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A study published in 2008 revealed that there is a link between heavy hookah smoking and incidence of cancer. And yet, the Sindh Assembly’s decision to outlaw the smoking of shisha has been met with much skepticism.

Twenty year old Hassan* says:

• “It is rubbish. They should ban cigarette smoking first!”

But will arresting the frequency of cigarette smoking make the ban on shisha more acceptable?

“Banning cigarette smoking will show that the government has a clear policy against smoking,” Hassan asserts. “Prohibiting shisha will only affect a small portion of the general population.”

The question of acceptability looms like a specter, putting a match to numerous contentious – and somewhat unsolvable –debates. Zahra*, a student in Karachi says:

• “I find Bachal Shah’s statement – ‘not only boys, but teenaged girls also go to restaurants to smoke shisha’ – to be extremely derogatory and sexist. It takes the stereotyped image of woman and distorts it even more. I feel it could have been phrased better. It would have had a stronger impact.”

Hookah smoking has been deemed a popular activity in most South Asian countries and in the Arab world. Is it then apt to consider a ban of this nature as an assault on human liberties? Afsar*, a Lahore-based business student says:

• “I think it should only be enforced in public places. This way, people who want to smoke shisha – in spite of the health risks involved – will have the freedom to do in the privacy of their own homes.”

Hookah smoking is also perceived as a predominantly elitist activity. It has become a fixture for various social gatherings and events.

Will this interdiction on shisha significantly alter people’s mindsets?

Fine arts student in Karachi, Farima* says:

• “The shisha ban is rather absurd. There are countless other issues that are in need of potent attention and consequent action. The hazards created by shisha are insignificant in comparison.”

It is vital to analyze the impact this will generate in society. Rahman*, a twenty-one year old argues:

• “I feel this ban will curb opportunities youngsters have to hang out and chill out. The youth in particular will feel deprived and may start using shisha underground. On the other hand, it’s good to see people taking such initiatives to promote health concerns.”

Although the ban on shisha is a stepping stone for change, there is still an inkling of resistance for it. Perhaps this can only be remedied if a tangible change in mindsets is propagated. But exactly how can this change be initiated? Zain* says:

• “I don’t think the tactful use of advertising helps. There is no guarantee that it will work. I remember when cigarette ads were followed by public services. Did that stop people from smoking?”

Perhaps the government should consider marketing this new policy. Most people who smoke shisha – which comprises a large section of the youth – are unaware of the health risks it entails. They only perceive it as a pleasurable pastime and thus find the ban to be a violation of inalienable human rights.

It is only through an innovative awareness campaign that the government can convey its standpoint to the naively unacquainted youth.

*Names have been changed to preserve the identity of the respondents.

Of the 80 member team that was deployed to take down bin Laden, few draw more speculation than the one on four legs.

Most likely a Belgian Malinois (though officials say it could also have been a German Shepherd), there was one non-human member of the SEAL team that raided Osama bin Laden's compound, according to the New York Times. The heroic pooch was strapped to a Navy SEAL as they were lowered from a hovering helicopter.

Belgian Malinois

The news of the dog's use in the raid broke Wednesday, but like the other members of the team that was deployed, its identity remains unknown.

While the dog is known for its bomb-sniffing prowess, it has other capabilities that make it a wonderful dog-of-war. According to the Atlantic, the dog may have been trained to "sniff out enemy troops from up to 2 miles away."

The sensory perception brought by these dogs in a wartime situation is unparalleled. “The capability they bring to the fight cannot be replicated by man or machine,” General David H. Petraeus said last year, calling for more use of dogs.

But the coolest thing about these guys? Many SEAL dogs come equipped with "titanium fangs capable of ripping through enemy protective armor," at a cost of "about $2,000 a tooth," according to the Daily. That'll get the job done.

KARACHI: Renowned film, stage and television actor Moin Akhtar died on Friday from a heart attack at the age of 61.

He was under treatment at Combined Military Hospital in Malir Cantonment.

He leaves behind a widow, three daughters and two sons.

Moin Akhtar (Moeen Akhtar, Pride of Performance, Sitara-e-Imtiaz, 24 December 1950 - 22 April 2011) was a Pakistani television, film and stage actor, as well as a comedian, impersonator, and a host. He was also a play writer, singer, film director and a producer.

Moin Akhtar

Comedian, Umar Sharif said Akhtar had been like an elder brother to him and his advice had helped Sharif improve.

“I was planning to gather all the comedians in Pakistan to give a tribute to him, God had planned otherwise,” said Sharif.

Actress, Bushra Ansari said she always felt tremendous pride being compared to Akhtar, and the actor’s death has come as a great shock.

“All he did was work, to the point of illness” said Ansari.

Akhtar had recently been working on a new show Dolly ki Baraat with Ansari.

President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain and Sindh Governor Ishrtaul Ibad condoled his death.

