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  • Paresh Rawal breaks silence over insensitive remarks for Bengalis, faces police case

    Paresh Rawal breaks silence over insensitive remarks for Bengalis, faces police case

    Indian actor Paresh Rawal has landed in a massive controversy with his viral comments on Bengalis while campaigning in Gujarat for the ruling BJP.

    “Gas cylinders are expensive but they will come down. People will get employment too. But what will happen if Rohingya migrants and Bangladeshis start living around you, like in Delhi? What will you do with gas cylinders? Cook fish for the Bengalis?” Rawal was heard saying at the rally.

    While the ruling Trinamool Congress in Bengal has hit out at Rawal for his offensive comments, former Member of Parliament and CPI(M) leader Md Salim has filed a complaint with the police.

    BJP faces flak for Paresh Rawal's Bengali-fish remark | Deccan Herald

    At a rally, Paresh Rawal said the people of Gujarat would tolerate inflation but not “Bangladeshis and Rohingya” next door and used a “cooking fish” stereotype that has incensed Bengalis.

    Mr. Salim has written to the Taltala Police Station in Kolkata asking them to treat his complaint as an FIR and prosecute the actor as his comments are generating adverse opinions against Bengalis.

    “A large number of Bengalis reside outside the limits of the state. I apprehend many of them will be prejudicially targeted and affected because of the vicious remarks made by Paresh Rawal,” Md. Salim says in his letter to the police.

    Md Salim wants Paresh Rawal to be charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including for promoting enmity, intentional insult, public mischief etc.

    Paresh Rawal’s comments on Bengalis have created a storm in West Bengal with the ruling Trinamool Congress taking strong objection to his outburst.

    Though the veteran actor made an effort to explain his comments with a qualified apology but ended up aggravating the row by claiming that he meant “illegal Bangladeshis and Rohingya” when he used the word “Bengalis”.

    Many saw it as “hate speech” attacking Bengalis. Others described it as “xenophobic dog-whistling” against the Bangladeshi and Rohingya.

    “So once again the politics of violence, hate, and division is out in the open. Renowned actor Mr. Paresh Rawal who is a member of the BJP remarked about cooking fish for the Bengalis. I think this was utterly distasteful and a very insensitive remark. The BJP and the union government cannot tackle the rising prices of gas cylinders and inflation. But they turn around the problem and directed it this time to the Bengalis and their habit of eating fish,” Shashi Panja, who holds the portfolios of Industries, Commerce & Enterprises and Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare in West Bengal, said.

    “Very unfortunate. So now you are targeting Bengal because as everybody remembers, you could not win in the 2021 assembly elections. You are yet to digest the defeat. You are unable to assimilate the mandate of the people. So now you are attacking Bengali food habits. People in Bengal, who live together with everybody will not take this lying down. The All-India Trinamool Congress once again condemns such kinds of statements, the statements of Paresh Rawal.” Dr Shashi Panja added.

  • Gen (r) Bajwa watches Pak vs England Test in Pindi

    Gen (r) Bajwa watches Pak vs England Test in Pindi

    The former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General (retired) Qamar Javed Bajwa, watched the fourth day of the first Test series between Pakistan and England on Sunday in Rawalpindi.

    The recently retired COAS handed over the military’s command to General Asim Munir earlier this week, marking the end of his six-year extended tenure.

    Having taken a 78-run lead in the runfest, England declared their second innings on 264-7 to set Pakistan an improbable victory target of 343 with four sessions to go.

    Harry Brook (87), Joe Root (73), and Zak Crawley (50) scored half-centuries for the visitors. While, the Shaheens: Naseem Shah, Mohammad Ali, and Zahir Mahmood claimed two wickets each for Pakistan.

    A day earlier, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam became the seventh batsman to smash a century.

    Last week, the Ben Stokes-led England cricket team finally embarked on their historic Test tour of Pakistan for the first time since 2005.

    Twitterati shared pictures of the ex-army chief at the Pindi cricket stadium.

    https://twitter.com/ShahSheraz3/status/1599392299212935168?s=20&t=yS86XL7K0W9eLwsJf33ECg

  • Shaan Shahid slams Fawad Khan, Hamza Ali Abbasi for ‘bad’ Punjabi dialogue delivery in ‘TLOMJ’

    Shaan Shahid slams Fawad Khan, Hamza Ali Abbasi for ‘bad’ Punjabi dialogue delivery in ‘TLOMJ’

    Star-actor Shaan Shahid believes that box-office kings Fawad Khan and Hamza Ali Abbasi should have worked harder on their Punjabi diction in The Legend Of Maula Jatt.

