Fashion: You can win them all

KARACHI: 

Bridal couturier Faraz Manan began his career with his mother Memoona Manan 11 years ago. Bridal couture may be where he started from but for the past three years, the designer has been recognised for his lawn collections, which have bagged him a Lux Style Awards (LSA) nomination in the lawn designing category this year.

“It feels great. Although a nomination is good enough for me, I wouldn’t mind winning the award,” Manan tells The Express Tribune. He says that lawn is a special fabric for him. “It’s organic and it comes from our own land. Since I was a kid, I have seen lawn as a symbol of the summer season in Pakistan.”

But despite the fact that lawn has been his claim to fame, he will always be a couturier first. “My couture collection epitomises my signature style, but so does my lawn collection,” asserts Manan. Creating designs for both couture and lawn is no easy feat, but the designer seems to be managing effortlessly. He argues that it is essential to maintain the quality of work and that catering to clients’ needs is of prime importance. “Be it lawn or couture, I ensure that my designs exude elegance. I have learnt never to compromise on that from my mother and siblings.”

Manan’s design aesthetic centralises regality. Having a mainstream Bollywood actor such as Kareena Kapoor as the face of his lawn may be perceived as symbolic of the regal exuberance that is part of his designing mantra. If this is the case, then it may clash with the mass appeal that lawn has in Pakistan. But it can also be argued that Kareena’s universal appeal is a great strategy for Manan to capitalise on.

“My collection is for the masses,” Manan clarifies. “Whether it is India or Pakistan, lawn is certainly a big thing. If an Indian visitor is in town, even if it is in winter, he would be looking out for Pakistani lawn. My couture collection is certainly regal. Lawn continues to be a favourite for both Pakistani and Indian masses.”

The significance of winning awards varies from person to person. For Manan, being presented with an award for his work is important, but getting people’s approval is critical. While for some being handed a trophy may be the be-all and end-all, Manan feels that being appreciated by people has its own charm. He believes that winning awards is encouraging, but it comes with a burden as people begin scrutinising one’s work even more.

“These awards offer recognition for your hard work. They are a pat on the back. But this acknowledgment and business complement each other. There are international actors who have never been awarded but are doing great,” he comments. Manan has his fingers crossed as far as his LSA nomination is concerned and seems positive about winning.

For now, the designer uses Facebook as a platform to communicate with his customers and showcase collections online, but he promises to have an exclusive online presence. With the emergence of e-commerce and growing competition among Pakistani designers, we hope Manan jumps on the e-tail bandwagon soon.

Amnesty urges Pakistan to stop first civilian execution in six years

In late 2008, a civilian execution had taken place. In November 2012, a soldier was executed by military authorities. Further, the report revealed that Behram Khan, a civilian, had been scheduled to be executed on July 30 – but the order was later suspended. DESIGN: MUHAMMAD SUHAIB

Shoaib Sarwar, a death row prisoner convicted on murder charges in 1998, is reportedly set to be hanged in a Rawalpindi jail on 18 September 2014 – a step the Amnesty International has said to ‘immediately scrap’, suggesting the imposition of a moratorium on the use of death penalty as a step towards its abolition instead.

Sarwar’s appeals were rejected in 2003 and 2006 by the Lahore High Court and the Supreme Court against the death penalty, thereby exhausting his appeal process.

“If carried out, it would be the first civilian execution in Pakistan since 2008 and the first execution in the country since 2012,” the Amnesty International report said.

In late 2008, a civilian execution had taken place. In November 2012, a soldier was executed by military authorities. Further, the report revealed that Behram Khan, a civilian, had been scheduled to be executed on July 30 – but the order was later suspended.

“This execution should be halted immediately,” said David Griffiths, Amnesty International’s Deputy Asia-Pacific Director.

“The suspension in executions which we have seen in recent years is one of few human rights areas in which Pakistan can point to a positive record. The country has committed itself to making progress on human rights – as a beneficiary of the EU’s GSP+ preferential trading status, for example – and the resumption of executions would be a seriously regressive step. Instead of moving to resume executions, authorities should formalise a moratorium on the death penalty as a first step towards full abolition,” said Griffiths.

Following Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s return to power in 2013, the incumbent government had “threatened to resume executions”. However, after being pressured by human rights groups, the government backed-down.

