Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • Pakistan apologises to North Korea Embassy after police-conducted raid

    Pakistan apologises to North Korea Embassy after police-conducted raid

    Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad has officially made an apology to North Korea after Islamabad police conducted a raid on the embassy on Monday evening.

    During a press conference on Thursday, Sheikh Rasheed said that incident happened due to some misunderstanding.

    He said, “We have apologised [to the North Korean mission, the incident had] happened out of misunderstanding.”

    According to Geo, the embassy has issued a letter to the Foreign Office and Inspector General of Police-Islamabad in which it stated that the police entered the embassy premises around 5 pm on Monday from the back door. They also threatened and harassed the staff. Police searched the storeroom at gunpoint when staff tried to stop them.

    The letter read, “The mission staff reminded them that premises are the embassy exercising the inviolable sovereign territory of DPR Korea and asked them to immediately stop this brutal act against the embassy.”

    According to the letter, the police also damaged property.

    Foreign Office spokesperson said in response, “They have also been informed that they cannot perform such a raid next time without having clearance from the Foreign Office.”

    Islamabad police spokesperson also apologised for the violation of the Vienna convention and will question the security personnel who were involved in the incident.

    He said, “We apologise for entering the embassy.” Police raided the North Korean embassy after receiving reports of having a large number of alcohol bottles on their premises.

  • ‘NA speaker has right to disqualify any PTI MNA who will vote for other party’: Sheikh Rasheed

    ‘NA speaker has right to disqualify any PTI MNA who will vote for other party’: Sheikh Rasheed

    Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed on Thursday said National Assembly (NA) Speaker Asad Qaiser has the right to disqualify any Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Members of National Assembly (MNA) who “crossed floor” (to vote against your party) in the lower house and that “no one can challenge that”.

    According to the federal minister, all political parties gave this right to the Speaker in the 18th Amendment in an effort to stop horse-trading.

    “Let them [Opposition] fulfil their desire. Imran Khan is on his way towards winning. The Speaker has the right to disqualify any ruling party MNA who disrespects the votes they got due to IK,” he said.

    Talking to the media, the minister said the no-confidence move would be a “moment of satisfaction” for the premier. He also termed the week from March 23 to 30 as important.

    In a tweet, Rasheed urged PTI supporters to be present at Islamabad’s D-Chowk on the day of the vote to celebrate a “day of thanksgiving” for the PM’s success.

    Speaking on ARY News, Supreme Court lawyer Faisal Hussain gave a detailed analysis on the no-confidence motion and the government’s options.

    After submission of the no-confidence motion against PM Imran Khan, the government has come up with a strategy of not showing up on the D-Day. Asad Umar said that it is the Opposition’s job to show that they have the support of 172 MNAs and therefore government lawmakers would not attend the no-confidence vote.

    Talking to 92 News, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said the Speaker will not count the votes of PTI members who vote against the PM.

    https://twitter.com/FawadPTIUpdates/status/1501629055359143944

  • Why is Sarmad Khoosat’s controversial film ‘Zindagi Tamasha’ delayed again?

    Why is Sarmad Khoosat’s controversial film ‘Zindagi Tamasha’ delayed again?

    Pakistani filmmaker, Sarmad Khoosat’s much-awaited Zindagi Tamasha has been delayed again.

    As confirmed by Khoosat himself, the Arif Hassan and Eman Suleman starrer will no longer be releasing in the anticipated Friday slot. A new release date is yet to be announced, much to the dismay of a thoroughly enticed Pakistani audience that was all geared up to show the film its due share of love.

    With a script revolving around Rahat, a beloved, devout Muslim who is a naat Khawan, the film zeroes in on the protagonist losing the support of his community after a video featuring him goes viral, causing shame to befall upon him and his family. 

    The fact that the cast and crew of Zindagi Tamasha have already experienced exhausting turbulence with regards to the release of the film is public knowledge. Despite the Senate Committee for Human Rights approving the screening of the film, its 2020 release became a looming question mark after Tehreek-e-Labbaik (TLP) took offense with the content of the film, calling for protests against its release. 

