The Express Tribune Newsletter: May 19, 2012

Today's Headlines

 

 Coalition support fund: US Congress links Pakistan payments to NATO routes

Huma Imtiaz

Though the deed, as it were, has all but been done, the US has shown Islamabad what the repercussions could have been. 

Pacification politics: Gilani travels to Lahore to pacify irked PML-Q



Abdul Manan

Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Friday that he would remain prime minister as long as he enjoyed the support of parliament and was supported by his coalition partners.

Prelude to reopening?: US 'diplomatic supplies' allowed into Afghanistan



Kamran Yousaf

Pakistan appears to be finally gearing up for lifting the months-old ban on Nato supplies for foreign troops fighting a deadly Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan.

No more delays: Court orders Sindh to hold local govt elections in 90 days



Zeeshan Mujahid

The Sindh High Court has ordered the government to hold local elections in 90 days.
 

Business

Removing hurdles: Planning Commission carves way for chief economist

Shahbaz Rana

In yet another case of violating laid down procedures, the Planning Commission is pushing to appoint hand-picked Khalid Riaz as Chief Economist of Pakistan by seeking waivers of rules that are meant to ensure competent people fill the top slots through competition and a transparent procedure.

Islamic finance expo: Asset management companies steal the show

Our Correspondents

The Karachi Expo Centre's Hall No 1 was full of activity on Friday, as people from different professions visited about 35 stalls set up by different Islamic financial institutions as part of Pakistan's first Islamic Finance Expo and Conference, 2012.

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Sports

Pakistan Champions League: PCB's inter-district event to clash with the league

Nabeel Hashmi

The tournament has not even started but is already under the spotlight for the wrong reasons.

Chelsea, Bayern stars eager to make amends

Our Correspondents

Bayern Munich host Chelsea in today's Champions League final with both looking to erase painful memories of recent defeats at the last hurdle in the event.

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Life & Style

Noori goes live

Sher Khan

Living up to their promise of bringing something fresh, the band's latest venture is the release of a first of its kind live album today (May 19).

Shabnam reminisces about her trip

Saadia Qamar

One of Pakistan's greatest film actors of all time Shabnam recently returned to Bangladesh after her brief visit to Pakistan. The Express Tribune spoke to the talented actor about her recent trip, her on-screen chemistry with actor Nadeem and her life in Bangladesh.

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Opinion

Who am I?

Ajmal Kamal

The art of writing an Urdu column

Tazeen Javed

Sleepless in Siachen

Dr Niaz Murtaza

Trees and us

Salman Rashid

Honour rooted in dishonour

Amina Jilani
 

Blogs

Imran Khan is the target of your Goebbels' vendetta!

Zain Umair

Jannat 2: True Bollywood cinema

Shafiq Ul Hasan

The politics of Kashmir killings

Jehangir Ali

Our dual morality disorder

Rafeel Wasif

Poll

Should Pakistan open NATO supply routes in exchange for greater monetary benefits?

No (60%, 453 Votes) 

Yes (40%, 297 Votes) 

Total Voters: 750

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Lahore: Masters Table Tennis League starts

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>The three-day Masters Table Tennis League began in Lahore in which 32 male and female players from all over the country are participating.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In the qualifying round for men on the opening day, Yasir Bhatti, Salman Wirk, Abdullah, Hafiz Zeeshan, Abdur Rehman, Awais Hassan, Asim Munir and Abdullah entered the second round.<br />&nbsp;</p>


National hockey team off to Malaysia

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Thirteen members of Pakistan hockey team left from Allam Iqbal Air Port Lahore while six players are already in Malaysia.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Talking to media before the departure of the team, captain Sohail Abbas said that the performance of the team will be judged during the tournament.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Pakistan team will play their first match against Argentina on May 24. India, South Korea, New Zealand and hosts Malaysia are also participating in the tournament.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Three more killed in Karachi violence

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>According to details, some unidentified persons opened fire and shot dead a man named Imran in Shah Faisal Colony. Imran was an activist of a political party.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In another incident of target killing, some unidentified person shot dead a man, Sabir Ali in Shah Latif Town.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Police have found dead body of an 8-year-old girl named Fatima from Gulshan Iqbal area. Fatima was resident of Rajput Colony and went missing on May 14. In Asif Square and Baldia Saeedabad, two people were injured in firing related incidents.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Meanwhile, Rangers and police have conducted flag march due to deteriorating law and order situation in different parts of Karachi.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The joint flag march by Rangers and police started from Landhi reached Shah Faisal Colony and culminated at the Karsaz Road after passing through different areas.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Final decision on NATO supply not yet taken: PM

