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  • Aamir Khan’s son auditioned for one of his father’s films

    Aamir Khan’s son auditioned for one of his father’s films

    Junaid Khan’s debut in Netflix’s Maharaj has been widely praised by critics and fans alike. In a recent interview, he discussed auditioning for his father’s film Laal Singh Chaddha.

    During an interview with ETimes, Junaid said, “I had actually auditioned for Laal Singh Chaddha, which Papa has talked about publicly, but it didn’t work out. Papa (Aamir Khan) was very keen that I do the film.”

    Kareena Kapoor, Naga Chaitanya, and Mona Singh costarred in Aamir Khan’s ‘Laal Singh Chaddha.’ It was directed by Advait Chandan remake of the movie ‘Forrest Gump.’ The movie was a complete flop at the box office.

    When questioned about the role Junaid auditioned for, ‘Maharaj’ director Siddharth P Malhotra said, “It was this audition that Adi (Aditya Chopra) and I saw, and what an audition that was… it was outstanding and if that clip can be released at some point in time, it would be great.”

    Junaid talked about how he found the story inspiring: “Karsandas Mulji was a real person who in 1862 was talking about those things which even today are happening. It happens in society today. And it happens in every society. And at that time he was fighting about it. When we didn’t have that much knowledge. So I found the character and the story very inspirational. That there is a man who had so much understanding back then.”

  • Another shock for the masses; electricity prices increased

    Another shock for the masses; electricity prices increased

    In another shock to the people, the federal government on Wednesday approved up to 51 percent or Rs 7.12 increase in the per-unit price of electricity from July, The Tribune reported.

    With immediate effect, a whopping 32.5 million consumers, predominantly households, will be compelled to spend an additional at least Rs580 billion in this fiscal year.

    Furthermore, among these 32.5 million consumers, around 26 million households fall in the poorest to low-middle-income groups category. The burden of this price increase will fall on these households.

    The International Monetary Fund (IMF) had set many conditions for the government to qualify for the next bailout package, including increasing the power tariff.

    For the first time, the government has also imposed fixed monthly charges on residential electricity consumers, ranging from Rs 200 to Rs 1,000 per unit.

  • Petrol pumps going on nationwide strike from July 5

    Petrol pumps going on nationwide strike from July 5

    The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association has decided to close petrol pumps across the country starting from 6 am on Friday, July 5.

    The strike was announced after negotiations between the Association and the government fell apart.

    A delegation from the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association held meetings with the Finance Minister, Chairman of FBR, and Chairman of OGRA.

    Abdul Sami Khan, President of the Petroleum Dealers Association, stated that the strike may last for more than one day, according to an Aaj News report.

    People have been advised to keep petrol tanks filled until July 4, as pumps across the country will begin to run dry tomorrow night.

    He also mentioned that negotiations will not resume until the government reverses its decision. Fourteen thousand dealers across the country will shut down their pumps starting July 5.

    On the other hand, the Pakistan Oil Tankers Association has declared that it will not be part of the strike.

    Shams Shahwani, Chairman of the Oil Tankers Association, stated that petrol and diesel supplies will continue uninterrupted throughout the country. He believes that given the current circumstances, stopping the supply is not an option, and he wants to prevent inconvenience to customers.

  • PTI leadership contacts Fawad Chaudhry

    PTI leadership contacts Fawad Chaudhry

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) current leadership has contacted former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry to hold talks for his return to the party, ARY News reported on Wednesday, reportedly also asking him to stop criticizing them.

    PTI representatives stressed the need for unity among opposition parties in the current political scenario.

    As per ARY News, PTI leaders agreed to work together to achieve their goals, welcoming the positive suggestions presented by Fawad Chaudhry.

    Sources within the ARY News confirmed that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and former Speaker of National Assembly Asad Qaiser are in contact with Fawad Chaudhry.

    However, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan was denied any contact with the former information minister. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan will take the final decision to take Fawad Chaudhry back to the party or not.

  • Sick baby boy replaced with dead girl in Children’s Hospital Lahore

    Sick baby boy replaced with dead girl in Children’s Hospital Lahore

    The staff of Lahore Children’s Hospital replaced an unwell baby boy with a dead baby girl.

    The hospital then handed over the body to the parents.

    Irfan Akram, a citizen of Gujranwala, said that his son was born four days ago, and he brought him to Children’s Hospital Lahore for treatment. “The hospital staff declared the child dead after 6 hours and handed him over to me,” he recalled.

    Upon reaching home, Irfan found out that there was a dead girl in his baby’s clothes.

    The police say a kidnapping case has been registered in the Naseerabad police station, and investigations have started with the help of CCTV footage, while the statements of the child’s family and hospital administration have also been recorded.

