Almost a year ago, I wrote an op-ed for Lahore’s Daily Times discussing an intensifying phenomenon I described as the “push on Pakistan.”  [The paper's editors took out the word "on" and made a 'liberal' (pun intended) edit or two.] But, in light of the heightened pressure on Pakistan from Washington and the increased role [...]

Pakistan is again the focus of The Atlantic Monthly in its regularly surveying of American foreign policy experts. It asked 41 foreign policy authorities: Should the United States unilaterally go after al-Qaeda leaders and training camps in Pakistan? Results: 50% Yes; 50% No How likely is a U.S. incursion into the tribal areas in the [...]

Bomber Sketch Released Two Severed Heads Found; Police Still Assert One Bomber Explosives: Russian-Made Grenade and 14 kg RDX suicide belt Multiple Attack Teams? A Nexus Against Bhutto? Political Fallout of the Attacks: Playing Musical Chairs Can Be Dangerous More Questions PAKISTANI POLICE RELEASES IMAGE OF ALLEGED KARACHI BOMBER Sindh Police has released a sketch [...]

Developments in Pakistan in recent days further the view for both insiders and outsiders that the country is a perplexing bowl of contradictions and political intrigue. KSE RISES The Karachi Stock Exchange closed at all-time highs on Monday and Tuesday. Investor confidence boosted due to Pervez Musharraf’s re-election as president (pending the validation of his [...]

The Daily Times August 18, 2007 By Arif Rafiq Pakistan is emerging as a frontline state in yet another war: the battle for the presidency of the United States. The firestorm caused by Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama’s roundly criticised pledge to violate Pakistani sovereignty should President Musharraf not respond to actionable intelligence concerning Al [...]