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  • Majeed Niazi’s misogyny and Firdous’ slap

    Majeed Niazi’s misogyny and Firdous’ slap

    Two members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have made the news this week and for all the wrong reasons. Yesterday, during the Budget session in the National Assembly, PTI’s MNA Abdul Majeed Khan Niazi passed some sexist and misogynist comments against Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. By mocking Bilawal Bhutto through gender-based slurs, Mr Niazi is not just demeaning the PPP Chairman but women as well. Such sexist comments by government members are not something new. From Prime Minister Imran Khan addressing Bilawal Bhutto as ‘sahiba’ to Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed calling him ‘Billo Rani’, such sexist comments are absolutely disgusting. 

    Political rivalry does not mean that you attack your opponents in a derogatory way. If somebody wants to criticise their political opponents, they should be criticised for their politics and policies. Such comments are not just below the belt but should be condemned across the board. In the past, we have seen Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Asif pass sexist comments against PTI’s Shireen Mazari. We have also seen PPP’s Abdul Qadir Patel’s disgustingly personal attacks against PTI’s Murad Saeed. Such attacks are sickening, to say the least, and should not be tolerated by any political party. Unfortunately, it seems that parties do not condemn such comments in the public domain. Some say, they are privately encouraged. 

    Talking of attacks, on Thursday, Special Assistant to the Punjab Chief Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan slapped Qadir Mandokhel of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on the set of Express News’ programme ‘Kal Tak’ during a break. The video of the off-air brawl between Dr Firdous and Qadir Mandokhel went viral on the internet. While Firdous said that it all started because Mandokhel abused her first, the said programme’s host Javed Chaudhry clarified that it was indeed Firdous who first used abusive language for Mandokhel. Abusing your political opponents is uncalled for to begin with and then getting physical with them is going one-step ahead and cannot be condemned enough. We have seen late Naeem-ul-Haque slap PML-N’s Daniyal Aziz on air. Mr Haque also threw a glass of water on PPP’s Jamil Soomro many years ago in a talk show. This trend is nothing new but it does not mean that it should be encouraged or condoned. 

    We expect our public representatives to act in a responsible manner. Unfortunately, they disappoint us on several occasions. We hope that party leadership will make their members accountable for such actions rather than silently encouraging them.

  • Ten most followed Pakistani celebrities on Instagram, what are they doing right?

    Ten most followed Pakistani celebrities on Instagram, what are they doing right?

    Instagram is the most popular social media platform amongst Pakistani celebrities who use the app to interact and engage with their fans and followers. Celebrities also do their PR work and online endorsements on social media. Here’s what each one of them is doing right to be amongst the most sought after personalities on social media.

    Here is the list of eight most followed Pakistani celebrities:

    Ayeza Khan – 9.2 Million

    With 9.2 million followers, Ayeza became the most followed celebrity of Pakistan in 2021, the Mere Paas Tum Ho actress often share pictures of her husband Danish Taimoor and her kids. Ayeza’s biggest strategy is that she posts a lot. The more you post the more followers and engagement you get on your profile. Ayeza posts multiple PR content or paid posts in a day.

    Aiman Muneeb – 8.5 Million

    Aiman is the second most followed celebrity on Instagram with 8.5 million followers. She in one of the most active celebrities on Instagram. Aiman shares a lot of family pictures including her daughter Amal’s. She also does post a lot of PR content which further expands her digital horizon.

    Mahira Khan – 7.6 Million

    Pakistani superstar Mahira Khan has 7.6 million followers. The Raees actress shares candid moments from her life on social media including pictures with no make-up which very few actresses can. Mahira should post more considering the amount of work she does.

    Sajal Ahad Mir – 7.1 Million

    Sajal has 7.1 million followers despite staying low-key on Instagram, unlike other married actresses she posts more pictures of herself rather than with her family. Although she makes a point to upload her family pictures from special occasions like Saboor’s engagement with Ali Ansari.

    Mawra Hocane – 6.5 Million

    Mawara started her social media game much before her contemporaries and has remained the most followed celebrity at one point in time. She has 6.5 million followers. Mawra every other day treats her followers with glimpse from her personal life and work diaries.

    Atif Aslam – 5.8 Million

    The iconic singer has 5.8 million followers on Instagram and his followers list includes fans from India and Gulf. Atif is a global superstar and is the most followed singer of Pakistan.

    Hira Mani- 5.8 Million

    Hira Mani who has recently turned into a singer is known for her over-expressive presence on social media, Hira posts family content and her photoshoots. She keeps a fine balance between professional and personal pictures.

    Maya Ali- 5.6 Million

    The Teefa in Trouble actress has 5.6 million followers on Instagram. Maya always keeps her fans updated by posting her pictures in trendy clothes and fashion shoots. She also shares her health updates which makes her equation with her fans more interactive and personal. She shared her brother’s wedding pictures on her profile which her fans showered with love.

