The Express Tribune Newsletter: April 07, 2012

Today's Headlines Day 2: President continues to take shots at Sharifs Abdul Manan The president continued his astonishing frontal assault against the Sharifs for a second successive day. Dera Bugti operation: Largest mammal fossils may have been bombed into oblivion Salman Siddiqui The scorched, dusty hills of Dera Bugti held invaluable treasure that could have made the world a richer place. That treasure, however, may have been destroyed in a military operation in 2006. Apex court hearing: After a month of denials, police cough up four 'missing men' Our Correspondents The apex court's ultimatum worked. The police presented before a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court at the Quetta registry four of the seven missing persons from the Marri tribe following days of denial. Shifting allegiances: Amir Muqam formally joins PML-Nawaz Manzoor Ali After much clamour on both sides, Amir Muqam, the former chief of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) chapter, formally joined Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Friday.  Business IP gas pipeline: Russia agrees to financial and technical assistance Zafar Bhutta While refusing to succumb to pressure from the United States (US), Russia has agreed in-principle to extend financial and technical aid to Pakistan for the $1.5 billion Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project. Analysis: How Byco's new refinery might change the industry Farooq Tirmizi By global standards, Byco's new refinery is not technologically very advanced. In fact, it is not even new, having first been set up in the United Kingdom in 1967. But it represents an important step forward for the country's refining sector, and Byco's competitors are likely to have noticed. _______________________________________________ Sports 'Unsanctioned league has done me wonders' Fawad Hussain Former Pakistan captain Rehan Butt has termed his stint with the unsanctioned World Series Hockey (WSH) 'hugely beneficial' to his game as the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) ponders over the punishment it wants to hand out to those who took part in the event. Taufeeq wants to play for another seven years Nabeel Hashmi Restricted to just the longest form of the game, Pakistan opener Taufeeq Umar wants to pass the 6,000-run mark before hanging up his boots.  _______________________________________________ Life & Style Karachi Council: FPW three opens doors today Hani Taha It took them over two years, a truck load of paperwork and legalities and last minute date and venue changes to finally bring back Fashion Pakistan Week at full throttle. Lawn for a cause: Rosy Patel, S&S exhibition raise charity for TCF Maha Mussadaq For once, a lawn exhibition was not all about the flowery prints or women with bulging bags of lawn. The fabric on sale at the Serena Hotel on Friday aimed to raise funds for The Citizens' Foundation (TCF) – a non-profit organisation which provides education to the less-privileged. _______________________________________________

Opinion Owais' career options Tazeen Javed Reading Manto in context Ajmal Kamal The man who walks miles and miles — to teach Salman Rashid Civil-military tensions in India Kuldip Nayar Is population our elephant in the room? Syed Mohammad Ali   Blogs 10 things I hate about losing weight Erum Naqvi Lights out in Faisalabad: Protest or civil war? Shamsul Islam Naz Zaid Hamid: Treason against reason Abdul Majeed Gilgit is to blame for this bloodshed Sultan Mehmood   Poll Should we observe public holidays given the number of strikes observed in Pakistan? No (48%, 245 Votes) Yes (52%, 262 Votes) Total Voters: 507   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: April 06, 2012

