The Express Tribune Newsletter: July 6, 2012

Today's Headlines   PPP leaders meet ahead of crucial NA session today Zia Khan Top leaders from the Pakistan Peoples Party held a huddle on Thursday ahead of a crucial National Assembly session starting today to take up a key constitutional amendment bill seeking protection of dual national Pakistanis from disqualification as MPs. NAB closes one case against Nawaz Sharif Asad Kharal Official documents obtained by The Express Tribune reveal that at least one case against Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif has been closed. US expected to partly clear war on terror bills Kamran Yousaf Following a recent thaw in relations between the disenchanted allies, the United States is expected to release a 'substantial' amount of aid under the Coalition Support Fund (CSF) to Pakistan, the Foreign Office said on Thursday. Pakistan not pushing for end to US drone strikes Zia Khan Contrary to public posturing, Pakistani authorities are not pushing the US to halt drone strikes inside its tribal regions and are instead seeking control of human intelligence on the ground for target specification of their choice.    Business Despite rapid growth, Pakistan's media remains financial lightweight Kazim Alam It may have massive public influence, but the media in Pakistan is not big business, a fact that can best be illustrated with a single statistic: all of Pakistan's television stations combined – news, entertainment, sports et al – have less revenue than Nestle earns off just selling Milkpak. Corruption and intrigue surface in Pak Datacom saga Farooq Baloch Pak Datacom Limited (PDL) – a leading Information Communication Technology solution provider – recently became a hot topic in the industry after its board of directors terminated their Managing Director and CEO Salman Elahi Malik on at least three occasions in less than a month. _______________________________________________ Sports PCB gives go-ahead for World XI matches Fawad Hussain National Stadium Karachi (NSK), which has not hosted an international match for over three years, is expected to host roaring action later this month with matches featuring renowned players of the cricketing world.    Cricket: 'Kamran remains under the scanner' Our Correspondent Kamran Akmal's waiting days will continue as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Integrity Committee is yet to give its clearance to the wicket-keeper for national team selection. _______________________________________________ Life & Style Shahana Khan tells a 'Story' from behind the lens Mavra Bari A new video that deals with the struggle between mortality and transience comes from ex-deputy director of Kuch Khaas and Slackistan team member, Shahana Khan. For Ahsan Khan, Lollywood is love Sher Khan Actor Ahsan Khan, a rising star in the Pakistani drama and film industry, is not afraid of a challenge. After winning the PTV award for Best Male Actor, he is now on this year's Lux Style Awards nomination list. _______________________________________________

Opinion No ghairat on borrowed F-16s Kamran Shafi The Quaid and the Quetta massacre Haider Nizamani Talk about the passion Nadir Hassan How the media messed up Surjeet Singh's release Mazhar Abbas Turf wars, eco hassles Prakash Belawadi Blogs Will Imran Khan win hearts (and votes) in Gilgit? Shabbir Ahmed Mir Why we Khan't Omer Kamal Bin Farooq The power of 'sorry' Bina Shah Run Katie, run! Laaleen Khan  Poll Do you think Pakistan should have reopened Nato supply routes? Yes (41%, 258 votes) No (59%, 371 votes) Total votes: 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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The Express Tribune Newsletter: July 05, 2012

