Tag: trending

  • No Bat for PTI ka matlab kya, jo bhi? PTI candidate election campaigns that scream creativity

    No Bat for PTI ka matlab kya, jo bhi? PTI candidate election campaigns that scream creativity

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has always remained ahead of others when it comes to the use of social media in Pakistan’s political landscape.

    Data shared in a report from Digital Pakistan 2023 states that the number of internet users in Pakistan swelled to a record 87.35 million in January last year, showing a 4.4 million increase between 2022 and 2023.

    The number of social media users also increased to a record 71.70 million in 2023, including 37.30 million users of Facebook, 71.70 million users of YouTube, 12.95 million on Instagram, and 16.51 million on TikTok.

    Similarly, about 11.95 million people are using Facebook Messenger, 9.30 million Linkedin, 25.70 million Snapchat, and 4.65 million users of X — formerly Twitter — in the wake of an increase in mobile connections to 191.8 million in January 2023 in Pakistan.

    The importance of social media is made very clear by the fact that there is news circulating that the internet might be shut down two days prior to the election. Young Pakistanis will be turning to social media for the truth on election day and if the election is to be seen as free and fair, social media will be the judge and the jury, senior producer and journalist Marium Chaudhary said while talking to TheCurrent.

    The results show the importance of social media in the election arena. Its power was fully exhibited when a huge number of supporters turned up online using VPNs when the internet was down during PTI’s virtual jalsa.

    Senior Journalist Benazir Shah recently tweeted that according to a google search, PTI has emerged as the most searched political party in the last fortnight.
    As the elections are approaching in less than a month, the party is in a crisis because they have been stripped from their preferred election symbol of a cricketing bat.

    The candidates however have been issued varying symbols from a human eye to an eggplant.

    PTI’s candidate Zain Pervaiz from PS-99 has been given the symbol of human eye and he used a creative way to propagate it. He made a rip-off of the famous Tahir Shah’s song Eye to Eye.

    In another video, a clip from a cartoon film is extracted to publicise the symbol of eye.

    The same candidate, Zain Parvez, came up with a clip from a Pakistani Drama where the heroine is seen saying that she will only what Zain wants her to do.

    As a candidate was allotted the symbol of a desi bed (charpayi), he got a charpayi painted in colours of the PTI flag. Along with that they were seen chanting the slogan, “Aye Aye Charpayi”.

    The same candidate got a charpayi made adorned with fairy lights and released a song titled, “Charpayi da nishan, Rakho yad meri jan”.

    The candidate alloted the sign of brinjal has taken a huge leap of creativity by releasing a “baingan song”. This symbol of is given to the candidate of PTI from NA 46.

    The meme brigade were tickled enough to promote the different election symbols including a wheelchair where the punch line was give vote to wheelchair to be able to get the system back on foot.

    The meme for the symbol tap, that is “Nalka” shows a clip from an Indian movie.

    Summing up the whole confusion folk singer Malko released a song with lyrics implying, whatever the symbol is, vote will be cast to Khan.

    Apart from the hilarious campaigns by PTI, the party is also seriously pursuing the upcoming elections by using social media. The party has launched an online portal containing detailed information of candidate names & symbols to avoid disinformation.

  • Pakistan expels Iranian ambassador from Pakistan, suspends all high level visits in response to Iranian attack on Pakistan

    Pakistan expels Iranian ambassador from Pakistan, suspends all high level visits in response to Iranian attack on Pakistan

    Pakistan confirmed on Wednesday that Iran carried out an air strike on its territory that killed two children and injured three girls after Tehran launched attacks in Iraq and Syria against what it called “anti-Iranian terrorist groups”.

    As of yet, Pakistan has expelled Iranian ambassador from Pakistan, and has suspended all high level visits in response.

    Iran offered no immediate official comment but its state-run Nour News agency said the attack destroyed the Pakistan headquarters of the jihadist group Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice).

    However, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency that, “Two key strongholds of the Jaysh al-Dhulm (Jaish al-Adl) terrorist group in Pakistan” were “specifically targeted and successfully demolished by a combination of missile and drone attacks”, cites Dawn.

    Tasnim reported that the “focal point of this operation was the region known as Kouh-Sabz (green mountain)” in Balochistan.

    Local authorities said they had also received information about such an attack but had no further details at the time of going to print. Reports from the area suggested that a missile hit a mosque, partially damaging it and injuring some people.

    In its statement, the foreign office described the incident as an “illegal act”.

    Formed in 2012, Jaish al-Adl is blacklisted by Iran as a terrorist group and has carried out several attacks on Iranian soil in recent years.

    The strike came after Iran launched missile attacks on “spy headquarters” and “terrorist” targets in Syria, and in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region.

