Blog

  • Iranian women shot, paralysed for defying hijab rules

    Iranian women shot, paralysed for defying hijab rules

    The Iranian police have shot Arezoo Badri over allegedly violating country’s hijab rules.

    ‘’She is paralysed from the waist down and doctors have said it will take months to determine whether she will be permanently paraplegic or not’’, said a BBC source

    Mother of two, Badri was heading home with her sister when the police stopped her car to check whether she was complying with the hijab law. When the car did not stop, the police first shot the tires and then opened fire, targeting the driver’s side, according to the state-run news agency in Iran.

    ‘’The bullet entered her lung and severely damaged her spinal cord and the bullet was only removed after 10 days’’, the source said

    Both police and BBC sources confirm that the car window was tinted.

  • Three Pakistani celebrities to get Pride of Performance Award

    Three Pakistani celebrities to get Pride of Performance Award

    Pakistan marked its 77th Independence Day on August 14 with a special announcement of the list of nominees for the next civil awards.

    The Government of Pakistan honours outstanding individuals from various fields with prestigious awards every year.

    A number of controversies have stirred over the past years pertaining to recipients of the top honours, especially regarding the nominees of the entertainment industry.

    This year, only three individuals from the industry have been nominated for the President’s Award for Pride of Performance which will be granted next year, in 2025.

    Here are the name of the celebrities:

    Fariha Pervez

    Fariha Pervez is a renowned pop singer-songwriter and music producer. She began her career with anchoring and acting in the early ’90s followed by a switch to music in the mid-’90s.

    Hamid Rana

    Hamid Rana is a Pakistani stage and television actor who has also starred in a number of Lollywood movies.

    His acting career began in the 1970s and his roles in drama serials earned him fame.

    Sheeba Arshad

    Sheeba Arshad is a veteran actress who has been active in the entertainment industry for
    decades. She is best known for her iconic role as Chandi in the PTV classic drama serial ‘Sona Chandi’, which aired in the 1980s.

  • What did celebrities share on Independence Day?

    What did celebrities share on Independence Day?

    Pakistani celebrities also celebrated Independence Day with enthusiasm. Many models, actors, sports stars, and singers took to social media to extend their congratulations to the nation. They shared thoughtful messages and expressed their Independence Day wishes.

    While some addressed the country’s political, economic, and social challenges, they still conveyed their heartfelt greetings for the occasion. Many celebrities posted pictures of themselves in green and white outfits.

    Here are the pictures, wishes, and messages from Pakistani celebrities celebrating the 77th Independence Day with traditional spirit:

  • The Sajal Aly Five: Unforgettable roles that defined her career

    The Sajal Aly Five: Unforgettable roles that defined her career

    Sajal Aly is undoubtedly one of Pakistan’s most talented actresses today. She has also made her mark in international cinema with roles in Bollywood’s Mom and the British romantic comedy What’s Love Got to Do with It, written by Jemima Khan.

     

    Aly has received a number of awards, including the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz from the Government of Pakistan.

     

    Here are five of Sajal Aly’s most unforgettable performances:

     

    Meri Ladli (2010)

    Sajal Aly’s career took off after she played the role of a young girl in Meri Ladli, who faces numerous challenges in life. Her portrayal of a strong, independent character resonated with viewers and paved the way for her future success.

     The drama was written by Maha Malik and directed by Nadeem Siddique.

     

     

    Yakeen ka Safar (2019)

     

    Yakeen Ka Safar was one of Aly’s most recognized dramas. She portrayed Dr. Zubia, a kind and independent woman whose personal and professional growth captivated viewers.

     

     

    Aly earned two awards for her outstanding performance: Best Actress (Popular) and Best Onscreen Couple (Popular). The cast also included Ahad Raza Mir, Farhan Ali Agha, Hira Mani, Qazi Wajid, and Maryiam Nafess. The drama was written by Farhat Ishtiaq and directed by Shahzad Kashmiri.

    Kuch Ankahi (2023)

     

    Sajal Aly played the role of Aliya, a strong woman who battles against the odds to protect her family’s rights.