Today's Headlines Forging a new relationship: Pakistan, US might cut 'black and white' deal Kamran Yousaf Pakistan and the United States are likely to enter a 'black and white' agreement which seeks to remove ambiguities in an otherwise fragile relationship. The agreement will spell out both areas of cooperation between the two countries and their respective limitations regarding the relationship. Counterstrike: Govt moves to blunt court's contempt weapon Irfan Ghauri With the new prime minister under the gun, the government has unveiled a last-minute plan following a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, which will almost certainly rouse an increasingly assertive judiciary. Analysis: How US and EU curbs on Iran affect Pakistan Farooq Tirmizi For all the talk of a rift between Pakistan and the US, the Pakistani reaction – both that of the government and the country's businesses – to sanctions against Iran suggests that Pakistan firmly intends to stay within the global economy dominated by US and European rules. Nato routes: No 'secret' deal with US, says Sherry Rehman Our Correspondents A day after Pakistan reopened Nato transit routes, Pakistan's top diplomat in Washington quashed rumours of a secret deal with the United States. Business Deal or no deal?: Govt may allow wheat export as deal with Iran unlikely Zafar Bhutta The government may allow export of 1.2 million tons of wheat to the world market following disinterest shown by Iran in importing the commodity under a barter trade arrangement. Stock master securities: Over 1,000 investors deprived of Rs261 million Asad Kharal More than 1,000 investors have allegedly been deprived of an amount totalling Rs261 million by Stock Master Securities (Private) Limited, which operated in the Lahore Stock Exchange (LSE), sources familiar with the development have revealed. _______________________________________________ Sports 2012 World Twenty20: Selection dilemma ahead of mega event Fawad Hussain Pakistan's World Twenty20 preparations have been marred by a selection dilemma as the board mulls over the 30-man preliminary squad for the mega event. Squash: High-flying Pakistan eye world title Nabeel Hashmi On a high after their recent Asian triumph, Pakistan have set their sights on the WSF World Junior Squash Championship as the squad left for Doha to feature in the event starting on July 7. _______________________________________________ Life & Style Atiqa Odho: Love in the time of politics Saadia Qamar On June 8, 2012, seasoned actor Atiqa Odho tied the knot with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding member and architect Samar Ali Khan, at a small gathering in Karachi. Did Abbas Ali Khan leave you stunned? Our Correspondents The Pakistani music industry is desperate for something new, and it is looking to both veterans and upcoming singers to deliver. Against this dismal backdrop, singer Abbas Ali Khan released his new single "Per Main Hun Ruka Sa" — and it couldn't have come at a better time. _______________________________________________

Opinion Getting it right is important Ejaz Haider Doctors' strike: other side of the picture Ali Usman Why it took so long for Nato supplies to reopen Raza Rumi The changing Taliban Shahzad Chaudhry Morality and the Pakistani state Arif Rafiq   Blogs And then there was light, thank you WAPDA. Shayan Masud Azhar Ali: A Test legend in the making Syed Ali Zia Jaffery Confessions of a Facebook 'Like' junkie Ali Syed Of patriarchy and virginity tests Narjis Fatema Poll Do you think the young doctors on strike are breaking their Hippocratic oath? No: 33% (250 votes) Yes: 67% (497 votes) Total Voters: 747 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: July 4, 2012

Today's Headlines   Salala air raid: United States says sorry – finally Huma Imtiaz After months of squabbling that brought a slew of acrimonious exchanges, the United States finally said what Pakistan wanted to hear: sorry. Pakistan unblocks NATO routes Kamran Yousaf In the end, flexibility earned for both the United States and Pakistan what they mutually yearned for: an end to the protracted stalemate between the two allies. PAC: SC refuses to send registrar for scrutiny of its accounts Shahbaz Rana In what appears to be another row between the judiciary and the executive, the Supreme Court has refused to allow the parliamentary anti-corruption watchdog to quiz its registrar over the apex court's financial accounts. Detailed verdict: Speaker overstepped jurisdiction, says Apex court Azam Khan National Assembly Speaker Fehmida Mirza went beyond her jurisdiction by interfering in a concluded judgement, the Supreme Court stated in its detailed verdict in the speaker ruling case on Tuesday.   Business Judgement: ECC defers decision on weekly oil price review Zafar Bhutta The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet on Tuesday deferred a plan to review oil prices on a weekly basis after the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) highlighted the likely consequences of such a decision including oil shortage and overcharging for petroleum products. Numbers game: The scope of an actuary in Pakistan Kazim Alam After completing his MSc in mathematics from the University of Karachi in 2010, Burhan Abro entered a profession that none of his 139 classmates thought was exciting.  _______________________________________________ Sports Wimbledon 2012: Aisam, Rojer bow out despite fightback Our Correspondents Pakistan ace Aisamul Haq Qureshi and Dutch Jean-Julien Rojer could not complete a remarkable comeback from two sets down as they were defeated by Jonathan Marray and Frederik Nielsen 6-7(5/7), 6-7(4/7), 7-6(7/4), 7-5, 5-7 in the third round of the gentlemen's doubles match. Complaints mar Sindh Games' closing Our Correspondents As the Sindh Games concluded with Karachi proving their dominance, players concluded that Mirpurkhas failed to stage the 15th edition of the event successfully.  _______________________________________________ Life & Style Sarangi: A dying tradition Sher Khan The popularity of classical instruments, especially the sarangi, is declining in Pakistan and as a result, talented musicians and craftsmen who make the instruments are feeling abandoned. Make way for Bridal Couture Week four Hani Taha If there's one thing Sultana Siddiqui, the CEO of Hum TV, has perfected, it is the art of performance.  _______________________________________________

