Wednesday, December 21, 2011

The Express Tribune Newsletter: December 22, 2011

 

Today's Headlines

December 22, 2011

 

Rejoinders: Army, ISI chiefs stick to their guns on memo
Faisal Shakeel
The army chief has reiterated his stand on the memo controversy, stating that there is truth to the document. And while the Supreme Court wanted a concrete reply from the federal government on the accusations put forward in the Memogate case by various parties, including the military and intelligence chiefs, it got one late Wednesday night.
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National/City 

Memogate case: Govt rejoinder as per constitution, law says PPP Core Committee
Our correspondents
President Asif Ali Zardari flew to Islamabad from Karachi late on Wednesday night, where he supposedly held a core committee meeting of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

Legislators at work: NA approves high-powered rights commission
Qamar Zaman / Zia Khan
The National Assembly on Wednesday approved a bill aimed at establishing an independent human rights commission, with sweeping powers – at least on paper. 

PTI Karachi rally: 'Sindh government gave wrong information to the court'
Saba Imtiaz
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf has blamed the Sindh government for submitting "incorrect information" in response to a petition challenging the party's rally at Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi. 

Arab, treason and plot: Army finally rebuts claims of Pasha coup plot
Our correspondents
The chorus of resignation calls, which were fuelled by some serious allegations against the country's intelligence chief, has managed to elicit a response – finally. 

I went to a PTI rally and all I got was this lousy t-shirt
Ferya Ilyas
Tunisia, Libya, Egypt. It's now time for Pakistan.
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Business

Gas shortage: Govt may scrap LNG import plans
Zafar Bhutta
Despite the chronic shortage of gas in the country, the government's move to import liquefied natural gas has hit several hurdles, including the skyrocketing international price of LNG and the government's own unwillingness to conform to global industry practises by offering a sovereign guarantee to firms currently bidding to import the gas. 

Industrialists protest against power cuts
Farhan Zaheer
Different town associations of Karachi met on Wednesday and demanded Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) to immediately end 8-hour load shedding in industrial zones of the city.
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Sports

Tribune Take: Pakistan cricket needs a succession plan for the captaincy
Mahavish Rezvi
In today's episode of the Tribune Take we look at the Pakistan cricket team's exemplary performance against Bangladesh, the upcoming England series and Mohsin Khan's appointment as coach.  

2nd Test: Another series in the bag
Shehzad Baloch
Abdur Rehman claimed four for 51 as Pakistan posted a seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the second and final Test in Dhaka to make a clean sweep of the series.
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Life & Style

Shahood Alvi: Destiny's child
Saadia Qamar
Shahood Alvi was hooked on to showbiz as a youngster because he "found it glamorous". Later on he realised that the entertainment industry requires much more than just maintaining your looks and dressing well. The actor says it was his destiny that played a huge part in making a clerical worker into a popular television star. "I believe in fate and destiny so I have never plan anything in advance. I accept whatever comes my way."

PLBW Day Three: Playing it safe
Hani Taha
Three at the PFDC L'Oreal Paris Bridal Week (PLBW) was more about performance than bridal fashion per se. With the quirky and fun Ali Xeeshan opening the show, one couldn't — and shouldn't — expect any less than a loud statement, thunderous enough to crush any traditionalist perspective of bridals.
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Opinion 

Mengal's timely warning
Imtiaz Gul 

Crazy like Kim
Sami Shah 

The dangers of 2012
Dr Tariq Rahman 

A melting economy
Khurram Husain 

Looking out on the Pir Panjal
Zahrah Nasir 

Blogs

After Kim Jong-il
Hassaan Khan 

Deconstructing the PTI troll
AbuBakr Agha 

The PIA problem
Syed Nadir El Edroos 

There is more to you than the colour of your skin
Mariam Magsi 

Poll

Considering Husain Haqqani's resignation over allegations in Memogate, should DG ISI resign over allegations of meeting Arab leaders to discuss a military coup? 

