Tag: twitter

  • Resurfaced Indian clip about Imran Khan goes viral; people divided

    Resurfaced Indian clip about Imran Khan goes viral; people divided

    An old clip from an ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sushant Sareen, whose X (Former Twitter) bio says “Senior Fellow, ORF; obsessive Pakistan watcher and hence Afghanistan, Kashmir, Terrorism, Islamism; history buff but studied economics” and Tilak Devasher, whose bio says “Author of ‘Pakistan: Courting the Abyss’, ‘Pakistan: At the Helm’ and ‘Pakistan: The Balochistan Conundrum. Member National Security Advisory Board” has gone viral.

    X user Hamza Azhar Aslam who according to his profile bio is a journalist and Founder & Editor of ThePakDaily posted a clip on March 17 where Smita, Sushant, and Devasher were discussing Imran Khan.

    The clip was captioned as “Indian intelligentsia discusses the cult of Imran Khan.”

    The clip states that Imran Khan’s followers are a cult and they believe in whatever Imran says.

    X users are divided after this discussion. User @CherieDamour_ said, “Even the Indians get what youthias are blind to.”

    @awaissaleem77 wrote, “Does this “intelligentsia” ever discuss Modi cult with such enthusiasm as well?”

    @mariaa_awd said, “Wowww this one really thinks Smita is Indian intelligentsia , bhai mana we are Vishwagurus but Smita aunty is not our intelligentsia by any stretch, gossip aunty at best ‍♀️

    Her kisi se impress hona band Kare … we need some confidence building workshops for sarhad paar libbus”

    @ajmalkhankakar wrote, “The Indian folks in this clip perfectly characterize and provide the most accurate description of IK’s persona and his followers.”

    @samiyanoureen6 wrote, “Are there no journalists in Pakistan with the courage to speak bluntly and honestly like this?”

    @CHSandhu886 wrote, “I love how intricate these Indian analysts are about the phenomenon of Imran Khan’s popularity, truly admire how they’ve picked up on details. Don’t think any Pakistani analyst can explain this in such detail.”

  • Corruption was rampant in PTI’s previous KP government,’ Sher Afzal Marwat

    Corruption was rampant in PTI’s previous KP government,’ Sher Afzal Marwat

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and lawmaker Sher Afzal Marwat made startling admissions regarding corruption within his party’s previous government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

    Known for his outspoken demeanor and controversial statements, Marwat recently alleged on an X (former Twitter) space that corruption had reached unprecedented levels during the previous PTI government in KP, with individuals amassing not billions, but trillions through illicit means.

    Responding to a question, the PTI leader said that the narrative of keeping former prime minister Imran Khan at Adiala Jail instead of his residence in Bani Gala was not floated by him.
    “Former KP chief minister Mahmood Khan earns Rs2.5 million daily from one of his mines now,” he added.

    Marwat’s remarks have once again thrust him into the limelight for his blunt and provocative statements. Just last week, he openly criticized his party’s decisions on alliances, attributing their electoral setbacks to two major mistakes.

    He said the first major mistake was committed when party founder Imran Khan gave instructions for a political alliance with the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam Sherani and the second major mistake was the announcement of the inclusion into the Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen, adding that some people gave sectarian colour to the issue and gave threatening messages to the PTI leadership.
    However, Marwat’s comments have drawn ire from within his party, as well as from political allies.

    Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Chairman of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), issued a stern warning to leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), cautioning them against airing internal grievances publicly.
    The revelations made by Marwat have reignited discussions surrounding corruption allegations within the PTI and have raised concerns about the party’s internal cohesion.

  • Maryam Nawaz slammed on social media over ‘defamation’ law

    Maryam Nawaz slammed on social media over ‘defamation’ law

    Maryam Nawaz, Chief Minister Punjab, took to X (former Twitter) and announced that she is making a defamation law for Punjab.

    X user Faisal Ranjha asked in a tweet whether this government will be able to make a strong defamation law to counter lies and fake news. In response to that, Maryam quote tweeted, “I am making that law for Punjab.”

    Social media users reacted by mentioning how such laws already exist and are misused against political rivals and journalists.

    Lawyer and co-founder of Bolo Bhi, Farieha Aziz, said, “And it begins. ‘We need more laws’ to counter “fake news” & strengthen defamation narrative. Because Defamation Ordianance, 499 & 500 of PPC & 20 of PECA don’t already exist? Laws are implemented through same broken system. Malicious proceedings swift, genuine ones face delays.”

