What is a Pakistani Muslim writer (not) supposed to write about?

Many feel writing in English from Pakistan should be about Islamist extremism, violence against women or the polarisation of the society.

Haroon Khalid

· May 22, 2019 · 08:00 am

Lahore: The May 8 suicide bombing outside the Data Darbar shrine was an assault on the city’s soul

The Sufi shrine, which houses the grave of the city’s patron saint, has watched over Lahore for over 1,000 years.

Haroon Khalid

· May 14, 2019 · 08:00 am

An Easter tale: Remembering a Pakistani priest who gave his life to save Christians from persecution

Around Easter in 1998, a Punjab court sentenced a young man to death for blasphemy. Bishop John Joseph went to the court and committed suicide in protest.

Haroon Khalid

· Apr 24, 2019 · 12:30 pm

How a Lahore landmark named for a British radical came to be linked with Jallianwala Bagh massacre

It was a March 1919 meeting held in the Bradlaugh Hall which set in motion the immediate chain of events that culminated in the Amritsar tragedy.

Haroon Khalid

· Apr 18, 2019 · 06:30 pm

Destroying nature to build the Kartarpur Corridor is no way to celebrate Guru Nanak

Nature has a particular significance in Nanak’s philosophy. He often used symbols from nature to establish the divinity of God.

Haroon Khalid

· Apr 08, 2019 · 12:30 pm

A short history of ordinary Pakistanis’ love-hate relationship with Narendra Modi

Though the BJP strongman is perceived to be anti-Muslim, some across the border admired his decisiveness – especially when it came to demonetisation.

Haroon Khalid

· Apr 01, 2019 · 08:00 am

As Pakistan investigates abduction of Hindu girls, it could learn some lessons from New Zealand

Pakistan must raise its voice not just for Muslim communities across the world but for all persecuted minorities, regardless of their religion.

Haroon Khalid

· Mar 29, 2019 · 08:00 am

The furore around Pakistan’s Aurat March still hasn’t died down. Here’s what critics won’t admit

Television anchors have dedicated complete shows to what they describe as the ‘dishonourable’ and ‘objectionable’ posters that were displayed at the event.

Haroon Khalid

· Mar 21, 2019 · 08:00 am

For Partition migrants, ugly nationalism in India and Pakistan is stealing their histories

Lahore, Delhi, Karachi and Bombay were considered our cities collectively. Not any more.

Haroon Khalid

· Mar 11, 2019 · 08:00 am

Pakistan’s Balakot is linked to puritanical Islam – but it also has a syncretic religious tradition

The city targeted by the IAF venerates a shrine which is also claimed by Sikhs. It is also the final resting place of the Islamist icon Syed Ahmad Barelvi.

Haroon Khalid

· Mar 04, 2019 · 08:00 am

What’s common in the attacks in India on Kashmiris and violence in Pakistan against Hindus, Sikhs?

They are driven by the same chauvinistic nationalism whose essence is the hatred of the ‘other’.

Haroon Khalid

· Feb 25, 2019 · 08:00 am

How the Chishti Sufi order indigenised Islam in South Asia by reinterpreting Hindu traditions

Qawwali is a prime example.

Haroon Khalid

· Feb 19, 2019 · 08:00 am