    The Waar hero was recently invited to the show Super Over, where the host of the show asked for his views on Bilal Lashari casting Khan for the role of “Maula Jatt” and not him.

    Shaan hasn't watched The Legend Of Maula Jatt.. He tells why - Lifestyle - SAMAA

    Hosted by Ahmed Ali Butt, Shaan stated that casting depends on the director’s vision, however, Shaan said he feels that Hamza and Fawad didn’t do justice to the Punjabi language and accent. As actors, one must not give excuses that they don’t speak a particular language. If Pakistani actors are cast in an English movie, would they have the same issue? he asked.

    In an exclusive interview with The Current, host Uzair Anwer asked him, if a biopic gets made on him, which young actor would he want to essay him in the film? The veteran artist was given four options (Hamza Ali Abbasi, Ahad Raza Mir, Bilal Abbas, and Imran Ashraf). The Majajan hero wasn’t too excited about these younger actors playing him in his biopic. He In fact hinted that it should be Shaan himself who should feature in a film based on him.

    Shaan stated, “I think if they would have cast Sanjay Dutt in Sanju (2018), it would have been better.”

    The actor said that it was difficult for him too in his initial days in the industry as he had come to Pakistan from New York. He told that he had to watch many Punjabi movies to learn the trait.

    Humaima Malik On The Legend Of Maula Jatt: “I Was Bilal Lashari's First Choice To Play Daaro Nattni

    Shaan, however commended Humaima Malick on her incredible acting in The Legend of Maula Jatt.

  • Pakistan engaged in severe violations of religious freedom: US

    Pakistan engaged in severe violations of religious freedom: US

    The United States (US) has placed Pakistan on a list of countries that are “engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom” during 2022.

    US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced this on Friday and said, “Around the world, governments and non-state actors harass, threaten, jail, and even kill individuals on account of their beliefs.”

    He noted that the US will not stand by in the face of these abuses.

    Apart from Pakistan, the US has placed China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and others. However, Algeria, the Central African Republic, Comoros, and Vietnam are on the Special Watch List for engaging in, or tolerating, severe violations of religious freedom.

    This is not the first time that Pakistan is on the list of religious freedom violators.

    The Trump administration first placed Pakistan on this list in December 2018 and retained it in 2020 as well. The Biden administration, which came to office in January last year, retained the old list with some changes, but kept Pakistan on it.

  • Humayun Saeed opens up about his deleted scene from Netflix’s ‘The Crown’

    Humayun Saeed opens up about his deleted scene from Netflix’s ‘The Crown’

    The reigning king of Pakistani cinema, Humayun Saeed is currently basking in the glory of his last blockbuster film London Nahi Jaunga and season 5 of Netflix’s globally successful web series, The Crown.

    For his part in Season 5 of The Crown, Humayun Saeed recently disclosed on Mazaaq Raat that he had to go through several auditions. When he submitted his initial audition, he was shortlisted. When he was eventually chosen for the series, he then re-auditioned with a romance scene.

    An extremely emotional moment that was left out of the series, according to Humayun Saeed, was also disclosed. They had to remove the sequence because they were unable to make the episodes of the television series longer than an hour. Diana informs Dr. Hasnat that she would be willing to convert to Islam for him at the moment. Although Humayun claimed to have appreciated the moment, it was ultimately removed.

    Prior to the series’ release, Humayun chatted with Dawn’s Maliha Rehman and talked about Netflix’s award-winning juggernaut.

    On being asked about the casting process, Humayun said, “It started with a call from Hamid Hussain, who is now my talent agent. He used to manage Bollywood star Nargis Fakhri, and I was in touch with him earlier to cast Nargis in my film. We had remained in touch since then.”

    He added: “One evening, I got a call from him, and he informed me that there was a really important international project that he had in mind for me, but I would need to send an audition for it. I only remember auditioning for the first few projects at the start of my career, but I know this is a norm in the West and agreed to it.”

