Category: Uncategorized

  • Ertuğrul cast to visit Pakistan in Oct/Nov

    The cast of Ertuğrul, including Esra Bilgiç and Engin Altan Düzyatan, have expressed their desire to visit Pakistan and interact with their Pakistani audiences who have showered them with so much love and appreciation.

    VIDEO: ‘Ertuğrul’ star Engin Altan sings ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’

    Given the ongoing pandemic and restricted movement, the cast has been unable to plan a visit to the country. However, according to a press release by Sophisto Global Media, the cast is expected to visit Pakistan in October or November depending on the situation. Sophisto Global Media is an international media company and a subsidiary of Imtiaz Holding, Turkey’s largest British-Pakistani owned holding company. It provides advertising, endorsement and media services to many of the world’s leading brands in both Turkey and abroad.

    CEO of Imtiaz Holding Omar Imtiaz said that the cast will visit Pakistan to meet with fans and producers and “build something spectacular for the long term”.

    He added that the Turkish actors are looking forward to the visit and many are already learning words as well as choosing which food dishes they want to try.

    Read more – ‘Ertuğrul’ star thanks Neelam Muneer for her ‘nice compliments’

    According to details, a joint collaboration agreement was signed between Sophisto Global Media and Hasan Gungor, a celebrity management agency which represents many of Turkey’s leading actors including those from Diriliş: Ertuğrul, to promote cross-border partnership. Under the agreement, Turkish talent, culture and history through film, drama, art and music will be showcased in Pakistan while Pakistani drama, talent, productions, art and music will be promoted in Turkey.

  • Cockpit crew, air traffic control responsible for plane crash: report presented to PM today

    Cockpit crew, air traffic control responsible for plane crash: report presented to PM today

    Exactly a month after the fatal Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane crash in Model Colony, Karachi, the preliminary investigation report was presented to Prime Minister Imran Khan today. Federal Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan met the prime minister and briefed him on the investigation into the incident.

    Read more – PIA crash survivor recalls what happened

    The crash claimed 97 lives and two survivors and according to Geo News, the report details that the air traffic control and the cockpit crew of the plane were responsible for the crash but it also says that the deterrents in place by PIA and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) were not enough to avoid the plane crash and they also share equal responsibility of the crash.

    The report has also stated that investigation into any technical failure is still on-going but no technical issues have been determined yet. It is pertinent to mention here that this is a preliminary one and the detailed report will take upto six months or a year.

    Read more – The Sher I knew

    Following the crash, the prime minister had ordered a probe into the incident to determine why the plane had crashed and Federal Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan had said that he would present the report to the national assembly today (June 22nd).

    According to a recording of a Mayday call, the pilot told controllers the aircraft had lost power when he tried to land for the second time.

    Read more – Currency worth Rs3 crores was being smuggled on PK8303; discovered in PIA plane’s debris

    The aircraft had tried to land earlier but went around for a second attempt. According to the recording, an air traffic controller told the pilot that he might be off-course. The pilot told him that he had lost the engines. The pilot had been cleared to use any runway but called, “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday,” and the plane crashed minutes later.

    After the aircraft reportedly called off an earlier attempt to land and went around for a second attempt, a controller radioed the pilot of flight 8303 that he appeared to be turning left, suggesting he was off-course.

    The pilot replied, “We are returning back, sir, we have lost engines,” and the controller cleared the plane to land on either of Karachi airport’s two West-Southwest-facing runways.

    Meanwhile, the flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) have been been decoded in France and the inquiry committee has received a report.

  • Teenager accidentally kills himself while recording TikTok video

    Teenager accidentally kills himself while recording TikTok video

    A teenager accidentally shot himself while recording a TikTok video in Karachi’s Sikandarabad on Sunday.

    As per reports, the deceased, who was 17 years old, was reportedly filming himself while holding his father’s pistol when he accidentally pulled the trigger, killing himself.

    VIDEO: Hassan Ali, wife turn filmy on TikTok

    According to the Sachal police, the family declined a post-mortem. After the completion of medico-legal formalities, the body was handed over to the family. The police said that the pistol was licensed and belonged to the boy’s father.

  • Esra Bilgiç wishes to feature Kashmir in her documentary project

    Esra Bilgiç wishes to feature Kashmir in her documentary project

    Esra Bilgiç, who plays the fearless Halima Sultan in the super hit Turkish series, Diriliş: Ertuğrul, says that she would love to visit Pakistan and feature the country in her documentary project.

    In an interview with Hello Magazine Pakistan, Esra, who is currently studying Law, shared that she has written a documentary project about “how nature responds to us in all circumstances.”

    “The destroyed agricultural areas, forests ruined by urbanization and the habitats of animals which could return to their former fertile states in such a short time. No matter how much damage we do to nature, it hugs us every time we go to it,” said Esra.

