Category: Uncategorized

  • ‘I was tired of the politics [in Bollywood]’: Priyanka Chopra reveals reason why she moved to Hollywood

    Priyanka Chopra made headlines when she chose to leave Bollywood and start a career in Hollywood with the series ‘Quantico’. The star went on to act in prominent films such as ‘A Kid Like Jake’ and ‘Baywatch’.

    Talking on the podcast Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, Chopra opened up about the reason that compelled her to leave Bollywood, revealing that the ongoing politics and feuds of the industry had worn her out:

    “I was being pushed into a corner in the industry (Bollywood). I had people not casting me, I had beef with people, I am not good at playing that game so I kind of was tired of the politics and I said I needed a break,” said the ‘Love Again’ actress. “This music thing gave me an opportunity to go into another part of the world, not crave for the movies I didn’t want to get but I would require to schmooze certain clubs and cliques of people. It would require groveling and I had worked a long time by then that I didn’t feel like I wanted to do it.”

    Chopra had started a music career in Hollywood by releasing ‘In My City’ feat Will.I.Am in 2012, and later “Exotic’ in 2013, but decided to shift from music to acting.

    “You have late nights, and early mornings, you’re travelling to a different city every day and you do it for three months,” she told People. “That’s why my music career lasted two seconds…I was not meant to do that. This rock star life is… I admire it tremendously. It’s definitely not for the weak-hearted.”

  • Suzuki Swift experiences price increase of over Rs1.8 million since March 2022

    Suzuki Swift experiences price increase of over Rs1.8 million since March 2022

    In a little under a year, the price of cars in Pakistan has risen dramatically. Car companies across the country have announced successive price hikes since last year. Even the most affordable models, such as the Suzuki Alto, have become prohibitively expensive, with prices that the average salaried worker can scarcely afford.

    These price hikes can be attributed to a number of factors, including the depreciation of the Pakistani rupee against the US dollar and an increase in the cost of production. Unfortunately, this has resulted in even basic car models becoming unaffordable luxuries for many people in Pakistan.

    For instance, consider the Suzuki Swift – one of the country’s most popular cars. In March 2022, the base model of the Swift, known as the Suzuki Swift GL with manual transmission, was priced at Rs2,499,000. By March 2023, the same car jumped to Rs4,052,000 – an increase of Rs1,553,000.

    Those looking for a more advanced version of the Swift are in for an even bigger shock. The mid-variant, the Suzuki Swift GL CVT with automatic transmission, was priced at Rs2,699,000 just a year ago. Today, that same model will set you back an astounding Rs4,355,000 – an increase of Rs1,656,000.

    Furthermore, the top-of-the-line model, the Suzuki Swift GLX, has seen a significant price increase. One year ago, the GLX variant was priced at Rs2,899,000. Today, it costs an incredible Rs4,725,000 – a difference of Rs1,826,000.

    Overall, the sharp rise in car prices in Pakistan has made car ownership an unattainable dream for many people. It remains to be seen whether anything will be done to alleviate the financial burden of car ownership in the country.

    To provide a clear comparison, here is a table showcasing the prices of the three variants of the Suzuki Swift from March 2022 to March 2023:

    Model March 2022 Price March 2023 Price Difference
    Swift GL Manual Rs2,499,000 Rs4,052,000 Rs1,553,000
    Swift GL CVT Rs2,699,000 Rs4,355,000 Rs1,656,000
    Swift GLX Rs2,899,000 Rs4,725,000 Rs1,826,000
  • Nation will understand the value of Babar-Rizwan after this series says Shadab Khan

    Nation will understand the value of Babar-Rizwan after this series says Shadab Khan

    Afghanistan thrashes Pakistan and leading the three match series by 2-0 by defeating Pakistan in the second T20 at Sharjah cricket ground. Rashid khan led Afghanistan cricket team exposed the young Pakistan cricket team’s weaknesses.

    Shahdab Khan the substitute captain for Afghan series while talking to media in post-match press conference says “Nation will now give more respect and honor yo our legends after this series.

    Whenever Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan not performing or even when they are performing the sword of strike rate is hanging on their head now when they are not with us in the team we have all seen the importance of Babar and Rizwan.”

    Shadab khan more said that nation and media was forcing to take youngster in the team who have just perform in one PSL edition and some ex-players forcing management to give rest to the senior players like Babar and Rizwan now they will know the value of our legends.

  • Yashma Gill debunks the ‘gold digger stereotype’, encourages women to be financially independent

    Yashma Gill debunks the ‘gold digger stereotype’, encourages women to be financially independent

    Yashma Gill was a guest on the Nadir Ali podcast, a clip of which has gone viral, where she passionately spoke out against the misogynist stereotype that women are gold-diggers.

