In what appears to be a rather confusing episode, it has emerged that the official Instagram account of the Pakistani government is following an account titled ‘мαиσ вєℓι ??’, purportedly run by one Maham, among the total 14 accounts it follows, including President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and his teammates.
While it is not yet confirm who the handler of the account is or why it is followed by the government of Pakistan, netizens seem to be having a field day coming up with theories as to why does the official government handle follows it.
Among other users followed by the official account are:
President Arif Alvi
PM Imran Khan
Information Minister Shibli Faraz
Radio Pakistan
PM’s ex-information aide Asim Saleem Bajwa
Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi
Foreign Office of Pakistan
PM’s aide in capacity of Minister of State Zulfi Bukhari
Ministry of Overseas and Human Resource Development
UPDATE: Later in the day, The Current was informed by sources that someone from the government’s social media team had accidentally followed the account.
They further said that the Instagram account had now been unfollowed.
The holy city of Madina has been acknowledged as the world’s healthiest cities by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
As per reports, the holy city is believed to be the first city having a population of more than 2 million to be recognised under the organization’s healthy cities program.
The city’s integrated program included a strategic partnership with Taibah University to record government requirements on an electronic platform for the organisation’s review.
It gained the authorization after WHO team said that it complies with the global standards required to be included in the list of the world’s healthiest cities.
Meeting goals set by the Madinah Region Strategy Project and the launch of a “Humanising Cities” program were included in the criteria of the accreditation.
A total of 22 government, community, charity, and volunteer agencies helped prepare for the WHO accreditation.
As per the world health organisation, “a healthy city is one that is continually creating and improving the physical and social environment for its citizens”.
It also works on expanding those community resources which enable people to mutually support each other in performing all the functions of life and developing to their maximum potential.
Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy continues to defend her stance on Turkish actor despite receiving immense backlash and criticism.
In a series of stories on Instagram, Chinoy backed her opinion questioning her followers and presenting facts.
“Let’s play a game,” wrote the award-winning director before questioning how many Pakistani films were made in 2020 and how many brands slashed their budgets last year.
Chinoy then went onto say that “every industry that the government want to see grow has protections” because of which imports are taxed and/or discouraged.
“When you have budgets and work for Pakistani actors, then begin to import foreign ones,” continued the filmmaker. “Bollywood and Hollywood can afford to do that – we cannot.”
She then urged her followers to invest in “your own people and industry first”.
“I welcome the day when our industry will thrive and we will afford to welcome talent from overseas but not when I see our own struggling without work,” she added.
“Too bad the truth isn’t always pretty,” concluded Chinoy.
Sharmeen’s comments come after she was trolled for disapproving Peshawar Zalmi’s decision to appoint Esra Bilgiç as the face of the team.
“I find this hilarious!,” Sharmeen had said. “A Turkish actress whose country doesn’t even play the sport will now be a mascot for cricket.”
“What happened to Pakistani actresses by the way?” she said further. “Did they all disappear that we have to get foreign ones? Whatever is left of our industry will die if you keep paying Turkish actors for jobs Pakistani actors can do!”
Diriliş: Ertuğrul has been trending in Pakistan ever since its first episode aired on PTV Home in Ramzan 2020. Pakistanis are loving the drama series and it has become a sensation in the country. According to some estimates, millions of people have tuned in to watch the show on PTV and YouTube.
Recently, several Turkish actors from the super hit series Diriliş: Ertuğrul have visited Pakistan for different purposes. From Engin Altan Düzyatan (Ertuğrul Bey) to Cavit Çetin Güner (Dogan Alp) and Celal AL (Abdur Rehman Alp), almost every prominent actor from the drama series has visited different cities of the country.
Sajal Aly, Aiman Khan, Bilal Abbas Khan and Danyal Zafar have made it to UK-based publication Eastern Eye’s list of ’30 under 30 Global Asian Stars’.
“The future belongs to the young and one look at rising South Asian stars globally shows it is looking very bright,” said the publication while announcing the list.
“These terrific talents, bringing something unique to diverse artistic fields, are already breaking boundaries at a very young age and giving us hope at a time when we all need it. Eastern Eye decided to put a spotlight on the brightest of these artists for a first-of-its-kind 30 under 30 global Asian stars to look out for in the coming years,” adds their statement.
Here’s what the magazine had to say about the four stars and what they had to say in return:
Bilal Abbas Khan
“He may have only made his acting debut in 2016, but the Pakistani actor has had a rapid rise since then and starred in a massive number of marvellous projects. The 27-year-old has positioned himself perfectly as the future of film and TV in his country. With more big film and TV projects on the way, he is one to look out for.”
Speaking about the recognition Khan said: “This is a great honour and I feel humbled to be part of Eastern Eye’s prestigious list. It is the love of my fans that keeps me striving to keep pushing the benchmarks and try harder. I hope and look forward to keeping the pace going in 2021.”
He added that he never saw this coming and was truly ecstatic.
