Pakistani News for the Rest of Us

Nigeria-based NATIONAL MOTORS is expected to produce small trucks and large-sized prime movers in Pakistan within a year. The company, which is a joint venture of German and Chinese carmakers, will invest US$25 million in an assembly plant. The company is currently manufacturing prime movers and small trucks in Nigeria under the brand name of …

Pakistan’s financial sector is witnessing robust growth in Islamic banking, which is emerging as a happy alternative for millions of faithful who regard conventional banking as impure. The past 18 months have seen a steep increase in Islamic banking counters at key local and foreign banks. Two fully-fledged Islamic banks — one local and one …

South African Tscho Mpolokeng surprised a pack of Kenyan runners to win Pakistan’s first-ever international marathon yesterday. The 28-year-old finished in two hours 15:57 minutes to clinch the first prize of $10,000. The women’s marathon was won by Kenyan Jane Kariuki in two hours 43:03 minutes to take the first prize of $10,000 after a …

Man-of-the-match Abdul Razzaq was 63 not out and took 4-53 to lead Pakistan to a three-wicket win over Australia in a tri-series cricket match Sunday at the WACA Ground. Yousuf Youhana was top scorer for Pakistan with 72 runs as the winners moved ahead of the West Indies and into second place in the …

The preliminary round matches geared into action in the two-day 12th Seven-a-side All Pakistan Paktel GSM Rugby Tournament at F-10 ground on Saturday. The matches on the opening day started at 10.00am and continued till late evening under the floodlights, according to the organisers. There are seven outfits in action in the seniors event - …

Five million people are expected to throng Lahore next weekend for Basant, the spring festival of Hindu origin that has become Muslim-majority Pakistan’s most riotous street party. Glamorous stars of Lollywood (as the local film industry is known), wealthy business families and tens of thousands of the city’s poor will cram on to rooftops to …

The little one survived because she was taken to one of the most remarkable couples in Pakistan, Bilquis Edhi and her husband Abdul Sattar Edhi who run the Edhi Foundation which simply cares for the cast-offs, the desperately poor, the injured and the crippled of Pakistani society. The sack baby was lucky. The foundation specialises …

Lahore goes into history books by hosting the first ever international marathon on Sunday (tomorrow) and the mega event is likely to attract about ten thousand runners. Lahore is all set to organise such a high-profile international event which will feature 60 renowned athletes from 16 countries apart from scores of local runners. “It is …

UNLIKE many children their age, 12-year-old Tariq Hussain Bacha and Zeeshan, 11, have never heard of pop stars Britney Spears or Avril Lavigne. But the two boys from Pakistan`s tough, tribal badlands are now child stars themselves, after selling thousands of albums of traditional songs at home and abroad. And their lives could hardly be …

Classical music buffs in town were treated to a rare and scintillating evening of vocal classical music at the Alliance Francais Thursday evening. The star of the evening was a young woman, Marion Baglan, an opera vocalist from France. Even though most of the presentations were classical, there were some of the contemporary too. Baglan, …

The first ever gender sensitive code of ethics for the print media was launched here on Friday, calling upon media persons to ensure a positive and fair portrayal of gender issues. A group of two to three individuals in each province will regularly monitor news items on gender and women development issues. To publicize the …

Pakistan’s exports surged to more than $6.495 billion, registering an increase of 10.45pc, during July-December 2004, compared to US$5.881 billion during the corresponding period last year. Main commodities for exports during December 2004 included Cotton cloth worth Rs 7,532 million, Knitwear worth Rs 6,859 million, Bedwear worth Rs 6,343 million, Cotton yarn worth Rs 5,060 …

Book street has been designed by Sajjad Kasuar, a professor of architecture at the National College of Arts, Mr Zaheer said. The street will be paved with durable tiles and have wrought iron benches, specially designed wrought iron lights and reading stands and shelves. The street will be open only to pedestrians in the evenings. …

The Punjab Tourism Department has initiated arrangements to set up a restaurant with the ambiance of the Mughal era in the historical building of the Shahi Hamam at Delhi Gate, besides meals, information about the historic Mughal era would also be provided. The department had started restoration work with the cooperation of the federal archaeology …