Entertainment
KP police warned against taking part in political activities as PTI plans to protest in Islamabad today
- DIG Security Division issues directives to KP police personnel.
- Police directed to avoid participating in political activity.
- Asked to remain in their legal and geographical jurisdictions.
PESHAWAR: Police officials in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been directed to perform their duties within their legal and geographical jurisdictions amid concerns expressed by the Centre over use of state machinery by the PTI-led provincial government for political demonstration.
In an official circular sent to senior officers across the province, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Security Division Shakir Hussain Dawar reminded police personnel that they are duty-bound to maintain neutrality and must not take part in any form of political activity.
The directive reinforces existing rules that prohibit members of the law-enforcement force from aligning with a political group or joining their demonstrations and rallies.
The instructions come amid concerns within the federal government that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) may attempt to use the provincial police force for political purposes, as the party plans to stage a protest outside the Islamabad High Court (IHC) today.
PTI’s KP chapter spokesperson Adeel Iqbal said the party had decided to hold the demonstration on December 2 (today). Speaking to Geo News on Saturday, he claimed: “This time, there will be a well-defined strategy for meeting the PTI founder.”
He warned that the party would respond to “any unlawful actions taken against them”, adding that the days of “those violating the Constitution were numbered”.
Chief Minister KP Sohail Afridi has repeatedly been denied permission to meet the incarcerated PTI founder in Adiala Jail — the latest refusal being the eighth since he took office. After the most recent denial last week, he spent the night outside the Adiala jail.
He was later joined by Mahmood Khan Achakzai, head of the Tehreek Tahaffuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP), Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) chief Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Mishal Yousafzai, Senator Gurdeep Singh, Senator Rubina Naz, MNA Zulfiqar Ahmed and KP’s Information Minister Shafi Jan.
In view of today’s protest announcement, authorities in the capital have reiterated that Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code remains in force in Islamabad, prohibiting protests, rallies or public gatherings. The district administration warned that action would be taken immediately against any unlawful activity.
“Police and other law-enforcement agencies have been put on high alert,” the statement said, adding that all security bodies would work together to maintain order. Citizens were advised to avoid activities declared unlawful under Section 144.
Meantime, Rawalpindi’s Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema also imposed Section 144 in the city from December 1 to 3.
Meanwhile, the sons of the imprisoned former prime minister have expressed fears that authorities may be concealing “something irreversible” about his condition after more than three weeks without any verifiable information regarding his well-being.
Kasim Khan told Reuters that despite a court-ordered right to weekly meetings, the family had not had direct contact with him, fuelling speculation about a possible transfer to some other undisclosed location or deterioration of his health.
The PTI founder has been in jail since August 2023, following his removal from office through a no-confidence vote in April 2022.
Entertainment
Robert Downey Jr. hails Timothée Chalamet as ‘one of the greats’
Robert Downey Jr. gave Timothée Chalamet validation that he has reached the level of excellence he’s been striving for.
The Dune star has long spoken openly about his “pursuit of greatness” and now, he’s gotten a major seal of approval from the legend.
During a recent Q&A for Marty Supreme, the Avengers: Doomsday star didn’t hold back, calling the newly minted Golden Globes Best Actor winner “one of the greats.”
“You’ve talked a lot lately about this,” Downey, 60, said about Chalamet’s great ambitions. “I am literally twice your age. When I was 30, I was making a movie with Norman Jewison.”
He recalled, “It was called Only You. Me and Marisa Tomei. We were on the Amalfi coast somewhere and I just go to Norman Jewison, you know Moonstruck and all these great movies, I go, ‘Norman, I think I am one of the greats.'”
“I want you to tell me if you agree with that.” the Iron Man lead continued. “He looked at me like I was nuts. He said, ‘Well, Mr. Downey, that remains to be seen.'”
“And I want to say in front of God and everyone in this audience here with you that as of Marty Supreme, it no longer remains to be seen. Let’s hear it for, Timothée Chalamet,” he added.
For the unversed, the 30-year-old French-American actor openly told the industry about wanting to be a great actor during his acceptance speech at the 2025 SAG Awards.
“I can’t downplay the significance of this award, because it means the most to me,” Chalamet said in his acceptance speech after he won best actor for playing Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown.
