The Express Tribune Newsletter: June 19, 2012 ~ Mera Pak Watan

The Express Tribune Newsletter: June 19, 2012

Today's Headlines

Speaker's ruling: All set for court decision on Gilani's fate

Azam Khan

The case that will determine the final fate of the prime minister has entered its last stage – and a verdict could be announced as early as today, once the attorney general concludes his arguments at 11am.

Quetta violence: Bomb attack on bus kills five students

Our Correspondent

At least five students from the ethnic Hazara community were killed and over 70 others, including policemen and children, wounded in a bomb attack on a university bus in Quetta city on Monday.

Loadshedding, protests continue across Punjab

Our Correspondent

In a bid to impose their own puritanical version of Islam, the Pakistani Taliban have introduced "moral policing" in parts of northeastern Afghanistan, Afghan police claimed on Sunday.

Festering dispute: Sir Creek talks begin amid high hopes

Aditi Phadnis

Pakistan and India ended recent talks on Siachen inconclusively, but there are high hopes that talks between the arch-rivals over the disputed maritime border region of Sir Creek may end on a more positive note.

Business

Adding to the backlog: Govt clears 61 new projects worth Rs515b

Shahbaz Rana

Contrary to the resolve of reducing backlog by allocating more funds to ongoing projects, the government on Monday cleared 61 new projects costing Rs515 billion, a move which will put further strain on the scarce resources.

Urban areas to see 8, rural 12 hours of loadshedding: Mukhtar

Our Correspondent

Water and Power Minister Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar announced on Monday that loadshedding will be restricted to eight hours in urban areas and 12 hours in the rural areas of the country starting June 18.

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Sports

ODI series: Letting the opportunities spill

Our Correspondent

Pakistan threw away another golden opportunity to beat Sri Lanka, going down by two wickets in the fifth and final One-Day International (ODI) and also lose the series 3-1.

Cricket: Misbah's authority diminishing in the squad

Nabeel Hashmi

It seems that reports of grouping within the national side in Sri Lanka do carry weight, The Express Tribune has learnt, as loyalties now stand divided.

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Life & Style

Tete-a-tete with the man behind 'Waderai ka Beta'

Our Correspondent

Has the catchy phrase "Saaen tau saaen, saaen ka kutta bhi saaen" tickled your funny bone? Comedian Ali Gul Pir has now become the face of crude comedy with his first tongue-in-cheek song "Waderai Ka Beta". The rap song and the sepia-toned YouTube video is a humourous take on the pretentious lifestyle of a feudal lord's son.

Avanti loves the Karachi crowd, says director

Saadia Qamar

At around 5 o'clock on Saturday evening, the auditorium of the Arts Council was alive with the vibrant cast of "Avanti" that took the stage once more. But instead of being involved in its usual shenanigans, the "Avanti" team had invited members of the press to thank them for their ongoing support and discuss the issues plaguing the theatre industry in Pakistan.

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Opinion