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  • PM talks about rumours that govt wants to ban social media

    PM talks about rumours that govt wants to ban social media

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, who is known for having social media as his primary source of information, has said the government will not impose a ban on any social media application.

    “But at the same time, we also can’t let anyone insult or spread false information about government organisations or the people working for them,” the premier pointed out in a statement.

    PM Imran also took notice of the delay in the preparation of social media regulations by the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) and Ministry of Information Technology.

    He instructed the departments to present a report regarding it within this week.

    The PTI government has been criticised for its decisions regarding monitoring and regulating content on social media. This came after the government placed a temporary ban on popular online game PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) and issued a warning to TikTok.

    The premier had in February also said that new rules were being introduced only to protect citizens and regulate social media in the country, which had come days after the PTI government led by him decided to impose restrictions in the name of citizens’ protection and national interest.

    Presiding over a meeting to review the social media rules, PM Imran had said that the new rules were not prepared to curb freedom of expression or victimise political opponents. He had claimed that the United Kingdom (UK), Singapore and other countries were also introducing such laws to protect their citizens.

    However, no action for the implementation of the proposed rules had followed.

  • Imran Abbas will soon be seen in an international film

    Imran Abbas will soon be seen in an international film

    Imran Abbas has revealed that he is working on an international film and will not be seen on television for at least the next year and a half.

    In an interactive question and answers session with his fans on Instagram, when a follower asked if he was growing his hair for a special project, Imran said that he is working on an international film. He added that although extensions can be added, “your own hair makes it feel different”. While the actor did not share further details on his upcoming project, it is likely that he is referring to the British feature film, titled The Trojan Horse, he had announced he will be doing back in May 2018. Imran had shared that he will be playing a spy in the film who is of Syrian-Morrocan descent.

    “I have many get-ups in the film and I will be seen in about six to seven disguises as I play the lead protagonist,” the actor had said. Filming for the movie was scheduled to begin in July 2018 but it appears that it might have been delayed.

    Later, when another follower asked when he will be seen next on television, Imran responded: “You won’t be able to watch me on TV at least for another one and a half year more (And even don’t know about after that either).”

    Meanwhile, Imran also joked that one of his recently concluded serials Jo Tu Chahy “kaafi farigh tha”. He added that this is what happens when you sign a project without reading the script.

    Read more – Imran Abbas defends himself after backlash on lion picture

    Imran also said that he is looking forward to watching Dil Bechara because it is his “moo bola bhai” Mukesh Chhabra’s first film and “the last film of the very talented Sushant Singh Rajput”. Dil Bechara released on Disney Hotstar on Friday and has become a huge hit. On the other hand, Imran has done several Bollywood films, the last one being Ae Dil Hai Mushkil in which he played Alizeh’s (Anushka Sharma) boyfriend.

  • Banning books

    Banning books

    German poet Heinrich Heine once warned, “Where they burn books, they will in the end also burn people.”

    In Pakistan’s case, we may not be burning books, but we are banning them. From banning online apps to games, from media censorship to censoring books, Pakistan is on a downward spiral. According to Geo, the Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board (PCTB) banned a hundred school books in a single day for containing content deemed “anti-national” and “blasphemous”.

    “We are currently examining over 10,000 books being taught in private schools,” said PCTB Managing Director Rai Manzoor Hussain Nasir. “So the banned textbooks could be in thousands once we are done.”

    Rai is taking these steps under the Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board Act, 2015, which was passed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government. It seems that both the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the PML-N do not value critical thinking and fundamental freedom.

    This policy is a complete disaster. We saw what happened under the Zia regime back in the 1980s when our curriculum was infused with extremist ideology. It changed our society and led to intolerance. Now we are seeing a repetition of something along the same lines. Rai Manzoor has a problem with a book of mathematics where counting concepts were explained to the young students showing pictures of pigs. He also has a problem with Gandhi’s quotes being taught in another book. Gandhi was India’s founding father but he fought for the rights of Muslims in India and was consequently killed by an RSS extremist for propagating peaceful co-existence with the Muslim minority. Are we demonising someone just because we want to see him from the prism of animosity towards India?

