Author: optimum_tech

  • Factcheck: Is ‘Barbie’ banned all over Lahore?

    Factcheck: Is ‘Barbie’ banned all over Lahore?

    The devastating news that the iconic film ‘Barbie’ was recalled once more from cinemas by the Punjab Government for a second review has left fans fuming. News outlets said that the film was banned over four words were circulating on social media.

    On Saturday night some social media reports said that the screening had halted midway, and cinemas like Cue and Universal replaced the movie schedule for Barbie on their website with ‘Mission Impossible’.

    After speaking to an insider from the Punjab Film Censor Board, The Current has been informed that the film had previously been cleared to play in cinemas across Lahore, but it was the Punjab Government that had halted the screening and will release it after a second review. When we asked why there uproar on Barbie, and not Oppenheimer, the insider refused to comment on it.

    Speaking to Geo Fact Check, Amir Mir, the caretaker Information and Culture Minister of Punjab revealed ‘Barbie’ was re-called because of concern of the film’s content which showed ‘homosexuality’.

    “There is a gay character in it,” Mir said. “You can Google and find out if there is any such thing in it or not.”

    Mir added that the film will be re-examined in a few days and will be released to cinemas after censoring a few dialogues.

    However, Barbie was not censored in other cities like Islamabad or in Sindh. When Mir was asked about this his response was:

    “Other provinces probably like this kind of stuff. We have a problem with it.”

    However, we can advice you to not toss away your pink outfit yet, because Barbie is still playing in Chalo Cinemas at Fortress Square Mall. We contacted the cinema and a manager confirmed to us that the film has not been banned.

    On the official Instagram page, Chalo Cinema has still posted timings of the ‘Barbie’ movie.

    On their Instagram stories, the organisation shared Galaxy Lollywood founder Momin Ali Munshi’s post on how their cinema was the only place that was allowed to play Barbie. There are three censor boards in Pakistan: Sindh, Punjab, and for Central Cantonment. Cantt has a separate censor board, which is present in all provinces, and Barbie has been cleared by their Censor Board which is why it is playing in the only cinema present inside Lahore Cantt, at Fortress Stadium.

  • If you loved ‘Gunah’, here are some Pakistani crime-thrillers you should watch

    If you loved ‘Gunah’, here are some Pakistani crime-thrillers you should watch

    ‘Gunah’ was a long-awaited drama, hailed by critics and fans of Sarmad Khoosat alike. Featuring powerful performances by Saba Qamar, Rabia Butt and Juggun Kazim in her comeback debut, the series revolved around the sudden disappearance of Gul Noor (played by Kazzim), who leaves her two children and husband, the powerful landlord Malik Hayat Khan (played by Khoosat) in agony. To help him deal with his grief, his in-laws suggest he marry their younger daughter Gul Meher (played by Saba Qamar). But when a new SHO Sabiha (played by Rabia Butt) begins investigating the disappearance, the clues she picks up prove that there is a lot more to the story than what she has been told.

    As the drama ends today with the final episode airing on Express TV, we know how disappointed fans will be with one more spectacular television show coming to an end. But if your ‘Gunah’ nostalgia is going to hit a bit too hard, there have been some well-written crime-thriller dramas that you could rewatch this weekend. Here are some of our best recommendations.

    1. Jurm

    Starring the starry-eyed Wahaj Ali with Dur-e-Fishaan Saleem and Tooba Siddiqui in a supporting role, this is the kind of dark, chaotic drama that keeps you hooked through the twists and turns, and completely blows your mind away with the ending. The casting is absolutely well-chosen, with Wahaj playing the humble and warm-hearted husband Daniyal who is grieving the sudden kidnapping of his wife, but a twist later reveals he is not who he appears to be. What more do you need to pull you in to watching the drama than the fact that it was directed by Mehreen Jabbar, who was behind ‘Daam’ and ‘Jackson Heights’?

    1. Ye Dil Mera

    If you are chronically online then you must have seen on several occasions how this drama was consistently mentioned as the rare, few occasions the Pakistani entertainment industry managed to hit it out of the park. We have to agree with Twitter that its true, this drama lives up to its hype with a gripping storyline, as well as powerful performances by Sajal Aly and Ahad Raza Mir. Sajal stars as Aina, the sheltered daughter of an industrialist who bags a coveted internship with Aman-Ullah Khan. As the two grow closer together, the trauma Aman suffered in his childhood and its link to someone special in Aina’s life threatens to tear apart their relationship.

