Pak News Wire

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/832772/book-review-gray-mountain-rise-and-fall/"> 				<img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/832772-Bookcutoutcopy-1423061532-909-160x120.JPG" width="160" /> 			</a> 			As I started reading John Grisham’s Gray Mountain, it transported me back to my time in London in September 2008. It was the year that shook the world as Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy. Around 5,000 people lost their jobs at their Canary Wharf office in London and every British newspaper carried images of devastated young people crying outside their office on their front page. This book tells the story of 29-year-old Samantha Kofer, a third-year associate at a big New York law firm, who is also laid off from her job within 10 days of the Lehman Brothers’ fall as the impact of the economic meltdown trickled to all financial firms across the US and Europe. While Kofer is still struggling with the shock and depression at the recent turn of events, her law firm offers to retain her as an intern with the possibility of rehiring her for her old job if the economic climate improves. However, she chooses to work with a Mountain Legal Aid Clinic in rural Virginia, Appalachia, instead. <img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/JohnGrisham-cutout-copy.jpg" /> <blockquote> Author John Grisham </blockquote> In this part of the book, Grisham vividly describes the beauty of the region and the living conditions of the people of Appalachia — a stark contrast from the glamorous bustling life that Kofer left behind in New York. He also highlights the way mining companies exploit their workers. For example, one of the cases assigned to the young lawyer is one of black-lungs. If miners can prove that they have been disabled by years of breathing coal dust, they are entitled to payments that can reach up to $ 1,000 a month. However, since the employers collude with the lawyers, cases usually end up getting delayed until the miner dies or forgets about them. The lawyers are also supported by doctors, judges, regulators and prosecutors, which ultimately benefits coal companies at the cost of their workers. Koffer eventually finds out that standing for the truth sometimes means putting one’s life on the line. The characters in the book, particularly of Kofer, have been developed carefully and seem very real. The heart of the book though is how big corporations thrive on the labour of those who work for them but give little in return. Overall, Gray Mountain is a good read and keeps the reader engaged throughout. However, it does leave you wondering why Grisham chose to start the novel with the fall of the Lehman Brothers five years after it happened. But that might be a story for another time. <img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/1-copy.jpg" /> Ishrat Ansari works at The Express Tribune Karachi desk. She tweets @Ishrat_ansari Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, February 8th, 2015.

Book review: Gray Mountain – rise and fall

As I started reading John Grisham’s Gray Mountain , it transported me back to my time in London in September 2008. It ...

Internet access: The future is online

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/832835/internet-access-the-future-is-online/"> 				<img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/832835-Spacecopy-1423064441-169-160x120.jpg" width="160" /> 			</a> 			A 2011 United Nations report stated that access to the internet is a basic human right, and “should be a priority for all states”. In 2012, the UN Human Rights Council passed a motion that spoke of “the global and open nature of the internet as a driving force in accelerating progress towards development,” and stated that it was against international law for governments to block internet access. Yet, as of 2015, only 2.7 billion people have access to the internet, while it is estimated that by 2018 nearly half of the world’s population will have digital access. This still leaves a significant portion of the world’s population offline. However, this may change if Mark Zuckerberg, founder, CEO and chairperson of Facebook, has his way. In late March 2014, Zuckerberg stated his intentions of providing internet access to the world through an initiative called ‘internet.org’, which was meant to be a global partnership between technology leaders, nonprofits, local communities and experts working together to bring internet access to two-thirds of the world’s population. Facebook’s Connectivity Lab project was also revealed simultaneously, which, through the technology of drones and laser, would embark on this mission. Professionals working for this project were recruited from prominent companies such as Nasa and the Ames Research Center. It is only lately that intriguing details behind this project are coming to light. The company intends to manufacture drones in the thousands that will fly high and in the high corners of the Earth where internet isn’t readily accessible. These drones will provide wireless internet through laser beams transmitted via unmanned aircrafts that will fly at least 60,000 feet. This altitude is both above unforgiving weather and what any aircraft can reach. The Facebook drones will also be enormous in size, as big as a 747 commercial jet. Although Facebook drones seem to have the technological answers, they may run into legal issues. For example, plans to have one pilot fly several drones at once may not sit well with certain governments whose laws dictate that each drone must be piloted by a single pilot. Moreover, Facebook isn’t the only company experimenting with such a project. Technology giant Google also has similar designs. In fact, Titan Aerospace, a startup that manufactures solar powered drones, was initially in negotiations with Facebook before being bought by Google. Insiders report that Google’s offer to better any deal from Facebook was readily accepted by Titan Aerospace, who were acquired by Google to work on their Project Loon. Google’s own initiative is termed a research and development endeavour designed to provide internet through high-altitude and unmanned weather balloons. After some experimentation, both companies intend to launch their projects full scale in the near future. Facebook has stated that after test runs it will run its drones in third world nations, where easy access to the internet is most needed. Of course, neither Google nor Facebook are running these projects purely out of the goodness of their hearts. Both technology giants are in the business of the internet, and marshaling the information superhighway is in their prime interest. Noman Ansari is a freelance writer and a regular contributor to The Express Tribune magazine. He tweets @Pugnate Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, February 8th, 2015.

