Hum sub Pakistani: The Express Tribune Newsletter: January10, 2012

Today's Headlines

January 10, 2012

Memogate case: Kayani, Pasha replies were illegal, implies PM
Our Correspondents

Having initially backtracked from cutting comments made against the military in a scathing speech in parliament, the prime minister has fired another salvo – this time questioning the acts of the military brass.____________________________________

National/City

Balochistan conflict: 'Nawaz success hinges on army's consent'
Qaiser Butt
While the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has backed Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif's proposal for an all-party conference (APC) to resolve Balochistan's issues, the success of the conference depends "on the mood of the military establishment", Friends of Baloch (FoB) president Amanullah Gichki said.

Memogate scandal: US scholars concerned over Haqqani's safety
Huma Imtiaz
Sixteen US scholars from think tanks in Washington have written to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to express concerns over the safety of Pakistan's former ambassador to the US, asking the Obama administration to "make appropriate public statements to ensure that Husain Haqqani is not physically harmed and that due process of law is followed."

Ruling out clash: Zardari warns against anti-govt scheming
Our Correspondents
President Asif Ali Zardari throws down the gauntlet. Political masquerades should know that their conspiracies cannot topple the Pakistan Peoples Party government which enjoys the people's support, said President Zardari while chairing a meeting of senior members of his party at Bilawal House in Karachi on Monday.

Haqqani shies away from providing data
Qaiser Zulfiqar
A fast-paced day of proceedings by the Memogate commission saw a number of interesting developments on Monday – including an exchange between former ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani and the counsel for principal accuser Mansoor Ijaz over access to data regarding their alleged conversations on the issue.

Starstruck: 3 die, 5 injured in stampede at Atif Aslam concert
Shahram Haq
An Atif Aslam concert on Monday turned into a tragedy when three girls got killed while five were critically injured in a stampede, Express News reported.
______________________________________________

Business

Infrastructure spending: With US help, power grid to get 'smart meters'
Zafar Bhutta
Pakistan and the United States on Monday agreed to a programme where Washington would spend $60 million in financing the installation of 'smart meters' on the national electricity grid, in a bid to help power companies accurately book their revenues and collect bills from consumers, helping eliminate one of the major sources of financial leakages in the power sector.

Attari-Wagah border: Checkpost being upgraded for Rs2.6b
Our Correspondents
Checkposts at Attari-Wagah border will be upgraded by February 2012 at a cost of Rs2.6 billion (INR150 crore) to cope with the spurt of trade expected following Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status granted to India by Pakistan, according to Indian newspaper Business Standard.
_______________________________________________

Sports

UAE tour: With yet another desert-sweep in mind...
Our Correspondents
Pakistan arrived in the UAE yesterday, hoping for an improved show against England as compared to the poor performance the team displayed when the two sides met last.

Revamping football brings new twists and worries
Natasha Raheel
The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) is all set to revamp Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) into the Elite League where each team will represent a club instead of any sports department.
_______________________________________________

Life & Style
Waging Waar
Sher Khan
Bilal Lashari's major directorial effort Waar has been much-awaited since its trailer release on the New Year weekend. Starring big names like Shaan Shahid, Aisha Khan, Shamoon Abbasi, Meesha Shafi, Ali Azmat and Hamza Abbasi, the project seems fated for blockbuster success.

Kayseria: Going back to the roots
Hani Taha
The lawn explosion this summer saw many new players enter the market and several seasoned ones upping their ante to define their hallmark in the wake of the 'designer lawn' phenomenon.
_______________________________________________