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Tag: divorce

  • Saying goodbye to ‘Kuch Ankahi’ with the five times it completely blew us away

    Saying goodbye to ‘Kuch Ankahi’ with the five times it completely blew us away

    From the moment it graced our screens, ‘Kuch Ankahi’- with its story of three sisters dealing with marriage pressure, workplace harassment, taking on a challenging careers- seared itself on the Pakistani entertainment industry as a cultural milestone that told a gorgeous story about the bond of sisterhood.

    Only 26 episodes long, ‘Kuch Ankahi’ won our hearts with its flawless story telling and brave portrayal of issues that today’s political climate would have prevented them from doing so.

    With the final episode coming up on Saturday, our hearts are heavy as we will no longer have to look forward to Shamoo Begum and Agha Jaan kay jhagray, Alia and Salman’s cat and mouse chase and the wholesome love between the three sisters. Let’s look back at the five moments where ‘Kuch Ankahi’ truly proved that it was a masterclass in good story telling.

    1 The men in the drama won our hearts.

    At a time when dramas today think a hit series needs a man slapping a woman or a girl being forcibly married without her consent, ‘Kuch Ankahi’ set the bar higher by proving that what audiences want is not violence, but well-written characters that are supportive of the women around them. The bond that the father Agha Jaan had with his daughters, and how he kept taking their side regardless of what society told him, moved us to tears. His defence of youngest daughter Tanya and her passion to become a filmmaker, or backing Samiya if she wanted to back out of her marriage at the last minute.

    2. When the show made a breakthrough by supporting Joyland

    In a scene in episode four that takes place in Tanya’s room, Aliya stands behind her wall of posters, among which is Saim Sadiq’s film ‘Joyland’, a love story between a transgender woman and a man. It was a small, but powerful display of support towards Pakistani filmmakers.

    3 The nikkah scene that defended the right to divorce clause and urged for women to be aware of their rights in the marriage contract

    The nikkah scene from episode 11 received praise on Twitter when Sofia phupoo (played by actress Vaneeza Ahmed) passionately urged the molvi sahab to not cut out the clauses from the nikkah where the woman writes down her demands, highlighting that these are essential for a woman’s safety in marriage, as Islam has rightfully granted them.

    4 Child sexual abuse

    With the story of Deepak, the son of the family’s Hindu house helper, the drama dwelled into the growing issue of child abuse, as he is raped by the tailor he works with. Later, when Sofia phupho and the family learn about the crime, they take in Deepak as a family member and enroll him in a good school so that he regains his confidence in a safe environment.

    5 Neha and her dream to become a tiktok star

    Any woman on screen who isn’t a gharelo good girl married off at the age of 20, is either an awaragard or too bold for society or someone who meets a tragic end. Especially so for women who are obsessed with using social media apps like TikTok . But ‘Kuch Ankahi’ debunks this mindset with the wholesome story of Neha, the daughter of a Hindu working class family, who loves using TikTok. However , she fears her father will beat her if her videos are found. But as the story progresses, Neha finds new-found courage with the support of Taniya to keep making videos, and soon she gets a job as an actress, with her father completely supporting her choice.

  • ‘Pyaar kiya toh daarna kia’, Pakistani woman marries Indian PUBG love

    ‘Pyaar kiya toh daarna kia’, Pakistani woman marries Indian PUBG love

    They say love is crazy and limitless. According to Seema Haider, a 27-year-old Pakistani woman and mother of four, love was the reason behind her decision to move to India and start a new life with an Indian man.

    The news of the across-the-border love story has been making rounds on social media. “You only live once then you get old and die, so I chose love over everything,” says Seema.

    Seema is now married to Sachin Meena and lives in a two-room house 70 kilometers from India’s capital New Delhi. She has refused to come to back to Pakistan. “I’ll die here but never return,” Seema stated.

    In an interview shared by BBC, Seema and Sachin opened up about how the romance began for them and what they mean to each other. They started talking on PUBG in 2020, becoming close friends in a span of seven months. According to the lovers, they met in March in Nepal for the first time and it was Seema who got Sachin a ticket.

