The Express Tribune Newsletter: February 11, 2012

Today's Headlines

February 11, 2012

Contempt charges: Another door shuts on Gilani Azam Khan It was always going one way – and right before the end, the court enticed the premier's counsel. "We are ready to give you 10 minutes to talk to the prime minister on the phone and let us know," said Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, giving one last opportunity to consent to writing a letter to the Swiss authorities. _______________________________________________ National/City The unofficial guide to the Karachi Literature Festival Imran Yusuf The programme starts with a bang: 'superstar writer' Shobhaa De. Eleven 'o'clock might be too early for some to digest the glamorous Mumbai writer of steamy potboilers, but there is a curious sub-plot. Will the Amazonian Shobhaa eat her mild-mannered moderator Asif Noorani for brunch? One hopes not, for if all goes to plan Mr Noorani will coax some fantastic stories about big egos and beautiful evenings from her days as Editor of Stardust. SC orders: ISI, MI granted more time to produce 'missing' prisoners Azam Khan In an unusual order, the Supreme Court on Friday directed the country's powerful intelligence agencies to present seven prisoners, who went missing from Adiala Jail, before the court by 5pm the same day. Cacophony and silence: Govt unfazed by US hearing on Balochistan Qamar Zaman The hearing on Balochistan in Washington sparked a sense of urgency among some in parliament, but was unable to solicit a response from the government. PTI will shoot drones down once in power: Imran Khan Ferya Ilyas / Iftikhar Firdous Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan said that those in power should be embarrassed about the ongoing drone attacks that violate Pakistan's sovereignty and kill innocent people. US court hears Dr Aafia Siddiqui's lawyers appeal Huma Imtiaz More than a year after the infamous neuroscientist Dr Aafia Siddiqui was sentenced to 86 years in prison on charges of attacking US soldiers, the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit heard an appeal in New York on Friday. _______________________________________________ Business Thar coal: Despite PM's orders ministry fails to allocate funds Shahbaz Rana Despite clear instructions of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, the finance ministry has not yet committed any funds for providing much-needed boost to the Thar coal project. Corporate results: Unilever profits beat estimates, grow 25% Our Correspondents Unilever, the maker of more than 50 brands from Fair and Lovely to Knorr soup, beat all estimates and posted a 25% jump in profits to Rs4.09 billion on the back of higher sales despite price hikes across the board. _______________________________________________ Sports Experienced Pakistan beat spirited Afghanistan by 7 wickets Our Correspondents Pakistan beat minnows Afghanistan by seven wickets, with Younus Khan unbeaten at 70 and skipper Misbahul Haq at 40 in the only ODI at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday. UAE want Aqib as head coach Fawad Hussain The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) has termed Pakistan's bowling coach Aqib Javed its 'prime' choice as the UAE team's head coach. _______________________________________________ Life & Style Purushapura: Gifts from the past Sher Alam Shinwari Peshawar, previously known as Purushapura (The City of Flowers), is, according to historians, probably the oldest and the most culturally fertile city of South Asia.  Happiness = Innovation at work Sarah Khan "Each new day holds out a chance to create a whole new beginning, a sparkling new field of possibilities. Explore and celebrate this possibility," insists innovation guru Dr Rekha Shetty, popularly known as the Corporate Doctor. _______________________________________________

Opinion Calling out the real bullies Tazeen Javed Balochistan — the only way forward Sanaullah Baloch Since Salala Zafar Hilaly Uniformed flunkies Amina Jilani Of blood and fire Ajmal Kamal Blogs The Islamic university where girls were raped Syed Nadir El Edroos A day in the life of Nasreen kaamvaali Orr Ali So what's wrong with being connected? Faisal Kapadia Keep Mohsin Khan as coach Fawad Hussain Poll Should Pakistan withdraw subsidies and increase sales tax to manage the deficit issue? No (58%, 209 Votes) Yes (42%, 152 Votes) Total Voters: 361 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: February 09, 2012

