The Express Tribune Newsletter: May 18, 2012

Today's Headlines All set for Chicago; PM orders finalising NATO deal Kamran Yousaf / Peer Mohammed The resumption of Nato supply routes seems to be well on track. As the foreign office confirmed President Asif Ali Zardari's attendance at a key moot on the future of Afghanistan in Chicago on Thursday, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani ordered officials to finalise an agreement as quickly as possible on lifting a six-month blockade on overland Nato supplies into war-torn Afghanistan. Seeking accountability: NAB springs into action Zahid Gishkori  After a period of stagnation, the infamous National Accountability Bureau (NAB) seems to have suddenly come back to life. Four pilots killed as PAF trainer aircraft collide Our Correspondents Two Pakistan Air Force (PAF) trainer aircraft collided in mid-air on Thursday, killing the four pilots. Eleven people were injured as the debris from the planes crashed on houses near the Rashakai interchange in Risalpur. The collision occurred around 10:20 am while the two aircraft were conducting routine training flights. Advantage from Nato supply route will not last forever: Husain Haqqani Our Correspondents With the United States and Pakistan busy behind the scenes, hammering out terms for reopening the Nato supply route, the former Ambassador to US, Husain Haqqani appearing on CNN on Thursday, pointed out that whatever advantage Pakistan stands to gain from the Nato supply routes, it will not last forever. Business No respite: Power outages to continue for next two years Our Correspondents With warnings of energy crisis persisting for the next two years despite floating term finance certificates (TFCs) worth Rs82 billion to eliminate the circular debt, the water and power ministry has asked people to brace for further massive hikes in power tariff in the next couple of months. Scraping through: 45% population living below the poverty line, reports BISP Shahbaz Rana As many as 45.7% of the entire population is living under the poverty line, according to a door-to-door survey carried out by Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). The results sharply negate the outcome of another official survey which calculated incidence of poverty at 12%. _______________________________________________ Sports Cricket: BCB avoids discussion on Pakistan tour Fawad Hussain As Pakistan anxiously awaits the return of international cricket, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) ignored discussing the fate of its team's proposed tour to the country. Hockey: Don't expect instant results, says Abbas Saleem Khaliq Newly appointed Pakistan hockey captain Sohail Abbas has made realistic plans.The penalty-corner specialist, who will lead the Greenshirts for the first time in the upcoming Azlan Shah Cup that starts in Malaysia on May 24, has said that an instant impact and immediate results should not be expected from the team. _______________________________________________ Life & Style Political cartoonist: Learning from Feica Manzoor Ali Rafique Ahmed, popularly known as Feica, one of Pakistan's leading political cartoonists, returned to Peshawar after a gap of 12 years. The Other Side: Shooting drones Rafay Mahmood While seasoned film-maker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy made us proud with an Oscar award this year, it seems young film-makers are not far behind as they are working on interesting and unique projects that are garnering attention and recognition for Pakistan. One of these talented minds is Iqra University's Media Science student Muhammad Danish Qasim whose short film The Other Side has created a buzz in Pakistan as well as at international festivals. _______________________________________________

Opinion A right fine mess Kamran Shafi Ironic that the apology came from Pakistan Syed Talat Hussain Legislation in haste Asad Jamal Medical and hazardous waste Ahmad Rafay Alam Saving face Bina Shah   Blogs Our dual morality disorder Rafeel Wasif The devil of miscommunication Hani Taha NATO conference: A tale of too many non-attendees Michael Kugelman China, Chinglish and some shopping tips Irfan Ghauri   Poll Given reports of climate change, have you stepped up efforts to protect the environment? No (59%, 203 Votes)  Yes (41%, 142 Votes)  Total Voters: 345 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: May 16, 2012

