Pak News Wire

President’s Cup Silver League: Maqsood, Usman guide WAPDA to seven-wicket win

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/829213/presidents-cup-silver-league-maqsood-usman-guide-wapda-to-seven-wicket-win/"> 				<img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/829213-PresidentsCup-1422464350-999-160x120.jpg" width="160" /> 			</a> 			KARACHI: A three-wicket haul each for Waqas Maqsood and Khalid Usman guided Wapda to their seven-wicket victory over Bahawalpur Stags in the third round of the Haier President’s Cup Silver League at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore yesterday. Batting first, Stags were restricted to 121 as Maqsood and Usman bagged three scalps apiece, while Moinuddin (54) was the top scorer for Stags. In reply, Wapda reached the target in 18.5 overs as Iftikhar Ahmed scored 38, while Muhammad Fayyaz scored 36 and Hassan 28. In another match, centuries by captain Awaiz Zia and Muzammil Nizam guided SSGC to an impressive 102-run victory over Lahore Eagles. Batting first, SSGC posted 310 runs, with Nizam unbeaten on 114 and Zia scoring 112. Asif Raza picked up three wickets for Eagles. Chasing 311, Eagles were restricted to 208 runs as Adnan Ghaus took three wickets with Nasir Malik and Faheed Ahmed claiming two each. In another match at Mirpur Khas, a 92-run knock by Faisal Akhtar helped Hyderabad Hawks reach their 293-run target with four wickets to spare against UBL. Azeem Ghumman aided Akhtar with his 69-run knock. Earlier, Bismillah Khan scored 145 runs for UBL as Lal Kumar took three wickets. At the Jinnah Stadium in Gujranwala, Haris Khan’s three-for helped Abbottabad Falcons defeat Sialkot Stallions by 26 runs. Batting first, Falcons posted 241 as Nasir Khan and Sohail Akhtar scored 57 runs each, while Hasan Ali took four wickets for Stallions. Chasing 242, Stallions were dismissed on 215 as Haris bagged three and Shakeel Ahmed and Inam Khan picked up two wickets each. In another match, centuries by Muhammad Naeem and Raheel Majeed led PTV to their seven-wicket win over Multan Tigers. Chasing 269, PTV reached the target courtesy of Naeem’s unbeaten 115 and Majeed’s 102. At the Aga Khan Gymkhana Ground in Karachi, Kamran Sajid (135) and Faisal Iqbal (119) posted centuries and guided PIA to a 37-run victory over Quetta Bears. PIA posted a total of 306 runs with the help of Sajid and Iqbal, while Bears were sent packing on 269 as Muhammad Ibrahim dismissed three batsmen. Published in The Express Tribune, January 29th,  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.

President’s Cup Silver League: Maqsood, Usman guide WAPDA to seven-wicket win

KARACHI: A three-wicket haul each for Waqas Maqsood and Khalid Usman guided Wapda to their seven-wicket victory over ...

Mom: Family that refused vaccination put my baby in quarantine

Mom: Family that refused vaccination put my baby in quarantine

An unvaccinated child who went to the doctor with measles sends another baby to quarantine, leaving one mom to ask why. "Their choice e...

Figo: The man who could be King of FIFA

Figo: The man who could be King of FIFA

It was FIFA's handling of the report into bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups that convinced Luis Figo it was time to take a stand.

Guinea and Mali must draw lots, Ivory Coast through

Guinea and Mali must draw lots, Ivory Coast through

Ivory Coast reached the quarterfinals of the 2015 African Cup of Nations with a narrow victory over Cameroon -- but Guinea and Mali now face...

Mrs. Obama shakes king’s hands

Mrs. Obama shakes king’s hands

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama made a quick stop in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to pay respects to the late King Abdullah,...

