Do clothes make the man?
Daily Express (27 March 2017) reported on the continuing chaos caused by the introduction of a new uniform for the Punjab police, with uniforms fitting poorly over the arms, torso, etc. and a dearth of badges, boots and name-plates. Citizens were reported as saying that the change from the earlier black uniform will not bring about a change in the police department’s attitudes. The police, meanwhile, are more optimistic that the new uniform will indeed bring about a new mindset.
From now on…
Daily Jang (27 March 2017) quoted leader of the PTI Imran Khan in his address to party members from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Reportedly, Imran Khan said that so far the party had been unsuccessful in bringing about accountability in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, but that from now on whoever engages in corruption, they will not be able to get away (who bacch ke nahin ja sakay ga)…
Peace before negotiations?
The Indian High Commissioner in Pakistan, according to Daily Jang (28 March 2017), representing the view of the Indian government, stated that negotiations with Pakistan could not take place until Pakistan establishes peaceful conditions.
Promoting diplomacy?
According to Daily Jang (29 March 2017), Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar stated that from now on spies will not be able to come to Pakistan in the guise of diplomats.
Good news for Modi too!
Daily Jang (29 March 2017) quoted Chief Minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif as saying that by the end of this year, the load-shedding problem will be resolved, and that so much electricity will be produced that some could even be given to Modi.
Should lions be grateful to Zardari?
According to Daily Dunya (30 March 2017), former President Asif Ali Zardari stated that the PML-N became lions only after Musharraf left the country. Zardari further claimed that it was he who made them into lions, and that he had become President to ensure that Musharraf went home.
Media management, Aleem Khan style
According to Daily Jang (30 March 2017), the PTI’s Aleem Khan became annoyed on being asked by a journalist about the land mafia (qabza mafia). He reportedly told the journalist after the press conference that if the latter wanted 5-7 marla of land, he could have brought up the matter later, alone. When other journalists protested such remarks from the PTI leader, the situation escalated and the journalists were pushed around. Eventually matters reached a point where Aleem Khan and his guards tried to seize one individual, who was saved by the intervention of other journalists. Aleem Khan reportedly made threats and swore at the journalists.
Balloons for espionage?
Daily Nawa-i-Waqt (30 March 2017) reported that after pigeons and birds, hysteria over Pakistani spying now extended also to balloons, which allegedly were found near a village close to Kapurthala in India.
“It’s all the same to me!”
Actor and celebrity Hamza Ali Abbasi was quoted by Daily Dunya (01 April 2017) as saying that there was no difference between mujras from Punjabi theatre shows and ‘item numbers’ in films.
Multi-role census teams
Daily Nawa-i-Waqt (02 April 2017) reported that a census team in Karachi captured three bandits and handed them over to the police, after the suspects attempted to rob a house.