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                        <title>The Express Tribune</title>
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			<title>Resolution passed against Valentine’s Day celebrations in Peshawar</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1045738/city-district-assemblys-move-resolution-passed-against-valentines-day-celebrations</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1045738/city-district-assemblys-move-resolution-passed-against-valentines-day-celebrations#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 12 Feb 16 22:31:54 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[our.correspondents]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[K-P]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Kohat nazim's attempt to ban February 14 festivities backfires]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The city district assembly has passed a unanimous resolution to impose a ban on Valentine’s Day celebration in Peshawar district.

The resolution was presented by Khalid Waqas Chamkani, who belongs to Jamaat-e-Islami, and was passed unanimously.

According to Chamkani, celebrating February 14 is against religious and cultural norms and should be banned.

“A group of people who are inspired by western values are trying to destroy the foundations of our culture by celebrating Valentine’s Day,” Chamkani said.

The JI leader said the resolution is a reminder for the youth that Valentine’s Day is a “useless celebration that has nothing to do with Pakistan’s culture”.

Voice of dissent

No members of the district assembly opposed the resolution.

However, Awami National Party Advocate Syed Zahir, who is also a member of the district assembly, said he was not present in the house when the resolution was passed. “I strongly oppose such a ban and would not have supported it,” he said.

Order discarded

Kohat district nazim Maulana Niaz Mohammad imposed a ban on the celebration of Valentine’s Day in the district. A directive was issued from his office on Thursday. However by Friday morning, the order was subsequently denounced as it was perceived as a violation of human rights.

When contacted, the district nazim told The Express Tribune on Friday he decided to announce the ban because festivities associated with February 14 are “illegal”.

“Valentine’s Day has become a common and unnecessary part of our culture,” Niaz said. “There is no need to designate a special day where people give cards, chocolates and gifts to each other.” The ban drew the ire of locals and the order was discarded by the police.

A high-ranking police official told The Express Tribune, “The order has been discarded as it is illegal and violates basic human rights.”  The official, who requested anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the media, said the Constitution does not prohibit citizens from celebrating Valentine’s Day.

“As a result, it would be unfair to ban February 14 celebrations as they are not illegal.”

Rumour has it

Earlier, on February 10, media reports suggested a ban had been imposed on Valentine’s Day festivities in Islamabad. As per these reports, the interior ministry issued specific instructions to the Islamabad Capital Administration to not allow people to participate in February 14 festivities in the federal capital. However, administration officials and a spokesperson from the interior ministry refuted these rumours, saying no instructions had been given to bring celebrations to a grinding halt.

Bone of contention

Although Valentine’s Day remains increasingly popular among various segments of the youth, it has also been denounced by hardliners as an attempt to impose western values in society.

On February 14, 2014, clashes between students at University of Peshawar highlighted the extent to which Valentine’s Day celebrations remain a contentious matter.

While one of the groups at the varsity was celebrating Valentine’s Day, another celebrated Haya Day (modesty day). The situation took a violent turn after students threw rocks at each other and the police was forced to intervene. Many students pulled out weapons and opened fire at police officials. At least three men were injured and 13 students were taken into custody.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 13th,  2016.]]>
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			<title>Kohat district nazim's attempt to ban Valentine’s Day backfires</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1045592/kohat-district-nazims-attempt-ban-valentines-day-backfires</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1045592/kohat-district-nazims-attempt-ban-valentines-day-backfires#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 12 Feb 16 12:51:18 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[K-P]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[High-ranking police official says order discarded as it violates basic human rights]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Kohat district nazim Maulana Niaz Mohammad imposed a ban on the celebration of Valentine’s Day in the district. However, the order was subsequently discarded as it was perceived as a violation of human rights.

When contacted, the district nazim told The Express Tribune on Friday said he decided to announce the ban because festivities associated with February 14 are “illegal”.

Ban on Valentine's festivities: 'Ministry has not issued any directives'

“Valentine’s Day has become a common and unnecessary part of our culture,” Niaz said. “There is no need to designate a special day where people give cards, chocolates and gifts to each other.”

Unconstitutional

The ban was not widely accepted and was discarded as it drew the ire of locals.

A high-ranking police official told The Express Tribune, “The order has been discarded as it is illegal and violates basic human rights.”

The official, who requested anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the media, said the Constitution does not prohibit citizens from celebrating Valentine’s Day.

“As a result, it would be unfair to ban February 14 celebration as they are not illegal.”]]>
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			<title>Celebrating Valentine’s Day</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/506843/celebrating-valentines-day</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/506843/celebrating-valentines-day#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 13 Feb 13 20:17:09 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=506843</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[February 14th needs to be accepted, as a day which offers opportunities for plain, simple enjoyment.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[So, we have another flurry of heart-shaped balloons selling on every street corner, cards selling at bookstores and kiosks along with the usual collection of cute little teddy bears and flower shops adorned with the most elaborate arrangements of red roses and other flora in bouquets and baskets. Yes, it is Valentine’s Day again and like everything else, it has of course, been turned into an earning opportunity for everyone who can muscle in, from small boys selling tiny flower buds on streets to the owners of plush restaurants offering special Valentine Day’s deals. The commercialism of the occasion, like virtually every other one on the calendar is, of course, a global phenomenon and especially understandable in a country where business is low and times hard.

With the candy, the flowers and the cards we also see the usual debates, based around questions of  ‘westernisation’, morality and whatever else comes to the mind of elements in our society who seem to oppose celebration of any kind. The objections to Valentine’s Day are heard each year, repeated over and over again, with grim talk of  ‘corrupted’ youth and a decline into decadence.

But, we need to ask, why can we not simply learn to enjoy these occasions and the rare festivity they bring into our lives? After all, in a society where things are generally as grim, as is the case in ours, we need opportunities for fun, for enjoyment, for laughter. Too few of these exist. Everyone is, of course, free to mark the day as they please, or not do so, as the case may be. But certainly, it makes no sense to try and stifle fun for others by arguing Valentine’s Day not be marked at all. Today, we live in a global village and need to walk in step with the world. Even more than this, we need opportunities for plain, simple enjoyment. February 14th needs to be accepted, then, as a day which offers this and not as anything more complicated which can damage our culture or belief. We need to learn how to have fun and seize every opportunity to do so.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>In a city of paradoxes, protests not just against Valentine’s Day but also its symbolism</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/336535/in-a-city-of-paradoxes-protests-not-just-against-valentine%e2%80%99s-day-but-also-its-symbolism</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/336535/in-a-city-of-paradoxes-protests-not-just-against-valentine%e2%80%99s-day-but-also-its-symbolism#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 14 Feb 12 21:54:19 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=336535</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Conservative groups rail against the cultural corruption as couples go about having fun.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[While the love-struck were busy making reservations and buying gifts for Valentine’s Day, around 150 men on Monday protested against the event for encouraging ‘indecent’ activities. Then on Tuesday, the actual day, women from the Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan set fire to Valentine’s Day cards during their own protest.  

“Let them make fun of us for condemning a day, which symbolises love and affection,” said Shujauddin Sheikh, a central leader of the organisation. Sheikh was standing on a truck with loudspeakers, surrounded by men holding placards denouncing the day.

The media, especially Pakistani television channels, were targeted for airing special Valentine’s Day programmes, which according to the speakers encouraged young men and women to adopt an ‘alien culture’.

Sheikh shared his bewilderment for billboards along Shahrah-e-Faisal which were advertising hotel rooms. “Come and book rooms with a romantic atmosphere,” he cited an advertisement. “It’s unbelievable.”

He accepted that not many people will be persuaded to cancel their ‘dates’ because of their protest. “We can only use our tongues. The rest is up to Allah.”

Tanzeem-e-Islami, which aims to set up an Islamic governing system of Khilafat, advocates a strict Islamic code of life. The protesters distributed pamphlets among the people about what they said was the history of Valentine’s Day. They claimed that in Rome it was celebrated on February 15 as ‘Feast of the Wolf’ when young women would place their names in an urn, from which boys would randomly draw to discover their companion for a day, year or lifetime.  Sheikh elaborated that Muslims are not only being killed by US drone attacks, but also “cultural drone attacks” which corrupt the minds of Pakistani youth and lead them astray.

A few kilometres away at a hotel, restaurants were being decorated for Valentine’s Day as around 300 guests were expected after a successful weekend of early celebrations. “Valentine’s Day celebrations started on February 10 with a ball,” said Bushra Fazli, their public relations officer. “We received a tremendous response on our weekend room package for couples; Rs12,900 for the night with breakfast and complementary gifts.” On Tuesday, a live band performed for couples and complimentary photographs were taken, she said.

And thus, the paradoxes continued to register, with a protest organised outside a shopping mall in Clifton as vendors sold heart-shaped balloons and roses in full bloom nearby.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 15th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>On Valentine's Day: Youth attempts suicide to mend ties with lover</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/336293/on-valentines-day-youth-attempts-suicide-to-mend-ties-with-lover</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/336293/on-valentines-day-youth-attempts-suicide-to-mend-ties-with-lover#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 14 Feb 12 11:37:35 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=336293</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[In order to make it up to his sulking loved one, Arain tried to shoot himself.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[After many unsuccessful attempts to mend ties with his lover, 21-year-old Imtiaz Arain attempted suicide on Valentine’s Day.

In order to make it up to his sulking loved one, Arain, a resident of Taj Colony in Nawabshah, tried to shoot himself.

His friends intervened and tried to stop him and in the struggle the bullet pierced through his leg.

He was immediately transferred to a nearby hospital, where doctors say that his condition is stable.]]>
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			<title>Valentine's Day finds a niche in conservative Iran</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/336212/valentines-day-finds-a-niche-in-conservative-iran</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/336212/valentines-day-finds-a-niche-in-conservative-iran#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 14 Feb 12 05:43:18 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[afp]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=336212</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[There are signs, however, that the authorities’ patience with the day is wearing thin.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Iran may reject Western influences, but Valentine’s Day has become a growing phenomenon thanks to the romantically minded youth of the Islamic state's affluent classes.

Although the ruling clerics and hardline politicians have been waging a campaign against what they call “decadent” cultural imports, the Christian day dedicated to amorous displays has so far survived.

Part of the reason could be the sheer number of young adults in the country: 60 per cent of the 75 million-strong population is under 30, and one Iranian in three is aged 15 to 30.