    Ali Zafar who recently won “Pride of Performance”, has 4.7 million followers on the picture sharing application, Ali shares pictures ranging from his music sessions and BTS of his films and shoots to his appearances at events.

    Ali Zafar – 4.7 Million

  • Saudi Arabia allows women to live alone without male consent

    Saudi Arabia allows women to live alone without male consent

    Saudi Arabia has announced that Saudi women can now live on their own without the approval of their male guardians.

    Saudi Judicial authorities have revoked Paragraph B under article No. 169 of the “Law of Procedure before Sharia Courts”, reported Gulf News which has been replaced now. It states “An adult woman has the right to choose where to live.”. It is also included, under the law if a woman is imprisoned, she will not be handed over to her guardian after the expiry of her sentence.

    While speaking to a local newspaper, Saudi Attorney Naif Al-Mansi said, “Families can no longer file lawsuits against their daughters who choose to live alone.” Prior to this, under the old  “absenteeism” law, families were able to file a report with the police against the woman in case she disappears or choose to live independently.

    Read More- In a first, Saudi Arabia appoints women security guards at Grand Mosque.

    Under this law, last year, a Saudi woman Mariam Al Otaibi was detained because her family sued her for traveling alone. However, she won a historic ruling after the Saudi court passed a remarkable ruling that she had “the right to choose where to live”.

    This new amendment made after the passing of a law that allowed Saudi Arabia women over the age of 18 to change names on their ID cards without guardian approval. Moreover, in 2017, the Kingdom’s Head of State granted permission to women to drive putting an end to an old traditional practice.

    These developments are actually a part of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s Vision 2030, formed five years ago to focus more on public sectors.

  • Sonya Hussyn doesn’t know who her co-star Faryal Mehmood is?

    In a recent interview with Time out with Ahsan Khan revealed that she does not know who Faryal Mehmood is. It is pertinent to mention here that both the actresses share a turbulent history with each other.

    Faryal Mehmood replaced Sonya Hussyn in the Faysal Qureshi, Amina Sheikh and Zahid Ahmed starrer, Sorry-A Love Story after Sonya opted out of it over issues with the production team.

    Earlier, in another interview when Sonya was asked about Faryal she did not know any actor of such name.

    Sonya and Faryal worked together in a 2015’s drama serial Farwa Ki ABC directed by Sohail Javed, Faryal was new in the industry and played a supporting role in the play headlined by Sonya.

    Farwa Ki ABC - Wikipedia

    Sonya and Faryal exchanged in a social media war after the drama where Sonya made fun of her appearance and upcoming project. Faryal reverted back with salty comments and asked Sonya to “Take a rickshaw to where you came from”.

  • Kangana Ranaut shares Saleem Safi’s video, urging her fans to stand with India

    Kangana Ranaut shares Saleem Safi’s video, urging her fans to stand with India

    Kangana Ranaut has shared senior Pakistani journalist Saleem Safi’s video from his show, in which they are talking about Kashmir, Indian journalists, political parties sympathizing with Pakistan from India.

    Sharing the clip on her Instagram stories, Kangana wrote: “Listen carefully, if you don’t stand with your nation. Who will?”

    In the video, Safi is asking a question to PML(N) MNA Mushahid Ullah Hussain that how will the miseries of Indian Occupied Kashmiris will end? Replying to the host, Mushahid said: “Pakistan’s role is very important in this matter. We need to take this issue in a sustained way. India is very big country and some of them are our sympathizers. There is Arundhati Roy, Mamta Bannerji, Congress Party, Communist Party, there are also Left Parties and Dalit Parties as well. every Indian is not with Modi.

  • 60,000 vaccinated residents to be allowed to perform Hajj

    60,000 vaccinated residents to be allowed to perform Hajj

    Saudi Arabia announced on Saturday it will allow 60,000 vaccinated residents of the kingdom to perform the annual Hajj.

    The Saudi Hajj Ministry said this year’s pilgrimage would be “open for nationals and residents of the kingdom, limited to 60,000 pilgrims,” according to the official Saudi Press Agency.

    The pilgrimage, scheduled to be held at the end of July, would be limited to those who have been vaccinated and are below 65 years of age with no chronic illnesses.

    It will be the second year in a row that the kingdom will host a reduced number of pilgrims for Hajj amid the coronavirus pandemic.

  • IF ‘FRIENDS’ is remade in Pakistan, Here’s your ideal cast

    IF ‘FRIENDS’ is remade in Pakistan, Here’s your ideal cast

    American sitcom Friends is amongst the most viewed television shows of all time. Being a blockbuster series, it lasted for ten seasons and enjoyed worldwide viewership with multiple re-telecasts. The series is currently available on Netflix and has a significant viewership in Pakistan. It revolves around the bonding and regular life routines of six friends in their thirties.

