Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ali Amin Gandapur took to Twitter to lash out at Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and said, “Rana sanaullah u coward bastard u brutally attacked innocent Pakistanis and till now charged five firs against me in different police stations.”
Gandapur further tweeted, “I dare and challenge u to charge fir against me in every police station but be ready for the revenge as I will take u to hell INSHALLAH.”
Rana sanaullah u coward bastard u brutally attacked innocent Pakistanis and till now charged five firs against me in different police stations I dare and challenge u to charge fir against me in every police station but be ready for the revenge as I will take u to hell INSHALLAH
— Ali Amin Khan Gandapur (@AliAminKhanPTI) May 27, 2022
Gandapur’s tweet came after the Islamabad Police on Thursday registered a case against senior PTI leaders, including Imran Khan, for the riots that took place in Islamabad during the “Azadi March”.
Apart from Khan, police also registered cases against PTI leaders Asad Umar, Imran Ismail, Raja Khurram Nawaz, Ali Amin Gandapur, and Ali Nawaz Awan.
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) revealed that the weekly Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) for the joint consumption group fell 0.26 per cent for the week ending May 26, owing primarily to a drop in the prices of vital food products.
The consolidated index was 174.62 on May 19, 2022, compared to 175.08 on May 19, 2021, while the SPI increased 16.97 per cent year on year when the index was 149.29 on May 27, 2021.
The minor price reductions in essential items may be a sign that the government is finally gaining control of the country’s skyrocketing inflation, which has afflicted the poor strata.
Here are the items that witnessed a decrease or increase in their prices:
Decrement
Wheat Flour (12.25 per cent), Chillies Powdered (6.48 per cent), Chicken (4.41 per cent), Garlic (2.99 per cent), and non-food item LPG (0.43 per cent) were among the commodities that saw a decline in their rates on a WoW premise out of the 51 supervised items, with a cumulative effect of (-1.00 per cent) into the total SPI for the blended group of goods (-0.26 per cent).
Increment
27 items elevated in the week, including potatoes (8.43 per cent), tomatoes (6.33 per cent), eggs (6.29 per cent), rice basmati broken (4.71 per cent), mustard oil (4.16 per cent), pulse masaoor (3.93 per cent), milk fresh (3.47 per cent), onions (3.03 per cent), pulse gramme (2.58 per cent), curd (2.35 per cent), washing soap (2.13 per cent), cooked beef (1.55 per cent), beef (1.42 per cent), pulse mash (1.33 per cent), cooked daal (1.24 per cent). While 19 commodities’ prices remained stable.
Independent filmmaker, Saim Sadiq’s feature film, Joyland has become the first film from the subcontinent to win a jury prize at Cannes.
Pakistani film “Joyland”, written and directed by debutant Saim Sadiq, won the Jury Prize in the Un Certain Regard section of the 75th Cannes Film Festival on Friday, becoming the first-ever film from the subcontinent to bag the award.
Joyland, a drama about a Lahore family in the firm grip of deep-rooted patriarchy, was pipped to the section’s top award.
The award for “Joyland” represents a global breakthrough of immeasurable proportions for the relatively small Pakistani movie industry.
Incidentally, Joyland also won the Prix Queer Palm, awarded by Jury chaired by filmmaker Catherine Corsini on Friday. One of the central characters in the film is a transwoman played by a real-life transwoman Alina Khan
Earlier it also became the first ever Pakistani feature film to get a nomination at the Cannes film festival. It will be screened at the 75th Anniversary of the annual Cannes film festival. This film has made history by getting selected among the 14 films in the feature film category.
Sana Jafri who starred in the film took to her Instagram to share the proud moment for Pakistan with a screenshot from Cannes official website. The film, Joyland was written in the category of Uncertain Regard.
Many celebrities congratulated the entire team of the film.
Mahira Khan wrote, “This is amaaaazin’G! Congratulations to the entire team. And to Pakistan.”
Actor, Osman Khalid Butt also congratulated on Twitter, “This is FANTASTIC. What a huge moment for Pakistani cinema. Congratulations, Saim and the entire team of Joyland!”
This is FANTASTIC. What a huge moment for Pakistani cinema. Congratulations, Saim and the entire team of Joyland! https://t.co/q79oopWz6y
Actor and model, Adnan Malik also shared the news on his Instagram story and congratulated to the whole team of the film, “This is some incredible news to wake up to.”
