Umar Akmal benched by SNGPL after poor conduct .

KARACHI: President’s Trophy table-toppers SNGPL benched national team player Umar Akmal from their President’s Trophy seventh-round match against PIA in Lahore on disciplinary grounds yesterday.
The Express Tribune has learnt that Umar had snubbed the team management request to appear in their crucial fifth-round match against ZTBL, and instead opted to take part in the wedding preparations of his brother Adnan.
“Umar refused to play when SNGPL wanted him,” a member of the SNGPL team management told The Express Tribune. “He doesn’t own the team. He’ll only be given a chance if we need him. We want to send out a strong message that no individual is bigger than the team and indiscipline will not be tolerated.
“He hasn’t been doing well for the last few months and instead of working hard to get back in form, he’s overlooking his duties. He’s lucky to survive in the national side as it is and should be working hard.”

Following the decision, Umar left the ground and held a press conference stating that his family was his priority.
Adnan was also omitted from the playing-XI as Muhammad Rizwan’s good show forced the management not to tinker with the winning line-up.
Meanwhile, on the field, SNGPL laboured to 160 for four in 63.4 overs as play was called off early due to bad light. Ali Waqas was unbeaten on 68 after Anwar Ali had taken three wickets for PIA.
In another match, HBL clawed back against UBL after being bowled out for just 193, reducing the opponents to 58 for five at stumps, courtesy two wickets apiece from Ehsan Adil and Abdul Ameer in Rawalpindi. Humayun Farhat scored 79 for HBL as UBL’s Rumman Raees bagged a five-for.
SBP made 261 for eight against ZTBL with half-centuries from Gulraiz Sadaf (69) and Kashif Siddiq (53), as Sohail Tanvir bagged six wickets at the Diamond ground in Islamabad.
NBP were in trouble against Wapda after they were bowled out for 164. In reply, Wapda made 44 for no loss. In another match, KRL scored 266 for eight in 81.4 over against PQA.

Yasir & Jawad all set to unveil their song ‘Niqab’

KARACHI: “Uth Records” is a reality television show launched by Ufone that provides talented young musicians a professional music platform where their original work can be seen and heard across Pakistan.
Amongst all the artists that were featured in the first and second season of “Uth Records”, a band that made a lasting impression with original music was Yasir and Jawad, a rock band from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The band comprises Wali Orakzai on vocals, Jawad Iqbal on the guitar and Yasir Rehman on the rabab. Their rendition of famous Pashto poet Ghani Khan’s “Reidi Gul” gave Pashto music mainstream spotlight and managed to become popular amongst people who do not even understand the language.

Unfortunately, Yasir and Jawad did not capitalise on the launch given to them by “Uth Records” as they were busy releasing their first music video, “Niqab” after a break of a year and a half. “We had recorded the songs, but couldn’t find the right team to make the video the way we wanted. Most of the directors we approached wanted to make a commercial video while we wanted to go experimental on this,” Iqbal tells Pakistan News Reported:
“Niqab” is a piece of poetry by Ghani Khan that talks about the darker side of life; it is based on the concept of existentialism. “We wanted to stay away from clichéd themes like romanticism in Pashto poetry and that is why we chose a piece in which Ghani is looking for answers to different complicated questions in life,” Jawad says, explaining his choice of lyrics. On the other hand, the key was to translate the existentialist dilemma of Ghani’s word into visuals and that resulted in an experimental video, something that most of their fans would find difficult to comprehend.
“It is very experimental and at places you might find it to be pointless,” Iqbal laughs. “But all of the absurdity is intentional; for all the videos after ‘Niqab’ we will not feature band performance; we will play around with visuals surrounding a single theme instead.”
The audio of the song has been produced by none other than the saviour of most Pashto bands Zeeshan Pervaiz and the video is directed by the Peshawar-based Mash productions. Since Pervaiz is producing their music this time around, the fans will get to hear a completely new sound. “The fans should expect similar instruments like the rabab, but with a more studio-based electronic feel. It might sound like lounge music and maybe even dub step but in a nutshell you can call it Pashto electronic pop with folk melodies,” explains Iqbal. The music video of “Niqab” is scheduled to release November 29.
Where did all the talent go?
There are a number of singing competitions taking place in Pakistan on a regular basis. But unlike the talent shows in India and the rest of the world, none of the talent has really been promoted. This could be blamed on the overall declining state of the music industry in Pakistan, but that is a poor excuse when Pakistan has its own YouTube sensations who have made careers out of viral videos. Shows like “Pakistan Sangeet Icon” (Indus TV), “LG Banaye Star” (Geo TV) and “Azm-e-Aalishan” (TV One) are a mere replication of Indian musical shows with seasoned musicians such as Nizar Lalani, Meekal Hassan and Ali Haider, judging the shows. Sadly, the turnout has been unimpressive; according to an article published earlier in The Express Tribune, Syed Muqaddas Ali, winner of the “LG Banaye Star” competition in 2010, received a ‘star prize’ that included cash, an album production and recording, one music video production, exposure in the media and the opportunity to gain stardom. However, not a single song has been produced by him since; neither have we seen the participants or winners of any other talent shows gaining stardom.
While one can’t really pin the blame on any artist or organisation, the singers’ disappearing acts are certainly not good for the music industry.

Huma Qureshi doesn’t feel like an outsider in filmdom

NEW DELHI: 
Pakistan News Reported:
Actor Huma Qureshi’s first two films were appreciated and she is reportedly getting good offers now as well. Content with her career, the actor doesn’t see herself as an outsider in the film industry.
“I don’t feel like an outsider. I was already shooting for other films even before the release of my first film Gangs of Wasseypur [GOW]. While shooting for GOW, I was simultaneously shooting for Vishal Bhardwaj’s Ek Thi Daayan, and while shooting for Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana, I was shooting for Nikhil Advani’s D Day,” Huma, who is from Delhi, told IANS.
She started as a model and featured in TV commercials like Vita Marie, Saffola Oil, Mederma Cream, Pears Soap and Nerolac.
Talking about movies, she said: “It’s an exciting new phase. Both parts of my first film received critical acclaim; Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana was also appreciated by many. I hope it continues to be like this.”

Ek Thi Daayan and D Day haven’t come out yet. However, she considers herself lucky to have bagged films with established film-makers.
“I am blessed to have gotten a chance to work with directors like Anurag Kashyap, Vishal Bhardwaj and Nikhil Advani at such an early age. Moreover, good scripts have been coming my way so I am really excited about that too,” said the 26-year-old, who doesn’t want to restrict her acting to a certain genre.
“I have tried to be different in each of my films be it Gangs of Wasseypur or Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana. My roles in the other two films are also different. I can’t put myself in a box and be an actor,” she said.
When it comes to looks, Huma is different from the typical Bollywood actor and she says she isn’t trying to fit into anyone’s shoes.
“I agree that I am different. I am not trying to fit into someone else shoes. I am being honest to myself. The audience loves me the way I am and that’s important to me,” she added.