A 70-year-old message

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/829163/a-70-year-old-message/"> 				<img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/829163-ChrisCorkNew-1422463667-731-160x120.JPG" width="160" /> 			</a> 			<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zakopane">Zakopane</a>… a picturesque little town at the foot of the Tatra Mountains in Poland and it is Christmas, 1990. An old mate and I used to escape the madness of Christmas in the UK in those days, and take ourselves off for a week somewhere cold, snowy and good to look at in Eastern Europe. Along with the holiday came packages, trips here and there to places of interest and our ever-helpful tour guide appeared one evening and announced that there was to be a trip to <a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/828309/last-survivors-recall-auschwitz-ask-if-lessons-learned/">Auschwitz</a> the next morning, warning that it was a long bus ride and thus an early start. There were about 40 in the group and half of us signed up. Little did we know what we were in for. Auschwitz. A word from the history books synonymous with horror and the Holocaust. A place where the Nazis had killed 1.1 million people in an industrialised process over several years. Mostly they were European Jews, but gay men and women, gypsies and the mentally handicapped were all brought here to have their bodies harvested for work if they were able, and their hair, spectacles, gold teeth fillings and body fat to be rendered into soap if they were not fit to work. They were killed in bunkers by having a gas called <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%2FZyklon_B&ei=UTjJVNreI8bt8gWsr4L4Bw&usg=AFQjCNF5q3G0EmcDjah9VYkzESgqqouDgw&sig2=p8ADeVnwvv-vAOZmc4sopg">Zyklon B</a> pumped in, and then incinerated in vast crematoria and their ashes finally disposed of in a large pond to the north of the camp. For those interested, go to Google Earth and search for ‘<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Oswiecim,+Poland/@50.0351136,19.2582577,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x471694e04f384c31:0x1e1c6b2131976ebd">Oswiecim</a>’ the town nearest to the camp and there it is, neat lines of elongated rectangles that were the accommodation, the administrative blocks, The Ramp where the trains bearing those soon to die arrived and were sorted. All very orderly. Nothing prepares you for the feeling of cold and inner terror that comes over you as you walk through the main gates of the camp. The guides, mostly local women, said that some people just fell over and got no further than the gate. We walked in silence mostly, through rooms that were thick with death and its imagery. We stood at the top of the ramp that led down into the gas chamber. There was a Jewish man and his young son in our party. The group was hesitant, the visit to the gas chamber was ‘optional’ said the guide. You do not have to go in if you do not want to. The Jewish man turned to us and said, “Let me go first.” And holding his son’s hand he walked into a place where the very air screamed. Auschwitz was liberated by the Russians on January 27, 1945, 70 years ago this week. It came into being because it was state policy to exterminate — literally completely wipe out — certain groups of people who were defined by law. They were to be wiped from the face of the earth, all trace of them removed. Institutionalised mass murder given the grace of legality. There were similar camps with the same purpose built in Germany and other parts of Poland. There was little or no protest among the population of either Germany or Poland, nobody raised a voice, few raised a questioning hand, and the butchery went on until the end of the war when the vast scale of it was revealed. The bedrock of hatred and intolerance that underpinned places like Auschwitz has not gone away and it is alive and well in Pakistan. Although there is no state policy of extermination of a minority, there is a constitutional amendment that discriminates against a minority group. A minority group that is regularly targeted by terrorists who are rarely caught or prosecuted and whose actions have the unspoken support of many, perhaps millions. Many of that group have fled abroad, as have members of other minority groups including members of my own family. There are no gas chambers in Pakistan, no crematoria where living people may be thrust into the fire. But there are brick kilns. Most Germans looked the other way as the Holocaust burned around them, closed their ears to the screams. Do you hear any screams, Dear Reader? No? Well I do. Published in The Express Tribune, January 29th,  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.

A 70-year-old message

Zakopane … a picturesque little town at the foot of the Tatra Mountains in Poland and it is Christmas, 1990. An old ma...