No (46%, 268 Votes)
Yes (54%, 310 Votes)
Total Voters: 578 

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Tuesday, December 20, 2011

The Express Tribune Newsletter: December 21, 2011

 

Today's Headlines

December 21, 2011

 

Whirlwind Sharif: 'Elections now – but not sponsored by military'
Saba Imtiaz

Nawaz Sharif humorously remarked to journalists on Tuesday: "I'm in form today. If they throw a bouncer at me, I will hit it outside the boundary" — and perhaps followed through on the cricketing analogy by actually managing to meet a jam-packed schedule on the day.
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National/City

Taliban is not an enemy of America: Biden
Our Correspondents
Vice President Joseph Biden said on Monday that the Taliban are not United States' (US) enemy — a statement later backed by the White House.      

Benevolence: Bureaucrats can now buy official cars, for peanuts
Shahbaz Rana
Toyota Corolla, 2006 model, well maintained. Asking price: Rs330,000. The offer above is not a fluke. It is made by the government to top bureaucrats, under its monetisation of transport facility policy recently approved by the prime minister.

Cabinet meeting: Railways, Steel Mills taken off the chopping block
Iftikhar Firdous
In a major blow to the economic liberals in government, the federal cabinet decided against the privatisation of eight of the largest state-owned companies, including Pakistan Steel Mills. 

Musharraf must answer for Benazir assassination: Malik
Zia Khan
It's been a bitterly cold winter in London. One of the city's current residents, former president Pervez Musharraf, can expect an even colder welcome on his planned return to Pakistan next month. 

Veena Malik, India in the line of fire
Abdul Manan
Some PPP members sat on Assembly Chambers steps in their socks as a way of protest on Tuesday but the highlight of the day remained Unification Bloc's criticism of Veena Malik and India.
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Business

Accountability in aid: World Bank downgrades anti-poverty programme
Shahbaz Rana
The Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund seems to be losing momentum. The $250 million programme was recently downgraded by the World Bank in a report issued by the Washington-based lender's supervisory mission. 

AGP report: FBR creating hurdles in audit, inspection of taxes
Qaiser Butt
In two separate annual audit reports, the auditor general of Pakistan complained of bureaucratic inefficiency, saying the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) authorities were creating obstacles in the conduct of its audit. The audit reports were on direct and indirect taxes accounts of the federal board of revenue, for the audit year 2010-2011.
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Sports

Cricket: Defensive captains cannot last says Zaheer Abbas
Shahzada Usman
Former captain Zaheer Abbas has emphasised the need for aggressive captaincy in order to produce results over a long period of time and has said that Misbahul Haq should be more attacking in his approach, especially against a weak team like Bangladesh.  

'Nadir Magsi is Pakistan's Schumacher'
Bilal Memon
Nadir Magsi, a pioneer in promoting motorsports in Pakistan, has garnered praise after clinching the Jhal Magsi Desert Challenge 2011 in the Balochistan village on Sunday.
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Life & Style

'Send Veena Malik to hell' says Bal Thackeray
Our Correspondents
Bal Thackeray, head of the Hindu extremist party, Shiv Sena, has called for actor Veena Malik, along with other Pakistani artists working in India to be sent back, the Hindustan Times reported on Tuesday. 

Rashid Sami: The common man's director
Saadia Qamar
Ask anyone about the good old days of Network Television Marketing (NTM) and they'll surely remember the soap opera "Jaal" and its villainous character Dr Farooq. But the man behind Dr Farooq's larger-than-life character is Rashid Sami — an actor, director and producer who has been involved in a range of versatile ventures for a long while.
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Opinion 

Nothing but democracy
Rasul Bakhsh Rais 

What the occupation of Wall Street means for Pakistan
Asif Akhtar 

10 things about memogate
Aakar Patel 

Anna Suvorova's Lahore: beloved city
Khaled Ahmed 

Is Iran the next US target?
Tariq Fatemi 

Blogs

Zulqarnain Haider: Cricketer, whistle-blower and hero
Noman Ansari 

Not with that thing on, sister
Novaira A

Banana cake with a Nutella twist
Daliah Merzaban 

Who let the dogs out?
Meiryum Ali 

Poll

In your opinion, should dual nationality holders be allowed to contest elections in Pakistan?

