Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Sindh President Ali Zaidi held a press conference on Wednesday to clear the air about rumours of him resigning from the party.
Stating clearly that he is not leaving the party, Zaidi said that it is unfortunate that the speculations are coming from within PTI.
“Agar PTI churrwaana chaahtay ho toh mujhe mathy par goli maar do” (If you want me to leave PTI, shoot me in the head) he said, adding that “no one can force me to take this step.”
Getting emotional and teary-eyed, he said that he served the party for 23 years and that PTI is his party. “I will leave PTI when Imran does,” he said of his party chairman.
Talking about May 9, Zaidi said that he also comes from an army background hence the episode that took place after Imran Khan’s arrest was condemnable.
The PTI leader said that he will never allow violence.
Zaidi is under house arrest by the Sindh government.
It was being speculated that special treatment is being given to Zaidi in comparison to his party fellows.
Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) professor Muhummad Tariq said that he was beaten up for holding placards outside of the university with his teenage children and for “suggesting upholding the constitution and exercising fundamental rights to express ourselves.”
He has alleged that due to the beating, he ended up with a broken arm and knee.
Taking to social media, he said that after all this he does not regret coming back to Pakistan and is proud of the country and will serve it with even more dedication, commitment and honesty.
Senior leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Waleed Iqbal, who is also the grandson of 20th-century poet and philosopher Allama Iqbal, has said that he saw PTI workers inside Lahore’s Jinnah House at the time of the attack on the building on May 09. He however, said that these were iindividual acts of party workers and they should be charged according to the Army Act or any other applicable law.
He made the comments on Waseem Badami’s programme on ARY on Tuesday evening.
He continued by saying that the party had not made announcement in this regard nor had a policy of violence.
میں نے خود کچھ پارٹی ورکرز کو دیکھا کہ وہ کور کمانڈر ہاوس کے اندر تھے۔ مگر یہ ان کا ذاتی فعل تھا پارٹی پالیسی ہرگز نہیں تھی۔ ایسے لوگوں کے خلاف تمام قوانین بشمول آرمی ایکٹ کے کاروائ ہونی چاہیے۔ جلاو گھیراو کے واقعات قابل شرم ہیں۔ ولید اقبال۔ رہنما PTI#11thHourpic.twitter.com/lFfJgE5eFB
A Special Corps Commander Conference held on Monday at the General Headquarters (GHQ), presided by Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, decided that the planners, instigators, abettors and perpetrators of the attacks on military installations and buildings during the protests led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters will be tried under relevant Pakistani laws, including the Army Act and Official Secret Act.
Johnny Depp showed up at the Cannes Film Festival a year after a highly publicised court trial with his ex-wife Amber Heard, for the screening of his French period film ‘Jeanne du Barry’, in which he played King Louis XV.
In a viral clip, the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ actor was seen receiving a thunderous seven minute standing ovation at the premiere of the film. Social media users however remained divided on the actor’s comeback.
Some users were praising how Depp made a powerful comeback after facing years of pushback, being dropped by some major roles, as well as the court trial with his ex-wife Heard, who accused him of domestic abuse and rape.
one year ago today Johnny Depp was in a courtroom as a victim of domestic violence fighting for his justice. today he is attending Cannes with his new movie Jeanne Du Barry opening the festival where he starred in as a king. you can’t keep a good man down. proud of him pic.twitter.com/pRiNoUoFJR
Some were enraged at how the prestigious film festival refused to condemn abusers, which lead to the launch of the viral hashtag #cannesyounot, through which Twitter users criticised festival organisers for overlooking allegations of abuse on Depp.
In an article posted in ‘Liberation’ newspaper, 123 French film workers had criticised the festival’s decision to invite Depp:
“By rolling out the red carpet to men and women who commit assaults, the festival demonstrates that violence in creative circles can be exercised with complete impunity,” they wrote.
Pakistani dramas are often seen off with heavy sighs of reliefs because honestly, one less thing to plague our minds on a weekly basis.
But there are some exceptional acting powerhouses like Sajal Aly and Ahad Raza Mir, who have changed the entertainment industry with their performances as well as their chemistry that no other acting duo has been able to compete with.
