A BUS-RIDE TO UNCERTAINTY
KANCHAN LAKSHMAN
On both sides of the LoC, terrorist groups and hard-line separatists, in radical contrast to its overwhelming popularity among the general Kashmiri populace, have opposed the bus service, claiming that the 'core issue' of Kashmir would be eclipsed, and that such measures would only help India ultimately transform the LoC into a permanent border…more…

TAKING KASHMIRIS FOR A RIDE
MANOHAR TRAKRU
The generous rhetoric fed to the public is that progress in the composite dialogue will lead to a new and peaceful India-Pakistan relationship. So be it – by all means continue the dialogue and discuss confidence building measures till cows come home, in the effort to transform the environment of mistrust into one of mutual confidence……more…

THE KASHMIR DIALOGUE
G. PARTHASARATHY
There now appears to be some recognition in Islamabad that while it must keep harping on words like 'core issue' and 'solution' while referring to J&K, what it can practically hope to achieve for the present is an unfreezing of the status quo in J&K, while simultaneously discussing a wide range of issues to reduce tensions and enhance confidence between the two countries……more…

The Hanging Carrot of Greater Autonomy
PROF. K. N. PANDITA
The question is what does "greater autonomy" mean in tangible terms? An overview of the present status of the State, at least the Kashmir province, is that it is enjoying more than "greater autonomy" privileges……more…

SCHOOLING FOR TERROR
AMIR MIR
General Pervez Musharraf's much-publicized plans to modernize the country's 10,000 religious seminaries have met with little success primarily because of his administration's failure to enforce the Madrassa Registration and Regulation Ordinance 2002, which was meant to reform deeni madaris (religious seminaries) by bringing them into the educational mainstream……more…

THE CARAVAN OF PEACE OR DECEPTION?
RAMESH MANVATI
The humanitarian angle of uniting of the divided families separated by unfortunate political upheavals, across the borders by any just and legal  means including the current Indo-Pak bus service via Muzzaffrabad should be welcomed by all right thinking people across the country. And more opportunities should be provided for such unions……more…

A SCIENCE SO NOBLE
SREERAM CHAULIA
Science designates itself rational, efficient and cold, while morality is irrational, equity-conscious and warm. The majority of scientists shies away from public issues and cares to comment on “bloody politicians” only if the latter’s policies directly hurt their laboratories, universities or institutes……more…

Condoleezza Rice Visits: America's Search for a Caliph
PRAVEEN SWAMI
Almost unnoticed, Rice's visit marks a step towards what critics in both India and Pakistan have long demanded - the end of hyphenation, or the removal of the implicit linkages of policy on one country and policy towards the other. Yet, Pakistan is not just part of 'The Muslim World', whatever this might be, nor India merely a piece of a non-Muslim Asia that has China at its center. The destinies of both countries are intimately linked…more…

Reminiscences - From the pages of My Diary
KAMAL HAK
I disembark from the plane into the cold weather and an uncertain world outside. My first step on the soil of my beloved motherland sends a wave of current through my body. I find myself immobilized and unable to move forward. Every thing around me including the time and the life seem to have got frozen…more…

THE JEHAD LIVES ON
AMIR MIR
Contrary to the General Pervez Musharraf-led Government's much-touted claims of having taken concrete measures to uproot the extremist jehadi mafia and its terror network in Pakistan, a cursory glance over the activities of four 'banned' militant organizations in the country shows they are once again back in business, with changed names and identities, operating freely and advocating jehad against infidels to defend Islam…more…

REFUGEES IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY
JUHI KUCHROO
I have seen tough times. Times, I hope, no one will ever see. Even though I am deaf now, I have a spirit that can't be broken. I work very hard to provide a living for my family and have dreams of providing a better life to my children and their children…more…

Brewing Storm in the Gulf
PROF. K. N. PANDITA
The US could not stop China or India from having the deadly weapon. It was partly because of their enormous landmass and partly because Washington followed its own perception of balance of power in Asia. But in the case of Pakistan, the US knew of her clandestine acquisition of nuclear components more than many within the official circles in Islamabad. But again owing to political considerations, Washington closed its eyes…more…

A NAVREH THAT ISN'T
DR. SANJAY PARVA
Today, when I think of writing this piece, I have to actually grapple with my mind and its thoughts – both are divided between what they are made up for, and what they are compelled to accomplish. Migration, I feel, has done more than physical damage to a pandit. It has robbed him of his subtle mind – a mind that was so simple, so plain, so unhooked, so free, and so pure……more…

On Hindu Cowardice and Muslim Bravery
VINOD KUMAR
Hindus believed in open discussion of theological topics but did not kill each other for their opinions and they could not understand why would one kill others for differing on matter of theology or imposing their own ideas on others…more…

THE CENTRE CANNOT HOLD…
AMIR MIR
Rich in natural and mineral resources, Balochistan is the largest of Pakistan's four provinces but has high illiteracy and unemployment rate. The poverty-stricken province has been in the news for the past many months due to frequent armed clashes between armed Baloch nationalists and Pakistan Army troops……more…

Balochistan: Opening another Front?
KANCHAN LAKSHMAN
As the people of Pakistan celebrated Id-ul-Azha, there was an unexpected and uncertain lull in violence in the province of Balochistan. In the days before the annual Muslim 'festival of sacrifice', the Pakistan Army had moved nearly a division into the Sui and Bugti areas, following crippling attacks on the Sui gas purification plants and pipelines…..more...