Blog

  • Yasra Rizvi dismayed with media coverage of pregnancy

    Yasra Rizvi dismayed with media coverage of pregnancy

    Yasra Rizvi, who is expecting her first child, is disheartened with the media coverage of her pregnancy, saying that outlets should have also talked about her upcoming project instead of focusing only on her baby bump.

    “In our country, the newsworthy bit is that I am pregnant,” said Rizvi. “Not the fact that I am also directing probably the most important script I have gotten to direct so far while due any time now!”

    “Indeed we are a nation totally obsessed with marriage and one’s ability to procreate,” she added.

    Later, Yasra explained her story saying: “Aik tou poori baat nahi samajhta koi. Aap ki duaaon aur naik tamannaaon ke liye main tah e dil se shukar guzaar hoon .. maddaahon aur khair khwaaon ki mohabbat aur wishes se masla nahi hai!”

    Shukriya Shukriya Shukriyaaaa,” she added.

    Rizvi’s post hints that she received flak for her earlier comments.

    Rizvi is currently directing the drama Working Women, which has been penned by Bee Gul of Raqeeb Se fame.

    Meanwhile, Yasra’s sister-in-law Jenaan Hussain, sharing a picture of Rizvi, wrote: “This post is actually about a woman inspiring other women to do and be whatever and whoever they wish to be at any point in their lives regardless of their age and domestic commitments.”

    Explaining how people should celebrate the capability Rizvi holds as a woman rather than only focusing on the fact that she is expecting, Hussain added: “It’s not about ‘Oh look I am pregnant and that’s the only accomplishment you must celebrate me for’ but taking things in your stride. Being this pregnant and directing a high-pressure set is just the kinda thing only a woman can pull off, just like her a lot of women around us everyday juggle between the most daunting tasks and nail it and some get trapped in myths and preconceived don’ts.”

    “Women are doers, and if there is a time to stop underestimating us and what all we are capable of it’s now,” she added.

  • Students accuse Shafqat Mahmood of ‘destroying careers’, demand resignation

    After Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood announced on Tuesday that no examinations will take place in the country until June 15 and that O’ and A’ Level exams will now take place in the October-November cycle, students are now demanding Teacher and School Assessed Grades with the hashtags #ShafqatDestroysOurCareer and #ResignShafqatMahmood trending on social media.

    Students are arguing that their study schedules have been disrupted because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and are demanding Teacher Assessed Grades (TAGs) and School Assessed Grades (SAGs). On the other hand, some are even proposing other ways of promoting the students without exams.

    https://twitter.com/dauddogar/status/1387313554647363585

    https://twitter.com/ahmedhaseeb48/status/1387315787459928065

    https://twitter.com/RajaAliuzZaman2/status/1387304518354935808?s=20

    Pakistan is currently experiencing a deadly third wave of COVID-19 with fears of an India-like situation. According to the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC), 5292 cases and 201 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours.

  • Two-week lockdown in 20 cities by May 3?

    Two-week lockdown in 20 cities by May 3?

    The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has sought input of provincial governments for a two-week lockdown in 20 cities.

    Pakistan’s top monitoring body wrote letters to the provincial authorities where the coronavirus situation is extremely bad and the restrictions imposed by the authorities have failed to stem the spread.

    Within the past 24 hours, Pakistan has recorded its highest tally of both single day deaths and infections, 201 and 5,292, respectively.

    The letter titled ‘Input / Feedback — City Wise Lockdown’ came after a meeting of the body on Apr 27.

    In the letter, the authorities directed that a two-week city-wise lockdown in affected districts was cautiously planned and provinces need to carry out necessary planning at the earliest.

    The most-affected cities where the lockdown could be imposed include Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Bahawalpur, Hyderabad, Peshawar, Dir Lower, Mardan, Nowshera, Malakand, Charsadda, Swat, Swabi, Muzaffarabad, Sudhnuti, Poonch and Bagh.

