A friend of mine had once jokingly told me that
Poetry should be done in no other language than Urdu and news should be reported in no other language than English.
That comment was for lighter moments only but one can see such a stark contrast between Pakistan’s standard of Urdu and English press that at ATP we are now in Part 10 of highlighting these differences. I also want to take just this tid-bit liberty of generalizing that Urdu press stories seem to be cuter and more sensational than their English counterparts in Pakistan. Following is an example of a cute news in Urdu – reported 3 days ago.
(1) Naming Ceremony at Lahore Zoo For the 2 Lion Cubs
The translation goes like this: A ceremony was held at Lahore Zoo to name the two cubs of a Africa babbar lion. What is the English word for babbar? 
Students from a private school attended the ceremony and named the two cubs as Ricky and Ticky. Father lion’s name is Jumbo and he is fifteen years old. Mother lion’s name is Fairy and she is thirteen.
A lion typically lives up to 12-14 years in the wild and up to 20 years in captivity. The daily food for a lion in Lahore zoo is 8-10 kg of meat and 1 litre of milk. The students also deposited one year worth of food expenses for the new borns with the Zoo administration.
(2) Pakistan is Facing Both Internal and External Threats: says M. Anwar
This one liner heading appeared in Urdu press a few days ago and made me smile. Either Mr. Anwar doesn’t think his audience have decent intellect or the news reporter thinks his/her readership is below par. 
Every child in Pakistan can tell that country is unfortunately surrounded by both internal and external threats these days. And by the way who is Mohammad Anwar? Ever heard of him?
(3) Japanese School Teaches How to Find a Good Life Partner
This news appeared in dil-chasp-o-ajeeb (Interesting and Strange) section of a Urdu daily. The news starts with a philosophical statement “It is only with (good) luck that one can find a good life partner” and then it continues like this:
There is a unique school in Tokyo which teaches tricks (Urdu word = gur) to people on how to find a good life partner. The ladies are taught habits of correctly walking and talking etc. They are also taught habits with which they can impress their in-laws. So far 30 people have taken admission here. There are separate (Urdu word = makhsoos) classes for gents. They are also taught tricks on how to find a good wife.
(4) Motorway: President, Prime Minister, Chief Ministers and Governers Are Exempt From Over-Speeding Laws.
This news item alone, because of its subject can become a separate post at ATP. Despite all the satire above, I want to credit Urdu press which brought this news into foray before any English daily could. 
It says that Inspector General of Pakistan Motorway Police has told Public Accounts Committee that President, Prime Minister, Chief Ministers and Governers are exempt from Over-speeding laws on Motorway. This facility has however been taken away from Ministers and other higher ranking officials (aala hukkaam)
This news does bring into light a very potent question of why there are separate laws for common people versus those in power ?
ATPs Other Posts from Urdu Press
1. Hot off the Urdu Press – 1
2 Hot off the Urdu Press – 2
3. Hot off the Urdu Press – 3
4. Hot off the Urdu Press – 5
5. Hot off the Urdu Press – 5
6. Hot off the Urdu Press – 6
7. Hot off the Urdu Press – 7
8. Hot off the Urdu Press – 8
9. Hot off the Urdu Press – 9
10. Pak Cricketer, Bhurban and gorilla andaaz
11. Rehana ka karnama
Some comments from the ATP Facebook Page:
– ” i think there isnt any harm in writing good english , i couldnt find any mistake in this urdu, and what actually it was all about”
– ” i think there isnt any harm in writing good english , i couldnt find any mistake in this urdu, and what actually it was all about”
– “the history of urdu journalisms isi as old as English journalism in sub-continent. and what is meant by this statement
“Poetry should be done in no other language than Urdu and news should be reported in no other language than English.”
Go around the Europe(except UK) and all major newspaper and news channel do the news in their local language, no one bothers for English. If we decided to use an imported language as our official language(English) , then this doesn’t give the right to people speaking English to criticize local languages like Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, Balochi, Pashto and Siraiki etc and to call others as illiterate and paindu….”
– “I generally admire your posts but this of smacks of snobbery to me. You have taken examples of tabloid urdu news and generalized this, which is unfair.”
Every child in Pakistan (A) can tell that country is unfortunately surrounded (B) by both internal (C) and external threats these days.
I find this childish statement interesting. If C is already in A, then how it (A) can be surrounded (B) by C?
AHsn
deeda-e-beena, you are right. doing faster than prescribed speed limit is a “safety” issue and not a privilege to be given to ten people in the country. And laws should be applied same to everyone. Civil Engineers can correct me, I believe there is usually 15-20 kmph above speed limit safety margin on curves on Motorways etc but speeding more than that is a absolute saftey hazard.
Apropos Speeding Exemptions
Understandably the Speeding Law is made with Safety of travel in mind and not ones status in life.
Also, it has nothing to do with the Ability of the Driver and the Engine-Power of a particular vehicle.
The Motorway speed limit is 120 KMs/Hour which translates to 72 MPH.
That should be fast enough for anyone. Doing more than that would risk the Dignitary and his/her entourage. But more importantly, they would surprise and astonish the other unsuspecting vehicles cruising at Legal speed within the same space, thus causing accidents and deaths.
IF they wish or need to travel faster than 72 MPH, let them fly by helicopters or take aeroplane rides!
Amusing. :)
My understanding has always been that “ببر” refers to the kind of African lion with mane (and thus called ببر شیر), while just “شیر” is used for tiger. And frankly, “ببر شیر” really suits that animal. :)