    Ali said that in our society today, a man’s ugliness is considered his empty pocket:

    “Regardless of whether he is good-looking or not, he looks awful without having money. He is told to go and earn money.”

    Gill corrected this statement by pointing out that that many women in successful, happy marriages are earning more than their husbands so this stereotype that women are only in love with money isn’t true:

    “I will not give any names, but around us there are a lot of examples where a woman is more successful than her husband, and they had love marriages…Regardless of these people belonging to my field or not..I don’t like the stigma attached to women that we are gold diggers.”

    Ali brought up a sexist stereotype about women gaining financial independence and abandoning men:

    “When a man earns, he hands over everything he has to the woman. Whereas when a woman begins earning she decides to abandon her man.”

    Gill counteracted this statement by pointing out that financial independence only helps women become more confident within themselves, and doesn’t translate into not wanting a companion anymore.

    “People are confusing this with when a woman becomes financially independent, she is no longer helpless,” stressed the ‘Pyaar Kay Sadqay’ actor. “She can stand up for herself. She can remind her parents that she is no longer a burden on them so doesn’t need to be married off. She can even provide for her children…So I think that independence for women and girls can give them strength and power, not the fact that they don’t need a man. Everyone needs companionship.”

    Gill then gave the example of Hazrat Adam (S.A.W) and Hazrat Havva (S.A.W), to prove that every human being was meant to have a companion:

    “Take the example of Hazrat Adam (S.A.W) and Hazrat Havva (S.A.W), this is a natural thing that evcryone needs companionship. But there must be compatibility, respect and a lot of other things.”

    Listen to her complete interview here:

    Gill shared the viral clip on her Instagram stories to address the misunderstanding that might rise in case audience is assuming that Ali was being sexist, to which the actor had written that the host was respectful and well mannered:

    “So just to clear the air, the respectable host only meant to ask my opinion on what is a common misconception in society. Nowhere did he agree with it himself or said that it is something that he believes in. It was just one of the many things that he discussed with me – “discussed” not imposed, argued or debated. Therefore let’s not get him wrong and frame him in ways he doesn’t deserve because he was nothing but extremely kind and respectful towards me that I was honestly in awe of his nature. A true gentleman.”

  • ‘Azhar Mashwani PTI ke paas hai’: Rana Sanaullah

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has said that Pakistan Thereek-e-Insaf (PTI) social media activist Azhar Mashwani has not been picked up by the government, implying that he is with PTI.

    Talking in Geo News programme, ‘Naya Pakistan’, Sanaullah said that PTI is carrying out fake propaganda, reiterating that Mashwani has not been abducted by the authorities.

    “He [Azhar Mashwani] is with them [PTI]. They have a way of churning fake narratives, and then they keep on beating around those lines,” said Sanaullah.

    Sanaullah further said that matters have not just reached the point of no return but far beyond the point of no return, stressing that whatever the outcome, PTI Chairman Imran Khan will be solely responsible.

    Read more: ‘Enough is enough’: Khan demands immediate release of PTI activist Azhar Mashwani

    Mashwani was picked up last week by unknown persons. Blaming the authorities for abducting Mashwani, Khan took to Twitter and wrote: “Enough is enough. Police in Punjab and Islamabad are breaking all laws with impunity as they target PTI. Today Azhar Mashwani was abducted in the afternoon from Lahore and his whereabouts are unknown.” Khan demanded the immediate release of Mashwani.

  • Pervaiz Elahi ko humnay aisay rakha hai jaisay handi mein masala, says Fawad Chaudhry

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry spoke disparagingly against party president Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.

    Fawad Chaudhry said that Elahi is not a public favourite, rather he is someone who does politics with the powerful.

    Fawad further said that every party has a ‘handi’ [cooked dish] in which different spices are added, and he [Pervaiz Elahi] is also an important spice.

    It is pertinent to mention here that the former Chief Minister of Punjab, Elahi, has recently parted ways with Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) and joined PTI.

    The rift between Elahi and Chaudhry seems to continue as in the past the party president had spoken in favour of Fawad’s arrest and later apologised for his statement.

