Author: newsdesk

  • Netflix releases trailer for ‘The Romantics’, celebrating Yash Chopra’s legacy

    Netflix releases trailer for ‘The Romantics’, celebrating Yash Chopra’s legacy

    Netflix dropped the trailer for the upcoming documentary ‘The Romantics’, a film about the legacy of legendary director Yash Chopra, maker of some of Bollywood’s most critically acclaimed films like ‘Silsila’, ‘Chabdni’ and ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayienge’.

    Chopra, called the ‘Father of Romance’ for his penchant for love stories, died in 2012 at the age of 80.

    The documentary is a four part series which will interview three generations of actors such as Amitabh Bachchan, the late Rishi Kapoor, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, who will talk about their experience of working with Chopra, and how he helped them gain stardom and success in Bollywood.

    This will also be the first time Chopra’s son, Producer Aditya Chopra will be present for an interview, after refusing to come on camera for 20 years.

    Directed by Smitri Mundhra, the documentary shall release on Netflix platforms on 14th Feb.

    Watch the trailer here.

  • ‘My life, my choice’; Maria Wasti opens up about her leaked pictures controversy

    ‘My life, my choice’; Maria Wasti opens up about her leaked pictures controversy

    Years after private photos of Maria Wasti were leaked online, the actor has talked about the scandal that followed on Nadir Ali’s podcast.

    Wasti opened up about how her’s and Ayesha Omer’s photos in swimsuits at a vacation were leaked online. She said that there wasn’t any way people could ensure their personal photos weren’t leaked to the public.
    “These were some personal pictures, and this happened a long time ago when there wasn’t much awareness of privacy settings. But it was someone who was Ayesha’s personal friend, who had leaked our pictures to the press. It was sad that it happened.’

    Wasti defended her choice to wear a bikini back then, saying that she won’t apologize for wearing clothes of her choice. The actress also revealed that she received a lot of negative comments on social media over her photos, but she chooses not to let it effect her.
    “My life, my choice…Yes people did troll me. I do intend to check who is criticizing and what are they saying. I make sure what words I should be effected by and what I shouldn’t. Again that’s your own choice. I was not happy about it, because it was stealing my personal pictures or personal life that you hadn’t shown to the media. So it shouldn’t be done, but it happened.’

    Listen to the whole interview below:

  • ‘Why were there two black Vigos?’: Elahi family slams govt after raid on Gujrat house

    Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid’s (PML-Q) and former Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Pervaiz Elahi has condemned the raid on his family house ‘Kunjah Gujrat’ and held the incumbent government responsible.

    In a tweet, he claimed that the staff at their house was harassed in the middle of the night. The former CM also threatened the caretaker government with legal action and said that the matter will go to court.

    Addressing Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and caretaker CM Punjab Mohsin Naqvi directly in another tweet, Elahi urged Shehbaz to “respect the sanctity of the home” and warned him that “people would protest outside his own home”. To Naqvi, he said that his job is to ensure fair and transparent elections

    He also regretted that “the rulers have directed police and administration to engage in vengeful actions” while the country is dealing with terrorism.

    Earlier in the day, his son and former federal minister Moonis Elahi claimed that his family home in Gujrat was raided by the police in the early hours of Wednesday “without having a warrant, nor a case”.

    Implying that intelligence agencies were involved in the raid, he said “I can wrap my head around the 25 police vehicles, but why were there two black Vigos?”.

    Moonis then asked if the police were looking for Indian agents.

    The raid has taken place after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday declared that PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain would remain the president of the party months weeks after he was ousted following rifts with his cousin Pervaiz Elahi.

    Earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) accused the caretaker Punjab government of ‘political persecution’.

  • Fawad Chaudhry free on bail

    Fawad Chaudhry free on bail

    An Islamabad district and sessions court has accepted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry’s bail petition in the case registered against him for threatening Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) officials and their families.

    The bail has been accepted on the condition that he will not repeat any words that can incite violence against a constitutional institution.

    Chaudhry was arrested outside his house in Lahore last Wednesday after the case was registered against him in Islamabad.

    Court sends Fawad Chaudhry to jail on judicial remand again

    On January 30, the court sent Chaudhry to jail on a 14-day judicial remand.

