Tag: Pakistan

  • Dear Shoaib and Sana, public marriages should have public closure

    Dear Shoaib and Sana, public marriages should have public closure

    Needless to say, today’s big story has hit some people hard — and harder hit are the ones who were taken by surprise. We still remember the time when Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza got married.

    Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza married in a traditional Muslim ceremony in Hyderabad, India in 2010, followed by a Valima ceremony in Sialkot, Pakistan. Izhaan, the couple’s first child, was born in 2018.

    The rumours of Sania and Shoaib’s separation were around for a long time, but nothing was confirmed. There was an ongoing debate on social media which spiked whenever they either stopped following each other or removed pictures from Instagram.

    On the other hand, Sana Javed and Umair Jaswal’s marriage was also under discussion as rumours of their separation were widely spread on social media. In November 2023, speculations about the couple’s separation gained traction as users observed that Sana Javed and Umair Jaswal had deleted all traces of their shared moments from their Instagram accounts.

    Recently, Sania posted a story on Instagram which stated, “Marriage is hard. Divorce is hard. Choose your hard….Life will never be easy. It will always be hard. But we can choose our hard. Pick wisely.” And people felt for her, picking up that something was yet again, not okay. And she wasn’t able to fully express it, yet.

    Even now, stories are circulating through sources that Shoaib and Sania have divorced – with no comment by the reportedly former couple themselves

    We aren’t here to moral police two of our biggest superstars. But we would like to say, we expected that seasoned celebrities would show their fans a better, more respectful way to starting new chapters in their lives. Sania, Shoaib, Sana, Uzair, there are people who connect with them, follow them, want to be like them, which is why we would’ve appreciated an understanding of what’s going on.

    Sania, throughout this process, has said nothing. Amidst all this, Shoaib posts a picture with Sana, announcing his third marriage, and while we are happy for the new couple and their new beginning — we do have to ask — perhaps it might have been better to give their fan following who are invested in their lives, closure.

  • Social media in frenzy on Shoaib Malik’s wedding

    Social media in frenzy on Shoaib Malik’s wedding

    Cricketer Shoaib Malik and actor Sana Javed have caused media frenzy and social media uproar early on Saturday morning when both announced that they had gotten married, complete with photos from the ceremony. In the photos, they are wearing similar outfits while hugging each other. The caption says “Alhamdullilah” and quotes the Holy Book: “And We created you in pairs.”

    The sudden announcement surprised many because Shoaib Malik was married to tennis star Sania Mirza, and Sana Javed was married to singer Umair Jaswal. There had been no official confirmation of the two marriages ending.


    Social media was taken by surprise but is not holding back.

    Someone on X (formerly Twitter) said, “Shoaib Malik got married again, but King Babar hasn’t married yet,” along with a thinking John Cena GIF. Another X user asked, “Did Shoaib Malik and Sana Javed really get married? This is why Malik Sahab was supporting Sana when half the showbiz was speaking out against her.’”

    One fan joked, “Now I know why Shoaib Malik was so excited on Jeeto Pakistan.” Another person on X made a joke, “Where did you guys first meet: Jeeto Pakistan – Ramzan transmission.” Some people from across the border were also upset.

    Here are some reactions:

  • Aik, do, teen….. nahin, pooray sau; Khushab’s ‘Madhuri’ loots 100 men

    Aik, do, teen….. nahin, pooray sau; Khushab’s ‘Madhuri’ loots 100 men

    A Khushab woman named Nasreen, also known as Madhuri, has been accused of marrying more than 100 people in the last eight years to steal money from them. She was finally arrested by the police from Khushab along with her gang of dacoits, reports City 42.


    A differently-abled man named Junaid made a request in the open court of DPO Khushab Tawqir Muhammad Naeem, stating that a woman named Nasreen married him but ran away after two days, stealing household goods and cash.


    It was found out that Nasreen alias Madhuri is a resident of Quaidabad Tehsil of Khushab. Further investigations revealed that the woman had cheated several people along with a gang which included her fake parents and a fraudulent nikahkhwan.


    Police arrested the con woman and her gang, while Junaid was returned his three lacs rupees. Police officials have revealed that the gang’s operating style involved luring men into marriage and then exploiting them.

  • PTI’s “Baingan Campaign” is ruling Twitter like no other

    PTI’s “Baingan Campaign” is ruling Twitter like no other

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has always remained ahead of others when it comes to the use of social media in Pakistan’s political landscape. As for elections 2024, the party has not been given one symbol, in fact, candidates have different symbols now. Making the best of bad circumstances, the party has come up with entertaining campaigns that are enthralling Twitter (now X).