ISAF, Pakistani army to cooperate over Pak-Afghan border

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan News Reported: Deputy Commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Lieutenant General Nick Carter met today with Chief of the General Staff Pakistan Army General Waheed Arshad in the latest of a series of engagements aimed to bolster the military-to-military relationship between and ISAF and Pakistan, as well as collaboration to bring peace and security to the Afghan-Pakistan region, according to a press release from the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Carter and Arshad discussed their mutually shared goals to promote stability in the region, including pressuring militant groups and strengthening cross border cooperation along the Pak-Afghan Border.

“ISAF and Pakistan are committed to peace and security on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, so these discussions are very important,” Carter said. “We are committed to achieving enduring solutions to security issues.”
Gen Allen to stay on despite investigation
The US commander of ISAF and American forces in Afghanistan, General John Allen, will keep his command even as he is investigated for “inappropriate” emails to a woman linked to the sex scandal involving former CIA director David Petraeus, a defense official said Tuesday.
The Pentagon official told reporters the FBI had uncovered a trove of 30,000 pages of correspondence between Allen and Jill Kelley, a key figure in the scandal that brought down the storied former general and CIA chief David Petraeus.
On Tuesday, the White House came out in support of Gen Allen, confirming that he will retain his command.
Pakistan shares dossiers on Fazlullah
Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Moazzam Ali Khan told reporters in a briefing last week that the Pakistani authorities had shared dossiers on Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan commander Mullah Fazlullah with both the Afghan government and ISAF. He added that Pakistan had requested both the Afghan government and ISAF to take action against Fazlullah.
Mullah Fazlullah is regarded as the mastermind behind the attack on Malala Yousufzai

Balochistan violence: Bicycle bomb kills two passersby, injures nine

QUETTA:
Pakistan News Reported :
A bicycle bomb apparently targeting security forces killed two people and injured nine others, including Frontier Corps (FC) personnel on Tuesday, police said.
The device exploded on the road from Quetta to the airport as a FC convoy passed nearby.
“Two people passing by were killed in the blast and nine others wounded. The injured also included three FC soldiers,” Wazir Khan Nasir, a senior police official told AFP.

Police and other law enforcement agencies rushed to the site of the blast and moved the injured to Combined Military Hospital and Civil Hospital Quetta.
“The blast partially damaged an FC vehicle in the blast in which three personnel were wounded whose condition is stable,” FC spokesperson Murtaza Baig said.
Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Mir Zubair Mehmood said the explosives were detonated through a remote-controlled device and that the FC convoy was the main target of the blast.
He added that an investigation was under way into the incident.
“The FC convoy was a target apparently. Around five kilograms (11 pounds) of explosive was fitted on to the bicycle parked along the roadside. It exploded when the FC convoy passed nearby,” he said.
No group has claimed responsibility for the blast till the filing of this report.
Meanwhile, Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Mohammad Aslam Raisani condemned the attack and ordered the authorities and security agencies to take steps to control terrorist attacks in Quetta.    Balochistan is plagued by militancy, sectarian violence and a regional insurgency waged by separatists.
Violence has surged in the province this year and human rights activists have raised concerns about an increase in targeted killings.
The dead were identified as Muhammad Rafiq and Sanaullah. FC personnel injured in the blast were identified as Awaldar Saifullah, Qamar Riaz and Sepoy Saeed while the civilians injured were identified as Sikandar, Muhammad Ishaq, Muhammad Naheem, Nisar Ahmed, Muhammad Umar, Ghulam Sarwar. Three individuals could not be identified till the filing of the report.

PM summons Raisani, Balochistan PPP MPAs as party rift perists

QUETTA: The supreme court’s interim order to effectively put the elected Balochistan government in abeyance has sent the Balochistan chapter of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) into turmoil, so much so that the Prime Minister, who undertook his first visit to the province last weekend after being elected in June, has had to sit up and take notice.

First, a district chapter of the party suspended Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani’s membership in the immediate aftermath of the apex court’s orders. Then on Tuesday, the PPP provincial chapter mirrored that move by expressing no-confidence in Raisani and his provincial cabinet and termed the Balochistan assembly unconstitutional just hours before it met.
On Wednesday, Raja Pervez Ashraf took note of the party turmoil and has summoned Chief Minister Raisani along with all the PPP members of Balochistan Assembly, to Islamabad to discuss party matters.
Sources said that on the directions of Co-Chairman of the party President Asif Ali Zardari, Qayyum Somoro and Rukhsana Bangash will be arriving in Quetta shortly to preside over a high level meeting at the Governor House. They though are expected to focus on the current situation of Balochistan.
Assembly’s vote of confidence unconstitutional
Meanwhile, the provincial president PPP Balochistan Mir Saddiq Umrani while talking to the Express Tribune has said that the unanimous vote of confidence given to Chief Minister Balochistan in the provincial assembly on Tuesday has no constitutional status.
He further said that in the light of the interim order of the Supreme Court, Balochistan government has lost constitutional status and its ability to rule the province.
“People’s party will not be a party to the move of non-confidence against Speaker,” he maintained. He further said that Speaker Aslam Bhootani had adopted the constitutional way and sought the advice of the governor before calling the BA session. “We don’t want a politics of confrontation and have fought a long drawn battle for constitutional supremacy,” he, maintained.
Meanwhile, Raisani is currently in Quetta, the chief minister’s press secretary Kamran Asad confirmed.

PTA permanently bans mobile number portability

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) issued a notification to all mobile phone companies in Pakistan on Wednesday instructing them to immediately halt Mobile Number Portability (MNP) services, reported Pro Pakistani.

The Ministry of Interior held a meeting, chaired by Interior Minister Rehman Malik, which issued a directive to PTA in addition to several instructions regarding unblocking of YouTube, permanent blocking of unregistered SIMs, Mobile Number Portability (MNP) and automated web locking, a PTA source told ProPakistani.

Mobile SIM sales banned
Malik ordered a ban last Friday on the sale of unregistered mobile phone SIMs. “The PTA will block 5% of illegal SIMs in the due process. No change of network will be allowed and only ID cards and utility bills can validate the identity for issuing SIM cards,” the minister said.
He said that prepaid SIM cards will now be dispatched to buyers’ residential address and will not be sold directly from company outlets.
Security during Muharram
The minister also assured that strict security measures will be implemented during the month of Muharram.
Chairing a meeting on the law and order situation, Malik said that the government has received threats of terrorism during Muharram and preemptive steps will be taking to tackle them

Karachi unrest: PML-N, MQM, ANP among others walkout of Senate session

ISLAMABAD: A day after the ruling party’s major ally Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) walked out from the Senate to protest against the apparent apathy of the incumbent government in controlling a worsening law and order situation in Karachi, a plethora of government allies and opposition parties walked out on Wednesday.
Save for the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and its major ally the Pakistan Muslim Leaque-Quaid (PML-Q), all other parties including the MQM, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the Awami National Party (ANP), the Jamiat-Ulema-Islam-Fazal (JUI-F) and the National Party walked out of the Senate session on Wednesday.

