https://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/raza1us/The Pakistanis," said former US president Richard Nixon, "are straightforward and sometimes extremely stupid. The Indians are more devious, sometimes so smart that we fall for their line."hourly12000-01-01T12:00+00:00https://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/raza1us/521860"The Pakistanis," said former US president Richard Nixon, "are straightforward and sometimes extremely stupid. The Indians are more devious, sometimes so smart that we fall for their line." In their desperation to salvage their near-failure in Afghanistan, the Americans are certainly falling for...https://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/raza1us/521856In Pakistan, with or without elections, the status quo of rent-seeking elite through degenerated colonial institutions continues. Soon after any change, whether through elections or coup, our leaders begin power plays, VIP pleasures, and of course amassing fortunes. Democracy needs to be...https://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/raza1us/521853The electoral arithmetic always remains a puzzle for analysts in a first-past-the-post system, as compared to the list system of proportionate representation. Yet public opinion surveys and exit polls are conducted to reflect upon the voting pattern in an otherwise very complex variation. In a...https://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/raza1us/521830The electoral arithmetic always remains a puzzle for analysts in a first-past-the-post system, as compared to the list system of proportionate representation. Yet public opinion surveys and exit polls are conducted to reflect upon the voting pattern in an otherwise very complex variation. In a...https://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/raza1us/521826The February 18 election is not likely to put an end to the current political turmoil. The expectations of the three leading political parties in winning seats to the National Assembly are not likely to be met. As per our time-honoured electoral traditions, rigging charges will fly thick and...https://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/raza1us/521587Just a few months ago, in the shadow of the archaeology department’s devolution to the provincial government, a minaret in the Lahore Fort collapsed, revealing to all just how effective official conservation measures are. A decade ago, citizens of Lahore stood flabbergasted as construction...