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MQM-P raises concern as security withdrawn from lawmakers, senior leaders

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MQM-P raises concern as security withdrawn from lawmakers, senior leaders


MQM-P leader Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui (second from right) addresses a press conference in Karachi on April 4, 2023. — X/@MQMPKOfficial
  • MQM-P ‘calls emergency press conference’ over security removal.
  • Federal ministers Khalid Maqbool, Mustafa Kamal lose security.
  • Security of Farooq Sattar, Anis Kaimkhani, Ali Khurshidi withdrawn.

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) expressed serious concerns after security was withdrawn from its key ministers, lawmakers, and leaders in the early hours of Tuesday.

Security has been abruptly withdrawn from leaders of the MQM-P, including federal ministers and members of the Sindh Assembly, triggering concern within the party, sources said.

The development follows sharp criticism by MQM-P ministers and MPAs against the Sindh government, particularly over the Gul Plaza tragedy.

Sources privy to the development told Geo News that the party leadership had issued strong statements against the provincial government following the deadly blaze at the shopping centre that claimed 73 lives with a search operation still in progress to find missing persons.

Security cover has been withdrawn from Federal Ministers Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Mustafa Kamal, senior leaders Farooq Sattar, Anis Qaimkhani, as well as MQM-P’s Opposition Leader in the Sindh Assembly Ali Khurshidi.

The party sources described the development as alarming and decided to hold an emergency press conference to respond to the withdrawal of security and to outline the MQM-P’s position on the matter.

Last week, the MQM-P, a key ally of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz-led coalition government, demanded that Karachi be declared a federal territory under Articles 148 and 149 of the Constitution, calling it necessary “for the sake of Pakistan”.

Expressing anger over the Gul Plaza fire, MQM-P leader and Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal criticised the Sindh government, saying Karachi cannot be left at its mercy.

Kamal questioned: “How many more accidents must we endure? How many more bodies must be recovered? How many more children will fall into open drains and die?”

He added: “This democratic terrorism in Sindh should end immediately”, and called for the 18th Amendment to be abolished, claiming it has become a “cancer for the country”.

The Sindh government, however, rejected the criticism, saying MQM-P was politicising the tragedy.

Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said: “Those who burnt the people alive for extortion are politicising the Gul Plaza fire.”

Memon also criticised the timing of Kamal’s remarks against the 18th Amendment, urging political debate to occur on the assembly floor instead of outside rhetoric, which he said would achieve nothing.





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King Charles health update leaves Prince William worried: ‘upsetting’

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King Charles health update leaves Prince William worried: ‘upsetting’


Prince William appears to be growing worried for his cancer-stricken father King Charles after the latest health update causes major concerns in the Palace.

The Prince of Wales, who has been receiving more significant duties from the Palace, is fully aware of his royal in the family but he also deeply cares for his father.

King Charles, along with Queen Camilla, were joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales for Nigeria’s State Banquet last week, and William had expressed his concerns about the monarch’s health at the time.

However, he was quickly shut down by Camilla. According to an insider cited by Closer, William “did not feel Charles was well enough” for the engagements.

“William wants his father to slow down and take a proper step back,” the source said. However, every time William had brough it up, there’s a sense that Camilla “is encouraging Charles to continue his duty, especially at a time the family is receiving so much criticism”.

The heir to the throne believes that his father will improve if he is allowed to take proper rest.

“It’s very upsetting for him because he can see how quickly his father Charles is deteriorating and he feels totally helpless to do anything about it,” the source noted, adding that Camilla “blocks him at every turn”.

Meanwhile, King Charles is “incredibly proud” and he wants to continue as long as he possibly can. Even though William admires the trait in his father but he believes there has to be a line.





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Zayn Malik shares personal video message on ‘Mind of Mine’ 10th anniversary

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Zayn Malik shares personal video message on ‘Mind of Mine’ 10th anniversary


Zayn Malik celebrates one decade of debut album ‘Mind of Mine’

Zayn Malik is celebrating 10 years of his debut solo album Mind of Mine with a heartfelt message.

Earlier this week, the former One Direction star took to his Instagram Stories to post a short video of himself sharing the milestone with his supporters.

Clad in a black leather jacket the Dusk Till Dawn hitmaker expressed his gratitude for all the love all this time.

“Zayn here,” he began in the brief clip. “It’s been exactly 10 years since the release of Mind of Mind, so I thought I’d just do a little video just to say thank you so much for all the support.”

Zayn Malik shares personal video message on ‘Mind of Mine 10th anniversary

“Love you guys,” the Die For Me singer continued. “It means the world.”

He wrapped up the personal video message, joking, “hopefully I don’t look too old,” flashed a bright smile and waved at his admirers.

For the unversed, Zayn, now 32, released Mind of Mine, his debut solo studio album on March 25, 2016.

It came out exactly one year after his departure from the boy band, consisting of Liam Payne (late), Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson.

The lead single, Pillowtalk, debuted at number one in both the UK and US, making Zayn the first British male artist to achieve this with a debut single.

He dropped Like I Would as the second official single, which leaned more toward an uptempo, dance-pop sound.

A collaboration, titled Wrong, with American singer Kehlani served as the final single from the album.

Moreover, a notable track is Intermission: Flower, a Sufi devotional sung in Urdu, reflecting Zayn’s British-Pakistani heritage.





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Antonio Banderas opens up on ethnic stereotyping in Hollywood

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Antonio Banderas opens up on ethnic stereotyping in Hollywood


Antonio Banderas opens up on ethnic stereotyping in Hollywood

Antonio Banderas has spoken candidly about the ethnic stereotyping he faced when he first arrived in Hollywood, recalling being told bluntly that his Hispanic background limited him to villainous roles, and explaining why breaking out of that box still means so much to him.

“They said, you are here, like the blacks and the Hispanics, to play the bad guys,” the Oscar-nominated actor told The Times

The irony of what came next is something he clearly savours. 

“The problem was a few years later I had a mask, hat, sword and cape and the bad guy was Captain Love, who was blond and had blue eyes.”

That role was, of course, Zorro, the gutsy hero Banderas played in The Mask of Zorro in 1998 and The Legend of Zorro in 2005. 

But it was a cat, not a swordsman, that he considers the most culturally significant step forward. 

Puss in Boots, the character he first voiced in Shrek 2 in 2004, reached an audience that nothing else could quite match. 

“Even more important is Puss in Boots, because it’s for young kids. They see a cat that has a Spanish, even an Andalusian accent and he’s a good guy.”

He has now voiced the character across five films, including the critically lauded Puss in Boots: The Last Wish in 2022, which earned an Oscar nomination. 

However, the 65-year-old confirmed last year that he has not yet been approached for Shrek 5, due in cinemas on 30 June 2027. 

“I’m not so far, and I’m not being called for that,” he told Parade

Puss in Boots did very well. Number two got a nomination for the Oscar, and the movie behaved beautifully at the box office. But I am totally satisfied with the five Puss in Boots that I did. I don’t know what is going to happen in the future. Maybe they [will] call me tomorrow.”





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