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Pakistan consolidate spot in Test rankings

Friday, November 17, 2006

Dubai: Pakistan are looking to consolidate their hold on third place in the ICC Test Championship table and have already gone a long way doing that with their win over the West Indies in the first Test in Lahore.

But, despite that victory Tuesday, it still needs to win the series convincingly because, as it is so far ahead of its opponents - 40 points - any victories it secures are worth fewer rating points than successes against the leading sides in the ladder.


A 2-0 series win for Inzamam-ul-Haq's team will see it remain on 112 rating points, one point clear of fourth-placed India, while a clean sweep of the series will mean Pakistan will move to 113 -- six points behind England who are in second spot.


Australia currently head the ICC Test Championship table, 11 points clear of their nearest rival England while the West Indies lie in eighth overall.


The remaining matches in the Pakistan-West Indies Test series are in Multan Nov 19-23 and in Karachi Nov 27-Dec 1.


Team rankings:


1 Australia 130 rating points
2 England 119
3 Pakistan 112
4 India 111
5 Sri Lanka 103
6 South Africa 94
7 New Zealand 92
8 West Indies 72
9 Zimbabwe 28
10 Bangladesh 2

Special Feature:Another one bites the dust

Special Features > Shaan > Another one bites the dust" src="http://lollybolly.com/gifs/shaan_72_80.jpg" width=72>
The bad boy of Lollywood created a stir with his recent society wedding. Shaan looked different, clean shaven with an extra inch around his waist, older and wiser. Seated on the pastel leather sofa (his bride Amna's choice), Lollywood's hottest
property looked every inch the satisfied ideal husband. His recent marriage was a shock to even his closest of friends. Rumors have always been rampant, linking Shaan to a long list of co-workers from dazzling Reema to scintillating Nur. Yet no one, even the even the press had heard of Amna (and we usually profess to the first ones to spread the news). For all movie Buffs Mrs Amna Shaan Bundle was a big surprise package to say the least.

These two come from such different worlds that one can't help wondering how they even met let alone got married. We put them through the grind of our Eternity Ring.

"I was involved with a project at Ex-nine productions and often went there to discuss matters with Tanveer Fatima Rahmen" said Shaan. "Amna would to go there for extra coaching in art. One day as I sat there, hard at work, I had an uncontrollable urge to look up and there she was, sitting right opposite to me. Our eyes locked and for an instant, I held her gaze. She looked away away and I resumed my work. I just could not concentrate anymore. Usually if I am working, nothing and nobody can distract me. So once Amna penetrated that wall I knew I was in for it. I started avoiding the gallery and there were two reasons for this. I deeply respected Tanveer Rahman and could never dream of doing something that would disturb the sanctity of her institute.

" The second reason for avoiding Ex-nine was that the rapid intensity of the situation was scaring me. I've been all over the world, met many types of people but I'd never experienced this sort of chemistry with anybody. It was unbelievable; it was beautiful yet it was frightening and I needed time to sort myself out."

"After a few weeks an urgent errand saw me returning to Tanveer's place. After a long meeting, Tanveer was walking me out and we were in deep conversation when suddenly, I saw Amna coming in. I stopped mid-stride, but Tanveer was oblivious to all this and continued to walk on. I gazed at Amna and moved towards the door.I told myself that if she turned back before passing through the door, it would mean that she too was feeling this way."

"Just before passing through, she looked back."

"Instead of saying anything, I just went home and told my mom that I wanted to marry this girl. When you experience something as strong as what I was experiencing, one doesn't care about frivolities like her family background and social status."

Amna added "We were both experiencing a powerful attraction. It seemed as if nature was telling us that we were made for each other."

The couple met two years ago but decided to wait before they tied the knot.

"Amna wanted to complete her Bachelors before getting married and I totally agreed with her. And then these last two years were extremely busy for me. I had to complete about 52 films in the interval between our first encounter and our wedding. We discussed it at length and decided to wait for some time; and I'm very happy we did for now I can give her a lot more time that I could have given her then."

