Friday, February 17, 2012

The Express Tribune Newsletter: February 18, 2012

 

Today's Headlines

February 18, 2012

 

Trilateral summit: Demand for Mullah Omar overshadows trilateral moot
Kamran Yousaf

"Deliver Mullah Omar? If that is the expectation, then there's no reality check then. Then they're not only unrealistic, but preposterous."
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National/City

US Congressman tables resolution calling for independence of Baloch
Huma Imtiaz
A week after he chaired a Congressional committee's hearing on Balochistan, US Congressman Dana Rohrabacher introduced tabled a resolution in the US Congress, asking for the Baloch be given their right of self-determination and to their own sovereign country.

'Mastermind' of suicide attack at ISI Faisalabad office arrested
Shamsul Islam
Faisalabad police claimed to have arrested the alleged mastermind of the suicide attack at Inter Services Intelligence's (ISI) Faisalabad office on March 8, 2011, in which at least 34 people were killed while another 90, including an ISI official, were injured.

Money laundering watchdog: Government flays blacklisting decision
Shahbaz Rana
Terming the international money laundering watchdog's decision to blacklist Pakistan "unjustified and unreasonable," the government believes it has already met all international standards regarding amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Act.

Sectarian attack: Suicide blast kills 31 in Parachinar
Our Correspondent
An uneasy peace in an area beset by violent sectarianism was short-lived. Parachinar bleeds again.

Missing persons: PML-N promises resolution, legislation on disappearances
Our Correspondent
After seeing his suggestion of an all-parties conference on Balochistan being taken up by the government, Nawaz Sharif has upped the ante further.
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Business

Pak-Iran gas pipeline: Russia wants contract without bidding
Zafar Bhutta
Amid pressure from the United States to shelve the much-needed Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, Russia has asked Pakistan to award a $1.2 billion pipeline-laying contract to its energy giant Gazprom without going into bidding process.

Foreign funding for coal, energy sector falls
Farhan Zaheer
Foreign programme assistance for the coal and energy sector of Sindh has declined, which reflects donor's fatigue due to progress of Thar project at a snail's pace from fiscal years 2009 to 2012, show findings of the Sindh Economic Survey.
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Sports

Olympics 2012: Captain Imran flicked into obscurity
Fawad Hussain
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) sprang a major surprise while naming the 30-man probables squad for the 2012 Olmypics, omitting captain Mohammad Imran, experienced goal-keeper Salman Akbar as well as Waseem Ahmed.

Davis Cup: Aisam wants 'home' ties in India
Faras Ghani
Forced by the International Tennis Federation's (ITF) refusal to allow ties to be played in Pakistan, Aisamul Haq Qureshi wants April's Davis Cup Asia/Oceania group II semi-final against Philippines to be played in India.
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Life & Style

Noori: Back with a bang
Rafay Mahmood
Only recently, the band has returned to the music scene with their latest track "Taaron Se Aagay" and is now preparing for a comeback concert scheduled to be held at the end of this month.

Celebs with mental disorders: Lock up the crazy
Saba Khalid
Whether it's your annoying co-worker who has an obsessive need to assert power or your freaky neighbour who spies at you through her window every night, its seems these days, 'the crazies' have invaded our world.
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Opinion

An exploding population bomb
Tazeen Javed

Black coats and blacker faces
Amina Jilani

The unpalatable Manto
Ajmal Kamal

Knowledge for sale
Dr Tariq Rahman

Jalaluddin Khwarazm
Salman Rashid

Blogs

Whitney Houston: Tunes for a lifetime
Daliah Merzaban

The miseries of a Pakistani graduate
Mohammad Naved

Overconfidence cost Pakistan
Raafay Awan

The fundofication of PTI
Adnan Khalid Rasool

Poll

Do you think the Afghan Taliban will come back to power once the US leaves Afghanistan?

