Pak News Wire

Australian PM begs for time

Australian PM begs for time

He's an embattled prime minister and he doesn't deny it. So when Australia's Tony Abbott faced journalists and his colleagues to...

Super Bowl: New England Patriots beat Seattle Seahawks

Super Bowl: New England Patriots beat Seattle Seahawks

Robot surgery inspired by space travel

Robot surgery inspired by space travel

How a pioneering brain surgery robot took its design from a robotic arm on the International Space Station.

Ukraine’s divide: Two sides of a river

Ukraine’s divide: Two sides of a river

It's a major European waterway that rivals the Volga, the Rhine and the Danube. Now, deadly fighting in Ukraine has transformed the Dnie...

Death on Scorsese’s Taiwan movie set

Death on Scorsese’s Taiwan movie set

A structure on the Taiwan set of an upcoming Martin Scorsese movie collapsed this week, killing a studio construction worker and injuring tw...

Military courts: Provinces identify over 1,300 hardcore terrorists

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/831364/military-courts-provinces-identify-over-1300-hardcore-terrorists/"> 				<img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/831364-shutterstock_-1422852898-933-160x120.jpg" width="160" /> 			</a> 			ISLAMABAD: Provincial authorities have identified cases of more than 1,350 terrorists, likely to be sent to the military courts by the end of this month, the officials tracking progress on the National Action Plan (NAP) against terrorism said on Sunday. A senior official at the National Counter-Terrorism Authority (Nacta) said home departments, after vetting suspected terrorists, have started sending their cases to the interior ministry – the final authority to decide whether a case will be sent to the military courts or the courts established under the Protection of Pakistan Act (PPA). “The current week is a decisive one as we, after taking Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s consent, will start sending cases to the military courts,” the official said. Punjab has identified more than 450 cases of terrorists, according to provincial Home Minister Col (retd) Shuja Khanzada. All the cases which may fall under the first category will be referred to the military courts soon, he added. “We are on the path of swift execution of the NAP – 147 new cases have been filed against ‘jet-black terrorists’. They all were active members of banned outfits,” he told The Express Tribune. The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) home department has identified 423 cases to be sent to the interior ministry by February 15, a senior official said. Of these, 91 cases involve ‘jet black terrorists’, he added. Balochistan Home Secretary Akbar Khan Durrani told The Express Tribune that the provincial home department has identified 53 cases of ‘jet-black terrorists’ to be sent to the military courts through the interior ministry. He said new legislation – on arm licences, hate material and protection of civilians – is also on the cards in the provincial assembly. The security forces, he said, have arrested over 1,400 suspects in more than 200 raids last month. Another top official at the Balochistan home department added that 135 cases of terrorists have been identified so far. Sindh has identified more than 341 cases of militants, of which 194 are likely to be sent to the military courts through the interior ministry, a senior official of the provincial home department said. The army has already established nine military courts, which also began operating under the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Branch of the Pakistan Army, he added. “The army has established its Lawfare Directorate and appointed JAG’s a new director general, Major General Muhammad Irshad, a necessary step towards execution of the NAP.” Last month, the army had announced establishment of three military courts each in K-P and Punjab, two in Sindh and one in Balochistan. Additionally, the JAG has started taking up cases of around 3,000 suspected ‘jet-black terrorists’ arrested during the military operations in Swat and South and North Waziristan agencies, a senior government functionary told The Express Tribune. Colonel (retd) Inam-ur-Rahim, who has served in the JAG Directorate, said that a military court is usually presided over by a colonel or a major while an appellate court is usually headed by a brigadier or a major general. “If a military court awards death sentence to an accused, then his/her case is sent to the chief of the army staff for confirmation,” he explained. “Under Clause 24 of the Army Act, 1952, any accused (armed person and civilian) enjoys the right of defence as Article 10 of the Constitution gives this right to every citizen.” Published in The Express Tribune, February 2rd, 2015.

Military courts: Provinces identify over 1,300 hardcore terrorists

ISLAMABAD: Provincial authorities have identified cases of more than 1,350 terrorists, likely to be sent to the milit...

Obama set to meet Dalai Lama

Obama set to meet Dalai Lama

President Barack Obama will appear at a public event next week that the Dalai Lama is also attending, a move that is likely to anger Chinese...