Internet access: The future is online

A 2011 United Nations report stated that access to the internet is a basic human right, and “should be a priority for ...

Health: Demystifying epilepsy

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/832820/health-demystifying-epilepsy/"> 				<img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/832820-had-1423064271-767-160x120.JPG" width="160" /> 			</a> 			Epilepsy is one of the most common serious chronic neurological diseases affecting people of all ages globally. It is characterised by recurrent seizures and can be caused due to various factors. In some cases, there is an underlying genetic basis, whereas brain damage from prenatal or perinatal injuries (for example, a loss of oxygen or trauma during birth), congenital abnormalities or brain malformations, head injury, stroke, neurological infections such as meningitis, encephalitis and neurocysticercosis, and brain tumours can also trigger the disease. In about half the cases of epilepsy, the cause cannot be identified. Overview The risk of premature death in people with epilepsy is two to three times higher than for the general population in high-income countries and more than six times higher in low- and middle-income countries. People with epilepsy also often suffer from other psychological conditions, such as depression and anxiety, associated intellectual disabilities, especially in children, and physical injuries (for instance, fractures and burns). <img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/50.jpg" /> People with epilepsy are often subjected to stigmatisation and discrimination because of misconceptions and negative attitudes surrounding the disease. Some common misconceptions associated with the disease are that the patient is possessed by ‘evil spirits’ or that epilepsy is contagious or is equivalent to madness. Stigmatisation leads to human rights violations and societal exclusion. For example, in some settings children with epilepsy may not be allowed to go to school and adults may not find suitable employment or be able to marry. Challenges and gaps in epilepsy care Up to 75% of people with epilepsy can live a normal life, free from seizures, if they are appropriately treated with antiepileptic medicines. Despite the availability of affordable treatment, up to 90% of people with epilepsy may not be properly diagnosed or treated in resource-poor settings. The so-called “treatment gap” (the percentage of people with epilepsy whose seizures are not being appropriately treated at a given point in time) is estimated to be 75% in low-income countries and substantially higher in rural areas than in urban areas. The wide treatment gap may result from a combination of inadequate capacities of healthcare systems and inequitable distributions of resources, particularly in resource-poor and rural areas. Factors that widen the gap include an insufficiency of staff, poor access to antiepileptic medicines, societal ignorance and misconceptions, poverty and low prioritisation for the treatment of epilepsy. <img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/0.85.jpg" /> Only limited numbers of specialist health professionals are available in low- and middle-income countries. Epilepsy can be treated at the primary healthcare level but very often, the healthcare workers there are not adequately trained to diagnose or treat epilepsy. There are several barriers to accessing antiepileptic medicines. For example, the price often remains unjustifiably high, even for generic medicines. Data and information necessary for planning, forecasting and budgeting are often lacking. Certain regulatory policies prevent wider use of some antiepileptic medicines. Lack of knowledge or misperceptions about epilepsy may affect health-seeking behaviour. People with epilepsy may not access treatment from healthcare facilities and instead might seek help from other sources that may be ineffective. They also may not seek regular follow-up care or adhere to medications as prescribed. Epilepsy care: Need of the hour  Strengthen effective leadership and governance: National policies and legislation need to be formulated, strengthened and implemented in order to promote and protect the rights of people with epilepsy and to prohibit discrimination in education, employment, marriage, reproduction, driving regulations and recreation.  Improve provision of epilepsy care: Policies on general health, mental health or non-communicable diseases should include consideration of care for people with epilepsy and adequate budgets should be allocated to undertake the necessary steps. Stakeholders from all relevant sectors, including people with epilepsy and their caretakers and family members, should be engaged in the development and implementation of policies, laws and services.  Integrate epilepsy management into primary healthcare: In order to help reduce the epilepsy treatment gap, non-specialist healthcare providers should be trained and supported so that epilepsy can be diagnosed and treated in primary healthcare settings.  Increase access to medicines: Strategies should be formulated and implemented to make antiepileptic medicines more available, accessible and affordable  Support strategies for prevention of epilepsy: Many of the causes of epilepsy in low- and middle-income countries are preventable, and the health and social sectors should be supported to assist in reducing its incidence. Examples include promoting safe pregnancies and births, control of cysticercosis, prevention of head trauma and prevention of strokes.  Strengthen health information and surveillance systems: Data on epilepsy should be captured, collated, routinely reported, analysed and disaggregated by sex and age in order to measure progress in increasing access to services for people with epilepsy.  Improve investment in epilepsy research and increase research capacity.  Collaborate with civil society and other partners. Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, February 8th, 2015.

