Tag: PPP

  • ‘Encourages those suffering to cope’: PPP’s Sharmila Faruqi praises ‘Jhoom’ for talking about mental health

    ‘Encourages those suffering to cope’: PPP’s Sharmila Faruqi praises ‘Jhoom’ for talking about mental health

    Drama serial ‘Jhoom’ has been praised by audiences for its storyline about an older and financially independent woman and her love interest. Eight episodes in, the drama, starring Zara Noor Abbas and Haroon Kadwani, has been praised by for its empowered female characters, the electrifying chemistry between the leads, and for tackling mental health issues in a sensitive manner, especially refusing to depict being admitted in a psychiatric hospital in a negative way.

    In the drama, Aryaan (Haroon Kadwani) suffers from anger issues and depression, which stem from his mother abandoning their family. In a recent episode, he is informed that reports were discovered proving he was admitted in a mental rehabilitation center for some time. But instead of denying it, Aryaan candidly speaks about depression, and reminds the authorities that they should never stigmatise those suffering from mental health issues, especially when they work hard to overcome it.

    Politician Sharmila Faruqi shared the scene in an Instagram post, highlighting how important it is now more than ever that television shows learn to portray mental health issues in a sensitive and empathic manner:

    “Talking openly about mental health can reduce the misconception and stigma and can encourage those suffering from it to cope, seek help and find a support network. It helps communities to be more acceptable towards those who need help. With the right treatment most people recover from depression and anxiety and can lead a normal, productive life. But is the society compassionate about this ? All forgiving ? This scene from the current drama serial “Jhoom” talks about this very important human right.. our mental health. How we feel and think is central to the way we live our lives… Suicide accounts for over 800,000 deaths globally.. Alarming isn’t it? Yes.. support those around you who need help. Every 1 person in 5 experiences a mental health condition. Urgent action is needed to strengthen mental health systems across the globe. Be a part of this.. Thank you to the makers of “Jhoom” for bringing this in the forefront. Very aptly portrayed by @haroonkadwani  ”

    We are in awe of how Pakistani dramas are branching out from the typical saas-bahu narratives, and are daring to tackle topics like these and executing them brilliantly!

  • ‘Stop making false allegations’: ISPR warns Imran Khan

    ‘Stop making false allegations’: ISPR warns Imran Khan

    The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has termed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s allegations against General Faisal Naseer “highly irresponsible”.

    Strongly condemning his allegations, the media wing of the army said that the accusations are baseless and noted that, “This has been a consistent pattern for last one year wherein military and intelligence agencies officials are targeted”.

    Moreover, ISPR warned Khan to “stop making false allegations” because the “institution reserves the right to take legal course of action against patently false and malafide statements and propaganda.”

    Zardari, Shehbaz defend General Faisal also known as Khan’s ‘Dirty Harry’ after Khan’s allegations

    Earlier, prominent politicians including Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari strongly denounced the accusations made by Khan against General Faisal Naseer.

    In a tweet, Shehbaz condemned the accusations, writing that, “Khan’s leveling of allegations without any proof against Gen Faisal Naseer and officers of our Intelligence Agency cannot be allowed and will not be tolerated.”

    Replying to Shehbaz, Imran Khan asked whether he has a right as a citizen “to nominate those who he feels are responsible for assassination attacks.”

    Former President Zardari also slammed Khan, saying that the allegations against General Faisal are actually an attack on the institution with which the whole of Pakistan stands.

    “A person is fooling his innocent workers with lies and deceit, I see the downfall of this person”, Zardari added.

    Punjab Interim Chief Minister (CM) Mohsin Naqvi also came to rescue General Faisal, stating that, “We will not allow anyone to humiliate or threaten our institutions and Intelligence agencies in Punjab.”

    Earlier, Khan made serious allegations that the general plotted his assassination. Khan alleged that he is behind journalist Arshad Sharif’s murder and Swati’s custodial torture.

