A Hollow March.
Sectarian outfits in Pakistan, such as the TLP, remain outsiders to the ideological lineage of the Palestinian struggle they claim to defend.
www.dawn.com/news/1949533...
Sectarian outfits in Pakistan, such as the TLP, remain outsiders to the ideological lineage of the Palestinian struggle they claim to defend.
www.dawn.com/news/1949533...
SMOKERS’ CORNER: A HOLLOW MARCH
Sectarian outfits in Pakistan, such as the TLP, remain outsiders to the ideological lineage of the Palestinian struggle they claim
www.dawn.com
October 19, 2025 at 5:12 AM
A Hollow March.
Sectarian outfits in Pakistan, such as the TLP, remain outsiders to the ideological lineage of the Palestinian struggle they claim to defend.
www.dawn.com/news/1949533...
Sectarian outfits in Pakistan, such as the TLP, remain outsiders to the ideological lineage of the Palestinian struggle they claim to defend.
www.dawn.com/news/1949533...
In the age of social media, ‘heroes’ rise and fall in the blink of an eye. From terrorists to influencers, from activists to politicians — societies routinely construct, romanticise and discard their chosen symbols of virtue and rebellion.
www.dawn.com/news/1948153...
www.dawn.com/news/1948153...
SMOKERS’ CORNER: HASHTAG HEROES
In the age of social media, ‘heroes’ rise and fall in the blink of an eye. From terrorists to influencers, from activists to
www.dawn.com
October 12, 2025 at 4:57 AM
In the age of social media, ‘heroes’ rise and fall in the blink of an eye. From terrorists to influencers, from activists to politicians — societies routinely construct, romanticise and discard their chosen symbols of virtue and rebellion.
www.dawn.com/news/1948153...
www.dawn.com/news/1948153...
Sacralising politics.
Secular ideas, when imbued with sacred meaning, turn politics into a ‘moral mission’ and reshape democracy’s character in the process.
www.dawn.com/news/1944992...
Secular ideas, when imbued with sacred meaning, turn politics into a ‘moral mission’ and reshape democracy’s character in the process.
www.dawn.com/news/1944992...
SMOKERS’ CORNER: WHEN SECULARISM BECOMES SACRED
Secular ideas, when imbued with sacred meaning, turn politics into a ‘moral mission’ and reshape democracy’s character in the
www.dawn.com
September 28, 2025 at 5:18 AM
Sacralising politics.
Secular ideas, when imbued with sacred meaning, turn politics into a ‘moral mission’ and reshape democracy’s character in the process.
www.dawn.com/news/1944992...
Secular ideas, when imbued with sacred meaning, turn politics into a ‘moral mission’ and reshape democracy’s character in the process.
www.dawn.com/news/1944992...
From the US, and Brazil to Pakistan, populist uprisings have been framed as revolts of the people against ‘corrupt elites.’ In truth, these were clashes between rival elites, each cloaking its power struggle in the language of mass resistance.
www.dawn.com/news/1933832
www.dawn.com/news/1933832
SMOKERS’ CORNER: THE MYTH OF POPULIST UPRISINGS
In truth, populist uprisings are clashes between rival elites, each cloaking its power struggle in the language of mass resistance.
www.dawn.com
August 24, 2025 at 5:49 AM
From the US, and Brazil to Pakistan, populist uprisings have been framed as revolts of the people against ‘corrupt elites.’ In truth, these were clashes between rival elites, each cloaking its power struggle in the language of mass resistance.
www.dawn.com/news/1933832
www.dawn.com/news/1933832
The Emerging Global Order.
While Western nations and institutions still cling to a fading post-WWII framework, even as the ground beneath them shifts, countries such as China and Pakistan are stepping into new roles following the rise of multi-polar realism.
www.dawn.com/news/1925243
While Western nations and institutions still cling to a fading post-WWII framework, even as the ground beneath them shifts, countries such as China and Pakistan are stepping into new roles following the rise of multi-polar realism.
www.dawn.com/news/1925243
SMOKERS’ CORNER: THE EMERGING NEW GLOBAL ORDER
Countries such as China and Pakistan are stepping into new roles following the rise of multi-polar realism and the crumbling of the illusions of Western democracy.
www.dawn.com
July 20, 2025 at 5:14 AM
The Emerging Global Order.