    If we want to keep our children isolated in a globalised world by teaching them only about ourselves, and not any non-Pakistanis, the solution was not to ban books with Gandhi’s quotes but probably to add more quotes from Pakistani historical figures. Do we not want to teach our children about the struggles of Nelson Mandela, who is quite often quoted by Prime Minister Imran Khan? Banning books or taking out quotes of non-Pakistanis is ridiculous at best and dangerous in the long term. The path we are taking today will impact our coming generations.

    The power of deciding curriculum and books is a grave power. For it to be in the hands of someone who is no Chomsky or any other learned figure, we must raise our voice at this grave injustice that is being inflicted upon our future generations. Our national interests are not so weak that they will be endangered by some quotes from non-Pakistanis. But it seems that we want to ban critical thinking. We want to ban the foundation of learning, i.e. asking questions and being inquisitive. We want to produce robots instead of intelligent human beings. We must resist this type of indoctrination. Closed minds cannot lead this country to progress. Stifling freedom of expression and censoring books will push Pakistan back by decades. Let us not go down this dark path. 

  • Mawra Hocane sparks outrage for comments on eve-teasing

    Mawra Hocane sparks outrage for comments on eve-teasing

    An old video of Mawra Hocane on Nida Yasir’s morning show has gone viral on social media with netizens criticising the actor for her comments on the eve-teasing culture in Pakistan.

    In the video, when Yasir asks Hocane if anyone has ever teased her, Mawra responds by saying: “I think that’s just Lahore’s fun, boys tease you. They play loud music from their cars. I think that’s just the feel of Lahori Eid.”

    “So we don’t mind. It’s okay, keep looking at us,” she added.

    When Nida further asks if she would mind if someone was to tease her now, Mawra said: “Yes, no problem.”

    https://twitter.com/FarooqAleena/status/1286711202853326852?s=20

    While the video is from 2018, Twitter users are calling out Mawra for “normalising harassment”.

    Read more – Mawra Hocane defends Urwa’s comments on mental health

    https://twitter.com/nashrahb/status/1286686430371225601?s=20

    Someone even dragged in Humayun Saeed, who was seated next to Mawra in the show.

    Mawra has not yet responded to the backlash.

  • Quiz – Which ‘Indian Matchmaking’ character are you

    Quiz – Which ‘Indian Matchmaking’ character are you

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  • ‘I remember crying in the shower for hours’: Imam ul Haq opens up on nepotism accusations

    ‘I remember crying in the shower for hours’: Imam ul Haq opens up on nepotism accusations

    Imam-ul-Haq has opened up about the mental pressures that came with being accused of nepotism when he entered the national team. Imam, who is the nephew of legendary former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in October 2017. His situation was worsened with the fact that Inzamam was also the chief selector for Pakistan at the time.

    Speaking to former India cricketer Deep Dasgupta on his ESPNCrincinfo chat show Cricketbaazi, Haq said: “When all of this started happening, I would have my meals all alone. It was my first tour and you know how it can get on the first tour. And whenever I would open my phone, there were people tagging me on social media posts or sending me stuff. I was very disheartened and couldn’t understand anything.”

    “I stopped talking to my family because I didn’t want to put them under any pressure that I’m facing problems,” he continued. “I switched off and handed both my mobile phones to my manager, and said, ‘I can’t take this, please take them off me.’”

    “I remember crying in the shower for hours that I haven’t even played yet. It’s very easy for young players to get surrounded by self-doubt. The only thing running constantly in my mind was that I haven’t even played [for the national team] yet, what if I play and don’t perform well? Then my career will be over. I wouldn’t step a foot out of my room, fearing people might trouble me outside, because there is a large Pakistan community in Dubai.”

