Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan has called for the invocation of Article 6 (Guilty of high treason) against the members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) because they misinterpreted the Constitution, leading to the removal of the party’s electoral symbol—the bat.
His remarks came after the recent Supreme Court verdict granting PTI reserved seats for women and minorities—a right previously revoked by the ECP.
“I congratulate the entire Pakistan on this auspicious day and the entire legal team,” Ayub said, hailing the Supreme Court’s ruling in a press conference.
He also stated that the Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan, Sikandar Sultan Raja, and four other members of the ECP should resign from their offices immediately.
Law minister Azam Nazeer Tarar has said on Saturday that Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa informed him that he doesn’t want to stay the top judge longer than his current term, Geo News reported.
Tarar said on Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’ that CJP told him in the presence of the Attorney and General that he doesn’t want an extension in his tenure.
“I told him (CJP) no such thing is happening at all,” Azam Nazeer said, adding that the CJP then praised him for clarifying the issue.
Tarar also said that he told the CJP about pension reforms, which comprised a recommendation to increase the age of retirement by two years, applying to all the sectors.
In a significant political and symbolic win for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), a thirteen-member bench of the Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the party has the legal and constitutional right to reserved seats.
It was Justice Mansoor Ali Shah who, with his announcement of the 8-5 majority verdict, dismissed the Peshawar High Court’s (PHC) order that had upheld the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) ruling denying reserved seats to the Sunni Ittehad Council, which was backed by PTI.
Geo News reported that eight Justices, Justices Athar Minallah, Shahid Waheed, Muneeb Akhtar, Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Ayesha Malik, Syed Hassan Azhar Rizvi, and Irfan Saadat Khan supported the verdict.
The Supreme Court, in its verdict today, declared that a party’s lack of electoral symbol does not affect its legal rights to participate in an election.
The Supreme Court also stated that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) ‘misinterpreted’ its January 13 verdict of taking away PTI’s bat symbol and they never ruled that PTI could not participate in the elections.
“PTI was and is a political party, which secured general seats in the national and provincial assemblies in the general elections of 2024,” emphasised the verdict.
The ruling said that PTI should present a list of eligible candidates for the reserved seats to the electoral body within 15 days after the verdict.
TIMELINE
On 13 January 2024, the Supreme Court upheld the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to revoke PTI’s electoral symbol ‘bat’. PTI leadership called the decision “unfair and damaging to democratic constitutionalism.”
Following this landmark decision, PTI members contested the general elections as the party-backed independent candidates with their own allotted electoral symbols.
Following the February 8 elections, PTI-backed independents won the highest number of seats, making history in the country.
To get the reserved seats according to proportional representation, PTI-backed independents joined the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) because the laws dictated that only a political party could be eligible for the allocation of reserved seats.
The SIC then approached the ECP on February 21 seeking allocation of reserved seats. However, the PTI suffered a setback after the electoral body, citing the party’s failure to submit its list of candidates, denied allocating the reserved seats to the SIC via its 4-1 majority verdict on March 4.
The party then approached the Peshawar High Court on March 6, which, in yet another setback to the party, upheld the electoral body’s decision on the matter in its March 14 ruling.
Subsequently, on April 2, the SIC moved the SC seeking to set aside the PHC verdict.
Following the CCTV footage of three girls beating up a salesman in a shop in Lahore and the widespread criticism over the police’s handling of the alleged harassment case, local police are now actively finding out what happened.
In the viral video, the girls appear to have initiated the assault, with the boy at the receiving end of their blows. However, it was reported that the salesman was arrested on allegations of harassment posed by the girls. This instigated a debate on social media where netizens demanded the arrest of the girls for allegedly using the “woman card.”
DIG Lahore Operations Faisal Kamran, while talking to Dawn, said the CCTV footage was presented in court by the boys in their defence, led to the case being dismissed.
The DIG also stated that the police approached the young man to file a complaint against the girls, if they wish to proceed with legal action.
The Current talked to the Superintendent of Police (SP), Dr. Ayaz, who stated that women’s harassment laws require an immediate response from the police. He said the police responded to the complaint filed by the girls, took the boys to the police station, and booked them instantly. “It was the honourable court’s decision to decide the case,” he stressed. “The police is committed to performing their duties, and as per law, we have a time of 14 days according to which we are conducting our investigation,” he added.
SP Ayaz confirmed that the medical checkup of both the girl and boy has been done, and all aspects of the case are being investigated, including the harassment and assault allegations. This particular case is registered under Article 509-1 and will proceed under charges of ‘insulting modesty or causing sexual harassment’, Ayaz informed.
Addressing social media speculation about the girl being the daughter of a lawyer, DIG Kamran clarified that the girl’s mother informed the police that her husband had passed away.
THE GIRLS
One of the three girls, on condition of anonymity, talked to The Current and explained how she, along with her friends, went to the shop to have coffee and do some shopping. According to her, she was chitchatting with her friends when the salesman started passing lewd comments about them, asking the girls if they were on “night duty,” implying that they were prostitutes. The comments enraged her friend who told him to behave and as the situation escalated, they first got into a verbal brawl with two boys which eventually took the form of a physical fight. She claimed that they hurled curses at them and pulled the hair of the boy. He also struck a girl, causing her nose to bleed and tore her shirt.
