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A daily review of media coverage of media and communications issues. |
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Attack on Media
Intimidation
Pemra’s strict warning to television channels |
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Regretting private channels highlighting gory scenes, Pemra Friday issued a fresh notice to all satellite TV channels requiring, inter alia, strict adherence to the code of conduct and Supreme Court orders for telecasting judicial issues. “It is strongly regretted that some broadcasters are still engaged in showing gruesome scenes of mutilated bodies of incidents of terrorism creating fear and unrest in society. It serves the purpose of the terrorists,” reads the notice issued by Pemra here.” “in clear disregard to the orders of SC and Pemra laws as well as the code of conduct, the broadcasters are running live talks shows, discussions on the Chief Justice Reference which is sub-judice.”
(Nation-2)
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Censorship
ARY and AAJ rap PEMRA |
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The transmission of ARY and AAJ television channels went off air on Friday in Islamabad and Rawalpindi and their suburban areas, BBC Urdu reported on Friday. BBC quoted administration of the two channels as saying they had not received any notification from the government regarding a ban on the broadcast. They said cable operators closed their broadcast on the PEMRA directives, according to BBC. An AAJ TV’s senior official said the PEMRA chairman told them that the channel would have to seek special permission for live broadcast, BBC reported. BBC quoted ARY and AAJ televisions’ administration as saying their channels’ broadcast had also been suspended in various Punjab cities.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\02\story_2-6-2007_pg7_1 |
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ARY, Aaj TV off air in Islamabad |
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Transmissions of two private television channels in the federal capital and in its suburban areas have partially been suspended for the last several hours, according to BBC Urdu. The administrations of cable television channels 'ARY One World' and 'Aaj' have said that they never received any notification from the government regarding the suspension of their transmissions. The both administrations held that cable operators have told them that the order to suspend the broadcast of ARY One World and Aaj television channels has been passed on to them by the Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA). According to a senior staffer of Aaj TV, the PEMRA chairman has told that private television channel owners that they will have to obtain special permission for live transmission from all other places except the home station.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_MainNews.aspx?bdtl_id=5978&fb_id=2&catid=14&date=06/02/2007&fcatid=14 |
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Media Protest
CPNE to defend freedom of press |
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The Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE) has reiterated its commitment to defend and uphold freedom of the press in order to strengthen democracy and rule of law in the country. CPNE president Syed Fasih Iqbal said in a statement that electronic media should be facilitated, and not impeded, to do its job freely. If the government, he said, felt that some issues were not being handled properly or that references were being made to the armed forces or judiciary in an improper manner, it should discuss the issues with representative bodies of the print and electronic media in order to preserve freedom of the press and, at the same time, ensure a working relationship between the information ministry and the media.
(Nation-3)
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/02/nat5.htm |
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PFUJ criticizes govt move |
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The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) on Friday criticised the government’s move to restrict live television coverage of events and reiterated their resolve to uphold freedom of the press. A statement issued by the PFUJ termed the proposed restrictions a violation of Article 19 of the Constitution and said it had decided to challenge the move in the court. It also urged the Supreme Court of Pakistan to take suo motu notice of the government’s decision to impose ‘censorship’ on private TV channels. The PFUJ proposed a ‘one-day strike’ by the print and electronic media against the censorship move and rising incidents of violence against journalists and media centres.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/02/nat6.htm |
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Fresh curb on media slammed |
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The Labour Party Pakistan on Friday demonstrated against what it called new restrictions on media, particularly electronic media, in the wake of directions given to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to regulate the transmission of different television channels. LPP secretary-general Farooq Tariq, heading the demonstration outside the Lahore Press Club, demanded the restrictions should be withdrawn as they interfered with the right to freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution. Speakers said on the occasion that the regime was systematically damaging the state institutions and muzzling the freedom of expression was the latest step in the direction.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/02/nat43.htm |
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Restrictions on electronic media slammed |