Pakistan has one of the highest death row populations with more than 8,000 prisoners on death row. Most of them have exhausted their appeals processes and could possibly face execution.

During trials, defendants lack adequate legal representation. Additionally, some prisoners facing the death sentence were below 18 years when the crimes had been committed. These actions go against the country’s “obligations under international law”.

“As long as the death penalty is in place, the risk of executing innocent people can never be ruled out. The systemic fair trials violations in Pakistan not only exacerbate this risk, but also put Pakistan in breach of its international obligations,” said Griffiths.

“There is no conclusive evidence that the threat of execution acts as a particular deterrent to crime. The death penalty violates the right to life, pure and simple, and has no place in any human rights-respecting society. Pakistan should join the majority of countries in the world and abolish it completely,” he added.

Army chief gave assurances of meeting PTI’s 5 demands: reveals Imran

ISLAMABAD: Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has revealed that army chief General Raheel Sharif had guaranteed the approval of five out of six demands of PTI, adding that he informed the COAS that he did not trust PM Nawaz Sharif.

Speaking to Express News anchor Rana Mubasher, the PTI chairman said that in his meeting with the army chief, he had been assured that five of his six demands will be met. The unmet demand being PM Nawaz’s resignation.

However, Imran maintained that that the army was not behind his campaign.

“We would have left by now if the army was behind us,” Imran said. “It has already been clarified that the military is out of political matters. We won’t leave even if the PM leaves for Hajj.”

Commenting on the rift with Javed Hashmi, Imran said he was disappointed over what he termed false statements by his party president. However, the PTI chief maintained that Hashmi’s loss will not affect his movement.

“Only the ones who’re ideologically committed to the party will stay with us now,” he said.

The PTI chief argued that his mission was to bring Pakistanis together and make them one nation, which was only possible once there was justice.

“If that happens, I won’t regret even if I don’t become the prime minister.”

He said a movement had begun in the country, which had awoken the masses.

“They are demanding their rights. The PIA incident is proof,” he said. “The passengers made it clear that they won’t wait for any VIP. They have started to speak on matters on which they previously remained silent.”

Regarding rigging in elections, Imran said electoral reforms would fail if those involved in poll rigging were not held accountable.

“Corruption in this country never ends because the corrupt are never punished,” he said. “Accountability is must or else rulers will buy off those involved in rigging, again.”

He said his dream of free, fair and transparent elections could not become a reality unless presiding and returning officers on duty during the 2013 general elections were held to account.

The chairman made another revelation regarding an office bearer of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

“An important office bearer of the ECP had a role in rigging of 2013 general elections,” revealed Imran. “He got a BMW and a plot in a housing scheme.”

However, he did not name the official.

In response to a question, Imran said awakening of the masses would be his biggest success, adding that he would never choose to come into power on anyone else’s shoulder.

“I will come [into power] only through power of the masses. Our struggle is against oppressors.”

The PTI chief argued that a day will come when police will not dare to demand bribe, even from a roadside vendor.

“Change has come. Three IGP’s of Islamabad refused to use force against protesters. This is the change,” he said. “This is going to spread the across the country as it is for integrity of the country.”

Klopp: I'm surprised United sold Kagawa

The German has revealed he didn't expect Louis Van Gaal to allow the Japan international to leave Old Trafford

Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp has admitted that he was surprised that Manchester United were willing to let Shinji Kagawa leave the club.

The Japan international left BVB for Old Trafford two years ago but returned to his old club after two frustrating seasons in England and marked his second debut with a goal in Saturday's win over Freiburg.

"I was kind of surprised Kagawa was on the market again," he told reporters.

"His first year at Manchester United was Sir Alex Ferguson's last year, so that isn't the time to develop players. The only thing you want at that stage is results and titles.

"Kagawa's second year at United was the first year of the new coach, so that's also all about results. Then there was a third manager with a very successful philosophy [Louis van Gaal].

"So we saw the chance to sign Kagawa and we took it. Kagawa was sensational against Freiburg."

BVB take on Arsenal in their opening Champions League game on Tuesday and Klopp believes the addition of Alexis Sanchez will see them play more offensively than they did when the two teams met last term.

 "Arsenal have new players in their squad and the last time we played them they had players with injuries like Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey," he said.

