Iqbal Ahmad Khan is a former Ambassador of Pakistan. His writings for Criterion Quarterly are: Iran, the United States and Regional Stability Pakistan Peoples Party and the War on Terror Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s Legacy and the Rebuilding of Pakisan Defeating Terror – Lessons From Recent History Between Dreams and Realities 1971-Lessons Et Cetera Religion and […]
By Iqbal Ahmad Khan* Abstract Pakistan shares a common border with China, the rising super power of the 21st century. China is a strategic partner, a friend in times of crises and a corner stone of Pakistan’s foreign policy. Its peaceful rise and phenomenal climb to the status of a global power has riveted the
Rise of China – Some Lessons for Pakistan Read More »
By Iqbal Ahmad Khan* Abstract The Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah gave clear and unambiguous guidelines to the constitution makers of the new state of Pakistan. His historic address of 11 August 1947 embodied the raison d’être of Pakistan. “You may belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the
Religion and State in Pakistan Read More »
By Iqbal Ahmad Khan* Abstract (The 1971 debacle represented a turning point in the history of Pakistan. There were many lessons Pakistan could have learnt from this national trauma. Regrettably, we chose to ignore these. The Hamoodur Rahman Commission Report, the most authoritative account of the factors which led to the catastrophe, was not made
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By Iqbal Ahmad Khan Pakistan’s 62 year old tumultuous history has essentially been shaped by two factors, civil-military relations on the domestic front and our relations with India on the external front. The lop-sidedness of the civil- military equation in favor of the latter led to four military interventions and nearly 33 years of military
Between Dreams and Realities Read More »
By Iqbal Ahmad Khan* This resolve, unfortunately, did not last long. Despondency set in as the challenges proved too formidable for an inept and corrupt leadership. The advent of the generals brought a certain measure of order and hope. This too was short-lived. As they assumed greater power, they too joined the looters and plunderers.
Defeating Terror – Lessons From Recent History Read More »
By Iqbal Ahmad Khan [*] Abstract The present PPP-led coalition government faces problems of Himalayan proportions. The country, following eight years of military and quasi-military rule, sits on the brink of a precipice. The situation is not much different from that inherited by the founder of the PPP, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, in December 1971. Yet, despite
Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s Legacy and the Rebuilding of Pakisan Read More »
By Iqbal Ahmad Khan [*] Abstract The assassination of Benazir Bhutto is a stark but tragic reminder that terrorism and extremist violence constitute the gravest contemporary threat to national, regional and global peace and stability. The tribal belt of Pakistan has become the hub, the breeding ground of terrorists. The canker of extremist violence has spread
Pakistan Peoples Party and the War on Terror Read More »
By Iqbal Ahmad Khan[1] Abstract Iran’s size, energy resources and strategic location combine to make it a major player in the peace and stability of the Gulf region and beyond. The current standoff between Washington and Tehran on the latter’s nuclear programme is fraught with serious consequences. Military action against Iran would ignite a long
Iran, the United States and Regional Stability Read More »
