Former Prime Minister and Chairperson of Pakistan Peoples Party Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto is being remembered today on her 70th birth anniversary. She was born on June 21, 1953 and passed away on December 27, 2007, at the age of 54.
Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, the daughter of Benzair Bhutto, wrote in a tweet, “Shaheed Mohatarma Benazir Bhutto led Pakistan through its darkest hours, and her legacy can guide us out of darkness today.”
Honoured to have attended the seminar held by the Shaheed Bhutto Foundation @ShaheedBhuttoF1 in Islamabad to honour the life and struggle of my mother. Shaheed Mohatarma Benazir Bhutto led Pakistan through its darkest hours, and her legacy can guide us out of darkness today.… pic.twitter.com/HNoiS7PDsh
Happy birthday to the brave daughter of East and first ever woman PM in the muslim countries Shaheed bibi, Your struggle for democracy and women's empowerment is a beacon for us. Alas! You left us so early. #HumSabKiBenazir ♥️ pic.twitter.com/Tq662Ydw4G
In a patriarchal society, surrounded by thousands of men, when a woman couldn’t step out, she then emerged as a lioness, breaking all patriarchal norms.
— Bhevish Kumar Maheshwari (@iambhevishk) June 20, 2023
70 years of inspiration, courage, and legacy. I miss you bibi. Your support and encouragement towards your workers is dearly missed. Happy birthday shaheed ranri💔 #HumSabKiBenazirpic.twitter.com/zEoxn2FtUF
Bollywood news outlets have announced that the massively popular Ali Sethi and Shae Gill hit ‘Pasoori’ is being remade for the upcoming film ‘Satyaprem Ka Katha’ which will star Kiara Advani and Kartik Aaryan.
The shoot will take place tomorrow and it will be shot in Mumbai over a period of two days. The set is being put up and the team is ready to unleash their final brahmastra in the release week. The song, Pasoori, is extremely popular in the digital world and the team is hoping to recreate the same magic.”
Since this news broke out on Twitter, Pakistani fans have slammed Bollywood for plagiarising yet another brilliant single from Pakistani singers, because kya Nach Punjaban aap logon kay liye kaafi nahi tha?
it’s a year old only and they’re making a remake of it?!??? please bollywood bring back your originality and leave pasoori alone. @cokestudio protect this song at all cost😭😭 pic.twitter.com/YUID19HIt6
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Punjab president, Rana Farooq Saeed, has terminated party membership of former Governor of Punjab, Latif Khosa, over crossing what the party has dubbed a “red-line”.
PPP Punjab president accused Khosa of blackmailing party leadership when his plea to appoint his son as Attorney-General of Pakistan (AGP) was denied.
Rana Farooq Saeed, while addressing a press conference on Tuesday, said that Latif Khosa wanted to see his son Khurram Khosa as attorney-general, however, when his demand was not met due to certain reasons, he resorted to “blackmail”. “We don’t want Latif Khosa and his son to cross the red line of the party and Khurram should stop saying (unfounded) big things (against the party), otherwise, they will be paid back in the same coin,” he warned.
Latif Khosa had said in a news conference at Lahore High Court on June 17 that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari should not be part of Shehbaz Sharif’s cabinet.
Separately, PPP leader Aitzaz Ahsan and Sardar Latif Khosa met Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Atta Bandial on Tuesday to discuss important legal matters.
On June 15, unidentified persons attacked the residence of Latif Khosa, in the Defense area of Lahore.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan on Monday visited Khosa’s residence demanding strict action against those involved in the attack.
A clip from the Dunya News comedy show ‘Mazaaq Raat’ featuring model and actress Sarah Neelum went viral on social media.
Neelum was seen mocking overseas Pakistanis for pretending to be well-established and wealthy in Pakistan, while they are actually washing toilets abroad.
These two idiots made fun of the overseas Pakistanis that they clean toilets and then show off over here. This campaign against overseas is just disgusting which must end. Just in 2021-2022, the remittances sent by overseas is $31.2 billions. Out of 21% of the overseas doctors in… pic.twitter.com/Z2by9wyiFl
The clip received severe backlash from overseas Pakistanis. One user wrote:
“This unknown model on national television is claiming that overseas Pakistanis clean gutters abroad and come to Pakistan to show off by wearing cotton clothes. Meanwhile, these very overseas Pakistanis contribute $32 million through their hard work abroad.”
