Pak Short film “ Bhai” selected to screen at Toronto International Film Festival

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (Nut-Desk)

Bhai, a Pakistani short film, has been selected for screening at the Toronto International Film Festival.

“In 2021, for the first time, I’m going to get to experience the festival as a filmmaker,” said director Hamza Bangash, sharing his previous experiences at the festival as a volunteer and an intern. “I’m over the moon to be presenting the last of my Pakistan-set short films here.”

Bhai is a story of two brothers who go out to celebrate Independence Day at a restaurant. The younger brother, who is autistic, has an episode while he is waiting for his older brother to return with their food. The older brother is watching the struggle, however, from inside the restaurant and he must make a choice: help his brother or ignore him.

Amid the bustle of Karachi on Pakistan’s Independence Day, the tumultuous events portrayed in Hamza Bangash’s bracing, tension-filled drama widen the gulf of understanding between two brothers, Bhai as described on the TIFF’s website.

Hamza expressed his gratitude to the film’s team and wrote, “It’s a film about choti khushiyan [little joys], and about everyday bravery, the kind that Karachiites have in spades.”

The film will be screened at the festival in September 2021. Several Pakistani films and documentaries have won and been nominated for international awards.

Zindagi Tamasha by Sarmad Khoosat has bagged two Snow Leopard Awards, Busan International Film Festival Award and The Kim Ji-Seok Award.

 

Facebook moves to block Taliban’s WhatsApp accounts.

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Facebook has announced to block the WhatsApp accounts linked to the Taliban after the radical Islamic group seized control of Afghanistan and sought to use the messaging service to help it govern. “The Taliban is sanctioned as a terrorist organization under US law and we have banned them from our services under our Dangerous Organization policies,” a Facebook spokesperson told AFP.

The Facebook move shut down a WhatsApp hotline the Taliban had set up to receive complaints about violence and looting, according to the Financial Times. A WhatsApp spokesperson said in an email to AFP that the company is required to follow US sanctions.

“This includes banning accounts that appear to represent themselves as official accounts of the Taliban. We re seeking more information from relevant US authorities given the evolving situation in Afghanistan,” the company said.

“This means we remove accounts maintained by or on behalf of the Taliban and prohibit praise, support, and representation of them.”

The news comes with social media platforms facing pressure to block accounts used by the Taliban since the offensive which led to the takeover of the war-ravaged country.

Facebook said it was using “a dedicated team of Afghanistan experts, who are native Dari and Pashto speakers and have knowledge of local context,” to help guide policy.

“Our teams are closely monitoring this situation as it evolves. Facebook does not make decisions about the recognized government any particular country but instead respects the authority of the international community in making these determinations,” Facebook said.

A Taliban spokesman meanwhile criticized Facebook for blocking “freedom of speech” in the country as a result of the crackdown by the US firm.

At a news conference streamed online, the Taliban official responded to a question about freedom of expression by saying, “The question should be asked to those people who are claiming to be promoters of freedom of speech who do not allow publication of all information.. the Facebook company, this question should be asked to them.”
 

Minar-e-Pakistan assault incident: Police arrest more than 15 suspected people

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (Nut-Desk)

Police have taken into custody more than 15 people in connection with the incident of assault, harassent of a girl at Minar-e-Pakistan.

Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Ghulam Muhammad Dogar and Commissioner Lahore Captain (retd) Muhammad Usman also  visited the female TikToker who was assaulted and harassed at Minar-e-Pakistan on August 14. The duo met with the victim and her mother at their home and assured them of providing justice in the entire episode. The woman appreciated the Dolphin team who rescued her and said that she got a second life due to them after being rescued from a mob of nearly 400 people.

Police raided Ravi Road, Badami Bagh, Lari Ada, Shafiqabad areas of Lahore searching for suspects in the case. The arrested persons will be matched with those seen in the viral videos of public assault on girl, police said.

The horrific incident took place when countless men harassed and assaulted a helpless female TikToker Ayesha Akram on Independence Day in front of the Minar-e-Pakistan. The incident came to light three days later through social media.

The mob beat the female TikTok star and her companions while the police remained unaware of the incident. The complainant alleged that she, along with six companions, was shooting a video at Minar-e-Pakistan when hundreds of people attacked them.