No (24%, 106 Votes)
Yes (76%, 343 Votes)
Total Voters: 449

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Thursday, February 16, 2012

The Express Tribune Newsletter: February 17, 2012

 

Today's Headlines

February 17, 2012

 

Iran, Afghan presidents arrive: Of peace talks, pipelines and regional solutions
Kamran Yousaf / Sumera Khan


Q: What do you get when Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Afghan President Hamid Karzai fly to Islamabad to meet Pakistan's civil and military leadership? A: The US' attention.
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National/City

Spurious drugs case: Pharma association's acting chief blasts industry, regulator
Farooq Baloch
The spurious drugs debacle claimed another victim on Thursday – the pharmaceutical association. 

Trade talks: Sharma tries to put positive spin on slow progress
Farooq Tirmizi
For a man who had essentially been stood up, Anand Sharma appeared remarkably cheerful. If the Indian commerce minister was disappointed at Pakistan's failure to liberalise its end of trade between the two countries, he certainly did not show it when he sat down for an interview with The Express Tribune. 

US express concern over Hafiz Saeed's public appearances
Huma Imtiaz
The US State Department has raised concerns about Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed's public appearances, including at the Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) rally held in Karachi earlier this week.
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Business

Sindh Economic Survey: Economic outlook remains bleak
Farhan Zaheer
The Sindh provincial government has been successful in recovering Rs15 billion in services taxes in the first seven months of the current fiscal year, according to the Sindh Economc Survey released on Thursday. Sindh Finance Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, speaking on the occasion, said he was confident that the government would achieve the Rs25 billion annual target set for FY11-12. 

KESC submits plan to end loadshedding
Zafar Bhutta
The Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) has worked out a plan that it claims will end load-shedding and reduce power tariff provided the government lends support in different areas including regular payments every month and supply of 267 million cubic feet of gas per day (mmcfd).
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Sports

Squash: Jansher on the road to recovery
Nabeel Hashmi
Squash legend Jansher Khan, reportedly suffering from Parkinson's disease, is on the road to recovery and has even started playing squash again. 

Pak vs Eng: Team management justifies Umar's dual role
Fawad Hussain
Successive losses in Abu Dhabi and severe criticism following twisted team selection has forced critics to question the team management's motive but Naveed Akram Cheema, Pakistan team manager, defended the tactics, confirming that all decisions were made with the interest of the side in mind.
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Life & Style

Pashto films: The show must go on
Sher Khan
The Pashto film industry has matured into a resilient fraternity that aims to dispel preconceived notions of radicalisation and conservatism attached to the Pakhtuns. Despite the security and financial issues bolstered by the Talibans to clog its productivity, the Pashto industry managed to remain an inherent part of the culture of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P). 

Fashion Pakistan Week bounces back
Saadia Qamar
Whoever said that "Delays are sometimes denials" could not have been farther from the truth — for all those who had their fingers crossed, there is good news; the Fashion Pakistan Week (FPW) is finally back after a two-year hiatus. Fashion Pakistan Week 3, which was initially scheduled for December 2011, will now take place in Karachi in April this year.
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Opinion 

Hypocrites, to boot
Kamran Shafi 

Questioning Bahawalpur's historiography
Ayesha Siddiqa 

The last tyrant
Rasul Bakhsh Rais 

Economic consequences of the 20th Amendment
Dr Pervaiz Tahir 

KLF post-mortem
Bina Shah 

Blogs

Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu: Not everyone has to fall in love
Zainab Imam 

Why porn is popular in Pakistan
Aneka Chohan 

Telling the Balochistan story
Farhan Khan 

Save cricket in Pakistan
Muhammad Abbas Hassan 

Poll

Should Dr Shakil Afridi, the man who aided the CIA in locating Osama bin Laden be tried for treason?

No (45%, 256 Votes)
Yes (55%, 319 Votes)
Total Voters: 575 

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Wednesday, February 15, 2012

The Express Tribune Newsletter: February 16, 2012

 

Today's Headlines

February 16, 2012

 

Awakening: Govt to convene all-party huddle on Balochistan
Kamran Yousaf


The urgency of the situation has, it seems, finally dawned in Islamabad. The government has decided to convene an All Parties Conference (APC) – this time to discuss the deteriorating law and order situation in Balochistan.
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National/City

Pak-India trade: New routes, bank branches emerge on the horizon
Shahbaz Rana
It was the first visit by an Indian commerce minister to Islamabad in three decades  but the firsts did not end there. 

