Blog

  • VIDEO: New Delhi university students sing ‘Hum Dekheinge’ by Faiz Ahmad Faiz

    Students of New Delhi’s Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), have grabbed the attention of thousands of internet users for singing Pakistani Marxist poet and author Faiz Ahmad Faiz’s iconic poem ‘Hum Dekheinge’.

    According to journalist Pervaiz Alam, the recitation came after he asked the students to sing a song for him while conducting a media workshop.

    “I asked students to sing a song for me and they chose Hum Dekhenge by Faiz as I conducted a media workshop at the IIMC in New Delhi on 21 Nov. Meet the vibrant students of Indian Institute of Mass Communication [sic],” he tweeted while sharing the video.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    ‘HUM DEKHEINGE’:

    The popular revolutionary poem was written by Faiz in 1979 when he was in Honolulu for a writers’ conference. The poem was included in Faiz’s seventh poetry book titled “Mere Dil Mere Musafir” in 1981 and is known for its rendition by singer Iqbal Bano.

    The poem’s beginning deals with conventional themes such as injustice and oppression, then gives way to more overtly religious symbolism. Faiz writes that the idols will be lifted from the Kabah and goes on to describe a revolutionary inversion of power, where the pure-hearted, who were outlawed, or cast out, will be honoured.

    The crowns (of those in power) will be thrown up in the air (alluding to a celebration) and their thrones will be cast low. The final stanza of the poem is the most religious in tone, declaring that the only name (essentially on people’s lips) will that be of Allah and a great revolutionary cry of “I am Truth” will go up and people of faith will rule again.

    In recent times, the poem has become an anthem for rights activitsts taking to streets across the Indian subcontinent.

  • Zainab Abbas tied the knot in a beautiful afternoon wedding

    Zainab Abbas tied the knot in a beautiful afternoon wedding

    Sports presenter and journalist Zainab Abbas tied the knot in a beautiful and intimate afternoon wedding in Lahore.

    Zainab and her husband, Hamza Kardar looked regal in complimenting white and bronze outfits.

    Courtesy – Zamal & Saman Photography

    Zainab donned an outfit by Saadia Mirza while Zara Gul did her makeup.

    How absolutely stunning does she look in this picture.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B5QLgwygU7U/

    That glow though.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B5QiJd1Aoy8/

    A family portrait. Zainab is also PTI’s Andleeb Abbas’ daughter.

    Soon after Zainab made the announcement, congratulatory messages began to pour in for the happy couple.

    Meanwhile, in a candid interview with The Current, Zainab had revealed three things she was looking for in a life partner.

    “He should be mature. He should be independent and more importantly, understand my work,” Zainab had said in the interview.

    Watch the full interview here:

  • ‘Gen Bajwa reached China to control situation after PTI ministers’ statements against CPEC’

    Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Chairman Mushahid Hussain Sayed has said that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa had to go to China to control the situation after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ministers levelled baseless allegations regarding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.

    Speaking to a private media outlet Sunday, Mushahid said it was regrettable that the United States (US) openly opposed the CPEC initiative, adding that the project was not aimed at defence, though it did have various strategic implications.

    “China has no link with attempts to subjugate right to freedom in Pakistan,” he said and added that it was unfortunate how every government in Pakistan tried to take credit for the projects launched by its predecessors.

    Speaking about Federal Minister for Communication Murad Saeed’s allegations about corruption in CPEC projects, Mushahid said not even a single rupee corruption had been proven and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ahsan Iqbal should take Murad to court in this regard.

    The PML-N senator said that CPEC had a central position in the Pak-China strategic relationship, and maintained that the PTI leadership should be very careful in giving statements about the flagship projects as they were not fully aware of the sensitivities attached to it.

  • Boxer Amir Khan calls out PTI minister for taking credit for squash players’ treatment

    Boxer Amir Khan calls out PTI minister for taking credit for squash players’ treatment

    Federal minister Ali Haider Zaidi and boxer Amir Khan have engaged in a Twitter fight over taking credit for supporting former Pakistan number one squash player Riffat Khan.

    Riffat Khan underwent knee surgery last week at Shiffa International Hospital to revive her career. She had earlier requested the Prime Minister Imran Khanto help her after Squash Federation, Sports Board and relevant authorities had refused to help her.

    After media channels highlighted her story, former boxing champion Aamir Khan responded to her call and announced to help her. At the same time, Dr. Shireen Mazari, reportedly, said that minister Ali Zaidi, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, will bear all the expenses of Riffat’s operation.

    Riffat was, then got operated on November 13 and was released from the hospital on 14th.

