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
In the past decade Pakistan has witnessed the emergence of Al-Huda, an institute offering religious education to women. Its popularity is greeted with hostile scepticism by many in Pakistan. Male... Show moreIn the past decade Pakistan has witnessed the emergence of Al-Huda, an institute offering religious education to women. Its popularity is greeted with hostile scepticism by many in Pakistan. Male religious scholars, feminists, and the mainstream media are amongst those who disagree with the practices of these women and their vision of moral reform. The author argues that by introducing women in new roles Al-Huda disrupts traditional structures for transmitting religious learning. Show less
Cosmopolitanism is usually associated with educated, affluent, and highly mobile citizens. But why would the “open-endedness” of cultural vision not apply to less fortunate global citizens? This... Show moreCosmopolitanism is usually associated with educated, affluent, and highly mobile citizens. But why would the “open-endedness” of cultural vision not apply to less fortunate global citizens? This contribution follows the experiences of an Ismaili man from Tajikistan who temporarily joined the Taliban in Pakistan. His trickster-like abilities to artfully instrumentalize relationships with a variety of groups provide important insights into the workings of actually existing cosmopolitanism. 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
