Latest news with #Ijaz
Business Recorder
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Recorder
Cheezious hosts ‘exclusive' Independence Day celebrations
LAHORE: Various organizations marked Pakistan's 78th Independence Day with ceremonies celebrating the nation's heritage and values. Cheezious, one of Pakistan's leading food brands, hosted an exclusive celebration at its head office under the patriotic theme 'Dil Se Cheezious, Dil Se Pakistani.' The event, attended by CEO Imran Ijaz along with notable personalities, featured a flag-hoisting ceremony, inspirational speeches, and reflections on the brand's journey as a proudly home grown enterprise. 'Independence Day is not just a date on the calendar; it's a reminder of who we are and what we stand for as Pakistanis,' said Ijaz. 'As a home grown brand, we take pride in serving from the heart, celebrating our heritage, and giving back to the community. 'Dil Se Cheezious, Dil Se Pakistani' is more than a theme — it's our way of life.' The event aimed to foster employee engagement, unity, and national pride, while reaffirming the brand's commitment to quality, innovation, and social responsibility — delivering 'Cheezy Khushiyan' to communities nationwide. Fatima Fertilizer also celebrated Independence Day with it's first-ever 'Dil Se Sarsabz' Milli Naghma Competition, blending the power of music with national pride. The campaign invited citizens nationwide to share renditions of classic patriotic songs on TikTok using the hashtag #DilSeSarsabz. From hundreds of entries, ten finalists were selected to perform live before a distinguished jury, which included renowned singer and music producer Haroon Rashid. The top prize went to Tahir Ali Khan from Chakwal for his moving performance, followed by Shumaila Fareedon from Islamabad in second place and Mehtab Ali Talpur from Khairpur in third. The three most engaging TikTok entries also received surprise gifts for their creativity and audience appeal. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
The Hindu
09-08-2025
- The Hindu
Youth from Bihar gets life imprisonment for murder
The 18th Additional Sessions Court has convicted a 23-year-old youth from Bihar for beating another man, also from Bihar to death due to previous enmity. According to the police, the victim was identified as Mohammad Ijaz, 26, a native of Bihar. He was employed at a chicken shop in Zam Bazaar and he stayed with his friends in a room in Border Thottam, Anna Salai. On May 23, 2023, Ijaz and another man, Ali Hussain alias Kuttu, 21, from Bihar, who was employed at a biryani shop in Royapettah, quarrelled with each other under the influence of alcohol. Later, they went to their respective rooms. After sometime, Kuttu escaped leaving Ijaz in a pool of blood. The Anna Salai police registered a case under Section 302 (murder) of IPC and arrested Ali Hussain alias Kuttu in Bihar. The trial court also imposed a fine of ₹6,500 on him.
Express Tribune
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Not just a joke
A few days ago, veteran actor Naumaan Ijaz decided to weigh in on a viral video of YouTuber Maaz Safdar gifting his wife a truck-sized bouquet. Most people online found the gesture amusing or sweet. Ijaz, however, turned it into a lecture, as he commented, "Dear sisters, please don't start expecting this kind of nonsense from your boyfriend/ husband — now the poor innocent guys are going to suffer again." It was condescending, bitter, and steeped in a familiar tone, blaming women for asking "too much." Women in Pakistan are certainly not expecting a truck-sized bouquet. This stunt by Safdar is clearly an exaggerated one, a common practice with influencers and vloggers in the internet. It is clearly for the theatrics, and no average person expects to be treated like this, but seeing Ijaz's comments, one is compelled to think that he must think of women as the most brainless creatures on the planet. What women in Pakistan are expecting in reality is respect and basic human rights. According to the current Global Gender Disparity Report by the World Economic Forum, Pakistan has ranked last in terms of gender disparity ratios. While the Commission for the Status of Women has taken issue with the validity of its reporting of Pakistan, one cannot deny that the situation of women in Pakistan is dire. According to the same report, 90 per cent of women in Pakistan have faced some form of domestic violence. On that issue, Ijaz has but one thing to say — Let's blame the victim! On Me Too Movement In an interview with Iffat Omar in 2023, Ijaz said, "You can't clap with one hand. It takes two." He continued, "These things only happen as long as they're allowed to happen. If you stop it right then and there, it won't continue. So when it happened on the first day, you should've walked away — you should've left." But for those familiar with