Our work in Pakistan aims to contribute towards democratisation by contesting fundamentalisms, and gender based discrimination, and by strengthening political participation and the rule of law. more
Recently, the power of the Taliban in connection with the attitude of the society was widely discussed, but once again gender and women issues were not highlighted. Durre Ahmed, chairperson and senior research fellow at the Centre for the Study of Gender and Culture in Lahore, about the current situation and development of the gender discourse in Pakistan. more»
Beyond Guantánamo - Restoring U.S. Credibility on Human Rights – The credibility of the USA has been severely damaged by practicing torture in Guantánamo and other prisons. Even though President Obama’s promise to close Guantánamo is recognized by the international community as a first step towards restoring U.S. credibility, several problems require comprehensive policy solutions which are laid out in this study. more»
Gender Policy makes a Difference – The aim of this position paper is to tackle the gender-political challenges of the future for our activities at home and abroad, and to outline our program focus more clearly, define our aims and tasks, and agree on the terminology and tools of gender-democratic policy. more»
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This piece is an excerpt out of the forthcoming book of Heinrich-Boll-Stiftung (Nov 09) in the publication series on promoting Democracy under Conditions of State Fragility. Pakistan: Reality, Denial and the Complexity of its state. more»
Pakistan State – Society Analysis – The state of affairs in Pakistan, characterized by a situation of extreme fragility needs to be understood in light of the complex interaction throughout history. This report aims at providing the relevant kind of context analysis for international actors to engage with Pakistan on a constructive, long-term basis, and with a view on the need to achieve genuine democratization. more»
Resolving our Crises – Decades of military rule, lack of democratic culture within political parties, feudal and tribal character of the society, weak institutions and a highly disturbed neighbourhood has created a serious leadership deficit in Pakistan at a time when the country faces massive challenges. more»
In Pakistan certain social precedents, call them customs or traditions justify acts of torture, violence and murder infused with a sense of righteous pride. The worst of such customs is that of so-called ‘honour’ killings. The conference report sheds some more light on what this issue entails and why it continues to persist. more»
Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Berlin on October 26, 2009 had invited various Pakistani politicians and legal expert to participate in a Round Table Conference on the future of rule of law in Pakistan. more»
REVISITING STUDENT POLITICS IN PAKISTAN – This study supported by Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Lahore is not only a comprehensive historical and analytical account of students politics, but it is also an original work to link campus politics with academic environment and good governance of higher education. The study offers meeting space for contesting stakeholders to resolve tension of the past and contribute positively to the emerging boom in higher education sector in Pakistan. more»
Book Review: Will the state survive as an idea? – Shafiqur Rehman has competently rendered into Urdu Stephen Cohen’s 2004 book The Idea of Pakistan. This will the first book of its kind in Urdu because of Cohen’s well known habit of looking at his subjects from new angles of inquiry. more»
Democracy within parties – Hybridism is an important feature of Pakistani politics, and largely explains the ability of military and civilian rulers to stay in power and justify their rule. They combine elements of democracy and authoritarianism, and present that hybrid as ‘genuine’ democracy. more»
How Greed Ruins Academia – Pakistan's university system is breaking down, perhaps irreparably so. Naked greed is destroying the moral fibre of academia. Professors across the country are clamoring to lift even minimal requirements that could assure quality education. more»
The Year 1979 and its Impact – The current situation is rooted in the events of 1979 but the remedy will have to come from within. In fact, much of the recent and current turmoil in Pakistan has its roots in the seismic events of 1979 and the policies taken in response to them. more»
What Breeds Extremism? – Religion is not at risk, and does not need to be rescued through the agency of the state; it is the liberties of the citizens and the idea of a free society that are at risk if the hegemonic view of religion replaces pluralism of faith. more»
March 16 dawned on Pakistan as the beginning of a new era; when Prime Minister Yusuf Reza Gilani announced the restoration of Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. more»
Pakistan's Political War with Itself – This report elaborates on the political tumult following the February 25 disqualification of the Sharif brothers and the imposition of Governor’s rule in the country’s politically most influential Punjab province. more»
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