Imran-Alvi tape ‘talk of the town’

KHAWAR GHUMMAN 

Mr Khan appears happy with the news that PTV’s broadcasts had been shut down in August of last year.—AFP/File

ISLAMABAD: The recording of a phone call purported to be a conversation between PTI Chairman Imran Khan and a key party legislator, where Mr Khan appears happy with the news that PTV’s broadcasts had been shut down in August of last year, remained the top news story across all private news channels on Friday.

Although both the PTI chairman and the MNA in question, Dr Arif Alvi, have denied the content of the conversation, the government’s spin doctors have been following the development feverishly. 

The media wing of the Prime Minister’s Office even shared a list of cell phone numbers of ruling party lawmakers who could be contacted for input on the issue of the leaked tape.

Take a look: PTI, PAT protesters storm PTV headquarters

Believing in the veracity of the taped conversation, Information Minister Pervez Rashid criticised the PTI chairman for not effectively responding to the allegations.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar took a jibe at the beleaguered party, saying: “It seems the PTI chairman is disturbed by the leaked tape. The government, however, is sticking to its agreement on the judicial commission.”

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PTI maintains tape doctored; PML-N’s ‘enthusiastic’ reaction leaves many puzzled

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He was responding to Mr Khan’s presser in Lahore earlier in the day, where he had warned the government against backing out of its accord on the commission.

Talking to media in Lahore, Imran Khan said, “I haven’t listened to the tape, but I can say with surety whatever it’s about. It will not have me ordering someone’s murder or receiving extortion money.”

Dr Alvi, on the other hand, told a TV channel that the recording was concocted because he had only informed Mr Khan about the attack on PTV headquarters and asked for his immediate statement condemning the act.

He also tweeted that he believed the recording had been doctored, adding that recording private conversations was an illegal act.

“In contrast, the released tape with our voices gives an impression that he was happy with the occupation of PTV and wanted the state broadcaster to remain shut.” According to the tape, the PTI chairman directed Dr Alvi to get in touch with MQM leader Altaf Hussain in London to deliver on his promise of support for the PTI’s demand for the PM’s resignation.

Notwithstanding the veracity of the recording, the timing of its release has raised many eyebrows.

The MQM is currently under pressure due to the ongoing law and order operation in Karachi. The PM has already advised the president to grant a one month extension to Saulat Mirza, a death row convict who accused MQM chief Altaf Hussain and other party leaders of patronising target killers.

The proposed judicial commission constituted to investigate the last general election is still to be formally constituted, though the PTI and the government have finally agreed on it.

Asked to comment on the recording, a political observer said with so much happening on the political front, one couldn’t say with any certainty what the latest controversy was all about. However, he said: “I’m surprised by the feverish response from the government.”

He added that on one side the government claimed that it wanted political stability in the country by constituting judicial commission, but was busy ruffling the PTI’s feathers at the same time.

A second political commentator said he could clearly see the rising political temperature. “The tape scandal is just a prelude to a volatile political situation that the country is going to witness in the coming weeks and months.”

Published in Dawn, March 28th, 2015

http://www.dawn.com/news/1172405/imran-alvi-tape-talk-of-the-town

From the 'Cool Cat' to Iceman Dhoni - A look back at the previous World Cup finals

From the 'Cool Cat' to Iceman Dhoni - A look back at the previous World Cup finals

Australia's captain Michael Clarke, left, and New Zealand’s captain Brendon McCullum pose for a photo with the Cricket World Cup trophy at the MCG

1975: WEST INDIES BEAT AUSTRALIA BY 17 RUNS AT LORD'S

West Indies captain Clive Llyod. — Photo courtesy PA Photos

Striking the ball with relaxed brutality, West Indies' captain Clive Lloyd tamed an attack headed by the pace and fury of Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson to score 102 from 85 balls.

He was ably assisted by the 39-year-old Rohan Kanhai, a late replacement for the injured Garfield Sobers.

Kanhai contributed 55 to West Indies' 291-8 from their 60 overs.

Australia captain Ian Chappell led a spirited reply with 62 before he fell victim to one of three run outs effected by the electric reflexes of Viv Richards. Australia lost five wickets in total to run outs.

