Thursday, March 8, 2012

The Express Tribune Newsletter: March 09, 2012

 

Today's Headlines

March 09, 2012

 

Contempt case: Court directly orders PM to write to Swiss authorities
Azam Khan


If the prime minister didn't hear the order the first time, he certainly will have heard it this time.
_______________________________________________ 

National/City

Musharraf offers no comment on Kayani promotion, backs Pasha
Our Correspondents
Former President Pervez Musharraf, refused to offer any insights into the situation surrounding the promotion of his good friend, General Ashfaque Pervez Kayani, to the post of Chief of Army Staff (COAS), but did offer his support to grant DG Inter-Services Intelligence Lt. Gen. Shuja Ahmed Pasha. 

1990 elections scandal: Habib says then army chief used him
Our Correspondents
Despite "weak memories," a lot of old ghosts resurfaced at the Supreme Court on Thursday – a day that also saw the central protagonist of the 'Mehrangate affair' admit the scandal, and apologise to the court. 

'Forced conversion': Teen insists she converted of own free will
Sarfaraz Memon
Faryal Shah (Rinkle Kumari) appeared before the media on Thursday and made it clear that she had not been kidnapped and had not been forced to convert to Islam and marry Naveed Shah. 

'JUI-F will not allow Nato supply resumption'
Manzoor Ali
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) General Secretary and Senate opposition leader Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri said that they will not allow restoration of Nato supplies through Pakistan. 

NA secretariat: PML-N submits missing persons resolution
Qamar Zaman
Days ahead of the commencement of the National Assembly's fifth parliamentary year, the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Thursday took up the chronic issue of missing persons. Submitting a resolution, signed by every single MP of the party, to the National Assembly, the PML-N demanded the constitution of a special parliamentary committee to address the issue.
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Business

Going, going…: PTA postpones 3G licence auction
Shahbaz Rana
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has put off the much-trumpeted auction of 3G spectrum licence following failure to get clearance from the cabinet to ignore competitive bidding rules in a bid to complete the process on schedule. 

Fuel costs: CPPA wants power tariffs to rise by another 21%
Zafar Bhutta
Having risen by about 39% last month, power tariffs in most of the country may once again go up by as much as 21% if the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority approves the petition by the state-owned Central Power Purchasing Agency.
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Sports

Tri-Nation Series: Australia clinch the final battle
Our Correspondents
Paceman Clint McKay bowled Australia to a 16-run victory over Sri Lanka to capture the One-Day International Tri-Nation Series title in the decisive final at the Adelaide Oval. 

'Heuvel not attending camp in protest'
Fawad Hussain
Problems for the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) seem to be compounding as in addition to deciding the fate of players taking part in the unsanctioned World Series Hockey (WSH), the absence of head coach Michel van dan Heuvel from the training camp is hindering preparations for the London Olympics.
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Life & Style

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy to get Hilal-e-Imtiaz for 'Saving Face'
Sumaira Khan
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has advised President Asif Ali Zardari to award Oscar winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy with Hilal-e-Imtiaz, in recognition to her great achievement, said PM house spokesperson. 

Punjabi theatre: What goes around, comes around
Sher Khan
Where Punjabi commercial cinema is synonymous with bulbous women, shaking their posteriors and flexing their thunder thighs to get their always and forever angry 'sardars' attention, Punjabi theatre, on the other hand, is a less commercial and less risque source of entertainment, which is probably why it was hiding in a dark corner for so many years. 
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Opinion
 

Denouement at hand, mercifully!
Kamran Shafi 

Change? What change?
Syed Talat Hussain 

The problem with university rankings
Nadir Hassan 

Pork-barrel politics
Dr Pervaiz Tahir 

Pakistan and the Iran pipeline
Zafar Hilaly 

Blogs

Gender disparity and education for all
Rabia Alavi 

Can laptops save PML-N from Imran Khan?
Mohammed Rizwan 

International Women's day is not my day
Amna Iqbal 

The key to happiness: Stand your ground
Saba Khalid 

Poll

Do you believe observing days such as "Women's Day" has any real impact?

