We need to survive the digital age

By Zahid Gishkor
In the United States, everyone — from a school girl to Lady Gaga, from a young boy to President Barack Obama — posts stories from their lives on social media outlets. Even the Central Intelligence Agency, one of the world’s top spy agencies, got itself a Twitter account recently.
But Pakistanis can only dream about such freedom on the internet. YouTube has already been blocked in the country. Meanwhile, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority writes to the Twitter management to get various kinds of content blocked. A censorship watchdog site reports that in May, Twitter used its Country Withheld Content tool in Pakistan for the first time, blocking certain accounts and tweets.

Waris Mir lives on

By Aitzaz Ahsan
The ways of man were different from the ways of men. My comrade, Prof Waris Mir, was an intellectually gifted journalist and a gutsy writer of his times. He tops the list of those dedicated scholars who had the courage to put their lives at stake to preserve the sanctity of the pen by challenging successive military dictators. 

Waris Mir struggled courageously to uphold the cause of democracy, press freedom and women’s rights through his bold writings during the dictatorial era of General Ziaul Haq, which was the most turbulent period of Pakistan’s political history. Speaking out at the behest of the people of Pakistan with a mission – ‘to write for posterity, to speak as the people’s voice’ – was a task not many could take up in those oppressive days. 

Website about Prof Waris Mir launched

ISLAMABAD: The Waris Mir Foundation has launched www.warismir.com on the 27th death anniversary of renowned journalist, intellectual and academician Prof Waris Mir, which provides his writings, including books, online for the convenience of the readers.

The newly-launched website not only carries Prof Waris Mir’s own writings, but it also carries write ups by distinguished personalities, highlighting Waris Mir’s contribution for the cause of democracy and press freedom through his bold writings during the darks days of General Ziaul Haq’s rule.