Oscar-Award winner, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy also took to her Instagram story to share her pride in achieving a milestone by Saim Sadiq.
Ms Marvel actor, Nimra Bucha also celebrated the proud moment for Pakistan and Saim on her Instagram story
Nadia Afgan wrote, “So proud of you, Saim Sadiq! Mommy loves you” as she posted Cannes’ official tweet on her Instagram story.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Friday said that the reason for ending the party’s Azadi March was to avoid bloodshed and that no deal with the establishment took place.
“Our workers asked why we did not stage a sit-in. I am the man who staged a sit-in for 126 days. It was not difficult for me, but by the time I reached I became aware of the extent of the situation […] I knew that day that there would be bloodshed.”
میں نے 126 دن دھرنا دیا میرے لیے مشکل نہیں تھا اتنی دیر بیٹھنا جبتک یہ امپورٹڈ حکومت گھٹنے نہ ٹیک دیتی لیکن میں نے ملک کو انتشار سے بچایا کیونکہ مجھے ملک کی فکر ہے۔ چیئرمین عمران خان #آرہاہے_الیکشنpic.twitter.com/uOZ40dsJya
Khan said the people were “ready” after seeing the “terrorism” carried out by the police. “Everyone was ready to fight, some of our people were so angered by what they saw,” he said, adding that officials were instructed to brutalise protesters.
“The anger at the time, if I had staged a sit-in that day I can guarantee that there would have been bloodshed,” said Khan, adding that there was a prevailing sense of hatred against police officials.
“But the police is also ours, it is not their fault,” the PTI chairman said, blaming the government for issuing the directives. If there was violence then it would only have caused chaos in the country, said Khan.
“I think of this as a jihad. I will stand up against this as long as I am alive,” he said, reiterating that he only cared about the future of the country.
The PTI chairman again stressed his six-day ultimatum to the government for the announcement of early elections. “If they do not clearly announce a date for the elections or for the dissolution of the assemblies, I will take to the streets again. Let me make it clear, this time we will be prepared.”
Khan said he had written to Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial asking whether or not the party had the right to stage a peaceful protest in a democracy.
میں نے سپریم کورٹ کے چیف جسٹس کو خط لکھا ہے کہ وہ بتائیں کہ کیا جمہوریت میں ہمیں احتجاج کا حق ہے یا نہیں؟ میں نے ملک کو انتشار سے بچانے کے لیے فیصلہ کیا اسے کوئی کمزوری نہ سمجھے، اس لیے چھ دن کا وقت دیا ہے۔ چیئرمین عمران خان #آرہاہے_الیکشنpic.twitter.com/fKPJAY6ifw
“This is the fundamental right of a citizen […] I ask our judiciary, do you think we will remain silent [like] sheep and accept all of this? If you think this, it means that we are pushing the country towards treason. If you do not allow people to stage peaceful protests, what other options do they have left?”
He said that he had written a letter to the CJP to make his position “clear”, reiterating that he would take to the streets again after six days. In six days we will find out whether or not the apex court protects our fundamental rights, he said.
The manner in which lawyers and women were forced to disembark from a bus and were “beaten”, had anyone seen something like that before, he asked.
“Which justice system allows this? The entire nation should know who stands for [their] rights and who is carrying out oppression.”
A 10-minutes standing ovation, pride, and tears of joy are what the world witnessed, as team Joyland stood tall amongst the august audience at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Joyland left its viewers beaming with joy as they revelled in the world of Saim Sadiq’s creation. A young director/writer, who with his innate creative aesthetic and passion has given a reason to people back home something to celebrate. Joyland will definitely serve as an opportunity for many to learn and aspire towards bringing the change. Pakistani cinema was in need of a moment like Joyland.
Written and directed by Saim Sadiq, Joyland represented Pakistan at Cannes. Joyland is the first Pakistani feature film to make the official selection at the festival. The film has been selected for the Un Certain Regard category. Cannes only takes in a limited number of 14 films in the category and it is a moment of immense pride for the Pakistani film industry.
Saim’s feature film is a star-studded ensemble, starring Sarwat Gilani, Salman Peerzada, Sania Saeed, Ali Junejo, Alina Khan, and Rasti Farooq. The film is produced by Sarmad Khoosat, Apoorva Guru Charan, and Lauren Mann.
