Pak News Wire

Karachi railway station: On the right track

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/829035/karachi-railway-station-on-the-right-track/"> 				<img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/829035-Karachi_cantt_station_full_facade-1422456255-674-160x120.jpg" width="160" /> 			</a> 			If one is a 29-year-old architect and they’ve lost their sense of direction, it seems entirely fitting that their dream job would land them in Karachi’s Cantonment Railway Station. “I had left my job at the Heritage Foundation. I had no jobs lined up and I didn’t even know how I would pay my bills,” recalls Marvi Mazhar. “Then I got a call from architect Aqeel Bilgrami and he asked me to come see the station, as a group of artists and architects was hoping to revitalise this beautiful 19th century building.” The rest, as they say, is history. Looking beneath the surface Mazhar was drafted by Pursukoon Karachi, a non-profit organisation comprising nine artists, sculptors and architects, to restore the 150-year-old building, stripping it of false ceilings, poor paint jobs, shoddily constructed additions and several coats of crimson paan stains. <img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Marvi-Mazhar.jpg" /> Initially, the Pursukoon group planned to have the station cleaned and painted. “Once I saw the building’s original yellow stone, however, I said we needed to remove all the layers of paint and concrete in order to restore the original structure.” For four months, Mazhar worked for free on a few parts of the station, in what became a litmus test for her ability to work with the building and the many challenges it presented. “I might have worked for free, but for me, the barter made sense. If I was successful, I had the job. And who else would let me touch a 19th century building at this age?” she shares. In the absence of substantial archival photographs, blueprints or notes, the project required a fair amount of detective work. Mazhar stumbled upon photographs and log notes from the time of the railway’s construction in 1865 in London’s British Library. One morning, she spotted a slightly raised curve under layers of paint and concrete and guessed that an arch must be hidden underneath. The first glimpse of the original slate, grey stone floors came from a small patch inside the security officials’ offices. <img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/ASA_3314-copy.jpg" /> <blockquote> The ticket office after it was restored. PHOTO COURTESY: MARVI MAZHAR & ASSOCIATES </blockquote> Many times, the material would confound Mazhar’s expectations or local architects and engineers would question her approach. “When we started chipping off the layers of marble and concrete, they were coming off in sheets and I was very nervous about what I’d find underneath,” she says. “One engineer warned me that the building was weak and wouldn’t withstand the process. But I remembered what Yasmeen Lari would always say when it came to heritage buildings: ‘You’ve got to remove all the concrete and you’ve got to let the building breathe.’” Thus, much of the work was informed by a previous conservation project undertaken by the Heritage Project on Karachi’s Denso Hall in 2010. Mentors such as Bilgrami and Kamil Khan Mumtaz also helped soothe the nerves. “There was one area of the station where the original yellow stone was turning black,” Mazhar recalls. A hastily-organised visit to the station by Khan confirmed that the stone was simply ‘breathing’ after decades of being blanketed by concrete and fungus was growing on the wall. <img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/IMG_1607-copy.jpg" /> <blockquote> Irum, a police official, keeps an eye on a bank of CCTV feeds inside the offices for security staff. PHOTO CREDIT: ARIF SOOMRO </blockquote> The station’s booking office was the first hurdle for the team. Ticket officers sat on plastic chairs atop a three-foot-high concrete slab to be able to reach the ticket counter. A small square skylight had been punched into the false ceiling and a ticket box from colonial times was propped up next to a barred window. Additionally, rusting aluminum cabinets lined the wall, stuffed with paperwork. The air conditioner never cooled enough and the false ceiling was warped by humidity. Today, there is no need for an air conditioner there. “This building was constructed keeping the weather of Pakistan in mind,” explains Mazhar. Once the team got rid of the false ceiling and restored the windows to their natural height and removed the concrete slabs and bars from the windows, the humidity was taken care of. Light now streams into the high-ceilinged room while the ticket officers perch on high wooden chairs rescued and restored from the station’s warehouse. Mazhar’s team stripped the office’s original doors of seven layers of oil paint and fixed the original lock. The old English ticketing boxes have been polished to a high gleam. “The officers wanted new ticket boxes, but we didn’t see the point in doing that when the colonial ones had survived so beautifully,” she explains. “Building bohot fit hai abhi (The building is in great condition no),” comments one of the ticket officers as he punches out a business class ticket from one of the ticket box’s narrow metal slots. “Dil khush hota hai yahaan beth kar (one feels happy sitting here),” he adds. He then leans back in his chair and says something you would never expect from a government servant: “I find this office very relaxing to be in now.” Money matters For the last six months, however, work has ground to a halt at the station as funds have dried up. While the Pursukoon team grew accustomed to receiving financial support from the provincial government and private donors in small bursts, this has been the longest period where there have been no donations. <img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/IMG_1653-copy.jpg" /> <blockquote> Signs put up at the station by the restoration team. PHOTO CREDIT: ARIF SOOMRO </blockquote> The Pursukoon team initially received Rs5,000,000 from the provincial government, part of which was utilised for a three-day festival in Karachi in 2013. The remainder and an additional Rs2,500,000, given by Sindh chief minister Qaim Ali Shah, was poured into the restoration project. Government officials and political leaders, including Sherry Rehman, Nafisa Shah and the special assistant to the chief minister on culture, Sharmila Farooqi, have even visited the station to learn more about the project and have all praised the initiative. Why the lack of funding then one may ask. Farooqi shares that the Pursukoon team approached