The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) on Friday arrested a woman with heroin-filled capsules in her stomach at Islamabad International Airport.
As per details, the woman was attempting to smuggle the drug to Sharjah.
As per details, the passenger had 100 heroin-filled capsules in her stomach. She was about to board Pakistan International Airlines flight PK-209 when she was detained by ANF officials.
ANF’s swift action thwarted the smuggling attempt.
2022 might feel like it was the longest year ever but it has also given us a lot of things to look back at fondly. From Mera Dill Yeh Pukare girl’s viral video to former PM Imran Khan’s iconic “Ham koi Ghulam Hain”, here are all the things that the Pakistani internet went crazy about in 2022:
Asif Ghafoor, a young boy, became an overnight star after a video of him dancing on the Pakistan Super League (PSL) anthem, ‘Agay Dekh’ went viral.
A clip of Pakistani television serial Judwa in which a bride gets swapped on her wedding night by her twin sister, confusing netizens about what was happening.
Former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s “Kya Hum Ghulam Qaum Hain Kay Jou European Union Kahay Hum Woh Karein” reply to European Union (EU) envoys in Pakistan for their letter asking Islamabad to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine went viral across the country.
In a humorous video, a girl can be seen leaving the dining room with two slices of pizza but no ketchup, which worries her husband, as if eating pizza without ketchup was a big deal.
Mera Dil Ye Pukare Aaja went viral over the internet after a Tik Tok video of a girl named Aisha was widely shared on Tik Tok. It went so viral that people from across the border including Madhuri Dixit made a video on it.
Bilawal was speaking at a rally in Islamabad to mark the end of a 10-day long Awami March. “I am shaking Islamabad. Islamabad may kaampein taang rahi hai [Shivers are legging in Islamabad],” he said. Although he meant to say taangein kaamp rahein hain, his slip of tongue led to a meme fest.
However, PPP later said the video was morphed, with the real one showing Bilawal correcting himself a second later.
In the last month of the year videos of the Lahore based politician Chaudhary Akhtar Lawa trended on social media and his catchphrase, ‘Lahore da Pawa, Akhtar Lava’ (Akhtar Lava, the pillar of Lahore), spread like wildfire across social media platforms. Twitter and TikTok particularly went into a frenzy about him.
From the Pakistani representation in Ms Marvel to Pasoori becoming a global anthem, 2022 was quite the year for Pakistani artists. Have a look at some of the biggest moments for the industry in 2022.
Coke Studio Pakistan’s Pasoori became a global hit in 2022, landing the crown of the song with the most global searches in 2022 as per Google Trends. It’s music video, with Ali Sethi and Shae Gill belting it out on a colourful set, received more than 400 million views on YouTube.
Ms Marvel featured Pakistani American teen Kamala Khan — the first Muslim superhero to headline her own comic — debuted in cinemas in Pakistan on June 16 and aired on Disney+ on June 9. Apart from it the show also introduced Pakistani super stars Mehwish Haytt and Fawad Khan to international audiences.
Many other Pakistani artists were also featured in the show.
Pakistani actor Humayun Saaed played the coveted role of Dr. Hasnat Khan, Princess Diana’s lover, on the fifth season of Netflix juggernaut The Crown.
Capping a fabulous year for the trailblazing Pakistani film Joyland, the Oscars shortlisted the movie in the category of Best International Feature Film. This is the first time a Pakistani film has made it to the coveted awards.
The New York-based singer became the first female Pakistani artist to win a Grammy award for Best Global Music Performance, along with securing a Best New Artist nomination.
Actor Ushna Shah took to her Twitter handle to condemn the treatment of religious minorities in Pakistan amidst Daya Bhel’s tragic murder news.
The Habs star wrote, “I have some close Hindu Pakistani friends. Wonderful, kind people, some are even like family to me. They happen to be from privileged homes. I shudder to think that their lives would have been bad if they had not been, like the majority of minorities, who have no voice #dayabhel.”
Shah also raised awareness on the matter in a follow-up tweet.
Earlier this year during the holy month of Ramadan, she shared an instance where she was helped by a Christian and a Hindu as she went on to offer her Asr prayers in Ramadan.
“A Christian and a Hindu helped me pray Asr just now and set an example of tolerance,” Shah tweeted.
“At Nabila salon, the makeup artist for today (who is Hindu) held up the faucet so I could perform Wudu easily and another makeup artist (who did my makeup last night), who is Christian, spread out the Janemaz for me.”