She also claimed that the people were pushing and pulling her to the extent that they ripped her clothes.

The FIR had been registered under sections 354 A (assault or use of criminal force against woman and stripping her of her clothes), 382 (theft after preparation made for causing death, hurt or restraint in order to commit the theft), 147 (rioting) and 149 (unlawful assembly) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The complainant said that her companions and she tried hard to escape the mob, but the “crowd was huge and people were scaling the enclosure and coming towards us”.

She also said that some people tried to help her but the crowd was too large and kept tossing her up in the air. The girl said that her ring and earrings were “forcibly taken”, as was the mobile phone of one of her companions, his identity card, and some cash that he had on him.

 

Twitter tests feature to report ‘misleading’ content

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-Desk)

Social media platform, Twitter unveiled a new feature to allow users to flag content that could contain misinformation, a scourge that has only grown during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Starting Tuesday, a button would be visible to some users from the United States, South Korea and Australia to choose “it’s misleading” after clicking “report tweet.”

“We are testing a feature for you to report Tweets that seem misleading – as you see them,” the social network said from its safety and security account.

Users can then be more specific, flagging the misleading tweet as potentially containing misinformation about “health,” “politics” and “other.”

“We’re assessing if this is an effective approach so we’re starting small,” the San Francisco-based company said.

“We may not take action on and cannot respond to each report in the experiment, but your input will help us identify trends so that we can improve the speed and scale of our broader misinformation work.”

Twitter, like Facebook and YouTube, regularly comes under fire from critics who say it does not do enough to fight the spread of misinformation.

But the platform does not have the resources of its Silicon Valley neighbors, and so often relies on experimental techniques that are less expensive than recruiting armies of moderators.

Pakistani startup Airlift secures $85m financing for international expansion.

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (Nut-Desk)

In a landmark development, Pakistani startup Airlift has secured $85 million Series B financing with an aim to expand internationally, the firm said in a press statement.

A pioneer in the recent wave of technology businesses, Airlift Technologies was started in Pakistan by local entrepreneurs for local populations in the recent wave of technology businesses.

According to reports, Airlift operates a quick commerce service in eight cities including Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad in Pakistan. Users can order groceries, fresh produce, other essential items including medicines as well as sports goods from the Airlift website or app and have the items delivered to them in 30 minutes.

“Today, Airlift is announcing an $85 Million Series B financing led by some of the most iconic investors on the globe. Airlift’s $85m Series B financing marks the largest in the MENA region, co-led by Josh Buckley (Buckley Ventures) and Harry Stebbings (20VC),” the statement said.

Other major participants included Sam Altman (ex-President YCombinator), Biz Stone (Co-founder at Twitter/Medium), Jeffrey Katzenberg (ex-CEO, Disney), Taavet Hinrikus (Founder/CEO at TransferWise), and Seve Pagliuca (Co-Chairman, Bain Capital).

The financing is about twice the size of the largest private company IPO in Pakistan’s history and the highest in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The firm said that the development would bring world-class investors to invest in Pakistan and would garner confidence that great technology and consumer products can be built in Pakistan.

“Airlift Express alone with its series B funding of $85 Million has added 5% to Pakistan’s FDI for the Fiscal year 2021. This financing round lays the foundations of a new dawn in Pakistan where technology startups alone can contribute to more than 10% of FDI in the upcoming years,” it added.

Speaking on the occasion, Usman Gul, Co-Founder and CEO of Airlift said that a year ago, Airlift halted operations on the transit service and diversified into last-mile grocery delivery.

“Today, our team closed $85m in Series B financing to scale our delivery platform across continents. With this financing, we as Pakistanis must return to where we started from — fighting against the odds and staying true to our core values of hustle, teamwork, resourcefulness, and bias to action. If this is the journey of a thousand miles, we have taken only the first step.”

Meanwhile, Bloomberg has reported that the fund raised by Airlift is equal to the entire amount raised by Pakistani startups in the first half of the year. “It also eclipses the largest initial public offering by the nation’s private sector,” the report adds.

It added that the company now plans to expand its operations to 15 Pakistani cities by Dec 2021 and also increasing its core workforce to 400 by the end of next year.