Super Bowl XLIX: Patriots beat Seahawks

Super Bowl XLIX: Patriots beat Seahawks

Where Katy Perry needed a big cat, the New England Patriots were carried to a stunning comeback by the resilience of Tom Brady.

Katy Perry’s halftime show: What’s the verdict?

Katy Perry’s halftime show: What’s the verdict?

Is this what the future looks like?

Is this what the future looks like?

Getty Images has produced a series of photographs called "Future Unknown," which illustrate a visual aesthetic that "embraces...

Al Jazeera journalist freed from jail

Al Jazeera journalist freed from jail

Egypt frees Al Jazeera journalist Peter Greste, an Australian citizen, allowing him to leave the country. But two of his colleagues remain i...

Friends remember Japanese journalist Kenji Goto

Friends remember Japanese journalist Kenji Goto

CNN's Will Ripley speaks with friends of Kenji Goto. ISIS claims to have beheaded Goto.

Bombs strike mall in Bangkok

Bombs strike mall in Bangkok

Two bombs exploded at the entrance to a popular mall Sunday night in Bangkok, police said.

The week in 32 photos

The week in 32 photos

ISIS say constant airstrikes drove them out of Kobani

ISIS say constant airstrikes drove them out of Kobani

Two purported ISIS fighters interviewed for a news agency working in ISIS-held territory have given the same reason for the militants' r...

Thousands protest austerity in Madrid

Thousands protest austerity in Madrid

Tens of thousands of supporters of Spain's new anti-austerity party filled central Madrid on Saturday, just a week after a like-minded p...

Arrest in suitcase body parts killing

Arrest in suitcase body parts killing

A 59-year-old man was arrested early Saturday in connection with the grisly discovery of body parts in a suitcase left on a San Francisco si...

Art bought for $5,212 fetches $5M

Art bought for $5,212 fetches $5M

An art enthusiast paid $ 5,212 in 2013 at a London auction for a painting of an 19th-century English landscape.

From prison to the Super Bowl

From prison to the Super Bowl

When Ryan Ferguson and his dad travel this week to Glendale, Arizona, for the Super Bowl, it will be a bucket-list experience.

Handball giant with the golden touch

Handball giant with the golden touch

He won the Champions League and is his country's all-time leading goal scorer, but this isn't a story about a famous footballer rath...

Nigeria: Boko Haram attacks Maiduguri again

Nigeria: Boko Haram attacks Maiduguri again

Pakistan in a changing world

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/831242/pakistan-in-a-changing-world/"> 				<img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/831242-ShahidJavedBurkiNew-1422808160-140-160x120.jpg" width="160" /> 			</a> 			The Muslim world, of which Pakistan is a part, is in a state of considerable turmoil. While there are some declines in the rates of fertility in recent years, the past high levels have left these countries with very young populations. About a billion Muslims live in this expanse of geographic space. Their median age is 22 years, which means that 500 million people in these countries are below that age. The youth is restive; the young people feel that they are excluded from both the political and economic systems. Their aspirations are not being satisfied. It is from this perspective that we should look at the four massive people’s movements in the Western part of the world of Islam. The first was the Arab Spring of 2011, followed by the movement in Turkey that demanded that Prime Minister (now President) Recep Tayyip Erdogan must govern without dispensing with democratic norms that had been the process of governance in the country for decades. Egypt was the scene of the third mass movement when the democratically-elected government, headed by the Muslim Brotherhood’s Mohammed Morsi, began to disregard one of the more important aspirations of the country’s youth. They wanted a political system that would be inclusive and not exclude those who did not believe in the ideological orientation of the new governing elite — the Muslim Brotherhood. <a href="http://tribune.com.pk/azadimarch" target="_blank">Pakistan was the scene of the fourth mass movement in the Muslim world</a>. This was the one launched first, jointly by Imran Khan and Dr Tahirul Qadri, and later led only by the former. Once again, the young formed the vanguard and demanded what the other youth in other countries had wanted. Like the Arabs, and the Turks, the Pakistani youth also wanted a system of governance that accommodated them and their aspirations. What gave traction to the movement led by Imran and his party was the assertion that the elections held in May 2013 that brought to power the governments led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz in Islamabad and Lahore were not fair and honest. Imran’s demands have evolved overtime. After demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his focus had shifted to the <a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/807046/pti-to-go-ahead-with-nationwide-shutdown-unless-judicial-commission-is-formed-imran/" target="_blank">constitution of a commission of inquiry to probe</a> how fair the May 2013 elections were, as well as the reform of the election system. He has, in other words, moved from demanding a change of personnel at the helm of affairs to a reform of the system. There is a good reason why a large number of people bought this argument and were prepared to tolerate the discomfort that was entailed by participation in the dharnas. They were convinced that the system of governance put in place by the elections of May 2013 had not produced the results they wanted. The perception that policymaking is dominated by a narrow elite, many of whose members are drawn from the ruling family has grown. This, in other words, is not an inclusive system but one that is highly exclusive. Being exclusive, it is not producing the results that the youth wanted when they participated with noticeable enthusiasm in the elections of May 2013. What do the youth want that the government has not been able to deliver? Of the several things that should be counted among the most important aspirations of the youth, five are of particular importance: 1) The youth want an educational system that can prepare them for jobs in the modern sectors of the economy. Their preference would be to work in the services provided by private enterprise; 2) They want employment in the urban parts of the economy; 3) They want a reasonable amount of equality in the distribution of incomes and assets; 4) They want a government that is reasonably free of corruption. And they want a country in which they live to have the respect of the international community. They don’t believe that these five things have been met by the government that currently holds the reins of power. The feeling exists in other parts of the Muslim world as well. For as long as this is the case, the youth will remain restive. Published in The Express Tribune, February 2nd,  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.

