The Express Tribune Newsletter: May 18, 2012 ~ Mera Pak Watan

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