The Express Tribune Newsletter: August 19, 2012

Today's Headlines   Text message threats, rumours came from Pakistan: India Reuters Most of the threatening mobile phone text messages and website images that spread panic among migrants from cities in the south and west of India last week originated in Pakistan, India's interior ministry said on Saturday. US drone strike kills 4 militants in North Waziristan: Officials AFP A US drone strike targeting two militant vehicles early Sunday killed at least four rebels in North Waziristan, security officials said. Dealing with PM: Top lawyer bodies call for restraint by SC Azam Khan With the prime minister's fate hanging in the balance soon after the Eid holidays end, leaders of top judicial bodies called for restraint on the part of the Supreme Court – and the chief justice assured them that the matter would be dealt with through 'consultations.' Hekmatyar sees jihad as the only solution Tahir Khan Former Afghan prime minister and Hizb-e-Islami Afghanistan (HIA) chief Gulbuddin Hekmatyar on Saturday accused the backers of the peace process of lying and misleading the public because "jihad" alone could resolve the country's crisis.  Business New destination: Pakistani mangoes to be sold in Walmart China Farooq Baloch After years of struggle, Pakistan finally added one of the world's largest markets for its mangoes – China. The development, a major breakthrough in mango exports, will add millions of dollars to the country's foreign reserves. Weekly review: Market rallies past 15,000 points following discount rate cut Bilal Umar The stock market put up a robust show during the traditionally dull pre-Eid week as the benchmark KSE-100 index managed to cross the 15,000 barrier following the surprise announcement by the State Bank of Pakistan to cut the discount rate by 150 basis points in its monetary policy unveiled on August 10. _______________________________________________ Sports U19 World Cup: India, Pakistan set for thrilling contest News Desk India enjoys an overall 9-7 record against Pakistan in under-19 cricket but statistics will not stand for a lot when the two former champions take on each other tomorrow (Monday) with a semi-final place a reward for the winner. Cincinnati Masters: Aisam, Rojer crash out in quarters AFP Aisamul Haq Qureshi and Dutch partner Jean-Julien Rojer crashed out of the Cincinnati Masters on Friday, losing 4-6, 6-4, 10-4 to second-seeds Mike and Bob Bryan in the quarter-finals. _______________________________________________ Life & Style Brian O' Connell: Creating bridges, not walls Sher Khan Even after the split of Junoon — the celebrated trio of Ali Azmat, Salman Ahmad and Brian O' Connell — the magic of their music lives on in the hearts of fans across the world. Cheese Balls: Spice up your Eid! Yousuf Bawany While Eidul Fitr is all about sweet and sugary food, here's a savoury recipe for you to try this time that will go well with your Eid spread. _______________________________________________

Opinion With friends like these Saroop Ijaz In praise of Zia Aakar Patel Kamra base attack: some thoughts Najam Khan Media and terror Khaled Ahmed The trans-boundary groundwater issue Ahmad Rafay Alam  Blogs Eid shopping is not therapeutic Laaleen Khan T20 World Cup: Can we make it to the semi-finals again? Asim Abbas Karachi for Dubai: An unfair trade Saba Khalid If I could wish a wish I would wish for Eid all year long! Farwa Aamer Poll Do you think Shoaib Akhtar will make a good bowling coach for Pakistan? No (57%, 337 votes) Yes (43%, 250 votes) Total votes: 588 Links Contact us Tribune on Facebook Tribune on Twitter About us RSS Feed Subscribe to the Paper Careers Copyrights Jobs Classifieds

 