Today's Headlines 4 killed, 4 injured in PAF training aircraft collision Web Desk At least four people were killed and four were injured when two Pakistan Air Force (PAF) training airplanes collided in mid-air and fell on nearby houses in the Risalpur area of Nowshehra on Thursday, Express News reported. Asghar Khan petition: Govt asked for ISI political cell notification Web Desk/Azam Khan Hearing Air Marshal (retd) Asghar Khan's petition on Thursday, the Supreme Court asked the government to hand over the notification on the creation of a political cell in the ISI by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in May 1975. Rehman Malik files reference against Nawaz Sharif with NAB Shahbaz Rana In a rare move, the top parliamentary watchdog has directed the government to withdraw all luxury and bullet-proof vehicles being 'illegally used' by the services chiefs, federal ministers and top politicians within a month or amend rules to provide for such favours. CEC's appointment: PML-N floats new names as panel elects chairperson Web Desk Interior Minister Rehman Malik has filed a reference against Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Express News reported on Thursday. Business An abortive plan: Pak-Iran barter trade deal hits major roadblock Zafar Bhutta A barter trade arrangement between Pakistan and Iran has hit a stumbling block before it could take off, as Iran has declared that Pakistan's wheat is of low quality and has asked it to pay cash for urea supply instead of wheat. First ever: Nokia holds global mobile launch in Pakistan Farooq Baloch Nokia's first ever global handset launch in Pakistan, kept everyone guessing till the formal announcement of what was behind the curtain. With officials tight-lipped, everyone could only guess which Nokia phone was about to be unveiled. Bloggers on the edge of their seat were sending live tweets questioning whether it would be a 'Nokia Galaxy' or some other smartphone. _______________________________________________ Sports Sri Lanka tour: Snub only a temporary setback, says Wahab Riaz Fawad Hussain Snubbed fast-bowler Wahab Riaz has termed his omission from the Sri Lanka bound squads a temporary setback, saying he will regain his place in the side by showing his worth though sheer hard work. Cricket: Mushtaq unlikely to get the job Our Correspondents Former Pakistan leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed is unlikely to get the national bowling coach's position despite expressing interest in the role and even coming in for an interview with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).  _______________________________________________ Life & Style Pakistani cinema: Promising projects in the pipeline Our Correspondents There's been a lot of hue and cry about the decline of Pakistani cinema, but with a number of feature films under production and a lot of TV directors switching to films, the situation is expected to drastically change and the industry may get its much-needed overhaul. Here is a list of all those projects which are currently under production. Ensemble introduces the 'Kaani Collection' Saadia Qamar "Whenever I want to treat myself, I invest in a good bag or a nice shawl," says Zeba Husain, the owner and director of the retail store The House of Ensemble. Perhaps it's this love for shawls and their designs that Husain decided to toy with the idea of bringing the kaani designs — usually associated with shawls — on summer fabrics like silk, chiffons and cottons. _______________________________________________

Opinion The paradox reigns supreme Ejaz Haider Re-evaluation of our Afghan policy Asad Munir Truth will set you free Farrukh Khan Pitafi Not enough to paper over differences Tariq Fatemi Plenty Feryal Ali Gauhar Blogs Is it a crime to be a girl? Cheryl Javed The legacy of UK's Pakistani Muslim predators Sufiyan Rana Please don't close down the zoos Adil Mulki Spoiler Alert: The Avengers – entertaining, not excellent Salman Khalid Poll Prime Minister Gilani says Pakistanis unhappy with the country should leave - do you agree? No: 73% (620 votes) Yes: 27% (233 votes) Total Voters: 853 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: May 16, 2012

Today's Headlines Key decision: Chicago invite further smoothes NATO route Kamran Yousaf A Nato invitation to Pakistan for a key summit in Chicago hours before a high-level civil-military huddle says it all: The decision to reopen vital land routes for the foreign forces stationed in Afghanistan was a foregone conclusion. Homecoming: After 20 years, Dr Chishty finally crosses border Umer Nangiana It was a historic day for Pakistan-India relations, and perhaps a symbol of hope for the hundreds of prisoners languishing on both sides of the border indefinitely – scenes of jubilation were witnessed at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport in Islamabad and Dr Khalil Chisty's home in Karachi as he finally crossed the border. Rare move by watchdog: Withdraw all luxury vehicles, PAC tells govt Shahbaz Rana In a rare move, the top parliamentary watchdog has directed the government to withdraw all luxury and bullet-proof vehicles being 'illegally used' by the services chiefs, federal ministers and top politicians within a month or amend rules to provide for such favours. CEC's appointment: PML-N floats new names as panel elects chairperson Zia Khan / Abdul Manan Just as the ruling coalition managed to get its man at the helm of a parliamentary panel to appoint a new chief election commissioner (CEC), the opposition rolled out its nominees for the constitutional post. Business An abortive plan: Pak-Iran barter trade deal hits major roadblock Zafar Bhutta A barter trade arrangement between Pakistan and Iran has hit a stumbling block before it could take off, as Iran has declared that Pakistan's wheat is of low quality and has asked it to pay cash for urea supply instead of wheat. First ever: Nokia holds global mobile launch in Pakistan Farooq Baloch Nokia's first ever global handset launch in Pakistan, kept everyone guessing till the formal announcement of what was behind the curtain. With officials tight-lipped, everyone could only guess which Nokia phone was about to be unveiled. Bloggers on the edge of their seat were sending live tweets questioning whether it would be a 'Nokia Galaxy' or some other smartphone. _______________________________________________ Sports Sri Lanka tour: Snub only a temporary setback, says Wahab Riaz Fawad Hussain Snubbed fast-bowler Wahab Riaz has termed his omission from the Sri Lanka bound squads a temporary setback, saying he will regain his place in the side by showing his worth though sheer hard work. Cricket: Mushtaq unlikely to get the job Our Correspondents Former Pakistan leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed is unlikely to get the national bowling coach's position despite expressing interest in the role and even coming in for an interview with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).  _______________________________________________ Life & Style Pakistani cinema: Promising projects in the pipeline Our Correspondents There's been a lot of hue and cry about the decline of Pakistani cinema, but with a number of feature films under production and a lot of TV directors switching to films, the situation is expected to drastically change and the industry may get its much-needed overhaul. Here is a list of all those projects which are currently under production. Ensemble introduces the 'Kaani Collection' Saadia Qamar "Whenever I want to treat myself, I invest in a good bag or a nice shawl," says Zeba Husain, the owner and director of the retail store The House of Ensemble. Perhaps it's this love for shawls and their designs that Husain decided to toy with the idea of bringing the kaani designs — usually associated with shawls — on summer fabrics like silk, chiffons and cottons. _______________________________________________

