Tag: trending

  • TTP uses US weapons left behind in Afghanistan for terrorism in Pakistan, claims report

    TTP uses US weapons left behind in Afghanistan for terrorism in Pakistan, claims report

    Military weapons worth $7 billion that were left behind by the United States (US) after its exit from Afghanistan are being used by banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch separatist groups for terrorism in Pakistan, claimed a report by Radio Free Europe.

    The report said that the US left behind firearms, communications gear and armored vehicles which gave the militants a “vast war chest”.

    The Taliban government has rejected claims that it has supplied TTP fighters with US weapons and equipment, however, the report stands contrary to their assertion.

    Abdul Sayed, a Sweden-based researcher who tracks the TTP, said the group’s access to sophisticated combat weapons has had a “terrifying” impact, especially on the lesser-equipped police force in Pakistan.

    Since government talks with the TTP broke down in November, the militant group has intensified its attacks across Pakistan including attacks on the police.

    According to statistics released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), January 2023 remained one of the deadliest months for terrorism since July 2018.

  • Loving ‘Kuch Ankahi’? Then you should check out PTV drama ‘Tum Se Kehna Tha’

    Loving ‘Kuch Ankahi’? Then you should check out PTV drama ‘Tum Se Kehna Tha’

    ‘Kuch Ankahi’ has made an indelible mark on the Pakistani entertainment industry, for tackling sensitive issues like marriage pressure, body shaming, as well as infidelity. However, many audience members won’t know that the writer as well as the actor who plays the dad in the drama, Syed Mohammad Ahmed, has written countless scripts for film and television, including the iconic PTV drama ‘Tum Se Kehna Tha’ which was his debut effort.

    Directed by the brilliant Sahira Kazmi, the drama is an adaptation of the Hollywood rom-com ‘While You Were Sleeping’ which is about a young woman, who is accidently mistaken to be the fiancée of a man in a coma. The drama is incredibly funny, with powerful performances by actors Marina Khan and Ali Haider, and if our audiences are hung up on the fact that there are no good dramas out there that outshine the way ‘Kuch Ankahi’ did, here are some reasons why they should definitely check out this cult classic.

    1 The powerful chemistry between Hira (played by Khan) and Bilal (played by Haider)

    Hira and Bilal are feuding opposites in the beginning of the drama, because the family completely takes her in once they find out she was Saad’s (played by Farhan Ali Agha) fiancee, but Bilal opposes this because he suspects that she is telling a lie. As the episodes progress, their rivalry turns into friendship and then in to love, giving us a healthy and meaningful relationship.

    2 Powerful women lead the drama

    Powerful, witty Hira immediately captures the hearts of the audience, especially due to the exceptional acting shown by Marina Khan. Hira works in a travel agency under her boss who was her late father’s best friend, and is like father figure to her. She has everything that any woman would want: friends, an apartment and lots of wealth, but deep down, Hira longs for a family so she won’t remain alone. If fans of ‘Kuch Ankahi’ love the sisters and their fierce devotion and dedication to each other, then they will love the way Hira loves and defends her family members, helps her sister in law tackle with the grief from divorce, and especially how drama refuses to pit women against each other.

    3 Debunks the stereotype that divorced women can never find happiness

    ‘Kuch Ankahi’ has definately engaged Pakistani audiences with its refreshing script that provided us with complex female characters who refuse to be dictated around by patriarchal expectations, then they would also find ‘Tum Se Kehna Tha’ addictive because in the same manner, it engages with the societal disgrace that divorcees often face. Through the journey of Meher (played by Seemi Pasha), a divorced woman who is still recovering from the betrayal of her first marriage, she learns to empower herself through becoming friends with Hira, and forming a friendship with Sajjad, another divorcee who encourages her to keep living her best life.

    4 Humorous and engaging side characters

    A lot of times one of the biggest criticisms of Pakistani dramas has been that the side characters are incredibly dense, and limited to only showing up to push the main lead’s story forward. However the brilliance of Syed Mohammad Ahmed is that in his scripts, each character is interesting and keeps us engaged with the show. In ‘Kuch Ankahi’, fans are in love with the Tiktok star Neeha who is the househelp’s daughter, or Shakeel, the clumsy nephew. In a similar way, in ‘Tumse Ye Kehna Tha’ side characters like the neighbour Gringo or Buwa who add to the humor of the drama.

