The season of audio leaks never really ends in Pakistan. On Monday, December 19, a recording of former Prime Minister Imran Khan allegedly indulging in a graphic conversation of a sexual nature surfaced on social media.
Khan can be allegedly heard talking to an unidentified woman on the phone call. The brief recording sent Twitterati into a frenzy, spurring a flurry of responses. While many questioned if the audio was fake, others were of the opinion that no one’s privacy could be breached in this manner.
Here are some of the reactions:
Maheen Ghani tweeted, “Political differences aside. I stand by IK on this. It’s a despicable invasion of privacy, unwarranted and highly condemnable.”
What a horrific breach of privacy. No one deserves this, and to further release the audio publicly. That’s vile. Political differences aside. I stand by IK on this. It’s a despicable invasion of privacy, unwarranted and highly condemnable.
Another twitter user said that she always hated Imran Khan but she condemns the violation of his privacy.
Agree, I always hated Imran khan due to his false rhetoric but still this violation of privacy is absolutely unacceptable and condemnable. اللّٰہ ہم سب کو ہدایت دے آمین ثم آمین
Manupal Hansal, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader from Uttar Pradesh, has placed a Rs 2 crore bounty on the head of Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, stating that Indian people are angry at the minister’s remarks about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Mai ailaan karta hoon ke jo uss mantri Bilawal Bhutto ka dhar se sar alag karega, 2 crore ka inaam mai doonga” [I declare that I will give a reward of ₹2 crore to anyone who will behead Minister Bilawal Bhutto], Hansal had said.
The BJP also held protests across India and in front of the Pakistan Embassy in New Delhi, burning effigies of the Pakistani foreign minister.
Minister of Climate Change Sherry Rehman has condemned Hansal’s remarks in a tweet, saying that this was a testament of “the shocking impunity that extremism enjoys for doing only what terrorists do in Modi’s RSS-defined India”.
Strongly condemn this local BJP leader for announcing a bounty on Pakistan Foreign Minister @BBhuttoZardari’s head. This is clear testament of the shocking impunity that extremism enjoys for doing only what terrorists do in Modi’s RSS-defined India https://t.co/lHjgWxItaO
In an interview with “Bloomberg“, Bilawal Bhutto stood by his statement about Modi by pointing out that what he had said was “a historical fact”. He also pointed out that the term “butcher of Gujarat” had not been coined by him, but by the people of Gujarat after the 2002 Godhra incident. He further added that he was aware of the bounty a BJP leader had placed on his head.
“I was referring to a historical reality. The remarks I used weren’t my own. I did not invent the term ‘butcher of Gujarat’ for Mr Modi. The Muslims of India following the Gujarat riots used that term for Mr Modi. I believe I was referring to a historical fact and they believe that repeating history is a personal insult. If I was incorrect then … So what has happened today… it’s been two days since my remark, a member of Mr Modi’s party has announced 20 million rupee bounty on my head. So I don’t think the best way to disapprove the fact that Mr Modi is the butcher of Gujarat is to adopt such extreme steps,” he said in the interview.
When the interviewer had further questioned Bilawal on whether these comments might further sour relations with India and even the possibility of nuclear war, the FM pointed out that Indian citizens had the right to protest, but the threat to his life was very problematic:
“As far as my remarks concerned they resulted in protests all over India and that’s their right. I think you cross the line when you officially announce head money for your neighboring country’s foreign minister’s assassination. I think that’s a line we’re normalizing in crossing and the fact that we get to move on from that question is troubling for me when I’m engaging with Bloomberg which is an important international forum. As far as nuclear war no one has threatened nuclear war. A minister did say that Pakistan is a responsible nuclear country and should be treated as such.”
At a press conference in New York on December 16, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had responded to accusations that Pakistan had sheltered Osama bin Laden by pointing out that Modi, who is regarded as ‘butcher of Gujarat’ is still the Prime Minister of India:
“I would like to remind Mr Jaishankar that Osama bin Laden is dead, but the butcher of Gujarat lives, and he is the prime minister (of India).”
The United States (US) has offered to help Pakistan in dealing with the threats posed by militant outfits.
“Well, first, we are aware of the ongoing situation in Pakistan. We’ve been closely following reports that militants have seized control of the counterterrorism centre in Bannu. We offer our deepest sympathies to those injured,” said State Department Spokesperson Ned Price.
Last week at least four police personnel were martyred and as many others wounded in an overnight terrorist attack on the Bargai police station of Lakki Marwat. Terrorists launched an armed assault on the police station from two sides. A fierce exchange of fire took place between the police and the outlaws, leaving four police officers dead and as many injured.
On Sunday, militants detained at a facility run by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police’s Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in Bannu took over the department, held interrogators hostage, demanding a safe evacuation to Afghanistan. The outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have claimed responsibility for the incident.