The challenge of change

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/829069/the-challenge-of-change/"> 				<img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/829069-AyeshaSiddiqaNews-1422463673-301-160x120.jpg" width="160" /> 			</a> 			It is good to see the state take some action in Punjab. Apparently, members of some militant groups are being picked up. Even more heartening is the fact that the police, which were considered useless till a few months ago, have begun to do some <a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/828651/five-suspected-terrorists-killed-in-dera-ismail-khan/">tidying up of the place</a>. Resultantly, in some parts of south Punjab, people have even begun to talk about reduction in the overall crime rate. Members of certain groups are now worried. More importantly, there isn’t even a reaction from both good and bad militants which means that controlling such people in Punjab was always doable. I remember many seasoned journalists often arguing that since a military operation was not possible in Punjab, it was a better tactic to ignore these groups and fight other battles. No one heeded the fact that Punjab could always have been cleaned by combined efforts of the intelligence and the police. It was always just a matter of allowing them to proceed and not hold back their reins. Surely, this also means that if the state develops a will, it can be assertive against militants. <img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Remember-the-ideologues.jpg" /> But before we pat ourselves on the back, let’s not forget that people were picked and locked up before also. They <a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/812086/malik-ishaq-held-for-two-more-weeks-in-murder-case/">would get released after a few months</a>, if not weeks. Every district maintains a list of suspects who get rounded up every time the temperature went up as far as security is concerned. One wonders if this pattern would be repeated again. The police will have to develop the capacity to watch over these people even if many of them are to be set free eventually. The task of surveillance becomes doubly hard not just due to the lack of capacity, but also due to the continued operation of some militant groups. Many argue that the government and the military have not clamped down on some groups because they were not creating any trouble for the state. More importantly, we are told the best approach is to tread carefully and go step by step. So, the plan is to first eliminate all the bad groups and then <a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/818271/shades-of-grey-2/">extend the definition to others</a>. This is not what has explicitly been said but this is what the civil society has interpreted. There are several loopholes with such a plan. First, it is well known that in the past, individual militants would get restless and leave parent groups to join those that could promise action and an uninterrupted show of violence. There has to be security against such leaks from these so-called safe groups. After all, people were promised jihad and recruited for that. Second, ideologically there is little difference between those who are picked up and others who are left behind. These groups are rational players and would not antagonise the state if there is a better way for them to survive. However, their pragmatism will make them consolidate themselves in a manner that would enable them to survive and regroup when the need arises again. Let’s not forget that their mainstay is their ideology, which remains fairly intact. The safe groups which are not targeted as yet have already begun to recreate themselves. Going through their material on social media, as well as printed material, it is visible that they can adopt options that will seemingly not threaten the state, yet keep them relevant amongst the people. The issue of blasphemy and the ongoing <a href="http://tribune.com.pk/charliehebdo/">Charlie Hebdo</a> issue have been picked up by most of these organisations. Looking at their publicity, they have successfully mingled with religious groups that are termed peaceful. For instance, in the context of condemning Charlie Hebdo, the position taken by the Pakistan Ulema Council and these groups is similar. Socio-politically, you can find nothing wrong with their position. However, this means their relevance remains and they will continue to impress ordinary people. The civil society movement is right about people being shocked by the Peshawar attack and has condemned the killings. Nevertheless, it is also possible that many still buy into the narrative of militant organisations because their narrative still makes sense. We have to be very clear on one thing: radicalism is more dangerous than even terrorism because it can survive longer and remain undetected due to the fact that it does not necessarily result in any immediate act of violence. Similarly, it is also a fallacy that these groups can ever get mainstreamed. Allowing groups like the Lashkar-e-Taiba and others to expand their welfare infrastructure does not help. Such activities assist the groups to hide their real intent and not change. In any case, the entire episode of the <a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/826213/fighting-terror-jamaatud-dawa-assets-frozen-fo/">Foreign Office announcing an older ban on the Jamaatud Dawa</a> followed by Hafiz Saeed denying the claim and later suggesting that the asset freeze had just affected him personally as his pension funds came into the account, indicate that he or his organisation feel perfectly intact and undisturbed. In any case, the other components of the organisation were not even touched. Nor was any mention made of other outfits like the Jaish-e-Mohammad’s Al Rehman Trust. Lately, some analysts have also come to Hafiz Saeed’s defence citing the lack of evidence as a reason behind the state not disturbing him. However, there is sufficient material available within Pakistan or other parts of the world, indicating the LeT’s involvement on other war fronts and links with al Qaeda. Let’s for a minute sympathise with the argument that some militant networks have to be kept as a guarantee against troublesome neighbours. The counter-argument is that with regional and global dynamics changing rapidly, it may become increasingly expensive for Pakistan to use or keep such militants. The plan for their disposal thus has to be made now. Remember the ideologues catch on faster. They have the ability to take on sensitive issues and build a narrative around them that will neutralise the ground the civil society and the state think they have gained lately. There are no simple recipes. Even if the state does not take two fundamental actions — putting a distance between religion and power politics, and admitting openly that the militants are not foreign, but our own and have to be fought — it must find ways to neutralise the militants’ narrative, which finds them support in society. Published in The Express Tribune, January 29th,  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 challenge of change

It is good to see the state take some action in Punjab. Apparently, members of some militant groups are being picked u...

