The Express Tribune Newsletter: May 16, 2012 ~ Mera Pak Watan

The Express Tribune Newsletter: May 16, 2012

Today's Headlines

Key decision: Chicago invite further smoothes NATO route

Kamran Yousaf

A Nato invitation to Pakistan for a key summit in Chicago hours before a high-level civil-military huddle says it all: The decision to reopen vital land routes for the foreign forces stationed in Afghanistan was a foregone conclusion.

Homecoming: After 20 years, Dr Chishty finally crosses border

Umer Nangiana

It was a historic day for Pakistan-India relations, and perhaps a symbol of hope for the hundreds of prisoners languishing on both sides of the border indefinitely – scenes of jubilation were witnessed at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport in Islamabad and Dr Khalil Chisty's home in Karachi as he finally crossed the border.

Rare move by watchdog: Withdraw all luxury vehicles, PAC tells govt

Shahbaz Rana

In a rare move, the top parliamentary watchdog has directed the government to withdraw all luxury and bullet-proof vehicles being 'illegally used' by the services chiefs, federal ministers and top politicians within a month or amend rules to provide for such favours.

CEC's appointment: PML-N floats new names as panel elects chairperson

Zia Khan / Abdul Manan

Just as the ruling coalition managed to get its man at the helm of a parliamentary panel to appoint a new chief election commissioner (CEC), the opposition rolled out its nominees for the constitutional post.

Business

An abortive plan: Pak-Iran barter trade deal hits major roadblock

Zafar Bhutta

A barter trade arrangement between Pakistan and Iran has hit a stumbling block before it could take off, as Iran has declared that Pakistan's wheat is of low quality and has asked it to pay cash for urea supply instead of wheat.

First ever: Nokia holds global mobile launch in Pakistan

Farooq Baloch

Nokia's first ever global handset launch in Pakistan, kept everyone guessing till the formal announcement of what was behind the curtain. With officials tight-lipped, everyone could only guess which Nokia phone was about to be unveiled. Bloggers on the edge of their seat were sending live tweets questioning whether it would be a 'Nokia Galaxy' or some other smartphone.

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Sports

Sri Lanka tour: Snub only a temporary setback, says Wahab Riaz

Fawad Hussain

Snubbed fast-bowler Wahab Riaz has termed his omission from the Sri Lanka bound squads a temporary setback, saying he will regain his place in the side by showing his worth though sheer hard work.

Cricket: Mushtaq unlikely to get the job

Our Correspondents

Former Pakistan leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed is unlikely to get the national bowling coach's position despite expressing interest in the role and even coming in for an interview with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

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Life & Style

Pakistani cinema: Promising projects in the pipeline

Our Correspondents

There's been a lot of hue and cry about the decline of Pakistani cinema, but with a number of feature films under production and a lot of TV directors switching to films, the situation is expected to drastically change and the industry may get its much-needed overhaul. Here is a list of all those projects which are currently under production.

Ensemble introduces the 'Kaani Collection'

Saadia Qamar

"Whenever I want to treat myself, I invest in a good bag or a nice shawl," says Zeba Husain, the owner and director of the retail store The House of Ensemble. Perhaps it's this love for shawls and their designs that Husain decided to toy with the idea of bringing the kaani designs — usually associated with shawls — on summer fabrics like silk, chiffons and cottons.

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Opinion