The walkout was prompted by the conspicuous absence of the federal ministers for interior and law. The absence of law minister Farooq H Naek was a particular sticking point given he had promised on  Tuesday to convey the grievances of members over Karachi’s law and order situation to the prime minister in Wednesday’s cabinet meeting.
New accountability bill to be introduced next week
The Senate’s standing committee on law and justice said completed its review of a draft proposal for a new accountability bill on Wednesday.
The new bill which proposes to increase punishment for violators to seven years of rigorous imprisonment, would now be tabled in the assembly next week for debate.
PML-N to oppose accountability bill
Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Wednesday said that his party would vociferously oppose the proposed new accountability bill.
For this, the PML-N leader urged all MNAs of his party to attend the next assembly session scheduled for Monday and oppose the bill as it is tabled.Pakistan News Reported

Taliban claim responsibility for suicide attack on Rangers in Karachi

KARACHI / DI KHAN: A suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden pickup truck into the gate of Sachal Rangers Headquarters in North Nazimabad Block B area of Karachi on Thursday, causing a huge blast that killed three Rangers personnel and a suicide bomber, while at least 26 people were injured.

“An explosives-laden vehicle rammed into the gate of the residential area of the complex and hit its wall. A total of 21 Rangers have been injured in the attack this morning,” a Rangers spokesman told AFP.

The deceased Rangers personnel were identified as Lance Naik Khalid Mahmood, Sepoy Abdul Razzaq and Sepoy Imran Wali.

A spokesman for a prominent faction of the Pakistani Taliban, headed by insurgent Maulana Fazlullah, claimed responsibility.

Sirajuddin Ahmad, speaking by telephone, said the attack was “revenge for the arrest, torture and killing of our people” by security forces in the region.

Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan also confirmed that the attack was carried out by the TTP and said that such attacks will continue in the future because the Rangers “harass” their men in Karachi.

IG Sindh Fayyaz Leghari confirmed that it was a suicide blast. He added that a mini truck had been used in the attack.

DIG West Javed Odho as saying that around 150kg of explosives were used in the blast.

According to Express News correspondent Wasiq Muhammad, the powerful explosion destroyed the vehicle and severely damaged the building’s two storied structure, a section of which has collapsed. Parts of the building had caught fire, which the fire brigade put out.

He added that the dead and injured were shifted to Abbasi Shaheed hospital. Of the injured, five were civilians and the rest were Rangers personnel.

Muhammad added that most of those injured were in critical condition and are being given medical treatment. He added that doctors had removed ball bearings in addition to metal fragments from some of the injured.

One of the injured Rangers’ personnel Mohammad Farooq narrated that the security personnel had just sat down after offering their morning prayers at around 6:30 am when the explosion took place.

Another Rangers personnel Anwar while talking to Express News said that as he was getting ready for the duty, he saw that a mini truck came crashing inside the headquarters’ vicinity and rammed into a tree nearby and exploded.

Emergency services have reached the spot and are conducting a rescue operation. The area has been cordoned off by security officials.

A suspicious person was also reportedly arrested from the immediate vicinity of the Rangers headquarters soon after the blast.

The blast was powerful enough to be heard for miles around and a big mushroom cloud rose high into the sky.

No Taliban present in Karachi, says Sherpao

PESHAWAR: There are no Taliban present in Karachi and political parties, under the pretext of Taliban presence, want to achieve political advantage against their rivals, said Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) Chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao on Thursday.

Addressing a press conference at the party’s central secretariat, Sherpao said that previously the Awami National Party (ANP) gave the impression that Taliban were present in the city and now the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) is using the same narrative.
He maintained that political parties are using this false excuse to initiate military operations aiming to get political benefits.
Sherpao said if such operations are conducted, Pashtun population will be at the receiving end.
The MQM has always claimed that Taliban have travelled to the metropolitan from the northern parts of the country and demanded action against them. Recently, the Supreme Court also ordered the IG Sindh along with other officials to submit a report regarding the infiltration of more than 7,000 Taliban in Karachi.

Asghar Khan case: SC orders probe into Rs270m distribution allegations

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court, announcing the detailed verdict on the Asghar Khan case, ordered a probe into allegations against the Intelligence Bureau (IB) distributing Rs270 million in Punjab during governor rule.
The Supreme Court registrar briefed the media on the 151 pages long verdict.
The verdict also contains Brigadier Hamid Saeed’s diary which contains details and names of those involved in the alleged distribution of money.

Today’s verdict serves as an elaboration on the short verdict announced earlier and is penned down by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.
Last month, the Supreme Court announced a short judgement where it held two retired military generals, Director General ISI Lt Gen (retd) Asad Durrani and Chief of Army Staff Gen (retd) Aslam Baig, responsible for bribing politicians in order to rig the 1990 general elections.
The apex court had directed the FIA to probe charges against Baig and Durrani for rigging the elections as well as an investigation into the accused politicians who were allegedly bribed by the two generals.
Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officials earlier said they cannot launch an investigation into accused politicians in the Asghar Khan case until a detailed verdict was announced.

SC orders political parties to verify voters by checking every neighbourhood

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan, hearing the bogus votes case on Thursday, ordered political parties to verify all voters by checking every neighbourhood.
Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, heading the three-member bench, also ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to send the new electoral list to political parties.

During the hearing, the Secretary ECP presented a report to the bench regarding the electoral list and said that 84.36 million voters are registered in 2012’s voter list. Some of the votes are currently being verified, he added.
The secretary added that complaints of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) – who filed the petition against bogus voters list – have been addressed, and the ECP is ready to address all other complaints as well.
The hearing of the case was adjourned till November 15.

OGRA hires audit firm to evaluate profit earned by CNG stations

ISLAMABAD: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) on Thursday hired an audit firm, Avais Hyder Liaquat Nauman Chartered Accountants, to conduct an audit of CNG stations regarding profit earned by them, following an order of the Supreme Court.

An Ogra official said that the firm would present the audit report within four days, by November 12.
It will select 11 CNG stations in rural and urban areas to evaluate profit and return of CNG stations.
This audit is being conducted as short-term measure and a long-term audit would also be conducted later.
The apex court had ordered the regulatory body to review the prices and announce the new prices before November 1.

Marriage: Christian girl jumps off building to escape family

KARACHI: A 19-year-old Christian girl named Sunita, who had come to Karachi city courts in order to convert to Islam and marry a Muslim man, jumped from the second floor of an adjacent building on Thursday upon seeing her family there,

According to Express News correspondent Shakir Sultan, Sunita, who wanted to change her name to Sobia after embracing Islam, was present at Tahir Plaza adjacent to city courts where she went to talk to her lawyer.
However, she saw her family there and fearing a harsh reaction, she jumped off the second floor of the building. Sunita said she did not want to commit suicide, but was only scared of a backlash from her family.
She hurt her leg and lower body as a result.
Sunita, who works as a receptionist at a clinic had fallen in love with a man named Ghulam Rasool who used to come there. Both of them decided to get married and had arrived at the city courts for court marriage.
The Christian girl further said that no one was forcing her to convert her religion and that she was always “inclined towards Islam.”
Her case was presented before a magistrate where she appealed the authorities to provide her security.

Imran Khan asks Obama to end US drone attacks

GURGAON: Pakistani cricketer turned politician Imran Khan said Wednesday he hoped President Barack Obama would “give peace a chance” and stop US drone attacks now that he has been re-elected.