Sajal Aly
“The 27-year-old actress has had a boss-like presence on Pakistani television for over a decade and established herself as an A-list superstar. She will add to her already burgeoning list of world-class projects with more work in major film and TV productions, where she will be the centre of attention,” said the publication.
Sharing the news on social media, Sajal posted an emoji to express her happiness over the accomplishment.
Aiman Khan
“She may only be 22-year-old, but the talented actress is already the most followed Pakistani celebrity on Instagram [with almost eight million followers]. The small screen superstar has been lighting up television for nearly a decade and has the world at her feet right now. With no shortage of offers, she will pick projects carefully and build on her immense popularity.”
Danyal Zafar
“The 24-year-old singer, songwriter and musician has inherited all the talent of his superstar elder brother Ali Zafar. The young Pakistani star has been quietly bubbling away with stunning songs, which are getting him noticed globally and ones that will see him cross multiple musical frontiers.”
Meanwhile, others on the list include Iman Vellani (who will be playing Ms Marvel in the upcoming series), Bollywood stars Alia Bhatt and Guru Randhawa and British-Pakistani singer Zayn Malik. Bigg Boss contestants Shehnaaz Gill and Asim Riaz also made it to the list.
Days before she ties the knot, Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari is celebrating her 31st birthday with brother Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and sister Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari.
Sharing a picture of herself with her siblings and Khala Sanam Bhutto, Bakhtawar thanked everyone for their wishes, joking that she is “sticking to 30” this year because “2020 didn’t count right?”
Sharing the same picture from a different angle, Bilawal also wished his sister a very happy birthday. As per details, the PPP Chairman has suspended his political activities for a week to participate in his sister’s wedding.
Bakhtawar is all set to tie the knot on January 29 with Dubai-based businessman, Mahmood Choudhary. A spokesperson of Bilawal House has revealed that the nikkah will take place on January 29 while the baarat is scheduled for January 30. All events are expected to take place at the bride’s residence in Karachi.
Amid reports of a rift in the opposition’s ranks, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Maryam Nawaz has said that the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) will decide on Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) proposal to move a no-trust motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Addressing media persons after a parliamentary meeting of the PML-N, Maryam Nawaz said every decision regarding the anti-government movement will be taken through consensus.
جب پی ڈی ایم سمجھے گی کہ یہ وقت استعفے دینے کیلیے مناسب وقت ہے تب ہم استعفے دینگے ہم کسی کے کہنے میں آکر اور دباؤ میں آکر کوئی کام نہیں کرینگے.یہ وقت زیادہ دور نہیں ہے انشاءاللہ لانگ مارچ بھی ہوگا اور استعفے بھی دینگے.@MaryamNSharifpic.twitter.com/KDQTDa2msa
Speaking about the long march and mass resignations, she said the PDM is united and the time will come soon when it will march on Islamabad and resign en masse.
It was the first time Maryam presided over a meeting of the PML-N. The pictures of PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif and former foreign minister Khawaja Asif, who are incarcerated, were also placed in the meeting as symbolic gesture.
On Saturday, PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had said that the opposition should bring a no-trust vote against Prime Minister Imran Khan to send his government home. His remarks had prompted a strong response from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), with its leader Ahsan Iqbal asking the PPP chairman to show the numbers.
The response had given rise to speculations of a rift between the PPP and other PDM parties.
Subsequently, in an apparent attempt to bridge the rift, former president Asif Ali Zardari said the PPP and the PDM will send the “failed and incompetent” government home by all means.
In a statement issued by PPP leader Chaudhry Manzoor on Sunday, the former president said that the next few months were “very important for the future of the country’s politics”.
According to the PPP co-chairman, the PDM is united and would use all means to send the government home. “These selected rulers will fall with their own weight and they just need the last push,” he added.
Good morning *|MERGE1|*. It’s the 25th of January. It’s Monday and we all are a little cranky but we have some tips for you to make your Mondays better: put some extra effort into your appearance, get yourself a nice lunch and smile, it is going to be a good week! There will be plenty of sun in major cities.
Morning Meme
Editorial- Class and Privilege
Our editorial is about the owners of Cannoli by Café Soul in Islamabad, seen mocking the café’s manager for not being fluent in English in a video that went viral on the internet this week
Has Elon Musk trolled Pakistan for ‘no electricity’ while PM plans to meet Tesla executives
With multiple media outlets reporting that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan will be meeting Tesla executives to discuss investment opportunities in the Pakistani Electric Vehicle (EV) market, the screenshot of a tweet by Tesla Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Elon Musk “mocking” Pakistan has started doing the rounds on social media. We fact-check the tweet.
Qavi stripped of ‘mufti’ title, isolated by family after getting slapped
Abdul Qavi, who has remained in the limelight for his controversial actions and alleged involvement in the Qandeel Baloch murder case, has been stripped of his ‘mufti’ title by the family that says Qavi is being hospitalised in a “mental institution because his thoughts are not in control”.
Our Sunday guest this week is none other than the multi-talented #HadiqaKiani. Catch her in this week’s The Current Life as she spills the beans on her flawless skin, debut drama #RaqeebSe and the one music artist she cannot wait to collaborate with.
