Category: Uncategorized

  • SHC orders Humayun Saeed to explain ‘Meray Paas Tum Ho’s ‘offensive’ dialogues ‘in person’

    SHC orders Humayun Saeed to explain ‘Meray Paas Tum Ho’s ‘offensive’ dialogues ‘in person’

    The Sindh High Court (SHC) has summoned Humayun Saeed to appear “in person” and explain the offensive dialogues in Meray Paas Tum Ho.

    According to a report in Samaa News, a petition was filed in the SHC against the drama in which the petitioner Sana Saleem alleged that the script, penned by the controversial Khalil ur Rehman Qamar, contained derogatory language when talking about women. Saleem wanted the writer, actor and producer to apologise for this.

    Saleem’s lawyer, Munir Gulal, argued that a line from the show had become quite popular, hurting the reputation of women in the process.

    In addition, the petitioner also objected to the fact that “a divorced couple were living together” and “a six-year-old was playing matchmaker between his father and a school teacher”.

    Read more – Mansha Pasha defends ‘Meray Paas Tum Ho’

    SHC’s Justice Yousuf Ali Sayeed and Justice Muhammad Ali Azhar, who heard the petition on Wednesday, directed all respondents including the federal government, PEMRA and the drama’s makers to submit their replies by February 13.

    Though ARY and PEMRA’s lawyers were present in court, Justice Azhar questioned why Humayun did not appear before the court. The hearing was adjourned till February 13 after ARY’s lawyer ensured that the actor would appear before the court.

    Despite becoming TV’s highest-rated drama of all time, Meray Paas Tum Ho, starring Humayun Saeed, Ayeza Khan, Hira Mani and Adnan Siddiqui, drew the irk of some viewers who criticised the drama for promoting misogyny and sexism.

    Earlier, a petition was filed in Lahore’s civil court to stop the last episode of the drama from being aired. The petitioner, Maham, had filed a plea to stop the release of the last episode because it has had a “negative impact and continues to degrade the status of women in our society”.

    Read more – Court dismisses petition against ‘Meray Paas Tum Ho’

    However, after examining statements and documents from representatives of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) and ARY Digital, Civil Judge Naila Ayub dismissed the petition and said that show had received clearance from the censor board of Punjab to screen in cinemas so there was nothing inappropriate in it.

  • Support pours in for arrested activist after picture with son goes viral

    Support pours in for arrested activist after picture with son goes viral

    Support has started pouring in for rights activist and Awami Workers’ Party (AWP) Punjab President Ammar Rashid, who along with dozens of others, was arrested by Islamabad police for staging a protest outside the National Press Club in Islamabad against the arrest of Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) leader Manzoor Pashteen.

    Lawmakers, including PTM’s Mohsin Dawar and Ali Wazir; AWP Vice President Ismat Raza Shahjahan, rights activists and students among 30 protesters were rounded up by the police on Tuesday. After being detained for four hours, the arrestees were finally transferred to the Kohistan Police Station, where a case was registered against them.

    With the detainees being presented before a court on Wednesday, 23 of them were sent to jail on a 14-day judicial remand, journalist Rabia Mehmood tweeted.

    It wasn’t later that support from netizens started pouring in for those “exercising their right to protest”.

    “Esa’s father is in chains for demanding his right to speak, life, fair trial and justice. State declared him a traitor, a rebel,” journalist and rights activist Shabnam Buneri wrote in a Facebook post.

    Here’s what Twitterati have to say about the arrests:

    Earlier in the day, Mohsin Dawar was released by Islamabad police. The lawmaker confirmed the development on Twitter.

    “I was told by the police that they were setting me free,” he wrote on the micro-blogging website. “I told them that I will not go until all the others are set free as well. Then they came back again, telling me that they will set all free, so I decided to leave.”

    Pashteen, who is still in state custody, was arrested up from the Tahkal area of Peshawar in the early hours of Monday. According to the FIR filed against the PTM chief, he is accused of using threatening and derogatory language against the state during a gathering in Dera Ismail Khan on January 18.