Khan, leader of the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf party (PTI), has campaigned for an end to US drone strikes against suspected Taliban and al Qaeda militants in Pakistan’s tribal areas, saying they result in civilian casualties.

“What Pakistan would be hoping for is a de-escalation of violence now in Afghanistan and the drone attacks in Pakistan’s tribal areas,” he told reporters where he was attending the India World Economic Forum.

Khan said that Obama’s first term in office had been “very tough on Pakistan – an increase in drone attacks and a surge in Afghanistan and increased militancy in Pakistan as a result.”

“Now he (Obama) is no longer under the pressure to be re-elected we hope that he will give peace a chance which we so desperately need,” he said.

Khan argues that drone strikes are illegal and counterproductive and last month led thousands of supporters – and some US peace activists – on a march to the edge of Pakistan’s restive tribal districts to protest against them.

The Pakistani politician said he wanted Obama to call a ceasefire in Afghanistan, saying that if Americans do not “get it right it is conceivable that they will leave it in a bigger mess than they found it.”

The White House has said that Washington will gradually hand over security responsibility to the Afghans and eventually withdraw US troops. The US-led Nato force plans to pull out its 100,000 troops by the end of 2014.

Islamist militants have killed thousands of people in Pakistan since 2007, and US officials say the drone strikes are a key weapon in the war on terror.

But peace campaigners condemn them as a breach of international law.

Pakistanis call them a violation of sovereignty that breeds extremism, and politicians including Khan say the government is complicit in killing its own people.

Casualty figures are difficult to obtain, but a report commissioned by legal lobby group Reprieve estimated last month that 474 to 881 civilians were among 2,562 to 3,325 people killed by drones in Pakistan between June 2004 and September 2012.

Second International Children’s Film Festival calls out to Karachi

KARACHI: 
To entertain, inspire, and educate is the purpose of the second Karachi International Children’s Film Festival, which has been organised by festival director Shoaib Iqbal in collaboration with The Little Art and Teacher’s Resource Centre (TRC).
The idea behind the festival is to celebrate and encourage some of the best films made for and by children. It is geared towards specific age groups from four to 16 years old. Children have a vivid imagination with toys and make-believe characters, and can love unconditionally; these themes stood out at the screening showcased at the Rangoonwala Community Centre in Dhoraji Colony on Wednesday.

Films
The first film to be screened was Disassembled, which came from the Netherlands. While it was packed with creative graphics and animated creatures, the film failed to attract much attention because there was no concrete plot.
However, another film titled Picture This gained positive feedback and touched the hearts of the audience. The story is about Giles, a young girl from South Africa, who left her elderly grandmother at her home town Gogo to be with her father in another town of South Africa. Like her father, Giles also shares his passion for painting and she paints the town in a myriad of colours. But when her father finds out, he becomes angry because she uses all his paints. The people, however, appreciate her for painting it red and making the town a livelier place to live in.
The Pakistani film Bhaoo was also an entertaining watch. It was the story of a little boy named Bilal who is scared of demons he thinks he sees at midnight. He has nightmares about them and screams out for his mother, but his mother doesn’t take his fears seriously. For young Bilal, many questions remain unanswered because his mother is always too busy on the telephone. The deeper theme of the play is that Bilal’s imaginary demons are a result of his mother’s neglect.
Another animated movie from the United Kingdom titled Lost and Found was interesting. The plot revolves around a little penguin from the shores of the South Pole who comes to an anonymous town in the UK and knocks on the door of a little boy. The boy then goes from place to place, trying to find a home for the animal.
Appreciation from the young
At the Zuleikhabai Audi-torium, about 50 students from the Foundation School in Bahadurababd were present. One of the 10-year-olds, Mohib Anwar, said he loved watching Lost and Found because the movie described how friends are made and then lost and regained.
“Children thoroughly enjoyed the festival,” said school administrator Ghulam Akbar. “However, a guide should be here to help the children understand morals behind any given story, so that they can understand it better.”
“Films are a mode of entertainment and inspiration for young minds,” said Ali Hameed, the program director for The Little Art. “We select films from across the world and bring it here to the local audience. This also makes them well aware of other cultures in the world.”
More films will be screened during the day time for young viewers on November 8 and then through November 12 to 14 at the Zuleikhabai Auditorium of the Rangoonwala Centre.

Malala's enemy: Mullah Fazlullah hiding in Afghanistan, US officials confirm

WASHINGTON: US officials have confirmed that notorious Mullah Fazlullah, a commander of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, is hiding in Afghanistan, The Washington Post (WP) reported on Wednesday.

Fazlullah was reportedly behind the attack on teenage child rights activist Malala Yousufzai.
Citing unnamed US officials, the WP report stated that the Taliban leader has escaped retribution by hiding in a section of eastern Afghanistan where the US forces are present but focused on other targets.
“Finding Fazlullah is not a priority because he is not affiliated with al Qaeda or with insurgents targeting US and Afghan interests”, the officials said as per the report.
“Our guys just aren’t tracking him,” a senior Special Operations official said. “He is viewed as an ‘other-side-of-the-border’ problem.”
Malala was attacked by Taliban gunmen on October 9, when she was returning home from school. She was shifted to the UK for medical treatment.
Pakistan has repeatedly asked the US to hunt down Fazlullah, even handing over a dossier on him to authorities, but scant action has been taken.

Jab Tak Hai Jaan all set to release in Pakistan

KARACHI: 
The release of the greatly anticipated Katrina Kaif, Anushka Sharma and Shahrukh Khan starrer Jab Tak Hai Jaan may well turn out to be one of the most mysterious foreign releases in the history of Pakistani cinema.
Earlier, it was reported that the film will not be released here as it shows Shahrukh playing an army officer in Kashmir, and it was believed that the plot may portray Pakistan in a negative light. The recent ban on Bollywood films Agent Vinod and Ek Tha Tiger for being “against national institutions” lead many to believe that Jab Tak Hai Jaan’s chances in Pakistan are bleak. But here’s the good news: thanks to some leg work by the local distributor of the film, IMGC Global Entertainment and assurance from Yash Raj Films (YRF) that the plot will not hurt sentiments, Yash Chopra’s final project will be screened in Pakistan.

“The film is coming to Pakistan and is in the process of being imported,” Chairman of IMGC Global Entertainment Amjad Rasheed told The Express Tribune.