Today's Headlines Kamra infiltrators: 4 Minhas base attackers identified, says Malik Umar Draz A day after a brazen assault at Pakistan Air Force's largest base was repulsed by security forces, Interior Minister Rehman Malik claimed that four of the nine militants killed in the attack have been identified. No timeframe: Kayani hints at blitz in North Waziristan Kamran Yousaf Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani indicated on Friday that Pakistan might launch a fresh military offensive in the restive North Waziristan Agency (NWA), but stressed that it would not be initiated at the behest of any outside power. Karachi's Shias targeted in roadside bomb ahead of annual rally Faraz Khan / Samia Malik A day after a horrific massacre of 19 Shias in Mansehra, a bus carrying young Shia men was targeted by a bomb in Karachi. Two of them were killed and 13 others were injured. Analysis: The bigger questions surrounding Kamra Ejaz Haider Kamra was waiting to happen, having been attacked on the periphery twice before. The attack this time was meticulously planned and targeted equipment, just like the more damaging attack at the Mehran Airbase in Karachi, which resulted in the complete destruction of two P3C Orion aircraft and, reportedly, left a third partially damaged.   Business Global demand: Vegetable exports plummet 40% in 2012 Kazim Alam After growing at a steady rate in the last decade, Pakistan's vegetable exports have suffered volumetric year-on-year decrease of 40.4% in 2011-12, according to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). Sustainability report: CASA electricity import project flawed, says report Zafar Bhutta Pakistan is better off generating its own electricity than importing electricity through CASA-1000MW project, says a research study conducted by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI). _______________________________________________ Sports Akhtar not qualified enough: PCB Fawad Hussain The Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) coach-hunt committee has shown no interest in Shoaib Akhtar's offer to take on the vacant bowling coach's role with the national squad. Mission 'hockey bachao' set to surface again Our Correspondents Former hockey greats who are unhappy with Pakistan's performance in London are gearing up to launch a campaign against the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) set-up… again. _______________________________________________ Life & Style New York film festival: Pakistani film scoops up two awards Rafay Mahmood Seedlings, a Pakistani film that was screened at the New York City International Film Festival (NYCIFF), left the audience spellbound by winning two major awards at the ceremony. No Tiger for Pakistan this Eid Rafay Mahmood The last 24 hours have given Pakistani film enthusiasts some good and some bad news. While Bodchitta Filmworks's Seedlings made us proud by winning two awards at the New York Film Festival, Ek Tha Tiger — the most anticipated Indian film of the season — has been officially banned in Pakistan. _______________________________________________

Opinion General Kayani in Kakul Tanvir Ahmed Khan 65 and all that Amina Jilani Fair CEC, unfair polls Kunwar Idris Waste not, want not Zahrah Nasir Bolo, bolo, jeay Shah Salman Rashid   Blogs Pakistan vs India: Who's the best hacker? Aqsa Garsein  G-B massacre: When will Pakistan really win independence? Erum Shaikh I am disgusted at what Zia did to Pakistan Omer Kamal Bin Farooq A little less 'liking' a little more action please! Junaid Akram   Poll Do you think the Pakistan Army should conduct an operation in North Waziristan? No (44%, 373 Votes)  Yes (56%, 472 Votes)  Total Voters: 845 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: August 18, 2012

Today's Headlines Kamra infiltrators: 4 Minhas base attackers identified, says Malik Umar Draz A day after a brazen assault at Pakistan Air Force's largest base was repulsed by security forces, Interior Minister Rehman Malik claimed that four of the nine militants killed in the attack have been identified. No timeframe: Kayani hints at blitz in North Waziristan Kamran Yousaf Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani indicated on Friday that Pakistan might launch a fresh military offensive in the restive North Waziristan Agency (NWA), but stressed that it would not be initiated at the behest of any outside power. Karachi's Shias targeted in roadside bomb ahead of annual rally Faraz Khan / Samia Malik A day after a horrific massacre of 19 Shias in Mansehra, a bus carrying young Shia men was targeted by a bomb in Karachi. Two of them were killed and 13 others were injured. Analysis: The bigger questions surrounding Kamra Ejaz Haider Kamra was waiting to happen, having been attacked on the periphery twice before. The attack this time was meticulously planned and targeted equipment, just like the more damaging attack at the Mehran Airbase in Karachi, which resulted in the complete destruction of two P3C Orion aircraft and, reportedly, left a third partially damaged.   Business Global demand: Vegetable exports plummet 40% in 2012 Kazim Alam After growing at a steady rate in the last decade, Pakistan's vegetable exports have suffered volumetric year-on-year decrease of 40.4% in 2011-12, according to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). Sustainability report: CASA electricity import project flawed, says report Zafar Bhutta Pakistan is better off generating its own electricity than importing electricity through CASA-1000MW project, says a research study conducted by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI). _______________________________________________ Sports Akhtar not qualified enough: PCB Fawad Hussain The Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) coach-hunt committee has shown no interest in Shoaib Akhtar's offer to take on the vacant bowling coach's role with the national squad. Mission 'hockey bachao' set to surface again Our Correspondents Former hockey greats who are unhappy with Pakistan's performance in London are gearing up to launch a campaign against the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) set-up… again. _______________________________________________ Life & Style New York film festival: Pakistani film scoops up two awards Rafay Mahmood Seedlings, a Pakistani film that was screened at the New York City International Film Festival (NYCIFF), left the audience spellbound by winning two major awards at the ceremony. No Tiger for Pakistan this Eid Rafay Mahmood The last 24 hours have given Pakistani film enthusiasts some good and some bad news. While Bodchitta Filmworks's Seedlings made us proud by winning two awards at the New York Film Festival, Ek Tha Tiger — the most anticipated Indian film of the season — has been officially banned in Pakistan. _______________________________________________