    She continued: “I intend to reach villages and mountainous areas that have difficulties, due to financial deficiencies and access to natural resources. I want to help the local people, to listen and photograph their problems, and to make everyone aware. In the quarantine period with the team in Turkey, we have identified a few places. I want to complete all our preparations — and after a few photography classes— get to work.”

    The actor then expressed her desire to visit Pakistan for her project.

    “I hope that my first visit to Pakistan will take place as part of this documentary project,” she said. “I want to photograph the geographical topography, the vegetation and the exotic sites. I love the mountainous areas of the Babusar Kaghan Valley; the views overlooking the Valley of Leepa in Azad Kashmir; the camp plan in Concordia and the amazing Deosai plateau.”

    Esra added: “In fact, the Kashmir region is one of the places I am most curious about and want to travel to and determine a few places for the documentary project.”

    Read more – Halime Sultan sends her love to Pakistan

    Meanwhile, talking about the success of the series in Pakistan, Esra said she cannot thank the Pakistani audience enough for their love and that the success has motivated her to excel more.

    “To know that the character to whom I gave life as an actor, embraced like this, is the biggest reward I could get. Literally it is like a prize,” exclaimed the actor.

    On why Ertuğrul resonated so well with the Pakistani audience, Esra said: “The fact that a movie series or music finds a response in people living in other cultures proves that emotions are universal. The main theme of the Ertuğrul was not to remain silent in the face of injustice, to stand by the oppressed and to fight for justice.”

    “I believe that the Pakistani people’s love for Ertuğrul has led them to embrace our similarities, especially in the ways we express emotion.”

  • Quiz – End of the World

    Quiz – End of the World

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  • PM Imran urges TV writers’ to promote family values, national identity through dramas

    PM Imran urges TV writers’ to promote family values, national identity through dramas

    Prime Minister Imran Khan, in a video meeting with renowned writers across the country, urged them to promote family values and national identity through their writings and dramas. Writers who were part of the meeting included Hasina Moin, Amjad Islam Amjad, Bee Gul, Fasih Bari Khan, Zafar Meraj, Zanzbeel Asim Shah, Amna Mufti, Saima Ikram Chaudhry and Jahanzeb Qamar.

    According to APP, the prime minister assured the government’s support for the promotion of national culture and identity. In the meeting, PM Khan discussed the importance of highlighting national culture and identity and said that the education and training of the youth had been jeopardized by modern communication tools, internet, easy access to objectionable content and onslaught of alien culture and traditions.

    The PM asserted that foreign content – such a Bollywood – is putting our history, culture and social values in danger and reducing the youth’s knowledge about Islamic personalities, sagas and national history.

    PM Imran also said that the government was aiming to revamp and digitalise Pakistan Television (PTV) and revive its previous glory.

    Fasih Bari Khan, and other writers present on the occasion, speaking to a private media outlet, said that PM Khan had highlighted that the whole society was in a state of moral decay and that the country was leading in child pornography. PM Khan attributed rising divorce rates to the moral degradation of society and the influence of Western cultures. He expressed his distress at the rising divorce cases in society and spoke at length on the topic. He urged playwrights to help the new generation in moral training and character building.

    Read more – PM Khan calls out Bollywood for spreading vulgarity

    PM Khan also expressed his desire for an Ertuğrul -type drama to be produced in Pakistan.

    Meanwhile, when Bee Gul disagreed with PM Khan’s point of view and said that while divorce should be discouraged, it should not be stigmatised as it puts stress on the woman, her mic was switched off and PM Khan said that divorce has a negative effect on children and the family structure.

    The writers hoped that this meeting would bear fruit and would bring positive changes, because more often than not, they are pressurised into writing a certain type of story by private channels.

    Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Shibli Faraz and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information Lt Gen (Retd) Asim Saleem Bajwa were also part of the meeting.

  • Malala’s future

    Malala’s future

    Pakistani women have time and again proven that despite the country’s patriarchal setup, they can always be counted on to make a mark. Malala Yousafzai, the country’s second and the world’s youngest Nobel laureate, is continuing the legacy of Pakistan’s iconic women.

    Malala graduated from Oxford University earlier this week. “Hard to express my joy and gratitude right now as I completed my philosophy, politics and economics degree at Oxford. I don’t know what’s ahead. For now, it will be Netflix, reading and sleep,” she tweeted.

    For someone so young, Malala has achieved what most of us cannot even imagine in our lifetimes. But it did not come easy; in fact, it was at a great personal cost. In 2009, Malala started writing a diary for BBC Urdu under the pen name ‘Gul Makai’. Swat Valley was under Taliban rule at the time. In one of the entries, she wrote, “I am sad watching my uniform, school bag and geometry box. I felt hurt on opening my wardrobe and seeing my uniform, school bag and geometry box. Boys’ schools are opening tomorrow. But the Taliban have banned girls’ education.”

    Malala and her family received multiple threats from the Taliban even after their rule ended in Swat.

