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  • ‘I know India much more than rest of my own countrymen’: PM Khan

    ‘I know India much more than rest of my own countrymen’: PM Khan

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Sunday said that no one in Pakistan knows India better than him. PM Khan was talking to CNN’s Fareed Zakaria about Pakistan’s relations with India.

    “I understand and know India much more than the rest of my own countrymen or probably all over the world,” said PM Imran Khan, adding that he has many friends in India.

    Racist RSS ideology has taken over India: PM Imran Khan

    “The moment my government came into power, the first thing I did was reach out to India. I told them [PM Narendra Modi] if he took one step forward, I would take two. Our only issue is Kashmir, and we should solve it like good neighbours on the dialogue table,” said PM Khan.

    “Unfortunately Fareed, there is a tragedy unfolding in India. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideology has taken over India. We are in this day of information technology. All we have to do is Google who are the founding fathers of RSS,” said the premier.

    “It’s a racist ideology which has taken over India. It’s an ideology that assassinated the great Gandhi. It’s very difficult to come to terms with the ideology,” said the prime minister.

    “We have made no headways. But my worry is Fareed that what is going on in India is much more damaging for India than for Pakistan,” added PM Khan.

    The only option the world has right now is to engage with the Taliban for things to move forward: PM Khan

     The premier further talked about Pakistan’s diplomatic relations with the new Taliban government in Afghanistan and the current state of the war on terror.

    PM Khan said that sooner or later, the Taliban will have to be recognised by the world as it is about the well-being and future of about 40 million Afghans.

    “Forty million people in Afghanistan are in dire straits because of the ongoing situation in the country,” the premier said, adding that the people of the United States (US) should understand that disliking the Taliban government is one thing but thinking about the welfare of the Afghans is another as they are facing “extreme difficulties”.

    “Afghanistan is on the verge of experiencing the worst humanitarian crisis,” PM Imran Khan said. “Considering the circumstances, is there any other alternative to the Taliban in Afghanistan? No, there isn’t.”

    “Therefore, the only alternative we have is to work with the Taliban government [for the sake of the Afghans] because turning the Taliban away would only lead to chaos in the country,” PM Imran Khan reiterated. 

    He went on to say that the US’ War on Terror (WoT) backfired and increased the number of terrorists worldwide, adding that because of the war, there had been extensive casualties in Pakistan as more than 80,000 Pakistani citizens lost their lives during the war.

    “Pakistan had to bear the brunt of the war in Afghanistan by witnessing numerous suicide attacks,” he said. “The US must reconsider its policy on carrying out drone attacks.”

    The situation in Xinjiang is not what the western media portrays: Premier

    When asked about China’s treatment of Uyghur Muslims, PM Khan said that Pakistan’s ambassador to China Moin ul Haq had visited Xinjiang and said that the situation over there is “not what the western media portrays”.

    The premier said that a comparison of Pakistan’s condemnation of India committing genocide of innocent people in occupied Kashmir and the issue of Xinjiang is not fair.

    “Occupied Kashmir is a disputed territory between Pakistan and India and India is ruled by an RSS ideology,” the premier said. “Until the Kashmir issue is resolved, the fear of war between the two nuclear powers will remain intact.”

  • Gehraiyaan: The movie actually makes you sink

    Gehraiyaan: The movie actually makes you sink

    Note: This review contains small spoilers

    Gehriyaan, the much talked about movie released after much delay on February 11 on Amazon Prime. The movie revolves around four main characters, Alisha (Deepika Padukone), Tia (Ananya Panday) who are cousins, Karan (Dhairya Karwa) who is Alisha’s boyfriend and Zain who is (Siddhant Chaturvedi) Tia’s boyfriend. The movie starts off with a couples weekend at Tia and Alisha’s childhood home where Alisha and Zain fall for each other.

    The movie’s main plot was the twisted love affair between Alisha and Zain. Their relationship starts off in a predictable way but ends rather dramatically.

    I started watching the movie thinking it was about infidelity and expected a millennial version of Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna. However, to my surprise, the movie had more to offer than that. Gehriyaan discusses how childhood trauma impacts our relationships when we grow up. It also talked about mental health issues in a very sensitive manner.

