Category: Pakistan

Dawn, Finance for PPPs & entrepreneurs, International Finance, Pakistan, Pakistani Initiatives, Published Op EdsLeave a comment

Seismic costs

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Dawn | October 7, 2018 Imaduddin Ahmed WHEN considering investment in an infrastructure project, responsible investors or donors would ask: what is the need? What are the financial, social and environmental costs? What are the risks and the unknowns? Is the project likely to yield higher costs than benefits? Is the project the best option to address the need? Pakistan’s judiciary and government have called upon Pakistanis to invest in the Diamer-Basha and Mohmand Dam Fund, and yet they have insufficiently addressed these questions. The Supreme Court’s online app­eal is not accompanied by a feasibility study. From the outside looking … Continue reading Seismic costs

Dawn, Pakistan, Published Op Eds, Published WorkLeave a comment

Courting disaster

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Dawn | August 18, 2017 Imaduddin Ahmed SIXTEEN million people in Pakistan lack access to safe water. Scarcity of clean water and poor sanitation claim 19,000 children under five years of age in Pakistan annually, according to WaterAid. Per FAO/World Bank data, Pakistan’s internal renewable freshwater per capita is less than that in Syria, whose civil war has in part been attributed to water scarcity. The Pakistan Council for Research in Water Resources forecasts worsening scarcity. The way in which new hydroelectric plants on the Chenab and upstream Jhelum are operated by India could further exacerbate shortages. Besides taking the … Continue reading Courting disaster

Aman ki Asha, Family, Lahore, Pakistan, Pakistani Initiatives, Published Features, Published Work, Women's rightsLeave a comment

A cross-border friendship puts women in the driving seat

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An Indo-Pak friendship born in the United States underlines the shared value of women’s empowerment Aman ki Asha | Dec 2, 2015 Imaduddin Ahmed Sightings of women driving pink rickshaws around Lahore have seized global media attention about the initiative to enfranchise women, those seeking to supplement their livelihood as well as those seeking safe passage. I first heard about the Pink Rickshaw being voiced as a concept some time back at the work desk of my ever-active khala (mother’s sister), Zar Aslam, when I was on a visit from Rwanda to see family in Lahore. That’s when I learnt … Continue reading A cross-border friendship puts women in the driving seat

Lahore, Pakistan, Published Features, The Friday Times, Women's rights2 Comments

Contrasting memories of pre and post-Partition Lahore – Rehana Bano Bokhari

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The Friday Times I remember that pre-Partition, my two elder sisters studied at the co-ed FC College. Post-Partition, when I finished high school, Ab Ji, Maulana Salahuddin Ahmed, did not want me to go to a coeducational college because he … Continue reading Contrasting memories of pre and post-Partition Lahore – Rehana Bano Bokhari

Lahore, Pakistan, Published Features, The Friday TimesLeave a comment

Lambs to the slaughter

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The Friday Times | Imaduddin Ahmed meets the family of Nadeem, a victim of Basant Spring fesitvals celebrate fertility, birth and renewal. Basant, for some families, is different. This year Akhtar Bibi and her family will be marking the first year death anniversary of their son, Nadeem Pasha, who would now be 19. On 26th February 2006, Nadeem, the youngest of eight brothers and sisters, ventured into Lahore with friends from Chung village off Multan Road. This was the second of 14 days that the Supreme Court lifted its ban on kites that year. He was going to Gulshan-e-Iqbal. He … Continue reading Lambs to the slaughter

Pakistan, Published Features, Published Work, The Friday TimesLeave a comment

Swatting about

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The Friday Times | Nov 10, 2006 Imaduddin Ahmed finds a good holiday in off-season Swat   As a resident of Turkey, where they have faith in the science of astrology, Bade was able to pinpoint that the Eid holidays would come at the end of October. Perfect timing for an off-season break to northern Pakistan. We’d avoid the summer rush of tourists escaping the heat and we’d avoid the winter rush of ski tourists. We’d also avoid their litter and noxious car fumes. A five day trip, our travel agent – Himalayan Holidays – recommended, would be adequate for … Continue reading Swatting about