Welcome to the The Express Tribune‘s live coverage of the 2013 general elections!

More than 86 million registered voters will exercise their power through the ballot at 70,000 polling stations across Pakistan.

This is the 10th time in the country’s history that elections are being held, and the first time that a civilian government has completed a full term.

A total of 15,621 candidates are contesting for 268 general seats in the National Assembly and 570 provincial assembly seats. Elections were postponed on three National Assembly and six provincial assembly seats due to the death’s of candidates.

Out of 250 registered political parties, only 148 were allotted symbols, and not all of them have fielded candidates.

Will you be voting today?

We hope to see a healthy voter turnout today!

Stay safe, Pakistan!

Grant Morrison

Grant Morrison is a madman! Yes, I said it! The Scottish writer is, hands down, one of the greatest comic book writers this planet will ever see. Morrison’s work is heavy; don’t expect a walk in the park when you open that copy of Doom Patrol — Musclebound or any issue of The Invisibles. Grant Morrison will not hold your hand and walk you across the street — he’ll take you to the middle of the street, wait for the traffic light to turn green and leave you standing. His greatest work, in my very humble opinion, has to be the run with Doom Patrol. Of course, that in no way means you discount all the amazing one-shots he has done with DC Comics and in 2000AD. Pick up Arkham Asylum, Judge Dredd: Inferno, Kill Your Boyfriend and New Adventures of Hitler.

Then there is All-Star Superman. Superman has one year left to live, courtesy Lex Luthor as always, and there are 12 tasks that he… okay no spoilers.

Alan Moore

I’m not even going to talk about the greatness of V for Vendetta or Watchmen here. Both were amazing series that led to killer movies and had a far greater impact in the real world (Guy Fawkes is the official face of the hacktivist group Anonymous). Moore’s work is, in one word, intelligent. There is no straight up action and the villains are not beaten into a pulp here. There is detail though, lots of detail. I’m going to be totally clichéd here and quote Killing Joke as the greatest story Moore has written. A window into the Joker’s past and the paralysis of Barbara Gordon, Moore sets the record straight on why the laughing madman is one of the vilest villians ever created. If you really want to dig in to his work, pick up From Hell, Swamp Thing and Miracle Man runs and, of course, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

Bill Willingham

Who is Bill Willingham and why is he on this list? Fables. That’s why. Fables is possibly one of the greatest comic book series of our times. Willingham writes a story of fairytale characters who have crossed into our world. Why? Because they were forced out of their homes by a villain known as Adversary. Nothing short of amazing, Fables features all the characters from childhood bedtime stories and poems thrown into a gritty real world setting. Hansel is the head of the inquisition, the Big Bad Wolf is a sheriff… and so on. You can also check out some of his Sandman Presents work.

Brian Vaughan

I haven’t read much of Brian Vaughan’s work and I’ll be dead honest here: I don’t care much for it either. But Y: the Last Man is a must-read. And by must-read I do mean you go buy it right now! Another Vertigo series, Y is the story of Yorick Brown. Both Brown and his male monkey are the only ones left besides women after something kills anything with the Y chromosome.

The search for his mother leads him on a quest to look for a cloning expert, but then there is also the search for his girlfriend and so on… no spoilers here.

Brian Wood

If I had the space, I’d write a 1,000 word essay on the awesomeness of Brian Wood. I was introduced to Wood’s work via DMZ. Manhattan is a demilitarised zone and the US government is at war with an entity known as the Free States. Matty Roth, an intern, is left stranded in Manhattan and he is the only news source inside the DMZ. You’re hooked once you start reading.

The series gives you a glimpse of what could possibly happen to a boiling-pot city like Karachi if things really go downhill. Now I’m a big fan of the Vikings, and that is one of the things Wood did really right. Northlanders was a 50-issue series set in the age of Vikings. If you like reading stories based on historical events, this is a good place to start.

Neil Gaiman

This English author is best known for re-writing the Sandman series, from the gasmask-wearing superhero to one of the Endless, a pantheon of immortals. The series follows Morpheus (aka Dream) through multiple plots, including a visit to Hell, a search for his lost brother Destruction and then to his death. You’d want to pick up the collected works as soon as possible and go through them before the prequel comes out! Gaiman also created as bunch of characters for Tekno Comix, the most prominent one being Mr Hero. You might also want to check out Black Orchid and Marvel 1602 for some of his other work. Besides comic books, Gaiman has also written amazing books. I’m just going to go ahead and recommend American Gods to you.

Warren Ellis

Pissed off journalist in the future plans on taking the president down, and no it isn’t Hunter S Thompson. Warren Ellis’ Transmetropolitan has to be every aspiring journalist’s favourite comic book. Set in the future, Jerusalem is a journalist living in retirement. A wake-up call from his publisher forces him to return to the city and resume work as a journalist. Most people can only hope to be as ballsy, and as deranged, as Jerusalem. Pick up The Authority, Planetary and Ministry of Space for additional Ellis’ reading.

