The Express Tribune Newsletter: May 3, 2012

Today's Headlines

 

Dual nationality: Another petition filed against Malik

Our Correspondent

Another application was filed in the Supreme Court against the interior ministry's dual nationality case amid contradictory reports on whether Rehman Malik is still a British national or not..

Egos, armies of India, Pakistan biggest hurdle to Siachen peace: Mukhtar

Web Desk

With Pakistan Army Chief having recently stated that Pakistan wants a resolution to the Siachen issue, Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar pointed out to BBC Urdu that the biggest hurdle in resolving the icy issue were armies of both Pakistan and India.

To an undisclosed location: Arrangements to relocate 'CIA doctor' finalised

Our Correspondent

Arrangements have been made to shift Dr Shakil Afridi from Peshawar Central Jail to an undisclosed location, sources told The Express Tribune on Saturday.

Agencies concerned over trips by diplomats

Asad Kharal

Following reports of an unauthorised trip by US embassy officials to Gilgit-Baltistan, an intelligence agency's report has expressed serious concern regarding the "secret movement" of foreign missions/diplomats in the country, including covert meetings with officials and private persons – without informing either the foreign office or the interior ministry.

Business

Budget fails to address key issues faced by country: Ishaq Dar

PPI

Former Finance Minister and leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Ishaq Dar on Saturday alleged that rulers seem non-serious in steering the country out of a looming energy crisis, as he rejected the budget.

Budget: Allocation for water resources sees dip in next fiscal

Zafar Bhutta

Funds for developing the all-important water resources have shrunk to about 13% of total development budget for 2012-13 and this comes at a time when the country is going to enter the ranks of water-scarce countries with a significant gap between demand and supply.

_______________________________________________

Sports

Cricket: Give Hafeez time to shine, says manager

Nabeel Hashmi

Pakistan team manager Naveed Akram Cheema said that newly appointed captain Muhammad Hafeez should be given time to prove his leadership credentials after a disappointing start to the tour which saw the tourists lose the opening Twenty20 by 37 runs.

Azlan Shah Cup: Pakistan finish rock bottom

Our Correspondent

With the Olympics less than two months away, Pakistan hockey sunk to a new low, the team recording its fifth successive loss to end the seven-team Azlan Shah Cup at the bottom.

_______________________________________________

Life & Style

Atif Aslam: Music for my ears

Sher Khan

The young boy of yesterday, who pranced into the Pakistani music scene with "Aadat" showed the world that he has evolved into a mature artist with "Charkha Naulakha".

Is Rowdy Rathore the new Dabangg?

Our Correspondent

The uproar that began with Dabangg continues to rock the box office with Rowdy Rathore. _______________________________________________

 




Opinion

The state has no business deciding someone's faith

Saroop Ijaz

What did Husain Haqqani write?

Khaled Ahmed

Why Indians win the Spelling Bee

Aakar Patel

Think before we speak

Shahzeb Khanzada

Bad economy: not my fault

Dr Pervez Tahir

Blogs

Radio in FATA: A foreign voice for local problems

Tayyeb Afridi

Give your wallet a workout at Café DownTown

Farah S Kamal

Budget 2012: What about tax collection?

Farhan Zaheer

Vukla diaries: The answer is no

Abira Ashfaq 

Poll

Do you agree with the requirement of mentioning religion on identification documents?

No (61%, 336 votes)

Yes (39%, 210 votes)

Total votes: 546

Links

Contact us

Tribune on Facebook

Tribune on Twitter

About us

RSS Feed

Subscribe to the Paper

Careers

Copyrights

Jobs

Classifieds

 


The Express Tribune, 5 Expressway Off Korangi Road, Karachi, Sindh 75500, Pakistan
You may unsubscribe or change your contact details at any time.

Dunya TV

Dunya TV


Plane crash in Ghana kills 10, crew survives

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>A cargo plane crash-landed on Saturday near the airport in Ghana&nbsp;s capital Accra after overshooting the runway and hit a bus on the ground, killing at least 10 people, but the crew survived, officials said.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Wreckage from the Allied Air plane could be seen in an area near the airport along with a badly damaged bus. Rescue, police and fire officers flooded the scene and cordoned off the immediate area of the crash.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Ghana&nbsp;s airport operator confirmed in a statement that &quot;flight number DHV 111, cargo aircraft, operating from Lagos to Accra, has overshot the runway on landing on Saturday June 2, at 7:10 pm local time.&quot;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>It added that &quot;the crew of four people on board all survived the accident and are currently receiving treatment at the airport clinic. The aircraft collided with a minivan, resulting in 10 confirmed fatalities ...&quot;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>One witness reported seeing the plane come down and hit the bus, killing those inside.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&quot;I closed from work, walking home in the rain, only to see the plane falling and people in the Benz bus crushed to death,&quot; said Kofi Anor.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>A senior military officer said the plane crash-landed and also spoke of 10 dead.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The bus was severely damaged, while the plane&nbsp;s wings and tail had broken off from its body.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The plane crashed in an area just outside a stadium, near the airport and a military base. It did not appear to strike any houses.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>An operator who answered at Allied Air said no one was available to speak.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Queen kicks off celebrations at the races

