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  • Woman accuses interviewer of ‘trying to seduce PM Imran’, gets called out

    Woman accuses interviewer of ‘trying to seduce PM Imran’, gets called out

    A woman has accused CNBC journalist Hadley Gamble, who interviewed Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, of wearing a short dress “to seduce” the Pakistani premier.

    “Could her dress have been any shorter? In Davos no less where it’s -6 degrees. Is she interviewing him or trying to seduce him? [sic]” Doreen Kiani tweeted along with a clip of PM Imran’s interview to the American media outlet.

    https://twitter.com/DoreenKiani/status/1220249781580247040

    It wasn’t later that the journalist called Kiani out and said that the premier was “a bit old” for her.

    THE INTERVIEW:

    Earlier, PM Imran roundly rejected the notion being projected by US officials that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was some sort of a debt trap for Pakistan.

    Speaking to Gamble during the interview, he said Pakistan was grateful to China as it had helped the country in difficult times by making investments. “We were at rock bottom when the Chinese [government] came and rescued us,” the PM said.

    Responding to a question, the premier rejected the impression that CPEC had made Pakistan ‘indebted’ to China and pointed out that Chinese loans accounted for only 5-6 per cent of Pakistan’s total loan portfolio.

    “CPEC envisages cooperation in different sectors, including technology transfer in the agriculture sector,” he said.

    The premier also spoke of the Kashmir issue, his meeting with United States (US) President Donald Trump, Pak-US ties and tensions that continue to soar between Washington and Tehran.

  • Mercury in Karachi to drop further next week

    Mercury in Karachi to drop further next week

    The temperature in Karachi is going to fall down to 9 degrees Celsius next week as cold winds have started to blow in the port city, Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has said.

    The weather in the metropolis is expected to get colder from January 27 to January 29, the department said.

    “It will get colder as wind speed will increase from 42 km [kilometres] per hour to 48 km per hour,” a spokesperson of the Met Office was quoted as saying.

    “The temperature in Karachi has for now been recorded at 18 degrees [Celsius] and is expected to drop to as low as 12 [Celsius] degrees today,” the spokesperson added.

    Moisture in the air was recorded at 43% and visibility level was 3 km.

  • ‘Men die, wars don’t die’: The teaser of Shaan’s ‘Zarrar’ is out

    ‘Men die, wars don’t die’: The teaser of Shaan’s ‘Zarrar’ is out

    Shaan’s much anticipated action-thriller Zarrar seems to be inching closer to the finish line. The actor, who has been working on the film since 2017 shared a new teaser for the film which is scheduled to hit cinemas this year though a release date has not yet been specified.

    The eight-second teaser doesn’t show much except light flashes, a bloodied Shaan and the line “Men die, wars don’t die.”

    The film has been written and directed by Shaan, who also plays the lead role in the patriotic film. The action-thriller also features Kiran Malik, Nadeem Baig and Adnan Butt among others.

    In an earlier interview, speaking about the film, Shaan has shared that “Zarrar is an action-drama which shows the current circumstances of the country.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B7fh4g7DTrR/

    According to Shaan, Zarrar is based on 90% true events and captures fifth generation warfare and other threats that should be highlighted in mainstream media but are ignored.

    He also added that Zarrar shows a patriotic man who loves his country and wants to eliminate those elements which facilitate terrorists and terrorism in the country.

    “It’s like a Bond Film with a true story. Not a fauji sort like we have been seeing on our screens in past. It’s not like Waar or Yalghar. It’s a new breed of a spy thriller action genre, and we are planning sequels and prequel to the film in the future if things go well,” Shaan had further shared.

  • Kinnaird College cancels event featuring ‘misogynist’ Khalilur Rehman Qamar

    Kinnaird College cancels event featuring ‘misogynist’ Khalilur Rehman Qamar

    Amid backlash from its students and alumni, Kinnaird College for Women University (KCWU) has reportedly cancelled an interactive session with Khalilur Rehman Qamar, who is the writer of the very popular drama serial ‘Mere Paas Tum Ho’.

    The current and former students of the varsity had earlier opined that an all-girls institute should not invite a person such as Qamar, who openly practices misogyny.

    According to a post doing rounds over social media, the varsity’s Centre for Learning and Cultural Development had organised the event featuring Qamar and director Agha Jarar.

    The event was to be held on January 22, but was called off reportedly after students drew the management’s attention towards Qamar’s misogynistic comments and the controversial portrayal of women in his writings, such as Mehwish from Mere Paas Tum Ho.

    While the hit drama has broken all records for viewership, the writer has come under fire for his misogynistic comments about women time and again.

    Earlier, in ARY’s success show of Mere Paas Tum Ho, Qamar made some more controversial comments and the women actors sitting around him said nothing and visibly cringed.

    The actors came under direct fire on social media for not speaking up against Qamar’s comments.

    Recently, Qamar was also criticised by activist Tahira Abdullah and journalist Owais Tauheed on a live show for his views about women.

