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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The Express Tribune Newsletter: August 15, 2012

Today's Headlines Onus on opposition: PM invites politicians to discuss caretaker set-up Qamar Zaman On the eve of Pakistan's 65th Independence Day, the premier of the nation delivered a message of cooperation, dialogue and reconciliation. Going green: City lights up for Independence Day Our Correspondents  Government buildings were adorned with lights and bunting while civilians pasted their vehicles with flags and went out to celebrate Independence Day on Tuesday. Independence Day: Blast, strike mar celebrations in Balochistan Mohammad Zafar From flag hoisting and celebrations to a bomb blast and cellular service shutdown, Independence Day in the country's largest province was a sobering affair, reflecting the gravity of challenges faced by 65-year-old Pakistan. Belligerence: PPP leaders for defying SC summons Zia Khan The ruling party's patience is running thin. In a sign of growing frustration towards the judiciary, an overwhelming majority of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders has advised Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf not to appear before the Supreme Court on August 27.   Business Managing micro-equity: The economics of numbers and poverty Humayon Dar Paradoxical though it may seem, there are huge business opportunities in countries with large numbers of poor people. The opportunities for businesses to profit are even more lucrative when such populations happen to live in clusters.  All modern emerging markets (China, India, Brazil and Indonesia) have risen from a base level where large segments of their populations were living in poverty. Starting a small business: When size really doesn't matter Imtiaz Piracha After I decided that I wanted to start a new business, a bookshop, the best person I could think of for guidance was Rahim bhai.  He had years of experience in distributing and selling books and magazines all over the country. _______________________________________________ Sports Pakistani umpire denies relationship with Indian model, admits pictures real Our Correspondents 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. 'Younus was needed for Australia ODIs' Fawad Hussain Former coach and chief selector Mohsin Khan has opposed the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) decision to 'rest' Younus Khan for the upcoming One-Day International (ODI) series against Australia that takes place in the UAE. _______________________________________________ Life & Style Sajid & Zeeshan: 'Sanity' is the result of a perfect harvest Ali Haider Habib The kings of self definitely dance to their own tunes. Peshawar-based duo Sajid Ghafoor and Zeeshan Parwez's latest offering "Sanity" not only has saccharine-soaked melodies, but also a phenomenally-executed video. Shafqat Amanat Ali disappoints with Raaz 3 Our Correspondents If one begins to recall Pakistani artists who have gained international acclaim, Shafqat Amanat Ali will top the list hands down. Unfortunately, even with his melodious voice, his latest song titled "Zindagi" for Bollywood film Raaz 3 fails to impress. _______________________________________________

Opinion Another stupid twist in the Afghan game Ejaz Haider Moving beyond a thaw Tariq Fatemi The denuclearisation threat Talat Masood Certainty and intolerance Khalid Ahmed Fiddling while Balochistan burns Naveed Hussain   Blogs I may be a 'gora' but Pakistan is my home Paul Keijzer London Olympics 2012 closing ceremony: The razzle that dazzled Erum Shaikh Pak sar zameen: A promise Nadia Samrah I was there to witness the miracle of August 14, 1947 Zee Niazi   Poll Do you think local media equally highlights positive and negative news? No (88%, 451 Votes)  Yes (12%, 62 Votes)  Total Voters: 513 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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