Health: Demystifying epilepsy

Epilepsy is one of the most common serious chronic neurological diseases affecting people of all ages globally. It is ...

1992 World Cup: The returning champions

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/832797/1992-world-cup-the-returning-champions/"> 				<img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/832797-splashcopy-1423063901-767-160x120.jpg" width="160" /> 			</a> 			Twenty-three years after claiming the world champion title, the Pakistan cricket team is all set to return to the historic grounds of Australia and New Zealand to recreate moments that earned them a permanent spot on the cricketing map. What happened on the field in 1992 might be etched in the memory of every cricket fan in the country and is refreshed every four years by the barrage of video clips and pictures that flood social media and television screens. Few know what happened behind the scenes. And only one man, who trailed the cricketers closely throughout the event as the team’s official photographer, capturing every move and emotion, can shed light on their state of mind and recall intimate details that lead to the momentous victory. Today, Iqbal Munir uses the power of his pictures and memory to take us back in time when Pakistan cricket was all about the glory of the game. An uneven pitch <img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/b-copy.jpg" /> <blockquote>Imran Khan picks up a newspaper to read before his flight to Adelaide, South Australia.</blockquote> When Munir was appointed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to cover the event, he got straight down to the task. Equipped with his Nikon F3, he boarded a flight to Australia to join the team that had flown out a month before. Everyone was optimistic that Pakistan would emerge victorious that year, owing to the team’s confidence. Munir was, therefore, not prepared to digest what he came across next. While going through some of the in-flight newspapers, he was shocked to read an article in which Imran Khan, the captain for the 1992 World Cup, was quoted as saying, “We lost the occasion to win in the semi-final against Australia in Lahore in ’87. Now it’s difficult to win the World Cup in Australia.” In contrast to what millions in the country believed, Imran seemed to have little hope of winning the trophy. Munir’s hopes were further crushed when he heard Australian legend Greg Chappell rate Pakistan as the fifth best bet to win the nine-nation tournament. <img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/11a-copy.jpg" /> <blockquote>Flexing their muscles during a drinks break.</blockquote> <img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/20copy.jpg" /> <blockquote>Imran in consultation with his vice captain Javed Miandad during New Zealand’s innings in the semi-final.</blockquote> This cynicism was in stark contrast to the false sense of confidence Munir had witnessed at the conditioning camp set up in Lahore. All the cricketers, except Imran perhaps, were in consensus that they’ll make it to the semi-finals since it was a matter of winning only four matches. The squad, however, looked disinterested and seemingly went through the motions, he reveals. “Imran Khan was nursing his shoulder injury, Javed Miandad was cringing in pain due to a back problem and Waqar Younis was down with a stress fracture,” he says. “The camp lacked vigour and enthusiasm and was bereft of coordination and a sense of purpose. [There was] only overconfidence and arrogance.” The players assured that they would easily take down India, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and South Africa. <img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/It-wasn%E2%80%99t-until.jpg" /> But when the team eventually left for Australia on January 15, 1992, a lot had changed. They were travelling without Miandad, and Imran had instead picked out Zahid Fazal and Inzamamul Haq as his potential match winners because of the promise they had shown.  The fall before the rise <img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/005_1-copy.jpg" /> <blockquote>Top view of a packed Melbourne Cricket Ground during the final match.