Tag: death anniversary

  • Benazir Bhutto left us 16 years ago today

    Benazir Bhutto left us 16 years ago today

    It has been 16 years since former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in a brutal suicide attack on December 27, 2007.

    Bhutto, daughter of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, was born in Karachi in 1953. Her political career started after the judicial murder of her father. Benazir formally stepped into practical politics by establishing the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy (MRD). In consequence, she was held in the jail in solitary confinement.

    Post Zia-ul-Haq’s death, Bhutto came back from exile, campaigned for the elections, and became the first female Prime Minister of the Muslim world on December 2, 1988. At 35, she was also the youngest elected Prime Minister in the world. She became Premier for the second time in 1993 and remained in exile during the military regime of Parvez Musharraf.

    In her book “Reconciliation” she wrote, “I suffered the punishment of my father’s arrest, imprisonment, and murder, and I knew that such wounds of the soul never heal. I was ready to do anything to spare my children from the pain I endured at my father’s death. However, this was the only thing I could not do.”

    Upon her arrival back in Pakistan in October 2007, she survived a suicide attack that took the lives of hundreds of supporters but Bibi remained unfazed and went on with her campaign. In every meeting, she used to declare, “I have risked my life for democracy in Pakistan.”

    She became the first high-profile victim of terrorism. The plague of terrorism is rampant again and the controversy around her death stands out as one of the leading factors behind the deficit of trust between the masses and the leaders.

    “With the country facing what is perhaps the most difficult and testing time in its history, the loss of Benazir Bhutto is felt more than ever. The long shadow of despotism is hanging over the country yet again…She had the intellectual capacity to engage with even her strongest critics, a quality rarely found in our political leaders. Her loss is more than that of a political leader. She came to symbolise the unity of an uneasy federation. Her death exacerbated political divisions and polarisation,” senior journalist and author Zahid Hussain sheds light on the contribution of the iconic leader.

  • Pakistan fails to ensure safety of journalists

    Pakistan fails to ensure safety of journalists

    As the world marks the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, Pakistan’s journalistic community continues to grapple with an alarming surge in violence and impunity.

    Several reports have highlighted the deteriorating situation, shedding light on the challenges faced by media professionals in the South Asian nation.

    According to the recently released annual report by the Islamabad-based independent media watchdog, Freedom Network, Pakistan has failed to combat the rising impunity of crimes against journalists, painting a grim picture of the state of press freedom in the country.

    The report titled ‘One Step Forward, Two Steps Back,’ outlines the harrowing experiences faced by journalists, including incidents of kidnapping, physical assaults, and unjust legal cases.

    Pakistan made history in 2021 by passing two special laws to protect journalists.

    The Sindh Assembly passed the “Sindh Protection of Journalists and other Media Practitioners Act-2021” while the National Assembly passed “Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act-2021” in space of few months.

    Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab have not passed a similar law for their jurisdictions.

    According to the Freedom Network’s report at least 37.5 percent of the violations in Pakistan – 93 out of the total 248 cases in the period between August 2021- August 2023 – were recorded in Islamabad alone.

    The report further states that during this period there were 11 cases of murders of journalists, plus another 20 unsuccessful assassination attempts.

    25 instances of legal cases registered against journalists.


    11 cases of abductions, plus another case of an unsuccessful kidnapping attempt.

    25 cases of arrests, detentions, or illegal confinements of journalists by the State.

    59 cases of physical assaults, 26 of which caused bodily injuries.

    05 cases of attacks on the homes of journalists.

    30 cases of specific threats of murder or other dire consequences issued to journalists.

    59 cases of harassment of journalists.

    At least 37.5% of the violations (93 out of a total 248 cases) were recorded in the federal capital Islamabad alone.

    Sindh was the second worst with 22.5% of the violations (56 cases) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) was a close third at 18.5% (46 cases).

    These were followed by Punjab with 17.3% (43 cases), Balochistan with about 2.5% (6 cases), Azad Kashmir (AJK) with 1.2% (3 cases) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) with 0.5% (1 case).

    The report also cited specific incidents, such as the tragic death of Channel 5 reporter Sadaf Naeem during the coverage of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s rally in Punjab in October 2022.

    The report notes that another Pakistani journalist Ashad Sharif was killed in Kenya on October 23, 2022, and there is still no clarity on his murder.

    Pakistan Press Foundation has also documented at least 157 media-related attacks, including 16 instances of arrests, five instances of detention, and 44 cases of assault this year.