"And besides I feel that at that time, we were too young to get married," said Amna.

talking about life aster marriage, Shaan said, "I want Amna to live her life exactly the way she used to live in her parents house. This is her house and she can do whatever she likes. If she feels like being alone and wants me to go out, I'll do that. If she even decides to study further, she is more than welcome to go ahead with it - I'm behind one hundred percent."

Personally, I'd like her to enter the Creative Art side with me. In fact I've just started work on a project that I really want Amna to help out with. I'm looking forward to seeing Amna work as a Director."

When asked if Amna had any plans to act, he said, "That would make me jealous; I can't bear seeing another guy look at her, much less be all over her."

Amna takes a more liberal view at that problem' " Shaan was already an actor when I fell in love with him so it is not as if I wasn't prepaired for all this. Of coarse at times the completely false news items printed in newspapers do frustrate me but I trust Shaan and have never had a problem believing his explanation."

"Before we got married I used to take newspapers to Amna and we'd laugh over the completely ridiculous items printed every other day."

Amna has just recently renovated Shaan's Bachelor pad to give it a cozier twosome feel, but she kind of over-looked the need of nursery. What are their thoughts on starting a family? Shaan replied he wanted a big family, six children atleast but Amna would like to settle for just three.

We have a feeling that Shaan will win Amna over on this one! For the moment though the two are off on their belated honey moon and LollyBolly.Com wishes them a glorious vacation.

Ali Zafar back with Masty on 25th November

Date: 2006-11-18

Ali Zafar is not just a pretty face. Behind the dreamy, often dazed eyes and dimpled smile that has adorned many billboards (with many more to come) is a person who knows what he wants — and is willing to do just about everything to get things the way he likes them.

For this interview, he came dressed in a pair of faded blue jeans and a T-shirt, no grooming and no pretensions. What becomes immediately noticeable is that he appears to be extremely dazed and spaced out while conversing. He apologises and tends to say what is at the back of his mind. When we start talking again, his eyes develop a sharp focus and he transforms into a serious, focused person, quite unlike the light-headed, fun-loving guy we are used to watching on screen.

Ali has an uncanny ability to observe little details and has a knack for making insightful observations that appear ironic most of the time. He is also a lot smarter than he lets on.

The second album is always the trickiest, say the sages. More so if the first album has been successful. The second album determines whether the artiste in question is a one-hit wonder or the 'real deal'. The second album also determines how an artiste has moved on from his/her debut. Questions such as 'has the artiste experienced growth and if so, was it positive' arise and it's no wonder that most artistes complain of being under extraordinary pressure when working on their second set of songs.

For Ali, rising up to the success of his debut album will not be easy. He needs to control every aspect of it — from songwriting to production —leaving no margin for error. It has now been almost three years since Channo came on screen and launched Ali Zafar as the blue-eyed boy of Pakistan's music industry. A vocal reincarnation of Kishore Kumar, not only can he sing well, he has good looks to spare. And he puts them to good use. While songs off his album scored one hit after another, Ali could be seen smiling down from larger-than-life billboards, endorsing everything from mobile phones to biscuits to telephonic connections. And why not? After all, an artiste has to eat.

After spending almost two years in the studios and running around the globe, Ali's second album, Masty, is finally ready to be launched in the market. What is this album going to be like? "That's always been the most difficult question for me to answer. How can you define an entire art form and tell what properties and characteristics make it different? It's music. It's something very abstract and difficult to define," he says. "But the sound is going to be richer than before, there are going to be live instruments, it's going to be bigger than before.




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'I don't want to give the impression that I need a stylist to sell my music. A stylist complements you and presentation counts a lot. But I don't believe that your music won't sell without stylists,' says Ali Zafar

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"I have spent a lot of time in the production. It has taken me about two-and-a-half years from songwriting to developing the melody to recording it to taking the files internationally and mixing the album in different studios around the world with foreign experts."

So who were these foreigners he worked with? "In London, I went to a guy called Marrow, and in Manchester the studio I went to was The Future Lounge."

Why not just record the album in Pakistan? "Working here is very difficult. There is a lack of professionalism. If someone gives you a time and a date, he or she can disappear as well." He breaks off here and then continues, "But it is important for an artiste to go through that whole process in order to grow. I also lost a lot of sleep and suffered a lot of stress. But at the end of the day, after passing through all of that, I have 10 times more knowledge than before. Plus, I've learnt to be patient.