    Pashteen was on Monday presented before a court that handed him over to law enforcement authorities on a 14-day judicial remand.

  • Sarfaraz welcomes second child; Ahmad Shehzad says ‘keep going’

    Sarfaraz welcomes second child; Ahmad Shehzad says ‘keep going’

    Former Pakistan Cricket Team captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and his wife have welcomed their second child: a baby girl.

    The cricketer made the announcement on social media by sharing a picture of his son with the newborn.

    Following Sarfaraz’s announcement, friends and colleagues congratulated the cricketer on his bundle of joy.

    Among those who sent their good wishes was Ahmad Shehzad, who not only congratulated Sarfaraz but also told him to “keep going”.

    Other cricketers who sent their congratulations included Umar Gul, Hassan Ali and Shadab Khan.

  • Four Pakistani students in China tested positive for coronavirus

    Four Pakistani students in China tested positive for coronavirus

    Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Zafar Mirza has confirmed that at least four Pakistani students in China have tested positive for coronavirus as the outbreak claims at least 132 lives, leaving thousands of others affected.

    According to Dawn, Dr Mirza, while addressing a press conference on Wednesday, said that a large proportion of Pakistanis living in China were students, of which over 500 are based in the central city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the new virus.

    The premier’s special assistant said that four Pakistani students had tested positive for coronavirus with links to Wuhan. On PM Imran Khan’s behalf, Mirza assured the families of the children of the government’s support. He said that they will take on the responsibility of these children and all Pakistanis in China.

    “We will take care of them the same way we would care for our own children,” he said. However, he added, that no case of the coronavirus has been confirmed in Pakistan yet.

    The report comes days after Pakistani students studying at the Engineering and Science University of Wuhan requested help from the Pakistani and Chinese governments amid the alarming outbreak of the virus. A video message that was sent by the students stated that due to the virus, no communication between Wuhan and China was possible and more than 2,000 Pakistani students were facing food shortage.

    The students had requested the premier and foreign minister to send help and facilitate their evacuation from the province.

    On Monday, the PM Office had also convened a meeting in light of 2,000 coronavirus cases being confirmed across the globe amid the presence of a large number of Chinese nationals in Pakistan, and frequent travel between the two countries.

    CORONAVIRUS:

    In mid-December, some people in the central Chinese city of Wuhan began complaining of flu and pneumonia-like symptoms. Some had a high fever. Doctors were perplexed. To find out what might be causing their illness, geneticists analysed the DNA of the virus that had infected them.

    At once, the scientists realised the virus was new to science.

    As of January 23, experts at the World Health Organization (WHO) in Switzerland estimated that at least 557 people have contracted the rapidly spreading disease.

  • Jahangir Tareen’s sugar mills post profit of Rs138.92 million in three months: report

    Jahangir Tareen’s sugar mills post profit of Rs138.92 million in three months: report

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) stalwart Jahangir Tareen’s sugar mills have reportedly posted a profit after tax of Rs138.92 million — a 170% increase in gross profits in three months — as compared to a loss of Rs353 million recorded in the same period last year.

    According to media reports, JDW Sugar Mills Limited has announced its financial results for the first quarter that ended on December 31, 2019, which show that the revenue of the largest white sugar producer in the country went up by 61.45% to Rs13.19 billion during the first quarter as compared to Rs8.17 billion recorded in the same period last year.

    The sales have increased mainly due to an increase in average selling prices of sugar, molasses and carryover sugar stocks.

    The sugar division comprises three sugar mills units, JDW Unit-I, JDW Unit-II and JDW Unit-III in Rahim Yar Khan and Ghotki districts. It is one of the largest groups in the sugar sector and contributes approximately 15-17% of the country’s sugar production. It is also managing Sugarcane Corporate Farms over an area of 24,000 acres in Punjab and Sindh.

    While people allege that the government had a role to play in scoring Tareen these profits, it is pertinent to note that as of last week, a serious case of sugar shortage had emerged as the country already stumbled amid a wheat crisis.

