Here’s what’s happening across the border: Sidhu gets a visa to attend Imran’s swearing-in; Pakistani film cast appeals for Indo-Pak peace.

Trevor Noah takes dig at Imran, compares him to Donald Trump

If Trevor Noah is to be believed, Pakistan has its own Donald Trump in Prime Minister-elect Imran Khan.

The South African comedian Wednesday dedicated a segment of his popular ‘The Daily Show’ on Comedy Central to delving into the similarities between the US president and Khan.

“From his self-aggrandizing displays of wealth to his hardline nationalism”, Khan, Noah claimed, mirrored Trump in a number of ways.

He drew a parallel between both leaders’ lives, saying, that when Trump was advertising Pizza, Khan was vouching for Pepsi.

“Trump hates Islam, Khan lives in Islamabad,” he said.

The comedian also attacked both leaders’ personal lives, pointing out that both have been married thrice.

He further went on to say that just before the elections Khan, like Trump, was also involved in a sexual harassment scandal. He was referring to accusations from Khan’s ex-wife Reham Khan that the cricketer-turned-politician had sexually harassed her.

Imran’s fans none too pleased

Not everybody, it seems, saw the funny side of Trevor Noah’s sarcastic take on Imran Khan. The segment on ‘The Daily Show’ received a mixed response on Twitter.

There were those that had a laugh such as a journalist, Beena Sarwar, who tweeted that Noah had missed more similarities. “There’s more: PTI’s video after the General[‘s] [S]election 2018 is titled: Let’s Make Pakistan Great Again,” Sarwar tweeted.

Abid Qaiyum Suleri, head of the Pakistani think-tank Sustainable Development Policy Institute, too appears to have enjoyed the video. “Don’t take it serious just watch 4 entertainment,” he tweeted.

Others, however, were none too pleased, such as this Tweeter Nabeel Asim, who accused Noah of ignoring Khan’s “22 years of political struggle”. “@Trevornoah the very things u complain abt i.e. using broad strokes, ignoring nuances, using information out of
context and perspective.. U clearly have committed the sin u preach against.
*sigh*,” he tweeted

Then there are those like Hajira Khan accused Noah of taking everything about Khan out of context.

“RIP my love for @Trevornoah,” she tweeted.

Users like Sarfraz Khan listed out the other achievements of Pakistan’s Prime Minister-elect.

Pakistani film cast spreads the message of Indo-Pak harmony

The cast of Pakistani film, ’Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2’ celebrated both Pakistan’s and India’s Independence Day on 14 August and 15 August respectively, by promoting peace and harmony between the two countries, reported The Express Tribune.

As a joint initiative with City 1016, a UAE-based radio channel, the film’s artists came together for a picture in which they sported scarves with the colours of the Indian flag as well as the Pakistani flag. Mawra Hocane, the lead actress of the movie, posted the picture on social media, which received a positive response from all over Pakistan.

Pakistani music echoes through London’s streets on 72nd Independence Day

Cycle rickshaws strutted the streets of Central London carrying Pakistani flags and playing patriotic songs on the occasion of the country’s 72nd Independence day, reported Geo Tv.

These rickshaws were found in the popular tourist spots of London, mainly zones one and two. Many passers-by stopped and watched these rickshaws at Oxford Street, Baker Street, Knightsbridge and other parts of Central London, the report said.

According to Geo News, the show was organised by Pakistan’s High Commission.

Sidhu gets visa to attend Imran swearing-in ceremony

Former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu has been granted a 14-day visa to attend the swearing-in ceremony of PTI chairman and the country’s Prime Minister-elect Imran Khan, reported The Express Tribune.

The PTI chairman had said that former Indian cricketers including Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar and Sidhu would be on the list of invitees to his oath-taking ceremony.

Sidhu, who is also a member of the Indian parliament, is the only Indian cricketer to have confirmed till now. While praising Khan on 28 July, Sidhu had said, “I truly believe he (Imran Khan) can take them (Pakistan) to great heights.”

Praising his contribution to the Pakistan Cricket team in 1992 to win the World cup, Sidhu said that he did “wonders” to an “ordinary” team. He added by saying that Khan has a “pure soul” and called him a “good person”.

Sharif’s video of being shifted in armoured vehicle goes viral

A video clip of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif being ferried in an armoured vehicle has gone viral on social media.

The 68-year-old PML-N leader, who appeared before an Islamabad court for a hearing in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills and the Hill Metal Establishment cases, was seen sitting in front of the armoured personnel carrier. TV footage shows some of his supporters also climb up on the roof of the vehicle.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif had Wednesday said that bringing a three-time prime minister to court in an armoured vehicle was an insult, reported the Morning Mail.

Following the incident, Pakistani journalist and civil rights activist, Gul Bukhari shared another video on Twitter which showed a guard hanging out of the window to shield Sharif’s face. “The fear of Sharif’s popularity is palpable”, she tweeted.

Contributors : Anagha Deshpande, Manisha Mondal, Priyamvada Grover, Rupanwita Bhattacharjee and Soniya Agarwal 

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