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  • Three reasons why we’re excited to watch upcoming film ‘Gunjal’

    Three reasons why we’re excited to watch upcoming film ‘Gunjal’

    Social media was set ablaze yesterday when the official trailer for the upcoming film ‘Gunjal’ released on all platforms, promising to take users on a thrilling journey about one of the darkest cases in Pakistan. We are incredibly happy to witness the Pakistani industry shift its filmmaking approach and step into more complex social issues. Here are some reasons why we’re super excited to watch ‘Gunjal’:

    1 It explores the investigation of the murder of prominent children right’s activist Iqbal Masih

    For most of our audience members who don’t know Iqbal Masih, he was a vocal critic of abusive child labour in Pakistan, a state he escaped at the age of 10. Because of his protests, Iqbal was able to free more than 3000 children from forced slavery. He visited countries like the US and Sweden where he advocated for an end to bonded labour. However, Iqbal was tragically shot by unknown culprits at the age of 12. But his efforts to eradicate bonded labour didn’t go unnoticed as he posthumously received  World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child in 2000, and later the Sitara-e-Shujaat in 2022 from President Arif Alvi.

    2 The cast list includes thespians like Resham and Ahmed Ali Akbar

    After the success of dramas like ‘Gunah’ and ‘Churails’, as well as Sarmad Khoosat’s ‘Zindagi Tamasha’, it’s clear that Pakistanis want something else other than saas-bahu content. A film like ‘Gunjal’ will ignite the audience’s curiosity and encourage more to watch the film in theatres, because this is a clear opportunity to bring more diverse stories back on our screens.

    3 We need more crime thrillers in Pakistan

    After the success of dramas like ‘Gunah’ and ‘Churails’, as well as Sarmad Khoosat’s ‘Zindagi Tamasha’ it’s clear that Pakistanis want something else other than saas-bahu content. Clearly, a film like ‘Gunjal’ will ignite the audience’s curiosity and encourage more to watch the film in theatres, because this is a clear opportunity to bring more diverse stories back on our screens.

    Gunjal is directed by Shoaib Sultan and written by Nirmal Bano and Ali Kazmi, and its set to release in theatres across Pakistan on December 8.

  • ‘I used to sell nimco to pay my school fees’: Haris Rauf’s documentary reflects childhood struggles

    ‘I used to sell nimco to pay my school fees’: Haris Rauf’s documentary reflects childhood struggles

    ESPN released a documentary on September 30 on the rise of Pakistan cricket star Haris Rauf. The documentary details his journey, from humble beginnings to being declared as one of Pakistan’s best cricket players. In the 27 minute documentary, Haris opened up about struggling to work in order to pay his university fee, revealing that he sold nimco in streets in order to get by as his father couldn’t make enough to afford his schooling.

    “I used to play tape ball cricket in order earn money for my studies. My father wasn’t earning enough to pay for my studies,” the cricket star revealed. “After matriculation, I used to work in the market, I sold nimco on Sundays in order to be able to pay my fees. The rest of the week I would be attending school and the academy.”

    In the documentary, Haris could be seen walking around his old home, speaking about how money was a big concern for his family during his teenage years:

    “My father had three brothers and we all lived together. The biggest room belonged to my father. We used to live in that room before my uncle got married. As my uncles got married, my father gave them the bigger rooms and started moving to the small ones. Eventually, we reached a point that we were sleeping in the kitchen.”

    Clips from the documentary, showing Haris walking to his old home, is currently going viral on social media, with many users getting emotional at the cricket star’s candid confessions about growing up in a financially struggling family to becoming one of the biggest stars of Pakistan

    “From selling Nimko in local markets to financing his education, to becoming one of the most feared bowlers in the world today, Haris Rauf‘s journey is a fascinating story that inspires generations,” one user wrote.

    Watch the complete documentary here.

  • MoU signed between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia to promote digital economy

    MoU signed between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia to promote digital economy

    Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together in communication and information technology, in a bid to promote the digital economy.

    According to Saudi Arabia’s official news agency SPA, the purpose of the memorandum is to establish cooperation in the fields of communication and information technology for digital transformation, promotion of innovation and development of digital infrastructure.

    This memorandum of understanding was signed by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Engineer Abdullah Bin Amir Al-Sawaha and Pakistan’s Caretaker Federal Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Dr. Umar Saif.

    Under the MoU, the two countries will establish innovation hubs, centres of excellence and university branches for advanced technologies, as well as strengthen cooperation in the systems of small and medium-sized enterprises and emerging companies.

    They will also work on policies, technologies, systems and legislation in the field of digitization and electronic manufacturing.