    The Iranian strikes add to multiple crises across the Middle East, with Israel waging a war against Hamas in Gaza and pro-Palestinian Huthi rebels in Yemen attacking commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

  • Mannat Murad’s finale wins hearts: Fans celebrate memorable moments

    Mannat Murad’s finale wins hearts: Fans celebrate memorable moments

    Mannat Murad, the hit Pakistani drama aired on Har Pal Geo, concluded its journey with the final episode receiving widespread appreciation from fans.
    The last episode particularly stood out as Murad, portrayed by Talha Chahour, took a stand for his wife, earning admiration from viewers. Fans had eagerly waited for this moment, egging Murad on to speak up for his wife Mannat against his mother.

    Viewers also praised Mannat’s decision to arrange a match between her elder brother and Murad’s sister, Fazeelat. The happiness of the couples brought joy to fans, but many expressed sadness for Murad’s youngest sister, Niggi, whose story was left in limbo.

    While some fans criticized the ending, stating that an educated and independent girl like Mannat would not typically choose to save her marriage with someone like Murad, others celebrated the portrayal of love between the main characters. Despite varying opinions, Mannat Murad’s finale left a lasting impression on its audience, showcasing memorable moments that will be remembered by fans.

  • Yo Yo Honey Singh wants to visit Pakistan

    Yo Yo Honey Singh wants to visit Pakistan

    Indian rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh recently talked with RJ Tayyab Arshmaan in Dubai. He wanted to thank his Pakistani fans for always supporting him, emphasizing that he had a personal connection to Lahore, where his ancestors came from and expressed a wish to visit the city.

    When asked to share a message with his fans in Pakistan, Honey Singh said, “Just keep loving and supporting me.” The rapper added a personal touch by saying, “Whenever I get a chance to visit Pakistan, if it’s meant to be – since my forefathers were from Lahore – I’d like to go to Lahore, visit Nankana Sahib to pay my respects, and meet all of you.” This revelation sparked interest among fans as they learned about the rapper’s roots.

    Honey Singh’s words brought fans from both sides closer, making them feel connected. His recognition of family ties to Lahore strengthened the bond with his diverse fan base.

    We hope to see him soon in Pakistan, performing for a rapturous crowd in his ancestral city.

  • Nine, including four children and police official, injured in Quetta blast

    Nine, including four children and police official, injured in Quetta blast

    A locally made explosive device went off near the Civil Secretariat and Commissioner Office on Quetta’s Zarghoon Road, injuring nine people, including a traffic policeman and four children.

    Senior Superintendent of Operations has said that the explosion happened in a garbage heap under the bridge on Zarghoon Road, adding that an investigation into the blast has been initiated.

    The SSP also confirmed that the injured children were ragpickers.

    Commissioner Quetta Division Muhammed Hamza Shafqaat, took to X (formerly Twitter) to urge citizens to avoid the Zarghoon Road for the next few hours.

    Terrorist attacks in Pakistan have ratched up in 2023, particularly on security and military personnel, ever since the end of a tentative truce deal with the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan ended in November of 2022.

  • What election-related matters are Pakistanis searching on Google?

    What election-related matters are Pakistanis searching on Google?

    As the much-anticipated general elections in 2024 draw near, Google has taken a noteworthy step to provide insight into the search pattern of Pakistanis.

    In preparation for the polls scheduled for February 8, 2024, the technology giant has unveiled the “Google Trends Pakistan General Election” page.

    Search interest of people in Pakistan in the last 14 days indicate that 77 per cent searched for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, 14 per cent searched for Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and only 3 per cent searches were related to Pakistan Peoples Party.

    The innovative platform aims to offer valuable insights into the questions actively being searched by people in Pakistan concerning political parties, election topics, and general interests.

    The most searched questions include, what is the date of the election in Pakistan, will the caretaker minister be changed, and how to get into politics.

    The dedicated trends page not only highlights the top election-related topics but also categorizes them based on regions, providing a comprehensive view of concerns and interests prevalent across the country.

    It is important to note that Google emphasizes that the trends page is not a survey or a reflection of voting behavior. Instead, it serves as a dynamic tool showcasing evolving interests and search queries.

    “While it is a valuable resource for understanding what people are searching for, it’s crucial to clarify that a spike in a particular search query does not indicate the popularity or success of a political party. It is not a measure of voting intentions but rather a reflection of the evolving search interests of the public,” stated Google in its official announcement.

  • Why YouTuber Asad’s wife isn’t appearing in his videos

    Why YouTuber Asad’s wife isn’t appearing in his videos

    Popular Pakistani YouTubers Nimra and Asad got married in 2020, taking their internet fame to the next level. Fans liked their wedding photos and enjoyed watching their videos on YouTube. But now, Asad has a message for his viewers about his videos taking a radically different line.