Opinion General Kayani in Kakul Tanvir Ahmed Khan 65 and all that Amina Jilani Fair CEC, unfair polls Kunwar Idris Waste not, want not Zahrah Nasir Bolo, bolo, jeay Shah Salman Rashid   Blogs Is literary guidance in Pakistan comparable to the US? Bassam F Sidiki G-B massacre: When will Pakistan really win independence? Erum Shaikh Did the KGB kill Zia? Shabie Iqbal I am disgusted at what Zia did to Pakistan Omer Kamal Bin Farooq  Poll Do you think the Pakistan Army should conduct an operation in North Waziristan? No (44%, 373 Votes)  Yes (56%, 472 Votes)  Total Voters: 845 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: August 17, 2012

Today's Headlines Alert air force repels militant raid on key base Rashid Ali While militants were previously successful in storming an army installation (GHQ) and a Naval base (Mehran), which were both held hostage for a number of hours, the third and often-ignored branch of the military, the air force, effectively stymied a similar raid on its key base. 19 pulled off buses, shot dead in sectarian hit Muhammad Sadaqat Over a dozen gunmen forced 19 Shia passengers off four buses and shot them at point blank range in the Mansehra district on Thursday, breaking the fragile peace in the region and marking the third such incident in six months. Mattis, Kayani to discuss North Waziristan operation Kamran Yousaf / Zia Khan Preparations for a military push against hard-line militants in North Waziristan became more explicit on Thursday as a top American general arrived in Islamabad to hold talks with his counterpart. US confident of Pakistan nuclear security Huma Imtiaz The United States said on Thursday it was confident of the safety of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal after heavily armed militants stormed an air force base in clashes that left 10 people dead.   Business Tackling gas shortage: High 'winter tariff' under consideration Zafar Bhutta With the prospect of one billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) of gas shortage looming large in the upcoming winter, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources is working on a plan to introduce 'winter tariff' which will send prices up by 25% to 50% after gas utilities start supplying liquefied natural gas (LNG) through their system. Long time coming: Bourse manages to close at 15,000-point level Our Correspondents It took the stock market four years and four months to recover from the global recession. Despite low activity level and investors arriving in the morning with news airing of an attack on a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) base in Kamra, the bourse just managed to close at the 15,000-point, a level last seen on April 30, 2008. _______________________________________________ Sports U19 World Cup: It's a Pakistan-India quarter-final Our Correspondents The third quarter-final of the 2012 U19 World Cup will see Pakistan and India – both former champions – take on each other for progress. Two athletes to get foreign coaching Nabeel Hashmi Two Pakistani athletes will be part of the International Association of Athletics Federation's (IAAF) new 'B-Scholarships programme', according to the Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) President Akram Sahi. _______________________________________________ Life & Style Hearing-impaired designer: The silent warrior Saba Khalid A car behind him will honk persistently, but Munim Qazi will happily putter away on his motorbike, not hearing a thing. Sometimes, his classmates would burst into fits of laughter at a joke the teacher had cracked but Qazi would look around oblivious, not quite catching their drift. Why did Veena Malik do 'Astaghfar'? Hani Taha Staying true to her title of Controversy Queen, Veena Malik has struck again by stirring up another commotion – this time with "Astaghfar", a special Ramazan show hosted by Veena for Hero TV. Through this show, Veena aims to address 'sinful' societal issues while repenting the wrongs she has committed and asking for forgiveness. _______________________________________________