    Following that, the British-Pakistani boxer tweeted the news item on Riffat’s improved health announcing that Aamir Khan Foundation supported her and paid for the athlete.

    Ali Zaidi responded quickly to that tweet saying that it was his ministry, not Aamir Khan who paid for the operation.

    “To set the record straight, PNSC paid for her operation! I heard Amir Khan offered to pay and many thanks for that, but Maritime government had already stepped in. Therefore, please take credit where it’s due,” tweeted the minister.

    Replying to Ali Zaidi’s tweet, Aamir posted the bank transaction details on his twitter account saying he paid 334,569 rupees for the operation, the government didn’t.

    Soon after these exhanges between the minister and the boxer, journalist Faizan Lakhani while replying to minister’s tweet said, “Actually both of you helped her. I have seen evidence of Amir sending her money & the athlete has also confirmed you both helped her. Aamir stepped in only after relevant people in government had refused to help her, you also reacted to same news story. You both deserve credit”.

    In another interview post her surgery, Riffat had highlighted the government’s treatment towards her before her issue came to media.

    “I was broken, disheartened and shattered by the insulting behavior and I was simply very upset with Acting PSB Director General Amna Imran, who should have realized my pain and agony, rather than keeping me waiting outside her office for an hour,” she had said.

  • Called off Azadi March after assurance of general elections in three months: Fazl

    Called off Azadi March after assurance of general elections in three months: Fazl

    Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman has disclosed the “conditions” upon which the opposition’s Azadi March sit-in was called off.

    “I was assured that a change would come in the month of December […] I was assured that new general elections would be held in the next three months,” Dunya News quoted Maulana Fazl as saying.

    JUI-F chief said that we need to wait “whether in-house change [in the parliament] is brought or the entire government is sent packing”.

    Meanwhile, Fazl has called multiparty conference (MPC) of the opposition parties on November 26 aimed at discussing next course of action against the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

    Reports reveal that Fazl has invited several influential politicians including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Ahsan Iqbal and Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, among other senior leaders of opposition parties.

    However, PML-N vice-president Maryam Nawaz has excused herself from attending the meeting due to health issues, including blood pressure and diabetes.

    The protests, led by JUI-F supremo, began with the ‘Azadi March’ on October 27 from Karachi. Thousands of supporters reached Islamabad on October 31, holding a two-week sit-in on the city’s main highway.

    Later on November 13, Fazl ordered his supporters to disperse across the country to block roads, in what he termed as ‘Plan B’ to topple Prime Minister Imran Khan.

  • VIDEO: Superstar Vlogger Dear Alyne visits Pakistan in 100 dollars and can’t get enough

    World famous vlogger, Nas Daily has traveled the world and made videos that have been shared millions of times. His girlfriend Alyne has now also started her own vlog and her last post is a video on Pakistan. She visited Pakistan for “The most AFFORDABLE Adventure” Episode 3, showing how you can have a great vacation in Pakistan for 100 dollars.

    She gushes about the fact that Pakistan is such a hospitable country that you usually don’t have to pay because people give away things for free and how the perception that Pakistan is dangerous is not true – she visited areas up north that have an almost zero crime rate.

    About to visit a hospital

    She also visits a hospital and talks about how cheap it is to get medical services in Pakistan.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    https://www.facebook.com/dearalyne/videos/482780485921143/

    As Pakistanis are also coming to the realization of how beautiful their country is and are planning more and more trips up north, so are foreigners. The hospitality and beauty of our nation is heartwarming and looks like people can’t get enough.

  • Kubra Khan reveals how ‘Alif’ changed her life

    Kubra Khan reveals how ‘Alif’ changed her life

    Kubra Khan is currently making waves as Husn-e-Jahaan in Alif and owns the screen every time she comes on. In a recent interview with BBC Asian Network, Kubra opened up about her spiritual journey, how Alif was “God sent” and how none of her awards would have any value in front of Allah.

    “I think I had this spiritual awakening where money and materialistic things and success and fame and all of that – of course, it’s part of our world – but I can’t take this anywhere with me. These awards aren’t going to hold any value in front of the “big guy” up there,” Kubra said in her interview.

    “On my death bed, I don’t want to be scared to face my Lord.”

    She continued, “Maybe for a short period of time, I wanted my dramas to be better than others, but that’s a normal thing to feel. At the same though, I think when I took that back seat, I realised I’m not in competition with anyone.”

    “At the end of the day, if I can look at myself in the mirror and be okay with what I am today, that’s the main thing. Because let’s face it, I could have 50 awards today, I could be the next big thing, but if I’m not like a good human being, what does all that stand for?”