Akhtar who was born in December 24 1950, was a skillful comedian, impersonator and host, and worked on hundreds of Pakistani TV dramas, films and stage shows.

Fluent in several languages including English, Moin Akhtar performed dozens of stage shows for urdu-speaking communities all over the world.

In recognition of his services in the field of performing art, he was awarded the President’s pride of performance and Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, one of Pakistan’s highest national awards.

Some of Akhtar’s famed TV series included:

Rozee

Dollar Man

Makaan no 47

Half Plate

Family-93

Eid Train

Bandar road se Kemari

1. She hates most of her friends

Girls always find plenty of emotional support, and friends for dance practises for weddings which gives the impression they are friends for life, but most will always confess to having some sort of beef with every girl they know or are friends with. I have seen the fluff of hugs, kisses and exaggerated pleasantries wear off as soon as one of them fails to call back in a day’s time. Most girls will judge everything their friends do.

College girls

“XYZ (close friend) was wearing such skimpy clothes that night!”

“Oh really!? Do you have pictures?! Wait – isn’t she your friend?

2. She loves to pretend she is the most Shareef girl you’ll ever meet

Yes, they all perform namaz and they all do parda when the need arises.  Many will even swing their dupata over the head ever so gracefully when they hear the azaan. But, they also don’t mind going on an iftari dates during Ramadan.  They will not miss any opportunity to praise their father and brothers in this regard either, making us mere mortals wonder if we can ever become similar paragons of virtue and civility.

3. She is always right

It doesn’t matter if you’re intelligent, if you have a thinking mind, or if you know your sports. You are wrong and your opinion is flawed, Afridi is the best cricketer in the world, and long hair beats short hair any day.

Don’t say you have to study when she wants to talk. It’s really hard to argue when most women are seemingly genetically predisposed to believing they are always right.

4. She expects you to understand all sorts of hints

Yes, even hand signals and eye blinks. A wave may mean goodbye, but it could also mean don’t-come-near-me-my-aunt-is-here. The innocent shrug of the shoulder doesn’t necessarily mean she is being indifferent about your friend third-wheeling tonight – it means “NO.”

The confusion created by girls to keep the average guys on their toes is ridonculous. Don’t fall for it. Pretend you don’t understand sign language or hints. Pretend, when she writes “k” in a text message that it really means everything is okay and that she isn’t really in a bad mood. If you dare pretend to understand even a single hint, be ready for the weight of understanding all of them.

5. She likes money

That’s right. They didn’t make that Bollywood song “Pesa Pesa Karti Hai” for a movie. They were trying to sing the reality of today’s world.

Girl’s love pretending they are not materialistic. But, most of them will flaunt their new hand bags and other accessories the minute they get the chance. They will notice the diamond in your watch from across the table, but your literary sense and general awareness of the world will generally fly over their head. They watch with great interest what other girls are wearing and may pass admiring remarks, but don’t expect the feeling to be mutual if you are found agreeing. In fact, be ready to give lengthy explanations if you are caught in that trap.

6. She doesn’t mind dating, but let’s talk marriage

Dating is totally kosher as long as there is a road map leading the two of you towards holy matrimony. Pressurising a guy into marital commitments is part and parcel of every Pakistani girl’s relationship. I mean, why else would they want to date!? For the fun of it?

Don’t be silly.

You might still be in high school and yet she would be planning that perfect wedding. What can you do? You’re not a heart breaker like all those other guys she keeps telling you about. If, God forbid, you fall short of delivering on those sacred plans, you are forever shunned as the most atrocious villain to have ever lived.

7. She has unrealistic expectations from watching romantic movies

They love putting guys in place of men from romantic movie’s and novels.

If she was crying at the end of Titanic because Di Caprio froze to death after safely placing Kate Winslet on that piece of plywood, she probably expects the same from you if the situation ever arises. Be sure to remind her that the plywood was big enough for at least three people.

Unrealistic expectations lead to great disappointments – letting them build over time by constantly trying to live up to them will only land you in icy waters.

Don’t be shy to fall asleep with the speaker phone on while she’s rambling on about her latest shopping trip. You may pull off being ‘sweet’ once, or even a few times, but will you be able to sustain forever? Be realistic.

As arch-rivals Pakistan and India gear up for the semi-final clash, die-hard Pakistan cricket fans are having a hard time getting tickets to watch the match at the stadium in Mohali.

According to the organisers at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium, Mohali, where the match is scheduled for March 30, tickets were sold out soon after it became apparent that India might play Pakistan in the semi-final. The stadium can hold 28,000 people of which, PCA officials said, 16,500 tickets were sold in record time. The rest, they said, had been bought by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for its guests and officials.

“I am deeply disappointed because I will not be able to catch the action live,” said shop-owner Rizwan Abbasi. “I ran from pillar to post to get tickets and even contacted the Indian High Commission but to no avail.”

