Entertainment
Civil, military leaders celebrate Independence Day, hail ‘Marka-e-Haq’ victory in unity call
- Independence Day tied to recent military victory.
- PM calls for unity in ‘spirit of 1947’.
- Zardari urges reform, economic revival.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s civil and military leadership marked the country’s 78th Independence Day with messages of renewed unity, resilience, and commitment to defending sovereignty, tying this year’s celebrations to the military success in Marka-e-Haq — the period of conflict with India from the April 22 Pahalgam attack to the May 10 conclusion of operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos.
The leaders paid tribute to the sacrifices of the nation’s founders and martyrs, emphasising that the this year’s April–May confrontation with India had reinforced the sanctity of Pakistan’s freedom and the resolve to safeguard it.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif extended his sincere invitation to all political parties and segments of the society to join hands with them in strengthening their resolve to safeguard the national interests.
“On this day, I call upon all political forces and citizens to unite in the spirit of 1947 and together build a strong and prosperous Pakistan for generations to come,” the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
“I extend my heartfelt felicitations to the nation on completion of 78 years of independence of Pakistan. I pay tribute to Father of the Nation, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and the Thinker of Pakistan, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, who along with other resolute leaders and workers of the Independence Movement united the nation under one vision, one mission and one goal,” the premier said.
“The past 78 years tell a tale of resilience, strong faith and a hope of a bright future when as a nation, we braved several difficult challenges,” he said, linking the country’s endurance to its military success earlier this year.
“Pakistan’s historic victory in Marka-e-Haq during the four-day war imposed by India has not only reinforced the sanctity of our freedom, but has also instilled a renewed sense of ambition and national spirit in the hearts of our people, magnifying the pride and fervour of this Independence Day.”
He praised the armed forces for reviving “their past glory and shattered the false pride of enemy by acting as a Bunyan-um-Marsoos – a solid fortified wall” and paid tribute to martyrs “who sacrificed their lives for the sake of our freedom”.
Calling it “not merely a military conquest, but also the victory of the validation of a Two-Nation Theory,” the PM vowed to “stand vigilant to defend and safeguard our national interests including water resources.”
While asserting Pakistan’s belief in “peaceful coexistence and resolving the regional and global issues through dialogue and diplomacy,” he urged India to “demonstrate the same will for the resolution of all disputes, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.”
The premier also stressed the importance of economic stability for national defence, citing “the substantial reduction in electricity tariffs” and pledging to “mobilise all available resources” to meet economic, industrial, and technological challenges. “We all need to demonstrate the spirit of Marka-e-Haq and the Pakistan Movement,” he said.
President Asif Ali Zardari
President Asif Ali zardari said: “Let us rise beyond our divisions and stand together for a Pakistan that is built on justice, equality, faith, and service to all.”
The president linked the celebrations to the recent conflict, saying the nation marked the day “with a sense of renewed pride and hope as recently the nation had reaffirmed its strength, resolve, and unity in the face of external aggression.”
“Our success in Marka-e-Haq and Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos is a landmark moment in our history. It was a demonstration of unshakable national will, professional excellence, and united purpose,” he said.
“Faced with unjustified Indian aggression, Pakistan responded with clarity, courage and restraint. The world witnessed a nation that was peace-loving, but fully capable of defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the president added.
Calling it “more than military success,” Zardari said it was “a reminder of what we can achieve when we are united, focused, and committed to a common goal” and urged the nation to “channel this spirit into our economic revival, educational reform, technological advancement, institutional development, and environmental resilience.”
He also expressed solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), adding their courage and struggle for justice and their right to self-determination remained close to their hearts.
He further reiterated that Pakistan would continue to extend its unwavering diplomatic, moral, and political support until their right to self-determination is realized.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar
“On our 79th Independence Day, I extend my heartfelt felicitations to the nation. I pay tribute to the immortal sacrifices made by our forebears, affirming that Pakistan was born out of their indomitable spirit and devotion to truth. I reaffirm that our nation cannot be defeated as long as we stand united,” Dar said.
