Afghan warlords forgive themselves!
	The Wolesi Jirga, Afghan lower house of parliament passed a resolution that not only recomended amnesty for war crimes committed between 1978-2000, but also recommended the grant of privileges to the accused, since they had formed a resistance against aggressors and defended Afghan freedom. The Taliban and Al-Qaeda say that they are fighting for freedom of Afghanistan. How is this matter to be judged? More » Posted by Khalid Aziz on 4th Feb, 2007

	Balakot – one year after the earthquake
	This is a report on the conditions in Balakot, one year after the earthquake. It was prepared by Mr. Ghaffar, who led a team in the region. This eye witness account offers new insight about developments in the earthquake area. More » Posted by Khalid Aziz on 8th October 2006

	Tribal Areas Reform in Pakistan
	The second pivotal objective of reforms is to improve the social and human development indices in tribal areas. A preliminary perusal of the proposed interventions show plenty of “raw” will but less of a strategy for modernizing tribal areas. More » Posted by Khalid Aziz on 20th August, 2006

	Return of the Taliban – The North Waziristan Agreement
	The real victors from the North Waziristan agreement is the JUI (F) and their Taliban supporters. The former are now in a position to carry the next elections in NWFP, while the later recognized as a movement. It is a situation rife with serious consequences; one of these is likely to be hot pursuit by allied forces in Afghanistan More » Posted by Khalid Aziz on Sept 2006

	Issues involved in the Hasba Act controversy
	The Hasba Act has caused a huge political controversy, further delaying the resolution of the actual problem of the poor – meaningful employment. The MMA, which moved with considerable adroitness in handling the issues of this province, has put its previous good work in jeopardy by center staging a non-issue. Monasteries deal with such matters not government; the latter’s role is to provide services for improving the difficult livelihood circumstances facing the people. What little co-operation the NWFP was receiving earlier from the federal government is now endangered. This will be the biggest loss to the people of NWFP; not the theological hair splitting, whether we are good or bad Muslims? More » Posted by Khalid Aziz on 11/22/2005

	Transformation of Tribal Areas
	Tribal areas of Pakistan are on the brink of a major historical shift. It has been brought about after the turmoil of 9/11. However, this window of opportunity is available for a short time. Actions are needed immediately, so that the transformation strategy is underway before the next U.S. elections in 2008. If the occasion is used wisely, it could lead to state strengthening and ensure peace and tranquility, in what has become the Achilles heal of the Pakistani security system. Future perturbations of international security emanating from tribal areas will spell a disaster for us. It is thus important for the decision makers to move with alacrity. More » Posted by Khalid Aziz on 11/22/2005

	Twenty recommendations for meeting the earth quake challenge in Pakistan
	The recommendations listed below will provide a structure for implementing an earth quake relief, re-habiltation & a re-construction strategy; such an approach is essential for success More » Posted by Khalid Aziz on 11/22/2005

	The Reform of the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) and administration of the tribal areas of Pakistan
	This is the 2nd part of a three part series which examines the principles of the Pakhtun code of social conduct, the integration of FCR into this tradition, the impact & effectiveness of this special law in Pakistan's tribal areas. More » Posted by Khalid Aziz on

	Blair’s defeat in House of Commons
	The proposed Terrorism Bill raises new concerns; it contains provisions, which obliges Britain to monitor utterances and conduct of individuals around the world; for example a virulent utterance from Kandhar to New York, are equally culpable under the new proposed legislation. Amongst other concerns, this legislation proscribes a certain type of personal conduct and indirectly leads to re-defining acceptable individual behaviour, which places it head long into a tussle against the Islamic belief system. Further, I do not think any nation has the capacity or resources to do that kind of international policing, let alone Britain. More » Posted by Khalid Aziz on 11/22/2005

	Earthquake’s aftermath
	It is now 25 days after the earth quake, which destroyed the lives of people in NWFP and Azad Kashmir. During the period, certain issues have crystallized. Firstly, the comparative lack of international sympathy towards the quake victims, reflected in the poor response to appeals for assistance. It contrasts sharply with the availability of help after the earth quake which caused the Tsunami. Secondly, there are design faults in the creation of the new earth quake relief, re-habilitation and reconstruction authority, (ERRRA), as notified by the Prime Minister’s office on 24th of October. Thirdly, there is a complete dis-synchronization between the demands of the situation and the policies at the federal and the provincial level. More » Posted by Khalid Aziz on 11/22/2005