In 2017, ‘Yakeen Ka Safar’ graced our screens, marking the debut of Ahad Raza Mir as Dr Asfandyar, who is shattered after the tragic murder of his brother, Daniyal. While Aly starred as Dr Zubia, who is still devastated by the murder of her mother by her father.
Seven years after this drama, Twitter users still have not gotten over the duo, who later went on to star together in Aangan (2018) and Ye Dil Mera (2019).
After a tweet asked their followers to share a clip from one of their favorite dramas, Pakistani Twitter users were quick to champion ‘Yakeen Ka Safar’ as one of the finest productions the entertainment industry has produced.
In this just one scene he showed us, disbelief, shock, pain, frustration, helplessness, anger and breakdown. @ahadrazamir was truly insane for this. I can never get over this. those eyes, damn those eyes! https://t.co/ypev4nczu4pic.twitter.com/4pYWLgJX9S
Another actress who has been championed by Twitter users as one of the finest actresses Pakistan has ever seen in Yumna Zaidi, as users shared clips of her tear jerking and powerful performance from ‘Dil Naumeed Tou Nahi’ and ‘Pyar Ke Sadqay’
Mahjabeen I still get teary eyed whenever I watch this scene.
tbh I don’t have enough words to describe how phenomenal yumna zaidi was as allah rakhi/sumbul. for me, her performance and dnutn will always be underrated. this will always be my precious drama which is forever close to my heart!
i still remember watching this scene and yumna just left me speechless. I could not hold back my tears. her range of expressions and emotions as mahjabeen were insane.this scene is enough to prove that this girl’s acting talent is phenomenal.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan has condemned the “arrest” and “abduction” of party leaders, and workers. “I strongly condemn the illegal arrests and abduction of our workers and leaders. Our Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Secy General Asad Umar have also been incarcerated for more than a week now. Also, despite court orders journalist Imran Riaz Khan has not been presented in court and there are confirmed reports of torture against him,” wrote PTI chairman in a tweet on Wednesday.
He demanded the immediate release of all female leaders, workers and the female family members of our leaders and workers of his party. “How could Shehrayar Afridi’s wife be jailed? This is purely to spread terror amongst the people so that they don’t stand up for their constitutional rights?,” questioned Khan.
“I am deeply disturbed after hearing of Dr. Shireen Mazari, the former Human Rights Minister’s treatment and her daughter being physically assaulted by male police officers. After the IHC granted bail to Dr Mazari and Senator Falak Chitrali they were abducted from within Adyala Jail and taken to thana secretariat where Dr Mazari’s screams were heard.,” he added.
“The video evidence coming forward of the barbaric treatment meted out to our female supporters is reprehensible. Many of our female MNAs, supporters, and workers are being held in jails across Pakistan under inhumane conditions, vulnerable to police excesses. These abductions and the treatment being meted out to women by this fascist government are not only grave human rights violations but are strictly against our culture and Islamic teachings. All these women must be immediately released. Their continued incarceration is unconscionable. I am also raising this with International Human Rights Organizations.”
I strongly condemn the illegal arrests and abduction of our workers and leaders. Our Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Secy General Asad Umar have also been incarcerated for more than a week now. Also, despite court orders journalist Imran Riaz Khan has not been presented in…
Yesterday, Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir, the daughter of Shireen Mazari, expressed her disappointment in Imran Khan for not speaking up about the arrest, which she labels as an abduction.
Imran’s tweet did not mention Fawad Chaudhry who last night condemned the May 9 riots while talking yo the media.
In a historical move, yesterday the National Assembly passed the ‘Maternity and Paternity Leave Bill’ 2020, which has granted mothers the right to take up to six months paid maternity leave from their workplaces at their first birth, as well as leaves for three to four months during the birth of their second and third child as the bill states:
“Maternity leave shall in the prescribed manner be granted on full pay outside the leave account to a female employee on her option to the extent of one hundred and eighty days on first birth, one hundred and twenty days on second birth, ninety days on third birth.”
The bill also granted paternity leave for fathers, allowing men to take one month paid leaves from their work places on the birth of their child:
“A male employee expecting his wife to give birth to a child shall , at his option, be granted paternity leave on full pay not exceeding thirty days.”