Today's Headlines

February 09, 2012

PM contempt: Ahsan directed to remove objectionable paras from appeal Web Desk Justice Saqib Nisar, as a part of the eight-member bench hearing the intra-court appeal on Thursday, directed Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan to remove 'objectionable' paragraphs from his appeal, reported Express News. _______________________________________________  National/City Human rights abuses: US committee hears grievances of Balochistan Huma Imtiaz In the packed Room 2200 of the Rayburn Office Building, members of the House Foreign Affairs' Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations began hearing human rights activists and scholars detail human rights abuses in Balochistan. US public supports Obama's drone programme: Poll Our Correspondents US President Barack Obama has overwhelming support from American voters for his use of drone strikes against terror suspects and his planned troop drawdown in Afghanistan, a poll found Wednesday. Long-term deferred payments: Iran offers Pakistan oil supply on soft terms Zafar Bhutta With a decline in oil export  to the world market due to new US and European Union sanctions, Iran has offered to provide Pakistan oil on long-term deferred payments by laying a pipeline between the two countries.  20th Amendment: 'Make or break' day today in talks Abdul Manan / Zia Khan Negotiators from the government and opposition on Wednesday managed to break the deadlock on a constitutional amendment vital to restoring the membership of 28 suspended parliamentarians. Bolstering ties: Sri Lankan president to visit Pakistan on Feb 10 Jaffer Bilgrami Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksha will be visiting Pakistan on a three-day tour, beginning on February 10, at the invitation of President Asif Ali Zardari who last visited Colombo in 2010. _______________________________________________ Business Tough measures: IMF suggests increase in sales tax rate to trim deficit Shahbaz Rana The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has asked Pakistan to withdraw untargeted subsidies, raise the sales tax rate and reintroduce income surcharge and special excise duty after finding out that the country has understated its expenditures and overstated receipts. Stuttering start: Pakistan's first private train service skips payments Our Correspondents The newly launched public-private venture between Pakistan Railways (PR) and Four Brothers to operate Pakistan's first ever 'business train', the Pak Business Express, is in trouble a week into operation. _______________________________________________ Sports Ajmal's action: Ignore debate or it'll get to you, says Saqlain Mushtaq Our Correspondents As Saeed Ajmal reignited debate about his bowling action, former Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, the inventor of the doosra, urged the in-form bowler to ignore the ongoing debate and focus on what he does best: destroy the opposition. Cricket: I will make sure I'm not dropped again, says Hammad Azam Fawad Hussain Hammad Azam was busy playing for Federal Areas against Balochistan in the ongoing Pentangular Cup when he received the 'surprise' call-up to the national squad for the limited-overs series against England. _______________________________________________ Life & Style Naseer & Shahab: Songs of peace from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Rafay Mahmood Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) is perceived by many as a land which hosts an endless supply of militants, but is once again gaining recognition as a hub for the creative arts. The younger generation of K-P is passionate and concerned about the stereotypes associated with Pakhtuns, which is why musicians like Zeb and Haniya, Sajid and Zeeshan and now Naseer Afridi and Shahab Qamar are using the medium of poetry and music to dismiss preconceived notions. Tribune Take: Lawn tsunami to sweep Pakistan Mahawish Rezvi In today's episode of the Tribune Take we look at the ongoing craze for the thin cotton fabric, lawn. _______________________________________________

Opinion A shark of a tale Sami Shah Education: The PTI's false promises won't help Pervez Hoodbhoy The IMF casts a light Khurram Husain Spurious medicines Syed Mohammed Ali Poor Saint Valentine and his day! Khaled Ahmed Blogs Have you been exorcised by Baba Welfare? Jahanzaib Haque Demi Moore and our fear of ageing Anushay Hossain Who is watching the social media wardens? Salman Latif Pak vs England: A welcome green sweep Dr Amyn Malik Poll Do you believe the US will formally apologise for last year's NATO attack on a Pakistani check post?  No (66%, 300 Votes) Yes (34%, 156 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: February 08, 2012