Balochistan unrest: Panel urges govt to clip agencies' wings
Shehzad Baloch
Rejecting a report presented by the Balochistan's home department on the rampant human rights violations and law and order situation in the province, a senate panel has urged the government to introduce laws that clip the wings of all-powerful security agencies.

US drone strike kills five militants: Officials
AFP
A US drone strike targeting a militant compound killed five insurgents in the northwest tribal region of Pakistan near the Afghan border Thursday, security officials said. 

Bin Laden in Abbottabad: Commission struggling in pinning blame
Zia Khan
Already a month past the deadline, the Abbottabad Commission braces for further delay in releasing its report as it struggles to determine how and with whose help al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden had been living in Abbottabad for years. 

Afghan reconciliation process: Karzai to enlist Pakistan's help for Taliban talks
Tahir Khan
Afghan President Hamid Karzai's two-day visit to Pakistan will focus on peace talks with the Afghan Taliban and the establishment of an independent relationship with Pakistan, the country's ambassador said on Wednesday.
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Business

Lucrative deal: Iraq offers long term deferred oil payment facility
Zafar Bhutta
With the power sector facing problems in the regular supply of furnace oil because of the circular debt Iraq has now offered Pakistan to provide oil on long term deferred payment facility. 

Oxfam drive: 'Dharti' campaign launched to protect small farmers
Z Ali
Amid criticism, recommendations and appreciation, Oxfam, an organisation working to find solutions to poverty and injustice, launched its Grow campaign titled 'Dharti' (land) at a ceremony here on Wednesday.
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Sports

Second ODI: England take unassailable lead in ODI series
Our Correspondents
England seem to have returned to winning ways after beating Pakistan in the second one day international in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. Chasing 251 to win, England restricted Pakistan to 230 to get an unassailable lead in the four match series. 

Cricket: 'Whatmore, Fountain to join the team next month'
Fawad Hussain
The uncertainty surrounding the fate of current head coach Mohsin Khan appears to have ended as it has been learnt that former Australia player Dav Whatmore and Julien Fountain are set to sign their contracts with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
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Life & Style

Edward Maya: Rocking the capital
Sehrish Ali
When a well-known artist performs in Islamabad (or any part of the country), the entertainment-starved Pakistani youth and adults scramble to get their hands on passes or tickets to the event. For them, these concerts seem to be the only source of respite from their daily routine lives. However, when rumours of an international artist coming to town surface, the frenzy accompanying the performance reaches new heights.  

Brands Just Pret: Desi funk
Hani Taha
Zainab Sajid could not have chosen a better time to launch her deliciously desi pret line. It was smack in the middle of the Karachi Literature Festival and anyone facing a last-minute wardrobe crisis should have made a serious beeline towards 'Brands Just Pret' at the Dolman City Mall to grab a piece from Sajid's 'Aqua' collection.
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Opinion 

Viva la what?
Sami Shah 

On water pricing
Ahmad Rafay Alam 

KLF — a breath of fresh air
Yaqoob Khan Bangash 

… And justice for all
Osama Siddique 

Our booming neighbour
Khurram Husain 

Blogs

Save cricket in Pakistan
Muhammad Abbas Hassan 

A tear for you, dear soldier
Taimur Arbab 

Dekha Na Tha: Never seen a cover like this
Rafay Mahmood 

Top 4 most annoying passengers on an airplane
Maha Kamal 

Poll

Do you think porn sites should be banned in Pakistan?

No (28%, 278 Votes)
Yes (72%, 728 Votes)
Total Voters: 1006 

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Tuesday, February 14, 2012

The Express Tribune Newsletter: February 15, 2012

 

Today's Headlines

February 15, 2012

 

Consensus reached: After stormy start, 20th Amendment sails through NA
Qamar Zaman


After some last-minute fine-tuning, the National Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed the 20th Constitutional Amendment. The amendment – the third by the incumbent government – has set down a process to install a caretaker set-up and hold free and fair elections in the future.
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National/City

Responding to overtures: Nato allowed airspace use, says minister
Kamran Yousaf
I
slamabad is making no secret of its responsiveness to Washington's overtures. 