“I know we’re in a subjective business, but the truth is, I’m really in pursuit of greatness. I know people don’t usually talk like that, but I want to be one of the greats. I am inspired by the greats,” he added.
It is pertinent to note that Marty Supreme has shattered one record after another since opening over the holidays.
Its latest box office milestone came Tuesday when passing up Leonardo DiCaprio’s rival Oscar contender One Battle After Another to end the day with an estimated cume of $72.27 million, according to A24.
The newly released film Marty Supreme earned Chalamet his first Critics’ Choice and Golden Globe awards, making him a frontrunner for a Best Actor Oscar at the upcoming 98th Academy Awards.
Entertainment
Ishrat Fatima joins PTV as mentor a day after quitting Radio Pakistan
Information Minister Atta Tarar has announced the return of veteran broadcaster Ishrat Fatima to Pakistan Television, where she will serve as a mentor to aspiring newscasters and broadcasters.
The announcement was made during a media interaction at her residence in Islamabad, where the minister appeared alongside the veteran broadcaster. The development comes after Fatima’s retirement, marking the end of her 45-year-long association with Radio Pakistan.
Tarar expressed his gratitude to Fatima for accepting his request to rejoin Pakistan Television as an expert and mentor. He noted that her expertise would be invaluable in training newcomers in the art of news reading and broadcasting under various circumstances.
“She is a seasoned newscaster with an illustrious career,” the minister remarked and added, “Every Pakistani identified her voice as she brings over four and a half decades of experience and service to the nation.”
“Following her retirement from Radio Pakistan, I personally requested her to join PTV to train the next generation and promote the Urdu language. Her return will encourage us all and strengthen PTV as an institution. Throughout her career, she maintained professional integrity without any political associations.”
The minister said there would be a surprise upon her formal return, noting that Pakistan Television is all set to welcome her back.
Speaking to the media, the veteran broadcaster described news reading as her lifelong passion and thanked the minister for honoring her with this responsibility.
Fatima said that she looks forward to teaching the younger generation and contributing to the betterment of the institution. She also urged the government to continue encouraging competent individuals in every field.
Entertainment
PSX rebounds on rate cut hopes, US-Iran de-escalation talk
The equity market rose on Friday as investors bought the dip pointing to US–Iran de-escalation and a dovish tilt in rate expectations, lifting risk appetite early in the session.
The Pakistan Stock Exchange’s benchmark KSE-100 Index climbed to an intraday high of 184,645.65, gaining 3,189.32 points, 1.76%, from the previous close of 181,456.33, and reached a low of 182,559.69, up 1,103.36 points, or 0.61%.
“The market witnessed a sharp recovery after the latest news flows suggest the de-escalation between the US and Iran,” said Huzaifa Riaz, Director, Mayari Securities (Pvt) Limited.
“Additionally, sentiment around the next monetary policy remains dovish as the latest auction suggests a 50 bps cut, which could further improve a risk-on sentiment,” he added.
Ahsan Mehanti, Managing Director and CEO of Arif Habib Commodities, echoed the sentiments, saying: “Bullish activity witnessed in early session at PSX amid reports of US-Iran de-escalation,” adding: “Speculations over further SBP policy easing amid falling government bond yields played a catalyst role in bullish activity at PSX.”
A Topline Research survey ahead of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Monetary Policy Committee meeting on January 26, 2026, showed 80% of participants expect a rate cut.
Of those, 56.4% see 50 bps, 15.4% expect 100 bps, 5% look for 25 bps, and 3% foresee 75 bps, while 20% expect no change. In the previous decision on December 15, 2025, the SBP cut 50 bps.
SBP reserves rose $16 million to $16.072 billion in the week ended January 9, taking total liquid reserves to $21.248 billion (commercial banks $5.177 billion, up $40 million).
The SBP noted ongoing foreign exchange purchases amid a steadier current account supported by remittances; from June 2024 to September 2025, net market purchases totalled $9.7 billion.
The central bank projects the FY26 current account deficit at 0–1% of GDP and sees reserves at $17.8 billion by June 2026 with planned official inflows.
On Thursday, the KSE-100 Index fell 1,113.48 points (0.61%) to 181,456.34 from 182,569.82, after trading between 183,717.54 and 180,783.63.
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