“The film has received one NOC [No Objection Certificate] from the ministry of regulations and services and is now awaiting another from the ministry of commerce,” said Rasheed. “After this it will be all set to arrive in Pakistan. Upon its arrival, which would be sometime next week, the film will be submitted to the censor board for reviewing,” he added excitedly.
After all the rumours and hullabaloo surrounding its release, it was Rasheed’s trip to Yash Chopra’s funeral that really worked in Pakistan’s favour, as he claims that Aditya Chopra himself guaranteed that the film is not going to offend Pakistanis.
“I met Aditya Chopra on his father’s funeral and he assured me that the film is not against Pakistan or its security agencies and it does not have any negative religious connotations. It has a positive vibe overall and I am glad that one of the most awaited films of the year is finally releasing in Pakistan,” said Rasheed.
Vice President of International Operations at YRF Avtar Panesar confirmed this, when he told The Express Tribune, “I can confirm that the film has nothing that may be construed as anti-Pakistan; [it] is a simple love story,” he said. He added, “The film will be submitted to the censor board and only once they clear [it] will we release it. We have always respected the law in any of the countries we release our films in and Pakistan is no exception. We will respect the law of Pakistan and the release will take place once the formalities are completed.”
Apart from being Yash Chopra’s final project, it is also the only Shahrukh Khan film to come out this year and his first film with Katrina Kaif, which makes celebrities and audiences alike excited about its release.
“Like me, Pakistanis are anxiously waiting for Jab Tak Hai Jaan,” actor Humaima Malik told The Express Tribune. “This is Yash Chopra’s last contribution to cinema, so it should be honoured as he honoured people on this side of the border with so many great films,” she added.
It seems that the confusion regarding the release of the biggest Bollywood flick of 2012 is finally heading for a more favourable solution for Pakistan. If the film clears the Central Board of Film Censors review, which seems likely, it would be a treat for exhibitors and audiences. Get your popcorn ready: Jab Tak Hai Jaan is expected to release in major cinemas in Pakistan on November 15!

YDA puts off sit-in after Punjab govt accepted their demands partly

LAHORE: The Young Doctors Association (YDA) Punjab after a meeting with officials of the health department put off their sit-in in front of the Chief Minister’s Secretariat on Wednesday.

An YDA leader, Dr Nasir Abbas, while speaking to APP said during a meeting between the YDA and health department officials today, the Punjab government had accepted 50 per cent of their demands regarding the service structure due to which the YDA leaders decided to postpone their sit-in and other protest moves.

Responding to a question regarding announcement of dissolution of YDA body, he refuted this news item and said that the current YDA body would work till the next election.

He said a committee had been formed consisting of YDA leaders and health department officials for further action on the remaining demands regarding service structure.

“A meeting of the committee is likely very soon,” he added.

Elections not to be delayed by voters’ list errors: CJ

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said on Wednesday that the next general elections could not be affected or delayed due to errors in the voter lists,

The chief justice said that assistance of Army and the Frontier Corps (FC) could be sought in preparation of the voter lists.

A three member bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, heard the case.

The counsels of the petitioners told the Supreme Court that the Secretary of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had assured the court on July 7, 2011 that the lists of the voters were being prepared and the voters would be registered according to their present residential addresses.

Adding that, the petitioners claimed that around 1-1.5 million people were affected by the errors in the residential addresses.

Director General of Election Commission Sher Afzal told the apex court that after court’s directions, authorised people were sent to visit people and verify their addresses.

He said that if someone was not present at their residence at the time of the visit, his/her address was taken from the permanent address column of his/her National identity card issued by the Nadra.

Chief Justice said that absence of a person from his residence does not allow the ECP to use his/her permanent address. He said that the vote of a person should be registered back to the constituency where it was listed before.

He also added that the vote should be in accordance with the 2008 election.

Counsel of Jamaat-i-Islami Rasheed A Rizvi  told the apex court that only in Karachi there are around 1.5 million people whose votes had been registered to their permanent addresses (as mentioned in their NIC).

He said that the provincial election commission was not cooperating with anyone.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry remarked that the task of completing the voting lists was almost complete; however, the issue of errors in the addresses should be corrected on an emergency basis.

NRO implementation case: Letter sent to Swiss authorities

ISLAMABAD: The much-discussed letter in relation to the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) implementation case has been dispatched to authorities in Switzerland, DawnNews quoted the Pakistan Television as saying.

The Foreign Office had dispatched the letter, which was written in accordance with an order of the Supreme Court, on Nov 5.

The draft of the letter — seeking to reopen a graft case against President Asif Ali Zardari — constitutes the points upon which both the Supreme Court and Law Minister Farooq H Naek had reached a consensus.

The writing and sending of the letter would lead to an ease in the tensions between the state’s two prime institutions.

Earlier, the government had contended that the letter could not be written as under the Constitution the president enjoyed immunity from prosecution.

On Oct 10, after more than 30 months into the NRO saga, the Supreme Court had approved the law ministry’s draft of the letter aimed at reopening the graft case against President Zardari.
The allegations against President Zardari date back to the 1990s, when he and his late wife, former premier Benazir Bhutto were suspected of using Swiss bank accounts to launder $12 million allegedly paid in bribes by companies seeking customs inspection contracts.

The Swiss shelved the case in 2008 when Zardari became president and the government continued insisting that the president had full immunity.

But in 2009 the Supreme Court overturned the NRO, a political amnesty that had frozen investigations into the president and other politicians, ordering that the cases be reopened.

Zardari dual office case: LHC adjourns hearing to Nov 21

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday adjourned to Nov 21 the hearing of a contempt of court petition filed against President Asif Ali Zardari for not relinquishing the political office of PPP co-chairman,

A five-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, heard the case here.

During the hearing, the court forwarded a petition filed by the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) which had pleaded for the president’s disqualification to a single-judge bench. The chief justice of the LHC said that a full bench could not hear the petition, adding that, it would be up to the discretion of the single-judge bench whether or not to call for the formation of a larger bench.

Counsel for the president in the case, Wasim Sajjad, said that the court had not issued any order pertaining to the issue, adding that, rather it had simply spoken of its expectation.

Sajjad said that contempt of court proceedings could not be initiated on the basis of not meeting an expectation.

The court inquired of the president’s counsel as to why the court order pertaining to a cessation of political activities in the Presidency had not yet been implemented.

Responding to which, Sajjad said ‘contempt of court’ was in the category of criminal cases and added that the president enjoyed immunity from prosecution in such cases.

The LHC subsequently adjourned the hearing until Nov 21 and directed the president’s counsel to present his arguments pertaining to presidential immunity in criminal cases.

On Sept 5, the bench had issued a fresh notice to President Zardari through his principal secretary and had sought a reply to the petition pleading contempt proceedings against him for not abiding a court order to relinquish his political office.

The petition that had been filed by Munir Ahmad through lawyers A K Dogar and Azhar Siddique had accused President Zardari of indulging in political activities in the presidency. It had stated that the president had neither dissociated himself from the political office nor had he stopped ‘misusing’ the President House despite a verdict by the Lahore High Court’s full bench against the dual-office.

The petitioner had also contended that the use of Presidency for political activities was illegal and tantamount to committing contempt of the court’s orders issued on May 12 last year. He had also requested the court to issue a show-cause notice to the president and punish him under Contempt of Court Ordinance, 2003, read with Article 204 of the Constitution.

Obama win may be good news for Pakistan flag-makers

RAWALPINDI: Many Pakistanis fear President Barack Obama’s re-election will mean a surge in America’s unpopular drone campaign, but for those making and selling US flags to burn at protests this could be good news.

Demonstrations against Washington’s programme of missile strikes against suspected al Qaeda and Taliban militants are common in Pakistan, and no protest is complete without a Stars and Stripes being sent up in flames.

Nadeem Shah, the owner of a flag business in Rawalpindi, the twin city of the capital Islamabad, said he expected more drone strikes — and more protests.

“Of course Obama has become stronger now and he will push his policies harder and there will be more drone strikes because he himself is stronger now,” Shah told AFP.

