Author Archives: Murtaza Haider
9 hours ago
Talking with the Taliban
Even the Americans have admitted that they would now do in public what they have been doing in private.
Even the Americans have admitted that they would now do in public what they have been doing in private.
2 days ago
Islam at war – with itself
Why is that the belief in Islam is not sufficient to prevent violence amongst Muslims, asks Murtaza Haider.
Why is that the belief in Islam is not sufficient to prevent violence amongst Muslims, asks Murtaza Haider.
5th June, 2013
A license to rape
Asking a rape victim to produce four witnesses, or denying the admissibility of DNA evidence, is tantamount to issuing a license to rape in the name of Islam.
Asking a rape victim to produce four witnesses, or denying the admissibility of DNA evidence, is tantamount to issuing a license to rape in the name of Islam.
29th May, 2013
Disenfranchising women in Pakistan
It would have helped if women elected the women candidates for the reserved seats instead of men.
It would have helped if women elected the women candidates for the reserved seats instead of men.
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22nd May, 2013
Six million votes missing in action
The analysis presented here is, at best, a sincere attempt to understand the vote counts reported by the ECP.
The analysis presented here is, at best, a sincere attempt to understand the vote counts reported by the ECP.
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15th May, 2013
Using analytics to identify voter fraud
Pakistanis may want to learn from others who have relied on scientific method, courts and the rule of law to resolve electoral disputes.
Pakistanis may want to learn from others who have relied on scientific method, courts and the rule of law to resolve electoral disputes.
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12th May, 2013
Pakistan: The world’s bravest democracy
The results of May 11 elections prove that if given the opportunity, Pakistani masses would embrace democracy against the religious orthodoxy.
The results of May 11 elections prove that if given the opportunity, Pakistani masses would embrace democracy against the religious orthodoxy.
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8th May, 2013
From Benazir Bhutto to Imran Khan: A tale of poor risk perception
The PTI leader’s fall from a forklift truck, which could very well have been fatal, speaks volumes of the poor risk perception of Pakistanis.
The PTI leader’s fall from a forklift truck, which could very well have been fatal, speaks volumes of the poor risk perception of Pakistanis.
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1st May, 2013
Osama Bin Laden: More fatal in death
The number of civilian casualties caused by terrorist violence in Pakistan was higher in the months following OBL's death than the months preceding it.
The number of civilian casualties caused by terrorist violence in Pakistan was higher in the months following OBL's death than the months preceding it.
25th April, 2013
Hanging from the polls in Pakistan
As Pakistanis head to the elections in May, pollsters and others are out in full swing trying to forecast how Pakistanis will vote.
As Pakistanis head to the elections in May, pollsters and others are out in full swing trying to forecast how Pakistanis will vote.
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24th April, 2013
Is General Musharraf more equal than others?
Retired servicemen will serve their nation better if they were to also state that one enjoys the same standing before law irrespective of a person’ social stature.
Retired servicemen will serve their nation better if they were to also state that one enjoys the same standing before law irrespective of a person’ social stature.
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17th April, 2013
Political parties caught in the world-wide web
If the Internet were the only electorate, Imran Khan’s PTI would be victorious by a landslide.
If the Internet were the only electorate, Imran Khan’s PTI would be victorious by a landslide.
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10th April, 2013
2008 elections: When generals contested elections against martyrs
Murtaza Haider reviews the results of 2008 elections to see what can be learnt from the last elections.
Murtaza Haider reviews the results of 2008 elections to see what can be learnt from the last elections.
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3rd April, 2013
The heir apparent stories: Bilawal Bhutto, Rahul Gandhi, and Justin Trudeau
Justin's story is one of a smart electorate while Bilawal and Rahul's are of people who fall for personalities and not ideas.
Justin's story is one of a smart electorate while Bilawal and Rahul's are of people who fall for personalities and not ideas.
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27th March, 2013
Putting genies back in the bottle
India has long accused Pakistan of not doing enough to keep the extremist seminaries in check. India has failed to do the same domestically.
India has long accused Pakistan of not doing enough to keep the extremist seminaries in check. India has failed to do the same domestically.
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20th March, 2013
Losers and winners in human development
It will be the middle class in Africa that is going to post the highest gains in human development. Think Rwanda, not Russia.
It will be the middle class in Africa that is going to post the highest gains in human development. Think Rwanda, not Russia.
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16th March, 2013
Five years on: A poorer, hungrier nation
Has electoral democracy been able to deliver jobs to the unemployed, and food to the poor? A quick economic recap of the past five years is in order.
Has electoral democracy been able to deliver jobs to the unemployed, and food to the poor? A quick economic recap of the past five years is in order.
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13th March, 2013
The lynch mob nation
A tale of two cities: One day Lahoris celebrate the reopening of the famed Pak Tea House, the next, a hate-filled mob attacks a Christian neighbourhood.
A tale of two cities: One day Lahoris celebrate the reopening of the famed Pak Tea House, the next, a hate-filled mob attacks a Christian neighbourhood.
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6th March, 2013
Turning Shia homes into graves
While minorities were killed in cold blood in Pakistan, it is really strange that some senators feel the Anti-Terrorism Bill is being rushed.
While minorities were killed in cold blood in Pakistan, it is really strange that some senators feel the Anti-Terrorism Bill is being rushed.
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27th February, 2013
The exodus continues
If Jinnah and Nehru were having a conversation about today’s Pakistan, how would Jinnah explain Pakistanis seeking refuge elsewhere?
If Jinnah and Nehru were having a conversation about today’s Pakistan, how would Jinnah explain Pakistanis seeking refuge elsewhere?
