A story on memogate

December 22, the winter solstice, arrived with a venom. It may have been the shortest day of the year but it cast long shadows for the nation. It may have begun as a day of biting cold but ended up with enough fireworks to set this beleaguered country alight. On this day, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani declared that democracy was under threat — what began as the ‘best revenge’ is itself under threat

In the flesh

The smell of death and decay wafts from the incense sticks dotting the streets. These agarbattis are more commonly found planted around mud graves in cemeteries, not in these dingy streets that are lined with shops. Here in Heera Mandi, the heady scent of sandalwood and rose sears the nose. It smells like loss.
During the daytime, this is just anothe

The diamonds glitter no more

As night time approaches, the synchronised sounds of the tabla and the jingling ghunghroo reach a crescendo and the high-storey houses, with intricately carved balconies and awning windows, begin dazzling with bright lights. Their windows and doors remain ajar till the wee hours of the morning, offering potential customers a sneak peek of the revelry of music and dance going on inside.

Qavi Khan: An artiste’s lament

KARACHI:
His riveting performance as Ghalib at Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) or his acting in PTV drama “Koi Na Adda Sanj Mila” are a testament to Qavi Khan claim. Besides television and theatre, he has continuously showcased his artistic ability in films and radio as well. Currently, the actor has his eyes set on a project for the Express Entertainment Channel

From Azerbaijan with love

I’ve done my fair share of strange stories in the short time that I have been a journalist in Pakistan, but how to go about narrating the story of a foreign prostitute in this foreigner-unfriendly country? Do I just call one and say, ‘Hi, I’m doing a story on prostitution, can you please tell me your life story? Or should I call her as a client, pay her whatever she makes in a night and then just ask personal questions? Would she find that strange or just write it off as another clien

In search of ‘free Russia’: Sea of protesters fills Moscow to pile pressure on Putin

MOSCOW:
Clutching white balloons and banners calling for “Free Elections”, a sea of Russian protestors against Vladimir Putin on Saturday thronged a Moscow avenue named after dissident Andrei Sakharov.
The rally to oppose Putin’s tight grip on Russia’s political system passed amid a festive atmosphere, with guest appearances by a famous socialite, a former chess champion and even Father Christmas.

20 militants, 3 security personnel killed in Central Kurram Agency clash

KURRAM AGENCY: Three security personnel were killed and 10 injured in clashes with militants in the Jogi area of Central Kurram Agency on Sunday, said sources.
Security forces claimed to have killed more than 20 militants in retaliation.
According to the official sources, there were two separate clashes. In the first incident, one security person was killed and the other

imran's dream team Karachi

KARACHI: Addressing a mammoth crowd at the Quaid’s Mausoleum, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf Chief Imran Khan signaled that his party’s tsunami was reaching new heights, on its way to fulfilling his dream of forming the government.
“When I saw Tsunami in Lahore, I thought to myself

Imran's dream team wows Karachi

KARACHI: Addressing a mammoth crowd at the Quaid’s Mausoleum, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf Chief Imran Khan signaled that his party’s tsunami was reaching new heights, on its way to fulfilling his dream of forming the government.
“When I saw Tsunami in Lahore, I thought to myself it will be very difficult to top this. But today, I congratulate

Shifting tides: Javed Hashmi on verge of joining PTI

LAHORE: Javed Hashmi, one of the stalwarts of Multani politics and the most visible Seraiki member of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, was deciding late on Friday night whether to jump ship and join the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf bandwagon, sources told The Express Tribune.
Even though he has recently been sidelined by the PML-N leadership, Hashmi’s possible departure would come as a

One security official killed, 19 missing in South Waziristan

PESHAWAR: Militants killed one security official and reportedly kidnapped 19 in an attack on security forces in the Mullazai area north of the Tank district near the South Waziristan tribal area on Friday.
The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan have claimed responsibility for the attack.
According to sources, the incident took place at around 2:30 am.
“The men were from the Frontier Constabulary,”

US Central Command briefing to Pakistan on NATO attack cancelled

ISLAMABAD: A briefing by the head of the US Central Command to Pakistani officials on a November 26 cross-border Nato air attack that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers and severely strained ties with Washington has been cancelled, a Pakistani official said on Friday.
News that General James N Mattis’ visit to Pakistan has been cancelled came a day after the United States announced that its investigation into

Shenanigans, dangerous shenanigans

It should come as no great surprise to those of us who live in Pakistan, and who daily see the shenanigans of the all-powerful Pakistan Army and ISI generals, that the government of Pakistan in the defence ministry has announced that it has no control over the army or the ISI. Well done, I say to the government, for once more saying it like it is: the first time being when the matter of the missing persons was agitated before the

General Kayani rules out military takeover.