“When the drone strikes increase the protests against these strikes will also increase in Pakistan and it can have an impact on the flags and poster business.”Pakistan’s flag industry enjoyed a boom in September when a US-made anti-Islam film sparked weeks of demonstrations, almost all lit up with “Old Glory” being burned.

In Rawalpindi, US flags start at around 120 rupees ($1.25) but in Shah’s shop 1,500 rupees will get you a three-square-metre number in cloth.

Shah said he was not hopeful of a stampede for his high-end products.

“As far as my own business is concerned I don’t expect much out of it because I deal in expensive material and I don’t think that many people will be buying that,” he said.

Saeed Ajmal signs for Adelaide Strikers in BBL

KARACHI: Adelaide Strikers have signed Pakistan’s star spinner Saeed Ajmal for this year’s edition of Australia’s Big Bash Twenty20 league.

Ajmal, who is currently ranked as the number one bowler in T20 and ODI cricket, will play in the first match against Perth Scorchers in place of West Indies’ Kieron Pollard who is unavailable due to international commitments.

He could return for the Strikers later, depending on his availability. Ajmal said he was looking forward to playing in the BBL and hoped to give it his best shot.

“I am really excited about playing for the Adelaide Strikers and really happy that I will get the chance to show my talent in the BBL,” Ajmal said.

“I am very keen to meet up with the rest of the boys soon and play my best in the games that I am available, with the hope that Adelaide make the final stages and I can return to help win the competition.”

Ajmal is the leading wicket-taker in Twenty20 internationals, with 69 from 48 matches.

Ajmal’s inclusion in the squad was a great boost to the Strikers, their coach Darren Berry said.

“We know what this guy is capable of, having seen him run through both the Australian and English batsmen a couple of months ago, so to have him on board is a great result for the Strikers,” Berry said.

Tim Ludeman and Cameron Boyce have also signed for the Strikers.

Pakistan’s Umar Akmal is also expected to play in the first three matches for reigning BBL champions Sydney Sixers after they recently signed him while Shahid Afridi plays for Sydney Thunder.

However, the Pakistani trio’s participation in the Big Bash will be interrupted by their country’s hotly-anticipated limited-overs tour to India.

Pakistani stocks gain 166 points, close at record high level

KARACHI: Pakistani stocks closed at a record high above 16,200 points on Wednesday, as a jump in share prices in Engro Foods and oil companies offset pressure from cement firms.

Engro Foods rose 5 per cent, or 3.83 rupees, to 80.43 per share, while D.G. Khan Cement dropped nearly 1.13 per cent, 0.60 rupees, to 52.60 a share.

“Some profit-taking was seen in cement stocks due to speculation that a few companies have reduced their prices in the north,” said Samar Iqbal, an equity dealer for Topline Securities.

The Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) benchmark 100-share index ended 1.04 per cent, or 166.87 points, higher at 16,218.01.

Saeed Ajmal thrilled to play in Australian Big Bash

KARACHI: Wily off-spinner Saeed Ajmal said Wednesday he was thrilled at joining Adelaide Strikers for the Australian Big Bash Twenty20 league next month.

He is one of three Pakistani players who have signed to play in Australia’s Twenty20 event, along with flamboyant allrounder Shahid Afridi and dashing young batsman Umar Akmal.

Ajmal is the leading wicket-taker in Twenty20 internationals, with 69 from 48 matches, seven ahead of Afridi, who is joining Sydney Thunder. He is also the world number on ODI bowler.

“I am really excited about playing for the Adelaide Strikers and really happy that I will get the chance to show my talent in the BBL (Big Bash League),” Ajmal said.


“I am very keen to meet up with the rest of the boys soon and play my best in the games that I am available, with the hope that Adelaide make the final stages and I can return to help win the competition.”

But the Pakistani trio’s participation in the Big Bash will be interrupted by their country’s hotly-anticipated limited-overs tour to India – the arch-rivals’ first full series in five years.

Pakistan play two Twenty20 and three one-day internationals in India between December 25-January 6.

Ajmal will be available for the Strikers’ first match, against the Perth Scorchers on December 9, and is likely to return to play the remaining matches of the league after the India tour.

The 35-year-old’s foxy bowling guided Pakistan to the semi-final of the World Twenty20 held in Sri Lanka last month, where he snared nine wickets in six games.

Akmal will play for Sydney Sixers and is expected to be available for the side’s first three matches

Umar Akmal primed for Big Bash

Pakistani batsman Umar Akmal has signed up with the Sydney Sixers for the first half of this summer’s Australian Twenty20 Big Bash League (BBL), according to ESPNcricinfo.

Akmal, who is expected to add firepower to the middle order of the Champions League T20 winners, will feature in the first three matches of the BBL starting next month.

The batsman said he was looking forward to joining the Sixers for their second campaign.

“I jumped at the opportunity to be a part of the Big Bash League when the Sixers approached me,’’ said the 22-year-old. “I’m looking forward to spending December in Australia and will be aiming to assist them to go back to back and win the tournament again.’’


Akmal becomes the second Pakistan international to join the BBL after teammate Shahid Afridi signed up with Sydney Thunder.

Sydney Sixers continued their recruitment spree to snap up top-order batsman Daniel Hughes, who was added to the NSW Blues rookie list this season. The exciting young player is considered a prospect of the future for NSW and is sure to boost the batting attack when David Warner becomes unavailable because of Australian Test selection.

The Sixers signed West Indian Sunil Narine as their first import but the spinner is expected miss the team’s opening clash with crosstown rivals Sydney Thunder at the SCG on December 8.

Xulfi announces Junaid Khan’s exit from Call

LAHORE:

Call has managed to gather a large fan base over the years with its edgy pop-rock sound. After rocking in Pakistan, it made its way across the subcontinent to India where it gave the crowd songs such as “Laree Chooti” and “Yeh Pal” and left them spellbound.

In an exclusive interview regarding his latest project Nescafe Basement, guitarist Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan, more popularly known as Xulfi, disclosed some shocking news: Junaid Khan, the lead singer and guitarist of Call, will no longer be a part of the band. As a replacement, Mustafa Zahid from Roxen, has been playing with the band instead.

“He [Junaid Khan] is very busy with his acting and personal commitments,” said Xulfi, expressing disappointment about Junaid’s solo career on the rise. He also said that Junaid is recording his own album. “This was news to us. He is busy doing his solo stuff.” Expanding on the rift, he added: “We have lost our common ground. When that happens, the band cannot survive. I have done other projects too, but they have always been under the name of Call. You have to pick one identity.”

When asked how different things would be after losing an integral member, Xulfi said that as long as he was a part of it, the essence of the band will remain intact. He added that unlike other countries, bands in Pakistan face the dilemma of making a living solely from their music career. According to him, bands such as Entity Paradigm (EP), Overload and Jal also lost members and had to reform their line-ups and they ultimately did survive.


He further revealed, “Junaid was recording his album and we didn’t know — it was the way he wanted to go and we didn’t want to stop him just so we could continue to perform as a band.” He did not wish to share further details.

Junaid’s manager Hadi Imran confirmed this development, saying “This [Junaid’s departure from Call] had been decided a while back; it is being released to the media only now.” However, when The Express Tribune contacted Junaid for a comment, he said he would prefer not to make a statement.

