The Express Tribune Newsletter: May 15, 2012 ~ Mera Pak Watan

The Express Tribune Newsletter: May 15, 2012

Today's Headlines

Confrontation over?: All set to unblock NATO supply routes

Kamran Yousaf / Sumera Khan

Amidst growing realisation that it cannot keep the Nato supply route blocked for long, Pakistan has dropped the clearest hint yet that it might review a decision that has put its relations with not 'only the US but another 42 countries' in a tailspin.

Tribal insurgency: FC convoy attacked with car bomb in Quetta

Shehzad Baloch

Two paramilitary troops and two passersby were killed and 34 people, including women and children, were injured in a bomb explosion at a busy roundabout in the provincial capital on Monday.

Temporary arrangement: Provinces to receive 80% of sales tax on services

Shahbaz Rana

Despite the absence of two of its five members, one of the highest financial governance bodies in the country went ahead and made critical revenue-sharing decisions in a meeting on Monday, raising questions about the legitimacy of those decisions.

Analysis: A grim prognosis

Dr Meekal Ahmed

If the predictions of this year's fiscal outcome are to be believed, the Pakistan economy is set for at least another year of financial instability with all its adverse economic and social consequences.

Business

US-Iran standoff: Global oil suppliers seek war risk insurance

Zafar Bhutta

As tensions between Iran and the United States deepen, international oil suppliers have sought war risk insurance and ocean losses to protect their supplies passing through a key sea channel to Pakistan.

Iraq venture: Chinese firm backs out; PPL to proceed alone

Our Correspondents

Chinese firm Zhenhua has decided not to partner with Pakistan Petroleum Limited and invest in Iraq due to security issues, The Express Tribune has learnt.

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Sports

'I am ready to help Pakistan boxers'

Fawad Hussain

While Amir Khan is desperate to regain his WBA and IBF light-welterweight titles, he is also concerned by the demise of the sport in Pakistan, the land of his ancestors, and wants to help the local boxers prepare for the 2016 Olympics.

Afghanistan snap up Lawson, want Dwyer too

Faras Ghani

Afghanistan have snapped up Geoff Lawson as a consultant for their under-19 team ahead of the World Cup that takes place in Australia this August.

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Life & Style

'Coke Studio 5': That didn't impress us much

Rafay Mahmood

The first episode of the much-awaited musical programme "Coke Studio" was released on Saturday night. This time around, the episode was released on the internet before it got aired on channels, which resulted in tracks like "Paisay Da Nasha" by Bohemia and "Charkha Nolakha" by Atif Aslam and Qayaas receiving over a 100,000 likes within a day.

Shabnam: Bidding farewell

Saadia Qamar

Shabnam, whose trip to Pakistan came to an end yesterday, had a busy schedule for her last two days in Karachi. From shopping trips, events and dinners, the actor made sure this trip — which she is making after a span of 14 years — was a memorable one.

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Opinion