With many of them unmarried, and with bars, clubs and mixed parties all banned under the country's strict laws, Valentine’s Day is increasingly seen as a tolerated courting opportunity -- one whose commercial side is much appreciated by Iranian retailers.

Several shopkeepers in Tehran told AFP that demand for rose bouquets, sentimental cards with the English word “love”, chocolate, perfume and even teddy bears was strong, adding to a growing trend of recent years.

The owner of one Italian restaurant, who asked not to be identified, said his establishment was booked up well in advance by couples.

Elmira, a 24-year-old architecture graduate in the capital who declined to give her last name, said most of those participating in the annual romantic ritual were young people from the middle and upper classes.

“The usual routine each year is an exchange of gifts and then going out for dinner,” she said.

Valentine's Day “used to be huge for me,” she said, but now she was looking for something more meaningful. “Silly traditions do not really matter if there are no feelings involved.”

There are signs, however, that the authorities’ patience with the day is wearing thin.

Last year, officials banned the production and sale of Valentine’s Day items. Conservatives insist there is no room for such immodest declarations in devout Islamic culture.

They have become alarmed at the rapid decline in the number of marriages in recent years, blaming the trend on Western superficiality.

Nationalistic Iranians prefer to celebrate their love on Mehregan, a pre-Islamic and little-observed festival in October that honours Mithra, the ancient Persian goddess of love.

But so far at least, young Iranian couples are still able to take part in Valentine’s Day.

Saba, an 18-year-old graphics student in the northeast holy city of Mashhad, said that for her, the day was not at all about adopting a Christian calendar but rather because “I would love to receive gifts and chocolate.”

She added though that she thought it safer to attend a private party in a home than risk a restaurant or other public place which could attract unwanted attention from Iran’s morality police, who enforce Islamic-based codes on dress and behaviour.

“Even though we would not be doing anything un-Islamic in restaurants or cafes, there are not many places in our city to hang out on Valentine’s (Day) and be safe,” she said.

Even the home option is not without risk. Parties are regularly raided by the police and young Iranians consuming alcohol or dancing are arrested.

Meysam, a home appliances store owner in his early 30s, said he had plans to take his girlfriend out – but for reasons that were not related to Valentine's Day.

“I love to have fun but I also need to do this to take my mind off (the fact) that business is just awful these days,” he said.

He said he did not know what the future holds for his small business because of the continuing devaluation of Iran’s currency, the rial, and added restrictions on importing goods from the United Arab Emirates and China.

Recent economic sanctions adopted by the United States against Iran’s financial system have raised major hurdles to the way Iranian companies conduct their business, and impacted the import of goods into the country.]]>
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			<title>To or not to celebrate Valentine’s Day</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/335916/to-or-not-to-celebrate-valentine%e2%80%99s-day</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/335916/to-or-not-to-celebrate-valentine%e2%80%99s-day#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 14 Feb 12 03:03:21 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[umer.farooq]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[K-P]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=335916</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The day still continues to polarise segments of society.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Even more than a decade after it gained widespread popularity in the country, Valentine’s Day continues to polarise segments of society.


Mobile phones and social networking sites such as Facebook have been inundated with messages for and against celebrating Valentine’s Day, as both sides try to gain a wider audience.

The Express Tribune talked to a few youngsters for their point of view. Rehan, who is a student of A levels at Roots College International Islamabad, was also found sending anti-Valentine’s Day messages for violating cultural values.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Rehan said celebrating Valentine’s Day was against the norms of an Islamic society. Valentine’s Day celebrations started after Valentine was beheaded by a Roman emperor for going against his orders.

Celebrating Valentine’s Day means we are celebrating Valentine’s death, which is neither logical nor ethical, he said.  “Let it be celebrated as a festival but if we can celebrate Valentine’s Day why not celebrate Christmas and Holi?”

However, a few from the conservative city were found to in favour of celebrating Valentine’s Day and said it was only a festival like Jashn-e-Nauroz.

Shumaila, who has graduated from University of Peshawar’s Law College and is currently preparing for CSS, said branding Valentine’s Day as a Western import was illogical and those who subscribe to this view should also ditch the Gregorian calendar and start following the Islamic one. “It’s human nature to have a valentine. If you don’t have a crush you are not human.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>The ironies of love and life</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/336034/the-ironies-of-love-and-life</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/336034/the-ironies-of-love-and-life#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 14 Feb 12 02:57:40 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[sehrish.wasif]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=336034</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The greatest irony in life may truly be falling in love with the right person at the wrong time.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[For Esha*, her first Valentine’s Day with her fiancé may also be her last.


Esha is the oldest child in her family and also the sole breadwinner. Her father passed away while she was completing her masters, and since then, she had been handling the financial responsibilities of her family.

Esha met her beloved Ali* last year at work. She was a customer services representative for a service provider, and he was a customer. Ali, a police officer, was immediately taken by her and soon they started spending time together. On days when she was unable to meet him after work, she would stop by his office with his favourite foods.

A few months in, he asked for her hand in marriage. It was not easy, as at first, Ali’s own family was unwilling to let him marry a non-Syed. However, both families consented towards the end of 2011 after being impressed by the couple’s sincerity.

Esha had been feeling sick during this time and had assumed it was stress from rumours of downsizing at work. However, when her health failed to improve, she went to a doctor and had a few tests done. The results changed her life. Esha had late stage blood cancer. To add to her misery, she was downsized as well.

Still financially responsible for her younger siblings’ education, she is spending all her savings on her family.

Esha is divided. Should she tell her family and risk losing her love, or should she keep it to herslf, and risk losing her life?

She has not even shared the fact with Ali yet, as she fears his family might force him to back out of the engagement. The fear has taken its toll on her determination to get treatment.

Esha remains quiet as she finishes wrapping Ali’s Valentine’s present, a pencil-sketched portrait of him, along with chocolates and balloons. At the same time, Ali is busy arranging wedding-related events. Meanwhile, Esha’s mother is asking for money for wedding clothes and jewellery.

The greatest irony in life may truly be falling in love with the right person at the wrong time.

*Names changed to protect identity

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Greeting cards: Are you buying one this year?</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/336018/greeting-cards-are-you-buying-one-this-year</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/336018/greeting-cards-are-you-buying-one-this-year#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 13 Feb 12 22:10:50 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=336018</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Companies say comopetition for Valentine’s Day sales has increased.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Competition for Valentine’s Day gifts and cards sales has intensified in recent years, as more and more stores are selling them, prompting innovations this year.


The Card Company is offering a bigger variety of Valentine’s Day cards this year. Fahim Fayyaz, the company’s DHA manager, said, “Every year, about 10 to 12 new designs were prepared for the day. But this year, we have over 200 new designs to choose from.” One of the new design includes a card with a hologram.

He said sales this year had been slow. However, he said, he was confident they would go up as the day approached, and would be very high on the day.

He said the 200 new varieties of cards had been designed using precision laser machines, a recently imported technology. These cards have been priced between Rs75 and Rs850.

He said their card and gift designers had attempted to avoid themes with teddy bears and chocolates this year. “This year we want customers to try carved wooden wall hangings, ceramic tiles, clocks, and frames especially designed for this day.”

Four designers, including the shop’s owner, Zahid Masood, have been working on these designs for the last four months.  Masood said they had made a special variety of cards this Valentine’s Day because greeting card sales had been falling.
“In 2006 and in 2007, people of all ages bought cards. But in the last three years, fewer people are making Valentine’s Day purchases.”

He said that people were sick of the hype created about the day and that was why sales had declined. “It is as if people find it outdated now,” he said.

The Card Company sold about 500,000 cards on Valentine’s Day in 2011. Masood said he hoped to sell about 1.5 million this year thanks to the greater variety.

“Only gift shops and big departmental stores used to sell Valentine’s Day gifts and greeting cards.

Now, every neighbourhood grocery store and medical store has it.”

A manager of another gift shop in Gulberg said business this Valentine’s Day had been very slow so far. “It’s 60 per cent slower this year,” he said.

He said he had had customers who told him they would rather spend money on things that are worth using, than greeting cards.
“Flowers die out in a day. Mugs, photo frames and wall hangings are not flattering. People have better expectations,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Five Valentine’s dates from hell</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/335837/five-valentine%e2%80%99s-dates-from-hell</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/335837/five-valentine%e2%80%99s-dates-from-hell#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 13 Feb 12 17:11:32 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Here are a few nightmare Valentine’s dates which may cement your scepticism about all things ‘love’.]]>
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				<![CDATA[For some, Valentine’s Day is heaven. For others, it is a painful hell! For those who believe that this day should be a disgusting pigskin brown instead of a ravenous red, here are a few nightmare Valentine’s dates which may cement your scepticism about all things ‘love’.

When your Valentine is Hannibal Lecter

Last Valentine’s Day, I was pretty bummed that I had no one to buy me a present or take me out for a candle-lit dinner. While I was sitting at the office, mulling over, the mail man dropped a big white envelope on my desk. Since it was addressed to me and it happened to be February 14, I knew it had to be a Valentine’s Day card. I excitedly tore the envelope off to see who had sent it me. To my surprise and shock, it had no return address and had the creepiest message on it:

Be mine...or die

I spent the rest of the day in absolute fear for my life, half expecting a stalker or an axe murderer to appear out of nowhere. It was the next day that I found out it was a prank my sadistic co-workers had played on me for constantly complaining about me being single.

Aimen Shehzad

The gastronomical delight

I had cooked a wonderful meal for her on Valentine’s Day at my place. For the main course, I had made poached lobster. Since I wanted her to be completely surprised, I blindfolded her so she couldn’t see what was on the plate. In a very romantic moment, I fed her my culinary creation. For two seconds, she seemed mesmerised by the taste. Merely seconds later, she was screaming that she was allergic to shell fish. What followed next was an incredibly swollen tongue, a hospital visit and a lot of insults from my Valentine.

Hammad Khan

Drive of your life

I was really looking forward to Valentine’s Day as I had planned an entire day of activities with my Mrs. I wanted to start off with a long drive to the French beach. We started off early at 7 am. Half-way there, my car broke down in one of the shadiest parts of town. Stranded, harassed and angry, we stood and waited for hours until one of my friends finally woke up and decided to rescue us.

