Following are some snippets that stood out from Urdu newspapers on August 5, 2020, which The Current takes no responsibility for.
‘Hukoomat K Sath Ab Kabhi Nahi Baithoonga’
It has been reported by Daily Jang that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former prime minister (PM) Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has distanced himself and his party from any proposals to amend National Accountability Bureau (NAB) laws, saying, “Hukoomat k sath ab kabhi nahi baithoonga. Hukoomat jhoot bolnay pr awaam se maafi maangay. Jahaan wazire azam aur wuzra assembly k floor pr jhoot boltay hon, unn se kya baat karein?”
‘PPP Ki 12 Saala Karkardagi‘
Daily Jang has quoted Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Political Communication Dr Shahbaz Gill as saying, “People’s Party walay ehal hotay to NDMA ko Karachi naa bhejna parrta… jin ki 12 saala karkardagi ka pol chand millimeter baarish ne khol dia, unn se bughz kaisa?
Fayazul Hasan Chohan’s Cameo
According to Daily Jang, Punjab Information Minister Fayazul Hasan Chohan will be making a cameo appearance in the Independence Day song to be released later this month ahead of August 14 celebrations.
Chohan, a popular member of the Punjab government, is rather infamous for his “reckless” statements, one of which was against members of the Hindu community and had cost him his job.
Following are some snippets that stood out from Urdu newspapers on August 4, 2020, which The Current takes no responsibility for.
‘Wazire Aala Pervaiz Elahi’
It has been reported by Daily Jang that the participants of a meeting chaired by Pakistan Muslim League (PML) chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, believe, ” Agar Usman Buzdar ko hataya gya to Pervaiz Elahi ko umeedwar hona chaheye.”
‘Imran Khan Ki Walida Ka Khat‘
Senior journalist and analyst Suhail Warraich, in his column for Daily Jang, has cited a fictitious letter by the mother of Prime Minister Imran Khan, wherein she told her son, “Tumharay siyaasi hareefon k ghar khushiyan manai jaa rahi hain. Dono khandaan khush hain k Imran Khan ne 2 saal se koi siyaasat nahi ki.”
‘Murad Ali Shah Ko Usman Buzdar Se Seekhna Chaheye’
Daily Dunya has quoted Punjab Information Minister Fayazul Hasan Chohan as saying, “Baat baat pr tanqeed karnay walay Bilawal aur Murad Ali Shah, Usman Buzdar sr governance k gurr seekhein. Safai k behtareen intezaamat pr hazaaro logo ne Usman Buzdar aur Punjab intezaamia ki tareef ki.”
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Digital Pakistan Tania Aidrus has resigned from her post amid growing criticism for holding dual citizenship.
“Growing criticism is a distraction to my ability to execute on the long-term vision for a Digital Pakistan. It is unfortunate that a Pakistani’s desire to serve Pakistan is clouded by such issues,” said Tania, who holds Canadian and Singaporean nationality, in her resignation letter.
Criticism levied towards the state as a consequence of my citizenship status is clouding the purpose of Digital Pakistan. In the greater public interest, I have submitted my resignation from the SAPM role. I will continue to serve my country and the PM’s vision to my best ability pic.twitter.com/BWBvBvO6uz
Furthermore, she stated that her Canadian nationality was a consequence of her birth and “not an acquisition of choice”.
TANIA&TAREEN:
According to media reports, appointments of Tania and Khurram Jamali, who formerly worked under Tania at Google, was facilitated by Jahangir Khan Tareen.
In April 2020 when the sugar scandal rose its ugly head and a subsequent probe into it led to the damning report that said Tareen prioritised his sugar mills over national interest, PM Imran Khan was disillusioned.
This led to a rift between the premier and Tareen, who, according to reports, are no longer on talking terms.
While Tareen has left the country for the time being and does not hold any direct or indirect power in the government, people cannot help drawing links between the rift and Tania’s resignation.
DIGITAL PAKISTAN INITIATIVE AND DIGITAL PAKISTAN FOUNDATIONCONFLICT:
Despite the existence of Digital Pakistan Initiative, Tania formed a nonprofit organisation called Digital Pakistan Foundation to attract foreign expatriates and talent to facilitate the digitisation process in Pakistan.
