A week in social media: The verdict, the knockouts and Pakistan’s sweet victory
Hello, my chronically online friends! We’re starting the week off by rounding up the biggest chatter on social media — and believe me, a lot happened! From Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi’s sentencing in the Toshakhana-2 case to Pakistan thrashing India to win the U-19 Asia Cup, here’s everything we debated, raged about, criticised and celebrated online this past week.
The week began with Australia confirming the origins of the Bondi gunmen — putting days of speculation to rest. Sajid Akram, 50, immigrated from Hyderabad, India, to Australia in 1998, making him an Indian citizen, contradicting media reports from the other side of the border that repeatedly claimed Sajid was Pakistani. Many took to X to call out the credibility of Indian publications post this round of disinformation.
However, it wasn’t just the Indian media’s credibility that came into question this week. A viral video showing Bihar‘s chief minister pulling down a Muslim woman’s niqab at a ceremony caused an uproar on social media. While some tried to educate Nitish Kumar about consent, some downplayed his actions.
UP Cabinet Minister Sanjay Nishad’s subsequent comments downplaying the incident reignited outrage, prompting the BJP ally to give a half-hearted explanation. Repeat after me: under no circumstances should you touch another person without their explicit consent.
Friday began with some developments from the White House, with Donald Trump continuing to add personal touches to the presidential home. The US president added several dedicated plaques under his predecessors‘ pictures at the Presidential Walk of Fame, with some written by Trump himself. As you can imagine, “Sleepy Joe Biden”, “Worst president in the history”, “Barack Hussein Obama” and “One of the most divisive political figures in American history” were just some of the phrases Trump added under former Democratic presidents’ portraits. With his latest petty move, Trump might have just given 50 Cent a run for his money.
This week also added to the PTI’s troubles after a special FIA court found former premier Imran and his wife guilty in the Toshakhana-2 case, with the couple being handed 17 years in prison. The court also imposed a Rs16.4 million fine on each. While PML-N leaders welcomed the verdict, the PTI slammed the outcome and Imran’s family and supporters took to the streets in protest and social media in outrage.
While we’re discussing politics, the US Department of Justice released a heavily redacted version of the infamous Epstein files this week, which included some shocking mentions. With Trump hardly named and the IDF getting a mention, the focus shifted to the likes of former US president Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Michael Jackson and Noam Chomsky. “Throw them all in a dungeon,” a user shared on X, while another wrote, “If the United States were a serious country, any politician in the Epstein files should resign/be out of office immediately.”
After a week of upsetting news from all corners of the world, the internet rejoiced as Andrew Tate and Jake Paul were destroyed in the boxing ring during their respective matches. Many were tickled pink by the fact that Tate — the noted misogynist — was beaten up by a man wearing pink gloves.
Sunday was made even sweeter when Pakistan’s U-19 cricket team was crowned winners of the Asia Cup after thrashing arch-rivals India in the finals. Social media erupted in celebration as PM Shehbaz, President Zardari, and ACC President Mohsin Naqvi congratulated the team on its impressive achievement. Many on X also praised mentor Sarfaraz Ahmed for his efforts to train the winning team. The team thrived, and fans are over the moon!
You know who else is thriving, according to the internet? Slain right wing activist Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, in a gold sequined pantsuits and smoky eyes. Netizens can’t seem to fathom Erika’s newfound fame post her husband’s assassination, with many sarcastically talking about the different stages of grief. “She’s the happiest widow I’ve ever seen,” one user wrote, while another quipped, “There’s one thing that Erika Kirk and I have in common. We both aren’t sad that Charlie Kirk died.” For once, I concur with the internet!
And that rounds up our week! I’ll be back next week with more updates and social media gossip.

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