    The movie also stars Naseeruddin Shah who is Alisha’s father, but he is given very little screen time which was an injustice to his character. His character had a very strong impact on Alisha and the choices she made as an adult was the product of her childhood. In fact, one of the scenes in the movie in which Deepika and Naseeruddin Shah are having a conversation is one the strongest scene of the movie, and their conversation leaves you wanting more, which you don’t get.

    What worked for me and even for the people who did not like the movie, is the fact that Deepika looked effortlessly hot in the movie. Some might disagree but her hotness is the reason that doesn’t make us hate her character even after she leaves her fiance for her cousin’s fiance and starts a torrid affair. But the way she looks, the trials she suffers makes Deepika the ‘end-all, be-all’ of this movie.

    Final word: The movie does justice to the name Gehriyaan, as the movie actually makes you sink, especially in the last half of the movie. Its unpredictability and sudden twist in the story is what I liked most. However, the movie is facing criticism for the exact same reason, that it didn’t make much sense. However, the movie is worth the watch since it does highlight issues that affect all of us in the relationships that change the way we are.

  • Indian musicians plagiarise OST of ‘Baaghi’, Shuja Haider claims

    Pakistani singer, Shuja Haider has accused Indian music directors of plagiarising his popular original soundtrack for the drama Baaghi released in 2017.

    The singer shared the copied Indian version, Pia Re Piya on his Instagram and lashed out at its music directors.

    He wrote, “Indian Music directors Yasser Desai and Rashid Khan copied my original song ‘Baaghi’ and I am not proud of it. Absolutely not!”

    Haider has decided to take legal action against the music directors of ‘Piya Re Piya’.

    While talking to Dawn Images, he said, “They’ve copied the entire verse. I’m going to look into how to pursue this further because these people have started copying [Pakistani content] a lot. They not only copy melodies, they copy lyrics as well. Look at Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s work. They’ve gone too far; they are copying our content whenever they please and there’s no one to say anything to them. I definitely feel something should be done about this.

    “I am going to talk to my lawyer. I am going to talk to people who can help me with this. I don’t think I should take it lightly. If you look at the credits, the composer of the song is written as Rashid Khan. This is a criminal act. They don’t even give due credit. If you’d framed the song as a cover and given credit, it would still be okay.”

    Pia Re Piya released on February 12 and is sung by Yaseer Desai and composed by Rashid Khan. Anjan Sagri and Rashid Khan have written the lyrics of the song.

    You can check the similarities between both songs.

    The OST of Baaghi.

    In 2019, Farhan Saeed also accused Bollywood musician, Salim Merchant of plagiarising his song, ‘Roiyaan’.

  • ‘When I first saw Shahid Afridi’: Wasim Akram pens heartfelt note for Afridi

    ‘When I first saw Shahid Afridi’: Wasim Akram pens heartfelt note for Afridi

    Shahid Afridi, one of the most popular cricketers of this era, bid goodbye to his career in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) due to long-lasting back pain. Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram penned a heartfelt note for his former colleague.

    In his tweet, Wasim shared the first memory of Afridi: “The first time I saw @SAfridiOfficial was in the nets in 1996 and he impressed us, apart from his bowling, with his batting. He smashed the then fastest hundred and became a big mega star. Had won Pakistan so many matches and is hugely popular.”

    He further wished him luck for his future and praised Afridi for his various match-winning performances.

    Former pace ace Shoaib Akhtar tweeted: “Araam kero Lala. Is umar main ye ishq nahi asaan.” (Take a break Lala, it is hard to have a love for the game at this age.)

    Other cricketers like Rumman Raees and Anwar Ali Khan also took to their social media to share their thoughts about Shahid Afridi and prayed for his health.

    Earlier, pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi while replying to Shahid Afridi’s tweet in which he said goodbye to PSL, said that Afridi’s presence will be missed in the PSL. He added that Afridi is the “pride of Pakistan” and wished him to get well soon.

    Quetta Gladiators’ Afridi played his last PSL game against Islamabad United on February 12 where he got two wickets for 27 runs in his four overs and ran Azam Khan out with a direct hit.

  • Iran’s interior minister arrives in Pakistan

    Iranian Interior Minister Dr Ahmad Vahidi has arrived in Islamabad today (Monday), where he was received by his Pakistani counterpart, Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed.