    Baingan (desi name for eggplant) is ruling the internet, surpassing all levels of creativity with this campaign. The symbol has been allotted to Alamgir Khan in Karachi and Amir Mughal from Islamabad. The constituency of the former is NA 236 and that of the latter is NA 46.


    The chant they have invented is “Ab zulm ka badla baingan se, ab sitam ka badla baingan se.”

    The candidates have designed posters of an eggplant in varying ways. Alamgir Khan shared a video of an Indian animated film of a farmer and his wife getting rich by cultivating eggplant in their farm. That has people in fits.


    Alamgir also posted a funny video from a Bollywood film where he showed how the opposition (previously PDM) was seen beaten up by PTI.


    Amir Mughal also posted about how baingan will be seen everywhere as he posted a picture of a baingan being placed among flowers.


    An internet user even used a clip of the army chief along with ex-Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to promote Baingan.


    Another user showed his appreciation for baingan by making it a part of his salad with PTI engraved in it.


    Netizens used a clip of the Pakistani drama where a mother was telling her daughter about the benefits of baingan from making the skin glow to bone strength.


    Arsalan Khan, a twitter user, incorporated all the symbols including vegetables in a video of a man relating his recipe of making eggplants.


    A user even shared the picture of a baingan and rhymed his chant as, Baingan stands tall, a symbol for all.

    Twitter is enjoying the new trend of #voteforbaingan as a user commented: “I bet they’re regretting giving him the baingan symbol. This is hilarious.”

    A user even tagged Alamgir Khan and said he better has a feast of dishes having baingan at his constituency.

  • Latif Khosa no more part of Imran Khan’s legal team

    Latif Khosa no more part of Imran Khan’s legal team

    In a significant development, former Prime Minister and founding chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, has made changes to his legal team handling National Accountability Bureau (NAB) cases, expressing dissatisfaction during consultations last week.

    As per We News, Imran Khan voiced uncertainty about the effectiveness of his current legal team and directed Barrister Ali Zafar and Sikander Zulqarnain to take charge of NAB cases.

    Particularly raising concerns about the performance of senior lawyer Latif Khosa in handling NAB cases, Khan remarked that he was not confident in the actions taken by the legal team and specifically questioned Khosa’s preparedness in dealing with legal matters.

    Journalist Murtaza Ali Shah took to X (former Twitter) and wrote, “Imran Khan has removed Latif Khosa from his legal team saying he appears before judges without doing proper homework. Imran Khan accepts his legal team was not prepared, behind the loss of BAT symbol. The video below explains.”

    It is worth noting that on Friday, proceedings related to a £190 million NAB reference were postponed until January 24. The action related to the individual case was halted until the mentioned date.

    Imran Khan’s decision to replace his legal team has led to the postponement of the proceedings, with the court granting time for the new legal team, consisting of Barrister Ali Zafar and Sikander Zulqarnain, to prepare for the upcoming hearings. The next hearing is expected to feature appearances by Barrister Ali Zafar, Sikander Zulqarnain, and Osman Gul on behalf of Imran Khan and his wife Bushra BiBi.

  • Imran Khan’s message to the nation from Adiala Jail

    Imran Khan’s message to the nation from Adiala Jail

    In a message to the nation released from Adiala Jail, the Founder Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, talked passionately about the upcoming general elections, highlighting the significance of February 8 as a day that symbolizes the dichotomy between freedom and slavery.

    Expressing confidence in the resilience of the nation, Khan stated, “I believe that my people stand united with the cause of freedom. Through their votes, they will safeguard Pakistan’s liberty.”

    Drawing attention to electoral manipulation on February 8, the Chairman voiced concern that a faction seeks to shackle the nation in chains of slavery.

    He pointed out that under what he calls the London Plan, a certified criminal was brought back to the country unjustly, wreaking havoc on the judicial system and trampling on the principles of justice and the constitution.

    Khan emphasized that efforts to manipulate the electoral process and undermine the rule of law have jeopardized the nation’s democratic foundations.

    Khan lamented that despite snatching the ‘bat’ from PTI to accommodate rivals, worst rigging is happening.

    Acknowledging the resilience and courage displayed by mothers, sisters, daughters, and party workers in facing injustice, the Chairman pledged to defeat all criminals within the bounds of the law and constitution, with the support of Allah and the nation.

