Tuesday, February 14, 2012

The Express Tribune Newsletter: February 15, 2012

 

Today's Headlines

February 15, 2012

 

Consensus reached: After stormy start, 20th Amendment sails through NA
Qamar Zaman


After some last-minute fine-tuning, the National Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed the 20th Constitutional Amendment. The amendment – the third by the incumbent government – has set down a process to install a caretaker set-up and hold free and fair elections in the future.
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National/City

Responding to overtures: Nato allowed airspace use, says minister
Kamran Yousaf
I
slamabad is making no secret of its responsiveness to Washington's overtures. 

Taliban releases video of DHA bomb attack
News Desk
On the morning of September 19, 2011, as the people in Defence Housing Authority phase VIII left for work, and students started classes at the nearby CAS School, the ground suddenly shook, windows shattered, and a deafening roar was heard. At least 300 kilogrammes of explosives had just detonated outside. A new video released on Tuesday, claims that the attack was the work of Fidayeens of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). 

Increasing voter pool: ECP grants overseas Pakistanis voting rights
Zahid Gishkori
Voting rights were finally granted by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to 3.7 million overseas Pakistanis on Tuesday.  

Abbottabad raid collaborator: Dr Afridi singled out for top US civilian award
Huma Imtiaz
US Congressman Dana Rohrabacher has announced that he will introduce legislation in the Congress this week seeking Congressional Gold Medal for Dr Shakil Afridi, the doctor who aided the CIA in locating al Qaeda kingpin Osama bin Laden was in his compound in Abbottabad. 

Meeting energy needs: Iran approves electricity project for Balochistan
Our Correspondent
Iran has approved a project which will provide 1,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity to Balochistan through the Zahedan-Quetta transmission line, Iranian Consul General Seyad Hussan Yahyavi said on Tuesday.
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Business

Overcoming $600m deficit : US asks Pakistan to privatise power companies
Zafar Bhutta
Voicing concern over annual revenue deficit of $600 million due to inefficiencies in Pakistan's power sector, the United States has suggested privatisation of power companies in an attempt to improve their operational efficiency. 

Indo-Pak relations: Economic engagement the only way forward
Farhan Zaheer
Looking at the fast changing economic balance from the West to the East where Asia is leading the world, India wants to write a new chapter in the history of its relations with Pakistan so that the two countries can create new opportunities for each other, said Indian Minister for Commerce, Industry and Textile Anand Sharma.
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Sports

ODI series: Pakistan will not panic, says Younus
Our Correspondents
Pakistan will be looking for an improved batting performance in the second One-Day International (ODI) today after a dismal show in the series-opener, which saw England romp home to a convincing 130-run win. 

Football: Valentine's Day setback for Uzbekistan
Natasha Raheel
Determined not to follow the footsteps of the country's cricket board, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) turned down an offer to play Uzbekistan on a neutral venue, dismissing the option as an unprofessional one.
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Life & Style

Superstars or one-hit wonders?
Rafay Mahmood
Talent hunt shows in Pakistan are notorious for creating one-hit wonders, with artists coming in the limelight for the duration of the show and then vanishing in thin air. Be it ventures like "LG Awaz Banaye Star", "Pakistan Sangeet Icon" or "Azme Alishan", we haven't seen budding artists follow through after and fully capitalise on these opportunities. True, these shows certainly gave us fresh music to listen to but did we get skilled musicians in return? 

'Immersive theatre' at Napa
Our Correspondents
With candles placed throughout the NAPA campus, the premises looked as if some royal court proceedings were about to take place. However, what followed was quite the opposite. For instance, there was no elaborate stage or set design, just a counter from where the audience members were given iPods so they could listen to the recorded instructions. These instructions took the audience onto an adventurous journey through the campus premises where they could bump into random characters dancing and sharing their stories.
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Opinion

Is this a joke?
Ejaz Haider 

The Balochistan conundrum
Amber Darr 

Making US aid work in Pakistan
Sabina Khan 

Implications of regime change in Syria
Tariq Fatemi 

Strangers in Phnom Penh
Anwer Mooraj 

Blogs

Down with Valentine's Day!
Erum Shaikh 

Is Gilani's indictment good for democracy?
Aziz Nayani 

Captain atom and the indulgence of war games
Manal Shakir 

Top 4 most annoying passengers on an airplane
Maha Kamal 

Poll

Do you believe the present government has done enough for the betterment of Balochistan?