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The Pakistan People’s Party has condemned the restrictions on electronic media. Speaking at a press conference here on Friday, Sindh PPP Information Secretary Nafees Ahmed Siddiqui said the decision seemed to be taken in the backdrop of the May 12 bloodbath when the electronic media exposed the gory details of the killing spree. Defending the role of media, Mr Siddiqui said it had always played a positive role by highlighting different national issues including the cases of disappearances and the current judicial crisis. He said the PPP would in no way accept the restrictions on live broadcasts in the electronic media as it would throttle the voice of dissent.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/02/local10.htm |
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Threats to journalists condemned |
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The Khyber Union of Journalists (KhUJ) and Tribal Union of Journalists (TUJ) on Friday held a protest demonstration against the attacks on the houses of two journalists in Peshawar and Khyber Agency and threats to some senior media persons in Karachi. The protesting journalists, carrying placards and banners, took out a procession from the Peshawar Press Club to Telecom House and chanted slogans against the provincial and federal governments. Speaking to the protesters, Khyber Union of Journalists (KhUJ) president Jan Afzal said both the provincial and federal governments were engaged in recrimination on the ‘collapse of authority’ in the country. “But we want protection from both state and non-state actors responsible for violence and terror in the country”, he added.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/02/local14.htm |
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Media curbs evoke strong opposition |
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Lawyers, Ulema, Majlis-e-Amal and people from different walks of life have strongly protested the government warning to both the print and electronic media. The president of the Lahore Bar Association Mohammed Ahsan and secretary general Sarfraz Cheema in a joint statement issued on Friday said that the new instructions issued by the government relating to the media are a direct attack on the freedom of the Press and no such example can be found any where in the world. This, they said, also negates the statements of government ministers that the Press is totally independent in the country. They made it clear that such steps cannot stop the present movement against the government and the movement will continue for the restoration of the constitution, independence of judiciary and the peoples rights will be protected at all costs.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_default.asp |
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Journalists protest harassment |
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Journalists here Friday staged a protest demonstration against attack on the house of a tribal newsman and threats to the media persons in Karachi and other parts of the country. The protest call was given by the Khyber Union of Journalists (KhUJ) which was participated by a large number of journalists of the provincial capital and the tribal areas.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_NatNews.aspx?dtlid=100277&catid=2&date=06/02/2007&fcatid=14 |
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MMA stages demonstrations against threats given to journalists |
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The Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) on Friday staged demonstrations outside various mosques of the city to protest against the threats given to senior journalists to stifle the voice of the media. The MMA leaders severely criticised the Sindh government and the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) for using ‘unfair’ and ‘violent’ tactics against the legal and journalistic fraternity. They said the journalists and lawyers were active part of the movement for the revival democracy and no threat or use of violent and armed means could deter them from their struggle for their righteous cause. The speakers also condemned the act of the Mohajir Rabita Council for allegedly issuing a list of journalists to threaten and terrorise them from fair reporting. The demonstrators were carrying placards and banners inscribed with slogans against use of ‘unlawful’, ‘immoral’ and ‘pressure’ tactics against the journalists’ community.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=4 |
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PPP slams new curbs on media |
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The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has condemned the government for imposing curbs on the media and termed the decision to stop live television coverage of events related to the judicial crisis an attempt to suppress the truth. Talking to mediapersons at a function organised by the party’s women wing in connection with the birthday celebrations of Benazir Bhutto here on Friday, PPP spokesman and former senator Farhatullah Khan Babar criticised Federal Minister for Information Mohammad Ali Durrani for using threatening tone against the media, saying it seemed that the rulers were totally confused over the present situation.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/02/nat7.htm |
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PPP condemns restrictions on media |
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Condemning the reports about imminent imposition of restrictions on the electronic and print media and registration of treason cases against lawyers, the PPP has vowed to continue its support to the journalists and lawyers’ fraternity in their struggle for the freedom of the press and the independence of the judiciary. The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Sindh General Secretary Nafees Siddqui said at a press conference on Friday that the government was frightened by the live coverage of events and protests of the political parties as well as lawyers in favour of the Chief Justice of Pakistan. Terming the government’s intention of imposition of restriction against the media malafide, Nafees said that the military rulers and their supporters are scared of the lawyers’ and the political parties’ movement launched after rendering the CJP non-functional.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=4 |