Today's Headlines

February 08, 2012

Contempt case: Gilani files appeal against charges AFP / Web Desk Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani filed an appeal in the Supreme Court on Wednesday against the charges held against him in the contempt of court case. _______________________________________________ National/City Drone attack: 9 suspected militants killed in North Waziristan Our Correspondents At least 9 suspected militants were killed when an unmanned US predator drone targeted a house in North Waziristan Agency, early Wednesday morning, officials said. Thaw in relations: With relations reboot, US apology a possibility Our Correspondents As parliament gears up for what is expected to be a vigorous debate on the re-evaluation of ties with the United States this month, it seems that the two countries have gotten the ball rolling on various fronts to reboot their frayed strategic relationship, The New York Times reported on Tuesday. National Assembly: New provinces create ruckus again Qamar Zaman When the clamour for the creation of new provinces becomes a little louder, National Assembly proceedings, inevitably, tend to veer in another direction. Talks with the Taliban: US keeps Pakistan in the loop Kamran Yousaf The United States has briefed Pakistan on its initial contacts with the Afghan Taliban in a move which signals the easing of months-long tensions between the two allies, whose cooperation in stabilising the war-torn country is considered essential. All is 'whale': 'Moby Dick' comes to town ahead of Karachi Literature Festival Saad Hasan A 35-foot long whale-shark dragged into the Karachi harbour will go on display for three days at the auction hall where its owner will charge viewers. _______________________________________________ Business Fate unclear: Pakistan asks Iran to get gas reserves verified Zafar Bhutta The fate of Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project hangs in the balance as Pakistan has asked Iran to get South Pars gas field's reserves ratified from a third party and revise the price downwards by linking it with the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline project. App developer: Missing the Silicon Valley bandwagon starts the journey for Khan Farooq Baloch Employment offers from Microsoft or Apple – and that too in the world's IT hub Silicon Valley – is the ultimate dream for most IT professionals. Sharyar Muhammad Khan, a young talent from war-stricken area of Swat, was fortunate to have offers from both. Although he missed the chance to jump on the Silicon Valley bandwagon, he did fairly well in building one of his own in Pakistan. _______________________________________________ Sports Series review: Mohsin deflects praise to Misbah, squad Fawad Hussain Diverting well-deserved credit to the team and captain Misbahul Haq, Pakistan coach Mohsin Khan has said the players' mental strength and resolve were key factors behind a historic whitewash over England. Malik walks into ODI, T20 squad on demand Our Correspondents Another squad naming, another controversial u-turn made by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). _______________________________________________ Life & Style Lawn: Back to the racks Hani Taha While the biggest question on everyone's minds has been whether or not the lawn bubble will burst, it is rumoured that around 108 lawns are slated to hit the market this summer. So while the country prepares itself for this avalanche of fabric, the most anticipated brand, Sana Safinaz — which gave a tsunami-like momentum to lawn — have declared that they will not be holding an exhibition. 'Veena doesn't represent Pakistan' Our Correspondents Pakistani actor Veena Malik is controversy's favourite child, but it would be unfair to judge the entire country on the basis of what she does in India, singer-cum-actor Ali Zafar told IANS. _______________________________________________

Opinion The Romulus principle? Ejaz Haider No need for further divisions Rasul Bakhsh Rais The poor do not matter Tariq Fatemi Republicans vs Democrats Asad Rahim Khan Snow-bound and with no fuel Zahrah Nasir Blogs Let's love Pakistan: A new resolution (II) Saad Zuberi The terrible appeal of Humsafar Abira Ashfaq Fear and loathing for military coups Azam Khan Dawkins made it to my sociology class Omar Kamal Bin Farooq Poll Has the government taken adequate measures to battle extremism in Pakistan? No (51%, 319 Votes) Yes (49%, 309 Votes) Total Voters: 628 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: February 07, 2012