    Earlier it was supposed to release on March 18, 2022 in Pakistani cinemas after a widely speculated controversy with religious elements involved due to which it was barred to be screened earlier.

    The production company Khoosat Films released a trailer of the film on YouTube, showing its new release date.

    The cast of the movie includes Arif Hassan, Eman Suleman, Samiya Mumtaz, and Ali Kureshi.

    The official synopsis states: “The film is an intimate portrait of a family as well as a scorching political commentary on little gods on this earth who police our private passions.”

    The film was directed and co-produced by Sarmad Khoosat and written by Nirmal Bano

    Zindagi Tamasha was screened at Busan International Film Festival(BIFF) in 2019 where it won the prestigious award titled Kim Ji-Seok Award. It also received an award at the 6th Asian World Film Festival in the category of Snow Leopard Award for Best Film at the 6th Asian World Film Festival (AWFF) in 2021.

    The film was also the official entry from Pakistan for the 93rd Academy Awards in the category of International Feature Film Award however, it failed to qualify to a list of 15 International feature films.

    The film got into trouble last year when Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) called for protests against its release claiming that it contains blasphemous content.

    In January 2020, the Humsafar fame director wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan, President Dr Arif Alvi, Chief Justice of Pakistan, Chief of the Army Staff, and Minister for Information in which he detailed the problems his film was facing in its release.

    Khoosat filed a petition against TLP in Lahore High Court for interfering in the release of the film however, he canceled to release of the film last year amidst the threats.

    Last year, Senate Committee for Human Rights also approved the movie for screening and dismissed all the objections. Former Chairperson of the committee and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar said that the film can be screened when cinema halls open post-COVID.

  • ‘Proud to be Ukrainian’: Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher raise over 15 Million USD for Ukrainians

    American celebrity couple of actors Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher shared a video on social media in which they discussed the situation in the Mila’s home country, Ukraine. The Hollywood diva said in the video that she is proud to be a Ukrainian and urged her fans to help raise funds for the refugees fleeing the country as a result of the Russian invasion.

    Kunis began the video by saying that, while she identifies as a proud American, having moved to the United States as a child, she has “never been more proud to be a Ukrainian.” Ashton Kutcher, her husband, can then be seen adding, “And I’ve never been more proud to be married to a Ukrainian.”

    Mila continues in the video to discuss the current situation in Ukraine, saying, “The events that have taken place in Ukraine have been devastating. This kind of unjust attack on humanity has no place in the world. In an effort to raise USD 30 million, Ashton and I have decided to match up to USD 3 million in donations to Airbnb.org and Flexport.org via GoFundMe.org.”

    In the video, the actress reveals that she was born in 1983 in Chernivtsi, Ukraine. The couple also provided the necessary link for fans to make donations in the captions of the video shared on Ashton’s Instagram account. Weeks after Russia invaded Ukraine, Ashton took to Twitter to share a message in which he stated his support for Ukraine.

  • Govt decides to call National Assembly session soon for no-confidence motion

    Govt decides to call National Assembly session soon for no-confidence motion

    The government has decided to convene the National Assembly (NA) session very soon after the Opposition submitted the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, reports Jang.

    According to media reports, only one member of the government will be allowed to sit in NA on the day, when NA members will cast votes on the no-confidence motion.

    The government will issue a notification in which government members will not be permitted to attend the meeting and cast a vote for the no-confidence motion on the basis of Article 63-A of the Constitution.

    As per media reports, if any member of the government attends the meeting or casts a vote, PM Imran Khan — who is also chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) — will write a letter regarding a reference against that member. The letter will be addressed to the NA Speaker.

    In a press conference yesterday, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said that the Speaker of the National Assembly should call the session for the no-confidence motion against PM Imran Khan.

    He said that the no-confidence motion should not be delayed as the country cannot afford such situations for a longer period of time.