"Technically, it was important that the sound of this album be better than the sound of the previous album. For that, there were limitations in Pakistan. Plus, I had a picture in my mind for every song that I made." He makes his point by sketching box-like compartments in mid-air with his hands. "I also wanted to be involved in each and every process that this album went through and that is why it took me a longer time."

One feels the need to commend him in wanting to produce a product that would essentially be several notches higher in quality then those available in the market. However, what good would a well-developed CD do in a country where piracy is rampant? The same album will be ripped off and re-recorded on another CD with a definite loss in quality. How many, in the end, would benefit from the better sound quality that Ali is aiming for? More so, from among the masses who have been his ardent followers, how many will really notice the subtle differences that exist between an original and a pirated CD? Perhaps these are questions that can only go unanswered for the time being.

"I initially thought that I'd go to London and mix my album there," Ali continues. "I stayed there for 15 days just to mix one song. Then I went to Manchester and mixed four songs there. But when I came back and listened to those songs, I didn't like them. My money went to waste as I had to scrap them. Then I went to India and mixed the rest of the album there. I had to go back and forth just to get the right sound," he says.

Speaking of the album Masti, what contents should we be looking forward to? "There are at least three songs about a girl. Besides those, most of the songs are related to my personal experiences and feelings. A lot of it has to do with how I want to be driven towards my goals and the energy and the hope that I need. I want to share that with everybody else who wants to achieve something in life." Apparently, he has attempted to create an upbeat but very inspirational album and the mix, although unusual, should be interesting to hear.

Ali has often been criticised for being too commercial as an artiste. What does he have to say about the accusation? "I don't believe in the philosophy that we (musicians) work only for ourselves and that we don't care what the world says." He says that if this is the approach an artiste wants to take, he shouldn't be releasing his work for public listening. "Keep on listening to it in your studio and stay happy. How can people not matter?" he says incredulously. "People matter to me a lot. That's why most of my tracks are easy listening. It's fun, it's happy and gives off positive vibes and energy."

Moving on to his videos, one also wonders why Ali has switched from Tariq Amin to Nabila as his primary stylist? Specially when Tariq's influence in his initial videos, most notably in Channo, was very apparent. The song was a hit, too, so why the change? "Nabila gave me a makeover for Ek Pal and I think change is good. I don't believe in groups and lobbies; I like working with everybody and anybody who is talented," he says. After a moment of reflection, he adds, "I don't want to portray that I need a stylist to sell my music. A stylist complements you and yes, presentation counts a lot, but depending on them and believing that your music won't sell without them is what I don't believe in."

And what will be the first video off the new album? "It will be called Masti and it's just like the name. It's a lot of fun; very hyper and very energetic. It was shot in India and it has been directed by an Indian director. I've made two videos in India; the other one has been directed by Ahsan Rahim." Who else has contributed towards the album? "One song has been composed by Yousaf Salahuddin. A line here and there from one or two songs has been written by Khawaja Parvez. He guided me a lot for the rest of the songs. Otherwise I have composed and written the rest of the songs myself." Almost as an afterthought, he adds, "I create my own things from scratch to the end. From story boarding to concepts, videos and music, I do everything."

For Masti, Ali has signed up with Fire Records, a newfound record label. Again, why? "Well, they were paying me the most money" he says candidly, "and I'm comfortable with the marketing and promotion they've laid out for me."

Sara Chaudary

Sara is the latest girl to hit the modeling scene. She within a vey short span has carved a niche for itself. Fairly complexed, immensely talented, sensuous eyes, innocent looking and winning smile, infact this is what Sara Ch. All about. She has strong will that differentiate her from other Showbiz girls..


Q: when did u start your career?
A: Year and a halfback when I was offered to do modeling.

Q: Who introduced you in modelling.
A: Khawer Riaz is the person who brought me in the modeling.

Q: As a new comer did you face any problem?
A: It was really difficult to adjust yourself when already many pretty faces are in and also when no one can properly guide you.


