World Affairs And Beyond

In family dynamics, there is often one cousin who is the eldest, the most educated, and the most independent. Instead of encouraging her, some of the younger cousins grow jealous. When an external power appears, they align themselves with that outside force, thinking it will help them bring down the one who stands tall. But in reality, by giving the outsider a foothold, they all lose. They weaken their own foundation, and the entire family suffers. This is exactly what is happening in the Muslim world today. Iran, a strong and independent nation, stands surrounded by Muslim countries. Yet some of these nations, hosting U.S. military bases, choose to side with the outside power. Instead of standing together, they allow the external force to use their homes as a base against a fellow Muslim country. In doing so, they betray unity, and the whole region becomes weaker. When a family divides and welcomes outsiders against one of their own, they all pay the price.

The idea may sound extreme at first. It may even sound like something taken from a science fiction film. Yet technological advancement is moving at a pace that forces us to ask uncomfortable questions. Brain computer interface technology is no longer theoretical. Companies such as Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk, are actively developing implantable devices designed to connect the human brain directly to digital systems. These devices are currently being researched for medical purposes, particularly to assist people with paralysis and neurological disorders. If such technology can help restore movement or communication, could it also be used to enhance decision making in governance? This question opens a serious discussion. Imagine a scenario in which Pakistani leaders had microchips implanted in their brains. These chips could potentially enhance memory, allow instant access to constitutional law, analyse economic data in real time, and predict the long term impact of policy decisions....

In my humble opinion, Imran Khan should be released from prison; and not later, not eventually, but now. This is no longer merely a legal or political issue. It has become a matter of national stability, public confidence, and the future peace of Pakistan . Imran Khan is not an ordinary political figure. He carries the support of millions who see him as their representative and their hope for change. When such a leader is kept behind bars under circumstances many believe are politically driven, it creates deep frustration, resentment, and emotional unrest across the country. The danger is clear; if anything happens to him while he is imprisoned, the consequences for law and order could be severe and far-reaching. Pakistan is already passing through fragile times. The economy is under pressure, institutions are being questioned, and public trust is at a low point. Adding further instability by continuing to detain a popular leader is not strength, it is shortsightedness. People are wat...

As a Pashtoon born in Pakistan, I have always felt a deep connection with the Pashtoons across the border in Afghanistan. Our language, traditions, and shared history bind us together in ways that transcend political lines. We celebrate the same culture, carry the same pride in our ancestry, and cherish the same values of honour, courage, and hospitality. But while our roots may intertwine, our identities have grown in different soils, and both deserve respect. I often hear people from Afghanistan saying that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should merge with Afghanistan, as if the love we share for one another is incomplete without the blending of borders. To me, that idea feels misguided. Love and unity do not require the erasure of boundaries; they require understanding. Let me put it simply; if you live in your parents’ house, and you feel a connection to someone in another home, it does not mean they should strive to include your room in their house, cutting it off from where it already belon...

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In life, we often believe we are nurturing a beautiful garden, unaware that the protective gloves we wear shield us from painful realities. For me, those gloves represented my brother, competitive and favoured by our mother. My younger siblings, whom I once believed to be the tender flowers of our family, turned out to be the thorns, pricking and hurting my brother in ways I could not see. In my quest for peace, I often defended my younger siblings, thinking they were wronged and misunderstood. My brother and I frequently ended up in conflict, driven by my attempts to protect those I thought were innocent. I believed I was fostering harmony and love, but I was blind to the pain my siblings were causing him. Three years ago, when my brother passed away from COVID, the protective gloves were torn away. Without him, I was left exposed, my hands now vulnerable to the very thorns I had once nurtured. The pain of losing him was compounded by the realisation that those same thorns had turne...