    Seema told the interviewer that it’s a wondrous feeling when you are talking to someone from across the border. She said, “I used to show him Pakistan and he used to show me India.”

    On being asked that Pakistan is demanding for counselor access to Seema, she was pretty clear that she is never coming back to Pakistan. “I don’t hate Pakistan. It’s not like I don’t miss the country. I have spent my childhood there. My family is there and my parents are buried in Pakistan, but I won’t go back,” she said. Sachin was also very local about not letting Seema go back, he said, “I won’t let her leave till I’m alive.”

    Seema’s first Pakistani husband Ghulam Haider, who is currently in Saudi Arabia, has appealed to the Saudi government to help him in getting his wife and four children back, to which Sachain responded that Seema is also his wife now, and he has accepted her with the children. Seema further added that Haider has claimed that she is still his wife, but she is not. Haider had divorced her verbally. It’s not on papers yet. She said verbal divorce is considered divorced in Pakistan.

    “A woman can also file for divorce. I’ll send him a notice to make it official,” she added.

    When asked about changing her religion, Seema expressed that she willingly converted to Hinduism and there was no pressure on her as claimed by her ‘ex-husband’.

    She was questioned that Sachin works at a shop, do you think you along with your four kids will be offered a good life with him. “Yes, he respects me, loves my kids and that’s enough. It means nothings when one gives you money, but no respect,” she replied.

  • Imran Ashraf’s ex reveals her biggest regret is changing herself for a man

    Imran Ashraf’s ex reveals her biggest regret is changing herself for a man

    Actor Imran Ashraf and his former wife Kiran Ashfaque announced their divorce in October 2022, after being married for four years. Recently, Kiran created a stir on her Instagram account where she wrote that she deeply regretted changing herself for a man, and vowed to never take such a step again.

    “I swear, by my life and my love of it, that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine.
    Do not change ur personality or anything for anyone ❤️
    I did it and i regret it.”

    While it may or may not have been a direct reference to her ex, many Instagram users lauded the influencer’s brave stand on embracing your own body and learning never to change to make others happy

    Previously, Kiran did a Q & A on Instagram with her followers where, after months of silence, she finally opened up about why she chose to divorce the actor. Some of her responses made users feel like that not everything was glamorous behind the scenes as it is in front of the cameras.

    When a user asked Kiran why she had divorced her husband, she snapped back “Go and ask him why did he divorce me.”

    When another user asked Kiran on whether she got a divorce because of her bold nature, her response was:

    “I was always a bold person, but I had changed myself for someone. My advice to everyone is to never change yourself for someone else. Check my old photos on Google babe.”

  • No, divorces are not rising because of Aurat March, but because women are recognising their right to live

    On Saturday, actress Nazish Jahangir set social media ablaze when during a podcast with controversial YouTuber Nadir Ali, the model turned actor claimed that she did not identify as a feminist, because apparently “not all crying women are truthful.”

     “…l believe in equality, and I still confidently say that not all crying women are truthful. I am always standing with the right person whether it is a woman or a man.”

    The abysmal part of this conversation begun when Nazish Jahangir went on to address Aurat March, saying that the movement is responsible for the rise of divorces in the country, adding that it was not a solution to any problem:

    “I don’t believe in these Aurat Marches. It’s not benefiting the women for whom we are fighting. They are not reaching the women they’re standing up for. Such poor women would be sitting in villages and making food while they chant slogans on the streets here. I think these fake feminist movements will never get you justice,”

    “I wonder who they are protesting for then. Are they protesting for us? Because our league knows everything about it. We know our rights and we know the value of equality. The ratio of khula has also increased after these marches,” The ‘Thays’ actor claimed. “I’m not asking women to bear cruelties or abuse. They can leave their houses if they like but at least give it a shot. Our parents are the biggest example of sacrificing and surviving relationships with patience and love. Because now women are getting divorced only after one month.”

