Khalid Latif Marwat’s, the brother of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and member of the National Assembly (NA), Sher Afzal Marwat, has been removed from the post of Special Assistant to Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur on Friday.
The administration department of the province issued the notification of Khalid’s removal as the special assistant for science and technology.
May 3 is celebrated as International Press Freedom Day worldwide, however, Pakistan is considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalism.
In a report released by Freedom Network, it was revealed that four journalists were killed in the last one year while more than 104 cases were registered while more than 200 journalists were also issued notices in Pakistan.
Geo’s Asif Bashir Chaudhary lays out that Pakistan is among the three countries in the world where cases are registered under the black law of PICA even for giving an opinion on an online forum, while in the rest of the world, action is taken under the laws of defamation.
A journalist named Mohammad Siddiq Mengal was killed on Friday when a remote control bomb blast targeted his vehicle in Khuzdar, Balochistan. Almost 10 other people got injured in the incident, Geo has reported.
The police have confirmed that unknown persons installed a remote control bomb on Sultan Ibrahim Khan Road, near the National Highway.
The station house officer also clarified that the target of the installed bomb was the vehicle of the journalist. He also said that when Mengal’s car was attacked, he was going to university from his house.
This is not the first time Mengal has been targeted by attackers.
The police said Mengal had also escaped an attack a few months ago. He was the president of the Khuzdar Press Club, police added.
Girls in Pakistan sometimes feel sad because there aren’t many safe places for us, both in real life and online. But there’s hope! A new season of ‘Girls Only’, a YouTube show just for us, is coming up. It’s a special space where we can watch our favorite celebs in a cozy, safe setting.
‘Girls Only’ is a unique YouTube show in Pakistan and it’s getting attention worldwide. What’s so great about it? Well, it’s made just for girls like us. You can watch cool stuff like hair and beauty tips, and have a good laugh. It’s like a fun girls’ night on your screen.
The best part? It’s interactive! Guests share their stories, making us feel like part of a big, happy community. And it’s not boring stuff – it’s all about fun and good vibes. With segments like talking about the latest slang and gossip, it’s entertaining and keeps us connected.
Guess who’s hosting the new show? Our favourite starlet Dananeer Mobeen. Her energy will make the show even more exciting.
This show is great because it’s made for us Gen Z girls who often struggle to find content we like, especially in Pakistan. It’s not just entertaining; it celebrates what we love. It’s like a breath of fresh air in our digital world.
We’re excited to meet our new virtual bestie, Dananeer Mobeen! Get ready for fun talks about beauty, trends, and social media. And there’ll be games and lots of laughter too.
It’s been a tough month for Aftab Iqbal. After actor and comedian Sohail Ahmed publicly criticised Iqbal for the way he allegedly treats his team, another famous name has accused the television host of high-handed behaviour.
On April 24, Lahore-based journalist Ambreen Fatima revealed a shocking story by asking T.V. host and comedian Shafaat Ali whether Aftab Iqbal had locked him in a room to force him into signing a contract to appear on his program.
Ambreen Fatima wrote on X, formerly Twitter, “Is it true that Aftab Iqbal locked you in a room in Express office, and the condition to get out of the room was that you signed a contract to work with him even though you didn’t want to do it, then your life was spared with the intervention of a big journalist?”
Shafaat Ali confirmed the event and said that it took place in 2016.
The Current reached out to Ali to seek details about the incident. Ali recounted, “It was November 2016 and he [Aftab Iqbal] wanted me to sign on for his show but I had already appeared on four shows with him. I sent him a text that I would not be appearing anymore and would decide later if I wanted to.”
Ali told The Current that he didn’t feel like doing more shows because “Punjabi language wasn’t my forte back then,” and that previous shows were “sort of pro bono”.
He also recounted how his mother was apprehensive about him working with Aftab Iqbal because of the way he talked to him [Shafaat Ali] and how “he looked down upon everyone else”.
“My mother said that Beta, it’s your career, your choice but I don’t get any good vibes from this,” Ali recalled. Until then, according to Ali, he had not signed any contract with Iqbal or the network Iqbal was working for.
Ali said that when he informed Iqbal’s team of his decision, he received a call from the producer of the show to attend a farewell party that night.
When Ali reached the office, “Aftab Iqbal joined and started telling me that I can’t leave the show because he has bigger plans with the show and he was going to make a movie,” Ali recalled. “He told me he was going to make a movie. I said well, best of luck but I can’t sign up. He asked why, I said because I can’t.”