Opinion Elite democracy: will it deliver? Sarwar Bari Bloody hell! Zahrah Nasir Taking advantage of lobbies Saim Saeed What makes Zia Mohyeddin tick? Khaled Ahmed Who is Barack Obama? Tariq Fatemi Blogs The doctor cannot see you today – he's tired Faraz Talat Please save me, Doctor Erum Shaikh Dr Seuss and the Mullah Hamza Hayauddin Teri Meri Kahaani: A series of monotonous events Alina Ilyas Poll Are you in favour of celebrities joining politics? No (56%, 440 votes) Yes (44%, 347 votes) Total votes: 787 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: July 3, 2012

Today's Headlines NATO supply routes: Whispers of headway spur DCC meeting Kamran Yousaf A top decision-making body on defence and security issues will convene on Tuesday (today) amidst muted claims of a breakthrough in talks over the reopening of Nato supply routes that Pakistan had blocked last year. Healthcare crisis: Punjab scrambles to control situation Ali Usman Now that the Punjab government has decided to take the path of union-busting against the striking doctors in public hospitals, it has a huge task ahead of it – as evidenced by Monday's developments. Border tensions: Afghan troops cross into Kurram, kill two tribesmen Our Correspondents Officials accused Afghan soldiers on Monday of crossing into Pakistani territory and sparking clashes that killed two tribesmen and injured one other. Investigation report blames pilot for Bhoja Air crash Web Desk Initial investigations have revealed that the pilot of the Bhoja Air 737-200 aircraft – which crashed near Islamabad in April killing all 127 people onboard – was responsible for the crash, Express News reported on Monday.    Business Cause célèbre?: Govt meets inflation target, say Statistics officials Shahbaz Rana The government has finally achieved at least one key target: it has managed, more or less, to restrict inflation during the recently-concluded fiscal year to 11%. Banks fined for charging customers through ATM cash withdrawals Our Correspondents The anti-trust watchdog on Monday imposed a total of Rs770 million worth of penalties on 1-Link Company and 28 banks for charging customers on cash withdrawals through ATMs. _______________________________________________ Sports Cricket: Selectors content with Younus' Test form Fawad Hussain Younus Khan's One-Day International (ODI) form is being questioned given his repeated failures but his 29 and 82 in the first Test, and 32 in the first-innings of the ongoing second Test, has forced the axe to be put away for now. Hockey: Akbar stunned by shock snub Our Correspondents Salman Akbar's hopes of making an international comeback were short-lived. _______________________________________________ Life & Style Eclectic collector: Put a chain on those keys Momina Sibtain Collect, collect, collect away! As we venture out to find people hoarding quirky items in their closets, we stumbled upon Raza Ahmed, a closet keychain collector. "No one, not even my best friend knew I collected up until a few weeks ago," says Ahmed. "It has been such an underground passion that I never gave it a second thought." I may join politics in the future: Veena Malik Jahanzaib Haque Veena Malik is ambitious, there is no doubting that. The controversial actor has now hinted at the possibility of joining politics in the future. _______________________________________________

Opinion Making our democracy "antifragile" Feisal H Naqvi Beyond beards and stilettos Maria Waqar Let's talk about the money Sehar Tariq Travels through Dera Ghazi Khan Yaqoob Khan Bangash Can we say never again? Mohammad Hamid Zaman   Blogs The classic middle-class overachiever Khadija Ali Zai Khan From Russia, with love Zafar Bhutta A plea from a young doctor Abdul Majeed Whose face are we trying to save? Taha Kehar Poll Do you believe Pakistan is secretly permitting NATO supplies to reach Afghanistan via air? No: 11% (50 votes) Yes: 89% (387 votes) Total Voters: 437 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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