This unknown model on national television is claiming that overseas Pakistanis clean gutters abroad and come to Pakistan to show off by wearing cotton clothes. Meanwhile, these very overseas Pakistanis contribute $32 million through their hard work abroad. pic.twitter.com/18vRlGp1Z6
— Syed Zaighum Kazmi (@syedzaighum110) June 19, 2023
Actor Shaan Shahid was among the voices who critcised Neelum’s opinion:
“Our overseas Pakistanis .. from all walks of life are our pride .. none should show disrespect .. towards them .. as the country and we the nation owe them much more than respect .. as their sacrifices are beyond words.. much respect.”
Our overseas Pakistanis .. from all walks of life are our pride .. none should show disrespect .. towards them .. as the country and we the nation owe them much more than respect .. as their sacrifices are beyond words.. much respect .🙏🏼♥️🇵🇰💯
The host of the comedy show, Vasay Chaudhry, stepped in to apologise for the tasteless joke by calling it a “ridiculous comment”.
“I want to publicly apologise on behalf of my whole team at #Mazaqraat ,a very stupid,Vile & ridiculous comment was made recently abt overseas’s Pakistani’s by one of the guests in our show which was followed up by an attmepted joke by one of the comedians(again in bad taste).”
I want to publicly apologise on behalf of my whole team at #Mazaqraat ,a very stupid,Vile & ridiculous comment was made recently abt overseas's Pakistani's by one of the guests in our show which was followed up by an attmepted joke by one of the comedians(again in bad taste)
“A formal apology will be aired in tonight’s episode. However , I wanted to personally apologise to all the Pakistanis living abroad.We Love you , even though you might not feel the same at this point, but ” ghalatiaan apnoo say he hoti hain.”
A formal apology will be aired in tonight's episode. However , I wanted to personally apologise to all the Pakistanis living abroad.We Love you , even though you might not feel the same at this point, but " ghalatiaan apnoo say he hoti hain " 🙏🏼🙏🏼
The United Kingdom has taken a momentous step in strengthening commercial ties with 64 nations, including Pakistan, by launching a new trading plan that offers duty-free access to goods.
This move is expected to have a significant impact on Pakistani exports, allowing a staggering 94 per cent of goods to enter the British market without any duties, resulting in substantial savings of £120 million for the country.
With the replacement of the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), the UK’s new trade system opens up new avenues for trade and promises further tariff reductions for an additional 156 items.
The implementation of the new trade system marks a significant development for Pakistani exports to the United Kingdom. By providing duty-free access to a vast majority of Pakistani goods, the UK aims to foster a mutually beneficial trade relationship. This move is expected to boost the trading possibilities between the two nations and facilitate an expansion of bilateral trade.
According to the British High Commission, the current annual trade volume between Pakistan and the UK stands at £4.4 billion, and these figures are expected to rise in the future.
The new trading plan aims to extend opportunities for free and fair trade to 65 nations, including Pakistan. By facilitating necessary changes and improvements, the UK seeks to enhance the quality of trade and enable these countries to actively participate in the global trading system. The British Trade Centre will play a crucial role in supporting and assisting these nations in their trade endeavors.
Notably, this new plan also benefits 26 Asian nations and 37 African nations, collectively amounting to an export volume of £21 billion to the UK.
The new trade system also promises further tariff reductions and increased trading possibilities for participating nations. With this plan in place, the UK aims to promote free and fair trade, strengthen global trading systems, and foster economic growth for all involved parties.
Murtaza Wahab, newly elected mayor of Karachi, has said in a press conference on Tuesday that he and his party want to get to work. “You will see progress in Karachi now,” he promised.
He mentioned that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) will do practical work with clear methods. Murtaza Wahab also stated that to fulfill legal requirements, him and Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah will be elected as Chairman from a union committee within 10 days.
Stressing that solving municipal issues is their priority, Wahab stated that they will change the old sewage system and in this way, people’s problems can be solved permanently. “Transport problem in Karachi is also our priority,” he pointed out.
“We have already fulfilled the promise for public buses with the people of Karachi and still work is continuing on Red and Yellow line service,” the mayor observed.
Veteran actress Bushra Ansari might have a lot of jokes up her sleeve, but this time the nation isn’t laughing with her.
Taking to Instagram, the veteran actress shared a news clip from FHM Pakistan about a government announcement giving Pakistanis five days off for Eid.
The government has not allotted five days for Eid holidays, but today the federal government announced that three holidays will be granted from June 29 till 1st July, 2023 for those working five days a week.
To the ‘Dolly Ki Ayegi Barat’, this wasn’t really good news as she lamented in the post:
“Ma Sha Allah. This nation needs to work day and night to progress in life.. but why do we want to have so many holidays…3 days are more than enough..kaam karlo kaam. Bus chuttiyon ka bahana chahiye.”