No (94%, 477 Votes)
Yes (6%, 32 Votes)
Total Voters: 509 

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Monday, February 13, 2012

The Express Tribune Newsletter: February 14, 2012

 

Today's Headlines

February 14, 2012

 

PM indicted: Not guilty, pleads Gilani
Azam Khan


In the presence of the top political leadership of the country, a two-page charge-sheet was read out on Monday by Justice Nasirul Mulk.
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National/City reports

US hearing on Balochistan: NA condemns congressional hearing; FO summons envoy
Qamar Zaman / Kamran Yousaf
Balochistan's taking centre stage on the political landscape these days, but more because of what's happening offshore than in the province itself. 

Indian minister: Sharma vows to double Pak-India trade
PPI
Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma arrived in Pakistan on Monday in an effort to take down trade barriers, share economic prosperity and facilitate people-to-people exchange. 

Adiala missing prisoners' case: After a heart-wrenching sight, SC wants answers
Azam Khan
Everyone in the jam-packed courtroom number 1 was dumbfounded when authorities escorted them inside — each of the seven surviving detainees holding urine bags in their hands.

After being indicted, Gilani mulls autobiography
Owais Jafri
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani, after being indicted for contempt of court, and staring at a premature end to his term in office, has decided to write an autobiography, detailing in particular the turbulent past few months. 

Ball's in your court: 'Reopening NATO supplies is parliament's prerogative'
Zahid Gishkori
The resumption of Nato supply routes seems to be an issue too hot for anyone to handle at the moment.
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Business

Beyond MFN: Indian exporters target oil products and tea markets
Kashif Hussain
Leading exporters of India, displaying their products at the first-ever Indian trade exhibition in Pakistan, have expressed great interest in selected markets such as petroleum products, tea, spices and fast moving consumer goods. 

At your doorstep: Online shopping, without upfront payment
Farooq Baloch
Almost non-existent a few years ago, Pakistan's online retail market has witnessed phenomenal growth recently. As online shopping trend increases, one company making a name is BlueEX – a Karachi-based courier company – who delivers goods ranging from an iPhone to coffee beans to any destination in the country without any upfront payment.
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Sports

First ODI: Pakistan come crashing back to earth
AFP
Paceman Steven Finn took a career-best 4-34 and Alastair Cook hit his highest score to help England beat Pakistan in a fortune-turning 130-run win in the first day-night international here on Monday. 

Davis Cup: Aqeel holds nerve to carry Pakistan through
Natasha Raheel
Aqeel Khan rose to the occasion, outshone Aisamul Haq Qureshi and guided Pakistan past a tense Lebanon challenge with a straight-sets win in the deciding reverse singles of the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania zone group II tie.
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Life & Style

'Reel life' couples: Let's talk love
Saadia Qamar
Lights, camera, romance! It's no surprise that couples who have chemistry on-screen can pull off romantic and love-infested roles better than those who lack that 'sizzle' factor. In some cases, it is dubbed as the most important part of cinematic experience, as any film or drama serial can fall flat — and be easily forgotten — without the right chemistry. 

Five Valentine's dates from hell
Our Correspondent
For some, Valentine's Day is heaven. For others, it is a painful hell! For those who believe that this day should be a disgusting pigskin brown instead of a ravenous red, here are a few nightmare Valentine's dates which may cement your scepticism about all things 'love'.
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Opinion 

News coverage: why must it be positive?
M Bilal Lakhani 

The value of quality control
Muhammad Hamid Zaman 

Pakistan's economy — between autocracy and democracy
Tahir Akbar / Masroor Hamid 

Saudi-America: A love story
Shibil Siddiqi 

A face-saving ploy
Zahrah Nasir 

Blogs

Faiz: Political poetry for the soul
Faiza Rahman 

Sights and sounds at the Karachi Literature Festival
Nadir Hassan 

Who cares about Pakistan's Anna Hazare?
Zahid Gishkori 

Sexual abuse: A victim's diary
S Khan 

Poll

Do you believe the present government has done enough for the betterment of Balochistan?

No (93%, 202 Votes)
Yes (7%, 16 Votes)
Total Voters: 218 

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Sunday, February 12, 2012

The Express Tribune Newsletter: February 13, 2012

 

Today's Headlines

February 13, 2012

 

Contempt case: Supreme Court shows Gilani the door

Web Desk / AFP

The Supreme Court on Monday indicted Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani for contempt of court in the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) implementation case. 
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National/City

Defiance: Allies renew 'support for democracy'
Zia Khan
All political players in the ruling coalition have resolved to 'protect' democracy in case Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani loses his office in the event of a conviction by the Supreme Court in the contempt case.

Probing 26/11: Mumbai attacks monitored, managed live from Karachi
Asad Kharal
As 11 gunmen wreaked havoc on Mumbai in 2008, and killed 166 people over the course of three days, the planners watched the terror unfold live at a rented house in the North Nazimabad neighbourhood of Karachi, sources privy to investigations revealed to The Express Tribune.

