Every March 8, politicians across the spectrum express their firm resolve to ameliorate the status of women. But if newspaper headlines are anything to go by, life for most Pakistani women remains unchanged.

The government has categorically stated that it has no intention of either repealing or amending the Blasphemy Law, yet religious parties continue to hold demonstrations and threaten all potential “blasphemers” with grave consequences.

Surely dissent isn’t enough grounds for murder? And yet, repeatedly, extremists have been allowed to get away with murder in the name of religion.

Why are we so surprised when the Americans want to micromanage our domestic politics?

Where does Prime Minister Gilani find the gall to totally deny any corruption in the ranks of the government of Pakistan?

Is the PPP on a suicide mission?

One expatriate Pakistani e-mailed a television channel to ask why anyone should contribute to flood relief to save Pakistanis when they were, in any case, killing each other.

There is a way of addressing tragedy, disaster and violence. And it is unfortunate that those who need to be the most sensitive at such times end up being the most insensitive.

It’s an awami government, so to speak, but the awam is the last on its list of priorities.

Pakistan is fast becoming a state that will be habitable only for extremists: religious bigots who hold the view that only Muslims (as defined by them) have the right to live in this country.