No (78%, 879 Votes)
Yes (22%, 247 Votes)
Total Voters: 1126

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Monday, December 19, 2011

The Express Tribune Newsletter: December 20, 2011

 

Today's Headlines

December 20, 2011

 

Clear the 'cobwebs': Continued silence draws 'adverse presumption': SC
Faisal Shakeel
The Supreme Court has set out its stance for the Memogate hearings: sitting on the fence will not be tolerated.The court's nine-member bench on Monday asked the federal government to refute or affirm – within two days – the positions taken by army chief and ISI chief in their replies.
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National/City

Questions Raised: Pressure on Pasha
Our Correspondents
The rhetoric against country's top spymaster has increased in recent days – that too from a number of quarters. 

One-minute wonder: Army mutes rumours on Zardari-Kayani call
Hafeez Tunio
Sometimes in politics, it seems, there can be smoke without fire. The events of the last 72 hours – the most prominent of which was the president's arrival – were attributed by some on Monday to a phone call between President Asif Zardari and the army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.

Indonesia boat tragedy: 55 Quetta youth missing at sea
Shehzad Baloch
The crew and captain of an Indonesian boat – packed with illegal immigrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran – grabbed life vests and swam away as it sank during a heavy storm, leaving more than 200 passengers missing, including 55 people belonging to Quetta's Hazara community. 

EC declares dual nationality holders ineligible to contest polls
Our Correspondents
The Election Commission of Pakistan (EC) on Monday declared individuals holding dual nationalities ineligible to take part in elections.

Pakistan stops billing US for 'war on terror' costs
Shahbaz Rana
The US Navy Seals raid on May 2, when Osama bin Laden was found and killed on Pakistani soil, cost Pakistan in terms of pride and reputation. It has also proved costly in terms of finance.
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Business

SBP annual report: Raising funds remains the key challenge
Our Correspondents
Following a breakaway with the International Monetary Fund, financing of the fiscal deficit – the gap between revenue and expenditures – was and still remains challenging, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said in its fiscal 2011 report on the state of economy on Monday. 

New formula: CNG stations may be closed daily for some time
Zia Tanoli
Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) Managing Director Arif Hameed has said that the company is considering suspending gas supply to compressed natural gas (CNG) stations every day for a specific time period so that supply to residential consumers could be ensured without any interruption.
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Sports

China to kick off 'memorable' series tomorrow
Our Correspondents
Pakistan will take on China tomorrow in Karachi, marking the return of international hockey in the country, with the players looking forward to playing at home against international opposition after a seven-year hiatus. 

Local rowers waiting for a push
Natasha Raheel
Although rowing is on the rise as a sport in Pakistan, it is not just the increased interest that will land Pakistan a medal at the Olympics — they need good coaches and boats.
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Life & Style

Veena Malik: 'I wasn't missing, just resting'
Saadia Qamar
Currently, Veena Malik is one of the most talked about people in Pakistan. The star was 'missing' for two days but  returned on Sunday morning, stating that she had been "resting". 

PFDC L'Oreal Paris Bridal Week: Bye Bye traditional trousseaus
Hani Taha
If the first day of the bridal week is anything to go by, one expects the entire event to be peppered with 'statement' shows which seek to obliterate the old and create new trends, keeping up with the postmodern life.
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Opinion 

A case of showcase sovereignty!
Mohammad Aasim Saleem 

Been there, done that
Feisal H Naqvi 

The shadow of 1971
Dr Akmal Hussain 

The birth of Bangladesh
Kuldip Nayar 

Our golden boy
Anna Khan 

Blogs

Don't write Federer off yet
Oliver Brett 

A lover, a teen militant, a human being
Aqib Kazmi 

Double standards and the infallible military hierarchy
Vaqas Asghar 

Chronicles from FATA: Your story or your life?
Said Nazir 

Poll

In your opinion, should Pervez Musharraf return to Pakistan in January 2012?