No (80%, 484 Votes)
Yes (20%, 119 Votes)
Total Voters: 603 

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Wednesday, March 7, 2012

The Express Tribune Newsletter: March 08, 2012

 

Today's Headlines

March 08, 2012

 

Disqualified: Slap costs Waheeda Shah seat, next elections
Qamar Zaman


An apology and 25,000 thumb impressions could not save Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Waheeda Shah, who on Wednesday was disqualified by election authorities for slapping polling officials during last month's by-polls.
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National/City

Abbottabad commission: Malik claims Pakistani agencies had almost caught Bin Laden
Zahid Gishkori
A few months too late, Interior Minister Rehman Malik has revealed that Pakistani security agencies were a few days too late – saying they were 'very close' to capturing the slain al Qaeda kingpin, Osama bin Laden. 

Missing persons: Charge them or release them, says united Senate
Sumera Khan / Zahid Gishkori
As half of the upper house nears retirement, senators seem determined to end their tenure on a unified note – and a strong one at that. On Wednesday, the Senate passed a unanimous resolution condemning the practice of enforced disappearances, rampant particularly in troubled Balochistan. 

PM contempt case: Court seeks Gilani's written reply by March 19
Web Desk
The Supreme Court, after concluding Thursday's hearing of contempt of court case against Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, ordered the premier to submit a written reply by March 19. 

Peshawar High Court: FC owns up to holding 2 men after initial denial
Umer Farooq
It came to light on Wednesday's hearing of missing persons' cases at the Peshawar High Court (PHC) that two people, who were previously listed as missing, had been in Frontier Corps (FC) custody. 

March 8: Bushra Zaidi, the woman who changed Karachi forever, by dying
Saba Imtiaz/Noman Ahmed
There is only one woman for Karachi.
Bushra Zaidi.
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Business

Fuel import: Qatar quotes hefty price for its LNG
Zafar Bhutta
Qatar has demanded $18 per Million British Thermal Unit (mmbtu) for LNG import to Pakistan, a price that seems to be much higher than expectations as potential buyers have said they will not purchase the fuel at the current price, according to an official. 

Disputed projection: Wheat output put on higher side at 27m tons
Shahbaz Rana
Despite a 2.5 per cent decline in cultivated area, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) has estimated wheat production at 27.35 million tons in the current season, the highest in the country's history but largely contested by the planners.
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Sports

Asia Cup: Misbah vows team will bounce back
Fawad Hussain
After suffering a whitewash in the One-Day International (ODI) series before going down in the Twenty20s against England, Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq is confident that his team has the ability to make a strong comeback in the Asia Cup starting from March 11 in Bangladesh. 

Champions League: No time for disappointment, says Wenger
Our Correspondents
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hopes the disappointment of elimination from the Champions League can spur his team to a top-four finish following their agonising near-miss against AC Milan.
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Life & Style

Madhuri unveils her wax statue in London
Our Correspondents
Bollywood diva Madhuri Dixit, known for her million-dollar smile, was "thrilled" to unveil her wax statue at the Madame Tussauds museum here Wednesday. 

A mecca for art in London
Saira Rasheed
When it comes to European galleries specialising in modern Islamic and contemporary art, one prominent name comes to mind — Modern Islamic and Contemporary Art (MICA) gallery. Being one of Europe's first art galleries specialising in Islamic art, it has a unique story behind it and has been founded by a British-Pakistani woman named Reedah El-Saie.
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Opinion
 

Gender equality is smart economics
Roshaneh Zafar 

What women can bring to the Asian Century
Isabel Guerrero 

Remembering the women of Balochistan
Sanaullah Baloch 

In support of Pakistan-India trade
Shahzad Chaudhry 

Balochistan: Silence of the courts
Yunas Samad 

Blogs

The key to happiness: Stand your ground
Saba Khalid 

What next in Pakistan's media (r)evolution?
Riffat Rashid 

Pasta lover alert: Here comes Ravioli!
Carlisle Vaz 

What Dr Hoodhboy got wrong
Danielle Sharaf 

Poll

Do you agree with the ECP declaring Waheeda Shah ineligible to contest elections for 2 years?