The comment did not sit well with many Pakistanis who felt that the actress had an entitled and elitist approach towards people who have to work hard throughout the year to make a living, and deserved time off for relaxation. One user commented:
“Many people have to move from their workplace to hometowns for celebrating Eid. They have to spend hefty amounts in the name of fares. 4 to 5 public holidays will let them celebrate, take rest and meet their beloved ones.”
It has been months, but yet the impact that Pakistani writer and director Saim Sadiq managed to create with his debut film ‘Joyland’ is still a joy to witness, especially how Indian audiences are praising the filmmaker and the cast for how they tackled a sensitive topic in a beautiful way.
Indian director Nikkhil Advani attended a screening of the film where there was an interactive session with Sadiq, and along with the rest of the cast. Sharing pictures from the full house event, he praised the film as well as Sadiq for his grip on the story and incredible talent as a director:
“We closed the season of Cinema House at G5A foundation with the incredible Joyland. Saim’s control of the writing and the craft is masterful. What bold choices he has made in every department need to be first applauded and then studied.”
He also praised the acting skills of Ali Junejo, Alina Khan, Raasti Farooq:
“Rasti, Alina, and Ali – my god, what performances. We all just sat for a few minutes in stunned silence. Apoorva Charan – more power to you and I know whatever you choose to do in the future is going to be so so special. Thank you.”
The director shared another picture of the completely occupied house, as well as the interactive session held with the cast members
Sadiq, who has been signed with talent agency CAA, had spoken to The Guardian about the inspiration behind his film, when in 2016, he took a semester off from Colombia University where he was completing his Masters, to go back to Lahore and visit theatres. Sadiq recounted how he spent four months visiting exotic theatres, talking to dancers:
“Pakistan has become a bit schizophrenic, it’s a bit bipolar,” revealed Sadiq. “People pray and then they do a lot of things that they’re not supposed to do. There are these weird sort of outlets that people have found to be able to express themselves.”
Speaking on the ban, which was initiated by the Punjab government in 2022, Sadiq said:
“It’s mostly people trying to avoid discomfort that stems from the idea that people have sex. We spend our lives trying to hide our desires and the fact that other people have desires around us.”
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday decided to indict former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman, former information minister Fawad Chaudhry and former finance minister Asad Umar in a contempt case.
As per ECP’s verdict, the three political leaders would be indicted on July 11, with the body ordering them to appear before the panel in personal capacity. Nisar Durrani, a member of the ECP from Sindh, presided over the four-person commission that heard the contempt case and announced its reserved verdict regarding the PTI’s objections.
The ECP last year issued contempt notices, in exercise of its powers of contempt, against PTI chief Imran Khan and party leaders for allegedly using “intemperate” language against the chief election commissioner and ECP. The electoral body asked them to appear in person or through their counsels before the commission to explain their position.
PTI leaders, instead of appearing, challenged the verdict in various high courts, before The Supreme Court (SC) in January this year, allowed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to continue its proceedings against the PTI leaders.
A video of an interaction between Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and party leader Nabeel Gabol is being widely shared on social media platforms.
The video, filmed during the oath ceremony of Barrister Murtaza Wahab and Salman Murad as mayor and deputy mayor of Karachi respectively, shows the PPP head seemingly pushing Gabol away. The ceremony was held at Polo Ground on Monday.
Social media users are making different assumptions regarding the interaction between Bilawal and Gabool. Some assumed that Bilawal’s cold behaviour with Nabeel Gabol was because of his repeated insensitive comments about rape.
I'm so so so glad to see Mr. Bilawal expressing his disapproval of Nabeel Gabol. THIS is the kind of leadership I want where you don't defend misogynists but *actually* treat them like the plague that they are. PPP, on this alone, you have my vote https://t.co/B8ojBziIFn
However, Sindh Labour and Human Resources Minister and PPP leader Saeed Ghani has clarified in a tweet that the video being shared on social media is incomplete and the PPP chairman and Nabeel Gabol had a short conversation in a casual way.
“This is incomplete video, all happened in front of me. Chairman @BBhuttoZardari did listen him for some time & then Salman Murad came at that time Chairman said in the lighter way ‘saari batain yahan karoge kiya,’”
This is incomplete video, all happened in front of me. Chairman @BBhuttoZardari did listen him for some time & then Salman Murad came at that time Chairman said in the lighter way “saari batain yahan karoge kiya” https://t.co/Dra8ACFiVY
