Tuesday, 31 July 2012
Tuesday, 24 July 2012
BBC Pakistan head comments on Burma Muslim killings ignites Social Media outburst
Karachi: Pakistan’s head of BBC, UK’s official broadcasting organization, has come under harsh criticism from Pakistan’s social media user over his comments on Muslim killings in Burma.
Amir Ahmed Khan, head of BBC’s Pakistan service, reportedly said, according to a Facebook picture, ‘these news (regarding Muslims killings) are not worth of publishing’.
He was speaking at a debate program naming ‘Takrar’ aired on local news channel Express News.
The later sentence quoted him saying “we have highlight Balochistan issue” enraging social media users who termed it a conspiracy to split Pakistan.
Due to some slang words in the picture, it could not be published on koh e gran
Pakistan students Eco Car gets 12th position in Eco Marathon
Karachi: A team of Nadirshaw Eduljee Dinshaw (NED) University of Engineering and Technology made a new record in history of country at Shell Eco Marathon Competition 2012 held in Malaysia by getting 12thposition.
The aim of the event is to introduce less fuel consumption technology. Students of NED University made full use of their abilities and developed a car named Azbi which got 12thposition in International Competition after covering 72 Kilometers in only one liter Gasoline.
Unique car was developed by joint efforts of Electronics and Mechanical departments’ students including Syed Shahbaz Ali, Hassan, Tariq, Husham, Taimor, Tyeb and Adil. Most of the parts used for development of this car are available in Pakistan.
Talking with Daily Naibaat, one of the team member Shahbaz Ali said that to improve the performance and distance covering of Azbi car we used Electronic Fuel Engine and body of the car was made of Fiber Glass.
“Azbi’s mass production will be helpful in reducing fuel shortage in the country,” he added.
Phone hacking: Eight ex-News of the World journalists face charges
London: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has announced that eight people out of 13 would face charges relating to phone hacking.
The CPS announced the name of eight ex-News of the World journalists including Rebekah Brooks, Andy Coulson, Stuart Kuttner, Glenn Mulcaire, Greg Miskew, Ian Edmondson, Neville Thurlbeck and James Weatherup here on Tuesday morning.
A further three people on police bail over hacking allegations have not been charged. The decision relating to two others has been deferred, the CPS has said.
A good library will never be too neat
“A good library will never be too neat, or too dusty, because somebody will always be in it, taking books off the shelves, and staying up late reading them.” I wish that the editors of Sindh University’s website had gone through those words of Lemony Snicket before showing enormous skills of Photoshop.
Today, where my day started by receiving shocking texts of my British Colleagues about another corruption Scandal of fake passports for Olympics games, blew my head with the thought that why we are the only nation left to invent all new scandals to disgrace ourselves further more in the eyes of the world. I could not believe that where not only common people but also civil servants fail to receive a prompt passport then how a fake could manage to achieve a passport with fake name and then contacted appropriate people to induct him into an Olympic Squad. . However, it was only the start of the day as Lemony Snicket describes in the series of unfortunate events, that when you start up your day with a bad news, the whole day Karma of bad events haunts you like a ghost. It happened to me when I went through website of my own Institution University of Sindh.
I wonder, about the genius for getting the idea to upload photoshopped photographs of Central Library. This is the institution, which has given great brains to all over the world, who never felt ashamed by wandering around in dusty and windy climate of Jamshoro, where greenery is like a sweet dream due to drought and dry weather. Where river is dry like a widow’s tears, yet the fishmongers sing with pleasure at the edge and thank Allah in all means.
The students of University never felt ashamed on the old buildings or lake of facilities including my own self. I proudly introduce myself as a graduate and post graduate of University of Sindh, which did not gave me ability to show my skills anywhere in the world but I can proudly compete with any student of any great institution of the world rather achieve more good marks. In addition, it is not only me; University of Sindh has a long list of world famous intellectuals, scientists, and philosophers. When we never cared about the grass or the fake looks of our holy institutes, why the administration is then ridiculing them. Even now, when I visited Pakistan and went to meet my teachers, I felt pride on the passion of the students who were in the classes without any electricity in extreme hot weather of sizzling April.