Ijaz's career, it was hardly surprising. His interviews are often teemed with casual misogyny. In a viral clip from the same interview, he boasted about cheating on his wife: "I'm an actor and an intelligent man — my wife doesn't find out." Iffat asked, "And the ones you cheat with?". He laughed, "Their husbands don't find out either.". She inquired, "Do they reciprocate?" and Ijaz responded casually, "Of course." The host laughed, saying, "I need to learn a few things from you." No accountability. No discomfort. When this moment received massive backlash on the internet, he chalked it up as a joke. Humsafar actor, Atiqa Odho, rushed to defend him, "Trust you to joke about infidelity and people start to take it all so seriously — Keep smiling and exposing others' petty-mindedness." This is how the industry works. One man crosses a line. Another powerful voice pats him on the back. The audience is scolded for reacting. It's all a big joke, unless you're the woman being mocked, lied to, or silenced. In the same interview, when asked about the # MeToo movement, Ijaz dismissed it outright, weaving an elaborate narrative on why such things are detrimental to society. "If I see a girl who is 18-20 years old — and say, 'You have that spark. I have this project coming, come over.'" According to Ijaz, the girl would then "tell her entire family and friends" in excitement and arrive expecting an opportunity. He adds that upon their meeting, if he feels that she isn't a fit for the role, and tells her that he has a better project for her later, she will become disappointed and may weave false stories about him. He claimed, "People will use it as a weapon." When Iffat raised a valid point of having a witness or third person present in such meetings, Ijaz dismissed the idea of "protecting" himself: "No, no. What's the point of a witness? Allah is a witness." Such narratives border on unhinged behaviour. If one must bring Islam into it, even Islam calls for a third party to be present if an unrelated man and woman are meeting, or participating in a legally binding contract. He closed the segment with the ultimate dismissal of the movement itself, "This MeToo, HeToo, SheToo — trust me, it is because of distance from religion." Slut-shaming and age-shaming Of course, Ijaz isn't alone. Khalilur Rehman Qamar has been using religion as a weapon for misogyny as a brand and a career strategy. Earlier, he was involved in a "honey-trapping" controversy, with leaked recordings and inappropriate exchanges that raised eyebrows. One has to ask: What is a man doing alone in a woman's house at night, while ranting about women's "honour" on primetime TV? He claimed that he visited her in the wee hours of the night to give her the opportunity to work with him. Perhaps he and Ijaz need to take Iffat's advice and have a witness to protect their so-called business meetings with young women. However, it seems that these meetings have no intention of being professional. Qamar is remembered for calling Marvi Sirmed a "ghatiya aurat" on live television. Qamar has repeatedly shown disdain for women who challenge him. In another TV talk show in 2021, he lashed out on air again, this time at journalist Ailia Zehra during a talk show. Zehra tweeted, "Khalilur Rehman Qamar lost his marbles when I called him out over his hateful rhetoric. Called me a RAW agent and spewed sexist slurs." Still, he continues to write hit dramas. He's invited to talk shows. He's never been made to apologise, because anger sells, and women are disposable. Faysal Quraishi, another big name in the industry, also had the audacity to age-shame Saba Qamar upon the release of her drama Fraud in 2022. He wrote a message on his socials, saying, "If she is 24 years old in the drama, then please make me 27 years old." Ironically, Quraishi has been trying too hard for his age, appearing in roles for characters decades younger than him with female co-stars who often look like they could play his daughters. The industry likes to pretend these are just opinions, different worldviews, and personal beliefs. But these public comments are not harmless. They're cultural cues. And they're echoed in the scripts we see on screen, where women are beaten, abused, gaslit, and somehow always end up asking for forgiveness. Younger actors have learned from these veterans to deliver the same misogyny with confidence. Hosting a Ramazan transmission this year, Danish Taimoor, while seated beside his wife Ayeza Khan, discussed the topic of multiple marriages, stating, "I have the permission from God for four marriages. That I'm not availing it 'for now' is my decision." Ayeza looked visibly uncomfortable. The audience clapped. And once again, the matter was brushed under the rug. If there's one story that ties it all together, abuse, denial, and rebranding, it is the story of Feroze Khan. In 2022, his ex-wife, Syeda