Naveed Akhtar

Bossy breakfast

I really wanted to meet my Valentine for an entire day. But since I had to work that day, there was no way I could take off without a very genuine reason. So I faked sickness by calling up my manager in the morning and asking for a day off. He agreed and told me to rest. Excitedly, I dressed up to the nines and headed for some breakfast with my Valentine at popular breakfast joint. We hadn’t even gotten started, when lo and behold, my manager walks in the cafe to pick up his coffee. We exchanged some uncomfortable glances and the next day I had a disciplinary letter sitting on my desk.

Saima Khan

Mommy dearest

The waiter had only put the appetizers on the table, when my beau’s phone started ringing. He quieted me and picked up the phone conspicuously. The conversation started with: “Jee Mumma” and ended with “Mein abhi aya”.

Within seconds my Valentine had asked for the bill, told me that he had to cancel as his ‘Mumma’ had cooked him aloo parathay at home. I swallowed my sauteed mushroom, picked up my bag and left the restaurant with a very empty stomach and a broken heart.

Mavesh Javed

*Names have been altered to protect their privacy.

VD etiquettes: What not to say to the single girl 

1.   When are you going to get married?

2.   Did you get anything for Valentine’s Day?

3.   What happened to your old boyfriend?”

4.   Can you babysit my kids, since you won’t be doing anything tonight

5.   Are you gay?

6.   Want to meet my brother? He’s lonely too.

7.   Maybe it’s your breath.

8.   Do you have daddy issues?

9.   Why can’t you get a man?

10. How does it feel to be an old maid?

Source: yahoo voices

Your most memorable Valentine’s Day?

The best experience for me was that I got engaged to my husband on Valentine’s Day.

Designer Sania Maskatiya

The best Valentine’s Day I’ve had was in my high school days. Just the anticipation of not knowing who would spring up a Valentine surprise and whether any secret crushes would be revealed or not would keep us girls on our toes. All the mystery and cuteness was a Valentine highlight!

Actor and model Aamina Sheikh

Before the advent of fashion weeks, there used to be just solo fashion shows. Almost every year some designer or the other would do a Valentine’s Day show. This meant I had to work on February 14 — I hated that feeling.

Singer and actor Meesha Shafi

The worst Valentine’s Day was when I was in London for work. I was away from my family and friends for a week and I just stayed in my hotel room all by myself.

Model Mehreen Syed

My worst Valentine’s was when I was a 12-year-old and I biked to my sisters’ friends’ house on whom I had a major crush. I proceeded to give her a rose and she gave me a sisterly kiss on my forehead in return.

Musician Jimmy Khan

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Celebrations: Love for food or food for love?</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/335548/celebrations-love-for-food-or-food-for-love</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/335548/celebrations-love-for-food-or-food-for-love#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 12 Feb 12 21:08:48 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[As Valentine’s Day approaches, eateries try to attract more customers.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Something special every year for this day is necessary to keep customers coming in, says Kamran Sheikh, manager of Verandah Bistro, a Mediterranean eatery near Mini Market.

This year too, he said, the restaurant has a special menu.

Customers will be welcomed with a seven-course Valentine’s special menu with options to choose from fish, chicken, pasta, steak and prawns. Also on the menu are strawberries margaritas and a red dessert. The restaurant will also use special red serving dishes.

While recently opened restaurants in town are offering special deals to get reservations ahead of the day, managements of established restaurants such as Yum, Café Zouk, Freddy’s and Ziafat feel that they do not have to make any extra effort.

Managers at Café Zouk and Yum said their restaurants had been booked in advance and it would be hard to accommodate more customers.

“We do not feel any pressures to make special arrangements for Valentine’s Day,” Yum Manager Muhammad Ilyas told The Express Tribune. Café Zouk’s manager felt likewise. “We are crowded regardless of whether it’s Valentine’s Day, New Year’s Day, Christmas or Eid,” he said.

The Noodle House, which opened in October 2011 in Gulberg, has over 50 reservations for Valentine’s Day so far. Manager Hashaam Aziz says he hopes to get more.

Explaining the menu for the day, he said, “We wanted something well-rounded and unique. Something no other restaurant in Lahore will offer.”

At The Noodle House, dinner for two includes a menu of refried salmon salad for appetiser, red curry with roasted duck for the main course and deep-fried green tea ice cream for dessert for Rs2,799.

“Lahoris are unfamiliar with roasted duck in red curry and green tea ice cream,” he said. Including dishes, which are “unheard of and delicious,” he believes, will give the restaurant “an edge.”

While some restaurants are adjusting menus to draw clients others, relatively new ones, are making alterations to the décor.

The manager at Café Upstairs, which opened little over a week ago, told The Express Tribune that customers will be offered free heart-shaped cookies and roses.

He said since the restaurant has yet to be officially launched, only small changes will be made in the décor for Valentine’s Day.

The manager at Opium, a Thai restaurant that opened in Gulberg in December last year, said the restaurant will be decorated with yellow and red lights with confetti and roses at each table.

He said free Thai chicken spring rolls will also be offered to customers.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 13th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>10 things I hate about Valentine’s day</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/333955/10-things-i-hate-about-valentine%e2%80%99s-day-2</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/333955/10-things-i-hate-about-valentine%e2%80%99s-day-2#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 12 Feb 12 07:06:46 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[t.pasha]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=333955</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[All the red. Do you know that in many parts of the world, blue is considered to be the colour of love?]]>
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				<![CDATA[1.   The commercialisation. Valentine’s Day used to be about professing and celebrating love but now it’s not V-Day unless you get at least a dozen roses, a box of chocolates and some very expensive jewellery for your girl. Is this really what showing your love is about?

2.    All the red. Do you know that in many parts of the world, blue is considered to be the colour of love? It symbolises trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, and heaven, technically everything you want from love. So can you please tone down the red, it’s giving me a headache!

3.    The tacky gifts. I’ll admit, I love teddy bears but it’s really embarrassing to come out of a store carrying a big red teddy bear that keeps bleating “I wuv you” to complete strangers.

4.    The fakers. They act like they don’t care about V-Day until the actual day. Then they gush to their friends about the wonderful gifts they got. Please don’t insult our intelligence, we know that you pushed him into the store and handed him the money.

5.    The drama. All the single people who use the day as an excuse to whine about their pathetic lives. It’s really painful listening to each of your friends blabbering on about how they are never going to find true love. Please stop, I’m this close to shooting myself.

6.    The haters. I just want to say to all those V-Day haters who love to pick on happy couples: Everybody knows that while you say you despise the day, secretly you just need some ‘wuv’ in your life.And a teddy bear.

7.    The single people. Yes, yes. We all know how happy you are being single. You also don’t have to tell us about the fact that you are free from all commitments and obligations on V-Day. Stop ruining the day for us, it’s really annoying.

8.    The “I forgot” excuse. Lots of guys use this excuse to get out of celebrating V-Day all together. How can you forget about V-Day? There are red balloons, hearts and teddy bears everywhere! And no, colour blindness is no excuse?

9.    The television. Every channel on V-Day is awash with red and all of their content is about love. Why do we have to suffer through all of that when all we want to do is to watch is a good action flick.

10.    The questions. Yes, I am single. No, I like being single. No, I do not hate Valentine’s Day because I am single.I’m not anti-love or a misanthrope. I’m just single!

Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, February 12th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Valentine’s Day: Intimate, with a hint of extravagance</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/118392/valentine%e2%80%99s-day-preparations-intimate-with-a-hint-of-extravagance</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/118392/valentine%e2%80%99s-day-preparations-intimate-with-a-hint-of-extravagance#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 14 Feb 11 05:54:48 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[momina.sibtain]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Islama­bad gets ready for the arriva­l of valent­ines day with gigant­ic hearts and red wrappi­ng paper.]]>
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				<![CDATA[As Cupid awakes after a year of fleeting activity and gets ready to sprinkle confetti on lovers around the world, Islamabad gets ready for his arrival.

Even though the most scenic city of the country seems to have a relatively dormant take on celebrating the day of love, the nooks and crannies of Islamabad are seeing to it that the day is intimate with a hint of extravagance.

The city is not overly decorated in red wrapping paper and gigantic hearts, but the essence of love can still be felt in the roadside children selling red roses and shops displaying red outfits and heart-shaped balloons in their display windows.

The minimalistic style adopted by the city for Valentine’s Day is not nauseating for the ever-growing single population or too overwhelming for the ones in love.

Polo Lounge in Saidpur Village has gone all-global in order to make it special for its guests. The special menu set for the day includes appetizer Mussels Au Gratin, Norwegian pink salmon, saddle prawns and chicken breast stuffed with ricotta and wrapped in turkey bacon.

Rose petals and tea candles have been used to create an ambiance that exudes love and romance.

While Polo Lounge’s approach brings the Lahori touch to Islamabad by going all-out, other Islamabad eateries are planning a relatively low-key mood for Valentine’s Day celebrations.

The neighbouring Zizous has designed a special menu for two priced at Rs2,999. Apart from their delicious food the restaurant is offering a special V-day drink called Red Diamond Smoothie, which is new strawberry smoothie with a twist of fizz.

If someone is in the mood to enjoy some delectable treats but avoid the throngs of people, Cinnamon in Beverly Centre is the place to be. After facing a very traumatic month of putting out fires and working on damage control, the restaurant is back in business and is offering a more intimate space for V-day celebrators.

With special additions to the menu including smoked salmon and prawn appetizers, along with a unique take on beef fillet stuffed with prawn, the restaurant is set upon tantalising the taste bud of their guests.

As restaurants sprout up with exciting “V-day” menus designed specifically for two, L’atelier has put selected designers on sale, besides offering gift vouchers of up to Rs5,000 to ensure that the day is special for all those celebrating.

Whether single or in love, no one is stopping one from buying new clothes. L’atelier has put up a special sale on Body Focus Museum, Mayhem, Nickie Nina, Sharmeen, Nizia, Mahin and Erum. It is the perfect opportunity for ladies to shop till they drop.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Public beating for selling or buying roses on Valentines Day</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/118435/public-beating-for-selling-or-buying-roses-on-valentines-day</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/118435/public-beating-for-selling-or-buying-roses-on-valentines-day#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 14 Feb 11 05:28:29 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=118435</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Public opinion overwhelmingly leans towards a ban on the Valentines Day.]]>
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				<![CDATA[An informal survey by media reporters and the district administration revealed that a vast majority of residents condemned Valentines Day celebrations in the area. Several administrators and clerics have threatened public floggings for anyone seen selling or purchasing a red rose on February 14.

