In a recent podcast, Ahmed Ali Butt discussed celebrity interviews, posing a thought-provoking question: Everyone has their story; who narrates it best?
The podcast format allowed for candid discussions, with Tabish Hashmi, host of ‘Hasna Mana Hai’ show and a renowned stand-up comedian, as the guest.
Tabish talked about how interviews with famous people work. “Doesn’t this seem strange, a guest asking for huge amounts of money for interviews, like 1 crore rupees?” He wondered why they wanted so much, suggesting a more sensible option of 20,000 dollars. Reflecting on his experiences, Tabish shared, “I’ve seen that guests have different reasons for doing interviews. Some ask for a lot of money, while others join because of respect or personal connections. It’s interesting to see how fame and money play a role.” Throughout the discussion, Tabish emphasized, “I believe it’s crucial to uphold professionalism and mutual respect in interviews. Despite some difficulties, I’ve found that most interactions conclude positively, leaving both guests and hosts satisfied.” At the podcast’s end, Tabish’s thoughts offered valuable understanding of how celebrity interviews really work, giving a peek into the complex dynamics behind them.
An Anti-Terrorism Court in Islamabad has given permission for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to be granted pre-arrest bail in the judicial complex vandalism case. Meanwhile, the Sessions Court has stopped his arrest warrants in cases filed at Bani Gala and Golra police stations in Islamabad.
The ATC granted Gandapur interim bail until April 17, approving his pre-arrest bail request.
Gandapur’s lawyer Raja Zahoorul Hassan told the court his client was named in the first information report (FIR), but he had no role in the vandalism incident as he was not present on the scene. The lawyer further revealed that despite facing 50 FIRs, Gandapur was not even being allowed to reach the court.
However, Gandapur turned himself in to the Sessions Court in Islamabad, which led to the cancellation of the arrest warrants issued against him in cases filed at Bani Gala and Golra police stations.
A Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) ship, patrolling Pakistan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), came into contact with eight Indian fishing vessels that were engaging in illegal fishing activities within the boundaries of Pakistani waters.
A Pakistani sailor was martyred and two Indian fishermen went missing at sea, the PMSA statement said on Thursday. To escape the Pakistani authorities, one of the illegal fishing boats started speeding back towards Indian waters. During the intense pursuit, the vessel remained out of the authorities’ reach despite warnings to halt.
“Eventually, the fishing vessel slowed down, allowing the PMSA ship’s boarding team to embark,” said the statement. “However, after PMSA personnel were on the fishing vessel, it suddenly accelerated speed and altered its heading, thereby colliding with the PMSA ship. Consequently, the fishing vessel capsized and sank with all personnel on-board i.e. PMSA boarding team and fishermen, being thrown into sea.”
Following this, the fishing vessel sank and PMSA ship acted swiftly, rescuing five out of seven Indian fishermen and four of its own personnel. “However, regrettably, one PMSA sailor, Muhammad Rehan, later embraced martyrdom while two remaining Indian fishermen are still missing at sea.”
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has claimed on Thursday that the United States and Saudi Arabia have made “good progress” in talks on normalising ties between the kingdom and Israel. However, he did not provide a timeline for concluding the deal.
“I believe we can reach an agreement, which would present a historic opportunity for the two nations, but also for the region as a whole,” Blinken said at a joint press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in Cairo.
Talks on normalisation had been put on ice after Oct 7 but conversations have resumed in recent months.
While trying for a ceasefire in the Gaza war, the Biden administration has been working to secure a normalisation deal as well. However, Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries want the creation of a Palestinian state to be part of any such deal with Israel.
Saudi Arabia is also looking to sign a mutual defence pact with Washington and get U.S. support for its civil nuclear program. Blinken discussed the topics on Wednesday with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah during an official visit.
“We had a very good discussion about the work that we’ve been doing for many months now on normalisation, and that work is moving forward. We’re continuing to make good progress,” Blinken said but added that he could not offer a timeframe.
Earlier a senior State Department official said Washington and Riyadh were down to a handful of bilateral issues and there was political will to address those gaps.
A pact giving the world’s biggest oil exporter U.S. military protection in exchange for normalisation would reshape the Middle East by uniting two long-time foes and binding Riyadh to Washington at a time when China is making inroads in the region.
For such a deal to advance, Israel needs to agree to a pathway for creation of an independent Palestinian state, a prospect that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected.
Washington sees any normalisation deal woven into post-war planning that would include Arab countries providing security guarantees for Israel in return for the creation of a Palestinian state under a reformed Palestinian Authority.
Blinken did not elaborate how Washington would overcome Netanyahu’s objections to creation of a Palestinian state, but said the ongoing violence benefited Iran.