her a week before the provincial budget was to be announced. “If they had approached the government earlier, we could have kept money aside for such a project, but at the moment, we cannot siphon money from other projects to keep this one going,” she adds. At times when there was no funding, the team would just sit around and make sketches documenting the building and its transformation. They worked piecemeal throughout the station, restoring small portions with whatever funds were available at the time. As a result, the building seems to be a bizarre amalgamation of styles, both modern and colonial. Interventions: where old meets new While the two styles don’t make for the best of appearances, it’s the perfect reminder of why the restoration project is so vital. For instance, on one side of the same wall one can see caramel-coloured stone, almost the colour and texture of warm unleavened bread, and when one turns slightly to the right they’ll see whitewashed concrete and perhaps the faint raised curve of an arch that has been bricked over and cemented. The station’s two faces also raise the question on why  some interventions, such as ‘no guns allowed’ signs and spikes atop pillars to ward off pigeons, are deemed ‘good’, whereas other additions, such as a staircase that bisects the ticket office, built to save officials the hassle of walking to either end of the station to go to the upper floors, are considered ‘bad’. Before installing anything, however, the team looks at what masters have done in other parts of the world. “While a staircase ruins the purity of the building, anything we have added on does not impact the structure and can be removed whenever we want. For instance, none of the signs are nailed on.” <img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Kamil-Khan-Mumtaz-copy.jpg" /> <blockquote> Kamil Khan Mumtaz examines a patch of fungus on the original stone wall. PHOTO COURTESY: MARVI MAZHAR </blockquote> Some interventions, however, do not seem to be particularly successful. Outside the station, a small water body has been built where previously trees and benches offered travellers respite from the sun. The tiled pool is currently dry and people have thrown wrappers and bottles inside it. Sometimes, they even dip their feet in the water, leaving dirt and leaves behind. “We’re always debating the additions we have made,” Mazhar says. The Pursukoon team agreed to allot a small archway to the Citizens Archive of Pakistan (CAP), a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to preserving the stories of generations of Pakistanis. Here, CAP’s oral histories and photographs are displayed for any traveller or coolie to pore over. But Mazhar assures that the CAP space or the water body can be assessed in three months to see how people have reacted to it. “If it hasn’t worked for them, we’ll give the space back to the railway department,” she says. Building a future by consensus Curator, artist and one of the founding members of Pursukoon Karachi Noorjehan Bilgrami estimates that the project requires at least another Rs30,000,000. Farooqi has promised to speak with the chief minister to see if the money can be allocated for the project within or outside of the budget. However, she adds, the Pursukoon team would have to meet with the culture department’s director works to discuss where the money will be funnelled. <img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/At-three-points.jpg" /> Bilgrami insists that a working relationship can be forged and is greatly appreciative of the federal government’s support. But it is impossible to ignore the fact that the restoration team works primarily to remove traces of successive governments’ decisions within the station. On Mazhar’s first day at the station, she battled with officials as she tried to remove political posters and banners plastered onto the walls. While many workers said they were too scared to pull down the posters, others simply refused to do so until a rival political party’s posters were also removed. <img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/The-Pursukoon.jpg" /> At three points in the station, the Pursukoon team has left ‘layers of memory’ — reminders of the damage done to the building — within clear acrylic boxes. On one pillar in the main hall, one can see 22 layers of oil paint that were slapped onto the original structure. “I am guessing that a new coat of paint was added on every time a government official would visit the station,” Mazhar says. In another box, one can see how marble was layered on concrete and stone in order to sheath the original stone walls. “Before a funding period would lapse, officials would add on another layer onto the walls rather than fix what was already there, all in the name of ‘maintaining’ the building,” she explains. “We keep these layers of memory so we are able to show them to all government officials who visit the station.” <img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/At-three-points.jpg" /> “Of course, that was not the right thing to do,” concedes Farooqi. “But until someone doesn’t catch the people who do this, you have no idea that this is what is happening.” There have been tussles, both internal and with the government, about plans for the station. Some have proposed the addition of cafes or shops to boost the station’s income, while others, such as architect Habib Fida Ali, have instantly shot down such suggestions. Meanwhile, Mazhar suggests that each archway on the station’s upper floor, with a beautiful view of swaying banyan trees, be fitted with tables and chairs and WiFi so it can be ‘rented’ out for hours at a time to writers, journalists, artists or anyone looking for a quiet spot. <img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Sharmila-Farooqi.jpg" /> Bilgrami points out that while there may be a difference of aesthetics between government teams and the Pursukoon artists and architects, many of these differences have been smoothed over through dialogue. For example, while railway officials wished to construct a rockery outside the station, the Pursukoon team convinced them that travellers would be better served by benches and trees in the spot. “Look, at the end of the day, if something has to be done correctly, we have to explain it to those in charge and hope that they understand,” Bilgrami says. Compromise is also required from Pursukoon, simply because, as she puts it, “at the end of the day, it all boils down to the money.” Sanam Maher is a senior subeditor at The Express Tribune national desk. She tweets @SanamMKhi Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, February 1st, 2015.