Lillee and Thomson added 41 for the final wicket before Australia were finally dismissed for 274 at twilight on the longest day of the year.

1979: WEST INDIES BEAT ENGLAND BY 92 RUNS AT LORD'S

Viv Richards stroked an imperious 138 and Collis King struck a whirlwind 86 to power West Indies to 286-9 in their 60 overs.

Although England captain Mike Brearley and Geoff Boycott put on 129 for the first wicket, they took up 38 of the 60 overs.

After their dismissals, the giant Joel Garner ran through the middle order with a series of unplayable yorkers to take five wickets in 11 balls and give his team victory by 92 runs.

Colin Croft also took three wickets.

Indian captain Kapil Dev receiving World Cup trophy. — Courtesy photo

1983: INDIA BEAT WEST INDIES BY 43 RUNS AT LORD'S

Viv Richards seemed intent on winning the final against underdogs India on his own after West Indies had been set a modest 184 to win.

He struck seven boundaries in his 33 from 28 balls before top-edging a hook which India captain Kapil Dev, running away from the pitch towards the boundary at mid-wicket, coolly collected.

West Indies imploded thereafter, with India recording a famous 43-run victory which was to have profound implications at home where one-day cricket quickly superseded the test game as the most popular form of the sport.

World champion Australian team in 1987. — Photo: cricket.com.au

1987: AUSTRALIA BEAT ENGLAND BY SEVEN RUNS AT EDEN GARDENS

Because of the shorter daylight hours on the sub-continent all matches were played over 50 overs, now the standard length, instead of 60.

Opener David Boon's 75 took Australia to 253-5 which seemed to be not enough.

England appeared to be cruising to victory at Kolkata's Eden Gardens when Mike Gatting tried a reverse sweep off opposition captain Allan Border's first delivery and lobbed a simple catch.

A well-drilled and disciplined Australia side went on to win by seven runs.

1992: PAKISTAN BEAT ENGLAND BY 22 RUNS AT THE MCG

1992 World Cup winners Pakistan. — Photo: Patric Eager

Coloured clothing, floodlights and a white ball, all pioneered in World Series cricket, were finally introduced into the tournament.

Famously urged by captain Imran Khan to “fight like cornered tigers,” Pakistan rebounded from imminent elimination in the opening round to defeat England in the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

All-rounder Imran scored 72 batting at number three in his final match for his country as his side posted 249-6 in 50 overs.

He also took the final wicket after his protege Wasim Akram had blown away Ian Botham, Allan Lamb and Chris Lewis.

Leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed also took three wickets for Pakistan.

1996: SRI LANKA BEAT AUSTRALIA BY SEVEN WICKETS IN LAHORE

Aravinda de Silva (r) and Arjuna Ranatunga (l) during the 1996 World Cup final between Sri Lanka and Australia. — Courtesy photo

Captain Mark Taylor's 74 took Australia to 241-7 in 50 overs at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Sri Lanka lost explosive openers Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana early but a 125-run stand for the third wicket between Aravinda de Silva (107 not out) and Asanka Gurusinha (65) put them on course for their first title.

De Silva, their most accomplished batsman, and captain Arjuna Ranatunga (47 not out) then added 97 for the unbroken fourth wicket to see their side through for a seven-wicket win.

1999: AUSTRALIA BEAT PAKISTAN BY EIGHT WICKETS AT LORD'S

Australia, the world's best test side, made a no contest of the final against Pakistan, taking barely 4-1/2 hours to overwhelm the 1992 champions.

Pakistan were all out for 132 in 39 overs, with leg-spinner Shane Warne taking four wickets which proved an easy target for Australia to chase down.

Wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist smashed 54 off 36 balls as his side chased down the total in 20.1 overs with eight wickets to spare.

2007 World Cup winning Australian team. — Courtesy photo

2003: AUSTRALIA BEAT INDIA BY 125 RUNS IN JOHANNESBURG

Australia's new one-day captain Ricky Ponting struck eight sixes in his 140 not out in the final against India as his team scaled new heights with a relentless 125-run victory.

The Australians became the first team to win three World Cups and took their unbeaten run in the tournament to 16.

