Author: newsdesk

  • Pakistani teens need to understand that bullying, violence isn’t cool

    Pakistani teens need to understand that bullying, violence isn’t cool

    A 35-member violent gang of boys enrolled in different private schools in Lahore is operating in the city under the name ‘102’. According to the police, one of the gang members reportedly tortured a young boy in a snooker club, taped the assault and uploaded the video on social media. This is not the first time we are hearing about teenagers in private schools indulging in bullying and harassing other young students. Last month, a video surfaced where three girls were forcing their classmate to the ground and then sitting on her back. One of the girls could be seen pulling the victim’s hair and swearing at her while making her apologise.

    These incidents are triggering, but what is more alarming is to witness the behaviour of these teenagers. What is it that they are learning? Why are these kids indulging in violence? How are parents so unaware of their kids’ whereabouts and what are they doing? What is even more concerning is how these kids have normalised bullying, harassment and violence.

    Parents need to teach their children what is right and wrong. They need to be extra vigilant to know what their children are consuming online. Teenagers, too, need to realise that if they are given freedom, it doesn’t mean they can hurt others in the name of being cool and resort to violence. Nothing justifies violence and bullying. The schools where such children are studying also need to be vigilant and watchful of how students are treating each other.

    With every passing day, violence is increasing in children. Have we ever wondered what are the reasons for this increase in violence? Maybe it’s the content children are consuming online or maybe violent video games that they play makes violence just another act of being cool to them.

    We have seen how gun culture is prevailing and how children are taking lives of their own peers. Actions have consequences. Parents, teachers and elders need to be careful and watchful towards their young children. These young minds need to be protected and taken care of. Negligence and ignorance can lead to serious problems as the kids grow up. What we are witnessing with the behaviour of these young children is rather an appalling sight. We hope our children do better and learn better. This evilness, and unkind behaviour needs to stop.

  • Kaifi Khalil thanks fans for their support as ‘Kahani Suno 2.0’ bags spot in YouTube top 10 global videos

    Pakistani singer Kaifi Khalil has thanked his fans for their support and love after his hit single ‘Kahani Suno 2.0’ became one of the Top 10 most watched global music videos. The ‘Kana Yaari’ star wrote in a tweet on Sunday,

    “Thank you Allah Taala & Thank you so much all for your pure love and support lots of love and prayers for my all fans main humesha shukr guzaar rahunga or humesha koshish karunga ap sub k liye k humesha liktha rahun jo main mehsos karta hon ap sub k liye Love you all my broken homies ”

    Music producer Xulfi, who had produced Khalil’s Coke Studio hit ‘Kana Yaari’, also congratulated the singer, praising him for making the hit song on his own without any music label’s help.

    “Kahani Suno 2.0 reaches the Global Top Ten! Wah! What a news for all of us!

    This is probably one of the biggest achievements for a song and artist on the global stage in recent times for Pakistan. Kahani Suno 2.0 by Kaifi Khalil right now sits at no.8 on the @youtube Global Music Video Charts. The first song in Pakistan to ever do that. Others in the top include Rema and Selena with Calm Down, Shakira and Miley Cyrus and also a recent Latin hit Que Vuelvas. Also, there are Blackpink, Rihanna, Ozuna, Arijit outside the top ten. Just look at the company Kaifi is with in the charts!

    This is a humble guy from Lyari making music for the love of it. Expressing for the love of it. Expressing authentically without any layers. Sitting in his small studio space, creating while learning the ins and outs of music production and recording.. collaborating with others from Lyari only for audio engineering as well. And just like that, he brewed Kahani Suno. An independent artist releasing a song independently without any labels. What’s a more heartwarming and amazing belief story in recent times. I can’t think of one.

    I want to tell all of you that this is possible for all the artists. We have seen Pakistani music, with and without platforms, reaching global charts now in the recent past. The gate is open. The world is listening. The world wants to know our stories. Our unique stories with our unique narratives, textures, ideas and melodies. Just one thought – just try baking all of this in humility. It will have the universe’s blessing then.

    @kaifikhalilmusic – MashAllah. Jeete raho and aisay hee sacchay expressionist raho. Saari Dunya mein perform karte raho aur hamesha seekhte raho. Ye sub bhee ek aur shuruaat hee hai apke liye ✨♥️”

  • Kuch Ankahi breaking stereotypes, encouraging better family relations

    Kuch Ankahi breaking stereotypes, encouraging better family relations

    Our morbid fascination with domestic violence seems have become one of the essential tools required to make a hit drama. There aren’t many television dramas which depict healthy family relations, where women are accepted and loved without being told to lose their identity.
    Kuch Ankahi, therefore, is an anomaly, a breath of fresh air on our screens because it depicts a supportive family where the father isn’t holding back his daughters from their dreams, women aren’t constantly plotting to one-up each other and the male lead isn’t a toxic, triggering person. It proves that more dramas need to follow its lead and start portraying women in a positive light.
    On last night’s episode, we witnessed how the youngest sister, Tania, is openly dancing at her sister’s wedding event when a person behind her body shames her, forcing her neighbor to stand up for her.

