Tag: international

  • Pakistani dramas going international: Three dramas to air on Turkish television

    Pakistani dramas going international: Three dramas to air on Turkish television

    Pakistani dramas have always been loved not just in Pakistan but worldwide. Their popularity is clear as they are now set to air on Turkish TV with Turkish dubbing. The international move shows its wide appeal, engaging diverse audiences with strong storytelling and rich cultural themes.

    Here are three favorite Pakistani dramas now airing on Turkish TV:

    1:Tere Bin

    Tere Bin, set in Hyderabad, tells the story of Murtasim Shahnawaz Khan (played by Wahaj Ali), the village head, and Meerab Waqas Ahmad (played by Yumna Zaidi), the ambitious daughter of a lawyer. Murtasim faces threats from rival Malik Mukhtar and his son Malik Zubair, which makes him assert his power. Meanwhile, Meerab dreams of becoming a lawyer but clashes with her family over traditional beliefs. The drama heats up as Murtasim and Meerab are forced into a marriage full of conflicts and power struggles, eventually forming a deep bond despite their differences.

    This drama about love, honor, and societal issues will soon be available to a wider audience as it airs on Turkish television Channel 7 under the new name ‘So Deep.’ The show, known for its rich story and cultural depth, has been dubbed in Turkish to connect with Turkish viewers. With its captivating plot and strong performances, ‘So Deep ’ is set to become a favorite among Turkish audiences.

    Watch the trailer here in the Turkish language!

    ‘Aulaad’ Starring Mohammed Ahmed, Marina Khan, And More!

    Aulaad is a drama about devoted parents who worked hard to give their children a good upbringing and education. When the children grow up and marry, they believe their success is all their own doing, forgetting their parents’ sacrifices. This story highlights the emotional and generational conflicts within the family.

    The drama became very popular because it realistically portrays societal issues and family dynamics. It struck a chord with viewers by showing how parents’ sacrifices are often overlooked and how children can be ungrateful, reflecting the darker sides of society.

    Now, ‘Aulaad’ will be shown on Turkish television Channel 7 with the new name ‘Evlat.’

    Hiba Bukhari & Danish Taimoor Starrer ‘Deewangi’

    ‘Deewangi’ tells the story of Nageen (Hiba Bukhari), who comes from a lower-middle-class background, and Sultan Durrani (Danish Taimoor), a wealthy businessman with political connections. Sultan, who his grandmother raised after losing his parents, meets Nageen, a bus hostess, on a journey. Attracted to her bravery, Sultan tries to win Nageen over, despite the class differences between them.

    Originally praised in Pakistan (2019) for its intense storyline and performances, ‘Deewangi’ will now air in Turkey as ‘My Divine Heart,’ expecting to resonate with its themes of love, revenge, and societal pressures.

    Watch the teaser:

  • China says to take ‘necessary measures’ after fresh US sanctions

    China says to take ‘necessary measures’ after fresh US sanctions

    Beijing on Thursday said it would take “necessary measures” after the United States announced fresh sanctions aimed at crippling Russia’s military and industrial capabilities, punishing companies in China and elsewhere that help Moscow acquire weapons for its war in Ukraine.

    “The Chinese side urges the US to stop smearing and containing China and stop wantonly implementing illegal and unilateral sanctions,” a foreign ministry spokesman said in a message to AFP.

    “China will take all necessary measures to resolutely uphold the legal rights and interests of Chinese companies,” he added.

    In a sweeping package announced by the US Treasury Department on Wednesday, Washington targeted nearly 300 entities in Russia, China and other countries accused of supporting President Vladimir Putin’s invasion.

    Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said her department had “consistently warned that companies will face significant consequences for providing material support for Russia’s war”, and that its “actions will further disrupt and degrade Russia’s war efforts”.

    China has never condemned Russia’s attack on Kyiv, and stands accused of indirectly supporting the war through its strategic partnership with its neighbour Moscow.

    Beijing insisted again on Thursday it was “neither a creator nor a party” to the crisis in Ukraine, and said it had the right to develop “normal” trading relations with all countries, including Russia.

    “China has always resolutely opposed the United States implementing illegal and unilateral sanctions against Chinese enterprises and exercising ‘long-arm jurisdiction’,” the spokesman said.

  • Ultimatum given to Indian Army by President of Maldives to leave his country

    Ultimatum given to Indian Army by President of Maldives to leave his country

    Amidst the ongoing tension between India and Maldives, Mohammad Muizzu, the President of the latter country, has given an ultimatum to India to withdraw its troops from his country by March 15.

