Real-life siblings Shahzad Sheikh and Momal Sheikh, who are also Shahroz Sabzwari’s first cousins, have recently opened up about the controversy that followed after Shahroz’s split with Syra Yousuf and his marriage to Sadaf Kanwal.
Talking to Ahsan Khan on his show Time Out with Ahsan Khan about the matter, Momal said: “Shahroz and Syra handled it so well – it was the best thing and that is the way it should be. People do talk about things, they have always been talking and will continue to do so.”
When Ahsan asked her about her thoughts on how the former couple handled it, Momal said: “They are mature individual adults, who handled things maturely. Both [of them] are beautiful from the inside.”
At this point, Shahzad added: “The third member, Sadaf is the most mature and down to earth woman you will ever meet. And we are so proud of the way she handled the negative feedback online. So, I guess I can say on the basis of her pure heartedness, that God’s will was always with her.”
Momal further said: “She handled everything so maturely and she is good from the heart and Allah is with such people who are good from the heart.”
Syra and Shahroz ended their seven-year marriage in February 2020 after which Shahroz tied the knot with Sadaf in May 2020 in an intimate nikkah ceremony.
Hina Parvez Butt of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Sharmila Faruqi of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) seem to be trading barbs over Twitter as fate of the joint opposition’s Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) hangs in balance amid widening cracks.
While rumour has it that a deal has been struck, pundits believe that the PPP could soon be backstabbing the PML-N and other PDM member parties despite being on the same page to oust the government until a month ago.
Differences have cropped between the PPP and the PDM over the issue of resignations from the assemblies and also on the election of Sherry Rehman or Yousaf Raza Gilani as leader of the opposition in the Senate. Both the PPP and PML-N — two of the largest political parties that are a part of the anti-government alliance — have intensified lobbying to win maximum votes for the slot.
PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman have strongly opposed Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s idea and asked him to stick to the original agreement agreed upon in the PDM meeting according to which the alliance had to support Yousaf Raza Gilani for the slot of Senate chairman while the PML-N would get the slot of leader of the opposition.
With the gulf between PPP and its allies in the PDM growing, Chairman Bilawal has reportedly intensified contacts with like-minded opposition parties hinting at an independent opposition alliance in the making.
Amid reports of trade of barbs between Maryam and Bilawal, it has emerged that other party leaders are following suit.
“Selection does not run in our veins but then there are some who always were [selected],” PPP’s Faruqi tweeted in an apparent jibe at the PML-N, a day after Bilawal referred to a “family from Lahore that had always been selected [by the establishment to run the country]”.
ہماری رگوں میں نہیں ہے سلیکٹ ہونا، مگر ایک ہیں جو ہمیشہ کی طرح ہوئے ہیں۔۔
— Dr. Sharmila sahibah faruqui (Phd) s.i (@sharmilafaruqi) March 23, 2021
She was reacting to a tweet by PML-N’s Parvez, who had called out an “aasteen ka saanp [an ally who betrays]”.
While the two did not take any names, the exchange falls conveniently in time for netizens to assume the insults were aimed at each other amid deteriorating ties.
Kubra Khan has hit back at a local media news outlet for misreporting her comments about un-following Prime Minister Imran Khan on Twitter. Khan, in an interview, had shared that she unfollowed PM Khan (and Hamza Ali Abbasi) on Twitter because she didn’t want any political updates.
Sharing the misreported news on Twitter, Kubra said: “I am and will always one of the biggest supporters of [PM] Imran Khan.”
“I don’t need to follow him on “social media” to show my support,” said the actor further, adding: “But thanks for adding the negative connotation?”
I am and will always one of the biggest supporters of @ImranKhanPTI – I don’t need to follow him on “social media” to show my support. But thanks for adding the negative connotation? https://t.co/eSoNScQzyA
Earlier, during the 2018 General Elections, Kubra had said that if she had the option to vote, “it would be no other than PTI.”
So, because I’m a UK resident I can’t personally vote in Pakistan as of yet. So even if I was in the country It wouldn’t make a difference. However if I could vote it would be no other than PTI. Tomorrow will map out the future for Pakistan. Make the right decision. #NayaPakistanpic.twitter.com/t39U3Z9Tpj
British-Pakistani actor Riz Ahmed’s family reacted to his historic Oscar nod in the most desi fashion ever.
In a social media post Riz revealed that his cousin was unaware of what the Oscars were and was unable to understand why his nomination was such a big deal.
“My cousin Adnan legit didn’t know what the Oscars were,” wrote Riz on social media. “‘Why all the gas? I won [the] Best Client Engagement Award for the financial quarter’.”
“Other cousin steps in ‘Na it’s not as big as that, cos he didn’t win anything. It’s more like getting an email from your boss.’ Thanks, boss,” added the actor.
My cousin Adnan legit didn’t know what the Oscars were. “Why all the gas? I won best client engagement award for the financial quarter”. Other cousin steps in “Na it’s not as big as that, cos he didn’t win anything. It’s more like getting an email from your boss.” Thanks, boss.