    The moment resonated with viewers and clips of the scene are now being widely shared.

    https://twitter.com/koilak2/status/1629547537500901382?s=20

    What social media users have called the most touching moment in this episode is the scene between the father, Agha Jee, and the eldest daughter Samiya where he witnesses her unhappiness and reminds her that if she refuses, then he will call off the wedding. This kind of empowerment and kindness is rarely depicted in Pakistani dramas, and is teaching fathers to be more gentle to their daughters as Agha Jee assures Samiya that he will keep holding her hand regardless of whether she chooses to get married or not.

    This kind of warmth and support between the family members is not once-in-a-blue-moon, but a regular occurrence in this drama. Agha Jee never shies away from praising his daughters’ strengths and consistently empowers them to advance further in society. In several episodes, we witness Agha Jee doing his own chores while telling his daughters that they’re not responsible for household duties.

    This gentleness and respect towards women isn’t just prevalent in Agha Jee, but extends to all the men in the drama. The way they are completely the anti-thesis to the kind of male lead we have grown up watching is frankly shocking. Like the male lead Salman, who is time and again shown doing his own work. In one scene, he makes his own roti, an act we have only ever seen women perform.

    https://twitter.com/mawoxdeepxbillu/status/1626870264809263106?s=20
  • In historic first, Sabahat Rizvi becomes first female secretary of LHC Bar

    In historic first, Sabahat Rizvi becomes first female secretary of LHC Bar

    In a historic first, on Saturday Sabahat Rizvi has become the first woman Secretary of the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA). The Bar has selected a female secretary for the first time since its establishment.

    After receiving 4,310 votes in the Saturday election of the LHC Bar Association, Rizvi was chosen as the organization’s first female secretary. Rizvi was the candidate of the independent group.

    Rizvi was followed by Mian Irfan and Qadir Baksh Chahal who secured 3,745 and 2,627 votes respectively.

    Another female candidate, Rabbiya Bajwa got elected as Vice President LHCBA after bagging 3590 votes.

  • Chinese student misses girlfriend, creates device with lips to send kisses

    Chinese student misses girlfriend, creates device with lips to send kisses

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    A device made by a Chinese student has gone viral for allowing long-distance partners to send kisses to each other.
    The device features silicone lips and allows users to upload their kisses, as well as receive them through an app.
    According to South China Morning post, the device has sensors that can mimic ‘the actual pressure, movement and heat of a kisser’s lips.’
    The device was created by a university team from China’s Jiangsu province. Lead inventor Jian Zhongli said that he got the idea for the device after missing his girlfriend, with whom he was in a long-distance relationship.
    “In my university, I was in a long distance relationship with my girlfriend so we could contact each other only through phone. That’s where the inspiration of this device originated,’ Zhongli explained.
    The app-driven device is available to download at Chinese app store Taobao and costs 260 yuan.

  • Pakistan accepts IMF pre-condition to increase interest rate by 2%

    Pakistan accepts IMF pre-condition to increase interest rate by 2%

    Pakistan has agreed to increase its policy (interest) rate by two percent or 200 basis points, as a pre-condition for the release of $1.1 billion in critical funding from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The funding is part of a $6.5 billion bailout package.

    The increase is based on rates set by the government in an auction to raise domestic debt and will push the interest rate to 19 per cent. This is just below the previous record of 19.5 per cent set in October 1996.

    Sources from the Ministry of Finance stated that there had been technical-level discussions between Islamabad and the IMF review mission and that it was expected that Islamabad would increase the interest rate by two percent. Most of the pre-conditions set by the IMF had been fulfilled, according to these sources.

    Sources also indicated that discussions on some issues related to the power sector were in the final stages, after which a staff-level agreement with the IMF would be reached. Additionally, Pakistan provided a detailed briefing to IMF officials on the sources of foreign exchange until June.

  • Junaid Khan addresses career change, band split up on ‘The Fourth Umpire’

    Junaid Khan addresses career change, band split up on ‘The Fourth Umpire’

    Actor and ex-member of Call, Junaid Khan, was a guest on the show ‘The Fourth Empire’ where he addressed the reason why he had chosen to switch to acting.
    Khan said,
    “I thought it was a logical decision to try another art form.”
    Khan also addressed the breakup of his band, Call, and whether he was on good terms with the rest of the members.
    Call the band, which also included music producer Xulfi, had been responsible for a number of hits including ‘Sab Bhula Kay’ and ‘Lari Chooti’.
    Khan said that the band members are like family which is why they would sometimes fight, but there is also a lot of love between them.
    ‘Just like there are problems in a relationship, similar things can happen in a band…When we broke up there were some differences between us. But when we got back together, we were able to put our differences behind us.”