</blockquote> According to Munir, the team went through a series of emotional highs and lows throughout their World Cup journey. In Melbourne, on the eve of the opening clash between Pakistan and West Indies, Munir confronted Imran’s skepticism first-hand. The captain was visibly disgruntled with the performance of the team in the warm-up matches. “Even after a month in Australia, there’s a lack of application and whole heartedness amongst the players,” he confided in Munir. Even during the opening match, Imran was seen huffing and puffing at the team’s performance, which lost to its opponent by 10 wickets. <img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/15-copy.jpg" /> <blockquote>Imran Khan wears his lucky tiger T-shirt and wins the crucial toss against Australia.</blockquote> Unlike Imran, Miandad, who rejoined the team during the last warm-up match, gave the players a much-needed boost of confidence. Not only did he practice earnestly, but motivated others to do the same. He even guided Wasim Haider to maintain his line and length and much of his positive influence can be seen in the numerous practice shots captured by Munir. <img alt="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Iqbal-Munir.jpg" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Iqbal-Munir.jpg" /> Imran, on the other hand, did little to keep the team’s morale high. Even while flying to Adelaide, in South Australia, Imran was particularly quiet and aloof. He preferred to spend his time reading a newspaper rather that interacting with the rest of the team. During the match against England on March 1, Pakistan’s weak batting was brutally exposed and this drilled a deeper hole in Imran’s confidence. But a sudden downpour midway during England’s batting brought the match to a halt and earned both teams a point. “This one point can turn our fortunes around,” Miandad told Munir and proved to be crucial in pushing Pakistan further in the tournament. <img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/12-copy.jpg" /> <blockquote>Javed Miandad mocks Kiran More’s excited appeal by jumping in the air.</blockquote> The team, however, suffered another major blow soon when they lost to arch-rivals India. In Brisbane, they even lost to South Africa despite Haq’s promising 48 runs off 45 balls. At this point, the team had visibly lost all hope of bringing the cup home, including Miandad, who skipped the match due to stomach flu. And it wasn’t until he spoke to his mother over the phone that he was able to let go of the guilt. The forward approach With only three matches left to play now, Pakistan could not afford to lose a single game. The players were desperate to claim back-to-back wins but none of them believed they could. And it wasn’t until they landed in Perth that their fortunes took a turn for the better. That night, they attended a welcome reception that was organised to raise funds for Imran’s charitable cancer hospital. Overwhelmed by the gesture, the captain formally addressed his team at the event and said, “We’re Muslims and Islam teaches us never to lose hope. To lose hope is a sin.” Something seemed to have changed in Imran, Munir recalls, and this renewed energy transferred to the rest of the players in the coming days. <img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/05_1-copy.jpg" /> <blockquote>Pakistani supporters out in full force for the final.</blockquote> At Perth’s Western Australian Cricket Association ground, the team held a meeting in the dressing room which continued for hours. The media was quick to pick up on this and the following day, Munir recalled reading an article in a newspaper, which stated, “In Perth, instead of nets the Pakistani team was locked up inside the dressing room.” But the meeting was crucial in reshaping the team’s destiny, Munir shares. “It was here that Pakistan devised their strategy to win the World Cup. They came out of the dressing room as champions.” Imran resumed the reins of captaincy and swayed the team with inspirational words, including senior batsmen Salim Malik and Ramiz Raja, who were particularly disgruntled with the team. And the result of this dressing-room talk was evident in the way Pakistan emerged victorious against host team Australia and Sri Lanka in the following days. The man behind the lens Iqbal Munir, son of late cricket commentator and journalist Munir Hussain, was always passionate about cricket. In 1978, he began cricket photography as a hobby, taking pictures for his cricket publication Akhbar-e-Watan. Recognised for his work, he was later asked to be the official photographer for Pakistan at the 1992 World Cup. <img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Iqbal-Munir-copy.jpg" /> Munir has since travelled all across the cricketing world in pursuit of his passion and has been involved in cricket development, education and awareness programmes for the last several years. He even went ahead and compiled his World Cup pictures in the book Pakistan: World Champions. In 1987, he also penned his first book An Eye on Imran, which was followed by two further editions. He also contributes regularly to various local and foreign newspapers and magazines.  