Author: newsdesk

  • ‘Not everyone you work with is your friend’: Maryiam Nafees on social media BFFs

    ‘Not everyone you work with is your friend’: Maryiam Nafees on social media BFFs

    The entertainment industry is a notoriously cutthroat place and actress Mariyam Nafees agrees.

     

    Appearing as a guest on Gup Shap hosted by Vasay Chaudhry, she discussed how she navigates relationships in the entertainment industry. 

    Rabbania Shirjeel asked, “Mariyam you are quite vocal about social issues, so how do you navigate within the industry?”

     

     Maryiam replied, “I try not to get into it too much. I say, ‘you do your thing, let me do mine.’ I’ve learned that no one is truly your friend here. The few friends I have in the industry were already my friends from before.”

     Speaking about the trend of social media best friends forever (BFF), Jaan – e Jahan actress emphasized, “They’re mostly just for show. Real friendship is something very deep, and not everyone you work with or post pictures with is truly a friend. Most people are just colleagues or acquaintances. I have a very small circle of genuine friends who have stayed consistent through everything, and they mean a lot to me.”

    When it comes to her professional life, the Yaqeen Ka Safar actress stays focused on her work.

    “When it comes to navigating projects or scripts, I just focus on doing my part for those 12 hours on set. Thankfully, we now have writers, directors, and producers who are willing to listen. If there’s something in a script that doesn’t align with what I want to portray, we discuss it and usually find a middle ground,”  Maryiam Nafees explained.

     

    Earlier, actress Maryiam Nafees fearlessly expressed her opinions on various matters during an interview, be it politics, social issues, or her industry.

    Appearing as a guest on Ahmed Ali Butt’s show ‘Mind Na Karna’, Mariyam was asked about having more than one spouse, as cricketer Shoaib Malik’s marriage came up in the discussion.

    She said, “I respect that Islam allows men to have up to four marriages, but our religion also says men can’t treat their wives equally. I think very few women can accept their husbands marrying again.”

    Nafees said that if her husband wants to marry again, she won’t object, but will instead ask for a divorce. “If someone isn’t happy in their marriage, they should end it and marry again, whether it’s the second or third time. But I want to emphasize that it’s tough for men to treat multiple wives equally, as our religion states.”

  • How many times did Junaid Jamshed marry? Son finally reveals details

    How many times did Junaid Jamshed marry? Son finally reveals details

    Babar Junaid Jamshed, son of the late Junaid Jamshed, has spoken on record about his father’s marriages for the first time.


    Babar participated as a guest in a podcast.


    While answering a question, he revealed that his father, the late Junaid Jamshed, had a total of three marriages.


    Babar said, “According to my information, apart from my mother, he had two other wives, one of whom died in the plane crash with my father. Apart from my mother, he had no children from the other two wives; we are only four siblings.”


    He said, “I remember that once he asked me that people say your father has had multiple marriages, but tell me if I have ever done injustice to your mother or you people? To which I replied no, Baba, you have fulfilled all your responsibilities and have given us a lot of love. He was satisfied after hearing this.”


    Junaid Jamshed died in a plane crash on December 7, 2016.


    At the peak of his career, Junaid Jamshed gave up singing and music to embark on the path of preaching.


    His last journey was also for the propagation of religion, and he spent the last days of his life in Chitral preaching Islam and inviting people to come towards the true light.

  • New video hints at Aishwarya dropping Bachchan surname

    New video hints at Aishwarya dropping Bachchan surname

    Bollywood superstar Aishwarya Rai Bachchan recently attended the Global Women’s Forum in Dubai, where she delivered an emotional speech on women’s empowerment.


    The event’s official Instagram page shared a video showing the actress on stage, with her name displayed behind her: “Aishwarya Rai, International Star,” omitting the surname Bachchan.


    This led to a flurry of social media reactions, with many users speculating that Aishwarya had officially removed Bachchan from her name. 


    However, a fact-check by News18 confirmed that Aishwarya’s full name remains unchanged on her verified Instagram profile, where she is still listed as Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.


    Some social media users suggested that the exclusion of Bachchan was a professional choice rather than a personal one, emphasizing Aishwarya’s identity.


     The speculation comes amid ongoing rumors about Aishwarya and her husband Abhishek Bachchan’s alleged separation. 


    Adding to the buzz, Aishwarya recently shared photos of their daughter Aaradhya’s 13th birthday party, which notably did not feature Abhishek.