Opinion The paradox reigns supreme Ejaz Haider Re-evaluation of our Afghan policy Asad Munir Truth will set you free Farrukh Khan Pitafi Not enough to paper over differences Tariq Fatemi Plenty Feryal Ali Gauhar Blogs Is it a crime to be a girl? Cheryl Javed The legacy of UK's Pakistani Muslim predators Sufiyan Rana Please don't close down the zoos Adil Mulki Spoiler Alert: The Avengers – entertaining, not excellent Salman Khalid Poll Prime Minister Gilani says Pakistanis unhappy with the country should leave - do you agree? No: 73% (620 votes) Yes: 27% (233 votes) Total Voters: 853 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: May 15, 2012

Today's Headlines Confrontation over?: All set to unblock NATO supply routes Kamran Yousaf / Sumera Khan Amidst growing realisation that it cannot keep the Nato supply route blocked for long, Pakistan has dropped the clearest hint yet that it might review a decision that has put its relations with not 'only the US but another 42 countries' in a tailspin. Tribal insurgency: FC convoy attacked with car bomb in Quetta Shehzad Baloch Two paramilitary troops and two passersby were killed and 34 people, including women and children, were injured in a bomb explosion at a busy roundabout in the provincial capital on Monday. Temporary arrangement: Provinces to receive 80% of sales tax on services Shahbaz Rana Despite the absence of two of its five members, one of the highest financial governance bodies in the country went ahead and made critical revenue-sharing decisions in a meeting on Monday, raising questions about the legitimacy of those decisions. Analysis: A grim prognosis Dr Meekal Ahmed If the predictions of this year's fiscal outcome are to be believed, the Pakistan economy is set for at least another year of financial instability with all its adverse economic and social consequences. Business US-Iran standoff: Global oil suppliers seek war risk insurance Zafar Bhutta As tensions between Iran and the United States deepen, international oil suppliers have sought war risk insurance and ocean losses to protect their supplies passing through a key sea channel to Pakistan. Iraq venture: Chinese firm backs out; PPL to proceed alone Our Correspondents Chinese firm Zhenhua has decided not to partner with Pakistan Petroleum Limited and invest in Iraq due to security issues, The Express Tribune has learnt. _______________________________________________ Sports 'I am ready to help Pakistan boxers' Fawad Hussain While Amir Khan is desperate to regain his WBA and IBF light-welterweight titles, he is also concerned by the demise of the sport in Pakistan, the land of his ancestors, and wants to help the local boxers prepare for the 2016 Olympics. Afghanistan snap up Lawson, want Dwyer too Faras Ghani Afghanistan have snapped up Geoff Lawson as a consultant for their under-19 team ahead of the World Cup that takes place in Australia this August.  _______________________________________________ Life & Style 'Coke Studio 5': That didn't impress us much Rafay Mahmood The first episode of the much-awaited musical programme "Coke Studio" was released on Saturday night. This time around, the episode was released on the internet before it got aired on channels, which resulted in tracks like "Paisay Da Nasha" by Bohemia and "Charkha Nolakha" by Atif Aslam and Qayaas receiving over a 100,000 likes within a day. Shabnam: Bidding farewell Saadia Qamar Shabnam, whose trip to Pakistan came to an end yesterday, had a busy schedule for her last two days in Karachi. From shopping trips, events and dinners, the actor made sure this trip — which she is making after a span of 14 years — was a memorable one. _______________________________________________

Opinion In the court of the mad king Feisal H Naqvi US and Pakistan — how to move forward? Talat Masood A little help for the DCC Shahzad Chaudhry All is not well, Mr Shah Anwer Mooraj A matter of conscience Yaqoob Khan Bangash Blogs Pity the judges and judgements Mazhar Abbas The story of Baba Jan Hunzai Sher Khan How golden was Ayub Khan's era? Farooq Tirmizi We were always obsessed with Aishwarya's weight Ammara Ahmad   Poll Do you think mobile phones are hazardous to health? No (40%, 204 Votes)  Yes (60%, 310 Votes)  Total Voters: 514 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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