    During the PTI government’s 15 months, sugar prices have shot up to as high as Rs64 a kilogram (kg). However, over the past week, the wholesale rate rose from Rs64 to Rs74 per kg and an acute shortage surfaced in the country. Last year, Pakistan produced 600,000 tonnes of sugar. Now, however, the wholesale rate of sugar is expected to reach Rs80 per kg, The News reported.

    Further, if the government does with sugar what it did with wheat-flour and does not halt exporting it, prices could reach up to Rs100 per kg in Pakistan.

  • ‘Tayyar Hain’ gets the ball rolling for PSL V

    ‘Tayyar Hain’ gets the ball rolling for PSL V

    With less than a month remaining to the ultimate sports festival of the year, the Pakistan Super League, excitement levels are high. What makes this PSL even more special is the fact that all the matches will be played in Pakistan and fans will be able to witness the match live in the stadiums.

    The PSL team officially kickstarted the event by releasing the anthem for this year’s edition. This year’s PSL track has been sung by Ali Azmat, Haroon and Asim Azhar with a special appearance by Arif Lohar. The track has been composed by Xulfi. The tune is catchy and full of energy but the highlight of the video has to be Asim and Haroon dancing. They seem to light up the mood even more with their moves.

    Laal Kabootar director Kamal Khan has directed the music video which also features star cricketers including Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Rumman Raees, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shan Masood.

    According to the press release, “A total of 22 instruments have been used in creating Tayyar Hain, including indigenous instruments such as tumba, chimta, rubab and harmonium“.

    Listen to the song here:

    Meanwhile, the track received a mix response from the audiences. While some loved it, others didn’t like it at all.

    https://twitter.com/psychohun_/status/1222304818389274624?s=20
    https://twitter.com/SyedGF/status/1222206160318668801?s=20

    https://twitter.com/AyeshaKhan_9/status/1222209662583562245?s=20

  • Here’s the list of all places where you can buy PSL 5 tickets

    Here’s the list of all places where you can buy PSL 5 tickets

    The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 5 is scheduled to start from 20th February with the first match between Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United at National Stadium Karachi.

    And if you are planning to go to the stadium to watch the match of your favorite team. Here is the list of all express centers selling PSL 5 tickets.

    Tickets are on sale at all these TCS Express Centers. You can also buy from Yayvo.

    Each customer can buy up to 7 tickets per match on his CNIC so don’t forget to take your CNIC with you when you go to buy your tickets from a nearby Express Centers.

  • Barbie dolls celebrate diversity

    Barbie dolls celebrate diversity

    The blonde and skinny Barbie dolls, which were once criticised for promoting a narrow, unrealistic ideal of what is beautiful, have undergone change as the brand adopts a more progressive approach, unveiling dolls with an array of skin tones, hair textures, body sizes and facial structures.

    There are Barbies with less defined waists, varying bust sizes and sculpted arms. The new Barbie dolls have prosthetic limbs, alopecia, the skin condition vitiligo and no hair.

    The 2020 additions to Mattel’s Barbie Fashionistas line are the company’s latest nod to making sure its dolls reflect more of society’s diversity.

    While a doll with a prosthetic limb debuted last year, this year’s version will have a darker complexion. Another new addition has no hair. And even Ken has gotten an updated look, sporting long locks instead of his signature, short, sculpted coif.

    “We’ve been committed to increasing diversity in our line and showcasing all the different types of beauty that exist … making the line more accessible,” says Lisa McKnight, senior vice president and global head of Barbie and its dolls portfolio.

    In 2019, over half of all Barbie dolls were diverse. And some of the newer Fashionistas have been inspired by customers. “Our wheelchair Barbie and our doll with vitiligo were literally fan requests,” says McKnight.

    Shoppers have welcomed the inclusiveness. Barbie’s top seller throughout 2019 was a curvy black doll with an Afro. And among the 10 top-selling Fashionistas last year, seven were diverse, including the doll that uses a wheelchair.

