Cake director Asim Abbasi’s original web series Churails, featuring Sarwat Gilani, Nimra Bucha, Mehar Bano and Yasra Rizvi, is all set to stream from August 11 on ZEE5 Global’s Zindagi channel. Churails is the first of five original Pakistani web series expected to stream on the Indian platform.
According to a press release, the show “aims to challenge the hypocrisy of patriarchal societies that vanquish women and their rights” and will narrate the story of “four self-proclaimed Churails who come together to open a covert detective agency to expose cheating husbands amongst the city’s elite. As their operations expand, they come to be saviours of abused, harassed and mistreated women.”
“The gripping and fast-paced storyline covers myriad issues such as child abuse, sexism, the domination of class and race and aims to challenge the hypocrisy of patriarchal societies that vanquish women and their rights,” it adds.
The makers of the show define churails as “she who takes ownership of her life and is unapologetic of her being. She who breaks the glass ceiling and every prejudice that society has created against women.”
“She who is strong, she who is fierce, she stands for what she believes in… she is a ‘churail’.”
Director Asim Abbasi, while speaking about the project said that the story is about “strong women, embarking on a journey of self-discovery, empowerment and sisterhood. I believe Churails is a timely show with pertinent themes that will resonate with audiences globally.”
Meanwhile, the cast of the show expressed their excitement on social media and shared a preview of their characters. They even changed their handles on Instagram, adding the word ‘Churail‘ before their name.
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ZEE5is the digital entertainment destination launched by Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, a global media and entertainment platform. The platform launched across 190+ countries in October 2018 and has content across 18 languages. ZEE5 brings together the best of originals, movies and TV shows, music, cineplays, live TV and health and lifestyle content.
IBM is launching Open P-TECH in Pakistan to help develop talent and equip them with technical and professional proficiency in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Science, Cybersecurity, Cloud, etc to enabling our workforce, Tania Aidrus has tweeted.
IBM is launching Open P-TECH in Pakistan to help develop talent and equip them with technical and professional proficiency in AI, Data Science, CyberSecurity, Cloud, etc – enabling our workforce for a #DigitalPakistan.https://t.co/GoPg8du9ZE
Open P-TECH was launched by the American tech giant, IBM and it aims to equip people of different countries with skills in tech-related fields like Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cyber Security, Design Thinking, and Professional Skills.
“The P-TECH offers industry-recognised tools and digital badges on emerging technologies and professional competencies that are in demand across industries,” says the P-TECH website.
The platform will help students across Pakistan in obtaining much-needed exposure, knowledge and skills before they enter the job market.
Students will be able to showcase their skills and gain e-badges and the likes, attracting potential employers and selection committees at universities.
Teachers will also have access to projects and lesson plans for their students, making it easier for them to teach as well as equipping them with many technical and professional skills.
“Open P-TECH is a great place to start your career exploration and begin building skills that will help you become well-positioned for a fulfilling career!”
Later, Humayun celebrated his day with his boys gang which included Adnan Siddiqui, Nadeem Baig, Asim Jofa, Farhan Saeed and Imran Ashraf.
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Wishing our favourite actor a very happy birthday! If it was not for COVID-19, we would have been seeing Humayun on the big screen this Eid ul Azha in London Nahi Jaunga.
The confrontation between China and the United States (US) will likely persist for the coming years. The Chinese and global manufacturers may move their factories from to Pakistan, said a renowned Canadian advisory firm BCA Research in its latest report.
Pakistan is anxiously expecting the benefits of relocating the Chinese industry to Pakistan, which will help increase exports. China had also expressed its willingness to relocate its industrial units to Pakistan last year.
According to the commerce and trade advisor Abdul Razak Dawood, “Pakistan has experienced significant improvement in 10 critical areas of regulation, and has improved its position from 136 to 108 in the Ease of Doing Business Index (EODB) rank last year. It shows the government’s commitment to improving the business environment.”
According to the BCA research firm, Pakistan will receive large financial inflows this year, 2020, probably more than $12 billion from multilateral and bilateral sources.
The research firm also stated that there will be more than enough for Pakistan to finance its current account deficit, which was at $11 billion over the past 12 months.
In April, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved the payment of about $1.4 billion to Pakistan to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 shock. The World Bank (WB) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have also pledged around $2.5 billion in assistance.
In April, G20 countries also awarded Pakistan a suspension of debt service payments, valued at $1.8 billion, which will be used to pay for Pakistan’s welfare programs.
In early July, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) received a $1 billion loan disbursement from China. This came after Beijing awarded Pakistan a $300 million loan last month.
The authorities plan to raise $1.5 billion through the issuance of Eurobonds over the next 12 months, said the report.
