Academy award winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy launches YouTube film series on hate speech

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy attends SITARA screening hosted by Gucci and CHIME FOR CHANGE at The Shop in Park City, Utah on January 26, 2020. (AFP/File)
Short Url
Updated 13 January 2025
Follow

Academy award winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy launches YouTube film series on hate speech

  • ‘Facets of Hate Speech’ includes five films that will be released between Jan.13-17
  • Sharmeen has won two Oscars for films on acid violence survivors, honor killings

ISLAMABAD: Two-time Academy Award winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s SOC Films has announced the launch of its latest campaign, “Facets of Hate Speech,” a YouTube series of five films that aim to spark a “new dialogue” around hate speech in Pakistan, with the first movie releasing today, Monday. 

The films feature activists, experts, and officials commenting on issues like cyber harassment, the backlash against Pakistan’s women’s rights movement and blasphemy laws, among other issues. 

“This campaign is a crucial step in confronting the grave threat of hate speech which has deeply woven itself into the fabric of Pakistani society— an alarming reality that challenges the future we envision for our country,” Obaid-Chinoy said in a statement.

“Hate speech fuels intolerance, discrimination, and violence. It silences dissent, undermines human rights, and jeopardizes the very foundation of a just and equitable society. Through this series, we aim to give voice to the victims of hate speech, amplify the voices of those working tirelessly to combat it, and inspire action for a more inclusive, and tolerant Pakistan.”

The first film in the series, releasing on Jan. 13, will delve into the rise of cyber harassment in Pakistan, focusing on its “devastating impact” on women and the urgent need for stronger legal protections and increased online safety measures.

Another film will examine the backlash faced by the Aurat March, a powerful women’s rights movement in Pakistan. The film will be released on Jan. 14. 

A third film will shed light on the “perilous landscape” surrounding blasphemy laws in Pakistan, focusing on the tragic case of Rashid Rehman, a lawyer murdered for defending an individual accused of blasphemy. 

“It explores the immense personal, legal, and societal challenges faced by defense lawyers in such sensitive cases and highlights the urgent need for reforms to protect human rights defenders,” the SOC press release said, saying the film would be out on Jan. 15. 

The last two films, releasing on Jan. 16 and 17 respectively, will focus on hate speech directed at the country’s transgender community and the “disturbing phenomenon of mob violence” in Pakistan.

“It delves into the tragic case of Priyantha Kumara, a Sri Lankan factory manager who was brutally lynched by a mob in Sialkot, and explore the root causes of this horrific incident, including the role of hate speech in inciting violence,” SOC said about the last film in the series.

Obaid-Chinoy is best known for winning an Oscar, Pakistan’s first, for her 2012 documentary ‘Saving Face,’ which focused on survivors of acid violence. In 2016, ‘A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness,’ won Obaid-Chinoy a second Oscar for Best Documentary, Short Subject , at the 88th Academy Awards. 

In April 2023, Disney officially announced during the Star Wars Celebration convention that Obaid-Chinoy would direct the next film in the series, set 15 years after the events of The Rise of Skywalker, and with Daisy Ridley back as Rey.
 


International Day of Family Remittances: Pakistani PM hails expats for record payments this year

Updated 6 sec ago
Follow

International Day of Family Remittances: Pakistani PM hails expats for record payments this year

  • In current fiscal, overseas Pakistanis remitted record $34.9 billion, a 28.8 percent increase over the previous year
  • Pakistan received $3.7 billion in workers’ remittances in May 2025 alone, a strong 13.7 percent year-on-year

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday hailed the record $34.9 billion in remittances sent by overseas Pakistanis this fiscal year, describing it as a sign of their “growing confidence in the government’s economic policies.”

In a statement marking the International Day of Family Remittances, the premier said the 28.8 percent year-on-year rise in remittances had significantly bolstered the country’s foreign exchange reserves. Pakistan received $3.7 billion in workers’ remittances in May 2025 alone, a strong 16 percent increase month-on-month and 13.7 percent year-on-year.

“These historic figures are a testament not only to the hard work and loyalty of our diaspora but also to their growing confidence in the government’s economic policies,” Sharif said, calling remittances a “powerful pillar supporting Pakistan’s economic resilience.” 

“This trust reinforces our resolve to redouble efforts for the revival and growth of our economy.”

With over 9 million Pakistanis living abroad, mainly in the Gulf, Europe, and North America, the prime minister praised the expatriate community for their enduring commitment to families back home and their role in sustaining the national economy.

