I was off twitter for most of yesterday so missed the real-time twists and turns of the Real Housewives of Bahria. The interest in this lurid story is understandable, the outrage against the media less so. I’ll explain why. #UzmaKhan 1/7
Tabloid fodder:
An extra-marital affair, leaked videos, an outraged wife w guards, breaking & entering, assault, threats of rape, a model/actor, a well-connected property tycoon and his incestuous family, elite privilege, a missing husband, celebrity lawyers, a delayed FIR. 2/7
Alternative media platform The Current has done the best summary so far. Also goes to show how the mainstream media falls behind alt media in covering social media driven stories such as this. 3/7 thecurrent.pk/uzma-khan-vs-m…
The connection with Malik Riaz has made the story bigger despite his denials, even if it’s indirect. He’s gotten away with much so it stands to reason that his extended family would use the privilege and connections to get away with impunity too. 4/7
Apart from impunity other aspects symbolise the darkest underbelly of society: slut-shaming, the breach of privacy, assault and delay in justice. But does it merit broader more prominent coverage by the mainstream. (Pssst. It’s not bc of Malik Riaz) 5/7
Let’s look at other stories 1. One of the keys to understanding what happened to #PK8303 is the cockpit recorder, which is missing. 2. Families are struggling with DNA tests 3. Multiple reports of hospitals turning away #Covid_19 patients 3. The new spin on the sugar report. 6/7
Let’s have a sense of proportion people. End. 7/7
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Top Absurdistan Story of the Day:
Meet Turkish star Engin Altan, who needs no introduction in Pakistan as the swashbuckling slayer of infidels “Ertugrul” in a series about the origin story of the Ottoman Empire popularised by PM Imran Khan.
The handful of Pakistani stars are overexposed. Indian actors are banned. A wildly popular actor from a friendly Muslim country is brand ambassador gold right? Crossovers. Collaborations. Win win.
After all Esra Bilgic is raking it in. Phones. A telco. Clothes. Never mind the men who stalked her Insta for the beach photos, but mentally dressed her in a shuttlecock.
Mian Nawaz Sharif breaks his silence with a no holds barred speech at the #APC2020 but will the resolution reflect his taking points?
Maulana Fazlur Rehman reads the resolution and action for the #APC2020
The resolution includes concerns over the establishment’s increasing political role, the economy,the wave of Shia-Sunni conflict, media censorship, calls for an investigation in the Asim Saleem Bajwa report.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman says the #APC calls on Prime Minister Imran Khan to resign, announces a series of dates for country-wide rallies and long marches starting from October. Doesn’t include a timeline for resignation from the assemblies.
The motion to vote clause-by-clause on the first FATF-related Bill was passed 200 to 190 in favour of the government and allies. Subsequent voting on clauses rejected the opposition’s amendments too.
PPP’s Senator Raza Rabbani raised an objection on Advisor Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan being authorised to move the bills based on the Islamabad High Court’s judgment on advisors and SAPMs. The IHC had said advisors can speak in and attend proceedings but cannot vote.
Law minister Farogh Naseem responds saying that while advisors cannot vote, the judgment does not specify that they cannot present bills.
SCP’s Justice Maqbool Baqir’s detailed judgment on Saad Rafique and Salman Rafique’s bail in the Paragon City case is a indictment of NAB, it’s chairman, it’s investigation and it’s use as a tool of political engineering. 1/5
NAB’s case appears to hang on one approver, Qaiser Ameen Butt. Here’s how his testimony was recorded and what happened to his remand. 2/5
For nearly two years, NAB was unable to establish or find evidence to prove WHY the case fell under the national accountability laws rather than a civil or commercial case. 3/5
Prime Minister Imran Khan’s second address to the National Assembly in a week. Opens by crediting women and minority parliamentarians.
The opposition benches are empty.
PM Imran Khan reiterates that had been asked, he would never have gone ahead with lockdown that Sindh imposed.
Omits mentioning that the same lockdown happened in provinces under PTI rule.
Pm Imran Khan says India is involved in the terror attack on the Karachi Stock Exchange. India wanted to destabilise Pakistan.
.@TahirImran has written an excellent report on pilot’s fake licences fixing responsibility on: 1. A more complicated and theoretical exam process introduced in 2012 2. Political recruitments 3. The CAA’s role in issuing licences. bbc.com/urdu/amp/pakis…