On January 27, US President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order which barred nationals of seven Muslim-majority countries from traveling to the US for 90 days, as well as indefinitely suspending the intake of Syrian refugees. The controversial move was widely criticised. Most world leaders, large sections of the international media, and the general public voiced their …
Category: Blogs
Sep 03
Who is responsible for the two Pakistani teenage ‘suicides’?
Two days ago, I woke up to the terrible news of the death of two children in a school in Karachi. Initial reports suggested that the children had decided to end their lives after their parents disapproved of their ‘romantic involvement’. I have been utterly depressed at the very thought of this incident. While the police are …
Jun 30
Ending the moon-sighting controversy through science
As Pakistanis prepare for the holy month, filling their refrigerators with Seher and Iftar essentials, and go lengths to ensure that their Eid dresses are ready on time, they are all fixated on one question: “Yaar, chaand kab hai?” (When will the moon be sighted?) Thanks to the ill-informed reporting of our media and the myth-believing …
Mar 09
Why the ‘science’ we study is not really science
Lately, Pakistan seems to have started taking baby steps towards shining on the scientific horizon. We have a Nobel Prize in Physics to our credit, 5-year-olds with IT certifications, and an ever-increasing number of doctorates being produced. On the other hand, the majority of our children remain deprived of even primary education and a blessing …
Jan 27
Why Pakistan should celebrate the eradication of dracunculiasis
Way back in the later half of 1980s, US President Jimmy Carter was on his visit to Ghana. During his tour, he happened to visit a small village. It was in this forgotten corner of the universe that Mr Carter saw a woman whom he thought was holding a baby in her arms. However, it …
Oct 28
From kindergarten to CSS: The ‘cram to pass’ model abounds
Miss! Important sawalon par tick lagwa dein! (Teacher, please tell us which of the questions are important ones). If you were raised in Pakistan and studied in a Pakistani school – whether private or public – you will be more than familiar with the above statement. Just before exams, it is customary for students to …
Sep 26
Metro Bus or Mars: The problem with our priorities
1969 was the year, when the United States succeeded in landing humans on the moon – our closest neighbour in space – and safely bringing them back to Earth. The United States, being the most technologically advanced country on Earth, put that feather in its hat about 45 years ago. What was the condition of …