The victory lap In their winning streak, Pakistan even managed to take down New Zealand — a formidable team that had already qualified for the semi-finals by winning seven matches in a row, owing to favourable home conditions. But the win against New Zealand was only half the job done. The team had to now place their bets on West Indies losing the match to Australia to send them straight into the semi-finals. <img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/04-copy.jpg" /> <blockquote>Javed Miandad bats to a thundering applause.</blockquote> Fortune was on their side and Australia won the match. “The entire atmosphere in Christchurch hotel, where the team was staying, turned festive,” Munir recalls. “Yeh cup hamara hai, is ne hamain pukaara hai (The World Cup is ours, it is calling out to us),” the players chanted commentator Iftikhar Ahmed’s slogan in unison. The spirits at the time were so high that one could have almost believed that Pakistan had already won the World Cup. The next day a confident Pakistani team arrived in Auckland, New Zealand, for the semi-final against the host. After practice, they left to offer Friday prayers at a mosque. This was followed by a casual lunch date organised for Imran’s charitable initiative, which was attended by Salim Malik, Inzamamul Haq, Ejaz Ahmed, Aaqib Javed, Mushtaq Ahmed and Zahid Fazal. “There was unity and laughter and the group speculated about how Pakistani fans would receive the ‘world champions’,” Munir remembers. <img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/08-copy.jpg" /> <blockquote>Inside the dressing room players lift their trophy.</blockquote> This restored self-belief came across on the field the next day through a defiant and rearguard action against New Zealand. Haq’s fluent strokes were particularly praise-worthy. Imran himself scored a notable 44 and Moin Khan managed to seal the deal with a monstrous six. “I froze these unforgettable moments on film,” Munir shares. He also recalled that it was Imran’s wish to play the final against England, which became a reality after Graham Gooch’s team went past South Africa in the other semi-final. When the big day arrived, Imran emerged on the field of the packed Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) wearing his lucky tiger T-shirt for the toss with Gooch. He wanted to be the first to bat, Munir reveals, since England had failed to chase the target in previous two World Cup finals. And after Imran won the toss, Pakistan’s victory became almost tangible. <img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/06-copy.jpg" /> <blockquote>Players rejoice after taking another wicket.</blockquote> Pakistan created history that day. “The skipper held the coveted crystal trophy of the fifth World Cup and the world champions took the victory lap of the MCG amidst thundering applause,” says Munir. “I had dreamt of this final moment in Melbourne,” Munir recalls Imran saying at the presentation ceremony. Later the blaring sound of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s ‘Mera Vird Hai Dam Dam Ali Ali’ shook the foundations of the pavilion. Everyone rejoiced as the players went berserk dancing, singing and screaming. “The 1992 World Cup was won by the team that looked to dismiss its opponents. Pakistan did not have players in bits and pieces but had specialist batsmen and specialist bowlers,” former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar aptly commented after the World Cup. “They all knew what was expected of them and when the chips were down, they responded as cornered tigers and recorded a terrific victory,” he added. <img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Sunil-Gavaskar.jpg" /> Pakistan has time and again proven that they can swing any match in their favour if they put their mind to it. And perhaps at the 2015 World Cup, they will recapture that moment and put Pakistan on the list of victors for the second time. Emmad Hameed is an editorial consultant at The Express Tribune. He tweets @Emmad81 Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, February 8th, 2015.