  • 31% Pakistanis lost their jobs in 2019: report

    31% Pakistanis lost their jobs in 2019: report

    A global research company, IPSOS, conducted the second Global Consumer Confidence Index survey which revealed that about 31% of Pakistanis have either lost their jobs or know people who lost their jobs in 2019.

    It also stated that around 83% of Pakistanis are fearful of losing their jobs and inflation, unemployment and increasing poverty were the problems that were the most worrying for them.

    People are also uncomfortable making big expenditures. According to the survey, 91% of people are less comfortable buying a car or a home compared to a year ago. 90% are scared of making major household expenses.

    The survey also stated that 17% of businessmen fear going into a loss and only 21% believe that the country is going in the right direction.

    Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan is hopeful that 2020 will be the year of jobs in Pakistan right after the economy stabilization plan. He said that the media had tried to ‘insult’ and attack him for his goals.

    Results of the survey are based on a nationally representative sample of 2,900 people aged between 19 and 65. It was conducted in December 2019.

  • ’80 patients at Islamabad hospital allegedly lose eyesight due to eye drops’

    ’80 patients at Islamabad hospital allegedly lose eyesight due to eye drops’

    Approximately 80 patients have reportedly lost their eyesight due to eye drops that were administered to them at Al-Shifa Hospital in Islamabad.

    According to a report in Dawn, the eye drops were given to the patients of glaucoma after surgery. Glaucoma is a condition in which an optic nerve, vital for good vision, is damaged.

    A 53-year-old man Manzoor Ahmed Kiani, who works as a sub-inspector in Bagh, Azad Kashmir told the publication that he was operated for glaucoma on January 8 and was given the eye drops after his surgery. He shared that the doesn’t know “what kind of impurity was in the eye drops” because after using them he had a severe infection following which he lost his eyesight.

    Kiani shared that the patient on the next bed had the same experience.

    In response to the allegations, the media coordinator of Al Shifa Trust Eye Hospital Mirza Riaz Baig said that the condition of only eight people had deteriorated.

    Baig said that 250 operations are conducted daily at the hospital and “only eight patients had a reaction to the eye drops”.

    “One woman, out of them, lost her sight and she belongs to the constituency of the former prime minister. Other patients’ eyesight could not recover fully so we called them again and admitted them to provide treatment,” he elaborated.

    Baig also shared that the hospital provides free treatment to 70 percent of its patients.

    “We have been serving the people so no one should doubt the intentions of the hospital. The eye drops that were administered were imported and we never had a complaint like this in the past,” he said.

    Meanwhile the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) Chief Executive Officer Dr Asim Rauf has announced that the matter will be investigated. He said that he will direct the Pharmacy Service Division to look into the matter and submit a detailed report regarding the incident.

    Dr Rauf also said he had never heard of people losing their eyesight due to eye drops, adding that people usually develop allergies due to the drops but often recover after a few days.

  • I have more money than he has hair: Shoaib Akhtar about India’s Sehwag

    I have more money than he has hair: Shoaib Akhtar about India’s Sehwag

    Former Pakistani bowling star Shoaib Akhtar has dismissed former Indian batsman Virender Sehwag’s claim that Rawalpindi Express showers praise on India because “it makes business”.

    An old video, showcasing Sehwag, had recently resurfaced and made waves on social media in which the former Indian sportsman says Akhtar praises cricket rivals as it would make him a quick buck, The News reported.

    Akhtar, while speaking to a private media outlet on Wednesday, explained that the video was taken out of proportion and sarcastically remarked that he had “more money than Sehwag had hair on his head”.

    “Sehwag is a great friend of mine. He spoke these words in a light-heartened way but people were quick to take things out of context,” he said. “I mean, I have more money than he has hair on his head.”

    Furthermore, Akhtar clarified that other big names in Pakistan cricket would share kind words for the neighbours and added that “jealous” people want to divide the two cricket nations.

    “I have fans across the world, not just in India. That’s why I have the fastest growing YouTube channel. It does not mean that I’m looking to make money if I compliment them. Ramiz Raja and Rashid Latif say good things about India as well.”

    “I do think that there is a factor of jealousy, I have been targeted time and time again we are already politically divided but now people want to divide cricket as well,” he said.

  • Celebrities extend support to Sarmad Khoosat amidst ‘Zindagi Tamasha’ controversy

    Celebrities extend support to Sarmad Khoosat amidst ‘Zindagi Tamasha’ controversy

    Following the controversy that sparked surrounding the release of Sarmad Khoosat’s Zindagi Tamasha, celebrities including Mahira Khan, Osman Khalid Butt and Mansha Pasha have extended their support to the filmmaker and raised their voice against the intolerance in the society.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B7lnVR1hwM6/
    https://www.instagram.com/p/B7gajcdB7py/

    On Tuesday, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information Firdous Ashiq Awan announced that Khoosat’s Zindagi Tamasha will be critically reviewed by the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII). The film’s producer was also directed to postpone the release of his film for the time being.

