Renowned actor Danish Taimoor recently channeled Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan by striking his iconic arm pose in a sunflower field in the UK.
In a reel shared on his Instagram on Tuesday, Taimoor was seen recreating the signature pose, accompanied by SRK’s song ‘Main Yahan Hoon’ from the Bollywood movie ‘Veer Zara.’ He captioned the post, “Good memories are the timeless treasures of the heart.”
The video quickly went viral, amassing over 5 million views and thousands of likes and comments from fans who dubbed Taimoor the “King of Pakistan,” drawing comparisons to Bollywood’s Shah Rukh Khan.
Ayeza Khan also shared a gallery of photos from their trip, captioning it, “Sunflower field vibes, feeling like we’re in a Yash Raj movie song!”
Urdu language TV channel 92 News has shut down operations and transmission in the United Kingdom after Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) leader and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif launched a defamation case in the UK High Court over a programme aired in the UK by the channel. The program allegedly made false accusations against Maryam of taking Toshakhana gifts in an alleged violation of rule, and in conspiracy with bureaucrats.
92 News/Glaxy has previously apologised to Senator Ishaq Dar in the UK in a defamation case and also lost a defamation case to PMLN UK vice president Nasir Mahmood.
Sources in 92 News (also known as 92 News HD Plus) in the UK and Pakistan confirm that the channel terminated its services from 31st July 2024 in the UK after being advised by its British lawyers. Lawyers allegedly told them that they would lose the defamation case at the trial level in the UK High Court later in the year, with potential costs of over £250,000 in legal fees and damages, likely to be rewarded to Maryam Nawaz.
Last month, the channel sent out a notification to the UK govt’s TV regulator and Sky management that it was winding up the company (Glaxy Broadcasting Network Limited) that owns 92 News in UK and will stop broadcasting in the UK after 31st July 2024.
The Programme on Maryam
Maryam initiated legal proceedings against 92 News/Glaxy after anchors Amir Mateen and Sarwat Valim in the programme ’Muqabil’, on November 17, 2022, accused her of taking Toshakhana gifts. The anchors alleged that Maryam Nawaz took a watch from the Toshakhana worth a million for only PKR 45,000 with help from the bureaucracy in a ‘corrupt scheme’. The allegation was false as Maryam had not received any such gift, and her lawyers argued as much in the claim, seeking an apology and damages. Her lawyers stated, in court papers at UK High Court, that Maryam had suffered serious harm to her reputation by the imputations in the broadcast and therefore the channel should apologise.
The channel accepted during the communications that it had no defence of the allegations but argued on technicalities that the anchors were fed news by social media after the Toshakhana scandals broke out.
The case at UK High Court was registered for trial hearings later this year and before the trial could begin in just a few months, the channel decided to shut down its operations and move into liquidation to avoid paying heavy damages and costs. Maryam Nawaz was represented in the case by Stone White Solicitors.
The show aired on 92 News in the UK and Pakistan after the federal government made the list of state officials who received Toshakhana gifts since 2002 public in accordance with the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) directives.
The record stated that by putting just Rs20.17 million in Toshakhana, former premier Imran Khan was able to keep a watch (A Graff watch, No. AU750) set in 18-karat gold and diamonds valued at about Rs. 85 million, a pair of cufflinks worth over Rs. 5.6 million, a pen worth Rs. 1.5 million rupees, and an engagement ring worth Rs. 8.7 million.
Former president Asif Ali Zardari also kept a number of items after depositing a total of about Rs. 16.1 million, including a BMW 760 Li with an estimated value of Rs. 57,828,705 and a Toyota Lexus LX 470 with an estimated value of Rs. 50,000,000.
The record said by depositing Rs. 0.243 million in Toshakhana in 2013, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was able to keep one Rolex Watch Oyster Perpetual N Series 0835D018, one pair of cufflinks with a pen (worth Rs. 0.025 million), and four commemorative coins from the Central Bank of Kuwait (worth Rs. 0.015 million). Kulsoom Nawaz, the wife of Nawaz Sharif, kept a bracelet worth Rs. 12.7 million and a pair of earrings worth Rs. 41.6 million by depositing Rs. 10.8 million in 2016.
A PMLN spokesman in Lahore said Maryam Nawaz never benefitted from the Toshakhana and the allegation was false. “Maryam Nawaz launched a case in the UK against 92 News to clear her name and she stands vindicated as 92 News made it clear during proceedings it had no evidence. The channel confirmed the allegation was false and knew it would be heavily punished for running a fake news. Therefore it has decided to liquidate and end business in UK.”
In recent years, the Pakistani film industry has experienced an incredible comeback, which led to a number of hit movies that have captivated viewers both locally and globally.
Despite facing challenges, Pakistani cinema has produced many great films that people love. Here are the top ten highest-grossing Pakistani films:
The Legend of Maula Jatt
The Legend of Maula Jatt was released in 25 countries, making it the highest and widest-ever release for any Pakistani or Punjabi film yet, with a worldwide box-office gross of more than Rs. four billion. Maula Jatt in Pakistan has earned over 121 crore. The film is written by Bilal Lashari, Nasir Adib, and directed by Bilal Lashari. Featuring Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan, the film has set a new benchmark for Pakistani cinema with its stunning visuals and gripping storyline.
Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2
Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2 did well at the Pakistani box office. It crossed over Rs. 70.35 crores. People loved the film’s direction, script, cast, and performances. It was a huge success for the revival of the film industry.
London Nahi Jaunga
London Nahi Jaunga was also a successful film and the film gave tough competition to Bollywood film Shamshera, which was released after London Nahi Jaunga. The film’s worldwide collection was Rs. 53.58 crores, and in Pakistan it collected 29.48 crores at the box office. The film is written by writer Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar and directed by Nadeem Baig.
Punjab Nahi Jaungi
Punjab Nahi Jaungi is a rom-com that stars Humayun Saeed and Mehwish Hayat alongside Urwa Hocane. It recorded the biggest bang in a single day for any Pakistani film with a collection of Rs. 2.80 crores and then a worldwide gross over Rs. 51.65 crores.
Jawani Phir Nahi Ani
Jawani Phir Nahi Ani, the first movie in the Jawani series made a worldwide gross of Rs. 49.44 crores. The film stars Humayun Saeed, Hamza Ali Abbasi, Ahmad Ali Butt, Vasay Chaudhry, and Mehwish Hayat. The film is written by Vasay Chaudhry and directed by Nadeem Baig.
Parwaaz Hai Junoon
Parwaaz Hai Junoon includes Hamza Ali Abbasi, Ahad Raza Mir, Hania Aamir, and Kubra Khan. The film, which is a tribute to the Pakistan Air Force, made a worldwide gross of Rs. 43.20 crores. The film is written by Farhat Ishtiaq and directed by Haseeb Hassan.
Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad
Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad stars Fahad Mustafa and Mahira Khan. It was an action-comedy film that made a collection of Rs. 42.05 crores. Written and directed by Nabeel Qureshi and Fizza Ali Mirza.
Teefa in Trouble
Teefa in Trouble, which includes Ali Zafar and Maya Ali, was overall good in the box office collection. The total collection of the film was Rs. 50.3 crores. Directed by Ahsan Rahim and written by Ali Zafar, Ahsan Rahim, and Danyal Zafar.
Bin Roye
Bin Roye stars Humayun Saeed, Mahira Khan, Armeena Khan, and Zeba Bakhtiar. The film is based on the novel Bin Roye Ansoo by Farhat Ishtiaq. Bin Roye was praised by critics and became the sixth highest-grossing Pakistani film. The worldwide collection of the film was Rs. 40.5 crore.
Wrong No. 2
Wrong No. 2, which is a romantic comedy film, features Sami Khan, Neelum Muneer, Javed Sheikh, and Mehmood Aslam. The worldwide revenue of Wrong No. 2 was Rs. 21.75 crores. The film is directed and written by Yasir Nawaz.
These films are representative of the diversity of storylines and the talented skill in Pakistani cinema, as well as audience interest in local film content. Pakistani films are earning their due place and pulling people into cinemas.
In July 2024, Pakistan’s Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation decreased to 11.1 per cent year-on-year, down from 12.6 per cent in June 2024 and a substantial 28.3 per cent in July 2023, according to data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
On a month-on-month basis, the CPI inflation rose by 2.1 per cent in July 2024, a significant increase from the 0.5 per cent recorded in June 2024 but a slower rise compared to the 3.5 per cent increase in July 2023.
The data further reveals that urban CPI inflation climbed to 13.2 per cent year-on-year in July 2024, up from 14.9 per cent in June 2024 and down from 26.3 per cent in July 2023. Month-on-month, urban CPI inflation increased by 2.0 per cent, up from 0.6 per cent in the previous month but lower than the 3.6 per cent recorded in July 2023.
For rural areas, CPI inflation rose by 8.1 per cent year-on-year in July 2024, compared to 9.3 per cent in June 2024 and 31.3 per cent in July 2023. On a month-on-month basis, rural CPI inflation increased by 2.2 per cent, a jump from 0.3 per cent in June 2024 but slightly lower than the 3.3 per cent rise in July 2023.
The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) inflation saw a year-on-year increase of 15.7 per cent in July 2024, down from 16.6 per cent in June 2024 and 29.3 per cent in July 2023. Month-on-month, SPI inflation rose by 2.0 per cent, up from 1.3 per cent in June 2024 and slightly lower than the 2.8 per cent increase in July 2023.
The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation was recorded at 10.4 per cent year-on-year in July 2024, compared to 10.6 per cent in the previous month and 23.1 per cent in July 2023. On a month-on-month basis, WPI inflation rose by 2.3 per cent, up from 0.4 per cent in June 2024 and similar to the 2.5 per cent rise in July 2023.
On Thursday, gold prices in Pakistan experienced a notable increase. The price of 24-karat gold reached Rs254,900 per tola, marking a rise of Rs1,400.
