News updates

December 16 marks the 38th anniversary of the breakup of Pakistan when the Eastern wing of the country emerged as Bangladesh after an India-backed secessionist movement. The occasion calls for highlighting the plight of about 250,000 so-called Biharis or stranded Pakistanis still languishing in unsanitary camps in Bangladesh. Who are the so-called Biharis or stranded Pakistanis? In pre-independence India, the …

Many people say Pakistan is a failed state; others say no it is not. Some Jihadi groups and right wing people call Pakistan a ‘fort of Islam’; and a ‘successful’ state, as it made a valuable contribution in the collapse of one Superpower; and has virtually bankrupted the other Superpower in a ‘war on terrorism’. They make these lofty and …

Professor Norman Finkelstein accused “Israelis” of perpetrating war crimes in the Gaza strip through the ongoing siege and January war. His accusation came within an International Conference titled, “UNRWA and Future of Palestinian Refugees”, organized in London. Finkelstein started his speech by placing it in context with the one year commemoration of the siege on Gaza. The causes and effects …

Inseparable by geography, Pakistan and India are Siamese twins that have emerged together from the womb of history. For better or for worse, their futures will always remain inextricably tied together. Today, one of the two is in deep trouble. The ferocious militant fanaticism of Pathan tribals, once sequestered in the mountains of Waziristan and Swat, has migrated down into …

Election fever is running wild, with the presidential election scheduled for January 26th. After that, the parliamentary election will be held, these elections will run more wild than the present presidential election underscoring that democracy is very much alive in our island. One community which has unstintingly contributed to the development and welfare of this country which had stalwarts like …

Imad Iqbal – A student at Victoria Park CI, Imad is thrilled to be carrying the Torch from York Mills CI along York Mills to Bayview Avenue on Dec. 17. A strong academic student, he is highly engaged in learning and a valuable member of the community, both inside and outside of school. Last year, Imad was stricken with cancer …