Last year the Balaa diva expressed her solidarity with the minorities in the country on the 75th Independence Day.
Taking to Instagram, the Punjab Nahi Jaungi actor said “I’ll celebrate Independence Day when the minorities in Pakistan are given the economic, physical and religious securities as well as the civic liberties promised to them. The very promise which laid the foundation of this country.”
Local authorities have decided to close down five key recreational points ahead of New Year’s Eve in Islamabad as threats of terrorist attacks loom over the capital.
According to Samaa News, the decision has been taken to prevent large gatherings on New Year’s eve out of fear of terrorism.
The places include F-9 Park, Centaurus Mall, Safa Mall, Lake View Park, and Faisal Masjid. Residents of the city won’t be allowed to go to these places to welcome 2023.
The Deputy Commissioner (DC) has directed Assistant Commissioners (ACs) to implement the orders.
Moreover, to prevent any untoward incident, Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police have also decided to beef up the security of the federal capital and called in 1,000 Frontier Constabulary (FC) personnel to assist the police at checkposts.
These decisions have been taken following a suicide car bomb blast in Islamabad on December 23 that left one policeman martyred and 10 injured.
Governor Sindh Kamran Tessori has called upon all the factions of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) to unite on a single platform to resolve the issues of Karachi.
Talking to Shahzeb Khanzada on Geo News‘ show ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’, Tessori said: “Being the governor of Sindh, I can only request my friends. I cannot force anyone. And I request them because Karachi is a friendly city for everyone but there is no one who is friendly to Karachi.”
Tessori said that the city of lights had become a city of criminals. “I requested Mustafa Kamal when he visited the Governor’s House. My aim is to develop this city and to facilitate its residents,” he said on the show.
“Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui is the leader; he leads the MQM and he will be leading the party in the future,” said Tessori, adding that he can’t play a political role but he will request the leaders of PSP, MQM and Farooq Sattar to join hands.
“I requested my friends that rather than criticising each other they should become workers of this city and serve the people. Upon my request, Mustafa Kamal and Farooq Sattar have agreed. They also agreed on the leadership of Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui. Neither Farooq Sattar nor Mustafa Kamal raised objections to Siddiqui’s leadership. They spoke respectfully. They respect Siddiqui,” the governor said.
“I have no idea how quickly they will move to make a [unification] decision, but if it were to happen, it would have to be sustainable and based on the will of Karachi’s residents,” he asserted.
Asking that all factions “embrace eachother with all their hearts”, the Governor said he had asked the other leaders to put aside their egos and work for the betterment of the city and its people.
He said that he sees no intervention by institutions in political matters. “I took the initiative and there is no intervention of the establishment or institutions [in the unification of MQM factions].”
Senior actor Samiya Mumtaz recently opened up on her blockbuster drama serial Meri Zaat Zarra-e-Benishan. The Sang-e-Mah star stated that she was hosting a show for Dawn English when acclaimed writer Umera Ahmed noticed her and approached her for the drama. Samiya stated that she wanted a fresh face for the character and thought that I fit the bill.
Mumtaz revealed that when received the drama offer, she was not even aware of Humayun Saeed’s existence. She genuinely questioned fellow actor Nadia Jamil about the offer, who insisted that she should definitely do it. Humayun and Umera were both well-known figures then also, and Nadia advised her to say yes right away. She gave her advice on how to charge for dramas as well. The rest, as they say, is history.
Samiya used to be recognised in public, which she wasn’t used to, as the drama went on to become a huge success. Mumtaz said that she initially used to wear a veil while going out so that she doesn’t get spotted by fans as she was overwhelmed with her popularity. The Daddy actor mentioned that although everyone she met was very warm towards her, but she wasn’t sure how to take it. Although she soon understood that this is not a permanent way to live.
Mumtaz was also flooded with offers and was approached for another drama with Faysal Qureshi but she didn’t take it down and Savera Nadeem was later cast for the project. She always wanted to do meaningful roles hence she remained super choosy even at the peak of her career.
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has revised the rates of specialised lending schemes in accordance with its increased monetary policy rate of 16 per cent.
SBP said it had decided to reduce the gap between its policy rate and the Export Finance Scheme (EFS) and Long-Term Financing Facility (LTFF) rates from the existing 5 per cent to 3 per cent, according to a circular released by the central bank.
The notification stated that the revised tariffs will be effective from December 30, 2022.
“Further, as mentioned in above referred circular, in [the] future with any change in the SBP policy rate, markup rates for EFS and LTFF will be revised automatically so that the gap between [the] policy rate and EFS & LTFF rates is maintained at 3 per cent,” the central bank added.