“The perpetuation of this cycle only benefits Iran and the proxies that are working for it. So I think as that choice is clear, people will begin to really think about it and make decisions,” Blinken said.
Until Oct 7, both Israeli and Saudi leaders had been saying they were moving steadily toward a deal that could have reshaped the Middle East.
Five months of war in the densely populated Gaza enclave have triggered starvation and food shortages.
The head of the World Health Organization said only opening more border crossings for trucks carrying aid could prevent famine in Gaza.
[Lahore] – 22 March 2024 – Allied Bank, in collaboration with Teamup Ventures, announces the third episode of its series of Fintech Hackathons. Following the success of the first two hackathons that witnessed the emergence of groundbreaking startups, Allied Bank and Teamup Ventures are once again bringing together innovators and entrepreneurs to drive digital transformation in the banking sector.
The Allied Bank Fintech Hackathon will continue its tradition of fostering innovation and collaboration among participants. With a focus on addressing key challenges and opportunities in the Fintech landscape, this year’s hackathon will feature four thematic areas:
Innovative Authentication Mechanisms
Transforming ‘myABL’ into an ‘Integrated Digital Platform’
The Hackathon will provide participants with a platform to develop and showcase innovative solutions that cater to the evolving needs of customers in the digital age. Allied Bank’s continued efforts to host these hackathons underscores its commitment to driving innovation and delivering exceptional digital experiences to its customers.
Reflecting on the success of the previous Hackathons, Mohsin Mithani, Chief Digital Officer at Allied Bank Limited, commented, The Fintech Hackathon has been instrumental in fostering innovation and nurturing emerging talent in the Fintech ecosystem. Such events provide an excellent opportunity to engage with the broader Fintech community and explore innovative solutions that can drive meaningful change in the banking industry. We look forward to seeing the groundbreaking solutions that participants will develop this year.”
Zouhair Abdul Khaliq, Founder and CEO at Teamup Ventures, echoed similar sentiments, stating, “The Allied Bank Fintech Hackathon has become a flagship event in the fintech community, providing a platform for collaboration, innovation, and entrepreneurship. We are excited to partner with Allied Bank once again and support the next generation of Fintech innovators.”
Applications for the 3rd Allied Bank Fintech Hackathon are now open, and interested participants can register at https://abl.com/hackathon until 28th April 2024. Problem solvers and innovators from across the country are encouraged to apply, and selected participants will have the opportunity to compete for cash prizes worth a total of PKR 3 million, mentorship opportunities, and potential collaboration with Allied Bank Limited.
About Allied Bank Limited: Allied Bank Limited is one of the largest banks in Pakistan, offering a wide range of financial products and services to individuals, corporations, and institutions. With a focus on innovation and digital transformation, Allied Bank is committed to delivering exceptional customer experiences and driving positive change in the banking industry.
About Teamup Ventures: Teamup Ventures is a leading innovation hub and venture builder dedicated to supporting startups and entrepreneurs in the Middle East and South Asia. Through its network of mentors, investors, and corporate partners, Teamup Ventures empowers startups to scale and succeed in today’s competitive market.
The Supreme Court on Friday ruled the dismissal of former Islamabad High Court (IHC) senior judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui as illegal, issuing directions that he may now be considered a retired judge.
The decision was announced by a five-member bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, Justice Aminuddin Khan, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi, and Justice Irfan Saadat. The bench had reserved the verdict on Aziz’s plea in January this year.
In his petition, the former judge challenged the decision of Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) removing him from office and an Oct 11, 2018 notification because of which he was dismissed for a controversial speech he had delivered at Rawalpindi Bar Association.
In his speech, Aziz blamed the country’s premier spy agency ISI of illegally using their influence to manipulate the court proceedings and forming their choice of benches in cases related to indictment of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz.
However, since the court noticed that since the former judge had attained the age of 62 years, he would not be able to resume his previous service as a judge. “Consequently, Justice Siddiqui shall be deemed to have retired as a judge of the IHC and he will be entitled to receive all the benefits and privileges due to a retired judge, by allowing these petitions in the above term,” it stated.
We all know Shah Rukh Khan loves playing the lovable rascal in his films but do you know, the superstar is a true gentleman in real life? During the filming of ‘Chak De! India’ the star helped all the girls who were acting in the film. Vidya Malvade, who was part of the movie, said that there were 16 girls working together on the film, unsure about how much time they would get on screen.
Shah Rukh Khan extended support to all the actresses, boosting their confidence. Vidya Malvade, one of the actresses in the film, disclosed, “During filming, there were 16 girls working together. At that moment, all these girls felt uncertain about their screen time. It happens; perhaps it was meant to be. The girls used to say, ‘I am in the middle, I need to stay ahead,’ and it happened.” Vidya revealed that Shah Rukh Khan helped all the girls to maximize their roles in the film. She stated, “Shah Rukh proved himself to be a great superstar on the set. He is the owner of a very kind personality and treats the cast like his own team.”