One fine afternoon, I decided to meet Baba Jee. I went to his humble abode, but his caretaker informed me that Baba Jee was sitting by the stream, approximately half an hour away. So, I walked all the way and found Baba Jee sitting under a tree by the stream on a fine rug. He was happy to see me and jokingly asked, "Is your friend from Lahore still around?" "No, Baba Jee," I replied, "he left for Lahore right after leaving your place yesterday." Baba Jee then asked me to sit on the rug and offered me some green tea and sweets. He said, "What brings you today, my child?" Sobia: Baba Jee, you know I am a kind-hearted person who finds it hard to hold grudges or take harsh actions against those who have wronged me. People often see this as a weakness and believe I lack courage. I forgive even when others have offended or hurt me unjustly. They think I do this because I am weak. Is it true? Baba Jee: My child, true strength lies in the heart that can ...

My friend Siraj requested me to take him to Baba Jee, so I did. Baba Jee doesn't want to be a public figure, so people don't know him as such. Only a few travellers like myself, who have come across him, know where he can be found.  As we arrived at Baba Jee's modest abode located in the north of Pakistan near Afghanistan, he greeted us warmly, his face lighting up with a welcoming smile. He was very happy to meet Siraj, who had travelled all the way from Lahore to seek his wisdom. Baba Jee invited us in, and we settled down over a cup of green tea and some sweets. After a brief introduction, Siraj began to share his concerns. Siraj: Baba Jee, I feel so alone in life. I long to share my meals with someone, but even though I have family members, it’s not our tradition to sit together and eat. Everyone eats by themselves, in their own rooms. It’s not that I can’t afford it; it’s just that nobody seems interested in sitting together and eating. This makes me feel isolated. Bab...

I first met Baba Jee in the rugged mountains of Landikotal in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. He was an immigrant from Afghanistan, having fled the turmoil during the USSR war. Over the years, he had been adopted by a wealthy landlord in the tribal belt of Pakistan and had become a Pakistani citizen. Baba Jee, a man of deep wisdom and quiet strength, speaks Pashto and Dari, and I am sharing a translation of our conversation in English. I make it a point to travel to his remote location a few times a year to seek his guidance and get my pressing questions answered. Most of our conversations are recorded, ensuring I can revisit his deep wisdom whenever needed. (Sharing the dialogue I had with Baba Jee today) Sobia (Me): Baba Jee, I have been troubled for the past year. Pakistan is an Islamic Republic, with mosques everywhere, people fasting during Ramzan, and our constitution rooted in Islam. Yet, I see people who lie, cheat, deceive, and steal, while still bowing down in pr...

In the world of games, at age just two, A child begins a cunning debut. Concealment, distraction, teasing play, Skills of deceit find an early way. Lies not rigid, but surprisingly free, Mimicking adults, yet with a child's glee. Building images of competence, so keen, Creating bonds and saving face, unseen. Complex lies, a face-saving art, At two and a half, they subtly start. Bravado, corrections, blame placed askew, In the world of children, skills accrue. Blaming toys or an implausible name, Learning from mistakes, not all the same. In conversion disorders, signals so sly, Deception plays out, catching the eye. Like birds leading predators astray, Children deceive in their own way. From silence to calling, distractions unfold, A repertoire of skills, cunning and bold. Images created, affiliative and more, Tools of deception in their little store. As they grow, those skills refine, A teenage web of deception, so fine. Falsification, concealment, exaggeration too, Mixing fact wit...

In this hurried life, why the constant tension? Are we wary of the divine's benevolent intervention? Why the need to scheme, to outshine, to outdo? Does deceit really pave the way to triumph we pursue? Why the urgency to cheat, to cunningly deceive? Do we believe success requires others to grieve? Why the impatience, the lack of self-command? Does the rush to victory obscure life's fancy strand? In this quest for more, do we lose what truly counts? Is the pursuit of success leaving us with discounted amounts? Why not pause, reflect, and grasp life's essence? Could tranquillity be the key, dispelling the tension's presence? ⒸSobia Nosheen

During my last trip to the tribal region in the north of Pakistan, I found myself once again in the company of Baba Jee before heading back to Karachi. His dwelling, a simple abode, welcomed me with a warmth that transcended its humble surroundings. As I approached, I noticed Baba Jee seated on a worn rug in his mud courtyard, soaking in the golden sunlight. "Baba Jee, it's good to see you again," I greeted him, to which he responded with a welcoming smile. "Come, sit beside me," he gestured to the rug, "and share what's on your mind." Seating myself on the rug, I began to recount various incidents from my life, seeking Baba Jee's guidance. His wise eyes listened attentively, and when I finished, he shared his insights. "My child, let me offer you a piece of advice," he began, his voice carrying the weight of experience. "Never flaunt your wealth or discuss your riches with those who may not share similar financial circumstances....