  • ‘Amazing, fulfilling’; Tennis star Sania Mirza shares clip while performing Umrah

    Sports star and television host Sania Mirza shared a video clip of her trip to the holy city of Mecca to perform Umrah. In the caption, Mirza had written that she was thankful for the experience:

    “It has been the most amazing and fulfilling time here .. may Allah call us back again and again .. In sha Allah .. Allhamdulillah for everything .. ya Rabb tera shukar hai ”

    Mirza also shared some other pictures with her children of her visit

  • Maryam Nawaz to unmask Khan’s handlers next week: report

    Maryam Nawaz to unmask Khan’s handlers next week: report

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senior Vice President and chief organiser Maryam Nawaz will unveil the identities of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s local and international handlers next week. 

    According to media reports, Maryam Nawaz will address a rally in Kasur on Monday, where she will reveal the facts.

    Earlier, addressing a PML-N workers’ convention in Rawalpindi, Maryam said that certain people were still supporting Khan as he did not appear before courts while hearings against him were being delayed.

    She said she was not talking about honest judges but those who were part of the Lt General (retd) Faiz Hameed legacy.

    Maryam said that while Khan could go to Rawalpindi for his party’s gathering with his injured leg, he “cannot appear before the court”.

    While addressing the crowd during her party’s convention in Gujranwala, Maryam claimed that the “facilitators” still wanted to save a person [Imran Khan] who had “already drowned”. 

    “I want to ask the facilitators why they want to save a person because of whom the country’s fate has sunk. That person drowned himself, but why are you people bent on [losing] your jobs?” she said.

  • Shaniera Akram opens up about first acting experience in ‘Money Back Guarentee’

    Australian-born philanthropist Shaniera Akram is making her film debut with ‘Money Back Guarentee’ which also stars her husband Wasim Akram and Fawad Khan as the main leads. The supporting cast of the movie include Ayesha Omar, Javed Sheikh, Gohar Rasheed among others.

    Akram opened up about why she chose to act in the film, revealing that the director Faisal Qureshi had reached out to her and her husband with the script:

    ‘The director of the film reached out to me and Wasim about whether we would like to take part in his film, and then when he sent us the script, I found it to be incredibly funny and excellent. After that, we both agreed to take part in the project.”

    Akram also talked about the kind of role she would be playing in ‘Money Back Guarentee’:

    “I have a neutral character in this film. I play an American woman who, along with some other Americans, comes to Pakistan… I am not allowed to talk about my role in the film, but I had a lot of fun playing this part.”

    Akram revealed that she loved acting and would like to do more films in the future, as well as write stories for Pakistani cinemas:

    “I will definately keep on acting in the future because i loved this role, and I enjoy performing in front of the camera. I think i would love to play more challenging roles ahead. I would like to do more roles where speaking Urdu is a requirement, I have a really good memory so I can memorize dialogues and speak them in a better manner. I would need to take guidance from a coach as well…I would love to write a few stories, I have a few amazing ideas for Pakistani cinemas. But I would love to act in a role which would reflect my experience of staying in Pakistan, especially when I came to this country for the first time. I think this would be quite an interesting.”

    Akram revealed she was nervous about how Pakistani audiences would respond to seeing her on the screen, adding:

    “I’m not sure if Pakistani audiences would be willing to see me on television screens. I can only find out after they watch me in my first film.”

    Listen to the complete interview below:

  • ‘Ensure Punjab, KP polls to avoid contempt of court’: President tells PM to safeguard rights of citizen

    ‘Ensure Punjab, KP polls to avoid contempt of court’: President tells PM to safeguard rights of citizen

    President Dr Arif Alvi in a letter written to Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, has urged him to ensure the implementation of Supreme Court’s orders about the elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

    Alvi in his letter emphasised that all relevant executive authorities of the federal and provincial governments should be directed to refrain from abuse of human rights and assist the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold the election in two provinces within the constitutional time-frame, in compliance of orders of the apex court, to avoid further complications, including contempt of court.

    The president said that the prime minister, being head of the government, was responsible for safeguarding human rights as well as the fundamental rights of every citizen of Pakistan as enshrined in the Constitution.

    President Alvi maintained that elections of provincial assemblies, in case of their dissolution under Article 105 or Article 112, were required to be held within 90 days under Article 224 (2) of the Constitution.

    The top court in its order dated March 1, had directed the electoral watchdog to propose date(s) to the president for holding the poll within 90 days or on a date that deviates to the barest minimum from the aforesaid deadline, he added.

    The president said that KP Governor Haji Ghulam Ali was also directed by the SC to appoint a date for holding the general election for the provincial assembly as per the time frame.

    “Subsequently, ECP had proposed holding of general elections between 30th April – 7th May, 2023 and general elections for the Provincial Assembly of Punjab were announced to be held on 30th April, 2023 and the same was notified by the ECP,” read the letter.