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Journalists’ union to challenge ban in court |
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Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) on Friday condemned the government’s decision to impose a ban on live coverage by private TV channels as a violation of Article 19 of the Constitution and appealed to the Supreme Court to take suo moto notice of the development. The journalists’ union also announced that it would challenge the ban in court. In a press statement, the PFUJ proposed a one-day strike by print and electronic media to protest rising incidents of violence against journalists and media centres, and the imposition of censorship on live coverage by private TV channels. The statement said these developments were intended to “suppress the lawyers’ movement and coverage” of the Chief Justice of Pakistan.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\02\story_2-6-2007_pg7_10 |
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Regulating electronic media |
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“Also quite rightly, for entertainment Channels, where is the content production volume, to cope with the intake requirement of at least six hours of fresh productions per Channel per day, if the rest of 18 hours were to be repeats? This means over 25 thousand new program hours per year for just 12 Channels, the cost of which, calculated at an average of Rs 300,000 per hour, comes to nearly 80 billion rupees per annum. Can some one tell me who will cough out that kind of money? This problem though does not exist for News and Views Channels, which have a lot of live inputs and repeat content perforce. Besides production costs, the sheer cost of other logistics, technical and manpower requirements for a Broadcast Channel are prohibitive.”
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_IsbNews.aspx?dtlid=100273&catid=17&date=06/02/2007&fcatid=14 |
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Daily Times Editorial “What is “unhindered” TV coverage?” |
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The federal information minister, Mr Muhammad Ali Durrani, sounded out of character when he complained Thursday that the government was upset over an “unhindered” coverage of recent events by the media. He threatened the electronic media with PEMRA rules that authorise the state to “hinder” live coverage of events in the country. It appears that his ministry will use the PEMRA laws as a bludgeon to stop “unhindered” coverage, meaning that all live coverage will go and all footage will be “passed” by the ministry before its airing.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\02\story_2-6-2007_pg3_1 |
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Nawa-i-Waqt Editorial |
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Nawa-i-Waqt editorial comments, “Media has no role in present judicial crisis. Govt should introduce reforms in its ranks. Tussle with media will not pay any benefit to government.”
(Nawa-i-Waqt- Editorial)
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Freedom of press and national security |
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Nawa-i-Waqt columnist Atta ur Rehman comments, “after judiciary, now media is under pressure. Curbs on media are related to security of Pakistan. Rulers should not impose curbs against media, it has become national issue.”
(Nawa-i-Waqt- Column)
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Jang Editorial |
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Jang Editorial comments, “Media is fully aware about responsibilities. Media is fulfilling its duties. Liaison with media can provide a suitable settlement.
(Jang-Editorial)
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After Judiciary, tussle with media? |
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Irshad Ahmed Haqqani the Jang columnist comments, “It is advice to government that govt should review whole issue. It should be settled, after through reconsideration of issues. Govt should not try to restrain the role of media.”
(Jang-Column)
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Ban on live coverage |
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Assad ullah Ghalib, “Some elements want to fail government though curbs. Pemra in any capacity is not eligible to impose ban on live coverage. PTV should compete private channels through use of technology and strong argument.”
(Jang-Column)
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Dawn Editorial “A clampdown on the media?” |
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“There have been calls for “responsible” journalism. One does not dispute the importance of that, but being responsible does not mean suppressing information. It is the constitutional right of the people to have access to a complete picture of the happenings in the country. But responsibility also requires the media to observe on its own some moral, ethical and aesthetic guidelines that have not always been kept in view. For instance, the repeated telecast of uncensored close-ups of violence, gory scenes of violent deaths along with images of dismembered human bodies, and sights of trigger-happy youth targeting their compatriots with an insensitivity that is unimaginable do not speak of a responsible media performance. It is important that the media should inform and educate, and not desensitise its viewers.”