Karachi railway station: On the right track

If one is a 29-year-old architect and they’ve lost their sense of direction, it seems entirely fitting that their drea...

Photo leads to felony charge for winning jockey

Photo leads to felony charge for winning jockey

After a questionable race photo surfaced, veteran jockey Roman Eric Chapa was accused of cheating and has been charged with unlawful influen...

This Super Bowl ad will leave you speechless

This Super Bowl ad will leave you speechless

A powerful new PSA from NoMore.org will air during the Super Bowl as part of the NFL's domestic violence awareness campaign. CNN's R...

Behind the scenes at African Journalist Awards

Behind the scenes at African Journalist Awards

CNNs' Soni Methu looks back at highlights from the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards which were held in Tanzania.

ISIS: Japanese hostage beheaded

ISIS: Japanese hostage beheaded

A new ISIS release appears to show the decapitated body of captive Kenji Goto. The Japanese journalist went to Syria, he said, to try to tel...

2 ex-Vanderbilt football players found guilty of rape

2 ex-Vanderbilt football players found guilty of rape

Two former Vanderbilt University football players were found guilty of rape and sexual battery by a Nashville jury on Tuesday, CNN affiliate...

Falling crude prices: Edible oil producers call for cut in oil tanker fares

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/830918/falling-crude-prices-edible-oil-producers-call-for-cut-in-oil-tanker-fares/"> 				<img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/830918-oiltankerAFPxcopy-1422761633-104-160x120.jpg" width="160" /> 			</a> 			KARACHI: The Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association (PVMA) has demanded a reduction in fares of oil tankers proportionate to the fall in petroleum prices. In a statement, PVMA Chairman Atif Ikram said the oil tankers association has slashed transport fares by less than 1% since the fall in petroleum prices, though the fares should have been cut by at least 10%. He claimed that they have paid an extra amount of Rs25 million since the petroleum prices started to go down, therefore, they are unable to pass on the benefit of the falling fuel prices to consumers. The PVMA has demanded that the oil tankers association cut fares by 10% from February 2015. A four-member committee has been formed to hold talks with the owners of oil tankers. Chairman Atif Ikram chaired a general body meeting of the association which reviewed the supply situation of cooking oil and ghee from Karachi to other parts of the country. The general body recommended that similar to the inter-city bus fares, oil tanker fares should also be regulated by the government. They also called for a substantial reduction in freight charges. Ikram said that after a reduction in transport costs, a substantial cut in cooking oil and ghee prices may be considered. Published in The Express Tribune, February 1st, 2015. Like <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ETribuneBusiness">Business on Facebook</a>, follow <a href="https://twitter.com/TribuneBiz">@TribuneBiz</a> on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.

Falling crude prices: Edible oil producers call for cut in oil tanker fares

KARACHI: The Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association (PVMA) has demanded a reduction in fares of oil tankers pro...

Disowned prince fights for gay rights

Disowned prince fights for gay rights

Rare fox spotted in Yosemite National Park

Rare fox spotted in Yosemite National Park

It's not every day that a fox sighting makes headlines. But when it's a once-in-a-century sighting of a rare Sierra Nevada red fox, ...

Chris Kyle Day: Texas sets aside February 2

Chris Kyle Day: Texas sets aside February 2

Once detained reporter now tourism poster child

Once detained reporter now tourism poster child

Jim Wyss is not exactly a poster child of Venezuela's openness to foreigners -- but for while, he was one.