According to Tania, the government’s Digital Pakistan Initiative had no Federal Budget assigned to it, neither was it under the ambit of the Ministry of Information Technology (IT) or Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), leaving it stalled and dry.
However,reportssay, Shabahat Ali Shah, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the National IT Board (NITB), and Tania were not getting along well since day one.
Both Shah and Tania were working for the IT Ministry and there had been an overlap of their work, leading to turf wars.
Taking advantage of Tania’s vulnerability, Shah allegedly want her sacked as the SAPM. To that end, the Digital Pakistan Foundation scandal was reportedly intentionally hyped up and leaked to a journalist, whose thread about the scandal was later picked up by various media outlets.
Credit goes to @ImranKhanPTI as #PM of #Pakistan for taking action whenever any wrong doing is pointed out. Top govt sources say contrary to what @taidrus claims as reason for resignation, she was asked to quit following unsatisfactory replies about making a private company pic.twitter.com/KoZDYgnRKn
Good to know that this Canadian Special Assisstant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan was asked to quit she never resigned volunteerly I am told one more resignation coming soon https://t.co/ITk3wdaiAC
Meanwhile, Tania says she will continue serving in Pakistan through public and private initiatives and will always be available for the cause of ‘Naya Pakistan’.
While PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) continues to remain banned in Pakistan, Asim Azhar has voiced his protest against the ban and requested Prime Minister Imran Khan to not let his youth down. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) banned the game after parents approached it complaining that the game was addictive for their children. According to details, three children in Lahore had also recently committed suicide due to the online game.
In a series of tweets, Asim expressed his thoughts on the matter and said that banning the game won’t make any difference until we educate the youth.
“Only if we invest in our education system as much, that we make our children – the future of this country, into humans with stable minds, we would never have to worry about any playform or game being harmful to the society,” said Asim.
Only if we invest in our education system as much, that we make our children – the future of this country, into humans with stable minds, we would never have to worry about any playform or game being harmful to the society. Basics change karo, pubg nahi.
He continued: “I want to live in a country where there is no banning culture. Where the youth has enough awareness to know what is right and wrong for them.”
I want to live in a country where there is no banning culture. Where the youth has enough awareness to know whats right & wrong for them. For that we must invest everything we can in our basics & schooling to get results in coming years. Not by banning games. #ImranKhanPUBGKholo
Arguing his stance further, Asim appealed to PM Imran Khan and said that “the last time we banned something (YouTube) it took us so many years back”.
“This is not just about a game, it is about the digital future of Pakistan,” argued Asim. “Every field will be affected. I am a victim of the ridiculous ban we had to face on YouTube for five years. We are again at the same stage. Please don’t let it happen again, sir Imran Khan.”
#ImranKhanPUBGKholo Even tho I have never played this game but I believe in freedom of speech & actions that do not harm. I am with you guys & against the ban of any platforms or games. @ImranKhanPTI sir, the last time we banned something (YouTube) it took us so many years back.
This is not just about a game, it is about the digital future of 🇵🇰 Every field will be affected. I am a victim of the ridiculous ban we had to face on YouTube for 5 years. We are again at the same stage. Please don’t let it happen again, sir @ImranKhanPTI 🙌🏽 #ImranKhanPUBGKholo
He also requested everyone protesting against the ban not to use any hate speech.
#ImranKhanPUBGKholo Also, a message to the youth, I know it can be very frustrating & demoralising leken har subha se pehle andhera hota hai. I request everyone protesting the bans to not use any hate speech. InshaAllah @ImranKhanPTI sir will not disappoint his youth 🙏🏽
Meanwhile, Waqar Zaka expressed his disappointment at PM Imran Khan for not responding to the youth’s protests. He announced that he will contest in the next election and initiate a technology movement in Pakistan.
The hashtag #ImranKhanPUBGkolo is currently trending at number one on Pakistani Twitter.
Other celebrities including Hania Aamir also expressed their displeasure over the ban.