    Muizzu, who recently returned from a visit to China, formally asked India to end its army presence in his territory, Abdallah Nazim Ibrahim, the public policy secretary to the president’s office, said at a press briefing.

    According to the latest government figures, there are 88 Indian military personnel in the Maldives. “Indian Military personnel cannot stay in the Maldives. This is the policy of the President and that of his administration,” he said.

    The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has not yet responded to the news.

    Relations between India and Maldives have been strained since the formation of the government of the new President in the island nation.

    Three months ago, Mueez raised the slogan “India out” in the election and demanded their withdrawal from Maldives.

    In a departure from tradition, Muizzu chose Turkey and China instead of India for his first visit, stating that his government reiterated its commitment to withdraw the Indian army from the strategically important region of the country.

    Indian troops were deployed at the request of the then government to protect against the threat of insurgency and the Sri Lankan Tamil Tigers. The Indian troops have been stationed in the Maldives since 1988, for non-combat duties including flying, training, and surveillance.

    While foreign policy experts conclude that this change of policy is because of his tilt towards China, the President has declared, “We aren’t in anyone’s backyard. We are an independent and sovereign state”. Without naming any country, he said, “We may be small, but that doesn’t give you the license to bully us.”

    To read more: Why is Maldives trending on Twitter?

  • Denmark’s parliament passes law banning Quran burning

    Denmark’s parliament passes law banning Quran burning

    Denmark’s Parliament on Thursday passed a law widely known as the Quran Law, banning the “inappropriate treatment” of religious texts. Offenders now face a fine or up to two years in jail after a vote followed a five-hour debate in parliament and 94 members voted in favour, 77 against.

    During Thursday’s heated debate in Denmark’s 179-strong parliament, The Folketing, many opposition MPs argued against the bill but the country’s center-right coalition government of Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen argued that criticising religion would remain legal, as the bill would only have a marginal impact.

    It follows a series of burnings of Islam’s holy book that led to uproar in Muslim countries.

    Denmark and neighbouring Sweden have recently seen several street protests over such incidents, raising security concerns in Scandinavia.

    Sweden is also considering a similar bill.

  • Cabinet approves seven MoUs for $10 billion investment deal with Kuwait

    Cabinet approves seven MoUs for $10 billion investment deal with Kuwait

    On Friday, during a session of the caretaker federal cabinet, seven Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) for investments between Pakistan and Kuwait were granted approval.

    These agreements are slated to be formally signed during the upcoming visit of the prime minister to the Gulf country, signifying a commitment to fostering economic cooperation and partnership between the two nations.

    The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar.

    As a result of dedicated initiatives by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), both countries will sign MoUs encompassing a range of projects.

    These projects span various sectors, including the expansion of water reservoirs, development of mining facilities, conservation of mangrove forests in coastal areas, advancements in information technology, and initiatives to bolster food security.

    The prime minister, presiding over the session, directed the facilitation of collaboration with the provinces to ensure the prompt and equitable implementation of the projects.

    The caretaker federal cabinet also endorsed the resolutions and actions deliberated upon during the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Affairs (CCLC) meeting held on November 14, 2023.

    Additionally, it gave its approval to the determinations reached in the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) meeting held on November 15, 2023, showcasing a comprehensive review and endorsement of key decisions across various governmental committees.

  • China will not attend G20 meeting to be held in Indian-Occupied Kashmir

    China will not attend G20 meeting to be held in Indian-Occupied Kashmir

    China has said that it is opposed to a G20 tourism meeting next week in the disputed Himalayan territory in Indian-Occupied Kashmir, confirming that it will not attend, handing a significant diplomatic victory to Pakistan.

    “China is firmly opposed to holding any kind of G20 meetings in disputed territory, and will not attend such meetings,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said.

    India, which holds the chair of G20 this year, has organised a series of meetings across the country in the run-up to the summit in New Delhi in September.

    Srinagar, the capital of the occupied territory of Jammu and Kashmir, will host a meeting of the tourism working group for G20 members on May 22-24.

    Despite backlash for holding the meeting in disputed territory, the Modi-led government has not backed off from its plans to do so.

  • International petrol, diesel prices drop, but no relief for Pakistanis

    The government has decided not to reduce the prices of diesel and petrol for local consumers, despite a significant decrease in their international prices. This decision is intended to offset previous exchange losses and raise taxation.

    On February 28, 2023, the average fortnightly prices of petrol and diesel in the global market will be used for the next price revision. According to industry sources, the average price of diesel for the next fortnightly review has dropped by $7 per barrel, which equates to a reduction of Rs30 per litre for domestic diesel prices.