    Before that, the Government of Punjab had barred the filmmaker from releasing his film “in wake of persistent complaints received from different quarters”. The government also said that the film will be re-examined and the film’s makers have been directed to arrange a show in this regard “in any cinema house” on February 3 at 3pm, so it may be reviewed. The film’s team has also been told to ensure the presence of a representative “for personal hearing, if required by the committee”.

    Similarly, the Sindh Government also placed a ban on the film as it may create unrest within the religious segment of the society and disrupt peace.

    Read more – Council of Islamic Ideology to ‘critically review’ ‘Zindagi Tamasha’

    Earlier, after Khoosat penned an open letter to the Prime Minister, President, Chief Justice of Pakistan and Chief of Army Staff, Humayun Saeed and Sanam Saeed had also requested the government to facilitate the smooth release of the film.

    https://twitter.com/sethimirajee/status/1218903640787865600?s=20

    Written by Nirmal Bano and directed by Sarmad Khoosat, Zindagi Tamasha starres Arif Hassan, Samiya Mumtaz, Eman Suleman and Ali Qureshi in the lead. The film is centred around a naat khwan Rahat Khawaja (played by Hassan) and his family who are outcast from the society when a secret of Khawaja’s is leaked.

    The official synopsis states: “The film is an intimate portrait of a family as well as a scorching political commentary on little gods on this earth who police our private passions.”

    The film premiered at the Busan International Film Festival held in October 2019 where it also won the prestigious Kim Ji Seok Award.

    It was scheduled to hit cinemas on January 24.

  • Aurat March Manifesto is out, here is what it says

    Aurat March Manifesto is out, here is what it says

    It is not a secret that women get unequal treatment in the Pakistani society. Their rights are infringed, their labour is not recognised, and they are underpaid. 

    The enlightened class, mostly students, who take interest in social and political issues have now started to raise their voice for women rights.

    Last year when the poster of Aurat March was released, it received lots of comments, ranging from sexists jokes to rape threats.
    Despite the overwhelming backlash, the Aurat March will be organized on the 8th March of 2020. This time here is what they are fighting for.

    Economic Justice: 

    The exploitation of women working in formal and informal industries should be liberated from capitalistic exploitation. Also, a safe working environment as per the workplace act 2010 should be ensured by providing a harassment-free environment.

    Environmental Justice 

    Apart from women rights, they also demand protection for animal rights, clean drinking water, and recognization of women role in the production of food. 

    Accountability against violence

    The activists demand an immediate end of gender-based violence against women and minorities in the online and offline world.

    There should be strong accountability against the state repression against women and transgenders. Moreover, they demand strong implementation of anti-harassment laws in workplaces to make offices and public spheres a safe place for suppressed genders.

    Police brutality  

    Police reforms acts should be implemented to curb the abuse of power by state institutions. The activists also stand in solidarity with the victims of police brutality like the family of Naqeebullah Mehsud or Sahiwal massacer.  

    Enforced disappearances 

    The state should immediately halt the unlawful practice of abducting people unlawfully as it is the gravest violence of human rights. Women have also been disappeared and a huge number of families have suffered because of the state violence.

    Inclusion 

    The public spaces should be made friendly for disabled people, their efforts should be recognized. People with less visible disabilities like chronic and mental illnesses should be recognized and victims should be accommodated. 

    Reproductive justice

    They petition the government to amend the Child Marriage Restraint Act 1929 and the minimum age should be raised from 16-18. 

    The women and suppressed gender should have total autonomy over their bodies and quality reproductive and sexual health facilities should be made accessible to women and genders.

    Access to public space

    They demand safe access for women in public space and streets for their social and political activities. They also demand affordable and inclusive public transport and clean public toilets for women.

    Furthermore, there should be no moral policing against women.  

    Anti-war

    They believe that war is a business and no one wins except corruption, and it further strengthens hatred and masculinity that deeply divides society. Moreover, they argue that the Kashmir issue is deliberately created by the stakeholders of power for their vested interests. 

    Kashmiris should be given the right for self-determination and the violence of the state and non-state actors should be condemned. As feminists, they denounce warmongering, militarization, and politics of destruction – they will keep their activism against it. 

  • Police arrest gang posing as women to kidnap men

    Police arrest gang posing as women to kidnap men

    The Kashmore police arrested the leader of a gang involved in kidnapping men after pretending to be women and befriending them.

    As per reports, the gang used to call men and befriend them while talking to them in a woman’s voice. Once they became friends with them, they asked them to meet somewhere. When the men arrived to meet the woman, they were kidnapped.

    The gang was kidnapping a Kashmore resident named Abdur Razzaq near a railway station in Kandhkot when some policemen on patrol stopped the vehicle to search it.

    One of the kidnappers tried to shoot the cops following which there was an exchange of fire. However, the police managed to get the situation in control and stopped the kidnapping from taking place. No police personnel were hurt in the shootout. They arrested the gang’s leader while the other five suspects escaped.