Tag: Imran Khan

  • Is Jemima’s new movie about her relationship with PM Khan?

    Is Jemima’s new movie about her relationship with PM Khan?

    Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan’s ex-wife Jemima Goldsmith has recently opened up about her film What’s Love Got To Do With It?, which is  reportedly based on her own life and experiences in Pakistan.

    The movie a rom-com which unfolds the love life of two inter-cultural childhood best friends. The story is set between London and South Asia. Moreover, two different people from two different cultures and customs fall in love and then get married.

    Jemima, in an interview said: “When I went to Pakistan I probably had the same views as the rest of my friends about the concept of arranged marriage, which is that it is a mad, outdated idea. But I came back after ten years with a slightly different view, whereby I could see some merits to it.’’

    She had also revealed in the same interview that it took her ten years to write and rewrite the script of the movie.

    Recently Studiocanal and Working Title released the first look of the movie on December 9 and it showcases aspects of cultural mixing with a man in a kurta and a woman in a leather jacket standing inside a wedding hall.

    Pakistan’s superstar Sajal Aly is starring in the movie alongside India’s veteran actress Shabana Azmi, English actor Lily James from Baby Driver and Darkest Hour, Oscar winner Emma Thompson from Beauty and the Beast, Bridget Jones’s Baby and British actor Shazad Latif from Star Trek: Discovery among others.

    The movie is set to release in cinemas worldwide in 2022.

  • ‘Shaan-e-Pakistan’, Justice Rana Shamim’s son announces the formation of own political party

    ‘Shaan-e-Pakistan’, Justice Rana Shamim’s son announces the formation of own political party

    Advocate Ahmed Hasan Rana, son of former chief judge Gilgit Baltistan Rana Shamim, has announced the formation of his own political party.

    In a video shared by journalist Murtaza Ali Shah, Ahmed can be seen saying, “This [party] is only on WhatsApp right now, we have not officially registered it. Like-minded people, my friends from my school, college, and the university have got together to form this [political] party.”

    “Its name is Shaan-e-Pakistan, but there is some time required to launch it. We need funds. We are trying to establish it on our own, and trying our best to generate funds on our own. [We don’t want that we get stuck] like Imran Khan sahib,” said Ahmed.

    Talking about his strategy in running his political party, Ahmed said that he idolises the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He said he will not bring a different political manifesto than the prime minister.

    “There should be a Madina ki riyasat, education should be free, there should be ease of doing business. One really needs to do things and not just talk,” said Ahmed.

    “Imran Khan has been trying but could not deliver from the past three years. All he says is ghabrana nahi hai [don’t worry]. He has failed to make a single policy,” added Ahmed.

    When asked how differently will Ahmed perform than the premier he said, ” I am a lawyer and we are told to make a policy first, implementation comes second.”

    “Khan sahib is doing the same as his predecessors Benazir and Nawaz, he is asking for another chance. I can do better than Khan sahib, I am certain of it,” said Ahmed.

    Ahmed was still drinking his famous “juice” while conversing about his future political plans.

  • ‘My government will never reconcile or give NRO to those who did corruption’: PM Khan

    ‘My government will never reconcile or give NRO to those who did corruption’: PM Khan

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Saturday said, “My government will never reconcile or give NRO (National Reconciliation Ordinance) to those who did corruption.”

    His remarks came during a public procession in Mianwali.

    “We are ready to talk to everyone who has a different ideology or whom we call right or left,” said the prime minister.

    “We are ready to resolve our issues with them peacefully, be they in Balochistan or erstwhile tribal areas of Waziristan. The only ones whom we will never have any reconciliation with are those who looted and laundered Pakistani people’s money,” said the premier.

    “Every respectable society puts its thieves in jails and doesn’t strike deals with them. The prosperous countries have [one] rule of law, while those that are poor have different laws for the powerful and the weak are in jails,” said PM Khan.

  • In Pictures: Priyantha Kumara buried in Sri Lanka with state honours

    In Pictures: Priyantha Kumara buried in Sri Lanka with state honours

    Sri Lankan manager, Priyantha Kumara, who was lynched and his body burnt by a mob in Sialkot on December 3, was buried in his native village in Sri Lanka on Wednesday with state honours.