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has ruled out a military takeover in the country, describing rumours about a coup as misleading, the military said on Friday.
“He (Kayani) strongly dispelled the speculations of any military takeover and said that these are misleading and are being used as a bogey to divert the focus from the real issues,” the military said in

Chinese delegation expected over weekend

ISLAMABAD:
The expected arrival of Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo in Islamabad is being closely watched as a potentially significant development in the backdrop of deteriorating relations between Pakistan and the United States.
Veteran Chinese diplomat Dai Bingguo, regarded as one of the highest-

US, Pakistan share blame for NATO attack:

WASHINGTON: The American and Pakistani forces both are to be blamed for the November 26 Nato airstrike that left 24 Pakistani soldiers dead, revealed a United States investigation.
American and Western officials on the condition of anonymity told New York Times that retaliation from allied forces of US and Afghanistan was justified because the Pakistani forces initiated the fire.

Army wants Zardari out but not a coup: Military sources

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s powerful army is fed up with President Asif Ali Zardari and wants him out of office, but through legal means and without a repeat of the coups that are a hallmark of the country’s 64 years of independence, military sources said.
Tensions are rising between Pakistan’s civilian leaders and its generals over a memo that accused the army of plotting a coup after the US raid that killed Osama bin Laden in May.

Pakistani arrested in Virginia on terror charges

WASHINGTON: A Pakistani man who allegedly received commando training from Islamist militants before moving to a Washington suburb has been arrested and charged with providing support to a terror group, US officials said Friday.

Pakistanis celebrate Eid with religious fervour

ISLAMABAD: The first day of Eidul Fitr is being celebrated across Pakistan with religious fervour on Wednesday.
Millions of Muslims offered Eid prayers in mosques and open places.
People offered special prayers for the solidarity, prosperity and integrity of Pakistan and unity amongst Muslims.

11 killed in powerful blast outside Quetta mosque

QUETTA:
A powerful blast killed at least 11 and injured 13 others when a bomb was detonated on Gulistan Road in the Murriabad area of Quetta on Wednesday.
Capital City Police Officer Quetta (CCPO) Ahsan Mahboob said that the blast was a suicide attack.

Pakistani courts let 3 out of every 4 terror suspects go: US State Dept

LONDON: A US State Department report published last week said that Pakistan was incapable of prosecuting terror suspects, since three in four defendants are acquitted.
According to a report in The Telegraph, in the State Department’s 2010 report, the US criticizes its frontline ally in the war on terror of failing to outlaw militant Islamic terror groups, since they escaped bans by changing names.

No alternative to ties with Pakistan: Panetta,

WASHINGTON:
Keeping in mind Pakistan’s nuclear assets, its role in Afghanistan and the fact that both the US and Pakistan are partners in the war against terrorism, Washington has no choice but to maintain relations with Islamabad, said Defence Secretary Leon Panetta on Tuesday.
Addressing a packed audience of Congressmen, policymakers and students at the National Defence University, Panetta said that the US and Pakistan have ‘a very complicated relationship.’

Govt to form judicial commission for Bugti murder.

QUETTA: The federal government has decided to form a judicial commission to probe the murder of Nawab Akbar Bugti, Express 24/7 reported on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, speaking to the media after a special cabinet meeting in Quetta, said the judicial commission will be formed within a week. The government will write a letter to the chief justice for the appointment of the commission’s head.

AJK elections: Polling underway in KP?

KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA: The polling for by-elections in LA-41 constituency of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has started in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Express News reported.

