Rahimullah Yusufzai

India failed to overcome challenge to its rule in J&K since 1947. Scrapping article 370, 35A to end J&K's autonomous status, settle outsiders is desperate move by BJP govt. Rejected by even pro-India parties, lacking approval by J&K legislative assembly, unacceptable to Kashmiris

Formed before July 2018 election, Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) emerged as largest party in Balochistan. It had no presence in KP, but has now secured 3 seats in KP Assembly without even trying as newly elected independent MPAs from ex-Fata joined it. Seems BAP has magical powers

Votes are bought to become member of Senate & some Senators sell their votes or seek favours when an opportunity arises. Senators have the best job as they have no constituency & aren’t accountable to electorate. Accountability can start by punishing 14 Senators for disloyalty.

Earlier cricket matches between India & Pakistan were keenly awaited. Now Afghanistan-Pakistan matches are also awaited as these too are packed with emotion. Still no need to turn the contests into war. Instead, cricket should be played in its true spirit as a gentleman's game.

6 years of solitary confinement & repression by military ruler al-Sisi couldn't break Mohammad Morsi as he was ideologically committed. President Erdogan rightly called him a martyr as he died in custody. Nobody can deny his status as Egypt's only democratically elected president

PM Modi-led BJP’s remarkable election victory for 2nd consecutive term despite record high unemployment, low farm incomes, reduced industrial production, fears of recession show that Hindu nationalist politics, focus on security & Pakistan bashing is now winning formula in India.

Trump's threat to ensure 'end' of Iran in case of war shows height of arrogance. Will he use nuclear weapons to destroy Iran? Did US 'end' Japan by using nuclear bombs? Persian, Japanese civilizations survived. Persia resisted aggressors over centuries while US rarely won a war.

Families of over 50 innocent workers of ANP, PMAP, PPP, PML-N martyred in MQM-led violence in Karachi 12 years ago still waiting for justice. Musharraf used MQM to stop CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry’s welcome & called it people’s power. Black Saturday killers must be ,made accountable.

Since August 2018 BLA carried out 3 suicide bombings, the latest on PC Hotel Gwadar today. Earlier a bus with Chinese engineers in Dalbandin & China's consulate in Karachi were attacked. Why are secular, nationalist Baloch becoming suicide bombers? Deep commitment or desperation?

Perhaps it is time to have Rooha Afza diplomacy between India and Pakistan after cricket and Kartarpur. India cannot meet demand for the drink in Ramazan. Pakistan can send Rooh Afza to quench thirst of fasting Muslims. Islamabad is willing but will New Delhi make a request.

Faced with tragedy New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern gave the world leadership lessons. Showed solidarity with Muslims in words & deeds, banned assault weapons, nationally mourned 50 Muslims martyred by Australian terrorist at 2 Christchurch mosques. Many wished they had PM like her.

PM Mahathir Mohammad said his visit to Pakistan didn’t mean Malaysia was on Pakistan’s side in its conflict with India. Lectured Pakistan, India on preventing terrorism. If govt hoped Mahathir will back Pakistan by inviting him as chief guest at Pakistan Day parade, it was wrong.

Failed attack on Pakistan's leading religious scholar Mufti Taqi Usmani by motorcyclists in Karachi was conspiracy in continuation of previous martyrdom of Ulema. Attempts to fuel sectarianism failed in past and will fail again but what is govt plan to protect such figures. .

Next Nobel Peace Prize can only come to our subcontinent if Imran & Modi or future PMs make peace between India & Pakistan. PTI & BJP leaders nominated Imran & Modi for Nobel prize, but it is premature, politically motivated. Imran has done his bit for peace, but what about Modi?

A day after Pakistan freed captured Indian pilot Abhinandan, PoW for just 2 days, as gesture of peace, India returned body of Pakistani civilian, Shakirullah from Sialkot who was killed on Feb 20 by prisoners in India’s Jaipur jail as revenge for Pulwama attack. What a contrast!

Pakistan sent low-level delegation to OIC FMs conference in UAE & Shah Mahmood Qureshi stayed away to show displeasure for inviting India’s FM Sushma Swaraj. Pakistan must reflect why OIC bigwig Saudi Arabia & host UAE didn’t listen to it even after Indian aggression against it.

After Pakistan's unilateral decision last Nov to open visa-free Kartarpur corridor for Sikh pilgrims, Prime Minister Imran Khan scored another diplomatic victory over India by releasing Indian pilot just 2 days after his capture. It is big gesture by a relatively smaller country!

Moscow meeting being held on Feb 5-6 won't end Afghan conflict but it can show the way. Afghan govt is absent but Afghans holding different views including former communists, mujahideen, Taliban are attending. Any move that brings together Afghans to work for peace is welcome.