1992 World Cup: The returning champions

Twenty-three years after claiming the world champion title, the Pakistan cricket team is all set to return to the hist...

Art review: Never forget Peshawar

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/832771/art-review-never-forget-peshawar/"> 				<img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/832771-imagecopy-1423061201-296-160x120.JPG" width="160" /> 			</a> 			There are a number of things that make the recent artwork exhibit from Peshawar special. It was the first time Karachi showcased the work of seven artists from Peshawar and people found catharsis in art since the brutal December 16 attack on Army Public School. The featured artists included Abbas Ali, Abdur Rehman, Ghulam Shabbier, Jehanzeb Malik, Sajid Ali, Tayyeba Aziz and Zakir Ali. From portraits to landscapes, these artists brought out their best works in a bid to represent the more peaceful side of their city — without letting anyone forget the recent tragedy. According to the organisers, it was a gesture of support for the families affected by the act of terror. <img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/image003-copy.jpg" /> <blockquote> A painting from the ‘Dreams and Drapes’ series by Tayyeba Aziz. PHOTO COURTESY: FOMMA DHA ART CENTRE </blockquote> Although most of the paintings at the exhibition were equally captivating, two of Aziz’s paintings which appeared to be images of blood-stained drapes from her ‘Dreams and Drapes’ series, particularly stood out. The artist, who holds a masters degree in fine arts from the University of Peshawar, skilfully played with colours and light to recreate an image of the tragedy. The rustic shade of red gave the painting an intentional blood-like quality and managed to evoke powerful images of blood-stained clothes worn by the children who lost their lives in the Peshawar school massacre. The background, however, painted in shades of light blue and white, blended together lightly, managed to uplift the painting and create an illusion of hope. The use of those colours, although subtle, came as a respite from the pain that accompanies the memory of the loss of 132 children along with several others. While some of the paintings at the exhibition were gloomy and acted as strong reminders of the tragedy, the rest were relatively less intense, but nonetheless powerful. One such example was Rehman’s rich and engaging illustration of nature. His detailed painting of two huts was effective in transporting one to the northern countryside and although the huts were in a dilapidated state, the beauty of the serene landscape remained untainted. While one was drawn in by the beauty of the landscape, it managed to shed light on the harsh lives of residents in the war-torn province at the same time. <img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/19-copy.jpg" /> <blockquote> Zakir Ali’s portrait of a horse. PHOTO CREDIT: AYSHA SALEEM </blockquote> Another painting that depicted the turbulent city was Zakir Ali’s portrait of a horse. Despite being one of the younger artists in the group, his work was very promising. The horse was purportedly used as a symbol of war and was strategically placed right next to his other work which appeared to be an enlarged image of the horse’s eye. Since people often fail to empathise with the emotions of others, Ali lay special emphasis on it by being as literal with his strokes as possible, painting hints of grief and despair, accompanied by a glimmer of hope. <img alt="" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/image010-copy.jpg" /> <blockquote> Ghulam Shabbier paints the undying charm of old buildings. PHOTO COURTESY: FOMMA DHA ART CENTRE </blockquote> Overall, the artwork on display was rich and insightful, depicting a resilient Peshawar. “‘Aray wahan toh pata nahin kis tarha ka kaam kar rahay hon gay’ (who knows what kind of artwork is being produced by artists in Peshawar) is what people used to say about Peshawar’s artists. But today we can see their talent,” remarked artist Nahid Raza, present at the exhibition. The exhibition was indeed a curtain-lifter on the potential of Peshawar’s artists, who have proven that they are more than capable of going head-to-head with artists across the country. Minerwa Tahir is a trainee subeditor at the Karachi desk with an interest in writing on art. Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, February 8th, 2015.