Ali recounted that when he refused Iqbal’s offer he was furious probably because “no one had ever said NO to him.”
Aftab Iqbal asked his associate producer to bring a contract and asked him to sign it. According to Ali, they locked him in a room and it was a “pretty awful” experience for him.
Ali called up senior journalist Saleem Safi from the room to get his help and it worked. “I think it worked and the room opened. I came out shook his hand and took off.”
Ali says that after his harrowing experience, Iqbal has done a few shows against him as well.
Aftab Iqbal’s version
The Current reached out to Aftab Iqbal to ask about his version of the story.
Aftab Iqbal said he did not lock Shafaat Ali in a room and it would be “ridiculous” to claim such a thing.
He said that there were two rooms at the Express News office beside the reception and “it is incomprehensible to even suggest that one could lock a person there.”
According to Aftab, Ali had “problems with his salary package and told us that he cannot do any more shows even though we had an agreement.”
He said he remembers when Ali said, “My mother told me that it is a verbal agreement and nothing has been written so I want to leave.”
He recounted that “this was shocking to hear because as soon as Shafaat brought up his mother then I said the matter is concluded.”
When asked about how Saleem Safi came in between the matter, Aftab said “Saleem Safi called me and inquired about the event.”
“I asked Saleem Safi if Geo is trying to take him away because you are calling me,” said Iqbal.
When The Current asked Iqbal about the purpose of Saleem’s call, he recounted that “Safi said that Shafaat called me and said Aftab bhai is pressurising him to sign a contract.”
When asked about the agreement whether it was a verbal or a written agreement, Aftab confirmed that it was indeed a verbal agreement and ‘it holds the same importance’.
Saleem Safi’s version
The Current reached out to senior journalist and talk show host Saleem Safi to ask him about the entire incident. However, upon inquiry, Saleem Safi said he could not recount the details of the above-mentioned event at all.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Thursday said the government was planning to form a separate authority to combat misinformation on social media.
Addressing a press conference, the minister opined that a campaign of online harassment and fake news was witnessed on social media recently.
“There must be an end to harassment, including online,” he said and called for a specific authority to address the issue of online harassment as at present there was no law to protect the digital rights of consumers.
The Minister also stated it was important and necessary to create awareness among the people about their digital rights.
Netflix’s new series, ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar,’ is now available on the streaming service. It’s created by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and it’s all about the world of courtesans. People have had lots to say about it.
Some love the amazing acting and catchy music, while others have questions about how the show was put together.
One person shared their thoughts on social media about the show, praising the acting, saying, “Heeramandi has to be congratulated for its pitch-perfect acting by Richa Chadha and the actor playing Ustad Ji. Manisha Koirala as a flawed madam was outstanding. I liked Sonakshi too. Songs were superb.” However, they also felt that the director went a bit too far with the grandeur, saying, “Just wish the director had not overindulged and got carried away by his reputation for grandeur. There’s a thing as ‘give me excess of it so the appetite may sicken and so die.”
#HeeraMandiOnNetflix has to be congratulated for its pitch perfect acting by @RichaChadha & the actor playing Ustad ji
Manisha Koirala as a flawed madam was outstanding.
I liked Sonakshi too.
Songs were superb.
Just wish the director had not over indulged & got carried away by…— Rana Safvi رعنا राना (@iamrana) May 2, 2024
For some people, the series really connected with them because it showed how women faced challenges throughout history. One person said, “People who aren’t familiar with Heeramandi: ‘This is such a powerful story showing the real struggles of Indian women.’” But for others, they were drawn to it more for its beauty. One viewer jokingly said, “When I watch Heeramandi: ‘I want those clothes, that jewelry, and definitely those ghagras”.
Normal people watching Heeramandi:
“What a great story and depiction of the true pain Indian women had to endure”
Me watching Heeramandi:
“I want that outfit, and that jewelry set, also I need ghagras!” #SanjayLeelaBhansali #Heeramandi #HeeraMandiOnNetflix— Mariawatcheseverything (@AKHSaboutme) May 1, 2024
Another user said, “Bhansali made something amazing! Really impressive art, dance, acting, and dialogue. It’s such a delight to see another fantastic movie from the legendary Sanjay Leela Bhansali.”
Bhansali has crafted magic, damn good #HeeraMandiOnNetflix mind-blowing art choreography acting dialogue delivery, what a treat to watch another masterstroke by legend #SanjayLeelaBhansali @aditiraohydari @Sonakshi @RichaChadha pic.twitter.com/jtOmYEGmKu
— Aaliya Shah (@AaliyaShah1) May 2, 2024
Despite all the praise, some people had different opinions. One viewer thought Manisha Koirala did a great job, but they didn’t feel the show was as good overall. They said, “Manisha Koirala was amazing in Heeramandi. But the show itself didn’t impress me much.”