Nescafe Basement

Speaking about current projects, the introverted yet talented Xulfi express confidence that Call would continue to perform and remain alive as long as he was a part of the band. He talked about a project called Nescafe Basement, which aims to bring together skilled musicians from lesser known backgrounds on to one stage to perform together. “For me, promoting young blood is not about pleasure but about intent — if we don’t promote music amongst the youth, we won’t be able to create a positive future for the Pakistani music scene,” said Xulfi.

“I have this belief that the best music comes out of a jam. When I say ‘best music’, I am not talking about the audience or myself; I’m talking about the feel music creates,” he continued. “I was not a mentor that was forcing them — I was a mentor that was guiding them.” The project has brought together 15 ambitious artists who have recorded a total of 24 tracks.

Support from the industry

Xulfi explained that the biggest challenge for the music industry is to ensure that every entertainment medium provides unconditional support in promoting Pakistani music, whether it’s the TV/drama industry or cafes across the country. Appreciating TV shows such as “Humsafar”, he said: “I am so happy that our dramas have soundtracks which contain pure Pakistani music and lyrics. Everyone has the right to play anything they want in cafes or even on TV but industries are made when every other medium [sector] lends out its support allowing the industry to develop and prosper.”

Meanwhile, Xulfi remains excited about the future of his band Call, despite having lost Junaid. He hints at an upcoming video, which will be a surprise for his fans, along with the possible production of music for an Indian movie which releases next year. “It’s not about the number of songs you are doing there, it’s about what you are doing,” he said, referring to his contribution to Bollywood. “If you’re just lending your voice to their [Bollywood’s] music, they are using you. But if you’re giving your own music, then that’s another thing.”

Young lovers Saira and Shahroz tie the knot

KARACHI:
She’s the youngest of four sisters; he’s the only child of Mr and Mrs Behroze Sabzwari. She’s composed, with a charming, girl-next-door appeal; he’s the talkative and hopelessly romantic ladla. Meet TV actors Saira Yousuf and Shahroz Sabzwari, who got hitched last month after years of on and off romance.

Welcoming The Express Tribune into his home on Saturday evening, 25-year-old Shahroz and his better half were ecstatic about sharing their romantic journey and their intimate nikaah ceremony.


“We met at a mutual friend, Ali Tariq’s wedding,” Shahroz begins, talking about the first time he saw Saira before she joins us. “That was six years ago! I was 19 and she was 18. During events like the mehendi, dholkis, dance practices, I started to like her,” he says. Abandoning all notions of bashfulness, he adds: “Before that, I had seen her in a couple of ads and had thought to myself — who is this cute girl in town?”

Wearing a casual red shirt with jeans, Shahroz gets comfortable on a sofa and talks about his induction into showbiz. “I am a parchee,” he says, admitting that he had help from his father Behroze, who is a senior actor in our entertainment industry. He also says that his father saw the talent in him. “Dad would initially make phone calls [within the industry] to cast me as an actor in upcoming plays,” he adds. He then smiles and reiterates his initial view: “That makes me a parchee.”

As the conversation progresses, Saira walks into the room, radiant and adorable in jeans and a white top, bearing her contagious trademark smile. As he glances at his pretty 24-year-old wife with Afghani features, his eyes light up. Clearly, he is head over heels in love.

But while the young couple started dating in 2006, their relationship saw its shares of ups and downs. Both, however, refuse to acknowledge that they had ever completely broken things off.  “We were together on and off,” Sabzwari says disappointed. “Other things mattered more at the time and we grew apart.”

Shahroz adopts a sincere and open stance as he explains the shortcomings he had when he was younger. “For a 19-year-old, I was really immature and Saira was way more mature than any girl at 18!” He adds, “I was very insecure and over-possessive about her then.”

He fondly recalls memories of their teens. “She literally grew up in this house! We used to hang out so often. Our families knew each other and her parents often visited our place,” he says.

At this point, Saira speaks up. She says that even during their break-ups, she knew they were made for each other. “He started dating again and went out with a couple of other girls,” she says, in a playful tone. But Shahroz is quick to interrupt her as he interjects with “just a few!”.

With a chuckle, Yousuf continues. She explains that in her heart, she knew that there was a strong connection between them. “I somehow knew he will come back to me!” she shares.

Shahroz continues, saying that the couple has scores of mutual friends who always pictured them together, despite them being apart. “It was always ‘Saira-Shahroz’ for them even when we weren’t together,” he says with a smile. Even when they were not dating, they say they were always civil towards each other and accepted TV play offers, when they were cast in the same production.

It was the new drama, “Tanhaiyaan: Naye Silsilay” that brought them back together. “In this play, there were love scenes between us; either she was wooing me or I her,” Shahroz says with excitement. “Although we were always civil with each other, the passion was there and I fell in love with her again.”

But Saira felt differently. “I was cordial and the attraction was there, but at the end I knew it [being formal] was going nowhere!” She continues, “I told him we should stop fighting. For him, whenever we were civil, we ended up talking about marriage.”

He took the plunge and popped the question, asking for her hand in marriage and — like the romantic that he is — wanting to elope. “Let’s go to the mosque and do it,” Shahroz had said to her at the time. “We will let the families know later.”

Saira was more composed, and decided that involving the families is a better idea. “Let’s go the right way,” she had told him. That’s when Shahroz told his father. From being a ‘baat pakki’ event, upon the parents’ insistence, it transpired into an intimate nikaah ceremony. Shahroz’s mother designed an ivory-coloured chicken-kari outfit with kaamdani work for Saira. Thus, on October 21 — the date when they were supposed to exchange rings — they became husband and wife.

Saira shares how their friends’ reacted to the development. “When we were hanging out, it was acceptable to everyone because dating and party ‘scene on hai’,” she says. “But when we announced our marriage, they felt it was too early for us to settle down.”

“They forget that we grew up together,” Saira adds. “We experienced each other as friends first; then we grew apart and came back to one another. I believe we are good together.”

Since then, some friends have bombarded Shahroz with questions like: “When is the doomsday, yaar?”  Other people in the media industry, have said: “Your career is over, dude!” Shahroz doesn’t appreciate such remarks, “Bakwas! We believe in fate, we will be together,” he says with pride. “With this development, we have gained immense popularity and respect from our fans.”

Agreeing that the feeling of being married has not sunk in yet, both of them say that they will support each other in their professions. “We don’t like to control each other. We give each other the space that’s needed. I don’t like to interfere in her work or her life and neither does she in mine,” says Shahroz.

With a rukhsati ceremony scheduled to be held in December this year, the honeymoon is likely to be in either Australia or Europe. “We like old heritage buildings,” says a beaming Shahroz. “We’re fine with a cup of tea at a roadside café,” he smiles.

As our meeting came to an end, Shahroz lovingly put his arm around his wife. The couple laughed as Shahroz said he is happy to spend money on their honeymoon, cheekily adding that she is a shopaholic. We wish them a happily married life!

