Pakistan
Reclaiming the Sari
Young women in Pakistan are exerting their agency by embracing the sari, which is often met with backlash in the country because of its association with India and Hinduism.
Baloch Women on the Road in Protest
The recent protest march, led by women, against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Balochistan province in Pakistan was unprecedented, not only in its size but also because it is rare for Baloch grievances to gain national limelight.
Horror Films Help Pakistanis Process Modern-Day Anxieties
In recent times, both Pakistani cinema and TV have been experimenting with horror, trying to address the complexities of living in modern-day Pakistan, such as the rising discourse about feminism, the fear of Western influences, the evolution of the family system, and the role of religion in everyday life.
Women Suicide Bombers and the Changing Trajectories of Pakistan’s Baloch Insurgency
Two suicide bombings by educated, middle-class women have sent shockwaves across Pakistan, and mark an apparent shift in Baloch insurgents’ recruitment patterns and tactics.
Why Karachi’s Indigenous Coastal Cuisine Finds Itself on the Margins
Karachi’s popular culture, centered on its food, carries an incredible fusion of local flavors from across the subcontinent. But there isn’t a single place in the city that serves its indigenous coastal cuisine, which can only be found in the homes of the fisherfolk communities.
The Nexus of Sufi Saints and Politicians in Pakistan
Pirs — custodians of centuries-old shrines of Sufi saints with followers in the millions — participate in Pakistani politics in different ways, either directly as politicians or as spiritual guides and advisers to politicians. They also employ their shrine networks to provide religious legitimacy and consolidate voter blocs for them.
In Pakistan, an Economic Crisis Keeps Life on the Edge
Pakistan — the world’s fifth most populous country — is reeling from the worst economic crisis since its formation in 1947, with backbreaking inflation, a plummeting currency and precariously low foreign reserves. It has become nearly impossible for its citizens to make ends meet.