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A daily review of media coverage of media and communications issues. |
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PEMRA Notice to Aaj
Bars to move SC on Aaj TV notice |
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The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) said on Monday they would challenge in the Supreme Court a show cause notice issued to Aaj TV over its reporting on the judicial crisis. The notice said Aaj had violated an order of the Supreme Judicial Council, which is hearing a case against suspended Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, by telecasting news, talkshows and other programmes on the sub-judice case. It said PEMRA could cancel the channel’s short term uplinking license if it failed to respond within three days. “We condemn the notice and will challenge it in the apex court,” SCBA President Munir a Malik and PBC Executive Committee Vice President Ali Ahmed Kurd told reporters.
(News-9)
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\04\24\story_24-4-2007_pg1_4 |
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Walkout from gallery |
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Journalists on Monday walked out of the press gallery in the National Assembly to register their protest against a show-cause notice issued by Pemra on a private television channel. They returned to the press gallery after the government assured them that no injustice would be done to anyone and a thorough inquiry would be conducted into the issue.
(Nawa-i-Waqt-1) (Express-1)
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/04/24/nat17.htm |
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Lawyers slam PEMRA for issuing notice to TV channel: |
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The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), the Punjab Bar Council (PbBC) and the Lahore Bar Association (LBA) has condemned Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) for issuing show-cause notice to a local TV channel for covering the lawyers' movement. SCBA Vice President Anwar Hamid Sahibzada in a statement issued here on Monday termed the notice an attack on the independence of the press and called upon the government to immediately withdraw it. PbBC at a meeting with its vice president Tariq Javed Warraich in the chair strongly slammed the notice. At a general house meeting, the LBA unanimously passed a resolution condemning the showcase notice issued by the PEMRA to the TV channel. The PEMRA issued show-cause notice to the TV channel on Sunday and directed all other local channels to be cautious in this regard. Five get life terms for killing cop: An anti-terrorism court judge Monday sentenced five people to life for killing a policeman during a shootout. Shahid, Mohsin and three others killed constable Shaukat and injured another during a shoot-out. The court acquitted Sarwar by giving him the benefit of the doubt. Khanka Dogran police registered a case against them in May 2005.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/CityNewsT.aspx?dtlid=93715&catid=3 |
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Journalists slam govt’s notice to private TV channel |
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Peshawar journalists condemned on Monday the government’s action against Aaj TV for providing live coverage to suspended Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry for his participation in the high court bar association’s oath-taking ceremony. The government issued a notice to Aaj TV’s management concerning the live coverage of Justice Chaudhry’s activities from Islamabad to Peshawar, his welcome by thousands of lawyers, political activists and people from various walks of life and his address to the Peshawar High Court Bar members. Journalists termed the government’s step against the channel an attack on press freedom.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\04\24\story_24-4-2007_pg7_14 |
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PPP slates show-cause notice to private TV channel |
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Taking strong exception to the issuance of a show-cause notice to 'Aaj TV,' by Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), the PPP has said this is a clear message to the media that the regime is no longer willing to tolerate any independent views on public television. Pemra has also accused the 'Aaj TV' of failing to produce a no-objection certificate from the External Publicity Wing of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting which was required for the processing of short-term up-linking licence. Issuing a statement from her Islamabad office Monday, Party Information Secretary Sherry Rehman said the notice added to the long list of attacks on media freedom that this regime had been carrying out in the wake of judicial crisis to cover up the crisis it had created.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/IsbNewsT.aspx?dtlid=93637&catid=17 |
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PEMRA should not bow down before govt, says Atizaz |
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The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) should not bow down before government pressure and must work with independence and self determination Barrister Chudhary Aitizaz Ahsan said on Monday.
(Daily Times-A2)
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MMA criticizes PEMRA for notice to private channel |
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MMA Sindh President and MNA Assadullah Bhutto criticized the PEMRA and termed it a negative act of government in view of its claims for freedom of press.