    Fawad was presented before the court at 3 pm.

    Fawad is under arrest since five days.

    Court accepts police plea for Fawad’s physical remand

    On January 28, the court granted physical remand of Fawad Chaudhry to the police.

    The former minister was brought to court on Saturday with a black cloth covering his face on directives issued by Additional Sessions Judge Tahir Mehmood Khan who said the appearance of a suspect in the court is mandatory in cases where investigators seek a physical remand.

    Earlier, the court had sent Fawad to Adiala Jail on a 14-day judicial remand.

    Court sends Fawad Chaudhry to Adiala Jail

    On January 27, Chaudhry was sent to Adiala jail on a 14-day judicial remand in this case.

    The former information minister was taken into custody after a first information report (FIR) against him was registered in Islamabad by an official of ECP.

    Islamabad court approves Fawad’s two-day physical remand

    On January 26, the district and sessions court approved a two-day physical remand of Fawad Chaudhry.

    The Islamabad Police had sought an eight-day physical remand of the PTI leader. However, the court did not approve their request and asked the authorities to present the PTI leader on January 27.

    The police — during the time that the verdict was reserved — also took the PTI senior leader to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), where he underwent a medical checkup and was declared fit.

    The former federal minister has vehemently denied all charges against him and demanded the case be dismissal as it is “fraud and the FIR is a sham”.

    ‘Where is Fawad Chaudhry?’; LHC summons Punjab, Islamabad IGs over failure to produce PTI leader

    The Lahore High Court (LHC) on January 25 summoned the inspector generals (IG) of Islamabad and Punjab police after the authorities failed to produce Chaudhry before it.

    The LHC had ordered authorities to present Fawad before it in response to a petition filed by Fawad’s cousin, Nabeel Shehzad, for the “recovery” of the former federal minister.

    Interestingly, the orders were issued after a local court of Lahore had approved Fawad’s transitory remand in a sedition case filed against him in Islamabad on the Election Commission’s complaint.

    At the outset of the hearing on January 25, Justice Sheikh instructed the police to present Fawad in court by 1:30pm.

    On the other hand, PTI lawyer Azhar Siddique told the court that they had just learnt that Fawad was being taken to Islamabad.

    “The orders that I give, I make sure they are implemented,” Justice Sheikh said here. “Even if he [Fawad] has reached Islamabad, bring him back and present him before the court.”

    The hearing was adjourned for 30 minutes.

    When it resumed, the judge inquired: “Where is Fawad?”

    The AAG replied that Fawad was in the custody of the Islamabad police after which Justice Sheikh summoned the inspector generals of Islamabad and Punjab to court.

    Chaudhry’s wife appeals to the CJP to take suo-moto over husband’s arrest

    Chaudhry’s wife while talking to the media on Wednesday, January 26, said that the Chief justice of Pakistan (CJP), Umar Ata Bandial should take suo moto over her husband’s arrest.

    Lahore court allows police to take Fawad Chaudhry to Islamabad

    A court in Lahore allowed the police on Wednesday to take Chaudhry to Islamabad, hours after he was arrested

    Fawad Chaudhry brought to Lahore court hours after arrest

    Chaudhry was presented before a court in Lahore by the Islamabad Police to seek a transitory remand to transfer the former federal minister to the capital.

    Chaudhry was brought to the Cantt court in Lahore amid tight security early on Wednesday morning, hours after he was arrested from outside his residence on charges of sedition.

    Earlier this morning, Fawad was “taken away” in four cars with no number plates at 5:30AM. Faisal Chaudhry, Fawad’s brother, said that the family was unaware of Fawad’s location.

    During the hearing at Cantt Court, Fawad said that he was proud of the charges against him. “These allegations were also levelled at Nelson Mandela.”

    “It is being said that I have committed sedition […] I am a former Supreme Court lawyer and federal minister […] I should be treated with respect,” he told the court.

    The PTI leader said that the way he was arrested was “inappropriate”. “Had they called me, I would have come myself.”

    The Islamabad police have confirmed that the arrest has taken place. A case against Chaudhary was registered last night at the Kohsar police station in Islamabad on the complaint of Secretary of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Omer Hamid Khan. The first information report (FIR) was lodged against him for using threatening language against the ECP and its members.