For the unacquainted, Ahmed bagged the nomination for Best Actor for his performance in Sound of Metal, making him the first Muslim and Pakistani actor to get the nod in the category.
Hareem Shah has registered an FIR against her friend at the Golra Sharif Police Station in Islamabad for attempting to assassinate her.
As per details, the FIR was registered against Hareem’s friend Ayesha, who was accompanied by Bahadur Sher Afridi. The FIR was lodged from Shah’s real name Fiza Hussain.
According to the FIR, the assassination attempt was made on March 18 at Hareem’s flat.
“I, resident of E-11 (III) Omni Arcade, came to Islamabad from Karachi for shooting on March 16 and two people Ayesha Naz and Bahadur Sher Afridi forcefully entered my flat on March 18 (Thursday) and started assaulting me as soon as they entered my residence,” stated the FIR.
Further details on the FIR and arrests are unknown.
Hareem, who rose to fame through her TikTok video, often makes headlines. In January 2021, a video of Hareem slapping Mufti Abdul Qaviwent viral on social media.
Speaking exclusively to The Current, Hareem had shared that she had gone to visit Mufti Qavi with her friend. During their meeting, the religious leader passed inappropriate comments and was rude to them prompting Shah to slap him. She said that she left his hotel room after slapping him.
Meanwhile, Shah is all set to foray into the world of acting with a web series on Pakistan’s first Urdu OTT platform – UrduFlix. According to a press release, UrduFlix will be featuring the TikTok star in a never-seen-before avatar in a new Urdu web series.
In yet another Twitter blunder from political quarters, the official Twitter handle of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday-Tuesday midnight mistakenly dated the Lahore Resolution of 1940 as a 1947 event, which was passed seven years before actual independence.
“23rd March: Pakistan Resolution Day Back in 1947, our ancestors resolved on this day to lay the foundation of Pakistan. On this day, once again we resolve to save our homeland from corruption and rebuild Pakistan!” read a tweet that was deleted after netizens pointed out the blunder.
Here’s the new tweet:
23rd March: Pakistan Resolution Day Back in 1940, our ancestors resolved on this day to lay the foundation of Pakistan. On this day, once again we resolve to save our homeland from corruption and rebuild Pakistan! #PakistanDaypic.twitter.com/YJzge9ESZ9
The Lahore Resolution was a formal political statement of declaration of independence of Pakistan adopted by the All-India Muslim League on the occasion of its three-day general session in Lahore from March 22–24, 1940.
The resolution called for independent states as seen by this statement:
That geographically contiguous units are demarcated regions which should be constituted, with such territorial readjustments as may be necessary that the areas in which the Muslims are numerically in a majority as in the North Western and Eastern Zones of (British) India should be grouped to constitute ‘independent states’ in which the constituent units should be autonomous and sovereign.
Today marks 81 years since its adoption that was followed by creation of Pakistan seven years later in 1947.
Shashi Tharoor has given a warning to an app that claimed that they could teach users to speak fluent English like him. Tharoor, a member of the Indian National Congress, is known for using extensive English vocabulary during his speeches and interviews.
The politician took to Twitter to clarify that he had no link with the app ‘Blackboard Radio’ and did not endorse it in any way.
“I will take legal action to stop the misuse of my name and image for commercial purposes,” warned Tharoor in the tweet.
This has been drawn to my attention by many unwitting students who were misled by this app. I wish to make it clear that I have NO connection to this app &have NOT endorsed it in any way. I will take legal action to stop the misuse of my name & image for commercial purposes. pic.twitter.com/C2dZhP47dd
Ahsan Khan has responded to the controversy surrounding the inclusion of animals “as props” on his talk show Time Out with Ahsan Khan.
“Let me clarify. These rabbits are basically pets and the person who owns them brings them to the set,” said Ahsan, while speaking exclusively to The Current. “When they are on set, we make sure that they are well-fed and taken care of and are not facing any issues. They are not uncomfortable at all. The person whose pets they are keeps them indoors and they are very easy to play with.”
“Araam say haathon main aa jaatay hain,” explained Khan.
Khan further went onto share the segment has been inspired by the Hop Quiz on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
“Basically, this segment has been inspired by Hollywood’s The Tonight Show,” said Ahsan.
The actor then said that being a pet lover he is very careful with the animals on set and cares for them.
“I myself am a pet lover,” said Ahsan. “I have dogs at home. I have cats. I also have parrots and hens and they are all like my own children. We try to provide them with comfortable environments. So naturally, we are very careful with the animals – all of us on set.”
He further said that after the show invited backlash for “using animals as props,” he and his producer decided to avoid it.
“My producer and I thought that if this is hurting people and they are not liking it, then we can avoid it. So we have cut out the segment in the last three to four episodes we’ve recorded,” stated Ahsan, clarifying that the ones which included the animals were shot before.