    The Buddhist clergy performed his religious rituals before police led the procession along with Kumara’s family and friends. They carried a casket with his remains to the cemetery.

    Condolence banners and white flags that symbolise mourning were displayed along the roads.

    Buddhist Clerics are performing Religious Rituals
    The wife of Priyantha Kumara prays with children and family members during a funeral held in Srilanka

    Priyantha Kumara, a Sri Lankan national was working as a manager in a factory located in Sialkot since 2010. He allegedly tore posters off a wall in the factory, which had religious text written on it. After taking down the poster, hundreds of people gathered, dragged him outside, killed him, and then burnt his body on Friday.

    The victim’s brother, Arunasiri Wasantha Kumara Diyawadana, who is also working in Pakistan at a garment factory as a technical director, said that factories should have a secure environment.

    He added, “That was not happening in this particular case.”

    He requested both governments to find the root cause of the incident, whether it is a religious or industrial dispute and they have to find the solution accordingly.

    Family members of Srilankan manager Priyantha Kumara carrying his casket to a cemetery during his burial in Colombo, Sri Lanka
    The mother of Priyantha Kumara crying in front of his casket
    Gavith, a son of Priyantha Kumara, places his father portrait on casket during burial
    The wife of Priyantha Kumura cries in front of his casket

    Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday said that from now on, no one will be spared who resorts to violence in the name of religion.

    PM Khan made these comments during an event that was being held to honor Malik Adnan who tried to save Kumura.

    The police have arrested more than 100 people involved, and one of the main culprits, Farhan Idrees has been arrested. Farhan gave an interview to local news channels, taking pride in the murder he committed.

  • ‘Govt is going to ensure Pakistani citizens are safe without blood being spilt on either side’: Moeed Yusuf on BBC HARDtalk

    ‘Govt is going to ensure Pakistani citizens are safe without blood being spilt on either side’: Moeed Yusuf on BBC HARDtalk

    National Security Adviser (NSA) to the Prime Minister, Dr Moeed Yusuf, while giving an interview to BBC host Stephen John Sackur on BBC HARDtalk said that the state’s job is not to kill another Pakistani.

    “We are going to try our level best to ensure that Pakistani citizens are safe without any more blood being spilt on either side.” The NSA’s comments come in reference to the Pakistan government’s talks with the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

    “How secure is Pakistan after the Taliban are back in power in Afghanistan?”: Sackur

    Sackur questioned Yusuf on how secure Pakistan is after the Taliban are back in power in Afghanistan.

    “Frankly it depends on how responsibly the international community plays the future. Pakistan was not behind anything. There was a policy employed by the United States (US) and others who are in Afghanistan. That was always a failing policy. The only country that kept saying that you will not find a military solution to this problem was Pakistan and our advice was not heeded.”

    “We kept saying negotiate from a position of strength, we weren’t listened to, we were blamed and scape-goated and the result is in front of you,” added Yusuf.

    “We heard the worried voices of the Supreme Court when they were grilling PM Khan,” Sackur

    “Pakistanis are very worried. We heard the worried voices of the Supreme Court when they were grilling PM Khan on what was going on under these negotiations with the Taliban,” responded Sackur and further added that during the grilling of the premier, one of the judges alluded to the 2014 terrible atrocity where the TTP attacked the Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar and killed more than 130 children and questioned PM Khan whether the government was about to sign a documented defeat with those who killed these children, and are we going to surrender once again.

    “You should recognise the state of democracy in this country that the judge calls in the prime minister who goes gets grilled and now Stephen Sackur has the opportunity to ask me. That’s the state of democracy and I am proud of that,” responded Yusuf.

    “We have a consistent policy as a state to say that negotiation must happen from a position of strength and this is what we told the Americans and United Kingdom (UK).”

    “No military bases of China in Balochistan”: Yusuf

    Yusuf said there were no military bases of China in Balochistan, rather there were economic bases there where any country could invest.

    “Let me clarify that there are no military bases offered to China in Balochistan, including Gwadar. Yes, there are economic bases and the same was also offered to the United States, Russia, and the Middle East and we are open to all the countries,” the NSA said, adding, “CPEC is what, it is road infrastructure and energy infrastructure and anybody can come and invest there, we are not closed to anybody.”