According to the Karachi Sarafa Association, the cost of 24-karat gold was reported at Rs218,536 per 10-gramme, up by Rs1,201. Meanwhile, 22-karat gold prices also saw an uptick, quoted at Rs200,324 per 10-gramme.
In contrast, silver prices in the domestic market remained steady. The price for 24-karat silver was unchanged at Rs2,900 per tola and Rs2,486 per 10-gramme.
On the international stage, spot gold traded at approximately $2,433 per ounce, experiencing a decrease of $12.30, or 0.50 per cent, from the previous session.
Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan’s son Junaid Khan recently made his acting debut in the film Maharaj. During the launch of Raj Pandit’s song, proud father Aamir said, “When Junaid’s film Maharaj was released, I was very stressed thinking if the audience would like his work or not.”
The star has a surprise for us. “I have started learning to sing. I have been training for the last year with Sucheta Ji as my guru,” the Dangal actor added.
Mahraraj was released on Netflix on June 21, 2024.
A girl fell in a storm drain in Rawalpindi while travelling to her office on a scooty.
CCTV footage shared by ARY News shows the girl being swept away in the storm drain after slipping from her bike.
A search and rescue operation by the District Emergency Service was launched. Spokesman Rescue 1122 said that a missing girl has been identified as Ammara, 20. She was a resident of Ghauri Town, Rawalpindi. She was going to her office when she got stuck in a heavy water wave.
Initial reports suggest that the victim fell from the scooty and was swept away by the water stream into a nullah.
Till the publishing of this story, Ammara hasn’t been found from the drain by rescue teams.
“The search and rescue operation has been extended to the nullah’s linked spot at Swan river opening”, said the spokesperson to ARY News, adding that the missing girl couldn’t be found in the nullah where she reportedly fell.
However, the operation to find the missing girl is underway.
Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Major General (retd) Hafeezur Rehman, stated that social media platform X (formerly Twitter), which is currently banned on government request, will be restored only if the government authorises so.
Chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Major General (retd) Hafeezur Rehman reaffirmed that there have been no cyber attacks on telecom infrastructure in the past two years. He stated that the PTA engages platforms on complaints related to social media content violating Pakistani laws and can block social media platforms upon government directive. He noted TikTok’s prompt response to complaints compared to X (formerly Twitter), which acts on only seven per cent of reported violations.
Responding to Senator Abdul Qadir’s query about unblocking X, Chairman PTA reiterated that the decision rests with the government. He also discussed the licensing process for IoT technology, revealing recent initiatives.
Federal Minister of Law and Justice Nazir Tarar expressed concerns over posts on social media platforms that could provoke religious sentiments, emphasizing that protests often follow such incidents. He differentiated government actions on YouTube and TikTok from those on X, highlighting differing approaches.
Chairman PTA addressed VPN usage in Pakistan, acknowledging a significant decline in X users (70%) due to VPN restrictions. He mentioned plans to whitelist specific VPNs for legitimate use in Pakistan.
Chairman PTA also highlighted the tax burden on telecom users in Pakistan (34.50%), comparing it with rates in neighboring countries like Sri Lanka (20-40%), Bangladesh (21-33%), India (18.5%), and Nepal (26%).
Usman Riaz’s first hand-drawn animated film, The Glassworker, made a successful debut with more than Rs 10 million collected at the box office in its opening weekend. The movie has created interest among people of all age groups and brought audiences to Pakistani cinemas.
The Glassworker is produced by Geo Films and directed by Usman Riaz and Mairam Riaz Paracha. The film showcases Riaz’s unique storytelling and artistic vision in the Studio Ghibli style. The film became a success story and is a new chapter in Pakistani cinema, after Geo Films’ previous hits like Khuda Kay Liye, Teefa in Trouble, The Legend of Maula Jatt, and The Donkey King.
In an interview with BBC, the writer and director of The Glassworker talked about how many years it took to make the film.
“These 10 years for me have just been purely driven with passion and obsession. The film’s production took four years, but the entire journey took 10 years. I was 23 when I started, and I am 33 now,” Usman Riaz added.
The Glassworker was released on July 26, 2024 all across Pakistan.
Former supermodel Iffat Omar has spoken out in defense of controversial playwright Khalilur Rehman Qamar following the scandal involving his leaked videos.
Using X (formerly Twitter), Omar addressed the situation without directly naming Qamar. She pointed out the irony that those Qamar had often criticized might now be the ones defending the misogynistic writer.
“If two consenting adults are together, their privacy is none of my concern. Their body, their choice.” Qamar recently made headlines after falling victim to a honey-trapping scheme, resulting in his release after a ransom was paid. The main suspect in the case claimed to possess two videos, each about an hour and a half long, showing Qamar getting intimate with the woman who had trapped him. The videos leaked online later.
Qamar has alleged that the videos were made under duress at gunpoint. His defence seems in contradiction to the video, where he can be seen smoking while sitting with the woman and chatting with her casually with his feet up.
