Pakistan News

Adil Najam

A general rule that many parents teach their children is that if you have to keep saying “sorry” for the same mistake again and again and again and again; then, apology loses its effectiveness, and you your credibility.

A first instinct at hearing about Shoaib’s Akhtar “unconditional apology” to the nation and the PCB for his repeated misbehavior is to remind him of this fact.At the same time, however, parents do also know that sometimes it does take a few repeat mistakes for us to actually and truly feel sorry. Parents also know that sometimes we ourselves overdo our anger and place in penalties that exceed the mistake.

Shoaib Akhtar’s most recent misadventures may be a case of all of the above.

(more…)

Lahore, Apr 28 : Pakistan Law Minister Farooq Naek has said that there would be no confrontation between the political forces and the Presidency over the judges restoration issue. via Southeast Asia News

I recently followed a link to this list of spammers responsible for 80% of all spam The list includes an ex-boss of mine for whom I briefly worked for while I was in Singapore (somewhere in the mid-90s, long before spam was a problem). He had always been a dubious character, but I never thought he'd stoop this low..... Read more

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahamdinejad has arrived here Monday on a brief official stopover.

"There must have been some miscommunication and I'm quite sure it will be clarified by tomorrow"

Islamabad, Apr.27 : The Pakistan Government has sacked Foreign Secretary Riaz Mohammad Khan, reportedly over his strong opposition to the PPP-led Government's plan to approach the United Nations for an ... via Karachi News.Net

LAHORE: Amidst appeals for clemency for Sarabjit Singh by his family and human rights activists, hundreds of students in Lahore took to the streets demanding that the Indian death row prisoner not be pardoned. via The Times of India

The Afghan Taliban’s spring offensive has begun.

This afternoon in Kabul, two Taliban teams executed a well-coordinated attac on a military parade celebrating Mujahideen Day.

One group fired mortars while sharpshooters targeted dignitaries seated in bleachers. Two Afghan officials seated within 90 feet of Hamid Karzai were killed.

A Taliban spokesman said that his group did not intend to kill Karzai. Even if he is covering his group’s failure to do so, the operation was still a success. The massive security breach–occurring with inside help–gives an impression of Taliban strength and Karzai’s impotency. The Afghan leader, derided as the mayor of Kabul, is apparently now also vulnerable in the capital.

The Afghans recently took control over Kabul’s security.  But today’s incident, reminiscent of Anwar al-Sadat’s assassination, suggests the present government lacks the political legitimacy and cohesiveness to fulfill its basic obligations.