Exporters and industrialists, who are already feeling the strain of strong inflationary pressures together with record increases in energy costs, are anticipated to see a rise in the cost of doing business as a result of higher financing rates.
The film The Legend of Maula Jatt has become the highest grossing film in Pakistan, breaking all records by making more than $10 million globally.
Film star Mahira Khan. who starred as Mukho in the film, spoke to Variety along with director Bilal Lashari. Discussing the success of the film, the actress emphasized the importance of filmmakers and storytellers who could take stories from Pakistan to international platforms.
“Whether it’s Joyland, whether it’s Maula Jatt, the people at the helm of these projects are passionate. They have stories to tell and they are visionaries. We need more directors, more storytellers, who are telling stories from the heart. The other thing we really, really need is that I would like to see our government supporting our industry. And this year, we saw that happen,” the actress told the magazine.
Khan also spoke about platforms like Netflix and Amazon coming to Pakistan, stating,
“Cinemas will be opening up and films like Maula Jatt have doubled, tripled, quadrupled footfall. These may be small, little steps, but they are eventually going to be really, really big steps. Netflix and Amazon – I believe they need to come in now because we have amazing content. But before that happens, we can actually put out as many films as possible, even the smaller ones. We don’t have a digital outlet yet. So we can still do that business and we can still put out those smaller films.”
Director and co-writer of the film, Bilal Lashari, discussed about how heartening it was to watch a Punjabi-speaking film receive immediate international fame the way Maula Jatt has done. He hoped the success of the film will pave the way for more stories from Pakistan to get an international audience.
“What a fantastic journey our film has had since its release. The love and appreciation from audiences has made this 10-year ride worth every moment. It is heartening to see people embrace regional cinema across the globe. I hope the success of The Legend of Maula Jatt will pave the way for stories from Pakistan for a worldwide audience.”
Mahira talked about her character Mukkho, Maula’s love interest, and how she was a fiercely independent woman who broke expectations that the film would follow the 1970 film’s representation.
“The biggest thing that Mukkho had was that she was just such an empowered woman – she loved fearlessly, her moral compass was so intact, she had integrity and she was fierce also. That was a very big thing that the women in this, in today’s Maula Jatt, are very empowered. And I think this is something that a lot of people asked me prior to the release that ‘Are we going to see the same 1970s representation of women?’ I said, no, you’re going to see Bilal Lashari’s representation of women. I’m glad to have been a part of it.”
When Mahira Khan was questioned about growing tensions between Pakistan and India, which has led to Pakistani artists and films being banned from playing in the former, the actress pointed out that Indian and Pakistani artists look out for each other since they are connected by the thread of art and how they have become soft targets by their countries.
“I had the most amazing time working in India. I am still in touch with so many people and there’s a lot of love there. Unfortunately, we are easy targets, soft targets, whether it’s us here in Pakistan, whether it’s them there in India. Because we’re artists, and we’re connected by that thread of art, we actually get each other. So we’re trying to look out for each other, more than anything. Even now, we are so careful with what we write on social media. It’s not that we don’t talk to each other. It’s not that we don’t wish each other on our birthdays. It’s not that we don’t meet each other in different countries. It’s not that – it’s just that we are actually not just protecting ourselves but protecting each other.”
Khan further hoped that there would be an opportunity in the future for artists from India and Pakistan to collaborate on a project, and hoped that things would soon get better for this to happen.
“Unfortunately, it’s politics, it’s not a personal thing. On both ends, until the time that scapegoats are needed, we will always be that. But let’s say that it gets better. Let’s say that there is someone in power who does not use us as easy targets. That would be lovely. Can you just imagine the collaboration? It would be lovely,” she said.
akistani blockbuster The Legend of Maula Jatt will likely not get a theatrical release in India after a spokesperson for cinema chain INOX confirmed that the film’s release has been delayed indefinitely, Indian Express has reported.
The Pakistani action film was set to release in theaters across India on December 30. However, the decision to release the film met with intense criticism by Indian politicians including the president of the cinema wing of the MNS Ameya Khopkar who wrote on Twitter that Fawad Khan’s fans might just have go to Pakistan to watch the film.
In another tweet, Khopkar said he will not allow Maula Jatt to be released anywhere in India.
The last Pakistani film to release in India was Bol in 2011, which also featured Humaima Malick and Mahira Khan, both of whom star in Maula Jatt too.