    Both sides have pledged to focus on e-governance, smart infrastructure, e-health and e-education, the use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, cloud computing, games and more.

  • ‘Nawaz Sharif will start a new era of progress and peace’: Maryam

    ‘Nawaz Sharif will start a new era of progress and peace’: Maryam

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz has ended uncertainty about three-time former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s return to Pakistan by stating that he will return on October 21 with even greater strength.

    Maryam Nawaz further said that “He will start a new era of progress, peace, and employment for the youth and rid [the nation] of inflation.”

    “An individual is not returning on October 21, but the country’s progress and peace,” she added.

    Maryam Nawaz shared her thoughts while addressing a public gathering organised by the PML-N Youth Volunteer on Sunday.

    Last month, former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the date of his brother’s return to Pakistan, saying, “Nawaz Sharif will reach Pakistan on October 21.”

    The PML-N supremo got permanently disqualified in 2017 for not declaring an outstanding salary. After that, Nawaz Sharif went to London in 2019 for a medical checkup and hasn’t come back yet.

    The PML-N, with the assistance of its legal team, intends to petition the Lahore High Court (LHC) for Nawaz’s bail prior to his arrival in Pakistan. This decision has been made in order to prevent Nawaz from being arrested at Lahore airport, as he has been declared a proclaimed offender.

  • What did Mahira Khan wear on her wedding?

    What did Mahira Khan wear on her wedding?

    Last night social media was ablaze when short clips released by superstar Mahira Khan’s manager Anushay Talha, and brother Hissan Khan, showed the actress getting married in a dreamy ceremony to her long time beau, Salim Karim. The seven second video was moving enough to make social media tear up as their favourite actress found her happily ever after. Most importantly, it was her gorgeous wedding dress that mesmerised everyone.

    The ‘Verna’ actress embodied every bit of the happy bride. She looked stunning in an ivory lengha choli silver ensemble, taking the pastel bride route that many Bollywood actresses like Parineeti Chopra, Kiara Advani and Alia Bhatt had embraced as well on their wedding days. To top her look, Pakistan’s sweetheart chose to go for a simple makeup look with her hair pulled back in a bun. As for jewelry, she picked an elegant diamond jewelry set which consisted of a choker necklace, jhumkas and a mang tikka, and a sheer veil donned over in a graceful manner as she walked down the aisle to her betrothed.

    Mahira wanted to include only close friends and family to take part on her big day as well as her wedding dress. Her wedding dress was exclusively designed by longtime friend and fashion collaborator Faraz Manan, who confirmed this by sharing the post Mahira’s manager had uploaded.

    Faraz Manan is one of the most sought out Pakistani fashion designers who has also worked with Bollywood stars like Aliya Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor and Deepika Padukone.

    In June, Faraz Manan was selected to dress ace footballer Christiano Ronaldo’s partner Georgina Rodriguez for Harper Bazar’s Arabia cover.

    Mahira Khan sparked rumors about her new-found romance in 2020 during an interview with Samina Peerzada, where she simply confirmed that she’s in love with someone now. In a live session with fashion designer HSY, the actress opened up about her romance with Salim, and said she was very happy in her relationship:

    “There’s a line in Humsafar, which I thought was beautiful, where Ashar says to Khirad, ‘Pata nahi tum mujhe kis naiki kay badlay main milli ho. I think the same about him. I must have done something good in my life.”

    READ MORE: VIDEO: HSY accidentally reveals the name of Mahira Khan’s mystery man

  • VIDEO: HSY accidentally reveals the name of Mahira Khan’s mystery man

    VIDEO: HSY accidentally reveals the name of Mahira Khan’s mystery man

    We all knew Mahira Khan was in love, just not with whom. In a recent live session with designer Hassan Shehryar Yasin, we not only find out about Mahira’s mystery man but some more details about her love life.

    Read more – Mahira Khan opens up about her love life

    HSY, while asking Mahira about ‘the one’ accidentally mentioned that his name is Salim, much to Mahira’s chagrin. However, when HSY apologised and continued to ask how she feels when she looks into his eyes, Mahira said, “There’s a line in Humsafar, which I thought was beautiful, where Ashar says to Khirad, ‘Pata nahi tum mujhe kis naiki kay badlay main milli ho. I think the same about him. I must have done something good in my life.”

    Mahira added that she feels the same way about other people in her life, including her son Azlaan.

    “I feel super, super grateful for my child too, he’s the centre of my world. My world revolves around him, and I feel the same way about him, the people I love” she remarked.