    So, he sent the audition in, and soon after he was asked to do an online reading with Elizabeth Debicki, who jas essayed Princess Diana in the latest season. After ten days of waiting, he was told that he has bagged the role of Dr. Hasnat Khan.

    See the Cast of 'The Crown' vs. the People They Play in Real Life

    ‘The Crown’ follows the lives of the British Royal Family and Season 5 sees us in the 1990s nearing the end of Prince Charles and Lady Diana’s marriage. Enter Dr. Hasnat Ahmad Khan, played by Saeed, a British-Pakistani lung and heart surgeon who is most well-known for his romantic relationship with Princess Diana from 1995 to 1997, referred by her as “Mr. Wonderful”.

    We just got a first glimpse of his character where he looks barely recognizable. Attention to detail in a show like ‘The Crown’ of course is incredible and it’s the same for Humayun’s look. 

    When asked about his research and prep work before stepping into the role, he had this to say:

    “Before filming began, I got to do a workshop with a real surgeon in the UK to understand how a surgeon would behave and react on the job. Of course, I knew about Dr Hasnat Khan even before I got this role. After my casting was confirmed, the team shared research material with me on the doctor. It included a few interviews, as well as, some images.

    “Dr Hasnat Khan is a very private person, which was why he and Princess Diana broke up — he couldn’t handle being in the limelight. Due to this, there is very limited material on him available in the public domain. So, I had to study whatever was shared with me in detail.”

    Humayun, for most of his career, is seen playing the hero, so when asked about his transformation into a down-to-earth not very fashionable doctor, he had this to say:  

    “I would sometimes try to push up my hair right before a scene,” he laughs, “but the stylists on set would immediately notice and they would put my hair back in place. When I saw myself on screen for the first time, I was completely taken aback! I didn’t look like Humayun Saeed at all but like the doctor.

    “On a serious note, the makers of ‘The Crown’ are extremely particular about details, and the look that they had created for the doctor had to be followed to the tee. It was very impressive seeing firsthand how they looked into every tiny nuance.”

    Humayun also talked about how he could let his diet go for a change, seeing as how he’s often playing the hero which requires strict regimental diets. 

    “More than being intimidated, I feel that this show puts extra responsibility on anyone who is part of it,” he mused. “People naturally have strong feelings about characters in the show, and memories of the events that we are depicting. Also, some of the people we are representing are alive or have family members who are still alive and that means all of us who are part of this show has to take the responsibility of our roles seriously.”

    He also lauded the screenwriter Peter Morgan for handling each character’s portrayal sensitively, calling it the show’s biggest highlight.

    Speaking about the energy on set, Humayun revealed that most of his scenes were opposite Elizabeth Debicki, and that he was in awe of her commitment to her craft. Elizabeth of course, is best known for her work in ‘The Great Gatsby,’ ‘Guardians of The Galaxy Vol. 2’ and ‘Tenet.’

    The artist doesn’t think that the series will give him a boost as an actor, rather he hopes to apply all his learnings from this experience to his future projects.

  • Samosagate: Pakistanis vehemently defend their favourite snack

    Samosagate: Pakistanis vehemently defend their favourite snack

    Pakistanis have vehemently reacted to a viral video which claims that their favourite desi snack, the humble samosa is, in fact, a very unhealthy thing to eat.

    Dr Muhammad Affan Qaiser has made a video about the negative side effects of the fried potato delight. Terming the samosa an “atom bomb of 400 calories”, he said that the average caloric ratio of samosas is between 250-400. He also emphasised the fact that samosas are fried in poor quality oil. “Dada ne tail dala hota hai aur pota us mei se samosa nikaal reha hota hai. (That grandson of the man who poured that oil is still frying in it).”

    The doctor also took exception to the fact that despite how unhealthy the samosa is, it is available in all high-end restaurants and universities.

    https://twitter.com/Aashi_2/status/1598200901080342530?s=20&t=gBHclqN_xUnVeX8-lb70tQ

    After the video went viral, Pakistani samosa lovers didn’t hesitate to express their love for samosas. Here is a look at some of the tweets:

    https://twitter.com/danadalrey1984/status/1598679801220300802?s=20&t=p2zgor-Gqegp136MJ75VRA

    https://twitter.com/Alamgir_Afridi_/status/1598570232980774912?s=20&t=p2zgor-Gqegp136MJ75VRA
  • PM Jacinda Ardern shows us how to respond to a misogynist question

    PM Jacinda Ardern shows us how to respond to a misogynist question

    New Zealand Prime Minister (PM) Jacinda Ardern shuts down a male journalist for asking a misogynist question.