Today's Headlines

February 07, 2012

3-0 victory: The 'teesra' is finally revealed Imran Yusuf Followers of Pakistan cricket savoured a rare feeling of bone-deep satisfaction last night. It was rare not only for being the first time in over 100 years that a team won a Test after being bowled out for less than 100 runs. _______________________________________________ National/City reports Electoral limbo: SC suspends 28 parliamentarians Our Correspondents The Supreme Court has suspended the membership of 28 parliamentarians who were elected through by-polls held after the 18th Amendment. They will remain suspended until parliament passes the 20th Amendment, which will provide constitutional protection for their seats. Domki Family Murder: Apex court orders arrests of culprits by Feb 10 Our Correspondents Terming the case "one of the most sensitive" in the country, the Supreme Court ordered on Monday the arrest of the murderers of Balochistan MPA Mir Bakhtiar Domki's wife and daughter by February 10. Get more bang from your Bhang if it's shaken, stirred or snakeskin style Sameer Mandhro They may be stigmatised as addicts, but Bhang buffs believe that the intoxicating herbal concoction can solve everything – from enhancing their sexual performance to keeping them away from crime. 20th Amendment: Govt struggles to bring opposition on board Our Correspondents Negotiators from the government and opposition parties on Monday failed to break a deadlock on a constitutional amendment seeking legal protection for 28 parliamentarians suspended by the Supreme Court but decided to continue their dialogue in a desperate search for consensus. New controversy: AQ Khan dives into The Atlantic IMediaEthics / Malik Ayub Sumbal / Rhonda Roland / Shearer In an exclusive interview with iMediaEthics, Abdul Qadeer Khan, the metallurgist blamed by the West for making Pakistan a nuclear power, condemned inaccuracies in The Atlantic magazine's November 2005 cover story, which he says falsely accused him of a 'brazen act of illegality' when it claimed his Rawalpindi house was "built in blatant disregard of the law." _______________________________________________ Business IP gas project: Alienating US, Pakistan and Iran signal firm resolve Kamran Yousaf / Shahbaz Rana Despite mounting American pressure on Islamabad to abandon the project, Pakistan and Iran vowed to 'intensify' work on the multi-billion dollar gas pipeline. Audit report: SSGC suffers Rs36b loss due to corruption, non-recovery Zafar Bhutta The Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) has detected 22 cases of fraud, embezzlement, gas theft, irregular appointments and non-recovery of funds, causing a loss of Rs36 billion to Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC). _______________________________________________ Sports Pakistan vs England: Even the best isn't strong enough for us AFP Pakistan sealed an emphatic 71-run win in the third and final Test against England, inflicting a 3-0 series whitewash humiliation in the process. World Cup is our real target: Ashraf Our Correspondents Mohsin Khan will be shown the door as Pakistan's coach after the tour of the UAE if Zaka Ashraf's quotes are anything to go by. _______________________________________________ Life & Style Asad Ahmed: Grooving into a solo career Rafay Mahmood The prime ministers of India and Pakistan said Thursday they expected to open a "new chapter" at future talks between the rival nations after they met at a regional summit in the Maldives. Iftikhar Nasim: Through the looking glass Sher Khan "He loved to be in the limelight. I recall calling him when I had just reached America and he told me to call him later because he was too busy enjoying a margarita with someone," said Neelum Ahmed Bashir, a friend of the homosexual activist and Urdu poet Iftikhar Nasim. _______________________________________________

Opinion Why speak for the Ahmadis? Saroop Ijaz The trial of her grave Fauzia Wahab The annals of folly Feisal H Naqvi An agenda for change Dr Akmal Hussain Remembering Bahawalpur province Yaqoob Khan Bangash Blogs Fear and loathing for military coups Azam Khan Dawkins made it to my sociology class Omer Kamal Bin Farooq Why Younis Khan is king Umair Qazi Is religion the opium of Pakistani masses? Sana Hameed Baba Poll Should the PCB continue with Mohsin Khan as permanent coach? Yes (79%, 491 Votes) No (21%, 133 Votes) Total Voters: 625 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 (Jan 30-Feb 05, 2012)

Top 10 stories of the week

Jan 30- Feb 05, 2012

1. Morning show host Maya Khan fired from Samaa TV – Taha Siddiqui 2. Who is the real Imran Khan, asks Salman Rushdie – Web Desk 3. Shah Rukh Khan slaps Farah Khan's husband over RA.One remarks – Web Desk 4. Pakistan is a rich, rich country: Imran Khan – Kiran Nazish 5. Veena Malik denies nude photo shoot for FHM – Web Desk 6. Pakistan's rush for more bombs — why? – Pervez Hoodbhoy 7. Amir Khan rings engagement bells – News Desk 8. Mohammad Amir released from prison – Zainab Imam 9. I will quit politics if proved ISI funded PTI: Imran – Zainab Imam 10. Rallying cry: Hashmi slams PML-N for Senate deal bid with PPP – Abdul Manan

Top Business Apple store: Local firm's facebook app makes $90,000 in a week Farooq Baloch Top 3 blogs 1. Humsafar: A comic review Hammad Ali 2. Why firing Maya Khan is not the solution Maria Waqar 3. Shaming Maya: Two wrongs don't make a right Vaqas Asghar  Links Contact us Tribune on Facebook Tribune on Twitter About us RSS Feed Subscribe to the Paper Careers Copyrights JobsClassifieds

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