Q: What type of work you chose to do?
A: I am very much choosy about my work. Before signing a project I inquire about every thing related to project.

Q: What about starting the acting?
A: I want to do acting as well but right now I am fully giving attention towards modeling.

Q: What major works have you done up till now?
A: I am in modeling and catwalks and up till now I have done a host of adds like Pert plus, Absolute cologne talc, Sprite, Yummy, Zoom gum and many others.

Q: What is your major through?
A: Pert Plus is my major break through.



Q: Your hobbies?
A: I love watching movies and plays.

Q: Your favorite plays and actor/actresses?
A: My favorite plays are Bandhan, Alpha Bravo Charlie. While in acting I like Zeeshan and Zara.

Q: What is the prerequisite of a good model?
A: You must have good figure, lots of expressions and should know Cat Walk, besides that she should have photogenic face.

Q: What is your ambition?
A: Showbiz is my ambition, I want to make a particular place for me in it.

How celebs entertain themselves


In the olden days, entertainment comprised a mere transistor radio or perhaps an outing with the family to the theatre.

In the olden days, entertainment comprised a mere transistor radio or perhaps an outing with the family to the theatre. Today, everyone spends a good amount of time being entertained by one or more forms of the electronic media.

The stars that make it their business to entertain us also wield the power to control our emotions, making us either laugh or cry. But have you ever given a thought to how they like to be entertained? Here, curiosity leads Images to take a peep into how a few of today's big names in showbiz chill out and enjoy their free time.

HUMAYUN SAEED: "How do I entertain myself? By watching movies, of course. I'm crazy about them and watch all kinds of movies whenever I can. In music, I like only Pakistani and that, too, while driving, though people say I have a good ear for it."

Humayun's favourite actors are Julia Roberts, Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. He enjoys listening to Strings and Junoon. Light, romantic movies brighten up his mood, particularly My Best Friend's Wedding. But then again, he says, "Films like Gladiator really get me glued to the screen." He loves to take friends and family along with him to watch a movie and in fact, he says that "anybody who loves movies can be my companion."

SAADIA IMAM: "I entertain myself by playing with my brother's children," says Saadia. She loves plays, music and the movies. "I love Fuzon and Adnan Sami's music and I simply adore Amitabh, Richard Gere, Shahrukh Khan and Shaan." Her favourite film is Devdas. She says she can only watch a movie with her sister Aliya because she's the only one who understands her temperament.

AYESHAH ALAM: Ayeshah Alam comes across as a genuine person. "I love movies and music. You won't believe how much time I can spend listening to music or watching movies. I can spend days. I watch every kind of movie - romantic, thriller, you name it." As for her favourite movie, "It is The Ghost and the Darkness, Why? Because it's the kids' favourite." She laughs out loud at being questioned about the actors she likes. "There are so many. Probably Robert DeNiro and Tom Cruise." She also adds that she loves all kinds of music, but it mostly depends on her mood.

RIZWAN BEYG: "I love all music, movies or TV plays. I really liked Speed." He admires Anthony Hopkins and Sharon Stone. He loves jazz but can listen to anything that's being played. If given a chance to choose a companion to watch a movie, he would definitely prefer family.

MEKAAL: He is one of the top male models of the country. With his boy-next-door looks, he is emerging as an actor as well. Mekaal entertains himself the same way any other 22-year-old would. He likes movies, music and enjoys sitcoms or other TV plays. "I love soft rock, rap, you name it. My favourite music artiste? That's difficult. Let's say whoever suits my mood at a particular time."

Mekaal's favourite movies are quite a handful. "Hmmm, let's see, there are so many. There's Instinct, Vanilla Sky and many, many more. I love watching movies with my friends. We have a great time together."

IRAJ: "Entertainment to me is not going out and partying with my friends. I would rather be alone reading a good book probably." Listening to good music can also be relaxing for her. "Classical music is celestial!" The movie she has just seen and is simply crazy about is Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11. Iraj believes that Bushra Ansari and Sania Saeed are amazingly talented artistes while in Bollywood, she finds Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi par excellence. "Amir Khan is good, too. I watch Shahrukh Khan as well, but Amir is a real actor."

