by Asad Raza Gokal Since September 2020, when the UAE struck with Israel a deal on normalizing relations, alarm bells began to ring louder for the Pakistani Shia diaspora residing in the country. In the United Arab Emirate (UAE), members of the Shia families, a religious minority, are mostly employed in professions that pay them enough to cater the needs …

By Rehmat Karim Gilgit-Baltistan has been a region known for its enchanting green valleys, lofty snow-clad mountains, glaciers, fresh air, prestine streams, and plentiful organically-grown crops, vegetables and fruits. Besides, it has always been considered one of the most prominent regions for long life expectancy in the word. Most of us have seen the documentaries shown on several national and …

Dr Lara Karasik Gahvora (cradle) is the oldest device which has been used by families for centuries in High Asia and Central Asia regions for containing and cradling of babies. It is still preserved in Badakhshan, Pamirs, Kashgar, Srikol, Hunza, Ghizer and Broghel, Chitral for newborn babies rearing. It is noteworthy that even among modern families in cities, you easily …

By Farman Ali Islamabad: An exhibition of artworks coupled with live mural painting, poetry recitation, dance and mime performances at Nomad Gallery last Sunday, brilliantly highlighted the increasingly pervasive sexual misconduct, harassment, derogatory remarks, abuse and violence faced by women at workplaces, homes, public places, and on campuses across the country. The paintings not only show the social menace but …

by Aziz Ali Dad Let me start this review of the book “Hunza Matters: Bordering and ordering between ancient and new Silk Roads” by indulging in subjectivity. In 2015, I was a Crossroads Asia fellow at Modern Oriental Institute in Berlin, Germany. As a part of socialization, we interacted with different researchers and members of academia. On one weekend my …

Raza Gillani Why have we spent the last four years, presumably the most crucial time of our lives, organising at various campuses across the country and its administered areas on issues pertaining to student life, gender, education, class, ethnicity, race, etc.? Why have we wasted our time in searching for those who share our principles, dreams, and resolve? Why have …

by Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro The people of Gayal village in Darel valley of Gilgit-Baltistan use intricate decorations for an ancient mosque, writes anthropologist Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro Gayal village in Darel valley of Diamer district is believed to have been established about two centuries ago when the descendants of Dudu moved out of Lelo Kot.  The old village was situated about …

By Ramish Khan You can never think of the hefty weighs I am bearing with a weak shoulder. I hide my panic scars of brutal attacks because I’ve extreme fear of being judged or being treated wrong after all I am a woman right? Surrounded by filthy, sullied and ill-starred mindsets, I am unable to do whatever I want to …

By Sana Basim These both are the most famous slogans of our times but connotations and perceptions behind both slogans are completely different. Our religious leaders always have a dominant role to endorse this mindset, despite most of the child abuse cases are reported by Mudrassa teachers, still influential religious leaders normally blame women’s dressing on national TV as one …

by Abdullah Bai Islamabad:  A climber from Poland has fallen to death at a mountain peak in Shimshal’s Ghujerav valley while his friend has been rescued. According to Shaheen Baig, leader of a rescue team, the two Polish climbers, llzuck Michael Jakob and Bogdanski Jakob had gone to Ghujerav Valley three days ago to attempt a little-known 6,200m-high Dhee Sar …

by Dr Ishtiaq Ahmed Contemporary states are territorial entities whom international law invests with sovereign right over their recognized territory within well-defined and demarcated borders. International law outlaws the violation of the territorial integrity of a state. The state enjoys the exclusive prerogative to exercise the monopoly of power over its territories and population. It means the right of states …

GB students are struggling to remain connected with digital world By Ramish Khan There seems to be no one to understand the traumatic situation the students like me have been passing through for the last three months. If I start to jot down the stressful moments I have been through and how badly I have lost my mental peace, it …

Beware splashy corporate gestures when they leave existing power structures intact. by Helen Lewis Tumbrels are rattling through the streets of the internet. Over the past few years, online-led social movements have deposed gropers, exposed bullies—and, sometimes, ruined the lives of the innocent. Commentators warn of “mob justice,” while activists exult in their newfound power to change the world. Both groups …

News Desk Shirin Nazirmadova, a doctor from southern Tajikistan, has been saving for years to afford the hajj pilgrimage that all able Muslims are required to make once in their lives. But like millions of others, Nazirmadova’s dream journey of a lifetime was shattered when Saudi Arabia decided last month to bar international visitors from making the pilgrimage this year …

Naba Basar discovers the secrets of healthy, organic and innovative mountain cuisine from Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral. She shares her experiences of the mountain regions adventure, hospitality, social customs, lifestyle in a series of features for The High Asia Herald readers. Chilpindok – large chapattis spread with pai, homemade yogurt and qurut dried yugart and butter/apricot oil, stacked in piles. It …