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%.

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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.

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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.

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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

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Arifwala: Fire spreads to three villages, 100 homes gutted

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>The fire which started in the fields engulfed three villages, EB 65, EB 67 and EB 87, due to strong winds which destroyed 100 homes in Arifwala.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Rooftops of some houses were also blown up due to heavy winds while electricity polls were uprotted which affected electricity system in the region.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Fire brigades from other nearby towns were also called in and the fire was brought under control after hectic effort of several hours. Ten people, including women and children fell unconscious due to suffocation caused by fire.<br />&nbsp;</p>


WHO not satisfied with polio campaign in Pakistan

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>According to WHO report, 14 percent children were not vaccinated in Islamabad and 11 percent in Lahore during the previous polio vaccination campaign in Pakistan.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The report termed polio vaccination campaign in Kimari in Karachi and Qila Abdullah as unsatisfactory. Situation in Khyber Pakhtumkhwa is not different as 64 percent children in FATA were not vaccinated.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Pakistan to import 1000MW electricity from Tajikistan

Posted:

<p><br />The meeting of delegations from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzistan and world leading financial institutions was held in Dubai.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Pakistan was represented in the meeting by Minister for Water and Power, Naved Qamar and Advisor on Power, Hilal A Raza and other experts. The project will start in 2014.<br />&nbsp;</p>


PML-N not accepts Gilani as PM, says Nawaz

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif said that his party will not allow the appointment of chief election commissioner (CEC) as per the government&rsquo;s wishes.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>He said that after Yousuf Raza Gilani&rsquo;s conviction he does not accept him as the prime minister.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Talking to media, Nawaz Sharif said that government will be forced not to interfere in the rule of law. He said the rulers are moving towards the politics of 80s and 90s. Nawaz Sharif said that the government is resorted to propaganda against opposition. <br />&nbsp;</p>


Haqqanis counsel not to appear before Memo Commission

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Counsel for Husain Haqqani, Zahid Bukhari would not appear before the Memo Commission, probing the memogate scandal.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Talking to the media, he said that he would continue boycott of the meeting. He said that he would not attend meeting of the commission after its unconstitutional act of recording evidences after completing final arguments.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>He further stated that Husain Haqqani will file appeal in the Supreme Court against its verdict and raise objections in the judgment.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The commission probing memogate scandal will meet at Islamabad High Court today. Opponents in the case have been ordered to present before the commission.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Secretary Memo Commission will present forensic report of electronic evidences presented by Mansoor Aijaz, the man in the centre of memogate scandal.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Chief Justice Balochistan High Court Justice Faez Eisa will head the meeting. The commission had issued notice to both the parties involved in the case.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Altaf express concern over party workers killing

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Expressing his severe concerns over the killing of party workers in Karachi, the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has made a telephonic contact with Interior Minister Abdur Rehman Malik and briefed him about the target killing of MQM workers in the city.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The MQM chief told the minister that five MQM workers including UC-Malir Nazim and former consular of Society have been killed within last three days. He also condemned the persisting killing of MQM workers in the city.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>At least five men belonging to ruling MQM were gunned down in separate incidents on Wednesday.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Judicial Commission to meet today

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>The meeting of Judicial Commission for the appointment of judges in the Supreme Court and Sindh High Court will be held today (Friday) at Islamabad.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The meeting will be chaired by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and attended by the 9 members of the Judicial Commission.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The meeting will seek appointment of Additional Judges in SHC and one permanent judge in the SC.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Before the previous sitting of the Judicial Commission, government had opposed the appointment of two ad hoc judges while Bar Councils and the government supported the appointment of judge on permanent basis, so the appointment of one judge in the SC would easily be materialized.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Sources said Chief Justice of Lahore High Court Sheikh Azmat Saeed would likely be appointed as permanent judge of the SC while Justice Umar Atta Bandiyal would likely to acquire the position of Chief Justice LHC.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Djokovic into Rome last eight aftre fightback

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Holder Novak Djokovic staged a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 comeback over Argentine Juan Monaco to earn a place in the quarter-finals at a windy Rome Masters on Thursday.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>With gusts making life a challenge on the red clay, top seed Djokovic had to smash a racquet into useless bits of composite material to get himself going after losing the opening set to &quot;Pico,&quot; best friend of Rafael Nadal on the ATP.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The outburst came after the Argentine had finally converted on a fifth set point in the blustery conditions.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The Serb went down a break in the second set but got it back with one more for insurance as he levelled at a set apiece. It took a break for 5-3 in the final set to put the Serb into position to close out victory on his second match point.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Djokovic finished with 16 winners and 40 unforced errors, a symptom of the windy conditions which have bothered players all week. He now leads Monaco 6-0 as the pair played for the first time on the South American&nbsp;s preferred surface.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Rome is one of the four Masters 1000 titles which Djokovic has won in multiple editions, along with Indian Wells, Miami and Canada.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Spanish sixth seed David Ferrer knocked out French 11th seed Gilles Simon 6-0, 7-6 (7/5), while Madrid finalist Tomas Berdych, seeded seventh, reached the last eight as he put out Spaniard Nicolas Almagro 7-6 (7/3), 6-3.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>On the women&nbsp;s side, top seed Victoria Azarenka faces a French Open fitness battle after a right shoulder injury forced her to withdraw before her third-round match.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The Belarus player pulled out prior to her third-round match, handing a walkover win to Slovak Dominika Cibulkova.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>With just 10 days until the start of the French Open, the Belarusian will hope for a quick recovery ahead of her bid for a second straight grand slam title.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Wimbledon winner and fourth seed Petra Kvitova battled to overcome Romanian Sorona Cirstea 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 while German 12th seed Angelique Kerber beat German compatriot Julia Goerges 6-4, 6-1.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Italy&nbsp;s Flavia Pennetta continued to thrill home fans, crushing Petra Cetkovska 6-0, 6-1.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Flame for London Games formally handed over

