The bakers strike back?
Daily Jang reported (27 Sep 2016) that officials of the Punjab Food Authority were detained by the owner of a bakers’ production unit in the Samanabad area of Lahore. On finding the hygiene situation deplorable, officials of the Punjab Food Authority were interrupted in their raid of the premises by the owner and his lawyer friend, who then took the officials prisoner, until police intervened to rescue them.
Prosperity cruise?
Chief Minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif was quoted by Daily Nawa e Waqt (26 Sep 2016) as stating that a sea of progress and prosperity is now beginning to take shape for ordinary people. He said that opponents of the government seek to build dykes against this sea, but that the people will recognize such defeated elements and reject them.
Surgery for the surgeons?
Daily Jang (27 Sep 2016) quoted Indian media as stating that Chinese troops, in their latest incursion after that in the Ladakh sector, entered Indian territory in Arunachal Pradesh and penetrated to a distance of some 40 kilometres. When Indian forces asked them to leave, they refused, claiming that the territory they had built temporary shelters on was actually Chinese.
Hospitality, Hindutva style?
Daily Jang (28 Sep 2016) stated that controversial BJP parliamentarian as saying that Pakistani artists will be struck with shoes and driven out of India. He went on to state that animals were better than Pakistani artists.
Siraj-ul-Haq: battle-ready?
Daily Nawa e Waqt (01 Oct 2016) quoted Jamaat-e-Islami leader Siraj-ul-Haq as stating that even if the whole world stands with India, it can never win a war with Pakistan. He berated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and went on to say that if the latter did not mend his ways, a war would be fought in Delhi and Mumbai.
“These people with bats…”
Daily Dunya (01 Oct 2016) quoted Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid as saying that the people of Pakistan would not side with Imran Khan in his protests since the Prime Minister feels the pain of the people, but those who carry cricket bats (balla uthaanay waalay) do not.
Tantrum somewhat overdone?
Daily Express (02 Oct 2016) reported that a son in Manchanabad set fire to his own shop after a dispute with his father. The shop burned down completely, but neighbouring ones remained unaffected. The report went on to state that police prevented journalists from covering the situation, which prompted a protest from the journalists.
Another political thriller?
Daily Express (02 Oct 2016) quoted the leader of the opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed, as saying that there ought to be some suspense left after Imran Khan promised to close down the federal capital Islamabad. He went on to state that once the PTI had announced that it would not allow the government to govern, it would launch protests and also look into other options.
If you’re depressed, hang in there…
Daily Jang (01 Oct 2016) reported that senior analysts Saleem Safi, Muneeb Farooq, Amjad Shoaib and Hafizullah Niazi expressed their view that PTI leader Imran Khan’s movement may or may not resolve the problem of corruption, but it is certainly a good cure for depression.
“Recite the national anthem: it’s a challenge!”
Daily Jang (01 Oct 2016) reported that Mahmood Khan Achakzai once again set off a commotion in the National Assembly, when during his comments on the FATA reforms, he said that in a House of 342 representatives, none but one or two could recite the Pakistani national anthem, but they still talked about Pakistan. Mr. Achakzai’s comments elicited much reaction from MNAs of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek e Insaaf (PTI).