Garth Ennis

This man is brilliant beyond words. You need to go out right now and pick up Preacher! Jesse Custer is a preacher who is possessed by a being that makes him more powerful than God, who he just happens to be gunning for. Ennis’ work is like someone grabbed you by the hair and smashed your face on the sidewalk. Ennis also loves gun-toting vigilantes. Another essential read is The Punisher… and I’m talking the MAX series here. For those of you who aren’t aware, MAX is an imprint of Marvel that caters to an adult audience. The MAX run is more real world. Frank Castle deals with mafias, terrorists etc and even goes on a mission for Nick Fury (but bear in mind there are no superhero or supervillian appearances in this series). And if you don’t love Barracuda, there might just be something wrong with you…Also recommended reading: Adventures in the Rifle Brigade.

Frank Miller

No list is complete without mentioning Frank Miller, the man behind The Dark Knight Returns, The Dark Knight Strikes Again, Sin City AND 300! Quite an impressive portfolio, eh?

The Dark Knight Returns and The Dark Knight Strikes Again are both set in a dystopian future: an older Bruce Wayne who makes his return as the Batman, a new Robin and a dead Joker. And that’s just the first series. You can also catch the first part of an animated The Dark Knight Returns. The second is due next year. Sin City is more sex and violence, and if you dig that, you’ll dig the series for sure. I’m not going to talk about 300; it’s amazing. Plus I cringe every time someone goes, “THIS IS SPARTA!!!” Want more Miller? Pick up his Robocop run on Avatar.

Mark Waid

Monumental is the best way to define some of Mark Waid’s work. And that work is Kingdom Come. The story is, as with most killer series, set in the future. The Justice League reforms, Batman hates Superman, Superman versus Captain Marvel… well, you should just read the rest. Waid is also the man behind JLA: Tower of Babel. Members of the Justice League, save Batman, are taken down by Ra’s al Ghul, courtesy of the Dark Knight. Batman had been keeping records of the superheroes’ strengths and weaknesses…in a just-in-case situation, and the Demon manages to steal the records from him. You might also want to read Superman: Birthright, a redone origin of the Man of Steel, and the Onslaught saga.

Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, November 18^th, 2012.

Like Express Tribune Magazine on Facebook and follow at @ETribuneMag

Youm-e-Ishq-e-Rasool (pbuh) [love of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) Day] was observed throughout Pakistan on Friday on the orders of the Government of Pakistan, condemning the anti-Islam film.

After Friday prayers, protests erupted in several cities across the country which soon turned violent. As the police remained unable to control the protesters, a loss to life and property was reported.

A total of 20 people were killed across the country and more than 200 were wounded during the protests. Cinemas, banks, vehicles and fuel stations were torched, while markets were also vandalised.

Two police officials were also killed during clashes in Karachi.

The central leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan (JUI-F) Maulana Fazal Rehman commended the nation over successful protests across the country against the anti-Islam film.

Political parties have called for observing a day of sorrow on Saturday over those killed in Karachi on Friday. Transporters in the city have also announced their decision to keep their vehicles off the roads.

Three PTI supporters killed

Three supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) were killed and 35 were injured when the police allegedly opened fire on them at the Native Jetty Bridge as they were making their way to the party’s rally at Empress Market.

Around 50 other PTI protesters were arrested at the Kemari Police Station.

Talking to The Express Tribune, the party’s spokesperson Faisal Vawda condemned the act and said that the supporters were unarmed and were not creating any havoc. He said that the government is to be blamed for this act “as it had instructed the police to open fire at citizens”.

“Once again the government has proved that it’s actually the criminals who are running its machinery,” he said. “The government did not react to the people who looted banks and burnt public and private properties while it ordered to kill innocent protesters.”

He added that the party will define a strategy and fight against the killings. The party leaders visited the families of the deceased late Friday night.

The funeral prayers of the deceased workers, Qari Khalid, Ghaffar and Shafiq, will be held at 10am on Saturday at KPT Ground. The party also plans to lodge an FIR against the government tomorrow against the killings.

End of live updates

9:50pm

At least 15 people have been killed and more than 200 wounded during the protests, including 10 in Karachi and five in Peshawar, hospital officials told AFP.

The combined total of wounded in Karachi, Peshawar and in the capital Islamabad has reached 219.

A doctor at Karachi’s Jinnah hospital told AFP they had received five dead and 65 people with injuries, while the city’s Civil hospital said it had also had five bodies, including that of a police officer, and at least 40 injured.

Hospital doctors in Peshawar gave a combined total of 79 people wounded.

In Islamabad, a doctor at the Services Hospital said 35 people were brought in with injuries, including eight policemen and four civilians with gunshot wounds.

9:29pm

A total of five cinemas have been gutted down in Karachi, including Nishat, Capri and Bambino in Saddar and Gulistan and Nargas in Quaidabad.

9:08pm

Protesters torch a church in the Mardan town of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

8:59pm

Talking to the media in Islamabad, Interior Minister Rehman Malik expressed regret over the suspension of mobile phone services in Pakistan, reported Radio Pakistan.

Malik also expressed sorrow over the loss of lives during riots and asserted that the government had protested at every level against the blasphemous film.

8:33pm

Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) president Nawaz Sharif has appealed to the protesters to remain peaceful.

7:40pm

The combined total of wounded in Karachi, Peshawar and in the capital Islamabad has reached 195, according to AFP.

Doctor Mohammad Shafqat of Karachi’s Jinnah hospital told AFP that it had received four dead bodies and 65 people with injuries, with more wounded arriving.

Doctor Mohammad Ayub at the Civil hospital, said his medics had received five dead bodies, including that of a police officer, and at least 40 injured.

