First ever US envoy to OIC

Only time will tell what this announcement means for the OIC or the Islamic world in general, but for now, it is a good move and Cumber deserves our support!

Pictures of the Pakistan I know

Sometimes I look at photos capturing the sights and sceneries of countries that are foreign to me and that I know the media will never tell me about and that our schools will never teach about.

So, it comes as a welcome and pleasant surprise that people have taken it into their own hands to inform us about people and places in lands far away and hitherto undiscovered, or at least less widely known. My friend, Adeel Rahman, is always the ultimate discoverer of hidden treasures, so I dedicate this post to him - and thank him profusely!

Enjoy these pictures. They may not be of people, but at least show monuments and structures and landscapes of Pakistan in their true glory.

Four articles of interest

I have rarely been quoted in the media, but apparently when I have, it's been decently substantive! So, with much pleasure, I'd like to share some articles where the authors either interviewed me or just asked for general comments.

1) India Currents article on thoughts after attending a Homeland Security roundtable on post-9/11 civil liberties and human rights issues.

2) PBS Newshour feature on thoughts after an Americans for Informed Democracy conference in 2006.

3) CUNY Graduate Center colleague Mr. Marriah Star's article on social entrepreneurship.

4) The Nation contributor and friend/writer/journalist Jayati Vora's piece on the youth-led movement to restore democratic rule in Pakistan.

As always, feedback much appreciated!

Back to the blogosphere!

Finally! Back after quite a hiatus!

I must say, it took me a good several days to get back in to the routine of things after returning from my hectic trip to Pakistan (first three weeks of this year). It was the mundane things which took the longest to get used to (cooking/preparing food, cleaning, laundry, groceries, etc.) - even though I was gone only three weeks! - because in Pakistan, it's all done for you by others! Many have commented on why I would ever want to live in New York when I left so much behind in Lahore. But, that's a story for another day.

For now, I will keep things short and post three great analytical pieces my friends Muntasir, Arif and Jumaina wrote on the post-elections situation in Pakistan. I have yet to write about my trip a few months ago, but will do so with some photos, very soon.

Until then, happy reading!

Muntasir's piece is on the South Asian Magazine for Action and Reflection's website, titled "From a Musharraf policy to a Pakistan policy".

Jumaina's piece is on the Henry Stimson Center's website (where she is a Research Associate with the Regional Voices: Transnational Challenges project), titled "Power of the ballot: political transition in Pakistan".

Arif's piece is on The Guardian's website (UK publication), titled "Partnerless in Pakistan".