Aliza Sultan, publicly accused him of domestic violence. Court documents revealed disturbing allegations, including repeated physical assault, threats, and emotional trauma. Photos shared by Sultan showed signs of bruising and injury, alongside a statement saying she feared for her and her children's lives. Despite the gravity of the accusations, Feroze walked away unscathed. No ban. No public censure. He was cast in new drama projects soon after. He has been hard at work building his new image, not as an abuser, but as a misunderstood soul. He has been making rounds in the media recently, cheerily boasting about his new marriage to his then-therapist. If Pakistan had any regulatory body or laws, psychologists and therapists, her license would have been taken away in an instant for gross malpractice. This is not about one man or one controversy. This is about an entire culture where misogyny is not just tolerated, it's rewarded. The public sees these moments and shrugs: "It's just a joke," and women are expected to laugh along, stay silent, or forgive. It's time to call it what it is, abuse of power, dressed as performance.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
WV Prosecuting Attorneys Association issues statement on potential for prosecution against women who miscarry
CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS) — WV Prosecuting Attorneys Association issues statement on the potential for prosecution against women who miscarry The statement below comes after Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney Tom Truman said that a number of criminal charges under state code, including felonies, could be levied against a woman who flushes fetal remains, buries them, or otherwise disposes of remains following an involuntary abortion, also called a miscarriage. Attorney for pregnancy rights group says West Virginia law protects women who miscarry Truman added that he would be unwilling to prosecute such cases. The WVPAA statement is below was given in an attempt at 'Setting the Record Straight on Miscarriages and Criminal Law': The West Virginia Prosecuting Attorneys Association (WVPAA) wishes to clarify that recent public statements made regarding this subject do not reflect the consensus, official position, or legal interpretation of the Association, its Officers, Board members, or members of its Legislative Committee. This is not a subject matter that has been widely discussed among West Virginia prosecutors, nor does it need to be, and any comments that are not from the WVPAA were made without coordination or endorsement from the WVPAA. The WVPAA wants to make abundantly clear that any assertion that individuals who experience the unfortunate event of a miscarriage in West Virginia should be notifying law enforcement or face potential criminal prosecution is incorrect and not supported by West Virginia law. The WVPAA does not agree with or support the idea that experiencing a miscarriage could, or should, trigger criminal liability. Such a position is contrary to both the law and the values held by prosecutors across our state, who remain committed to justice, compassion, and the appropriate application of criminal statutes. We urge the public and media to rely on verified, accurate legal information and to contact the WVPAA with any questions about prosecutorial perspectives or the interpretation of West Virginia law. West Virginia Prosecuting Attorneys Association On Tuesday, June 3, 2025, an attorney for Pregnancy Justice, a New York group which defends women who face criminal charges based on pregnancy, agreed that there is a push among some prosecutors throughout the U.S. to file criminal charges against women for pregnancy loss and behaviors during pregnancy. 'Prosecutors wield a lot of discretion,' said Kulsoom Ijaz, senior policy counsel for Pregnancy Justice. 'There are countless unjust and unfounded prosecutions every day in this country.' Ijaz also said that the legal framework in West Virginia also does not support a prosecutor bringing a charge against a miscarrying woman who flushes or otherwise disposes of fetal remains. 'West Virginia does not have a broad fetal personhood law that grants fetuses Constitutional rights,' said Ijaz. 'Those laws cannot then be taken and extended to fertilized eggs, embryos and fetuses in West Virginia.'Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Yahoo
Attorney for pregnancy rights group says West Virginia law protects women who miscarry