7:28pm

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain appealed to the people that if they love Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), then they should keep the protests peaceful “at all costs”.

Hussain also appealed to the UN and OIC to take immediate notice of the blasphemous film and the cartoons published in France. He said that the world might see the third world war if action was not taken against them.

7:08pm

The US Chargé D’Affaires Ambassador Richard Hoagland was summoned by the Foreign Ministry and a strong protest was lodged with him over the blasphemous video.

He was told that the US government should immediately take measures to remove the sacrilegious video from YouTube and take action against its maker.

Ambassador Hoagland reiterated his government’s position as well that of the US leadership that they strongly condemned the video. He stated that a vast majority of the American people have also condemned it.

6:53pm

Cell phone services have been suspended again in Karachi.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf have expressed grief over the death of ARY TV worker Muhammad Amir in Peshawar.

In separate messages, they urged the nation to remain peaceful during the protests.

The president and the prime minister said that a peaceful protest was the appropriate way of expressing sentiments.

6:47pm

Death toll in Karachi riots reach 14, reports Express News. More than 80 people are reported to be injured in the city.

6:44pm

Rangers have been summoned in Lahore to disperse the protesters.

Karachi Deputy Commissioner South Mustafa Kazi told the media that around 100 protesters have been arrested by the police so far.

6:27pm

Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira criticised the ongoing protests and said that this was not the right way of expressing love for Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). “Pakistan is the only Muslim country in the world which has lodged a protest on a state-level,” he remarked.

Kaira stated that it was the national responsibility to provide security to embassies and consulate in Pakistan. “We have our consulates in the world as well.”

Religious leader Mufti Naeem also disapproved of the violent protests and maintained that the ulema community should make a strong appeal and talk to the people.

“This is our government’s fault. The government provided this opportunity to the people. It should have sent a representative to the US to lodge a protest and should have boycotted the US products instead of declaring a day like this,” he maintained.

6:21pm

Express News is reporting that a blast was heard near the Native Jetty Bridge in Karachi.

6:03pm

Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, speaking to Express News, expressed support for the protests but maintained that the damage done to property during riots was helping fulfill the “enemies’ ambitions”.

“I have given instructions to the administration to talk to the ulema and the protesters instead of using force,” he said and added that force had to be used in Lahore when some protesters tried to reach the US Consulate. “Otherwise, the protests were kept peaceful with interactions.”

5:57pm

Unidentified men opened fire at Hyderabad Press Club.

Mobile services have also been partially restored in Peshawar.

A cinema located on Toghi Road in Quetta has been set on fire.

5:47pm

Three police vans have been torched outside the Chief Minister House in Karachi.

5:36pm

During riots in Karachi, three police vans, five cars, five cinemas and five banks have been torched so far.

Ten people have died in the protests, including two policemen.

5:16pm

Cellular services in Karachi and Lahore have been partially restored.

5:07pm

A fast-food restaurant in the industrial area of Karachi has been set on fire, while a cinema in the Landhi area has been trashed.

4:55pm

Express News reports that two more cinemas on MA Jinnah Road, other than Nishat Cinema, have been torched by protesters.

4:49pm

Visuals from the Faizabad area of Rawalpindi showed police vehicles on fire.

Protesters have also targeted the fire brigade in Karachi.

4:45pm

Protesters have torched a petrol pump in the Faizabad area of Rawalpindi.

4:41pm

There is no sign of police in the Aabpara area of Rawalpindi.

Two banks have been torched near PIDC in Karachi.

Protesters are reported to be looting shops and businesses near PIDC. The area is close to one of the routes that lead to the US Consulate in Karachi.

4:39pm

According to Geo News, Prince Cinema in Karachi has also been set on fire.

Five police vehicles have been set ablaze in the Faizabad area of Rawalpindi. Protesters and the police have been regularly clashing in the area.

4:37pm

A private bank on GT Road, Peshawar, has also been set on fire.

4:35pm

Express News correspondent Qamar ul Munawar in Islamabad reports that the direction of the wind is towards the police, due to which the tear gas is flowing towards them instead of the protesters.

In Lahore, the protesters are reported to be close to the US Consulate.

PPI reports that cellular services will remain suspended till 6pm.

Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Jhang, Multan, Khanewal‚ Chakwal‚ Kot Moman‚ Attock‚ Murree and Chakri are currently facing suspended cellular services.

4:32pm

Protesters in Islamabad’s Red Zone reach the last barricade of containers and continue to clash with the police. Express News reported that around 15,000 more protesters have entered the Red Zone.

A bank on MA Jinnah Road in Lahore has been set on fire.

4:27pm

Protesters in Karachi set Nishat Cinema on fire.

4:24pm

Two police officials have been killed so far. The second casualty came after a policeman injured during clashes at Sohrab Goth passed away.

During an ASWJ protest in Karachi, a dog was seen wrapped in the US flag among the protesters.

Protesters and police officials continue to clash in PIDC area of Karachi.

4:03pm

A police official who was injured during the clash at Native Jetty Bridge has passed away.

4:00pm

Protesters in Islamabad are pelting stones at the police in efforts to enter the heavily-guarded diplomatic enclave. The police, in turn, fired tear gas at them.

3:55pm

In Lahore, one police official was injured during a clash with the protesters, who have managed to cross over the containers that were placed to block them. They say that they want to go to the US Consulate to register their protest.

