Pakistan

Asif Ali Zardari, the leading contender for the presidency of nuclear-armed Pakistan, was suffering from severe psychiatric problems as recently as last year, according to court documents filed by his doctors. The widower of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto was diagnosed with a range of serious illnesses including dementia, major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress […]

WASHINGTON ‚ Zalmay Khalilzad, the American ambassador to the United Nations, is facing angry questions from other senior Bush administration officials over what they describe as unauthorized contacts with Asif Ali Zardari, a contender to succeed Pervez Musharraf as president of Pakistan. Mr. Khalilzad had spoken by telephone with Mr. Zardari, the leader of the […]

All countries that have had high rates of fertility and, therefore, high rates of population growth now have very young populations. Pakistan along with almost all countries of the Muslim world falls into this category. For several decades the rates of fertility ‚ the number of children born per woman in the reproductive age ‚ […]

It was obvious from the start that PML (N) and PPP are not going to get along forever, but the alliance didn't even last for 8 months and today Nawaz Sharif announced that his party is leaving the ruling coalition. In reality, both parties have very different views on almost every issue, but the breaking point […]

Pakistan People Party has nominated Asif Ali Zardari to be the next President of Pakistan.  As of today, it seems likely that Asif Zardari is going to be the next President of Pakistan. It is also obvious that the Pakistan People Party and its allies (excluding Pakistan Muslim League (N)) have the necessary majority to […]

Given the non-stop turmoil in Pakistan, and the role of military in Pakistan's affairs, political or otherwise, it was understandable when Pakistan watchers took great interest in Crossed Swords by Shuja Nawaz. Almost no one knows the author except for the few fortunate, but there is a simple way to introduce him. Shuja Nawaz, the […]

Taliban Claim Responsibility for Pakistan Blasts Pakistan is going through one of the most difficult times in its history. Not only is the political situation too tumultuous, but economical uncertainly, terrorism, lack of electricity, fast diminishing water resources, and exploding population are factors threatening Pakistan's very core. We have seen back to back suicide bombings […]

”I want to implement complete Islamic laws where the Koran and the Sunnat are supreme.”   This is a direct quote from Nawaz Sharif's speech in the parliament when he was Pakistan's Prime Minister. Before he triggered a crisis that brought Musharraf into power, Nawaz Sharif was on his way to trashing everything non-religious in […]

While the drama about Musharraf's resignation is playing out in Pakistan, there are other profoundly important issues that deserve our attention. One of the most heated topics of debate in Pakistan is the case of Aafia Siddiqui. Siddiqui was educated at MIT and Brandeis, but now she is suspected of being linked to Al Qaeda. […]

Ahmed Rashid's opinion piece in today's Washington Post explains the dilemma for Washington. We have Nawaz Sharif who is totally opposed to anything and everything Washington, and we have Asif Zardari, who is moving cautiously and deliberately. Washington has to move decisively to help Mr. Zardari, who is open to working with the Western countries […]

The New York Times – President Musharraf of Pakistan Resigns Washington Post – Musharraf Resigns as President of Pakistan Reuters , President's Musharraf quits under impeachment threat Los Angeles Times – Pakistan's Musharraf steps down The Wall Street Journal , Next Chapter for Pakistan As Musharraf Steps Down The Financial Times , Pakistan's Musharraf announces […]

Musharraf resigned. Good news or bad, only time will tell. However, now that we are entering post Musharaff era, it is critical that Mr. Gillani initiate programs to help the country, and also to establish good rapport with rest of the world. Pakistan needs friends and above all, Pakistan has to keep the alliance with […]