(Daily Times-A2)
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SPHR condemns notice to private Channel |
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The alliance for protection of human rights (APHR) a group of civil society organizations, has condemned the PEMRA’s show cause notice to private channel terming it an attempt to throttle the free media.
(News-4)
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Lawyers condemn PEMRA notice to AAJ TV |
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Lawyers condemned a notice from the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) allegedly over coverage of the non-functional Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. They vociferously vowed to fight fetters on journalism. Shaukat Hayat, general secretary, Democratic Lawyers Association, said that in the past also, lawyers and journalists had waged a joint struggle against oppressors and dictators. “We would once again emerge victorious,” he maintained, while announcing a three-member legal aid committee to help the AAJ television network comprising himself, Akhtar Hussain and Justice (retd) Abul Inam.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\04\24\story_24-4-2007_pg12_4 |
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Lawyers slam PEMRA’s notice to Aaj |
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The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), the Punjab Bar Council (PbBC) and the Lahore Bar Association (LBA) have condemned the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) for issuing show cause notice to a local TV channel, Aaj, for covering the lawyers movement. SCBA vice president Anwar Hamid Sahibzada, in a statement, called the notice a direct attack on the independence of the press. He called upon the government to withdraw it.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\04\24\story_24-4-2007_pg7_41 |
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Pemra notice to private TV channel widely criticised |
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The Supreme Court Bar Association, the Punjab Bar Council and the Lahore Bar Association have condemned Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) for issuing show cause notice to a local television channel “Aaj” for covering the lawyers’ movement. SCBA vice president Anwar Hamid Sahibzada in a statement issued here on Monday termed the notice a direct attack on press freedom and called upon the government to immediately withdraw it. PBC in a meeting under aegis of its vice president Tariq Javed Warraich strongly condemned the notice and termed it a bid to gag and chain the press.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=7388 |
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Pemra’s action against TV channel criticized |
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Political parties, lawyers, mediapersons and civil society organisations on Monday lashed out at the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) for serving a show-cause notice on the Aaj TV channel and termed it an attack on the freedom of the electronic media. The Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) submitted an adjournment motion to the National Assembly to discuss the issue on a priority basis. The motion said the notice was issued to the TV channel because it was airing talks shows and programmes on the ongoing judicial crisis in the country.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/04/24/top10.htm |
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DBA condemns government action |
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The District Bar Association Rawalpindi in its general body session passed a resolution condemning the government action against the channel for giving detailed coverage to the judicial crisis. The resolution moved by Zafar Mehmood Mughal Advocate criticised the government for serving notice to the TV channel through Pemra. Speaking on the occasion, High Court Bar Association president Sardar Asmatullah termed the move an attempt to curb the freedom of expression. He offered free legal support in case litigation ensued after the show-cause notice by Pemra.The president of the Divisional Union of Journalists Malik Wazir Mohammad said the issuance of notice to Aaj TV channel was an attempt to put pressure on the press. At a meeting of the Potohar Press Club, Gujar Khan, he said the action against the TV channel was an attack on the freedom of the media.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/04/24/top10.htm |
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PILDAT condemns PEMRA action |
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The Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) also condemned the show-cause notice served on the TV channel. In a statement, PILDAT executive-director Ahmed Bilal Mehboob said it was regrettable that a government championing the cause of freedom of the information should take such steps against the news media. No democratic polity can flourish through curtailing the freedom of information and of news media, he added. CDPI: The Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives also condemned the show-cause notice and threat to the channel with closure in view of its extensive coverage of the judicial crisis.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/04/24/top10.htm |
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Pemra notice to TV channel slammed |