    Listen to his answer here:

  • ‘T-series did not reach out to me’: Farasat Anees on ‘Biba’ plagarism

    ‘T-series did not reach out to me’: Farasat Anees on ‘Biba’ plagarism

    Pakistani singer Farasat Anees took to Instagram to call out Bollywood production company T-series for plagiarising his song ‘Biba’ for the soundtrack of an upcoming movie.
    The song ‘Biba’ was originally written for the Pakistani Oscar-shortlisted film ‘Joyland’.
    Anees also spoke to the Indian magazine The Print, where he revealed that the music corporation had not reached out to him for using his song:
    A billion-dollar company like T-Series should be professional in its approach. They (the music directors) could have at least reached out to me or perhaps mailed me once before putting out the song. There was no communication from their end. Perhaps there could have been a counter-quote, and we could have made something together.”
    Anees also said that he felt weird when he heard T-series’ ‘Biba’ and said the organization is known for plagiarising Pakistani songs:
    “This is not the first time they have done something like this. They’ve earlier done this with Abrar’s song. If nothing else, this only motivates me that such a big label has copied my song and that makes me want to do better work further,” he said.
    In his post, Anees shared clips of both songs to point out their similarity, and called the organization a ‘disgrace’.

    “What a disgrace @tseries.official stealing out work because it has been trending in the world.

    Me & my brothers @toshaayy@slicktrickk worked day & night to bring this song where it is. PLEASE HAVE SOME SHAME & stop ruining every good song from

    The love & respect indians showed to our version of Biba was massive. We will always be greatful for that. Also Supporting us on the comment section of this cheap copy of BIBA. Will always be thankful to listeners across the border! ♥️

    Even if you wanted to reproduce the song, you should have done with original stuff. Clearly stole chords, intro, arrangements of our version. CLEAR THEFT!

    Really hoping someone responsible take action from @tseries.official & I request all of our fans, friends & family to share this.”

  • Sukkur has largest number of BTS ARMY, says Spotify

    Sukkur has largest number of BTS ARMY, says Spotify

    If you’re planning your next BTS streaming party, then Spotify’s latest report will definitely make you excited because they have revealed which regions will you find the most hardcore fans of the popular Kpop band.

    According to Dawn, Spotify Pakistan’s region-based breakdown has revealed that Sukkur is the place where BTS has the most fans. Three BTS songs ‘Yet To Come’, ‘Dreamers’ and ‘Dynamite’ are among the top five favorite tracks.
    Among major cities like Karachi, Peshawar and Lahore, Spotify reported that local musicians are currently holding the top spots which included ‘Pasoori’ by Ali Sethi and Shae Gill, ‘Iraaday’ by Abdul Hannan, ‘Bikhra’ and King’s ‘Tu Ake Dekhlay’.

    Spotify also revealed that currently the top trending artists in Pakistan include Atif Aslam, Young Stunners, Asim Azhar and Hasan Raheem. While several artists from across the border have also bagged spots like Arijit Singh, Pritam and AP Dhillon.

  • ‘It was misunderstood’: Ranbir Kapoor clarifies statement about Pakistani filmmakers after backlash

    ‘It was misunderstood’: Ranbir Kapoor clarifies statement about Pakistani filmmakers after backlash

    Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor has addressed backlash from Indian fans after he was called ‘unpatriotic’ for saying that he would love to work with Pakistani actors, and that art has no boundaries.
    The incident took place last year at the Red Sea International Festival as shown by Diva Pakistan.

    The Indian Express reports that the ‘Tamasha’ actor addressed the controversy while at a promotion event for his upcoming film ‘Tu Jhooti Mein Makkar’ where he said: I think my statement was misconstrued. I had gone to a film festival and there were a lot of Pakistani filmmakers asking me this question, ‘If you’ve got a good subject would you do it?’ So, I didn’t want it to be controversial in any way.’
    Furthermore, Kapoor said he had previously worked with Pakistani actors like Fawad Khan and didn’t think that art should have any boundaries:
    I don’t think it was such a big controversy. But, for me, films are films, art is art. I have worked with Fawad (Khan) in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. I have known a lot of artists from Pakistan. Rahat (Fateh Ali Khan) and Atif Aslam are such great singers who used to contribute to Hindi cinema. So, cinema is cinema. I don’t think cinema sees boundaries.”