(Published in The Nation)
It is good to take time away from politics and indulge in furthering our education about science and specifically about the universe. Because this is important and this is the reason that other countries have gone far beyond us in so many ways (pun totally intended).
EbA uses biodiversity and ecosystem services as part of a larger adaptation strategy – an excellent example of a viable nature-based solution. As well as providing climate change adaptation benefits, this approach also contributes to biodiversity conservation and enhances local economies. IUCN has been extensively involved in EbA work, strengthening community resilience and livelihoods in almost 60 countries. This work demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the implementation of naturebased solutions. The conservation and sustainable development community considers EbA to be a strong method of addressing climate change and its associated challenges. However, there is still a tendency for policy makers to implement traditional engineering solutions for adaptation, rather than investing in EbA. The need for solid data on the cost-effectiveness of this nature-based approach was the driver behind an IUCN study identifying the economic costs and benefits associated with EbA. The lessons learned from this appraisal process will make it easier for policy makers to compare EbA options with engineered solutions.
(Published in The Nation Pakistan)
I am just confused. I hear speeches every day by both the Shareefs, saying that they are going to get rid of Islamist terrorists. Now that they have curtailed the nefarious activities of MQM, I am waiting to see similar actions against all Islamist organizations.
(Published in The Nation Pakistan) This and many other Shariah laws have no place in the world today. And any demand to impose them over society, instead of secular laws, is not an idea that we should accept. And therefore, we must step up and be vocal about their abrogation. This is because most of these laws exponentially favour some people and are not very considerate to women, minorities and the poor.
(Published in The Nation) The days of women as chattel are over and it is time for everyone to understand that women are human beings with the same rights as men. Rape is about power and as long as the narrative remains what it is, this manifestation of power is going to exist.
(Published in The Nation Pakistan)
The Taliban and their ilk want to impose one particular theocracy in the country. As such they are Islamist extremists. There is no point in saying that this has nothing to do with Islam, because it does.
(Published in The Nation Pakistan)
Whatever the state is doing to eliminate terrorism is not going to work because it is concentrating on only one end of the pipeline. The need to is to also concentrate on the other end by regulating foreign funding for madrassas; by regulating what is being taught in these schools; by ensuring that banned religious organizations are actually banned and not allowed to roam our streets with impunity.
(Published in The Nation Pakistan)
Pakistan is a victim and it has been one since its inception. Its politicians are victims, its people are victims, the establishment is a victim – everyone here is a victim. How do I know this? Because that’s what they say.
(Published in The Nation Pakistan)
Kashmir is not the jugular vein of Pakistan. And therefore, it would be much better for us to move on from Kashmir and concentrate on the issues that are bleeding the country to death, slowly but surely. Instead of dreaming about adding to our land mass, it is necessary to fix all the damaged veins within Pakistan. Let’s work on that first. We can worry about Kashmir later.
(Published in The Nation Pakistan)
Between Dr. Salam and Malala there were no other Nobel Laureates. In the meantime, we seem to consider our biggest scientific achievements to be the atomic bomb and the ‘water kit’ car. What is wrong with this picture? The fact that we collectively as a nation do not consider education to be the most important aspect of human life.