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Former speaker of the National Assembly Syed Fakhar Imam has condemned Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) notice to a TV channel, terming it an attempt to suppress the media. At a press conference on Monday, Mr Imam said the government should withdraw the notice as in an era of globalised communication such tactics would damage the country’s image. Denying reports about a PPP-government deal, he said the party believed in dialogue to solve the problems faced by the country. The PPP would not accept a uniformed president, he reiterated. He said the government had no choice except withdrawal of the reference against the Chief Justice of Pakistan.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/04/24/nat30.htm |
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FUJ announces hunger strike camp against PEMRA |
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Faisalabad Union of Journalists (FUJ) announced to set up a hunger strike camp, if Pemra did not withdraw the notice served on Aaj TV within three days. The secretary general of Faisalabad Press Club, Aamir Idrees Butt, said the notice was a part of government agenda to suppress media freedom. He said the FUJ had decided to set up a hunger strike camp at the press club after a meeting held here under president Khalild Abass Saif. The meeting was attended by Maqbool Ahmed Lodhi, Ikram Akhtar, Munir Imran, Ahmed Kamal Niazmi, Mohammad Shafiq and others.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/04/24/nat30.htm |
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Karachi Union of Journalists condemns Pemara action |
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Karachi Union of Journalists demanded immediate withdrawal of the Pemra notice to the ‘AaJ’ and other TV channels for their coverage of the events relating to the presidential reference against chief justice of Pakistan, calling it strong arm tactics to prevent journalists from performing their professional duties and bring the truth to people.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/04/24/local23.htm |
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Sardar Naseem condemns Pemara action |
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PML – N leader Sardar Naseem has condemned the PEMRA action against Aaj and asked for immediate withdrawal of the Pemra notice to the ‘AaJ’ and other TV channels for their coverage of the events relating to the presidential reference against chief justice of Pakistan, calling it strong arm tactics to prevent journalists from performing their professional duties and bring the truth to people.
(Nawa-i-Waqt-2)
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Media Protest
PFUJ-Apnec ‘demands day’ put off |
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A “demands day” meeting of newspaper employees which was to be held on Monday at the Karachi Press Club was cancelled by the Karachi chapter of Apnec due to unavoidable circumstances. However, a meeting of Apnec’s Karachi office-bearers will be held on Wednesday at 4.30pm in the union office of Daily Jang to chalk out the future programmes, according to a press release. Meanwhile, the Karachi Union of Journalists on Monday held a meeting in connection with the postponed Demands Day on Monday. The meeting called for implementation of the 7th wage award and constitution of the 8th wage board, and also condemned threats to journalists belonging to the print and electronic media.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/04/24/local23.htm |
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Journalists hold demo |
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The Khyber Union of Journalists held a protest camp Monday at the Peshawar Press Club to register their protest against non- implementation of wage board award by the owners of newspapers organisations.The protest camp was organised on the call of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists to press the APNS for the implementation. KhUJ members and hawkers largely participated in the protest. Holding placards and banners inscribed with slogans in favour of implementation of the 7th wage board award without any delay, the political workers also visited the camp to express their solidarity with the protesting journalists.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/NatNewsT.aspx?dtlid=93658&catid=2 |
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KhUJ demands formation of 8th Wage Board |
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The Khyber Union of Journalists (KhUJ) on Monday demanded of the federal government to immediately constitute the Eighth Wage Board and asked the newspaper owners to implement the 7th Wage Award immediately. The KhUJ observed a demands day and set up a protest camp in front of the Peshawar Press Club to inform the public of its longstanding demands. Later, it took out a procession which began from the press club and ended at the Governor’s House. Speaking on the occasion, PPC president Mohammad Riaz held the newspaper owners and the federal government responsible for the miseries of working journalists. He asked the newspaper owners to end their delaying tactics and implement the 7th Wage Award immediately.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/04/24/nat23.htm |
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Protest rally for BBC reporter’s release held |
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Pakistani and Islamabad-based foreign journalists on Monday held a protest rally outside Parliament House on Monday to show solidarity with the BBC correspondent Alan Johnston who was abducted from Gaza strip six weeks ago. The journalists from print and electronic media were holding placards inscribed with slogans seeking safe release of Mr Johnston. Rawalpindi Press Club President Mushtaq Minhas, general-secretary Afzal Butt and other office-bearers led the protest rally.