NOMI ANSARI: Nomi is comparatively new in fashion but has taken the style world by storm. "Music turns me on! I love dance tracks, all the hip-hop numbers are my favourite. Deviance's music I love. Naughty Girl is my favourite track." Faakhir and Ali Zafar are the local crooners he admires.

BUSHRA ANSARI: Bushra is a comedian and an actress par excellence. "I entertain myself by going out to shop," she laughs. "Jokes apart, I listen to music. I love classical, Arabic and Iranian music. How can you I forget Spanish music? Aur bhai ..." she adds frankly, "I am crazy about dramas, too. As a matter of fact, I saw a play a long time ago called Badaltey Qalib directed by Sahira Kazmi and written by Asad Muhammad Khan. I was under its spell for a long time.

"Friends, friends and only friends ... no husband," she replies jokingly when asked who she would like to take with her to a watch a movie.

SUNITA MARSHAL: "At times I like going out with my friends," she says. She entertains herself by watching movies mostly and her favourite movie is The Day After Tomorrow. She loves to watch Ben Affleck, Richard Gere and Catherine-Zeta Jones. Talking about music, she says that she is very selective. "I might enjoy light ghazals sometimes; at other times I'll be dancing."

TARIQ AMIN: Tariq says he likes to spend his time reading and watching movies, and above all he loves watching the news.

"I like to watch foreign thrillers. No romance for me, thank you." His favourite movie is Irreversible because of its unpredictable theme.

SAMINA PEERZADA: She is a woman who has always insisted on living life on her own terms and has never compromised on principles. "I enjoy chatting on the Internet. I love meeting new people and talking to them. I pass my time checking fan mail, too. Sometimes you can find me passing my time on the beach as well. I listen to music but I don't really enjoy hip-hop. The oldies are what I like more, specially old Noor Jehan songs. Mehdi Hasan is also brilliant."

When asked about the movies she likes, she says: "I usually watch Oscar nominated films. Or if a film is a big international hit. I love black-and-white classics because they have a particular storyline and charisma. Casablanca was awesome," she says dreamily.

AHMED JEHANZEB: "Nothing can compare to music," he says. "I don't really like going out. I have a lot of fun with family at home. Whenever I get spare time, I spend it with them." He loves listening to U2 "and a lot of Pink Floyd." He likes watching movies, too. His favourites are Legends of the Fall and The Silence of the Lambs. Actors like Anthony Hopkins, Robert DeNiro, Sean Connery, Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts are among his favourites.

FRIEHA ALTAF: "I have to know all that is happening around and have to be a part of it." She relaxes by watching movies but also enjoys a book before bedtime. "My favourite movie is none other than Casablanca. It has an amazing script. It is the most romantic movies of all time. How can you forget dialogues like 'Play it again, Sam ...?'"

She says that actors like Sean Penn, Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep are among her favourites. "These are the people who know what acting is all about." When asked who would she like to take along to watch a movie, she says,"Well, if its Spider-man, I'll take my kids, but if it's Mirza Ghalib, then it has to be Imran Aslam. If it's a romantic flick, then definitely my girlfriends."

2nd Test: Pak top order dominates Windies bowling

Sunday, November 19, 2006


Multan: Opening batsman Imran Farhat led a confident Pakistan top order Sunday as the West Indies bowling attack struggled on the first day of the second cricket Test.


Farhat (74), Younis Khan (56) and Mohammad Yousuf (56) all compiled half centuries on a grassless Multan Cricket Stadium wicket as Pakistan made a steady progress toward a big total, reaching 263 for four at stumps.


Yousuf hit a straight six and three fours in his 117-ball half century before giving a low catch to Brian Lara at mid-wicket three overs before stumps.


''It isn't easy to play the new ball on the first day of the test match, but the wicket was good for batting,'' left-hander Farhat said.


Captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, not out on 31, and Shoaib Malik (4), return to the wicket when play resumes on the second day.


Khan and Yousuf shared the best partnership of the day, combining for 87 runs for the third wicket as the West Indies bowlers struggled on a flat pitch.