She said that they stayed there until they called the police and got the FIR registered, an official copy of which is present with The Current. The man who made their video was asked not to do so because of their vulnerable condition, but he did not comply.
A digital copy of FIR shared by the girl.
The girl said that at the police station, the boy apologised, and a “raazi nama” was signed. She stressed that in police custody, the shopkeeper said that the CCTV footage was not available as it was deleted. However, it surfaced on social media, two days after the incident, in what she described as an effort to defame them. In a traumatised tone, she said that they are under extreme pressure and because of her public profile on Instagram, she has gotten rape and death threats after the video went viral.
The screenshots shared by the girl depict the threatening and abusive language used by men sliding into her DMs.
More than once, she said that the viral video does not present the whole version and lacks the actual audio. She stressed that if the audio was released, it would support her version of the story. “I don’t understand, how can people think that it could have happened without a reason. We are not mad that we just got up and started beating someone. There was a reason, and in all honesty, we are not ashamed of it,” she shared.
She made it a point to mention that she does not belong to an elite background but from an upper-middle-class household, and the criticism that the girls weren’t ‘dressed properly’ is sexist and violates their right to freedom of choice.
THE GUY’S VERSION
The viral footage showed only one boy being assaulted by the girls in the presence of the shop owner and other visitors who eventually intervened. Yasir Shami from Urdu Point was seen talking to the boy, Yousuf, who was beaten up by the girl. Yousuf vehemently denied any allegations of harassment. “I was laughing at something my colleague said, and the ladies misheard and started coming inside the counter area. I told them they couldn’t do that but she still made her way inside and started beating me,” he said. “I did defend myself as much as I could, but not much as she was a woman,” he claimed. He also denied any claim of cursing the girls.
Journalist Ahmed Faraz, while talking on the show Geo Pakistan, explained that only one FIR is registered in any case, and all elements are explored and investigated under that.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) announced a reserved verdict on Friday, declaring that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is eligible to obtain reserved seats. The SC also dismissed the Peshawar High Court’s (PHC) decision to deny the reserved seats of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC).
After the court’s decision, people reacted to it on X (formerly Twitter).
Journalist Gharidah Farooqi posted, “PTI is not present in the parliament, but they have to submit a list of their candidates for reserved seats in the next 15 days as per the court’s orders.”
PTI’s official account wrote, “Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja must IMMEDIATELY resign after violating the constitution of Pakistan.”
Several PTI leaders also expressed their support for the court’s decision on reserved seats.
Prominent party leader, Zulfi Bukhari posted, “Congratulations to the entire nation for the massive win in the revered seats case. Not only did PTI win 8-5 in the Supreme Court but 11 judges declared PTI a political party and allowed it to contest elections. More than us, this case was for the survival of the Supreme Court and hope of justice in the country.”
Journalist Shehzad Iqbal said while speaking on Geo News that the court’s decision benefits PTI but is not good news for the coalition government.
The famous journalist Asad Toor wrote in a post on X, “No extra seats for government.”
On the other hand, users on X posted memes about today’s verdict.
One user posted an image with the caption, “Itni Jaldi Mithai Nahi Khani Chahye.”
PTI leader Dr Shahbaz Gill posted the picture of journalist Hassan Ayub with the caption, “Aida ki Karna hai?”
Looking for something different from the usual love triangles, family feuds, and predictable comedies? Enter Green Entertainment! This channel has freshen up the Pakistani drama scene with new, exciting content. With its captivating teasers, Green Entertainment made us ask, ‘Is this what we were waiting for?’ And the answer was a resounding ‘Yes!’
Green Entertainment stands out for its diverse array of shows, including family dramas, crime thrillers, horror series, love stories, and unique scripts that challenge the industry norms. Competing with seasoned players in the field was no small feat, but Green Entertainment’s bravery paid off.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane and explore 10 standout dramas from Green Entertainment – from love stories to thrillers and more!
Tumhare Husn Ke Naam: This drama brought a touch of vintage romance, captivating fans of classic Pakistani dramas. Starring Saba Qamar and Imran Abbas as Salma and Sikandar, it tells the story of enduring love and following one’s passion. Set against the charming architecture of Lahore’s National College of Arts, this drama highlights societal norms about remarriage and the power of true love.
22 Qadam: This drama focuses on Fari, a college student passionate about cricket, played by Hareem Farooq. It highlights female empowerment and the pursuit of dreams. With a cast including Wahaj Ali and dynamic characters, “22 Qadam” challenges gender stereotypes and celebrates women’s aspirations.
Serial Killer: Starring Saba Qamar as SP Sarah, this drama introduces viewers to a murder mystery filled with forensic investigations and intricate plots. Written by Umera Ahmed, it keeps audiences on the edge of their seats with its meticulous attention to detail.