 

Pak Nation is observing Youm-e-Ashura with mourning processions amid tight security

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-Desk)

Pakistan is observing Youm-e-Ashura, Muharram 10, with due solemnity in remembrance of the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain amid tight security today and under the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic. 

The government has shut down mobile services in major cities of the country, including Karachi, Hyderabad, Quetta, and Sukkur to avoid any untoward incident. The main procession in Karachi will start from Nishtar Park and end at the Hussainian Iranian at Kharadar, with Allama Shahenshah Naqvi addressing it.

The participants of the procession will offer prayers at Tibet Centre, while all the connecting roads of MA Jinnah have been sealed off to provide security to the procession.

The processions will start at 9am in Hyderabad and Jhang, 10am in Faisalabad, 11am in Gujranwala and Rohri, 12pm in Sukkur and Khairpur. The processions have already started in Quetta at 8am and in Dera Ismail Khan at 7:30am.

Standard operating procedures (SOPs) have also been issued for the mourning processions to avert the spread of coronavirus, as the cases in the country increase due to the fourth wave of the pandemic.

Tight security arrangements are in place and all security-related departments have been alerted to avoid any untoward incident during the mourning processions, Radio Pakistan reported.

On the occasion, President Dr Arif Alvi said the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) is a symbol of determination and perseverance and urged the nation to rise above hatred, malice, and sectarianism in line with his teachings.

“We have to prepare ourselves for all kinds of sacrifices by becoming a metaphor of determination and stability for our religion, nation, and country,” the president said.

President Alvi said following such a pathway leads to success in the world and the hereafter, as he highlighted Ashura has a special place in the hearts of the Muslim Ummah. The grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), along with his family and other devoted companions, had sacrificed their lives while fighting the forces of tyranny and oppression, said President Alvi.

He said the immortal sacrifices had revived the spirit of Islam and even today, such character was a source of inspiration for the believers in the moments of trial and tribulation. He said the best way to pay homage to Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) was to pledge about conforming to life in accordance with his teachings.

Amid the fourth wave of COVID-19, he said, the nation must observe precautions, especially during the gatherings and processions of Ashura. He urged the public to adopt precautionary measures and SOPs issued by the government and to get vaccinated for their own protection.

‘Ashura gives message the truth will always prevail’: PM Imran Khan

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Prime Minister Imran Khan urged his countrymen to pay tribute to Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) by supporting the truth and justice, besides thwarting every any falsehood tactics as the nation observes Youm-e-Ashura.

The prime minister, in his message to the nation on Ashura (Muharram 10), said that Iman Hussain (RA) had proved through his practice that one should always side with the truth and never hesitate to sacrifice their life for a cause.

He said Imam Hussain (RA), along with his companions, were martyred after they refused to accept the aggression of Yazid.

Imam Hussain preferred martyrdom to bowing before tyranny, the premier said.

The Prime Minister said Youm-e-Ashura had been a day of significance even before the advent of Islam but its importance increased manifold owing to the sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA).

He said the martyrdom of Imam Hussain was a tragedy that had been saddening the Muslims despite the passage of centuries.

The PM said Iman Hussain (RA) had become a symbol of force against falsehood, besides becoming a source of strength for all movements fighting against tyranny in the times to come.

He said the battle between the truth and falsehood persisted forever and will also continue in the future, but that we should support truth and justice every time.

He also advised the countrymen to ensure the implementation of the anti-COVID-19 SOPs for the country’s protection against the pandemic.

Celebrities demand quick justice for victim of Minar-e-Pakistan harassment incident

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Laohre (NUT-DESK)

The incident involving 400 men sexually harassing a woman at Lahore’s Minar-e-Pakistan has angered the nation including celebrities. The victim clothes were torn off and she was tossed in the air by the mob.

The incident came to light after a video went viral on social media, showing hundreds of men attacking a woman as she went to the park with four of her friends to celebrate Independence Day. Police have registered a case against 400 people allegedly involved in the incident.

The victim, along with her friends, was making a TikTok video in the park when hordes of men of all ages climbed a fence and attacked the woman.

Many celebrities took to Twitter to demand the higher ups to serve justice to the victim with some left completely speechless over the audacity of the perpetrators.

