ISLAMABAD: QMobile, Pakistan’s largest smartphone marketing brand, said this week it had signed on Esra Bilgic, hugely popular in Pakistan for portraying the role of ‘Halime Hatun’ in the historical TV series Ertugrul, as an ambassador.
The series, which ran in Turkey until 2019, is loosely based on the story of a 13th century nomadic Turkic tribal leader who confronted Mongols, Crusaders and Byzantine rulers in what are now Syria and Turkey.
Pakistani broadcaster PTV began airing Urdu-dubbed episodes of the show during Ramadan this year, and it has since become the most watched program ever aired by the outlet, gaining such popularity that residents have erected statues to commemorate the medieval Turkish leader at the heart of the show. Bilgic’s character has become especially loved nationwide.
The show also got a ringing endorsement from Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, who said on Twitter that it would help combat “vulgarity” from Hollywood and Bollywood and promote family culture.
“QMobile is proud to announce #EsraBilgic famous for playing Halime Sultan from #Ertugrul as its ambassador for View Max Pro series making QMobile the first Pakistani brand to have any celebrity from Ertugrul phenomenon on board,” QMobile said in a post on its official Facebook page on Monday.
More than 58 million people viewed the first episode of Ertugrul on PTV’s YouTube channel in two months, and the entire show has had more than 250 million views, according to PTV data. Turkish state television waived royalties for the show.
QMobile, which imports phones from China and markets them under its brand in Pakistan, sells an estimated one million mobile phones monthly.
Pakistan’s sweetheart: QMobile signs on Ertugrul star Esra Bilgic as ambassador
https://arab.news/gcg4z
Pakistan’s sweetheart: QMobile signs on Ertugrul star Esra Bilgic as ambassador
- Bilgic became hugely popular in Pakistan for portraying the role of ‘Halime Hatun’ in the historical Turkish TV series
- She will be an ambassador for the View Max Pro series as QMobile becomes first Pakistani brand to bring an Ertugrul cast member on board
Government says Imran Khan’s ‘detailed’ medical report shared, family disputes claim
- Khan underwent an eye procedure last month, PTI says family was not informed
- Ex-PM’s sister says only brief notes provided despite Supreme Court assurance
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government said on Friday a “detailed” medical report of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan had been shared with his family following directions from the prime minister’s office, even as Khan’s relatives disputed the claim and accused jail authorities of withholding information.
Concerns over Khan’s health were raised by his family and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party last month after the government confirmed he was taken from prison to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for a brief eye procedure. Authorities said at the time that Khan’s condition was stable and the treatment routine, while PTI leaders said they were not informed in advance and questioned the lack of transparent medical disclosure.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the report was prepared by PIMS and had been forwarded to the prison authorities and handed over to Khan’s family.
“A letter was written by the Leader of the Opposition to the Prime Minister and PTI Leaders also approached the Supreme Court of Pakistan regarding medical check up of Mr. Imran Ahmad [Khan] Niazi who is serving his sentences in Central Jail Rawalpindi (Adiala),” he said in a social media post on X.
“On directions from Prime Minister’s Office, a detailed report has been sent by Executive Director PIMS Hospital to the Superintendent of Central Jail Rawalpindi (Adiala) which has been handed over to the family,” he added.
https://x.com/TararAttaullah/status/2019749131049381901?s=20
However, the former prime minister’s sister Aleema Khan said they had not received complete medical reports, despite assurances given by the country’s top judge.
“The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court committed last Friday that Imran Khan’s medical reports would be provided to his family,” she said on X. “Today, when the jail superintendent appeared before the ATC [Anti-Terrorism Court], only two brief notes were submitted.”
https://x.com/Aleema_KhanPK/status/2019738410873741643?s=20
She said the government’s conduct reflected a disregard for the court’s order, urging the Chief Justice of Pakistan to issue a contempt notice to the jail authorities and ensure that Khan’s medical reports were handed over to his family without further delay.
The dispute has renewed tensions surrounding Khan’s incarceration, which has become a flashpoint in Pakistan’s deeply polarized politics.
Khan, who served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022, has been in prison since August 2023 following multiple convictions that he and his party say are politically motivated, a charge the government denies.