    Earlier, when the designer had asked Mahira if he was the one and if there’s a wedding around the corner, the actor said, “I think marriages are beautiful and weddings even more fun. But I don’t think marriage is the be-all and end of. It’s another step, yes, but I think in our society, it’s a big deal.”

    “But if you ask me if he’s the one, yes he’s the one.”

    Mahira added: “When you find someone, where you and him are not just in an isolated thing. But his friends are your friends, your friends are his friends and his family is your family and vice versa, it’s such a good feeling.”

    At that point HSY asked Mahira to reveal the name but she shied away. HSY also said that Mahira’s beau is an incredible person, “very handsome and smart as hell”.

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

    While, there is no official confirmation as yet, it is rumoured that Mahira’s beau is Karachi-based entrepreneur Salim Karim, with whom she has been spotted at several occasions, including a wedding in Turkey.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BwuQ4Itnbeu/?utm_source=ig_embed

    Read more – The first look of Mahira Khan and Fahad Mustafa’s upcoming film is out

    Meanwhile, Shaniera Akram sent her best wishes to the actor and said that the news “lifted her spirits”.

  • Illegal Afghan residents arrested in Islamabad

    Illegal Afghan residents arrested in Islamabad

    The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Islamabad has conducted a major search operation on Sunday against Afghans residing illegally in the city.

    Afghans with legal documents are allowed to stay in Pakistan, while a crackdown on illegal residents and criminals is still in process.

    CTD has conducted operations in Bhara Kahu, Tarnool, Mehrabadi, Golra, Shams Colony and other areas.

    According to the CTD spokesperson, 375 Afghan citizens without any identification documents were arrested for illegal stay, while many criminals were also identified. The accused will be deported to Pakistan after completion of legal proceedings.

    During the operation, 400 Afghan nationals were released on providing proof of residency, while 25 Afghans will remain in detention until their documents are verified.

  • PML-N worker announces valuable prize for bringing people to welcome Nawaz

    PML-N worker announces valuable prize for bringing people to welcome Nawaz

    The Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) is preparing for the return of party head and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on October, ending a four year long stay in London.

    One of the PML-N’s workers has announced that a brand new Honda 125 motorcycle will be given to those individuals who bring more people to welcome their leader.

    A video that has gone viral on social media, shows an unidentified party worker making the announcement during a public event.

    While addressing a political gathering, he said, “This is a big announcement. I hope my team will win. You are all being told that whoever brings more people to welcome Nawaz Sharif on October 21 will get a Honda 125″.

    Furthermore, the unnamed party worker clarified the geographical scope of the prize by stating, “This is NA 135, and it covers two provincial constituencies.”

  • ‘Imran Khan won’t return to power’: Maulana Fazlur Rehman

    ‘Imran Khan won’t return to power’: Maulana Fazlur Rehman

    While talking to the media after attending a training convention as the chief guest at Jamia Uloom-i-Sharia, Jamiat Ulama e Islam (Fazlur Rehman) emir Maulana Fazlur Rehman said,

    “It is out of the question that Imran, who is a product of a fake and bogus election, will return to power again.”

    He further said, “He has been disqualified because of his performance; his disqualification is a direct result of his own rule, governance, and policies.”

    He added that many in PTI are booked in several cases and will have to clear their names from cases pending in courts if they wish to contest the elections.

    While talking about general elections, he raised concerns over holding elections in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at a time when they face extreme winters.

    “In January, weather would be harsh in Chitral, Khuzdar, and other parts of KP and Balochistan,” he said, adding that despite concerns, his party won’t demand any delay in polls.

    The JUI-F is ready to contest elections whenever the Election Commission announces a date, he said, adding that he is against the philosophy of “Caretaker Government”.

    “I don’t recognize the caretaker government because in [this] government, ‘caretakers’ are someone else,” he said in an apparent reference to the establishment.

  • Journalist corrects Indian media spreading misinformation about Pakistan

    Journalist corrects Indian media spreading misinformation about Pakistan

    Naimat Khan, a journalist working with Arab News, pointed out false news being widely circulated by Indian media.

    Indian news platforms have been reporting that Maulana Qaiser Farooq has been shot and killed in a target attack in Karachi, alleging that he was one of the prominent leaders of Lashkar-e-Taiba and was a close associate of Hafiz Saeed.

    Khan, however, fact checked and corrected the outlets by stating that Maulana Qaiser Farooq, killed by unknown assailants in Karachi, was associated with Gulshan-e-Umar, a branch of Binori Town, a top Deobandi seminary in Karachi. He pointed out that this institution has no connection with Hafiz Saeed.