#ManishaKoirala killed it in #HeeramandiThe show however, not so much ♂️ pic.twitter.com/qJgTKkqXAx
— ANMOL JAMWAL (@jammypants4) May 2, 2024
It’s not just the acting that got people talking. Some moments of deep emotion also stood out. One viewer vividly described a scene with Alamzeb and Tajdar: “Alamzeb writing poetry in her diary, and Tajdar softly guiding her hand towards his chest to use it as a flat surface, I am speechless.”
alamzeb writing poetry in her journal and tajdar gently moving her journal/hand towards his chest so she can use it as a flat surface to write on I AM DECEASED #Heeramandi pic.twitter.com/zE9N9fMrTT
— bent-neck lady (@mmmaheenmoonpie) May 2, 2024
And of course, the music got a lot of love too. One viewer was amazed by the teamwork of Shreya Ghoshal and Sanjay Leela Bhansali: “The combination of Shreya Ghoshal and Sanjay Leela Bhansali in ‘Chaudhavi Shab’ is pure magic. Every scene looks like a beautiful painting. The visuals are just extraordinary.”
Pure Magic of @shreyaghoshal and #SanjayLeelaBhansali sir ♥️#ChaudhaviShab ♥️
Every frame is Painting ♥️
What an Extraordinary Visuals ❤️#HeeramandiTheDiamondBazaar #Heeramandi pic.twitter.com/iwiK3rvZpW— SurenSG (@surenshreya) May 2, 2024
People really admire Bhansali’s talent. One person said, “No one does it like him.” Another praised Sonakshi, saying, “She was amazing in just one scene of the first episode.”
i swearr NO ONE does it like this man.
| #Heeramandi | pic.twitter.com/scO3KOh3vw
— shyama. (@shripriyaa_) May 1, 2024
Sonakshi had just one scene in the first episode and she ATE everyone up#Heeramandi pic.twitter.com/o6zE1k6Cfp
— (@uffyehgehraiyaa) May 1, 2024
Many Pakistanis marry foreigners, as do many celebrities. Dil to kissi pay bhee aa sakta hai. We’ve seen foreign bhabhis and foreign behnois adapting to Pakistani society. Recently, there’s been a trend of Pakistani men marrying foreigners, gaining attention on social media as these couples become popular.
Currently, another Pakistani man is going viral on socal media with his foreigner wife who speaks Urdu fluently and looks desi from her attire.
A Facebook page called Fatta Fat shared the video. In the video, the husband of the foreign lady explained that he met her in England, and they got married afterwards. They now have two lovely children. His wife expressed her admiration for Pakistani men, citing their pure hearts and personalities as reasons for choosing her husband. She also mentioned her close and caring relationship with her sister-in-law. The foreign sister-in-law shared a message encouraging Pakistanis to live happily.
She said, “I love everything about Pakistan, especially the Islamic culture, the call to prayer, I also offer prayers, and I also like the closely knit families in Pakistan. I love Pakistan. Tomorrow I will be leaving. I have been here for three months. I will miss Pakistan.”
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader Javed Latif has hinted that the federal government can consider early elections within the next two years, as doing so will make the path smooth for PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif to become prime minister for the fourth time.
During an interview, Latif stated on Thursday that Nawaz Sharif will be the next prime minister of the country.
“The elections can happen tomorrow,” Latif added.
Javed Latif also said that the people who blocked Sharif’s path last time will support him this time, making him prime minister for the fourth time.
Javed Latif is the only party member who has criticised his own party’s federal government.
Security forces conducted a joint operation on Thursday in Kyber Pakhtunkhw’s Tehsil Tank, killing the terrorists who were involved in the abduction of a district and session court judge from South Waziristan.
On Monday, District and Sessions Judge Shakirullah Marwat was recovered safely from the border area of Dera Ismail Khan and Tank.
The police confirmed that Judge Marwat was completely fine when he was recovered.
The judge was kidnapped from a village named Bagwal near the border area of Tank and DI Khan.
ISPR released a statement on Thursday stating that “During the conduct of the operation, after intense fire exchange, three terrorists were successfully neutralised and sent to hell.”
The ISPR identified the terrorists as ringleader Azmat alias Azmati, ringleader Karamat alias Hanzla and Rehan.