"Now they have new players like Alexis Sanchez. Olivier Giroud can't play but when you look at their squad they have a lot of alternatives.

"Arsenal played very defensively here last year. But you have to say that our Champions League is starting against a great team. Arsenal are a very hard opponent and I think they did a great job on transfers over the summer.

"Now their squad has great stability and they're actually able to play the type of football that Arsene Wenger wants to see.

Hazard close to agreeing record new Chelsea deal

The Belgian playmaker is on the verge of settling fresh terms that will extend his contract to at least 2019 and make him the highest-paid player in the club's history

EXCLUSIVE
By Wayne Veysey | UK Correspondent

Eden Hazard is close to agreeing a new contract that will make him the best-paid player in Chelsea's history, Goal understands.

Goal has learned that Hazard has been offered a deal worth just over €250,000-a-week plus performance-related bonuses.

The new deal would make him the highest paid player in the club's history, above current top earner Cesc Fabregas, whose total package is believed to be worth €250,000-a-week.

Jose Mourinho sanctioned the improved deal after having a heart-to-heart with the 23-year-old at the end of last season.

Mourinho had been concerned about Hazard's willingness to work for the benefit of the team, particularly in light of comments from the player in which he criticised the team's reliance on his own creative powers.

Goal understands that firm words were proffered from the manager but Mourinho was satisfied with Hazard's attitude and moved to ease fears the fan favourite could be tempted into a big-money transfer.

Hazard, whose current deal expires in 2017, subsequently opened contract talks with Chelsea in June after being persistently linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain.

Speaking at the time, Hazard said: "I am staying at Chelsea 100 per cent. Of course in football you never know but I am under contract with Chelsea and want to stay there. It is only the beginning of talks right now so we have time."

The new deal for the No.10, who has started all four of Chelsea's matches this season, is expected to be tied up in the coming weeks.

Chelsea confirmed last week that Thibaut Courtois had also agreed a new five-year contract

Ronaldo is fed up at Real Madrid'

The Portuguese has been linked with a move to Manchester United next year and former president Ramon Calderon has fanned the flames of speculation

Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon claims Cristiano Ronaldo has become "fed up" with life at the club.

The prolific Portugal forward moved to the Spanish giants from Manchester United in 2009 and has since won a Liga title, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey twice.

Ronaldo has become the club's talisman over the past five years due to his phenomenal goalscoring record, but Calderon has launched his latest attack on the man who replaced him at the Santiago Bernabeu, Florentino Perez, by suggesting Ronaldo has become disillusioned under his reign.

Key men Xabi Alonso and Angel Di Maria both moved on in the summer and, although Madrid have recruited world-class replacements in Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez, Calderon believes the Ballon d'Or winner is unhappy with the departures.

"My impression is he is fed up with the policy of the current president," Calderon told Talksport.

"When he came to Real Madrid with Arjen Robben he thought he would be a good colleague for him in the team but then Robben was sold.

"Two years ago it was Gonzalo Higuain sold and he didn't like that. Last year he thought it was a mistake to let Mesut Ozil leave and the last straw was selling Xabi Alonso and Angel Di Maria this summer."

Rumours have been prevalent since the summer transfer window closed that Ronaldo could be tempted to join either former club United or rivals Manchester City should he opt to call time on his career at Santiago Bernabeu.

I was never going to join Manchester United - Muller

The 25-year-old had an impressive World Cup with Germany but, despite rumours linking him away from Bayern Munich, he insists he was always happy at the club

Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller claims his rumoured transfer to Manchester United was never realistic.

The World Cup winner was linked with a move to Old Trafford in the summer and a possible reunion with former coach Louis van Gaal. But, in an interview with The Guardian, Muller explained it was always unlikely.

"I know there was interest, but Man United were interested in a lot of players this summer," he said.

"It never really got anywhere because I had just renewed my contract [until 2019], and Bayern were clear that they saw my future here. The decision for me was an easy one."

Muller was involved as Bayern beat Stuttgart 2-0 on Saturday to continue their unbeaten start to the new Bundesliga season.

United ultimately secured the signing of striker Radamel Falcao on transfer deadline day to bolster their attacking options, with the Colombian poised to make his Old Trafford debut against QPR on Sunday.