Opinion This is not our war? Still? Kamran Shafi Hate crime legislation Farahnaz Ispahani The PML-N's three Es Dr Pervez Tahir A remedy for insomnia? Laaleen Sukhera Khan Monsoon and media Prakash Belawadi   Blogs Pakistan vs India: Who's the best hacker? Aqsa Garsein Child of war Imaan Sheikh London Olympics 2012: The biggest party on the planet! Bina Shah Burma killings: Keep religion out of it! Asif Nawaz Poll Have you ever experienced discrimination based on your ethnicity? No (38%, 241 Votes)  Yes (62%, 388 Votes)  Total Voters: 629 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: August 16, 2012

Today's Headlines   Militants attack PAF airbase in Kamra Shaheryar Popalzai / Nabil Ansari At least eight militants and one security official were killed in an attack on a PAF airbase located in Kamra during the early hours of Thursday. The attack by militants and operation by security forces lasted for over four hours. Settling scores: Taliban on a killing spree in Karachi Sohail Khattak Karachi, it seems, didn't turn out to be a safe retreat for pro-government Pashtun leaders seeking to escape the vengeful Taliban in Swat and tribal areas – refugee-militants have begun targeting Awami National Party workers in the metropolis. Sticking points: PPP-MQM deadlock persists over local govt Hafeez Tunio Despite claims by the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) that they have evolved consensus over the draft for a new local government system in Sindh, serious differences between the two coalition partners remain. 'War on terror' initiative: Nisar warns against N Waziristan offensive Qamar Zaman Amid reports of an offensive against militant bases in North Waziristan, the main opposition party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), cautioned against a backlash, saying on Wednesday that any new military campaign will fuel terrorism. Business Humanitarian grounds: Sugar sold to Tajikistan at below market rate Our Correspondent Pakistan on Wednesday signed a deal for sale of 30,000 tons of refined sugar to Tajikistan at $528.25 per ton, which is below prevailing prices in the international market. Investigation to prove accountability: NAB probes corruption in tobacco board Shahbaz Rana In yet another scandal in an attached department of the Ministry of Commerce, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is conducting investigations on complaints of corruption in land acquisition deals sealed by the Pakistan Tobacco Board (PTB). _______________________________________________ Sports Olympics failure: Don't keep high hopes, says Abbas News Desk Pakistan hockey captain Sohail Abbas said the country should not keep 'high hopes' as the team returned at the Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore after finishing seventh in the 2012 London Olympics. U19 World Cup: South Africa reach quarters with 4-wicket win News Desk The South Africans had a good day with the ball as they charged in at the Sri Lankan batsmen with a positive intent to set up a four-wicket victory in their final Group D match of the U19 World Cup, sealing their place in the quarter-finals. _______________________________________________ Life & Style Will you watch a Lollywood movie this Eid? Sher Ali With the release of only one new film, a low-key Eid is expected for Pakistani films this year. Syed Noor's Shareeka is the only major production being released to audiences by Lollywood, while the much talked about Indian film Ek Tha Tiger starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif is plunged in uncertainty as prospects of censorship float. Songs we missed on Independence Day Our Correspondent Every Independence Day witnesses proud patriots dressed in green and white, frosting their cup cakes in the same two-toned icing and waving their flags from their cars/motorbikes with pride. But it is TV channels and their August 14 transmissions that get us emotionally-charged in the Independence Day spirit. _______________________________________________

Opinion The demand and supply of research Afiya S Zia This is our war Asad Munir On the matter of lawyers' suits Minaam Karim The need for change Zafar Hilaly On Morsi's moment Arif Rafiq Blogs 5 Pakistani men we also envy Bina Shah India and Pakistan: Let's recover our natural bond Dr Ilmana Fasih Shame on me for championing Veena Malik Jahanzaib Haque O' Level results and all the people I must please Rameeza Ahmad  Poll In your opinion, is today's Pakistan better or worse than it was 10 years ago? Worse (87%, 824 Votes) Better (13%, 121 Votes) Total Voters: 945 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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