  • ‘Do you know about the corruption stories of First Lady,’ Bilawal launches attack on Bushra Bibi

    ‘Do you know about the corruption stories of First Lady,’ Bilawal launches attack on Bushra Bibi

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari in a hard-hitting press conference against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has said that he respects First Lady Bushra Bibi and has never used foul language against her.

    Bilawal said that people have told him stories about how things are happening in Punjab and said, “Do you know about the corruption stories of First Lady?”

    He further alleged that no transfer and posting is done in Punjab without permission and giving money to the First Lady.

    “We are told that your candidate for the chief minister [could not give enough money], but Buzdar invested in the right place — and this problem (Buzdar) has been imposed on us,” said Bilawal.

    Threats not tolerable, I am not a child anymore: Bilawal Bhutto

    “I am not a child anymore,” Bilawal said in reference to his young age at the time of Benazir Bhutto’s assassination.

    “We will not tolerate this anymore; I am here now,” Bilawal said responding to PM Khan’s remark about having former president Asif Ali Zardari being his next target.

    “What I will do to you will be remembered by your generations,” Bilawal warned PM Khan.

    “We never used guns but we know how to use them,” Bilawal said, adding that he is a peaceful person and will remain the same.

    “However, we will respond in the same language if they keep pressurising us,” he said, referring to the prime minister’s “foul language”.

    “Using foul language will not save PM Imran Khan’s seat but he would curse more when he sees his position in danger.” 

    PM Khan uses donations from cancer hospital to run his kitchen: Bilawal

    “You used the donations from the cancer hospital to run your kitchen and your party […] you are a culprit; a United States court has convicted you,” said Bilawal.

    Ohh, Imran, the cases that will be filed against you; you have no idea: Bilawal

    Bilawal said he was not Zardari, who “says that let his opponents lie as much as they want”, as due to their allegations, he would “go to paradise”.

    “Should we still believe that you are meeting ends by selling your cricketing days’ toys […] Ohh, Imran, the cases that will be filed against you; you have no idea,” Bilawal warned the premier.

    Bilawal said neither Imran nor anyone could “break” Zardari through allegations or misuse of power.

    “It was a plan that Zardari and Faryal Talpur be first put behind bars and it was also assumed that PPP would remain silent, but that did not happen.”

    The more pressure comes, the more the premier will abuse: PPP Chairperson

    Reacting to the prime minister’s speech, Bilawal said, “The more pressure comes, the more the premier will abuse.” He maintained that PM Imran will hurl more abuses after sensing a threat to his government.

    “PPP always stood against the tyrants in every era,” he said, adding that those who think that he will get scared and step back, don’t know that Zardari and Benazir’s blood flows in his veins.

    We consider the attack on Aseefa a message for us: Bilawal

    The PPP chairman said that there have been two such incidents that are unbearable for him. The threats to his father and an “attack” on his sister, Aseefa, are intolerable for him.

    “We believe that the drone incident was a message for us,” he said and demanded of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Agency and other agencies to investigate the incident.

    Will Shehbaz be the next PM?

    Giving hints about the next prime minister, Bilawal asked PM Khan to pray and ask the First Lady to pray that no one else but Zardari forms government again. “We will request Shehbaz Sharif at the right time to appoint an interior minister.”

    People made Awami March historic: Bilawal

    Bilawal also thanked the PPP supporters for joining the “Awami March” he led, saying that their participation has made the march historic.

    “The people brought a no-confidence motion against the selected [prime minister] and proved that they stand by the democracy,” Bilawal said.

  • PPP says viral BBZ meme video ‘kaampein taang rahi hain’ is edited

    PPP says viral BBZ meme video ‘kaampein taang rahi hain’ is edited

    Amidst all political chaos and unrest since the Opposition has submitted the no-confidence motion, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is making headlines not just for his strong stance against Prime Minister (PM) Imran but for his slip of the tongue.