    “Is Pakistan developing relations with China at the cost of its principles of supporting the rights of Muslims in the world?” Sackur

    Sackur asked whether Pakistan was developing relations with China at the cost of its principles of supporting the rights of Muslims in the world. “You raise your voice for Kashmiri Muslims but refuse to condemn the violation of human rights in a Chinese province,” the interviewer asked.

    Moeed said that Pakistan did not accept the Western version of human rights violations in Xinjiang province and if they have any concerns, they should talk to China. “We have relations of trust with China and our ambassador and other delegations from here also visited the Xinjiang province,” he said.

  • Islamabad Chief Justice says no need to investigate audio recordings if evidence is not brought to court

    Islamabad Chief Justice says no need to investigate audio recordings if evidence is not brought to court

     The Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court (IHC), Athar Minallah on Wednesday remarked that why the court should investigate a case when the concerned appellants didn’t bring any audio before the bench, reports The News.

    The court was hearing the inquiry commission to probe into the alleged video of former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar.

    The Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Javed said the petition has been filed under Article 199-C of the Constitution.

    “Why are people choosing only one prime minister and coming to court as their proxy? Thousands of people were sacked. No video in their respect came. It is a proxy war. Today everyone is saying he has two videos and he has four videos. This is the season of harassing and pressurising judges,” said AGP.

    “Sometimes an audio, sometimes some concocted affidavit is released,” the attorney general said, referring to an affidavit by former Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Judge Rana Shamim in which he accused ex-CJP Nisar of colluding to deny bails to Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz before general elections 2018.

    “If a facility is given to one PM, then why was it not given to Bhutto,” asked the AGP.

    Salahud Din Ahmed, president SHCBA, said the AGP was holding bar associations responsible for every case. “See the statements given by Prime Minister Imran Khan against the judiciary and judges. It is now being said to either do accountability of the last 70 years or not at all to divert attention.”

    The petitioner argued that the judiciary was being made controversial through different tactics and the court could stop this practice by probing the allegations against judges. At this, the attorney general responded that all matters of the past could be sent to parliament. “One appeal against conviction in the Avenfield Reference is being heard in this court. That one appeal has perplexed the entire judiciary,” Khalid Javed added.

    While acknowledging that those whose cases would be affected by the alleged audiotape had not approached the court, Ahmed said his stance was that courts were being made controversial. The judiciary could stop that from happening by ordering an inquiry, he added.

    The IHC chief justice observed that any audio or video could be constructed in today’s age of advanced technology. “Anybody can make audio and ask for an investigation. The court remarked if we declare the petition seeking an investigation into audio maintainable, then what will be the impact on the pending appeals?”

    Justice Minallah noted, however, that the matter of the affidavit was different because the person concerned — Rana Shamim — had himself approached the court. “You’re unsure yourself about the [authenticity of] the audiotape you’re mentioning. A commission can be formed when there are grounds. The people who have cases [which could be affected by it] have not brought the audiotape to the court. Why should we [take action]? Is there anyone to take ownership of the audiotape?” he questioned.

  • PM appoints Dr Ejaz Akram as Rehmatulil Aalmeen Authority chairman, Twitter criticises appointment

    PM appoints Dr Ejaz Akram as Rehmatulil Aalmeen Authority chairman, Twitter criticises appointment

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Tuesday appointed Dr Ejaz Akram as chairman of the high-powered National Rehmatulil Aalmeen Authority (NRA), aimed at countering narratives against Islam and the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

    Dr Akram, a prominent Islamic scholar who has teaching experience in a number of international universities, received a lot of backlash from social media for his controversial views on democracy, his belief in conspiracy theories apart from being accused of a sexual harasser.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Miftah Ismail shared excerpts from Dr Ijaz’s article which he wrote in 2020, “Many researchers have argued that 9/11 was the fifteenth false flag operation in the history of the United States similar to the Gulf of Tonkin invasion in Vietnam and the sinking of the Lusitania during WWI… “

    “Similarly, coronavirus exists but the global politics of coronavirus is fraudulent. Since its kill rate is less than the ordinary flu, closing down the world economy cannot be justified, yet global powers are all set to do that… The only hope this country has now is if the whole principle and structure of governance is completely dismantled, but preferably peacefully without the loss of life and property,” tweeted Miftah.