India’s great opera-tunity

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/829094/indias-great-opera-tunity/"> 				<img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/829094-AnandoMukerjee-1422458070-932-160x120.JPG" width="160" /> 			</a> 			NEW DELHI: When Anando Mukerjee tells people in India that he’s an opera singer, they are both intrigued and impressed. Opera is almost unheard of in the country and Mukerjee wants to change that. As India’s only male tenor performing on the global stage, the 30-something singer has made it his mission to demystify the art form through live shows, social media and by adapting opera to an Indian context. “The youth, they don’t have an interest, not because of any fault of their own,” he said in an interview. “It’s because they haven’t been exposed to it.” Mukerjee, who calls himself the face of opera in India, hopes to collaborate with music societies in the country. His plans include bringing noted European operatic works to India, with an Indian cast and a setting that local audiences would relate to. Mukerjee cites the example of Carmen, a four-act opera set in 19th-century Spain, which he said could easily be moved to India’s desert state of Rajasthan and sung in Indian languages. “Just as we’ve had adaptations of Shakespeare in Bollywood, one can easily adapt great operatic masterpieces to an Indian narrative,” he said. A few operas with an Indian context have been staged in the country over the years, including a 2013 production that relocated Orpheus’ descent into the underworld to India, with the mythical Greek hero required to cross the Ganges River. Mukerjee said he was in touch with several Indian filmmakers keen to feature him in the movies. He was 13 when he discovered his love for music, tuning in to crooner Al Martino’s 1952 hit single Here in My Heart on India’s state-run radio. He quit academics for opera after a degree in molecular biology from Cambridge. At 23, he took singing lessons from vocal coaches, such as Swedish tenor Nicolai Gedda, and made his debut in 2006 at Belgrade’s National Theatre, singing the part of Rodolfo in Italian composer Giacomo Puccini’s La Bohème. His first name often leads overseas audiences to mistake him for a South American or someone from the Mediterranean. The London-based singer describes himself as a lirico-spinto tenor, versatile enough to sing within limits of both the lyrical and dramatic roles of the operatic repertoire. At his December concerts in New Delhi and Mumbai this year, Mukerjee plans to sing at least one aria or key solo as an encore in the Hindi language. “If you don’t compromise on artistic integrity and don’t dilute it artistically, and you make it accessible and really Indian, it’s a win-win formula,” he said.  Published in The Express Tribune, January 29th, 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.

India’s great opera-tunity

NEW DELHI: When Anando Mukerjee tells people in India that he’s an opera singer, they are both intrigued and impresse...

