The Express Tribune Newsletter: January 02, 2012

Today's Headlines

January 02, 2012

Pak-US relations: Ties may thaw soon, as back channels intensify Kamran Yousaf A seasonal thaw in frosty Pakistan-US relations may be round the corner, thanks to backdoor efforts currently under way, sources say. _______________________________________________ National/City If all else fails, president may pardon Haqqani Zahid Gishkori / Zia Khan The counsel for the main accused has quit, citing foul play, while the government is considering a pardon if a verdict of treason is reached. Memogate, essentially, has only just begun. 'Third force': Gilani warns Nawaz that both lose if govt falls Abdul Manan The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has again sent a message to its rival, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, that when it comes to defending democracy, the two parties are 'in this together'. Raisani 'mediating' between PPP, PML-N Our Correspondents The ruling Pakistan Peoples Party and its arch rival Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz are warming up to each other in an attempt to put up a united front against the common foe: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, whom they call the 'establishment's party'. Kidney trade: Sell an organ, become worse off Taha Siddique Just over a year ago Pervez Masih from Youhanabad, a Christian neighbourhood outside Lahore, had an argument with his wife. This was not caused by run-of-the-mill domestic irritation. His wife's grievance was legitimate: she wanted to stop Pervez from selling his kidney. PIA's downward spiral: Great people become late people Shahram Haque Muhammad Nadim, a frequent business traveller on Pakistan International Airlines, recalls the days when he actually looked forward to flying on the national carrier. "The food was good, the service on domestic flights was average. The biggest advantage was reliability. PIA was usually on time and when there was a delay, a replacement aircraft would soon be arranged. _______________________________________________ Business Lights, camera, action!: The revival of the cinema industry in Pakistan Farooq Baloch / Rafay Mahmood Struggling for its survival for the past few decades, Pakistan's cinema industry has recovered dramatically, only to emerge as a lucrative business witnessing 'biggest opening' records made and broken one after another. Global financial fiasco: End of the age of US economic dominance Zain Raza In the spring of 2008, the real estate bubble popped in the United States and it triggered a financial tsunami that engulfed the entire globe. _______________________________________________ Sports Whatmore resigns as Knight Riders' coach Our Correspondents Dav Whatmore, who has been touted as the front-runner to become Pakistan's next head coach, has resigned from his coaching job at the Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders, according to ESPNcricinfo. Cheema wants controversy-free series Fawad Hussain From blame games to altercations between players, Pakistan's last series against England in 2010 saw plenty of unwanted controversy. _______________________________________________ Life & Style Maula Jutt and aliens: Kachee Goliyan launch their first comic book Our Correspondents The New Year kicked off with the launch of "The Fallen Warrior", the comic book by Kachee Goliyan. The two main characters of the Kachee Goliyan, were inspired from its creators, 21-year-old Ramish Safa and Nofal Khan, who study at the Institute of Business Management (IoBM). JC and Sufi, who are passionate about Doodh Pati and Nihari, get themselves in bizarre situations and find solutions to them. Strings rock India Shahzeb Shaikh Live performances have always been Pakistani pop rock band Strings' forte. The latest one was a Times of India Mumbai Mirror concert at the Bandra Fort, a beautiful open amphitheatre with a crowd attendance of approximately 2,000.  _______________________________________________

Opinion Remembering Salmaan Taseer Pervez Hoodbhoy Why a 'bloody civilian' cannot be at the ISI? Shahzad Chaudhry A true leader in the making? Arsla Jawaid Climbing out of the deep hole Abid Hasan Uneasy thoughts in the New Year Tanvir Ahmad Khan Blogs 10 notable protests, political movements of 2011 Michael Kugelman Rehman Malik tops 2011 'Hall of Shame' Tanzeel Ahmad Top 5 video games of 2011 Noman Ansari Star struck 2011 Anum Sadiq Poll In your opinion, has PML-N been a 'friendly opposition' to the PPP-led government? No (22%, 137 Votes) Yes (78%, 493 Votes) Total Voters: 630 Links Contact us Tribune on Facebook Tribune on Twitter About us RSS Feed Subscribe to the Paper Careers Copyrights Jobs Classifieds

 

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Top 10 on Tribune (Dec 25-Jan 01, 2012)

