Here’s what’s happening across the border: Actor slammed for controversial post on #MeToo as Khan says day not far off when Pakistan will be disbursing loans to other countries.
Actor Ali Zafar’s new poem questions injustice and our silence
Actor, singer and songwriter Ali Zafar posted a new video on Twitter Wednesday in which he can be heard reciting a poem, amid accompanying visuals and background music.
The video titled ‘Ali Zafar’s Poetry and Recitation: Kuch tou Ghalat Ho Raha Hai’ primarily brings out the issues the world is plagued with and indicates how few seem to be responding to them.
Here is the transcript of some lines from his poem. Watch the video for listening to the entire poem.
Kuch tou ghalat ho raha hai
There is something going wrong
Guftgoo mein dhuaan, jalan seeno mein,
People’s conversations are surrounded by smoke and there is jealously in their hearts
Muflis ka koi thikana nahi, gareeb ka koi aashiyana nahi,
The paupers have nowhere to go and the poor are homeless
Ali Zafar's Poetry & Recitation: Kuch Tou Ghalat Ho Raha Hai https://t.co/mFifH3k117
— Ali Zafar (@AliZafarsays) October 24, 2018
Jeete hai apne liye bas apne aap mein
Everybody just lives for their own sake
Sunaenge phir yeh daastaan aur sunne wala na koi…
We will narrate this saga when there is nobody left to listen to…
Imran Khan says day not far when Pakistan will give out loans
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan addressed the nation Wednesday urging people to retain their faith in the federal government and its resolve to end corruption in the country, reported Dawn.
He expressed his hopes of a bright future for Pakistan saying: “The day is not far when instead of asking people for loans for our country, we will give out loans to others.”
In his address, Khan assured the people of the steps being taken by the federal government to tackle the ailing economy. Khan said the “good news” was that the country had received a financial package from Saudi Arabia, adding, that this had taken care of the economic burden.
He reiterated Pakistan’s decision to approach the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout adding that since the country was getting financial aid from Saudi Arabia, it will not require a big package from the lender. Khan further revealed plans of securing similar packages from two more friendly countries.
During his speech, he also talked about how Pakistan is willing to play the role of a mediator between war-torn Yemen and Saudi Arabia, which has launched a missile-led attack against Yemeni Houthi rebels. “Pakistan will try to play a role in ending conflicts in the region and bring all Muslim countries together,” Khan said.
One more thing I want to share with my Pakistanis is that we are acting as a mediator in the on-going crisis of Yemen. We are playing a positive role in mediating matters so as to unite the Muslim World.#PMIKAddress
— PTI (@PTIofficial) October 24, 2018
Khan also blamed previous ruling parties for the country’s rising debts over the last 10 years. He also said that the Opposition parties only wanted an NRO (National Reconciliation Ordinance) from him. NRO was an ordinance that former president Pervez Musharraf introduced in 2007 to grant amnesty to political leaders to rid them off their corruption and criminal charges.
“I want to give them a message: ‘open your ears and hear this: you can come out on the streets. We will give you containers and give you food. You can do whatever you want in the assemblies… [But] no one will get an NRO,” Khan added.
Pervez Musharraf not able to stand and walk due to rare disease
Former president and founder of the All Pakistan Muslim League (AMPL) party, Pervez Musharraf, is reportedly suffering from a rare ailment called amyloidosis, Dawn reported quoting APML Overseas President Afzaal Siddiqui.
“Due to amyloidosis, broken protein starts getting deposited in various organs,” Siddiqui was quoted as saying. “[As a result] Pervez Musharraf has difficulty in standing and walking.”
The party leader informed that doctors as of now have succeeded in stopping “the production of broken protein” and “are now trying to cleanse his body”. Musharraf’s treatment could go on for another five or six months.
Musharraf intends to come back to Pakistan when he recovers completely, Siddiqui added.
The former military ruler was charged in March 2014 for suspending the Constitution in November 2007. However, Musharraf left the country for Dubai in March 2016 ‘to seek medical treatment” and has not returned to Pakistan since.
Pak actor faces wrath of netizens after mocking #Me Too founder
Pakistan TV host and actor Mani has come under fire from the country’s netizens for posting a picture of the #MeToo movement founder Tarana Burke on Instagram and asking “Don’t know who touched her and why?,” The Express Tribune reported.
Manaal Fahim Khan, a local journalist in Pakistan, shared Mani’s post on Twitter saying “the crazy, raging, man-hating feminist in me has no words”.
Salman Sheikh, aka Mani, just shared this on Instagram. The crazy, raging, man-hating feminist in me has no words. Congratulations Mani on leaving me, and so many others, speechless. pic.twitter.com/2QGo45Tydn
— Manal Faheem Khan (@ManalFaheemKhan) October 24, 2018
The actor’s post opened the floodgates for other Instagram users to mock him for showing insensitivity and ignorance in times when the global movement has picked up even more momentum.
Mani, however, Wednesday claimed he wasn’t aware of the post on his Instagram handle and blamed his PR manager for it. He also apologised for his post.
I would like to inform all my followers that I am not very much active on social media and was not aware that any such pic is posted on my instagram. Would like to apologize on behalf of my PR guy who posted it by mistake. Please do help us improve in all aspects of life
— ManiSalman (@ManiSalmanKhi) October 24, 2018
A Biscuit Trophy for the winner of Pak-Aus T20I
Cricket fans and even the International Cricket Council (ICC) were left befuddled after the unveiling of the trophy for the Twenty20 International (T20I) series between Pakistan and Australia Tuesday, reported Cricket Pakistan.
With a biscuit manufacturing company, TUC Pakistan, the chief sponsor of the series, the trophy was a giant biscuit one.
As soon as the Pakistan Cricket Board posted the photo on the internet, fans went into a tizzy.
Brighto presents TUC Cup 2018 #PAKvAUS T20I series trophy unveiling ceremony. pic.twitter.com/9i0uPmtSoW
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 23, 2018
The ICC too took a dig at the trophy design.
Giving taking the biscuit a whole new meaning! https://t.co/YA1B7O3lUk
— ICC (@ICC) October 23, 2018
Sports writer Osman Samiuddin also had a laugh at the biscuit trophy.
Easy ho jaao Faizan. Iss Trophy ka mazaaq nahin agar uraa tha ICC (or anyone) toh it would be dereliction of duty. I mean look at it. It’s a biscuit for gods sake. https://t.co/1UU9mnrcYe
— Osman Samiuddin (@OsmanSamiuddin) October 23, 2018
Journalist Ihtisham ul Haq also criticised the trophy.
Worst trophy design ever ? ?
Thanks GOD that Pampers do not Sponsor this series.
I am still thinking about the combination of the ball & biscuit. #PakvAus pic.twitter.com/jmux5fBoDP
— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) October 24, 2018
However, some also felt that this design was better than earlier trophies.
i think Biscuit Trophy is better than This one pic.twitter.com/NEs1CMpbZ4
— NABEEL RAJPUT (@NABEELRAJPOOT) October 24, 2018
ESPNcricinfo shortlisted a number of other bizarre trophies.
Think the 'biscuit' trophy is the most bizarre one you've come across in cricket?
We've shortlisted a few for you to vote on: https://t.co/fMWb7xXsuG pic.twitter.com/xYynKF6TyH
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) October 24, 2018