Art review: Never forget Peshawar

There are a number of things that make the recent artwork exhibit from Peshawar special. It was the first time Karachi...

Rebels: 8 killed by shelling in Ukraine

Rebels: 8 killed by shelling in Ukraine

Shelling killed eight civilians in the Donetsk region over the past day, the self-declared deputy defense minister of the rebel group Donets...

‘No signs’ of paparazzi chase in Jenner crash, official says

‘No signs’ of paparazzi chase in Jenner crash, official says

Hours after Olympic champion and reality TV star Bruce Jenner was involved in a fatal car accident, authorities said there is no evidence he...

There is still hope, ladies: Ranbir Kapoor is not engaged to Katrina

<a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/835006/there-is-still-hope-ladies-ranbir-kapoor-is-not-engaged-to-katrina/"> 				<img alt="" height="120" src="http://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/835006-ranbirkapoor-1423384787-342-160x120.jpg" width="160" /> 			</a> 			Bollywood heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor is an extremely private person. He does not like to talk about his personal life, especially about his relationship with starlet Katrina Kaif. However, after his relationship with her has been under heavy media scrutiny, Ranbir has finally opened up to the Bombay Times, in an exclusive interview, reports <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Ranbir-Kapoor-I-cant-hide-an-engagement-And-no-I-am-not-yet-engaged/articleshow/46155501.cms" target="_blank">The Times of India</a>. When asked if he is engaged to Katrina, Ranbir said: “No, I am not. Engagement is to tell the world that right now we are promised to get married. I have not reached that place in my life.” “I really wished that tabloids, magazines and news channels stop making conjectures about that as it spoils the spontaneity of it when it finally happens,” he added. Ranbir said that when he does get engaged, he won’t hide it from the media. “If I have to get engaged, I can’t hide that. I want to have a family, have children. So, when I get engaged, I will certainly announce it,” he said. Further, Ranbir also shared that he might be venturing into writing for movies. He said that directors Ayan Mukherjee and Imtiaz Ali encouraged him to do so. “Katrina told me that I don’t have an imaginative mind. And that challenged me and hurt me. I decided to come up with a story and prove her wrong. Imtiaz has told me to think and write just a scene a day and that’s what I am right now doing,” Ranbir said. Hotshot director Rajkumar Hirani has approached the 32-year-old to play Sanjay Dutt in Hirani’s biopic. However, Ranbir affirmed that nothing is confirmed yet. “Playing Sanjay Dutt will be exciting for me; Mr. Hirani has not confirmed that to me yet. Raju Hirani is not a director who you can keep calling and asking, if that film is happening or not,” Ranbir said. Ranbir will next be seen in the Vikramjit Singh directed Roy alongside Arjun Rampal and Jacqueline Fernandez. The film is slated for a February 13 release.

There is still hope, ladies: Ranbir Kapoor is not engaged to Katrina

Bollywood heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor is an extremely private person. He does not like to talk about his personal life, e...

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