Arrest made in body parts in suitcase killing

Arrest made in body parts in suitcase killing

Pirate’s cringe-inducing medical devices

Pirate’s cringe-inducing medical devices

Muslim man becomes member of synagogue council in England

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/830728/muslim-man-becomes-member-of-synagogue-council-in-england/"> 				<img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/830728-JaniRashid-1422712800-859-160x120.jpg" width="160" /> 			</a> 			A Bradford synagogue has appointed a member of the city’s Muslim community to its council, <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/i/page-3-profile-jani-rashid-synagogue-council-member-10015189.html">The Independent</a> reported. Jani Rashid, who heads the Diversity and Cohesion at Education Bradford, was an active member of the Muslim community who came to the financial rescue of the synagogue a few years ago. In 2013, a Bradford Council for Mosques donation had helped save the synagogue when it ran into financial difficulties. “The local Muslim community has been an unfailing partner in the fight to keep the building open and flourishing,” a spokesperson said. “At a time when both the Jewish and Muslim communities are reeling from the impact of the horrific attacks in Paris,” the spokesperson added, “the positive and supportive relationship between Bradford’s Jews and Muslims has grown another step closer.” “We thought it would be a splendid idea to co-opt Jani to the Council,” Rudi Leavor, chairman of the synagogue council, told <a href="http://www.jewishnews.co.uk/bradford-shul-appoints-member-muslim-community-council/">Jewish News</a>. The proposal was passed unanimously by the council. “I am delighted to take up this kind offer to sit on the Synagogue Council,” Rashid said. “I am a firm believer in openness within and between communities.” “This helps us to respect one another’s diversity and, to share in our common beliefs of decency, respect and compassion for our fellow human beings,” he added.

Muslim man becomes member of synagogue council in England

A Bradford synagogue has appointed a member of the city’s Muslim community to its council, The Independent reported. ...

AFCoN: Equatorial Guinea stun Tunisia

AFCoN: Equatorial Guinea stun Tunisia

Equatorial Guinea stunned Tunisia by coming from behind to secure a famous, unexpected and bad tempered 2-1 victory and reach the semifinals...

Gabriel swoop gives Wenger renewed hope

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/830851/gabriel-swoop-gives-wenger-renewed-hope/"> 				<img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/830851-football-1422724020-133-160x120.JPG" width="160" /> 			</a> 			LONDON: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes his swoop for Brazilian defender Gabriel Paulista could prove a turning point in Arsenal’s battle to qualify for the Champions League. Wenger splashed out £11.5 million to sign Gabriel from Villarreal earlier this week and the 24-year-old could make his debut against Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium today. Gabriel’s arrival comes with Arsenal in the midst of a tense struggle to book their place in next season’s Champions League via a top-four finish in the Premier League. The fifth placed Gunners are scrapping with Manchester United, Southampton and Tottenham for the coveted berths in Europe’s elite club competition. But, after a series of injuries threatened to undermine Arsenal’s already fragile back-four, Wenger is confident Gabriel will be able to immediately solidify his defence, even though he doesn’t speak a word of English yet. “He is a specialist at centre-back and with the fixtures we have in front of us, that is needed,” said Wenger. “What I saw was a great quality for a defender, his level of concentration. He is physically able to adapt to the Premier League because he is quite a good size and is quick as well, has great commitment in the challenges and is a good age for a central defender as well.” Arsenal’s 2-0 win at champions Manchester City in their last league match put them right back into the top four race, but Wenger won’t be happy until his notoriously inconsistent side produce that kind of dynamic display on a regular basis. Published in The Express Tribune, February 1st, 2015. Like <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EtribuneSports">Sports on Facebook</a>, follow <a href="https://twitter.com/ETribuneSports">@ETribuneSports</a> on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.

Gabriel swoop gives Wenger renewed hope

LONDON: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes his swoop for Brazilian defender Gabriel Paulista could prove a turnin...

Renewed hopes for the football-loving Lyari

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/830830/renewed-hopes-for-the-football-loving-lyari/"> 				<img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/830830-LyariFootballPHOTOSNEFERSEHGALATHARKHANEXPRESS-1422742134-564-160x120.jpg" width="160" /> 			</a> 			KARACHI: The football-loving youth of Lyari have reason to hope as the Sindh government initiated efforts to revive no less than 32 clubs in the football-savvy locality of Karachi. The Sindh Sports Board has organised the Lyari Inter-Club Football Tournament at the Kakri Ground that will go on for a week. The purpose of the event is evident; to revive the old clubs that were disbanded due to the law-and-order situation in Lyari. Azad Baloch FC owner Jihand Shaukat Ali said that the tournament is a blessing for the youth in Lyari. “It’s like a new life for us,” Jihand told The Express Tribune. “My club wasn’t playing in local tournaments for the last 10 years because most of our players had either left, and at other times, the law-and-order situation would worsen for us, especially in Kalakot. “We couldn’t continue, but this tournament has given us a new lease on the field not just for my club but for 31 other clubs too.” Defender Anees Ahmed said that the tournament has given hope to players in the area. “The football field is our home, it’s our refuge from drugs and other bad things that we see every day in Lyari,” said Ahmed. “Football keeps us away from getting involved in illegal or wrong activities. This tournament and preparing for it for the past few months was all we had.” Azad Baloch FC lost their pre-quarterfinal match 3-1 to Karachi City FC – featuring players from Cheel Chowk and Usmanabad area –on penalties yesterday. “We feel like winners despite the loss because the purpose for us is to survive and keep our players motivated to continue playing,” said Jihand. Local coach Ghulam Hussain Baloch added that even a local tournament in Lyari is very competitive and normally gets decided on penalty-kicks. Published in The Express Tribune, February 1st, 2015. Like <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EtribuneSports">Sports on Facebook</a>, follow <a href="https://twitter.com/ETribuneSports">@ETribuneSports</a> on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.

