Letter from Karachi: In a too-familiar crisis, signs of life and love

As I write this essay, I feel it could have been written ten years ago. And I think it must have, in a different shape or form, on different

Zehra Abid

Oct 5, 20206 min read

What we talk about when we talk about May 28

A man breaks his silence about Model Town in 2010

Zehra Abid

May 28, 20204 min read

Pakistan emerges from ‘smart lockdown’ as Imran Khan faces criticism for coronavirus response

The country of 200 million is lifting restrictions despite a rise in infections

Zehra Abid

May 12, 20204 min read

In Pakistan's Kasur, child rape and killings continue unabated

Two years after laws were tightened to address endemic child abuse, rights organisations say not enough is being done.

Zehra Abid

Oct 29, 20196 min read

Fair trial concerns plague Pakistan sexual assault cases

Family and lawyer of Pakistani man executed for rape and murder of six-year-old girl say he never received a fair trial.

Zehra Abid

Oct 17, 20196 min read

Talking Art, with author and academic Bilal Tanweer

It would be apt to begin an introduction of the author and translator Bilal Tanweer by quoting the great David Foster Wallace: “The...

Zehra Abid

Oct 22, 20183 min read

A cup of tea, and history

Moments of great cultural significance can rarely be traced to any one physical existence. In Lahore however, literature, art, and...

Zehra Abid

Oct 17, 20182 min read

From PTV director to South Asia’s first woman to set up a Television Network

In several ways, Sultana Siddiqui’s life has had various unique events. She was once part of a tableau performed to welcome the late Shah...

Zehra Abid

Oct 1, 20183 min read

How AAS trust became a lifeline for Karachi’s street children

When some dear family and friends of Abdul Rehman Allana, chairperson of Alsons Group, were affected by drug addiction, he realised that...

Zehra Abid

Aug 1, 20182 min read

M. Ziauddin and 55 years of journalism

The byline M.Ziauddin is synonymous to journalistic integrity. “If you don’t have skeletons in your closet, nobody will find them,”...

Zehra Abid

Jun 25, 20183 min read

Meet Pakistan’s advertising guru and probably its greatest showman

The D’Hamidi Partnership, Pakistan’s first independent branding and design consultancy, was once a Potohar jeep with two passengers – ...

Zehra Abid

May 14, 20181 min read

Throwback to Pakistan’s golden era of music and the label that made it possible

The best of Pakistani music came from one company – EMI Pakistan. It was here that Malika Pukhraj, Ustad Mehdi Hassan, Farida Khanum and...

Zehra Abid

May 13, 20181 min read

Karachi's City Court, a place of little mercy

Built originally as a prison in 1847, the complex comprises courtrooms for each of Karachi's six districts

Zehra Abid

Jun 23, 20176 min read

Forced Into Leaving Pakistan, Afghan Refugees Struggle To Start Afresh

Afghan refugees, some who have spent decades in Pakistan, have been forced to return to their home country, which continues to struggle with

Zehra Abid

Feb 28, 20177 min read

Sehwan's "ultimate guardian" shrine bounces back after suicide attack

The bombing claimed by Daesh is part of a series of terrorist attacks around the country in which over 100 people have died last week alone

Zehra Abid

Feb 21, 20176 min read

Justice and remembrance

In Coke Studio too, violence that has taken over all our lives is made to be justified for better, imaginary tomorrow

Zehra Abid

Aug 18, 20163 min read

'Who represents Islam?'

After a terrorist attack, debate so quickly changes from the act of violence itself to the 'victimisation of Muslims'

Zehra Abid

Jun 23, 20164 min read

Bloody Sunday

The list of ‘they’ keeps growing — TTP, Afghan Taliban, ISIS and the like

Zehra Abid

Mar 31, 20163 min read

In the crosshairs: Pakistan's journalists

Pakistan is losing the fight against impunity in crimes against journalists

Zehra Abid

Nov 2, 20154 min read

Gilgit-Baltistan: Pakistan’s Hidden Paradise

Some stunning experiences await the traveler to one of Pakistan’s most unique regions

Zehra Abid

Aug 31, 20152 min read