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC)’s outrage over a Republican lawmaker’s verbal assault has garnered attention far and wide. AOC’s take on the sexist culture of “accepting violence and violent language against women” made noise across the world and people lauded her for standing up against this.
Among those who appreciated AOC and her words was Mehwish Hayat, who is often at the receiving end of sexist trolling and hate for her unfiltered take on various topics.
“Thank you AOC for saying this out loud,” wrote Mehwish on Twitter. “I cried – and can so relate to what you say. For me as an actress, men passing remarks and using abusive language is the norm. There’s a pattern here and it is becoming a cultural thing.”
She continued, “We mustn’t give any man permission to be abusive. Today I stand up and say, ‘I, too am someone’s daughter and I haven’t been raised to accept abuse from anyone!’”
daughters & sisters at home. However,this alone does not make them ‘decent’! We mustn’t give any man permission to be abusive. Today I stand up & say,“I, too am someone’s daughter & I haven’t been raised to accept abuse from anyone!” If you do one thing today – listen to this!2/2
According to reports, Ocasio-Cortez’s speech was in response to Republican congressman Ted Yoho calling her “disgusting” on a staircase in the Capitol last Tuesday for her comments linking poverty and crime. As she left, Yoho allegedly said, ‘”f***** b****.”
In an apology delivered on the House floor the next morning, Yoho denied saying those words to AOC.
“Having been married for 45 years with two daughters, I’m very cognizant of my language,” he had said. “The offensive name-calling words attributed to me by the press were never spoken to my colleagues and if they were construed that way, I apologise for their misunderstanding.”
However, AOC dismissed Yoho’s apology, saying that the congressman was “refusing responsibility”.
In the speech that went viral on social media, AOC said: “About two days ago I was walking up the steps of the Capitol when Representative Yoho suddenly turned a corner, and he was accompanied by Representative Roger Williams. And accosted me on the steps right here in front of our nation’s capitol.”
“I was my minding my own business, walking up the steps when Representative Yoho put his finger in my face, he called me disgusting, he called me crazy, he called me out of my mind. And he called me dangerous.”
She continued, “I walked back out and there were reporters in the front of the Capitol, and in front of reporters, Representative Yoho called me, and I quote, a f—— b—-. These are the words Representative Yoho levied against a congresswoman. A congresswoman that not only represents New York’s 14th district but every congresswoman in this country because all of us have had to deal with this in some form, some way, some shape at some point in our lives.”
“Mr Yoho was not alone. He was walking shoulder to shoulder with Representative Roger Williams. And that’s when we start to see that this issue is not about one incident. It is cultural. It is a culture of a lack of impunity, of acceptance of violence and violent language against women, an entire structure of power that supports that.”
She adds: “But then yesterday, Representative Yoho decided to come to the floor of the House of Representatives and make excuses for his behaviour. And that I could not let go. Which is why I’m rising today to raise this point of personal privilege.”
“I do not need representative Yoho to apologise to me. Clearly, he does not want to. Clearly, when given the opportunity he will not. And I will not stay up late at night waiting for an apology from a man who has no remorse over calling women and using abusive language towards women. But what I do have an issue with is using women, wives, and daughters as shields and excuses for poor behaviour.”
“Mr Yoho mentioned that he has a wife and two daughters. I am two years younger than Mr Yoho’s youngest daughter. I am someone’s daughter too. My father, thankfully, is not alive to see how Mr Yoho treated his daughter. My mother got to see Mr Yoho’s disrespect on the floor of this house towards me on television, and I am here because I have to show my parents that I am their daughter and that they did not raise me to accept abuse from men,” AOC further said.
“And so, what I believe is that having a daughter does not make a man decent. Having a wife does not make a decent man. Treating people with dignity and respect makes a decent man. And when a decent man messes up, as we all are bound to do, he tries his best and does apologise. Not to save face, not to win a vote.”
AOC’s speech made waves across the world and resonated with millions of women who suffer abuse – verbal and physical – at the hands of men.
Meanwhile, Mehwish also hit back at trolls who criticised her for her recent picture.
I’m so glad there was one photo where my Casio watch is clearly visible,the chai stained pillow isn’t there,my legs can be seen & my neck is a little low (as requested) This ones for all the sick minded. You know who you are & I’m sure you’ll still find something wrong here also! pic.twitter.com/0dP11mYbTD
A police constable is allegedly threatening a boy to withdraw his complaint filed on Pakistan Citizen’s Portal against him.
The boy shared the detailed story on social media. He said that he went to the police station to reclaim his bike that he left in front of a mosque a few days back. However, he was asked to pay for his bike’s return.
“I went there and did that but they refused to hand it over to me unless I pay them,” said the boy.
He paid the money and registered a complaint against constable on the citizen’s portal.
