Pakistani News for the Rest of Us

Pakistan’s Ministry for Information Technology has published draft legislation creating a new foreign data protection regime, which will help European and US companies when outsourcing to the country, according to a report by Islamabad News.
EU law in particular restricts businesses transferring data to countries with weak privacy protection, and with the Ministry apparently expecting growth …

Metallurgical Construction Company of China (MCC) will launch expansion project of its Saindak copper-gold mining project located in Pakistan. The MCC resumed production in Saindak project in August 2003 after a 7-year hiatus. Total investment of this expansion project will probably reach USD 22 mln, and the project is still operated by MCC Resource Development …

For the last couple of years, Chinese firms had been attracting the largest crowds at the India International Trade Fair (IITF). Being a partner country this year, China brought in the largest business delegation, comprising almost 100 companies.
But going by the sparse crowds at the Chinese pavilion, India’s fascination with the dragon seems to be …

IN LESS than three months, Thomas Watters has mastered 38 letters of the Urdu alphabet, twisted his tongue around unfamiliar vocabulary and learnt to write in script.
The first-year pupil at Shawlands Academy in Glasgow is one of several non-Asian children in his class who have chosen to study a language that is not part of …

With the start of a free intellectual exchange between India and Pakistan, Indian readers now have the chance to read books on Pakistan’s history, economy, laws, culture, music and even fiction.
While Indian books have always been available in our neighbouring country, the exchange was, till now, never mutual due to Pakistan’s restrictive trade policy.
Besides Mumbai, …

Top Indian actress Aishwarya Rai’s latest film Bride and Prejudice will hit Pakistani cinemas by December-end. This is seen as a necessary stepping-stone to the co-production of films between India and Pakistan, the Daily Times quoted sources as saying.
According to the paper, Samina Peerzada, a Pak-based film critic who is a staunch supporter of …

Salman Butt overcame a bout of cramps to hammer an unbeaten maiden century as Pakistan beat India by six wickets in a thrilling day-night match at Eden Gardens in Calcutta on Saturday.
The left-handed opener, 20, smashed 13 fours in his aggressive 108 not out to help Pakistan surpass a big Indian total of 292 for …

Two years after its “Passion for Peace” tour stop here rocked Miller Auditorium, Pakistani-American rock group Junoon is back in town with the same goal in mind: To use its music to unite people across ideological and religious divides.
The trio, consisting of founding members Ali Azmat on vocals, guitarist Salman Ahmad and bassist Brian O’Connel, …

The curves of her body are softly delineated in black ink; her head rests on a knee as the detailed lines of her hair spill down a leg.
Copper plating used for her lips and wide eyes shifts the viewers’ focus to her expression, confronting them with a conflicting starkness of emotion.
Pakistan-born artist Zulfiqar Rashid, a …

Mercy Hospital Mount Airy has named Dr. Naveed Fazlani, an associate medical director, its 2004 Physician of the Year.
The award, announced last month, is decided by physicians, hospital staff and medical office staff. It recognizes physicians who demonstrate excellence and caring in direct patient care.
“It is an honor to be recognized by the physicians, nurses …

The global hotel chain, Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts is set to tap the Pakistan tourism market. The group will be managing the operations of Midway House, the oldest hotel in Karachi owned by the Department of Civil Aviation, Pakistan.
Targeting primarily the corporates, Le Meridien Karachi, will open its doors in September 2005. What’s more, …

The frequent rise in the number of burn victims during the last few years made concerned citizens of Karachi to constitute a group known as ‘Friends of Burns Centre’ who along with medical professionals attempted to help provide the city with a full fledged Burns Centre, within the premises of the city’s oldest tertiary …

Organizers of the Cholistan Desert Jeep Rally have finalized holding of the 413-kilometre-long rally from Jan 7 to 9, 2005.
Besides, a week-long Camp Bazaar will also be set up near Derawar Fort to highlight Cholistan culture and handicrafts to generate economic activity for native ‘Rohillas’. To make it culturally more colourful, camel races, bullcart …

The conducive business environment has played a vital role in attracting foreign investment in Pakistan where a foreign investor could start business in 22 days compared with India’s 65 days, government officials said on Wednesday.
“Starting a business in Pakistan requires only 22 days (the lowest in the sample), with India at the bottom with 65 …