Top 10 stories of the week

Dec 25-Jan 01, 2012

1. Child prodigy: Lights dim on a beautiful mind – Shamsul Islam 2. Imran's dream team wows Karachi – Saba Imtiaz/web Desk 3. On the fourth death anniversary of my mother – Bilawal Bhutto Zardari 4. Happy holidays: Christians gather at St Andrew's Church for mass on Christmas day – Noman Ahmed 5. Pakistan maintains top slot in Google search for 'sex' – Web Desk 6. Veena Malik denies nude photo shoot for FHM – Web Desk 7. Aarifa Randhawa: Breathing proof that miracles happen – Shamsul Islam 8. Veena Malik says FHM photoshoot was a 'mistake': Indian media – Web Desk 9. If Kayani's, Pasha's heads roll, SC may come to rescue – Kamran Yousaf 10. PTI rally: Imran lights up Karachi – Saba Imtiaz

Top Business Retail expansion: World's largest chain silent on entering Pakistani market Farooq Baloch Top Sports 'Next time, I'll come here to fight' - Amir Khan Obaid Abbasi Top 3 blogs 1. Dear Imran Khan, I beg to differ… Imran S Syed 2. The curious case of Aisha Khan Mani Khawaja 3. PTI rally: Sights, sounds, observations from Karachi Mhd Bilal Lakhani  Links Contact us Tribune on Facebook Tribune on Twitter About us RSS Feed Subscribe to the Paper Careers Copyrights Jobs Classifieds

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The Express Tribune Newsletter: January 01, 2012

Today's Headlines

January 01, 2012

Preview of 2012: The predictable uncertainty of Pakistan's political economy Our Correspondents Pakistan enters 2012 with a great deal of uncertainty. Many predict this will be election year in the country as tensions continue between the government, the military and the judiciary. Others argue that the government has regained its balance and is now in a position to trudge through to 2013 – the scheduled end of its tenure. _______________________________________________ National/City reports New Year's gift: Obama signs bill freezing aid to Pakistan Reuters President Barack Obama signed a sweeping US defense funding bill on Saturday which includes new sanctions on financial institutions dealing with Iran's central bank, and curtailing up to $850 million in aid to Pakistan. The bill was signed despite concerns about sections that expand the US military's authority over terrorism suspects and limit his powers in foreign affairs. SC to pore over Babar's remarks on Jan 4 Our Correspondents The Supreme Court on Saturday announced that it would take up PPP leader Babar Awan's alleged derogatory press conference on the memo case on January 4. ZAB case a done deal: Kasuri Qamar Zaman The presidential reference seeking to reopen the murder trial of Pakistan Peoples Party founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto took a new turn on Saturday. Ahmed Raza Kasuri – whose father's assassination was pinned on Bhutto, leading to his execution – contended that the case cannot be reopened. Zardari, Nawaz consider united front Zia Khan It looks like the sweets former premier Nawaz Sharif received from President Asif Ali Zardari on his birthday are working a treat. Associates of both leaders are now trying to arrange a one-on-one meeting between Zardari and Sharif. PML-N rally: From 'go Zardari' to 'go Imran' Abdul Manan It was apparent at the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) rally in Gujranwala on Saturday that party chief Nawaz Sharif has started to take former underdog, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), seriously. _______________________________________________ Business Development budget: Spending on target for first time in three years Shahbaz Rana In the midst of financial crunch, the government has managed to keep development spending on track for the first time in three years as it released Rs148 billion or almost half of the annual budget in the first half of the current fiscal year. Preview of 2012: Solve the energy crisis now or go home Farooq Tirmizi There is absolutely no point in beating about the bush anymore. Either the government will solve the energy crisis in 2012 or it will lose the elections. And since it cannot solve the entire crisis in one year, it has no choice – if they are politically shrewd – but to go ahead and call the elections before the crisis hits the 'catastrophic' phase. _______________________________________________ Sports Cricket: Misbah fears losing captaincy, says Mohsin Our Correspondents Pakistan coach Mohsin Khan has defended captain Misbahul Haq's defensive approach to leading the team, revealing that the batsman feared losing captaincy as well as his place in the side. Hockey: Akbar targets 'memorable show' at Olympics Shahzada Usman Pakistan goal-keeper Salman Akbar has said that the national team is all set to do well at the London Olympics, targeting a podium-finish at the event. _______________________________________________ Life & Style PLBW: Room for improvement Hani Taha It seems that the Pakistan Fashion Design Council (PFDC) has come full circle with its Bridal Week this year. Top 2011 films: Kaleidoscope of emotions Saim Sadiq It has been a dull year for Bollywood, with the number of watchable films being small enough to count them all on your fingers. _______________________________________________ Magazine 10 things I hate about 2011 Nadir Hassan The rise of the PTI. Settle down, PTI trolls! I say this out of boredom not hatred. There are few duller things in the world than the low-cal speeches given by politicians at rallies. _______________________________________________