    Check the video below:

  • Chinese Pizza Hut introduces deep fried pizza with frog topping

    Chinese Pizza Hut introduces deep fried pizza with frog topping

    A Chinese Pizza Hut has come up with the most bizarre pizza topping that is making waves across the internet. It is serving customers deep-fried frogs on top of their pies.


    As per the menu, this is called a ‘Goblin Pizza’.


    An image of the Pizza Hut advertisement featuring a thick-crust pizza with a red sauce base under a bed of parsley with the bullfrog on top and two halves of hard-boiled egg with black olives appearing as the ‘eyes’ of the frog has gone viral on the internet. 


    A translation of the Chinese caption suggests that the pizza is available for a limited time with a “special bullfrog” being ‘used’ in it.


    However, it is unclear for how long Chinese Pizza Hut will be offering the pizza as the company does not specify on their website either.

    Global food trendwatcher and industry consultant David Henke posted a picture of the special pizza that’s supposedly being offered in the Cinese pizza outlet on his X (formerly Twitter) account. 


    Henke shared the poster and captioned it: “Per@Technomic Global Navigator, in proof that other countries/cultures prefer different types of proteins, Pizza Hut is offering a pizza topped with a frog for a limited time offer in China – and frog is trending.”


    A Korean news outlet, Maeil Business Newspaper, reported the protein-packed pizza has been launched in collaboration with Dungeons and Dragons and is named “Goblin Pizza” after one of the popular game’s characters.


    One user commented “Cannot decide which is worse: The frog or the grotesque ‘eyeballs’ above it.” 

    One of the users said, “Guess they really jumped on the idea of thinking outside the box.”

  • Matiullah Jan arrested from PIMS hospital

    Matiullah Jan arrested from PIMS hospital

    Prominent journalist Matiullah Jan has been arrested alongside journalist Saqib Bashir from the parking lot of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hospital in Islamabad on Wednesday night.

    Abdul Razaq Jan, son of Matiullah Jan, claimed in a video message that Saqib Bashir had been released after a while. However, his father was still “missing.”

    Matiullah Jan’s son stated that he was informed about the “abduction” of his father by Saqib Bashir at around 4 AM.


    Veteran journalist Hamid Mir took to X (formerly Twitter) to claim that Matiullah Jan was detained at Margalla Police Station.

    “We are informed that he [Matiullah Jan] is required in an FIR along with Ali Amin Gandapur and Bushra Bibi,” Hamid Mir wrote.


    However, no official response has been issued by the authorities.

    Matiullah Jan was also apprehended during the PTI-led govt in July 2020 from Islamabad sector G-6 but was released after a while.

  • TikTok to prevent under-18 users from using beauty filters

    TikTok to prevent under-18 users from using beauty filters

    TikTok has decided to implement restrictions to prevent users under the age of 18 from using beauty filters.

    Users under the age of 18 will soon be prevented from using effects that enhance their beauty and attractiveness. The change is aimed at protecting minors from mental health problems.

    Beauty filters are applied to real-time video images to enhance physical attractiveness. Common effects of such filters include smoothing skin texture and enlarging eyes or narrowing the nose. A filter called ‘Bold Glamour’ turns anyone into a supermodel.

    However, according to the company, the age restriction will not apply to filters that are designed for entertainment purposes.

    TikTok will also use machine learning technologies that can help identify accounts belonging to children under the age of 13.

  • Big names return as probable names for South Africa series revealed

    Big names return as probable names for South Africa series revealed

    The consultations on squad for the national cricket team’s tour of South Africa have entered their final stage, and big names are likely to return to the team.

    A strong squad will be selected for the ODI series and could mark the return of former skipper Babar Azam as well as fast bowlers Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi.

    With Champions Trophy just around the corner, Fakhar Zaman’s return has been declared “necessary”, and so, it is possible that the star batter will be selected for Pakistan’s white-ball squad. Imam-ul-Haq’s name is also being considered for the red-ball team while senior batters and bowlers can be rested in the T20 series to give a chance to young players, reports said.

    The squads are expected to be announced after the end of the ongoing ODI series against Zimbabwe. The board is also mulling setting up a camp for Test players in South Africa.

    Pakistan are scheduled to play a series of three ODIs, three T20Is and two Test matches in South Africa. The series will be played from December 10 to January 7.

  • Hopefully, Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan: Mohsin Naqvi

    Hopefully, Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan: Mohsin Naqvi

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has confirmed that the Board is in constant contact with the International Cricket Council (ICC), adding that, “Hopefully, the Champions Trophy will be in Pakistan.” 