Renewed hopes for the football-loving Lyari

KARACHI: The football-loving youth of Lyari have reason to hope as the Sindh government initiated efforts to revive n...

Chelsea held by City as Sturridge strikes on Reds return

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/831045/chelsea-held-by-city-as-sturridge-strikes-on-reds-return/"> 				<img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/831045-edenhazardchelseamanchestercityfernandophotoafp-1422742756-495-160x120.jpg" width="160" /> 			</a> 			LONDON: Premier League leaders Chelsea passed up on an opportunity to go eight points clear of second-placed Manchester City at the top of the Barclays Premier League after they were held to a 1-1 draw by the defending champions on Saturday. Loic Remy had given Chelsea a 41st-minute lead at Stamford Bridge, only for David Silva to equalise four minutes later. Remy, given a starting spot by Jose Mourinho in place of the suspended Diego Costa and ahead of veteran striker Didier Drogba, turned in a low cross from Eden Hazard. But City were level before half-time when Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois could only punch Navas’s cross to Sergio Aguero, whose shot towards goal was turned in by Silva. “We had three good chances in the first half, they scored with their only chance in the 90 minutes — they did not even have a shot in the second half,” City manager Manuel Pellegrini Pellegrini told the BBC. “You may say it is a good point at Stamford Bridge but for me it is not because we were better than Chelsea.” Chelsea boss Mourinho, having cancelled his pre-match press conference on Friday, again refused to speak to broadcasters or journalists on Saturday. His boycott is thought to be a protest against the coverage of Costa’s conduct against Liverpool in the League Cup in midweek. The in-form striker has been banned for three matches for stamping on Emre Can in the semi-final victory. Mourinho believes excessive media scrutiny played a key role in the Spain international’s suspension. The match also saw Frank Lampard return to his old stomping ground. He was well received by the fans when he came out for warm-ups and again when he came on as a second-half substitute. Sturridge nets on return Daniel Sturridge put nearly five months of injury frustration behind him by coming off the bench to score in Liverpool’s 2-0 win at home to West Ham. The 25-year-old striker had been sidelined with thigh and calf injuries since September. Raheem Sterling broke the deadlock in the 51st minute at Anfield before Sturridge, a second-half replacement for Lazar Markovic, marked just his fourth Liverpool appearance of the season by scoring in the 80th minute. “It’s a team game and I am happy the team won,” Sturridge told the BBC. “It’s just good to be back.” United gain ground on Chelsea, City Manchester United climbed into third place with a 3-1 win over basement club Leicester at Old Trafford as they gained revenge for a shock 5-3 defeat by the Foxes in September Louis van Gaal’s men went 3-0 up before half-time through Robin van Persie, Radamel Falcao and an own-goal by Wes Morgan before Marcin Wasilewski pulled one back 10 minutes from time. Afterwards Daley Blind said United’s players were adapting to their manager’s demands. “We come closer every week to the way Louis van Gaal wants us to play,” he explained. “We are on the right track and we are happy.” United will only be in the top three briefly if Southampton regain third place by avoiding defeat at home to Swansea on Sunday when Arsenal, also vying for a top-four finish, face Aston Villa at the Emirates. Kane double sees Spurs through Tottenham Hotspur completed a fine week with a 3-0 win away to West Bromwich Albion where Harry Kane scored twice to take his tally for the season to an impressive 20 goals. Christian Eriksen scored his third goal in two matches to give Spurs the lead at the Hawthorns. Eriksen, who scored twice in the midweek League Cup semi-final draw at Sheffield United that gave Spurs a 3-2 aggregate victory, has become renowned as a late-goal specialist. But the Denmark midfielder needed just six minutes to put Spurs in front on Saturday with a trademark free-kick. Kane doubled Spurs’ lead in the 15th minute before beating Baggies’ goalkeeper Ben Foster from the penalty spot midway through the second half. Everton ends Palace’s undefeated run Crystal Palace saw a run of four successive wins in all competitions since manager Alan Pardew arrived from Newcastle end with a 1-0 home loss to Everton. Romelu Lukaku scored the only goal of the game in just the second minute at Selhurst Park. Stoke pile on the misery for QPR Second-from-bottom Queens Park Rangers’ dreadful away record continued as they suffered a 3-1 defeat to former manager Mark Hughes’s Stoke City. Stoke forward Jonathan Walters scored his first top-flight hat-trick as QPR recorded an 11th straight league defeat on the road, with their previous 10 reverses already a Premier League record. Defoe marks PL return with goal Jermain Defoe grabbed his first goal since returning to English football from Toronto as he netted Sunderland’s second in a 2-0 win at home to Burnley after Connor Wickham put the Black Cats ahead. Carver brings Newcastle cheer John Carver enjoyed his first win as Newcastle boss after a 3-0 success away to Hull ended a run of four games without a victory since Pardew’s exit. Remy Cabella, Sammy Ameobi and substitute Yoan Gouffran were all on target for the Magpies.