Gaming is not a crime and bans achieve little other than angst and resentment. Instead of shutting down #PUBG, address and counter the issues that are a cause for concern and let them play for it is only but a game! 🙏🏽#Pakistan#ImranKhanPUBGKholo
Earlier in the day, PTA announced that the ban on PUBG will remain in place as the game developer has not yet responded to the authority about its suitable framework to address key concerns.
Three days ago, on July 24, the Islamabad High Court had ordered the government to lift the ban on PUBG, much to the delight of PUBG fans in Pakistan. However, PTA, in a statement, said: “The order has been issued in accordance with Islamabad High Court’s orders after a hearing conducted by PTA on July 9 and in accordance with the provisions of PECA 2016.”
Press Release: PTA has issued a detailed order regarding blocking of online game PlayerUnknown's Battle Ground. The order has been issued in accordance with Islamabad High Court's orders after a hearing conducted by PTA on July 9 & in accordance with the provisions of PECA 2016. pic.twitter.com/cRyYzMVizN
After the prices of petrol were drastically increased, actor and game show host Fahad Mustafa tweeted to Prime Minister Imran Khan, asking if he [Fahad] made the right decision about voting for PTI in the 2018 elections.
“Sir I know running a country is not an easy job but what happened to (Yeh Koi Rocket Science Nahi) you kept telling us that when you were in the opposition. Please tell me if I made the right decision voting you?,” asked Fahad.
@ImranKhanPTI Sir i know running a country is not an easy Job but what happened to (Yeh Koi Rocket Science Nahi) you kept telling us that when you were in the opposition. Plz tell me if i made the right decision voting you ?
Many people, including celebrities, are criticising the government for raising petrol prices.
Petrol mafia . Water mafia . Electricity mafia .. unemployment.. currency devaluations..corona crisis ..sugar mafia … atta mafia and much more … devastating 2 years let’s see what more is coming ..
The #PetrolPrice increase indicates that the Petrol Pumps and companies that were holding back their stock knew this was coming. This also means the governments inability to implement the smooth delivery of fuel when the prices were at RS 74. Answers needed!! @ImranKhanPTI
Veena Malik, who vehemently defends PM Khan and his government, also took to Twitter and wrote: “Khan Sahab awaam pooch rahi hai ub thora ghabra lein? (Khan Sahab, people are asking if we can panic a little now).”
خان صاحب عوام پوچھ رہی ہے اب تھوڑا گھبرا لیں؟ 😂#PetrolPrice
William Dalrymple’s The Anarchy, which Prime Minister Imran Khan was spotted reading on his way back to Pakistan from the United Nations General Assembly, is being made into a movie.
According to a report in Hollywood publication Variety Magazine, award-winning producer Siddharth Roy Kapur has acquired the rights of the book, whose complete title is The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company. Roy Kapur, unarguably one of Bollywood’s biggest producers, has a plethora of hits under his belt including Dangal, The Sky is Pink, Khoobsurat and Kai Po Che!.
Siddharth Roy Kapur
Set between 1599 and 1802, The Anarchy traces the rise of The East India Company against the decline and fall of the Mughal Empire. It provides an account of how a provincial trading start-up, run by thirty people from an office in a nondescript London building, became rulers of an entire sub-continent.
While further details on the film are still under wraps, Roy Kapur Films is reportedly planning a big-budget, grand-scale series adaptation of the book with yet unnamed international co-production partners.
Dalrymple, who is also on board as a consultant for the project, while speaking about the adaption said: “I’m very excited looking at the initial treatment note, talking about the various ways to bring this book alive and to bring the characters I’ve been living with over the last 6 years onto the screen, so that everyone else can see them in flesh and blood.”
Apart from PM Khan The Anarchy was also recommended by former US President Barack Obama, who listed it among his top 10 recommended books of 2019.
As we wind down 2019, I wanted to share with you my annual list of favorites that made the last year a little brighter. We’ll start with books today — movies and music coming soon. I hope you enjoy these as much as I did. pic.twitter.com/l5qTGkAPok
Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry has made some explosive revelations by claiming that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) failed to bring “tabdeeli” [change] due to the in-fighting between Asad Umar, Jahangir Tareen and Shah Mahmood Qureshi after the formation of its government, which was followed by the ouster of the political class from Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s core team.