While Western nations and institutions still cling to a fading post-WWII framework, even as the ground beneath them shifts, countries such as China and Pakistan are stepping into new roles following the rise of multi-polar realism.
www.dawn.com/news/1925243
While Western nations and institutions still cling to a fading post-WWII framework, even as the ground beneath them shifts, countries such as China and Pakistan are stepping into new roles following the rise of multi-polar realism.
www.dawn.com/news/1925243
From viral videos to populist protests, fame in today’s world is fast, frequent and fleeting. But the pursuit of attention, even in the political arena, can lead to distorted priorities and the manipulation of genuine causes for personal visibility.
www.dawn.com/news/1908206...
www.dawn.com/news/1908206...
SMOKERS’ CORNER: SEDUCED BY THE SPOTLIGHT
From viral videos to populist protests, fame in today’s world is fast, frequent and fleeting. But the pursuit of attention,
www.dawn.com
May 4, 2025 at 4:51 AM
From viral videos to populist protests, fame in today’s world is fast, frequent and fleeting. But the pursuit of attention, even in the political arena, can lead to distorted priorities and the manipulation of genuine causes for personal visibility.
www.dawn.com/news/1908206...
www.dawn.com/news/1908206...
Manufacturing Populism.
Far from being a spontaneous uprising of the people, modern populism has evolved into a carefully curated performance that is produced, packaged and sold by the very elites it claims to oppose.
www.dawn.com/news/1906889...
Far from being a spontaneous uprising of the people, modern populism has evolved into a carefully curated performance that is produced, packaged and sold by the very elites it claims to oppose.
www.dawn.com/news/1906889...
SMOKERS’ CORNER: MANUFACTURING POPULISM
Far from being a spontaneous uprising of the people, modern populism has evolved into a carefully curated performa
www.dawn.com
April 27, 2025 at 5:05 AM
Manufacturing Populism.
Far from being a spontaneous uprising of the people, modern populism has evolved into a carefully curated performance that is produced, packaged and sold by the very elites it claims to oppose.
www.dawn.com/news/1906889...
Far from being a spontaneous uprising of the people, modern populism has evolved into a carefully curated performance that is produced, packaged and sold by the very elites it claims to oppose.
www.dawn.com/news/1906889...
The middle classes, in both the Global North and South, have co-opted the Left’s ideological tools to serve their own upward mobility, while leaving the working class at the mercy of far-right populism.
www.dawn.com/news/1903783...
www.dawn.com/news/1903783...
SMOKERS’ CORNER: SWALLOWING THE LEFT
The middle classes, in both the Global North and South, have co-opted the Left’s ideological tools to serve their own upwar
www.dawn.com
April 13, 2025 at 5:02 AM
The middle classes, in both the Global North and South, have co-opted the Left’s ideological tools to serve their own upward mobility, while leaving the working class at the mercy of far-right populism.
www.dawn.com/news/1903783...
www.dawn.com/news/1903783...
The Free Speech Paradox
The concept of ‘free speech’ is celebrated as a cornerstone of democracy, yet history shows that it has always been controversial, contradictory and weaponised by different groups for their own ends.
www.dawn.com/news/1902064...
The concept of ‘free speech’ is celebrated as a cornerstone of democracy, yet history shows that it has always been controversial, contradictory and weaponised by different groups for their own ends.
www.dawn.com/news/1902064...
SMOKERS’ CORNER: THE FREE SPEECH PARADOX
The concept of ‘free speech’ is celebrated as a cornerstone of democracy, yet history shows that it has always been controversial
www.dawn.com
April 6, 2025 at 4:48 AM
The Free Speech Paradox
The concept of ‘free speech’ is celebrated as a cornerstone of democracy, yet history shows that it has always been controversial, contradictory and weaponised by different groups for their own ends.
www.dawn.com/news/1902064...
The concept of ‘free speech’ is celebrated as a cornerstone of democracy, yet history shows that it has always been controversial, contradictory and weaponised by different groups for their own ends.
www.dawn.com/news/1902064...
BLA’s journey from radical student activism to a well-equipped militant force mirrors the shifting sands of South Asian politics. Its historical trajectory, ideological mutations and potential role in an impending regional conflict need to be reckoned with.
www.dawn.com/news/1899645...
www.dawn.com/news/1899645...