Health benefits of zeera

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/829082/health-benefits-of-zeera/"> 				<img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/829082-image-1422457589-146-160x120.JPG" width="160" /> 			</a> 			Available all year-round, small cumin seeds look rather unassuming. Their nutty peppery flavour packs a punch when it comes to adding a kick to Pakistani curries. Being a key component of curry powder, zeera is readily consumed locally for digestion and taste but we might be taking it for granted. As compiled from whfoods.com, livestrong.com, Huffington Post and Prevention magazine, here are a few health benefits of the wonder spice. Prevents anaemia Cumin seeds contain generous amounts of iron – with each teaspoon providing four milligrams of the mineral, or 22 per cent of the daily value. Iron being an essential element for the formation of haemoglobin in the blood required for the transport of oxygen. The condition of anaemia lowers the levels of haemoglobin in the blood and that has always been a concern in women, children and adolescents. It’s a good idea to include zeera in everyday preparations like parathas, curries, cookies, soups, and lentil preparations. Controls diabetes In a study published in the journal Nutrition Research, the research team found that cumin seeds helped diabetic patients by controlling their blood sugar. The patients experienced a reduction in hypoglycaemia, or low blood sugar – a condition common in diabetics and glucosuria, in which the urine contains too much glucose. A review of scientific studies published in 2005 in the International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition confirmed that cumin aids hypoglycaemia and is highly recommended for blood sugar control. Boosts memory power The Pakistani kitchen staple has also been found to increase the memory of a person. The seeds boasted mind-sharpening potential in a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology. Cumin’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuron-protecting properties are responsible for the brain-boosting results. Also rich in essential oils, zeera has been linked to brain-stimulating benefits, and helps halt the breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which medical herbalist Kevin Spelman, PhD, says is a well-established pharmaceutical method for recuperating memory. It helps in maintaining acetylcholine in the brain which helps in retaining memory. Nourishes skin High in Vitamin E, the super spice helps keep the skin healthy and youthful. Cumin also has anti-microbial properties which helps skin from fungal and viral infections. In a study conducted by Iranian researchers, they found that its paste can be applied on boils, pimples, eczema, psoriasis and various other skin related diseases for quick healing. Also a source of dietary fibre, cumin helps in the cleaning process and removes toxins. Vitamins present in cumin triggers the anti-aging processes in the body.  Cuminaldehyde and phosphorous in cumin are natural detoxicants that helps the in reducing wrinkles, making skin smooth and supple. Prevents common cold Because of its antiseptic and anti-microbial properties, zeera keeps various viral infections at bay. It helps in boosting the immunity of the body. Cumin has been found to be very beneficial for the respiratory organs especially the lungs. Because of its warm nature it helps in suppressing the mucus formation that gives rise to colds. A cold can be prevented by taking cumin as it contains Vitamin-C and iron – a mineral combo that improves immunity and keeps infections away.  They provide a great relief when the seeds are taken along with hot water, basil leaves and honey.  Sore throat, flu and other viral infections are also prohibited by it. Inhibits cancer cells Cumin is rich in antioxidants and various essential oils. They help in the secretion of anti-carcinogenic enzymes from the glands and helps in preventing the growth of cancerous cells by altering their biological behaviour. It is known to provide strong radical scavenging activity. Eugenol and limonene in cumin possess strong anti-tumour properties. They are helpful in preventing colon, breast, liver and stomach cancer, according to research by Zheng, Kenney, and Lam et al in the journal of the American Dietetic Association. Kills bacteria Cumin not only improves the flavour of dishes but prevents bacterial growth in the foods its added to, according to research conducted by the Cornell Chronicle. Ground cumin is among the more potent spices for killing bacteria in foods, such as meat, lentils, rice and vegetables. Traditionally used in Pakistan to reduce food spoilage, ground cumin is also effective in killing Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that have infected wounds in humans, according to a study published in Oman Medical Journal. Compiled By: Umnia Shahid Published in The Express Tribune, January 29th, 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.

Health benefits of zeera

Available all year-round, small cumin seeds look rather unassuming. Their nutty peppery flavour packs a punch when it ...

Obama quotes DDLJ during address

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/829088/obama-quotes-ddlj-during-address/"> 				<img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/829088-DDLJ-1422457981-539-160x120.JPG" width="160" /> 			</a> 			During his last address on a two-day visit to India, US President Barack Obama gave the attendees a pleasant surprise when he quoted the ‘Senorita’ dialogue from Shah Rukh Khan’s blockbuster film Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (DDLJ), reported Indian Express. “Last time here, we celebrated the festival of lights in Mumbai. We danced with some children. Unfortunately, we were not able to schedule any dancing in this visit. Senorita, bade bade deshon main… you know what I mean,” he said. Obama’s attempt at speaking Hindi and Bollywood reference created social media frenzy, with a Twitter user posting, “What a moment for Bollywood and #DDLJ.” Delighted at the reference, Shah Rukh now hopes that Obama will groove to his hit number Chaiyya Chaiyya someday, IANS reported. “Proud to be part of the gender and religion equality speech by President Obama. Sad that he couldn’t do the bhangra. Next time, Chaiyya Chaiyya, for sure,” he tweeted. Composed by Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman, the dance number is part of the film Dil Se. In his speech during the townhall event at Siri Fort Auditorium in New Delhi, the US president also used Shah Rukh and sports icon Mary Kom as examples of courage and humanitarian values, adding that these two traits unify India and the US. Published in The Express Tribune, January 29th, 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.

Obama quotes DDLJ during address

During his last address on a two-day visit to India, US President Barack Obama gave the attendees a pleasant surprise ...