Ishq-e-Mamnoo soundtrack becomes KJ’s big break

KARACHI:

Little did we know that the Urdu dubbing of popular Turkish soaps will gain so much popularity in Pakistan. After the national obsession with “Humsafar”, Pakistan’s latest addiction is the widely popular Turkish soap “Ishq-e-Mamnoo” (Forbidden Love).

While its lead characters Bihter and Behlul have become household names, the singer of the namesake original soundtrack has become something of an overnight celebrity.

Khurram Jamshed, also known as KJ, shares success similar to that of Quratulain Baloch, who is now enchanting people around the world with “Woh Humsafar Tha”. KJ is being advertised for ghazal nights as the singer of the hit title song “Ishq-e-Mamnoo”.

Little do people know that KJ has been behind the scenes in the music industry for almost 20 years, providing services for different record labels and music companies. It was only recently when KJ was supervising the dubbing of Turkish soaps “Isabel” and “Ishq-e-Mamnoo” with his partner and project head Emu, that he was chosen to sing.



“I was a little hesitant to sing after so long, but Emu [also the composer of the song] pushed me into it,” KJ told The Express Tribune. “Now I realise that it was a risk worth taking.”

In the mid ‘90s, KJ entered the music industry to become a singer but the rejection from PTV and other record labels forced him to go behind the scenes and focus more on artist selection and promotion for record labels.

“It is more like a dream come true for me,” explains KJ. “For years I have been promoting other people and for the first time I am getting to do something solo and live.”

Keeping the popularity of the song in mind and the increasing demand by the promoters for a legally downloadable version of the song, KJ decided to make a solo video which will be released soon.

“We thought that the ban on YouTube might affect our gauge of the song’s success,” says KJ. “But the back-to-back demand on different radio stations is very encouraging. It’s also very interesting that people have come out with their own remix versions of the song.”

Music for “Ishq-e-Mamnoo”

The whole project was experimental, but Emu, who is also a Fuzon band member, followed his gut feeling about the composition. He asked one of his colleagues, singer and lyricist Sherry, who was also supervising the dubbing project, to come up with the words.

“It had to be a romantic song with a very mellow feel to it,” says Emu. “But it was about forbidden love so I added a bit of a qawwali to it which really worked out in our favour.”

Being a rockstar and the face of a prominent band, Emu wasn’t comfortable with the whole concept of composing an OST. “Changing shoes wasn’t that much of a treat,” says Emu with a laugh. “However, I wanted to tell people that Emu is more than Fuzon.  If someone wants me to compose an OST for them, I will. But I won’t go beg people for an OST, because that’s not what I am known for.”

Ironically, the channel had more hopes for the play “Isabel”, which was the reason they aggressively advertised the soundtrack for that serial, but surprisingly, “Ishq-e-Mamnoo” has captivated a larger audience.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 7th, 2012.

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Another referendum: 'Whose Pakistan, Quaid’s or Altaf Hussain’s?'

QUETTA: We should also hold a referendum for citizens to decide between Quaid’s Pakistan or Altaf Hussain’s Pakistan, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman said on Wednesday.

He was addressing a press conference in Quetta.

The JUI-F chief was laughingly responding to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) proposed referendum on what kind of Pakistan its citizens wanted to live in – Quaid’s Pakistan or Taliban’s Pakistan.

The MQM referendum, which was earlier scheduled to be held on November 8, is postponed to November 14.
Following this call for referendum, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan had announced its decision “to liberate Karachi” from the MQM, adding that “every step would be taken against them.”

TTP spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan had said that the decision was taken to set the people of Karachi free from the clutches of “these persecutors”.

Will declare jihad to save Pakistan: Imran Khan

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan has said that he will “declare jihad to save Pakistan” and “will disarm all militants group operating in the country,” reported Mail Today on Wednesday.

In an interview with the Indian daily, Khan spoke on the issue of terrorism in Pakistan and said that terror leaders can be “transformed.”

“I am sure they can be put into nation building, human beings can change. I will make them realise that militancy is not a solution.”

The PTI chief, who is currently present in India to attend the World Economic Forum in Gurgaon, said that he will bring the culprits behind Mumbai attacks to justice, if he is made the prime minister of Pakistan.


Khan assured that as the prime minister, he would ensure that terrorism does not stem from the Pakistani soil.

He said:

“India must understand the legal process takes time, but I will bring the Mumbai perpetrators to justice. We have to follow the rule of law.”

The daily says that during the interview, the PTI chief was confident of winning the elections. “I have created the only democratic party in Pakistan. We are now preparing for a democratic tsunami,” said Khan.

End US drone attacks

Khan said he hoped President Barack Obama would “give peace a chance” and stop US drone attacks now he had been re-elected, AFP reported.

The PTI chief has campaigned for an end to US drone strikes against suspected Taliban and al Qaeda militants in Pakistan’s tribal areas, saying they result in civilian casualties.

“What Pakistan would be hoping for is a de-escalation of violence now in Afghanistan and the drone attacks in Pakistan’s tribal areas,” he said.

Khan said that Obama’s first term in office had been “very tough on Pakistan – an increase in drone attacks and a surge in Afghanistan and increased militancy in Pakistan as a result.”

“Now he (Obama) is no longer under the pressure to be re-elected we hope that he will give peace a chance which we so desperately need,” he said.

Khan said he wanted Obama to call a ceasefire in Afghanistan, saying that if Americans do not “get it right it is conceivable that they will leave it in a bigger mess than they found it.”

Relationship with India

Speaking about Pakistan’s relationship with India, he said he was “in favour of a new relationship.”

“All these years we have had a relationship which was detrimental to the entire subcontinent. We moved one step forward, two steps backward. Mumbai came, (and) we were back to square one.”

Khan urged that there was a need for leadership of both countries to take on vested interests. “Who want to make money on the conflict?” He said young people “were tired of the continuing hostility between the two countries.”

No military solution to resolve Kashmir issue

The PTI chief said that a military solution could not help resolve the Kashmir issue and said that as the Pakistani premier, he will take the peace initiative. “It can be resolved. I will work on a road map by making people from India, Pakistan and Kashmiris look for a solution by sitting on a table.”

He added, “India is using troops in Kashmir. They are losing the battle of heart and minds. It’s like treating cancer with dispirin.”

‘No ties with the ISI’

When questioned about his ties with the Inter-Services Intelligence and the Pakistan Army, Khan said that he will “quit politics if anyone can prove I have taken one rupee from the ISI.”

Swiss letter written, sent via Foreign Office on November 5: Report

ISLAMABAD: The letter to Swiss authorities for reopening graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari, was written and sent through the Foreign Office on November 5, Express News reported the state television channel as saying on Wednesday.

In September, after months of sparring, the executive and the judiciary deadlock saw a breakthrough when Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf agreed to write the letter, and assigned the task to Law Minister Farooq H Naek.


After weeks of delay and corrections, the country’s top court had approved the Swiss letter draft submitted on October 10.

On the appeal of Law Minister Farooq H Naek, the federation was given till November 10 to send the letter to Swiss authorities.

Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf had directed Naek to dispatch the letter, indicating further progress since the Supreme Court gave the government draft of the letter a final nod.

Attorney General of Pakistan Irfan Qadir, however, had said one day earlier that he had not yet received any directions to write the letter to Swiss authorities.