Pakistan’s total debt burden nears Rs84 trillion as government borrowing rises

Dr Omer Adil is no stranger to controversy, and his latest appearance on Dr Ruby Malik’s podcast has once again put him at the centre of a heated public debate. The host and YouTuber, who has built a reputation for speaking about celebrities with unusual bluntness, turned his attention this time to the husbands of wealthy and famous women, naming Bushra Ansari’s second husband as a specific example of what he described as a deeply troubling dynamic. Dr Omer Adil framed his argument by first reaching back to a conversation he once had with the late legendary singer Madam Noor Jehan, who had told him that her throat was effectively her husband, her most prized possession, the one thing that had sustained her family throughout her life. He used this anecdote as a springboard to make a broader point about the particular vulnerability of women whose talent generates significant wealth. His central argument was this: when a woman earns abundantly because of her extraordinary ability, she does not always attract people who genuinely love her. Instead, she attracts those who are drawn to what she has built. In his characterisation, these are not family members but leeches, people who attach themselves to a successful woman and remain there, draining her resources until there is nothing left. He then named Bushra Ansari directly as an example, directing his sharpest remarks toward her second husband, Iqbal Hussain. His objection was rooted in what he saw as a fundamental inversion of the role a husband should play. He questioned how a man could sit at home, making no visible financial contribution to the household, while his wife continues to work and support the family. The image he painted, of a man with a large beard sitting idle while Bushra Ansari carries the professional and financial weight of the marriage, was delivered as a pointed indictment rather than a neutral observation. This is not the first time Dr Omer Adil has publicly expressed his discomfort with Bushra Ansari’s second marriage. He has previously aired his opinions about the relationship on multiple occasions, and each time has done so without walking back his criticism. His willingness to name celebrities specifically and speak about their private lives in such direct terms is what has both earned him a loyal digital audience and placed him at the centre of repeated controversies. Bushra Ansari’s husband Iqbal Hussain had previously appeared in public alongside her and defended their relationship, pushing back against the age-gap criticism the marriage drew. He described the criticism as reflecting double standards and expressed deep admiration and support for his wife. The remarks by Dr Omer Adil have once again reignited debate about who has the right to comment on the private choices of public figures, and whether the kind of blunt, personal commentary he delivers crosses a line between honest observation and unwarranted intrusion into someone else’s marriage.

Former Pakistan cricket captain Wasim Akram and his wife Shaniera Akram have been reunited with their beloved pet dog, Duke, after launching a public appeal that offered a Rs250,000 reward for information leading to his safe return. The couple’s emotional search for their five-month-old black German Shepherd attracted widespread attention on social media after Shaniera shared a missing poster on Instagram, urging people to help find the young puppy. The appeal quickly spread across different platforms, with fans, celebrities and animal lovers joining the search. According to the poster, Duke was last seen in DHA Phase 8, Karachi. The notice described him as a male, solid black, long-coated German Shepherd puppy and announced a cash reward of Rs250,000 for the person who found and safely returned him. It also requested people to check parks, gardens, rooftops, garages, neighbourhoods and speak to local security guards for possible sightings. Sharing the appeal on Instagram, Shaniera Akram wrote: “Please help us find our baby boy. Last seen in phase 8 on Sunday. He’s only 5 months old and must be so scared.” She added that someone may have picked him up believing they were helping him. “Someone may have picked him up for safety or knows someone who has him. We are offering reward for anyone who can help bring him home, so pls call the number on the poster if you have seen or know anything about our boy Duke.” Ending the emotional message, she appealed to followers to continue sharing the post. “Please help us spread the word. We are just devastated.” The post generated thousands of reactions, with many expressing sympathy for the family and resharing the missing notice in hopes of locating Duke as quickly as possible. Fortunately, the search ended on a positive note when two individuals found Duke and safely returned him to the Akram family. According to reports, the family honoured its promise and handed over the announced Rs250,000 reward to the people who brought the puppy home safely. News of Duke’s recovery was welcomed by supporters who had followed the search over the previous days. Pictures of the puppy after his return also circulated online, with many celebrating the happy reunion. The incident, however, also sparked mixed reactions on social media. While many users congratulated the family and said only pet owners could truly understand the emotional distress of losing an animal, others debated the size of the reward and compared it with broader social issues. One social media user wrote, “Only a pet lover can understand this pain.” Another commented, “Wasim Akram should distribute sweets now.” Others questioned the public attention surrounding the incident, leading to a wider online discussion about pets, privilege and public priorities. Despite the differing opinions, the outcome brought relief to the Akram family, who thanked everyone who shared the appeal and helped spread awareness. Duke’s safe return marked the end of an emotional search and highlighted how quickly social media can mobilise communities when families seek help locating missing pets.