Fall Seven Times and Stand-Up Eight by Guest Why is the international response so slow? Why do Pakistani’s around the world not trust its own government to responsibly collect funds and dispatch aid? Why aren’t more people helping? What can I do? Will anything I do make a difference, or is the situation so hopeless that we just sit back and watch Pakistan painfully try and resurrect itself from the realms of obliteration. Is there any hope, and if so what? Reflections and conversations of such nature pervade my mind, when for the few minutes I do allow myself to … Continue reading Pakistan will rise stronger!

Japan military chopper unit heads to flood-hit Pakistan As their family members and fellow martialists see them off, the first batch of about 50 Japan Ground Self-Defense Force personnel prepare to board a commercial flight to leave Fukuoka Airport in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, for flood-hit Pakistan. — AP Photo TOKYO: The first contingent of a 200-strong Japanese military helicopter unit left for Pakistan Saturday to join international relief efforts across the flood-ravaged nation. Fifty ground troops left the Japanese city of Fukuoka for an army airfield in Multan, central Pakistan, Japanese media reported. They will prepare the ground for the … Continue reading Japan sends helicopter unit to help Pakistan

Hardliners and flood relief Dawn Editorial Volunteers of Falah-e-Insaniyat foundation, the charity wing of militant group Jamaat-ud-Dawa supervise the cooking of food for flood affected people in Nowshera. – Photo by AP. Business Banks close 64 branches in affected areas SWEPT AWAY Pakistan farmers see livelihoods wiped out by floods As the country struggles to cope with the floods, the debate on the role of hard-line religious organisations in the relief effort continues. Just as in the case of the 2005 earthquake, various religious organisations — some with ostensible links to banned militant outfits — have been very active in … Continue reading If you are a victim – would you be choosy who helps you?

With ‘enemies’ like these, who needs friends? An American serviceman stands on board the USS Peleliu, the base of relief operations in flood affected areas of the country. PHOTO: GIBRAN PESHIMAM ABOARD THE USS PELELIU: While a number of countries widely regarded as being close to Pakistan are trudging their way towards lending a helping hand to tens of millions of Pakistanis affected by the devastating floods, the one country that is looked at with most suspicion, if not outright hatred, continues to spearhead the relief effort. The United States on Wednesday upped its assistance for Pakistan’s flood affectees from … Continue reading With the US as an enemy – who needs friends?

Mirror mirror on the wall The writer is a corporate lawyer and hosts a show on Business Plus ayesha.tammy@tribune.com.pk Television in Ramazan is usually all about fasting and food. This year, like in October 2005, we are dealing with a mega disaster, so there is some time allocated to the floods, some time to the relief efforts and some time to asking questions about man’s, in particular influential man’s, contribution to the disaster. And when that happens, it’s déjà vu and one is transported back to the earthquake. Our politicians come on television saying this is not the time to … Continue reading Syed Talat Hussain/ Kashif Abbasi Fund for Flood Victims

I am part of the Sialkot lynch mob A crowd of onlookers watch a young boy get beaten to death. The brutal two-hour long lynching of two young brothers in Sialkot at the hands of a mob, inclusive of policemen and children is so horrifying that it truly merits the questions some visitors to The Express Tribune website have been asking: Are these people animals? Is this the true face of a nation so despicable that even God has forsaken them? While I do not believe in the latter argument, I can understand where such a profound sense of grim … Continue reading Sialkot lynching (Do not watch clips as they are horrific)

Busy day for a monkey who saves her cub from being hit by a moped…and then again from becoming a dog’s dinner By Paul Thompson Even on the dusty and dangerous streets of New Delhi, the bond between a mother monkey and her young is almost unbreakable. This tiny youngster was struck by a moped while scampering across the road in India’s capital, where the animals are a common sight scavenging for food. Lurking nearby was a wild dog who sensed an easy kill. But just when the baby’s fate seem sealed, its mother leapt to the rescue. Dedicated mother: … Continue reading Monkey rescues baby

Look into my eyes: Extreme close-ups reveal hypnotic gaze of tiny jumping spiders By Daily Mail Reporter Staring menacingly at the camera these exotic looking creatures look like monsters straight out of a horror film. But, despite their appearance, these creatures are actually jumping spiders, which measure a tiny six millimetres – and they live in this country. The harmless arachnids, which are capable of jumping up to six times their own height, can be found in grassy meadows and on the walls of houses on sunny days. Star of the show: This Saitis Barbipes has stunning blue eyes – … Continue reading Cute Spiders ?

BOOK REVIEW: Waging peace —by Afrah Jamal Bridging Partition: People’s Initiatives for Peace Between India and Pakistan Edited by Smitu Kothari and Zia Mian with Kamla Bhasin, A H Nayyar and Mohammad Tahseen Orient India; Pp 360; Rs 995 They have been locked in a near permanent state of confrontation for six decades, stopping only to make feeble overtures of peace to pacify onlookers. These 63-year-olds have great reserves of animosity left over from 1947. They renew their peace pledges often but test each other’s patience daily. And they get flustered easily, which makes them the two most predictable nations … Continue reading Bridging Partition