    Member of Awami Workers Party Ammar Rashid said, “While their overlords block X to shut down criticism, PMLN leadership openly announcing its intention to further criminalize attempts to hold public officeholders to account using the bogeyman of defamation & fake news. We must all shut up b/c our ruling elite is too insecure.”

    Film maker Arafat Mazhar said, “No “I” will be allowed to make that law. only a “we”, that too which represents democratic will, can make that law (unless it is to protect marginalised people from Tyranny of majority) Also this proposed defamation law is a disaster. Please maafi deh du. Aur Kitni awaz dabao gey?”

  • Make lawn great again; Twitter wants designers to make normal lawn suits

    Make lawn great again; Twitter wants designers to make normal lawn suits

    Summer is almost here, bringing with it blazing hot weather, skyrocketing bijli bills, mosquitoes and houseflies.
    At least we have lawn to look forward to. Well, we USED to have lawn to look forward to.

    Over the years, lawn suits have progressively become heavily embroidered concoctions, leaving the simple and light lawn jora a memory of our distinct past.

    And consumers have had enough of it.

    In a recent tweet, Zunaira Inam khan, the wife of actor Usman Mukhtar, expressed frustration with current summer lawn designs. She questioned whether desi designers still understand the true purpose of lawn clothing, emphasizing the need for light and cooling options during the hot summer months. “‘
    Her tweet expressed disappointment the prevalence of overly embroidered suits accompanied by organza dupattas and intricate designs that resemble jigsaw puzzles.

    Twitter was quick to agree. Some users also pointed out that the suits have become more expensive. Others were unhappy with the convoluted designs.

  • Senator withdraws resolution to ban Social Media in Pakistan

    Senator withdraws resolution to ban Social Media in Pakistan

    Senator Bahramand Khan Tangi has withdrawn his resolution aimed at imposing a blanket ban on several major social media platforms in the country.

    The resolution, which sparked controversy before its introduction in the house, called for the government to prohibit access to Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube, citing concerns over their perceived negative impact on the younger generation.

    Even before reaching the floor of the house, Tangi’s resolution faced significant criticism from digital rights activists and journalists.

    Critics argued that the proposed ban would further restrict freedom of expression in Pakistan. The timing of the resolution’s emergence added to its contentious nature, coinciding with ongoing disruptions to access X following allegations of electoral rigging during the February 8 polls.

    Senator Brahmand Tangi, who was expelled by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) one month ago, had moved a resolution in the senate asking that all social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram be banned in Pakistan to protect the next generation from what he has dubbed their “negative and devastating” effects.

    Tangi was expelled by the PPP last month after he went against party policy and remained silent on a resolution asking for delay in Balochistan and KP general elections. However, DAWN has reported that the party has till now not moved a reference against him.
    The resolution has alleged that social media platforms were being used to promote norms “against our culture and religion” and creating hatred among the general populace.

    The document also charges the platforms with being used to run “malicious” campaigns against the army and spreading fake news.
    PPP has said that the senator should not use the party’s name anymore, swiftly distancing itself from the controversial resolution. Nonetheless, it will be on Monday’s agenda.

    Senator Tangi is set to retire on March 11.

  • Notices issued to PTA and Information Ministry on closure of X

    Notices issued to PTA and Information Ministry on closure of X

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has taken a significant step in response to the closure of the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, in Pakistan. The court issued notices to the Ministry of Information and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) concerning the shutdown of the said platform within the country.

    IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq presided over the hearing of a petition challenging the closure of X, which has been mostly inaccessible in Pakistan since February 17, with users resorting to VPNs for access.

    During the hearing on the plea today, the IHC CJ asked: “Is X closed?”

    At this, the petitioner’s lawyer replied that X had been closed in Pakistan since February 17.

    “This matter was also before the Sindh High Court (SHC), what happened to it?” asked Justice Farooq.

    The lawyer disclosed that a similar matter is pending before SHC where a petition related to contempt of court is scheduled for a hearing today.

    Following these discussions, Justice Farooq announced the issuance of notices for the next week, indicating a significant development in the legal pursuit to address the closure of X in Pakistan.

    SHC Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi issued orders on a plea filed by multiple petitioners including Zarrar Khuhro, Amber Shamsi, Zebunnisa Burki, and others against intermittent disruptions faced by users in accessing the renowned social media platform which has witnessed various “unannounced” sporadic suspensions in recent weeks.

