Twitter alert

Friends and family members of the Airblue crash victims are not the only ones remembering their loved ones through status updates and black profile pictures. Condolences over the recent plane crash in the Margalla Hills are also doing rounds across the pages of Pakistani celebrities on Twitter.

Around the Hollywood block, Angeline Jolie has obtained the Twitter handle of her name to prevent it being used by anyone else. The actor reportedly got the username @AngelineJolie, which was previously used by a fan, suspended before gaining possession of it.

Jolie, however, has not unlocked the account for public. With zero followers and fans, it still awaits her arrival on Twitter.

Her joining is expected this fall, but funny man Conan O’Brien is already feeling insecure. “Angelina Jolie is joining Twitter. If she thinks she can lure away my core audience of young male teens ...”, Brien tweeted.

In Bollywood, Shweta Bachchan is the latest member of  the Bachchan family to join the micro-blogging site, following in the footsteps of brother Abhishek and dad Amitabh. Shweta was welcomed by her father on the site.

“Welcoming Shweta, my daughter on Twitter @earth2angel … love you baby,” Amitabh posted on his account.

Filmmaker Karan Johar, who is known to be a close friend of the Bachchan clan, came out to inform people about Shweta’s presence on the site.

“Welcome Shweta Bachchan Nanda... my close childhood friend! Bright, intelligent and extremely introspective mom and I adore her,” Karan wrote.

We present the best statements celebrities made this week on Twitter.

Rehman Malik

Let us pray for those who lost their lives in the plane crash today in Islamabad. I extend my heartfelt condolences to their loved ones.

Ali Zafar

Can’t get over the incident yesterday. Those who lost loved ones, no words can compensate. Let’s pray for all who suffered.

Fatima Bhutto

How many more decades will it take the PK state to learn that every summer we have monsoon season? 325 dead so far.

Marvi Memon

I don’t mind the heat but sitting on bund at night with villagers, I have been bitten by all sorts of strange big bugs.

Imran Khan

British prime minister travelled to the US on a British Airways flight in club class, stayed in the British embassy. Pakistani prime minister and president spent Rs2 billion on foreign travel.

Salmaan Taseer

You will be proud to know that next to Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard and Yale, University of AJ&K holds the honour of awarding most degrees to (Pakistani) MPAs.

Justin Bieber

I love girls and today was a really great day.

Bipasa Basu

Sitting in a cafe for lunch. Have never eaten alone out, feels weird! John will finish shoot soon. Then shopping again!

Mahesh Bhatt

We are not honest enough to reveal and admit the source of our ideas. We want to brag and show off & pretend that we are more intelligent.

Preity Zinta

Looking for a doctor since I have thrown all the apples away.  Fever in the Mumbai monsoon.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 1^st, 2010.