    1. Cheekh

    If you’re not over Saba Qamar’s dizzying, seductive performance in ‘Gunah’ then we can’t blame you because neither are we. She could walk in a room dressed as a sack and will manage to outshine everyone. If you’re looking for more of her capitivating performances, then we recommend you watch ‘Cheekh’ starring Bilal Abbas Khan, Emmad Irfani and Ushna Shah. After the brutal murder and rape of her closest friend, Mannat (played by Qamar) pursues the murderer through court and explores the struggles she must overcome to ensure her friend is given justice.

  • Factcheck: Is Afghan singer Hasiba Noori dead?

    Factcheck: Is Afghan singer Hasiba Noori dead?

    Claim: Afghan singer Hasiba Noori had been killed in Peshawar

    On Monday, social media was ablaze with news that Afghan singer Hasiba Noori had passed away in Pakistan under mysterious circumstances, having taken refuge here after the takeover of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Conflicting news reports emerged on social media where accounts said she had passed away in Peshawar, while others said that she had been killed in Quetta.

    A journalist, Izharullah, shut down rumors of Noori’s death in Peshawar, saying that there was no such information available with the police.

    However it was senior journalist Iftikhar Firdous who took to his Twitter account to say that the news was fake, and the Afghani singer is alive and well in Quetta.

    The Current spoke with Firdous on how he reached out to the Afghan singer, and he revealed that he had managed to get in touch with Noori after contacting at least 300 people for 12 hours. Firdous had a video call with Noori, which confirmed that his source was reliable and the news that she died was fake.

    On the viral picture of Noori’s alleged corpse lying in a hospital bed, Firdous revealed that it was taken after a surgery in Karachi, the singer had clarified.

    Currently, Noori is in Quetta, and has informed Firdous that she will post a video to squash these rumors.

    The claim is false.

    The singer also shared a video on her TikTok account to silence the rumors.

  • ‘I ain’t done yet’: Vasay Chaudhry leaves Mazaaq Raat

    ‘I ain’t done yet’: Vasay Chaudhry leaves Mazaaq Raat

    Television host and actor Vasay Chaudhry has announced on Saturday on his Instagram account that he was leaving the comedy talk show ‘Mazaaq Raat’ after hosting it for seven years.

    Chaudhry thanked fans for supporting him as the host for 7 years and 10 months, making it clear that the departure was not the end of his journey, as there was more to come.

    “After 1235 shows,7 years & 10 months, 2500 plus guests.. my journey with MAZAQRAAT comes to an End.I would like to thank ALL the guests who gave me the honour of interviewing them. Amazing Talent that I got to work with like Aman ullah Khan ( late) , Mohsin Abbas,Aun ali khan,Sakhawat Naz, chand Baral, akram Uddas, Aima Baig, Hina Niazi, Hiba,Rukhma and Ayesha. All the team that was behind the camera, especially Sanwal ( late), haseeb and Tayyab.

    I will always be indebted to Mian Amir Mahmood Sb ( chairman Dunya Tv ) for not even ONCE telling me how to do the show or interfering in the slightest possible way.

    It would never have been possible without our viewers. Wherever Urdu and Punjabi could be understood they sent us their love ,no matter which country they were in. THANK YOUUU.This show would always be super special to me because it was liked by my late father as well.So many guests that are not in this world today, and they gave me so so many memories to cherish.

    We always tried to make it a family show for the South Asian audiences. A show that you could enjoy with the whole family. At times, we might have failed, BUT the intention was always positive and clean.

    I would also like to wish Luck to who so ever that comes in after me. Please show the same love and admiration that you showed me. We all just try to entertain you.”

    Long time fans praised the actor’s skills in the comments, stating that they would miss seeing him on the iconic comedy show.

    One user wrote: “It was one of my most favourite shows. And the main reason behind liking the show was obviously YOU. Kher good luck for your new ventures! you have done a great job.”

    Another user wrote:

    “Na krein vasay Bhai. Ap jesa diversity phr kahan se mily ge? Aisy host kahan milein gay? This good bye is so heart breaking ”

    Read his full statement here:

  • ‘It did take a toll on my mental heath’: F-9 park harassment survivor speaks up

    ‘It did take a toll on my mental heath’: F-9 park harassment survivor speaks up

    Trigger warning: discussion of sexual harassment

    On Thursday, a video from the Instagram account sab.chutzpah.hai went viral on social media. The clip, shared by the anonymous account of a woman, detailed her account of a visit to F-9 park in Islamabad, where a man flashed her, then kept following her around as she ran to her car and tried to look around for police authorities, but found no one present for help.

