Media Watch: Death and despair

Terrorist attacks, the cricket scandal, floods, political rivalries and bickering MNAs dominate the media.

Media watch is a daily round-up of key articles featured on news websites, hand-picked by The Express Tribune web staff.

Suicide bomber strikes Al Quds rally; at least 56 killed

Thirty-five people died on the spot and the rest in hospitals. A number of dead and wounded lay in pools of blood. The blast also enveloped motorcycles and bodies in flames. “I saw a young man entering the procession and after that a powerful explosion took place,” Saqib Khan, an eyewitness, told Dawn. He said that after the blast heavy gunfire shook the area. Saleem Shahid (dawn.com)

When Musharraf chose Palestine over Kashmir

Former British prime minister Tony Blair was stumped for words when Pervez Musharraf asked him to resolve the Palestine issue instead of Kashmir during his visit to Islamabad in the aftermath of 9/11. In his just released memoirs, Blair also recalls how Musharraf blamed Gen Zia-ul-Haq for furthering radicalism in Pakistan through his policies, heightening the Kashmir issue and making reconciliation with India harder. (thenews.com.pk)

PML-N, MQM trade allegations in NA

“I ask him (Altaf Hussain) to criticise the country where he is living right now, not us. Or else, if he is brave enough, he can come to Karachi and then start issuing such statements,” said Nisar, while referring to Altaf Hussain’s statement in which he had said that he would not be deterred by the threat of cases under Article 6 of the constitution. Tahir Niaz and Ali Hussain (dailytimes.com.pk)

Prices of food items increase substantially

There are apprehensions that in the next few days prices of essential commodities may surge further in the retail and wholesale markets of the city, market sources revealed. The hoarders and profiteers became active as Eid is coming nearer and prices of essential commodities witnessed a sharp increase last week. Tahir Amin & Aisha Sadaf (brecorder.com)

Pakistan cricket trio questioned on calls, texts and secret accounts

Mohammad Amir, the teenage bowler seen as one of the game’s most exciting talents, spent almost five hours on Friday being interviewed under caution. He was asked about a message he allegedly sent to Mazhar Majeed – the agent arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers – last Friday, saying “Shall I do it or not?” Hours later, it is claimed, he deliberately bowled a no-ball in the Fourth Test at Lord’s. Captain Salman Butt and bowler Mohammad Asif were also questioned. Richard Edwards (telegraph.co.uk)