Pakistan in a changing world

The Muslim world, of which Pakistan is a part, is in a state of considerable turmoil. While there are some declines in...

Pakistan’s urban transport needs

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/831247/pakistans-urban-transport-needs/"> 				<img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/831247-SyedMohammadAliNew-1422808182-798-160x120.jpg" width="160" /> 			</a> 			People living in cities across our country face mobility and transport accessibility problems. While roads become increasingly congested with vehicles, our public transit systems remain sparse, inadequate and unsafe. These conditions point to a failure of urban transport planning across Pakistan. While decision-makers in many developing countries are struggling with urban transportation challenges, some are doing a better job than others. The example of the Mayor of Bogota, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enrique_Pe%C3%B1alosa" target="_blank">Enrique Penalosa</a>, who revolutionised public transport in his once-congested city, is one oft-quoted example. There are several measures which can be taken to better address urban transport needs within our own country as well. The Woodrow Wilson Centre in Washington has helped put together a policy concerning <a href="http://www.wilsoncenter.org/publication-series/pakistans-urbanization-policy-brief-series" target="_blank">Pakistan’s urbanisation challenges</a> during this past year, which provides suggestions in this regard. Transport infrastructure spending in Pakistan is currently biased in favour of privately-owned automobiles. As a result, immense amounts of public funds are being diverted for the benefit of an extremely small segment of our urban population. Instead, there is need to encourage use of low-cost public transport, especially in high-density Pakistani cities. Yet, neither the private nor the public sector has responded adequately to meet this unfulfilled demand. There is a need to learn from the past, which has been plagued by adoption of untested technologies, poor implementation and high costs. Consider for example, plans for building a magnetically levitated transit system in Karachi, which had ignored the fact that such technology had not been widely tested, or that it was very expensive to build and to operate. <a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/505596/civic-development-punjab-govt-launches-metro-bus-service-in-lahore/" target="_blank">The Lahore metro project</a> was another problematic and unfeasible project. Even the rapid transport system in Lahore does not suffice in terms of meeting the varied transportation needs of the mega city. Urban transit needs are not homogenous. It is thus a bad idea for transit planners to force standardised transit services on commuters whose willingness to pay varies considerably. Governments in the past have tried to subsidise private transit operators, so that they may charge lower fares to all. But such broad-based subsidisation wastes limited public resources. It makes more sense for the government to adopt a differentiated transit supply to meet public transit of the poor or the middle class commuters. Poor commuters require safe but affordable transport facilities, which can be subsidised by the state, whereas middle class commuters demand more comfortable public transport facilities, including spacious seating or air conditioning, which the private sector can be encouraged to provide, based on market rates. Moreover, the government must recognise that improving mobility for all urban dwellers requires transcending the current fixation on building more roads for automobiles. According to a recent Japanese government study of transport in Lahore, 84 per cent of households in Lahore do not own a car, and around 40 per cent of all trips made in the city are walking trips. Yet, the infrastructure for the most common modes of travel in Pakistan, such as walking or bicycling, either does not exist, or else it has been encroached upon. It is time for our provincial governments to focus on promoting not only the use of more public transport, but to begin allocating more dedicated space to bike lanes and to the creation of more functional sidewalks, the cost of which will be a fraction of that needed for building fancy flyovers or underpasses. Published in The Express Tribune, February 2nd,  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.