No (5%, 48 Votes)
Yes (95%, 865 Votes)
Total Voters: 913 

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Tuesday, March 6, 2012

The Express Tribune Newsletter: March 07, 2012

 

Today's Headlines

March 07, 2012

 

Election commission: 'Contemptuous' letter sparks court's ire
Azam Khan

A new chapter was added to the apex court's row with the Election Commission on Tuesday after the court examined 'contemptuous' contents of the commission secretary's resignation. Contents of the letter, which alluded to the apex court, were reported by a section of the media on Tuesday.
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National/City

Bigger plot: 'HuT has formed a shadow govt for Pakistan'
News Desk
Brigadier (retd) Ali Khan, who is accused of plotting to topple the democratic government and mount attacks on the army headquarters, had met the chief of banned group Hizb-ut-Tahrir for Palestinian territory while he was conspiring to overthrow the government and create Islamic caliphate, the BBC quoted a senior military officer as saying.

Nato supply: US CENTCOM chief to visit Pakistan, discuss ground supply route
Huma Imtiaz
Top US military commander General James Mattis has said he will be visiting Pakistan in the next ten days to discuss re-opening NATO supply routes, with officials.

Senate top slot: Race heats up with new entrants
Zahid Gishkori
With an addition to the list of contenders, the battle for the top slot in Senate intensified on Tuesday, making the choice even more difficult for President Asif Ali Zardari. Coalition partners, meanwhile, attempted to claim the second spot of deputy chairman.

PM contempt case: Nargis Sethi appears before SC as witness
Web Desk
Defence and Cabinet Secretary Nargis Sethi appeared before the Supreme Court on Wednesday as a witness in the contempt of court case against Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.

Maiden trip: Vladimir Putin to visit Pakistan in Sept
Kamran Yousaf
It was -8 degrees Celsius in Moscow on Tuesday but a telephone call from Islamabad to the Kremlin brought about some warmth in the otherwise frosty Pakistan-Russia relationship.
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Business

Political battles bad for Pakistan's credit image: S&P
Shahbaz Rana
In the fast-paced world of the international bond market, nobody has the time or patience to listen to long-winded explanations, so the credit rating agency Standard & Poors' assessment of Pakistan's creditworthiness is remarkably blunt: the three-way political struggle between the executive, the judiciary and the military is the single biggest risk to Pakistan's economic stability and it is growing.

Lahori entrepreneurs outclass Karachiites in Allworld Pakistan 100 list
Farooq Tirmizi
Karachi may lay claim to being the financial and economic capital of the country, but Lahori entrepreneurs appear to have taken the lead over their southern rivals. Lahore-based firms dominate Allworld Network's Pakistan Fast Growth 100 list with the 41 companies to form the largest contingent from any single city, handily outdoing Karachi which has 33 companies featuring on the list.
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Sports

Cricket: Pakistan upbeat ahead of Asia Cup
Fawad Hussain
With the Asia Cup eluding them for more than a decade, Pakistan are confident of improving their record in the tournament that starts on March 11.

Mohsin terms Asia Cup tough assignment
Our Correspondents
Former chief selector and interim coach of the national squad Mohsin Khan has wished the team the best of luck in the upcoming Asia Cup, saying that the players will need it in the tough assignment.
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Life & Style

Stuntman: The unsung hero
Sher Khan
At the Crew Films studio in Lahore, stuntman Muhammed Afzal Khan Baloch sits uncomfortably because the physical and emotional wounds given by his profession are still bothersome. Commonly known as Baloch by his peers and most popular for playing iconic Sultan Rahi's double, the 57 year-old Bahawalpur-born daredevil is a living, breathing archive of stories about an underappreciated career and the stoic world of Lollywood, that didn't pay any heed to his life-altering injury.

Creative furniture: 'Little dreams' made reality
Momina Sibtain
The beginning of March saw the opening of the first concept store for children's furniture called Little Dreams. Aysha Haye, creative director, furniture designer, owner and director of this project welcomed guests and potential clients from all over Lahore to her intimate showroom in Gulberg. Little Dreams comprises nine different concept rooms and it is specifically designed to give the client a feel of not only what the furniture looks like, but also what the entire room can look like upon completion.
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Opinion

Politics: the art of riding people?
Khaled Ahmed

The case against drone attacks
Asad Rahim Khan

A depressing state of affairs
Anwer Mooraj

Queering the pitch
Tariq Fatemi

The agents of justice
Osama Siddique

Blogs

What Dr Hoodhboy got wrong
Danielle Sharaf

Traders paradise or political nightmare?
Farhan Zaheer

Dear Google, you have failed me!
Saira Malik

Why Ponting was dropped and Tendulkar wasn't
Dr Amyn Malik

Poll

Are you for or against the ban on kite flying during Basant?

