Sunday, December 25, 2011

The Express Tribune Newsletter: December 26, 2011

 

Today's Headlines

December 26, 2011

 

PTI rally: Imran lights up Karachi
Saba Imtiaz

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan looked entirely assured at his party's rally in Karachi. With a slew of big-name politicians under his belt and attendance by hundreds of thousands of people from Karachi and other districts in Sindh and Punjab, Imran addressed the crowd with his usual mix of rhetoric, emotions and a few well-placed jibes, all set to a catchy soundtrack.
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National/City

135th birth anniversary: Pakistan pays tribute to the Quaid-e-Azam
Our Correspondents
Today (Sunday) marks the 135th birth anniversary of the founder of Pakistan ­– Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Cadets from Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) marched at the mausoleum of the Quaid-e-Azam in Karachi early morning on Sunday and hoisted the guard of honour. 

Analysis: Be careful, the road is full of landmines!
M Ziauddin
Imran Khan is a great achiever. And by Sunday he seems to have already achieved nearly half of what he had set for. He certainly faces a more formidable, uphill task on his way to achieving the next half, but for that he has 12 more months – enough to affect decisively the results of next general elections. 

Firdous throws in towel, takes it back, wipes tears
Hafees Tunio
A weeping cabinet member resigning live on air: an unprecedented event, even in the often bizarre world of Pakistani politics. 

No military coup?: If Kayani's, Pasha's heads roll, SC may come to rescue
Kamran Yousaf
Rumours abound as to who's going to make the first move – the civilian government, or the military establishment? In the possible scenario that the government sacks Chief of Army Staff Ashfaq Parvez Kayani or Director-General Inter-Services Intelligence (DG ISI) Shuja Pasha over Memogate, the army  may approach the Supreme Court (SC).
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Business

Retail expansion: World's largest chain silent on entering Pakistani market
Farooq Baloch
Even as its efforts to enter the Indian retail market have been rebuffed by regulatory constraints, Walmart, the world's largest retailer, neither confirmed nor denied speculation that it was eyeing opportunities in Pakistan. 

From gold to dollar: How the modern financial system is undermining Pakistan
Zain Raza
When Pakistan gained independence, it entered a financial system in which the odds were stacked against it. As the financial system changes almost every 40 years, it is vital to analyse its history and mechanism in order to understand the dynamics that influence Pakistan.
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Sports

Hockey: Pakistan complete China clean sweep
Shahzada Usman
Pakistan defeated China 2-1 in the fourth and last game of the Friendship Hockey Series to complete a clean sweep at the National Hockey Stadium, Lahore. They earlier clinched the first match 3-0 before recording a 5-3 and 3-1 wins in the following two matches. 

Pakistan invites Whatmore to coach team
Our Correspondents
Pakistan's cricket board Sunday said it has invited former World Cup winning Sri Lanka coach Dav Whatmore to finalise his appointment as head coach of the national team, an official said.
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Life & Style

Qavi Khan: An artiste's lament
Saadia Qamar
His riveting performance as Ghalib at Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) or his acting in PTV drama "Koi Na Adda Sanj Mila" are a testament to Qavi Khan claim. Besides television and theatre, he has continuously showcased his artistic ability  in films and radio as well. Currently, the actor has his eyes set on a project for the Express Entertainment Channel called "Main Baba Ki Ladli". 

4084: 'Hawa Hawa' flies to Bollywood
Rafay Mahmood
Rumours of Hassan Jahangir's "Hawa Hawa" featuring in a Bollywood film have finally been confirmed. Director Hriday Shetty's latest film titled 4084 (Chaalis Chaurasi) is going to feature a remixed version of the original "Hawa Hawa" sung by Hassan Jahangir.
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Opinion 

A story on memogate
Shahzad Chaudhry 

Targeting dual nationals
Ayesha Ijaz Khan 

Personal accounts of 1971
Ajmal Kamal 

Saving democracy
Rasul Bakhsh Rais 

Iraq — still a potential battlefield
Tanvir Ahmad Khan 

Blogs

Demystifying Jinnah's Pakistan
Kashif Chaudhry 

8 things I love about Christmas
Rosario Fernandes 

The spirit of Christmas
Roland DeSouza 

The curious case of Aisha Khan
Mani Khawaja 

Poll

Do you think Makhdoom Javed Hashmi's decision to join the PTI is a wise one?