US concerned about rights abuses in Balochistan: Munter
Adil Jawad
Insisting that the US administration's stance remains unchanged vis-à-vis Balochistan, US Ambassador Cameron Munter asserted on Sunday that "there is no doubt that people in Balochistan are facing human rights abuses".

Tailored changes: Revolution is good; results, maybe not
Maria Waqar
When the protracted winter of discontent in the Arab world finally precipitated into spring, the blossoming of people power and zephyr of political change fascinated Pakistanis to no end.

Railways crisis: Bilour confirms FIA probe against him
Qaiser Butt
Railways Minister Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour has confirmed that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) conducted an inquiry against him for alleged financial and procedural irregularities in a locomotive procurement deal with a Chinese firm.
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Business 

Kosher finance: Effective governance needed to grow Islamic banking
Dr Humayon Dar
One point needs to be made clear from the outset regarding the ongoing growth of Islamic banking in Pakistan. If it is to prosper, maintain competitiveness, ensure sustainability, preserve efficiency and remain profitable, then external and internal regulatory and governance frameworks must be strong, effective, transparent and stringent.

Misrepresented: Pakistan needs an image makeover
Ali Wahab
"Ali, why doesn't Pakistan get any good press? There must be something good happening in Pakistan? After all, it's a nation of 175 million!" This was the theme of a discussion with a senior colleague after a transaction involving Pakistan offering very competitive pricing and a sovereign guarantee from the state was rejected by risk averse people in my institution.
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Sports

Tennis: Doubles win puts Pakistan ahead
Natasha Raheel
Pakistan took a 2-1 lead over Lebanon in the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania zone group II tie following a 6-2, 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 win that took four hours and five minutes in Beirut yesterday.

Bangladesh Premier League: Jamshed helps Kings conquer Bengals
Our Correspondents
Nasir Jamshed hit a whirlwind, unbeaten 86 to guide Chittagong Kings past the 172-run total as they recorded a six-wicket win over Khulna Royal Bengals at the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
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Life & Style

Salman Ahmed: So close, yet so far
Our Correspondents
Some terrible has happened. My most desperate attempts to make it on time have failed. I am not able to catch Salman Ahmed's book launch Rock & Roll Jihad.

Karachi Literature Festival: Jibes R Us
Hani Taha
Mirror mirror on the wall, who's the sharpest of them all? With stand-up comedian Saad Haroon, political satirist Nadeem Farooq Paracha and Ali Aftab Saeed of Beygairat Brigade in one place, it was clear that this Sunday morning at the Karachi Literature Festival  (KLF) would be heavily soaked in vinegar.
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Opinion

Universities: telling the good from the bad
Pervez Hoodbhoy

Why a ban on porn sites is futile
Jahanzaib Haque

Has Uttar Pradesh moved on?
Jyoti Malhotra

To Russia, with love
Tanvir Ahmad Khan

Political parties and economic policymaking
Shahid Javed Burki

 Blogs

Sexual abuse: A victim's diary
S Khan

To ban or not to ban …Shezan juice
Vaqas Asghar

IPL: A story of continuing insults for Pakistan
Raja Yousuf

Overtures from Washington
Mohammad Rizwan 

Poll

Do you agree with Interior Minister Rehman Malik's statement that there is some foreign involvement in Balochistan's unrest?

Disagree (35%, 117 Votes)
Agree     (65%, 221 Votes)
Total Voters: 338

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Top 10 on Tribune (Feb 05-12 2012)

 

 Top 10 stories of the week

Feb 05-12, 2012
 

 

1. Radcliffe admits being drunk during 'Harry Potter' scenes - Reuters

2. All is 'whale': 'Moby Dick' comes to town ahead of Karachi Literature Festival – Saad Hasan

3. Dead whale shark sold – Web Desk, Wasiq Muhammad

4. Education: The PTI's false promises won't help – Pervez Hoodbhoy

5. 13-year-old prodigy becomes lecturer at SSUET, FAST, MAJU – Kiran Naz

6. Why speak for the Ahmadis? – Saroop Ijaz

7. US citizenship for Dr Shakil Afridi, says congressman – Huma Imtiaz

8. No more loadshedding in Pakistan: Naveed Qamar – Web Desk, Zahid Gishkori

9. Veena Malik denies nude photo shoot for FHM – Web Desk

10. Rival 'Islamic' social media site calls for Facebook boycott – Rana Tanveer

 

 

Top Business

From Kamra to Karachi via the Chinese: Military debuts in the handheld market
Saba Imtiaz