Vidya disclosed that Shah Rukh played a significant role during the shooting of the film. “Some of us girls were completely new and had difficulty with lights and angles. These girls used to deliver their lines while standing in their place, but Shah Rukh Khan helped them and said, ‘If you stand at this place and in this manner, your face will shine brighter, and your shot will also be better.’”
President Asif Ali Zardari has filed for Presidential immunity under Article 248 of the Constitution in two National Accountability Bureau (NAB) cases. The clause provides protection to high-ranking state officials from all legal proceedings in court for any action taken by them during their terms in office.
In the Park Lane Case, Mr Zardari is accused of allegedly using his influence to extract loans from the state exchequer for dummy corporations during his term as the President from 2008 to 2013. It is important to note that Mr Zardari, along with his sister and several other business associates, are accused in this case as well. However, the Presidential immunity only protects Mr Zardari.
The other NAB case is known as the Thatta Water Supply reference in which Asif Ali Zardari and others are accused of illegally awarding different contracts to private contractors. Zardari’s counsel emphasized that President Zardari’s status as the country’s elected head granted him immunity from legal action, thus rendering the continuation of the case against him untenable.
The accountability court has since issued a notice to the NAB, seeking a response to Mr Zardari’s application for immunity by April 22.
President Asif Ali Zardari has filed for Presidential immunity under Article 248 of the Constitution in two National Accountability Bureau (NAB) cases. The clause provides protection to high-ranking state officials from all legal proceedings in court for any action taken by them during their terms in office.
In the Park Lane Case, Mr Zardari is accused of allegedly using his influence to extract loans from the state exchequer for dummy corporations during his term as the President from 2008 to 2013. It is important to note that Mr Zardari, along with his sister and several other business associates, are accused in this case as well. However, the Presidential immunity only protects Mr Zardari.
The other NAB case is known as the Thatta Water Supply reference in which Asif Ali Zardari and others are accused of illegally awarding different contracts to private contractors. Zardari’s counsel emphasized that President Zardari’s status as the country’s elected head granted him immunity from legal action, thus rendering the continuation of the case against him untenable.
The accountability court has since issued a notice to the NAB, seeking a response to Mr Zardari’s application for immunity by April 22.
Bollywood maestro AR Rahman has composed music for nearly all of the major league directors in Bollywood. But which director is the composer’s favourite?
Rahman recently talked about director Imtiaz Ali and his new movie, Amar Singh Chamkila. He told News18 that Amar Singh Chamkila is “a very naughty” film.
“I love working with Imtiaz. He is very friendly. You know, with certain people, work is easy and there’s no pressure. With him, there’s never been pressure at all. I always wanted to do Punjabi music. I love the power in the language in music. So this was a great chance.”
Speaking about the film, he said, “It is a very naughty picture, we had to find the place for music. If you look at it, Chamika is a composer, lyricist and singer.
The question I asked was, ‘Why am I needed?’ [Then] I said, oh! We can do this part, we can make it like a musical where everybody sings about Chamkila blaming him for the good or the bad. That’s the director’s point of view and that was exciting.”
The movie tells the real story of Amar Singh Chamkila, a famous singer in Punjab. He came from a poor background but became very popular in the ’80s, making a lot of people angry along the way. He was killed when he was only 27-years-old.
‘Amar Singh Chamkila’ will be available for streaming on Netflix India starting April 12. The movie features Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra. “Chamkila was the biggest star in the 1980s, which was a really tough time for Punjab. Punjab has faced many difficult times, and this was one of the toughest.
We’re talking about one artist who was killed… I’ve only shown his life, but it represents the lives of many other artists in Punjab and around the world, who face the challenge of being famous and targeted at the same time,” Imtiaz Ali told PTI.
The military’s media wing reported on Friday that a suicide blast on a convoy resulted in the deaths of two soldiers who embraced martyrdom.
The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced that a suicide bomber detonated himself near a convoy on Thursday.
“Resultantly, two brave sons of soil, Naib Subedar Yasir Shakeel, 38, resident of District Kohat, and Sepoy Tahir Naveed, 34, resident of District Kohat, embraced shahadat (martyrdom),” the ISPR said.
The military’s media wing also said that security forces are committed to eliminating the terrorism from the country.
“Moreover, the perpetrators of this cowardly attack will be brought to justice,” it said.
On the other hand, armed forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in Balochistan’s Panjgur district on Thursday, during which one terrorist was killed and two others sustained injuries, the ISPR said.