    The incident prompted a response from the Islamabad police who wrote in the comment section that they wished to get in touch with the survivor to arrest the culprit.

    When The Current reached out to A*, she revealed that the incident took place on the June 26.

    She recounted that she visited the park to walk a bit around afternoon before attending her class at the university. She had been walking around the track which was near the parking lot, when suddenly she realised that someone was closely walking behind her.

    “There weren’t a lot of people in the park that day, and not even police men,” said A. “Which is odd because police officers are constantly patrolling the park and questioning people about their coming and going.”

    The woman recalled that the man was walking next to her as if they were together, and suddenly he came close to her and said “Aap ko jism dubwana hai [Do you want your body massaged]”?

    “I remembered being completely taken aback and shocked by this,” recounted A. “Then I threatened him to leave or I’ll call the police. But he was already aware of the fact there were no police officers present at the park and he didn’t stop walking behind me as I rushed to my car. I was frantically rushing to my car, while trying to find some police man standing around who could stop this man, but there were two cars there and in one a driver was present, and I was afraid that he might be involved with the man.”

    A said she sat in her car and tried to start it, but the man stood outside her window and kept jerking off as he looked at her directly.

    “I was incredibly worried and scared of what was going on,” she said. “So then I decided to make proof of this and recorded a video. I tried to hide behind the window blinds so he can’t notice, but he did and he tried to conceal his face, but I made the video. My car started immediately and when I came to the gate, there was no police man in sight even though it was afternoon.”

    A chose to remain anonymous and did not want her identity to be revealed to the police, as she hasn’t revealed the incident to her family, and decided to share this video with a public account instead.

    “They had shared a similar video of a man assaulting a woman,” she said. “That’s when I decided that I should share my experience with them.”

    On whether officials from the Islamabad Police had reached out for more details, A said they had informed the admin of the page that an FIR had been launched and a man hunt was underway in search of the harasser.

    She recounted that the incident had taken a toll on her mental health:

    “I feel so conscious about men around me now,” confessed A. “I don’t go out now without my mother.”

    Previously, a gang-rape case in February had drawn anger from activists and residents of Islamabad, when a woman and her colleague were attacked by two armed men, who raped her at gunpoint.

    A senior police official from the Islamabad Police told The Current that since the culprit has been identified in a video, all efforts will be made to catch him. “We will get all evidence from him regarding the immoral incident. Once the actions have been established what he was doing, we will charge him and then file a case for trial. We would encourage the victim to reach out to us directly and report it without going public but if she doesn’t, even then we will follow the law that will lead to prosecution subjected to availability of evidence.”

    The police official also said that the judiciary should also ensure in such cases that perpetrators are punished so that such harassment incidents must be discouraged and such practices must be stopped. “We would encourage all victims to report harassment incidents so that we can take proper action against perpetrators of harassment. In any civilised society, there are laws that deal with flashing or masturbation in public and other forms of harassment. We hope that our judiciary also makes a commitment to punishing harassers as it is against the norms, values and laws of Pakistan.”

    ⁩

  • Films about elderly people aren’t considered commercially viable: Simi Raheal

    Films about elderly people aren’t considered commercially viable: Simi Raheal

    Veteran actress Simi Raheal recently starred with Salman Shahid in the acclaimed Eid telefilm ‘Budhi Ghori Lal Lagham’, about an elderly couple who are struck with a tragedy, then choose to live adventurously. The short film was written and directed by actor Sheheryar Munawar, who previously received rave reviews for his Mahira Khan starrer short film ‘Prince Charming’.

    We spoke to Raheal at the premier of ‘Teri Meri Kahaniyaan’ at Cue Cinema and asked what drove her to the role.

    “He wrote and directed it, and the inspiration came from his own parents. We had recently done a tv series and I don’t know why but he wanted both Salman saab and myself as pivotal characters,” she disclosed.

    Raheal was also of the opinion that people want to listen to stories other than the typical saas bahu dramas. “There are a lot of stories out there, and different types of people and a lot of issues. Elderly people have their own set of problems. They want to do things. It’s not necessary that everything is for the youth.”