“Islam condemns Valentine’s Day and boys presenting flowers to young girls is vulgar and goes against the norms of Islam,” said Maulvi Ibrahim, adding that clerics in the district had made announcements stating that anyone seen purchasing or selling red roses should be punished in public.

“There is no reason for such holidays to be celebrated in Pakistan as they go against our culture and cause ‘moral corruption,” he said. A conference was called by clerics to discuss the ‘problems’ associated with celebrating Valentines Day in Pakistan. “We should put a ban on selling anything red (roses, chocolates, heart shaped balloons) on February 14th,” said Mufti Nadeem Tabish.

A dispute reportedly broke out between the clerics regarding the origins of Valentines Day. Several clerics maintained that Valentines Day was a Jewish holiday and others stated that the custom of handing out roses had been derived from Hindu culture. “I see no harm in celebrating Valentines. Everyone here has been debating where the day comes from even though it is named after a Christian saint. The clerics are trying to paint Valentines Day as an Israeli conspiracy,” said a high school student Karim.

“Young boys and girls do not interact let alone hand each other presents in our culture and Valentine’s Day has become an excuse for such reprehensible behaviour,” said a district officer Mumtaz Haroon.

Police officer Bashir Awan said that no one would be allowed to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Jhawarian. “Strict action should be taken against people seen handing roses. They should be arrested,” said Haroon. Several university students and religious party workers have warned that anyone seen purchasing ‘red’ merchandise pertaining to Valentine’s Day would be beaten up in public. “We will see who dares promote this vulgarity,” said university student Razaq. “People say this day is about love and that it encourages us to express our feelings towards our loved ones. I don’t see what is wrong with that,” said a housewife Sadia.
“Our religion teaches us to love and respect our parents and elders the whole year round. This day is really about ‘young love’ and that is not something we will tolerate,” said Mufti Rehman, adding “This is a Jewish tradition, but we Muslims are celebrating it. The government should ban Valentine’s Day and we are drafting a petition in this regard.” Matiur Rehman said that Islam prohibited meetings between unacquainted men and women.
“Still on this day young boys and girls declare their love for each other.

This should not be allowed in an Islamic country,” he said. “I think that we need more days like Valentines Day as they put a smile on people’s. In such troubled times I don’t think there is anything wrong with talking about love,” said high school student Amina.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>‘Social taboos kill all romance for us’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/118265/%e2%80%98social-taboos-kill-all-romance-for-us%e2%80%99</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/118265/%e2%80%98social-taboos-kill-all-romance-for-us%e2%80%99#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 14 Feb 11 05:15:56 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[sohail.khattak]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=118265</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Most people might not know the whys behind the day but they definitely love to celebrate Valentine's.]]>
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				<![CDATA[“Valentine’s Day marks the birth of a great scholar!” says 22-year-old Shehzad Adil to his friends, standing near the oil tankers at Shireen Jinnah Colony.

Most people might not know the whys behind the day but they definitely love to celebrate it. Valentine’s Day cuts in all its pink and red glory across class boundaries — but not everyone has an easy romance.

Adil says he and his two friends, Rehan and Zohaib, meet every day to talk about their “progress” with their respective girlfriends. Zohaib said his own romance ended when the girl was married to her cousin last year but now he comes because he “enjoys listening to his friends and giving them tips to keep their girls happy”. “I also tell them how they can get out of giving them gifts!”

Talking about how they communicate with their girlfriends, Rehan, a thin, clean-shaven young man, said they only talk on cell phones. “I borrow Easyload from the shopkeeper on loan. Thankfully the shopkeeper is my friend otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to manage [my relationship].”

“I wish we could go to a good restaurant or even to a park or the Quaid’s mazaar,” says Zohaib.

His girlfriend is a nurse in training at a private hospital. He used to go see her at the hospital but he couldn’t go up to her and talk because “she has a friend who is always sticking to her”. Not everyone has the advantage of technology and Ishtiaq Ahmed, 23, says he writes letters to his girlfriend. The young computer operator lives in Sultanabad. He has to send letters through his girlfriend’s younger cousin because “her father is against cell phones”. If they get caught it would be serious trouble — not just for her but for Ahmed also because she lives next door.

Social taboos kill all the romance for us, he says wistfully. “Everyone knows the dull agony of a love that is communicated through letters. All day you wait for a reply, pay the messenger to keep shut his or her mouth and at the end of the day you receive the reply ‘I am not free, I will write later’.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Valentines day: Florists cheer as cupid shoots its arrow</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/118432/valentines-day-florists-cheer-as-cupid-shoots-its-arrow</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/118432/valentines-day-florists-cheer-as-cupid-shoots-its-arrow#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 14 Feb 11 04:58:35 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Rana Yasif]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Many are thanking their stars that Valentines is on a Monday.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Valentines Day falling on a working day has brought cheer to some people, namely the youth and florists in the city. Last year, the day of red roses fell on a Sunday which meant it was hard to sneak out of the house for many and florists were not able to push their wares. This year, many hope, will be a different story.

Florists, confectioners and gift shop owners are overjoyed that Valentines Day is on a working day and are hoping to see a real boost in their retail sales. They said it was especially difficult for girls to leave their homes to get gifts and the harder it became for them, the slower sales went. However, some young people and florists said that irrespective whether it be a Monday or a Sunday, when it comes to expressing your love nothing can stand in their way.

Twenty-six-year-old university student Daniyal planned to buy flowers for his special someone this Valentines Day. Daniyal thanked God that Valentines fell on a working day especially as it was difficult for girls to come out on holidays. Saima Noor, a student at Lahore College for Women University, said she would celebrate Valentines with her boyfriend. She was glad that this time around the day was on Monday as last year she had been unable to get out of family engagements.  She was planning on going to Liberty Market to buy flowers for her boyfriend.

Rao Iqbal (55) said that upper crust families did not really care if their children met up with their significant others. Iqbal said that the problem lay with middle class and working class families who disapproved and hence the couples met secretly. For such couples, Iqbal felt, everyday was Valentines.

Faiza Sultan, a student, said, “Valentine’s Day should be celebrated as it was the only day of its kind in the year. Men and women made plans for dinners, dancing parties, watching movies and gave flowers to one another.”

Maaham Aslam, a student of Kinnaird College, said Valentine’s Day should not be celebrated. She said Islam did not allow it. It was not a Muslim tradition, the young girl added.

The florists earnt millions of rupees on Valentine’s Day by selling flowers. The owners of flower shops at Mini Market decorated their shops placing flowers made into the shapes of peacocks, hearts, birds, baskets, bouquets and other items to attract customers. Other florists were not far behind in the race either as items were being sold for between Rs1,000  to Rs5,000. Shopkeepers said they purchased 5,000 red roses in a routine day but on Valentines they purchased over 50,000 flowers.

On Valentines Day eve, luxury restaurants and local hotels are offering special menus, dance parties and musical programmes.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Dressing up for love</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/118261/dressing-up-for-love</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/118261/dressing-up-for-love#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 13 Feb 11 16:04:47 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[hani.taha]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Fashion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=118261</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Come February 14 and every store in town gets painted a deep hue of red.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Come February 14 and every store in town gets painted a deep hue of red. From cheesy heart-shaped balloons to red buntings, with love in the air, and with a greater awareness of Valentine’s Day, each store and label prepares to catch up by producing collections that are in line for the season of love. There is something for everyone to cash in on this Valentine’s Day.

So whether it is Nomi Ansari sending out red-coloured Valentine mugs to his clients, friends and the media, Fashion Pakistan Lounge is holding a whopping 70 per cent off red carpet sale, Gulabo offering a five per cent on their red and pink designs or Labels introducing its gift vouchers for the first time, the fashion industry has geared up to make their benefactors feel special this Valentine’s with multiple incentives to spur spending by offering red collections in their stores for clients to bloom in the colour of love.

Ammar Belal, in his true creative style, has done up his shop windows at the design emporium in red with mannequins adorning red tee shirts with cute Valentine’s Day sayings on them. Always trying to push artistic boundaries, Belal got his designer pals to design pieces in red for the most daring of all men.

Another fashion maverick, Omar Farooq of Republic has gone all out in bringing products from Italy for his clientele. The Valentine’s Day collection by Republic features red sweaters and shirts, and even office durables like file covers, card holders, and planners for the store’s corporate clientele. For the young at heart, Republic has done a line of graphic tee shirts with a heart wrapped around in safety pins. “We hope that people will perceive this symbolic heart image in unique enigmatic ways,” said Farooq, the creative director of the brand.

The epitome of sophistication, Elan was also pressured to create something for the cupid season. “We never thought we would do a Valentine’s line,” said Khadija Shah of Elan. “But people have been demanding us to make us clothes. We did our popular designs in formal red chiffons and embellishment, all below Rs30,000. These are wardrobe staples that will do well otherwise as well,” stated Shah.

The designer retail store Ensemble has been holding events at their outlets in Lahore and Karachi to launch their spring collections. At their flagship store in Karachi, there are special offers for the store itself as well as their in-house salon. This year the store has also signed up with Lal’s chocolates and Cookie’s cupcakes with special promotions that give women benefits for shopping at Ensemble.  “For a lot of guys it is so difficult to shop for women. Clothes are a great bet but women mostly don’t like their husbands’ tastes so we are offering gift vouchers of varying amounts starting at Rs5,000,” explained Shernaz Hussain of Ensemble.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Velveteen Valentine</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/118255/velveteen-valentine</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/118255/velveteen-valentine#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 13 Feb 11 15:50:04 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[safia.kaleem]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Food]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=118255</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Maha Jawed’s red velvet cake will tantalise your senses - the newest kid on the patisserie block.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Ever seen a red so deep and seductive that you find yourself intrigued by its very texture?  Look no further because Maha Jawed’s red velvet cake will tantalise your senses - the newest kid on the patisserie block.

In an exclusive interview with Maha Jawed, The Express Tribune gets up close and personal with the owner of Fatso’s unveiling the concept behind her business, her inspiration and her take on the current commercial nature of restaurants these days.  It has been three months since the professionally trained chef has plunged into the catering business and Jawed has already managed to win over a sturdy line up of clients with her exquisite menu and her original take on various cuisines.