    Arden was hosting Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin at Auckland’s Government House on Wednesday during the first visit by a Premier from the European country to New Zealand.

    However, a male reporter zoomed in on what he seemed to think was the most important thing Ardern, 42, and Marin, 37, have in common.

    He asked, “A lot of people will be wondering: ‘Are you two meeting just because you’re similar in age and have got a lot of common stuff there — when you got into politics and stuff — or can Kiwis actually expect to see more deals between our two countries down the line?”

    Ardern interrupted the question to say that she wondered “whether or not anyone ever asked Barack Obama and John Key if they met because they were of similar age.”

    With a smile on her face, she added: “We, of course, have a higher proportion of men in politics, it’s a reality. Because two women meet, it is not simply because of their gender.”

    She then schooled the reporter on the important trade relations between the countries. “It’s our job to further it, regardless of our gender,” Arden concluded.

    Meanwhile, Marin said: “We are meeting because we are prime ministers, of course … we have a lot of things in common, but also a lot of things where we can do much more together.”

    The question about age and gender drew criticism in local media outlets, where it was described as “not-so-subtle sexism” and “casual sexism”.

    The viral clip rapidly gained the attention of Twitterati who applauded the female leaders.

  • Exit stage; Lt General Faiz Hameed’s early retirement approved by PM Shehbaz

    Exit stage; Lt General Faiz Hameed’s early retirement approved by PM Shehbaz

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has approved Bahawalpur Corps Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed’s application seeking early retirement.

    He was in the running for the top slot for army chief and was scheduled to retire in April 2023.

    Earlier, Lt Gen Hameed sent his application to General Headquarters (GHQ), from where it was forwarded to the Prime Minister’s Office for approval via the Ministry of Defence.

    The development comes days after the federal government appointed General Asim Munir as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC).

    Previously, Lt Gen Hameed served as the Director-General (DG) of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) while Imran Khan was the Prime Minister. He had been criticised by former Premier Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz for allegedly playing an unconstitutional role in their convictions and for backing the previous set-up under PTI.

    Just a day after the appointment of Lt Gen Asim Munir as the new army chief of Pakistan, the media had reported that Lt General Hameed was considering an early appointment.

  • Kanye West to pay Kim Kardashian PKR 4.5 crore per month in child support as divorce settled

    Kanye West to pay Kim Kardashian PKR 4.5 crore per month in child support as divorce settled

    American rapper Kanye West has been ordered to pay his former wife Kim Kardashian $200,000 (PKR 4.5 crore) per month in child support in a divorce settlement.

    The former rapper and reality TV star will share joint custody of their four children.

    Kanye West admits Kim Kardashian has kids '80 percent' of the time

    Kardashian filed for divorce in 2021, after eight years with West, who has legally changed his name to Ye.

    It comes after several companies cut ties with Ye over controversies including antisemitic comments.

    Both parties were declared legally single in March, with Kardashian also dropping “West” from her last name.

    Kanye West and Kim Kardashian

    Issues around the division of property and custody of their children were resolved in court documents filed on Tuesday.

    The two parties should consult with each other on major decisions about their children’s welfare, the documents state.

    Expenses for the children’s security, school, and college will be shared.

    In addition, Ye is expected to pay $200,000 a month in child support – which the New York Post reported is because the children will spend the majority of their time with Kardashian.

    The couple has four children: North, 9, Saint, 6, Chicago, 4, and Psalm, 3.

    In several statements submitted earlier, Kardashian, 42, had said she “very much” wanted the marriage to be ended, adding that this would “help Kanye to accept” that the relationship was over.

    Ye, 45, had previously fought against the separation.

    He has faced controversy in recent months and has been dropped by several brands, including Adidas, Gap, and Balenciaga.

    The rapper provoked widespread criticism earlier this year after attending Paris Fashion Week wearing a t-shirt bearing a “White Lives Matter” slogan – a phrase often used by white supremacists.

