The Express Tribune Newsletter: May 01, 2012 ~ Mera Pak Watan

The Express Tribune Newsletter: May 01, 2012

Today's Headlines

National security: The army supports democracy, says Gen Kayani

Naveed Akbar

As the political scene heats up with the government and the opposition drawing battle lines, Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has said that the army supports the democratic process in the country.

Unseating the premier: Nawaz warns of grand opposition alliance

Zia Khan

Nawaz Sharif is still not forthcoming with his exact plan to ensure the prime minister leaves his office – but the chief of the main opposition party dropped some potent hints on Monday, among them a move to form a grand opposition alliance against the government.

Key position: PPP, PML-N to battle over new CEC

Abdul Manan

The office of the chief election commissioner (CEC) is a key one in process of disqualifying the prime minister. With the office being occupied by a caretaker, the appointment of a new CEC is set to become the new battleground between the government and the opposition.

US drone strikes wise, legal, just, defends White House official

Huma Imtiaz

After facing condemnation, and a fresh protest lodged by Pakistan over its controversial drone program, the US finds that the programme is wise, legal and just.

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Business

Monthly revision: Ignoring OGRA, govt leaves oil prices unchanged

Zafar Bhutta

The government on Monday turned down a proposal of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) to reduce petroleum product prices in line with the decline in global crude prices and kept most of the prices unchanged.

Circular debt: Independent power producers feel the heat

Shahram Haq

Independent power producers have warned of power outages to increase in the coming days as operational levels drop and cash flows dry up.

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Sports

Focus on domestic cricket now

Nabeel Hashmi

Former players have urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to focus on improving the standard of domestic events in the country before the next season instead of investing its energy on the return of international cricket.

Fallen hero: Mohammad Asif to be released on May 5

Our Correspondents

Once Pakistan's star cricketer and now fallen hero, Mohammad Asif, is scheduled to be released on May 5, after serving his sentence in the United Kingdom, The Times of India reported on Monday.

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Life & Style

Roomi Syed: The multitasking Miss Pakistan

Saadia Qamar

Former Miss Pakistan Roomi Syed is not just a model, poet and writer — she's now a fashion designer too. She recently opened up a boutique and production house in Karachi's Khadda Market. The Express Tribune spoke to the former pageant queen about her fashion inspiration and her latest endeavours.

Opera without the Gala

Anwer Mooraj

A Hawaiian guitar would be strung in the background, while a wahine draped in a sarong, with a face and figure like Dorothy Lamour, would waft by singing "Moon of Manakoora". I was therefore a little surprised to discover that the Grand Opera Gala held at the Sheraton Hotel, Karachi on April 28 was not staged at the pool but in the Grand Ballroom.

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Opinion