Today's Headlines Joint sitting of parliament: PM bemoans ill-timing of US bounty on Hafiz Saeed Zahid Gishkori / Zia Khan The joint sitting of parliament was once again taken hostage on Thursday, when the US bounty on JuD chief Hafiz Saeed and President Asif Ali Zardari's upcoming 'private' visit to India on April 8 hijacked the debate on resetting ties with the US. Memogate proceedings: Pasha denies any coup planned after May 2 raid Our Correspondents In his testimony to the memo commission, former Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) director general Ahmad Shuja Pasha has claimed that no military coup was planned in the aftermath of the May 2 raid by US Special Forces in Abbottabad. Unprecedented aggression: President launches verbal assault against Sharifs Mohammed Rizwan It is unclear what triggered it, but the president unleashed an uncharacteristic verbal barrage against his principal rivals, the Sharifs, on Thursday. Panic at Malir: SSP escapes bomb attack Shaheryar Mirza Five people were killed and eighteen injured in Malir Halt when SSP Malir Rao Anwar's armoured personnel carrier (APC) came under attack in a bomb blast. Business Sigh of relief: Govt rules out any increase in income tax on banks Shahbaz Rana The government has ruled out any increase in income tax on banks in the upcoming budget, saying such a move will single out the banking sector. At the same time, it has hinted at bringing few more politically pampered businesses in the tax net by withdrawing exemptions. State influence on economy grows to 60% Our Correspondents The government's influence on the economy has grown to 60% of gross domestic product (GDP) and the bureaucracy is facilitating ruling classes to further expand their hold, says Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Dr Nadeemul Haque. __________________________________ Sports Cricket: BCB avoids discussion on Pakistan tour Fawad Hussain The Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) coach-hunt committee, headed by Intikhab Alam, will meet tomorrow to discuss the applications for the position of the national team's bowling coach, a position left vacant after Aqib Javed left to take over as UAE's head coach. Snooker: Majid maintains 100% record in Goa Our Correspondents Pakistan's Mohammad Majid Ali maintained his 100% record in the Asian U21 Snooker Championship as defeated Iran's Slyavosh Mozayani 4-2 in Goa, India. _______________________________________________ Life & Style Sadaf Rosewood House: Every day is not Sunday Saadia Qamar With the global economic crisis hitting almost every sector, it's no surprise that the furniture business has also suffered a blow. Due to the dip in local demand coupled with detrimental export policies, Mohammad Aslam Khan, who has been in the furniture business for a while, has seen his income spiral downwards.. Bollywood masterpiece: Sholay in 3D Rafay Mahmood We have all been told about the time when Gabbar Singh was synonymous with the monster under the bed, anyone fond of his or her vehicle would call it Dhanno and bestfriend duos would cheekily call themselves Jai and Veeru. This was the impact of the 1975 blockbuster Sholay, which was phenomenally successful at the box office and is still considered one of the most trendsetting films in the history of Bollywood. _______________________________________________

Opinion Digging our own graves Kamran Shafi No journalism free of bias Jahanzaib Haque Hoar chupho Shahzad Chaudhry Fight for real democracy Syed Talat Hussain Was the seventh NFC Award a disaster? Dr Pervez Tahir   Blogs Why women fight other women Saba Khalid Why announce a bounty on Hafiz Saeed? Michael Kugelman For the family of a dead soldier Ashfaq Shah Why must only the dead deserve attention? Zain Ahmed Siddiqui   Poll Has the Gilgit Baltistan situation been mishandled by the government? No (10%, 32 Votes) Yes (90%, 290 Votes) Total Voters: 322 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: April 05, 2012

Today's Headlines NATO supplies, military bills: Pakistan, US agree on new framework Kamran Yousaf / Shahbaz Rana While parliament squabbles over the contours of a future relationship with the United States, Islamabad and Washington have agreed to revisit two key issues: Nato supplies and military reimbursements. $10 million reward: Islamabad seeks 'evidence' as Hafiz Saeed mocks US bounty Mudassir Raja / Huma Imtiaz In its first official reaction to the $10million US bounty on Jamaatud Dawa founder Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, Pakistan on Wednesday said it would 'prefer concrete evidence' against the man than to engage in a public discussion on the matter. New questions for PCNS as PML-N ends boycott Irfan Ghauri As the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) mulls over the resumption of Nato supplies, Pakistan is simultaneously working out the anticipated costs to its infrastructure when foreign troops start withdrawing from Afghanistan next year. Eyewitness account: The day hell broke loose in Gilgit Shabbir Mir It was one of the most tragic days in the history of Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B). A sense of uncertainty prevailed in Gilgit town as a bloody sectarian strife gripped the serene, tranquil mountainous region known for its awe-inspiring scenic beauty. Business Distributing responsibility: Provinces spurn inefficient power distributors Zafar Bhutta Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa have turned down a proposal to set different power tariffs for provinces by handing over management of inefficient power distribution companies (DISCOs) to them.  'Outsider' starts attending 3G auction meetings Shahbaz Rana President's Secretary General Salman Farooqi's has started attending 3G auction meetings despite not being a member of the committee, alarming stakeholders and raising doubts about transparency in the auction. _______________________________________________ Sports Cricket: PCB U19 trounces touring universities' side Our correspondent Opener Sami Aslam smashed an unbeaten double century as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) U19 thrashed the visiting British Universities Charity XI by 302 runs in the first one-day match at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Football: Bomber kills Somali sports chiefs AFP A woman strapped with explosives blew herself up during an address by Somalia's prime minister, killing four people, including the country's Olympic and football bosses. _______________________________________________ Life & Style Major Ishaq Muhammed: Take it to the streets Sher Khan Major Ishaq Muhammed has a unique legacy in Pakistan's Punjabi folklore as a symbol for the downtrodden in a society bent on making political compromises. As a leftist-leader, he went to jail on several occasions and mobilised one of the largest peasant movements in Punjab under the banner of 'Mazdoor Kisan Party'. Why this Kolaveri di?: Petitioner seeks ban on 'epic' song Yousuf Saifuddin "Why this Kolaveri di?", one of the most popular songs out of South India in recent times and a worldwide sensation, has had a public interest litigation petition filed against it in the Kerala High Court, seeking a ban on the song, Express News reported on Wednesday. _______________________________________________