Team Joyland
The Current reached out to the director Saim Sadiq, producer Sarmad Khoosat and female actor Sarwat Gilani and asked them about how they felt representing Pakistan, their work, and the journey of Joyland.
Saim, who is currently abroad, has a message for his people back home. Speaking to The Current, Saim said, “I hope people back home do watch Joyland and respond to it in the same way with love and appreciation, just like we received at Cannes.”
Saim Sadiq- Director Joyland
A creative genius when it comes to dramas and films, Sarmad Khoosat, who is the producer of Joyland, told The Current how “proud, overwhelmed, and emotional” these past few days have been for the team and him.
Khoosat while talking about Saim said, “This is Saim’s film. It is from his heart and his soul. It is many years that he has spent with this story. Right from the day he shared the story, I knew that there was a connection and truth to it which is exceptional and special.”
Selfie of Sarmad Khoosat and Saim Sadiq
Talking about his role as a producer, Khoosat said that he had not produced in a while and the journey on the other side of the camera was a little unnerving initially. But the joy he seemed to witness as the journey unfolded and seeing everything stamped on camera was rather fulfilling for Khoosat.
“It feels like a dream”, is what Khoosat said about Cannes. “I am very proud of this ensemble cast. They are truly special and what gifted actors, they are people made of dreams.”
Pakistan’s much-adored actress Sarwat Gilani spoke her heart out in her conversation with The Current. “Joyland for me means revolution for Pakistani cinema for sure. It talks about a lot of issues we hide away or feel shy to talk about.” Speaking about her director, Gilani said, “Saim is a very intelligent and a detailed-oriented person. He knew exactly what he wanted. The strings he wanted to pull in his audience’s heart, and well he was successful in doing that. I loved working with him and would look forward to working with him again. He made Joyland with a lot of responsibility and sensitivity.”
Talking about Cannes, Gilani said that it was a magical time for the team of Joyland.
Sarwat Gilani at Cannes
“It was an absolute honour to be there and represent Pakistan. And we are delighted to make history. The reception we got was unbelievable. Joyland received a 10-minute standing ovation and that in itself was a fulfilling reward for all of us,” said Gilani.
“Joyland is a call for empathy”, says Saim Sadiq. His debut film has received an overwhelming response from renowned world critics as well.
Anupama Chopra, an Indian film critic writing about Saim said that “he is keenly observant of the deep-set biases we carry and the harshness with which we judge each other”.
“Joyland remains a thoughtful, well performed and engrossing drama set in a culture that’s shifting, and not always with ease,” writes Deadline.
We only hope and wish that Joyland is given its due credit back home and people reciprocate the same love and appreciation it has given to Pakistan. We all look forward to experiencing the joy and charm of Joyland on our screens, back home in Pakistan.
Bollywood’s A-list director Karan Johar ringed in his grand 50th birthday this week in style. The K3G filmmaker has organised a lavish celebration for the entire film fraternity.
The entire evening has a visual feast, with many prominent celebrities arriving looking stunning and eager to party.
Salman Khan turned heads and made our hearts flutter with his dapper look. He wore a leather jacket with washed blue jeans one of the best attires ever.
Lovebirds Tara Sutaria and Aadar Jain made for a very stylish couple as they reached Karan Johar’s grand birthday bash. Tara went for a gorgeous white traditional attire and Aadar looked smart in a tuxedo.
Gorgeous leading ladies of 1990s were a sight to behold at Johar’s birthday bash. The trio went for formal wear and rocked it. While Sonali and Twinkle opted for a pant-suit attire, Tabu looked like a diva in a blue saree.
Bollywood’s beauties Madhuri Dixit, Raveena Tandon and Juhi Chawla put their best fashion foot forward and looked stunning at Karan Johar;s mega bash.
The celebrity guests oozed major outfit goals.
Even Vaani Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao were in attendance at Karan Johar’s mega birthday bash. While Kapoor turned up the heat in her glittery blue gown, Rao looked dashing in his glittery tuxedo.
His best friend Kajol shared an adorable selfie with the birthday boy. Saif Ali Khan and Raveena Tandon were seen happily grinning for a fun selfie moment.