(News-20)
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/04/24/nat15.htm |
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Protest against abduction of UK journalist |
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The journalist community of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi staged a demonstration here on Monday to show solidarity with BBC correspondent Alan Johnson who has been abducted from Gaza strip. The demonstration, in which representatives of different print and electronic media organisations took part, was staged in front of the Parliament House. Participants of the demonstration held placards inscribed with slogans seeking Alan Johnson’s safe release. President Rawalpindi Press Club (RPC) Mushtaq Minhas, General Secretary Afzal Butt and other office-bearers of the press club led the protest.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=52653 |
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Journalists flay Alan’s kidnapping |
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The Journalists community on Monday staged a protest demonstration against the kidnapping of BBC correspondent from Gaza, Palestine, and demanded his immediate release. The protest was attended by a large number of journalists from national and international media. They were holding placards inscribed with slogans including “ Free Alan Johaonston” and “We want freedom”. They said the BBC correspondent Alan was arrested by some unknown outfit several weeks ago from Gaza and so far there is no information about his whereabouts.
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http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/apr-2007/24/nationalnews6.php |
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Media in Court
Uninformed of constitution are debating on Media: SC Judge |
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Supreme Court Judge Mr. Justice Javed Iqbal has given observation that ignorant of constitution are holding debate on media to elaborate constitution. They don’t know anything about constitution but conducting debate and giving illustrations of constitution on media. He gave these remarks while hearing a plea against PTV for holding a debate on Chief Justice Reference filed by Journalist Shahid Orakzai.
(Jang-8)
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Media Bodies
PBA asks for protection to electronic media |
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Pakistan Broadcasters Association, Journalists, political and Lawyers bodies have appealed to government to ensure protection for electronic media assured in constitution. PBA has condemned the Pemra notice to private TV channel. PBA has asked to President and PM to take notice of such show cause notices given to private channels. Such notices are against the freedom of expression and media. Meeting held in Karachi attended by top broadcasters and representatives of all leading channels of the country.
(Jang-8)
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No stay order against election of Rawalpindi Islamabad press club |
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Civil Judge Rawalpindi Mukhtar Ahmed Ranjha has issued no stay order against the unopposed election of office bearers of Rawalpindi Islamabad press club. Such news is not true that court has issued any such stay order.
(Nawa-i-Waqt-2)
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Media Blah Blah
Media policy strengthening democratic process: Durrani |
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Federal Information Minister Muhammad Ali Khan Durrani said that free and independent media was functional in the country and the government’s media policy was strengthening democratic process and political norms. Participating in PTV program arranged on first anniversary of ‘News Plus’ current affairs program of PTV World.
(News-5)
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Love for Pakistan is base for media policy: Durrani |
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Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani has said that media policy is based on Pakistani, Pakistaniat, and love for Pakistan. PTV is working for national identity and integrity. He said that President Gen Pervaiz Mushrraf and PM Shukat Aziz strongly believe in freedom of media. Government’s media policy reflects freedom promised and implement by present regime. There is no interference from government in matters of media. Media is free to highlight issues. Secretary information Syed Anwer Mehmood also addressed the occasion. Minister for Information and Secretary Information were addressing opening session of the PTV General Managers moot in PTV Headquarter.