Pakistan’s urban transport needs

People living in cities across our country face mobility and transport accessibility problems. While roads become incr...

The vicious cycle of hate and violence

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/831246/the-vicious-cycle-of-hate-and-violence/"> 				<img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/831246-RazaRumiNewNew-1422808176-389-160x120.jpg" width="160" /> 			</a> 			The recent issue to have riled up a good number of Pakistanis — including jihadi networks — is <a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/823744/protests-against-charlie-hebdo-cartoons-continue-in-all-major-cities/" target="_blank">the alleged blasphemy against Islam committed by the French magazine Charlie Hebdo</a>. The imagined gatekeepers of the Ummah and the country in possession of an ‘Islamic bomb’ must protest against the ‘degradation’ and ‘defamation’ of the ‘faith’. Nowhere in that discourse is mentioned how brutal murders by gunmen could be justified, let alone explained. European societies must not be bailed out for their growing <a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/823173/senate-panel-urges-west-to-outlaw-islamophobia/" target="_blank">Islamophobia</a> and the uneven integration of the ‘Muslim’ into secular societies. Nor can the double standards on free speech be condoned. Western Europe needs to introspect where it has gone wrong in breeding such alienation and discontent. But that is their problem. For Pakistanis, and many Muslim societies to get outraged at the offensive material about their faith, is at best duplicitous. In Pakistan, we grew up with Friday sermons and prayers that ended with calling for the defeat of Christians, Jews and Hindus. In some cases, there is an explicit invocation of divine help for their ‘destruction’. The grievances that such sermons manifest are political, often real, but largely imagined. Mahsaal, a Lahore-based NGO, has compiled a few sermons and one of them dated 2010 advocates thus: “O Muslims, get up and take in hand your arrows, pick up your Kalashnikovs, train yourselves in explosives and bombs, organise yourselves into armies, prepare nuclear attacks and destroy every part of the body of the enemy. The Holy Quran instructs us but since we have not followed it the Europeans have published the cartoons …”. This was perhaps said in the wake of the Danish cartoons saga where we only harmed ourselves by burning public buildings and getting innocent Pakistanis killed. This phenomenon is not restricted to mosque leaders. Our textbooks are replete with references to kafirs or infidels. A distorted picture of other religions is presented. <a href="http://archive.paxchristi.net/MISC/2014-0251-en-ap-GE.pdf" target="_blank">A major study by the National Commission for Justice and Peace</a> published in 2012 said that Pakistani school textbooks view religions other than Islam “with contempt and prejudice”. For instance, an Urdu grade five textbook has a lesson with a story about a selfish Jew who owned a well and never allowed Muslims to take water from it. Punjab textbooks are the most problematic. Some books also have material on “the Muslim world and colonialism” berating Western and Christian governments for narrow-mindedness and fanaticism. Let us not even talk about the Hindus as they are conniving, cunning and mean. Little wonder that Pakistani cricketer <a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/142816/afridi-slams-indian-media/" target="_blank">Shahid Afridi referred to Indians as small-hearted</a>. He retracted the statement later but the textbooks spoke through his words. The Shias in general and Hazaras in particular have been under attack. There are mainstream groups — violent and ostensibly non-violent — that castigate them to the extent of calling them infidels. Zikris in Balochistan are no longer safe either. The Ahmadiyya community is openly declared ‘wajibul qatl’ (fit for murder) on national television. There was some online protest against a leading televangelist doing this again and again, but nothing happened. Churches and Christian settlements have been attacked, killing hundreds; and working class Christians have been burnt alive. But we hardly witness protests against these atrocities, especially from clerics and faith-based networks that want to showcase Islam as a religion of peace. One of the key reasons for this is the subterranean brainwashing that has seeped into society — certain groups of people are fit for murder anyway. Al Bakistan — as so many number plates in Lahore declare our country as such — identifies with Saudi Arabia, where churches and temples are not allowed to function. Many Gulf states — the unfortunate representatives of mainstream Islam globally — have limited freedoms for non-Muslims. Iran is no better with a repressive control over its population. Both these models present a version of state conduct that easily turns into a stereotype. Protests against Charlie Hebdo have focused on blasphemy. Much has been said about our blasphemy laws and the way they are misapplied to settle scores. Our moment of  shame continues: a few days ago, Mumtaz Qadri, the self-confessed killer of former governor of Punjab Salmaan Taseer, was represented by a large number of lawyers (more in number than the policemen), including two former judges of the Lahore High Court. Every person has a right to defence and the law provides for that. But the inclusion of two former judges in Qadri’s legal team is symbolic. Earlier, it was thought that extreme ideas had only influenced the lower functionaries of the state. That is now proving to be a comfort-inducing fallacy. Radicalisation has made its way into the higher echelons of state. Being religious or pious is not the issue here, but imposing a worldview in secular dispensation of official duties is a problem. The former chief justice is on record on having said that if parliament were to declare Pakistan a secular country, the judiciary would strike this down. Sadly, neither parliament, nor the courts or the people of Pakistan want that. And this is why the vicious cycle of hate and violence is not going to end anytime soon. A faint glimmer of hope was kindled in the aftermath of the Peshawar attack. But that is also fading fast. The National Action Plan — a comprehensive way forward — is not too clear or committed on the mass-deradicalisation that Pakistan needs. This long-term detox project will only begin the day we decide that Pakistan is a nation-state, not an Ummah outpost; and a peaceful, pragmatic state, not an ideological one reeling under the contradictions of its identity. Published in The Express Tribune, February 2nd,  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.