In Karachi, the police resorted to aerial firing at the Native Jetty Bridge to disperse the protesters. Protests have also emerged in the Numaish area of Karachi.

3:48pm

Protesters were successful in removing containers from Shahra-e-Quaid-e-Azam. They are marching towards US Consulate.

3:43pm

Police started aerial firing as an influx of protesters marched towards Shahra-e-Quaid-e-Azam in Lahore.

3:38pm

A youngster in Lahore jumped off a pole during a protest. He was shifted to a nearby hospital where his condition is said to be critical.

3:32pm

Police officials at the Red Zone appear to be helpless in front of the protesters. The protesters have gloves on and are picking up the teargas shells to hurl them back at the police.

Many police personnel have passed out.

3:24pm

A heavy contingent of police has been deployed at Shahra-e-Quaid-e-Azam in Lahore in order to obstruct the movement of a rally proceeding towards the road.

3:18pm

Aerial monitoring of the Red Zone is being done by helicopters.

3:10pm

According to Express News correspondent Qamarul Munawwar, a vigourous clash took place between the police and the protesters at the Red Zone in Islamabad.

Munawwar reported that protesters hurled burning tyres and stones at the police and crossed the barriers placed by the police and have entered the Red Zone.

The police personnel have taken positions to start shelling.

Rangers deployed around Diplomatic Enclave have been alerted.

3:03pm

Protests have sparked in Sohrab Goth, Gurumandar and Khudadad Chowrangi areas of Karachi, while three people have been injured in firing incidents in Steel Town.

Angry protesters blocked National Highway in Karachi.

Death toll in Karachi has reached four.

2:50pm

Police in Islamabad had to resort to aerial firing in order to disperse protesters as they were setting up containers to create cordon points. The protesters, armed with sticks and stones, have been attacking the police and have also destroyed billboards and traffic signals on the route.

Close to 200 protesters from the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat (ASWJ) have gathered at the Qayyumabad Chowrangi in Karachi.

2:40pm

Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) protesters have moved towards the Red Zone in Islamabad. Containers have been placed at all entry and exit points and security personnel are also present.

Gen (retd) Hamid Gul was also seen addressing protesters. It has been reported that Rehman Malik had earlier asked DPC members not to move towards the Red Zone.

Protesters trying to enter Islamabad via the Faizabad Interchange have clashed with the police. Police has resorted to using teargas.

2:30pm

All routes leading to Mall Road have been blocked. Those traveling on foot or on cycles have made it to the area. It has also been reported that an equal number of people are also making their way to the area.

Express News correspondent Talib Faridi has reported that demonstrators have said that they will continue with their “peaceful” protest till action is taken against the film.

Protesters in the area also pelted stones and tried to move containers that have been placed to block routes.

2:25pm

The situation is reported to be tense in parts of Karachi. Rioting has been reported in the Sohrab Goth and Super Highway areas of the city.

2:21pm

Talib Faridi of Express News reported that a huge rally has congregated at Mall Road in Lahore, with participants from Jamaat-e-Islami, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-Q), members of the civil society, lawyers and shopkeepers from Mall Road and Anarkali bazaars.

2:12pm

The Interior Ministry has summoned U.S. Charge d’ Affaires Ambassador Richard Hoagland and asked him to get the film removed from YouTube.

1:52pm

Islamabad police confronted protesters near Faizabad Bridge.

An Ishq-e-Rasool Conference is being held at Governor House Punjab in which members of all religious parties have participated.

Three resolutions have been passed during the conference determining steps that will be taken in the future against any blasphemous moves. The resolutions also seek assistance from the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and Muslim countries.

1:27pm

The entry and exit points of Islamabad have been sealed.

1:24pm

Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif said that the Government of Punjab condemns the anti-Islam film and that the entire nation is protesting against it.

He said that the film is a form of “open terrorism”. Sharif further said that disrespect of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) cannot be tolerated.

“All the entry and exit points of Karachi are heavily guarded. Helicopters are on stand-by for aerial surveillance,” provincial police chief Fayyaz Laghari told AFP.

“We have deployed our maximum police force to the sensitive parts of the city to ensure security during protest rallies today,” he added.

1:13pm

Newsweek Pakistan, in a message posted on Twitter, reported that a correspondent of ARY News was killed by police bullets in Peshawar. However, Express News reported that a driver named Muhammad Amir, employed by a private TV channel was killed in the incident.

1:02pm

The building of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been set ablaze by protesters.

1:00pm

Express News correspondent Imran Asghar reported that Islamabad police has ran out of rubber bullets as a result of heavy firing.

He said that when protesters in Rawalpindi ran out of tyres to burn, they broke into tyre shops located at the Pir Widai Road and stole tyres from there.

A control room has been established in the Red Zone in Islamabad on the orders of Chief Commissioner. The control room is tasked to monitor the security situation and keep the Interior Ministry updated.

Different political and religious parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen, Jamaatud Dawa, Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat, Jamaatud Dawa, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, have announced that rallies will be taken out after Friday prayers.

12:43pm

Three police officials in Rawalpindi and one in Peshawar fell unconscious after teargas was fired.

A number of protesters were also injured during firing in Peshawar.

Protesters in Gujranwala burnt effigies of US President Barack Obama during a demonstration.

12:35pm

A 2kg bomb recovered from Bhana Mari area of Peshawar has been defused.

