This paper has two overarching concerns, namely, examining the performance of the national and state governments in advancing social and economic development of socio-religious communities in India; and identifying the institutions and policies necessary for the government to ensure the constitutional right of all Indian citizens to equal opportunity, especially its minorities. Towards this end...

Pakistan is a country much in focus today. This is not just because of the myriad challenges it confronts. It is also because of its immense potential. A nuclear armed nation, with an overwhelming Muslim majority population, it is often in the news, but, alas, almost always for the wrong reasons. With an area of...

In this essay I will concentrate on economics, my discipline and the one that I have practised not only in Pakistan but in four dozen countries around the world. However, I have learned from this experience that economics should not be separated from other social sciences. In order to fully understand where a country has...

The UTS Centre for Local Government in partnership with the International Centre for Muslim and non-Muslim Understanding at the University of South Australia have released a new report that investigates the activities and programs seven councils have put in place to provide support for newly-arrived refugees in settling, employment, education and housing. The report is...

During January and February of 2011 the political activity that took place in Egypt was celebrated and heralded as a positive move towards democracy and social justice. This optimism was heartfelt and as the Mubarak Regime collapsed we (Egyptian citizens) were convinced that Egypt was about to become a society based on social justice. Dignity...