Top Sports

Green sweep: Pakistan win third test by 71 runs
AFP

Top 3 blogs

1. The Islamic university where girls were raped

Nadir el Edroos

2. The terrible appeal of Humsafar

Abira Ashfaq

3. Agneepath: Why remakes are worth it

Zainab Imam

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Saturday, February 11, 2012

The Express Tribune Newsletter: February 12, 2012

 

Today's Headlines

February 12, 2012

 

Border violation: Afghan forces kill 2 in Balochistan
Shehzad Baloch

In the brash combative style of US-led Nato forces, Afghan security forces carried out a raid – their first cross-border incursion – in a border district of Balochistan, officials said on Saturday.
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National/City reports

Economic woes: Finance secretary changed in wake of IMF report
Shahbaz Rana
The government on Saturday appointed Abdul Wajid Rana as the new finance secretary in the wake of a recent report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) exposing the vulnerability of Pakistan's economic policies.

The Afghan albatross: Political rhetoric gives way to pragmatism
Zarrar Khuhro
I went into the Karachi Literature Festival session titled 'Afghanistan and Pakistan: conflict, extremism and the Taliban' expecting not just old wine in an even older bottle, but fearing that the wine would have turned into vinegar. Simply put, I was expecting the usual round of accusations, self-flagellation and mea culpas that are par for the course in any discussion about Pakistan's role in Afghanistan.

Alleged suspect in Shahbaz Bhatti case arrested in UAE
Umer Nangiana
One of the two suspects in the murder case of former minorities minister Shahbaz Bhatti was arrested in Dubai with the help of the International Police (Interpol). He was still to be repatriated to Pakistan after fulfilling legal formalities, which are likely to take over a week

Difa-e-Pakistan Part 2/2: Who is aiding the jihadis' resurgence?
Taha Siddiqui
Difa-e-Pakistan has organised three large gatherings in Punjab alone. The first was in Lahore, which was organised by Jamatud Dawa (JuD), whose leadership is in charge of coordination and communication between all members of the group.

A conversation with Shobhaa De: At 64, Shobhaa De is still going full steam
Zainab Imam
For someone with a phobia of needles, Shobhaa De is remarkably comfortable poking others with her razor sharp words regardless of how uncomfortable it may make them.
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Business

Weekly review: Market continues upward march despite negativity
Bilal Umar
The stock market put up a resilient face in front of negative political and financial triggers, as the benchmark KSE-100 index managed to shoot past the 12,000-point barrier and close 2.1% or 249 points higher during the week ended February 10.

Double-digit inflation: SBP keeps policy rate unchanged at 12%
Farhan Zaheer
In the face of a persistent double-digit inflation, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has decided to leave interest rate unchanged at 12 per cent and said the basic challenge faced by the economy is to finance its fiscal and current account deficits.
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Sports

Tennis: Aisam wins, Aqeel loses in Davis Cup
Natasha Raheel
Pakistan experienced mixed fortunes on the opening day of their Davis Cup tie against Lebanon with the scores tied at 1-1 after Aisamul Haq Qureshi's win and Aqeel Khan's loss.

Hockey: PIA become national champions for the 26th time
Fawad Hussain
National Hockey Championship's two best sides played the most thrilling match of the tournament, the final, as PIA captured their 26th national crown courtesy a golden goal win over Wapda with the scores tied 3-3.
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Life & Style

Meera: 'I am leaving Lollywood'
Saadia Qamar
Before Veena became controversy's favourite child — there was the ever notorious Meera. The Express Tribune sat down with the sultry actor for an intimate interview where she shared details on her past relationships, the apparent copycat Reema and settling down for good.

Love don't cost a thing
Hani Taha
For those who avidly celebrate Valentine's Day each year, the agonising question of 'what to give' is an annual quandary which never seems to get solved. Even the couples who feel that their love shouldn't be limited to just one day, feel pressurised with an onslaught of consumerism and all those scarlet stuffed pieces hanging from every nook and cranny of every store.
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Opinion

Balochistan and freedom
Saroop Ijaz

What India needs to do in Kashmir
Aakar Patel

'The bomb' and 'the weak state'
Khaled Ahmed

The logical search of someone better
Faras Ghani

Inequality and human potential
Akmal Hussain

Blogs

Overtures from Washington
Mohammad Rizwan

Veena Malik interview gone wrong
Danish Ali

A fantastic dive into the deep blue sea
Absar Ul Hasan

When Twitter gets it wrong
Shaheryar Popalzai

Poll

Do you agree with Interior Minister Rehman Malik's statement that there is some foreign involvement in Balochistan's unrest?

Agree (62%, 107 Votes)
Disagree (38%, 65 Votes)
Total Voters: 172

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