To promote an institution, it is vital to provide uninterrupted and high quality of education, not the buildings. The authorities should not forget the cruel reality that still none of our educational organisation is truly recognised at any level internationally. We do hard work, we get medals, but when we come abroad, we again repeat only being Pakistanis. Success and respect can come with a peaceful environment, which is perhaps diminishing now a days, as I feel so sorry when read news about boycotts and strikes in the University. The system is as it is as it was 20 years ago, rather more bad and worst. There is daily some incident, or murder or strike, Where native teachers and students are not secure due to political confrontations and melancholic atmosphere, how an international student would risk their lives.
I wish and pray that the authorities shall reconsider and do not make further attempt of tempering to ridicule us further in foreign states. We are proud of our broken buildings and dry lands. We do not need photo-shopped buildings; we need a great level of educational system, which is possible due to our great teachers, who only need security.
Thursday, 19 July 2012
Porn star Veena removed from Hero TV’s Astaghfar show
Karachi: Apparently succumbing to public uproar and online petition in Social Media,Porn star Veen Malik, a controversial Pakistan-based Indian actress, has been removed from Astaghfar Show, a Ramadan-based program at newly launched Hero TV.
A highly placed source in Express Media Group, which launched Hero TV, told The News Tribe that it was confirmed that the bold actress had been removed from the program.
Earlier trailers and news that Veena Malik, will do Astaghfaar show on Hero TV channel sparked an outcry across the country.
An earlier report of The News Tribequotes
“Veena not in reality but in performance will repent from her sin whatever and wherever she committed in her life. Isn’t very strange news to know? Has she left showbiz or involved showbiz in the religion?The controversial queen who not only broke all records of vulgarity while performing nude photo shots for Indian magazine but declared herself as successful actress for her shameful perform in the past.A height of stupidity planned by Hero TV Channel to hire Veena as host of religious program for achieving cheap popularity and masses towards watching the show however public anger is likely to create as the controversial queen is absolutely misfit for such religious program.
Later an online petition created to be submitted to Pemra for stopping the controversial actress hosting the religious show.
But its not confirmed, either petition or public outcry is the reason that has caused removal of Veena from the program.
Imran Khan to get Ph.D from Royal Physicians College Edinburgh
Islamabad: Though not confirmed the reasons behind this, Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf’s Chairman Imran Khan will get a Ph.D. from a premier ‘physician’s’ college from United Kingdom.
A tweet from official account of PTI and other PTI leaders reveal the conferment of the degree.
Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh is reportedly giving Ph.D to the cricketer turned politician Khan. However no confirmation could be seen on Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh
Wednesday, 11 July 2012
Problems emerge in Samsung Galaxy S3
London:
No matter Samsung is a world’s biggest smartphone seller and received 9
million pre-orders worldwide since the release of Galaxy S3, problems
have emerged in its highest selling brand.
According to some reports, the battery
drain issue has only been reported on the international version of the
Galaxy S3. The few lucky users who managed to get their hands on US
version of Samsung Galaxy S3 have reported that the battery of their
handset is working fine. Several android phones have also reported that
there is a drain in the battery. The power consumption of the phone is
50-70 percent more than the actual use. A software update issued to fix
the problem. Even the Samsung Galaxy S3′s U.S versions have reported
this problem when connected to LTE.
The Wi-Fi connectivity in the Samsung
Galaxy S3 is flawed as users have had a itch when they try to connect to
internet in cafes and homes. The company is trying to fix the issue and
will be releasing a software update for the problem.
Samsung Galaxy S3 users have posted in
many forums that their handset sometimes gets stuck on a certain
percentage of battery level while charging, resulting in an unusually
longer charging time. The users say that the problem gets resolved
instantly if the battery is once removed and then attached again.
However, the solution is just temporary (sounds like a software bug) and
the battery meter gets stuck again at some point.
The microphone which is the DNA of
Galaxy S3 is it malfunctions. The people have complained that the volume
levels are low on the receiving end and the call is not clear. It is
pretty sarcastic and funny that a smartphone can’t make proper calls.