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>A 41-gun salute to kick off celebrations marking Queen Elizabeth&nbsp;s 60 years on the throne. It was just one of several salutes to the long serving monarch throughout the country.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Queen Elizabeth, in royal blue, spent the anniversary of her coronation at the races, indulging a lifelong passion for horses.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The 86-year-old monarch presented trophies to the winning jockey and trainers.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The Diamond Jubilee Coronation Cup is the first of four days of celebrations in the UK honoring the Queen.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Thousands protest verdict in Mubarak trial in Tahrir

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Thousands took to the scene of so many protests in Cairo to voice their displeasure at the verdict in the Mubarak trial on Saturday. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Rather than a healing experience that many Egyptians wanted, many saw the trial that acquitted top security officials as showing how much of Mubarak&nbsp;s old order was still in place.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&quot;A revolution is by definition toppling the entire former regime, metaphorically, a total cleansing, if you do not throw all of the corrupt in the sea, then you have not made a revolution,&quot; said one protester in Tahrir Square.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Mubarak, toppled by an uprising last year after 30 years ruling Egypt, was sentenced to life imprisonment on Saturday for his role in killing protesters after a trial that sets a precedent for holding Middle East autocrats to account.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>But it was not enough for thousands of Egyptians who poured onto the streets afterwards in a nation already on edge before a deciding presidential vote in two weeks. Some wanted Mubarak executed, others feared the judge&nbsp;s ruling exposed weaknesses in the case that could let the ex-military strongman off on appeal.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&quot;Where is justice? We have great respect for the judges of Egypt, but where is justice?&quot; said another protester in Tahrir Square.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Wearing dark glasses, the 84-year-old Mubarak was wheeled into a courtroom cage on a hospital stretcher to join co-defendants including his two sons Alaa and Gamal, former Interior Minister Habib al-Adli and six security officials.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Addressing the hushed courtroom, Judge Ahmed Refaat said: &quot;The court has ordered a punishment for Hosni Mubarak of life in prison based on charges of participating in crimes of killing and attempted killing.&quot;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Propped up on the stretcher and stony-faced during the verdict, the only words the former air force commander uttered were to acknowledge to the judge over a microphone that he was present before the ruling was read out. Afterwards, he was whisked off by helicopter to a prison hospital.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>His two sons, businessman Alaa, and Gamal, a former banker was once seen as being groomed for president before his father was toppled on Feb. 11, 2011, had corruption charges quashed, but stay in jail over another case referred to court last week.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Refaat sentenced Adli, whose police force was hated for the brutal tactics used against the revolt, to life in prison. About 850 people were killed in the 18-day uprising against Mubarak.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>But the judge acquitted the senior security officials for lack of evidence, a decision that worried lawyers for victims&nbsp; families who said that could help Mubarak win any appeal.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Businessman and Mubarak ally Hussein Salem, being tried in absentia, was also acquitted of corruption charges.<br />It was the first time an ousted Arab leader had faced an ordinary court in person since a wave of uprisings shook the Arab world last year, sweeping away four entrenched rulers.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Judicial Commission nominates 7 add judges for SCH

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Judicial Commission of Pakistan Saturday recommended the names for appointment of seven additional judges in Sindh High Court (SHC).</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The meeting of the Judicial Commission was headed by Chief Justice, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry in which the commission approved the names of seven candidates including three sessions judges and four lawyers for the appointment of additional judges in the SHC.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The names of the proposed Additional Judges are Aftab Ahmad, Habib ur Rehman Sheikh, Salahuddin, Riazat Ali, Aziz ur Rehman, Farooq Channa and Farooq Shah.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Chiniot: Woman torched over dowry dispute

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>According to details, 18-year-old Sonia of Vhak 130 near Chiniot married with Mian Khan some two years ago. The in-laws of Sonia used to torture her for not bringing enough dowry.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>On Saturday, Sonia&rsquo;s husband Mian Khan set her ablaze after sprinkling petrol on her. She was rushed to Allied Hospital where her condition is stated to be critical. <br />&nbsp;</p>