How did you get into the business of food?

I came back from Istanbul and was dreading coming back home. I wanted to work in a restaurant but then out of necessity, I decided to start my own catering-it was the best way to start because it didn’t require too much investment.

Who has been an inspiration to you in the culinary world?

Pierre Gagnaire, he’s a French chef and I absolutely love his cooking style. I strive to cook like him.

Have your received professional training in cooking?

Well, I was trained for three months at 360 in Istanbul and that was an amazing experience. 360 is one of the most happening places in Istanbul.

I also went to Le Cordon Bleu on full scholarship and got myself certified.

What kind of cuisines do you specialise in?

It’s interesting, I went on scholarship and learnt cuisine, not pattisserie. Here I am baking day in and day out! Ideally, I wanted to do French food but people in Pakistan are so hospitable that they cater to more than one type on their events and so keeping that in mind, I included French, Thai, Pakistani and included a ‘pick and mix’ section.

Why haven’t you set up your outlet yet?

I don’t have that kind of money right now, and it’s a huge commitment. You need to install a running management, have staff and get funds.

What do you think of the rising home-based cupcake businesses?

Honestly, I don’t think too much about them,  I haven’t even tried most of them. Also, the use of fondant really upsets me, hats off for fondant and detail but it has no taste.

What has been your marketing strategy thus far?

Well I started on Facebook but a more personalised website is on it’s way. I would definitely like to have a stall in some gala or a fundraiser.

What is the one ingredient you can’t live without?

In cakes, it’s definitely good butter and apart from that, I do not sacrifice on healthy olive oil.

Ever thought of training others or opening an academy?

I have been thinking about this for a while now for a simple reason that when I wanted to learn, there was no proper institute to turn to.

How do you intend to make your Valentine creations stand out?

Nothing out of the box, I use red roses generally so I’ll stick to them. Its more customers based, I will dress my food up for them but using artificial stuff is just not my cup of tea.

You have a wide range of desserts, why did you decide to only supply the Red Velvet cake to Espresso?

It was a very thought out decision on my part, I decided to stick with Red Velvet because there is no other place that does it and the people that do make a mockery out of it.

What are your future plans?

I want to expand to a little bakery. But I want it to be a natural transition, not something I jump into unprepared.

What made you come up with the name Fatso’s?

The name is very close to my heart. Four or five years ago, I was making burgers for my friends and everyone encouraged me to open a burger joint and then it was decided we would open Fatso’s Deli but that didn’t happen. So I decided way before that I would give any business I setup  this name.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Mathira: Lets talk about love</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/117008/mathira-lets-talk-about-love</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/117008/mathira-lets-talk-about-love#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 13 Feb 11 12:09:20 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[hassan.choudary]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=117008</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[A fanboy gets up close and personal with Mathira before Valentine's Day.]]>
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				<![CDATA[I discovered Mathira. Way before some X-rated telephone calls  catapulted her to fame, before “Gujji gujji muah” became a popular catchphrase, before people barely knew what VibeTV was. I discovered  Mathira.

Channel surfing on one idle night, I came across a show  featuring a striking young woman who dished out love advice to despairing callers... and I was hooked. I was soon posting  Mathira links on Facebook, uploading videos of her on YouTube and making my friends tune into her show. And I watched with pride as this once-unknown anchor shot to the fame she so rightly deserved...

So when my editor tells me to interview the firecracker, that too so close to Valentine’s Day, I get ready to dazzle her — I wear my best shirt and splash on some new cologne. I’m about to meet the beautiful, daring woman who touches thousands of hearts every day. This is my chance!

I do a double take when I catch my first glimpse of Mathira, entering the Vibe office apologising profusely for having made me wait all of five minutes. Sans makeup and dressed down in an oversized yellow shirt and black pants, one would be hard-pressed to recognise “Love Indicator’s” famous host.

I feel like I know her already, but can’t wait for this brazen femme fatale to reveal some of her deepest, darkest secrets. She doesn’t disappoint. “My love life is very complicated,” she says intriguingly. “I do love someone, but I believe you don’t always have to go express your emotions to the person you love. Being happy for a loved one, even if you are distant, is also love.”

All very profound, but hardly promising. What I want to know is: What’s her ‘relationship status’? Is she single? Is she looking?

When pressed, Mathira falls back on the safe old standby, “I am in a relationship with my work. This is the right time for me to concentrate on my professional life. I’m single.”

Great. That means I still stand a chance. Now if only I could get to know more about her past.

Who was her first crush? “My first love was quite fun but as they say jitna jannat dikhata hai utna jahanam bhi dikhata hai so after I went through that, I said no, never again!”

Single, with Valentine’s Day around the corner, Mathira remains unfazed: “The great thing about Valentine’s Day is that I get a lot of gifts, from 10-rupee bangles to really fancy stuff. This is so much better than when I was in a relationship — at that time the day would inevitably get spoilt and I’d be crying by the end of it.”

No wonder her ideal Valentine’s Day celebrations do not involve big plans. “My ideal Valentine’s Day would be me and the guy I like, in a nice, quiet, candle-lit room. Sweet music would be playing on the stereo and we’d have some homemade dinner, maybe two scrambled eggs.” Very do-able.

Less do-able is being the Heathcliff that Mathira has in her mind as her ideal guy. Despite her tough veneer, Mathira wants a husband who is assertive and her notions of being subservient to her husband are fairly typical — fine by me, I’m a fairly typical Pakistani guy myself. “My ideal partner should be mature, and at least five to six years older than me,” she says, and I do some quick mental math. “He should be gutsy and demanding or he’ll become a doormat. He has to be so strong that when he walks into a room he creates an immediate impression. With a beautiful girl like me by his side, he needs to know how to protect his woman like a shield. Hundreds of guys will be looking at me and I don’t want to be just eye candy. He faces a big task — the task of being with me.”

But until Mr Perfect comes along, Mathira can take care of herself — she carries pepper spray and pocket knives for protection and isn’t afraid to use them. “I have a black belt,” she says. “When I got my first salary, I decided to buy myself something. I had taken a rickshaw to the bank and when I was getting off a man snatched my purse and started to run away. At first, I didn’t know what to do, but then I flung my heels over my shoulder and ran after him. And I remember that day I wore a miniskirt and I was still running and jumping. When I finally got hold of the man, I hit him with a rock. He said he needed money so I felt really bad and later gave him Rs1,000.”

She displays the same mixture of gutsiness and sympathy to callers on “Love Indicator”. The show’s raciness is unprecedented and for that very reason, irresistible. Even those who tut-tut and shake their heads can’t say that they haven’t been titillated by the late-night show. Time delay switches and censorship guidelines seem to fall by the wayside when it comes to this show and Mathira has handled some decidedly dirty calls with aplomb.

“When I am on the show, I believe I am open to all forms of criticism. People say all sorts of things and I say koi baat nahi. Sometimes it gets too much and I start crying on-screen but I then shake it off and carry on with the programme. If someone swears at me, it just shows what family background that person has. Mera gunnah meray sar pay hai. Mera khuda janta hai mein kya karti hoon kya nahi karti. For God’s sake don’t blame people. Don’t label people. Not everyone is the same.”

She believes that the worst quality one can have is too much patience, which she possesses. “Having too much patience is not good. I cannot shout at anyone, I end up crying.”

With over a hundred calls on her show every day, she certainly has struck a connection with viewers. Is her social life just as happening? “A thousand people say they know Mathira. So many people come talk to me but when I leave the room, the same people start criticising me,” she says. So yes I have a thousand friends, but if you ask me about my very close friends, that number will come down to two or three.” She also says that although she used to be a bit of a “party-freak”, she has now become more of a homebody. “Hazar log hazar baatain so I don’t socialise much anymore.”

With three different shows, including a sports show, a cooking show and a yoga show, Mathira barely has time to socialise... unfortunately for me, it seems. Her mentor and boss Babar Tajammul compares her to Priyanka Chopra, and says Mathira has done wonders for the Pakistani television industry. “Top government officials monitoring the media have personally told me that they tried their best to curb the popularity of Indian TV channels in Pakistan,” he says, “but it is Mathira who struck a chord with Pakistani viewers and made them refocus their attention on local media. We are proud of creating a brand like her.”

Her co-host on her Geo Super sports show, Khurram, says: “There is the occasional ‘Oh my God you work with Mathira’ but she is actually a lot of fun to work with - well-informed, professional and punctual. Above all, she knows what people want.”

And she has high-profile admirers. “She is one of the gutsiest girls on late night TV,” says fashion photographer Tapu Javeri. “None of us have the guts to take live callers without a delay. She is quick on her feet and it’s nice to have her on TV. I’m a fan.”

Stand-up comedian Sami Shah, who shared the stage with her at the last Lux Style Awards, says: “Every guy at the show who knew me even the slightest bit was after me to introduce them to her. That is Mathira’s power. She is controversial, hated, judged and critiqued - she may even represent everything you think is wrong with the country - but you still want to say you met her. That is why she wins.”

So Mathira is an independent woman who remains unfazed by anything said or done against her. She deals with calls questioning her character, and threats to her life... But there are days when it all gets too much, and this is how she deals with the stress when she goes home: “I get under a blanket and I cry for an hour. Then I go to sleep.” Mathira looks up and smiles. “After all, tomorrow is a bright new day!”

Mathira on Bollywood 

“I would love to go to Bollywood, but not to ‘massage’ someone. I wouldn’t play any vulgar roles. Regarding Veena, I would like to ask Pakistan — when her nude pictures showed up on the internet and she was in Pakistan, where was everyone then? Why didn’t anyone react then? Now people are reacting at the wrong time for the wrong reasons. The nude pictures are worse than what happened in India. She made a mistake, maybe she wanted to stay in and become Rakhi Sawant Part Two and played her cards wrong, but I would like to tell people kay theek hai yar ghalati ho gai, humari bandi hai woh. Let’s forgive her. There are a hundred ways of entertaining. She was wearing perfect clothes [in “Big Boss 4”] and I loved her dressing but I didn’t like the way she was behaving. Jab pyar ka bhoot ata hai toh bohat kuch barbad kar kay jata hai. To her a little message would be: just say you’re sorry.” 