    Recently, veteran actress Mahnoor Baloch also apoke up about why she refused to work in Pakistani dramas, citing a lack of roles for women who are in their forties or fifties. Speaking on this matter, Raheal said it’s because stories that didn’t fit into the ‘hero heroine’ formulae are not considered ‘commercially viable’:

    “It’s not written actually, because people don’t write stories about aged women. Mostly people are interested in writing stories about heroes and heroines, which all have the same formulae. Other stories, people feel will not be commercially viable hence they remain untouched.”

    ‘Budhi Ghori Lal Lagham’ is available to watch on Youtube.

  • Miftah Ismail resigns as General Secretary of PML-N Sindh, leaves all committees

    Miftah Ismail resigns as General Secretary of PML-N Sindh, leaves all committees

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Miftah Ismail has resigned as General Secretary of the Sindh chapter of the party. The former finance minister has also resigned from all party committees, Geo has reported.

    “Given the upcoming reorganisation of the party structure, I think it’s time for me to make official what is already true and move on”, wrote Miftah in a letter to PML-N General Secretary and Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal.

    “I therefore tender my resignation as General Secretary of PML-N Sindh and also resign from all party committees.”

    Earlier, PML-N, Senior Vice President, Maryam Nawaz, while talking to senior party leaders, expressed disappointment with the performance of Miftah.

    Maryam Nawaz further said that Miftah will not be given any important party position in the future.

  • No Holi festival in universities anymore

    The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has banned Holi celebrations in educational institutes throughout the country, citing a deviation from the sociocultural values and Islamic identity of Pakistan. The notification regarding the ban was issued by HEC on Tuesday.

    According to the notification, students are prohibited from observing the festival to uphold sociocultural values.

    “While there is no denying the fact that cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity leads towards an inclusive and tolerant society, that profoundly respects all faiths and creeds; albeit it needs to be done so in a measured manner without going overboard. The students need to be apprised to be aware of the self-serving vested interests who use them for their own ends far from the altruistic critical thinking paradigm.”

    The decision comes a few days after Holi celebrations were held on June 12 by students at Quaid-i-Azam University. The notification, while referring to the event, said that “it has caused concern and has disadvantageously affected the country’s image.

  • Paisa double krna hai? Learn these eight important skills

    Paisa double krna hai? Learn these eight important skills

    Learning different skills is necessary for several reasons. Firstly, in today’s rapidly changing and competitive job market, having a diverse skill set makes you more adaptable and versatile. It allows you to navigate through different roles and industries, increasing your chances of finding new opportunities and staying employable. By continually learning and expanding your skill set, you can position yourself as a valuable asset to employers and stand out from the competition.

    Secondly, learning different skills enhances personal and professional growth. It broadens your perspective, improves problem-solving abilities, and promotes continuous learning. Acquiring new skills can boost your confidence; provide a sense of fulfillment, and open doors to new experiences and possibilities. Moreover, it enables you to pursue your passions and explore diverse interests, leading to a more fulfilling and rewarding career journey. Ultimately, learning different skills is essential for both professional success and personal development in today’s dynamic world.

    As a graduate, acquiring high-income skills can significantly enhance your career prospects and earning potential. Here are seven highly sought-after skills worth learning:

    Data Analysis and Data Science:

    In an increasingly data-driven world, proficiency in data analysis and data science can open up numerous opportunities. Skills like data mining, statistical analysis, machine learning, and programming languages like Python or R can be incredibly valuable.

    Software Development and Engineering:

    With technology permeating every industry, software development and engineering skills remain in high demand. Learning programming languages like Java, C++, or JavaScript, as well as frameworks and tools used in software development, can lead to lucrative job opportunities.

    Digital Marketing:

    As businesses rely more on digital platforms for marketing, digital marketing skills have become indispensable. Familiarize yourself with areas like search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, content creation, and analytics to excel in this field.

    Cybersecurity:

    With the rising threats of cybercrime, organizations are investing heavily in cybersecurity. Developing skills in areas such as network security, ethical hacking, vulnerability assessment, and security analysis can position you for well-paid roles in this critical field.

    Financial Analysis and Investing:

    A strong foundation in finance and the ability to analyze financial data can open doors in the corporate world. Skills like financial modeling, risk assessment, investment analysis, and knowledge of financial markets can lead to high-paying careers in finance and investment banking.