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>The flame for the London Olympics, which start on July 27 after a 70-day torch relay around Britain, was formally handed over at a ceremony in a damp Athens on Thursday. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The flame, lit from the sun&nbsp;s rays at the home of the ancient Games in Olympia a week ago, was handed over under grey and rainy skies to Britain&nbsp;s Princess Anne by the president of the Hellenic Olympic Committee Spyros Capralos.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>London Games chairman and twice Olympic 1,500-metre champion Sebastian Coe paid tribute to Greece for their hospitality and even thanked the hosts for providing &quot;British weather&quot; for the ceremony.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&quot;This summer we welcomed the world to London and we look forward to the incredible event that will unfold. Join us in a sporting celebration that will capture the imagination,&quot; Coe told spectators including London mayor Boris Johnson and former England soccer captain David Beckham.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The 70-day torch relay will travel 12,800 km around Britain, taking in 1,018 villages and the 1,085-metre summit of Snowdon, before culminating with the lighting of the Olympic cauldron in the Olympic Stadium on the opening day of the Games.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The relay will also take in landmarks around Britain with the flame travelling by canal boat, cable car, tram, steam train, hot air balloon and even motorcycle sidecar on the Isle of Man TT course.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>More than 95 percent of the British population will be within an hour of the route.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Broad puts England in control

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Shivnarine Chanderpaul prevented another complete West Indies collapse on the first day of the first Test here on Thursday as England&nbsp;s Stuart Broad enjoyed yet more success at Lord&nbsp;s.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Chanderpaul&nbsp;s 87 not out, his latest rescue mission for his beleaguered side, was the cornerstone of a total of 243 for nine in an innings where no other batsman has so far made more than opener Adrian Barath&nbsp;s 42.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Paceman Broad took six wickets for 72 in 24.4 overs -- his first five-wicket Test innings haul at Lord&nbsp;s.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>It secured him a place on the Lord&nbsp;s bowling honours board to set alongside his Test-best 169 against Pakistan at the ground in 2010.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>That Chanderpaul, who came in with West Indies struggling after an all too familiar top order collapse left them 86 for three, led many to wonder why the left-hander, now officially the world&nbsp;s best Test batsman, had not been promoted from his favoured number five spot.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Without taking undue risks the ever-gritty Guyanese, whose wide open stance confounds purists and opponents alike, completed a relatively brisk fifty in 102 balls featuring seven fours.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>England did not have things all their way after captain Andrew Strauss won the toss and fielded in overcast, bowler-friendly conditions.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Barath&nbsp;s bold cover-driving saw to that but James&nbsp; Anderson still took two wickets for nine runs to clean bowl opener Kieran Powell and have Kirk Edwards leg before.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Unfortunately for the West Indies, Barath -- who struck 36 in boundaries alone -- had added just one run to his lunch score of 41 when the diminutive opener drove loosely outside off stump against Broad and third slip Anderson held a sharp catch at the second attempt.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Darren Bravo, missed on 29 by second slip Graeme Swann, was run out for that score after a dreadful mix-up with Chanderpaul.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Anderson, bowling round the wicket to Chanderpaul, then saw South African umpire Marais Erasmus raise his finger in answer to an lbw appeal.<br />Unsurprisingly, Chanderpaul, on 15, called for a review and tracking technology indicated the ball would have missed off-stump.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Marlon Samuels (31) helped Chanderpaul add 81 before he sliced Broad to backward point where debutant Jonathan Bairstow took his first Test catch.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>And 181 for five quickly became 187 for six when wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin edged Broad to Strauss at first slip.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>West Indies captain Darren Sammy, trying to turn a Broad outswinger with the new ball legside, was caught in the gully by Tim Bresnan.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Broad, the son of former England opening batsman Chris, then completed his five-wicket haul all by himself when he caught and bowled Kemar Roach to leave the tourists on 231 for eight.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>And the 25-year-old Nottinghamshire all-rounder then ended proceedings two balls short of the day&nbsp;s full 90 overs when he had tailender Fidel Edwards brilliantly caught by diving wicketkeeper Matt Prior.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Karachi: Target killing, violence claim 7 more lives