Mathira on ‘Love Indicator’ and the concept behind it 

“I did not start off with the aim of solving people’s problems. It just happened, one person called in and asked something and I gave him my advice which turned out to be good. That is how the calls started rolling in. And not every other guy calls in to share issues. Some tell me their problems off screen some talk to me on screen. The show is still a lot of fun. Mera programme dhabay tak mein chalta hai. It is just a normal concept where, despite all that is going on in Pakistan there is a place where a girl can sit wearing normal clothes. My concept is that I am a young girl and I want to sit the way I am. Meri jo personality hai mein woh badloun gi nahi.”

Mathira on rumours and criticism 

“Actresses in Lollywood flaunt their stomachs and their legs, uss pay koi kuch nahi bolta. But when one girl wears normal tops and jeans everyone sits down to criticise her. When someone becomes succesful, people don’t want to compete with them on fair grounds — they want to sabotage them and halt their progress to feel better about themselves. This is the problem with Paksitani society. I believe if you have to move forward, you cannot do that by bringing anyone else down.”

Mathira on a woman’s role in a relationship 

“Aik aurat ki hazar responsibilities hoti hain. A woman should learn to compromise but that does not mean she should switch off her feelings. Before getting married, aap ko apnay banday kay samnay har cheez crystal clear rakhna chahiay. You should not change for the man. Trust and openness are more important than love. If a relationship fails it fails because of both the parties involved. Before being husband and wife or Romeo and Juliet, you have to be best friends. There is a certain age in everyone’s life when their sexual desire dries up... I mean, after the age of 50, many marriages fail. So to avoid this you have to be best friends. You have to look at a relationship in the long run not in the short run.”

Mathira on her perfect wedding 

“I do not want a grand wedding with a lot of people around. I want to get married on a beach, in a long flowy gown — something really Hawaiian. After the wedding I want to have a party and then go sailing somewhere far away.”

Mathira on men 

“I don’t believe ‘all men are dogs’. I believe when you are a wife, in the first week you should learn how to leash your dog and if you fail then I am sorry your dog will go wild and if you manage it, fine he is with you. A dog is a man’s best friend and can also bite the man. It depends on how you treat it.”

Mathira on husbands

“I believe even if a man cheats on his wife, there is some fault in the woman. She is either not compromising or she is not being open with him. I believe that a woman can do wonders. And if a woman wants to sit like a garbage truck jis tarha humari khawateen karti hain ‘Oh shaadi ho gai mein nahi kuch kar rahi, oh bachay ho gai mein wazan bhi nahi hata rahi choro’ tau mard kya karay ga. Men like change. A woman should be willing to change.”

Mathira’s words of wisdom

	Her      message for Valentine’s Day: “Go ahead speak your heart to the right      person in the right way at the right time. And if it is a no, don’t be sad      — just back off.”
	Worst      rumour she’s heard about herself: “That I’m not a ‘good girl’... that I      take money for one night.”
	What      she’d do if she became prime minister: “I will create more employment      opportunities because unemployment creates criminals.”
	What      she’d legalise if she became prime minister: “Freedom to wear what you      want, within a limit. The freedom of wearing what you want to wear starts      at your own house and in front of your own parents.”

Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, February 13th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Valentine's Day: Love...  actually?</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/117009/valentines-day-love-actually</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/117009/valentines-day-love-actually#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 13 Feb 11 10:27:01 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[zarrar.khuhro]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Magazine]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=117009</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The next time you buy roses on Valentine's Day, remember that the tradition began rather more violently.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Valentine’s Day didn’t begin with a pair of star-crossed lovers or a hallmark greeting card campaign — it started with a bunch of half-naked Romans running through the streets  whipping women with strips of goat hide to cure their infertility.

In ancient times February 15 was the Roman feast of Lupercalia, which also included one other rather interesting  tradition: a lottery in which young men would draw the names of teenage girls from a box. The lucky, or not so lucky, girl would then be the fellow’s sexual partner during the remaining year. Often the lady would receive a gift or a greeting in the name of Juno, a Roman goddess. Was this the precursor of the Valentine’s Day card?

Unsurprisingly, the church didn’t quite like all this carrying on so they did what they usually did with deeply ingrained pagan festival — they rebranded it. The date was changed from February 15 to February 14, and the lottery was expanded to allow girls to pick names as well. Now, the names were of Christian saints and the lucky ones who drew the names had to imitate the saints’ actions for the rest of the year. It didn’t catch on.

The holiday was also renamed in honour of St Valentine, but it’s still not clear just who he was or what he did. One legend says he was jailed by the Romans for not giving up on his Christian faith and, while in jail, healed his jailer’s daughter. Before being executed he wrote her a letter signed ‘from your Valentine’

Another version of the legend is that, when the Roman emperor Claudius banned his soldiers from getting married (he thought  it turned them into sissies), Valentine carried out  ‘underground’ weddings. When Claudius found out he tried to convert Valentine to paganism. Valentine in turn tried to make a good Christian out of Claudius and was beaten and beheaded for his pains.

Whatever the truth is, we know that he did actually exist as a tomb was found in Rome dedicated to St Valentine. So the next time you’re griping about buying a Valentine’s card or gift, just remember it beats getting beheaded — or whipped with goat hide.

Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, February 13th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>‘For never was a story of more woe, Than this of Juliet and her Romeo’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/118012/%e2%80%98for-never-was-a-story-of-more-woe-than-this-of-juliet-and-her-romeo%e2%80%99</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/118012/%e2%80%98for-never-was-a-story-of-more-woe-than-this-of-juliet-and-her-romeo%e2%80%99#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 12 Feb 11 20:00:06 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[umar.farooq]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[K-P]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=118012</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[“English Day” arranged by St Mary’s High School to keep alive a tradition that began in 1957.]]>
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				<![CDATA[With the recent terrorist attacks across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, people, especially those around the provincial capital, seem to be starving for a moment of relief.

With Valentine’s Day coming up, the students of St Mary’s High School provided just that, with a stunning performance of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”.

“English Day” was arranged by the school administration to keep alive a tradition that began in 1957.

Teenage students garbed in immaculate Elizabethan attire kept the audience enthralled for the duration of the performance. Surprisingly, for many of them, it was their first time performing live.

The quality of the performance can be judged by the awe-struck applause following one of the climactic moments of the play, as, with light music in the background, Romeo poisons himself, believing that his beloved Juliet is no more.

While talking to The Express Tribune, Basit Ali, a student who performed on stage, said, “I tried to do my best and entertain the audience. I am not only happy with my performance but also the immeasurable confidence it gives me. It really helps you face people when you perform in front of such a huge gathering live on stage.” He then ran off to go see his parents.

The school administration was of the view that performing plays, especially those by Shakespeare, is a good way to encourage students to show an interest in literature.

“Learning and familiarity with the English language is the need of the day, this is the 21st century and people should motivate their children to learn English and be competitive in the modern world,” said Abdul Rehman Asif, a teacher at the school.

School Principal Devasiri Fernando said, “This will keep traditions alive and encourage students to follow literature and learn more about a story written in the sixteenth century.”

As the program ended, the cast and crew were awarded shields and certificates for their performances.

Like young Basit, with their shields and certificates in hand, most of them ran off towards their parents. “How did we perform on stage?” many of them asked. “Wonderfully,” was the reply all around.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 13th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Buy the damn rose!</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/117889/buy-the-damn-rose</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/117889/buy-the-damn-rose#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 12 Feb 11 16:24:05 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[iz.alvi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Fashion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=117889</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Forget intellectualism, definitions of love, and commercial exploitation. Just buy the damn rose!]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[That time of year when the city is awash with red. Not as ominous at it sounds, or on second thoughts, perhaps it is: Valentine’s day is coming.

This is the time of year when Pakistani culture explodes in self-righteous indignation. The conservatives say Valentine’s Day is not culturally relevant; it’s a pollution of our culture. Some take it a step further and insist it’s clever Western propaganda, luring impressionable youth toward spangly, red (and one assumes eventually white and blue) frivolity and away from good ol’ eastern values. Liberals insist it’s an exploitation of love and a commercialisation of human emotion.

For a while now, the reaction du jour has been to scoff at Valentine’s Day. And to the scoffers I say, damn those grapes must be sour. I know because they were so for me. I went through middle to senior school sporting a peach fuzz moustache and hair that I regularly dosed with Ritalin just to make it stay on my head. Valentine’s Day was pure hurtful hell. I’d be the person friends would use as the ‘middle woman’; those too shy to be direct would have me deliver the roses, chocolates, bears, perfumes et al. Fun!

So, in self defence I developed a carefully crafted armour of cynicism and soi-distant reserve. Valentine’s Day didn’t want me? Well, I didn’t want it.  I’d loudly hail the arrival of February with vitriolic love bashing. I was of the ‘commercialisation of love’ camp, which I compounded with the question ‘What is love anyway? Hormones? Oh, so it’s actually happy hormone day, then?’. My reaction became so automatic that I did not even notice when the cynicism stopped being a front and just became me.

Then I got married. My husband shared my Valentine belief system. Together we stood on our lofty pedestals of cynicism and scoffed at the rose buying masses. Let them squander their cash on bloomed chocolates and polar bears clutching red, velour hearts.

Six years on and one baby later, and I can feel that the thick aspic of cynicism start to melt. It’s nice to let your gooey centre show.

Even if Karachi didn’t constantly require nerves and spines (and other body parts) of steel as well as an excess of detachment, it might actually be okay to declare yourself in love. It makes you happy, makes the recipient happy, so why the hell not? Forget intellectualism, definitions of love, and commercial exploitation.  Just buy the damn rose!

Published in The Express Tribune, February 13th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Singled Out</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/117888/singled-out</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/117888/singled-out#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 12 Feb 11 16:23:58 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[saad.zuberi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=117888</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The woman I set out looking for more than a decade ago is still nowhere in sight]]>
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				<![CDATA[As a kid growing up in the 90s, I had a dream. I had a dream that one day I would find the perfect woman, fall hopelessly in love (charm her into falling hopelessly in love with me-you know, the ‘real deal’) and live happily ever after.

Obviously all this dreaming displayed a lot of confidence and positivity for an average inhibited weakling like me who, well … grew up, eventually. The woman I set out looking for more than a decade ago is still nowhere in sight and I doubt there are any serious takers in my current state of being either (I’m sitting cross-legged on my bed, wearing pajamas, laptop on my pillow in front of me, eating Coco Pops and writing an article on the lack of love in my life!)

