ISLAMABAD: Three Pakistanis have made it on Forbes Asia’s inaugural 100 Digital Stars list, which highlights 100 singers, bands, and film and TV stars from across the Asia-Pacific region “who have taken the digital world by storm.”
The list, which is unranked, comes at an exceptional time when much of the region’s population is spending time isolated at home due to the coronavirus, relying on their screens for communication and entertainment.
“We’ve given special focus to celebrities who, despite canceled physical events and activities, managed to remain active and relevant, largely by using social media to interact with their fans, raise awareness and inspire optimism,” Forbes said on its website. “Many also used their influence to help worthy causes, especially those with a COVID-19 focus.”
The Pakistani stars on the list are actresses Mahira Khan, 35, and Aiman Khan, 21, and singer Atif Aslam, 37.
“Khan uses her social media presence— nearly 7 million Instagram followers and over 4 million on Facebook— to raise awareness about mental health issues, violence against women and breast cancer,” Forbes said about Mahira Khan.
On Atif Aslam, Forbes said: “Released in May, his song ‘Asma-ul-Husna,’ recites Allah’s 99 names to encourage hope during the pandemic, and has over 22 million views on YouTube. Aslam urged his 20 million Facebook followers to stay home to curb the spread of the coronavirus.”
Actress Aiman Khan, with nearly 8 million followers, is the most-followed Pakistani celebrity on Instagram.
She and twin sister Minal run the clothing site Aiman Minal Closet, with 249,000 Instagram followers. Last year, she was nominated for Best Actress at Pakistan’s Hum Awards for roles in TV shows Ishq Tamasha and Baandi.
Three Pakistanis make it on Forbes Asia’s inaugural 100 Digital Stars list
https://arab.news/2kezz
Three Pakistanis make it on Forbes Asia’s inaugural 100 Digital Stars list
- The Pakistani stars on the list, which is unranked, are actresses Mahira Khan and Aiman Khan and singer Atif Aslam
- List comes at a time when the region’s population is home due to COVID-19, relying on screens for communication and entertainment
Pakistan air chief highlights modernization as PAF marks seven years since India aerial clash
- Swift Retort was launched in 2019 after India attempted airstrikes following a Kashmir suicide bombing
- Air chief’s remarks come amid fierce clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan over cross-border militancy
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s air chief said on Friday the country’s air force had undertaken “comprehensive modernization and indigenization” in recent years, as he addressed a ceremony at Air Headquarters to mark seven years since an aerial confrontation with India.
Operation Swift Retort was launched on Feb. 27, 2019, a day after India attempted airstrikes inside Pakistan following a suicide bombing in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed at least 40 Indian paramilitary troops.
Pakistan responded with aerial strikes across the Line of Control and shot down an Indian fighter jet in a subsequent dogfight, capturing one pilot who was later returned in what Islamabad called a gesture of de-escalation.
“PAF has pursued comprehensive modernization and indigenization to transition into a Next Generation Air Force,” Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu said, according to a statement circulated by the military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations.
He added that the force had recalibrated its operational doctrine and rapidly inducted advanced combat and support capabilities, including indigenously developed unmanned systems, electronic warfare, space and cyber assets, establishing what he described as a “home-grown multi-domain kill chain.”
Sidhu said Pakistan remained committed to peace but would respond decisively to violations of its sovereignty.
“Pakistan is a responsible country which desires peace with honor,” he continued.
The remarks come amid renewed security tensions on Pakistan’s western frontier.
Islamabad earlier this week launched airstrikes inside Afghanistan targeting what it described as hideouts of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Daesh militants. Afghan authorities condemned the strikes and subsequently launched their own military response that led to fierce clashes between the two sides overnight.
Pakistan has frequently accused Kabul of allowing militant groups to use Afghan territory to carry out cross-border attacks on Pakistani civilians and security forces, an allegation denied by Afghan officials.
Pakistani authorities said earlier in the day small drones launched from the Afghan side were intercepted and brought down by the country’s air defense systems.
Sidhu said the PAF would continue to maintain a vigilant yet responsible defense posture to safeguard national sovereignty.