No (32%, 350 Votes)
Yes (68%, 740 Votes)
Total Voters: 1090 

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Sunday, December 18, 2011

The Express Tribune Newsletter: December 19, 2011

 

Today's Headlines

December 19, 2011

 

Facing the music: President Zardari returns under the cover of night
Our Correspondents

The president's arrival prompted almost as much confusion as his departure.Protocol was in place for a landing in Islamabad and Karachi, but ultimately Pre­sident Asif Zardari arrived back in Karachi, where top Pakistan Peoples Party officials had gathered at Bilawal House.
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National/City

Musharraf announces January 2012 return
Abdul Manan
Former president Pervez Musharraf announced on Sunday that he would return to Pakistan in January 2012. Musharraf said, via a videoconference in Lahore from London, that the solution to current challenges did not lie in undemocratic initiatives. Dragging the military into politics would be fatal for the country, he warned. 

Gateway through Memogate: Gilani, Kayani forge 'joint strategy'
Kamran Yousaf
For very different reasons, the unlikely duo of Nawaz Sharif and General James Jones might have saved Pakistan from a civil-military stand-off. 

Imran's party braces for swelling of ranks
Abdul Manan
Imran Khan's charm is spreading. 

Musharraf announces January 2012 return
Abdul Manan
Former president Pervez Musharraf announced on Sunday that he would return to Pakistan in January 2012. Musharraf said, via a videoconference in Lahore from London, that the solution to current challenges did not lie in undemocratic initiatives. Dragging the military into politics would be fatal for the country, he warned. 

Wielding soft power: US offers to finance TAPI gas pipeline
Zafar Bhutta
The US has made a generous offer to finance the multibillion-dollar Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, an implicit gesture to lure Pakistan away from the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline deal.
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Business

Gas crisis solution: As govt goes back on its word, Engro looks abroad
Farooq Tirmizi
What does a company do if it has made a $1.1 billion leveraged bet on a fertiliser manufacturing business that relies on a government that consistently goes back on its word? For the Engro Corporation, it involves exploring the import of its feedstock from abroad, as well as the possibility that it may sell its principal product – urea – to Indian farmers instead of their Pakistani counterparts. 

Too little too late: Ban on CNG kits may not be enough
Farhan Zaheer
Though government has decided to ban the import of CNG kits and cylinders, it has to do much more to make this ban effective enough to control the expansion of CNG sector and the gas shortage in country, industry officials said.
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Sports

2nd Test: Taufeeq steadies Pakistan's response
Our Correspondents
Taufeeq Umar closed in on a half-century to steady Pakistan on day two of the second and final Test against Bangladesh. 

Boxing: Tyson seeks updates on security
Our Correspondents
Former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson has sought updates on security arrangements in Islamabad while keeping his options open for an appearance at the upcoming Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Championship, according to the Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF). 
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Life & Style

Pakistani TV today: Can we go beyond ratings?
Rafay Mehmood
Apart from the exaggerated dialogue delivery and fascination with shaadis, Pakistani TV and Bollywood have another thing in common; the fact that both industries follow trends rather than making them. 

Jharkhand Jhollywood: Do-it-yourself, do it for less
Our Correspondents
In one of India's poorest, most violence-wrecked states, being a movie star means doing your own make-up in a car mirror and then dancing to a soundtrack from a mobile phone. Los Angeles has Hollywood, Mumbai has Bollywood and then there's Jhollywood, a tiny but enthusiastic film industry in the eastern state of Jharkhand.
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Opinion 

A way out of the memogate mess
Shahzad Chaudhry 

A psychological warfare operation
Shaukat Qadir 

Single issue foreign policy
Tanvir Ahmad Khan 

Putting the railways back on track
Anwer Mooraj 

IThe uncertainity that exists
Shahid Javed Burki 

Blogs

Sovereignty is just an illusion
Anas Razzaq 

Household help and hypocrisy
Shayan Naveed 

A lullaby for you, my daughter
Samar Minallah 

Losing East Pakistan: Lessons we didn't learn
Adnan Amir 

Poll

Do you believe Gilani's statement that there is no clash between the Presidency, army and judiciary?