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) — West Virginia state code does not specifically bar a prosecutor from charging a woman who miscarries or has an abortion and then disposes of fetal remains from facing criminal charges under state code that governs disposal of human remains, but an attorney for a New York non-profit said that current laws in West Virginia do not support such a charge. Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney Tom Truman told 59News on Friday that he has spoken with prosecutors in West Virginia who say they are willing to file charges against women who dispose of fetal remains, using state code related to the disposal of human bodies. Truman made the statement when responding to a question posed by 59News and prompted by a case involving fetal remains in Mercer County. He emphasized he would not be willing to prosecute a woman for a pregnancy outcome. He said, however, that some prosecutors in the state would be willing to file such charges, particularly if the woman who lost the pregnancy did not seem emotionally distressed. 'I've been to prosecutor meetings where these people were all about prosecuting women for having abortions,' he added, emphasizing the strong beliefs held by some prosecutors. While West Virginia enacted a near-total ban on abortion, state law forbids prosecutors from charging women with crimes related to their own abortion or miscarriage. However, there are no laws explicitly barring a criminal prosecution based on how the woman disposes of fetal remains. Truman said on Friday that women who report the miscarriage to authorities within 48 hours would protect themselves against a potential charge of concealing a dead body. Truman's revelation of prosecutors' intentions prompted widespread focus on state code and how it may be applied in situations involving pregnancy. On Tuesday, June 3, 2025, an attorney for Pregnancy Justice, a New York group which defends women who face criminal charges based on pregnancy, agreed that there is a push among some prosecutors throughout the U.S. to file criminal charges against women for pregnancy loss and behaviors during pregnancy. Core Natural Resources officials warn miners of impending lay-off at Itmann #5 'Prosecutors wield a lot of discretion,' said Kulsoom Ijaz, senior policy counsel for Pregnancy Justice. 'There are countless unjust and unfounded prosecutions every day in this country.' In neighboring Ohio, prosecutors in Trumbull County charged a woman who flushed her toilet after a miscarriage with felony abuse of a corpse. Later, grand jurors refused to indict her on the charge, and Ijaz said Ohio laws did not support the criminal charge. Ijaz said that the legal framework in West Virginia also does not support a prosecutor bringing a charge against a miscarrying woman who flushes or otherwise disposes of fetal remains. 'West Virginia does not have a broad fetal personhood law that grants fetuses Constitutional rights,' said Ijaz. 'Those laws cannot then be taken and extended to fertilized eggs, embryos and fetuses in West Virginia.' Once again, people are asking if there are mountain lions in the Mountain State Ijaz said West Virginia pregnancy law, like Ohio, is not built around the concept of 'fetal personhood,' which is the idea that a fertilized egg or a fetus has the same legal rights as a person. Ijaz said that, as a result, West Virginia law bars women from being punished or facing criminal charges related to their own abortion, miscarriage or stillbirth. She said the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has also ruled that a woman may not be charged with child abuse if she uses substances during pregnancy. 'Miscarriage and stillbirths are medical events and tragedies, not crimes, and I think people in West Virginia understand that,' she added. 'There is no basis in the law for punishing that kind of outcome.' Ijaz said that a number of states, including Alabama, have made 'fetal personhood' the law. As a result, she said, prosecutors in those states are given legal leeway to apply existing law to cases involving fertilized eggs, zygotes, embryos and fetuses. Two minors banned after reported incident at a park in Fayette County 'This has also been the basis for taking away the right to IVF care like we saw in Alabama,' Ijaz explained. 'It's also being used to prosecute and punish pregnant people for outcomes of their pregnancy, whether that's a miscarriage or a stillbirth.' She said that a proactive step West Virginia lawmakers could take is to pass laws similar to Colorado's Reproductive Health Equity Act. 'That's what I would encourage folks in West Virginia to focus on,' she said. 'And if you are a pregnant or post-partum woman who is experiencing this kind of punishment, to please reach out to Pregnancy Justice. We may be able to help.' Truman, whose comments went viral on social media, suggested on Tuesday that public discussion regarding West Virginia's reproductive and criminal law was a positive development. Truman pointed out that, unlike neighboring Ohio, West Virginia voters have not been given an opportunity since 2022 to vote on an amendment enshrining reproductive rights in the state. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
