Monthly Archive:: August 2010

Altaf Bhai’s Convenient Conscience: Ayaz Amir hits the nail on the head last week in his column for The News, “Fresh takes on patriotism”. Amir is annoyed with MQM chief Altaf’s recent outbursts about martial law, of course, and flays them with the sharp wit
Canada Terror plot and the doctrine of armed Jihad – by Tarek Fatah and Salma Siddiqui: “Jihad is as much a primary duty as are daily prayers or fasting. One who avoids it is a sinner. His every claim to being a Muslim is doubtful. He is plainly a hypocrite who fails in the test
Al Huda — an insider’s view – by Habiba Younis: Al Huda — an insider’s view Source: Express Tribune Khaled Ahmed’s recent article “Daughters of Al Huda” (August 22) met a negative and spirited response by readers. In my opinion, as a former student, the reasoning in the article
The international Day of Disappeared and the missing Balochs – by Imtiaz Baloch: The International Day of the Disappeared on August 30 is an annual commemoration day created to draw attention to the fate of individuals imprisoned at places and under poor conditions unknown to their relatives or legal representatives. In Balochistan,
‘Pakistan—Marvelous people, dangerous confusions’ – By Shiraz Paracha: It was a very hot and bright day in July when I entered the main hall of a newly built private hospital in Peshawar for a medical checkup. A wave of cool breeze touched my face as I opened
Civil society urges for writing off external debt: The “civil society” has noticed the demand for the write off of the entire foreign debt of Pakistan. LUBP was one of the first if not the first to demand the write off of Pakistan’s debt and the impact
“What would you do, if someone’s gonna get shot” – by Faisal Raza: The games in ancient Rome are known as the bloodiest exhibition of public entertainment known to mankind when men, women and children flocked to coliseums to see blood thirsty fighters and gladiators killing the weaker among them, they even cheered them on and
Betting allegations: Beyond the Facts – by Adnan Sipra: Let us look, for a moment, beyond the obvious. Let us ignore, for the time being, the obvious – and damning – video evidence provided by a newspaper that revels in reporting the dubious. Let us also overlook, although
Analogy between violence and media popularity – By Hassan Shehzad: Life will, can never be normal after relay of the footage of two underage brothers beaten to death in Sialkot. Embedded deep in stonewalls of the newsroom over years, I could not break myself from the objectivity, but the
KP govt to pay forces Rs20m for helicopter operations – by Riaz Khan Daudzai: PESHAWAR: The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government will pay Rs20 million to the military authorities as charges for the helicopters used in the rescue operations during the flooding that affected 24 districts of the province. Sources told The News that the provincial
Survey of flood-affected areas – by Ali Wahab: Source: Express Tribune DUBAI: Saudi Arabia is one of the richest countries in the world with an abundance of resources. Jeddah is the second largest city of the Kingdom with a population of more than 3.6 million residents. Moreover,
SPEECHLESS:
Ameer-ul-Mominin Ali: The first fighter against Islamism – by Shaheryar Ali: “The Qur’an is a book, covered, between two flaps, and it does not speak. It should therefore necessarily have an interpreter. Men alone can be such interpreters…..” (Imam Ali in Nehj ul Balaga)     On the grounds of
Latest Lahore Incident‏, By Amjad Rashid: After the cruel incidence of Buttar village Sialkot, another instance has happened in Fruit Market Lahore some hours before. A man was alleged as thief in fruit market by some hawkers and middle men in fruit market and they
A call for help in flood-ravaged Pakistan -by John Kerry: THIS IS Pakistan’s Katrina. I just returned from that country, where the devastation created by the recent floods was gut-wrenching. Five years after floods washed over the southern United States, Pakistan is suffering from an epic disaster. And we
Probe in Sialkot killings points finger at PML-N govt -by Irshad Salim: The ongoing investigation of the Sialkot brothers’ lynching in front of Rescue 1122 office has revealed that some police officials being named in the incident are not only pro- Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), but that their role was a contributing factor in
Challenge to be converted into opportunity to build new Pakistan, says Gilani: * PM says political parties should overcome petty issues, stand together * Government did not divert focus from flood relief despite criticism The continuing floods were devastating to the country, but the government was committed to converting the massive
We Must Stay The Course – by Babar Sattar: Altaf Hussain’s statement inciting ‘patriotic generals’ to take steps ‘like martial law’ against ‘corrupt feudal and land lord politicians’ is an expression of intent to support subversion of constitutional rule in Pakistan. This statement is not only mischievous, but
Our Frankenstein is out to get us -by Ammar Zafarullah: The tragedy in Sialkot has been dissected from every possible angle, the people have come out with an unprecedented outcry for justice and the civil administration has, for once, risen to the occasion and is doing what is expected
Bollywood film takes on sexual harassment – by Shail Kumar Singh: Bollywood is tackling the subject of sexual harassment in the workplace, which campaigners say is increasingly becoming an issue as traditional gender roles change in modern urban India. “Hello Darling”, which was released on Friday, is inspired by the