  • Rare show of unity as PTI calls out Indian FM for remarks about Bilawal

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders on Twitter strongly called out Indian Foreign Minister (FM) S. Jaishankar after he used undiplomatic language for Pakistan and its FM Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari post an important moot of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

    In a media conference, a visibly rattled Jaishankar called Bilawal a “promoter, justifier and spokesperson of a terrorism industry.”

    “Victims of terrorism do not sit together with its perpetrators to discuss terrorism,” he said, adding that “as a member of SCO, Bilawal was treated accordingly.”

    PTI’s Fawad Chaudhry put aside political differences to respond that the Indian FM should be ashamed for passing such remarks.

    “Pakistan has made great sacrifices in the war against terrorism, now the foreign minister of a Hindu extremist group, who is involved in the worst terrorism against its own citizens, should be ashamed of himself for speaking such nonsense.”

    Similarly, Zulfi Bukhari called this a petty act and reminded India of its values.

    He pointed out, “Whatever happened to mehman bhagwan hota hai? Or has that idea gone down the drain just like a secular India.”

    When Bilawal returned back to the country, he held a press conference to brief members of the media about his visit. He also responded to the remarks made by India’s FM, saying that he can’t do anything if their hatred has risen this much.

    Asking if he ever sat with any terrorist, Bilawal was of the view that India not only wants to declare every Muslim a terrorist but also him.

    The minister added that Pakistan itself is a victim of terrorism and is against any appeasement with terrorist organisations.

  • PM Shehbaz convenes allies’ meeting today on talks with PTI

    PM Shehbaz convenes allies’ meeting today on talks with PTI

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has summoned a meeting of the ruling alliance today (Wednesday) before negotiations with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on the Supreme Court’s (SC) directions.

    According to news reports, the meeting of the ruling alliance will be held at the Prime Minister’s House at 12:30 pm.

    Almost all parties in the ruling coalition have shown an inclination to end the political impasse by entering into negotiations with the PTI, but according to Dawn, Jamat-e-Ulema Islami- Fazl (JUI-F) continues to oppose the move.

    Geo News claims that the Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) leadership has asked former speaker Ayaz Sadiq to contact PTI’s Asad Qaiser and both have agreed to meet today. However, PTI chief Imran Khan has clearly stated that the mandate for negotiations rests with Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

    On April 20, the SC adjourned the hearing of the petition till April 27 after the key ruling parties —PPP and PML-N — had assured the Supreme Court they would sit with the PTI on April 26 and try to find a solution on the election date.

  • ‘Saddening’: Zulfiqar Bhutto tells international wildlife activists to stop the hate on Noor Jehan issue

    Ever since the poor condition of animals at Karachi Zoo, particularly the ailing elephant Noor Jehan, has gone viral on social media, local and international wildlife activists have slammed authorities for neglecting their charges.

    Several international activists have criticized Pakistani authorities for failing to care for Noor Jehan, sharing clips of the elephant lying on the ground. However, some tweets by international activists have ventured into the realm of racism.

    Wildlife activist and artist Zulfikar Ali Bhutto addressed international criticism in an Instagram post, reminding critics that despite government negligence, corruption and limited facilities, it was Pakistanis who stepped up to provide resources and raised calls to shut down the zoo and provide treatment for Noor Jehan.

    “In a country as poor as ours – many have poured their hearts and soul into caring for Noor Jehan. Doctors from Agha Khan are attending to her wounds as we speak. Their first non-human patient. Yes she was cruelly neglected like many of the animals in the zoo are now. But it was Pakistanis who highlighted their suffering. Form Paw Pakistan to local activists. It was Pakistanis who advocated for the animals in the zoo.

    Don’t blame the mahoots who are also victims of a cruel hierarchy. Don’t blame the volunteers staying up day in and day out – sacrificing the time they could be spending with their own families.”