Earlier, elections in the constituency were postponed last on an account of allegations of rigging.

Private security guards: On the safe side

Over the years, the reassuring whistle of a vigilant chowkidar has been replaced by panic buttons and gun-toting guards. House walls used to be covered with broken glass to deter intruders, but barbed wire is now commonly found at upscale residences.

Since 9/11, security firms have opened up shop in major cities, and over a hundred have been registered in the past three years. According to estimates, at least 600 security companies exist, though many of them are non-functional.

Jeepneys go far beyond the call of duty.

MANILA:

Swerving past you through Manila’s crowded roads are canvases on wheels called Jeepneys that offer cheap public transport as well as a unique creative expression to Filipino street art. Jeepneys are an interesting amalgamation of a jeep and a truck that Filipinos devised from the war vehicles left behind by the Americans as they fled the island after World War II.

Mob justice: Police attacked for rescuing robbery suspects?

FAISALABAD:

A case has been registered by Sargodha Road police against 100 people for attacking officials trying to rescue two robbery suspects a mob was beating on Sunday.

Another FIR has been registered against the two robbery suspects under

Govt to cut gas price rise for CNG stations

ISLAMABAD:

The Ministry of Petroleum has withdrawn its previous proposal for a 17 per cent increase in gas price for compressed natural gas (CNG) stations and decided to seek a seven per cent increase following consultations with CNG station operators.

A formal approval in this regard will be given by the cabinet.

Gas utilities seek tariff hike of up to Rs22 per unit ?

ISLAMABAD:

In spite of the fact that the country faces a prolonged gas crisis and 10 to 100 per cent tariff increases are on the cards, gas companies have sought a separate increase of up to Rs22.48 per million British thermal unit (mmbtu) to generate Rs14.6 billion in revenues to finance new gas schemes, which are contrary to the laws.

Karachi violence: Collusion growing between Taliban, local criminals

ISLAMABAD:

A counter-terrorism official on Monday sounded the alarm on the growing level of coordination among two dozen or so extremist groups, including the Taliban and local criminal elements in Karachi, which has seen an upsurge in political violence.

Taliban claim assassination of Hamid Karzai's brother

KANDAHAR: The Taliban claimed responsibility for the assassination of President Hamid Karzai’s younger brother on Tuesday, calling it “one of our biggest achievements” in nearly a decade of war.

Taliban spokesman Usuf Ahmadi told AFP by telephone that the group had recently assigned a gunman to kill Ahmed Wali Karzai, a hugely powerful and controversial figure in the Afghan south.

15 killed in bus blast near Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Fifteen people were killed after a bus caught fire as a result of a blast near Islamabad on Tuesday.

A total of 19 passengers were en route to Rawalpindi from Gujrat when a blast occurred on board the bus near Lohi Bher area.

Mangal Bagh flees to Afghanistan: Ansarul Islam

Banned organisation Ansarul Islam on Sunday claimed that the leader of their rival group Lashkar-e-Islam, Mangal Bagh, has fled to Afghanistan.

Addressing a press conference in Peshawar, Ansarul Islam spokesperson Qari Mehboob said that Mangal Bagh has fled the country with the aid of Amin Shah Shinwar.

I am not afraid of returning to Pakistan: Musharraf

LAHORE: Former President Pervez Musharraf on Sunday assured his supporters that he was not afraid of returning to Pakistan.

He vowed his return through a video address in Lahore.

Another earthquake jolts Japan

TOKYO:

A powerful aftershock rocked northeast Japan on Thursday and a tsunami warning was issued for the coast devastated by last month’s massive quake and tsunami that crippled a nuclear power plant.

Bomb in Indian-held Kashmir kills prominent Muslim cleric

SRINAGAR: A bomb went off outside a mosque in Kashmir’s main city on Friday, killing a prominent Muslim cleric, police and witnesses said, the first such attack near a religious place in recent years.

Maulana Showkat Shah, chief of the Jammu and Kashmir Jamiat-e-Ahle Hadith which is involved in social work, was entering the mosque to lead Friday prayers when the bomb went off. One worshipper was wounded.