Riding on Ponting's imperious ton and half-centuries from Adam Gilchrist and Damien Martyn, Australia made 359-2.

The total proved too tough for India who were bundled out for 234 inside 40 overs despite 82 from opener Virender Sehwag.

2007: AUSTRALIA BEAT SRI LANKA BY 53 RUNS (D/L) IN BARBADOS

Adam Gilchrist bettered Ponting's record tally in a final with a typically audacious 149.

Australia finished with victory over Sri Lanka in a rain-shortened final at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni plays a shot during the 2011 World Cup final between India and Sri Lanka. — Photo: AFP

The win gave Australia their third title in a row and fourth overall World Cup title.

2011: INDIA BEAT SRI LANKA BY SIX WICKETS IN MUMBAI

Mahela Jayawardene scored an unbeaten 103 in Sri Lanka's challenging 274-6 but India recovered from a slow start to win by six wickets with 10 balls to spare at the Wankhede Stadium.

Gautam Gambhir made 97 and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni an unbeaten 91 as India became the first country to win the World Cup final on home soil.

Source: Agencies

http://www.dawn.com/news/1172239/the-finals-from-the-cool-cat-to-iceman-dhoni

Pakistan, Bangladesh combine to flood BCCI with 'mauka'

SPORTS DESK 

Fans from Pakistan and Bangladesh scored a victory of another kind on Friday. —Screen grab from video

When defending champions India were hammered by Australia in the World Cup semi-final on Thursday, fans from Pakistan and Bangladesh knew their mauka had finally come.

To rub salt into the wounds of MS Dhoni's team a day after their 92-run loss to Australia, enthusiastic fans from Pakistan and Bangladesh (both lost to India) called the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) headquarters more than 200 times to remind them of their thrashing by singing Mauka, mauka. 

Mauka, mauka (opportunity), a popular TV ad that aired during the World Cup, captured a Pakistani fans endless journey to beat India at the cricket showpiece. While that wait did not end at this year's tournament, fans scored a victory of another kind on Friday.

As soon as the staff at the BCCI headquarters would pick up, the callers would sing: “Mauka mauka! Kya hua mauke ka? (What happened to the opportunity)?” the Indian Express reported.

“The BCCI office number is available on our website. These over-zealous people were simply happy that India lost. They pulled a prank on us but after a point it got really irritating. The advertisement was popular but I didn’t expect it to come back at us like this,” a BCCI staff member said.

According to the report, the calls started around 4 pm on Friday and were such a nuisance for those present at the BCCI offices that they had to disconnect the lines.

“We got the telephone company to trace the origin of these calls. A large number of them were from Bangladesh, while the rest were from Pakistan,” the BCCI staff member added.

The BCCI staff usually receives calls inquiring about match tickets and schedules but this was the first instance fans from overseas had made such an effort.

“This is the first time we have received calls from outside the country to mock the Indian team’s performance,” the staffer said.

http://www.dawn.com/news/1172457/pakistan-bangladesh-combine-to-flood-bcci-with-mauka

Lal Masjid case: Musharraf's arrest warrants sent to Karachi police

SHAKEEL QARAR 

Musharraf's counsel had previously questioned the jurisdiction of the court as a case regarding Lal Masjid is already pending in Supreme Court. He had also requested exemption from appearing in court for this case. - AP/File

ISLAMABAD: Bailable arrest warrants for former president retired General Pervez Musharraf, that were issued by a local court in Islamabad, were delivered to Karachi police by Aabpara police on Friday.

The warrants were issued against the ex-president in the murder case of Lal Masjid cleric Ghazi Abdul Rasheed. The Aabpara police also obtained surety bonds for Musharraf worth Rs100,000.

The next hearing for the Abdul Rashid Ghazi murder case will take place on April 2, chaired by the Additional Sessions Judge Wajid Ali Khan. The court had also ordered Musharraf's appearance in the hearing.

Musharraf's counsel had previously questioned the jurisdiction of the court as a case regarding Lal Masjid is already pending in Supreme Court. He had also requested exemption from appearing in court for this case.

Know more: Court issues arrest warrant for Musharraf in Lal Masjid case

In 2013, police registered a case against Musharraf over the alleged murder of cleric Ghazi Abdul Rasheed and his wife during the Lal Masjid military operation.