Bollywood coupled absolutely glammed up the grand birthday bash. We spotted Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi, Riteish Deshmukh with Genelia D’Souza and also Sussanne Khan with Arslan Goni.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s ‘Haqiqi Azadi March’ cost the government Rs149 million to maintain law and order in the capital, reports Dawn.
The amount of Rs149 million was demanded to bear expenses for five days. Rs47,500,000 was sought for hiring 380 containers (each costing Rs125,000 for five days use), Rs1,300,000 for four cranes (each costing Rs65,000 for five days) and Rs1,000,000 for four fork lifters (each for Rs50,000 for five days).
Likewise, Rs2,798,500 for 100 buses for transportation of the force from outside to the capital (each costing Rs27,985), Rs9794,750 for 350 buses for transportation of the force within capital (Rs27985 each), Rs2,798,500 for 100 buses for transportation of the force back to their respective districts (Rs27,985 each), Rs1,685,000 for 100 trucks for logistics teams, food, water (for five days and each costing Rs16,850), Rs260,000 for 10 water tankers for five days (each costing Rs26,000).
Moreover, an amount of Rs41,250,000 was also demanded for food charges for 15,000 officials of the capital and other district police for five days, the officers said. To purchase complete anti-riot kits, another amount of Rs35,300,000 was demanded.
Similarly, Rs4,500,000 were sought for the purchase of miscellaneous items – water, coolers, torches, electricity, etc.
Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif while speaking in the National Assembly praised the capital police, Rangers, Frontier Constabulary, and the traffic police along with the capital administration and other departments for their efforts to maintain law and order and for the protection of public and private property.
He also announced a package for a martyr and injured officials of the Punjab Police.
American actor Kevin Spacey has been charged with four counts of sexual assault against three men, Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said on Thursday.
House Of Cards star was also charged with one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent, the CPS said.
The charges relate to two alleged incidents in London in 2005, another two in 2008, and a further incident in Gloucestershire, western England, in 2013.
The alleged victim of the 2005 incidents is now in his 40s, while the two men allegedly involved in the 2008 and 2013 incidents are now in their 30s, London’s Metropolitan Police said.
The decision to charge Spacey “follows a review of the evidence gathered by the Metropolitan Police Service in its investigation,” the force said.
While the charges were authorized on Thursday, Spacey is not currently in England or Wales and the charges cannot formally be applied until he enters one of those countries, a CPS spokesperson told CNN.
The agency did not comment on whether it would be seeking Spacey’s extradition if he does not do so.
Actor-singer Ali Zafar recently shared some bold seminude pictures on his official Instagram handle, which is generating polarising response from netizens.
Now, the Teefa in Trouble star has created an uproar on the internet by posting scandalous clicks of himself on his social media handle.
Zafar decided to set the internet on fire once again when he accepted a dare from his friend a posted a rather controversial picture. “A friend dared me to post this picture. Sorry.”, captioned the Kill Dill hero.
Whosoever has never ever clicked her nudes should only have right to criticise #AliZafar posing
Toyota Indus Motor Company (IMC), Pakistan’s most prominent automaker, is upgrading its manufacturing plant in preparation for the start of local production of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) by 2023.
Toyota IMC CEO Ali Asghar Jamali revealed that the locally assembled Toyota Corolla Cross will be available in 2023. It is worth noting that this crossover will be the first ever locally assembled Hybrid vehicle by the Japanese manufacturer in Pakistan.
He stated that the company intends to launch its hybrid crossover SUV in the Rs5 to Rs7 million price range, which may not be possible given the country’s economic and overall situation. Experts predict that the Crossover will be priced between Rs9-10 million.
Given the current economic situation and the government’s plan to raise car taxes, Toyota IMC will reveal its final price next year.
Jamali also discussed the company’s plans for overall HEV localization. He stated that Toyota has already invested $100 million in Pakistan to produce HEVs and plans to introduce electric vehicles (EVs) in the future when the country is ready for this technology.
Jamali emphasised that HEVs are a midterm solution before EVs because Pakistan lacks the infrastructure for the latter, and that converting all cars to HEVs could reduce Pakistan’s oil imports by up to 50%.
As most of Pakistan’s electricity is produced using fossil fuels, EVs will increase local LNG, coal, and crude oil imports, while investment in improving distribution and creating a charging infrastructure will also be required, according to Jamali.
