Opinion

In the early 1960s, it was the letters column in daily newspapers that, in a sense, described the pulse of the people.

List of bills, CANs, questions asked in 13th NA reveal that govt, opposition kept raising wide range of issues.

Both Gandhi and Edhi were ignored by the Nobel Committee, to its shame.

There is a coming of the full historical circle, as Nawaz Sharif assumes the PM slot while Musharraf is in custody.

IPL is no longer just cricket; it was entertainment with Bollywood stars, music, drugs, parties all rolled into one.

Sharif is a known figure to the Indian elite and Delhi knows it can do business with him.

Democracy has now struck back with real vengeance; this time, throwing out the entire ruling political hierarchy.

May 11 marked a huge democratic transformation and we need to deal with it.

That people voted for the PTI in what are considered the MQM’s strongholds set off alarm bells.

May the new governments complete their tenures so that they have enough time to implement their manifestos.

As a mother and a Pakistani, I stand by my conviction that milk is not a luxury or a privilege, but a right of all.

The fact that some parties could not campaign or hold public political activities in 3 provinces is totally forgotten.

Government must gain military advantage over jihadists to be able to dictate terms so that negotiations lead to peace.

3 issues deserve the government's attention in first 100 days: load-shedding, load-shedding, net outflow of capital.

We need to end the cycle of those who die of murderous negligence and heinous incompetence in our health system.

As much as we would like to convince ourselves that the opposition counts for something, it doesn’t.

Nawaz must remember that this time, there is little room for taking odd shortcuts for increasing his relative power.

With a new playbook, PTI can build upon their modest success in 2013, and prepare for a bigger, national victory.

Pakistani people must be commended for their ability to pull the proverbial rabbit out of a hat in difficult times.

It is time to not be a sheep and become aware of the fact that we are not as powerless as we think we are.

In post-conflict situations globally, it is role of militaries to stabilise an area, start rebuilding, rehabilitation.

No matter how one looks at it, one can’t find the bargaining space so essential for negotiations to succeed.

Destroying agriculture, preventing tax culture, high tariff walls, smuggling, we are the world’s most famous beggars.

Pakistan remains the one country that China can count on, in an increasingly uncertain regional scenario.

Those who got PTI over the finish line are residents of K-P, a different segment from elites of Lahore and Karachi.

Many of Imran's policies were noble, but he always remained mum on how ideas would translate into substantive policy.

Don’t forget the youth, recent political awakening and trust in the political process — signs of a changing Pakistan.

If PTI wants to survive as a party, not just in K-P, but also nationally, it must put up a good performance in K-P.

The government should develop a stabilisation programme of its own and return to the IMF by the end of the year.

There is urgent need to be on alert and remember lessons emerging from the previous years of disaster management.

The 60 per cent voter turnout signifies that the people of Pakistan have given legitimacy to a democratic state.

Karachi will continue to confound and frustrate whichever government comes to power.

Civilian, democratic rule in Pakistan can be secured by legal remedies and self-restraint rather than agitation.

Election 2013 was the worst managed ballot in which I have participated since 1970.

You could not have access to or money for shelter, education, health or food & still be considered not poor in India.

Road ahead needs to be paved with sound policies, failing which, one would expect problems of militancy to continue.

Every party’s “hardcore” supporters view other parties' supporters as ignorant, irrational and malicious.

For the most part, parties themselves continue to be dominated by propertied classes, with powerful local politicians.

The protests are a voluntary decision to ask for democracy to be given a fair chance; not a party's call.

Fear in Kabul is Taliban will be encouraged by developments in Pakistan, US withdrawal to lay siege to Kabul again.

To initiate reforms, Sharif would need to work with opposition political parties, including those who control Senate.

Leaders on both sides need big achievements in the immediate future to build their legacy.

The youth and strong opposition are two forces which portend well for our democratic, political and social evolution

PTI should sagaciously proceed towards forming its government in K-P, convince us it may well be a party of future.

It was in the poorest districts that some of the highest turnouts were in evidence.

Parties in FATA must protect vulnerable populations, assist humanitarian efforts and promote respect for laws.

A narrative is already emerging from this tense political struggle, clear in its broader vision of our nation state.

We no longer have a reason to doubt the capacity of our system to deliver, but we do need to continue to question it.

Instead of constantly delegitimising the process, it's necessary to accept the fact that large part of Pakistan voted.

It’s not as much about being captain as it's about playing on a winning team.