“I call on every fellow citizen to remain united, protect democratic values, and collectively contribute to building a strong, dignified, and prosperous Pakistan — for today and times to come,” he added.
He lauded the “resolve of our Armed Forces and our people who stood together to safeguard our sovereignty,” saying it reflected “formidable military readiness” and “a principled foreign policy that has earned widespread international support.”
“As we celebrate our independence day and Marka-e-Haq, we are reminded that freedom is preserved not only by defending our borders but also by upholding the principles of truth, justice, and dignity in our international engagements,” he added.
Military leadership
In a joint message, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, and Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu extended “heartfelt felicitations… on the auspicious occasion of Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day—marking the triumph of unity, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to a shared vision for a brighter future.”
They reaffirmed “unwavering resolve to safeguard Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, uphold the Constitution, and protect the values that define our national identity,” paying “solemn tribute to the visionaries, statesmen, and soldiers who laid our nation’s foundations.”
“The unbreakable bond between the Armed Forces and the people is the cornerstone of our collective strength,” the message said, urging all to “renew our resolve to strive for peace, progress, and unity, upholding the ideals of Faith, Unity, and Discipline.”
Entertainment
Ashton Kutcher says ex Demi Moore ‘killed it’
Ashton Kutcher is making it clear that admiration and respect still define how he views his ex-wife Demi Moore, especially when it comes to her recent work.
While promoting his upcoming series The Beauty, the actor openly praised Moore’s performance in The Substance, calling it one of her strongest yet.
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight in an interview published January 14, Kutcher acknowledged comparisons between his new project and Moore’s film, but quickly shifted the focus to her achievement.
“Demi’s performance in The Substance, obviously, she got extraordinary accolades,” he said. “I’m so proud of her.”
He then summed up his feelings simply and directly, adding, “She killed it.”
Kutcher, 47, and Moore were married from 2005 until their divorce was finalised in 2013. Since their split, he has largely avoided discussing their relationship publicly, making his recent comments stand out.
Rather than revisiting the past in detail, his words reflected genuine appreciation for Moore’s success and her Oscar-nominated performance.
In earlier interviews, Kutcher has briefly touched on the emotional aftermath of their breakup.
During a 2018 appearance on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast, he shared how isolated he felt after the divorce and how he sought clarity by spending a week alone in the mountains of Big Sky, Montana.
He explained that he disconnected completely, surviving on only water and tea, without food, devices, or conversation.
That period of solitude led him to reflect deeply on his personal life. Kutcher revealed that he wrote letters to people from past relationships where unresolved feelings remained.
He described the process as a way of letting go of regret and emotional weight he had carried for years.
Moore, now 63, has also spoken candidly about the end of their marriage.
While promoting her 2019 memoir Inside Out, she told Good Morning America, “I lost me. If I were to look back, I would say I blinded myself and I lost myself.”
Her words highlighted how deeply the relationship and its ending affected her sense of identity.
Today, both actors appear to be in very different places.
Kutcher shares children Wyatt, 11, and Dimitri, 9, with his wife of ten years, Mila Kunis, while Moore continues to reflect on her past through her work and writing.
Kutcher’s recent comments, however, show that despite everything, he still holds genuine respect for Moore, and isn’t shy about applauding her success when it’s deserved.
Entertainment
Pamela Anderson reacts to seeing Seth Rogen at Golden Globes
Pamela Anderson is opening up about an uncomfortable moment she experienced at the Golden Globes.
The actress revealed that seeing Seth Rogen at the event brought back lingering feelings tied to the controversial Pam & Tommy series made without her consent.
Speaking on SiriusXM’s Radio Andy, the Golden Globe nominee explained that although it appeared she left the awards show early, her exit was intentional and emotionally driven.
“At the Golden Globes, for instance, I didn’t leave early. I left after my award, and I went right to bed,” she said, clarifying that being in close proximity to Rogen made her uneasy.