Khan was out soon after compiling his half century, which included six boundaries in the last session. Runako Morton, one of the two changes made in the West Indies side that lost the first test by nine wicket took a catch over his head at gully that gave paceman Jerome Taylor (2-61) his second wicket of the day.


Yousuf, who made 192 in the first test at Lahore, had a lucky escape on 45 when Daren Ganga failed to hold a hard drive.


Paceman Corey Collymore bowled a disciplined line and length and was economical in his 16 overs for 23 runs, but could not get a wicket.


''The pitch again is made for batting and I am satisfied with my bowlers' peformance,'' Lara said.


''We bowled in the right areas, had five chances and we took four of them,'' he said. ''We're hoping on this pitch we can get some good runs.''

Kara Film Festival starts Dec 7..

Date: 2006-11-20
Kara Film Festival to screen Indian movie

MUMBAI: Indian film producer Mukesh Bhatt's movie 'Woh Lamhe' will be screened at the Kara Film Festival in Karachi next month.

Directed by Mohit Suri, it stars Shiney Ahuja, Kangna Ranaut and Shaad Randhawa.

"This will be my first film to be screened at this festival and I am glad that a prestigious film festival like Kara has selected it. I would like to thank the Pakistani government for taking this initiative, which would benefit both the countries. All credit goes to my brother Mahesh Bhatt who is the brand ambassador of the festival and has made this possible. I am looking forward to this event," said Mukesh Bhatt.

The Kara Film Festival is scheduled to start on December 7 and continue till December 17, in Karachi. It has been held annually for six years and the festival is an initiative towards developing Pakistan's motion picture industry. It aims to provide a platform for experienced as well as new filmmakers to exhibit their creations and also learn from each other

Monday, November 20, 2006

Clinton saved Sharif from hanging: Report

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Source: IANS
Image Source: AFP


Islamabad/Washington: In a report that could stir a political controversy in Pakistan, a newspaper report has said that former US President Bill Clinton saved deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from being hanged by the Pervez Musharraf regime.


In the report from Washington quoting unnamed officials who served in the Clinton administration, Pakistani newspaper Daily Times said that Clinton had serious apprehensions about the life and safety of Sharif and was afraid that those who had overthrown him might also hang him.

These sources said that Clinton had expressed his concerns to the Saudi royal house, and had asked it to intervene with Musharraf to set free Sharif who had been charged with a range of "grave crimes."

Analysts have pointed to similarities between the post-October 1999 coup scenario and the former Prime Minister ZA Bhutto's fate who was hanged after arrest and trial by the regime of Zia-ul Haq.

They had said that Bhutto was also charged with serious crimes, including one of ordering the killing of a political opponent.

Tried for this crime, he was eventually hanged despite pleas from the world community, including the US and Saudi Arabia.

The Clinton administration officials said that the former US president did not want to take up the matter one-on-one with the new Pakistani military leader, and neither was Clinton initially willing to go to Pakistan because of the October 1999 coup."

They said that the Saudi royal house had interceded and urged Clinton not to leave out Pakistan when he visited India in 2000.

Clinton agreed in the end but kept the visit short and laid down certain conditions that were fulfilled, such as an unedited live address to the people of Pakistan on state television, they added.

The US's then Centcom Chief, Gen Anthony Zinni, a personal friend of Musharraf, had also interceded with Clinton.

According to the sources, Clinton also wished not to be photographed with Musharraf.

The unnamed officials said that had 9/11 not happened, the situation would have been quite "different" from what it is today.

Thus it came to pass that the Saudis negotiated a complicated deal with the Musharraf regime and the former Pakistani leader that eventually saw him and his family flown to safety to Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan Air Force plane crashes

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Islamabad: A mirage fighter craft, owned by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), crashed in the North West Frontier Province due to a technical fault.

However, the pilot ejected safely, a PAF official said.

The aircraft came down some 48 kilometres east of the city of Dera Ismail Khan, the official said.

"No damage or loss of life was reported on the ground when the jet crashed".

The plane was on a routine training mission.

"The Air Headquarters has constituted a board of inquiry to determine the cause of the crash," he said.