    Bilawal was speaking at a rally in Islamabad on Tuesday night to mark the end of a 10-day Awami March. “I am shaking Islamabad. Islamabad may kaampein taang rahi hai [Shivers are legging in Islamabad],” he said. He meant to say taangein kaamp rahein hain, but his slip of tongue led to a meme fest.

    However, PPP says that the video is morphed.

    https://twitter.com/sanjaysadhwani2/status/1501433117059567621?s=21

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Wednesday delivered a fiery speech in Karachi against the Opposition. Taking a jibe at the PPP chairperson, PM Khan said, ” I request to you Zardari, for god’s sake teach your son Urdu.”

    Journalist Shahzad Iqbal, speaking on Geo News’ programme “Report Card” said, “If speaking good Urdu is the criteria for becoming a great politician or prime minister, then MQM’s Syed Amin-ul-Haque would have been the prime minister and Imran Khan would be his special assistant or advisor.”

    Meanwhile, here’s a look at some of the memes of Bilawal’s slip of tongue.

  • After Sindh, it’s time to win Punjab

    After Sindh, it’s time to win Punjab

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan will visit Lahore today as the Jahangir Khan Tareen (JKT) group builds pressure on Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar, demanding his removal from office, reports Geo News.

    The premier has called a meeting of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) parliamentary party in the provincial capital to seek assurance of the party members and address their grievances ahead of voting on the no-confidence motion.

    On Wednesday, CM Buzdar held back-to-back meetings in his office with provincial ministers and lawmakers, including those also present at the lunch hosted on Monday by former Punjab minister Aleem Khan ahead of his meeting with the Jahangir Tareen group.

    A six-member delegation of the Tareen group, led by provincial minister Nauman Langrial, discussed with Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi a possible no-confidence motion in the house and sought guidance whether the disgruntled members could submit such a motion or not. The group also sought the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid’s (PML-Q) support to remove the Buzdar government.

    Elahi and Tareen Group agreed to continue contacts for the betterment of the province and the people.

  • Junagadh state fated to get independence from India: Nawab Jahangir Khan

    Junagadh state fated to get independence from India: Nawab Jahangir Khan

    Nawab of Junagadh state, Nawab Jahangir Khan, and Dewan of Junagadh Shahibzada Ahmed Ali have said that the Junagadh state is fated to get independence from India.

    They addressed the students of the National University of Modern Languages (NUML) of Rawalpindi Campus on Tuesday, reports The Express Tribune.

    They also warned India that the princely state, Junagadh was and would continue a part of Pakistan.

    They dubbed the slogan of United India as the “biggest fraud”. They also appreciated and thanked Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan for including the state in the political map of Pakistan in 2020.

    They also suggested that the Junagadh issue be included in the educational curriculum to highlight the plight of the state.

    They claimed that the Hindu population of the state is also in favour of acceding with Pakistan.

    They also discussed during the session that India has occupied the land of Junagadh illegally despite the Muslim ruler’s agreement for annexation with Pakistan before partition.

  • ‘Should we call Imran Khan a target killer’: PPP’s Sherry Rehman lashes at PM

    ‘Should we call Imran Khan a target killer’: PPP’s Sherry Rehman lashes at PM

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman responding to Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s fiery speech in Karachi said, “He [PM Khan] says Asif Ali Zardari is my next target, so should we call Imran Khan a target killer?”

    Sherry Rehman said that it seems like “one Zardari” has overpowered the entire Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. PPP chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s ‘Awami March’ has overpowered the nerves of the government, added Sherry.

    “Imran Khan’s rude and vulgar language shows that he seems rather nervous,” said the PPP senator.

    The PPP leader said, “PM Khan’s confusion was the first victory of the long march and no-confidence motion,” adding that the premier had lost his balance.

    PM Imran Khan on Wednesday delivered a thundering speech in Karachi against the Opposition.

    The prime minister said, “I was thinking that somehow if only I could get a hold of their neck, and God listened to my prayers and they submitted a no-trust move. Now they have been trapped and their no-confidence move is going to backfire.”