Ali Azmat, Haroon team up for a song

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/829044/ali-azmat-haroon-team-up-for-a-song/"> 				<img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/829044-image-1422457406-413-160x120.JPG" width="160" /> 			</a> 			KARACHI: Fans of Pakistan’s pop music of the 1990s are in for a treat as singers Haroon and Ali Azmat have teamed up for a song titled Baba Bandook. The song is essentially the theme song for Baba Bandook, the villain from the animated television show Burka Avenger. Speaking to The Express Tribune, Haroon commented on the collaboration and his camaraderie with Ali, stating, “Ali and I actually go back a long way and have been friends for a while now. Many people don’t know this, but we were even roommates and shared an apartment a long time ago.” The former Awaz singer said he had wanted to collaborate with Ali on a song for a long time, and felt this was the right time to do it. “I was looking to collaborate with him on a song for a while and, when we came up with the song Baba Bandook, I couldn’t think of anyone better than Ali, as he is the ‘bad guy’ of our rock-and-roll industry,’ he stated. Haroon stated that Ali was immediately on board with the project when he approached him and “rode from Lahore to Islamabad to meet [him] at [his] office for the song.” Ali shared, “We did the song almost two years ago when Haroon called me to participate in the song, which had been produced by Sarmad Ghafoor.” <img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/331.jpg" /> The music video for the song, directed by Uzair Khan and Rizwan Ahmad, shows both the musicians going up against each other while being intercut with animations from the show. Haroon described the shoot for the music video as a fun experience. Narrating an incident from the shoot, he said, “Ali started performing without any rehearsal and was giving expressions, which made me laugh so hard.” Haroon and Ali hope the song would evoke “a feeling of nostalgia” in the fans after they see two musicians from 1990s perform together and “appeal to their inner child” as well. Published in The Express Tribune, January 29th, 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.

Ali Azmat, Haroon team up for a song

KARACHI: Fans of Pakistan’s pop music of the 1990s are in for a treat as singers Haroon and Ali Azmat have teamed up ...

League Cup: Mourinho hits out at Costa ‘stamp’ claims

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/829092/league-cup-mourinho-hits-out-at-costa-stamp-claims/"> 				<img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/829092-LEAGUECUP-1422458194-900-160x120.jpg" width="160" /> 			</a> 			CHELSEA: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho once again alleged that his team was the victim of a ‘campaign’ after they edged Liverpool 1-0 in an ill-tempered League Cup semi-final second leg. An extra-time Branislav Ivanovic header earned Chelsea a 2-1 aggregate win after a high-octane encounter at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, but it was home striker Diego Costa who was the focus of attention after the game. The Brazil-born Spain international twice appeared to tread on opposing players – Emre Can in the first half, Martin Skrtel in the second – and could now face retrospective action from the Football Association (FA). Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said the incidents were ‘poor’, but Mourinho claimed the outcry had been manufactured by a television pundit who he refused to identify. “I don’t know what you understand by ‘stamp’,” said Mourinho, who has been fined £25,000 by the FA after claiming Chelsea had been targeted by a ‘campaign’ over accusations of diving. “I think maybe you [the media] are already influenced by – I’m going to use the word that put me in trouble – but I think this time I cannot be punished to say that there is a campaign on the television with a certain pundit that is saying [alleging] Costa crimes. “This guy must be nuts, the guy that is saying that.” Mourinho appeared to be referring to either former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp or ex-Arsenal striker Thierry Henry, who analysed the game for Sky Sports, but he refused to reveal who he was talking about. Rodgers had said, “On Emre Can, that was poor, I felt. He can easily hurdle over the young player there and he directs his studs right onto his ankle, which would have been nasty. “And then the one on Martin Skrtel. There’s no need to do it. That’s the sad thing of it. He’s a top-class player and he’s clever enough the officials don’t see it. It was poor, really, by him.” Mourinho worked alongside Rodgers during his first stint as Chelsea manager and he delivered a sharp response to his former protege’s remarks. “He worked in Chelsea in my time for a few years, but we are very different people,” said the Portuguese. “I don’t know if he learnt something with me or not. Maybe he did, maybe he didn’t.”   Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.

League Cup: Mourinho hits out at Costa ‘stamp’ claims

CHELSEA: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho once again alleged that his team was the victim of a ‘campaign’ after they edg...