“Although this segment is one of my favourites because this is the only one in which we discuss general knowledge, which not only educates my guests but also those who are watching the show. Whoever gives a wrong answer has to hold the pet in their lap,” he shared. It is pertinent to add here that the male guests usually enjoy petting the animals but the female guests are scared of them and often jump around screaming when asked to hold them.
“We on our end have been very careful with handling them, but if some people don’t like it then we, including my producers and all can apologise to them,” concluded Khan. “It’s a mutual thing. If something is not right, we should look into it.”
Earlier, a Lahore-based law firm Crown Chambers had filed a complaint before the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) against Express Entertainment and the show for using animals as props.
Our Law Firm has filed Complaint in PEMRA Council of Complaint against use of Rabbit as Props in Show aired on Express Entertainment hosted by Actor Ahsan Khan. The said act is violation of Article 9 of Constitution, Animal Cruelty Act 1890 and Judgment of Islmabad High Court. pic.twitter.com/fwfJMz8Ytw
“The said segment on the TV show, subjecting a sentient living being, an animal, to unnecessary suffering is not only an offence under the law but a breach of the constitutionally guaranteed right to life under Art. 9 of the constitution, as laid down by Islamabad high court in Islamabad Wildfire Management board Vs Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad, cited in 2021 CLC 262,” read the complaint.
It further said: “The format of the segment involves a series of questions and answers with known celebrities as guests, who if fail to answer properly, as a “punishment” or “penalty”, are required to hold an animal or at times required to pile several animals such as petrified rabbits/pigeons etc, on their laps, causing distress not only to the animals but to the guest at times as well.”
“Morever, it has spread the message to masses through the said TV channel that projecteing such treatmeant onto animals is acceptable.”
The inclusion of animals on Time Out with Ahsan Khan sparked outrage after a video of Maya Ali screaming and jumping around while being teased with the rabbits went viral on social media. She had appeared on the show with Bilal Ashraf.
The US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has expressed concernsthat British drugmaker may have provided incomplete data of vaccine’s efficiency.
The speculations increased when several patients developed blood clots after jabs of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. There are rumours that AstraZeneca may have given outdated information from the trials, resulting in an inaccurate view of the efficacy of the vaccine.
“We urge the company to work with the Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) to review the efficacy data and ensure accuracy by presenting updated as quickly as possible,” said the NIAID, in a statement.
However, AstraZeneca defended the safety of the vaccine shots. The firm stated that the “safety of the vaccine has been extensively studied in Phase III of the clinical trials and peer-reviewed data confirms the vaccine has been generally well-tolerated.”
Meanwhile, several European and Scandinavian states like Denmark, Norway and Iceland temporarily suspended the use of AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine after fears of developing post-jab blood clots. Later, they resumed AstraZeneca vaccinations after The European Medicines Agency (EMA) rebutted the assumption by stating that there “no chances of developing blood clots after using AstraZeneca vaccination.”
In September 2020, AstraZeneca had suspended global trials of its experimental coronavirus vaccine after an unexplained illness in a participant in Britain.
The vaccine had been described by the World Health Organization as probably the world’s leading candidate and the furthest developed.
Punjab president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Rana Sanaullah, has revealed that confusion prevails among ranks of the joint opposition ever since Asif Ali Zardari, co-chairperson of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) — also a member of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), said he is weak and cannot fight the establishment on his own.
The PML-N leader, speaking to Geo News’ programme Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath, said he was unable to understand what the former president meant by that statement.
Sanaullah said the joint opposition had decided that office of the leader of opposition in Senate would be set aside for the PML-N but the PPP kept saying it deserved to appoint him or her from within their ranks.
پی ڈی ایم کے گزشتہ سربراہی اجلاس میں آصف زرداری نے کہا کہ وہ ایک کمزور آدمی ہیں اور اسٹیبلشمنٹ سے لڑ نہیں سکتے ، آصف زرداری نے کہا کہ میرا ایک ہی بیٹا ہے۔ انکی ان باتوں کی ریکارڈنگ بھی موجود ہے ۔ رانا ثنا ء اللہ
“During Zardari’s speech, someone came inside [his room] and said that there is chaos outside. After that, Zardari changed his stance,” he said.
Following the disturbance, according to Sanaullah, Zardari said he is weak and cannot fight the establishment on his own. “I have only one son, and no one else.”
Sana also said PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz was upset over some words of the former president’s speech, adding that the PPP co-chairman even apologised to Maryam Nawaz for it.
The PML-N leader was talking about the key PDM meeting from last week during which opposition parties were unable to achieve a breakthrough on the issue of resignations from the parliament before the long march as the PPP remained the only party reluctant to resign.
Following the meeting, rumours of the PPP backstabbing the joint opposition went rife, as they remained at crossroads over the appointment of the Upper House’s Opp leader.
“It was not my intention to hurt your feelings,” Zardari said to Maryam after the meeting during which Zardari had spoken at length to PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif via videoconferencing and urged him to return to Pakistan if he was ready to wage a war against the government.
Maryam and Bilawal have reportedly since been trading barbs.
