Award-winning actress Mehwish Hayat has vowed that she will work towards promoting Pakistan’s national sport, hockey.
After a video of thirsty hockey players searching for water outside the stadium during the ongoing National Hockey Championship went viral, Mehwish took to Twitter to express her shock at the conditions of the players and called for the revival of the sport in Pakistan.
This is shocking state of affairs for hockey in Pak. We were world champions, Olympic champions – the best in the world.Wht happened to our national sport?! Like cinema, we need a revival of Hockey in Pak. We need to take drastic measures. No reason Y gold cannot be ours in Tokyo https://t.co/zA6UsTuz4E
The following day, she visited the Abdul Sattar Hockey Stadium in Karachi to promote the ongoing championship. Mehwish even tried her hand at the sport with the players.
At the stadium, while speaking to the media, Mehwish expressed her disappointment on the conditions of the players and stadium in general. Mehwish said that more attention needs to paid to the sport and requested the government and Prime Minister Imran Khan to help the sport. She even urged the authorities to integrate sports into the school curriculum.
@MehwishHayat went to a national hockey league game today at Abdul sattar edhi stadium and was horrified at conditions our young talent was playing in..why the disparity with cricket on funds wht is the gov doing? pic.twitter.com/maRY0boXnW
Mehwish later shared her thoughts on Twitter as well and encouraged others to also support the game.
Visited Abdul Sattar Edhi Hockey stadium & was appalled at wht I saw. Can’t believe that our national sport has fallen into such neglect. Frm the most successful team in the world; 4x world champions 3x Olympic Gold to no.17(lowest)in the world. Let’s not dwell on blame but ..1/2
see how we can fix this. We need govt support,sponsorship &more media coverage. We as a nation need to get behind our team &show them the love &support we do to cricket. If we do something now, maybe by Paris Olympics 2024 we will be able to win Gold again!🥇🇵🇰2/2 @PHFOfficial
Mehwish’s initiative gathered a lot of appreciation on social media and several other renowned personalities also spoke on the matter.
@MehwishHayat I am always up for anyway that I can serve our country. You have done really well to take this initiative. Truly appreciate it I am sure @ShehzadRoy@AzharAli_ and many others would be more then happy to be part of anything that brings glory to Pakistan.
The vehicle of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Rawalpindi Deputy Director Asad Mehmood Janjua, who arrested former president Asif Ali Zardari and former prime minister (PM) Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, has been “chased by a suspicious car”.
As per the details available with The Current, Islamabad police, in this regard, have lodged a First Information Report (FIR) against unknown people.
According to the complaint lodged with the inspector general (IG) of the capital police by NAB officer Muhammad Saleem Khan, Janjua was driving back home after his official duty via Margalla Road when he noticed a suspicious car following him.
“As he reached near F-9 Park at about 5:30 pm, he noticed a Toyota Vitz bearing registration number AAG-712 with tinted glasses following him. Feeling the situation, the NAB officer slowed down his car but the chaser kept on following. When he turned towards Marquees of E-11 on Margalla Road, the chaser also turned his vehicle and kept on following till he parked his car in front of a shop. The chaser hesitantly turned his car to a street, next to the shop,” the FIR read.
The officer could not observe who was in the suspicious vehicle because of the tinted glasses. Suddenly, the suspicious vehicle disappeared from the scene, the complainant added, with the request to provide security to the NAB officer.
The case has been filed at Islamabad’s Golra Shareef police station over the anti-corruption watchdog’s complaint against unidentified persons under sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 341 (wrongful restraint) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Other than Zardari and Abbasi, investigators said, Janjua had also arrested the former president’s sister and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Faryal Talpur.
Meanwhile, police have said that many activists of political parties could be rounded up with their top slot leadership, to hunt the chasers.
In a rather hilarious development, leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have misread a World Bank (WB) report criticising their government’s economic policies and have attacked the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) instead.
According to a draft report by the WB, Pakistan’s budget has lost its credibility and the public finance management has further weakened.
The Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) report, the final draft of which was shared with the Finance Ministry in June, contains findings that reflect the poor performance of the Finance Ministry and how it failed to uphold fiscal rules.
The report was widely shared by PML-N leaders and supporters, who held the incumbent PTI government responsible for the mismanagement of the country’s economic affairs.
The catch, however, is that the report assesses Pakistan’s public finance management system and an analysis of its annual budgets from 2015 to 2018 — a time period when the PML-N was in power.
Twitterati were quick to point out the blunder following which PML-N leaders, including Vice President Maryam Nawaz, deleted their tweets.
According to The Express Tribune, when compared with a similar assessment that the WB carried out in 2012, the country fared poorer on almost all indicators and seven key pillars.
There were hardly two indicators where the score improved while on the other two the score remained unchanged. In 2012, the country had secured five A grades – the highest score – but in the 2019 assessment, there was not even a single indicator where it got an A.
Pakistan lost the highest score on critical indicators like the classification of budget, comprehensiveness of budget information, transparency in inter-governmental fiscal operations, participation in budget process and predictability of direct budget support.
The lowest score is D plus and D. In 2012, the country got only six Ds and D plus but the lowest score reached a staggering 13 in 2019, reflecting the extremely poor performance of the Finance Ministry from 2015 to 2018.
The Pakistani film industry may appear to be just about fun Eid releases but young, independent filmmakers are working hard to expand the industry and take it up a notch.
Pakistani filmmaker Saim Sadiq’s Darling is on its’ way to becoming the first Pakistani film to be screened at the 76th edition of the prestigious Venice Film Festival. The oldest film festival, the Venice Film Festival is part of the ‘Big Three’ a term used for the three most prestigious film festivals in the world namely Cannes, Berlin and Venice.
Set in a dance theatre in Lahore, Darling revolves around a young boy and a trans girl. Speaking exclusively to The Current, the film’s director said, “Darling is loosely based on my feature film in-development ‘Gulaab’ – both being an exploration of masculinity and femininity set in a highly sexualized erotic dance subculture that exists like an open secret in an otherwise repressive Pakistani society. It’s in equal parts a coming-of-age story, a queer celebration, and a love letter to the Bollywood dream.”
The main cast of the film includes Abdullah Malik who plays Shani and Alina, a trans girl from Lahore who makes her acting debut with this film.
The supporting cast of the film includes Nadia Afgan of Suno Chanda fame and Mehar Bano. Nadia will also be producing the film along with Mahak Jiwani. The film has been directed by Saim Sadiq, who is currently a student of Film Directing at Columbia University in New York. Mo Azmi, of Cake, was the Director of Photography.
The world premiere of Darling will take place in Venice in September 2019.
Following the Kartarpur Corridor initiative, the Pakistani government is playing an active role to restore abandoned religious sites in the country. Only recently, a Hindu Mandir was reopened in Sialkot after 72 years.
Recent reports have revealed that The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) is planning to restore and reopen the historical 19th century abandoned Gurdwara Chowa Sahib in Jhelum and has also unveiled a plan for it.
The gurdwara, which is one of the most sacred Sikh temples, is situated at the northern edge of the majestic Rohtas Fort’s Talaqi gate near Punjab’s Jhelum city and dates back to 1834. Gurdwara Chowa Sahib means “Gurudwara of the exalted spring”, and it commemorates the site where Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikh religion, was popularly believed to have created a water spring.
According to a Sikh legend, Guru Nanak and Bhai Mardana were travelling in the region and had arrived at the site during hot summer in 1521. When Bhai Mardana told Guru Nanak that water was scarce in the area, Guru Nanak is said to have then struck the earth with his cane and moved a stone thereby revealing a natural spring. The water of the spring was considered to be so holy that Ranjit Singh would reportedly have it specially transported to him in Lahore. Singh had also commissioned the present-day structure of the Gurdwara in 1834.
