Pakistan's ubiquitous establishment might be a super manipulator, but close to the February 18 elections, it is facing its toughest time ever since the days of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (1971-77). Mr. Bhutto, the country's first elected prime minister, used his populism to keep down the scheming generals, bureaucrats and politicians, .................detail

Never before in Pakistan's history has an election campaign been so dull and lacklustre. Indeed, the assassination of Benazir Bhutto casts a shadow of gloom, but it is also something to do with a lack of trust in the whole process. There is little hope of elections bringing any political stability with Musharraf sticking to power.....detail

Though he is the most powerful military commander of the Pakistani Taliban, Baitullah Mehsud remains a shadowy figure with a larger-than-life reputation. One reason for his being largely unknown is his refusal to grant media interviews or be photographed...........detail

Some eight years ago, when Republican presidential hopeful George W. Bush was asked to name the military officer behind Pakistan's recent coup d'etat, he racked his insubstantial brain and came up with a category rather than a name: "General..." Admittedly, Pakistan at the time did not exactly attract the sort of significance it has acquired in the interim....detail

The Arabic translation of Newsline's senior editor Zahid Hussain's best-selling book, Frontline Pakistan was launched in Beirut, Lebanon and became an instant hit. A riveting account of the nexus between Islamic militants and the intelligence establishment, Frontline Pakistan has also done excellent.........detail

An exclusive exhibition of paintings by Delhi-based artist Prem Chowdhry was hosted by JI's Gallery of Fine Arts in Karachi recently. ..,.............detail