Chelsea held by City as Sturridge strikes on Reds return

LONDON: Premier League leaders Chelsea passed up on an opportunity to go eight points clear of second-placed Manchest...

Threat containment: Govt bringing new laws to combat extremism: CM

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/830895/threat-containment-govt-bringing-new-laws-to-combat-extremism-cm/"> 				<img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/830895-image-1422741729-908-160x120.jpg" width="160" /> 			</a> 			<div>LAHORE:  Punjab is the first province that is bringing forth new laws to combat extremism. They cover crimes like wall chalking, misuse of loudspeakers and monitoring of temporary residents, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Saturday. </div> He was addressing the passing out ceremony of 421 corporals, including 16 women, of the country’s first Counter Terrorism Force (CTF), who completed their nine-month training at the Elite Police Training School Bedian. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, Acting Governor Rana Muhammad Iqbal, Lahore Corp Commander Lt General Naveed Zaman and diplomats from several countries attended the ceremony. In a demonstration drill, the CTF corporals raided a building and arrested ‘terrorists’ using information provided by an intelligence unit of the force. Shahbaz Sharif said that it was a historic day for the Punjab and Pakistan. “The trained personnel are our pride. They will lead the way in fighting terrorism,” he said. He said that the government was setting up a unified command and control system under its safe-city project. “We have established a state of the art forensic science laboratory, allowing for scientific investigation into crime,” he said. “The terrorists are armed to the teeth. Our law enforcement agencies need the best equipment and training to stop them,” he said. “In July 2013, the prime minister had outlined his vision to create a specialised force to fight terrorists,” said Shahbaz. The chief minister thanked COAS Gen Raheel Sharif, saying he had taken personal interest in the training. “The role of Pakistan Army is noteworthy given the standards set for this force,” he said. He also thanked 4th Corps Commander, Lt General Naweed Zaman. “An apex committee on counter-terrorism has been set up in the Punjab, comprising government officials and army leadership,” he said. Shahbaz said that the government was making all recruitments on merit. “The presence of the brave women in the CTF is evidence that our women stand shoulder-to-shoulder with men in the fight against terrorism,” he said. “We are aware that the fight against terrorism is going to be a long and arduous one. The people and the government of the Punjab believe that it is the most important challenge facing them,” he said. “I believe that the Pakistani state and nation will triumph,” Shahbaz said. “The nation has supported the courageous decision of the national leadership to launch operation Zarb-i-Azb. Our soldiers have set new standards during the operation,” he said. IGP Mushtaq Ahmad Sukehra said that 1,182 corporals had been inducted in the Counter-Terrorism Department of Punjab Police. “The corporals have been divided into three batches. A strategy of progressive learning has been adopted,” he said. “The corporals have been trained for nine months, including seven months of common training programme and two months of special training. They are taught eight modules in the CTP before they are assigned to special operations, intelligence and investigation wings. The second batch is undergoing training now,” he said. “The Turkish government extended cooperation in training of the corporals by sending 45 officers of the Turkish National Police. They have also trained 56 officers of Punjab Police as master trainers,” he said. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif gave away prizes to Corporals Basit Ameen, Nazakat Ali and Iqra Noor for standing first, second and third respectively. Sukhera presented a souvenir to the chief guest. Published in The Express Tribune, February 1st, 2015.

Threat containment: Govt bringing new laws to combat extremism: CM

LAHORE: Punjab is the first province that is bringing forth new laws to combat extremism. They cover crimes like wall...

Plague outbreak ‘disturbing’

Plague outbreak ‘disturbing’

An outbreak of the plague has killed dozens in Madagascar, and experts fear those numbers could go up.