No (35%, 594 Votes)
Yes (65%, 1086 Votes)
Total Voters: 1680 

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Top 10 on Tribune (Dec 18-25 2011)

 

Top 10 stories of the week

Dec 18-Dec 25, 2011
 


1.
Veena Malik denies nude photo shoot for FHM – Web Desk

2. Karachi goes gaga over Imran Khan telephone call, in new PTI marketing ploy – Rabia Ali

3. Musharraf announces January 2012 return – Abdul Manan

4. Army wants Zardari out but not a coup: Military sources - Reuters

5. Talking dog most watched YouTube video of 2011 - IANS

6. Shifting tides: Javed Hashmi on verge of joining PTI – Abdul Manan

7. Swelling ranks: PML-N loses stalwart to PTI – Saba Imtiaz

8. Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf rally in Karachi: Live updates – Web Desk

9. Aisamul Haq ties the knot – Web Desk

10. Veena Malik, India in the line of fire – Abdul Manan

 

 
Top Opinion

Our golden boy
Anna Khan

Top Business

Pakistani rice exporters losing out to India

Imran Rana

Top 3 blogs

1. The curious case of Aisha Khan
Mani Khawaja

2. Not with that thing on, sister
Nuvaira A

3. Humsafar: Here's what the noise is about
Quratalain Tejani

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Saturday, December 24, 2011

The Express Tribune Newsletter: December 25, 2011

 

Today's Headlines

December 25, 2011

 

'Tsunami' intensifies: PTI bags Hashmi, eyes more bigwigs
Abdul Manan / Irfan Ghauri http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/311648-Hashmi-1324760258-788-640x480.jpg

The surging Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)'s latest show of strength, in Karachi today, will be performed on the back of an aggressive bagging spree, which has seen it woo politicians from across the political spectrum.
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National/City reports

Benazir Bhutto assassination: Prosecution makes plea to expedite case
Mudassir Raja
Four years after former prime minister Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in Rawalpindi, the prosecution in the case requested the trial court on Saturday for day-to-day hearings to bring the arrested accused to justice.

Executive-judiciary relations: All's well, but history bothers us, says Chandio
Z Ali
Despite fervent attempts to dispel the spectre of clash amongst state institutions, a senior ruling party leader admitted they were concerned by the judiciary.

Parliamentary Committee on National Security: What Musharraf agreed to do, post 9/11
Zahid Gishkori
After over a decade of secrecy and silence, some semblance of the nature of nine agreements between former president Pervez Musharraf and the US and its allies have finally been publicised. All agreements were drafted after Pakistan joined the 'war on terror' in 2001.

Nisar warns govt against removing army, ISI chiefs
Qamar Zaman
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz on Saturday threatened agitation if the government took any steps against the chief of army staff and director general of the Inter-Services Intelligence prior to the Supreme Court's decision on Memogate.

NATO attack was deliberate: K-P governor
Umer Farooq
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Governor Barrister Masood Kausar has termed the November 26 Nato air strike at Salala check-post in Mohmand Agency "deliberate".
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Business

Weekly review: Stock market makes modest recovery
Bilal Umar
The return of President Asif Ali Zardari improved market sentiments as the benchmark KSE-100 index gained of 2.5% or 273 points during the week ended December 23.

Gas supply: Fertiliser, CNG lobbies beat back power companies
Zafar Bhutta
Strong lobbying efforts by the compressed natural gas (CNG) and fertiliser sector has resulted in more than 600 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) being diverted from power plants to those sectors, and resulted in a nearly-fold jump in the cost of electricity production.
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Sports

Hockey: Pakistan clinch series against China
Shahzada Usman
Pakistan continued their winning ways against China, beating the tourists 3-0 in the third match of the four-Test series in Faisalabad to clinch the Friendship Hockey Series.

Aqeel bags singles title at tennis tournament
Natasha Raheel
Pakistan number one Aqeel Khan stormed to victory in the men's singles final at the UBL International Hardcourt Tennis Championship, beating Muhammad Abid Mushtaq 6-1, 6-0 at the Karachi Gymkhana.
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Life & Style

Patriotic partners
News Desk
A few months ago, Junoon's vocalist and guitarist Salman Ahmad tweeted about his collaboration with Junaid Jamshed.

Topi ke peechay kia hay?
Saadia Qamar
When it comes to the subject of hats, couture hat designer Louis Green says its best: "wearing a hat is like having a baby or a puppy; everyone stops to coo and talk about it."
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Magazine

The diamonds glitter no more
Ali Usman
As night time approaches, the synchronised sounds of the tabla and the jingling ghunghroo reach a crescendo and the high-storey houses, with intricately carved balconies and awning windows, begin dazzling with bright lights. Their windows and doors remain ajar till the wee hours of the morning, offering potential customers a sneak peek of the revelry of music and dance going on inside.