    Activist and lawyer, Jibran Nasir tweeted, “A man who publicly despises democracy considering its the worst form of govt, demands the military to take over lost “turf” from “enemies”(civilians) & believes that power should remain amongst a hand-picked elite is appointed head of Rehmatul Lil Alameen (SAW) Authority by @ImranKhanPTI.”

    Fahad Deshmuk, a journalist, took to Twitter and shared a video of Dr Ejaz and wrote, “Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), Siraiki movement, and Jeay Sindh are funded by the enemies of Pakistan.”

    Assistant Professor Erum Haider tweeted, “The new NRA chairman is a known sexual predator and has a history of engaging in harassment.”

    Mariam Durrani, a professor wrote, “While I taught at LUMS, Ejaz Akram was a known predator that the then-admin was unable to address due to lack of testimony bc of the fear of retribution by many women students/faculty.”

    Ifrah Hassan replying to Durrani’s tweet said, “Thank you for naming him. I never could. Even when I wanted to because I was worried that it’s his word over mine.”

    Feminist and academic Nida Kirmani tweeted, “I remember going to a workshop with him once and him hitting on one of the young grad students there. It was gross. Then when I came to LUMS, it was like an open secret, but no one was ever willing to come forward officially.”

  • ‘Will not spare anyone who uses religion for committing inhuman act’: PM Khan

    ‘Will not spare anyone who uses religion for committing inhuman act’: PM Khan

    Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday said that from now on, no one will be spared who resorts to violence in the name of religion.

    PM Khan made these comments during an event that was being held in solidarity with Kumara’s family and the Sri Lankan nation and government.

    PM Imran had taken notice of Malik Adnan — Kumara’s colleague who had tried to save his life — and lauded Adnan for his “moral courage and bravery” on Sunday. He had also announced that Adnan would be honoured with the Tamgha-i-Shujaat.

    The ceremony was held to honour Adnan.

    Appreciating the efforts of Adnan, PM Khan said, “Role models are important in the country because people follow them,” adding that “moral power is greater than physical power”.

    “I am sure our youth will remember the way Malik Adnan stood up against those beasts.”

    The prime minister said that he established the Rehmatul-lil-Alameen Authority so that the entire nation could follow in the footsteps of Holy Prophet (PBUH).

    “But we are heading in a different direction,” he said as he called on the nation to read up on the life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

    “Our country is the only one that was built in the name of Islam. But this incident has brought us embarrassment,” he said, adding that he received many messages from those living abroad.

    “People who are based overseas do not know what Islam is, and they distance themselves from the religion after seeing such incidents take place.”

  • PM Khan shares Javed Ghamidi video on Instagram, public appreciates

    PM Khan shares Javed Ghamidi video on Instagram, public appreciates

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on his official Instagram account shared a video interview of Islamic scholar Javed Ghamidi.

    Javed Ghamidi is a Pakistani Muslim theologian, Quran scholar, Islamic modernist, and educationist.

    The premier shared an interview of Ghamidi where he is discussing the Sialkot incident at length.

    The general public appreciated the premier sharing the point of view of the moderate scholar.

  • ‘Confident that PM Khan will keep his commitment to bring justice’: Sri Lankan PM

    ‘Confident that PM Khan will keep his commitment to bring justice’: Sri Lankan PM

    Sri Lankan Prime Minister (PM) Mahinda Rajapaksa expressed shock at the brutal Sialkot lynching of a Sri Lankan national but expressed confidence in PM Imran Khan’s commitment to punishing all those involved.

    PM Mahinda Rajapaksa took to Twitter and wrote, “Shocking to see the brutal and fatal attack on Priyantha Diyawadana by extremist mobs in #Pakistan. My heart goes out to his wife and family.”

    He said that Sri Lanka and her people are confident that PM Imran Khan will keep to his commitment to bring all those involved to justice.

    Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said he is in contact with his Sri Lankan counterpart and has assured him of justice to the victim’s family.

    “Sri Lanka has appreciated Pakistan’s response towards the incident,” Qureshi said, adding that the family has also been approached and “we will satisfy them completely”.

    Priyantha Kumara, working as a manager at a private factory in Sialkot, was tortured to death on Friday by a mob after being accused of blasphemy.