12:33pm

Express News correspondent Naeem Qaiser reported that all the roads leading to the Office of Consul General of US located at Shimla Pahari have been blocked with containers, while Mall Road that leads to US Consulate in Lahore has also been blocked.

Aftab Khan from Karachi reported that Jamaatud Dawa, Jamaat-e-Islami have announced that they will hold rallies after Friday prayers. The rally will march from Guru Mandir to US Consulate.

12:22pm

Roads leading to the US Consulate have been sealed in Karachi.

12:20pm

A contingent of Pakistan Army has been deployed around the US Consulate in Peshawar in order to thwart any possible terror bid.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik has ordered that security in Islamabad be tightened and that no members of banned outfits will be allowed into the city. He said that directives in this regard have been issued to the Inspector General of Police Islamabad.

12:15pm

A demonstration organised by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is being carried out in Quetta.

The protesters in Peshawar said that they will proceed towards the US Consulate after Friday prayers.

12:10pm

Express News correspondent Islamuddin reported that many protesters fainted as a result of the teargas shelled by the police. They have been shifted to Lady Reading Hospital.

He added that an additional contingent of police has been deployed around Firdous Cinema, while the fire brigade has been called to put out the fire. Islamuddin said that cinema’s interior has been completely destroyed by the fire.

12:02pm

Police opened fire and fired teargas shells to disperse the mob in Peshawar.

Section 144 has been imposed in Islamabad.

11:59am

The Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat (ASWJ) has taken out a rally in Hyderabad in which protesters are burning US flags.

Members of the Sikh Community are also protesting against the sacrilegious film in Nankana Sahib.

11:49am

Protesters in Peshawar set ablaze Firdous Cinema and destroyed shops located nearby.

The Government of India had blocked the URL of a blog hosted on The Express Tribune exposing a social media campaign seeking to inflame Muslims regarding the violence against the Rohingya in Burma. The blog was reportedly among 309 other URLs blocked for a short period by the Indian government in the wake of the lower Assam riots.

Ironically, the blog by Faraz Ahmed had exposed how people on Facebook and Twitter were using wrong captions for photos from Southeast Asia to portray that Muslims were being killed by the Burmese government.

Ahmed’s website had also been blocked in India.

The list is mostly dominated by links from Facebook and YouTube.

According to a Times of India report, both Facebook and Google are working with the Indian government to remove illegal content. The Indian government had apparently found 102 URLs on Facebook and 85 URLs on YouTube containing “communally sensitive” content.

According to the website of Centre for Internet and Society (CIS), almost “all of the blocked items have content (images, videos, writings) that are related to communal issues and rioting”.

Pranesh Prakash, a CIS official, said that the blocking of many of the URLs was “legally questionable and morally indefensible”.

The list also contains websites that are believed to be sympathetic to Hindu and Muslim radical groups, and some mainstream media websites.

The Indian government had also earlier claimed that false rumors of revenge attacks for violence against Assam Muslims which led to an exodus of people from northwest India were initiated in Pakistan.

Defence.pk hit by DoS attacks after list leak

Defence.pk is also another Pakistani website that was blocked by the Indian government. An administrator of the website informed The Express Tribune that they were facing Distributed Denial of Service Attacks (DDoS) since the list had been leaked.

The administrator said that this was the largest attack since the website had been launched, adding that conducting such an attack was a costly affair and that it proved that someone with enough resources was behind it. They added that tracing the sources was not possible unless a high profile agency conducted an international investigation.

The administrator hoped that the Indian government would reconsider the block as they were not doing “anything shady” and were upholding “noble ideals”.

KAMRA / DI KHAN: The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the attack on a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) base in Kamra during the early hours of Thursday. At least eight militants and one security official were killed in the attack and the operation which lasted for over five hours.

TTP spokesperson Ihsanullah Ihsan has said that four suicide bombers had carried out the attack to take revenge for the killings of Baitullah Mehsud and Osama bin Laden. He claimed that the attackers had succeeded in achieving their targets and had given a “lethal blow”.

Claiming that dozens of personnel had been killed in the attack, Ihsan said that the Taliban can attack at will and will also target other locations.

A five-member inquiry committee, headed by Air Marshall Akhtar Hussain Bukhari, was constituted to investigate the attack.

Sepoy Muhammad Asif was killed during the operation. Air Commodore Muhammad Azam, who was leading the operation, was injured.

A statement from the air force said that the attack began at 2am and that the militants were equipped with RPGs and automatic weapons. It says that seven to eight militants had attacked the base.

Militants present outside the base had also fired RPGs, damaging one aircraft.

The PAF said that six militants were wearing suicide jackets. One of the militants had blown himself up while in hiding.

Search operations were also carried out in the nearby residential areas.

Eight suspects were arrested during the search operation.

The mobile phone of one of the militants was also recovered from the attack site.

Two blasts were also heard from the base during and after the operation. The first one early morning and the second one around 12:30pm.

A PAF statement said that a number of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) had been found during the search operation and those that could not be safely removed were being detonated in a controlled environment.

The base is home to the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex that assembles Mirage and, with Chinese support, JF-17 fighter jets. It has previously come under attack twice, once in 2007 and then in 2009.

A suicide bomber had killed eight people in an attack on a check post outside the base on October 23, 2009. In December 2007, a suicide bomber had targeted a school bus and injured at least five children of employees at the base.