“The government of Pakistan is a partner when it comes to these shared concerns, including the challenge of terrorist groups inside Afghanistan… terrorist groups along the Afghan-Pakistan border… we stand ready to assist, whether with this unfolding situation or other situations,” said Price.
“We offer our deepest sympathies to those injured. We urge those responsible to cease all acts of violence, release the hostages and end the seizure of the counterterrorism centre,” he said.
US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price made these remarks at a news briefing, hours after Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari reached Washington for talks with US officials.
There is a lot to discuss and learn about the team that won the World Cup for the first time in 1978, Argentina, which has recently gained attention due to its amazing victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Argentina, under Daniel Passarella’s guidance, defeated the Netherlands in Buenos Aires to claim the fifth FIFA World Cup. Did you know, though, that Abdul Waheed Khan, the Pakistani hockey manager who was responsible for the team’s record-breaking victory in the same year, served as an inspiration to Argentina’s Cesar Menotti when he managed Argentina’s football team?
The tale that propelled Argentina to win in 1978 was uncovered via “The Paperclip” Twitter thread. Argentina hosted the hockey World Cup in March of that year, followed by the FIFA World Cup of football in June. Under the direction of former gold medalist Waheed Khan, the Pakistani hockey team arrived in Buenos Aires and put on an outstanding display. “During their victorious campaign, the green shirts created many sublime records. Their total of 35 goals was a new highest for a single edition of the World Cup, while only conceding 4 goals along the way,” according to one of the tweets.
When Argentina lifted their first-ever FIFA World Cup in 1978, a remarkable Pakistani born in Bhopal left his indelible mark by helping the Argentines win the prestigious trophy. It is story time and we fly to Buenos Aires. A thread (1/18) pic.twitter.com/JomI2yAOtg
Many people’s attention was drawn to Pakistan by their outstanding performance. Menotti, the disobedient Argentine football team coach, was one of them. He attended the hockey game two months prior to the football spectacle. Menotti not only watched the games, but he also went to their practises and training sessions to take notes because he appeared so fascinated by their game.
Waheed, born in the Indian hamlet of Raipur in the Bhopal district, moved to Pakistan in 1949. He had a detailed discussion with Menotti which “mainly centred around Pakistan’s attacking strategy”.
The thread further read, “They discussed the strategy of double attack i.e. if a move from the right side fails then make all the effort to immediately initiate a move from the left side on the assumption that most of the opponents’ defense had become concentrated on one side.”
Later, on June 25, 1978, Argentina went on to win the FIFA World Cup for the first time defeating Holland in the finals. Menotti even sent Waheed a telegram acknowledging how Pakistan’s hockey team’s “ploy came in very handy to him and the winning squad.”
Thus, it can be seen how one team’s outstanding performance might even motivate other games to adopt the strategies and revel in the spirit and unity of sports like never before. Definitely a tale to keep in mind!
On Alina Khan’s birthday, director and writer of ‘Joyland’ Saim Sadiq took to Instagram to appreciate the actor’s talent and creative spirit by sharing how the two had bonded together before shooting a scene in Joyland where the audience meets Biba for the first time.
You can read the full post below:
A day before the shoot for Darling, Alina disappeared for hours. @sanajafri14 and I texted her to bring this particular pair of shoes with her that she had to wear for her first scene. The first scene this magnificently talented girl would ever shoot in her life. But Alina just wouldn’t answer anyone’s call.
No one could trace her until 12 am at night when she finally called me from an unknown number. I could tell that she was trembling when she said she was stuck in “a situation” and just ran away from it and now needs a place to stay the night. I told her to come over.
She finally arrived at 2 am. She had bruises on her neck from the assault that she had managed to run away from. Yet, all she cared about was that she makes it to set on time and not lose this opportunity. And in that escape, she lost her phone and handbag. All she managed to bring with her were the shoes and she kept assuring herself and me that everything was still fine because she had her shoes for her first scene. I gave her an ointment, she slept in my sister’s room and the next morning we started the shoot, cracking jokes and being chill as if nothing had happened.
Years later, we shot for her introductory scene as Biba in Joyland and had the most cathartic experience of our lives. Both of us found a quiet room to discuss what we normally only joke about: the casualness with which we have to process the violence around us. We both cried and got the tears out of our systems because we didn’t want Biba to cry in the scene. She was going to show up with the blood on her shirt and there was going to be no explanation to where it came from. Because the everyday violence around us never ever makes sense. We hugged and cried again after packup because we knew… this was our scene.
It’s hard for me to think of a person who is more unaware of their inspirational status in other people’s lives than Alina! You are a true heroine of our times! Happy Birthday, @onlyalinakhan ! Thank you for your talent, your spirit, and your magical artistry!