    From his jail cell, the Chairman asserted that, with the blessings of Allah and the support of the people, all these criminals would be defeated, maintaining the integrity of the legal system.

    He urged citizens to exercise their right to vote on February 8, endorsing the movement for governance by law, supremacy of the constitution, and the restoration of democracy.

    The former Premier cautioned against unconstitutional forces attempting to subjugate the nation, warning that if these anti-constitutional powers succeed on February 8, they will establish a regime of theft and plunge the country further into turmoil.

    He called upon the people to exercise their voting power on February 8, making a decisive choice between freedom and slavery.

    “I want every individual in the nation to prepare, cast their votes, and ensure the protection of their votes, securing Pakistan’s path to constitutional governance on February 8,” Khan said.

  • Indian musician Salim Merchant says he has a close connection with one Pakistani singer

    Indian musician Salim Merchant says he has a close connection with one Pakistani singer

    Indian musician Salim Merchant has shared a loving message on social media for a Pakistani singer.

    Salim Merchant shared some of his memorable pictures taken with Pakistani ace singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan on Instagram.

    In the caption he wrote, “We have a very special relationship with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.”

    Merchant was grateful for working with and being close to Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. “We have a special bond and brotherhood with Rahat bhai. From songs like Ore Piya, Saaiyaan, Dillagi, Mujhko Teri Zaroorat, Padharo Maula, Aafreen, to performing together a few times… I’m really happy to know him so well,” said the composer.

  • PTI starting election campaign on January 20

    PTI starting election campaign on January 20

    Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, confirmed that the party is going to start its election campaign on January 20 (Saturday).

    Other major political parties, including the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), have already started their countrywide election campaigns.

    PTI came into power and formed a federal government in 2018 but was ousted in April 2022 via a no-confidence move.

    The founder of PTI, Imran Khan, was imprisoned in May last year, and he is currently in Adiala jail. PTI’s electoral symbol of a cricket bat was taken away this month, a big setback for the party.

    “The PTI will begin its full-fledged election campaign on Saturday. […] workers should bear hardships till then and await victory on February 8. You are advised to focus on the election campaign,” Gohar said on Thursday while engaging with reporters in Rawalpindi.

    Barrister Gohar Khan also said that PTI has not decided on all candidates for the National Assembly (NA). He confirmed that all candidates will be finalised by Friday night, and the party will issue the list of all candidates tomorrow.

  • Gold prices in Pakistan rebound, surging Rs1,300 per tola

    Gold prices in Pakistan rebound, surging Rs1,300 per tola

    Gold prices in Pakistan rebounded significantly on Friday, overcoming a challenging trend in the preceding three sessions. 

    The value of 24-karat gold surged by Rs1,300 per tola, reaching Rs215,000, according to the Karachi Sarafa Association. 

    The price for 10-gramme 24-karat gold witnessed an increase of Rs1,115, standing at Rs184,328. Additionally, the rate for 10-gramme 22-karat gold was Rs168,976, compared to yesterday’s Rs167,945.

    In contrast, silver maintained stability in the domestic market, with 24-karat silver selling at Rs2,600 per tola and Rs2,229.08 per 10-gramme. 

    On the global front, international spot gold continued its positive momentum, currently trading at $2,027.32. 

    Despite today’s uptick, global gold is poised for its weakest weekly performance in the past six weeks, driven by diminishing expectations for interest rate cuts. 

    This decline in commodity prices is attributed to central bankers pushing back against market bets for rate cuts, contributing to a widespread selloff across stocks and bonds.

  • ‘Anybody but Dar’; Bilawal on next finance minister

    ‘Anybody but Dar’; Bilawal on next finance minister

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari told in Absa Komal of Dawn News in an interview, “I think the whole nation has a unanimous consensus that anybody but (Ishaq) Dar (should be the finance minister).”

    The former Foreign Minister also criticised his political rivals and said that the Sharifs are vengeful and not capable of dealing with the economic crisis.

    “They [PML-N leaders] aren’t the one to forgive. They harbour animosity, seek revenge, and balance scores at the right time. They only know the politics of revenge. This is their history.” He singled out Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) head Nawaz Sharif for changing the then finance minister Miftah Ismail during the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government.

    The PPP chairman predicted that independent candidates will play a vital role in the upcoming polls set to take place on February 8, 2024.

    “A huge number of independent candidates are contesting elections this year. Not only PTI leaders, but even those who are electable and have a political history, or those who failed to get tickets from PTI or PML-N, are contesting.”