    The letter also comes amid warnings from the government in case people continue to flout COVID-19 SOPs and the third wave situation continues to worsen.

  • PM’s meeting with pro-Tareen MPs: Hit or miss?

    PM’s meeting with pro-Tareen MPs: Hit or miss?

    A group of lawmakers supporting Disgruntled Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Jahangir Tareen have met Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and expressed their concerns regarding all action against Tareen.

    Speaking to reporters after their meeting in Islamabad, PTI MNA from Faislabad Raja Riaz said it was held in a “very cordial” atmosphere and that the premier had assured them that justice will be done “in every condition”.

    He said the prime minister had sought time to look into their concerns that Tareen was being victimised, promising that “all requirements of justice will be met”.

    The PTI group contended that PM’s advisor on Interior Shehzad Akbar was allegedly misusing the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) against Tareen and the mills of Khusro Bakhtiar and Haroon Akhtar were not made part of the investigation, reports said.

    Tareen group presented a charge sheet against Shahzad Akbar to the PM.

    Reports claimed that the prime minister directed Senator Ali Zafar to note all points raised by the Tareen group and said he himself would ensure that justice is done in Tareen’s case.

    Riaz and Nazir Chauhan told the media that prime minister had assured that justice would be done in any case and he would not allow anyone to abuse power.

    Riaz said that the premier has assured the group that he is “personally monitoring” the inquiry against Tareen and will see to it that justice is served.

    “The prime minister has asked for some time and Insha’Allah justice will be served,” the PTI leader added.

    In reply to a question, Riaz said that the group shared their reservations regarding Akbar, after which “the prime minister said he will not allow injustice to be done with anyone and that we should leave it to him and he takes responsibility”.

    Riaz clarified that the prime minister has not “acknowledged” that Akbar has meted out “unfair treatment” to Tareen, but the group has simply shared their concerns and the premier has assured them of looking into it.

    The PTI MNA claimed that the prime minister said: “You are all my allies. Even those who are opposed to me, I wish to tell them, no one will be treated unfairly and justice will be done.”

  • William, Kate play with sheep, drive tractors

    William, Kate play with sheep, drive tractors

    After going through a depressive period following Prince Philip’s death and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s bombshell interview, Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton headed out to the countryside, driving to a lush green farm in County Durham, where they took a sustainable farming tour. The visit took place two days before the couple’s 10th wedding anniversary.

    The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also met the farmers’ nine and seven-year-old daughters who described the encounter as “nerve-wracking” as they didn’t expect the royal couple to be this kind.

    According to the couple’s official Instagram account, Kensington Royal, Kate and William took turns riding a GPS-controlled tractor, discussed mental health issues arising due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and talked about future targets for sustainable farming to address climate change issues.

    They were also shown some of the tools used at the farm including grass monitoring, land rotation and feed sampling to improve productivity and ensure that they are able to give back to the environment and increase their sustainability.

    Their second visit of the day was to a local youth project Cheesy Waffles Project which benefitted from donations from the couple’s Royal Wedding Charitable Gift Fund in 2011. The project supports children, young people and adults with additional needs aged 7 to 35 from across County Durham.

    During their trip there, Kate and William, tried their hand at golf and took part in an art project.

    Meanwhile, the Queen also undertook her first public engagement since Prince Philip’s funeral holding two virtual meetings from Windsor Castle with the Ambassador from Latvia and the Ambassador from Côte d’Ivoire.

  • ‘Absolute rubbish’ – Govt reacts to ex-FIA chief’s accusations

    ‘Absolute rubbish’ – Govt reacts to ex-FIA chief’s accusations

    Federal Minister for Law and Justice Farogh Naseem and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Accountability Shahzad Akbar have denied serious allegations levelled by ex-FIA director general (DG) Bashir Memon.

    Reacting to Memon’s statement, wherein he had accused PM Imran among others of framing Justice Qazi Faez Isa and major political player, the premier’s adviser on accountability Akbar vehemently rejected the same.