    Her portrayal of a woman confronting misogyny and asserting her place in the world highlighted her ability to capture attention and convey strength and determination.

     

    The cast includes Bilal Abbas Khan, Mira Sethi, Mohammed Ahmed, Irsa Ghazal, Asma Abbas, and Ali Safina. The drama was written by Mohammed Ahmed and directed by Nadeem Baig.

     

    Alif (2019)

     

    Aly played the role of Momina Sultan, delivering a masterclass in understated brilliance that showcased her versatility as an actress.   

    Her extensive and heartfelt performance depicted a character on a profound journey of faith and self-discovery.

     

    The cast includes Hamza Ali Abbasi, Manzar Sehbai, Pehlaaj Hassan, Osman Khalid Butt, Kubra Khan, and Sadaf Kanwal. Sajal Aly was nominated for two awards: Best Television Actress (Critics’ Choice) and Best Television (Viewer’s Choice). 

     The drama was written by Umera Ahmed and Haseeb Hassan. 

     

    Zard Patton ka Bunn (2024) 

     

    In her latest drama, Zard Patton Ka Bunn, Sajal Aly plays the role of Meenu. The talented cast includes Hamza Sohail, Ali Tahir, Samiya Mumtaz, and Rehan Sheikh. The drama explores themes of social justice, gender dynamics, and personal transformation. 

     

    The story centres on Meenu, a strong and determined woman who challenges societal norms and fights against injustices. 

     Zard Patton Ka Bunn is written by Mustafa Afridi and directed by Saife Hassan. 

     

  • Khan calls Faiz Hameed ‘an asset’ that was wasted

    Khan calls Faiz Hameed ‘an asset’ that was wasted

    Founder Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan, while talking to journalists in Adiala Jail, broke his silence on the recent arrest of former ISI chief Faiz Hameed, saying, “I have no connections with Faiz Hameed’s arrest.”

    On Monday, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), announced that it had taken Hameed into custody over allegations of land grabbing and stealing valuables from the owner of Top City Housing Society.

    It also stated that court-martial proceedings had been started against the former spymaster, who was once considered very close with former prime minister Khan.

    Khan also criticised this military’s treatment of Gen Faiz, calling him an “asset that was wasted.”

    He suggested that accountability is good but should be “across-the-board accountability.”

    Khan recalled that ex-army chief Gen Bajwa removed Hameed at the behest of Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif, and after that, a heated exchange occurred between Khan and Bajwa.

  • Extremely slow internet may threaten survival of e-commerce: ISPs

    Extremely slow internet may threaten survival of e-commerce: ISPs

    The Internet Server Providers (ISPs) Association has stated that the internet speed in Pakistan has decreased by 30 to 40 per cent, which may threaten the survival of e-commerce and other digital platforms.

    “The government’s decision to increase security and surveillance has had the unintended consequence of reducing internet speeds by 30 to 40 percent over the past few weeks. Internet slowdowns have created chaos for online and Internet-dependent businesses,, particularly affecting call centres, e-commerce professionals, the online working class, and electronic businesses,” ISPs wrote in a statement.

    “The sectors that underpin Pakistan’s burgeoning digital economy are now grappling with the challenge of staying afloat. The threat of slow internet speeds looms large, endangering the survival of these businesses. The situation has become so dire that many entrepreneurs contemplate relocating their operations to other countries. If this trend persists, we could witness a significant exodus of businesses from Pakistan,” ISPs added.

    The government’s experimental implementation of the firewall has reduced the speed of social media in Pakistan and raised fears about the future of Internet-based businesses in the country.

    Internet services have been severely affected in the country for several days now, and people connected with online businesses and domestic users have started to suspect that the internet is not working. Whether connecting on WhatsApp, shopping online, uploading a photo, or watching a video, internet speed has become a topic of discussion across the country.