10 things I hate about Bollywood
T Pasha
Every movie has the same storyline. In the old days, movies always involved the hot guy saving the hot girl from the villains. Now, the hot guy falls in love with the girl, but somehow they just can't or don't want to be together, so the movie is a series of events which makes them fall for each other. Where is the originality?
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Opinion

Our warrior princess
Saroop Ijaz

Why is the army so popular in Pakistan?
Aakar Patel

IK2: Ghost protocol
Fahd Husain

Setting right our railways
Dr Nadia Tahir

Muslim view of 'decline'
Khaled Ahmed

Blogs

8 things I love about Christmas
Rozario Fernandes

The spirit of Christmas
Roland DeSouza

The curious case of Aisha Khan
Mani Khawaja

News that is music to the ears
Samia Saleem

Poll

Do you think Makhdoom Javed Hashmi's decision to join the PTI is a wise one?

Yes (60%, 795 Votes)
No (40%, 520 Votes)
Total Voters: 1,315

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Friday, December 23, 2011

The Express Tribune Newsletter: December 24, 2011

 

Today's Headlines

December 24, 2011

 

Winter of discontent: With ifs and buts, Kayani quells coup rumours
Kamran Yousaf


It appears the turn of the year will not witness a coup d'état, though there has been much coup de théâtre. On Friday, army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani categorically denied rampant speculation that the military is planning to oust the civilian government, calling the rumours 'misleading' and an attempt to divert focus from the 'real issues' at hand.
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National/City

Shifting tides: Javed Hashmi on verge of joining PTI
Abdul Manan
Javed Hashmi, one of the stalwarts of Multani politics and the most visible Seraiki member of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, was deciding late on Friday night whether to jump ship and join the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf bandwagon, sources told The Express Tribune. 

Bringing down Memogate: Sceptical PPP decides to stay aggressive
Sumera Khan
Anger, anguish and distress characterised the ruling party's huddle on Friday. Amidst a rapidly-evolving political landscape, the Pakistan Peoples Party's core committee convened to discuss the situation and weigh its options vis-à-vis the Memogate fiasco.

Internet advocacy: Blogs in Pakistan – no more a silent revolution
Sidrah Moiz Khan
To the audience's delight, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan made a surprise entrance at the second Pakistan Blog Awards that kicked off Friday evening at the Regent Plaza hotel. 

Soothing frayed nerves: Time for coups is gone: CJ
Faisal Shakeel
Attempting to soothe frayed nerves over the Memogate case, the Supreme Court on Friday ruled out the possibility of a coup and blamed the media for creating an impression of a clash between institutions. 

A different kind of 'change'
Atika Rehman
Getting hold of Imran Khan wasn't too much of a task prior to the PTI chairman's advent on the political stage at the Minar-i-Pakistan rally in Lahore. Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) members were easily approachable on their personal cell phones or via e-mail and after the right amount of SMS', a short rendezvous or a quote from the former cricketing legend was, more often than not, a given.
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Business

Flying away: Foreign investment falls 59% in five months
Farhan Zaheer
Foreign investment in the country dropped 59 per cent to $305.4 million in the first five months (July-November) of fiscal year 2011-12 compared to investment of $748.7 million in the same period last year, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said on Friday. 

Pakistan, China sign currency swap agreement
Shahbaz Rana
Pakistan and China on Friday signed a currency swap arrangement to promote bilateral trade and investment and strengthen financial cooperation.
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Sports

PIA land Quaid Trophy
Our Correspondents
PIA strolled to a nine-wicket win over ZTBL to win the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy for the seventh time. 

Boxing: Federation laments government's lack of support
Obaid Abbasi / Shahzada Usman
The Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) President Doda Khan Bhutto has lashed out at the lack of support by the government for the ongoing second Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Tournament in Islamabad.
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Life & Style

Shehzad Roy: Strictly satire
Sher Khan
With the political pot close to boiling over, it comes as no surprise that many bands and artists, ranging from Strings to Ali Azmat and Abrarul Haq are working on music which is both insightful and satirical of the present situation in the country. However, the musician who initiated this trend with his controversial song "Laga Reh" is no other than Pakistan's renowned powerhouse Shehzad Roy. 