    Yes this is a deeply messed up argument, there is a lot to unpack and a lot of myths to dissect which are once more churning up harmful stereotypes towards organisations working for women’s rights. Perhaps the worst statement was about Aurat March encouraging divorces in Pakistan. A sweeping statement Jahangir gave without any proof that it is true.

    In reality, Aurat March is not the reason why women are choosing divorce Aurat March is the solution to a long term issue: the limited support and neglect shown towards women in a patriarchal society that demands that everything be sacrificed for the sake of a marriage.

    Since Ms Jahangir is from the acting profession, and our dramas claim to know best about what women should want from a marriage, can we all collectively recall one drama that has portrayed a healthy marriage? Can we say that ‘Tere Bin’, which features a man stalking and slapping his wife was what women should look up to in order to understand how to keep their marriages intact?

    Furthermore, if Ms Jahangir is claiming that women who break away from their marriages do not understand sacrifice and hard work because Aurat March tells them to be less tolerant, then she needs to be aware that more women in Pakistan have died trying to stay married. Sara Inam was murdered by her husband in Islamabad after three months of marriage, was the murder her own fault? Qandeel Baloch‘s murderer, her brother, was pardoned by the court despite confessing his crime to authorities, only because his parents pardoned him. Just five days ago, another man walked free from a court in Karachi after murdering his daughter, because he was once again pardoned by his family. Another man in Lahore murdered his wife and then sent her body back to her family via a rickshaw.

    All these nameless women, the countless ways they were let down by the law and society in Pakistan. How is that we know about them, Ms Jahangir? It’s definitely not because of the family system, which continues to hide predators, and pardon them after unforgivable crimes. This heroic act solely belongs to Aurat March, which has time and time again raised placcards for countless women you claim it does not protect.

    You claim to say that Aurat March cannot help the women in villages because they’re too busy shouting slogans, but it is through Aurat March that we know these women’s names. Working class women like Dua Zehra, whose parents couldn’t make an announcement at a mosque because she was a Shia, and who was slammed by media organisatons, who claimed she had disohonored her family. It was local activists who pressurised authorities to take child abduction seriously, helping her come back home.

    Claiming that you’re unaware about a topic is one thing, but making sweeping generalisations about women’s rights, especially during a time when laws seek to further restrict women’s access to escaping abusive marriages, and more feminist activists are being trolled onine, it is incredibly disheartening to see a public figure as yourself talking without properly fact checking yourself.

    If you are still confused about how to be a well informed and articulate public figure, then take an example from Ayesha Omar and Kiran Malik, who carefully broke down why watching the rise in divorce rates is a good sign that more women are learning to stand up for themselves and escape their abusive marriages.

  • Woman demands a refund for wedding photos from photographer after divorce

    Woman demands a refund for wedding photos from photographer after divorce

    A South African woman has made headlines after contacting her wedding photographer, four years after her wedding, to request a refund due to her recent divorce.

    The woman claimed that she and her ex-husband no longer needed the wedding photos, and therefore, they should be entitled to a refund.

    The photographer, Lance Romeo, initially thought it was a prank, but after realising the woman was serious, he respectfully declined her request.

    https://twitter.com/LanceRomeo/status/1645842910514905113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1645842910514905113%7Ctwgr%5Ecaba5a67e2c4be408ce4f4fc0b9af7f0a7470701%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ndtv.com%2Foffbeat%2F4-years-after-divorce-woman-demands-refund-from-wedding-photographer-4016345

    Still, the woman did not accept his refusal and requested to meet in person to discuss the matter, but the photographer refused and instructed her to communicate through her lawyers.

    The photographer shared the WhatsApp chat with the woman on Twitter, which soon went viral. The woman’s ex-husband later contacted the photographer and apologised on her behalf.

    Despite the woman’s demands, the photographer remained professional throughout the exchange, and the incident garnered widespread attention on social media.