  • TV host Madiha Naqvi confirms divorce between Agha Ali and Hina Altaf

    TV host Madiha Naqvi confirms divorce between Agha Ali and Hina Altaf

    Famous TV host Madiha Naqvi has confirmed that the popular celebrity couple Agha Ali and Hina Altaf have divorced.

    Recently, renowned actresses Shagufta Ejaz and Vaneeza Ahmed appeared on Madiha Naqvi’s morning show, where they discussed various topics, including their careers.

    During a segment of the show, the actresses were shown pictures of famous Pakistani actors and asked to guess their identities based on clues about their work and popularity.

    Ejaz was shown a picture of Agha Ali but did not recognize him.

    Madiha Naqvi and Vaneeza Ahmed provided clues without naming Agha Ali, hinting that he is from Lahore, the son of a famous actor, has played roles as an angry man, and that he and his wife had hosted a show together.

    Eventually, Madiha Naqvi mentioned that Agha Ali had “unfortunately” separated from his wife, actress Hina Altaf.

    “They have not remarried and are currently leading single lives,” she said.

    Shagufta Ejaz failed to identify Agha Ali until she was shown his picture.

    Fans of Agha Ali and Hina Altaf are disappointed following Madiha Naqvi’s confirmation.

  • We now know the names of the officers arrested with Faiz

    We now know the names of the officers arrested with Faiz

    Sources have revealed the names of the three most senior retired military officers who were taken into army custody for acting as messengers between former Chief of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Faiz Hameed and senior politicians.

    The officers identified are Brigadier (retd) Ghaffar and Brigadier (retd) Naeem and Colonel Asim, who were allegedly involved in a communication network with politicians.

    Both Brigadiers are from Chakwal and are considered close associates of the former spymaster.

    Earlier, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) issued a statement claiming that three senior-ranking officers had been taken into custody for compromising military discipline.

  • PTA responds to internet service problems across Pakistan

    PTA responds to internet service problems across Pakistan

    The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) addressed complaints about slow internet across Pakistan on Thursday.

    A Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology meeting, led by Palwasha Khan, discussed the issue, according to ARY News.

    Senators Afnanullah Khan and Humayun Mohmand highlighted that many e-commerce platforms are leaving Pakistan due to poor internet speeds. Khan also noted that users are experiencing difficulties uploading or downloading media files on WhatsApp.

    “You’ve messed up the business activities,” Senator Humayun pointed out to PTA and IT ministry officials at the meeting. In response, the IT Secretary stated, “The problem with internet services is due to cellular networks, not WiFi.”

    The PTA official added that they have not yet received any formal complaints about slow internet speeds in the country.

    The PTA officials were expected to provide information about firewall installations during the meeting, but due to their unavailability, the meeting was postponed.

    The Pakistani government has installed a firewall across Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to manage social media. This decision followed the introduction of the Defamation Law 2024 by the Punjab government. The firewall aims to control social media and regulate internet traffic using deep packet inspection (DPI) technology to monitor data in detail.

  • What did Shah Rukh Khan reveal about his upcoming movie role?

    What did Shah Rukh Khan reveal about his upcoming movie role?

    Shah Rukh Khan received the prestigious Pardo alla Carriera (Career Leopard) at the 77th Locarno Film Festival on August 10.

    During an interview with Variety magazine, Shah Rukh was asked about his next project to which he revealed that his upcoming film is called King, directed by Sujoy Ghosh and produced by the director of Pathaan, Siddharth Anand.

    “It is an action drama, it’s a Hindi film. It’ll be interesting. I’ve been wanting to do a film like this for some time, and I really wanted to do a film like this for seven, or eight years,“ he said.

    The Dunki actor also praised filmmaker Sujoy.

    “We just felt Sujoy would be the right choice, because we wanted it to be very emotionally correct. We are all coming together to make a cool, massy, action, emotional film,” he added.

    Shah Rukh Khan will play a don in his upcoming movie alongside his daughter, Suhana Khan, and Abhishek Bachchan, who will portray the villain.

    Talking about the preparation for the film, Shah Rukh Khan said, “The character in King requires me to lose some weight and engage in rigorous stretching exercises.”