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/02/ed.htm#1 |
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Testing times for media by Ansar Abbasi |
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President General Pervez Musharraf seems to be running out of patience against the media — thanks to his courtiers. With a veiled package of curbs being introduced against the independent media particularly the private television channels, he is all set to lose his “pride”. Musharraf has always boasted, both internally and internationally, to have given “unprecedented” press freedom in Pakistan. He also takes the delight of allowing private television channels in Pakistan for the first time in its history. But now the things seem to be changing to push the situation back to the square one.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_default.asp |
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Daily Times Cartoon |
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\02\story_2-6-2007_pg3_8 |
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Nation Cartoon |
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http://nation.com.pk/daily/jun-2007/2/maxim.php |
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Media in Court
Editor seeks removal of ban on magazine |
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An Urdu magazine has moved the Balochistan High Court against government’s decision to ban its publication. Samalan Baloch editor of the Samalan, an Urdu magazine published from Bolan district has requested BHC to allow him to publish the magazine again. He said his magazine supported objective and investigative journalism and had no political motives.
(Daily times-A4)
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Media Miscellaneous
Govt tightens media rules after army criticized |
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Authorities are tightening rules to restrict live television broadcasters of opposition rallies in a move aimed at stopping criticism of the powerful military. In addition to legal action, the government’s broadcasting authority is going to enforce rules that require television stations to get require permission for live coverage.
(Daily times-A2)
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Govt-media tussle should be resolved immediately |
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Any tussle between the media and govt can be harmful for both and it should be resolved immediately, said federal Railways minister sheikh Rashid ahmed.
(Daily times-A2)
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Govt wants implementation of Pemra rules |
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The govt want implementation of Pemra rules to save national institutions from being maligned said Information Minister Muhammad Ali Khan Durrani. He said govt had not changed Pemra rules.
(Daily times-A2) (News-1)
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Time ripe to mount check on media freedom: Ebad |
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Sindh Governor Dr. Ishratul Ebad has said that it is high time to mount check on the freedom of media that was extended by the government itself. He stressed that there should be some check and balance on the freedom and expression of the media. Referring to the May 12 incidents, the governor said it was a fateful day, adding, the government confronted the tragic incidents with courage and strategic policies and achieved success to restore peace in Karachi. He was speaking as chief guest at the inauguration of Chandni Park in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town on Friday. The governor said that the government gave freedom to the media when no freedom of movement existed and media was given a free hand. He added that it is high time and the federal government was seriously thinking to put some check and balance.
While referring to May 12 incidents, Ebad stated that no government can take a risk to worsen the situation of the city and added as the general elections are nearer, these incidents are unaffordable.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=4 |
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Pakistan China agree to exchange media troupes |
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Pakistan and China agreed to cement bilateral media ties including exchange of media troupes. It was agreed during a meeting between Chinese ambassador to Islamabad and Minister for information and broadcast Muhammad Ali Durrani.
(News-3)
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Pakistani journalists to visit China next month |
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Aimed at strengthening relations between two countries, a delegation of leading Pakistani journalists of electronic and print media will visit China next month. During the visit, the training would be provided to the Pakistani journalists for their capacity-building. In this regard, a meeting was held between Chinese Ambassador Lou Zhaohui and Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani, here on Friday. During the meeting, both the countries agreed to strengthen media ties including the exchange of media troupes.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_IsbNews.aspx?dtlid=100267&catid=17&date=06/02/2007&fcatid=14 |
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Managing Director APP appointed focal person for electronic media |
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Managing Director Associated Press of Pakistan Riaz Hussain has been appointed focal person for electronic media. Director APP Javed Sarfraz Malik and Deputy Director PID will assist him.
(Nawa-i-Waqt-8)
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Radio
FM Listening | Time updates irk radio listeners Sehrish Wasif |
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Time is money, they say. In this fast moving world it is important for everyone to realize its value, as time never stops for any one. At times, in our life we come across certain situations where every second counts a lot and we spend time by counting each and every passing second.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_IsbNews.aspx?dtlid=100272&catid=17&date=06/02/2007&fcatid=14 |
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DISCLAIMER: The contents, including news and headlines, in this newsletter are reproduced from their respective publications ad verbatim as a public service to media observers. Internews does not author the contents and these, therefore, do not necessarily reflect organizational policy.
Updated at 11:00 PST (06:00 GMT) |
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