Category: Articles

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan December is holiday season in the West. It’s a time to show kindness, and share love and gratitude towards loved ones. In cold and snowy winter in Canada, it’s the time to be cozy and bundling up if you step out. Work routines are relaxed giving you time to reflect…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan The Generals’ arrogance is aptly reflected by Punjabi saying “Dukan pakorian de tey galan kroran de” translates “running a food stall with pretensions of a millionaire”. Internationally we have no cushion; we are economic beggars with no oil wells backing us like Venezuela. Internally Generals have silenced the conventional media.…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan “Rabb narey key ghusan” a Punjabi saying that translates “Is God near or the clenched fist”. Fear of death is the ultimate threat. It happened in abundance on 26thNovember in and around D Chowk. Innocent protestors were sprayed with bullets on ground and from all directions, including rooftops. Trained marksmen…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan Pakistan’s condition reminds me of Shakespeare’s indelible lines spoken by Macbeth upon return after murdering Duncan to Lady Macbeth, “the deed is done, what shall I do with the dagger?” Spilling blood of peaceful protesters without cause on 26th November has put everyone in power in the doghouse. Washing blood-stains…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan My early schooling was in Cantt Public School, Abottabad. A lush green city located in a valley surrounded by forested mountains. The hill on the northern side was known as “Shimla Pahari”, Shimla Mountain. It was named for its resemblance to north Indian hill station called Shimla. Our school was…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan According to mathematics, the shortest distance is a straight line. Yet too many overlook this simple fact and meander through life creating cumbersome situations for themselves and their loved ones. Individual choices impact personal lives, however when this approach is expanded nationwide the whole country becomes a victim. That is…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan Imran Khan has given his clarion call to action on 24thNovember. Pakistanis shall respond as they have always done. The demands are clear and unambiguous. Return Feb 8th mandate to its rightful owners, free political prisoners jailed without trial, demolish the 26th amendment designed to suffocate judiciary and revival of…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan Freedom is an irrepressible desire, an integral part of human DNA. The urge to be free is part of evolution associeties transition from authoritarian rule towards democratic dispensation. UK was the cradle of democracy from where it made its way into Europe and westwards to North America. Components of British…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan There is a carnival in USA every four years. It’s called the election year. An incoming President after taking oath has three years to implement his agenda. In the fourth year of his term, election activities for the next term begin. They keep gaining momentum and by mid-year the nation…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan A Punjabi proverb “Khul ke khaa tey nanga nhaa” translates “eat like a glutton and dance like a maniac” is most befitting to our prevailing conditions in Pakistan. The whole nation witnessed the shenanigans of ISI ramming through the 26th Constitutional Amendment. All at the behest of General Asim Muneer…