Here’s what’s happening across the border: Imran Khan’s party faces a fresh rift as PTI’s women protest over tickets in reserved seats; Pervez Musharraf resigns as APML chairman.
Bhutto family irked by Benazir biopic threatens legal action
Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari, daughter of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto took to Twitter to say those producing a biopic on her mother without her family’s consent will be taken to court, reported Samaa TV.
Her warning comes as popular Pakistani actress Mehwish Hayat announced that she had been chosen “to research on Benazir for a project”. “I look forward to giving life to her story soon,” she had said on an Instagram post.
As news spread, Bhutto’s family took notice and vehemently opposed the idea on social media.
Certainly no consent from her living heirs/children was sought. Absolutely unacceptable and we will be taking action against it. https://t.co/onq9F4xgYT
— Bakhtawar B-Zardari (@BakhtawarBZ) June 22, 2018
Hayat was quick to take back her words saying the project is still at a nascent stage. “There is a project at the very early stages of development about your amazing mother,” she tweeted.
To clarify rumours circulating.There is a project at the very early stages of development about your amazing mother. This cannot and will not be done without the consent or blessing of the family.I am sure that the team involved will be in touch before they progress further..1/2
— Mehwish Hayat TI (@MehwishHayat) June 22, 2018
2/2 … Meanwhile, as an actress I am researching as much as I can about a real idol of mine. Irrespective of any film I would love to meet someday and learn more about her .
— Mehwish Hayat TI (@MehwishHayat) June 22, 2018
Internal rifts within PTI worsen with women fighting over reserved seats
Women workers from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) protested outside the chairman Imran Khan’s residence over tickets allotted for seats reserved for women, reported Geo TV.
Things not looking good in PTI women camp with respect to Female Priority lists for Reserve seats! pic.twitter.com/JziOFsoQRq
— Adeel Raja (@adeelraja) June 22, 2018
The workers demanded revision of allotted tickets for the reserved seats and accused Aliya Hamza, PTI’s election cell member, of making changes in the allotment process.
This is the fifth consecutive day that PTI members from the NA-154 and NA-12 constituencies are staging protests outside Imran Khan’s Bani Gala residence. The party has been facing internal strife over ticket distribution.
The party workers also accused Imran Khan of neglecting ideological workers at the time of allotting tickets, and condemned his decision to allot a party ticket to former Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Sikandar Bosan.
Pakistan issues visas to 300 Sikh pilgrims
The High Commission of Pakistan in New Delhi has issued visas to over 300 Sikh pilgrims in India to observe the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh at Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore, reported Pakistan Today.
Every year, a large number of Sikh pilgrims from India visit Pakistan for various religious festivals and occasions every year. A special train was arranged by the Pakistan Railways to carry the pilgrims from Attari to Pakistan Thursday.
Earlier, in April 2018, the Pakistan High Commission issued visas to over 2,000 Sikh pilgrims from India for the Baisakhi Festival in Pakistan.
The issuance of pilgrimage visas reflects the commitment of the Pakistan government to faithfully implement the bilateral protocol on visits to religious shrines, the report said.
Former president Musharraf resigns as APML chairman.
According to the newly appointed chairman of All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) Mohammad Ajmad, former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf has resigned as chairman of the party, Dawn reported.
Ajmad made the announcement Friday, and said that Musharraf tendered his resignation on 18 June. After he stepped down from his position, the party’s Central Executive Committee made Ajmad the new head and chose Mehreen Malik Adam as secretary general of APML.
Even after Peshawar High Court’s 2013 verdict, which had banned Musharraf from politics for life, the one-time Army chief had plans to return to politics. The Supreme Court’s rule on 13 June changed his mind, the report said.
While speaking to a journalist via video link, the former president said the apex court order “barring the authorities from arresting me till my appearance before the august court has forced me to rethink my plans about return”. Subsequently, the ex- president had resigned from the party as well as from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Breaking stereotypes – Pakistani widow in the driving seat for 35 years
Left alone with a two-year-old son and one-year-old daughter, Asia, a widow, started driving a minivan 35years ago in Faisalabad, reported Dawn Saturday
Ahead of International Widows Day Saturday, BBC reported Friday, the tale of Asia, who challenged stereotypes by taking a loan from her cousin to buy a minivan after she lost her young husband in a road accident.
The idea was a hit with many parents preferring a woman driving their daughters to school. She was supported by the Kashf Foundation, which encourages women to break stereotypes.
Speaking to Dawn, Roshaneh Zafar of the Kashf Foundation said: “Over the past years, Asia Baji’s journey has been one of many successes. She was able to continue growing her business by purchasing a better vehicle and at the same time she has educated all her children, including her daughters.”
Loomba Foundation, an organisation focused towards empowering widows stated 258.5 million widows in the world, of which one in seven live in extreme poverty
Last fiscal, Pak citizens transferred over $15 billion to foreign accounts
A report submitted to the Supreme Court stated that $15.25 billion was transferred abroad by Pakistani citizens through normal banking channels in the financial year 2016-17, reported The Express Tribune.
The report also revealed that a huge amount of money was moved to foreign bank accounts through illegal and unauthorised means.
The apex court took cognizance of the situation and gave orders to initiate suo motu proceedings. The court said that although it is not an ‘expert in economic, fiscal or financial matters’ but amid the dwindling foreign exchange reserves, exchange rate of rupee and government’s failure to curb unauthorised outflows of valuable foreign exchange, the matter is of grave concern.
Pakistani singer dies at 74
Renowned singer Taj Multani, who shot to fame with the patriotic Pakistani song “Jaag Raha Hai Pakistan”, passed away Friday night after suffering from a prolonged illness. He was 74, Geo Tv reported.
Multani was honoured with the President Award for Pride of Performance by the government of Pakistan earlier in 2018.
“Jaag Raha Hai Pakistan” was released in 1965 during the country’s war with India.
Multani was also a playback singer for a number of films.