Anyhow, according to Fix Ya, updating the firmware or restoring the S3
to the default factory settings should be a solution to the microphone
problem in Samsung Galaxy S3.
Amazingly, Fun47, referencing the users,
states that the phone is just too thin and danger further when the user
is wearing tight jeans. However, we doubt such an issue will really
manage to break the Galaxy S3. So it is probably not much to worry
about.
Faces of Shan, Madiha Naqvi go red as guest boasted of using Sathi condom
Lahore: Sex, condom and family planning are the things you will rarely found being discussed on Pakistani TV channels.
But on Wednesday early morning not only
faces of Shan and Madiha Naqvi, host and co-host of Geo’s morning show
Geo Shan Se, but the viewers went red due to condom.
In his show on World Population Day,
Shan was discussing with his guests, seemingly laborers, about how much
and why they have so many children. One of them said he had nine
children while the other went on boasting, had he not used Sathi, a
local brand of condom, he would have more than 14 children.
Madiha Naqvi mourned the words with her
head resting on her fist while Shan tried to remove his embarrassment
through singing a song “Sathi Mere Mushkil Jeena” before going to a
commercial break.
To avoid such embarrassing situation TV anchors should be careful while discussing such topics.
Tuesday, 10 July 2012
Nasim Zehra withdraws her resignation, staying with Dunya News
person and Director Dunya News
Current Affairs, has taken back her resignations on Tuesday after the TV
management asked her to assist framing code of conduct for
anchorpersons.
Zehra has tendered her resignation to Dunya News management
after a scandal of Anchorgate appeared through leaked video in which
her fellow anchors—Mehar Bukhari and Mubashir Luqman- were apparently
involved in the planted interview of Malik Riaz, a real estate magnet.
In her tweet message, she said, “Dunya
News has asked me to stay on help set up a Code of Conduct for Anchors,
which is a general consensus after interview/video saga was Code is a
Must. After thinking over the proposal, I realized that it provides me
an opportunity to address an issue we are all concerned about so I have
taken back my resignation.”
In the aftermath of anchorgate scandal,
the image and respect of media and journalists have been hurt badly and
many questions have been raised on the impartiality, responsibility and
role of the media in the political and social scenario of the country.
She thinks that the leaked video
generated questions in the mind of viewers as if anchors are playing in
the hands of Malik Riaz.
She believes that an anchor plays a
vital role in making public opinion. It is an important and sacred
position because their views reflected on the thinking of people.
Nasim Zehra is the person who did not
take bold decision but she also saved the dignity of the media, which
has been observed under harsh criticism for its irresponsible role and
corruption due to particularly class of anchors.
Though she took back her resignation for
an important cause but her gesture proved to be a significant move
against yellow journalism and black sheep of media industry.
Nasim Zehra: An intellectual, a columnist, a professor
Nasim Zehra is an anchor and a columnist
and contributed actively in making public opinion. Her writing career
was impressive and quite long in the field of journalism and expert but
later she joined a mainstream media for a leading role.
She is a fellow of Harvard University
Asia Center, Cambridge, Mass. and Adjunct professor at SAIS Johns
Hopkins University, Washington DC.
Zehar became Pakistan’s Special Envoy on
UN Reforms, representing the country on many international visits. She
was also conferred Sitara-e-Imtiaz for her valuable services to nation
and country.
She has been working as Director Current
Affairs of Pakistan’s News TV Channel Dunya TV. She also hosts Current
Affairs program on Dunya TV with the name of “POLICY MATTERS”.
paksitani Govt plans suicide attack on ISI?
After escaping, what appeared to
be a suicide attack in the shape of memogate, the Pakistan People
Party government now plans effort to tame the country`s principal spy
service the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) through parliamentary
legislation and make it fully `answerable` to parliament and the
government. Pakistan’s leading
English newspaper daily Dawn reported on Monday that a 19-page draft of
a bill has been submitted in the Senate by president`s spokesman
Senator Farhatullah Babar and may be taken up during the session
commencing from Monday (today).