With such a square, one-woman oriented mentality, you’d expect me to be a die-hard romantic who waits eagerly for February 14 every year to vent the romance in me, but no, the bitter truth is I kind of hate Valentine’s Day — it’s unimaginative, consumerist in nature but still remains an arbitrary, manipulative and shallow interpretation of love.

Truth be told, I think the day is a brutal reality check for all the singletons out there; a conspiracy created by happy couples everywhere to show us that they’re better than us, if in nothing else, at least in maintaining romantic relationships. And it works! This may sound like a cliché, but it royally irritates me that there are 364 other days to show how much you love someone, yet they’re ignored like in terms of not being good enough.

Who needs stupid head-over-feet couples and heart-carrying teddy-bear manufacturers and soppy greeting card poetry writers to make us feel worse than we already do? What’s worse is the appalling trend that has crept into our confused and sheltered society over the last few years and caused a car-crash of emotions, pressurizing the ‘burqa-clad’ women to sneak out of their houses on the 14 of every February to buy Tweety Bird cards for their phone pals and sought out boyfriends.

What a cynic you must think I am, right? But I have a perfectly valid reason for all this indignation: I’ve never fallen in love. There, I said it! I really don’t get what the fuss is all about. I wanted to know what it felt like, this love; so revered, so wonderful, but it never really happened.

Still, I’ll be honest and admit that I do sometimes think something went horribly wrong in God’s office while I was in gestation and He forgot to install in me the cocky, smooth-talking seducer gene that all the girls seem to have a thing for these days.

So now, after a long, futile wait for someone to walk into my life and make my days as blissful as my friends tell me they become once the fat, naked kid with a bow and arrow strikes, because I couldn’t thank God enough for dragging me through my teen years and my early twenties without falling in this thing we mistakenly call love.

Maybe one day the right woman will find me and show me what I’ve been missing. Until then, I refuse to be just another besotted boy falling for women like a brain-dead domino. No sir that simply isn’t my style.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 13th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>‘Mufti Sahab, yeh kya baat huyee’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/117890/%e2%80%98mufti-sahab-yeh-kya-baat-huyee%e2%80%99</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/117890/%e2%80%98mufti-sahab-yeh-kya-baat-huyee%e2%80%99#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 12 Feb 11 16:23:51 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[mohsin.sayeed]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Gossip]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=117890</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[This Valentine’s day, I am in love. And here I am writing a love letter.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[I am rather old fashioned. So much so, that in this day and age when people hook-up, have affairs, break up, get married and divorced using email, instant messages and Facebook, I still believe in the romanticism and power of long hand written letters. (Ironically enough, I got divorced on email).

But I haven’t written a love letter in years, reason being, I have not met anyone who makes me fall in love.  This Valentine’s day, I am in love. And here I am writing a love letter. I still have not met you but I find myself hopelessly in love with you.  I wish I sent you this letter dripping with sweet words, laden with poetry, smelling of a heady bunch of roses but love, like fashion, also reflects the times we live in so, unfortunately, my love for you is love in the time of extremism. But you have been a shining ray of hope, a much-needed a breath of fresh air and an ecstatic sense of freedom.

Let me clarify something before I go in full swing: I am not in love with your beauty, sensuality or even talent; my love springs from respect. Yes, I became an admirer of your talent and versatility after seeing you in ‘Hum Sab Umeed Sai Hain’ but still didn’t fall in love. Before that I had issues with your dress sense (massive issues). In fact, I was a bit cheesed off when you went public about your heart break with some cricketer. Yes, it did leave a bad taste in my mouth. I understand that you were in love which has its own sorrows when remain unrequited, but I am all about form and dignity, especially in the matters of the heart. I was happy for you when you became a guest in “Bigg Boss” and managed to stay in that house for 84 days. But still there was no love.

And then out of nowhere, it happened in one night. After a depressing, dreary day, I reached home, switched on the television and there you were taking on Kamran Shahid and a rabid mullah. My God! I was blown away by your conviction, boldness, confidence, grace, eloquence and fearlessness. But the greatest virtue you showed that night was your ability to speak the truth and hold your ground in the face of naked adversity and aggression. You floored me.

I fail to understand why all Pakistani men feel that you, your clothes or your actions are responsible for their honour, especially clergymen and Kamran Shahid’s. In fact, broadening this question, is Pakistani male honour  stored in women’s clothes and their conduct? I wonder why they can’t keep men’s honour in their own clothes, conduct and private parts and conduct?

The right wing and clergy we are used to, their version of religion takes an offence at the drop of a dupatta. They know about every ‘sin’ committed, every ‘vice’ enjoyed and yet they have the time to scream themselves hoarse on the imaginary fast-spreading nudity, vulgarity and fashion. Observing their undue, uncalled for reaction, I often wonder they actually crave for these three vices to be spread. And they are not getting enough of them. What I would like to tell them is that like beauty, vulgarity and nudity also lie in the eye of the beholder.

But it’s the red-faced, hysterical reaction of hypocritical and mysogynisitc men like Syed Noor and Kamran Shahid towards you amuses me. Syed Noor had the cheek to sermonise on the virtues of modesty, honour and shame. But we can forgive him for not knowing any better as he comes from a generation of the late Pakistani Film Industry when values and principles died with Nazrul Islam and honour was an over-rated cinematic cliche. However, I thought the legendary institution of the Government College of Lahore had polished and opened Kamran Shahid’s mind and changed the ‘filmi’ concept of honour for him. Alas! Nurture defeated education. I would love to see him conducting a show with his father Shahid, easrtwhile famous actor of the late Pakistani film industry. Film buffs collective memory and newspapers archives are still full of his reported scandals and of course his fine ‘performance’ in zara-hut-ke films which never get screened, just circulated on video cassettes and now DVDs. Morality, like charity, also begins at home, is all I would like to tell him

I feel proud of you. You not only practice but uphold freedom of choice and expression but fight for these rights. These virtues have become a rarity in our society. But you shattered that silence and have given strength to so many. You have become a huge source of inspiration; I must admit that I am deeply concerned about your life. Throwing acid on beautiful women is some Pakistani men’s favourite entertainment. Making beautiful, bold women ugly and disfigured like their own selves gives deep satisfaction to their sick minds.

But coming back to you as a source of inspiration, DJ Shahrukh has composed a rap song with your fiery truth about Pakistan. At the recent held Karachi Literary Festival your rap song was the topic of many a vibrant conversations.

To my pleasant surprise historian Alex Von Tunzelmann and writer Sadia Shephard were found praising both. And alas! I was struck by a novel idea. I designed a scarf with your silhouette and presented it to Tunzelmann who absolutely loved it. In no time, it became a smash hit with demands for tee shirts, scarves and even a sari in similar designs.

I do intend to get tee shirts printed, posters made. ‘Mufti sahab, yeh kya baat huyee’ is iconic having the potential to become one of the most popular resistance music pieces  coming out of Pakistan in recent years. It has simply been revolutionary! You have given a voice to every moderate, peace-loving Pakistani’s heartfelt desperate desire and it has gone viral on YouTube.

I myself listen to it at least five times everyday. If you ever decide to come into politics, this rap music piece should be your anthem. Your entry in Pakistani politics is a great idea. We need firebrand, honest, bold politicians like you in the assemblies. If you participate in the elections, I promise I shall give you my most precious possession – my vote.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 13th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>No money, no honey</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/117893/no-money-no-honey</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/117893/no-money-no-honey#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 12 Feb 11 16:23:43 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[hani.taha]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=117893</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Take a look at how business ventures are capitalising no Valentine's Day.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Cupid’s arrow seems to be pointing towards wallets this year instead of hearts. With each passing year, Valentine’s Day becomes more commercial with every business getting in line to cash in on the occasion. Whether it’s the florists or bakers or even television dramas, there are such few occasions any way for us to celebrate and anything that gives pleasure and keeps business rolling is welcome in the country.

As the only multinational jeweller in town, Damas keeps up with the global trends of celebrating events such as Eid and Valentine’s Day. Each year the brand offers a whopping 30 per cent off on their diamond jewellery with special promotions on certain exclusive Valentine presents such as heart-shaped pendants with floating diamonds.

This year the store held a fashion and jewellery show to depict the range of sets that the store carries from modern contemporary chic to the more traditional and bridal trousseau sets. With red-heart balloons and candles framing the entrance to the store, Damas had all that a woman could possibly want from a Valentine celebration fancy horderves and diamonds. With a compere like Ayesha Sana speaking not only about the brand, but its owner Ruby Choudhry and her friends, drawing in instances of ladies committee parties, she kept the ambience warm as she engaged with guests in her light hearted banter. “It is commendable that Damas does a sale at every occasion and gives us all a reason to celebrate every kind of joy be it something small or big,” said Sana.

Having an in-store event may have felt cramped to some, but it served its purpose in drawing in crowds of every age that may have not visited the outlet before. From scintillating diamond sets to a promotional range that carried beautiful rings such as the marquee for Rs78, 000 down from Rs0.1 million, the store had women hooked to their stalls.

An inhouse brand called Fulla ‘for your true jewel’ caught attention for its cute displays of small trinkets for young girls. The stunning stone encrusted Polki necklace that Ruby Choudhry herself wore set many a heart flutter, as did the myriad sets that the models adorned. With ensembles from Hasan Sheheryar Yasin the whole show tied in beautifully to demonstrate how brands of similar orientation can come together to make a strong visual impact and how the right kind of marketing can create awareness for a brand and stimulate business in times of recession with high end luxury products like diamonds.

Although diamonds are a girl’s best friend, ask any man what’s he getting his female friend or partner on any given occasion, and he’s bound to say a perfume. Perfumes are just the kind of present that nobody can ever go wrong with. So be it a birthday, anniversary, or Valentine’s Day, perfumes are on every man’s list. Cashing in on the moment, The Square launched a range of twelve designer perfumes at its swanky store in a simple catwalk show. A colour studio, skin care and perfumery lounge, The Square opened last year around Valentine’s Day as an answer to women who want premium cosmetics, but want the space to be able to try them on with ease without the shoving that usually accompanies shopping at most grocery stores.