    Read more – Ex-Indian cricketer recalls when ‘shy’ Imran Khan didn’t leave his hotel room to play Holi

    Imam played the third match of the series. “We were living in Dubai, and from there we had to travel to Abu Dhabi on the match-day, which is a two-hour drive. So we had to leave around 11 am-12 pm for the match and I got his (Arthur’s) message at around 9.30 am, which I still remember, ‘Immy, it’s your time, be ready and good luck,’” said Imam.

    “After that, I don’t remember anything. My mind was completely blank. I was hoping he hadn’t messaged me. He shouldn’t have. Because my confidence had hit the rock-bottom and I was feeling so low that I felt I won’t be able to perform in the match.

    “I was focusing less on the match and more on what would happen after. What if I couldn’t perform? My career will get badly affected and everyone will say they were right to criticise me. Because the media was only discussing my inclusion in the side.”

    Imam went on to score a century in that match, thus becoming the second Pakistani batsman to score a ton on debut.

    Meanwhile, the cricketer, who was hit on his left-hand during the practise match, has been declared fit to bat by the team doctor. He is part of Pakistan’s squad for the England series.

  • Meera requests Punjab Govt for financial assistance

    Meera requests Punjab Govt for financial assistance

    Meera has requested Rs 40 million from the Punjab Government under the Artist Support Fund, launched by the Punjab Information and Cultural Department, claiming that she is in financial trouble. However, the department denied her request, adding that they can only offer her Rs 5000-10,000 at this point.

    According to reports, a meeting was held at the Alhamra Arts Council after the actor appealed to senior officials for financial support. In the meeting, it was unanimously decided that the department cannot give the actor more than ten thousand rupees. Moreso, it was also decided that an artist should have a monthly income of less than Rs 15,000 and be above the age of 50 in order to receive aid from the fund.

    Meanwhile MPA Sadia Sohail Rana, who supervised the meeting said that she was surprised with Meera’s request.

    “I am surprised why Meera applied for the help as in this situation she herself should be supporting other poor artists,” said Rana. “Meera should understand that everything is not a joke. Artists of her stature should set aside funds for difficult times when they earn large amounts.”

    However, Meera said that she had no choice because her shows in USA and Canada had been cancelled due to the pandemic because of which she had to suffer financially.

    “I suffered a loss of around $100,000. I have to pay back a loan I took in Dubai. I am forced to apply for financial support,” said the actor.

    Meera added that she intends on taking up the matter with the Federal Government also.

    Earlier, Meera had also appealed to the government to assist her journey back home when she was stranded in New York due to the COVID-19 lockdowns across the world.

  • ‘Pyar Ke Sadkay’: The curious case of Mahjabeen’s pregnancy

    ‘Pyar Ke Sadkay’: The curious case of Mahjabeen’s pregnancy

    Pyar Ke Sadkay has been treating viewers to a myriad of emotions, the most recent being grief. However, in the latest episode, the makers of the drama take the viewers from grief into total shock by making Mahjabeen (Yumna Zaidi) pregnant. While this is a usual trope in most dramas to bring together estranged couples, in this particular drama it creates confusion because most viewers believed that Mahjabeen and Abdullah (Bilal Abbas Khan) did not consummate their marriage. All through the drama, every time Abdullah’s stepfather Sarwar (Omair Rana) would ask him about his marriage, Abdullah would say that there are no marital relations between him and his wife which is why audiences are now questioning how Mahjabeen could have gotten pregnant.

    Read more – ‘Pyar Ke Sadkay’ takes a disappointing turn

    According to our research and analysis, Mahjabeen and Abdullah consummated their marriage in Episode 16 when they skipped Shanzay’s valima and stayed home instead even though Mahjabeen was all dressed up to attend the wedding. From that moment onwards, Abdullah stopped sleeping on the sofa and moved to the bed.

    The next morning when they went down and sat with Abdullah’s parents, the two were all shy and smiley, hinting the new developments in their relationship.