He was called by DSP Sabzazar for confirmation but at that time constable was out on a raid. The boy started receiving threats after that.
” From that time onwards, people who I do not know have been calling me asking me to withdraw complain first nicely then authoritatively and finally by threatening me”.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has played down reports that a company based in the Isle of Man may seize assets owned by the Pakistan team currently in the United Kingdom (UK), as part of an old legal dispute between the firm and the Pakistan government.
A report quoted a letter from Broadsheet LLC to the Pakistan government in which it said it would “seize the assets of the Pakistani cricket team” because of longstanding dues owed to it by the government.
The PCB has been in touch with the Pakistan Embassy in the UK and is believed to have been satisfied that there is little prospect of this actually happening. That belief lies in the legal opinion that the Pakistan team is representative of the PCB, an autonomous body, and not of the Pakistan state or government, and so is not a party to the case or liable for the damages.
In the letter, Broadsheet says that the Pakistan team is “by the very nature, an asset of the defendant and that monies due to the team and assets of the team are assets of the defendant to the litigation”.
The legal dispute dates back to the early 2000s, when Broadsheet was hired by General (r) Pervez Musharraf, who was the head of state of Pakistan then, to trace out hidden assets of Pakistan nationals in foreign countries. Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had signed an agreement with Broadsheet, which was eventually terminated in 2003. The termination had led to a legal dispute, one resolved in 2018, when an international arbitration court in London ruled in favour of Broadsheet, and established that the NAB was liable to pay damages. It is this payment that remains outstanding.
The letter quoted by the report was written by Broadsheet to Allen & Overy, the firm that represented the Pakistan government and the NAB in the case, and said that Broadsheet was owed “more than $33 million” after it won the arbitration.
ESPNCricinfo reached out to NAB for a comment, but the body has not confirmed or denied any threat to the cricket team’s equipment being seized.
The Pakistan team will play three Tests and three T20 International (T20I) matches against England, with the first Test scheduled to start on August 5 in Manchester. The final T20I will take place on September 1.
While PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) continues to remain banned in Pakistan, Asim Azhar has voiced his protest against the ban and requested Prime Minister Imran Khan to not let his youth down. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) banned the game after parents approached it complaining that the game was addictive for their children. According to details, three children in Lahore had also recently committed suicide due to the online game.
In a series of tweets, Asim expressed his thoughts on the matter and said that banning the game won’t make any difference until we educate the youth.
“Only if we invest in our education system as much, that we make our children – the future of this country, into humans with stable minds, we would never have to worry about any playform or game being harmful to the society,” said Asim.
#ImranKhanPUBGKholoOnly if we invest in our education system as much, that we make our children – the future of this country, into humans with stable minds, we would never have to worry about any playform or game being harmful to the society. Basics change karo, pubg nahi.
He continued: “I want to live in a country where there is no banning culture. Where the youth has enough awareness to know what is right and wrong for them.”
I want to live in a country where there is no banning culture. Where the youth has enough awareness to know whats right & wrong for them. For that we must invest everything we can in our basics & schooling to get results in coming years. Not by banning games. #ImranKhanPUBGKholo
Arguing his stance further, Asim appealed to PM Imran Khan and said that “the last time we banned something (YouTube) it took us so many years back”.
“This is not just about a game, it is about the digital future of Pakistan,” argued Asim. “Every field will be affected. I am a victim of the ridiculous ban we had to face on YouTube for five years. We are again at the same stage. Please don’t let it happen again, sir Imran Khan.”
#ImranKhanPUBGKholo Even tho I have never played this game but I believe in freedom of speech & actions that do not harm. I am with you guys & against the ban of any platforms or games. @ImranKhanPTI sir, the last time we banned something (YouTube) it took us so many years back.
This is not just about a game, it is about the digital future of Every field will be affected. I am a victim of the ridiculous ban we had to face on YouTube for 5 years. We are again at the same stage. Please don’t let it happen again, sir @ImranKhanPTI#ImranKhanPUBGKholo
He also requested everyone protesting against the ban not to use any hate speech.
#ImranKhanPUBGKholo Also, a message to the youth, I know it can be very frustrating & demoralising leken har subha se pehle andhera hota hai. I request everyone protesting the bans to not use any hate speech. InshaAllah @ImranKhanPTI sir will not disappoint his youth
Meanwhile, Waqar Zaka expressed his disappointment at PM Imran Khan for not responding to the youth’s protests. He announced that he will contest in the next election and initiate a technology movement in Pakistan.
The hashtag #ImranKhanPUBGkolo is currently trending at number one on Pakistani Twitter.
Other celebrities including Hania Aamir also expressed their displeasure over the ban.