    He said Memon had committed “slander” and said he had directed his lawyers to initiate legal action against the former head of the FIA.

    “Just seen absolute rubbish uttered by Bashir Memon on Shahzeb show. He was never called for any meeting with PM or myself on QFI (Qazi Faez Isa) issue, and there was no meeting with law minister and him as he claims,” he said in a tweet, “similarly he was never told to start any case against any specific individual. Only case referred to FIA was of sedition by the fed cabinet. I have instructed lawyers in personal capacity to initiate legal action for his slander.”

    Law minister Naseem said all allegations levelled by Memon were false and baseless, adding that he never spoke a word to the former DG FIA about Justice Isa. He also pinpointed that Azam Khan, Shahzad Akbar and Bashir Memon had never showed up at his office, contrary to Memon’s allegations.

    “PM Imran Khan, Azam Khan, or Shahzad Akbar never told me that they had a word about Justice Isa with Bashir Memon,” he added.

  • ‘Chupke Chupke’ memes take over the internet

    ‘Chupke Chupke’ memes take over the internet

    Hum TV’s Chupke Chupke, starring Osman Khalid Butt, Ayeza Khan, Mira Sethi, Asma Abbas, Tara Mahmood, Aymen Saleem, Farhan Ali Agha, Ali Safina and Arsalan Naseer among others, has become a hot favourite with the audiences this Ramzan. While the drama itself is a comedy, it has also given memers a chance to showcase their talent and add to the humour.

    Here are a few memes giving us a good laugh.

    https://twitter.com/mominaak_/status/1384238587273613321?s=20
    https://twitter.com/Chupkechupkey/status/1384575500455194627?s=20

    Read more – Osman Khalid Butt defends ‘Chupke Chupke’ for ‘presenting ghar damads in negative light’

    Written by Saima Akram Chaudhry of Suno Chanda fame, Chupke Chupke has been directed by Danish Nawaz.

  • Oscars 2021: The Best and Worst Looks

    Oscars 2021: The Best and Worst Looks

    If there’s one thing that can steal the thunder of history’s deadliest pandemic, it is none other than the fashion politics surrounding the 93rd Annual Academy Awards. Stars and their designers can either make it big on the Oscars Red Carpet like Audrey Hepburn did with her every-trendy white gown for the Oscars 1954 edition, or they can go home as Björk did after her ‘Sawn Dress’ for Oscars 2001 edition was classified as the worst outfit of the decade. I mean, what even was that dress?

    Oscars

    Given that we’ve mostly seen stars in their pyjamas and lounge wear most of last year, we were expecting some bold style statements. However, turns out we couldn’t agree more with The New York Times definition of Oscars 2021: ‘A lot of Style, Little Substance‘.

    Check out The Current’s picks for the Best and Worst Dressed Celebs during the world’s most glamourous award ceremony!

    BEST DRESSED

    Zendaya

    Zendaya tops the list with her yellow dress from Valentino Haute Couture paired with Bulgari jewellery. The actor paired her outfit with nude makeup making her look like a million dollars.

    Oscars

    Brad Pitt

    Who else could be rated as the second hottest person and the first hottest man of the evening other than Brad Pitt? The Hollywood heartthrob looked elegant as ever in his classic black and white suit.

    Vanessa Kirby

    In the era of pastels colors, the Pieces of a Woman actor Vanessa Kirby wore a baby pink Gucci gown that seemed to blend with the background of the Red Carpet. The star paired this look with a bold red lip, shimmery eyes, and Cartier jewellery to bring her A game.

    Oscars

    WORST DRESSED

    As much as it pains us to make this list, it had to be done.

    Questlove

    You’ve got to see this! Questlove actually had to the guts to wear golden Crocs at a formal award ceremony. This sure does not look cool and casual if that’s what he tried to portray.

