Ali Mohsin
Countercurrents.org
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Past articles by Ali:
“Prison reform” bill stalled in Senate as National Prison Strike looms – Countercurrents
One of the more curious developments in recent months has been the bipartisan effort to pass the First Step Act, a “prison reform” bill that was approved by the House of Representatives in May. If… → Read More
Pakistan: Government unveils pro-business, anti-worker federal budget – Countercurrents
As its term of office nears completion, Pakistan’s scandal-ridden government, led by the Pakistan Muslim League (N), unveiled a pro-business budget last Friday in which the needs and concerns of the country’s working class and rural poor find no expression. Among the most striking features of Rs5.9 trillion ($51 billion) federal budget for 2018-2019 are the cuts to development programs[Read… → Read More
Pakistan: 7 Socialist Activists Abducted by Army After Attending PTM Rally in Karachi – Countercurrents
7 youth and trade union activists have been abducted by the army and Sindh Rangers after participating in rally in support of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) outside the Karachi Press Club on Sunday. They were picked up immediately following the demonstration in Karachi, which had been called to express solidarity with a PTM rally in Lahore that was held[Read More...] → Read More
Pakistan: Missing persons issue swept under rug as Pashtun anti-war movement spreads – Countercurrents
The head of the commission on missing persons, Justice (r) Javed Iqbal, significantly downplayed the role of the country’s military and intelligence agencies in “enforced disappearances” of Pashtun and Baloch people while briefing the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Human Rights on Monday. Iqbal’s attempt to absolve Pakistan’s military-intelligence apparatus of its responsibility for… → Read More
Pakistan: Lady Health Workers end demonstration after government agrees to demands – Countercurrents
A 5-day-long sit-in by lady health workers (LHW) in Lahore came to an end on Friday, after the Punjab government agreed to the workers’ main demands. The demonstration by LHWs took place on Mall Road, one of Lahore’s busiest areas. The workers showed tremendous determination during the course of their struggle, with some hospitalized due to dehydration. One health worker[Read More...] → Read More
A Disheartening Week For American Death Penalty Opponents – Countercurrents
The US Supreme Court on Monday rejected a direct challenge to the the death penalty, refusing to hear an Arizona death row prisoner’s argument that it amounts to cruel and unusual punishment. The court also refused to consider the constitutionality of Arizona’s capital sentencing system, under which nearly all convicted murderers are eligible for the death penalty. In a statement,[Read More...] → Read More
Pakistan's Largest Province Bans Children’s Dance Performances In Schools – Countercurrents
On Monday, the government of Punjab, Pakistan’s largest province, officially banned children’s dance performances at all public and private schools. The Punjab School Education Department (PSED) announced that the ban will be applied to all school events, including talents shows, parents’ days and teachers’ days. The education department has also warned that it will suspend the license of… → Read More
Pakistani Authorities Torture Christian Youths Accused Of “Blasphemy” – Countercurrents
The torture and abuse of two young Christian men, Patras and Sajid Masih, at the hands of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in the Pakistani city of Lahore late last month has sparked outrage among Christians across the country. The two cousins’ ordeal began after Muslim supremacists accused one of them of violating Pakistan’s draconian “blasphemy” laws. The incident has[Read More...] → Read More
Muslims Face Increasing Discrimination, State Surveillance Under Trump – Countercurrents
US President Donald Trump received another setback last week when the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, located in Richmond, Virginia, ruled against the latest version of his Muslim ban. In its ruling, the court stated that the ban is “unconstitutionally tainted with animus towards Islam” and that its central purpose is “to exclude Muslims from the United States.” Despite the[Read More...] → Read More
Extrajudicial Murder Of Pashtun Exposes State Brutality In Pakistan – Countercurrents
The murder of a Pashtun man in Karachi by the Sindh police last week has brought renewed attention to the brutal practices of Pakistan’s police and security forces. According to his relatives, Naqeebullah Mehsud, a 27-year-old from the war-torn region of South Waziristan, was kidnapped by plainclothes police officers in Karachi earlier this month. On January 16, Mehsud’s family was[Read More...] → Read More
Afghan Refugees Feeling The Heat As US-Pakistan Geopolitical Tensions Rise – Countercurrents
Last week, the Pakistani government callously doubled down on its strategy of using Afghan refugees as pawns in its ongoing political dispute with Afghanistan when it refused to grant a long-term extension of their stay in Pakistan. Islamabad’s move will anger Kabul, which has struggled to absorb and reintegrate the massive influx of Afghans returning from Pakistan in recent years.[Read More...] → Read More
Pakistan: Teachers And Farmers Protests Brutally Crushed In Sindh – Countercurrents
In recent weeks, as much of the Pakistani media remained fixated on the internecine squabbles of the country’s ruling elites, authorities in Sindh have been brutally cracking down on sections of workers and farmers in the province who’ve had the temerity to defend their rights and fight for improved living standards and working conditions. On December 25, primary, secondary[Read More...] → Read More