  • Footballer wife demands property after divorce, finds out husband is broke, everything in his mom’s name

    Footballer wife demands property after divorce, finds out husband is broke, everything in his mom’s name

    Spanish newspaper Marca reported on Thursday that Hiba Abouk, the ex-wife of Moroccan footballer Achraf Hakimi, was unable to obtain half of his wealth after filing for divorce because the sportsman allegedly has no assets in his name.

    Abouk requested half of Hakimi’s assets and fortune during divorce process, but was told that everything he earned is under his mother’s name. The report also stated that his mother was the recipient of his hefty salary.

    The couple tied the knot in a private ceremony in 2020 and are parents to two children.


    In June, Morocco World News reported that Achraf Hakimi, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain, is the sixth highest-earning African footballer, with a weekly income of over $215,000. However, Hakimi is currently under investigation for rape allegations made by a 24-year-old woman in February.

  • Syeda Aliza reveals how to overcome heartbreak from divorce

    Syeda Aliza reveals how to overcome heartbreak from divorce

    Syeda Alizey Sultan, who has recently divorced actor Feroze Khan, has been outspoken about the physical and mental violence she had suffered during the marriage.

    Sultan did an Instagram Q/A session with her followers yesterday and among many things, she opened up about how she overcame the heartbreak and depression, moving on to become a much happier person.

    In response to a fan’s question, Sultan said:

    “When you have Allah, family, your loved ones and immense love and support from you guys. Then every situation is manageable.”

    Sultan also shared an ayat that had helped her cope with difficult times, and said talking to Allah was the best form of therapy for her.

    On the prospect of marrying again, Sultan said she would let things happen on their own time rather than rush in to a new thing.

    “Marriage is half of your deen and everything happens at its appointed time.”

    Sultan then shared the biggest lessons she had learned from her divorce, including being financially independent and remembering to love herself before anyone else.

  • In just 24 hours, woman who married herself considered divorce

    In just 24 hours, woman who married herself considered divorce

    After only 24 hours of being her own spouse, a woman who claimed to have married herself has said that she is considering getting a divorce. 25-year-old Sofi Maure took to social media in February to inform her fans and followers that she had “married herself”. She also posted pictures donning a white bridal gown and a gold tiara. 

    “Today, in the most spurious moments of my life, I bought a wedding dress and cooked a wedding cake to marry myself,” she said.

    Social media users had strong thoughts about her decision with some supporting Sofi, while others said the whole thing was for “attention”.

    Despite the support from some followers, it seems the loved-up solo bride was soon left questioning her commitment – as just a day later, on 20 February, she declared that divorce was imminent.

    “Update: one day I’m married to myself and I can’t take it anymore, I’m seeing how the divorce issue is just in case,” she said.

  • ‘Character assassination’; Nawazuddin Siddiqui slams wife’s allegations

    ‘Character assassination’; Nawazuddin Siddiqui slams wife’s allegations

    Bollywood actor Nawazuddin Sidiqqui has addressed his wife Aaliya’s allegations of the star evicting her out of her house and refusing to grant her custody of her children. She had recorded a video and posted it on Instagram, saying that she and her children were thrown out of the house in the middle of the night.

    In a statement posted from his twitter account, Siddiqui revealed that his children were being held hostage by their mother, Aliya, and had not been sent to school for the last 45 days.
    “Does any one know why my kids are in India and not attending schools for 45 days, wherein the school is sending me letters everyday that it’s been too long an absence. My kids have been made hostage for the past 45 days and are missing their schooling in Dubai,” he wrote.

    Siddiqui further went on to address the Aliya’s allegation he had refused to pay child support, and criticized her for blackmailing him for more money in the past.

