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Tag: social media

  • Afghan migrants barred from supporting or funding elections

    The Ministry of Interior announced on Monday that Afghan migrants are barred from supporting candidates in the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 8 next year.

    The caretaker government, citing security concerns, has initiated a nationwide campaign to expel millions of illegal foreigners, predominantly Afghan citizens, residing in the country.

    The Ministry of Interior specified that both illegal and “legal” Afghans residing in Pakistan are prohibited from funding political and electoral activities, including providing funds to any candidate, in the upcoming polls.

    “Any Afghan citizen involved in such activities will be deported regardless of his or her legal status in Pakistan,” it stated.

    Pakistanis were also cautioned not to provide employment to illegal aliens or assist such individuals in obtaining employment.

    “Information about any such illegal alien or the person providing employment to him should be provided to the Ministry of Interior for legal action on the helpline available on the website of the Ministry.”

    Of the over four million Afghans in Pakistan, an estimated 1.7 million are undocumented, many having fled their war-torn country during decades of internal conflict, with another exodus occurring after the Taliban’s takeover in 2021.

    While the government asserts that its policy targets all illegal aliens, irrespective of nationality or ethnicity, human rights organizations, including the UN, have expressed concerns, emphasizing the importance of a “voluntary” return.

    Amidst the ongoing efforts, several Pakistani politicians and Human Rights activists have approached the Supreme Court, seeking judicial intervention against the caretaker government’s deportation of illegal foreign nationals, including Afghans.

  • Merub Ali shut down criticism on her visit to a gurdwara

    Merub Ali shut down criticism on her visit to a gurdwara

    It’s 2023, can we please stop prying into religious beliefs? On Sunday, actress Merub Ali shared pictures on Instagram of her visit to Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib.

    Some users responded with hateful rhetoric. Instagram commentators trolled the actress by claiming she wasn’t Muslim enough and that she wasn’t supposed to visit a Sikh temple. And honestly, we love the way Merub responded to a troll.

    “News flash: ANYONE can go to a gurwara!! You should go to. The people were really kind there. Maybe you can learn a thing or two.”

    We also have to appreciate how some users responded warmly to Merub’s visit, and encouraged others as well to visit the temple.

  • Imam-ul-Haq’s wife’s bridal look: all we know, including the price

    Imam-ul-Haq’s wife’s bridal look: all we know, including the price

    Pakistani cricketer Imam-ul-Haq has become the latest member of the Green Shirts to sign off on bachelorhood and settle down with his sweetheart. The cricketer made social media swoon with the wholesome dedication he wrote to his “best friend” and his forever home, Anmol Mehmood. Rumi who?

    “Today, we’ve not only become partners for life but have also solidified the bond of best friendship, which has always been the foundation of our love story. Today, I not only married my best friend ,but also found my forever home in your heart. Forever grateful for a love that feels like a friendship and a friendship that is our greatest blessing. This journey is uniquely ours, a beautiful symphony of love, laughter, and endless dreams, In Sha Allah. Keep us in your prayers,” wrote Imam.

    Looking back at the lavish three day celebrations, we are in awe of Anmol’s taste in clothing. Here we will break down every look the bride wore for her four day celebrations.

    Starting with the Mehendi, which was held in Norway, Anmol donned a maroon farshi gharara adorned with gold patterns, that had splashes of green, purple and yellow to add colour to the look. The outfit was from HSY, reportedly costing more than Rs 1.5 million.

    For the Qawwali night, Anmol left social media awestruck, once more picking HSY’s lilac gown adorned with silver designs paired with silver bangles. According to GEO, the price of the outfit was Rs 850,000.

    On her Valima, Anmol wore fashion brand Lajwanti. She wore a pastel gharara, detailed with gold designs, and a matching dupatta. Speaking to GEO, a spokesperson for Lajwanti revealed that the ensemble cost Rs 17 lakhs.

  • Ask-i-Memnu fans are in for a treat with Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ, Beren Saat’s spicy chemistry in ‘Last Call For Istanbul’

    Ask-i-Memnu fans are in for a treat with Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ, Beren Saat’s spicy chemistry in ‘Last Call For Istanbul’

    If you were alive during the 2000’s, chances are you probably fell down the rabbit hole that was ‘Ishq-e-Mamnoon’ or the Turkish drama ‘Ask-i-Memnu’. Particularly, the most spiciest (and bonkers) part of the drama was the forbidden romance between step mother Bihter (played by Beren Saat) and adopted son Behlul (played by Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ), and the way it captured the hearts of Pakistanis was mesmerising. But fans who are still not over the amazing chemistry between the duo will definitely enjoy the Netflix film ‘Last Call For Istanbul’, which stars both actors.

    It looks like Pakistani fans are still not over how Kivanc and Beren prove they still have the game even after starring in a film after 15 long years. The two meet at New York airport after Serin (played by Beren) finds out her luggage was accidentally taken by someone, and Mehmat (played by Kivanc) helps her re-locate it. Both affirm their commitment to their partners, although Serin complains she feels her marriage is no longer satisfying her, and try to keep their feelings repressed when they have to lodge together in a hotel for the night.