No (86%, 545 Votes)
Yes (14%, 88 Votes)
Total Voters: 633 

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The Express Tribune Newsletter: December 18, 2011

 

Today's Headlines

December 18, 2011

 

Gilani trashes 'clash of institutions' talk
Sumera Khan

http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/308288-PMgilani-1324183697-384-640x480.jpgFrom vociferously railing against threats to the democratic set-up, to insisting there is no clash of institutions, the prime minister has made a spectacular about-turn within a week.
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National/City reports

Promising 'real democracy': Imran Khan challenges the status quo
Sadaqat Ali
Challenging the status quo, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan vowed on Saturday that his party would bring about 'real democracy' in the country and empower people at the grassroots level.

Memogate case: Citizen's letter prompts notices to president, ISI chief
Faisal Shakeel
The Supreme Court on Saturday allowed a 'concerned citizen' to become a party to the memogate case, in a development that is likely to give a new dimension to its hearings.

Homecoming: Afaq walks free, vows to start from scratch
Saad Hasan
The arch-rival of Karachi's largest party tasted freedom for the first time in seven years on Saturday.

Kayani calls Zardari, says country's interests supreme
Agencies
President Asif Ali Zardari and Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani agreed that the country's interests were supreme, in a teleconference on Saturday.

Lost & Found: Veena Malik staying in Mumbai hotel
News Desk
Model and actress Veena Malik has not reached Pakistan, as reported earlier by the Indian media, but is still staying in a Mumbai hotel, reported Express News on Sunday.
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Business

Weekly review: Bourse plummets to 15-week low
Our Correspondents
The stock market fell to a 15-week low as escalating political tensions resulted in foreign outflows of $11.2 million during the week.

Analytical independence: SBP, finance ministry differ on forex reserve depletion
Shahbaz Rana
The State Bank of Pakistan has questioned the federal government's projections of a marginal decrease in foreign currency reserves, fearing it could fall to as low as $12 billion by June as gap between external payments and receipts balloons to $2.1 billion over the next five months.
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Sports

Pakistan players blocked from playing in Bangladesh league
Reuters
Pakistan players have been refused permission to play in the lucrative Bangladesh Twenty20 league by their cricket board (PCB) in order to concentrate on next month's test series against England in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Shakib, Rahim boost Bangladesh
AFP
Shakibal Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim kept Pakistan at bay on Sunday morning as Bangladesh reached 285-5 in their first innings at lunch on the second day of the second and final Test.
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Life & Style

Aisamul Haq ties the knot
News Desk
Pakistan tennis star Aisamul Haq Qureshi tied the knot with Faha Akmal on Saturday evening at an elaborate ceremony in Lahore, Express News reported.

A good day for brides
Hani Taha
There is little doubt that fashion's biggest market and consumer is the bride. While India has its own dedicated extravaganza 'Bridal Asia' to cater to this enormous industry, Pakistan didn't quite have as glittering a platform, as even the 'Bridal Couture Week' is often a haphazard and lacklustre affair. _______________________________________________

Magazine

Shot in the dark
Fifi Haroon
Two recent markers involving documentary filmmaking made the headlines in Pakistan this year.

10 things I hate about Twilight: Breaking Dawn
Saba Khalid
The soft porn. No one wants to see a lifeless vampire make love to a dull, expressionless, teenager.
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Opinion

Dial M for Memo
Fahd Husain

Dirty talk
Saroop Ijaz

Can Pakistan afford to ignore women?
George Turkington

When liberals opposed progressives
Khaled Ahmed

Land reforms making a comeback
Syed Mohammad Ali

Blogs

A lullaby for you, my daughter
Samar Minallah

Losing East Pakistan: Lessons we didn't learn
Adnan Amir

A female baby, a waste of space
Aneka Chohan

T20 fever and the Big Bash
Dr Amyn Malik

Poll

Do you believe Gilani's statement that there is no clash between the Presidency, army and judiciary?

No (83%, 347 Votes)
Yes (17%, 70 Votes)
Total Voters: 417

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