Pakistan News update
News-Update
NEWS UPDATE
Remembering a revered poet: Ajmal Khattak, a proponent of peace
May 13th
Locals mull over holding poetry recital to protest attacks on his tomb. Locals mull over holding poetry recital to protest attacks on his tomb. PHOTO/EXPRESS
AKORA KHATTAK:“I wish my homeland to prosper and bloom, even though my grave’s trace is lost,” wrote revered Pakhtun poet and nationalist politician Ajmal Khattak.
The verse seems to be a self-fulfilling prophecy, as two improvised explosive devices detonated inside his under-construction mausoleum, badly damaging it in his native Akora Khattak on Wednesday.
His beloved Pakistan, the land Ajmal Khattak wished to see prosper and bloom, is in the midst of bloody and brutal turmoil, where More >
Easy to escape from: At BBIA, deportees stay only if they feel like it
May 13th
The airport lacks a holding facility and is understaffed for the load; most deportees are left unguarded. The airport lacks a holding facility and is understaffed for the load; most deportees are left unguarded. PHOTO: APP/ FILE
RAWALPINDI:Benazir Bhutto International Airport (BBIA) cannot handle a large number of deportees, as illustrated by the failed escape attempt of 57 deportees on Thursday.
While the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) succeeded in arresting the 57 people deported from Greece with the help of the Airport Security Force (ASF) and area police, the incident indicates that faulty measures and disregard for standard operating procedures (SOP) More >
Bold yet practical: Young designers bring life to everyday wear
May 13th
Plush boutique opens its doors for Islooites with a clothing and jewellery exhibit. Some of the jewellery and a dress from the exhibition. PHOTO: MUHAMMAD JAVAID
ISLAMABAD:With the summer heat setting in, many are on the lookout for a place to pick up ready-to-wear clothes that have ‘that’ edge and are easy on the pocket. On Saturday, Designer Pashmina Ahmed opens up her cozy boutique—Plush—to those hoping for trendy wear for the working woman who wants to look good, but not over the top.
Located in F-7, the boutique is a far cry from your usual boutiques with clothes hanging forlorn More >
IIUI rector on leave: Personal decision or Saudi pressure?
May 13th
Sources say Saudi mission unhappy with rector’s ‘liberal’ policies. Sources say Saudi mission unhappy with rector’s ‘liberal’ policies. PHOTO: MUHAMMAD JAVED/EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:Diplomatic pressure may have had a strong bearing on International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) rector Professor Fateh Muhammad Malik’s decision to go on indefinite leave, sources say.
Although dispelling the impression that he had been removed from office, Professor Malik admitted that he was going on indefinite leave on behalf of Pakistan’s Iqbal Academy.
“I have received the notification from the presidency about my ex-Pakistan leave and the Quaid-e-Azam University vice chancellor will perform additional duties as rector in my absence,” More >
PTI will form next government, says Imran
May 13th
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan has threatened to march to Islamabad if the government did not implement Supreme Court verdicts, Geo News reported.
Addressing the conventions of minorities, Imran said PTI would bring Tsunami in Rawalpindi on May 27, adding this rally will be merely preparation for Tsunami march in Islamabad. He asked the masses to prepare for that.
PTI chairman lamented the parliament for adopting resolution in favor of convicted prime minister and against the apex court.
Imran Khan was optimistic that PTI will form the next government.
Protest again if worst loadshedding recurs: Shahbaz Sharif
May 13th
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister, Shahbaz Sharif Saturday said a visible reduction in loadshedding and complete end to the unscheduled power outages by the Federal government after protests was a clear proof of government’s ill intent.
In a statement issued here, Sharif said the Federal government had proved that it only understood the language of stick and not the softer words.
“If the cruel kind of loadshedding carried out in Punjab in future, I would once again join the people to stage a similar protest demonstration,” he warned.
Pakistan welcomes India invitation
May 13th
KARACHI: Pakistan on Saturday welcomed India’s invitation to compete in the Champions League Twenty20 tournament this year, saying it could lead to a “revival of Indo-Pak cricketing ties.”
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which met earlier in the day in Chennai, approved Pakistan’s participation in the tournament which features leading domestic Twenty20 teams from around the world.
“We feel it’s a significant and positive development,” Pakistan Cricket Board chief operating officer, Subhan Ahmed, told AFP.
“We had been in touch with the BCCI over the participation of a Pakistan team and hope that this step could More >
Prenatal smoking tied to worse asthma in kids
May 13th
NEW YORK: Children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy may have a tougher time controlling their asthma than other kids do, a new study suggests.
The findings, from a study of nearly 2,500 U.S. kids, add to evidence that prenatal smoking may affect children’s future lung health.
There are already plenty of reasons for women to quit smoking during, and ideally before, pregnancy, said lead researcher Sam Oh, of the University of California San Francisco.
This study offers more motivation for women, and for doctors to ask moms and expectant moms about smoking, Oh said in an interview.
“Pregnancy is a great opportunity for smoking More >
Azarenka to play Williams for Madrid title
May 13th
MADRID: Victoria Azarenka booked her place in a second straight final at the Madrid Masters after stretching her 2012 winning streak over Agnieszka Radwanska to six matches this season with a 6-2, 6-4 victory on Saturday.
The world number one will play for her fifth title of the season when she takes on number nine seed Serena Williams, a 7-6 (7/5), 6-0 winner over Czech qualifier Lucie Hradecka.
Azarenka has tasted victory in just one of seven matches with Williams, who won their last meeting at the 2011 US Open.
Azarenka has lost just one set of 14 played this More >
Sharma, Gibbs inspire Mumbai to 27-run win over Kolkata
May 13th
KOLKATA: Mumbai Indians inspired by an unbeaten big partnership from Rohit Sharma and Herschelle Gibbs recorded an easy 27-run victory against Kolkata Knight Riders in the fifth edition of the Indian Premier League here at the Eden Gardens on Saturday.
Batting first after captain Harbhajan Singh won the toss, Mumbai Indians plundered 182 runs for the loss of only one wicket in the allotted 20 overs.
After losing Sachin Tendulkar, Sharma hit a brilliant century and South African Gibbs a patient half-century as both added 167 runs for an unbeaten second wicket partnership to set an improbable target of 183 for Kolkata.
Sharma More >
