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  • Anti-state trends

    Anti-state trends

    Earlier this week, a report was released by the Digital Media Wing (DMW) of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting titled, ‘Anti-State Trends: Deep Analytics Report’. The report had glaring errors as it tried to ‘analyse’ hashtags on Twitter to determine anti-state activities. The Current published an analytical report after going through the report page by page. The report mostly had screenshots of tweets that the government has deemed ‘anti-state’ and included tweets that were responding to some hashtags. Some hashtags in the report were there just for the sake of putting them there and labelling people ‘anti-state’. Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry has clarified that no Pakistani was declared anti-state in the DMW report but it was done to expose Indian bots. A disclaimer was also added after journalist Fereeha Idrees raised the issue as her name was also part of the report. Despite the disclaimer, the report’s name and a press conference by the Information Minister as well as National Security Adviser Dr Moeed Yusuf show that the government takes Twitter too seriously, as seriously as it takes media criticism.


    Leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) slammed the report for including journalists and political opponents in this report. It is indeed worrying that this trend of dishing out patriotism certificates has not stopped despite the fact that we have seen how dangerous it can be. Today is Pakistan’s Independence Day. We hope that our leaders will understand that all Pakistanis love Pakistan and their love or dissent does not mean it makes their patriotism any less. We all want Pakistan to prosper and we should not think that criticising the flawed policies of a state does not mean that such people should be labelled ‘traitors’ or ‘anti-state’. These tags have very serious repercussions in Pakistan.

    It was also disturbing to see that the Noor Mukadam case was also mentioned in the report just because Indian channels also made reports about the case. It should not have been part of the report. The US did not call the Black Lives Matter movement ‘anti-state’. It was covered the world over. A state should not be so insecure. Dissent is a fundamental part of strengthening democracy. On this Independence Day, let us hope our leaders are more tolerant of dissenting views and objective criticism. Pakistan Zindabad!

  • ‘I will not let the imposed war on people cause more deaths’: Ashraf Ghani

    ‘I will not let the imposed war on people cause more deaths’: Ashraf Ghani

    Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said Saturday the remobilisation of Afghanistan’s armed forces was a “top priority”.

    In a televised speech, Ashraf Ghani said, “As a historic mission, I will not let the imposed war on people cause more deaths.”

    “In the current situation, the remobilisation of our security and defence forces is our top priority, and serious steps are being taken in this regard,” he said.

    With the country’s second and third-largest cities having fallen into Taliban hands, Kabul has effectively become a besieged last stand for government forces who have offered little or no resistance elsewhere.

    “Therefore, I have started extensive consultations inside the government with the elders, political leaders, representatives of people, and international partners on achieving a reasonable and certain political solution in which the peace and stability of the people of Afghanistan are envisaged.”

    But Ghani praised the forces “that have defended the nation courageously and showed strong determination”.

  • From Shahid Afridi, Junaid Khan to Fakhar Zaman, cricketers wish Pakistan a Happy Independence Day

    From Shahid Afridi, Junaid Khan to Fakhar Zaman, cricketers wish Pakistan a Happy Independence Day

    Pakistan is celebrating its 75th Independence Day today (Saturday) and while the pandemic is still raging, it hasn’t dulled our cricketers’ patriotic fervour.

    Several cricketers, including Shahid Afridi, posted beautiful and heartwarming Independence Day messages on social media.

    Taking to Instagram, former Pakistan captain Afridi shared a heartwarming video of himself holding the national flag and hoisting Kashmir’s flag with his daughters.

    Cricketer turned commentator Ramiz Raja, who is also celebrating his birthday, wished Pakistan, saying: “Happy Independence Day. So proud to be a Pakistani.”

    Former speedster Shoaib Akhtar turned to his Twitter and shared his pictures while wishing Pakistan.

    Umar Gul not only wished the nation but also prayed for it while posting a beautiful video.

    https://twitter.com/mdk_gul/status/1426264309609472005?s=19

    Junaid Khan stepped a little forward and wrapped himself in the national flag and posted a picture on Instagram.

    Wahab Riaz, Shoaib Malik, Fakhar Zaman and others also turned to their social media accounts to wish the mother land on this Independence Day.

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also shared a video of Pakistani cricketers recalling how they celebrated Independence Day.

    The video include captain of Pakistan cricket team Babar Azam, Azahar Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Faheem Ashraf and members of Pakistan women cricket team.

  • Celebrities pen heartfelt messages on 75th Independence Day

    A string of Pakistani celebrities like Resham, Shaan Shahid and Danish Taimoor wished their friends and followers a Happy Independence Day. They posted their pictures with extensive heartfelt captions expressing their pride in being Pakistani.

    Here’s a list of celebrities who wished their fans a happy independence day on social media:

    Zarnish Khan also wished independence day to Pakistanis in while replying to a comment.