I feel profound gratitude for the nights that gracefully transformed into mornings, each moment etching itself into the canvas of my heart. Those late hours, bathed in shared laughter and intimate conversations, hold a special place in my soul. They forged connections that transcend mere friendship, evolving into bonds as resilient and comforting as family ties. In the quiet transition from darkness to dawn, I discovered the enduring beauty of relationships that blossomed beneath the soft glow of the moon. My heart swells with appreciation for friends who have seamlessly woven themselves into the fabric of my life, transforming into a chosen family. Together, we've weathered storms, celebrated triumphs, and stood side by side through the ebb and flow of life. These connections go beyond the superficial; they are the anchors grounding me in a world that can often feel tumultuous. The understanding, love, and unwavering support we share illuminate the profound truth that real kinship...

In a world of transactional hearts, Where love seems to play its part, I ponder on what's real and true, Is there a love that's pure and new? They say to marry for love’s warmth, Yet what I see is a different case, A romance with terms and conditions, Leaving me with lingering suspicions. In this dance of give and take, Is there a love that won't forsake? I long to find a love so sincere, One that's not fueled by wants and fear. Where can I seek this genuine flame, Unburdened by a hidden aim? True love, a mystery untold, In a realm where hearts unfold. Is it found in whispered words, Or actions that speak louder than birds? I search for love that's not a trade, A bond that won't easily fade. Define for me this elusive bliss, What makes a love that's more than this? Not just a contract, a deal, a pact, But a connection that's hard to extract. I yearn to know where true love lies, Beneath the surface, beyond the skies. Guide me to a love so deep, A love wh...

In the beginning, a whisper of time, A fraction so small, a cosmic rhyme. The Universe birthed, a grand display, Inflation danced, expanding its way. Faster than light, a cosmic race, Inflation's sprint, a vast embrace. Driven by vacuum energy's might, Expanding swiftly, out of sight. A blink in time, a moment brief, From atom's cradle to stadium's relief. Inflation waltzed, a fleeting spree, Transforming cosmos for all to see. As the dance concluded, energy's shift, A cosmic script, a celestial gift. Matter emerged, a cosmic thread, A symphony played as the Universe spread. From inflation's grip to plasma's hug, A transition swift, a cosmic tug. Hot and dense, a primordial dance, The Big Bang's moment, a cosmic trance. © Sobia Nosheen

Journey through life's unpredictable twists, Discover the power of forgiving mists. In the steaming dance of time, Compassion's rhythm, a soothing rhyme. Explore the realms of hearts set free, Release the burden of enmity. A poetic tale of forgiveness' art, Healing wounds, a fresh start. Embrace the love, let grudges fade, Life's brief moments, in kindness laid. © Sobia Nosheen (13th December 2023)

Life is like a journey with twists and turns, Love is a lesson, and each heart yearns. "If you are unsure," people say, Just wait for love to come your way. Don't feel too sad, don't wear a frown, True love's test won't let you down. When someone special comes into view, That's when you'll know what love can do. It's fine to feel hurt, to shed a tear, Let your emotions be crystal clear. Feel the pain, but don't let it stay, In time, it'll slowly fade away. May you find a love that's pure, A love that helps your heart endure. Like a cosy home, warm and bright, Filled with joy and pure delight. No tests, no worries, just reach for the sky, A love that makes you feel so high. Trust unbroken, strong and true, A loyal companion just for you. May your heart find peace, strength, and grace, In love's enfold, a warm embrace. As you heal, your spirit renewed, A love so bright, forever pursued. ...