Media Watch Desi: Rape at Quaid's Mazar, Bachcha Jamhoora, Is Zardari a Man of His Words?, For Kamran Khan, Fariyal Talpur Who?

Quaid's Masoleum is not in the boondocks. It is an open space. A rape there shows how law and order has deteriorated in Karachi, in Pakistan. -t

The victim, who has not been identified, went missing two days ago on a visit to the mausoleum of Pakistan's founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah. She was visiting the city with her husband from the central province of Punjab, police say. Karachi, Pakistan's only port and its largest city, has a high rate of crime, including kidnappings and rape. "The rape took place in a room in the museum within the mausoleum compound," Superintendent of Police, Niaz Khoso, told the BBC.

Bachcha Jamhoora Followed - Abuse of Breaking News?

The electronic Media in its infantile obsession is following the arrrivale, departure and movements of Bachcha Jamhoora, the teenaged son of Benazir Bhutto. It is by no means the poor kid's fault. If anything, the onus lies more on the editor at the desk who decides what is breaking news.

Zardari is a man of his word: Fahim

ISLAMABAD: PPP Senior Vice Chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim on Wednesday described PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari as a “friend of friends”, and a man who kept his promises. The statement is an apparent reminder to Zardari regarding the “promise” he made with Fahim on Dec 29 last year about nominating him for the office of prime minister. Fahim was speaking during the NA session, during which he congratulated Dr Fehmida Mirza on becoming the first female speaker of NA. Later, while talking to reporters, Fahim maintained that he was still a ‘strong’ candidate for the office and that Zardari had not yet nominated anyone. zulfiqar ghuman

When I read the following excerpt from a column by Mahmud Sipra I was reminded of Mr. Cowasjee's four word comment after the election results were announced - Chor Gaya Daaku Aaya.

"Ask Ardesher Cowasjee for help and advice. He loves his city. Listen to the wisdom of this grand old man. He might give you an earful before he gives you some good ideas and advice — a small price to pay for being in the company of an idiosyncratic iconoclast who has never turned away a friend or foe who he thought he could somehow help in some way. It is just that Ardesher suffers fools badly."


For Kamran Khan: More Bad News About Electricity - Monem Farooqui

In a report compiled by the PEPCO revealed the year 2009 would be the worst for the electricity consumer in Pakistan as the electricity shortage will cross the 4500 MW figure, pushing the company to restor to 18 hours loadshedding.

The report suggested that the loadsheding would be at its peak in January 2009 with 4500 mw shortfall followed by February with 3700 MW, March 3300MW, April 3200MW, May an June with 3500MW with the increase in demand of demand as 14800MW, 14600, 15000, 16000, 7000, 17600 in addition of 500 MW for KESC, whereas the available capacity with the different type of generation was estimated as 11300 MW, 11800, 12100, 13300, 14000 and 14600 simultaneously.

The total demand supply gap from March 2008 to June 2008 was estimated as 3,200 MW, 3,300 MW, 3,600MW and 3,800MW respectively whereas the deficit would be sustained as 3500, 3500, 3600, 3300, 3300 and 3300MW in the proceeding months from June to December.


All in the Family - Naeem Chisthi

Faryal Talpur, younger sister of PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, may be nominated by the party chief Bilawal Zardari Bhutto as its candidate for the prime minister. Benazir Bhutto is understood to have discussed the matter of interim prime minister with her immediate family members before her death. Benazir Bhutto knew that, even if PPP won the February 18 elections, she would not be able to become prime minister until the law relating to bar on becoming premier for third time was changed. She often used to say to her close associates that she would appoint an unknown person as interim prime minister because she did not want repetition of what had happened in 2002 when a forward block had been made in the party.