“We are as deserving as any Indian fan because we could have hosted the game had the ICC not removed us from the [host] list,” said Asad Muslim, a cellular company executive. “There is a bias towards us and our authorities should raise their voice against it.”

“We wanted to go support our team which is our right but I am utterly dejected with the way the organisers have deprived us of it,” said Shahid Rao, another desperate fan.

Helpless PCB

While fans have tried and failed, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is also having trouble getting tickets for dignitaries.

“We wanted to buy tickets for top dignitaries but no tickets are available,” PCB spokesperson Nadeem Sarwar said. “We are trying to arrange some but haven’t received a convincing reply from the organisers yet.”

ICC shifts blame

When Pakistan was removed as co-host of World Cup 2011, the ICC had said that it would facilitate Pakistan fans attend matches in the country’s South Asian neighbours.

But now, the ICC has refused to take the blame for unavailability of tickets.

“Tickets had been open for sale online for a considerable length of time,” ICC’s Head of Media and Communications Colin Gibson said. “Fans from other countries took their chances on the possibility of their teams’ matches and bought tickets in advance. The same should have been done by Pakistan fans,” he said.

Indian fans

The situation isn’t any easier for Indian fans it seems, as hundreds of people were seen queuing at the ground on Saturday despite PCA’s announcement on Tuesday that the 14,000 available tickets had been sold.

But some supporters simply refused to believe tickets were no longer available. “I have been coming here since Monday, but have not been able to get a ticket,” Vikas Sharma, a businessman, told the Press Trust of India.

However, there have been numerous reports of a thriving black market in tickets for the showpiece encounter with prices rocketing 10-fold.

“The tickets for 250 rupees are available at 2,200 rupees while a 1,000-rupee ticket can only be bought for 8,000 rupees,” said Mohali student Sahil Kapoor.

Everyone is talking about arch-rivals Pakistan and India facing each other in a World Cup semi-final on Wednesday.

Here are a few golden statements that Pakistan cricket fans are making:

1. Pakistan was given a place in the semi-final as a reward for releasing Raymond Davis.

2. Reaching Mohali a week before the match is no good; the Pakistani players may get paid off.

Thackerey is an Indian politician, founder and chief of the Shiv Sena.

3. Indians are good at black magic – check out how their pundits throw amulets on the Mohali pitch.

4. The Mohali pitch has been developed to assist the Indian players.

5. Pakistanis will lose the match because they know the Indian crowd will beat the hell out of them if they win.

6. The Indian spectators will disrupt the match if they see Pakistan winning the game.

7. Pakistan will not lose the semi final; 180 million Pakistani Muslims, Bengalis and lots of Indian Muslims will be praying for Pakistan.

8. RAW agents are conspiring to use Indian bookies to bring down the Pakistan team.

9. Bal Thakeray won’t do anything to the Pakistan team. He is afraid of Karachi’s ghundas.

10. Pakistan will win the match because they don’t have sattay baaz (gamblers) on the squad.

11. How can Pakistan win when there is no implementation of Islam in this country?

12. Shoaib Akhtar will rip Kamran Akmal apart on the field if he drops any more catches when he is bowling.

13. Bal Thakeray is actually an ISI double-agent. His job is to malign India’s reputation by threatening the Pakistan cricket team.

Note: This blog is satirical in nature.

For the latest World Cup updates and opinions visit BestWoods Cricket.

Pakistan and India have never had smooth diplomatic ties and are obviously insecure about each other; their rivalry is so intense that it has brought them to the brink of nuclear armament.

So what can a game of cricket do for two countries that are not friends? Not much.


The Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has invited President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to watch the Pakistan versus India showdown on March 30in Mohali, India.

The arch-rivals have not played each other in India since the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai and the outcome will surely be construed as a diplomatic victory.

The frustrations that both sides have developed towards each other ever since they separated in 1947 are often vented through cricket matches.  It’s not just a game. The untimely death of a match-predicting parrot who predicted Pakistan’s victory is just a recent example of what a Pakistan India clash means.

This match will help India generate cash by selling tickets, issue around 5,000 visas to Pakistanis and create economic activity for hotels but apart from this, I don’t think it can help diplomatic ties. I highly doubt that Mr Singh and Mr Gilani will discuss human rights violations in Kashmir on the pitch.

Security concerns for Pakistani cricketers and visiting fans remain very real ahead of the match on Wednesday. The fact that cricket fans on both sides celebrate each other’s defeat with no less happiness than they cheer their triumphs gives an impression that another Pakistan India war will take place in Mohali on the 30th.

I wonder what it was that led Shahid Afridi to fantasise about Pak-India relations improving as a result of this match.  Both countries would have to play cricket almost every day before they can sit down and tackle issues crucial to the security and survival of their people.