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Violence and target killing continued in Karachi as seven more people were killed in different localities of the city.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>According to details, some unidentified armed persons opened fire and killed a man named Shahbaz in Ferozabad area. Another dead body was found from the same locality. Police said the deceased were workers of different political parties.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In another incident of violence, 28-year-old Nauroz Khan was shot dead Mochoko area while some unidentified persons shot dead 26-year-old Adnan who was sitting out side a shop in BR Society area of Taimoriya.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In yet another incident of target killing, a man named Tahir was shot dead in Mominabad area of Orangi Town. In Kalakot area, some unidentified persons shot dead a man named Jan Murad and injured Sufyan. Meanwhile, police have recovered a dead body from Brigade area. The dead person was identified as Shafeeq. Police said Shafeeq was an activist of a political party.<br />&nbsp;</p>


New tariff for NATO trucks not finalized yet: US

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>While addressing a briefing at Pentagon, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public affairs, George Little refused to comment on the specifics of these discussions. He was asked whether the new rates being quoted in the media, between $1500-$5000 per truck, as and when the NATO supplies resume were accurate or not.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&quot;It will be inappropriate for me to reveal the negotiations to public when we are in the middle of our discussions with Pakistan. Discussions with Pakistan continue on the reopening of ground supply routes and we have to resolve it soon,&quot; he reiterated.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&quot;We remain hopeful that these routes will remain open, because it is very important for our effort in Afghanistan,&quot; he maintained. He, however, asserted that the supplies to NATO troops in Afghanistan were sound currently &quot;but it will be helpful if routes from Pakistan are reopened.&quot;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>George Little was also unaware whether Pakistani president Asif Zardari will be meeting any US dignitary separately as well on the sidelines of the forthcoming Chicago summit. &quot;Plan of sideline meetings are still being finalised, but I&nbsp;m not aware of any plans of President Obama or Secretary Panetta as yet to meet President Zardari on the sidelines in Chicago,&quot; he responded.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The spokesperson of the US State Department, Victoria Nuland, in a separate briefing, also declined to confirm these new rates. &quot;There is all kinds of crazy stuff in the press one way or the other. We don&nbsp;t consider it productive to be conducting this negotiation from this podium, so I am not going to comment on every stray comment about what&nbsp;s going on, but we are working through all of these various issues with the Pakistani side and we&nbsp;ll continue to do so,&quot; she opined.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&quot;We are continuing to have discussions with Pakistan, but we are where we were yesterday,&quot; she said while indicating that there was no tangible update as such to be shared. &quot;My understanding is that teams (part of negotiations from both sides) took a pause today and will resume tomorrow,&quot; she revealed while refusing to predict the outcome of these negotiations. &quot;I am not going to make a prediction. These negotiations are ongoing. It&nbsp;s most important that we get it, that we get it right and that we do it completely,&quot; she firmly stated.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Ms Nuland was also non-committal about a fresh security alert issued by the US embassy in Islamabad. &quot;We never comment about the security posture of our embassies anywhere in the world. I am not aware of any new alert information, but I would refer you to the embassy&nbsp;s website. May be they have done something in the recent hours,&quot; she contented.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>- Contributed by Awais Saleem, Dunya News correspondent in Washington, DC <br />&nbsp;</p>


Six killed, many hurt as storm hits Multan, suburbs

Posted:

<p><br />Many were also injured in different incidents and were referred to different medical points.</p><p><br />In Khanewal, a man died as lighting befell him.</p><p><br />According to sources heavy rain and speedy thunderstorm that hit Multan and nearby areas, uprooted trees and badly damaged the communication and electricity system.</p><p><br />The thunderstorm also destroyed the fruit gardens, particularly mangoes.</p><p><br />In Khairpur two girls died and another was badly injured when the wall of their house collapsed. Likewise, wall-collapse also claimed the life an old woman.</p><p><br />Vehari, Der Bala, Mohsinwall, Pakpatan and Kohat also came under the sprint of gale and rain, bringing the temperatures down. <br />&nbsp;</p>


Traders protest against corruption, loadshedding

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>The citizens and traders staged protest against power loadshedding in the city and shouted slogans against mismanagement of the government which had made their lives miserable.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>They blocked the road by torching tyres outside the Sheranwala Gate in Lahore.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The protesters blocked the main road, causing problems to the passengers. </p><p><br />Protestors also beat their chests and said that economy of the country had been destroyed due to corruption by the government. </p><p><br />Traders also warned that if proper arrangements were not made to end the loadshedding, they would go on unending shutter-down strike.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>


Karachi: Another killer of women held

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>According to sources Brigade Police conducted a raid in the Soldier Bazar area and arrested At&rsquo;her Abbas alia Pappo who is reportedly accused of killing women.</p><p><br />Earlier, police arrested his aide who was also involved in the crime.</p><p><br />The police said that two woman were crushed to death in March and April at Soldier Bazar and in the area of Guru Mander.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>


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