Musharraf faces a string of court cases dating back to his 1999-2008 rule, including the death of Ghazi, one of more than 100 people killed after Pakistani troops stormed the Red Mosque in Islamabad on July 10, 2007.

http://www.dawn.com/news/1172233/lal-masjid-case-musharrafs-arrest-warrants-sent-to-karachi-police

Comment: India squandered the chance of retaining title

SUNIL GAVASKAR 

Indian cricket fans watch, in silence, the end of India's semi-finals match against Australia, on a giant TV screen at a local mall in New Delhi on March 26, 2015.— AFP

Australia have joined co-hosts New Zealand in the final of the ICC World Cup. This is the second consecutive time that both the co-hosts have reached the final and it will be interesting to see if New Zealand will be able to do to ‘big brother’ Australia what Sri Lanka were unable to do to India in the last World Cup final.

The toss was always going to be vital more so for India than Australia and when Michael Clarke won it and opted to bat first India needed to restrict the Australians to a score under 300 if they had a chance of getting in the final. That didn’t quite happen as Mitchell Johnson hit a quick fire 27 in just about nine balls and took Australia to a score that had never been surpassed before in the semi-finals of the World Cup.

Before that it was sensible batting by Steve Smith and the out-of-form Aaron Finch that laid the foundation for Australia’s innings. Steve Smith has been a thorn in India’s side throughout this summer in Australia and in this last encounter too he was the one who thwarted India’s ambitions of retaining the cup. He got a brilliant hundred and along with Finch ensured that India did not get early wickets. Finch had not scored a half-century since the hundred he scored in the inaugural game of the World Cup against England but he was willing to bide his time and give more of the strike to Smith who was batting fluently. After Smith got an inevitable century, Finch also perished and when Michael Clarke and Maxwell fell in consecutive overs India would have had thoughts of containing the Aussies to under 300. That didn’t quite happen as Johnson swung his bat merrily and the momentum swung back Australia’s way.

AUSTRALIAN paceman Mitchell Johnson jubilates after cleaning up Indian opener Rohit Sharma.—Reuters

India needed a hundred-plus start from their openers and they nearly got it till Dhawan lost patience and went for a shot which wasn’t there and holed out in the deep. Then Kohli on whom so much depended tried to macho his way out and perished attempting a pull shot even though he had just come in to bat and had not got used to the bounce. It was poor shot selection and the match now was Australia’s to lose.

Ajinkya Rahane and Dhoni had a partnership but it was not enough and Rahane disappointed playing another of those steers that ended up in the hands of the wicket-keeper for the third time this world cup. Dhoni knew at that stage that it was all up to him for Raina had a poor game in the Sydney Test match and sometimes these kinds of things stay in the mind.

In the end the better team won but India did squander its chances. This team was a young team not as experienced as the one that won the last World Cup. It was a credible effort alright but the end result was disappointing.

By Special Arrangement for Dawn

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2015

http://www.dawn.com/news/1172097/comment-india-squandered-the-chance-of-retaining-title

Footprints: Silencing the loudspeakers IMRAN AYUB

Footprints: Silencing the loudspeakers

IMRAN AYUB

Will the ban root out extremism?.—AFP/File

A WIDE service road between Clayton Quarters and Martin Quarters along Jahangir Road in Karachi turns into a narrow lane. An easy calm prevails in this densely-populated locality just as in countless other lower middle-class neighbourhoods of the city after Friday prayers.

I pulled up under a neem tree as advised by Abdul Aziz Qadri — peshimam (prayer leader) of Rahmani Jama Masjid. The twittering of the birds overhead is the only sound to be heard.

“Just wait there. I am sending a kid to guide you,” responded Mr Qadri when I called him. After a few minutes I was in the veranda of the masjid where 40 or maybe 50 people, mostly kids and youngsters, were seen roaming around. Some were sitting in one corner having a chat, a few were offering prayers and a handful were busy reciting the Quran.