Man City, Chelsea share spoils

Man City, Chelsea share spoils

It was billed as a top of the table clash that would determine the fate of the English Premier League title.

Remembering Sir Herbert Read’s little book

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/830780/remembering-sir-herbert-reads-little-book/"> 				<img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/830780-AnwerMoorajNew-1422718312-314-160x120.jpg" width="160" /> 			</a> 			Recently I came across in an American journal, a reference to the late Herbert Read, an anarchist, poet, literary critic and art historian. Read, who was subsequently knighted, was one of the earliest English writers to have taken notice of the philosophy of existentialism. In fact, he had written a jolly good 56-page booklet in 1950 entitled <a href="http://books.google.com.pk/books/about/Existentialism_Marxism_and_anarchism.html?id=ZUFYAAAAMAAJ&redir_esc=y">Existentialism, </a><a href="http://books.google.com.pk/books/about/Existentialism_Marxism_and_anarchism.html?id=ZUFYAAAAMAAJ&redir_esc=y">Marxism and Anarchism</a>, which explained in simple language, the motivation behind the three different approaches. This is an introduction not just to the differences between the three disciplines but also to the metaphysics of Soren Kierkegaard, Martin Heidegger and Jean-Paul Sartre — three leading existentialists who, despite profound doctrinal differences, shared the belief that philosophical thinking began with the human subject and not the thinking subject. Sartre put it rather well when he wrote: Man first is then he is this or that. And existence precedes essence. I have mentioned this treatise not just because it made me think but because I genuinely believe that almost every man on the globe, irrespective of the religion or philosophy he observes, goes through at some time of his life what is referred to as <a href="https://www.google.com.pk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FExistentialism&ei=4D3NVJzkAseraZ69gZgI&usg=AFQjCNFSCo47bKASnJS7aHbO3sIT8rhc6A&sig2=9xT8RPwEnDcRX8mgp4XZ_w">The Existentialist Experience</a>. This is an acute attack of inwardness. He becomes suddenly aware of his separate, lonely individuality. There he is, a finite and insignificant speck of protoplasm pitched against the infinite universe. And if the universe is finite, as the scientists have pointed out, it shrinks against the even more mysterious concept of Nothingness. So there we have the Little Man gaping into the abyss and feeling not only small but also a little terrified. The Germans call this sensation <a href="https://www.google.com.pk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB0QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FAngst&ei=Fz7NVPXVJ4XiaNu3gLAK&usg=AFQjCNEHzBGqa7OnH-yobZCuxkjEkzrTUg&sig2=wvfb0M08mfhBsFfvnQ0xgw">Angst</a>, which in English can be translated into dread or anguish. <img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/539.jpg" /> There are two fundamental reactions to Angst. Life is absurd. The realisation of man’s insignificance in the universe can be met by a kind of despondent defiance. I may be insignificant and my life useless but I can at least cock a snook at the whole show and prove the independence of my mind. Life obviously has no meaning but let us pretend it has. This pretence will give me a sense of responsibility. I can prove that I am a law unto myself and can even enter into agreement with others about rules of conduct. “The possibility of detaching oneself from a situation in order to take a point of view concerning it is what we call freedom.” There is a danger inherent in detachment, the threat of idealism. In detachment, we elaborate a social utopia which has no relevance to the conditions we are living through. The existentialist, having experienced a sense of detachment or freedom, must throw himself back into the social context with the intention of changing those conditions. Hence the doctrine of engagement. This, in a very simplified form, is the <a href="https://www.google.com.pk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CDMQFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fplato.stanford.edu%2Fentries%2Fsartre%2F&ei=ND7NVJKNJofhauKPgdAP&usg=AFQjCNET373i7JqqEZMe4RslPm1BbWT06Q&sig2=Q3IPMsSiHaAHRX_9jwdI8w&bvm=bv.85076809,d.d2s">doctrine of Sartre</a>. In so far as Sartre’s existentialism is opposed to idealism, which binds him to rights and values and materialism that deprive him of his freedom, it is an advance in philosophical rectitude. The religious approach adopted by Kierkegaard goes something like this. Man is confronted by the same abyss of nothingness. Why am I here? Why is there such a complex structure of which I am a small, insignificant part? It is complete nonsense. However, a simple hypothesis will make sense of it all — the prior existence of God: a transcendent creator responsible for the whole phantasmagoria of existence. This is not the point of view of the average theist, as some believe in revelation, ancient scriptures or divine illumination. But it is enough to stimulate the mind. Published in The Express Tribune, February 1st, 2015. Like <a href="http://www.facebook.com/EToped">Opinion & Editorial on Facebook</a>, follow <a href="https://twitter.com/ETOpEd">@ETOpEd</a> on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.