10-year-old girl dies trying TikTok’s ‘blackout challenge’
A ten-year-old girl was found dead in her washroom and according to the initial investigations, it seems like she was trying the ‘blackout challenge’. To learn more about the story, click on the link below.
SRK posted a picture on Instagram with a very thoughtful caption and our very own Hareem Farooq posted a picture with the very same caption. Was it just a mere coincidence or she copied SRK’s caption?
Today you will cry and people might tell you not to cry but do not listen to them because crying is healthy but you cannot cry because you did not do well in a test you did not study for.
HEY, WAIT A SECOND PLEASE.
If you like the newsletter, make sure that this email doesn’t get lost in promotions or spam.
Here’s how:
Through your phone, add us by hitting the “Kabob,” (the three dots in upper right-hand corner). Then click “move to,” and select “primary inbox.”
If you’re using a desktop just drag and drop the email into primary as shown in the video below. (You can also do this on your phone if you open your email in your browser). Easy.
And don’t forget to send us your feedback. We would love to hear from you
Footballing star Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly rejected a $6 million-a-year (Rs96 crores-a-year or Rs8 crores-a-month) offer to be the face of Saudi Arabian tourism.
But the Middle Eastern country has not given up hope of attracting a world-class footballer to help them out, with Lionel Messi in their sights.
According to The Telegraph, the deal on offer is understood to include the player making visits to the Kingdom and his image being used in all promotional material. But the 35-year-old Juventus striker has decided to “pass” on the offer.
Concerns have been raised over Saudi Arabia’s human rights record as the country tries to attract world-class sport to its shores. Sports and entertainment have formed part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy to diversify the economy and improve its international reputation.
However, groups such as Amnesty International have long campaigned against what it says is the Kingdom’s use of such connections to distract from its human rights violations.
Meanwhile, Messi’s views on the deal are not yet known.
Representatives of both Ronaldo and Messi, however, have refused to discuss the matter when approached by The Telegraph.
Saudi Arabia staged the Spanish Super Cup in Jeddah in 2020, with Messi’s Barcelona competing for the trophy alongside Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Valencia.
In October, a coalition of human rights groups called for a boycott of the first Ladies European Tour golf event being held in Saudi Arabia over concerns it would be used to “sportswash” Riyadh’s record on women’s rights.
Also last year, Amnesty cautioned against Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund’s attempted takeover of Newcastle United FC of the English Premier League.
The takeover ultimately failed after several months of waiting to pass the league’s owners and directors test.
Amnesty International has also raised concerns over this year’s Saudi Formula One race planned for Jeddah.
In an apparent attempt to bridge the rift between the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) parties, former president Asif Ali Zardari said the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the PDM will send the “failed and incompetent” government home by all means.
In a statement issued by PPP leader Chaudhry Manzoor on Sunday, the former president said that the next few months were “very important for the future of the country’s politics”.
According to the PPP co-chairman, the PDM is united and would use all means to send the government home. “These selected rulers will fall with their own weight and they just need a last push,” he added.
Zardari said the government will have to go home as its “inexperience and ineptness might plunge the country into a bigger crisis”.
He further criticised the government for its inability to handle the coronavirus crisis, saying the PTI government would neither procure coronavirus vaccine nor spend anything on the public.
The PPP government had increased the country’s exports from Rs19 billion to Rs26bn in 2008 despite global economic recession and its revenues had also doubled, he said, adding that the government also increased the salaries of the government employees by 125 per cent.
On Saturday, PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had said that the opposition should bring a no-trust vote against Prime Minister Imran Khan to send his government home. His remarks had prompted a strong response from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), with its leader Ahsan Iqbal asking the PPP chairman to show the numbers.
The response had given rise to speculations of a rift between the PPP and other PDM parties.
Chaudhry Manzoor was quoted by Express Tribune saying that the PPP would use all available options to send the government “home”. He said that PPP hasn’t ruled out mass resignations and the long march, adding that a final decision will be taken with consensus.
He also denied reports of a rift between the PDM parties, saying the difference of opinion shouldn’t be misconstrued. “The Senate elections will expose fissures in the government, which is when the option of no-confidence motion can bear fruit,” he was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, PML-N Secretary General Ahsan Iqbal welcomed Zardari’s statement, as reported by the newspaper. “If PPP has a surprise up its sleeves regarding the no-confidence motion then it should bring it on the table,” he said, reiterating that all PDM decisions are consensual.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa had Sunday brunch with his family at Islamabad Club and freely mingled up with other guests present there, The News has reported.
“At the omelette station, the waiting line was rather long. It was so heartening to see that Gen Bajwa stood in the queue (me and my family noticed with surprise and delight) for about 18 minutes before he was served with his omelette (no one wanted to give him his slot nor did the general ask for [it], he was totally comfortable),” read the letter.
However, the PML-N leader rubbished the claim in conversation with The Current. “I met him with his family. We exchanged pleasantries for about 10 minutes. And that’s it. More than 150 people present there watched it all,” he said.