Dawn said the proposed Inter-Services
Intelligence Agency (Functions, Powers and Regulation) Act, 2012
suggests that the ISI should be answerable to parliament and the prime
minister.
The newspaper said it recommends
internal accountability and a better discipline system within the agency
to put an end to enforced disappearances and victimisation of political
parties.
The newspaper observed that t is for the first time that a serious
effort is being made to streamline the affairs of the agency which has
always remained under criticism.
The PPP government’s past suggest that
it would make no delay to shun the idea of taming the ISI if it sees a
new “scandal” is going to strike it.
The government had earlier dropped a plan to bring the ISI under the civilian control following the army reaction.
Zardari invites Hindu pundits 2seek political advices
Lahore: The top leadership of
the ruling Pakistan People’s Party is superstitious and makes its future
plans keeping in view advices and predictions of the top local and
foreign astrologists.
President Asif Ali Zaradi who is also
co-chairman of the Bhutto’s party is a superstitious man and it was
evident from his long stay in Karachi in the beginning of New Year.
According to reports astrologist had advised him to stay near seaside.
Famous Pakistani astrologist Saima Khan
said that Hindu pundits are also invited in the President House to seek
advices and predictions to devise future policies for the PPP and the
government.
Speaking at a TV show on Thursday
morning, she said even oaths, appointments and other crucial programs
are also scheduled with the consultation of the astrologists and the
Hindu pundits.
Saima Khan further said that 2012 was the year of rapid changes for Pakistan and the situation would remain precarious till 23rd of October this year. “No stability could be predicted before October,” she observed.
Replying a query, Mrs. Khan said that
The Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz would
have to make an alliance to form government following next general
election which is expected to be held next year.
Samsung Galaxy S3 Review: Our Take
Design: Sleek, Stylish and You will Love the Colors!
Let us start with the design. The design
of Samsung galaxy S3 is playing an important role in its sale.
According to Samsung it is a nature inspired smartphone. When you first
hold S3, the nature theme is there which allows you to choose between
different backgrounds including “Marble White” and “Pebble Blue”.
The dimensions of the smartphone are
136.6 x 78.6 x 8.6mm. It is a large device with a Super AMOLED HD screen
of 4.8 inches. 4.8 inches is reasonable screen size for a powerful
device like Galaxy S3. If we look at the back cover then as always its
plastic but keep in mind that it is not ordinary plastic which gives
cheap feeling on holding like of some other Galaxy Devices. It is made
up of polycarbonate which is far better than the ordinary plastic. When
the back cover is removed to look at the interior, it is found to well
adjusted and packed. I would like to add before concluding the design
section that you will feel the same sensation which you felt after using
the Samsung Galaxy S2 for the first time.
Interface: Android 4.0 is Fast and Beautiful!
All of the Galaxy fans will know that
Galaxy S3 is running on the latest Android 4.0 named as ice cream
sandwich. The interface is basically the same but with changes and
improvements. The main improvement is the speed. The lag with which
android users were used to is not there even if multiple apps are
running at the same time. Here I would like to mention that this
smartphone wakes up from sleep in absolutely no time which shows the
improvement in speed.
Secondly the lock screen method and
design has been changed. When you touch the screen you will notice a
little water drop under your finger on the screen and when unlocking the
screen you will hear the sound of a drop falling in water. The whole
process is simply very pleasing but with time it gets irritating and
turning off the sound will not be a bad option. Applications can also be
accessed from the lock screen of your phone by drawing gestures.
Camera: More than Enough But not Pro!
The camera fitted in the device is 8
mega pixels. If we look at the smartphone market then it seems like 8mp
is a bit less than required but if you look at the situation like this
that why will anyone need a camera more than this in their phone? I am
not saying that 12mp is not that good, 12 mp is quiet good and in my
opinion there is no need to fit a camera more than required like the one
fitted in Nokia Lumia 900 (41mp camera). However, if you think you can
use it for professional purposes, think again! Buddy photo share, Burst
Mode and Face zoom are some of the main features.
