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  Smelling a rat At a time, when our foreign office is at loggerhead with the US government, a known Pakistani Qawwal Rahat Fateh Ali Khan was arrested by Indian government on money-laundering charges, refusing to give access to Pakistan Embassy officials in India. Is this incidence anything to do with the Raymond Davis' case and the Americans want to extend pressure through India? Or is it another independent mischievous action by India to disconnect the ongoing negotiation between the two issue-riddled neighbourly countries? Or both. Whatever the reason it smells of a rat. LONDON    DR GHAYUR AYUB ...

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  Rais Ahmad Khan After restoration of Shah to Peacock throne, the Americans held sway in Iran, and under their tutelage Shah Mohammed Raza let loose an era of obscenity and debauchery on the pattern of the worst in Western civilisation, on one hand, and a reign of terror and oppression against intellectuals and political opponents on a scale that has few parallels in history. In the name and guise of reforms, dubbed 'White Revolution of the Shah and Populace' changes were introduced that antagonised all but his own sycophants. That set aflame the smoldering resentment against the Royal family, and his American advisors and supporters, into a virtual holocaust. The Shah had annoyed both the clergy and the intelligentsia, the students, and the 'Bazaris' - the real power-brokers and financiers of the Revolution that followed and shook the world. Shah's actions were devoid of all morality and fair play, and the ...

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  Huzaima Bukhari and Dr Ikramul Haq On November 25, 2008, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved the $7.6 billion 23-Month standby arrangement for Pakistan, which was later enhanced to 11.3 billion in July 2009. Pakistan was committed with IMF to introduce VAT from 1 July 2010, besides a number of other reforms. However, Finance Minister, Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, in his budget speech announced that the VAT would be introduced from October 1, 2010. Much to the annoyance of IMF, the promise was not honoured even in October 2010 and beyond. Resultantly, the tranche of US$ 1.7 billion was deferred with the condition that it would not be released unless Pakistan fulfilled its commitment of introducing VAT - government has camouflaged it by calling Reformed General Sales Tax (RGST) to avoid public criticism. Even after re-appointment as Finance Minister, Mr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh has yet not unveiled any strategy how RGST Bill, presently ...