By Taher Khan

When someone says, “Pakistan is a strong nation” they are normally talking about all the wrong things. Pakistan’s strength is not its army, its bombs, the value of the resources beneath its soil, or even the talent of its people. Pakistan’s greatest strength is the idea that lies behind it.

By Saroop Ijaz

The murder of doctors belonging to the Hindu faith in Sindh has evoked considerable protest and condemnation. It is of some comfort that we have not been completely desensitised to murder. However, the patronising standard denunciation that follows after any attack on ‘minorities’ is not proving effective in putting an end to wanton criminality against them.

By Caroline Jaine

On hearing the term “Brit Pak” many in the art world would think first of the challenging band of mainly Goldsmiths graduates who dominated the British art scene in the 1980s and 90s. Lead by the controversial Damien Hirst, (who famously presented a shark preserved in formaldehyde), and including works by Tracey Emin, the Brit Pack reacted to the over-commercialisation of art by exhibiting in disused warehouses and decaying factories – but ironically the “pack” are now worth millions. Four years ago Hirst’s diamond encrusted skull entitled “For the Love of God”, was allegedly sold for £50million.

By Michael Green

Is aid a blessing or a curse for developing countries? For Imran Khan, a former cricketer turned politician, the answer for his country, Pakistan, is clear. “If we don’t have aid we will be forced to make reforms and stand on our own feet,” he told the BBC recently. This was a message that he repeated at a mass rally in Lahore at the end of October, which launched his Movement for Justice party as a serious political force in the country. “Pakistan is losing over Rs3,000 billion [£21 billion] a year in tax corruption”, he told the crowd of 100,000 people. If this lost money “can be tapped, the country does not need foreign aid.”

PR

Zesh Rehman, the British-born captain of the Pakistan national football team, launched his charitable foundation today at the Crystal Palace FC stadium in London. Representatives of several well-know football clubs were present as Zesh told his lift story from being the first Asian to play in the English Premier League to his current contract with Muangthong United FC of Bangkok.

By AFP

It’s been a decade since the September 11 attacks and many Americans still don’t know quite what to make of their 2.75 million Muslim compatriots. Could a reality TV series help?