Against (61%, 276 Votes)
For (39%, 178 Votes)
Total Voters: 454

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Monday, March 5, 2012

The Express Tribune Newsletter: March 06, 2012

 

Today's Headlines

March 06, 2012

 

Contempt case: Court gives 37 reasons for rejecting PM's appeal
Azam Khan

Having earlier rejected the prime minister's appeal against his indictment in a contempt case, the Supreme Court on Monday gave detailed reasons why it chose to do so – 37 of them to be precise.
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National/City

Aftermath: After Senate win, PPP, allies weigh options
Our Correspondents
Losing an almost guaranteed Senate seat has clearly left a bitter taste for the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) – despite the heavy presence it now holds in the upper house of Parliament.

Nuclear standoff: Attack on Iran will spell disaster: Pakistan
Owais Jafri
A day after a veiled threat from US President Barack Obama to Iran over its nuclear programme, Pakistan warned that aggression against the Islamic Republic would have 'disastrous consequences' for the whole region.

The new Europeans: Trimming beards and selling beer in Barcelona
Imran Yusuf
Ask the Pakistanis of Barcelona why they chose this city over other European options and two answers dominate. Firstly, it's warmer and brighter than the pale-skied Anglo-Saxon north of the continent. Secondly, of more significance, it takes three years for a Pakistani to get a full work permit.

Cracks in PTI?: Qureshi vexed at Imran over by-poll boycott
Zia Khan
The 'tsunami' of cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, it appears, is hurting his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) more than anybody else.

DCO Gwadar found murdered in Karachi
Web Desk
The bullet riddled body of District Coordination Officer Gwadar, Abdul Rehman Dasti was found from a car in Defence Phase V, Karachi, Express News reported on early Tuesday morning.
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Business

Agricultural: Punjab rebuffs Monsanto attempt to sell BT cotton seeds to farmers
Zafar Bhutta
The Punjab government has refused to agree to US agrichemical giant Monsanto's demands for intellectual property rights protection for its BT cotton seeds and has accused the company of a "monopolistic" plan to take over agriculture in Punjab.

PIA employees fear hiring of retired air force men
Our Correspondents
Leading associations of Pakistan International Airline (PIA) employees have voiced concern over expected hiring of retired Pakistan Air Force (PAF) employees in the airline, saying the government's decision will further destabilise the national flag carrier.
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Sports

Cricket: Pacemen will deliver the goods, says Sarfraz Nawaz
Fawad Hussain
After being given the responsibility to fine-tune the skills of a struggling fast-bowling unit, former Pakistan paceman Sarfraz Nawaz has promised a better show from the pack in the upcoming Asia Cup.

Judo federation cancels training camp
Natasha Raheel
The Pakistan Judo Federation (PJF) has been forced to cancel the national training camp after the interior ministry declined entry to its Iranian coach Sajjad Kazmi.
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Life & Style

Uth Records: Musical exploration
Our Correspondents
The much-awaited season 2 of "Uth Records" — a show that has gained nationwide recognition for showcasing young talent from Pakistan — has finally kicked off with a US-based Pakistani musician Jarar Malik.

I'm not stripping for any film: Veena
Our Correspondents
Lollywood actor Veena Malik, who shot to fame with reality show "Bigg Boss", refutes rumours that she is going nude for Rajeev Ruia's Zindagi 50:50, reports Times of India.
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Opinion

Pakistan's polio crisis
Raza Rumi

Ranking of universities
Dr Tariq Rahman

Can an Oscar prevent acid attacks?
Syed Mohammad Ali

The Afghan peace
Rasul Bakhsh Rais

Balochistan boiling over
Zahrah Nasir

Blogs

Why Ponting was dropped and Tendulkar wasn't
Dr Amyn Malik

Rinkle Kumari was Hindu last month
Kapil Dev

Suffering through Humsafar
Meiryum Ali

Confessions of a Humsafar fan girl
Sonia Tahir

Poll

Should Pakistan request for Aafia Siddiqui's deportation under UN convention for exchange/repatriation of prisoners?