    Speaking about her ongoing drama Alif, Kubra commented, “Alif was Godsend, that’s all I can say. Alif came to at a point where I was not in the best place to be really honest. I was in a dark place in my life at that point – because obviously you’re just shutting yourself off from everybody, I was kind of like ‘do I even want to be a part of the industry?’ I was going through that kind of mindset. So when Alif came and I read the script, I fell in love with my character, Husn-e-Jahaan.”

    “I lived Husn-e-Jahaan. I didn’t act her,” she added.

    When the anchor remarked that Kubra is not in this [acting career] for the long run and she just wanted to make enough money to move one, Kubra laughed and said, “That is literally what I said. But, you know the thing is, I love the art itself. It’s just what it brings.”

    “I mean I still wear like sleeveless tops. I still listen to music, I still dance. But as long as your intention is right, in the end, it’s all going to end good. I genuinely feel like if I can make a balance out of this – sure – but if not, then, yeah, maybe I will end it and move on somewhere else.”

    Speaking further, Kubra said that people have misconceptions about people in the entertainment industry and that they don’t know what she’s like at home or what relationship she shares with her Lord.

    “People have this misconception that just because you’re in the industry, you have to be corrupt. But that’s not true. I know so many amazing, incredible people in the industry, who have found their core. For example Ayeza Khan. She’s in the industry and she’s a beautiful mother and a wife. And a very good actor. Even Shehzad Sheikh – he’s a dear friend, a wonderful father, husband, son and brother,” Kubra said.

    Kubra also shared details about her next project – she will be part of Nadeem Baig and Humayun Saeed’s upcoming project London Nahi Jaunga. She clarified that the film is not a sequel to Punjab Nahi Jaungi – the script, the story, the characters all are completely different. Along with Kubra and Humayun, the film will also feature Mehwish Hayat and is expected to release in 2020.

  • Eman Suleman’s marriage announcement throws shade at Hamza Ali Abbasi

    Eman Suleman’s marriage announcement throws shade at Hamza Ali Abbasi

    Model and hard-core feminist Eman Suleman is tying the knot!

    Eman made the announcement of her wedding in a rather humorous social media post in which she threw shade at Hamza Ali Abbasi and his marriage announcement.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B5PSjgMH2-8/

    Though Eman’s announcement was a little confusing initially, she then shared this picture on her Insta stories confirming to her followers that she is indeed getting married.

    Eman’s to-be husband, according to his Instagram bio is a martial artist.

    Related: Do you know who Ahsan Khan married?

    Meanwhile, for reference, here is Hamza’s wedding announcement.

    https://www.facebook.com/hamzaaliabbasi/photos/a.766368643426812/2585301601533498/?type=3&theater

  • The Current Life with Ahsan Khan

  • What really happened between Ali Rehman Khan and the McDonald’s employee?

    What really happened between Ali Rehman Khan and the McDonald’s employee?

    As promised by Ali Rehman Khan, there is more to the story than what initially met the eye.

    A day after a video of Ali losing his cool at a McDonalds employee went viral on social media and became the number one Twitter trend, McDonalds has released a ‘Behind the Scenes’ video which shows the crew of the fast-food joint and the actor delivering their takes and sharing a few laughs.

    On Saturday afternoon, a video of Ali Rehman Khan screaming at a cashier of a local restaurant went viral. The ‘leaked’ video showed Ali shouting at a McDonald’s employee, saying “Aapko pata hai main kaun hoon? Aapne kabhi mujhe TV pe dekha hai? Aap employee hain, aapka kaam hai meri baat maanna.” (“Do you know who I am? Have you ever seen me on TV? You are an employee, your job is to listen to what I am saying.”)

    The restaurant employee responds by saying, “Please sir, don’t be angry with us. You’re absolutely right. I was just joking.”

    The employee tried apologising to Ali multiple times but the actor only stopped when he realised he was being recorded.

    Following the outrage on social media, Ali released a video in which he explained his actions and revealed that the video was part of a marketing campaign. He also said that more details will be revealed soon.

    Ali, in his video message, said that the purpose of making the video viral has been fulfilled and it was done to highlight the #TumJantayHoMainKaunHoon culture.

    Ali elaborated that the video was shot to highlight the “so-called VIP culture in our country” and that he is very glad that his video sparked a debate on the topic and made people “uncomfortable”.

    Sharing his own thoughts on the matter, Ali said that we often talk about and raise voice about a matter on Twitter but don’t act upon it.

    Ali also thanked the staff at McDonalds for being the “best partners in crime.”

    He ended his video by requesting people to focus more on the message and less on his actions.