SMOKERS’ CORNER: THE BLA RECKONING
The banned Balochistan Liberation Army’s journey from radical student activism to a well-equipped militant force mirrors the
www.dawn.com
March 23, 2025 at 4:41 AM
BLA’s journey from radical student activism to a well-equipped militant force mirrors the shifting sands of South Asian politics. Its historical trajectory, ideological mutations and potential role in an impending regional conflict need to be reckoned with.
www.dawn.com/news/1899645...
www.dawn.com/news/1899645...
The Year Zero Ideology.
In an age where historical narratives are increasingly weaponised and distorted to serve contemporary agendas, are we erasing the past instead of learning from it?
www.dawn.com/news/1898097...
In an age where historical narratives are increasingly weaponised and distorted to serve contemporary agendas, are we erasing the past instead of learning from it?
www.dawn.com/news/1898097...
SMOKERS’ CORNER: YEAR ZERO IDEOLOGY
In an age where historical narratives are increasingly weaponised and distorted to serve contemporary agendas, are we
www.dawn.com
March 16, 2025 at 5:02 AM
The Year Zero Ideology.
In an age where historical narratives are increasingly weaponised and distorted to serve contemporary agendas, are we erasing the past instead of learning from it?
www.dawn.com/news/1898097...
In an age where historical narratives are increasingly weaponised and distorted to serve contemporary agendas, are we erasing the past instead of learning from it?
www.dawn.com/news/1898097...
Cricket’s greatest captains have always harboured the ability to galvanise their teams when the odds seemed to be against them. Pakistan’s abysmal cricket team is, once again, in desperate need of such a leader
www.dawn.com/news/1896645...
www.dawn.com/news/1896645...
SMOKERS’ CORNER: O CAPTAIN! MY CAPTAIN!
Cricket’s greatest captains have always harboured the ability to galvanise their teams when the odds seemed to be against them.
www.dawn.com
March 9, 2025 at 5:06 AM
Cricket’s greatest captains have always harboured the ability to galvanise their teams when the odds seemed to be against them. Pakistan’s abysmal cricket team is, once again, in desperate need of such a leader
www.dawn.com/news/1896645...
www.dawn.com/news/1896645...
Repeatable Transgression.
History has shown that transgressions by and against the state, when left unpunished, tend to resurface with greater intensity.
www.dawn.com/news/1895134...
History has shown that transgressions by and against the state, when left unpunished, tend to resurface with greater intensity.
www.dawn.com/news/1895134...
SMOKERS’ CORNER: REPEATABLE TRANSGRESSION
History has shown that transgressions by and against the state, when left unpunished, tend to resurface with greater intensity.
www.dawn.com
March 2, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Repeatable Transgression.
History has shown that transgressions by and against the state, when left unpunished, tend to resurface with greater intensity.
www.dawn.com/news/1895134...
History has shown that transgressions by and against the state, when left unpunished, tend to resurface with greater intensity.
www.dawn.com/news/1895134...
The End of History?
Fukuyama’s famous thesis was meant to signal liberal democracy’s ultimate victory over all other political ideologies. But with the resurgence of populism, is liberal democracy now eating its own tail?
www.dawn.com/news/1892164...
Fukuyama’s famous thesis was meant to signal liberal democracy’s ultimate victory over all other political ideologies. But with the resurgence of populism, is liberal democracy now eating its own tail?
www.dawn.com/news/1892164...
SMOKERS’ CORNER: THE END OF HISTORY?
Fukuyama’s famous thesis was meant to signal liberal democracy’s ultimate victory over all other political ideologies. But
www.dawn.com
February 16, 2025 at 4:35 AM
The End of History?
Fukuyama’s famous thesis was meant to signal liberal democracy’s ultimate victory over all other political ideologies. But with the resurgence of populism, is liberal democracy now eating its own tail?
www.dawn.com/news/1892164...
Fukuyama’s famous thesis was meant to signal liberal democracy’s ultimate victory over all other political ideologies. But with the resurgence of populism, is liberal democracy now eating its own tail?
www.dawn.com/news/1892164...
The Big Tech’s Big Rush.
Are people being duped and led towards societal collapse and an authoritarian techno-capitalist future?
www.dawn.com/news/1890662...
Are people being duped and led towards societal collapse and an authoritarian techno-capitalist future?
www.dawn.com/news/1890662...
SMOKERS’ CORNER: BIG TECH'S BIG RUSH
Technological advancements come with the notion that they are liberating people from the old, soulless forms of capitalism. But
www.dawn.com
February 9, 2025 at 4:35 AM
The Big Tech’s Big Rush.