End of live updates

8:50am

Pakistan Army personnel and police officials are still conducting a search operation. The search operation is reported to be in its final stages.

Bomb Disposal Squad personnel are also present in the area.

8:45am

Chinese officials, who were giving training to local personnel, were also reported to be present at the base.

8:20am

Express News reports that the shifts at the base change at 2am and firing had begun during that time. Personnel present at the base had managed to hold the militants.

8:15am 

Express News correspondent Imran Asghar reports that the militants had entered the base from Pind Makhan.

The correspondent traveled to the location, showing an area with no proper roads and very little population. Video shots on Express News clearly showed a plane parked on the runway.

7:35am

Air Commodore Muhammad Azam, who had earlier been injured, rejoined the operation after receiving treatment.

7:30am

PAF authorities have ordered an inquiry into the incident.      

7:25am

Express News reports that two blasts have been heard from the airbase. There is no confirmation on the nature of the blasts as yet.

The bodies of four militants have been shifted to an unknown location.

7:00am

Express News reports that the operation at the base has come to an end. A search operation in nearby areas is still under way.

According to Reuters, two soldiers and six militants were killed in the attack and operation that followed.

6:50am

A search operation of the residential area is currently under way.

A spokesperson of the PAF has said all six militants who attacked the base have been killed. There were earlier reports that the number of attackers could have been between nine to ten.

6:35am

Irfan Ghauri reports that the entire area is considered to be sensitive. Besides the airbase and Kamra Aeronautical Complex, other installations in the area are the AK Regiment camp in Mansar, the SSG base and Artillery headquarters in Attock. All of these are located within a few kilometres from each other.

Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) vehicles have also arrived at the base.

6:20am

The Express Tribune correspondent Irfan Ghauri reports that sources have said one senior PAF officer injured in the attack is in critical condition. One plane was damaged in the attack.

The security of the base is handled by the Defence Services Guard.

Express News reports that seven militants have been killed and a number of officials have been injured. An air commodore who was supervising the operation was injured in the attack.

6:15am

A search operation has also been launched in the Pind Makhan area. The terrorists had reportedly entered the base from that side.

6:10am

A search operation is currently underway at the base and there are reports that three militants are possibly in hiding.

There are reports that aircraft present at the base were not damaged during the attack.

5:50am

Reports from the area state that firing has stopped for now and no blasts have been heard.

No vehicles, including fire brigades and ambulances, are being allowed to enter the base.

Reports state that firing had earlier been going on from nine different points.

5:45am

Express News reports that sources claim up to six militants have been killed so far.

One official speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity from within the base said he could hear gun and rocket fire, and the sound of hand grenades.

5:35am

A statement from the PAF says that the body of a suicide bomber strapped with explosives was found close to the “impact area”.

5:25am

Express News reports that five militants have been killed so far. There were reports that nine militants had attacked the airbase.

An operation is still under way at the airbase.

No ambulance has exited the airbase so far.

A senior officer who was reported to have been injured in the attack has been shifted to the hospital.

5:20am

Intelligence reports from the Punjab Home Department had earlier warned that the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was planning attacks on a Pakistan Air Force Base and other military and security establishments in Lahore before Eid.

5:15am

There are reports that the AWAC could have been the target of the attack.

Sources have also stated that the number of militants is between nine to eleven.

A team of SSG commandos has reached the airbase.

There are also reports of PAF officials being killed in the attack.

5:05am

AFP reports that witnesses have said they could hear gun and rocket fire coming from the facility, which contains a number of aircraft factories.

5:00am

Express News reports that nine militants wearing suicide vets had attacked the airbase around 2am. The militants had crossed three check posts and were also reported to be wearing army uniforms.

Three squadrons present at the airbase were targeted.

Aircraft present at the base are being shifted to the hangers.

4:55am

A Pakistan Army squad has arrived at the base to take part in the operation.

4:45am

The army has been called in to control the situation. The militants also hurled hand grenades, sources added.

TV channels and their employees have been at the receiving end of flak from viewers and social media activists this year. But it appears that outrage over morning show hosts chasing after couples in a public park, accusations of receiving plots and running planted shows finally caught up with the media.

“Who will watch the watchmen?”

A question frequently asked by media persons, columnists and the general public.

Instead of waiting for an answer and debating endlessly over the issue, some media companies have decided to introduce their own codes of conduct, a means to ensure transparency and to better monitor their anchors and content.

Both Dunya News and Geo News recently released their codes of conduct. While Dunya has formally adopted their code, Geo will wait for viewer feedback till August 1 and formally adopt their code on August 14.

Geo’s extensive code of conduct is called ‘Geo Asool’. It ranges from general guidelines on the company’s goals to procedures on how the company is going to implement the code.

The first section of ‘Geo Asool’, there are four, focues on the company’s goals, values, and what they call likes and dislikes. This section is detailed and clarifies their overall stance on neutrality, transperancy and biases.

The rest of the sections are:

• Best practices: an extensive guide on coverage of different topics and issues.
• TeamGeo Ethical Journalism Handbook: A guide for employees of the group, defining where they draw the line on different issues.
• Monitoring & Implementation Procedure: This section focuses on the company’s internal procedures on the implementation of the guidelines.

Dunya’s code of conducted is strictly limited to its anchors.