  • PPP, PML-N ready to befriend PTI

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Monday agreed to engage in delegation-level dialogue with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in a bid to find a way out of the present political crisis in Pakistan, reports Samaa.

    According to the news outlet, Yousaf Raza Gilani, Naveed Qamar and Qamar Zaman Kaira from PPP and Rana Sanaullah, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Khawaja Saad Rafique from PML-N attended a crucial meeting between the two parties.

    Talking to media after the meeting, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that politicians must not shy away from negotiations.

    PPP leader Yousaf Raza Gilani called for dialogue between political parties to resolve the ongoing political crisis.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has also called a meeting of coalition partners today to evaluate the country’s political situation and Jamat-e-Islami’s negotiation efforts between the government and PTI reports Geo News.

    According to Geo News, the meeting will be held today at 3:30pm at the PM House.

  • ‘My father is not anti-women’: Nadir Gabol defends PPP’s Nabil Gabol after backlash to rape comment

    After facing severe backlash for the past three days on his disgusting comments about rape, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) politician Nabil Gabol offered an apology but then put up a bizarre rant comparing himself to Imran Khan.

    Now, Gabol’s son Nadir has come out to defend his father in a Twitter thread.

    https://twitter.com/NadirGabol/status/1644198554506870784?s=20

    Regarding the controversial comment ‘When rape is inevitable, just enjoy it’, Gabol said his father had intended to say ‘Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional”

    “My father used inappropriate words but what he intended to say is a common teaching in psychology: “Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.” Just Google it….”

    https://twitter.com/NadirGabol/status/1644198557077913605?s=20

    Gabol went on to say that rape was not gender specific, and that his father was not talking about women:

    “All feminist sisters, is rape gender specific? First, you are wrong in assuming he was literally talking about rape. Second that he was talking about women. Both assumptions are your mistake not his!”

    https://twitter.com/NadirGabol/status/1644198561381335046?s=20

    Gabol defended the PPP politician by saying that his father was not a misogynist and cares for his daughters and granddaughters:

    “My father is not a misogynist. He does way more for his daughters than he does for his sons. I can’t forget his happiness at the birth of his granddaughter Hafsanur and the way he loves her more than anyone else in the world.”

    https://twitter.com/NadirGabol/status/1644198566594838529?s=20

    Gabol offered an explanation of his father’s controversial comments on YouTuber Nadir Ali’s channel, saying that those comments were only meant for the audience of that show.

    “I don’t agree with his sense of humor and you don’t have to either. Whatever he said on Nadir Ali’s show was meant for the audience of that show. Not for you and me!”

    https://twitter.com/NadirGabol/status/1644198571258920960?s=20

    Nabil Gabol faced intense backlash for a viral clip that trended on social media where the politician was talking on the YouTube channel ‘The Pakistan Experience’ with host Shehzad Ghias, stating ”When rape is imminent, just enjoy it’.

    Other clips of his interview with Nadir Ali also went viral where the politician was seen making sexual comments about the TikTok dancer Ayesha, and also boasting about kidnapping girls he liked.

    The PPP politician apologized for his remarks in an interview with AAJ news, saying that he regretted if his words had hurt women. But then he went on to blame PTI supporters for launching a social media campaign against him.

    However, on Wednesday, Gabol shared a screenshot from Time Magazine’s article on Imran Khan detailing his past scandals, and in the caption he wrote that had he also been as good looking as Khan, his words would not have gained this much scrutiny:

    “Hum kare tu saala charecter deela hai …. This is what Time magazine say about Imran khan .Iam surprised not a single person such as @FifaHaroon or @MunizaeJahangir or @sharmilafaruqi or@farehaaltaf and Aurat march organisers said anything against khan . I think i need to lose weight and look handsome like khan and bcm Ladla so that no one criticise me.”

  • Imran Khan ko Shah Mahmood se khatra hai, PPP leaders

    Imran Khan ko Shah Mahmood se khatra hai, PPP leaders

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leaders have questioned the loyalty of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senior Vice chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi to party Chairman Imran Khan.