Taliban releases video of DHA bomb attack
News Desk
On the morning of September 19, 2011, as the people in Defence Housing Authority phase VIII left for work, and students started classes at the nearby CAS School, the ground suddenly shook, windows shattered, and a deafening roar was heard. At least 300 kilogrammes of explosives had just detonated outside. A new video released on Tuesday, claims that the attack was the work of Fidayeens of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). 

Increasing voter pool: ECP grants overseas Pakistanis voting rights
Zahid Gishkori
Voting rights were finally granted by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to 3.7 million overseas Pakistanis on Tuesday.  

Abbottabad raid collaborator: Dr Afridi singled out for top US civilian award
Huma Imtiaz
US Congressman Dana Rohrabacher has announced that he will introduce legislation in the Congress this week seeking Congressional Gold Medal for Dr Shakil Afridi, the doctor who aided the CIA in locating al Qaeda kingpin Osama bin Laden was in his compound in Abbottabad. 

Meeting energy needs: Iran approves electricity project for Balochistan
Our Correspondent
Iran has approved a project which will provide 1,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity to Balochistan through the Zahedan-Quetta transmission line, Iranian Consul General Seyad Hussan Yahyavi said on Tuesday.
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Business

Overcoming $600m deficit : US asks Pakistan to privatise power companies
Zafar Bhutta
Voicing concern over annual revenue deficit of $600 million due to inefficiencies in Pakistan's power sector, the United States has suggested privatisation of power companies in an attempt to improve their operational efficiency. 

Indo-Pak relations: Economic engagement the only way forward
Farhan Zaheer
Looking at the fast changing economic balance from the West to the East where Asia is leading the world, India wants to write a new chapter in the history of its relations with Pakistan so that the two countries can create new opportunities for each other, said Indian Minister for Commerce, Industry and Textile Anand Sharma.
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Sports

ODI series: Pakistan will not panic, says Younus
Our Correspondents
Pakistan will be looking for an improved batting performance in the second One-Day International (ODI) today after a dismal show in the series-opener, which saw England romp home to a convincing 130-run win. 

Football: Valentine's Day setback for Uzbekistan
Natasha Raheel
Determined not to follow the footsteps of the country's cricket board, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) turned down an offer to play Uzbekistan on a neutral venue, dismissing the option as an unprofessional one.
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Life & Style

Superstars or one-hit wonders?
Rafay Mahmood
Talent hunt shows in Pakistan are notorious for creating one-hit wonders, with artists coming in the limelight for the duration of the show and then vanishing in thin air. Be it ventures like "LG Awaz Banaye Star", "Pakistan Sangeet Icon" or "Azme Alishan", we haven't seen budding artists follow through after and fully capitalise on these opportunities. True, these shows certainly gave us fresh music to listen to but did we get skilled musicians in return? 

'Immersive theatre' at Napa
Our Correspondents
With candles placed throughout the NAPA campus, the premises looked as if some royal court proceedings were about to take place. However, what followed was quite the opposite. For instance, there was no elaborate stage or set design, just a counter from where the audience members were given iPods so they could listen to the recorded instructions. These instructions took the audience onto an adventurous journey through the campus premises where they could bump into random characters dancing and sharing their stories.
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Opinion

Is this a joke?
Ejaz Haider 

The Balochistan conundrum
Amber Darr 

Making US aid work in Pakistan
Sabina Khan 

Implications of regime change in Syria
Tariq Fatemi 

Strangers in Phnom Penh
Anwer Mooraj 

Blogs

Down with Valentine's Day!
Erum Shaikh 

Is Gilani's indictment good for democracy?
Aziz Nayani 

Captain atom and the indulgence of war games
Manal Shakir 

Top 4 most annoying passengers on an airplane
Maha Kamal 

Poll

Do you believe the present government has done enough for the betterment of Balochistan?

