Shakir Lakhani
Daily Times
Pakistan
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Past articles by Shakir:
Keamari gas leak: what really happened?
Sulphide, released by petroleum crude oil in small quantities, is always present in the air in the vicinity of the oil terminals in Keamari → Read More
Make the punishment fit the crime!
I've often wondered why Pakistan is in such a sorry state. Why, for instance, do people display such blatant disregard for traffic rules? Is → Read More
It’s not corruption; it’s perception, stupid!
The ruling party went into panic mode after the publication of Transparency International's report, according to which Pakistan had → Read More
Be positive!
Even though a year has passed since the ‘Great Khan’ and his very able ministers came to power, there are people who actually believe that Imran Khan is the only one who can save the country and pull it out of its current mess, for part of which he is himself responsible. One such PTI … → Read More
Modi’s nightmare: a Muslim-majority India
In Assam, a state with thirty-four percent of its people being Muslim, a movement is underway to deport up to four million of them to the neighbouring Bangladesh and Myanmar The high growth rate among Muslims is giving Modi sleepless nights, as this is the first time he has mentioned the issue of unchecked population … → Read More
Thank you, Modi
Thank you for convincing Indian Muslims that they will never be able to live like free citizens in India. Thank you for exposing the true face of Hindutva Thank you, Narendra Modi, for proving that you are the Muslim-hater we always knew you were. Thank you for proving that Mr Jinnah and his associates correctly … → Read More
Inflation? what’s that?
Inflation is, reportedly, very high nowadays, principally due to the nefarious activities of those parties that lost the last general elections and couldn’t form a government. Despite being in the opposition, they seem to have so much power even now that they are able to damage the country by raising prices of essential items. They … → Read More
Smuggling and Afghan transit trade: two major threats to the country
One can’t help admiring the creativity and ingenuity of some of our people. I’m referring to those worthy citizens who are strictly opposed to following the law, particularly the law which obliges them to pay taxes. They will do anything to avoid doing so. In fact, they go to great lengths to make easy money. … → Read More
Taxpayers’ woes
Only a madman in this country would dare file a written complaint against the mandarins. “Why should I pay taxes?” screamed an article published a few days earlier. According to the writer, despite paying taxes, we don’t get the facilities available to the common man in developed nations. Despite what our leaders say, we are … → Read More
‘Defected’ or ‘Defective’?
I am a great admirer of that lady doctor, you know the one, the special assistant to the Dear Leader for information and broadcasting. She replaced that popular chap who was made minister of science and technology, even though he is a lawyer who I doubt would be able to explain the Theory of Relativity … → Read More
High inflation = low corruption
In the 10 months that the Dear Leader has skillfully governed the country, I’ve come to the realization that inflation is actually a good thing. In fact, I don’t think we should worry at all when prices rise steeply. This government has increased the minimum wage by Rs 2,500 per month, so the common man … → Read More
Everybody does it
In over fifty years of interacting with government officers and people in the private sector, I have come to the conclusion that corruption is in our genes. This is why when a few years earlier, a politician from South Punjab said, “Corruption is our right,” very few people were shocked. He meant that after spending … → Read More
Demonetisation of 5,000 rupee notes
It has been many months since demonetisation of Rs 5,000 currency note was discussed. The main reason for opposing the move is, of course, that demonetisation failed in India (It failed there because it was done in a hurry and without proper planning). Another reason is that those who take bribes are well-connected and strenuously … → Read More
Are you in the right profession?
You know that feeling you get when you meet a very successful person and realise that you are in the wrong profession? I know many people who gave up their chosen careers and switched over to other fields, like that once-popular religious scholar and TV anchor who used to be a doctor and is also … → Read More
Using science and technology for moon-sighting
It was one of those rare occasions when we actually heard someone in this government talk sense. The minister for science and technology pleaded that we should not depend on clerics to determine whether the moon has been sighted or not. There is no need, he said, to waste so much money on transporting scholars … → Read More
Minister should really think before he speaks
Whatever the critics might say about the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government, no one can deny that it keeps us entertained. Whether it’s the Great Khan saying that Jesus (peace be upon him) is not mentioned anywhere in history books or that Japan and Germany share a common border, or that a billion trees in his home … → Read More
Gained in translation
Sometimes one wishes to bang one’s head against a wall. Like when the learned minister for climate change asserts piously that the recent rainfall in the country was solely due to our prime minister being virtuous. Makes one wonder about the role of the ‘corrupt’ leaders over the past 10 years in the kind of … → Read More
When governments cannot control inflation
Remember the optimists? It seems like ages, but did they not say Imran Khan and the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf will change the face of the country? That within hours of a PTI government taking over the US dollar would sell for Rs 60? That $200 billion would be repatriated the next day? Do you think any … → Read More
Time to declare war on sugar!
The sugar industry in Pakistan (most of which is controlled by politicians sitting in our assemblies) is perhaps the biggest drain on the country’s economy. Despite running on losses, the sugar barons manage to have lavish lifestyles and get elected to parliament, where they exercise their powers to get loans written off. Surely in these … → Read More
Time to declare war on sugar!
The sugar industry in Pakistan (most of which is controlled by politicians sitting in our assemblies) is perhaps the biggest drain on the country’s economy. Despite running on losses, the sugar barons manage to have lavish lifestyles and get elected to parliament, where they exercise their powers to get loans written off. Surely in these … → Read More