    While talking to media in Lahore, Naqvi said, “It is not possible for us to go and play in India, and they do not play in Pakistan. Hopefully, the Champions Trophy will be in Pakistan; whatever decision is made, we will come out with the best for Pakistan.”

    Pointing out that the Gaddafi Stadium has been upgraded to international standards, he said, “The reconstruction work of the stadium started on October 10. The capacity of the stadium will be increased to 35 – 40 thousand, and the view will be much better. I wanted the Rawalpindi stadium to be ready at the same time; if I had received the report of the Pindi Stadium earlier, it would have been better. After seeing the whole situation, we will come out with something better from the ICC meeting.”

    The ICC board meeting will be held on Friday to consider the future of the ICC Champions Trophy.

    The option of adopting a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy will be presented in the board meeting, and an attempt will be made to convince Pakistan. However, Pakistan has already rejected the hybrid model, and if the decision to vote is against Pakistan, PCB will respond in consultation with the government.

  • Zara Noor Abbas embraces hope and positivity in her 30s

    Zara Noor Abbas embraces hope and positivity in her 30s

    Actress Zara Noor Abbas recently shared her thoughts on optimism as she enters her 30s.


    On Instagram, she wrote a note aimed at millennials. Although she used to laugh at motivational content, she now embraces hope and positivity.


    Abbas confessed to enjoying self-deprecating humor and often felt a cloud of despair. But she admits that her 30s have made her more grounded, helping her understand her life better and realize what she needs to do to live the way she wants.


    She highlighted that self-awareness can be tough, but it’s crucial. Abbas stated, “Knowing too much activates the part of your brain that likes to simplify.” Knowing herself well allows her to avoid unpleasant surprises. Abbas is now channeling her self-knowledge into hope and positivity, appreciating her journey and looking forward to the future with clarity.


    In closing, Abbas expressed her newfound optimism by saying, “All this knowledge of self cannot go unused, come on! I channel most of it into hope: hope to appreciate how far I’ve come despite all the cynicism, and hope to see how far I can go with a tad more clarity.” We love the positive energy she’s bringing into this new chapter of her life!

  • PTI’s protest ongoing, will continue till Imran Khan calls it off: Gandapur

    PTI’s protest ongoing, will continue till Imran Khan calls it off: Gandapur

    Hour after fleeing from Islamabad to Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) Ali Amin Gandapur has broken silence over the abrupt end to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) “decisive” protest in the federal capital, saying that the “sit-in will continue” until party founder Imran Khan calls it off.

    “This is not just a political demonstration but a fight for our fundamental rights,” CM Gandapur said while addressing party workers and media persons in Mansehra on Wednesday.

    PTI had on late Tuesday night called off its Islamabad sit-in “for the time being” after violent clashes with law enforcement.

    “In view of the government’s brutality and plan to turn the capital into a slaughterhouse for unarmed citizens, [we] announce the suspension of the peaceful protest for the time being,” PTI’s official X (formerly Twitter) account said in a press release on Wednesday morning.

    In his maiden public appearance following the developments, CM Gandapur accused the government of oppressive actions against PTI supporters and highlighted the “illegal detentions”, “uncalled for violence against peaceful demonstrators” and restrictions on freedom of assembly.

    He also claimed that hundreds of his party workers were killed during the grand clearance operation in Islamabad.

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ataullah Tarar had, however, on Tuesday night said that “no bodies fell in the operation”. Government officials and ministers have also alleged that PTI protesters caused severe damage to public and government property in Islamabad.

    Addressing media persons, CM Gandapur also complained that whenever his party announced a rally or procession, they were denied permission. “Even the courts are not providing justice,” he said.

    “When we approach courts for justice, we don’t get justice, nor do we get the floor of the parliament that is against the sanctity of the House. Our only option to deliver our message is to protest if we are not allowed to hold public gatherings,” Gandapur added.

    He claimed that the government was involved in direct attacks on him and Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi during the protest, and called out the federal government by saying that they had “broken Pakistan once before” and were “doing so again”.

    “Our province knows how to secure its mandate, it knows how to claim its rights, and it knows how to protect its people.”

    The government had on Tuesday night launched a grand operation starting from D-Chowk in Islamabad to end PTI’s protest campaign. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Information Minister Tarar at around 2 am addressed media persons to announce that the government had successfully quashed the demonstrations that continued for three days.