Also read: Registration of cases under amplifier act angers clerics

“Please come inside for Salaam,” a young bearded man with a brown turban told me. I followed the others and the very next moment almost everyone — except those offering prayers — were in the masjid’s hall. “Imran sahib?” the turbaned man turned to me introducing himself as Mr Qadri.

“Join us; we may talk after this [Salaam],” he said as I introduced myself. With folded arms, Mr Qadri stood close to the minbar (pulpit) and led everyone in reciting the Salaam — Mustafa Jaan-i-Rehmat pay lakhon salaam.

With no microphone and sound system, everyone around him repeated loudly every couplet he recited of the kalaam of Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi — the 19th-century scholar who is regarded as founder of the Barelvi school of thought in South Asia.

“This is the way we recite Salaam these days,” Mr Qadri told me after the recitation, knowing full well the curiosity which had led me to request a meeting with him. Like any Friday, the cleric was reciting Salaam with pretty much the same members of the congregation last month when a few policemen entered the mosque, seized the sound system and put the people participating in the recitation, including Mr Qadri, into two mobiles and took them to a nearby police station.

“They told us that it’s [reciting Salaam on loudspeakers] not allowed anymore,” he said recalling the events. “Then came their officer who said it’s an illegal act now and that we would be booked for this. Reciting Salaam over loudspeakers is a ‘crime’ in this land of the pure now — isn’t it strange?” observed the cleric smiling broadly.

Mr Qadri and the others, however, were released after a few hours without facing any charges, but were warned following protests by area people and “surety of their characters” by some prominent community members. Since then, he said, it’s been almost a month that Salaam before every azan and after Friday prayers is being recited without loudspeakers.

Under the National Action Plan, banning the use of loudspeakers except for azan and Arabic sermons during Friday prayers is one of the several measures the government had announced. Apparently devised to block hate speech on sectarian grounds, discourage expression of extreme views publicly and promote religious harmony, the move has also affected the Salat-o-Salaam tradition mainly practised by mosques affiliated with the Barelvi school of thought. This has hurt the sentiments of many and a number of people in the city have been detained by the police on this account.

The Rahmani Jama Masjid episode is one such example. But Mr Qadri believes it’s just the beginning of an unrelenting campaign against “misuse of loudspeakers” that would also hit people like him and others for their “love of Salat-o-Salaam”. His fears were heightened last week when the Sindh governor promulgated the Sindh Sound System (Regulation) Ordinance, 2015 to regulate and control the use of sound systems in the province.

In Punjab, the campaign has already caused quite a stir where by the end of last month, the government had arrested more than 2,000 clerics and others for “misusing loudspeakers”; Barelvi groups claim this figure includes those who were reciting Salaam before azan and after Friday prayers.

“We were conveyed over the past few weeks through leaders from parties of Ahle Sunnat and senior clerics like Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rahman that there is no threat [to reciting Salaam on loudspeakers],” Mr Qadri said. “Mostly people are not doing this out of fear. I can compromise under the government rules but would they [the government and police] guarantee that it would bring peace? Will it put an end to hate speech? Will it root out extremism? It’s killing a decades-old tradition and [affecting] people’s sentiments for sure.”

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2015

http://www.dawn.com/news/1172108/footprints-silencing-the-loudspeakers

6 Pakistani celebs who could replace Zayn Malik in One Direction

ENTERTAINMENT DESK 

Imran's used to taking center stage, and he has the hair for it. Move over, Zayn.

Zayn Malik broke many a teenage heart recently when he announced he'd be leaving the boy band One Direction.

Born to a British Pakistani father, Yaser Malik, and an Irish/English mother Trica Malik, in Bradford, West Yorkshire, the 22-year-old singer made many young Pakistani hearts skip a beat — after all, how many Pakistanis can claim to be global superstars, discovered by none other than X-Factor judges Simon Cowell and Nicole Scherzinger?

All that changed when Zayn decided to leave One Direction after five years owing to the accusations against him for cheating on his fiancé Perrie Edwards of Little Mix. Although Zayn cleared the air by declaring his love for Edwards on Twitter, it appears that the young lad has had enough of the spotlight when he announced on social media: “I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight.”

What with the global mourning taking place over Zayn's departure, the pressing question on everyone's minds is: who's going to take his place?

