By Assad Zulfiqar

Set in 1980's Pakistan during the dictatorship of General Zia-ul-Haq, Haal is a film about how the junta used Islamism as a tool to suppress the media and suffocate the arts. Told through the eyes of a journalist (Omar) and a Kathak dancer (Mehr), the film weaves the story of how Pakistan became a slave to the rightwing Islamist mindset. 

By Paaras Abbas

He claims to believe in democracy, but came to power through a coup d’état. He declared a state of emergency in the country, imposed restrictions on the media, sacked judges of superior courts, and suppressed his opposition for a long time. He claims to be a popular leader, but not one significant Pakistani has joined his new political party. He claims to believe in Pakistan and justice, yet has chosen self-exile in London over returning home to face the consequences of the mess he created. Addressing the audience at the School Of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) on Thursday 16^th June, former President Retired General Pervez Musharraf defended every action he took during his nine-year rule, from his coup to the Lal Masjid siege.

By Zubeida Mustafa 

More than six decades after Partition, India and Pakistan continue to be locked in disputes which even take them to the brink of war. It is difficult to believe that people who had lived side by side for centuries now refuse to recognise the commonalities in their culture and languages. Against this backdrop comes a breath of fresh air in the form of a new book that focuses on social harmony rather than cultural discord.

By Christina Rebel

Like a breath of fresh air, this article will shed light on the common lived experience of the average Pakistani and Indian citizen. Like murky waters, the entrenched perception of division dominates India-Pakistan relations. The Samosa would like to shake up rooted conceptions of what it is to be Indian or Pakistani by recognising the workers’ struggle in both countries. In realising their similar fight we can call for greater solidarity.

By Iman Qureshi

News that Fifa has banned the Iranian women’s football team from participating in the Olympics on account of their headscarves has been met with much criticism, but the real issues are not being addressed. Whether it’s sexuality, gender, religion or race, sport seems to be the perpetually reoffending schoolyard bully.

By Shamik Das

There was further frustrating news for proponents of constitutional change yesterday, as it emerged the joint committee on Lords reform is to be packed with opponents of an elected second chamber. Of the 13 peers on the 26-member committee, all four Labour and three of the four Tory peers are anti-reform; it will be chaired by Labour peer Lord Richard, whose voting record is against any elected element of the chamber.