The vicious cycle of hate and violence

The recent issue to have riled up a good number of Pakistanis — including jihadi networks — is the alleged blasphemy a...

Guinea’s luck runs out at AFCON

Guinea’s luck runs out at AFCON

Ghana earned a semifinal clash with hosts Equatorial Guinea after dispatching a disappointing Guinea 3-0 in the Africa Cup of Nations Sunday...

Ko becomes youngest ever golf world No 1

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/831186/ko-becomes-youngest-ever-gold-world-no-1/"> 				<img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/831186-GOLF-1422804795-515-160x120.jpg" width="160" /> 			</a> 			ORLANDO: New Zealand teen star Lydia Ko became golf’s youngest-ever world number one even though she only settled for a share of second at the season-opening LPGA Coates Championship. The South Korean-born prodigy took the top spot at 17 years, nine months and seven days. “It’s a big honour to be the world number one,” said Ko. “To have that honour by my name, I can’t believe it.” Ko eclipsed the age marks of South Korean Shin Ji-Yai, who was the youngest prior women’s world number one at age 22 in 2010, and US star Tiger Woods, who was 21 when he ascended to number one for the first time in 1997. “Woods, he’s amazing,” said Ko. “I just try to have fun out there and I just came into the ranking. I’ll try to keep focused and worry about doing better instead of centring my thoughts on the ranking.” Ko squandered a four-stroke lead and struggled on the final holes to help South Korean Choi Na-Yeon capture the title on 16-under par 272 with Ko, American Jessica Korda and South Korean Jang Ha-Na sharing second on 273. Despite a double bogey at 17 and a struggle just to close with a par, Ko did just enough to overtake Park In-Bee for the top ranking after the South Korean shared 13th on 284. “When I heard the news I kind of went, ‘Really?’ and made a face,” said Ko. “It was tough finishing with the last two holes like that.”   Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.

Ko becomes youngest ever golf world No 1

ORLANDO: New Zealand teen star Lydia Ko became golf’s youngest-ever world number one even though she only settled for...

