Flashback May 1: A helicopter crash in Abbottabad and Imran Khan's 'cult'

The day was dominated by a feature on Pakistan's porn industry and a helicopter crash.

Flashback is an experimental feature looking back at the top articles on this date featured on The Express Tribune website.

May 1, 2011

Osama bin Laden killed

A helicopter crash was reported in Abbottabad late Sunday night. Initial reports had stated that a Pakistan Army helicopter had crashed after technical failure, but by morning the United States had officially announced that al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden had been killed during a secret raid by US covert forces on a compound in the garrison city.

Release of alleged blasphemers sparks riots in Gujranwala


Hundreds of people in Gujranwala, mostly residents of Azizabad Colony, on Saturday attacked a Christian seminary, a church as well as houses of Christians — including a pastor — after finding out that two Christians who had been accused of blasphemy have been released from protective custody by the police.

May 1, 2010

The cult of Imran Khan

“Imran Khan is the ultimate leader for our generation,” a friend of mine pronounced with finality at a small get together recently. She had heard him speak at a college lecture and had been converted in to a growing cult of Khan followers. “But why?” I asked. She told me he stood for youth and hope and was against corruption.

Inside Pakistan's adult film industry

It’s late at night and the room is dimly lit. The walls are decorated with paintings, posters of sportsmen and some birthday cards. There is silence. A boy and a girl are sitting hand in hand. In due time, the boy starts playing with the girl’s hair. She walks away from him and he follows her to the edge of the bed. The girl looks coyly up at him and says, “Please don’t.”
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