    While it has now been established that Mahajabeen getting pregnant is not out of the blue, the next question is: was that really necessary? Was that the only way to bring Mahjabeen and Abdullah together? Couldn’t it have been organic with Abdullah realising his love for Mahjabeen and taking a stand for her? At this point, you half wish that the two don’t end up together because Abdullah doesn’t deserve Mahjabeen anymore. He did not value her enough. And though some may argue that he is being misled by Sarwar, we have to accept that Abdullah is not as stupid as he comes across. He’s sharp and intelligent, the only thing he lacks is confidence.

    Apart from that, at some points, it does feel that the drama is being unnecessarily dragged – for instance, the scene at Munshi Sahab’s grave felt extra and out of place. Unless the makers are preparing us for Mahjabeen suddenly becoming rich and powerful. Other than that, I’ve said it before and I’m saying it again, the Shanzay (Yashma Gill) storyline is completely unnecessary. The plot could have moved forward without it. Nonetheless, hoping it wraps up soon so we can focus on the main couple and the evil father-in-law.

    Washma (Shra Asghar), as always stole the show. Washma is one character which I feel every Pakistani drama needs to have: she’s strong, sassy and a doer. She doesn’t sit around waiting for things to happen – she makes them happen. The way she defends Mahjabeen or stands up to Sarwar and her mother, one can’t help but root for her.

    The next couple of episodes should come with interesting developments. We’ll also find out whether Abdullah has signed the divorce papers or he is just pretending to have signed those. But one thing is for sure, Abdullah and Mahjabeen will have a happy ending, or at least that’s my prediction.

  • KP govt to launch world’s longest, highest cable car project

    KP govt to launch world’s longest, highest cable car project

    The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has decided to set up a 14-kilometre long cable car, which will connect the scenic tourist resort of Kumrat in Upper Dir with Madaklasht area of Chitral.

    According to a statement by the KP government, the decision was taken in a meeting of the tourism department, chaired by Chief Minister Mahmood Khan and attended by Tourism Secretary Mohammad Abid Majeed and other senior officials.

    The meeting gave go ahead to the department to make a detailed feasibility study and engineering design of the project.

    The statement said that the cable car project would be the longest and highest of its kind in the world. After completion, it was likely to appeal to eight million foreign and local tourists to the province and create employment opportunities.

    The project would have car parking facilities on both the stations. It will also have an intermediate station with a restaurant and many other facilities. The project will be completed in five to six months.

     “The proposed cable car will be built on international standards which, on completion, would attract foreign and local tourists in a large number. The project is environment-friendly and feasible on the grounds that no land acquisition process is involved therein,” said the statement.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nk0w4Hg1BTE
  • 103yo Pakistani becomes one of world’s oldest coronavirus survivors

    103yo Pakistani becomes one of world’s oldest coronavirus survivors

    A 103-year-old man has recovered from COVID-19 in Pakistan to become one of the oldest survivors of the disease in the world, beating the odds in a country with a weak healthcare system, his relatives and doctors said.

    Aziz Abdul Alim, a resident of a village in the mountainous northern district of Chitral, was released last week from an emergency response centre after testing positive in early July.

    “We were worried for him given his age, but he wasn’t worried at all,” Alim’s son Sohail Ahmed told Reuters on the phone from his village, close to the border with China and Afghanistan.

    Ahmed quoted his father as saying that he had been through a lot in life and the coronavirus did not scare him. He did however, not like being in isolation.

    READ: Pakistan’s secret to ‘flattening the curve’

    A carpenter until his 70s, Alim has outlived three wives and nine sons and daughters, said Ahmed, who is himself in his 50s, adding that his father had separated from his fourth wife and is currently married to his fifth.

    Alim also had to be provided with moral and psychological support during his isolation and treatment, Dr Sardar Nawaz, a senior medical officer at the Aga Khan Health Service emergency centre told Reuters on Friday.

    The makeshift centre was set up in a girls’ hostel just weeks before Alim was brought in and is the only one equipped to deal with COVID-19 patients for miles.

    Pakistan has registered more than 270,000 cases of the disease and 5,778 deaths. While the number of people testing positive has dropped over the last month, government officials fear there could be another rise during the Eidul Azha holidays and Muharram.