  • From dream boy to bad boy: Twitter shares why certain Pakistani dramas have aged badly

    If you’re a citizen of Pakistani Twitter, then you would be familiar with cult dramas like ‘Zindagi Gulzar Hai’, ‘Humsafar’ and ‘Tere Bin’, that have dominated social media with swoon worthy romances as well as dreamboats like Fawad Khan and Wahaj Ali. We’ll admit it, we have been obsessed too.

    But it might turn out that all that is old is not gold? And sadly, our fav heroes might not actually be the shehzada of our dreams but actually toxic men who needs to be re examined again.

    A Twitter user shared a tweet of the main leads from the most popular Pakistani dramas: ‘Tere Bin’, ‘Zindagi Gulzaar Hai’, ‘Humsafar’ and ‘Mere Humsafar’, and in the caption she shared that arranged marriage might not be such a bad idea if it were with men like them.

    But in today’s climate when more women are asking for better representation on television screens, a man like Ashar or Zarrun won’t sit well with audiences, regardless of how good looking Fawad Khan is. With that, more twitter users began sharing the ways audiences had overlooked how regressive and sexist these male leads actually were, and should not have been projected as the standard kind of man women should look for.

    Users shared that in ‘Humsafar’, Khan’s character Ashar, kicks his wife Khirad (played by Mahira Khan) out of the house while she was pregnant because he suspects her to be cheating on him with her friend, Khizar.

    Twitter users shared how toxic Murtasim was in ‘Tere Bin’ because he slapped Meerab in episode 5, and in the most recent episode he asks her to jump to prove she wasn’t having an affair behind his back.

    We hope that the entertainment industry takes a note of this and works on improving their scripts to stop romanticizing toxic men, who can only offer the bare minimum to the women in their lives.

  • Govt demands resignation from Chief Justice Bandial

    Govt demands resignation from Chief Justice Bandial

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb, in a press conference on Friday, demanded Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial’s resignation after Justice Athar Minallah’s hard-hitting note that said that the suo motu case of the delay in holding polls in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab was dismissed by 4-3.

    Calling the CJP “controversial”, Aurangzeb stated that when the court’s proceedings become controversial with judges of the top court refusing to accept the judgement, how will the people accept the verdict.

    “Justice Minallah’s note is a question mark,” she said.

    Without naming Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, the minister said that it is not acceptable for the government that a breacher of the constitution is facilitated by the judiciary.

    She added that parliament will decide about elections, not Imran Khan.

    It is pertinent to mention that CJP Bandial is set to retire by September this year, after which Justice Qazi Faez Isa will become the new chief justice.

  • ‘Party ka secretary-general’: Sherry Rehman lashes out at Alvi for returning SC bill to parliament for review

    President Dr Arif Alvi has sent back the Supreme Court bill for revision.

    The Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill 2023, which aims to clip the powers of the chief justice of Pakistan, sailed through both houses of parliament and was sent to the president to be signed into law.

    However, the president sent the bill back to parliament for revision under Article 75 of the Constitution.

    In his detailed reply, which he also posted on Twitter, the president said that he thought it fit and proper to return the bill, in accordance with the Constitution, with “the request for reconsideration in order to meet the scrutiny about its validity (if assailed in the court of law)”.

    Alvi pointed out several aspects that need consideration after an in-depth consideration.

    President Alvi said that SC Rules 1980 had been “made and in force duly validated and adopted by the Constitution itself” under enabling provisions such as Article 191 of the Constitution which empowers the top court to make rules regulating the practice and procedure of the court.

    “These time-tested rules are being followed ever since the year 1980 —any tinkering with the same may tantamount to interference with the internal working of the Court, its autonomy and independence,” the letter stated.

    The purpose of the proposed bill is to provide a procedure for exercising preliminary jurisdiction and appealing.

    “It may be admirable, but can it be done without a constitutional amendment?” President Alvi questioned.

    He further said it is a settled law that constitutional provisions cannot be amended by ordinary legislation. “The Constitution is the supreme law; the father of all laws,” he added.

    The president further maintains that the Constitution is not a general law, but an embodiment of laws above fundamental principles, supreme law and other laws.

    Article 191 of the Constitution empowers the Supreme Court to make rules to regulate judicial proceedings and procedure.