    Between January and September 2023, PPF has documented at least 157 attacks on the media in connection with their work, including 16 instances of arrests and five instances of detention, 44 cases of assault, two cases of damage to property, four instances of raids, 18 instances of registration of cases against media professionals and two instances of legal action, 26 instances of censorship, 20 instances of harassment of journalists or media practitioners, 13 cases of threats, seven confirmed cases of kidnappings and three unconfirmed cases.

    While the country witnessed an improvement in its ranking in the World Press Freedom Index, climbing from 157 in 2021 to 150 in 2023, this progress is overshadowed by the failure to effectively implement the laws designed to protect journalists.

  • ‘Last year took away my life’, Arshad Sharif remembered on first death anniversary 

    ‘Last year took away my life’, Arshad Sharif remembered on first death anniversary 

    It’s been a year since the demise of senior journalist Arshad Sharif who was killed in Kenya. The culprits, however, are still at large and the family awaits justice.

    The investigation so far has been futile. According to a Kenyan investigative journalist Nyaboga Kiage, five policemen involved in the case were initially suspended and have now resumed their duties without facing any liability. Two of them have been promoted. 

    Sharif’s death made headlines across the globe. On his first death anniversary, his family and colleagues are remembering him and pressing hard for justice. Journalism organisations are holding prayer ceremonies in his honour, where well-wishers are paying their respects and reflecting on the impact he had on the field.

    Sharif’s wife Javeria Siddique remembers the last twelve months as “last year took away my life”. She stated the struggles she is going through to get justice.

    Sharif’s former boss Salman Iqbal recalled his last conversation with the late journalist, saying, “bhai we are here to make this world a better place and we shall do what we were created for.”

    Fellow journalist Murtaza Ali Shah tweeted, “One year after assassination in Kenya, no justice for Arshad Sharif. Cops involved in firing bullets at him are back to their work.”

    Journalist Jameel Farouqi remembered him as a “big brother” and appreciated Sharif for his “sense of humour”

    His friend Tahir Malik misses him for ‘all the colours in life are lost after him.’

    Arshad’s colleague Kashif Abbasi still “can’t believe” he has lost his friend. It’s beyond ‘heart-breaking” for him. 

    Caretaker PM Kakar, in his meeting with Kenyan President Dr. William Ruto, when Kakar was in China last week, also asked for the process of investigation to be expedited.

    Sharif’s wife has already registered a case against the Kenyan Police in a Nairobi court.

  • Mawra Hocane sends love to Neetu on Rishi Kapoor’s first death anniversary

    Mawra Hocane sends love to Neetu on Rishi Kapoor’s first death anniversary

    Mawra Hocane has sent love to Neetu Kapoor on Rishi Kapoor’s first death anniversary.

    Commenting on Neetu’s post in which she remembered her late husband, Mawra Hocane posted three hearts to extend her love and prayers.

    “All of last year has been of grief and sadness around the world for us maybe more as we lost him,” wrote Neetu, alongside a black and white picture of her and Rishi.

    “Not a day has gone by when we have not discussed or reminisced him as he was an extension of our existence. Sometimes his wise advice, his wisecracks, his anecdotes,” she continued. “We have celebrated him all year with a smile on the lips as he will stay in our hearts forever we have accepted life will never be the same without him.”

    Kapoor’s daughter Riddhima Kapoor Sahni also remembered her late father, saying: “If only I could hear you call me mushk once more.”

    Rishi Kapoor passed away on April 30, 2020 in Mumbai after a two year long battle with cancer.

    Adnan Siddiqui also remembered Kapoor, saying: “The man who remained young at heart till his last moments, who loved life, the most swashbuckling romantic hero Bollywood ever had. #RishiKapoor sahib you may be gone but you live in our hearts forever.”

    Meanwhile, our Pakistani celebrities who got a chance to meet with the actor shared pictures of themselves with the romantic hero and remembered him.

    Humayun Saeed threw it back to the time they met Kapoor to cast him in Jawani Phir Nahi Aani 2.

    “He was the best of the best,” wrote Humayun.

    Mawra Hocane shared a picture of when she met him in New York.

    “You shall continue to be the legend that you are. I’ll always remember you fondly,” said the actor.

    Zeba Bakhtiar recalled the time she shot the film Henna with the actor and wrote, “You were a superstar for us. RIP dear Rishi…my Chander Prakash. You are and forever will be in our hearts!”

    Azaan Sami Khan thanked him for always supporting and pushing him to achieve better. While other celebs who paid a tribute to the late actor include Sajal Aly, Mahira Khan, Zara Noor Abbas, Imran Abbas, Saba Hamid, Yasir Hussain, Shaan, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar among others.

  • Adnan Siddiqui fondly remembers Irrfan Khan on first death anniversary

    On Irrfan Khan’s first death anniversary, Adnan Siddiqui, who shared the screen with him in the 2007 film A Mighty Heart, has penned an emotional note for the late Bollywood actor.