It serves as a guide for what anchors can and cannot do and what the objectives of their shows are.

The code’s implementation will be monitored by a three member board.

The Express Tribune has its own Code of Ethics which can be viewed here.

As the arrival of the holy month of Ramazan nears, promos for shows on different networks are out in strength as the ratings war intensifies. Brace yourselves – this year your TV screens will be taken over by celebrities, sportsmen, controversial anchors and talk show hosts during Iftar time!

First up is everyone’s favourite actor and model Veena Malik. The controversial actor will be appearing on the Hero TV show “Astaghfaar”.

A stern warning to “seek forgiveness for your sins” and visuals of hellfire are followed by a very emotional Veena, who in a sultry voice tells us that she will be seeking forgiveness for our and her sins throughout the holy month. A lone tear drop makes an appearance by the end of the promo. Very emotional.

Needless to say, we’re excited about seeing Veena on the show.

Remember Maya Khan? Yes the one who raided the public park and ran after couples asking them about their marital status. Good, because Maya will also be appearing for Iftar transmissions on ARY Digital alongside TV host Dr Shahid Masood on the show “Sheher-e-Ramadan”.

Maya says:

Hum banain gay sahara eik dosray ka, kyoon kay humay hay ehsaas apnoon kaa.

We know you care, Maya. Who knows what she has in store for the viewers this time.

The legend is back. Dr Aamir Liaquat of “Aalim Online” and Ghalib film fame is also back on Geo. His return to the network was celebrated in a song by the host himself and Mr Jeem, Geo’s mascot.

The good doctor will be hosting the show “Pehchan Ramzan”.

And then of course there is Lala. Everyone’s favourite cricketer Shahid Afridi will be on Express Entertainment this year, appearing on the show “Mehmaan ka Ramazan”.

Iftar time just got a little more interesting.

What do you get when you leave the camera on with two TV anchors and a business tycoon during an advertisement break? A candid video of what went on behind the scenes during what is termed a “planted show” on one of the biggest scandals in Pakistan’s history.

Behind the scenes footage showing Dunya News anchors Mubashir Lucman and Meher Bokhari talking to Malik Riaz during their show surfaced on YouTube under the title “Malik Riaz Planted Interview with Mehar Bokhari and Mubashir Lukman on dunya tv“ on Thursday. The show aired on the TV channel on Wednesday.

The footage shows conversations between Lucman, Bokhari and Riaz focused on the kind of questions they will be asking. Both anchors are also instructed against interrupting Riaz during the interview.

Bokhari is heard saying a question is planted towards the end of the video.

“Say what you want… what question should we ask. It will appear as though it is planted… it is, but it shouldn’t appear it is.”

The video begins with general conversation and is followed by Riaz questioning the anchors on why they are not asking why he is part of “deals”.

Lucman is then seen on the phone asking if the interview is going fine and defending himself by saying Riaz is being given a chance.

Who is he speaking to? Abdul Qadir Gilani, he says.

The anchor tells “Gilani” that he wants to clear his name from taking money and he wants to talk about Hamid Mir’s allegations, but Riaz isn’t letting him take his name. “No, no,” says the business tycoon in response to that.

Riaz then asks “Gilani” to pray for him.

In between Lucman’s smoke break, Bokhari turns to Riaz to discuss what they will ask next. A brief discussion and a “khul kay poochain”, Meher says that they will discuss journalists at the end of the show, so as to “clear her name” at least.

Lucman tells Riaz, “Today I will ask you to give me in front of everyone. Give me a villa like you gave Hamid”. “No, no,” is Riaz’s response once again, followed by a “why not” from Lucman.

Yet another break later, both anchors and Riaz are once again seen talking about what the next discussion will be.

Riaz once again mentions that he wants them to ask why he is in every deal, and is told by Bokhari that she is not interested in asking that question, but is in return told that he wants to go back to it. “So go back,” says Lucman.

Riaz is seen occasionally choosing topics of his choice, focusing on the chief justice as well. He is also visibly upset during one part of the video, where he says that most of his questions are left and the work isn’t done.

Smoke breaks, thumbs up from both anchors, a high five and questions of how the show is going so far are also seen during the video.

Little arguments between both anchors are also regularly seen during the video, mostly on order of asking questions and the time each has to take.

Lucman also tells Riaz that he will ask a “conspiracy theory” question that he wanted to become the prime minister.

He tells Riaz that he will not answer the question before 10, as this will make people wait for it otherwise they won’t come back to the show.

In another interesting revelation, Riaz states that he does not eat roti, chawal or meetha, and will eat an egg or chicken. Lucman asks Bokhari to get barbecue instead.

Riaz is not to be interrupted

The second part of the video has strict instructions coming in for both Lucman and Bokhari that Riaz is not to be interrupted.

Both anchors give their assurance that they will not be interrupting the businessman now. Lucman also tells someone off camera that they should not be pressurising them for a break, and says that they will go over time if they have to.

Lucman then asks Riaz to give him a “dhamaka”, and is promised that he will get one on the next show.

Bokhari also delivers a message from Maryam Nawaz that a car had been offered to them but they had declined it after saying thank you.

During this talk, a muffled off screen voice says something and Riaz tells the female to stay quiet.

The second part also sees both anchors getting into a little tiff over camera time. Bokhari calls Lucman childish, who takes his mic off and leaves.