Lahore: Woman sets herself on fire

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>According to police, 25-year-old Nadia of Kahna married to Maqsood of Nishtar Colony a few months ago but she developed differences with her husband and in-laws soon after the marriage and returned to her parents&rsquo; house.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>On Saturday, Nadia went to her in-laws house to collect her belongings where she and her in-laws exchanged harsh words after which she sprinkled petrol on her boday and set herself on fire. She was rushed to nearby hospital where her condition is stated to be critical.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Rawalpindi: Minor girl killed during police raid

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>According to details, a case of fraud and forgery was registered against Ashraf Mahmood and his son Khurram Shahzad at the Pirwadhai Police Station.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Police conducted a raid at the house of the accused, situated at Fauji Colony, to arrest them. The residents presented bail papers of accused, however, police forcibly entered the house and allegedly tortured female members of the family due to which six-year-old Sana fell unconscious. She was rushed to a nearby hospital but she could not survive. <br /><br />&nbsp;</p>


Pakistan to face Sri Lanka in second T20 today

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>The second Twenty20 match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be played today at Hambantota, Sri Lanka.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In the first match of the two-match T20 series, played on Friday at the same venue, hosts Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 37 runs. Both the teams have practice sessions on the eve of second match.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Olympics: IOC summons Pakistan officials over 'interference'

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>The International Olympic Committee has summoned Pakistani sports officials to resolve a row over alleged government interference that could jeopardise the country&nbsp;s attendance at the London Games.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Pakistan Olympic Association president Syed Arif Hasan said Saturday his country might face a ban if a stand-off with the Pakistan Sports Board is not resolved.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Under Pakistani sports policy, no national sports federation head can have more than two tenures and the Pakistan Sports Board wants the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) to follow suit.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>But Hasan insisted the POA was a autonomous body that would only follow IOC rules.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&quot;The IOC has summoned both the parties on Monday to make clear that any government interference is unacceptable in Olympic association matters, but things can go wrong,&quot; said Hasan.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&quot;Under the IOC charter, political and government interference is not acceptable and it can lead to the cancellation of IOC membership and in turn an Olympic ban,&quot; Hasan, who won a third term as POA head in February this year told AFP.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&quot;It is a very dangerous scenario.&quot;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The two sides have been summoned to appear before the IOC in Switzerland on Monday.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In its letter to the POA, the IOC said government interference was &quot;unacceptable.&quot;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&quot;As the London Games are fast approaching, your National Olympic Committee and the Olympic movement in your country must be in a position to work in a serene and peaceful atmosphere in order to prepare your athletes and your delegation to the London Games in the best possible manner,&quot; the letter said.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&quot;Any attempt from any government body to implement provisions which are not compatible with the basic principles which govern the Olympic movement would be considered as government interference and would result in protective measures,&quot; said the letter.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The IOC also said the POA&nbsp;s February election was &quot;fair and &quot;as per the IOC rules.&quot;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Pakistan&nbsp;s only chance to win a medal at the London Olympics lies in field hockey in which they have qualified as Asian champions.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>They have also received two wild-card entries each in athletics, swimming and shooting and may also get one in boxing -- but do not stand a real chance of winning a medal in those fields.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Nadal and Sharapova through at French Open

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Rafa Nadal continued his untroubled progress towards a seventh French Open title with a 6-1 6-3 6-4 defeat of Argentine qualifier Eduardo Schwank on Saturday (June 2) to reach the last 16.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Second seed Nadal, who dropped only nine games in his first two rounds at Roland Garros, was never under threat from the big Argentine doubles specialist.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Schwank is ranked 192 in singles.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Nadal, seeking his 11th grand slam title, will next meet either another Argentine, 13th seed Juan Monaco, or Canadian Milos Raonic, seeded 19th.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>First, though, he will celebrate his 26th birthday on Sunday.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>It was business as usual when Maria Sharapova breezed into the fourth round of the French Open by sweeping past Chinese Peng Shuai 6-2 6-1 on Saturday (June 2).</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Sharapova&nbsp;s outings have been fleeting this week as she has dropped just five games en route to the last 16, spending a total of two hours and 54 minutes on court over her three matches.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>On Saturday, it took her 66 minutes to subdue her 28th-seeded opponent on a sunbathed Court Phlippe Chatrier with another display of power and accuracy.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Sharapova, twice a semi-finalist on Parisian clay, will next face the unseeded Czech, Klara Zakopalova.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Liu equals 110m hurdles record in wind-aided run