Retail therapy can expose your failures

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/831220/retail-therapy-can-expose-your-failures/"> 				<img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/831220-shutterstock_copy-1422807047-824-160x120.jpg" width="160" /> 			</a> 			NEW YORK: Do you buy luxury products such as designer clothes that signal success and make you feel better? This type of retail therapy can actually backfire and leave you thinking more about your failures. According to a team of researchers, this behavior can strip consumers of their mental resources and impair their self-control. “When consumers experience a psychological threat to how they would like to see themselves, buying products that signal accomplishment in the same area of their life could ironically cause them to dwell on their shortcomings,” the authors said. The team included Monika Lisjak from Erasmus University in the Netherlands, Andrea Bonezzi from New York University), Soo Kim from Cornell University and Derek D. Rucker from Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. In one study, consumers who were asked to remember a time when their intelligence was undermined and then chose a Scientific American magazine (an intelligence-signaling product) reported that the magazine had prompted them to dwell on their shortcomings and were less likely to resist an offer of chocolate candy. Consumption can sometimes compensate for our blunders and failures but this does not always work. “Consumers who use products to boost their sense of self-worth tend to dwell on their shortcomings and their ability to exert self-control is impaired,” the authors wrote. After experiencing a setback in one area of their life, consumers might be better off boosting their sense of self in a different area of their life. “For example, a consumer whose intelligence is undermined might be better off signaling their self-worth socially rather than trying to assert their intelligence,” the authors said. The study appeared in the Journal of Consumer Research.  Published in The Express Tribune, February 2nd,  2015. Like <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ETLifeandStyle">Life & Style on Facebook, </a>follow <a href="https://twitter.com/ETLifeandStyle">@ETLifeandStyle</a> on Twitter for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.

Retail therapy can expose your failures

NEW YORK: Do you buy luxury products such as designer clothes that signal success and make you feel better? This type...

Lucas criticises Hollywood movies for becoming a ‘circus’

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/831217/lucas-criticises-hollywood-movies-for-becoming-a-circus/"> 				<img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/831217-LUCAS-1422809242-757-160x120.jpg" width="160" /> 			</a> 			Star Wars director George Lucas, in an assessment of the current state of Hollywood during a panel discussion with actor Robert Redford at the Sundance Film Festival, said that the movies are “more circus without any substance behind it,” stated IANS. During the discussion, Lucas hit back at critics who said his role in kicking off Star Wars business has melted down cinematic storytelling, reported variety.com. “If you go into Star Wars and see what’s going on there, there’s a lot more substance than circus,” he said. In its day, Star Wars represented a major breakthrough in technology. Today, it is the comic book-based movies and special-effects driven productions that dominate movie screens. The technology that Lucas helped popularize was all in the service of plot, he further argued. “All art is technology. That’s the one thing that separates us from animals,” he added. Redford, who is best known for character-driven films such as The Way We Were and Out of Africa, commended Lucas for his farsightedness after he decided to finance his Star Wars films himself so that he is able to retain a grip on their creative and commercial future. “What I admire about what he’s done is he’s been able to control his own universe,” Redford said. According to the entertainment website Deadline.com the panel discussion focused more on storytelling but also covered a wide range of topics pertaining to the entertainment industry such as the economics of the business. Lucas also joked about the secret behind his great fortune stating that, “All the money is in the action figures.” Redford and Lucas are considered as two of the most successful filmmakers in Hollywood history but both of them also stressed upon the fact that they perceived themselves as rebels in the industry. According to the legendary filmmakers their success lied in the fact that they positioned themselves outside the studio system which eventually contributed to their successful projects like Lucas’ Star Wars and Redford’s Sundance Institute a non-profit organization he founded in 1981 to advance the work of filmmakers and storytellers worldwide. Both men believed that they came of age during the hippie movement in the 1960’s. “All of us in film school hated the establishment,” said Lucas. He stated that the anti-establishment drive led him to maintain a geographical remove from the major studios and make san Francisco his home as opposed to Los Angeles. The anti-establishment sentiments in turn also resulted in Lucas founding the visual effects and film companies Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) and Lucasfilm respectively. Both of these companies have been behind successful franchises like Indiana Jones, Star Wars and whereas ILM has handled the visual effects for movies like Transformers, Avengers and Iron Man to name a few. Published in The Express Tribune, February 2nd,  2015. Like <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ETLifeandStyle">Life & Style on Facebook, </a>follow <a href="https://twitter.com/ETLifeandStyle">@ETLifeandStyle</a> on Twitter for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.