    The disruptions in accessing the platform have been a cause of distress for users, especially in the aftermath of the February 8 general elections, during which several social media sites were rendered inaccessible.

    While authorities attributed these disruptions to technical errors and security concerns during the polling day, users continued to experience intermittent suspensions in accessing X post-election.

    In a recent statement to a local media outlet, Information Minister Murtaza Solangi clarified that the caretaker government had no involvement in the shutdown of X in Pakistan.

    Solangi emphasized that the caretaker cabinet had not deliberated or decided on the closure of the microblogging website. He suggested directing inquiries regarding the matter to the Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).

    With the legal proceedings underway in both the Islamabad High Court and the Sindh High Court, the fate of X in Pakistan hangs in the balance, while users await a resolution to ensure uninterrupted access to the popular social media platform.

  • Imran Khan wants to talk with PPP, Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman

    Imran Khan wants to talk with PPP, Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is ready to engage in discussions with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) regarding the formation of government at the center, Geo News has reported on Thursday.

    PPP leader Kasim Gillani wrote in a post on his X (previously Twitter) that “Imran Khan’s call for talks with PPP, Pakistan’s sole political party with representation across all four provinces, the senate, and the National Assembly, is a positive and welcome change.”

    PTI leader and former Speaker of the National Assembly, Asad Qaiser, said that PTI’s senior leader, Omar Ayub Khan, will be the party’s candidate for Prime Minister.

    Asad Qaiser also said that the PTI founder tasked him to talk to other political parties that are protesting against rigging in general elections. He also said, Imran Khan gave permission to talk with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam- Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

    The former speaker also said that the general election was completely rigged and no one will accept this election.

  • The curious case of Rana Sana’s Twitter account

    The curious case of Rana Sana’s Twitter account

    We realise that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) stalwart Rana Sanaullah’s loss in February 8 general elections must be quite a shock but his Twitter (now X) account has gone off in an unexpected direction.

    Unlike PML-N leader Khwaja Saad Rafique, who used his account to gracefully concede defeat and congratulate his opponent Sardar Latif Khosa, Rana Sanaullah has decided that he wants to troll journalists.

    The account has, till now, picked a Twitter fight with Meher Bokhari, shared a song by the late Indian rapper Sidhu Mosewalla, and targeted legal analyst Reema Omer for praising Geo’s election coverage.

    It has also sent snarky replies to Hamid Mir and Gharidah Farouqi, while also tweeting multiple times against media channels.

    Rana Sanaullah has distanced himself from the the account, telling Geo’s Shehzad Iqbal that he doesn’t run the account, instead a team runs it.

  • Election 2024: Meme game going strong

    Election 2024: Meme game going strong

    Polling day is over but the results are STILL not released in full and voters are fed up. They’re dealing with the delay in the best way they know, with memes about politics. The memes are spreading quickly on social media like Facebook and Twitter.
    Check out a few below:

  • ‘I used to be critical of DAWN but surprised at its coverage nowadays’: Imran Khan

    ‘I used to be critical of DAWN but surprised at its coverage nowadays’: Imran Khan

    Journalists at Dawn reporting on Imran Khan’s trial in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, shared on Twitter that the former Prime Minister said that although he was critical of the newspaper while he was in power, he is surprised at the outlet’s coverage since his ouster from the government. The editor at Dawn shared this on Twitter.

    Dawn reporters Saqib Bashir, Asad Malik and Amir Saeed Abbasi posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Imran Khan said to reporter Asad Malik, “I have always been critical of Dawn but the coverage is stupendous now, which is surprising for me.”

    The statement spurred many, including journalists, to react. Norbert Almeida tweeted, “Always covered him he just didn’t like what was said in the past and now likes it.”

    Omar R Qureshi also joined in to share his two cents, writing, “Proof that for Imran Khan a good paper praises him and writes editorials favouring him and his party”. He went on to add that in case the former Prime Minister comes to power again, Dawn has nothing to worry about.

    Lawyer and Columnist Abdul Moiz Jaferri tweeted, “Imran Khan still doesn’t get it. Everything is not about him. Journalists were not after him when they criticised him, and they were not with him when they report on his current plight. Journalism is a duty to the people. He should recognise its value.”

    A follower jumped into the discussion as many others shared a Cartoon published on January 23 in Dawn that mocked the duplicity of Imran Khan’s stance.

    Dawn, long considered Pakistan’s ‘paper of record’, was repeatedly targeted by PTI followers for criticising Imran Khan’s government.