No (32%, 174 Votes)
Yes (68%, 368 Votes)
Total Voters: 542

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Sunday, March 4, 2012

The Express Tribune Newsletter: March 05, 2012

 

Today's Headlines

March 05, 2012

 

Kabul helped dismantle Brahamdagh camps: Malik
Zahid Gishkori

In a startling revelation on Sunday, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said Baloch Republican Party chief Brahamdagh Bugti operated training camps in Afghanistan which were dismantled after Islamabad conveyed its concerns about the matter to Afghanistan.
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National/City

Rapprochement signs: PML factions warm up to each other
Abdul Manan
The two main factions of Pakistan Muslim League – PML-N and PML-Q – appear to be warming up to each other.

'Forced conversion': Hindu community demands release of 'kidnapped' girl
Sarfaraz Memon / Rabia Ali
Dozens of Hindus took out a rally and staged demonstration outside the press club in Pannu Aqil on Sunday against the alleged kidnapping and forceful conversion of Rinkle Kumari who was named Faryal.

Informant still awaits reward: 'Justice must be dispensed for Schon whistleblower'
Asad Kharal
Despite an immense response from Pakistan and abroad on a story published by The Express Tribune on February 13 titled "Exposing graft: 14 years on, informant awaits just reward", Pakistani authorities and the Supreme Court have not initiated any action till the filing of this report.

Mysterious death: Scottish lawyer found dead in Lahore hotel
Our Correspondent
A Scottish lawyer was found dead in mysterious circumstances in his room at a five-star hotel in Lahore on Sunday.

Los Pakistaníes de Barcelona
Imran Yusuf
El Raval is in el centro of town but it's the one area avoided by tourists in Barcelona. What a timid creature is the modern sightseer, for El Raval is a fascination, packed as it is with pimps, prostitutes, peddlers of drugs and doner kebabs, and Pakistanis.
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Business

MFN and beyond: Getting a foothold in the Indian market
Sahibzada M Irfan
Since the government's decision to grant MFN status to India, considerable debate has abounded over the benefits the decision is likely to accrue for Pakistan. With potential access to the world's second largest market in sight, a new dawn in economic relations with our neighbour is being heralded.

Changing hands: Creating a populist model for privatisation
Humayon Dar
There is a lot of talk in and outside the country about the government's failure in Pakistan, with some political analysts categorising it as a "failed state". Whether Pakistan provides an example of a failed state – or as Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani terms it "a state within a state" – is subject to political debate. However, President Asif Ali Zardari acknowledges that state-run corporations are not functioning up to the mark.
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Sports

Pakistan appoint Whatmore as head coach for two years
Our Correspondents
Australian Dav Whatmore has been appointed Pakistan's head coach for two years, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Sunday.

Cricket: Bangladesh delegation gives thumbs-up to Pakistan security
Fawad Hussain
Hopes of international cricket's revival in the country rose after the Bangladesh delegation expressed its satisfaction on security arrangements in Pakistan as it prepares to give its feedback ahead of a proposed series between the two countries.
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Life & Style

Shiraz Uppal: A new beginning
Sher Khan
If one were to say that Pakistani musicians and Islam go hand in hand, the controversial statement wouldn't be a far cry from the truth. From Junaid Jamshed and Najam Sheraz to Ali Haider, the magnetism and appeal of Islam have pulled some of the best Pakistani acts to its forte. The latest musician to shun his old life as a singer and songwriter is Shiraz Uppal regarded as an influential musician within Pakistani pop music.

All Pakistan Music Conference: The good, the bad and the ugly
Saadia Qamar
If hell is full of musical amateurs then Arts Council did a terrific job of recreating the devil's abode on earth with the All Pakistan Music Conference (APMC) which took place on March 2. Except, of course, the artists featured in the festival weren't amateurs by any means. However, the way some of their performances turned out to be, it would definitely make one think otherwise. 
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Opinion

Run for your life
Pervez Hoodbhoy

The great (fire)wall of Pakistan
Jahanzaib Haque

How to avoid political decay
Shahid Javed Burki

Neighbourhoods of harmony
Tanvir Ahmad Khan

Winning space for sovereignty
Dr Akmal Hussain

Blogs

We expected better from you, Marvi Memon
Madiha Saeed

Think you have gonorrhea? Call Rahnumma
Tooba Masood

Don't vote (but don't complain)
Tooba Masood

Bailing out Radio Pakistan
Kazim Alam

Poll

Should Pakistan request for Aafia Siddiqui's deportation under UN convention for exchange/repatriation of prisoners?

Yes (67%, 155 Votes)
No (33%, 75 Votes)
Total Voters: 230

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