ETPB Secretary Shrines Imran Gondal said that the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee and Sikh leaders would perform the inauguration of the multi-million restoration project. However, did not specify a date.
Fatema Sohail’s account of being domestically abused by her husband actor-singer Mohsin Abbas Haider has sparked a much-needed debate on the practise which is so prevalent in Pakistan behind closed doors. Fatema, while speaking to the media, had shared that many women had come forward and recounted their ordeal of being domestically abused.
One such person who has also opened up about being a victim of domestic violence is actor Humaima Malick. Humaima revealed that she was beaten almost to death multiple times and she feels ashamed that she did not stand up for herself earlier. The actor, however, did not name or shame anyone.
Humaima was married to actor-director Shamoon Abbasi for a brief period before the couple parted ways.
Previously Humaima’s sister, Dua Malik had come forward to support Fatema’s claims and said that she herself has witnessed Mohsin’s cruel behaviour towards his wife.
A young woman allegedly shot dead her boyfriend for marrying someone else in Lahore’s Raiwind area.
As per details, the women, identified as Fiza, killed the deceased Muddasar in the street after chasing him on a motorcycle through the market area.
The police, who have arrested the suspect, said that initial investigation revealed that Mudassar had promised to marry Fiza. Fiza, a divorcee, had convinced her parents for her second marriage. Meanwhile, Mudassar cheated on Fiza and married someone else which irked Fiza who then hatched a plan to kill him with the help of two other friends.
On Tuesday, when Mudassar was going to market with his brother on a motorbike, an armed Fiza started chasing them with her accomplices. As Mudassar and his brother approached their home, Fiza opened fire on them. A bullet hit Mudasar in the chest killing him on the spot.
The police have lodged a murder case against Fiza, who surrendered herself to the police along with the murder weapon.
Pakistani-American billionaire businessman Shahid Khan has said that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan is “the best thing to happen to Pakistan”.
“I think he is greater than life and the best thing that has happened to Pakistan in at least my lifetime,” he said in a video doing rounds over the internet.
WATCH VIDEO:
Pakistani-American Businessman , Shahid Khan is all praises for Prime Minister Imran Khan!
Earlier, Khan called on PM Imran at Pakistan House in Washington.
According to reports, expressing pleasure to have met the premier, he said that the future of the country seemed bright and in safe hands under PM Imran’s leadership.
Owner of Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL) and Fulham FC, Khan, as of May 2019, has a net worth of $6.8 billion. He is ranked 65th in the Forbes 400 list of richest Americans, and is overall the 224th wealthiest person in the world.
He is also the richest person of Pakistani origin.
In an explosive account posted to social media late Saturday night, Mohsin Abbas Haider’s wife, Fatema, came forward with accusations of cheating and domestic abuse against the actor-singer.
In a tell-all account posted to Facebook, Mohsin’s wife Fatema Sohail recounted her ordeal in which she alleged that in November 2018, she caught Mohsin cheating on her. When she confronted him, “instead of being embarrassed he started beating” her even though she was pregnant at that time. Luckily her child survived and Fatema said that she moved past the incident for the sake of her child. She continued that her childbirth was a complicated process but Mohsin never supported her and was instead, busy having an affair with an emerging model, Nazish Jahangir.
Fatema further alleged that Mohsin’s talks about being depressed and suicidal are just attention-seeking stunts. She signed off her post telling her husband that she will now see him in court. Fatema also attached proofs of the incidents of violence in her post.
On Sunday night, Mohsin held a press conference in Lahore in which he denied all allegations. Mohsin placed a copy of the Quran in front of him as he spoke and kept his hand on it during the entire conference. He began by saying that his upbringing doesn’t allow him to drag women into the public eye and disrespect them. He said that he has been brought up in a female-dominated environment where he cannot even think about raising his hand on a woman.
Sharing details of his marriage, Mohsin shared that their marriage happened in the heat of the moment and there was no mutual understanding between the couple and throughout the marriage, they were aware of this. He said that his marriage was toxic and he felt suffocated in his own home. Mohsin added that his only reason to stay in this marriage was his son.