Mahira Khan demand quick justice.

I can’t believe what I just saw!!! I’ve said it before and I will say it again – make an example out of these men! #MinarePakistan

 

Mawra Hoccane shared her anger via a tweet.

I want to hear what the “not all men” brigade has to say this time!!! Hope this incident is dreadful enough to open your eyes..atleast this time there will be no judgement about the girl & how she could have AVOIDED the situation! Extremely DISGUSTED! Disturbing! #lahoreincident

Mansha Pasha tweeted.

This whole drama of why was she there and what was she wearing is getting really old and noone is buying it anymore. Sahi se eik hi dafa bol do, we dont want to do anything to protect women and we want to keep stripping you of dignity because we can.

7:20 AM · Aug 18, 2021

 

Imran Abass felt ashamed and petrified.

Disgusted, petrified, ashamed and speechless.. Quaid-e-Azam! We are sorry. #minarepakistan .

 

Osman Khalid Butt also demand justice.

Another day, another incident, another moment we find ourselves collectively hanging our heads in shame. Action, not just condemnation. Bring the perpetrators to justice.

1:11 AM · Aug 18, 2021

 

Haroon Shahid demanded quick action.

Robotic malfunction at #minar_e_pakistan Time to deactivate these robots I believe? @GovtofPunjabPK @OfficialDPRPP

 

Farhan saeed was Furious , Heartbroken.

Disgusted , Furious , Heartbroken , Ashamed ! Ashamed of being a man today , ashamed that the men of this country keep doing these horrible acts every other day, ashamed that the law of my country does not hang these predators so that this doesn’t happen again #MinarePakistan

3:58 AM · Aug 18, 2021

 

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan pays heartfelt tribute to Nusrat Fateh on death anniversary.

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Star Singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan paid a heartwarming tribute to his uncle Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan on his 24th death anniversary .

The “Zaroori tha” singer took to Instagram early on Monday, Aug 16, to share a picture of himself next to a portrait of the Shahenshah-e-Qawwali (King of Qawwali). The picture also featured special text that read, “There can only be one Nusrat, my mentor, my teacher and my ustad.”

Rahat Fateh also penned a simple yet touching tribute in the caption, which said, “Always in our hearts Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. The legend.”

Hailing from Faisalabad, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan carried forward his family’s 600-year-old Qawwali tradition and introduced it to international audiences. He died on August 16, 1997, but is still alive in the hearts of music lovers.

He received recognition for his exceptional work in the form of numerous accolades; apart from being a Grammy nominee, he received UNESCO Music Prize and the ‘Legends’ award at the UK Asian Music Awards in 2005.

Known as Shahanshah-e-Qawwali (King of Qawwali), his most popular numbers include Afreen Afreen, Mere Rashke Qamar, Mera Piya Ghar Aaya,  Ye Jo Halka Halka Suroor Hai and Sanu Ik Pal Chain Na Aave.

 

Inflows in Roshan Digital Account cross $2 billion.

Posted on by Ali Qasim

(Lahore NUT-DESK)

The Roshan Digital Account (RDA) programme has crossed a major milestone and hit the $2 billion mark as overseas Pakistanis continued to pose trust in the central bank’s initiative that was launched in September last year.

Economist circles are sharing that overseas Pakistanis invested a record $2 billion in various products offered by the RDA platform and it will continue to attract more inflows as the central bank is keen to add more investment options for non-resident Pakistanis.

The record investment shows the confidence of the overseas Pakistanis in the product launched by the incumbent government.

The amount received through the RDA to the government is hassle-free and without any condition. “The conditions would be tougher if the government borrowed the same amount from any international financial firm,” source added and now it will be the responsibility of the government to return the amount with profit to the account holders when they want to withdraw.

State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) with the support of eight major banks in the country is leading the project under which Pakistani diaspora are able to avail the banking facility from a digital payment system and the consumers are able to open their bank accounts without visiting bank, embassy or consulate.

Under the initiative, the Pakistanis living abroad are able to operate their accounts without visiting the country and could avail facilities of direct banking, bill payment and other e-commerce facilities.

These accounts could also be used for investments in the stock exchange and property within Pakistan. The consumers would also have the option to either open a Pakistan currency or foreign currency account.