On 11th June, 1998 the Government of Pakistan announced the construction of Kalabagh Dam at a time when the international debate on dams favoured costs and benefits scrutiny of amega hydropower projects. There is a growing realization that pro-dam rhetoric -large dams are a source of energy generation, flood control mechanism and regulated irrigation network---needs to be verified and weighed against its adverse impacts on environment and the society. . . . Read More

Hamza Shinwari was, undoubtedly, a great trend-setter in Pukhto ghazal. The dominant and powerful trend that he had set up was the painting of his nostalgic identification with the universal concept of Islamic mysticism. He had taken excessive benefits from the local terms and idioms of age-old customs and traditions of the Pukhtuns . . . Read More

Ghulam Ishaq Khan was born on January 20, 1915, in Ismail Khel Bannu District, N. W. F. P. He did his graduation in Chemistry and Botany and joined N. W. F. P. Civil Service in 1940. After the unification of West Pakistan into One Unit in 1955, Ishaq Khan was appointed Provincial Secretary of West Pakistan for Irrigation Development. . . . Read More

With his Byronic good looks and proud tribal mien, Nek Mohammad fearlessly cruises the rugged South Waziristan landscape in the company of his infamous guests as the hapless administration looks on. Just how does he do that? . . . Read More