Remembering Sir Herbert Read’s little book

Recently I came across in an American journal, a reference to the late Herbert Read, an anarchist, poet, literary crit...

Obscenity in film

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/830786/obscenity-in-film/"> 				<img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/830786-AakarPatelNewNew-1422718435-446-160x120.JPG" width="160" /> 			</a> 			Some years ago, the famous Pakistani writer Moni Mohsin came to India to release her book <a href="http://books.google.com.pk/books/about/Tender_Hooks.html?id=VlWm_xhCh5QC">Tender Hooks</a>, based on her column in The Friday Times. I attended the launch in Mumbai of the work, described as a social satire, along with my friend, novelist, Neel Mukherjee, nominated for the Booker prize a few months ago. Mohsin spoke eloquently and well about Pakistani society and the reason why she chose to write in the style that she did, which was as a diary written by a wealthy Lahori housewife. While she was comparing Pakistan and India, she made a throwaway remark on Bollywood. The quality of its films was poor, she said, and it wasn’t really needed and we could live without Bollywood. Iranian films were actually of much better quality. I am paraphrasing her, but I think I have accurately got the essence of what she said. I am not sure about the Iranian films bit, but I was more interested in what she said about Bollywood. Something similar was said by Saadat Hasan Manto many years ago. In my translations of Manto’s non-fiction writing, there is an essay on the first 25 years of Bollywood. The essay is originally called “Hindustani Sanat-e-Filmsazi Par Ek Nazar”. In it, Manto talks about the craft of Bollywood, and writes: “We want good films. We want great films, such as we can put up against the work from other nations. We want every aspect of India to shine … But for the last 25 years, made of 9,125 days, what have we got to show? Can we put on display our directors? What about our writers, who exist by ripping off the writings of others? Can we show our movies — <a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/825111/pk-makers-now-face-plagiarism-charge/">all of them copies of American films</a> — to others? No.” In my opinion, Bollywood’s importance to India and farther afield is not from the quality of its art, but something else which I will come to later. I thought of this subject when I read that the government had appointed a <a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/824645/modi-gets-more-sway-in-indias-new-look-movie-censor-panel/">new censor board chief</a>, the producer Pahalaj Nihalani. On being appointed, Nihalani, whose record is of making such movies as Aankhen, starring Govinda, and Talaash, starring Akshay Kumar, said two things. He said he was a Bharatiya Janata Party man and that the prime minister was his “action hero”. This was fine, and it is a political appointment. However, Nihalani also said that there was too much nudity on television and that it should be controlled. I have not seen any nudity on television, though I may be watching the wrong channels. I think what Nihalani meant was obscenity. And this is what I wanted to link to those comments about Bollywood’s quality. The truth is that Iran produces some fine and sober cinema because its filmmakers are not allowed to make popular entertainment. They may not be explicitly banned from doing so, but popular entertainment can only be produced on the cusp of obscenity. This higher tolerance to obscenity in Mumbai, which is India’s most liberal place, over our other cities, and the higher tolerance to obscenity in India over other countries in the neighbourhood is what makes Bollywood the centre of South Asian entertainment. There was time not long ago when Bollywood was dominated by individuals from Lahore and other parts of what is today Pakistan. But despite having the talent, which I presume it still does, Lahore could not produce a film industry of the calibre of Bollywood because the <a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/824675/why-pakistan-still-doesnt-have-a-film-school/">talent was not allowed</a> to make popular entertainment. Manto writes in that essay: “There are many ways of educating a nation, but there is consensus that film is an important one. It is easy and efficient to communicate a message, even one that is complicated, through movies … India needs entertaining movies that also educate, exercise the mind and introduce us to new ideas and new thinking.” He wrote this in 1938, when he was only 26 and in the early stages of his career in the film industry. Though he did not touch the specific subject again in his writing, his view on tolerance in society to obscenity is today well known because of his short stories. Manto understood the function of Bollywood and recognised that its openness and tolerance, more than its artistic quality, was its greatest attribute. Published in The Express Tribune, February 1st, 2015. Like <a href="http://www.facebook.com/EToped">Opinion & Editorial on Facebook</a>, follow <a href="https://twitter.com/ETOpEd">@ETOpEd</a> on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.

Obscenity in film

Some years ago, the famous Pakistani writer Moni Mohsin came to India to release her book Tender Hooks , based on her ...

Whitney Houston’s daughter found unresponsive

Whitney Houston’s daughter found unresponsive

Australia win first Asian Cup title

Australia win first Asian Cup title

Hosts Australia have won their first ever Asian Cup title, the continent's equivalent of the European Championships, after beating Korea...

Exclusive: A bike ride with the President

Exclusive: A bike ride with the President