News and views from the Blavatnik School of Government community 
In my home country of Pakistan, I have witnessed the lack of opportunities for women to achieve their full economic potential. Policymakers must identify transformative policy solutions for women to develop skills, earn an income, and secure equitable access to credit, information and markets. Increasing women’s labour force participation will […]
Standing inside the Blavatnik School of Government and gazing at the words ‘Oxford University’, which are written on the backdrop of the stage, took me back to depth of my childhood memories. Getting my early education from a small place in District Chakwal of Pakistan, I heard about the stories […]
On Wednesday 25 July, Pakistan held its general election which resulted in Imran Khan’s victory after a controversial political campaign. We have asked some of our Pakistani alumni for their thoughts about the election. Wasif Rehman is a current Master of Public Policy student (MPP 2017) and the recipient of […]
To remain Pakistani, they cannot endorse Baloch independence. To remain liberal, they cannot honestly believe in Pakistaniyat. Pakistani liberals fight many fights that ultimately benefit the people and polity of the country. They fight for greater democracy, for women, for minorities, for the environment, for secularism. These fights are difficult, […]
They say that the first five years in the life of a child are crucial for her sound development, both emotionally and physically. In those years, especially the first three, a child’s foundation is built which then forms the basis for her future development. Thus a child who has access […]
Each time a terror attack carried out by Muslim militants wrecks a Western country, Muslims from across the world take to electronic and social media to condemn the horrific act, dissociate themselves from the perpetrators and defend Islam as a religion of peace. Despite these condemnations, moderate Muslims have neither […]
In Rwanda there is a saying. “The woman is the heart of the house, so if your heart is working well the whole body is also to benefit.” Many people in Pakistan may only relate Rwanda with the 2004 Hollywood flick, Hotel Rwanda, which tells the compassionate tale of a […]
With almost five days left until my arrival at the City of dreamy spires – Oxford – I am currently finalising my preparations, or to be precise my luggage contents. As I perch my laptop on my lap and sit back writing this blog, I now look back to my […]