Australian Open: Djokovic, Serena continue upholding top seeds’ reputation

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/829104/australian-open-djokovic-serena-continue-upholding-top-seeds-reputation/"> 				<img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/829104-DJOKO-1422458752-222-160x120.jpg" width="160" /> 			</a> 			MELBOURNE: Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams lived up to their top billing yesterday with the world number ones, ripping apart Milos Raonic and Dominika Cibulkova to power into the Australian Open semi-finals. Both were in outstanding touch as they hunt for more Grand Slam glory with Djokovic meeting defending champion Stanislas Wawrinka for a place in the final while Serena will face unseeded Madison Keys. Big-serving Canadian eighth seed Raonic had no answer to Djokovic’s superior all-court game and was ruthlessly swept aside 7-6 (7/5), 6-4, 6-2, surrendering meekly after just two hours. “I’m going to be ready for a fight against Wawrinka,” said the Serb, gunning for an eighth Grand Slam title and a fifth in Melbourne. “But knowing that I have raised the level of performance tonight is affecting my confidence in a positive way.” Serena was equally impressive, shooting down last year’s finalist Cibulkova to set up a revenge clash with fellow American Keys, who knocked out her sister Venus. The powerful 33-year-old blasted 15 aces to pummel the 11th seed 6-2, 6-2 in just over an hour and make her 26th Grand Slam semi-final. “I feel I played well, I felt I had to,” said Serena, who has been battling a cold. “I feel like when you’re going up against a player like that who is confident on the court … I knew that I needed to really play well or go home.” Keys unlocks debut Grand Slam last-four door The unseeded Keys, 19, is the tournament surprise package, fighting hard to beat a resurgent Venus 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 and end any chance of the sisters meeting in a Grand Slam semi for the first time since Wimbledon 2000. Keys did the job despite inconvenienced by a left thigh injury. In an ominous sign for Keys, Serena has made the last four in Melbourne five times before and gone on win the championship each time. But Keys, coached by former Australian champion Lindsay Davenport, is undaunted. “It’s just one of those things where I have to go out and I have to do my best and I have to really just stay focused on my side of the court,” she said. Serena’s arch-rival Maria Sharapova made the semis on Tuesday and will face fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarova today. Wawrinka on course to defend title Wawrinka shattered the dream of Japanese superstar Kei Nishikori, but not before blowing five match points in a tiebreaker as nerves got the better of him. The Swiss fourth seed finally won 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) to deprive the fifth seed of a crack at another final, having made the US Open decider last year. “I trust my game. I trust myself on the court even when we start to play semi-final or final in Grand Slam,” he said of meeting Djokovic. Andy Murray and Tomas Berdych play the other semi-final after booking their places on Tuesday.   Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.

Australian Open: Djokovic, Serena continue upholding top seeds’ reputation

MELBOURNE: Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams lived up to their top billing yesterday with the world number ones, rip...

National Institute of Sports: Still a dream, even 40 years later

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/829106/national-institute-of-sports-still-a-dream-even-40-years-later/"> 				<img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/829106-ATH-1422459408-873-160x120.jpg" width="160" /> 			</a> 			ISLAMABAD: The plan to set up the National Institute of Sports at the Pakistan Sports Complex in Islamabad has failed to materialise in the last 40 years due to a lack of interest from all previous governments, causing a setback to the promotion of sports in the country. The prime objective of the proposed project was not only to train players, coaches, instructors, referees, umpires, technical staff, and sports researchers and to meet global sports challenges on the most modern scientific lines, but also to set up an institute which could offer health and physical education and teach the science of sports at a higher level. The Express Investigation Cell revealed that a document was signed between the government of Pakistan and China about 40 years ago on August 28, 1975 to build a sports institute in Islamabad. Consequently, an autonomous organisation with the tile of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto National Institute of Sports and Culture was set up to look after the construction of the proposed multipurpose sports project with the cooperation and assistance of Chinese technical experts. During the regime of General Ziaul Haq, the project was renamed as National Institute of Sports and Culture (NISC), but no progress was witnessed. After a long break, the executive committee of the Pakistan Sports Board’s (PSB), in 1999, approved a plan to construct the institute, but later on, the project was again placed on the backburner due to various reasons. Recently, the present government has taken the initiative through the Ministry of Interprovincial Coordination by asking the PSB to submit a fresh proposal for the establishment of the institute. When contacted, Deputy Director General (Academic) PSB Muhammad Shahid acknowledged the findings of this report and said that he has recently submitted a fresh proposal for the commencement of the project. Shahid further said he hoped for a positive progress in launching the construction work in the near future, adding that a meeting will most likely be held in the third week of February to finalise the required formalities and arrangements of the project.   Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.

National Institute of Sports: Still a dream, even 40 years later

ISLAMABAD: The plan to set up the National Institute of Sports at the Pakistan Sports Complex in Islamabad has failed...

Kingdom survives handshake with a woman

Kingdom survives handshake with a woman

Islamic law generally forbids men from touching women to whom they are not related, though exceptions for diplomacy are made.