The tension stems from Hulu’s 2022 limited series Pam & Tommy, which dramatised the theft and distribution of Anderson’s private 1995 tape with ex-husband Tommy Lee.
Rogen served as an executive producer on the project and also portrayed Rand Gauthier, the man who stole and sold the tape.
Anderson emphasised that she was never consulted about the show, a fact that continues to bother her years later.
“Seth Rogen, he did that [miniseries] on me without talking to me, Pam & Tommy,” she said. “How can someone make a TV series out of difficult times in your life? And I’m a living, breathing human being over here, hello.”
Anderson noted that Rogen was seated nearby during the ceremony.
“He was in the pit at the Golden Globes, so we were close,” she explained. “I just felt like, ‘I’m not chopped liver over here.’ I felt a little bit weird about it.”
While Anderson said she has been staying busy professionally, working on five films over the past year, she admitted that moments like this can still hit unexpectedly.
She shared that she hopes Rogen may one day acknowledge her feelings. “Eventually, hopefully he will reach out to me and apologise. Not that that matters.”
Reflecting more broadly, Anderson expressed frustration over how deeply personal experiences are often turned into entertainment.
She said the “darkest, deepest secrets or your tragedies in life shouldn’t be fair game for a TV series,” adding that the situation “pissed me off a little bit.”
Rogen, meanwhile, had a successful night at the Golden Globes, where his Apple TV+ series The Studio won Best Television Series — Musical or Comedy, along with Best Actor in the same category.
Despite the accolades, Anderson’s comments highlight that for her, the emotional impact of Pam & Tommy is far from over.
Entertainment
Teyana Taylor, Leonardo DiCaprio Golden Globes drama sees new twist
Teyana Taylor is clearing the air about Leonardo DiCaprio’s animated Golden Globes moment that took over social media, revealing that the viral clip didn’t quite unfold the way fans initially thought.
The actress and singer addressed the buzz during her appearance on The Tonight Show on Wednesday, Jan. 14, where she continued celebrating her first-ever Golden Globe win.
The clip in question, shared on the ceremony’s official TikTok page, showed DiCaprio laughing and gesturing enthusiastically during the broadcast, leading many viewers to assume he was chatting with Taylor.
She admitted she initially thought the same.
“Okay, so look, yesterday, I thought I broke the Da Vinci Code, right?” Taylor told Jimmy Fallon, referencing her earlier comments that suggested they were bonding over KPop Demon Hunters during the show.
Taylor explained that her excitement stemmed from the fact that her daughters, Iman “Junie” Tayla Shumpert Jr., 10, and Rue Rose Shumpert, 5, are huge fans of the Netflix animated film, which won Best Motion Picture (Animated) and Best Original Song that night.
At first glance, she assumed DiCaprio was reacting to her.
“So when I first seen it, I didn’t watch the whole thing. So I was like, ‘Oh you’re talking about Kpop Demon Hunters, he’s talking about me,’” she said.
But after watching the full clip, and seeing fans attempt to lip-read the exchange, Taylor realised she needed answers.
She picked up the phone and called her longtime friend.
“I was like, ‘You can’t be talking to me, were you talking to me?’ Because I already told people you was talking to me,” she admitted.
According to Taylor, DiCaprio had apparently discussed KPop Demon Hunters more than once that night.
“So apparently he had two KPop Demon Hunter conversations that night, so KPop Demon Hunters was just in his mouth all night,” she joked.
The situation sparked some playful jealousy on Taylor’s part.
“Who else is you chewing your invisible gum with?” she teased, adding that DiCaprio didn’t even remember who he had been talking to at the table.
Despite the confusion, the moment only added to the buzz surrounding their film One Battle After Another, which picked up four Golden Globe wins, including Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) and Taylor’s award for her role as Perfidia Beverly Hills.
Both stars are now heading into the 2026 Actor Awards on March 1 with individual nominations, proving that even a misunderstood viral moment can end on a high note.
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