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that no final decision has been taken with regard to resumption of NATO supplies so far.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Talking to media on Friday after a meeting with Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Pervez Elahi, he said that the Parliamentary Committee on National Security gave its recommendations and the Defence Committee of Cabinet had disused them.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&ldquo;I have four priorities for the upcoming budget,&rdquo; said Gilani, listing them down as electricity, employment, no new taxes and relief to the agriculture sector. &ldquo;We will ensure that relief is provided to the agriculture sector and also to other sectors through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP),&rdquo; he added.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>He said President Asif Ali Zardari was invited to Chicago summit unconditionally. He said the DCC endorsed the president&rsquo;s visit.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Answering a question regarding loadshedding the prime minister said the government took it as a challenge and was putting efforts to overcome the power crisis.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&ldquo;No government wants to be weaken, &ldquo;we added 3,000 megawatt to national grid and working on Tharal coal and several hydra power projects&rdquo; Gilani said that agreements had also been signed with Iran and India for purchasing electricity.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The prime minister said after 18th amendment provinces were independent to generate electricity and they should also be quizzed as how many megawatts they added to the national grid.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>To a question whether he would resign or not, the premier said there was only a single way to remove him from office and that was no-trust motion.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>He said democratic governments were ousted by unconstitutional means in the past but &ldquo;now Pakistan could not afford such unconstitutional means&rdquo;. He said he would remain prime minister until coalition partners backed him.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&ldquo;If anyone has courage or strength to oust me through no-trust motion or to impeach President he should do so,&rdquo; he said and added that no long march would be taken out by opposition. He said that the PML-N was also a ruling party and its movement against the federal government was tantamount to revolt.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>When asked about his son&rsquo;s involvement in the ephedrine case, Gilani said that his son, Ali Musa Gilani, was being accused because he is in politics. &ldquo;Your hands will be black if you work with coal.&rdquo;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>He added that his son will face the courts to clear the allegations and they don&rsquo;t need to be apologetic about it.<br />&nbsp;</p>


SC storming case: Police issue notice to Sharif brothers

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>The capital police have decided to reopen Supreme Court (SC) storming case of 1997 and issued notices to Pakistan Muslim League PML-N leaders Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif to appear before Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Muhammad Malik Yousaf in this regard.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&quot;The capital police have reopened the Supreme Court attack case and summoned the Sharif brothers following the directives of Interior Minister Rehman Malik and SSP Muhammad Malik Yousaf has been made the investigation officer of the case,&quot; sources said.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Early this month, the minister had directed the police to start the investigation against the PML-N leaders by reopening the case.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In response, the SSP formed a team which collected and re-examined all the details, including the CCTV footages, FIR registered with the Secretariat police and investigation reports prepared by then SSP headquarters Taimour Ali Khan.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Mr Khan&rsquo;s incomplete inquiry report would be kept sealed till statements of the Sharif brothers were recorded. However, the statements could not be recorded as the PML-N leaders were in detention and later exiled.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The capital police have also started collecting evidence, including the CCTV footages and FIR registered with the Secretariat police.<br />The high-ups of the police have also sought investigation reports prepared by the then SSP headquarters, Taimour Ali Khan.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Shahbaz increases womens job quota to 15 percent

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Presiding over the meeting regarding women&rsquo;s problem the Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif has enhanced women&rsquo;s job quota has been increased in Punjab from 5 percent to 15 percent whereas the age limit for women in all government jobs has also been increased for three years.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The presence of a woman member in selection committee of all provincial departments has been made compulsory.<br /><br />&nbsp;</p>


MQM message spreading despite negative propaganda: Altaf

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Talking to MQM PIA unit workers in London, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain said that all the conspiracies by the opponents the message of the MQM is spreading across the country.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Altaf Hussain said that the masses have realized that the MQM is the true political party which represents them.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>He said that the people from all nationalities are gathering under the banner of MQM to change the outdated political system in the country.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Study: Common pesticide affects developing brain

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Prenatal exposure to a pesticide used on many crops may be linked with abnormal changes in a child&nbsp;s developing brain, scientists report.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Compared to children with low prenatal exposure, those with high exposure to the pesticide chlorpyrifos had abnormalities in the cortex (the outer area of the brain), says Virginia Rauh, ScD, professor and deputy director of the Columbia Center for Children&nbsp;s Environmental Health at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The cortex helps govern intelligence, personality, muscle movement, and other tasks.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&quot;In areas of the cortex, we detected both enlarged and reduced volumes that were significantly different from the normal brain,&quot; she tells WebMD. &quot;This suggests the process of normal brain development has been disturbed in some way.&quot;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The study is published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences&nbsp; Early Edition.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In 2001, the U.S. EPA banned the residential use of chlorpyrifos. It still allows it on crops. It can also be sprayed in public places such as golf courses.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Some environmental advocates have petitioned the EPA to ban agricultural use.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Pakistan, India to soften visa restrictions