The bill has been passed in federal territory, which means it will be made a legal priority for Islamabad workplaces to include paid paternity and maternity leave in their policies. But hopefully, this progressive step will soon encourage other cities to take note and follow to make inclusive policies that do not push women out of the workplace after their marriage.
The bill was presented at the National Assembly by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Quratulain Marri, who praised her colleagues support to prioritise social issues, which helped in making this landmark legislation possible.
Work becomes less difficult when your Party leadership consistently encourages you & prioritises social issues. So much work by so many people has made passing this landmark legislation possible. So grateful to every one of them. https://t.co/wsOFnWNeYv
Social media users have celebrated the legislation as a progressive step that will stop women from being forced to chose between motherhood and their jobs, and applauded Senator Marri for helping ensure this will happen.
Big news goes unnoticed! Pak’s Parliament passes a historic bill, a remarkable stride for women’s welfare. This progressive legislation emphasizes the importance of family and work-life balance. Kudos to our lawmakers for prioritizing the well-being of families!#ProgressivePakhttps://t.co/7RCUDJiyAF
As a mother myself & having friends who are embarking on this amazing journey of parenthood, I feel this was so much needed in #Pakistan – esp since more & more couples are working! Maternity leaves / paternity leaves give a breathing space to them both! https://t.co/B5pos3xmHX
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has extended bail for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan till May 31.
The decision was made during a hearing of PTI’s plea to provide details of more than 100 cases in which Imran is booked.
The former Prime Minister was represented by Barrister Gohar in court today. The government’s attorney asked for extra time to disclose details regarding the charges brought against the PTI chief.
The court, while approving the request of the government’s attorney, postponed the hearing until May 31, passing orders not to arrest Imran Khan until then.
Earlier IHC, barred authorities from arresting Imran Khan till May 17 in any new case registered against him after May 9.
Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir, the daughter of Shireen Mazari, appeared on Spot Light at AajTv with Munizae Jahangir on Tuesday, where she expressed her disappointment in PTI chief Imran Khan for not speaking up about the arrest, which she labels as an abduction.
During the show, the anchor asked Imaan if Imran Khan had shown any support to her upon her mother’s arrest. The human rights activist replied, “I’m very disappointed, even though my mother always stood by Imran Khan, he did not utter a single word at her abduction”.
During the show Imaan further revealed that instead of releasing her mother from Adiala Jail, the Islamabad police abducted her and took her to another police station.
She continued by saying that she reached the secretariat police station after she received unverified information about her mother’s location with her lawyer.
When she reached there, officials asked her to go to and meet G-11 Superintendent, but Imaan said that she entered the police station forcefully screaming her mother’s name and she then saw her mother behind prison shouting that she was being beaten. Imaan said that her mother advised her to leave the police station.
She told the anchor that officials dragged her out, adding that she is unsure of what really happened.
میری والدہ کو اڈیالہ جیل سے رہا کرنے کی بجائے اسلام آباد پولیس اغوا کرکے کسی اور تھانے لے گئی جب میں اپنی والدہ کی تلاش میں سیکرٹریٹ تھانہ پہنچی تو میری والدہ وہاں پر چیخ رہی تھی کہ مجھ پر تشدد کیا جا رہا ہے :ایمان مزاری@MunizaeJahangir .@ImaanZHazirpic.twitter.com/E41GzcjyR7
Shireen Mazari was arrested by the police in the early hours of the previous Friday. Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday deemed the detention of Shireen under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) as unlawful and ordered her immediate release. However, she was arrested again by police shortly after her release from Adiala Jail. In a tweet, Imaan Mazari said that she does not know about the whereabouts of her mother.
Anchor Muhammad Junaid made the country proud when he became the first ever Pakistani journalist to participate in the Boston Marathon and the London Marathon, a feat he completed in a week.
In the Boston Marathon, held on April 17 in Eastern Massachusetts, Junaid completed the run in 3 hours, 36 min and 38 seconds. He participated along side other Pakistani-Americans like Salman Khan, Hamid Butt, Prem Kumar, Aamad Butt and Shariq Samad. Dr Salman & Hamid Butt are Abbott 6 Start Finishers.