Pakistan’s star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi will tie the knot with his fiancé Ansha on February 3, 2023, Pro Pakistani has reported.
Earlier, this year in July while answering a question about his engagement with Ansha, Afridi, the star bowler had said: “It was my wish and Alhumdulillah it is fulfilled now.”
“I met her and will meet her soon. I found my heart and that’s enough for me,” remarked Shaheen Afridi while answering a question about getting engaged at an early age.
The host further asked Afridi if his fiancé gets jealous of his female fan following, to which he replied, “I am not sure, maybe she feels something like that.”
Shaheen and Ansha got engaged last year in March. Ansha is former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi’s daughter.
Women political participation is a fundamental prerequisite for gender equality and genuine democracy. It facilitates women’s direct engagement in public decision-making and is a means of ensuring better accountability to women. But here in Pakistan, women in politics are seen as a threat to the fragile egos of some male politicians.
When we talk about women’s political participation, it is easy for us to imagine the empty seats around the decision-making table, and a little more difficult to picture the many obstacles and challenges women face to get into those seats. When the same empty seats are filled by women, they somehow become a threat and danger. Recently, Jamaat-e-Islami’s (JI) MNA Abdul Akbar Chitrali criticised State Minister for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar on her recent visit to Afghanistan. Chitrali said that he was not against any female minister, but he believed that the government should have included some tribal elders in the Khar-led delegation that visited Afghanistan. In response to his sexist statement, women Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) from treasury benches extended their support for Khar. Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman said, “This debate on gender difference has ended in the entire world, as to who is a man and who a woman. People are known for their performance and merit and not for their gender. Our women are excelling internationally and continuing to do so.” Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb also spoke up, asking that all parliamentarians, especially the men, should encourage and acknowledge the competency of women ministers appointed on merit.“Hina represented Pakistan in Afghanistan. This is a moment of pride for the entire nation,” she said, rebuffing Chitrali’s objections.
It is not the first time that we have seen sexism in parliament. Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani called Sherry Rehman the “Senate’s dadi (grandmother)” when he asked a house member to keep the questions specific so that Sherry Rehman can answer the questions. “I would advise you to only ask specific questions so that Sherry Rehman, who is the dadi of this House, can give you the right answers,” Sanjrani said, adding that members should keep the environment of the House calm.
This month we saw PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry advising Information Marriyum Aurangzeb and Sherry Rehman to quit politics and open a beauty parlour instead.
The question remains: what are the male politicians so frightened of? Politicians need to learn that there is a a fine line between criticism and misogyny remarks. Our politicians and men in general of Pakistan need to do better. Women of Pakistan are fierce, resolute and hardworking — be it in any field of the world. They are trendsetters and opinion makers. They shall and will not be stopped.
Lawmakers from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have decided to appear before National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf for the verification of their resignations, reports Geo News.
The lawmakers are likely to appear either on Wednesday or Thursday.
The Speaker has yet to take action on the resignations as PTI legislators have failed to get a response after they wrote a letter to him
On December 15, PTI leader and former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry announced that the party would be seeking time from the National Assembly speaker for the verification of their MPs’ resignations.
He also denied speculations that the party’s lawmakers are still receiving salaries.
“Judges should verify the reports that show up on media. The reality is that this is another lie told by the government. The salaries of the resigned members are suspended and no member is getting any salary,” said Fawad.
A day earlier, the PTI chief announced that both Punjab and KP assemblies will be dissolved on December 23.
The Islamabad Police on Sunday discovered a child’s body hanging from a tree in Sector I-8’s forested region.
According to the authorities, the victim has been identified as Zubair, who is 14 or 15 years old. As per the details, the victim is from Afghanistan. The body has been taken collected by police and sent to the hospital for an autopsy.
According to representatives of the industrial police, they were informed that a child’s body was hanging from a tree.
Emergency personnel and cops then reached the place and found the boy’s body. .
According to the family of the child, he went missing on Saturday night.
Additional Inspector General of Police Jawed Alam Odho has advised the residents of Karachi to not resist robbers if they are being held up.
The police chief’s statement has come forward during a press briefing in Karachi on the killing of a young man in a mugging incident.
On Thursday, two robbers shot dead a 21-year-old student — Bilal Nasir — of the NED University of Engineering and Technology.
During the mugging bid, Bilal succeeded in getting hold of one of the robbers, but the robber opened fire from close range. The youth was shot in his chest and leg, killing him on the spot.
Police have managed to arrest one suspect in Bilal’s killing—Nizamuddin. According to Odho, the suspect is a teenager, an Afghan who has been illegally living in Karachi.
Odho remarked that this year, the situation of robbery, dacoity, and street crime had remained “stable” with an overall increase of 7 per cent.
He also said that in 2022, 518 people were severely injured or killed during street crimes. However, in 2021, the figure was 522.