Given that he's half Pakistani, we can't help but feel adding a Pakistani band mate in his place would help the transition. And we're not shot of eligible celebrities.

So here's our list of which Pakistani celebs should take Zayn's place — and why.

Read: Zayn Malik quits boy band ‘One Direction’

Salman Ahmed — he's available

The former Junoon guitarist is an obvious choice because he really wants to be part of a band. Any band.

"Please let me in."

And we can't see a Junoon reunion happening anytime soon, so One Direction is as good a bet as any.

Salman's been talking about getting his old crew together for a long time. However, his Junoon pals don't seem to be taking the bait. Former lead vocalist for Junoon Ali Azmat is an artist-cum-activist. Brian O'Connell is a dad. That leaves Salman nowhere — at least, until Zayn called it quits.

Sure, Salman might skew One Direction's average age towards the middle-aged demographic, but he still brings a lot to the table — his mad guitar skills, love for cricket (its an Englishman's sport, after all) and a loyal Pakistani fan base.

He'll have to become more fashion forward though. The long hair, the hats... that don't care look isn't going to cut it at all!

Imran Khan — because hair

This is an obvious choice, right? As far as sex appeal goes, you can't go wrong with Imran.

"Let me take you in a Naya Direction."

He's over sixty now and still has the charm, charisma and looks to nab a gorgeous TV presenter. Not to mention all the PTI-supporting aunty's hearts he's melted too. So he's definitely used to female attention, and will fit right in with One Direction's boy-crazy fan base.

Another plus? He's used to performing on stage. In fact, his most recent series of 'concerts' drew thousands out onto the streets, so we know he'll be up to entertaining crowds in the largest arenas.

Of course, we can't forget what's arguably his greatest asset in the race to replace Zayn — his hair. Imran's luscious locks have serious One Direction potential. Here's a picture to prove what we mean:

Zayn reminds us of Imran Khan's jiwani.

And if all else fails we're sure he'll rely on his rhetoric and politiking skills...

Wouldn't you like to see One Direction become Naya Direction?

Arbaaz Khan — totally age appropriate

The chota singer — Oh, we mean Jhoota singer — is used to being surrounded by beautiful women.

Look at those biceps!

After all, he burst on to the scene with his first single, Jhoota which also featured Mathira. In the video he shows off his dance moves, wears big sunnies coz he's so famous and is totally the boss.

Also, Khan is a fairly age appropriate choice. He'll fit right in with the boys!

Ayyan — she's already used to making dollars

Since Ayyan was allegedly leaving the country with $500,000 to shoot a music video, who better to shoot it with than One Direction?

She's probably had enough of jail.

We think after, if ever, she's released from jail, she's going to be searching for a new venture anyway, preferably far, far away from Pakistani customs officials. Win win!

Shahid Afridi — the perfect post-retirement career move

You know what Zayn Malik and Shahid Afridi have in common? They both make women's hearts go boom boom!

He makes you want to go 'Lala.'

The difference? It's hormonal teenage girls for Zayn and middle-aged lawn-crazy aunties for Afridi.

We think its the perfect post-retirement career move for Afridi. He's too flighty to be a coach, can't see him as a commentator either — but pop star? Definitely maybe.

And in case his name, Shahid, is too much of a mouthful for One Direction fans used to current band members' shot 'n sweet names (Liam, Zayn, Louis, etc), he can always go by his cricket moniker: Lala.

It's so musical it makes perfect sense.

Ishratul Ibad — he has rock star aspirations

Although reticent, the current Governor Sindh, Dr. Ishratul Ibad proved himself to be perhaps the most suitable contender after he rocked the stage a few weeks ago in Karachi.

"I feel like Led Zeppelin."

He took to the stage at the 'I Am Karachi' festival and played the electric guitar, and even sang the famous Pakistani anthem ‘Ye Watan Tumhara Hai.’

He's clearly a man of many talents.

Given the recent mess Zayn got himself into, the band would be comfortable working with him because he seldom speaks, is rarely seen (no fingers can be pointed for accusations here) and can woo many when he gets down to his musical business.

http://www.dawn.com/news/1172032/6-pakistani-celebs-who-could-replace-zayn-malik-in-one-direction