Mohsin and Fatema tied the knot in 2015. Mohsin claims that he and his wife only lived together for one out of the four years they were married. Their son Haider was born earlier this year in May. Mohsin often posts pictures of himself with his son on social media. They previously also had a daughter who passed away when she was only a month old.
Mohsin said that the picture in which Fatema had a bruised face and hand, was from 2018 and taken after she fell off the stairs. He then invited Fatema to come to the press club or to even go to the police and submit a medical report of any recent injuries. He said that he has recorded his statements at the police station where the FIR against him has been registered.
He alleged that Fatema has a habit of lying and cheating and that her whole family can testify to that.
“A few days after our wedding, her lies started to surface,” Mohsin claimed. “She used to tell me she was going someplace but went somewhere else.”
Haider asserted that Sohail’s father was a witness to her lies. “When his daughter’s lies were caught, he told me, ‘Son, even God forgives one sin.’”
Mohsin said that he has always fulfilled his responsibilities, including the financial ones, as a father and husband. He said that he bears his family’s expenses and has all the bills of Fatema’s hospital visit and discharge slips. Fatema had alleged that Mohsin refused to bear the financial burden of her and their son.
Mohsin said that Fatema is trying to play the “woman card,” before adding that she is a troubled woman and the only way forward is a divorce. He said that he doesn’t have anything against her and the entire situation is because of Fatema’s jealousy.
Nazish Jahangir’s statement
Following Mohsin’s press conference, his alleged girlfriend Nazish Jahangir shared her version of the story. She explained that she has been unnecessarily dragged into the couple’s marital issues and that only Mohsin can explain why her name is being dragged through the mud. Nazish said that the entire episode has left her mentally shattered and she has no idea why Fatema dragged into this, especially because she considered Fatema to be a friend and well-wisher.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0MDetIn-bP/
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0MD-GTnlm_/
Meanwhile, members of the Pakistan film industry came out in support of Fatema and raised their voice against domestic violence.
Gohar Rasheed and Dua Malik claimed that they witnessed Mohsin’s abuse first hand but did not do anything because Fatima wanted them to maintain silence.
Hamza Ali Abbasi stepped forward to support Gohar’s account while Humaima Malick corroborated Dua’s claims.
I’m a witness ! @DuaMalikk use to call me and tell me how painful it was for her to listen to Fatima sohail and her suffering from pain it’s been 3 years … I wish Fatima did this before what she did now
Mahira Khan said that no one has the “right to raise their hand on anyone.”
Sick to my stomach. What gives anybody the right to raise their hand on anyone? Nothing. No excuse. For eons now we have normalised abuse (of all kinds) and for the sake of our children this needs to stop.
Shaan said that “real men don’t hit or disrespect women and the ones that do are not one of us.”
Real men don’t hit or disrespect women .. the ones that do are not one of us ..they should be treated as criminals and given the same treatment by the law..
Mohsin’s Baaji co-star Osman Khalid Butt said he had no words for the allegations before proceeding to say that those men who “lay so much as a finger on a woman” deserve a special place in hell.
I've been staring at this screen, grappling with the images I saw, trying to form a coherent sentence. … There is a special place in hell reserved for anyone who would lay so much as a finger on a woman. You cannot justify abuse. It is indefensible. I am sick to my stomach.
— Osman Khalid Butt 🇵🇸 (@aClockworkObi) July 21, 2019
Zara Noor Abbas
The sickest person is a man who abuses and violates women. The same being who gave birth to you. To all the women violaters out there, watch out because hell has fallen for you NOW.#BeginTrial#Timesup
— Zara Noor Abbas Siddiqui (@ZaraNoorAbbas) July 21, 2019
Mansha Pasha requests all men to think twice before raising his hand on a woman.
Dear men, Before you even think abt hitting your women, JUST DONT. There is no excuse, no validation, nothing u can offer that in ANY way makes this okay. We are stronger than we look & we will fight back. Silence is not, was not & never will be an option.
Fatima’s story is heart wrenching. We should respect her courage and bravery, and stand together to support the victims of domestic violence. #StopDomesticViolence
Domestic abuse ( or abuse of any kind) should not be taken lightly!! There is a reason why women find it hard to come out and speak about this. For every man that commits this hideous crime, there are many more that will always stand against it.
The oppressed will no longer remain quiet. ThankGod #TimesUp . I hope this is made into an example & not forgotten. NO side of story can explain domestic violence. Serious action must be taken by concerned channels & production houses. Abuser must be shamed out Loud.#MohsinAbbas
“Mohsin Abbas Haider, shame on you,” wrote singer/actor Haroon Shahid on Twitter.
Growing up I remember, once my father got really upset when he saw my mother crying. Upon inquiring, he found out that one of our neighbor used to beat his wife. He went up to his house the same day and put him in his place. The guy was a wuss. #MohsinAbbasHaider shame on you!
I have just been talking all evening about walking away from domestic abuse only to come home & see this #MohsinAbbasHaider WALK OUT before it's too late.#StopDomesticAbuse
If you’re an avid social media user, you must have come across several posts regarding a person, Ukhano who has been accused of sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour by multiple women. If you’re reading this article, chances are that you’re trying to figure out what exactly is going on.
Let’s start with the basics.
Who is Ukhano?
Ukhano, whose real name is Umar Khan is a video blogger, known for his quirky and fun content. A graduate of the National College of Arts, Umar is spotted at all the it events hanging out and sharing a laugh with all the A-list celebrities. Umar has been part of several notable projects and has also worked with Peshawar Zalmi as their official vlogger. His content is popular among the Millenials.
What is the controversy?
Earlier this week, several women came forward and accused Umar of sexual harassment. The first accusation was made in a Facebook post which has now been removed. But soon the allegations gained traction and hashtags such as #Ukhano, #UkhanoExposed began to trend on Twitter, following which multiple women came forward with their accounts and shared screenshots of Umar behaving inappropriately. The women claimed that Khan would send messages with sexual innuendos and ask them to send “bold” pictures of themselves to him.
This thread has pretty much all the screenshot and harassment claims:
Soon after the allegations surfaced, Umar came forward with a video in which he said that all allegations against him are false and requested everyone to listen to his video at least once before making a judgment. In his video, he said that he’s worked with a lot of women in the course of his career and is sure that he did not make any one of them feel uncomfortable.
He continued, “The reason I’m making this video is because I owe you guys the truth and the truth is that I know this person and I’ve worked with this person and that is it. Other than that, whatever allegations and claims have been made against me are lies.”
He finished off saying that he has visual evidence to prove his innocence but he doesn’t want to use it because “someone’s life can get ruined because of it.”
Though social media continues to be divided over Umar, several well-known personalities stepped forward to support Umar. Among those was Polish travel blogger Eva Zu Beck, actor/host Anoushey Ashraf and vloggers Mooroo and Irfan Junejo.
Eva Zu Beck
Anoushey Ashraf
Mooroo
Mooroo asked everyone to wait for the full picture before making a judgment. He requested everyone to not be emotional.
So after doing a podcast with Junaid Akram, Mo*ro now gives his two cents on #ukhano issue.
The story doesn’t end there. Soon after the harassment allegations surfaced, Ahmad Butt, a singer came forward and alleged that Umar stole the music of a Pashtun music artist Naseer Afridi and sold it to a business called CPIC.
As per Ahmad, “Ukhano had conveyed to the company that Naseer Afridi was aware of this when in reality, he wasn’t. Ukhano received a good sum of money for selling Naseers songs and kept it for himself. Later when Naseer found out from people about his music being used in the videos Ukhano made for that company, he talked to them.”
Ahmad said that the company compensated Naseer for his work. However, the money Umar received is still with him.