Lucas criticises Hollywood movies for becoming a ‘circus’

Star Wars director George Lucas, in an assessment of the current state of Hollywood during a panel discussion with ac...

EO Studio: Live music is still alive

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/831218/eo-studio-live-music-is-still-alive/"> 				<img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/831218-mix-1422807048-136-160x120.jpg" width="160" /> 			</a> 			<div>KARACHI:  Music concerts are a dying feat in Pakistan. Very few musicians get shows on a regular basis and very fewer organisers get security clearance to open them up for bigger crowds. As a result of which the fans and followers don’t get to enjoy the groove of a live show. </div> Though the deteriorating security situation has dented the primary form of income for musicians’ big time but still, the picture is not as bleak – at least for the musicians. That is because there are still a handful of corporate shows that take place for a selected audience, helping the artistes run their kitchen, as they try waking up a suited, snoring crowd. A grand and elaborate live fundraising performance was recently organised by EO Studio at Mohatta Palace.  Clad in strobe lights, the beautiful heritage building served as the perfect background for a stage that celebrated the variety of tunes this soil has to offer. Be it the timeless Chori Chori or the much venerated Shakar Wandhan Rae, the celebratory Washmallay or a good old Junoon classic, it all lead to a well amalgamated mix of Pakistani music. As the songs suggest, the line up of the show included Asrar, Komal Rizvi, Sajjad Ali, Meesha Shafi and Ali Azmat respectively accompanied by an 18 piece orchestra. Anoushey Ashraf, one of the most seasoned VJ’s in the industry was the host for night and after failing to wake up the crowd by quite a few motivational phrases, she called Asrar ion stage. The Sab Aakho Ali fame’s short performance of about three songs suffered at large due to bad sound quality and just when it improved, Komal Rizvi came on the stage. That was perhaps the saddest part of the night and also the moment when the crowd decided to fill their plates just a little more because they weren’t missing anything significant. After presenting an even shallower version of Washmallay, she sang Adele’s Someone Like You just like a nightingale who’s trapped in a cage and is calling out for help. Help and respite was indeed what the crowd needed from her playlist, which was ironically longer than Asrar’s. Next came the living legend who, Zoe Viccaji likes to call, “The Michael Jackson of Pakistan”. Yes, we are talking about the guy whose claim to fame was an album titled Babia 93 and who keeps on giving us hope for the music industry with brand new milestones like Har Zulm. Sajjad was accompanied by his long time partner on the strings, guitar virtuoso Faraz Anwar and what followed after that was sheer wizardry. He is easily the best live performer in Pakistan; only a maestro like him can lift a sleeping crowd that too with a bunch of slow, mellow numbers.  His performance started with his Coke Studio classic Tum Naraz Ho, which served the perfect background score for the odd chilly evening in Karachi and the performance ended with a rock and roll version of Sohni Lagdi. Har Zulm and Chal Rein De were the crowd favourites too and Sajjad sang a few melodious lines from Paaniyon Mae on public demand. Following Sajjad, Meesha Shafi who despite having a solid synchronization with the orchestra and the voice throw that is required for a live performance didn’t get much notice. It was a bad choice to line her up after a legend. Finally Ali Azmat took to the stage and showed the crowd why he is the best rock vocalist in Pakistan and Junoon made unforgettable music. He started with his signature concert starting track Maula from the film Jism 2 and then his music grew onto the crowd until they realised that its midnight and the venue has timing restrictions. Garaj Baras followed Pappu Yaar and then after joking about people going to sleep early on a weekend, Azmat performed a power-packed Neend aati Nahin. Published in The Express Tribune, February 2nd,  2015. Like <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ETLifeandStyle">Life & Style on Facebook, </a>follow <a href="https://twitter.com/ETLifeandStyle">@ETLifeandStyle</a> on Twitter for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.

EO Studio: Live music is still alive

KARACHI: Music concerts are a dying feat in Pakistan. Very few musicians get shows on a regular basis and very fewer ...