“This political vacuum was then filled by new and non-elected people who did not have anything to do with politics,” the minister said in an interview with VOA Urdu.
Talking to senior journalist Suhail Warraich, Fawad revealed that Tareen was responsible for Asad Umar losing his Finance Ministry portfolio. When asked why was there so much in-fighting among PTI ranks, he said when Umar was the Finance Minister, Tareen got him fired.
“Now when Umar got back in the government, he got rid of Tareen. Qureshi and Tareen also had meetings but things didn’t work out between the two.”
He maintained that party groupings were a norm but PTI’s internal fighting between top leaders led to their replacement by bureaucrats, which compromised PM’s reform agenda.
Fawad added that the PTI government was now just another government as its agenda of carrying out police and judicial among other reforms now faced an uncertain future.
CIVILIAN SUPREMACY AND OPPOSITION:
To another question, he said that people say there should be civilian supremacy and the military’s role in politics should be curtailed, but they should also take a look at the parliament and provincial lawmakers. “How can there be civilian supremacy under such leadership?” Ultimately, this is about human resources, he added.
Criticising the opposition for having a limited vision due to dynastic politics, he also questioned why PM Imran had not developed any new and capable leadership.
“We can understand why Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto put weak people in important positions because their vision was to transfer leadership to their own children. Imran doesn’t have this problem. He should have placed the best at powerful positions but somehow, he was advised by someone to place weak people in powerful positions so that they can be dictated. This only damaged Imran. He is far bigger than what he looks like right now.”
ALL-POWERFUL TECHNOCRATS:
When asked how bureaucrats and special advisors to the PM were all-powerful without any resistance from the political class, he said that most people worked with the status quo. “If you can’t balance politics and governance, then it is a problem. PM Imran knows this… he recently warned his cabinet that we have five and a half months to improve our performance, otherwise time will run out for us.” He added that they didn’t have a political or governance-reform team.
PRESIDENTIAL FORM OF GOVT?
Fawad said that in a parliamentary form of government, experts are brought in to consult in the decision-making process but decision-making has to be done by elected politicians. “This is the basic difference between parliamentary democracy and a presidential system.”
When asked if the country was now moving towards a presidential form of government, he said that the appointment of so many advisors or special assistants, and elected people not being invited to participate in key decision-making, put a question mark on parliamentary form of government. “Imran Khan’s failure is not the failure of an individual; the entire nation’s hopes are pinned on his success. If the military and other state institutions are supporting the PM, it is because there are no other political options.”
He also said that while parliamentary form of government was not the most competent, it was still the most powerful. “Ideas cannot be implemented without a good team and human resource.”
It is not the first time Fawad Chaudhry has criticised the PTI government for favouring non-elected or weak people in key positions. Last year following a major cabinet reshuffle that led to Asad Umar losing his ministry while Fawad Chaudhry and several others were given new portfolios, Chaudhry lamented in an interview that at times, important decisions were taken “and we don’t even know”.
Prime Minister Imran Khan, in a video meeting with renowned writers across the country, urged them to promote family values and national identity through their writings and dramas. Writers who were part of the meeting included Hasina Moin, Amjad Islam Amjad, Bee Gul, Fasih Bari Khan, Zafar Meraj, Zanzbeel Asim Shah, Amna Mufti, Saima Ikram Chaudhry and Jahanzeb Qamar.
According to APP, the prime minister assured the government’s support for the promotion of national culture and identity. In the meeting, PM Khan discussed the importance of highlighting national culture and identity and said that the education and training of the youth had been jeopardized by modern communication tools, internet, easy access to objectionable content and onslaught of alien culture and traditions.
The PM asserted that foreign content – such a Bollywood – is putting our history, culture and social values in danger and reducing the youth’s knowledge about Islamic personalities, sagas and national history.
PM Imran also said that the government was aiming to revamp and digitalise Pakistan Television (PTV) and revive its previous glory.