In a clean and pristine environment, with coffee beans in jars tantalising your senses with wafts of delicious designer fragrances, The Square provides ample space for women to shop for cosmetics at leisure. Trained personnel sit you down on immaculate counters and personally take you through a tutorial on your skin and the range of cosmetics that would suit it. They educate you to the wonders that cosmetic brands such as Kevin Aucoin and La Bella Donna are, and treat you to a make over akin to any mega store operating internationally. Needless to mention, you leave the store feeling like a million bucks with that extensive attention and pampering.

Celebrating its first anniversary and Valentine’s Day, the store got young amateur models to represent each new brand that it was introducing. So a young model donned in a Kate Moss avatar walked around store’s red carpet spraying her namesake’s perfume on the guests. Celebrity models like Nomi Qamar, Iffat Omar, Mehreen Syed and Cybil Choudhry also walked for brands such as Hermes, Dolce and Gabbana, Guccu, Thierry Mugler, Van Cleef and Arpels, Jennifer Lopez, Canali, Chopard, Sarah Jessica Parker and Porshe Design. All in all, The Square presented its new range of perfumes amongst great fanfare and by holding a show created awareness not only for its own store, but for the high quality merchandise that it carries.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 13th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Everybody in Russia 'not' in love with Valentine's Day</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/117012/everybody-in-russia-is-not-in-love-with-valentines-day</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/117012/everybody-in-russia-is-not-in-love-with-valentines-day#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 10 Feb 11 16:24:50 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=117012</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Many nightc­lubs and other busine­sses urged not to plan any specia­l events on Valent­ine's Day.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Authorities in Russia's Belgorod province are urging schools and other state institutions to refrain from celebrations marking the heart-shaped holiday, seen by some conservative Russians as a unhealthy foreign phenomenon.

The initiative is part of a recent directive on "measures to provide for spiritual security," which calls on officials to ban Valentine's Day and Halloween celebrations in educational and cultural centers in the province, Russian media reported.

“The very atmosphere of these holidays does not foster the formation of spiritual and moral values in youth, and holding them primarily benefits commercial organizations," RIA quoted provincial government consultant Grigory Bolotnikov as saying.

The directive was signed by the Belgorod governor's top deputy and "blessed" by the province's Russian Orthodox bishop, the state-run news agency said.

Many nightclubs and other businesses in the province 600 km (380 miles) south of Moscow, have also been urged not to plan any special events for the February 14 holiday, according to RIA.

The dominant Russian Orthodox Church has grown increasingly powerful since the collapse of the officially atheist Soviet Union in 1991 and enjoys close ties with the Kremlin leadership.

Its efforts to influence education and secular life have drawn criticism from rights groups and members of minority faiths.

Western-style holidays such as Valentine's Day and Halloween have also gained popularity since the Soviet collapse opened up Russia to the world.

On the other side

UK men are choosing sexy knickers over short-lived and often more pricey presents such as roses and champagne this Valentine's Day as they seek a bigger "bang for their buck" in a tough economic climate.

"Lingerie is for love on a budget. It really is the gift that keeps giving," said Sharon Webb, head of design at department store group Debenhams, which is seeing demand rocket for knickers priced at 4.50 pounds.

With a dozen red roses costing up to 100 pounds on Valentine's Day, including delivery, some men are prepared to spend a little more on lingerie, and still feel they are saving.

Sales of designer brands carried by the retail chain have been rising from one year to the next in the run-up to Valentine's Day, and Debenhams said the demand for silk and lace underwear this year again looked encouraging.]]>
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			<title>Jewellery Market unable to cash on cupid’s magic</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/116075/jewellery-market-unable-to-cash-on-cupid%e2%80%99s-magic</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/116075/jewellery-market-unable-to-cash-on-cupid%e2%80%99s-magic#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 08 Feb 11 20:00:43 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[momina.sibtain]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=116075</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The store specialises in fine jewellery, accurately replicate Chopard, Cartier and Bvlgari designs.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[With the season of love looming over us and Valentine’s Day less than a week away, smitten or rather scared lovers rush to find the perfect present for their loved one.

As the demands roll in, gift shops to high-end accessories retailers all bank-up on this opportunity. But while the retail stores are seeing a boom in sales, jewellers, who used to cash in on Valentine’s Day sales, are witnessing a gradual decline in business over the past couple of years.

“As the prices of gold have gone up significantly, sales during Valentine’s Day are nearing to none,” said Aftab Ahmed of Hira’s Jewellery.

He said that five years ago his Valentine’s Day collection would get sold out completely. “But now there is no market,” he said.

The store specialises in fine jewellery and their claim to fame has been their accurate replication of Chopard, Cartier and Bvlgari designs.

“We do not copy for the sake of copying. The problem is that we do not have young designers competing in the market and as a result our clients want us to replicate designs of international designers,” said Ahmed in his defence.

Sajid Ahmed of Gold n Craft said that with prices of gold reaching Rs46,000 per 12.5 grams, it has become “almost impossible” for the younger generation to afford fine jewellery.

“Around five years ago we were able to create and sell items between Rs15,000 to 25,000,” Sajid said, “But now just the costs are so outrageously high that no one is willing to buy fine jewellery.”

Another entrepreneur Hassan Masroor of Sonika Jewellers said, “As difficult as it may seem to believe, our jewellery business has been affected significantly due to the country’s deteriorating political situation.”

“Political instability has sent turbulent ripples throughout the jewellery market. People are just not willing to spend any more,” he added.

However on the upside, as the sales in gold jewellery have decreased, there has been a significant increase in the demand for silver ornaments. For young lovers who do not have a heavy pocket but still want to make an impression, silver jewellery embellished with rubies, emeralds and sapphires is an economical way to express their feelings to loved ones.

Sajjid Mahmood of Kundan Point said, “The higher prices of gold have boosted our business.”

The store, located in the heart of Jinnah Market, deals in silver jewellery and claims to create designs similar to those made by most fine jewellers.

“People prefer to buy our products on Valentine’s Day as it is of the same quality but much cheaper.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 9th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Namoos-i-Risalat: Protesters set their sights on Valentine’s Day</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/115150/namoos-i-risalat-protesters-set-their-sights-on-valentine%e2%80%99s-day</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/115150/namoos-i-risalat-protesters-set-their-sights-on-valentine%e2%80%99s-day#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 07 Feb 11 05:58:46 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[rana.tanveer]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=115150</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[TNRM spokesman says celebrations will lead Pakistan down secular road.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The Tahaffuz Namoos-i-Risalat Mahaz (TNRM), a grouping of eight Sunni Barelvi parties, has announced a protest for February 14, raising concerns about a potential repeat of scenes five years ago when rioters ransacked Lahore during a Valentine’s Day protest.

TNRM secretary general Muhammad Ali Naqashbandi announced the new protest during a rally in front of Data Darbar on Sunday, but the decision was made at a meeting of the mahaz member parties earlier in the day.

“We will mark February 14 as a black day, contrary to the ‘followers of the West’ who observe the day as Valentine’s Day,” said Naqshbandi. The protesters will also voice support for the blasphemy laws.

He said Valentine’s Day should be discouraged in Muslim countries like Pakistan, otherwise “the so-called modern elements” would convert the country into a secular state.

The Khairul Umam Foundation Pakistan, a TNRM member, will host a seminar on Tahaffuz Namoos-i-Risalat a day before the rally to build momentum.

TNRM spokesman Ziaul Haq Naqashbandi said they would also host a conference at Aiwan-i-Iqbal to raise awareness among the masses about the perils of celebrating Valentine’s Day.

The spokesman insisted that there would be no repeat of the violence that accompanied the 2006 rally, which protested at the blasphemous caricatures of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) that appeared in European newspapers, as well as Valentine’s Day. “There was unrest at the protest but that was created by saboteurs following their own agenda,” he said, referring to 2006. He said that the TNRM would condemn the incidents of 2006 at the Aiwan-i-Iqbal conference. They would also condemn General (retired) Pervez Musharraf, who had introduced various “un-Islamic traditions” to Pakistan during his rule.

Muhammad Musaddaq, a teenager, felt that the TNRM protest would serve to alienate the religious parties from the public rather than bring them closer. “So what if some couples exchange gifts on that day? They are politicising these small events just to project themselves as pious and religious and to make their presence felt,” he said.

City Division SP Shahzad Asif said that the police would draw up a comprehensive security plan for February 14. He said that keeping in view the violence at the rally five years ago, they would deputy additional security on The Mall this yeat.

Two young men were killed and 20 injured during the 2006 protest. The protesters set fire to a number of buildings including the Punjab Assembly, banks, restaurants, a telecom company’s office, a cinema, a theatre, and several shops and fuel stations. They ransacked some 500 vehicles, mainly cars, and burnt at least 75 motorcycles and 10 cars. They also broke traffic signals on The Mall, Hall Road, Lakshmi Chowk, Egerton Road, Bhati Chowk, Ferozepur Road and Multan Road.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 7th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Iran cracks down on Valentine's Day</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/106096/iran-cracks-down-on-valentines-day</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/106096/iran-cracks-down-on-valentines-day#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 19 Jan 11 12:58:29 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=106096</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Iran bans production of Valentine's Day gifts and any promotion of the day.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Iran has banned the production of Valentine's Day gifts and any promotion of the day celebrating romantic love to combat what it sees as a spread of Western culture, Iranian media reported.

The February 14 celebration named after a Christian saint is not officially banned but hardliners have repeatedly warned about the corruptive spread of Western values. Under Iran's Islamic law, unmarried couples are not allowed to mingle.

The printing works owners' union issued an instruction on the ban, imposed by Iranian authorities, covering gifts such as cards, boxes with the symbols of hearts and red roses.

"Honoring foreign celebrations is the spread of Western culture," said the union's head, Ali Nikou Sokhan, ILNA news agency reported. "Our country has an ancient civilization and various days to honor kindness, love and affection."

"Printing and producing any products related to Valentine's Day, including posters, brochures, advertising cards, boxes with the symbols of hearts, half-hearts, red roses and any activities promoting this day are banned," read the instruction. "Authorities will take legal action against those who ignore the ban."

Some nationalists have suggested replacing Valentine's Day with "Mehregan," an Iranian festival celebrated since the pre-Islamic era. Mehr means friendship, affection or love.

Valentine's Day has become increasingly popular among the Iranian youth and is a money-maker for businesses in a country where 70 percent of people are under 30 and have no memory of the 1979 Islamic revolution which toppled the US-backed Shah.]]>
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