  • Saif, Kareena make first public appearance with son Jeh Ali Khan

    Despite the efforts of Bollywood’s celebrity couple Saif and Kareena to hide their second son, Jehangir from the media, he has been captured by the paparazzi in Mumbai. Media captured Jehangir exclusively as the celebrity couple reached the Jab We Met actor’s paternal home.

    The Bodyguard diva stated recently that she was ‘scarred’ by the criticism on her first son’s name.

    Jeh Ali Khan, or Jehangir as it might be, was born in February this year. After the birth of Jeh Kareena launched her book which is the comprehensive guide to pregnancy. 

  • VIDEO: Sanam Jung teaches verses from the Holy Book to daughter Alaya

    VIDEO: Sanam Jung teaches verses from the Holy Book to daughter Alaya

    A video of actor Sanam Jung teaching her daughter religious verses from the Holy Book, Quran is circulating on social media.

    https://youtu.be/1khhMoWEnec

    In the video, Sanam’s daughter Alaya can be seen reciting the verse recited before eating a meal and Surah Al Ikhlas.

    On the work front, Sanam was last seen in Eid Telefilm Hona Tha Pyar opposite Chupke Chupke fame Arslan Naseer.

  • Google marks Pakistan’s Independence Day with Derawar Fort doodle

    Google marks Pakistan’s Independence Day with Derawar Fort doodle

    Google has released a doodle artwork of medieval Derawar Fort located in the Cholistan Desert of Punjab to mark Pakistan’s 75th Independence Day.

    “Seventy-four years ago today, Pakistan achieved independence. Today’s doodle celebrates Pakistan Independence Day, a public holiday commemorating the day on which the nation became a sovereign republic.

    “Pakistanis across the subcontinent join to celebrate their freedom and honour the centuries of history that comprise its cultural foundation,” read a statement by Google accompanying the doodle.

    The doodle’s reach is limited to Pakistan.

  • IN PICTURES: Maya Ali’s vacation in Hunza

    Maya Ali is currently on vacation in Hunza. The actor is enjoying some family time in the northern areas and she is making sure to keep her fans updated during her getaway.

    Maya took to her Instagram to share some pictures.

    Have a look at some of the pictures from her dreamy vacation:

  • ‘No Pakistani was declared anti-state in the DMW analytical report,’ clarifies Fawad Chaudhry

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry has clarified that no Pakistani was declared anti-state in the Digital Media Wing’s (DMW) analytical report.

    Fawad on Friday said that unfortunately, the political parties did not have political research wings, who could help their leadership to understand an issue in depth. Chaudhry advised the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leadership to hire the services of an expert to learn about the contents of the DMW report.

    https://twitter.com/FawadPTIUpdates/status/1426198737152524294

    Fawad maintained the fact that “the analysis of Rana Sanaullah, Khurram Dastagir and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi reflected that they were computer-illiterate individuals who were not well aware of the latest technology and lack of enough knowledge in this regard.”

    The minister further added, “India did use bot technology to promote anti-Pakistan tweets.” Fawad said the report did not comment on the people living in Pakistan, clarifying, “If someone will be taking part in #SanctionPakistan trending right now on social media and opposing it – then it does not mean that they indulged in an anti-state activity.”

    Commenting on the media wing of Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), Fawad said that PTM had participated in spreading and posting anti-state trends on social media. The data on PTM’s role in supporting the anti-state narrative was included in the DMW report, which could be analysed by people themselves.

    https://twitter.com/FawadPTIUpdates/status/1426199486536331270

    Fawad further added that the ones unfamiliar with technology could also contact the ministry’s Digital Media Wing that has been set up to guide individuals.

    Earlier, the PML-N slammed the report saying it had equated Pakistan’s Opposition, politicians, and journalists with India and Israel without any proof.

  • Kabul could be isolated by Taliban within the next 72 hours

    The capital of Afghanistan, Kabul, can be isolated by the Taliban within the next 72 hours, CNN has reported. A diplomatic source told CNN that one intelligence assessment indicated that Kabul could be isolated by the Taliban within the week, possibly within the next 72 hours, but stressed that does not mean the militant group would enter the capital.

    CNN also reports that personnel at the US Embassy in Kabul have been instructed to delete sensitive and materials “which could be misused in propaganda efforts”, as soon as possible. As per details, a notice was sent to the embassy staff with the instructions.

    The act of destroying sensitive material is a standard procedure applied to minimise the US footprint.

    “Drawdowns at our diplomatic posts around the world follow a standard operating procedure designed to minimise our footprint across various categories, including staffing, equipment, and supplies. Kabul Embassy is conducting their drawdown in accordance with this standard operating procedure,” a US State Department spokesperson said.

    United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said that Afghanistan is spinning out of control. Every day, the conflict is taking a bigger toll on civilians, especially women and children. He also reminded all the parties of their obligation to protect civilians.

    The Taliban have taken control of 14 of Afghanistan’s 34 provincial capitals since Aug 6, Reuters has reported.