    It has already been two days since the film was released on Netflix and already it’s getting rave reviews for the insane chemistry between the lead actors, as well as how the themes of marriage and independence are explored. Twitter users are already over the moon watching their favourite ship heal the wound left by Ask-i-Memnu’s tragic ending. Yup I’m still not over it as well.

    Yup we’re claiming these two to be our OTP for life.

  • Here are the winners from the Filmfare OTT awards 2023

    Here are the winners from the Filmfare OTT awards 2023

    The annual Filmfare OTT awards were held on Sunday to celebrate India’s storytelling and art in the streaming space. Several big names were among the attendees including Alia Bhatt, Rajkummar Rao, Kajol and Manoj Bajpayee, who were the big winners of the night.

    Alia Bhatt was the belle of the ball, looking breathtaking in a silky black gown, walking away with the biggest award of the night ‘Best Actor in Web Original Film’. In her speech, the actress thanked Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan and Darling’s director Jasmeet K Reen on the stage. Netflix shows Scoop and Kohraa bagged some of the biggest awards.

    Here is a list of the winners of the celebrated event.

    Best Series – Scoop

    Best Director Series – Vikramaditya Motwane (Jubilee)

    Best Actor, Series (Male): Drama – Suvinder Vicky (Kohrra)

    Best Actor, Series (Female), Critics: Drama – Karishma Tanna (Scoop) and Sonakshi Sinha (Dahaad)

    Best Supporting Actor, Series (Male): Drama – Barun Sobti (Kohrra)

    Best Supporting Actor, Series (Female): Drama – Tillotama Shome (Delhi Crime Season 2)

    Best Actor, Critics’ (Male): Film – Rajkummar Rao (Monica O My Darling)

    Best Actor, Web Original Film (Female) – Alia Bhatt (Darlings)

    Best Actor, Critics’ (Female): Film – Sharmila Tagore (Gulmohar) and Sanya Malhotra (Kathal)

    Best Supporting Actor, Web Original Film (Female) – Amruta Subhash (Lust Stories 2) and Shefali Shah (Darlings)

  • ‘Insensitive’: Waqar Zaka slams Nida Yasir’s claim he tried to sabotage her show

    ‘Insensitive’: Waqar Zaka slams Nida Yasir’s claim he tried to sabotage her show

    Television presenter and cryptocurrency expert Waqar Zaka fired back at actress and morning show host Nida Yasir over her claims that he tried to sabotage her show. In a video statement posted on his social media accounts, Waqar revealed he had complained about Nida’s conduct of hosting morning shows when she invited the parents of a deceased girl who was raped and then murdered. The show was subjected to intense controversy as Nida made the parents cry by asking them invasive and hurtful questions, which caused outrage.

    Waqar said that Nida claimed the parents had themselves requested to be invited on the show in order to gain media support to grant their daughter justice. However, he refuted these claims by sharing the video of an activist interviewing the parents, who revealed they were invited by Nida, rather than the other way round.

    Waqar debunked another claim made by Nida on her show, where she claimed the family had filed an FIR after their appearance. But as Waqar shared in the clip, the activist spoke with the victim’s parents who revealed they had filed it before making their appearance on the morning show.

    Waqar shared that these revelations had created an outrage on social media, which is when in 2020 he had encouraged his followers to file a report with PEMRA, and to message Salman Iqbal, the CEO of ARY, to remove Nida as a host.

    “It is insensitive how Nida exploited a case like this for the sake of getting ratings, and lied so much that she couldn’t even apologise after getting caught later,” said Waqar. “And also remember: a host is always aware of what goes on during the show. If the host approves something, then it appears on the show.”

    Waqar further added it’s time all the elderly hosts sitting on their morning shows should now consider letting go, and giving other young people a chance. He added Nida should host a contest to see who could replace her, and revealed he had complained to Salman Iqbal that other women should be given a platform because Nida was no ‘Oprah’ and nor did she hold any philosophy in her life.

    On Saturday, Nida made headlines when as a guest on Geo’s ‘Hasna Mana Hai’, she revealed Waqar Zaka had tried to sabotage her morning show as well as her career. She added the two were on good terms during the time he worked with the channel, but his demeanour changed when he left.

    “When Waqar left ARY, he started sending emails to the channel’s management, urging them to remove me from my morning show,” she confessed.

  • Contestants on Netflix’s ‘Squid Game Challenge’ are suing the show for injuries suffered

    Netflix released a reality television show based on the popular Korean series ‘Squid Games’, featuring contestants competing in a series of games for a coveted prize. However, news reports reveal that contestants are taking legal action against Netflix and the producers by claiming they suffered extensive injuries during filming.