Fasih Bari Khan, and other writers present on the occasion, speaking to a private media outlet, said that PM Khan had highlighted that the whole society was in a state of moral decay and that the country was leading in child pornography. PM Khan attributed rising divorce rates to the moral degradation of society and the influence of Western cultures. He expressed his distress at the rising divorce cases in society and spoke at length on the topic. He urged playwrights to help the new generation in moral training and character building.
PM Khan also expressed his desire for an Ertuğrul -type drama to be produced in Pakistan.
Meanwhile, when Bee Gul disagreed with PM Khan’s point of view and said that while divorce should be discouraged, it should not be stigmatised as it puts stress on the woman, her mic was switched off and PM Khan said that divorce has a negative effect on children and the family structure.
The writers hoped that this meeting would bear fruit and would bring positive changes, because more often than not, they are pressurised into writing a certain type of story by private channels.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Shibli Faraz and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information Lt Gen (Retd) Asim Saleem Bajwa were also part of the meeting.
2) وزیر اعظم نے قومی تہذیب و تمدن اور پاکستانیت کو اجاگر کرنے کی اہمیت پر زور دیتے ہوئے کہا کہ ماڈرن ذرائع ابلاغ ، انٹرنیٹ پرہر قسم کے مواد خصوصاً قابل اعتراض کی آسان دستیابی اور مغربی طور طریقوں اور بیرونی کلچر کی یلغار سے ہماری اقدار اور –
4)- بھی برائے نام اور محدود ہوتی جا رہی ہیں۔ وزیر اعظم نے کہا کہ نئی نسل کو قومی تشخص سے روشناس کرانے ، معاشرتی اقدار اور پاکستانیت کے فروغ کے لئے ضروری ہے کہ اس حوالے سے فوری طور پر اقدامات اٹھائے جائیں۔
6) وزیر اعظم نے کہا کہ قومی تہذیب و تمدن اور پاکستانیت کے فروغ کے حوالے سے کوششوں کی حکومتی سطح پر بھرپور پذیرائی کی جائے گی۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ حکومت پاکستان ٹیلی ویژن کی اصلاح پر خصوصی توجہ دے رہی ہے تاکہ پی ٹی وی قومی تشخص اجاگر کرنے میں اپنا کردار ماضی کی طرح ادا کر سکے۔
The passing of Pakistan’s renowned TV/radio host, film actor and politician Tariq Aziz has left an irreplaceable void in the country and Pakistanis, including Prime Minister Imran Khan, mourned his death and remembered him and his work.
According to Radio Pakistan, Aziz passed away due to cardiac arrest in Lahore on Wednesday. He was 84. ARY reported that the veteran host did not have any underlying ailments or conditions. He had been isolating at home ever since the coronavirus outbreak. Quoting his wife, the reporter said that a while before his death Aziz said he felt cold and put his head on his wife’s shoulder for some relief. He passed away soon after.
Meanwhile, from celebrities and politicians to sportsmen and journalists, everyone fondly remembered the legend and his iconic presence on the screen.