Sharif reiterated the government’s commitment to attracting foreign investment and expanding exports to ensure long-term economic stability, stressing that remittances remained crucial to this goal.

“Let us renew our collective pledge to work hand in hand with our diaspora, development partners, and all stakeholders to overcome our economic challenges and usher in a new era of investment, prosperity, and national progress,” the premier said.


Pakistan closes pedestrian traffic at all Iran border crossings as Israel strikes escalate

Updated 15 min 26 sec ago
Follow

Pakistan closes pedestrian traffic at all Iran border crossings as Israel strikes escalate

  • Closures affect crossings in Balochistan’s border districts of Chaghi, Gwadar, Kech, Panjgur 
  • All are key routes for cross-border movement, local trade between Iran and Balochistan province

 QUETTA: Pakistani authorities have closed all major border crossings with Iran for pedestrian traffic amid escalating cross-border strikes between Iran and Israel, officials in the southwestern Balochistan province said on Sunday.

The closures affect the Taftan crossing in Chaghi district, the Gabd-Rimdan crossing in Gwadar district, the Chedgi and Jirrak crossings in Panjgur district and the Rideeg Mand crossing in Kech district. All are key routes for cross-border movement and local trade between Balochistan and Iran. 

“All kinds of pedestrian movement at the Gabd-Rimdan border has been suspended due to the Iran-Israel conflict,” Jawad Ahmed Zehri, assistant commissioner for Gwadar, told Arab News.

Trade activity at the crossing would remain open and Pakistani citizens stranded in Iran would be allowed to return, he said, but no new entries into Iran would be permitted through this point until further notice.

In a separate order, authorities also said the Taftan border crossing in Chaghi district had been closed for pedestrian traffic.

“We have closed pedestrian movements at the Taftan border until further notice,” said Naveed Ahmed, assistant commissioner for Taftan, adding that trade and customs operations from the crossing were continuing as usual.

The Chedgi, Jirrak and Mand Radig border crossings have also been shut, officials in the Kech and Panjgur districts confirmed. 
 
The closures come amid heightened tensions following Israeli strikes on Iranian cities since Friday with scores killed, including senior Iranian military commanders.

The blockade is expected to affect daily wage laborers, small-scale traders and local residents who depend on frequent cross-border movement for commerce, supplies and family visits.

Small items such as fruit, vegetables and household goods are commonly traded by hand or in small vehicles along these routes.

Bilateral trade volume between Pakistan and Iran reached $2.8 billion in the last fiscal year, which ended in June. Both countries have signed a memorandum of understanding with the aim of increasing this volume to $10 billion.

Iran also supplies about 100 megawatts of electricity to border towns in Balochistan.


Israel’s unchecked nuclear capability will have ‘catastrophic consequences,’ Pakistan warns West

Updated 29 min 44 sec ago
Follow

Israel’s unchecked nuclear capability will have ‘catastrophic consequences,’ Pakistan warns West

  • Analysts warn Israel’s unacknowledged nuclear weapons could encourage it to take more aggressive steps
  • Tensions have surged in the Middle East following Israel’s June 13 “Operation Rising Lion” aerial offensive on Iran

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s defense minister Khawaja M. Asif on Sunday warned Western governments that their support for Israel risked unleashing “catastrophic consequences,” citing concerns over Israel’s nuclear capabilities and regional aggression.

Tensions have surged in the Middle East following Israel’s June 13 “Operation Rising Lion” aerial offensive targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities, reportedly killing more than 130 people, including senior military commanders and nuclear scientists. Iran has retaliated with missile and drone barrages on Israeli cities, sparking concerns of a wider conflict. 

Israel is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons but maintains a policy of ambiguity and is not a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The 1970 accord is aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons, promoting disarmament, and ensuring peaceful use of nuclear technology. Pakistan is also not a signatory to the NPT but frequently underscores its commitment to nuclear safety and non-proliferation principles through other international frameworks.

Displaced Palestinians stand outside tents as they watch trails of Iranian missiles targeting Israel, from Rafah's Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip on June 15, 2025.(AFP)

Analysts warn that in the current volatile situation, Israel’s unacknowledged nuclear weapons could encourage it to take more aggressive steps, increasing the risk that the conflict could spread across the region or even spark a wider international crisis.