    Saeed Ghani has said that Quershi should never forget his past before criticising Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. Qureshi was part of the PPP and a foreign minister during the party’s tenure.

    Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon said that Shah Mahmood Qureshi has changed political parties according to circumstances, alleging that PPP caught him red-handed while hatching a conspiracy.

    “The biggest threat to PTI chief Imran Khan is from Shah Mahmood Qureshi,” Memon said.

    Qureshi joined PTI in 2011, one of the first big names to do so.

    Earlier, Qureshi held a press conference and criticised the PPP leadership.

    Speaking to the media in Karachi, the former foreign minister asked PPP to clear its stance on whether they are standing with the Constitution or abrogating it.

  • TRIGGER WARNING- ‘If rape is imminent, then enjoy it’: PPP’s Nabil Gabol’s disgusting remarks once again get slammed on social media

    Trigger warning: rape jokes, kidnapping, assault, sexual harassment

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) politician Nabil Gabol has proved that one can be a legislator in the highest offices and yet resort to making extremely offensive, misogynist jokes whenever they can.

    Twitter users have decried PPP for claiming that they are a progressive party, but providing important positions to men like Gabol who make misogynist and degrading comments about women on public platforms. A clip from a YouTube podcast, The Pakistan Experience with host Shehzad Ghias, is going viral on Twitter where Gabol was a guest and where he said: “When rape is imminent, then just enjoy it.”

    To which activists like Soul Sister’s Founder Kanwal Ahmed responded with “Gross”.

    Journalist Zebunnisa Burki shared the clip on her Twitter page and lamented the fact that men in powerful positions are never held accountable for talking about women in a vulgar manner like he has.

    Founder of ‘Digital Rights Foundation’ and lawyer Nighat Dad criticized Gabol on her Twitter account for casually using rape as a punchline because of the way it malign’s the struggles of survivors of sexual violence, and especially called for politicians to be held accountable for their words because they hold positions of power and influence.

    Dad also shared a clip from Gabol’s previous interview with Youtuber Nadir Ali which took place in 2022, where the politician was seen making sexually suggestive comments about women politicians.

    In the same interview, a user shared a clip of Gabol openly claiming that he kidnaps girls and takes them under his possession.

    Recently, Gabol had given an interview to Nadir Ali, where a Twitter users shamed him for his sexual comments about the TikTok star Ayesha, and for asking for her number.

    Writer and columnist Fatima Bhutto shared the clip from Gabol’s interview with Ghias, and in the caption she condemned his comments for exposing the ‘criminal mindset of the Sindh government.”

    Bakhtawar Bhutto, the sister of PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, condemned Gabol on Monday morning in a tweet.

    His (repulsive) rhetoric belongs to his individual only & is in noway a representation of our party. Incase it wasn’t already abundantly obvious- we absolutely & unequivocally stand for the rights & protection of women. Misogyny has no space in our religion nor our party.”

    However, users demanded that Gabol be removed from the party, calling the tweet a tone-deaf response to criticism.

    Minister of Climate Change Sherry Rehman has responded to the controversy in a tweet saying that strict action was underway.

  • PM Shehbaz orders two free flour bags instead of one for citizens

    PM Shehbaz orders two free flour bags instead of one for citizens

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif paid a visit to a flour distribution centre in Islamabad on Friday to oversee the work.

    During the visit, the premier directed authorities to give priority to the distribution of flour bags to aged persons and women.

    He also decided to provide two flour bags instead of one so that the people do not need to visit the distribution centres frequently.

    He asked relevant authorities to chalk out a facilitatory mechanism for the person who can only present the photocopy of CNIC in case the original card is missing.

    Under the Ramzan package jointly initiated by the prime minister and the Punjab government, 20 million bags of free flour have been distributed among deserving citizens by the 10th day of the programme.