Breaking News: This drama delves into the manipulation of media and politics, exposing the dark side of the industry. It raises important questions about media responsibility and political influence, offering a gripping and thought-provoking narrative.
Kabli Pulao: ‘Kabli Pulao’ tells the story of Haji Mushtaq and Barbeena, highlighting cultural expectations and personal sacrifices. Their journey, symbolised by the popularity of Kabli Pulao, reflects resilience and the power of human connection.
Standup Girl: Zara Noor Abbas stars as Zara, a stand-up comedian navigating life’s challenges. This romantic comedy, set in Lahore, explores themes of identity, humour, and the pursuit of artistic fulfilment, making it a refreshing tale of love and laughter.
Gentleman: Influenced by Pakistan’s socio-political landscape, this drama blends love stories with deep-seated issues. Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar’s portrayal highlights the complexities of governance, justice, and the morality of love, offering a cinematic experience on TV screens.
Pas-e-Deewar: Set in rural Pakistan, this drama follows Ujala and Iftikhar as they navigate financial hardships and societal pressures. With themes of resilience, integrity, and love, it explores the clash between tradition and modernity.
Indian actor Taha Shah Badussha, renowned for his portrayal of Nawab Tajdar Baloch in ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’, was unable to contain his excitement upon meeting his lifelong idol, Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise.
Sharing the moment on his Instagram, Taha posted photos and a video of their encounter.
“Pinch me! I just met my lifelong idol. The one and only Tom Cruise!” he wrote in the caption of the posts, showing both of them smiling. The video captured a brief interaction between them.
The post received thousands of likes and comments from fans who admired the meeting of the two stars.
Pakistani singer Aima Baig has warned her fans about a fake Snapchat account using her name.
She shared a screenshot of the fraudulent account on her official Instagram, expressing surprise that people would mistake it for hers.
In her Instagram story, Baig mentioned her discomfort with Snapchat and confirmed that she does not have an account on the platform.
She also reassured her followers that she has no intention of creating a Snapchat account in the future.
Baig was shocked that people trust unverified accounts to the extent of making purchases through them. She urged her fans to pay attention to her Instagram stories and avoid falling victim to the fraudulent Snapchat account.
The singer noted that fraudulent activity had occurred through the impersonating account but did not provide further details.
Aima Baig’s warning serves as a reminder to her followers to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of social media accounts to prevent scams.
Amazon Prime Video is set to bring the incredible story of boxing legend Muhammad Ali to life in the first-ever authorised series titled ‘The Greatest.’
This exciting new project promises to explore his legendary fights and the man behind the icon.
Actor Jaalen Best will play Ali’s character, while Ben Watkins will take on the role of showrunner. Watkins said, “To be trusted with the honour of telling the story of my most cherished hero, Muhammad Ali, is humbling and scary, and a dream come true.”
‘The Greatest’ will showcase the victories and challenges that shaped Ali’s life, highlighting moments that often go unnoticed. The series aims to present Ali not only as a boxing champion but also as a husband, father, brother, and son.
Produced in collaboration with Ali’s estate, with his widow, Lonnie Ali, serving as executive producer, she expressed her excitement for the project, stating, “I’m thrilled to be producing ‘The Greatest’ alongside Ben Watkins, who captured the essence of Muhammad. Jaalen Best is a talented young man who embodies Muhammad’s resilience, courage, and charisma.”
Jaalen Best, known for his roles in ‘All American: Homecoming,’ ‘Magnum P.I.,’ and ‘American Horror Stories,’ is set to star in the series.
Muhammad Ali has been portrayed on screen before, including himself in 1977’s ‘The Greatest,’ Will Smith in the 2001 film ‘Ali,’ Terrence Howard in ‘King of the World,’ and David Ramsey in ‘Ali: An American Hero.’ With ‘The Greatest,’ fans can look forward to a fresh and deeper look into Ali’s extraordinary life.
Social media is buzzing with another doppelganger drama and this time, it’s creating quite a stir.
Get ready for the story of Hania Aamir’s Indian lookalike.
Yes, you read that right – the dazzling dimple queen of Pakistani showbiz has a doppelganger, and he’s gaining attention from across the border!
A viral video on social media shows a young man from India lip-syncing to a Punjabi track, bearing a striking resemblance to Hania. The internet reacted swiftly, with comments pouring in faster than you can say “twinning.”
“Is this Hania Aamir’s twin brother?” joked one user.
Another added, “He looks more like Hania than Hania herself!”
The resemblance is uncanny, sparking both funny and heartfelt reactions. Some sharp-eyed fans even noted a resemblance to Imran Ashraf’s character Bhola, saying, “He looks like Imran Ashraf with bangs and dimples.”
Many agreed that the Indian guy is “a mix of Imran Ashraf and Hania Aamir.”
Both Indians and Pakistanis have united in their fascination, agreeing that this viral sensation could easily be Hania’s double. The photos showing their striking similarities make it hard to tell them apart.