    If a local producer decides to buy its copy rights and remake it with a Pakistani cast, Here’s the ideal leading cast:

    Rachel Green – Mahira Khan

    Rachel is a beautiful fashion enthusiast with an inconsistent love life, she became a rage in pop culture for her dressing sense and hairstyles. Mahira has it in her to essay a role like this going by her great sense of fashion and her impeccable looks making her the right choice for the role.

    Ross Geller – Fawad Khan

    Ross is a suave paleontologist with three failed marriages and an interest in philosophical conversations which his friends don’t find intriguing. Ross is Monica’s elder brother and Rachel’s on and off love interest.

    Joey Tribbiani – Sheheryar Munawar

    Joey is a struggling actor and a foodie with flirtatious traits, Sheheryar has played similar roles in his films like Ho Mann Jahan. The Parey Hut Love actor has the charm to pull of this iconic character.

    Phoebe Buffay – Saba Qamar

    Phoebe is the funniest of the lot with a heart of gold and a failed music career. Saba displayed her comic histrionics on Hum sub umeed se hain and Miss Fire, giving us assurance about a promising comic timing on celluloid.

    Monica Geller- Mehwish Hayat

    Monica had elements of a bossy, competitive, and obsessive-compulsive nature who wants things to be perfect but still manages to choose the wrong men for herself except for Chandler. Monica is stylish and has the ability of binding the group together.

    Chandler – Fahad Mustafa

    Chandler is the guy who can make you laugh and can effortlessly confuse you with his sarcasm. Fahad Mustafa is an apt choice for this role going by his performances in Na Maloom Afrad series and Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2 which showcased his convincing witty performances.

  • VIDEO: Three deer give birth to 11 fawns at Karachi Zoo

    Three female deer have given birth to 11 fawns at Karachi Zoo, ARY News has reported. One deer gave birth to nine fawns, while two other deer gave birth to one fawn each.

    Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) officials confirmed that all fawns are doing well. In the video, one of the fawns can be seen.

    Earlier in 2019, the Karachi Zoological Gardens witnessed the birth of four fawns.

  • ‘No increase in tax rate of mobile phone calls, SMS, internet’: Shaukat Tarin

    ‘No increase in tax rate of mobile phone calls, SMS, internet’: Shaukat Tarin

    Addressing a post-budget press conference in Islamabad, Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin said that ” Prime Minister Imran Khan and the cabinet opposed the imposition of tax on mobile phone calls, internet data, and SMS. “Now there will be no increase in the tax rate for all these services.”

    The original decision, if it had been implemented, would have affected over 98 million people.

    Tarin said the government has presented a total growth budget and their challenge is to stabilise growth.

    Tarin said that additional tax of Rs500 billion will be collected in the next financial year. “We have to earn dollars by increasing exports and add an additional tax of Rs500 billion in the next financial year.”

    The finance minister said that Pakistan had to go to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for help when its position is weak.

    “We need 20 per cent growth in exports. Our savings rate is 15 per cent and our investment rate is up to 16 per cent. If we do not have revenue, how will we achieve growth?”

    Tarin said that the poor in the country have not received loans and training for the last 70 years. Loans up to Rs 2 million will be given to build a roof and loans to poor farmers will go up to Rs 500,000. Pakistan has become a food deficient country and we are now importing what we used to export, Tarin said, adding that the country is importing pulses, wheat, and sugar.

    “We did not pay attention to our crops, but now we will pay attention to it,” he assured.

    “We should not play politics with the poor,” he added.

    Tarin unveiled the Budget 2021-22 yesterday. The total expenditure of the budget had been kept at Rs 8,478 billion and had set the tax collection target at Rs 5,829 billion. 

  • PM Khan remembers his past in unseen photos

    PM Khan remembers his past in unseen photos

    Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday shared a picture from 1992 on his Instagram account using the hashtag # #MemoriesFromPast.

    The picture shows PM Khan standing at Shaukat Khanam Memorial Trust Hospital with a few other people. The caption reads, “Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust Hospital, Lahore 1992 #MemoriesFromPast“

     This is not the first time PM Khan has shared a picture from his archives. Earlier, he posted a picture from 1971 while he was on a tour in England. 

    Read More: #100MostHandsomeMen2021: Twitter nominates Imran Khan, Shafqat Mahmood and Fawad Khan

    A week earlier, PM Khan shared a video of his cricket debut. The video is posted with the caption, “Cricket Debut exactly 50 years ago..”

    The Current asked Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Digital Media Dr Arslan Khalid if the prime minister would be sharing more pictures from the past. Dr Khalid said, “PM will try to share such pictures with the hashtag #MemoriesFromPast every now and then on his Instagram.”

    The premier is very active on social media platforms with 5.1m followers on Instagram and 13.8 m followers on Twitter.