    “She had abandoned the kids in Dubai for the last four months before calling them here on the pretext for demanding money. On average, she is being paid approx 10 lakhs per month for the past two years and 5 to 7 lakhs per month before moving to Dubai with my children, excluding the school fees, medical, travel and other leisure activities. I have also financed her three films costing me crores of rupees, just to help her set up her income stream since she is the mother of my kids. She was given luxurious cars for my kids, but she sold them and spent the money on herself. I have also bought a lavish sea-facing apartment in Versova, Mumbai for my children. Aaliya was made the co-owner of the said apartment as my kids are small. I have given my children a rented apartment in Dubai, where she was also living comfortably. She only wants more money and hence has filed numerous cases against me and my mother. It’s her routine, she has done the same in the past too and withdraws the case when paid as per her demand.”

    Siddiqui also replied to claims of child abandonment:


    “Whenever my children came to India during their vacation, they used to stay with their grandmother only. How could anyone throw them out of the house? I myself was not in the house during that time. Why didn’t she make a video of being thrown out, whereas she makes a video of every random thing? She has dragged the kids into this drama and she is doing all this to simply blackmail me, malign my reputation, her intent to spoil my career and fulfill her illegitimate demands.”

    Siddiqui concluded the note by stating that he loved his two children, and would go to any length in order to secure their well-being and safety:


    “Any parent on this planet will never want their kids to miss out on their studies or hamper their future, they will always try to give their best of the best possible things. Whatever I am earning today is all for both of my kids and no person can change this. I love Shora and Yani and I will go to any extent to secure their well-being and their future. I have won all the cases so far and will continue to place my faith in the judiciary. Love is not to hold one back, but to let one fly in the right direction.”

    Read his full statement here:

    Last week Aliya had accused Siddiqui of abandonment when she uploaded a video on Instagram of her and their two children in the streets, and revealed that they had been left on the road by their own father without any financial expenses or a place to go.

    “This is the truth of Nawazuddin Siddiqui,” she had written. “Who did not even spare his own innocent children..when after being in the house for 40 days I stepped out as office bearers at Versova police station called me urgently..but when I went back to the house with my children Nawazuddin siddiqui had deputed a number of guards to not let us in.. me and my children were bruetly left by this man to be on the road.. my daughter could not believe that her own father can do this to her and was howling and crying on the road.”

  • Bushra Ansari reveals struggles she faced in her first marriage

    Bushra Ansari reveals struggles she faced in her first marriage

    Bushra Ansari was a guest on Nida Yasir’s talk show where among many things, she opened up about her abusive first marriage and the ways her husband, Iqbal Ansari, restricted her from the things she used to love. Ansari and her ex-husband parted ways after 36 years of marriage. The veteran actress said in the interview that she was quite naive when she got married:
    “Girls who are around 19 or 20 years old when they’re getting married, it’s not easy for them to stand up for their rights, and most of the time they don’t want to. I believe that young people are very innocent and idealistic, which is why it is easy for an older person to enter their lives and mold them to his taste. Especially it is your parents and other relatives who complain about your bad habits to your husband, and encourage him to keep a strict control over you. But girls are very naive when their getting married, they’re like jelly. But I’m proud of this generation today because women are well-educated and also know how to stand up for themselves.”


    Ansari went on to share how she followed the customs of her time to obey and act according to the wishes of her husband, hoping that he might like her and be happy but instead of that, she was expected, all the time, to do what he said.


    “He asked that i remove my nose pin, which I loved, but I agreed. He also said don’t wear ghararay on your wedding so I decided to switch to wearing sari’s. Then he also said don’t wear mehndi on your hands on your wedding, I agreed. Even though this wasn’t a twenty year long affair, but we only knew each other for three months and then we got married.”


    “I thought that if I would say ‘theek hai jee, aap ki marzi’, then everything would be fine. Because once he is happy, then I would also be happy. Whatever he said, I would do. He said stop going to your friend’s house, I agreed. I thought that he was a temple, and I was running around it. But this was the kind of mindset women from this generation used to follow because they were told this is how they must remain happy in their marriages. I’m not saying you should completely rebel and refuse to be nice to your husband, because sometimes listening to someone’s request is a good thing and they acknowledge you. Otherwise you listen to them once, then they keep expecting you to listen to everything they have to say.”

    You can watch the complete interview here: