Here’s what’s happening across the border: Photo of foreign minister receiving standing ovation at UN is fake, and ‘Instagram lovers’ take Pakistan by storm.
Imran Khan takes U-turns because Hitler & Napoleon didn’t
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has a new mantra for ‘leaders’.
Speaking to reporters Friday, Khan said a person who doesn’t take decisions according to the situation at hand is not a true leader, reported The News.
“[Adolf] Hitler and Napoleon [Bonaparte] suffered huge defeats and caused losses as they did not take U-turns,” he added.
Khan has elicited widespread condemnation for his government’s U-turn on Asia Bibi, the Christian woman whose recent acquittal in a decade-old blasphemy case brought fundamentalists out on the streets with threats of violence.
While Khan had first expressed support for the verdict, he eventually signed a deal with the protesters, promising that Asia would not be allowed to leave the nation.
During the interaction, Khan also talked about the ongoing financial crisis in Pakistan and blamed money laundering and corruption for the huge losses the country has incurred. Talking about his recent visit to China he said, “No other previous premiers’ tours to China were as successful as mine was.”
Media watchdog slams gushing reports about Khan’s watch donation
Pakistan Press Watch, a self-styled media watchdog for fake news, tweeted Saturday that Prime Minister Imran Khan’s decision to donate a Rs 16 million luxury watch, gifted to him by Saudi prince Mohammad bin Salman, to the treasury was nothing new. “…All PMs had done that,” it said, seeking to call out the media cell of the PM House for presenting the gesture as an act of patriotism.
PM House Media Cell tells media outlets Imran Khan set a patriotic example by giving Rs 16 million watch the treasury.
Fact: The Toshkhana has been operational for decades. As per rules al gifts by foreign leaders need 2 b deposited, all PMs did that
https://t.co/NkTpIGcxsU— Pakistan Media Watch (@PakPressWatch) November 17, 2018
Several media reports had hailed the gesture, saying Pakistani law allowed premiers to keep precious gifts from foreign leaders if 10 per cent of the sum was donated to the exchequer.
No, foreign minister Qureshi didn’t get UN standing ovation
A photo of Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi created waves in Pakistan as it sought to show him receiving a standing ovation in the United Nations General Assembly. It was posted on 1 October.
The caption read, “Look at the respect for Foreign Minister in America because behind him is the lion, truthful and trustful Prime Minister.”
However, according to a report in The News, the photo was a manipulated copy of an image of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
It was clicked after Erdogan’s 24 July address at the Turkish parliament.
According to the report, “Erdogan’s head has been replaced with Qureshi’s… Pixelation around Qureshi’s head is a clear sign of digital manipulation.”
Pakistan goes gaga over the wedding of Instagram lovers
The wedding of a local to his Instagram lover from the US has Sialkot and the whole of Pakistan gushing. Kashif Ali from Raipur village in Pakistan and Maria Helena Abrams from California became friends on the social media platform before becoming friends and lovers.
Their “private” wedding in Sialkot became an internet sensation, and an article in Dawn noted that “people are amazed at the match”.
Maria is a 41-year-old reiki master, driver and dog trainer, while Kashif is a 21-year-old B.Com student. While the match is certainly unusual, Maria appeared smitten as she discussed their affair with curious media-persons. “Kashif is wonderful,” she said, “I love him. He makes me happy.”
Although the couple is yet to decide which country they will live in, Maria has embraced Islam.
Why President Arif Alvi refused to leave Lahore airport
When President Arif Alvi arrived at Lahore’s Allam Iqbal international airport and found the assigned 32-vehicle convoy waiting for him, he was not pleased. Displeased with the large number of vehicles assigned to him, he waited till most of the vehicles left, reported Dunya News.
He also tweeted about the episode.
My continuous struggle to keep security but reduce protocol that inconveniences people. Am at Lahore airport and there are 32 cars to escort me waiting outside. Will wait until they are sent away before I move out
— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) November 16, 2018
President Arif has previously been criticised for using heavy protocol despite urging austerity in his inaugural address to parliament.
(With inputs from Aastha Singh)