Madiha Iftikhar: Keeping it clean
Saadia Qamar
Madiha Iftikhar gives off the impression of a naive, girl next door but a conversation with her verifies that she has a wise head on her young shoulders.
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Opinion 

Shenanigans, dangerous shenanigans
Kamran Shafi 

Don't discount the civilians yet
Ejaz Haider 

Khwas Khan of Rohtas
Salman Rashid 

Well, he did...
Amina Jilani 

Making fun of North Korea
Tazeen Javed 

Blogs

Who will save democracy now?
Aasif Shakeel 

Honourably dead
Mahwash Badar 

Pakistan's Test side shows promise
Imran A. Khan

Rape: Fallacies of the four witness requirement
Aaishah AbuBakr 

Poll

Do you believe Pakistan shares equal blame with the US for the NATO airstrike?

No (68%, 492 Votes)
Yes (32%, 227 Votes)
Total Voters: 719

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Thursday, December 22, 2011

The Express Tribune Newsletter: December 23, 2011

 

Today's Headlines

December 23, 2011

 

You're subservient, or you're mistaken, PM tells military
Sumera Khan / Zia Khan


In one of the most audacious speeches by a sitting prime minister in recent memory, Yousaf Raza Gilani on Thursday unexpectedly let loose a barrage of accusations and reservations against the country's all-powerful military establishment.
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National/City

Mistrust, confusion led to NATO airstrike: Pentagon
Huma Imtiaz
The Pentagon finally lifted the veil on investigations into the controversial Nato airstrike, but offered little surprise. And to Pakistan's disappointment, nothing they were hoping for was said.

Memogate case: President can't presume immunity, warns SC
Faisal Shakeel
President Asif Ali Zardari cannot avoid proceedings in the Memogate case by presuming that he enjoys immunity under Article 248 of the Constitution, the Supreme Court said on Thursday. 

Clandestine congregation: PPP in 'hush-hush' meeting over strategies
Ifran Ghauri
The top leadership of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has decided to confront challenges facing incumbent regime upfront. 

Tribune Take: Gilani's comments signify new rift between military, civilian govt
Mahawish Rezvi
In today's episode of the Tribune Take we take a look at Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani's comments in the National Assembly. Gilani's comments point towards a new spat between the military and the government after the Memogate scandal. 

On schedule: Imran Khan arrives with promise of historic rally
Saba Imtiaz / Shaheryar Mirza
Jinnah airport turned into a sea of red and green as Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) supporters flooded it to receive Imran Khan who declared that Sunday's public rally would not only go ahead but would also be a "historic" one.
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Business

Strategic retreat: NBP, OGDC burst the IP gas pipeline bubble
Zafar Bhutta
The government has faced a major set back in the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project as the country's largest bank National Bank of Pakistan and the country's largest exploration company Oil and Gas Development Company Limited on Thursday refused to finance it due to possible sanctions by the US. 

MFN status to India: Pakistan proposes safeguards for local industry
Shahbaz Rana
Pakistan has asked India to sign three pacts to ensure level playing field for its exporters before implementing free trade regime, as Islamabad decides to ensure "effective protection" for local industries against threats of Indian products capturing Pakistani markets.
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Sports

High-flying Pakistan upbeat on 'sterner' tests
Fawad Hussain
Pakistan coach Mohsin Khan has said his team was capable of beating any side in the world and stands a very good chance in the forthcoming series against England, provided the players complement the effort they put in with a fighting spirit.

Afridi, Razzaq hammered in run-spree
News Desk
Perth Scorchers lived upto their name after they chased down the 189-run target set by Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League, losing just two wickets in the process.
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Life & Style

Tete-a-tete with Abid Ali
Saadia Qamar
Abid Ali's name has been synonymous with the Pakistani entertainment industry for many years. Currently in talks with the Express Entertainment Channel about the development of a TV series based on humorist Shafiqur Rehman's writing and creating a soap opera "Naseebon Walian", it seems the veteran TV actor has big plans. The Express Tribune recently sat down with Ali to talk about his past acting endeavours as well as his future plans. 

PLBW Day 4: Fourth time's a charm
Hani Taha
It may have started off insipidly, but the manner in which PFDC L'Oreal Paris Bridal Week (PLBW) picked up pace and delivered wholeheartedly was phenomenal.
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Opinion

Diminishing external inflows
Mekaal A Ahmed 

A tinpot despot
Zafar Hilaly 

At odds with common perception
Dr Pervez Tahir

The mad who drink their own blood
Farrukh Khan Pitafi 

Only for Muslims
Yaqoob Khan Bangash 

Blogs

Journalism and sensationalism
Kazim Alam 

Ignoring CNG cylinders
Muhammad Bilal Iqbal 

(Almost) swindled at the toll-booth
Palwasha S 

What MI 4 taught me
Sami Saayer 

Poll

In your opinion, should PTI be allowed to hold a rally at Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi?

Yes (85%, 1182 Votes)
No (15%, 214 Votes)
Total Voters: 1396

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