“World should be wary and apprehensive about Israel’s nuclear prowess, a country not bound by any international nuclear discipline,” Asif said in a post on social media platform X. “It is not signatory to NPT or any other binding arrangement.”

The minister contrasted Israel’s position with Pakistan’s, stating that Islamabad was a signatory to “all international nuclear disciplines” and maintained a nuclear program solely for “the benefit of our people and defense of our country against hostile designs.”

“We do not pursue hegemonic policies against our neighbors,” Asif added, accusing Israel of doing just that through its military actions. 

“Western world must worry about conflicts being generated by Israel. It will engulf the whole region and beyond. Their patronage of Israel, a rogue state, can have catastrophic consequences.”

The Pakistani minister’s comments come amid growing international concern over the humanitarian toll of Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza, as well as fears that the conflict could expand regionally following tensions with Iran and Hezbollah.

There was no immediate response from Israeli or Western officials to Asif’s remarks.


Pakistan hikes petrol, diesel prices in fortnightly review

Updated 52 min 12 sec ago
Follow

Pakistan hikes petrol, diesel prices in fortnightly review

  • Government sets petrol at Rs258.43 per liter, up from Rs253.63
  • High-speed diesel will cost Rs262.59 per liter, up from Rs254.64

KARACHI: Pakistan’s government has increased fuel prices, raising the rate of high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs7.95 per liter and petrol by Rs4.80 per liter effective from today, Monday, an official notification from the finance division said. 

The notification set the price of petrol at Rs258.43 per liter, up from Rs253.63, while high-speed diesel will cost Rs262.59 per liter, up from Rs254.64.

The revision is based on “recommendations from the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority and relevant ministries,” the finance division saiad. 

The government did not provide a specific explanation for the hike.

Fuel prices in Pakistan are generally influenced by global oil market trends, currency fluctuations, and changes in domestic taxes.

Fuel costs are revised every two weeks and have a direct impact on inflation. Rising fuel prices increase production and transportation costs, leading to higher prices for goods and services across the board in Pakistan, including food and other essential items. This direct relationship is further amplified by the country’s dependence on imported fuel. 


Pakistan closes pedestrian traffic at key Iran border crossings as Israel strikes escalate

Updated 15 June 2025
Follow

Pakistan closes pedestrian traffic at key Iran border crossings as Israel strikes escalate

  • The closures affect the Taftan crossing in Chaghi district and the Gabd-Rimdan crossing in Gwadar district
  • Both are key rotes for cross-border movement, local trade in Pakistan’s Balochistan province

QUETTA: Pakistani authorities have closed two major border crossings with Iran for pedestrian traffic amid escalating cross-border strikes between Iran and Israel, officials in the southwestern Balochistan province said on Sunday.

The closures affect the Taftan crossing in Chaghi district and the Gabd-Rimdan crossing in Gwadar district, both key routes for cross-border movement and local trade between Balochistan and Iran. 

The Gabd-Rimdan border crossing is a point on the Iran-Pakistan border, specifically at “BP-250,” the second crossing along the 900-kilometer border between the two countries. The crossing facilitates trade and people-to-people contact between Iran and Pakistan.

“All kinds of pedestrian movement at the Gabd-Rimdan-250 border have been suspended due to the Iran-Israel conflict,” Jawad Ahmed Zehri, assistant commissioner for Gwadar, told Arab News.

Trade activity at the crossing would remain open and Pakistani citizens stranded in Iran would be allowed to return, he said, but no new entries into Iran would be permitted through this point until further notice.

In a separate order, authorities also closed the Taftan border crossing in Chaghi district for pedestrian traffic.

“We have closed pedestrian movements at the Taftan border until further notice,” said Naveed Ahmed, assistant commissioner for Taftan, adding that trade and customs operations from the crossing were continuing as usual.

The closures are expected to affect daily wage laborers, small-scale traders and local residents who depend on frequent cross-border movement for commerce, supplies and family visits.

Small items such as fruit, vegetables and household goods are commonly traded by hand or in small vehicles along these routes.

The closures come amid heightened tensions following Israeli strikes on Iranian cities since Friday with scores killed, including senior Iranian military commanders.

The bilateral trade volume between Pakistan and Iran reached $2.8 billion in the last fiscal year, which ended in June. Both countries have signed a memorandum of understanding with the aim of increasing this volume to $10 billion.

Iran also supplies about 100 megawatts of electricity to border towns in Balochistan.