    The global average price of diesel has fallen to approximately $100 per barrel compared to $107 per barrel in the previous fortnight. Similarly, the average price of petrol has dropped to $90 per barrel for the next review of prices compared to $93 per barrel in the last fortnightly review, which translates into a reduction of Rs10 per litre for consumers in the local market.

    According to Geo, the appreciation of the Pakistani rupee against the dollar in the last two weeks has also contributed to the reduction in import prices of diesel and petrol. However, industry sources do not expect any significant reduction in the prices of diesel and petrol for domestic consumers.

    The government is expected to adjust the exchange losses, which were not passed on fully to the oil sector in the last several reviews. For example, an exchange loss adjustment of Rs88 per litre was due on diesel, but the government only transferred Rs12 per litre on this head, leaving the remaining amount to be adjusted. The same is true for petrol, with an exchange loss adjustment of Rs34 per litre due, but only Rs12 per litre being given to the oil industry.

    Under the conditions set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the government may increase the petroleum levy (PL) on diesel to Rs50 per litre, as it now has room to do so. Currently, the PL on diesel is Rs40 per litre.

    If the government does not impose GST, sources expect a cut of Rs10 per litre in diesel prices, which would otherwise deprive local consumers of the drop in diesel prices in the global market.

    However, official industry sources do not anticipate any reduction in the price of petrol for local consumers, which would otherwise have been down by Rs10, as per the trends of its price in the global market.

  • Babar Azam outpaces Virat Kohli as the fastest Asian batsman to make 10,000 international runs

    Babar Azam outpaces Virat Kohli as the fastest Asian batsman to make 10,000 international runs

    Pakistani team’s captain, Babar Azam, became the fastest Asian batsman to reach 10,000 runs in international cricket on Sunday by surpassing Virat Kohli’s previous mark.

    At the Galle International Stadium, Babar reached the milestone during Pakistan’s opening Test match against Sri Lanka. Contrasted to Kohli’s 232 innings, the top ODI and T20I batter only needed 228 innings to reach 10,000 runs.

    Javed Miandad, a legendary Pakistani batsman, had previously accomplished this feat in 248 innings, making him the fastest Pakistani batter to reach 10,000 runs in international cricket.

    The 27-year-old accomplished another milestone by scoring 10,000 runs in international cricket, making him the 11th Pakistani batter to do so.

    It is worth noting that the right-handed batter is ranked fourth in Test batting thanks to Babar’s consistency, and he is the top T20I and ODI batsman.

    He is comfortably at the top of the list for Pakistani batters and ranks fifth all-time among batters, just behind Sir Vivian Richards (206), Hashim Amla (217), Brian Lara (220), and Joe Root (222), but ahead of players like Virat Kohli and Steve Smith (both 232).

    Babar Azam has also hit the headlines for encouraging Virat Kohli on Twitter while he was having a rough stretch with the bat. Kohli is currently going through a difficult period of form.

    Finally responding to Babar’s tweet, the 33-year-old Kohli said, “Thank you. Keep shining and rising. Wish you all the best.”

  • Ahsan Iqbal’s remarks about cutting down chai consumption make international headlines

    Ahsan Iqbal’s remarks about cutting down chai consumption make international headlines

    Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal’s recent statement about cutting down on tea has not just taken social media by storm but international media has widely covered his remarks.

    “I appeal to the nation to reduce tea intake by one or two cups daily because we borrow money for tea import as well,” said Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday.

    People in Pakistan urged to drink fewer cups of tea was how BBC covered it.

    CNN’s headline says: Pakistanis told to drink less tea as nation grapples with the economic crisis

    People in Pakistan urged to drink fewer cups of tea, was how Iqbal’s statement was covered by the Saudi Gazette.

    AlJazeera also reported Ahsan Iqbal’s statement: Pakistan minister slammed for ‘drink less tea, save money’ appeal

    Turkish news media outlet TRT also did a story and a video on the same with the title: Pakistan minister stirs controversy with ‘drink less tea, save money’ plea

    Indian media also jumped in and did a news piece with the title: Pak Minister Asks Citizens To Drink Less Tea As Economy Faces Loan Burden: Report

    The Print wrote: ‘First roti, now tea? Pakistan’s angry response to the minister who wants them to drink less

    ABC Australia did a video report on Ahsan’s statement.

    ‘Cutting chai’ | Pakistan Minister urges people to reduce tea consumption, wrote The Hindu.