological transformation
Published 11 May, 2025 08:56am
NON-FICTION: POPULISM AND PAKISTAN

NON-FICTION: POPULISM AND PAKISTAN

An academic book investigates the demand for populism in the country and analyses the complex relationship between populism,
Published 04 May, 2025 07:15am
FICTION: Their sister’s keepers

FICTION: Their sister’s keepers

Coco Mellors’ remarkably engaging latest novel is an authentic story about sisterhood, sibling rivalry, loss, anguish
Published 04 May, 2025 07:15am
COLUMN: LITERATURE AND POLITICS

COLUMN: LITERATURE AND POLITICS

When it comes to art’s relationship with power, history is replete with instances where artists have sucked up to power. However
Updated 27 Apr, 2025 11:25am
FICTION: SATIRE AND COSMIC STAKES

FICTION: SATIRE AND COSMIC STAKES

The sequel to The Light Blue Jumper has deeper themes and more ambitious worldbuilding, while retaining the sci-fi novel’s trad
Published 27 Apr, 2025 06:44am
NON-FICTION: THE ENIGMA OF IDEOLOGY

NON-FICTION: THE ENIGMA OF IDEOLOGY

What is the ‘Pakistan Ideology’ and is it the same as ‘Islamic Ideology’, as it is sometimes represented? The latest book
Published 27 Apr, 2025 06:44am
NON-FICTION: HEADING OFF STAR WARS

NON-FICTION: HEADING OFF STAR WARS

A book co-authored by a Pakistani and an American scholar is the first-ever to present a South Asian perspective on the...
Published 20 Apr, 2025 08:06am
FICTION: SHADOWS OF A STORY

FICTION: SHADOWS OF A STORY

A debut novel about a family dispute showcases the author’s facility with words but suffers from a less-than-riveting plot
Published 20 Apr, 2025 07:58am