  • Punjab Defamation Act 2024 challenged in LHC

    Punjab Defamation Act 2024 challenged in LHC

    On Wednesday, senior journalists filed a petition at the Lahore High Court (LHC) challenging the controversial Punjab Defamation Act 2024 after the bill was approved in May of this year.

    Earlier, on May 20, the Punjab Assembly passed the defamation bill despite strong protests by the opposition, journalists, and civil rights organisations.

    “The controversial Punjab Act is repugnant to the Defamation Ordinance 2002, which has been provided protection under Article 270AA under the 18th Amendment to the constitution,” read the petition.

    The petitioners argued in their petition that the Act violated fundamental rights guaranteed in Articles 10A, 18, 19, 19A, and 25 of the Constitution.

    The petition also stated that the Act aims to stifle freedom of speech and dissent, as it has affected the work of journalists due to egregious punishments.

  • ‘Auto-tune’: Shiraz Uppal’s comments on Hira Mani’s singing

    ‘Auto-tune’: Shiraz Uppal’s comments on Hira Mani’s singing

    Veteran musician Shiraz Uppal has stirred up buzz by claiming that actress Hira Mani uses auto-tune in her singing. Shiraz was invited as a guest on ‘Mind Na Karna’ hosted by Ahmed Butt. The host asked about Hira Mani singing abilities.
    Shiraz Uppal said, “I think she’s a fantastic actress, but as for her singing skills, I can make anyone sound like her using auto-tune in my studio.”

    Taking about Hira Mani vocal abilities, he said, “Being a composer and singer, I would judge her seeing that performance.”
    Uppal recently found himself in controversy after he said he trained Atif Aslam and Aima Baig. However, he clarified that he had guided A-list performers like Atif Aslam and Aima Baig to enhance their vocals and tonality, assessing their potential as singers.

    Shiraz said, “I never said I taught them how to sing. People misunderstood me. They are very talented singers. I discussed that as a music producer and singer, I understand the expression I need from vocalists for my compositions. So, I guide them on pronunciation, tone of voice, and expression. However, this doesn’t mean I mentored them in singing.”

  • Mohsin Naqvi cautions no hasty decision will be taken to fix the team

    Mohsin Naqvi cautions no hasty decision will be taken to fix the team

    The Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi has revealed what steps the board is considering after the team’s stage 1 exit from the T20 World Cup last month.

    Talking informally to the media in Lahore, Naqvi said, “People are asking for surgery.” The word is a reference to his own statement where he said massive surgery is required for the national team. “I never take any decision in anger, hasty decisions are often harmful. Head coach Gary Kirsten has submitted a report; in it he gave detailed information about the World Cup performance. Gary Kirsten and Azhar Mehmood have been called for a discussion.”

    The PCB head then revealed that he is in touch with former cricketers, taking advice from them for improving cricket. “They, whose livelihood is not talking on various TV channels, will spot the real issues.”

    He went on to reveal that a former cricketer has given a detailed report. “I will not make decisions after seeing social media posts. PCB is not running on social media posts. It doesn’t matter if you post against PCB or me.”

    On improving the national team, he said, “While looking at things with patience, it is also a challenge to improve things within the PCB. The people inside the PCB show one thing, and the truth on the ground is something else.”

    After the national team’s poor performance in the T20 World Cup, Mohsin Naqvi announced a major surgery in the team.

  • Champions Trophy 2025: When will Pakistan and India face off?

    Champions Trophy 2025: When will Pakistan and India face off?

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sent the draft schedule of the Champions Trophy 2025, which will be held in Pakistan next year, to the International Cricket Council (ICC).

    Indian media has claimed from ICC sources that, according to the draft, the Pakistan-India clash will be held on March 1 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

    The Indian Cricket Board has not yet given consent to the PCB regarding the schedule of the matches.

    Considering security issues, all India matches have been scheduled to be played in Lahore. New Zealand and Bangladesh have been placed in Group A along with Pakistan and India.

    Australia, England, South Africa and Afghanistan have been placed in Group B, with all participating member nations of the Champions Trophy having assured the ICC of their support. The Indian Board will take its decision after consulting the Indian government.

  • Champions of Legends League: Pakistan defeats Australia by 5 wickets

    Champions of Legends League: Pakistan defeats Australia by 5 wickets

    The Pakistan cricket team has defeated Australia by 5 wickets in Champions of Legend Cricket Tournament.

    In the match played in Birmingham, Australia batted first and scored 189 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in the allotted 20 overs.

    Finch scored 68, Ben Dunk scored 27 and Ferguson scored 26 runs for the Australian champions.

    The Pakistan champions achieved the target of 190 runs in the 20th over, Younis Khan scored 63, Shoaib Malik 23 and Sohaib Maqsood 21.

    Younis Khan was declared the player of the match.

    The matches of the event are being telecasted live from GeoSuper.