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Gilgit-Baltistan: Larger regional role

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By K.N. Pandita

Gilgit-Baltistan region has had chequered history ever since the partition of the sub-continent. Pakistan’s control over the region began with the incursion of tribesmen on Kashmir in October 1947. But the precise status of region’s relationship with Pakistan in the aftermath of the tribal incursion remained vague. It was neither independent, nor integrated nor federated.  Continue Reading…

Law took its course

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By K.N. Pandita

The hanging of Ajmal Kasab is a matter of deep introspection for the people of Pakistan, especially the poor, deprived and economically weaker sections of that society. It is these segments of society whose poverty and destitution diehard religious zealots exploit in the name of Islam. They drag their innocent teenagers first to be put in dark and dingy cells of the seminaries for total brain washing, and then to terrorist camps where they are told to kill and get killed for the sake of the faith.  Continue Reading…

Court verdict in face of odds

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By K.N. Pandita

Blasphemy is a very sensitive subject in Pakistan, where 97 per cent of the 180 million population is of Muslims. Allegations of insulting Islam or the prophet Muhammad often prompt a furious public reaction.

Blasphemy law came under severe criticism from the very day of its enactment. Opposition to the law did not come necessarily from the Christians of Pakistan. Of course, they were all affected and for them it was a matter of concern just because almost in all cases of blasphemy the indicted persons were Christians.  Continue Reading…

No end to factional strife

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By K.N. Pandita

Two consecutive bomb blasts in Hyderi, North Naimabad in Pakistan’s commercial city of Karachi on November 8, 2012 are yet another reminder of deep roots of sectarian divide. A country created 65 years ago for the Muslims of undivided India, has seen more killings of Muslims by their co-religionists than in any other country of the Muslim world.  Continue Reading…

Obama’s re-election: Indian perspective

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By K.N. Pandita

Most heads of the government world over, including Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, have felicitated President Obama on his re-election. The common factor in these messages is of increasing prospects of bilateral trade with the US under President Obama’s second stint in the White House.

Some of the leaders expect breaking new fields of cooperation. Chinese President Hu speaks of “cooperative partnership”; British Premier David Cameron envisages EU-US trade deal and New Zealand Prime Minister talks of the initiatives like “Trans-Pacific Partnership.” German Chancellor Angela Markel envisions overcoming global economic and financial crisis.   Continue Reading…

US’ fresh look at India

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By K.N. Pandta

During past six decades Indo-US relations remained almost fossilized. We invited West’s apathy and hankered after Soviet empathy, sadly, for intangible gains and tangible losses.  Our anti-US stance was misplaced and our pro-Soviet penchant was ill-conceived.   Continue Reading…