نیلام گھر شو کی مشہور آواز طارق عزیز کی وفات پر انتہائی دکھ اور افسوس ہوا۔ انٹرٹینمنٹ کی دنیا میں طارق عزیز نے اپنے منفرد انداز سے تفریح اور تعلیم فراہم کی۔دکھ کی اس گھڑی میں متاثرہ خاندان کے ساتھ کھڑے ہیں۔#TariqAziz
— Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan (@Dr_FirdousAwan) June 17, 2020
Echoing.. ابتدا ہے ربِ جلیل کے بابرکت نام سے جو دِلوں کےبھید خوب جانتا ہے You will be missed Tariq Aziz sab. Our Legendary household name – He was like a family member for all Pakistanis. In compering he was a great source of inspiration for me. May ALLAH rest his soul in peace pic.twitter.com/5JP7yWWpuY
— Faisal Javed Khan (@FaisalJavedKhan) June 17, 2020
علم وادب سے محبت رکھنے والےممتاز فنکاراور پروگرام نیلام گھر کے نامورمیزبان طارق عزیز نے ریڈیو/ٹی وی کے ہر میڈیم پر اپنی قابلیت اور صلاحیتوں کا لوہا منوایا۔پاکستان ان کے ایمان کا حصہ تھااور وہ وطن کی پہچان اور پرجوش آواز تھے۔اللہ تعالی انہیں اپنے جوار رحمت میں اعلی مقام عطا فرمائے pic.twitter.com/krQo7vmiOS
DAIKHTI ANKHOO AUR SUNTAY KANOO. RIP Tariq Aziz Sb,What an Icon.The only time I asked A guest to start the show & I remmember his hands trembling when he held the Mike (because of his age) BUT the moment cameras started rolling, the Voice came out with its trademark Grandeour.. pic.twitter.com/N4f90zRbd6
A big part of my childhood. May you rest in peace sir. Thankyou for entertaining us with your game shows & so much more❤️ “Dekti aankhon or suntay kanon ko#TariqAziz ka salam” 🤲🏻
Heavens today : "Dekhti ankhon, sunte kanon ko Tariq aziz ka salam" ❤#TariqAziz was the cornerstone of our television culture, and defined it for decades. An institution, a legend and icon, his legacy will span generations to come, you will live in our hearts forever sir. RIP pic.twitter.com/eFOCzn8CL2
My heart just fell to the floor 💔 One of the most respected, mesmerizing and engaging personalities till date, is no more. A superstar, a larger than life personality with the kindest heart. May he rest in eternal peace. He will live on in our hearts 4ever #RIPLegend#TariqAzizpic.twitter.com/YQfNqmnNIF
#TariqAziz. The name. The show. No one can ever measure upto the grandeur of Neelaam Ghar. Thank you for contributing so much to Pakistani entertainment industry. May your soul rest in peace. Ameen!
— Zara Noor Abbas Siddiqui (@ZaraNoorAbbas) June 17, 2020
Rest in peace Tariq Aziz Sahab. You gave us an era. A childhood full of memories. You gave us gifts and so much more. We forget our heroes too soon. But I am confident you shall never be forgotten. Such was your presence. #RIP#TariqAzizhttps://t.co/xMNGO29P7s
So sad to hear about the loss of Tariq Aziz sab. He was a role model full of knowledge, ethics, culture, norms a true human who groomed more than three generations of Pakistan. Praying for your high ranks in jannah 🤲🏼🤲🏼 pic.twitter.com/LqKYVUjlZV
Heard the sad news of legendary anchor Tariq Aziz sahab this morning. May Allah make his journey onwards easy. He was the first face of Pakistan Television. #TariqAzizpic.twitter.com/hRaU1mbokR
Inna lillah e wa inna elaihi rajio’on… such sad news… a legend departs… an era ends… generations grew up with him… Nation and PTV should pay the deserving homage. https://t.co/Zz3Yr8L4TN
Born in 1936 in Jalandhar, Aziz began his professional career from Radio Pakistan Lahore and was one of the most recognisable voices on the radio. Later, he joined PTV, where he not only became the state-owned television’s first announcer, he also became popular for his work on PTV’s Quiz Show Neelam Ghar, first aired in 1974. The show was later renamed the Tariq Aziz Show and also known as Bazm-e-Tariq Aziz.
Aziz’s unique hosting skills on Neelam Ghar made him a household name in Pakistan over the past four decades in the country.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBh5kIDhdoV/
Other than that, Aziz was also a poet and a film actor – he was part of several films over the course of his career. He also featured in the super hit musical Salgira (1969), which went on to win two Nigar Awards that year.
Aziz was also a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan between 1997 and 1999.
He was awarded Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan in 1992 for his services to the nation.
Not Prime Minister Imran Khan, neither Wasim Akram, nor Shahid Afridi – Mehwish Hayat’s favourite cricket captain is Inzamam-ul-Haq.
Sharing a picture of herself standing in front of the Wall of Fame at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Mehwish said that she felt a” great sense of pride” seeing the cricketing legends through the ages. The actor added that her personal favourite cricket captain was Inzamam-ul-Haq.
A prolific batsman, Inzamam ul Haq was the captain of the Pakistan national cricket team from 2003–2007.