Whereas in the London Marathon, which Junaid finished in 3 hours, 21 minutes and 38 seconds, he ran alongside others Pakistani or Pakistani origin marathons runners. Sadiq Shah, Faisal Shafi, Semeena Khan, Danish Raza, Prem Kumar, Farrukh Sadiq, Dr Jehanzeb Mughal, Danish Elahe, Imran Aleem & Ammar Mumtaz were also among them.
Saqid Shah, a Quetta born and currently a Karachi resident made history at the London Marathon by completing the race in 2 hours, 55 minutes and 20 seconds, becoming the fastest Pakistani runner in London Marathon. He appeared on the Geo News show ‘Geo Pakistan’, along with Muhammad Junaid.
The Current reached out to Junaid to chat about his recent accomplishments, and how running become one of his favorite hobbies, and the Geo News anchor gave us some interesting insights.
Q. You mentioned in your bio that you previously participated in the Boston Marathon. Is running your passion?
Junaid: I started more organised and focused running a few years ago and ran marathons in Karachi and Istanbul. Women and men of the running community realised that the number of Pakistanis in International marathons is very limited and we decided to train to run them. Every marathon has its own value but running Boston marathon can be any runner’s biggest dream. I collaborated with Pakistani Americans & partnered with South Asian Circle of Hopkinton through Hopkinton Board in Massachusetts to run Boston Marathon and open paths for more South Asians in future. It’s an achievement for South Asians in USA and Pakistanis here.
Q. Winning this race seems like an impossible task, so how did you train for this marathon? Especially considering that you’re a Karachi food lover.
Junaid: The goal is to finish the marathon in a good time, preferably faster than your previous time, for any marathon runner 70 KM per week is considered a standard mileage. Per week can vary for everyone, but yes you have got be careful with food. Protein is most important in that because it helps make and repair cells, which are critical for growth and development. So yes chicken, yogurt, milk, eggs, cheese, seafood, nut butters and then good carbs like wholegrain items, sweet potato, brown rice, and lots and lots of water, in my experience anyone involved in sports should avoid carbonated drinks because of the amount of processed sugar in them.
Q. You met politicians like MP Zarah Sultana who congratulated you for your prestigious win! How did that feel?
Junaid: For the Boston Marathon, Pakistani-American Shahid Ahmed Khan, who is currently a member of US President Joe Biden’s prestigious President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts (PACA), Irfan Nasrullah, and the President of South Asian Circle Ruta Upalekar and her team’s role was significant in helping me prepare for the marathon. From Pakistan, it was nearly impossible without support of Geo News. London Marathon was a collaboration for me with the Pakistani-British Journalist Saima Mohsin to raise funds for Scope, a UK charity working mainly for people with disabilities and facing cost of living crises. In that collaboration, we met British Pakistani MPs Naz Shah and Zarah Sultana, who are an inspiration for many and they assured us of their support to work in order to send more Pakistanis of all genders in world sports specially London Marathon.
Q. These initiatives are wonderful but sadly such things have not taken place in Pakistan. Should Pakistani politicians also start setting up running marathons, now that petrol prices are soaring and we’re looking for cheaper ways to travel?
Junaid: Pakistan does not have any international standard running events so far but Shoaib Nizami and other partners are working to organise Pakistan’s first internationally recognised marathon, Karachi Marathon, this year, which can help people here to get first hand experience of running an official marathon.
Junaid revealed that currently he is gearing up along side other Pakistani marathon runners to participate in the upcoming Berlin Marathon being held on September 24, where 50 runners from Pakistan are expected to participate.
Besides the fact that Pakistanis are underrepresented at these races, the number of women runners is even less but the running community is trying to change that. Last year, at London Marathon, Kaukab Sarwar and Hira Diwan ran in the race for TCF with the help of a friend of Pakistan, Mike Nithavrianakis. It is expected that a bigger number of women will be participating in Berlin Marathon this year. Hira Diwan, who is a British Pakistani, has run four world major marathons including New York & Chicago.