    During the meeting between the two ministers, both sides also discussed suggestions to overcome terrorism and about the formation of a stable Afghanistan.

    Dr Ahmad has come for a day along with his nine-member delegation. He will meet Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and other officials to discuss the issues of prisoner swap and Pakistan-Iran border management, reports Radio Pakistan.

    Last week, Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef arrived in Pakistan on a day-long visit.

    The visit by the Iranian interior minister follows a string of militant attacks in Balochistan, which shares a long and porous border with Iran. 

  • Moonis Elahi tells PTI not to worry, ‘nothing substantial’ in meetings with Opposition leaders

    Moonis Elahi tells PTI not to worry, ‘nothing substantial’ in meetings with Opposition leaders

    Minister for Water Resources Moonis Elahi said on Monday that the government alliance is not facing any trouble. Elahi said that the political environment was a “bit strange these days” but there is nothing substantial in it. Moonis Elahi was referring to the recent meetings of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leadership with Opposition leaders, which include Shehbaz Sharif, Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Asif Ali Zardari.

    Moonis Elahi, while addressing the International Symposium on Hydropower Development, said, “A spectacle is going on, whatever talks are being held, we are political people, we meet people and welcome someone who comes to our home. The important thing to understand is that political people form relationships and then see them through.”

    “Just like we have made a relation with Janab [Prime Minister Imran Khan], and we will carry on with this relation,” adding, “I would like to request you [PM Khan] to say it rather firmly to all Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers/supporters that ghabrana nahi hai [no need to worry].”

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, without taking names, criticised Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shehbaz Sharif and said that in a panic, some people have gone to ask about the health of PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.

    PM Khan, responding to the words to Moonis Elahi said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has full confidence in the Chaudhry brothers.

    PM said that hardly anyone has the political skills that Chaudhry Sahib [Shujaat Hussain] possesses.

    PM Khan’s comments come after Shehbaz Sharif met PML-Q’s Chaudhry brothers at their residence after 14 years as the Opposition seeks to mount pressure on the government.

    It is being reported that the Chaudhries of Gujrat will be holding party meetings to discuss the overall political situation and go into further discussions to come up with a consensus plan to move ahead in the current political turmoil.

    It is pertinent to mention here that PML-Q is a key ally of the PTI in the Centre and Punjab.

  • Shehbaz visits Chaudhry brothers after 14 years

    Shehbaz visits Chaudhry brothers after 14 years

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif and senior party leaders visited Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Speaker Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi yesterday (February 13, Sunday).

    Shehbaz went to their residence where the leaders of the two rival parties met each other for a formal political meeting after a gap of about 14 years.

    The meeting lasted over an hour, where both sides discussed the current political situation in the country in detail. Sources say that Shehbaz Sharif asked the Chaudhries of Gujrat to support the Opposition in its planned no-confidence move against Prime Minister Imran Khan. However, the Chaudhry brothers told the PML-N leadership that they would adopt a strategy after consultations with their party leaders.

    The News reported that the Chaudhry brothers have asked for the slot of Chief Minister Punjab from 2023 to 2028. Shehbaz Sharif has reportedly conveyed details of the meeting to Mian Nawaz Sharif, who will make the final decision. Currently, the PML-Q is a key ally of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in both Punjab and the Centre.

    On Saturday (February 12), Jamiat Ulema-e Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who also heads the Opposition alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), called on the Chaudhry brothers in Lahore. Maulana also asked them for their support against the sitting government.

    Earlier on Monday (February 7), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari also paid a visit to the Chaudhry brothers in Lahore to ask for PML-Q support in ousting the government.

    Last year in December, Nawaz Sharif called Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi to ask about the health of Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and also invited them to meet him in London.

  • Did Shahid Afridi’s daughter send flowers, balloon to Shaheen Afridi on Valentine’s Day?

    Did Shahid Afridi’s daughter send flowers, balloon to Shaheen Afridi on Valentine’s Day?

    Lahore Qalandars’ skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi received a bouquet of red roses and flowers with a “Happy Valentine’s Day” card and a balloon on Valentine’s Day evening and the cricketer shared a snippet of the gift with a caption: “Thank you my love.”