Gaming is not a crime and bans achieve little other than angst and resentment. Instead of shutting down #PUBG, address and counter the issues that are a cause for concern and let them play for it is only but a game! #Pakistan#ImranKhanPUBGKholo
Earlier in the day, PTA announced that the ban on PUBG will remain in place as the game developer has not yet responded to the authority about its suitable framework to address key concerns.
Three days ago, on July 24, the Islamabad High Court had ordered the government to lift the ban on PUBG, much to the delight of PUBG fans in Pakistan. However, PTA, in a statement, said: “The order has been issued in accordance with Islamabad High Court’s orders after a hearing conducted by PTA on July 9 and in accordance with the provisions of PECA 2016.”
Press Release: PTA has issued a detailed order regarding blocking of online game PlayerUnknown’s Battle Ground. The order has been issued in accordance with Islamabad High Court’s orders after a hearing conducted by PTA on July 9 & in accordance with the provisions of PECA 2016. pic.twitter.com/cRyYzMVizN
Despite Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan telling bureaucrats that they need to change their mindsets because “there is no room for ancient practices in Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Naya Pakistan”, The Current has learnt details of the harrowing experience of a group of junior bureaucrats who were “subjected to torture” by their boss in Toba Tek Singh district of Punjab.
According to sources, at least four of the said junior bureaucrats — currently serving as assistant commissioners (ACs) in different parts of the district — were subjected to torture by the deputy commissioner (DC) who “robbed” them of their official vehicles on late Saturday night and forced them to walk back to their posts over “poor performance”.
“The ACs included those of Toba Tek Singh, Kamalia, Pir Mahal and Gojra tehsils,” they said and added the junior bureaucrats were ridiculed in front of lower staff of the DC Office as well as that of their own. “Reprimanding your juniors over unsatisfactory performance is one thing but mistreating them, the way it was in this case, is outrageous.”
Speaking to The Current, one of the ACs, on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that they had been subjected to torture as the DC, besides taking away their official vehicles, had also mistreated them by forcing them to stand outside the office as a punishment until around 1 am when they were told to walk back home. “We managed to make arrangements for our commute but three of us were women, and family members of my colleagues believe the mistreatment has scarred their daughters for life.”
“This is not at all acceptable and we want the government to take action but it can cost us our careers,” said the AC, to which sources said that the victims feared calling their boss out or approaching high-ups because their immediate superior, which in this case is the DC, is responsible to evaluate them in the annual confidential report (ACR) that is a performance evaluation of a public servant.
Toba Tek Singh tehsil AC, on the other hand, rejected his own colleagues’ claims. “It was just a routine meeting and nothing happened,” he said. When informed that his colleagues had already confirmed the claims regarding their mistreatment, the AC said “the DC can say anything to her officers”.
“It was a meeting between the DC and her officers and we, under ethics of the service, are bound to obey the orders of our seniors.”
Contrary to Toba Tek Singh AC’s beliefs, several other public servants and locals privy to the development are of the view that the DC “must be transferred for the sake of the people of the district as Eidul Azha and Muharram amid the coronavirus pandemic are around the corner and local authorities under such a supervisor cannot give their best at a sensitive time”.
“There is a difference between running a tight ship and stooping as low as the DC did,” they say, urging Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar to take action.
Repeated attempts were made to contact Toba Tek Singh DC as she was informed of the claims made by her subordinates but she did not comment.
Attempts were also made to contact Punjab Information Minister Fayazul Hasan Chohan to ask him about the government’s reaction to the incident and progress on its promise of revamping bureaucracy for better governance, but he too was unavailable.
Meanwhile, PTI Toba Tek Singh President Dr Waheed Akbar Chaudhry and local leader as well as Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar’s brother, Chaudhry Muhammad Ramzan, have “appreciated” the DC over her treatment of the ACs.
“People are always complaining about these officers for doing nothing. Whatever the DC has done was the right thing to do and we hope she will continue discharging her duties diligently and without any leniency,” they said in a statement.
In a bizarre incident, the Indian police ‘arrested’ a goat that was wandering in India’s Beconganj area ‘without wearing a mask’.
The Beconganj police picked up the goat and took it to the police station in a jeep. When the owner of the goat got to know that the police had taken it away, he went to the police station.
He pleaded with the cops and the police released his goat but warned him not to allow the animal to roam on the road.
Circle officer, Anwarganj police station, Saifuddin Beg, however, said that the police had found a youth without a mask, taking the goat along.
“When he saw the police, he ran away leaving the goat behind so the policemen brought the goat to the police station. Later, we handed over the goat to its owner,” he said.
One of the policemen who had brought the goat admitted that they found a lockdown violation because the goat was without a mask. “People are now making their dogs wear a mask so why not a goat?” he said.
The police apparently changed its version after people started joking about it on social media.