    He then claimed his critics were being paid by a secret cabal of Jewish people, a common trope of antisemitism.

    Earlier this week, Ye announced his intention to run for US president in 2024.

    He previously ran in 2020 but gained just 70,000 votes.

    The two married in a lavish wedding in Italy in the year 2014.

    West has reportedly been living at their home in Wyoming, while Kardashian has stayed in California with their children.

    The couple met in the early 2000s, but it would be years before they became romantically involved.

    West interviewed his wife for Vogue Arabia and asked her about the first time they met.

    “This was before you released your first album and you were known as a music producer. I was really shy. You thought I was (singer) Brandy’s assistant, which I wasn’t,” Kardashian West recalled. “Ever since you said that, it’s everywhere … like ‘Kim is Brandy’s assistant.’ I was her friend and stylist. I thought you were attractive, nice, very charming, really funny, powerful — I was in awe of you, but I was really shy, quiet, and a little nervous, to be honest.”

    Both had high-profile relationships before they went public with their love in 2012.

    West famously proposed to Kardashian by renting out a sports stadium and hiring an orchestra, as her family watched from nearby — all of which was documented and shared on the family’s popular E! reality series Keeping Up With the Kardashians.

    The couple have four children together. Daughter North was born in 2013, followed by a son, Saint, in 2015, daughter, Chicago, in 2018, and son, Psalm, in 2019.

    “Gratitude and happiness best describe what my wife means to me,” he wrote. “I’m deeply grateful and purely happy.”

    https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/999810956912836608?s=20

    Kardashian, for her part, has also often spoke out in defense of her husband, who has been open about his struggles with bipolar disorder and stirred controversy with his provocative tweets and political views.

    Last summer, Kim sought understanding from the public in a social media post.

    “I understand Kanye is subject to criticism because he is a public figure and his actions at times can cause strong opinions and emotions,” she wrote in a statement shared on social media.

    “He is a brilliant but complicated person who on top of the pressures of being an artist and a black man, who experienced the painful loss of his mother, and has to deal with the pressure and isolation that is heightened by his bi-polar disorder. Those who are close with Kanye know his heart and understand his words some times do not align with his intentions.”

    Earlier, the couple wanted to keep their split under the radar and were in settlement talks but now they are done.

  • ‘Quetta police took Swati away, endangering his life’: Imran Khan demands release of his senator

    ‘Quetta police took Swati away, endangering his life’: Imran Khan demands release of his senator

    Imran Khan, the Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has said that Senator Azam Swati has been “taken away by the Quetta police” from Islamabad despite his health concerns.

    In a tweet on Friday (today), the party chief stated, “Swati was moved to PIMS (Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences) early morning after suffering severe chest pains and breathing issues.”

    “While test results were awaited, Quetta police got him discharged and took him away endangering his life,” he further said.

    Terming the Quetta police act “a great crime”, Imran demanded the immediate release of his party’s senator.

    Meanwhile, PTI leader Asad Umar said Swati was “handed over” to Balochistan police and taken to Quetta without waiting for medical reports from the hospital or waiting for the high court’s decision. He further blamed the “imported government” for “flouting fundamental rights and refusing to follow due process of law.”

    According to media reports, the arrest has been made over different cases registered against the senator across Balochistan. It is pertinent to mention that several First Information Reports (FIRs) had been registered within 24 hours against PTI leader Swati for his controversial tweets at different police stations in Karachi, Quetta, Jacobabad Qambar, Lasbela, Larkana, Sukkur, Khairpur, Shikarpur, Kandhkot, and other cities.

    Earlier today, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) reserved its verdict on a plea filed by Swati seeking details of the FIRs registered against him.

    The court, asking if the federal government has no administrative control, had reserved its verdict on the plea.

    A day earlier, Swati approached the Supreme Court (SC) to request the transfer of all cases registered against him in Sindh and Balochistan to Islamabad. The same day, an Islamabad court sent the senator on 14-day judicial remand.

    In a petition to the apex court, Swati has said that Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested him in a false case, adding that multiple cases were registered against him in the country, and he faces a security threat when appearing in various courts.

    Last Sunday, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested Swati — for the second time in less than two months — for speaking against the army.