    In his speech outside PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s residence in Lahore’s Zaman Park, Fawad threatened the Election Commission, its members and their families, according to the FIR.

    The FIR states that Chaudhary said that the status of the election commission was reduced to that of a ‘munshi’ (clerk).

    Fawad said that those who become part of the caretaker government will be pursued until they are punished. He had said that the people sitting in the government would be pursued to their houses.

    A number of party leaders took to Twitter and condemned the arrest including Shireen Mazari and Hammad Azhar.

  • Chalo jee, here comes summer in February

    Chalo jee, here comes summer in February

    The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted that summers will start early, Ayesha Atta has reported for Samaa.

    As per the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), summer could start as early as February. A heat wave is anticipated to hit Punjab particularly Lahore in the middle of February, according to the PMD’s Shahid Abbas.

    Temperatures are likely to go up to 45 degrees celsius in summerd due to less rainfalls and climate change

  • ‘Don’t think that’s cool’: Twitter reacts to Naseem Shah ‘fat shaming’ Azam Khan

    Pakistan pacer Naseem Shah made fun of his fellow cricketer Azam Khan in a match between Khulna Tigers and Comilla Victorians on Tuesday in Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

    Initially, Naseem tried to jokingly run into Azam while he was making his way to the crease. But the wicketkeeper-batsman just pushed him away while passing a smile.
    Naseem Shah then mimicked Azam’s walking style behind his back.

    Twitter is criticising the young player for mocking Azam Khan. Have a look at the reactions:

    Have a look at the Twitter reactions:

    https://twitter.com/inox899/status/1620637649567621120
  • Shahid Khaqan resigns, says my leader is ONLY Nawaz and Shehbaz

    Shahid Khaqan resigns, says my leader is ONLY Nawaz and Shehbaz

    Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has resigned from his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) post, spokesperson for Nawaz Sharif Mohammad Zubair confirmed the development.

    “He [Shahid Khan Abbasi] is a big leader, and quitting the post will not affect him,” Zubair told the media. He also added that Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb had also confirmed the resignation.

    Zubair said that he doesn’t want to “wash dirty laundry” in public, adding that Miftah Ismail is still with PML-N.

    “He is a very senior leader and a former prime minister. The party needs his experience.”

    It was reported in The News on Wednesday that Abbasi decided to step down after Maryam Nawaz was elevated as the party’s chief organiser and senior vice president by Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, who is also the President of PML-N.

    According to media reports, Abbasi said that he had made it clear to Nawaz Sharif three years back that it would not be possible for him to continue with Maryam Nawaz if she was elevated to party’s top office.

    To a query, he said he had not talked to Maryam Nawaz ever since her return from London. “I am happy that her surgery has been successful,” he said.

    On January 30, Abbasi had said that he believed Maryam Nawaz will be able to organise the party. Speaking on Dawn News, Abbasi was asked if he accepted Maryam Nawaz as his leader. The former premier responded by saying that his leader is Nawaz Sharif, and after him, Shehbaz Sharif is the president of PML-N. “Apart from this, I don’t say a yes or no to anyone else.”

    However, Abbasi’s spokesperson said that the news of Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s resignation is “baseless”. “He did not leave the party in difficult circumstances; why will he leave today?” the spokesperson asked.

    As per reports, former PM Abbasi was unhappy with the decision being taken without consulting other party members, adding Abbasi tendered his resignation a day after Maryam Nawaz’s appointment.

    Earlier this month, Maryam was promoted as the PML-N’s senior vice-president and was also asked to reorganize the party which has faced a series of electoral defeats in 2022.

    It was also reported that Abbasi said, “Maryam Nawaz is appointed senior vice president and in this situation, there’s no reason for me to work as party’s SVP.”

    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    ‘Mun bandh karrain’; Barrister Saif has heated on-air exchange with Beenish Saleem
    
			
    ‘Mun bandh karrain’; Barrister Saif has heated on-air exchange with Beenish Saleem
    
			
    Former Spokesperson for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government and leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Barrister Saif, walked off from a show with Beenish Saleem after shouting on air at the anchor.
    