    “Outstanding actor, human being par excellence,” wrote Adnan Siddiqui praising Irrfan Khan. “Irrfan bhai, I must have done something right in my life to have known you professionally and personally.”

    “Your vacuum in cinematic world remains as stark even after a year,” he added.

    Earlier, Adnan had shared that Khan’s death had left him “disturbed and gutted!”

    “A fine soul gone too soon,” Siddiqui had said, while recalling the moments spent with him.

    Meanwhile, Khan’s wife Sutapa Sikdar in an emotional Facebook post said that the world “stopped at 11:11 on April 29” for her as she fondly recalled beautiful moments spent with her husband.

    Khan’s son Babil also remembered his father in a heart touching post.

    Other celebrities who remembered Khan on his death anniversary include Dia Mirza, Arjun Kapoor and Randeep Hooda.

    Irrfan was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour in 2018. He breathed his last at the age of 53 last year on April 29 after being hospitalized due to a colon infection. Khan, who has appeared in over 100 Hindi and foreign language films, has charted a fruitful career filled with cinematic gems.

  • Junaid Jamshed remembered on his fourth death anniversary

    Junaid Jamshed remembered on his fourth death anniversary

    To honour the late Junaid Jamshed on his fourth death anniversary, Pakistanis are paying rich tributes to the singer on social media.

    The famed singer-turned-religious scholar passed away on this date in 2016 after a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight PK-661 carrying 48 passengers and crew crashed on the way to Islamabad from Chitral. Jamshed and his wife were among the 48 people killed in the plane crash.

    ‘WeLoveYouJunaidJamshed’ was the top trending hashtag on Twitter on Monday with several politicians and other renowned personalities remembering the late singer.

    https://twitter.com/WaseemBadami/status/1335884202135400449?s=20

    https://twitter.com/sadiayounas77/status/1335787847614423040?s=21

    https://twitter.com/DrNabilOfficial/status/1335840667931709442

    https://twitter.com/hamzamujahid_/status/1335665594318934016

  • India stops Sikh pilgrims from attending Baba Guru Nanak’s death anniversary in Pakistan

    India stops Sikh pilgrims from attending Baba Guru Nanak’s death anniversary in Pakistan

    The Indian government has barred Sikh pilgrims from travelling to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartapur to take part in the 481st death anniversary rituals of Baba Guru Nanak.

    Pakistan in June had informed India that it was ready to reopen Kartarpur Corridor and invited New Delhi for a discussion on protocols for the safe visit of pilgrims during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The decision was taken after many Sikh pilgrims had started arriving from across the world to attend the event.

    The Foreign Office (FO) also wrote two letters to its Indian counterpart regarding the arrival of Sikh pilgrims in Pakistan through the corridor. The first letter was written on June 27 and the second on August 27, but New Delhi did not respond to either.

    The pilgrims have been taking part in the 481st death anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak at Kartarpur for the past three days. Tuesday was the last day of the event.

  • VIDEO: On-air Zartaj Gul mistakes Ziaul Haq’s death anniversary for his birthday

    VIDEO: On-air Zartaj Gul mistakes Ziaul Haq’s death anniversary for his birthday

    Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul Wazir is once again in the crosshairs of trolls after saying former dictator General Ziaul Haq was born on August 17, which is actually the day he died in a plane crash.

    Speaking during a talk show at a private TV channel, Gul, in what became a failed jibe at the Pakistan Muslim Lague-Nawaz (PML-N) said she wanted to congratulate Mian Javed Latif on the birth anniversary of his party’s “founder”, Zia.

    “I want to congratulate Mian Javed Latif for it’s probably the birthday of Gen Ziaul Haq — who created this party [the PML-N] — as far as I remember,” the PTI minister said.

    The anchor and other participants in the show were left dumbfounded on the state minister’s lack of knowledge about the political history of Pakistan, Geo reported.

    Anchorperson Nadeem Malik then corrected her, saying “today is August 17 when Gen Zia and many others were killed in a plane crash in 1988”.

    Despite being corrected, Zartaj tried to save the crumbling pieces of her sarcastic comment, saying, “Okay, whatever, even if it was an accident, they should celebrate it because he created the party. They should commemorate the anniversary of his martyrdom.”

    WATCH VIDEO:

    Fellow talk show guests — Sindh government spokesperson Senator Murtaza Wahab and Latif, the PML-N leader — were speechless, with the former putting his head in his hands and the latter showing an expression of contempt.

    This isn’t the first time that Gul had to face embarrassment for her remarks as earlier she had been brutally trolled for an ill-informed comment regarding COVID-19.