Pakistan’s democratic and civilian groups face various problems: Issues of national integrity, reduction of violence, the creation of a governing consensus among different provinces and ethnic... Show morePakistan’s democratic and civilian groups face various problems: Issues of national integrity, reduction of violence, the creation of a governing consensus among different provinces and ethnic groups; all of these will have to be tackled by the new parliament. But just as important as the restoration of democracy and the end of military involvement in politics are problems of poverty and economic deprivation. Show less
The courtesan has been a stock character in popular South Asian literature and movies. The popular Urdu novel, Umrao Jan Ada, was recently made into a lavish serialized television play in Pakistan.... Show moreThe courtesan has been a stock character in popular South Asian literature and movies. The popular Urdu novel, Umrao Jan Ada, was recently made into a lavish serialized television play in Pakistan. It raises questions about how popular television performances create a space for a discussion on gender politics in a rapidly changing cultural, social, and economic milieu of present-day Pakistan. Show less
