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
UN torture expert decries Pakistan ex-PM Khan’s detention
- Khan’s party alleges government is holding him in solitary confinement, barring prison visits
- Pakistan’s government rejects allegations former premier is being denied basic rights in prison
GENEVA: Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan is being held in conditions that could amount to torture and other inhuman or degrading treatment, the United Nations’ special rapporteur on torture warned Friday.
Alice Jill Edwards urged Pakistan to take immediate and effective action to address reports of the 73-year-old’s inhumane and undignified detention conditions.
“I call on Pakistani authorities to ensure that Khan’s conditions of detention fully comply with international norms and standards,” Edwards said in a statement.
“Since his transfer to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on September 26, 2023, Imran Khan has reportedly been held for excessive periods in solitary confinement, confined for 23 hours a day in his cell, and with highly restricted access to the outside world,” she said.
“His cell is reportedly under constant camera surveillance.”
Khan an all-rounder who captained Pakistan to victory in the 1992 Cricket World Cup, upended Pakistani politics by becoming the prime minister in 2018.
Edwards said prolonged or indefinite solitary confinement is prohibited under international human rights law and constitutes a form of psychological torture when it lasts longer than 15 days.
“Khan’s solitary confinement should be lifted without delay. Not only is it an unlawful measure, extended isolation can bring about very harmful consequences for his physical and mental health,” she said.
UN special rapporteurs are independent experts mandated by the Human Rights Council. They do not, therefore, speak for the United Nations itself.
Initially a strong backer of the country’s powerful military leadership, Khan was ousted in a no-confidence vote in 2022, and has since been jailed on a slew of corruption charges that he denies.
He has accused the military of orchestrating his downfall and pursuing his Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and its allies.
Khan’s supporters say he is being denied prison visits from lawyers and family after a fiery social media post this month accusing army leader Field Marshal Asim Munir of persecuting him.
According to information Edwards has received, visits from Khan’s lawyers and relatives are frequently interrupted or ended prematurely, while he is held in a small cell lacking natural light and adequate ventilation.
“Anyone deprived of liberty must be treated with humanity and dignity,” the UN expert said.
“Detention conditions must reflect the individual’s age and health situation, including appropriate sleeping arrangements, climatic protection, adequate space, lighting, heating, and ventilation.”
Edwards has raised Khan’s situation with the Pakistani government.
