On Pakistan’s 77th Independence Day, the country’s patriotic spirit was reflected in the messages shared by celebrities across social media.
As the country celebrated its eventful history and achievements, different people from the entertainment industry took the opportunity to express their pride in their nation.
Here are some stories and messages shared by the celebrities:
SonyLIV, an Indian streaming service, is producing a series on the partition of the subcontinent, and the casting choices are a bit surprising. Adapted from the book of the same name, ‘Freedom at Midnight’ is about India’s fight for freedom from British rule. It will also talk about the time when India and Pakistan became separate countries in 1947. The show plans to tell stories that haven’t been heard before and show important events from the tumultuous time.
The focus is on Mohammed Ali Jinnah, Pakistan’s founder. Actor Arif Zakaria, who played Nehru in the ZEE5 show ‘Hutatma,’ will play Jinnah. “In preparing to portray Mohammed Ali Jinnah, I realized how important it was to depict him as a flawed and complicated human being rather than an untouchable hero,” he said. “I want to explore Jinnah’s character deeply, showing his complexity and the reasons behind his actions. By doing this, I aim to present a more real and complete picture of Jinnah.” Well, in the hands of the extremist right-wing wave in Bollywood, that just sounds like he wants to villainize the founder of Pakistan.
Ira Dubey, known for her role in the Netflix show ‘Scoop,’ will play Fatima Jinnah, Mohammed Ali Jinnah’s younger sister and close aide. Dubey emphasized how important Fatima Jinnah was in her brother’s life, highlighting their close relationship. After Pakistan was formed, Fatima Jinnah helped start the Pakistan Women’s Association, which was crucial for women who migrated.
Mohammed Ali Jinnah led the All-India Muslim League from 1913 until Pakistan was created, and he became its first governor-general until he passed away in 1948. His sister Fatima played a big role by his side during his political journey, helping the new nation grow.
The series is based on a famous book from 1975 by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre. It aims to show the complexities of the independence movement, giving viewers a rich story filled with history. It promises to be exciting as it explores important historical figures and their stories during India’s fight for freedom.
The Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) Islamabad campus has been shut down indefinitely following a violent altercation between two student groups on Monday.
According to reports, several students were injured in the fight. Gehram, Danish, Wasim Shahzeb, Murad, Yahya, Mubarik, Faisal, Qasim, Mahmood, Farooq, Kamran,
Jehanzeb, and Zikria are among the injured students. To control the situation, authorities had to send out sizable contingents of FC and police.
Boys and girls staying in hostels have been directed to leave the buildings.
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Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz and Captain (R) Safdar’s son, Junaid Safdar, posted a picture on his Instagram account, which has become the center of debate on social media.
A twitter user drew an usual comparison of Junaid’s picture which garnered attention.
The Twitter user, while sharing Junaid’s picture wrote, “Hum nay Jinnah suna tha Hum nay junaid daikha ha.”
His tweet is getting all kinds of reactions from Twitter.
Pakistan is celebrating its diamond jubilee, the 75th anniversary of its Independence Day today. A nation that was created in 1947 has come a long way — 75 years of resilience, hard work, commitment, struggle, dedication, and courage to keep fighting the odds. A country that is more than seven decades old sure deserves congratulations but it is high time we introspect because this 75-years-old Pakistan deserves better.
Look around, what do you see? A nation that was built on unity, faith, and discipline lacks the core of these words. We were founded to have freedoms — the freedom to live, practice our religion, and be who we think and feel. Support whichever notion finds home within us. Have a creative and critical school of thought. Be protective of our fellow Pakistanis. Not judge them for their religious beliefs, political choices, and ethnicities.
But what are we now? The present day’s 75-year-old Pakistan is far from the idea of its creation. How did we end up forgetting our reason for birth? How did we as a nation fail to stay in discipline and unity? This 75-year-old Pakistan is an amalgamation of extremism, fascism, political polarisation, and pluralistic ignorance. This country has been in the scientific laboratory for a long time now. It is time we find a litmus paper, unanimously to build this country. It is time we come out of this experimental phase and move toward a country that does not discriminate on the basis of gender. Where political leaders stay political and do not misuse religion as they please. Where the sole purpose and work of leaders is towards nation building. We can only hope that the 75-year-old Pakistan becomes strong for its girls and provides them an equal opportunity just like its boys. Where we provide an equal chance at life to the ones who have religious beliefs other than Islam. Where our minorities are not suppressed but rather treated as equals. Where rape, child marriages, abuse, and harassment ends.
May we all give this country what it truly deserves because all it really takes is unity, faith, discipline, and introspection. Long live Pakistan. Pakistan Zindabad!
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry, while talking about the recent Taliban’s restrictions on Afghan women, stated that the Taliban’s ‘retrogressive thinking’ is dangerous for Pakistan, reports Dawn.