Opinion The year of fear Saroop Ijaz Why is the army so popular in Pakistan? Aakar Patel 'Bloody' revolution as our death wish Khaled Ahmed Dreaming the dream Fahd Husain Kurram — limping back to normalcy Naveed Hussain Blogs A few good "F" words for the new year Farahnaz Zahidi Moazzam My blood runs thick and green Fatima Sehbai Defining moments of Cricket in 2011 Dr Amyn Malik Adoption: Patience is truly a virtue Adeel Ansari Poll In your opinion, has PML-N been a 'friendly opposition' to the PPP-led government? Yes (76%, 347 Votes) No (24%, 109 Votes) Total Voters: 456 Links Contact us Tribune on Facebook Tribune on Twitter About us RSS Feed Subscribe to the Paper Careers Copyrights Jobs Classifieds

 

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The Express Tribune Newsletter: December 31, 2011

Today's Headlines

December 31, 2011

NATO supply route blockade: Rangers asked to take possession of US cargo Waqar Satti The paramilitary rangers has started taking possession of highly sensitive US cargo stranded in Pakistan following the blockade of the Nato supply route by Pakistan in protest against the November 26 air strikes that killed two dozen Pakistani border guards. _______________________________________________ National/City Verdict's in: SC puts its foot down – judiciary to probe memo Faisal ShakeelInvestigations by a panel of the supreme body of the land, the parliament, will not be enough. 'Darkest day' for judiciary: National security has trumped fundamental rights: Asma Sidrah Moiz Khan The judiciary's most ardent supporter at one time turned its loudest critic on Friday when the apex court announced upholding the petitions on Memogate scandal.  Year in review: 2011 The year that shouldn't have been Omar R Qureshi To say it in one sentence, 2011 was a year that would probably rank as among the worst for Pakistan. But then again, I just turned 40 and I wasn't around for the first two-and-a-half decades or so of the country's existence, but I would imagine that things were never as bad as they are now. However, there is no guarantee that they won't get any worse.  Finger-pointing: PM's 'Osama sanctuary' remark earns Nisar's ire Qamar Zaman National Assembly proceedings turned into a grilling session on Friday with Leader of the Opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan lashing out at the prime minister for pointing fingers at defence authorities for Osama bin Laden's presence in Pakistan.  BLA claims Quetta attack, 13 dead Shehzad Baloch At least 13 people, including women and children, were killed and 36 others injured in a blast near the residence of politician Shafiq Mengal on Arbab Karam Khan Road in Quetta on Friday evening. _______________________________________________  Business Overview: A distracted govt all but ignores the economy Shahbaz Rana Barring some achievements on the external front, 2011 will likely be remembered as the year the government was so distracted with its political troubles that it all but failed to pay any meaningful attention to the economy.  Agriculture: Rising crop production a rare bright spot Shamsul Islam Despite much of Pakistan's prime agricultural land being devastated by floods two years in a row, the country continued to achieve high growth in the production of major commodities, a resilience that was surprising since much of it came from the unusual source of productivity gains. _______________________________________________  Sports And Pakistan's standout performer is... Our Correspondents The stakes are always against you when representing Pakistan. But some still manage to make a difference. Here, The Express Tribune staff lists six of those who made a major impact on Pakistan sports in 2011.  Glory and medals, but regret and prison cells too... 2011 Our Correspondents From reaching the cricket World Cup semi-final to the dismal hockey  Champions Trophy, the year had it all on the field … and some off it too _______________________________________________  Life & Style Trend, Set, Go 2011 Hani Taha Fashion's sudden eruption two years ago meant that specialised knowledge in the field became the need of the day. The fashion school initiated by PFDC got its official approval and formally became an 'institute'.  Let's make-up! With Bina Khan Our Correspondents It is my sincere hope that the column that you are reading at this very moment is the first page of the last make-up book that you will ever need to read. Tear out every column and stick it on to your mirror or simply review online; either way I am going to blow the lid on every beauty secret out there, making a make-up whizz out of every single one of you. After 15 years of doing make-up and thousands of faces later, I have loads to share. So here goes! _______________________________________________

Opinion  Achieving a critical mass Shahid Javed Burki  All Western invaders aren't Pakhtun Salman Rashid  Whatever Lola wants… Amina Jilani  A man for all seasons Tazeen Javed  The poets we forget Nosheen Ali  Blogs Adoption: Patience is truly a virtue Adeel Ansari Christmas in Maryland Huma Imtiaz  Abbottabad has more to offer than Osama bin Laden Asif Nawaz  One year on at The Express Tribune Maryam Usman  Poll Is the use of force to tackle the security situation in Balochistan the right way forward? No (82%, 353 Votes) Yes (18%, 79 Votes) Total Voters: 432  Links Contact us Tribune on Facebook Tribune on Twitter About us RSS Feed Subscribe to the Paper Careers Copyrights Jobs Classifieds