    She was shot by the Taliban in October 2012 when she was on her way home from school in Swat. The Taliban tried to assassinate her because she had become an ambassador for girls’ education. The assassination attempt left her in a critical condition when she was taken to a hospital in Rawalpindi. She was later transferred to a hospital in the United Kingdom (UK).

    Malala went on to become a global icon. From writing a diary under a pseudonym at an incredibly young age to surviving a brutal assassination attempt, her bravery makes one wonder about the determination and grit this young woman has shown over the years. Despite her success, Malala remains down to earth and humble. One can see that there is no pretense.

    After her graduation, many are wondering what role she would take on in the future. It is for Malala to decide what is next but we can say with certainty that her future will not be anything ordinary. For an extraordinary woman like Malala, an ordinary job would obviously not do. She will always be a global ambassador for girls’ education and may well continue her work since it is a huge task indeed. Some speculate whether she will enter politics at some stage. Whatever she decides, we know she will continue to make Pakistan proud of her work.

    May your light continue to shine bright, Malala!

  • Hamza Ali Abbasi says he is the ‘happiest’ he has ever been

    Hamza Ali Abbasi says he is the ‘happiest’ he has ever been

    Despite stepping away from the public eye to focus on his spiritual journey, Hamza Ali Abbasi continues to attract attention from his countless fans from across the world.

    In a recent Twitter interaction, when a follower asked Hamza if he doing good, the actor responded, “I am the happiest I have ever been Alhamdulillah.”

    In a follow-up tweet, Hamza said:

    While Hamza has mainly been using his platform to impart religious knowledge, his wife Naimal Khawar has been sharing snippets of their life in America. The couple has reported set up base in Texas, where Hamza is studying at the Ghamidi Center of Islamic Learning.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CA_hbSsjM6_/
    https://www.instagram.com/p/B_VjW-3DcoB/

    Meanwhile, Hamza also requested those who he may have hurt by his words or actions to forgive him.

    Read more – Hamza Ali Abbasi says he now ‘trembles’ before saying something publicly

    Late last year, Hamza had announced that he was quitting acting to focus on his spiritual journey.

    “I had this divine revelation some time back, that all that I am doing in this world will end the moment I die,” Hamza said in a video message, adding that death is inevitable.

    “All these trophies, all these accolades will not bring me any good on the day of judgment when I meet my Maker. I have decided that I want to leave everything that might be a hurdle when it comes to making my matters easier on the day of Judgment.”

    Though Hamza will be quitting acting, he shared that he will still continue to make videos and use his voice and popularity to spread the message of Islam and inspire others to undertake this spiritual journey.

  • ‘I’m fine’: Alamgir shuts down death rumours

    ‘I’m fine’: Alamgir shuts down death rumours

    Renowned pop singer Alamgir has shut down rumours and reports of his death and clarified that he is doing fine in Karachi.

    Alamgir’s clarification comes after rumours started circulating on social media that the singer has passed away due to COVID-19.

    Read more – Pakistan mourns as Tariq Aziz passes away

    Veteran actor Bushra Ansari also shared a video of herself talking to Alamgir to clear the air and elucidate that he is still alive.

    Talking to Alamgir, Ansari jokes, “You are 100-years-old and have not passed away. You have survived till now so you don’t have any right to die.”

    In response, Alamgir laughs and says: “I will not die before 200.”

    “I was so scared [when I heard the rumour]. Mujhe aadat hogayi hai teri. I have told everyone to stop spreading such nonsensical stuff,” continued Bushra, adding, “We’re already receiving such bad news and I would never want to hear something like this. You are so brave and fighting against your illness for so long. I love you. Stay safe.”

    For the unacquainted, Alamgir inherited the polycystic kidney disease (PKD) from his mother.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CBn6XKup26F/

    Alamgir Haq is one of Pakistan’s most notable singers and one of the pioneers of pop music in Pakistan. He is popularly known as ‘Babae Pop‘ which translates to ‘King of Pop’. His style of singing is inspired by playback singer Ahmed Rushdi and Elvis Presley. Alamgir received the Pride of Performance Award in 2013 by the President of Pakistan.

  • 21-year-old hangs himself while playing PUBG

    21-year-old hangs himself while playing PUBG

    A 21-year-old committed suicide in India’s Uttar Pradesh state while playing the popular online game Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG).

    As per reports, a 21-year-old man named Shivam hanged himself while playing PUBG. 

    Read more – Sushant Singh Rajput’s suicide elicits three deaths

    The victim was an IT graduate who moved to Kanpur to look for a job and was living at his grandmother’s house when he took the extreme step.

    Family members of the deceased claimed that he was addicted to PUBG and used to play the online game for hours on his smartphone.

    They claimed that he was playing PUBG in his room so they were not aware when he hanged himself from the ceiling fan after which they called police.

    The post-mortem report confirmed that Shivam died of suicide.

    PUBG is is an online multiplayer battle royale game that has billions of downloads and a huge fan base.