Pakistani News for the Rest of Us

More than 2.2 million Afghans have returned home so far from Pakistan since the voluntary repatriation programme of the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) started in 2002, an official of the agency told IRIN in the capital, Islamabad, on Monday. “Over 300,000 Afghans have returned to their homeland since the …

Pakistan and South Africa are busy mending relations, damaged by Pakistan’s suspension from the Commonwealth and its arrest of two South Africans on suspicion of involvement in international terrorism.
The two countries are to launch a joint commission next month which will consider Pakistan’s request to buy arms from SA, and also seek greater cooperation across …

Iran will provide technical assistance of experts to Pakistan in the exploration, expansion and modernization of steel production plants at Pakistan Steel, Karachi.
The above proposal was agreed in a meeting of Chairman, Pakistan Steel Mills, Ltd Gen Abdul Qayyum (Retd) with the Iranian Deputy Minister for Mines and Industry, Mr. Mostafa Moazenzadeh here on Sunday. …

Pakistan’s economy is set to grow more than 6 percent this fiscal year, despite the threat of inflation, a weakening currency and pressure on its balance of payments, a World Bank official said Monday.
“We do believe that the government and central bank are monitoring this,” Abid Hasan, the bank’s acting country director in Pakistan, told …

The European Union (EU) may lift anti-dumping duty on Pakistan’s bedlinen, as it planned to review the decision. A leading exporter from Faisalabad said that the EU had started the process of review on its decision of slapping anti-dumping duty on Pakistan’s bedlinen by carrying out samples from the bedwear exporters. The EC has selected …

The rains deprived cricket-lovers of a crackerjack series. The three teams that participated in the tournament have a massive following not just in their countries, but all over the world, and it was unfortunate that they spent more time off the field than on it.
The Australians will be happy that they got to play some …

Life assumes very inspiring and unique shapes in the works of three energetic young artists, Fauzia Khan, Saleem Bhopali, and Syed Baqar Raza Shamim. These works were displayed at the Manzar Akbar Hall of the Arts Council of Pakistan (Karachi) on Monday. The art gallery where the works of art; paintings, sculptures, and other pieces …

Hot Chappal Kabab from NWFP, mouth-watering Paye from Punjab, delicious Saji from Balochistan and the incomparable Aab Gosht from Kashmir are just some of the food items that are drawing scores of eaters to the Food Park in Islamabad. Offering scrumptious food from all over Pakistan in one single place is a sure recipe for …

“A coffee?” asks chief executive Minoo Bhandara, reaching across his desk. “Or would you prefer a beer?”
Mr Bhandara can afford such audacity because he runs Murree Brewery, Pakistan’s lone beer factory in a country under prohibition. All this despite a phalanx of official restrictions. The explanation is simple, says Mr Bhandara: “Ninety-nine per cent of …

Keeping the petrol flowing to Pakistani drivers is providing Palmerston North-based company Integration Technologies with its biggest ever deal.
It has won a contract worth about $5 million to outfit more than 1000 petrol stations owned by Pakistan State Oil, the national state-owned oil supplier.
Integration Technologies provides equipment for petrol stations which integrates forecourt pumps with …

Booklovers, young and old, flocked to the Pakistani pavilion at the Delhi Book Fair, celebrating the newfound bonhomie between the hitherto estranged neighbours.
The perceptible warmth may not translate into impressive sales figures, but Pakistani publishers are cherishing their visit to the fair, where Pakistan is the theme country…

Indian publishers will exhibit their books in a fair to be held in Lahore next March after Pakistan publishers participated as special guest in weeklong Delhi Book Fair, concluded on Sunday. Pakistani books have received great interest and response from the Indian people, displayed at the Fair by 12 publishers and over 200 people along …

The calendar will help inform national and international tourists about yearly cultural events held across the country, said the officials. Events and festivities like Baisakhi Mela and Basant, which attract a large number of foreign tourists, would be highlighted worldwide, they added. “The department has been provided with a roadmap for development and has also …

In 1983, a ‘princess’ married a ‘woodcutter’. She was 24 and he, 35. Most of her family refused to attend the wedding in Lahore. Her father’s family, the Pirs of Shergarh, were Syeds, proud descendants of the Prophet of Islam. Her mother’s family, the Alis, were Pakistan’s biggest industrialists. Whereas, his family were Punjabi Khatris, …