 

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The Express Tribune Newsletter: December 30, 2011

Today's Headlines

December 30, 2011

'Major surprises' expected in talks with militants, ISI tells senators Irfan Ghauri In an unusual three-hour meeting behind closed doors, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Shuja Pasha and his deputies briefed a Senate panel on the country's war against terror policy, which they claimed is going through a "holistic review" to correspond with changes in the United States' plans in Afghanistan. _______________________________________________  National/City Kharotabad killings: 'Tattling' police surgeon silenced Shehzad Baloch The key witness to the Kharotabad incident, police surgeon Dr Syed Baqir Shah, was shot dead on Thursday afternoon while on his way home.  Child prodigy: Lights dim on a beautiful mind Shamsul Islam Aarifa Karim Randhawa was the youngest ever Microsoft certified professional in the world. Born in 1995, she received the prestigious title at the age of nine.  Flashback: Defining moments of 2011 Jahanzaib Haque / Shaheryar Popalzai Taking a look back across 2011, there is no doubt that Pakistan has been through a tumultuous year.  Top-ranking officials reshuffled in NAB Asad Kharal The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has carried out a major reshuffle in its ranks, with some old faces finally bidding farewell to the institution. Previous appointments, considered controversial, have been overturned and new faces have come to the fore, according to sources.  Peace will not prevail without military withdrawal: Jamaat-e-Islami Saba Imtiaz Because it fears that Balochistan is on the brink of no return, the Jamaat-e-Islami has called for "an end to the unannounced military operation and the role of the [intelligence] agencies in the province." _______________________________________________  Business Energy crisis: Gas supply shut indefinitely for industries in Punjab Our Correspondents Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has announced gas curtailment for all industries of Punjab for an indefinite period of time. According to a notification issued by the company, the decision was taken to provide the gas to its domestic consumers.  Pakistan going ahead with IP pipeline, despite US coercions Our Correspondents Despite US pressure to desist from entering into an energy deal with Iran that would help lessen a mounting gas crisis, it seems Pakistan will be honouring its committment as work surges on the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, Iran state regulated Press Television reported on Thursday. _______________________________________________  Sports Cricket: 'Our spinner is better than yours' Fawad Hussain The year's highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, Saeed Ajmal, has been heavily backed by the team management and former Test cricketers to outshine England's Graeme Swann in the upcoming Test series in the UAE.  Boxing: Waseem bags Pakistan's only gold Obaid Abbasi Pakistan's Mohammad Waseem defeated Kenya's Benson Gicharu 26-9 in the final of the 52-kilogramme category, bagging the country's sole gold medal in the second International Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Boxing Championship held in Islamabad. _______________________________________________  Life & Style Showbiz gems: Party in the heavens Rafay Mahmood It is a cool and windy evening, slow jazz plays in the background and a red carpet is rolled outside the heaven's gate; we are expecting some guests. All kinds of dishes are on the menu and angels are dressed up in tuxedos. According to Divine News, the arrival of some timeless musicians, evergreen actors, stylish ladies and tech geniuses is expected any minute.  Sur-Kshetra: Aslam and Reshammiya set for a battle Our Correspondents Pop sensation Atif Aslam will soon start shooting for a three-month long musical reality TV show "Sur-Kshetra", in which he will be leading Pakistani singers while Indian singer Himesh Reshammiya will be leading the Indian side, reports koolmuzone.com. They are also going to judge the show. The show will be shot in Dubai and will most likely go on air early next year. _______________________________________________

Opinion Needed: a 'bloody civilian' at the ISI Kamran Shafi  Essences and poisons Javed Jabbar  May we live in interesting times Jyoti Malhotra  Killing two birds Daud Khan  Facts and figures Dr Pervez Tahir  Blogs Ruttie's love letter to Jinnah Amna Khalid  PTI: Too many cooks in the kitchen Ali Mustafa  Predicament of journalists in Balochistan Shahzad Baloch  Selling a kidney to end poverty Sehrish Wasif  Poll Should Pakistan and India resolve the Kashmir conflict before discussing other issues? No (39%, 204 Votes) Yes (61%, 319 Votes) Total Voters: 523  Links Contact us Tribune on Facebook Tribune on Twitter About us RSS Feed Subscribe to the Paper Careers Copyrights Jobs Classifieds

 

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