    Halle Berry

    While Halle Berry got the colour, pixy-like hair and makeup right, the weird oversized draping bow protruding from her waistline ruined the harmony of her entire look landing her straight on the worst-dressed list. Dolce & Gabanna did disappoint us big time with this outfit.

    Oscars

    Laura Dern

    Last but not least, Laura Dern’s Oscar de la Renta dress with a fluffy lower half that looks more like a wardrobe malfunction was the stuff of nightmare. The dress could have been rescued had the fluffy lower been stitched a little closer to waistline. Designers these days, jeez!

    BEST RED CARPET MOMENT

    Our resident hero Riz Ahmed may not have taken home an Oscar or made it to the best dressed list but he certainly gave audiences the best red carpet moment when he took a minute to fix his wife’s hair before posing for the cameras. It’s been more than a day since this video came out and we are still swooning.

    The 93rd Academy Awards were held on April 25, (April 26 PST) in Los Angeles at multiple locations: Dolby Theatre, where it has been traditionally hosted since 2001, and Union Station. Only the nominees, their guests and the ceremony’s presenters were allowed inside the hall due to coronavirus restrictions.

    The event began with a movie-style opening credits sequence, as Regina King strode into the venue clutching a gold statuette.

    “Live TV, here we go. Welcome to the 93rd Oscars!” she said. “And, yes, we are doing it maskless… people have been vaxxed, tested, re-tested, socially distanced.”

    This year’s Oscars arrived at their Union Station venue two months late due to the pandemic — organisers have said it would have been “impossible” without the delay.

    Before the show, stars paused briefly for pictures and socially distanced interviews on what organisers called a “teeny-tiny red carpet.”

  • PM, his accountability aide accused of framing Justice Isa, Shehbaz Sharif

    PM, his accountability aide accused of framing Justice Isa, Shehbaz Sharif

    In a series of explosive revelations, former Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director General (DG) Bashir Memon has stepped forth with rather damning allegations against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and his team.

    According to reports, he has claimed being told by the premier’s aide on accountability, Shahzad Akbar, to frame Justice Qazi Faez Isa.

    “When we entered his [Akbar’s] room, we were told that a case was needed against Justice Isa,” reports quoted him as saying.

    Judgeship of Supreme Court’s Justice Isa is hanging in balance over a presidential reference against him for concealing assets of his family. He has challenged the verdict of the apex court on the reference, arguing he could not be held answerable for the same.

    While Memon alleged that the case against Justice Isa was a brainchild of the premier, he also claimed being mocked by PM Imran for not going after Opposition Leader in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif.

    “He said all he needed to do was to make a phone call to NAB [National Accountability Bureau], and the next day Shehbaz was arrested.”

    Memon also quoted Imran as saying that look at Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s ways and see how things are done there so as to avoid talks about the constitution and law.

  • Aamir Liaquat responds to allegations of third marriage

    Aamir Liaquat responds to allegations of third marriage

    Aamir Liaquat has shut down all rumours of a third marriage, saying that he has only one wife and that is Syeda Tuba Aamir.

    Read more- Bushra Iqbal says Aamir Liaquat divorced her over the phone

    Liaquat made these remarks after a video of actor and model Haniya Khan claiming to be his emerged on social media a few days ago. Khan also claimed that she attempted suicide five times and accused Tuba of using black magic on her. She also alleged that Liaquat turned her family against her.

    Responding to the allegations, Liaquat in a video message said: “Everyone complains about talkative women, but no one marries a mute woman. Everyone wants to marry a woman that can speak.”

    “I only have one marriage, which is with Tuba,” he added, before going to recite some poetic versus.

    Meanwhile, in an interview with a local YouTube channel, Liaquat asserted that he does not have a third wife, saying: “I came to know this family when they came to the Parliament Lodges. I helped by giving them Rs 25000 for groceries.”

    Liaquat also accused Haniya of being mentally ill saying: “Agar aik aadmi ko mohabbat ho gae hai mujh se to me kia karskta hun (If someone has fallen in love with me what can I do).”