    Asad shared a video online where he explained why he won’t be featuring his family in videos anymore. “Many people were asking me why I stopped sharing family content and why I don’t show my wife on social media. I want to tell you that I made this decision quite quickly. We often chase after money and worldly desires without thinking about Allah and Islamic teachings. I read something about people who won’t be forgiven, including those who are disrespectful to parents, those who dress up like the other gender, and those who show their wives to the world. After reading that, I decided to stop sharing family content. I will still do vlogging, and you will see me and Azlan. I will post good content but won’t show other family members.” Here is the link to the video:

  • Why are electoral symbols important, and how does ECP allot them to candidates?

    Why are electoral symbols important, and how does ECP allot them to candidates?

    Electoral symbols are allocated by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to political parties and independent candidates participating in general elections.

    Major political parties in the country have established electoral symbols, including a bat for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), an arrow for Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), and a tiger for Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

    All the electoral symbols appear on the ballot paper, giving the voters the choice to stamp the symbol of their choice. The ballot paper also has names, but 40% of the country’s 241 million population is illiterate, so symbols can be easier to identify.

    Thousands of candidates participate in elections, as do dozens of political parties and millions of voters. A single ballot paper offers voters a wide range of choices.

    How does the ECP allot electoral symbols?

    According to Section 216, political parties can submit an application to the election commission to apply for electoral symbols.

    Registered political parties can claim the same election symbol as allocated to them in the previous polls.

    On the other hand, an independent candidate can apply for allotment of an election symbol from the symbol list published by the ECP.

    If the two independent candidates want the same electoral symbol, then priority will be given to the candidate who has previously taken part in elections.

  • Pakistani celebrities defend Kashmir after Hrithik Roshan’s derogatory ‘maalik’ comment

    Pakistani celebrities defend Kashmir after Hrithik Roshan’s derogatory ‘maalik’ comment

    In the world of entertainment, movies are a way to tell stories, represent cultures, and express art. But sometimes, a movie can cause problems when it goes too far and includes content that is offensive. Recently, a Bollywood movie called ‘Fighter’ landed in controversy after Pakistani celebrities strongly reacted to what they thought was anti-Pakistani element.

    The film has been accused of showing Pakistan in a negative light and promoting harmful stereotypes.

    At one point in the movie, Hrithik Roshan says, “We are the owners, Pakistan has occupied Kashmir. (maalik hum Hain)”

    Actors like Zara Noor Abbas took to social media to express anger.

    Actor Asad Siddiqui vented on Instagram by saying, “It’s the same old story! Aren’t you guys tired of selling false stuff? Grow up! The world is moving forward, and you’re still promoting this cheap story of hatred. You could have promoted peace instead.”
    He suggested checking facts that everyone knows, mentioning the incident where a MiG-21 was shot and the pilot was captured but released after a cup of tea.

    Hira Khan, another showbiz star, also brought up the ‘tea’ incident, saying, “It’s sad that big superstars need to criticize Pakistan to make their movies work. I feel sorry for you guys.”

    Adnan Siddiqui took to X to state, “Once celebrated for love, Bollywood now crafts hate-filled narratives, portraying us as villains. Despite our love for your films, it’s disheartening. Art transcends boundaries; let’s use it to promote love and peace. Two nations, victims of politics, deserve better.”

    Hania Aamir, who is liked by people from both sides of the border, shared on her Instagram Story, “It’s really sad and unfortunate to find out that there are artists today who know how influential cinema is but still go ahead and create differences between the two countries. I feel sorry for the artists who believe in using their art to bring people together. It’s not good. Let art be free.”

    The controversy around ‘Fighter’ arose from its trailer, which revealed that the movie revolves around an attack on Indian air forces in Pulwama. It references real events like the Pulwama attack and India’s actions in Balakot.

  • Pakistani-French woman accused of marrying girls disguised as boy

    Pakistani-French woman accused of marrying girls disguised as boy

    A French girl of Pakistani origin named Nargis has been accused of disguising herself as a boy to marry girls to take them abroad. She was arrested in Mirpur city of Azad Kashmir on charges of trafficking girls abroad on the pretext of marriage.

    According to Geo News, one victim’s family had filed an application with the police, on which a case was registered and an arrest was made.

    During the investigation, it was revealed that Nargis had created a fake identity in the name of Shaaban. Dressed up as a man, she would come to Kashmir to find relationships, get married, prepare travel documents, and send the bride abroad and sell her.

    This time when Nargis reached Pakistan, the victim’s family recognized her and immediately filed a complaint with the police.

    In a request registered with the police by the victim’s family, Nargis came to Pakistan as a boy and married their daughter. After the marriage, the daughter got a visa and sent her to France via Dubai, where it was learned that the son-in-law was not a boy but a girl. She was tortured by a gang who attempted to sell her in several locations. The family barely evacuated their daughter to safety in France.

    According to the police, the suspect is a French citizen of Pakistani origin and belongs to Jhelum.

    However, according to District Headquarters Hospital Mirpur, a medical report has proved that Nargis is a girl and not a boy.