Live from Pakistan

There were several mercy pleas for Aimal Kasi who was extradited by Pakistan to the US to stand trial. With growing world opinion against death sentence, would it not have been better to commute the execution to life imprisonment? It is fortunate that there were no protest demonstrations or terror... Sign in to see full entry.

With the convening of the National Assembly and oath taken by the newly elected members at 11 am today, Pakistan returns to democratic rule, after three years of rule by the army. General Musharraf will take oath as president 2 hours before the members of parliament. Through a controversial... Sign in to see full entry.

Foreign groups are once again utilizing Pakistan as a base for their operations. The tape aired recently by Al-Jazeera with Osama bin Laden’s voice was handed over to their corespondent in Pakistan. Ahmed Ziedan, who is based in Islamabad, claims that since he has interviewed Osama in 2000 and 2001... Sign in to see full entry.

The National Assembly session has been requisitioned on November 16, and the former Speaker, Ilahi Bakhsh Soomro will chair the session until the process of election of a new speaker has been accomplished. The question of agreement of Clause 58(2)(B) still haunts the negotiators of PML-Q and MMA.... Sign in to see full entry.

The Polish National Day Reception was hosted this evening by the Consul General of Polandat at Karachi Sheraton Hotel. For the reception the Polish ambassador had flown down from Islamabad. The diplomats from Karachi do not come to Karachi as frequently as they used to a few years ago. The Polish... Sign in to see full entry.

Among the critical issues being faced is the persistent water shortage in some areas of Karachi. Low income families residing in two areas, Orangi and Lyari, are facing terrible hardship. For the past several days they have been forced to stage sit-ins and protests, to draw attention of the... Sign in to see full entry.

Finally, we get the news that the nation has been waiting for! The President has today announced the convening of the National Assembly session on November 16. This announcement has come in the light of seemingly successful negotiations between PML-Q and MMA who appear to have agreed on all... Sign in to see full entry.

Well, the latest on that front point towards PML-Q (Pakistan Muslim League, Quaid-e-Azam) and MMA (Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal) coming together to form the future government in Pakistan. Thus the largest and the third largest majority parties are inching closer to joining hands. Also, the National... Sign in to see full entry.

Two days ago the Karavan Committee on Women Empowerment visited Nazimabad in Karachi, where my mother-in-law, Qabila Khatoon, had established a centre for women. For the last three decades there had been little activity there, since after her death, none of the family members could devote the time... Sign in to see full entry.

Now that Pakistan has 40,000 elected women councillors in the local government system, the need for easy access to microcredit becomes even more critical. Women councillors are playing an important role in awakening women to try and improve their lives. However, without ease of credit facility,... Sign in to see full entry.