Siyaah Pattiyaan – by Ammar Kazmi: Ammar Kazmi is a good writer and always writes issue based articles…
Concentration of Media Ownership Is threatening the purpose of free press: In his essay on civil disobedience, Henry David Thoreau once said, “The rich man is always sold to the institution which makes him rich,”. The Mass Media, the collection of newspapers, magazines, and TV news programs that reach a
Coming Of Age – M Usama Kabbir & Humza Ikram: There was a time when the Frontier Province was the scene of fiery political rivalry between Z.A.Bhutto and Wali Khan whereas now the former ANP and PPP are coalition partners at the Center as well as the Province. There
Altaf commits treason, should be sentenced under Article 6: Mian Iftikhar: Information Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mian Iftikhar Hussain said that Altaf Hussain committed treason by issuing statement in favour of martial law and he should be sentenced under Article 6. In a media briefing in Peshawar, he said that that
Three Christian humanitarian workers killed by Taliban: Three humanitarian workers operating in the Swat Valley, in the northern part of the country, have been killed by Pakistani Taliban while working to bring aid to flood victims. The attack of the fundamentalists, which has also caused several
China-Pakistan relationship and opacity of Western Media:   Pakistan is always in the news for reasons not necessarily as important as it may seem. By considering Pakistan an ally to the US in “War on Terror”, it is assumed that Pakistan has been taken on lease
Frenzied mob mentality, By Farahnaz Ispahani: All Pakistanis should have their heads lowered in shame. We appear to be still medieval rather than part of the 21st century. At a time when we reach out to the international community for aid to help our citizens
Pakhtun’s business in Karachi: suffers due to target killings – by Sohail Raza Khattak: Sixty three-year-old Zarshed is among the numerous Pakhtun citizens who were forced to close down their hotels and teashops because of the rampant targeted killings in Karachi. Zarshed sells naswar in Jackson Market, Keamari now and earns barely Rs
Sleeping with the enemy – by Gulmina Bilal Ahmad: The floods are devastating. They have been called the most unprecedented disaster due to natural causes in recent years. Although there are some analysts who argue that this is not a natural disaster but a man-made one since the
“Ethical Codes for Media: Yes or No?”: A free, independent and responsible media is a direct reflection of societal traits and thus can act not only as a reality check but as a mentor and redeemer. With its initiative to move towards a Free, Independent and
Hussain Haqqani says, Flood relief cooperation could be a turning point in the relations between Pak- US: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Hussain Haqqani said on Wednesday that flood relief cooperation could be a turning point in the relations between Pakistan and the United States and hoped it would help faster a much greater mutual
Same old formula – Divide the Party and Win the Elections – by Ahmed Iqbalabadi: The media of Pakistan, which until the bombardment of TV channels comprised mainly of newspapers, has a love-hate relationship with the Pakistan Peoples Party. When the party is not in power, it is hounded by the media yet agreeably
26th August: Remembering Nawab Akbar Bugti: No single date left such a lasting impression on the society and politics of Balochistan like August 26th, 2006. It was, no doubt, “Balochistan’s 9/11”  when the province’s former governor and elected chief minister Nawab Mohammad Akbar Khan Bugti
The great Baloch martyr – By Sanaullah Baloch: The world watched incredulously as Pervez Musharraf declared war on Balochistan, and particularly, on Nawab Bugti. Tanks rolled into Dera Bugti and other parts in January 2005, prior to the so-called attack on Musharraf in December 2005 in Kohlu
Say No to Martial Law – by Hamid Mir: زیادہ پرانی بات نہیں۔ 27/اگست 2005ء کو امریکی ریاست لوسیانا کے ساحلوں پر ایک سمندری طوفان کا آغاز ہوا۔ سمندر کا پانی ساحلوں سے نکل کر شہروں میں داخل ہوگیا زیادہ نقصان لوسیانا، مسی سیپی اور فلوریڈا میں ہوا۔
Post-deluge efforts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – by Idrees Kamal: The monsoon flood has badly devastated the entire Pakistan in general and the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA in particular. These remarks were made by Arshad Haroon, regional Head of SPO and member of Network for Humanitarian Assistance
Altaf Hussain: Pakistan’s prize bluffer —by Dr Mohammad Taqi: “Mussolini is the biggest bluffer in Europe. If Mussolini had me taken out and shot tomorrow morning, I would still regard him as a bluff. Get a hold of a good photo of Signor Mussolini sometime and study it.
Another Martial Law? – by Omar Ali: Pakistan is in the grip of one of its periodic eruptions of speculation about impending martial law, or at least, it looks like that on TV. For weeks, the largest news channel in the country has been shamelessly promoting
Pakistan flood victims ‘have no concept of terrorism’ – by Mohammad Hanif: Three weeks after the start of the floods in Pakistan, a fifth of the country is under water. More international aid is now reaching the country – but the world’s media finds it hard to stop talking about terrorism.
ANOTHER Ahmadi Muslim killed in Ramadan for his faith: August 19th: It is with a heavy heart that we report the martyrdom of Peer Habibur Rehman, a devout member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. One week into the most Holy month of Ramadan, two Muslims who believe in