Latest news with #TariqMehmood


Web Release
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Web Release
Lines of Fire: A New Book Published by AUB Press
The American University of Beirut (AUB) Press announced the release of its new publication Lines of Fire by Dr. Tariq Mehmood. Focusing on the works of the Afro-Asian Writers' Movement between the 1960s and 1970s, it presents a selection of poetry from the rich archives of the two major journals published during that time, The Call and Lotus. Through the selection, this book highlights key works from a movement that brought writers from all corners of the world together under the banner of resistance. Lines of Fire was finalized against the backdrop of escalating violence. 'It reminded me that poetry is not just an outlet for anger, grief, or love,' writes Mehmood in the introduction. 'It is resistance. It is resilience. It is the refusal to be erased.' Over the course of his research, the author's path has brought him together with many renowned poets and writers who shaped the history covered in this book. One of these poets is Ziad Abdulfattah, the last living editor of the journals. Ziad has written the foreword to this book where he shares his first-hand experience in formulating a journal and developing it to allow it to reach the entire world. This book introduces the history of the Afro-Asian Writers' Movement and highlights those who used their pens as weapons to fight injustice. This work also extensively discusses the Tashkent and Bandung conferences that aimed to bring writers together, discuss peace, poetry, and decolonization. As in many movements, internal conflicts and the watchful eye of intelligent services were some of the challenges that faced the writers and editors. Most importantly, this work draws parallels between the struggles of the past and those of today, placing poetry and powerful writing at the heart of resistance, remembrance, and the ongoing fight for justice. The book includes more than one-hundred poems from The Call and Lotus categorized into four sections: Exile, Independence and Nationalism, Place and Land, and Hope and Endurance.


Al Bawaba
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Bawaba
Lines of Fire: A New Book Published by AUB Press
The American University of Beirut (AUB) Press announced the release of its new publication Lines of Fire by Dr. Tariq Mehmood. Focusing on the works of the Afro-Asian Writers' Movement between the 1960s and 1970s, it presents a selection of poetry from the rich archives of the two major journals published during that time, The Call and Lotus. Through the selection, this book highlights key works from a movement that brought writers from all corners of the world together under the banner of resistance. Lines of Fire was finalized against the backdrop of escalating violence. 'It reminded me that poetry is not just an outlet for anger, grief, or love,' writes Mehmood in the introduction. 'It is resistance. It is resilience. It is the refusal to be erased.'Over the course of his research, the author's path has brought him together with many renowned poets and writers who shaped the history covered in this book. One of these poets is Ziad Abdulfattah, the last living editor of the journals. Ziad has written the foreword to this book where he shares his first-hand experience in formulating a journal and developing it to allow it to reach the entire book introduces the history of the Afro-Asian Writers' Movement and highlights those who used their pens as weapons to fight injustice. This work also extensively discusses the Tashkent and Bandung conferences that aimed to bring writers together, discuss peace, poetry, and decolonization. As in many movements, internal conflicts and the watchful eye of intelligent services were some of the challenges that faced the writers and editors. Most importantly, this work draws parallels between the struggles of the past and those of today, placing poetry and powerful writing at the heart of resistance, remembrance, and the ongoing fight for justice. The book includes more than one-hundred poems from The Call and Lotus categorized into four sections: Exile, Independence and Nationalism, Place and Land, and Hope and Endurance. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba ( Signal PressWire is the world's largest independent Middle East PR distribution service.


Express Tribune
17-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Faith healer arrested for sexual assault
In Dhoke Elahi Bakhsh area of Waris Khan Police Station, a fake spiritual healer (pir) was arrested after he was accused of making inappropriate advances and threatening a woman while claiming to cure illnesses and exorcise jinns. According to police, the victim, a resident of Azad Kashmir suffering from epilepsy, had tried various treatments without success. She came across a video of the accused, Pir Khurram, on TikTok, who claimed to treat patients through spiritual healing. Her uncle, Tariq Mehmood, who was aware of her condition, contacted Pir Khurram and arranged an appointment. Pir Khurram demanded a fee of Rs100,000. On arrival, he collected Rs5,000 as an emergency payment and took the woman into a room to perform the spiritual healing. Observing her worsening condition, her uncle entered the room. At this point, Pir Khurram reportedly began inappropriate physical contact under the pretence of treatment and removed the woman's dupatta. He touched different parts of her body, claiming she was possessed by jinns and administered water that made her condition worse. When her uncle tried to take her to the hospital, Pir Khurram became angry, demanding the remaining Rs95,000.


Express Tribune
14-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Sugar price surges in city
The price of white refined sugar has risen by up to Rs25 per kilogramme since the start of Ramazan, as hoarding, profiteering and ineffective price regulation continue to disrupt the market. Consumers across Punjab are paying varying prices for the commodity, with significant disparities observed between the open markets, model bazaars and government-designated sugar sale points. A market survey revealed that at the beginning of the fasting month, sugar was available for Rs156-160 per kg at most retail outlets. However, the have surged to Rs160-165 per kg in wholesale markets and Rs180-185 in retail stores. Despite government efforts to stabilise prices, sugar is currently selling at Rs130 per kg at makeshift sale points, Rs153 at Utility Stores, Rs160-165 in model bazaars and Rs180-185 in open markets, highlighting a fragmented pricing structure. Critics argue that the government's inconsistent pricing policies have created distortions in the market, allowing hoarders and profiteers to exploit the situation amid heightened demand during Ramazan. "Every year during Ramazan, we face the same issue. Prices skyrocket, and no one takes responsibility. The government announces subsidies, but retailers charge whatever they want," said Aftab Ahmed, a shopper at a local market. Shopkeepers, on the other hand, claim they are also victims of the volatile pricing system. "We are buying sugar at inflated rates from wholesalers, so we have no choice but to pass the cost on to consumers," said Tariq Mehmood, a grocery store owner in Lahore.