Are people being duped and led towards societal collapse and an authoritarian techno-capitalist future?
www.dawn.com/news/1890662...
Are people being duped and led towards societal collapse and an authoritarian techno-capitalist future?
www.dawn.com/news/1890662...
Romantic Nationalism and Fake History.
Pseudo-archaeology has played a big role in constructing mythical histories that feed into imagined pasts that ultimately only aid the political aims of ultra-nationalism.
www.dawn.com/news/1889117...
Pseudo-archaeology has played a big role in constructing mythical histories that feed into imagined pasts that ultimately only aid the political aims of ultra-nationalism.
www.dawn.com/news/1889117...
SMOKERS’ CORNER: ROMANTIC NATIONALISM AND FAKE HISTORY
Pseudo-archaeology has played a big role in constructing mythical histories that feed into imagined pasts that ultimately only aid the political aims of ultra-nationalism.
www.dawn.com
February 2, 2025 at 5:15 AM
Romantic Nationalism and Fake History.
Pseudo-archaeology has played a big role in constructing mythical histories that feed into imagined pasts that ultimately only aid the political aims of ultra-nationalism.
www.dawn.com/news/1889117...
Pseudo-archaeology has played a big role in constructing mythical histories that feed into imagined pasts that ultimately only aid the political aims of ultra-nationalism.
www.dawn.com/news/1889117...
It is naive to continue idealising democracy without critiquing it from some awkward angles.
www.dawn.com/news/1887627...
SMOKERS’ CORNER: WESTERN BLIND SPOTS
As the far-right gains momentum across the West, Western academics long fixated on ‘fragile democracies’ in the Global
www.dawn.com
January 26, 2025 at 4:53 AM
It is naive to continue idealising democracy without critiquing it from some awkward angles.
www.dawn.com/news/1887627...
Populism thrives as a political style rather than a concrete ideology, merging theatrics and emotional appeal to captivate the masses. But it has also concocted a political narrative derived from middle-income drawing-room chatter.
www.dawn.com/news/1886094...
SMOKERS’ CORNER: POPULARISING POPULISM
Populism thrives as a political style rather than a concrete ideology, merging theatrics and emotional appeal to captivate the
www.dawn.com
January 19, 2025 at 4:56 AM
Populism thrives as a political style rather than a concrete ideology, merging theatrics and emotional appeal to captivate the masses. But it has also concocted a political narrative derived from middle-income drawing-room chatter.
www.dawn.com/news/1886094...
THE POLITICS OF BOYCOTTS AND BUYCOTTS.
During boycotting campaigns, many consumers choose products based on the politics of the product than the product as material object.
www.dawn.com/news/1884532...
During boycotting campaigns, many consumers choose products based on the politics of the product than the product as material object.
www.dawn.com/news/1884532...
SMOKERS’ CORNER: THE POLITICS OF BOYCOTTS AND BUYCOTTS
As youth-driven activism links consumption with ethics, many local alternatives are thriving by aligning themselves with
www.dawn.com
January 12, 2025 at 5:01 AM
THE POLITICS OF BOYCOTTS AND BUYCOTTS.
During boycotting campaigns, many consumers choose products based on the politics of the product than the product as material object.
www.dawn.com/news/1884532...
During boycotting campaigns, many consumers choose products based on the politics of the product than the product as material object.
www.dawn.com/news/1884532...
The principle upon which the existence of all youthia YouTubers stands, is …
‘I lie, therefore I am.’
‘I lie, therefore I am.’
January 9, 2025 at 1:45 PM
The principle upon which the existence of all youthia YouTubers stands, is …
‘I lie, therefore I am.’
‘I lie, therefore I am.’
“Pakistan is not going to be a theocratic state ruled by priests. We have many non-Muslims — they are all Pakistanis …”
M.A Jinnah, February, 1948.
Happy Birthday Mr. Jinnah, and Merry Christmas to all.
M.A Jinnah, February, 1948.
Happy Birthday Mr. Jinnah, and Merry Christmas to all.
December 25, 2024 at 7:11 AM
“Pakistan is not going to be a theocratic state ruled by priests. We have many non-Muslims — they are all Pakistanis …”
M.A Jinnah, February, 1948.
Happy Birthday Mr. Jinnah, and Merry Christmas to all.
M.A Jinnah, February, 1948.
Happy Birthday Mr. Jinnah, and Merry Christmas to all.