Category: Articles

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…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan The full blast frontal attack to ram through the creation ofFederal Constitutional Court continues. For now, it has been blunted. The whole nation has been on pins and needles for last four weeks. The institution of Supreme Court is under severe threat of being dismantled. A Supra Court under Qazi…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan The flagship of Generals’ Constitutional Package is being pushed by their toadies to create an all–powerful Federal Court controlling all Constitutional matters. Existing Supreme Courts’ wings will be severely clipped and Federal Chief Justice will reign supreme. “Toadies” means“person(s) who flatter others in the hope of receiving favors.” These days…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan One learns a lot from rustic wisdom. The tale of a dog in a well represents futility of corrective action when the original sin persists. A dog fell into the village well and the water drawn from it smelled foul. Villagers went to the local Imam for a solution. He…

STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan In late 70’s European Governments introduced a Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to encourage dairy production by offering guaranteed minimum price. By the 90’s there was a surge in production creating surpluses known as “milk lakes” and “butter mountains”. These products had short shelf lives leading to expiration. Unscrupulous bureaucrats in…