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>China&nbsp;s Liu Xiang charged to victory in the 110 metres hurdles, holding off a star-studded field to equal the world record with a wind-aided 12.87sec run in the Diamond League here on Saturday.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Liu, the 2004 Olympic gold medallist, blasted out of the blocks and led from start to finish with the help of a strong tailwind measured at 2.4 metres per second.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Because of the tailwind, Liu does not get a share of the world record, which is held by Cuba&nbsp;s Dayron Robles.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>American Aries Merritt finished second in 12.96, while Jason Richardson was third in 13.11 in a field that boasted athletes holding five of the top six times in the world this year.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Liu bested his world-leading time of 12.97 from earlier in the year but, unlike on Saturday, that was achieved without the aid of a tailwind.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Stoner takes pole in Catalunya MotoGP

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>World champion Casey Stoner will start on pole in the Catalunya motorcycling Grand Prix Sunday after the Honda rider posted the quickest time in qualifying under the sun at the Montmelo circuit.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The Australian picked up the 40th pole of his career Saturday and second of the season by edging Spain&nbsp;s Jorge Lorenzo by 0.146sec with Lorenzo&nbsp;s Yamaha teammate, Briton Cal Crutchlow, in third, at 0.253.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Stoner is bidding to win here for the second year in a row in a season which will be his last in MotoGP after announcing at the French MotoGP last month his shock decision to retire.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The 26-year-old set his pole-securing lap time of 1min 41.295 eight minutes from the end of the session.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&quot;We used the qualifying as an extended practice session as we don&nbsp;t always have enough time to do everything during the 45 minute sessions,&quot; Stoner told www.motogp.com.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&quot;This morning we did a lot of work with the hard tyre, so in the afternoon in these hot conditions, we worked more with the softer one to get a clearer understanding if we can run with it for race distance.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&quot;Tomorrow, for sure tyre degradation is going to play a role so we&nbsp;re going to have to wait and see but I&nbsp;m happy to start from pole.&quot;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Lorenzo said: &quot;We would have liked to be on pole, but we are happy with the position.&quot;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Ducati&nbsp;s Italian star Valentino Rossi was ninth fastest.<br />&nbsp;</p>


Sassui Palijo deprived of Ministry of Culture

Posted:

<p><br />On the other hand, notification to take back home ministry from Manzoor Wassan also has been issued. </p><p><br />According to sources, Sassui Palijo walked out of the Sindh Assembly as she was not given permission to express her thoughts on some point. </p><p><br />While talking to the media, Sindh CM Qaim Ali Shah said that Sassui had violated the party discipline by committing walkout of the assembly. </p><p><br />Shazia Marri revealed in the cabinet meeting that Sassui wanted to talk apart from protocol; that is why she lost her temperament and walked out of the assembly as a protest. </p><p><br />While commenting on the issue, Sassui said that she had great respect for Sindh CM who is senior leader of the Party. So far as the ministry is concerned, it was trust of the party; she has no objection on this. <br />&nbsp;</p>


Pakistan lose to Great Britain in Azlan Shah Cup

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Pakistan finished last for the first time in the history of the Cup. Abdul Hassem Khan scored Pakistan their lead in the 15th minute, which lasted till halftime. In the 47th minute Barry Middleton scored the equaliser for Great Britain.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>It seemed that the match would end in a draw but with four minutes remaining, Ashley Jackson scored the winning goal for Great Britain.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Earlier, after a dismal run in the ongoing Azlan Shah Cup, including the 2-1 defeat against India, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) chief selector Hanif Khan had declared that the team was unprepared for the Olympics which are less than two months away.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>


Iran vows 'proportionate' response to any strike

Posted:

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>It was expressed by the military adviser to the country&nbsp;s supreme leader Ali Khamenei said on Saturday.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>General Yahya Rahim Safavi, quoted by Fars news agency, said however that such an attack was unlikely.</p><p><br />Despite warnings from Washington and Israel that &quot;all options are on the table&quot; if negotiations between Iran and major powers on Tehran&nbsp;s controversial nuclear programme fail, conditions do not favour an assault, he said.</p><p><br />&quot;They may be able start one but they can not end it and it remains in Iran&nbsp;s hands,&quot; the general said.</p><p><br />&quot;The domestic political, economic and social conditions in America and the Zionist regime are not such as to have a new war in the region,&quot; he said.</p><p><br />US President Barack &quot;Obama wants to get re-elected in November; the cabinet of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a fragile one,&quot; he said.</p><p><br />However, in case of an attack, &quot;we will act against their military operation smartly, proportional to any damage that they inflict on us.&rdquo;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Rahim Safavi warned that the whole of Israel was within range of the missiles of Hezbollah, Iran&nbsp;s Shiite militia allies in Lebanon, and that US forces in the region were vulnerable.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>


About the Administrator

© 2013 Mera Pak Watan. All rights resevered. Designed by These Templates