Features: Powerful Processor with Adequate Memory!
Camera, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi are the
essential features of any smartphone, which we already know are present
in the Galaxy S III. It has a powerful processor of 1.4GHz working under
the hood which makes the processing of functions very speedy and lag
free. It is available in 16/32 and 64 GB built in memories which can be
extended by adding an extra 64 GB with the help of external SD card.
Internet is also quiet fast due the EDGE capability. Other features
include FM Radio as well.
Final Verdict and Price: Less than Expected!
Sometimes, along with other metrics, the
overall sale of any product or service can give strong hints about the
quality and usability of that particular product. The South Korean
vendor has flaunted their 79% boost in sales, which has fetched them
$5.9 billion in terms of profit in a short period of 3 months, not just
that, but they also suggested they expect to see further increase in
sales and are looking forward to sell 19 million unites by September,
their all time high.
The graph and statistics above draw a
picture, which proves that S3 is a popular choice as of now, and it’s
not merely based on hyper marketing, but the gadget is actually very
sleek, however, the only the only segment where it lacks is its size,
well to me at least!
As far price is concerned, Samsung had held a launching event in Lahore earlier in June and put a price tag of Rs. 62,000/-
Even though the country’s economy is
weak and affordability is iffy, but if you want to shell out some pretty
without waiting for the launch of iPhone 5, then S3 is probably one of
your best bet as of now.
Bloggers Intro
The blogger is a technology evangelist who actively explores & writes about gadgetry, both hardware and software.
Dual nationality saga
This is with reference to
ongoing debate on disqualification of law makers having dual nationality
. I appreciate the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government, for coming
up with the proposed bill in order to make lawmakers, having dual
nationality, eligible to participate in upcoming elections as the
Supreme Court disqualified few legislators including former Interior
Minister Rehman Malik. At the same same time I would like to suggest
government allies to throw weight behind PPP, as sorry saga of dual
nationality is an attempt on supremacy of parliament.
I would quote former Prime Minister
Yousuf Raza Gilani’s speech, which he delivered on 13th January 2012, I
was also there in visitors’ gallery in Parliament attending the session,
Gilani said the lawmakers should get together to strengthen Parliament
as even “crows get united in difficult times” In my opinion, by taking
unconstitutional measures, the legislators, including Farahnaz Ispahani
and Rehman Malik of the ruling PPP were disqualified by the court. I
believe that this is against the values of a democratic government and
could create rifts between the institutions. In the light of the
constitution, it is the duty of the executive and the Election
Commission to disqualify any legislator, and nowhere in the constitution
is it written that Pakistanis cannot hold dual citizenship and cannot
become legislators and bureaucrats.
The saga of dual nationality held by
parliamentarians is being widely condemned in Pakistan because on the
one hand, dual nationals have been given the right to vote for electing
members of parliament in Pakistan, while on the other hand, dual
nationals have no right to represent them (dual nationals) and the
nation as a whole. What an irony!
Regarding the dual nationality issue,
the Attorney General Irfan Qadir’s view is also very clear that the
Supreme Court had no jurisdiction to suspend or disqualify any lawmaker
and its earlier decision to suspend the membership of Farahnaz Ispahani
was without any authority. During court proceedings, Attorney General
Qadir insisted that the issue raised a question over whether or not the
court had the mandate to disqualify parliamentarians. He also raised
objections to the chief justice’s referral to fake degree cases as a
precedent, saying that the members would continue sitting in the
assemblies to address the miseries of overseas Pakistanis.
If we look at the background of the dual
nationality saga, we would come to know that even established
democracies of the world have no issue with any public office holder who
is a dual national. We have a few examples from established democracies
of the world. Arnold Schwarzenegger retained his Austrian citizenship
during his service as the governor of California. Former Canadian Prime
Minister John Turner was a dual citizen born in the UK; there was no
issue about his dual citizenship and holding public office. In Pakistan,
there should be a debate on the issue of dual citizenship. Parliament
should decide the issue and legislate as we have practical examples of
established democracies of the world.
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