(Jang-3) (Khabrian-1)
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Theater
Deedar, Nida and Saima Khan get bail |
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Three stage actresses Deedar, Nida Chaudhry and Saima Khan on Monday were granted interim bail in a case of performing vulgar dances at Al-Falah Theatre after submission of bail bonds totalling Rs 25,000. Qila Gujjar Singh police registered a case against them on April 19 on a complaint by Niaz Hussain, Principal Staff Officer to the Minister for Culture & Youth Affairs, Punjab. Niaz alleged that the actresses spread obscenity during a show at Al-Falah Theatre, The Mall.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/CityNewsT.aspx?dtlid=93715&catid=3 |
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Art
A cultural event spoilt |
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The treatment meted out by the authorities concerned in Karachi to the prestigious Sakinan-i-Shehr-i-Quaid mushaira this year by denying permission for the annual international poetry recital to be held on the National Stadium grounds deprived the event of the grace associated with it. The new venue not only made it difficult for the organisers to do justice to the occasion, it also discouraged a traditionally much larger audience from being present. The lack of basic public facilities at the new venue, the Urdu University grounds, was responsible for dampening the spirit behind the glorious cultural event that Karachi has been rightly proud of for many years. The commotion caused by the change of the venue to the ill-equipped lawns also resulted in many notable poets staying away. On the other hand, some of those, including poets from India and from other cities of the country, who did turn up went back without reciting their poetry. This was due mainly to the delays caused in the sequence in which poets were invited on the stage.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/04/24/ed.htm#3 |
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Art and culture: What’s in a name?Artists fight over National Art Gallery |
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The National Art Gallery at Aiwan-e-Rifat, Islamabad, was allocated primarily to the visual art community of Pakistan, back in the 1980s, but not much was done to complete the construction of the building. Now that it is finally complete, the artist community of Pakistan, particularly the visual art community is in outrage. The very first incident that shook the entire community was the change of name from the National Art Gallery to the Centre for Creative Arts. Superficially speaking, a change of name does not do much harm. However, in actuality the change in name damages this building’s function. There has been a seminar, on behalf of the artist community at the Karachi Press Club. It was attended by renowned artists who gave their reasons for rejecting this changed name and discussed the concept of sharing space with performing arts.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=52736 |
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Copy Rights
Users of pirated software given 35-day ultimatum |
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The Business Software Alliance (BSA) on Monday announced 35 day truce with users of pirated software in Pakistan, to allow time to all firms, organizations and individuals across the country to install licensed software to avoid legal action. “The truce begins on April 26, and once it ends on May 30, BSA will take strict legal action against the businesses and organizations using unauthorised software,” BSA Representative for Eastern Mediterranean and Pakistan, Aly Harakeh, told a press conference at the Karachi Press Club. “Companies that take necessary steps to become fully licensed will be excused from penalties for software violations occurring prior to April 26,” he said.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/04/24/local15.htm |
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Are intellectual property rights only for designers, not scholars? |
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The public must have intellectual rights said speakers at a seminar entitled ‘Development of Intellectual Property (IP) Laws in Pakistan’ which was organized by Sindh advocate general at Sindhi Muslim Law College Sunday. The seminar was the first of monthly series in which the laws, roles, development and effects of intellectual property would be discuused. There were observations that existing IP laws are not being implemented. ‘there are various commercial cases but no such cases about books and creative material, which have thus far gone unnoticed.”
(Daily Times-A2)
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Series of letters to Editors on Plagiarism |
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Riaz Hussain says the professors and HEC should pay attention to new ideas. The culture of scholarship and academic honesty cannot appear overnight. It will take years, as Mr Haider has correctly pointed out in his piece. I look forward to his other writings.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\04\24\story_24-4-2007_pg3_7 |
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Obituary
Hasan Alvi passes away |
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A veteran journalist Ahmed Hassan Alvi died on Monday at the age of 67 at the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology, Rawalpindi.Alvi was a senior member of daily Dawn's editorial team in Islamabad. He suffered a massive heart attack on Saturday and was first admitted to the Holy Family Hospital and later referred to the Armed Force Institute of Cardiology, but despite the best efforts of doctors they were unable to revive his heart .He breathed his last at around 2am.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/IsbNewsT.aspx?dtlid=93622&catid=17 |
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Dawn reporter grieved |
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The father of M.H.Khan, correspondent of Dawn at Hyderabad, Mohammad Saeed Khan, breathed his last in the Civil Hospital Hyderabad, on Monday morning. He was 79. He died due to prostate complications. He has left behind a widow, two daughters and a son to mourn his death. His Nimaz-i-Janaza was held at Al-Amna complex, Hill Top and later laid to rest at the cantonment graveyard.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/04/24/local29.htm |
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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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