While addressing a ceremony in Islamabad, the minister said, “Saying that women can’t travel alone or go to schools and colleges — this kind of retrogressive thinking is a danger for Pakistan.”
“You see that two extremist regimes have cropped up on right [India] and left [Afghanistan] of Pakistan. On one side there is Afghanistan where the Taliban have arrived. We want to fully help the Afghan people”, he added.
Fawad said, “We have had failures and successes but till now Pakistan is that bright hope in this region which while remaining amid these extremes can emerge out from them.”
Chaudhry’s statement has come after Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities’ announcement about women who seek to travel long distances should not be offered transport if they are not wearing hijab or not accompanied by a close male relative.
Furthermore, he pointed out that extremists in the country and said, “Quaid-e-Azam never saw Pakistan as a religious country and all these people who today on his name are fooling the people that the meaning of an Islamic country was a religious country — this was entirely not the case.”
While talking about the Sialkot lynching incident, Fawad said, “You saw the whole of Pakistan was united and condemned that incident. This is happening every day in India with Muslims and no one is bothered.”
Chaudhry stressed that Pakistan’s purpose was “preserving minority rights and safeguarding them”.
The nation is celebrating 146th birthday of Father of the Nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah today (Saturday). Skipper of the national cricket team Babar Azam and other Pakistani cricketers also took to their social media accounts to pen heartfelt notes.
“Visionary leader, ambassador of humanity, equality and tolerance. May all of us try to fulfill our obligations for our courageous country. Happy Birthday to our Quaid,” wrote Babar on Twitter.
Taking to Twitter, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi thanked Quaid for this nation saying: “Let’s celebrate our founding Father by taking an oath to make Pakistan great, happy & prosperous by ensuring the well being of the masses & the poor. Join me by doing your part in actualizing Quaid’s vision of unity & equality.”
Similarly, Shoaib Akhtar, Shoaib Malik, Imam-ul-Haq, Ahmad Shahzad and Wahab Riaz took to their respective social media accounts to write a few words to thank the Father of the Nation.
Pakistani woman cricketer Sidra Amin also shared Quaid’s quote.
Former cricketer and current Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja also thanked Quaid for this beautiful country.
Prime Minister Imran Khan in his message on the occasion of birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, has emphasised upon the youth to adopt Quaid’s attributes of honesty, hard work, perseverance and dedication.
He said we as a nation need to adopt these attributes to realize Quaid’s vision of a developed, progressive and tolerant Pakistan.
The Prime Minister said Muhammad Ali Jinnah realised the importance of a separate homeland for Muslims of the subcontinent where all citizens could enjoy freedom of faith, occupation and equal opportunities.
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday presented a charter of his party’s performance so far at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad.
Talking about his career as a cricketer, PM Khan explained how his life as a sportsman, “where there are standing ovations one moment and curses the next”, prepared him for a life of struggles.
“Until you go through struggles, you cannot do anything big,” the prime minister said. “No leader became big with a shortcut. Quaid-e-Azam was a big leader. He struggled in his life and people will always remember him [for that].”
Mentioning Pakistan’s clash with India in the aftermath of the Pulwama incident, PM Khan thanked the army for effortlessly protecting the people of Pakistan.
“I appreciate our army and air force. As they (Indian fighter jets) came into our territory and launched an offensive, we realised the [power] of our army,” said the premier.
The premier blamed a “mafia” for defaming state institutions. “I also criticised the army in the past,” he said. “Judiciary and army also make mistakes but it doesn’t mean we should [expect] them to topple the democratic government.”
“We know the Indian lobby is trying hard to defame Pakistan Army. They are implying that the Taliban won because of Pakistan Army.”
“The NCOC (National Command and Operation Center) team comprising Asad Umar and Dr Faisal [Sultan] took great decisions and we survived the worst of Covid.”
“In our tenure, Punjab’s anti-corruption has recovered Rs450bn so far,” he claimed. “NAB (National Accountability Bureau), in its 18 years before we came to power, had recovered Rs290bn and in the last three years, they recovered Rs519bn. All hue and cry are because of this reason.”
The premier reminded his audience of the efforts made to “empower women” in rural areas and stressed the need to educate women, adding that “this is what we are trying to do”.
“We are also working on inheritance laws to ensure women get their due share in the property,” he added.
Islamabad Police have arrested the boy who posed in front of Quaid’s portrait on Expressway Islamabad. Journalist Waseem Abbasi shared the picture of the boy. As per details, the accused name Zulfiqar is a resident of Lahore, and he will be taken to Islamabad.
People on social media are criticising the police for arresting the boy:
Earlier this month, police registered a case against a couple for a photoshoot in front of Quaid-e-Azam’s portrait in Islamabad under Section 294 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). The case was registered on the complaint of Rashid Malik.
The photoshoot sparked outraged on social media after journalist Ansar Abbasi requested Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqat to arrest the models “who displayed extreme obscenity in public.”