No radiation changes at Fukushima after quake: IAEA

VIENNA: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) issued statement on Friday saying that no radiation changes were detected at Japan’s Fukushima nuclear power plant after Thursday’s earthquake and the injection of water remained uninterrupted into reactor pressure vessels.

Terrorism claims more than 3,000 lives in 2 years

ISLAMABAD: Terrorism incidents claimed more than 3,000 lives and injured 9,000 during the last two fiscal years in Pakistan.

Speaking in Senate on Friday, Interior Minister Rehman Malikrevealed that the figures did not include security personnel and those killed in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

'350 suicide bombers being trained in NW'

Fidai said his mission was to attack the shrine half an hour after the first wave of attacks so that people gathered at the site could be targeted. He claimed a man known as Sangeen Khan travels from Waziristan to Afghanistan and picks out targets for the bombers. He also claimed that a man known as Naeem indoctrinates the bombers.

Trade bodies part ways but strike to go ahead

KARACHI:

Traders and shopkeepers have decided to go ahead with the strike call for today (Tuesday) against the wishes of the largest trade association of the city, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).

A split emerged between shopkeepers and businessmen in a meeting on Monday when the KCCI leadership announced it would

Students gather in Kabul on fifth day of Afghan protests

KABUL: Around 250 young Afghans gathered at Kabul University on Tuesday shouting “death to America” on the fifth day of protests against the burning of Quran by a fundamentalist U.S. pastor.

Thousands of people have taken to the streets in protests around Afghanistan. There has been deadly violence in two cities, although most protests ended with nothing more dramatic than burning of flags and effigies.

Afridi breaks into world’s top ten

KARACHI:

Pakistan’s limited-overs captain Shahid Afridi has climbed five places in the International Cricket Council (ICC) player rankings for One-Day International (ODI) bowlers to reach the ninth position.

Miandad tipped for Pakistan batting coach.

LAHORE: Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi Tuesday said batting legend Javed Miandad was expected to help the team’s batsmen with their form after being persuaded by the country’s cricket chief.

Pakistan’s faltering batsmen have been blamed for the team’s 29-run defeat against India in the World Cup semi-final at Mohali a week ago, leading to calls for Miandad to help them.

Militants strike again in Lower Dir

PESHAWAR:

At least seven people, including an anti-Taliban leader and his son, were killed in a suicide attack at a market in the Munda area of Lower Dir district on Monday.

Police officials say the attack took place around noon outside a bargain car market, near a busy bus stop, which killed seven and injured 22 other people. The bargain centre was owned by Muhammad Akbar Khan,

Punjab govt hires 465 new doctors as protests continue

The Punjab government on Tuesday suspended 188 doctors and recruited 465 new ones to normalise the situation at hospitals, especially at emergency wards, as protests continued.

Young doctors across Punjab have been protesting demanding an increase in their salaries for the past few weeks.

MQM sets 2 day deadline for action against extortionists..

KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement on Tuesday set a two-day deadline for the government to take action against the extortionist mafia in Karachi.

The MQM had staged a walkout during the senate session, demanding that the government take action against the rising cases of extortion.

History-defying India lift World Cup 2011

MUMBAI: Gautam Gambhir made 97 and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni smashed an unbeaten 91 off 79 balls as India won the World Cup for the first time since 1983 with a six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka on Saturday.

Sri Lanka, who won the toss and elected to bat in the day-night final, rode on Mahela Jayawardene’s 103 not out off 88 balls to pile up 274-6 in their 50 overs.

Victorious Szabist students bag best institution award

KARACHI:

A group of students of the Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology (Szabist) has returned victorious from China, where they bagged several awards.

Agha Siraj Durrani’s guard: Imran was killed by men picking off members from his old gang

KARACHI:

Investigators believe that the chief security officer of minister Agha Siraj Durrani was killed because some people have been slowly picking off members of a group he belonged to in the 1990s.

10 students kidnapped in Hangu

HANGU: Ten students were kidnapped from the Bagan area of District Hangu in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Saturday.

Sources said the students belonged to Kurram Agency and had taken their Matriculation exams at the center set up in Hangu due to the unrest in Kurram.