    Calling out the President, Federal Minister for Climate Change, Sherry Rehman tweeted, “President Arif Alvi sent the bill back to the Supreme Court for review and proved that he is not the President of the country but is still the Secretary-General of Tehreek-e-Insaaf. He has seen every decision of Parliament from Tehreek-e-Insaaf’s point of view. Even before receiving the bill, he had given his stand on it in an interview.”

    “He is following his party policy, not the constitutional position of the President. The President is saying that this bill is beyond the power of the Parliament. For three and a half years, he has been running the President’s House like an ordinance factory. How can he know the powers of the parliament? President, do not teach the Parliament how to legislate,” tweeted Rehman.

  • PM Shehbaz congratulates ISI for arresting BNA founder

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has congratulated the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Agency for carrying out a brilliant operation that resulted in the arrest of Baloch National Army’s (BNA) founder, Gulzar Imam alias Shambay.

    Taking to Twitter, the premier wrote, “This operation speaks of outstanding professionalism of our institutions. The arrest will help suppress militancy in Balochistan & usher in a new era of peace.”

    The ‘high-value target’ has been a “hardcore militant as well as founder and leader of the banned outfit BNA which came into being after the amalgamation of Baloch Republican Army (BRA) and United Baloch Army (UBA)”, read a statement released by the military media wing,  Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

    ISPR elaborated that the BNA has been responsible for many violent terrorist attacks in Pakistan, including attacks on installations of law enforcement agencies (LEAs) in Panjgur and Noshki.

    ISPR further stated that the “apprehension of a militant leader of this stature demonstrates the capability and resolve of LEAs to uproot the menace of terrorism,” emphasizing that it speaks volumes about the successes garnered through supreme sacrifices of unsung heroes.

    It is pertinent to mention here that the National Security Committee (NSC) on Friday approved a multi-pronged comprehensive operation with the support of the government and the nation to eradicate the menace of terrorism from the country with a new resolve, determination and valour.

  • Hadiqa Kiani writes moving tribute to fellow cast as ‘Pinjra’ airs last episode

    Actress and singer Hadiqa Kiani wrote a moving tribute to her fellow cast members and fans of the drama ‘Pinjra’ as the last episode aired on Friday.

    “Our beautiful family ”, wrote the ‘Dupatta’ singer. “Grateful to be a part of such an important experience. The cast, the crew, these talented children, the story, the great late writer Asma Nabeel, the wonderful @shaziawajahat, our amazing director @najafbilgrami…just feeling so grateful. Thank you to all of those who connected with the drama  @arydigital.tv.”

    Pinjra revolved around a family where the father Javed (played by Omair Rana) and the mother Khadija (Kiani) are both strict parents, demanding their son Abaan to stay away from his interest in art and music, and to focus more on his studies. The pressure to succeed has an impact on Abaan -along with being bullied by his siblings due to his poor grades- he begins doing drugs and even harming another child.

    Twitter users praised the series for carefully discussing issues like societal pressures, bullying, and helping parents understand how to be kinder to their children.

    Kiani was previously praised for her powerful performance in ‘Dobara’ as a newly widowed middle-aged woman, who takes stand for herself after being restricted by her husband through out her marriage, and in the process she falls in love with a man who is ten years younger than her.

  • All-out comprehensive operation so Pakistan can get rid of terrorism: NSC

    All-out comprehensive operation so Pakistan can get rid of terrorism: NSC

    A National Security Committee (NSC) meeting on Friday agreed to launch an “all-out comprehensive operation” so the country can get rid of terrorism.

    The moot agreed to initiate the operation with [the participation of] the entire nation and government to rid the country of the menace of terrorism with renewed vigour and determination.

    The operation is to eliminate the scourge of terrorism in all its forms from Pakistan and would incorporate measures at political, diplomatic, security, economic and social levels.

    The participants of the meeting emphasised the need for “comprehensive national security”, with a focus on relief for the people. They were informed that the government is taking necessary steps in this regard.

    The NSC concluded that the recent spate of terrorism in the country is a consequence of a “soft corner” for the banned militant group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and a “thoughtless policy” towards the terror outfit, both of which were “contrary to the public’s expectations”.

    PM Shehbaz chairs NSC meeting amid political chaos and security issues

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif chaired a two-hours-long of NSC on Friday.

    The meeting takes place at a time when pressing security issues and heightened political tensions between the government and its rival political parties are reaching a crescendo.