No (94%, 477 Votes)
Yes (6%, 32 Votes)
Total Voters: 509 

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Monday, February 13, 2012

The Express Tribune Newsletter: February 14, 2012

 

Today's Headlines

February 14, 2012

 

PM indicted: Not guilty, pleads Gilani
Azam Khan


In the presence of the top political leadership of the country, a two-page charge-sheet was read out on Monday by Justice Nasirul Mulk.
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National/City reports

US hearing on Balochistan: NA condemns congressional hearing; FO summons envoy
Qamar Zaman / Kamran Yousaf
Balochistan's taking centre stage on the political landscape these days, but more because of what's happening offshore than in the province itself. 

Indian minister: Sharma vows to double Pak-India trade
PPI
Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma arrived in Pakistan on Monday in an effort to take down trade barriers, share economic prosperity and facilitate people-to-people exchange. 

Adiala missing prisoners' case: After a heart-wrenching sight, SC wants answers
Azam Khan
Everyone in the jam-packed courtroom number 1 was dumbfounded when authorities escorted them inside — each of the seven surviving detainees holding urine bags in their hands.

After being indicted, Gilani mulls autobiography
Owais Jafri
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani, after being indicted for contempt of court, and staring at a premature end to his term in office, has decided to write an autobiography, detailing in particular the turbulent past few months. 

Ball's in your court: 'Reopening NATO supplies is parliament's prerogative'
Zahid Gishkori
The resumption of Nato supply routes seems to be an issue too hot for anyone to handle at the moment.
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Business

Beyond MFN: Indian exporters target oil products and tea markets
Kashif Hussain
Leading exporters of India, displaying their products at the first-ever Indian trade exhibition in Pakistan, have expressed great interest in selected markets such as petroleum products, tea, spices and fast moving consumer goods. 

At your doorstep: Online shopping, without upfront payment
Farooq Baloch
Almost non-existent a few years ago, Pakistan's online retail market has witnessed phenomenal growth recently. As online shopping trend increases, one company making a name is BlueEX – a Karachi-based courier company – who delivers goods ranging from an iPhone to coffee beans to any destination in the country without any upfront payment.
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Sports

First ODI: Pakistan come crashing back to earth
AFP
Paceman Steven Finn took a career-best 4-34 and Alastair Cook hit his highest score to help England beat Pakistan in a fortune-turning 130-run win in the first day-night international here on Monday. 

Davis Cup: Aqeel holds nerve to carry Pakistan through
Natasha Raheel
Aqeel Khan rose to the occasion, outshone Aisamul Haq Qureshi and guided Pakistan past a tense Lebanon challenge with a straight-sets win in the deciding reverse singles of the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania zone group II tie.
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Life & Style

'Reel life' couples: Let's talk love
Saadia Qamar
Lights, camera, romance! It's no surprise that couples who have chemistry on-screen can pull off romantic and love-infested roles better than those who lack that 'sizzle' factor. In some cases, it is dubbed as the most important part of cinematic experience, as any film or drama serial can fall flat — and be easily forgotten — without the right chemistry. 

Five Valentine's dates from hell
Our Correspondent
For some, Valentine's Day is heaven. For others, it is a painful hell! For those who believe that this day should be a disgusting pigskin brown instead of a ravenous red, here are a few nightmare Valentine's dates which may cement your scepticism about all things 'love'.
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Opinion 

News coverage: why must it be positive?
M Bilal Lakhani 

The value of quality control
Muhammad Hamid Zaman 

Pakistan's economy — between autocracy and democracy
Tahir Akbar / Masroor Hamid 

Saudi-America: A love story
Shibil Siddiqi 

A face-saving ploy
Zahrah Nasir 

Blogs

Faiz: Political poetry for the soul
Faiza Rahman 

Sights and sounds at the Karachi Literature Festival
Nadir Hassan 

Who cares about Pakistan's Anna Hazare?
Zahid Gishkori 

Sexual abuse: A victim's diary
S Khan 

Poll

Do you believe the present government has done enough for the betterment of Balochistan?

No (93%, 202 Votes)
Yes (7%, 16 Votes)
Total Voters: 218 

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