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.