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Dec 25, 2024 | 
frontline.thehindu.com | Vaishna Roy |Aijaz Ahmad |A.G. Noorani |Shujaat Bukhari
Worldwide, professional journalism and the news industry are struggling to defend and, where possible, to reassert their relevance and value under profoundly changed and changing circumstances. Media transformation in this digital age is being powered and continuously challenged by new and rapidly developing technologies, platforms, and tools.
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Dec 25, 2024 | 
frontline.thehindu.com | Vaishna Roy |Aijaz Ahmad |A.G. Noorani |Mukul Kesavan
Indian politics over the past decade makes the case for a revisionist history of the republic. The success of the Sangh Parivar in imposing a communal common sense on Indian politics should encourage us to review India’s republican past in the light of Narendra Modi’s ascendancy. We should ask why our democracy, built on the simple majorities of a first-past-the-post system, took so long to become majoritarian.
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Nov 25, 2024 | 
pakobserver.net | Aijaz Ahmad
BEGGING in Pakistan has moved far beyond an individual’s plea for survival. It has evolved into a calculated, exploitative business, controlled by powerful mafias that operate with strategic precision. These organized begging syndicates target and exploit society’s most vulnerable—often children—turning human misery into profit. Children are frequently abducted and forced into a life of begging.
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Oct 31, 2024 | 
pakobserver.net | Aijaz Ahmad
IN today’s financial world, many people believe that both Islamic and conventional banking are essentially the same, labeling both as haram (prohibited) because they deal with money, loans and profit-making. However, there is a fundamental difference between the two systems that hinges on their processes, especially in how they align with Islamic principles. Understanding these differences is crucial for anyone who wants to make an informed choice about their financial dealings.
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Jul 29, 2024 | 
pakobserver.net | Aijaz Ahmad
THE recent disclosure by former Federal Minister Gohar Ejaz has brought to light the staggering financial burden Pakistani consumers face due to the country’s energy sector mismanagement. The fact sheet reveals that Rs1.93 trillion was paid in capacity payments to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in the last fiscal year. This includes Rs 46 billion to two IPPs that generated zero power and Rs 370 billion to three plants operating at a mere 15 percent load factor.
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Jul 13, 2024 | 
pakobserver.net | Aijaz Ahmad
THE recent story of Brigadier Imtiaz Ahmed, widely covered in the media, is not an isolated case but a reflection of a larger, pervasive issue, the misuse of power and widespread corruption. Brigadier Imtiaz’s dramatic fall from grace, from a position of immense influence to facing humiliation at the hands of his own family, highlights a crucial lesson about the consequences of corruption.
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Jul 9, 2024 | 
pakobserver.net | Aijaz Ahmad
IN societies where oppression is widespread, where the oppressed find no justice, and poverty and exploitation are continually increasing, where doctors drain the lifeblood of poor patients, the police habitually abuse their power, people suffer in courts, unemployment is at its peak, political and economic anarchy is rampant, and foreign powers constantly influence policies, a certain destructive social psychology and mob mentality develop.
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Jun 26, 2024 | 
pakobserver.net | Aijaz Ahmad
THE common man, often seen as the backbone of society, paradoxically embodies its deepest flaws. In everyday roles — from selling fruit to driving buses — he manifests shameless dishonesty and recklessness. Rotten fruit hidden beneath fresh, reckless driving as a norm and bureaucratic inefficiency exemplify his conduct. Even in government office, his behavior is marked by unhelpfulness and frequent prayer breaks that disregard public needs.
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Jun 14, 2024 | 
pakobserver.net | Aijaz Ahmad
PAKISTAN, like many other countries, is grappling with the persistent issue of deforestation. The sight of wood-cutting yards in every city is a stark reminder of the unchecked exploitation of our natural resources. Despite the efforts of government bodies and various social organizations to promote tree plantation, the absence of robust law enforcement to protect existing trees poses a significant threat to the environment.
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May 9, 2024 | 
pakobserver.net | Aijaz Ahmad
AS we celebrate over 76 years of independence from British rule, it is imperative to reflect on the lingering remnants of our colonial past. One such relic is our attire, which still largely emulates the dress code of our former rulers. The coat, pant and three-piece suit, once a symbol of power and authority, continue to dominate our wardrobe, even in the sweltering heat of our tropical climate.