Fashion discourse redefined

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/831215/fashion-discourse-redefined/"> 				<img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/831215-fashionroundtablediscussionNafisaShahPeterUptonRabiaJaveriandCraigSpellercopy-1422807041-970-160x120.jpg" width="160" /> 			</a> 			<div>KARACHI:  The talk titled, “Talking Fashion: Policy, Infrastructure and Sustainability”, was held at the BM Mural Room, at the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture on Friday morning. </div> Commencing the discussion, Robin Davies, Director Sindh and Baluchistan, British Council coherently made clear three features that are of importance to British Council’s relationship with Pakistan: higher education, equity and finance and public support. Ciaran Devane, CEO British Council initiated, “Pakistan is an important country for us and we are really interested in fostering a good relationship with its culture and arts.” Further delving into the subject, he said, “People to people interaction leads to the world becoming a better place. Pakistan is a country which has a very vibrant fashion industry. It’s where talent and creativity truly shine.” <img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Ciaran-Devane.jpg" /> Speaking on the subject of fashion from Pakistan’s end, Wardha Saleem, CEO of the Council said, “The progress of Fashion Pakistan remains the high point of the British council, which is here to promote fashion.” The designer further stated, “Fashion is a developing industry in the country. Our vision is to build Pakistan fashion locally as well as internationally.” Later, Peter Upton, Country Director, British Council Pakistan introduced the panellist on the floor to touch base on issues facing the local fashion industry. Rabiya Javeri, Secretary Trade and Development Authority of Pakistan, Nafisa Shah, an MNA, and Craig Speller, an entrepreneur gave statements. Upton emphasised it was time the Pakistani voices be heard on the fashion front. Beginning her discussion Javeri said, “One needs to realise the hard-work done by creative people of the Pakistani fashion fraternity – we cannot afford to neglect that.” Delving on a business note, she added, “With United Kingdom being our sixth strongest economic partner with zero per cent of rated duty on goods, we have a 90 per cent capacity to grow our business. The timings to grow this bond couldn’t have been more opportune.” She said she hoped to take the indigenous truck art and two truck artists from Pakistan to draw on the double decker buses in the UK. Shah said, “Local women from our rural backgrounds need to be taken to policy-making forums. Women artisans in the rural community have little connectedness to the outside world. The beautiful worlds of colours need to be as much a part of cultural industries. There are stakeholders involved.” She mentioned Tuk, the Sindhi embroidery stitch which was specially introduced into the hot fashion scene of the world, today. Appreciating the originality of Pakistani fashion, Speller alleged, “I have come across wonderful people in Pakistan, who are willing to understand the importance of creativity and are building on it.” He further went on to say, “There are many different areas of fashion that need to be understood. Also, this is about partnership and we are taking two steps at a time.” Javeri reasserted that on regional lines, Pakistan has traded with Vietnam, Cambodia and China, but the nation cannot ignore the European Union. Also, small and medium enterprises have no appropriate work access to the EU. “Generally, it is all about branding and productivity,” she stressed. <img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Wardha-Saleem-copy.jpg" /> <blockquote> Designer Wardha Saleem</blockquote> When Speller was asked on how small and medium enterprises can penetrate into a known British brand, he responded, “A retailer will take you on if you do a lot of convincing and represent and promote your brand right. But one needs to take one out to replace the other.” Shah said, “Politics is tied up with economics. Even regional trade is a challenge for us, if we talk about it across the border. Emphasis must be laid on strengthening the bond and EU has taken that step for us.” She asserted that a liberal politician like herself would want to push for trade across the fence. Speller said, “Finance is essential, it kind of changes the route map of a basic business model.” Where Javeri stressed on brand sustainability for growth, Shah called for ethical fashion to come from Pakistan. But Speller was realistic to the core saying, “The consumer is more than aware. Corporations are well aware and know how to grow their money.” On the theme of unison, Speller said, “One needs to work well with peers, a collective voice can have a major impact on the world.” The British Council panel believed that three sectors are necessary to be targeted in Pakistan, namely, “films, fashion and digital world.” Published in The Express Tribune, February 2nd,  2015. Like <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ETLifeandStyle">Life & Style on Facebook, </a>follow <a href="https://twitter.com/ETLifeandStyle">@ETLifeandStyle</a> on Twitter for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.

Fashion discourse redefined

KARACHI: The talk titled, “Talking Fashion: Policy, Infrastructure and Sustainability”, was held at the BM Mural Room...

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