Opinion Emperor Nero and the US Ejaz Haider Cops and murderers Sami Shah The riot of power Khurram Husain Remembering a freedom fighter Malik Tariq Ali The smart money on drinking  Ahmad Rafay Alam   Blogs   Why must only the dead deserve attention? Zain Ahmed Siddiqui Hafiz Saeed: The (10) million dollar man Salman Qureshi Beat the heat with a banana split Saba Callea Pak-US ties and those who matter most Mohammed Rizwan  Poll   Is the US justified in putting a bounty on JuD chief Hafiz Saeed? No (62%, 1,011 Votes) Yes (38%, 626 Votes) Total Voters: 1,637   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: April 04, 2012

Today's Headlines ZA Bhutto's 'judicial murder': In scorching speech, Bilawal asks apex court to apologise Our correspondent The ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had some strong words for the country's judiciary – past and present – on Tuesday and the one delivering the tirade was none other than the party's young chairperson, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. Rental power was for the people: President Our correspondent After his son, it was the president's turn to take aim.Addressing a gathering outside the Bhutto mausoleum in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh early Wednesday morning, President Asif Ali Zardari expressed disappointment that the ZA Bhutto case was yet to be decided. Coalition Support Fund: Alternatives for refund of war on terror bills Shahbaz Rana While political forces wrestle over terms of reengagement with the United States, Islamabad and Washington have covered some ground, through backdoor channels, to resolve the issue of reimbursement of outstanding military expenses. Retraction: Petrol price slashed by Rs2.23, CNG by Rs1.95 Zafar Bhutta After succumbing to unprecedented pressure from political parties, traders, transporters and the general public, the government on Tuesday finally announced it would cut oil prices by up to Rs2.23 per litre and CNG by Rs1.95 per kilogramme (kg). The new rates will come into effect today (Wednesday). Business Regulatory victory: CCP breaks cartel after Siemens admits to collusion Shahbaz Rana The anti-trust watchdog finally won a big one. The Competition Commission of Pakistan has managed to bust a cartel of power distribution equipment suppliers involved in price-fixing and quota distribution on Rs45 billion worth of public sector contracts after the biggest player – Siemens Pakistan – admitted guilt and asked for leniency. 'Killing' it: Game developer makes it big with Mafia Farm Farooq Baloch In a move that will earn Pakistan recognition in the global app world, leading publisher of mobile and social gaming applications 6waves will market made-in-Pakistan games – developed by Mindstorm Studios – on Apple's app store under its label. _______________________________________________ Sports Cricket: Snubbed Malik in demand again Fawad Hussain Shoaib Malik's Asia Cup snub triggered rumours that he might have played his last international. Cricket: Bangladesh PM to decide on tour Saleem Khaliq The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has handed Prime Minister Hasina Wajid the task of approving the team's proposed tour of Pakistan. _______________________________________________ Life & Style I'm hopeful, that's why I'm here: Naseeruddin Shah Ali Usman At a time when almost every actor in Lollywood is trying to get work in Bollywood, an icon of Indian cinema says he couldn't be happier that he has crossed borders to work in a Lollywood film.  Fashion show: A treat for kids Momina Sibtain After eight years of silence, the Lucky Irani Circus (now called the New Lucky Irani Circus) came back to life courtesy leading retail brand Leisure Club. To celebrate their 15th anniversary, Leisure Club put together a full-fledged circus along with a fashion show of their latest collection. _______________________________________________

Opinion Does Pakistan really need a revolution? Farhan Ahmed Shah Afghanistan: profit and loss Zahrah Nasir Is honesty enough? Dr Niaz Murtaza Origin of April Fools' Day Khaled Ahmed Maximising our options Tariq Fatemi   Blogs Trick question: God, Zardari, Gilani or the masses? Ismail Sultan TEDx Margalla: Pakistan's got talent Umair Tariq How Milan defended Barca's attack Rumman Islam Najeeb Haroon: A not-so-high-profile PTI founder Yasmine Ibrahim   Poll Do you think acid attack victim Fakhra Younus' case should be reopened? Yes (88%, 530 Votes) No (12%, 73 Votes) Total Voters: 603 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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