    This year’s Fashionistas line will roll out in two phases. The new Ken doll and Barbie with vitiligo are on sale now, while the new doll with a prosthetic leg and the Barbie with no hair will become available starting in June.

  • ‘This is who I am’: Sarwat Gilani has a message for her haters

    ‘This is who I am’: Sarwat Gilani has a message for her haters

    To say that Sarwat Gilani and pictures from her vacation have stirred controversy is an understatement. The actor and her husband Fahad Mirza were brutally trolled and bullied after they publicly displayed their affection.

    Now, that the couple is back from their trip, Sarwat took to social media to lash out at her haters and trolls telling them to stop following her if they hate her so much.

    “Just cause us celebrities don’t say anything doesn’t mean you bullies have the right to say everything,” she remarked, adding “It’s time for a much awaited SHUT UP CALL! With love, of course!”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B71P605jXG8/

    Read more – ‘Hello Pakistan’ says Karan Johar as he runs into Sarwat and Fahad

    Sarwat’s post triggered even more hate and the actor took to personally replying to each and every troll and telling them to unfollow her.

    Anoushey Ashraf also stepped in to defend the actor and explain what kissing actually means.

    In case you missed it, here’s the post that triggered the moral brigade.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B7oVMMAJKdB/
  • VIDEO: India’s infamous journalist Arnab Goswami trolled on flight

    VIDEO: India’s infamous journalist Arnab Goswami trolled on flight

    Remember the Indian journalist Arnab Goswami who reported that Hamza Ali Abbasi is an ISI agent? And the guy whose name Altaf Hussain got wrong? The same guy was recently trolled by Indian stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra on an IndiGo flight from Mumbai to Lucknow.

    Goswami is known for his loudness and heckling of guests on his current affairs programme. Comedian Kunal Kamra first tweeted that he met Arnab Goswami on a flight and gave him a monologue about his ‘journalism’.

    “All he did was call me mentally unstable & after some time I had no choice but to return to my seat,” wrote Kamra.

    Kamra later posted a video where he is calling Goswami a ‘coward’ and asks him to respond to questions about a Dalit student, Rohit Vermula. Goswami had vilified Rohit after false cases were registered against him. Rohit committed suicide.

    When Kamra accosted Goswami, he pretended to watch a video on his laptop and turned a blind eye to Kamra’s questioning.

    Following their interaction, IndiGo barred Kamra from flying with them for six months.

    “In light of the recent incident on board 6E 5317 from Mumbai to Lucknow, we wish to inform that we are suspending Mr. Kunal Kamra from flying with IndiGo for a period of six months, as his conduct onboard was unacceptable behaviour. Hereby, we wish to advise our passengers to refrain from indulging in personal slander whilst onboard, as this can potentially compromise the safety of fellow passengers,” announced IndiGo on Twitter.

    However, instead of feeling bad about it, Kamra thanked IndiGo.

    Kamra also issued an official statement on the matter.

    “Today I met Arnab Goswami in a flight to Lucknow (6E 5317) and politely asked him to have a conversation. At first, he pretended to be on a phone call. I waited for his so-called phone call to get over. Seatbelt signs were off at this time. I gave him a monologue about what I felt about his “journalism”. He refused to answer any questions, he called me ‘mentally unstable’.The stewardess asked me to take my seat as the seatbelt signs had just come on. Post take-off, when the seatbelt signs were off again, I approached him again and asked him if I could have his attention. He said he is watching something, and he doesn’t want to talk. So then I did exactly what Republic TV journalists do to people in their private/public spaces, and I don’t regret it. I am not sorry for it. The moment the stewardess asked me to move, I went back to my seat in 20 seconds. I apologised to each crew member personally and to both the pilots, by staying back till the end, for any inconvenience that I might have caused during the flight. I don’t think I did anything wrong/criminal. Don’t let this be about my bravado. Let us all take a moment and fondly remember a smiling Rohith vemulaI do apologise to every passenger except one”.