    According to media reports, the meeting was attended by Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, chairman joint chiefs of staff committee (CJCSC), heads of armed forces, federal ministers for defence, finance and information and senior military leadership. Director General of the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum gave a detailed briefing on the ongoing operations against terrorism and the security situation of the country.

    According to Dawn, the government once again asked the top brass for a briefing on potential threats from militants in case elections were held in Punjab on May 14 as per the Supreme Court’s order.

    The news outlet also reported that military authorities had given a detailed briefing to the government that terrorist outfits have regrouped in tribal districts bordering Afghanistan due to which conditions were not conducive for electioneering.

    Finance Minister Ishaq Dar also briefed the NSC on the economic situation of the country. 

    The detailed statement on the NSC meeting is yet to be issued.

  • Faisal Subzwari reveals MQM-P was forced to rejoin Khan’s govt in 2020

    Faisal Subzwari reveals MQM-P was forced to rejoin Khan’s govt in 2020

    Senator Faisal Subzwari of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) revealed on Thursday that his party was forced to rejoin the cabinet of the then prime minister Imran Khan in March 2020.

    Speaking on the Geo News programme ‘Capital Talk’, Subzwari revealed how his party was coerced to take a U-turn on their decision and rejoin the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) cabinet despite reservations and unfulfilled promises.

    “In December 2019, Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui resigned in protest from Khan’s cabinet after which negotiations continued between the PTI and the MQM-P from January till the following March. Then MQM-P suddenly got an order to rejoin the cabinet,” said Sabzwari.

    He added that after MQM-P refused to comply with the order, seven of their workers were detained and tortured, which forced the party to rejoin Khan’s cabinet.

    “In September 2020, I told Imran Khan in Governor House that this is what we went through and now I am sitting with you merely because of helplessness and not by choice,” said Sabzwari.

  • Babar Azam tweets in support of Kane Williamson ahead of NZ series

    Babar Azam tweets in support of Kane Williamson ahead of NZ series

    Skipper Babar Azam, a true gentleman of the game, has once again made a touching gesture, tweeting his support for injured New Zealand captain, Kane Williamson.

    The Kiwi skipper is likely to miss the 50 overs World Cup to be held in India this year, after injuring the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee.

    The top-order batsman suffered the injury while fielding for the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League last Friday and returned to New Zealand soon after.

    Scans conducted on Tuesday confirmed that the injury would require surgery, making it unlikely he will be fit and available for selection for the tournament in October and November.

    In his tweet, Babar Azam wrote, “Bounce back stronger. Get well soon Kane Williamson.”

    The New Zealand Team is scheduled to tour Pakistan for an upcoming series in which they will play five T20 and five ODI matches in Pakistan. The series has a critical role in defining Pakistan team’s weakness and strengths before the upcoming World Cup in India.

    Before this crucial series, Kane Williamson’s injury will be a blow for the Kiwis and a plus point for Pakistan.

    The gesture of goodwill from Babar was widely appreciated by cricket fans around the world. Many people praised him for showing sportsmanship and solidarity with a fellow player who had suffered an injury.

    The Pakistan skipper is known both for his formidable skills on the pitch and his graciousness on and off the field. His tweet offering support to Williamson is just one example of the kind of sportsmanship and camaraderie that he embodies.

    Pakistan vs New Zealand series schedule:
    Apr 14, Fri Pakistan vs. New Zealand, 1st T20I
    Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
    7:30 PM
    Apr 15, Sat Pakistan vs New Zealand, 2nd T20I
    Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
    7:30 PM
    Apr 17, Mon Pakistan vs New Zealand, 3rd T20I
    Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
    7:30 PM
    Apr 20, Thu Pakistan vs New Zealand, 4th T20I
    Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
    7:30 PM
    Apr 24, Mon Pakistan vs New Zealand, 5th T20I
    Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
    7:30 PM
    Apr 27, Thu Pakistan vs New Zealand, 1st ODI
    Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
    2:30 PM
    Apr 29, Sat Pakistan vs New Zealand, 2nd ODI
    Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
    2:30 PM
    May 03, Wed Pakistan vs New Zealand, 3rd ODI
    National Stadium, Karachi
    May 05, Fri Pakistan vs New Zealand, 4th ODI
    National Stadium, Karachi
    2:30 PM
    May 07, Sun Pakistan vs New Zealand, 5th ODI
    National Stadium, Karachi
    2:30 PM