    Project Management:

    Effective project management skills are highly valued across industries. Understanding project lifecycles, budgeting, resource allocation and leadership can help you excel in roles where you manage complex projects and teams.

    UI/UX Design:

    With user experience (UX) becoming a key factor in the success of digital products, UI/UX design skills are in high demand. Learning the principles of user-centered design, prototyping tools, and usability testing can lead to well-paid opportunities in design and product development.

    Creative Copy writing:

    Learning creative copywriting skills is highly valuable as it enables effective communication, engaging content creation, branding and differentiation, impacts sales and conversion rates, and offers diverse career opportunities in marketing and advertising. Remember, while acquiring these skills is essential, continuous learning, practical experience, and staying updated with industry trends are equally important to remain competitive in the job market

  • 41 years later, ‘Ankahi’ is still more progressive than current drama serials

    41 years later, ‘Ankahi’ is still more progressive than current drama serials

    If we were to tell you that a drama is on air on Pakistani screens, showcasing a feisty, independent woman who stands up against forced marriages, is living with her single mother and uncle but never laments about not being married or plots 24/7 to entrap a man? You would say petrol is mulk mein sasta hojaye ga, but Pakistani dramas kabhi itnay achay nahi thay.

    We’re sorry to tell you that there was a time when Pakistani dramas were progressive and revolved around empowered women who never waited for a man, but were powerful and independent. Despite airing decades ago, more and more Pakistani women are watching classical dramas from PTV, and expressing their shock at the kind of empowering, witty women in these shows who never tolerated abuse, or the horrifying kind of things Pakistani dramas today think that all women want.

    Take ‘Ankahi’ penned by the brilliant Haseena Moin in 1982, decades ago and yet appealing to a mass audience with its main lead, Sana (played by Shehnaz Sheikh) who dreams of being rich, is clumsy yet endearing, outspoken about standing up for her rights, takes on the task to become financially independent and starts working despite the opposition she faces from her relatives.

    Did we imagine that what would pave the way after the women of Haseena Moin like Sana, Sunia, and the countless women from her drama’s- would be Umera Ahmed’s Khirad? A woman who set romantic standards that despite being neglected, kicked out of her home while pregnant, you forgive the man and every thing is good in the end.

    There is certain charm in the way PTV classical dramas from the minds of writers like Syed Mohammad Ahmed, Moin and Anwar Maqsood still appeal to audiences. They wrote over a variety of topics, covering a variety of issues like domestic violence (Sitara Aur Mehru Nisa), family planning (Aahat) and even light hearted rom-coms about women trying to pursue the men they love (Tum Se Kehna Tha). These dramas were upfront about bringing stories about women, and the issues they face to the spotlight, regardless of how absurd it may seem. Aahat discussed how women in Pakistan are pressurised to give birth to sons, are taunted when they have families full of girl children, and even didn’t shy away from depicting what post partum depression looks like, when the mother (played by Sania Saeed) is quickly returning home after giving birth, despite being forbidden by her doctor, and how she is made to endure the separation from her daughter because of the pressure her family puts on her. And as Moin put it herself, more rebellious women challenging the patriarchy was the onus:

    “I created the bold woman character as a counterpoint to all male writers who were showing women as a miserable victim, crushed by the system, eternally self-sacrificing, nurturing, serving her husband even though he visited prostitutes. Oh, it was so degrading! I like writing rebellious characters, and I keep repeating them so that there is an impact. The only thing is, my mode is comic and my words are never harsh. During many interviews, I have been asked why I show strong women characters. It annoys me. Do they ask male writers, why they show strong male characters?”

    Fast forward to the year 2023, censorship is at an all time high, and it was the implication of consensual sex that set PEMRA after ‘Tere Bin’ after a string of scenes depicted domestic violence, stalking, slapping, attempted suicide- too long of a list to get into.

    A few days ago, during an appearance at Mazaak Raat, Syed Mohammad Ahmed spoke about how writer’s today are more munshi than writers. They lack the creative freedom they had in the past to write about topics of their choice, and how the fixed formulae of creating a hit drama involved women being battered and abused, rather than rebelling against the patriarchy.

    Listening to this and watching as one of the currently hit dramas in Pakistan revolves around two cousins getting married, and the woman being demonised because she wanted to marry rich, there’s no way to stop the despair from hitting in. The hole left by Haseena Moin will be difficult to fill, as the entertainment industry keeps its head buried in the sand.