Riaz appears desperate when Lucman walks off, asking him to come back, saying it will be unfair for him.

An angry Lucman returns and tells Riaz that he will say live on air that he was pressurised into doing the show by him and Mian Amir.

Riaz continues trying to reconcile between the two during all of this.

He then begs both anchors and says that the program will be spoilt and that his life is at stake. Lucman then tells Riaz that he will say that he had gone to meet the man who also had documents to show against Dr Arsalan Iftikhar.

A video close to 26 minutes will now just add to the only dangerously brewing storm that has a member of the judiciary linked to it.

KARACHI: Legendary ghazal maestro Mehdi Hassan passed away at a private hospital in Karachi on Wednesday.

Hassan had been under treatment at hospitals in Pakistan for a while, and there had also been reports of shifting him to India. He was admitted at a hospital in Karachi for the past couple of weeks after he had developed a chest infection and breathing problems.

He passed away after he was shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the hospital.

Speaking to the media outside Aga Khan Hospital, Hassan’s son Asif Mehdi said that his father had a number of complications and had been admitted for treatment for a month.

He said that his father had grown old and he was getting weak, and a number of issues had developed, including with the lungs and chest.

Asif said that his brothers will be arriving in Karachi shortly and funeral details will be finalised by evening.

Hassan was born into a family of traditional musicians at Luna village, India, in 1927. His family migrated to Pakistan after 1947.

He had been awarded the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, Pride of Performance and Hilal-e-Imtiaz by the Pakistani government.

Lata Mangeshkar expresses grief

Indian legend Lata Mangeshkar, while talking to Express News, said that she was deeply saddened to hear the news of Mehdi Hassan’s demise.

She said that it was unfortunate that such a wonderful person had to suffer so much. “He had come to India and we had met. Everyone had started crying when they saw him.”

“Yeh hee manzoor thaa Allah ko,” she said.

Mangeshkar praised Mehdi Hassan and said that it was because of him many people had started singing.

“A voice like his may never be heard again.”

She said she had all records Hassan had released and liked every single ghazal of his.

Reactions

Nadeem Baig: “Hassan’s demise was a big loss, adding that a voice like his might never be heard again.”

“I had been humming one of Hassan’s songs in the morning today and it was later that I had found out about his demise,” said the actor.

Baig added that he was “blessed” to have had the opportunity to picturise his songs.

He also recalled that the maestro had encouraged him to sing and had said that he would teach him. He also said that he had thoroughly enjoyed hearing him live.

Tina Sani: “This kind of excellence – which is Mehdi Hassan – came with a lot of hard work. You may have a glimmer of talent, but if you don’t do this work of excellence with passion, then the question is: how will we ever produce another Mehdi Hassan or Ustad Ghulam Ali?”

“It’s a day to think. Legends don’t die. They are way beyond that. For all these people we are losing are products of 1950s, 1960s and some of 1970s.”

She added that Hassan had given the world the legacy of ghazals and he was a “passport” for people like her when they went out to perform in the world.

Ali Zafar: “There are some who are beyond the captive of time and age. One such maestro was Mehdi Hassan. He may not be amongst us physically anymore but he will certainly live forever in our hearts and minds through his ghazals and geets.”

“His gift to all of us including my generation and many more to come is intangible in words. He was more than an inspiration. He went as the greatest living ghazal maestro and we were lucky to have him. Hence I believe that we need to really show how we pay respect and ode to our heroes by doing something more meaningful than just condolences.”

“I think our  government  should construct a monument or an institution based on the great wisdom or the treasure of music he has left us with to enlighten our future generations with the same, and show the world how we value our art and artists,” added Zafar.

Javed Akhtar: Indian poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar, while speaking to an Indian news channel, was all praise for the ghazal maestro, stating that Hassan’s voice gave one solace and peace.

Ahmed Ali Butt: “There will be a lot of people giving tributes and remembering a legend. He has been sick for some time and his family had been asking for support. So the question arises, why we cannot support our legends while they are alive rather than name a street after them after they die.

“It’s a huge lost to the music community and to the generation of fans he has.”

Humaima Malick: Actor Humaima Malick, who is busy in Jaipur these days shooting for a film Sher opposite Sanjay Dutt, expressed grief over Hassan’s demise. In a message from India, she said, “It is definitely a cause to weep when a nation loses a personality such as Mehdi Hassan. He was respected and admired throughout the subcontinent. India and Pakistan have grown up listening to his ghazals, no matter what age or generation. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time. No one can replace him as a true legend of Pakistan.”

Nawaz Sharif: Recalling his recent meeting with the ghazal maestro in Karachi few months back, Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif said he always wanted to meet Hassan and was glad he did.

“He [Hassan] couldn’t speak because he was not in good health however I sat beside him for most of the time and spoke to his family members,” he said.

Agreeing that the government should extend assistance to the artist community, Nawaz said he regrets that he couldn’t pass any law or draft a policy for this when he was in power.

Yousaf Salli: “Mehdi Hassan left behind followers across the world. If one talks about classical gharanas (households) I think he was a gharana within himself.”

Sahir Ali Bagga: “Today’s music is what I like to call weekend music, but you could listen to Mehdi Hassan for a lifetime and never get bored.”

Fareeda Khanum: “He would sing at night, in the morning and at every moment. His passion created an environment that was lost in the music.”