    The players spoke about their experience in shooting some of the popular games from the show including ‘Red Light, Green Light’, in which players must try to reach the finish line without drawing the attention of the robot doll. British law firm Express Solicitors is representing two clients who had taken part in the contest. Both have said they had no idea about the risks they had to take while shooting during cold periods for long months. Filming for the games took place at Cardington Studios in Bedfordshire during a cold winter in Britain. Several participants required medical treatment.

    “Contestants thought they were taking part in something fun and those injured did not expect to suffer as they did. Now they have been left with injuries after spending time being stuck in painful stress positions in cold temperatures,” said the CEO of Express Solicitors Daniel Slade to The Guardian.

    Slade recalled one client who witnessed “seeing someone faint, then people shouting for medics. We have a case where someone complains of hypothermia. One had his hands turn purple from the cold.”

    The reality television series comes after the successful Korean drama, the most-watched show on Netflix, surpassing the popular British period drama “Bridgerton”. It received several Primetime Emmy Awards including Outstanding Drama Series, with Lee Jung-Jae winning Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama series, becoming the first Asian actor to do so.

    The series follows broke father Seong Gi-Hun, who decides to enroll in the games in order to provide for his mother, and win custody of his daughter.

  • ‘Israel is the only country that keeps children as prisoners of war’: Gigi Hadid

    ‘Israel is the only country that keeps children as prisoners of war’: Gigi Hadid

    Palestinian-American supermodel Gigi Hadid has criticised Israeli for abusing and torturing Palestinian children as a tactic to destroy Gaza. During the four day ceasefire which began on Friday, several captives who were locked in Israeli prisons were released, including children.

    Gigi shared a picture of a Palestinian boy, who has developed mental health issues after remaining locked away in Israeli prisons. Taking to Instagram to share the picture of Ahmed Almansara, the model slammed Israel’s tactics of raping and torturing Palestinian children, a routine practice before the October 7 attacks.

    “Israel is the only country in the world that keeps CHILDREN AS PRISONERS OF WAR. ABDUCTION, RAPE, HUMILIATION, TORTURE, MURDER OF PALESTINIANS. YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS BEFORE OCTOBER 7 2023.”

    Gigi shared another news report revealing how Israelis were against the release of women and children by claiming that they were terrorists.

    “Israel sees any Palestinian as a ‘terrorist’. Any person supporting Palestinian rights as an ‘anti semite’ and any Jew that is opposed to the government’s actions as ‘self-hating’-even telling them to denounce their Judaism. So… everyone’s lying and wrong, except Israel?!

    If it wasn’t so evil and disturbing, it would be comedic.”

    Gigi shared another video by a Palestinian boy who prayed that the ceasefire is established for good and ends the war, writing that she prayed that every child deserves peaceful days.

  • No ‘illegal alien’ sent back on Friday thanks to verification process installed by Afghan Consulate General

    For the first time since the start of the repatriation plan of undocumented immigrants early this month, not a single ‘illegal alien’ was sent home via Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Friday as Afghan authorities has announced to link the acceptance of deportations with the verification of their status by the Afghan consulate-general here.

    The decision was made after multiple cases of Afghan-looking Pakistanis being deported to Afghanistan surfaced. “Multiple cases of Pakistanis being sent to Afghanistan as illegal migrants have been reported,” an official source in the Afghan Consulate told Dawn.

    Unfortunately, whenever Afghan authorities took such Pakistanis to the border, Pakistani officials refused to receive them.

    The other reason stated by Afghan consulate is the harassment Afghan deportees are facing at the hands of Pakistani authorities even though many of them are repatriating voluntarily.

    “Many illegal aliens are leaving Pakistan voluntarily but they’re stopped and taken into custody on their way before their repartition. They’re not given time to carry their belongings,” an official told Dawn.

    Afghan consulate expressed concern over the separation of families that has been observed over the month. They said in “many” cases, men from undocumented families were deported, leaving behind their female dependants.

    Pakistani authorities have said that they have not been informed about the deportation condition, claiming that all allegations leveled by Afghan consulate are “baseless”, delaying the process of deportation.

    “Only deportation is linked with the verification letter. The voluntary repatriation is still continuing without any hurdle,” Pakistan responded.

    However, around 119 illegal migrants were deported from Punjab to Afghanistan via the Torkham border crossing on Thursday, according to officials.

  • Jemima Khan shares joyful news of son launching app

    Film screenwriter Jemima Khan took to her X (formerly Twitter) account to share the happy news that her son Kasim Khan, has finally launched his own app Mifu, which will help influencers connect with marketing brands.

    “So proud of my son,” Jemima tweeted.

    Many tweets congratulated Jemima while others were heartbroken at how his father, former prime minister Imran Khan, was not able to attend the joyous occasion because of imprisonment.

    Journalist Fifi Haroon congratulated Jemima by writing: “

    Hey very cool Jemima. Best of luck to the young man (who looks so much like you BTW) for every success!”