    Now the social media users are wondering if the flowers and the balloon were sent by former cricketer Shahid Afridi’s daughter, who is engaged to Shaheen Afridi.

    https://twitter.com/Its_meHamid/status/1492960773739782144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1492960773739782144%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.geo.tv%2Flatest%2F399083-shaheen-shah-afridis-valentines-day-gift-what-is-twitter-thinking

    Shaheen-led Qalandars on Monday defeated Quetta Gladiators in the 20th match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022 by eight wickets and Shaheen not only received flowers and balloon but he also bagged the Player of the Match award for his exceptional spell in which he conceded only 27 runs in four overs. Not only this but he managed to take Quetta’s batters Jason Roy and James Vince’s crucial wickets on duck.

    The 21-year-old pacer will marry Shahid Afridi’s daughter. The news was confirmed by both families last year.

  • Large mob lynches man over alleged blasphemy, PM Khan condemns

    Large mob lynches man over alleged blasphemy, PM Khan condemns

    A man was brutally tortured and killed by a violent mob when accused of allegedly burning pages of the Holy Quran in a village in Khanewal, Punjab on Saturday.

    The incident took place in a village called Mian Channu after Maghrib prayers. Thousands of people gathered after the announcement was made that a man had torn some of the pages of the Holy Quran and set them on fire in a mosque.

    People were not ready to tho listen to the mentally handicapped man who reportedly claimed innocence. People hanged him on a tree and then threw stones and bricks until he took his last breath.

    Local police came to the spot after receiving a call from a villager. They reached to arrest suspects but villagers started stoning them when they tried to release the man. The violent mob grabbed him from police’s custody and continued beating him.

    The victim’s elder brother revealed that the victim had been mentally ill for about 17 to18 years and was living with another brother in Karachi. He also had remained hospitalised for treatment but he could not recover. His wife also divorced him because of his illness. He had two sons and a daughter.

    He further added, “He went to buy some cigarettes and did not turn up till evening and they later learned that he was killed on blasphemy charges.”

    While talking to Dawn News, he claimed that neighbours also knew about his mental condition. He said that the violent mob stoned his brother to death in the presence of police and they did not protect his brother from the mob. He also complained that his brother’s fingers were missing after the frightful incident.

    Police claimed that they have arrested 85 suspects after they conducted more than 120 raids on Sunday.

    The police have registered two First Investigation Reports (FIR) for alleged blasphemy under Section 295-B of Pakistan Penal Code and the second one related to the lynching under Sections 302, 353, 186, 148, 149 of the PPC and Section 7A of Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.

    Also Read: Sri Lankan factory manager tortured to death in Sialkot over alleged blasphemy

    Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Religious Harmony, Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi soon after arriving at Khanewal Circuit House, condemned the incident and said no one should take the law into their hands.

    He emphasised that there are laws to protect religion and against blasphemy. Such matters should be reported to the police and let them proceed under the law.

    Prime Minister, Imran Khan condemned the tragic incident on his Twitter. He ordered a detailed report from the Punjab police chief. He directed authorities to take strict against the perpetrators of the lynching incident.

    Human Rights Minister, Shireen Mazari also condemned the incident and asked the Punjab government to take strict action against the assailants involved.

    Netizens also criticised Mazari for not taking enough efforts to prevent such tragic incidents. They are saying that tweets are not enough to stop such brutality.

    Some users questioned the appreciation award which was given to Shireen Mazari by Prime Minister Imran Khan last week, and how it wasn’t well deserved.

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also strongly condemned the incident.

    “The tragedy of Mian Channu has once again humiliated the entire nation,” he said.

    The deceased victim was buried in Mian Channu on Sunday.

  • Fact Check: Punjab University did not order students to wear burqas on Valentine’s Day

    Fact Check: Punjab University did not order students to wear burqas on Valentine’s Day

    Claim: Punjab University mandated its students to wear burqa on Valentine’s Day by issuing a notice which was circulating social media

    Fact: No such notification was issued from Punjab University

    A notification from Punjab University was circulating on social media. “All the boys of the Punjab University are supposed to wear White Prayer Caps,” the notification read. The notification further states: “All girls are supposed to wear Black Burqas with black hand gloves and black socks on 14 Feburary, Haya Day.”

    However, University of Punjab tweeted that this was a doctored notification.

    Meanwhile, The University of Peshawar announced an official ‘off day’ on Valentine’s day and will be conducting seminars and workshops.

    VERDICT: FALSE