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Talking to media in New Delhi, Pakistan High Commissioner to India, Shahid Malik said that according to new visa procedure, elderly persons will be exempted from police reporting while the citizens of both the countries will be allowed to visit three cities instead of one at present.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Shahid Malik said that the businessmen will get multiple-entry and police reporting-free visas while the citizens will be allowed to visit their ancestral cities.<br /><br />&nbsp;</p>


OGRA approves decrease in gas prices

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) on Friday slashed gas prices which will become effective from July 1, 2012 after approval from the Petroleum Ministry.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>According to the sources, OGRA has slashed gas price for the consumers of Sui Northern Gas Company Limited (SNGPL) Rs 47.52 per MMBTU and Rs 34.34 per MMBTU for the consumers of Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC).</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The sources said that the consumers will get a benefit of Rs 36 billion during the next fiscal yeardue to reduction in gas tariff.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Karachi: FC employees torture innocent citizens

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>The people of area have demanded to take action against the FC staff.</p><p><br />The incident occurred in the area of PIB Colony, Karachi where FC employees mercilessly and ruthlessly tortured innocent citizens over trifle matter.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>As a result, 60-year-old Mansoor Ali and another youth Faisal were unconscious and were shifted to hospital for first aid.</p><p><br />The victims claimed that they were beaten by rods and sticks without any reason.</p><p><br />After occurrence of incident, a large number of area people gathered at the main chowk and protested against cruel attitude of FC men towards innocent citizens, with the demand that responsible employees should be arrested and put on trial without any discrimination. <br />&nbsp;</p>


Man donates kidney at 83 years of age

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>It has been recently revealed in a report that a man has donated his kidney at the age of 83. The brave old man is Nicholas Crace and it makes him the oldest living kidney donor in the UK. He is a volunteer driver for a local hospital facility and his compassion for helping others was so much that he even gave up his kidney, not worrying about his own wellbeing at such a ripe age.</p><p><br />&quot;I would have been very disappointed if I had been turned down. I was ideally placed to be a donor after the hospital had established that I was fit and had excellent kidneys. One can live perfectly happily with only one kidney&rdquo;, he revealed, as this being the reason why he came forward to help an absolute stranger.</p><p><br />He also revealed that this might be a way for him to pay a humble tribute to his beloved wife who passed away last year. This shows how deep a person can feel the pain of another and how God can work in mysterious ways to help people. It remains to be seen how many people get motivated b this selfless act and come forward to promise own organs for donation.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Faisalabad: student who attempted suicide passes away

Posted:

<p><br />The victim had been expelled from school due non-attendance.</p><p><br />According to Umer&rsquo;s father, they had gone for a family wedding and when the child went to school after two days he was removed by the Headmaster.</p><p><br />The next day they sent an explanation note with the child, but the Headmaster did not accept it. On the third day the father accompanied his son to school but the Headmaster refused to listen to him.</p><p><br />When they reached home, Umer went outside and set himself on fire and was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. According to Doctors, Umer has received severe burns and they are attempting to save his life.</p><p><br />Headmaster Ghulam Fareed said that the father of the child had been called over his repeated absences, after which this incident took place.</p><p><br />According to the DCO Faisalabad, Umer had been absent several times and the school administration had summoned his parents about this. When the student returned home and asked his father to come to school, the father refused.</p><p><br />It was after this that the student attempted suicide by self-immolation.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Facebook early share gains fade

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Facebook saw an early surge in its share price fade Friday as the wildly popular social network made its stock market debut.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The shares, priced at $38 on Thursday in the largest-ever initial public offering (IPO) for a technology company, jumped 12 percent to $42.55 in the opening Nasdaq trades but within minutes fell back to the offering price.<br />&nbsp;</p>


SBP injects Rs 169.55b in money market

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>According to the State Bank of Pakistan, the central bank will pay 11.59 percent markup on Treasury Bills and Pakistan Investment bonds, purchased for seven days during open market operation.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>During OMO, dealers offered bids for the sale of T-bills worth Rs 235 billion.<br />&nbsp;</p>


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