    Saif, along with Brigadier (retired) Farooq Hameed, was a guest on Tuesday’s episode of Neo’s ‘Seedhi Baat with Beenish Saleem’, appearing via audio beeper.
    The PTI leader lost his cool when the host asked him why his party approached the court to ensure that elections were not delayed when the Peshawar bombing had taken place just a day earlier and the official three-day mourning was not over.
    

    “Life goes on. It does not mean that PTI is not saddened by what happened,” Barrister Saif said, adding that linking the elections to what has happened would be a “bhondi harkat” (clumsy attempt). He again emphasised that elections in the province must be held on time.
    

    

    


    

    

    

    Beenish then asked him if he wanted to respond to which he said, “Your mind is already made up. How will I respond.”
    

    He then accused Beenish Saleem of being “biased”. When the host responded, he said, “Aap apna mun bandh karrain gee to main baat karoon ga,” (I will talk only after you shut your mouth).
    

    In a progressively heated tone, Barrister Saif then said that Beenish Saleem was only concerned with raising her ratings. “Are you not doing your show? Did you not eat food after the bombing? Does life stop after the incident?”
    

    When asked once again if PTI Chairman Imran Khan had not asked to hold negotiations with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and set terrorist free as a gesture of ‘goodwill’, Barrister Saif said, “Bandh karrain program aur jaain yahan say,” (Shut down the program and leave) calling the show a “do takkay ka program” (a two-penny program).
    

    A heated verbal exchange followed, at the end of which Barrister Saif disconnected the phone and walked off the show.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Highest single-day fall: Gold price drops by Rs9,000 to Rs201,500 per tola
    
			
    Highest single-day fall: Gold price drops by Rs9,000 to Rs201,500 per tola
    
			
    As the rupee marginally strengthened against the US dollar and investors closely followed the US Federal Reserve’s interest rate rise decision and policy outlook, the price of gold in Pakistan saw its worst one-day decline.
    

    The price of gold (24 carats) fell by Rs9,000 per tola and Rs7,716 per 10 grammes to settle at Rs201,500 and Rs172,754, respectively, according to data issued by the All-Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA).
    

    The jewellers’ association also claimed that local gold in Pakistan was “overcost” by Rs2,500 per tola when compared to the bullion market in Dubai.
    

    The price of gold has fallen as demand has decreased as investors appear to have abandoned the safe-haven commodity in favour of the dollar, which is now freely available on the open market following the lifting of the dollar cap.
    

    As a result of the events surrounding the negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Pakistani rupee began to show signs of recovery today, rising by about Rs2 to settle at Rs267.89.
    

    However, investors were only buying gold bars, not jewellery, which had lowered goldsmiths’ profit margins and put the labour force at risk of losing jobs as jewellery manufacturers turned to other careers in the lack of work.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    ‘As long as Sarah is content with her work, I am also happy’; Falak Shabir
    
			
    ‘As long as Sarah is content with her work, I am also happy’; Falak Shabir
    
			
    Falak Shabir and Sarah Khan appeared on the ‘Mirza and Malik Show’ where among many things, the singer opened up about how he will keep supporting his wife in pursuing her career.
    

    During a round of questions where the couple revealed that it was Khan who used her phone more, Shabir said that he never had a problem with Sarah’s dedication to her career because he doesn’t want to waste her hard work and talent.
    

    “When we were about to get married, this was her biggest fear that I would object to her working so much. I have gone through the struggle of not finding work, and luckily she has not. But I still want to ensure that someone who works so hard, and with the blessings of Allah, has so many fans who send her love, shouldn’t be told to sit at home. This is just like finding a doctor who has completed their practice, and you’re telling them to give up everything and sit at home… So I assured her that i won’t stop her from succeeding in her career, you can do whatever you like. So I am never effected by her social media following or her work. I just know that if she is incredibly happy with her work, then so am I,” the supportive husband said.
    

    


    

     
    

    Shabir went on to further emphasize that it’s not necessary that every woman wants to work, but husbands should respect the woman’s choice.
    

    ‘I think that every husband should be like this. Unless, there are also some women who prefer to become home makers rather than work outside. It is their choice and we should learn to respect that.”
    

    Watch the full interview below