TheCredibleTimes

By: Haroon Baloch Good governance has been receding in Pakistan and tensions are mounting. The public has cherished its civilian rule during the past three and a half years, and has seen a debilitating yet resilient economy, maintaining a 2.5 percent growth rate. Still, external debts have crossed $64 billion, unemployment hovers over 6.2 percent, and the poverty rate, at 37.5 percent, is increasing with double figure inflation. Once thought to be the next Asian tiger, as was former Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif’s dream for Pakistan, the country is now considered a struggling economy in South Asia. During the 1990s, Sharif vowed to reduce corruption, improve infrastructure, and encourage growth in modern technologies. He privatized banks and industries, suspending the policies of nationalization promoted by former Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in the 1970s. However, even with these changes, institutions in the country were never strengthened. In the 90s, the co

By: Haroon Baloch November 19, 2011 ISLAMABAD (Nov 19, 2011): As the claims of US businessmen-cum-journalist, Ijaz Mansoor of Pakistani origin strengthened post COAS Gen. Ashfaq Kayani's meeting with his Supreme Commander, President Asif Ali Zardari, it has developed into a "Memogate" controversy, which engulfed all political ventures for the time being. Parliamentarians have somehow different opinions about the controversy, but PML-N leading politician and one of the close aides of Mian Nawaz Sharif Khawaja Asif terms it as the mutiny against the nation as well as the army. "Don't be hesitant or ask me whether the implications include Article 6, be optimistic enough to call it a mutiny against nation and its army", Khawaja Asif said. He also said referring to ISI that some institutions have received all related evidences including the secret conversations of Mr. Husain Haqqani with Mansoor Ijaz as well as the blackberry codes. "Fire is set som

By: Haroon Baloch November 17, 2011 Lead Singers of FEW Collective: Al-Sarah with Aquil Charlton What's bilaterally happening between Pakistan and United States is part of an international politics. Despite having years of collaboration in the past it is fact both the countries couldn't drive to their publics optimistically. It is not the case this time though both the countries are maintaining mistrust politically, but they virtually seem committed to their publics. US's forward looking approach The United States government's decision to increase mutual understanding and communication between both the societies has already gained popularity and success stories have started changing ranks for US government in Pakistani society, particularly in urban areas. US Embassy in Islamabad claims for running world's largest Cultural and Educational Exchange Program, under which 8000 Pakistanis from various walks of life i.e. student, teachers, artists, journalists

By: Haroon Baloch November 12, 2011 Cultural exchanges are of colossal importance and really serve as bridge builders and shrinking the distances during the times of conflicts. Isloo really needs a break, especially  when we are passing through a declared state of war. US Embassy in Islamabad is organizing a super duper Hip-Hop musical concert on Tuesday, the 15 th November at PNCA where F.E.W. Collective, a US Muslim Band (DJ Asad Jafri a.k.a Man-o-Wax, Jonathan St. Clair, and Daniel Haywood) will perform on strong beats. It is great opportunity to enjoy live hip-hop dance and powerful artistic  movements. Watch out band's info at following: