Tag: Ali Zafar

  • PTV accused of ‘insulting’ veteran actor Rashid Mahmood

    PTV accused of ‘insulting’ veteran actor Rashid Mahmood

    Pakistan Television (PTV) has been accused of ‘humiliating’ veteran actor Rashid Mahmood by giving him a cheque of Rs 620 of which Rs 500 is the Pride of Performance fees, leaving him with only Rs 120. The baffled actor took to social media to express his confusion and disappointment over the matter, saying “What are the criteria of paying a Pride of Performance winner in this country and who spent 50 years of [his] life in PTV.”

    In a video message, Mahmood shared how he was invited to recite a marsiya two years ago in Muharram.

    “I hadn’t really received any work opportunities from PTV in the past two years. During Muharram, Pakistan Television Lahore had commissioned me to recite Mir Anees’s marsiya. I recorded it and it aired on the 9th and 10th Muharram multiple times. After two years, I received a cheque of only Rs 620,” he said, referring to the compensation as an ‘insult’.

    “In this Naya Pakistan, will my mother institute insult me and give me this sort of attitude? People whose worth in the showbiz industry is questionable take Rs 1.5 to 2.5 million. Today I announce that I will never work for PTV,” he lamented.

    Following Mahmood’s tweet, several celebrities including Ali Zafar, Shamoon Abbasi and Omair Rana extended their support to the senior actor and expressed their disappointment over the state-owned channel.

    Read more – Shaan is disappointed with PTV for airing ‘Diriliş: Ertuğrul’

    PTV management later apologised to Mahmood and clarified that the cheque was “mistakenly issued in his name”.

    However, PTV then issued a new cheque to the veteran actor which was worth Rs 9600 only. Posting a picture of the new cheque, Mahmood said that he will not work with PTV in the future and will not be cashing the cheques either.

    “I [have] framed the decorated [the cheques] in my drawing room,” said Mahmood.

    Meanwhile, when Minister for Information Shibli Faraz was asked to share the government’s stance on the matter, Faraz said he immediately reached out to PTV MD when he saw the tweet and was assured that the matter has been dealt with.

    VJ and TV presenter Sophiya Anjum also shared her experience of not getting her dues from PTV, commenting that the channel lacks basic deceny.

  • 184 recipients of civil awards announced; Edhi, Faraz, Ali Zafar, veteran actors, foreign delegates among others on list

    184 recipients of civil awards announced; Edhi, Faraz, Ali Zafar, veteran actors, foreign delegates among others on list

    A list of 184 civil awards recipients has been issued by the government on the occasion of Pakistan’s 73rd Independence Day, all of whom, including actors, poets, soldiers, television anchors, singers and foreign dignitaries, will be presented their respective honours by President Dr Arif Alvi in a ceremony on Pakistan Day next year.

    Philanthropist and Edhi Foundation head Faisal Edhi will be awarded the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz. The Nishan-i-Imtiaz will be awarded to ace painter Sadequain Naqvi. Other recipients of the award include singer Abida Perveen and late poet Ahmed Faraz.

    Actors Bushra Ansari and Talat Hussain have been named for the Sitara-i-Imtiaz award. They have entertained audiences both inside and outside Pakistan for more than two decades. Anchor Naeem Bukhari is also one of the recipients of the award.

    President Alvi will also present the Pride of Performance award actors to Humayun Saeed, singer Ali Zafar and religious scholar Maulana Tariq Jameel. Sakina Samo will also get the same award for her acting skills.

    Last year, Mehwish Hayat, Sajjad Ali, Attaullah Khan Esakhelvi, Babra Sharif, comedian Iftikhar Thakur and journalist Arshad Sharif were among others who received the awards.

    Pakistan Civil Awards were established on March 19, 1957, following the proclamation of Pakistan as an independent republic on March 23, 1956. The announcement of civil awards is generally made once a year on Independence Day, and their investiture takes place on the following Pakistan Day, March 23.

    According to Article 259(2) of the Constitution of Pakistan 1973, along with the Decorations Act 1975, the president confers civil awards on Pakistani citizens in recognition of gallantry.

    Awards for pride of performance are conferred for outstanding achievements in the fields of art, literature, science, sports and nursing.

    In December, the ministries and their divisions are invited to recommend candidates to the Cabinet Division. Received nominations are considered by three awards committees after which the final proposal is sent to the president for approval.

    The president can confer awards to foreign nationals any time during the year. For such awards, proposals are made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and approved by the president prior to conferral.

    The awards comprise five orders, each with four descending classes: Nishan [Order], Hilal [Crescent], Sitara [Star] and Tamgha [Medal].

    VIEW THE COMPLETE LIST:

    August 14, 2020
  • Govt pledges to promote the film industry

    Govt pledges to promote the film industry

    The government has announced that it will be creating a film task force which will be responsible for promoting the entertainment industry and resolving its issues.

    In a virtual meeting with artists and stakeholders involved, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Shibli Faraz shared the government’s intentions and discussed issues being faced by the film industry and their proposed solutions. Among those present included Humayun Saeed, Vasay Chaudhry, Ali Zafar, Fizza Ali Meerza and Nadeem Mandviwala.

    According to APP, Senator Faraz, while addressing the meeting, said that artists were assets of the nation who play an important role in the promotion of national culture and image apart from the growth of society. He added that the government realises the importance of artists and values their contribution to society.

    The minister elaborated that the government is working towards setting up a task force which will play a key role in promoting the film industry, assisting in the implementation and improvement of the film policy and resolving related issues. The task force will include government officials and those associated with the film industry.

    Read more – PM Imran urges TV writers’ to promote family values, national identity through dramas

    Speaking to The Current, Vasay Chaudhry said that the meeting went “really well” and that the “Honourable Minister showed a lot of interest in matters pertaining to film and seemed very committed and serious.”

    He added, “Being the son a great Urdu poet (Ahmed Faraz Sahab), Faraz showed keen interest in the issues of royalties when it was brought up by me. He told us that the issue of royalties of artistes is very close to his heart and he will make sure to do something about it.”

    Addressing this topic, Faraz in the meeting had said that artists had the right to receive royalties for their work and that practical steps will be taken to ensure that their copyrights are protected.

    Information Secretary Akbar Durrani briefed the participants about the national film policy and the Artist Welfare Fund. He said that a database of artists across the country was being created which will help them financially. It is pertinent to mention here that the Artist Welfare Fund has been increased from Rs 25 crore to 1 billion in the new budget on the recommendation of President Dr Arif Alvi.

    Meanwhile, Ali Zafar thanked Senator Faraz for calling this meeting and assuring the entertainment industry of the government’s support.

  • Coronavirus: Pakistani celebrities step up to help those in need

    As the coronavirus lockdown puts a halt to all economic activities in the country. Those most affected by the lockdown and pandemic are daily wage workers who have no work in this lockdown. In these stressful and challenging times, Pakistani celebrities including Maya Ali, Shahid Afridi, Anoushey Ashraf, Nomi Ansari, Aisam ul Haq Qureshi and Asim Jofa among others have stepped forward to help those in need. Check out their initiatives below:

    Maya Ali

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B-KGnBYHihv/
    https://www.instagram.com/p/B-SUBpKn88o/

    Hira Mani and Mani

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B-QfM7on4JU/

    Nomi Ansari and Anoushey Ashraf

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B-AFRdCDWcg/

    Aisam ul Haq Qureshi and Shiza Hassan

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B-IO8NKJP3H/

    Shahid Afridi

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B9_4hojlMQS/
    https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/1241363432923947008?s=20
    https://www.instagram.com/p/B-R3pF7let5/

    Sana Safinaz

    Ali Zafar

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B-Pi9BIlyhk/
  • Khadija Siddiqui case: War of words erupts between lawyers

    Khadija Siddiqui case: War of words erupts between lawyers

    Barrister Hassaan Niazi, who represented stabbing victim
    Khadija Siddiqui in court, has called out activist Nighat Dad’s “fraud” over
    the latter’s claims regarding her role in bringing the culprit to justice.

    Now a barrister and then law student Khadija was attacked by
    her class fellow Shah Hussain on May 3, 2016, near Shimla Hill where she, along
    with her driver, had gone to pick her younger sister from school.

    Dad, a lawyer and activist who runs the not-for-profit
    organisation Digital Rights Foundation, had on Monday claimed to have “advised
    Siddiqui on how to spread the word on her case”.

    “Khadija Siddiqui initially lost her case in the lower courts because the father of the attacker was the president of the Lahore Bar and they pressured the judges. But Khadija appealed to the Supreme Court. She reached out to me for advice on how to use the internet to spread the word about the case,” she had claimed in an interview to Council on Foreign Relations (CFR).

    “When cases are pending in courts, you are not allowed to
    talk publicly about them. But Khadija was like, ‘I’m not going to stop, because
    I know that technology has so much power and I can reach out to millions of
    people and get support’. And that’s when we decided that we are not going to
    obey the court orders.”

    Dad went on to claim that she “designed a strategy for social media” and Khadija started tagging people, making short videos, showing her wounds. “On Twitter and Facebook, she got support not only from women’s groups, but also political parties and leaders. And that’s why Khadija won the case,” she said.

    It wasn’t later that Niazi, who represented Khadija in the case along with Barrister Salman Safdar and other lawyers, took to Twitter to call out Dad over her claims.

    “Nigat Dad this is not even a lie, but a fraud. YOU DID NOT
    DO ANYTHING FOR KHADIJA,” he wrote while also sharing screengrabs of Nighat’s
    claims from the interview.

    Niazi also accused Dad of “misusing the #MeToo movement for foreign funds and advised actor Meesha Shafi, who is being represented by Dad in her sexual harassment case against musician Ali Zafar, “to change her lawyer”.

    The tweet was followed by that of Khadija, who seemed to support Niazi’s statement.

    “I have been misquoted completely. I request CFR to please clarify, Barrister Hassaan Niazi was solely responsible for media and social media,” she wrote while also “disagreeing to the facts stated in the article”.

    ‘THERE’S BEEN A MISUNDERSTANDING’:

    Responding to the allegations, Dad said that there had been a misunderstanding.

    “It appears there is a misunderstanding. The interview was a longer conversation and like any interview, answers were condensed for length. Supported you all along in your fight, never took credit for your legal or SM team’s work & continue to respect their efforts,” she tweeted.

    In a subsequent tweet, she wrote:

    The excerpts, highlighted by Khadija’s legal team, have been removed from the interview.

  • Meesha Shafi responds to Ali Zafar’s win at the Lux Style Awards

    Meesha Shafi responds to Ali Zafar’s win at the Lux Style Awards

    Despite all the shor sharaba and nominations withdrawl from the 18th Lux Style Awards, Ali Zafar won the award for Best Actor Viewers Choice for his role in Teefa in Trouble.

    In case you missed it, several members of the Pakistan entertainment industry withdrew their nominations in solidarity with Meesha Shafi and because they did not want to share the platform with an “alleged harasser”. Among those who withdrew their nominations were model Eman Suleman, hair and makeup artist Saima Bargfrede, The Sketches, and Faris Shafi.

    Those who withdrew their nominations also boycotted the event, including Meesha. While Ali Zafar also did not attend the event, he took home an award and that too for Best Actor Viewers Choice.

    While Ali took to Twitter to thank his fans for supporting him, Meesha thanked all those who supported her in this time.

    Meesha also decided that it was a good time to share her two cents on all the controversy surrounding Ali’s defamation case and all the conspiracy theories that have been circulating on social media.

    She also took a jibe at all those who are saying that her case is being ‘foreign-funded.’

    Meesha also “saluted” her legal team for their unending support.

    Meesha signed off by asking women to stand up and work towards change.

  • What went down at the Lux Style Awards

    What went down at the Lux Style Awards

    Pakistan’s most coveted awards show, the Lux Style Awards, took place in Karachi Sunday night and were a star-studded affair as A-list celebrities descended upon the red carpet dressed to the nines in their finest clothes. Though this year’s award show was shrouded in controversy from the minute the nominations were announced, the awards show were a glitzy and glam affair with the entertainment industry’s who’s who present at the event. And unlike last year, this year’s event was more happening.

    Here’s a rundown of all that happened at the 18th Lux Style Awards.

    Iqra and Yasir get engaged

    Possibly the biggest news from the night. Actor-comedian Yasir Hussain put a ring on fellow actor Iqra Aziz after a very public proposal. The two have allegedly been dating for a while now and fans were expecting an announcement soon. But itni bari announcement toh shayad hee kisi nay expect ki ho.

    Yasir’s actions drew mixed responses from the public who referred to it as an attention-seeking stunt and called out the couple for their public display of affection. Social media is full of crass jokes made on the newly-engaged couple.

    Watch the full video of the proposal here:

    Iqra-Yasir

    Ali Zafar wins Best Actor Viewers Choice for Teefa in Trouble

    The man who stirred the entire LSA controversy took home the award for the Best Actor for his performance in Teefa in Trouble. Though Ali himself wasn’t present at the awards show to receive the award in person, he took to social media to thank his fans for voting for him.

    It is pertinent to mention here that following Ali’s nomination several people, including Meesha Shafi, model Eman Suleman, Faris Shafi and Saima Bargfrede withdrew their nominations because they did not want to “share the platform with an (alleged) harasser.”

    Meera, Maya and Saba pay a glorious tribute to Shabnam

    LUX girls Saba Qamar, Maya Ali and Meera took the stage by storm as they paid a heartfelt tribute to Pakistan’s legendary actress, Shabnam by performing dance sequences on some of her hit songs.

    Meera has truly revived herself and was a treat to watch as she danced away on stage with Asad Siddiqui on Wada Karo Sajana. She truly is a star.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BzoXR0qhNUc/

    Maya Ali performed on Chitti Zara Saiyaan Ji while Saba Qamar gave a fiery performance on Runa Laila’s Mera Babu Chail Chabila.

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

    Atif Aslam’s performance on Thaam Lo

    Everyone’s favourite singer sang his award-winning song Thaam Lo from the film Parwaaz Hai Junoon mesmerising the crowds.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BzoTW3nhk-Z/

    Mehwish Hayat & Fahad Mustafa’s performance

    Meera makes an appearance with Captain Naveed

    Not sure what this means but Meera Jee was spotted on the red with Captain Naveed with whom she will reportedly also be doing a film soon.

  • Celebrity blunders

    Celebrity blunders

    The past month has seen a surprising number of irresponsible acts and statements by major celebrities in Pakistan. Though one can brush them off saying that’s it okay because celebs are also human, but the fact is that they are followed by thousands of people across the country who look up to them and follow what they say. Which is why they need to be careful in what they say and do.

    Here’s taking a look back at some major blunders made by celebrities in just the past month.

    Hira Mani

    In her appearance on Jeeto Pakistan, Hira Mani said that she believes that men are smarter than women and that a woman can sometimes make bad decisions. To this Fahad Mustafa, who hosts the show, said that’s not true and that his wife has always made the best decisions. He added, “Our country’s women are smarter than men.”

    Ali Zafar

    In his interview with Mubashir Lucman, Ali Zafar said that he has hung out with some of Bollywood’s most beautiful women, including Katrina Kaif and Taapsee Panu, so if he had a history they would also have an issue with him, which they don’t.

    Yasir Hussain

    Yasir made not one but two major blunders. A few weeks back, Yasir cracked insensitive jokes about transgenders when he revealed that he will be essaying the role of a woman in his upcoming telefilm. He later apologised for his comments and said that he did not mean to degrade anyone.

    Yasir also trolled Hania Aamir when she opened up about her struggle with acne and ‘imperfect’ skin. This led to an Instagram feud between the two. But latest pictures from Nomi Ansari’s white aftar suggest that the two have patched things up.

    Saboor Aly & Saheefa Jabbar Khattak

    Saboor and Saheefa came under fire after Saboor posted a story on Instagram in which she appears to be making fun of the window cleaner. The actors later apologised for their video and said that the person in the video was their friend and they were cracking an “inside joke”.

    Samina Peerzada

    In her interview with Affan Waheed, Samina implied that friends and family can replace the need for a shrink. Her comments are problematic because mental illness is serious and requires proper medical assistance.

    Watch the video for a more detailed insight:

  • Meesha Shafi wants judge in the Ali Zafar defamation case to be changed

    Meesha Shafi wants judge in the Ali Zafar defamation case to be changed

    In the latest turn of events, Meesha Shafi on Saturday filed an application of no confidence in the judge who is hearing the defamation case filed by Ali Zafar. Additional session judge Shakeel Ahmed is hearing the defamation case for the past six months.

    Meesha in her petition said that she has no confidence in the judge hearing the defamation case against her and has claimed that the judge is biased, adding that he reprimanded her lawyers for no reason. She requested the case to be transferred to another court.

    Her petition read, “Judge Ahmad has shown a clear and obvious bias in favour of the plaintiff which is apparent from the mode and manner in which he has so far conducted the proceedings.”

    Meesha’s lawyers said that they felt the bias from the first day but their intuition was confirmed by the judge’s conduct during the cross examination of the first witness of the plaintiff.

    The sessions judge will now hear Meesha’s plea seeking a new judge.

    Meanwhile, Meesha’s lawyers have also filed a separate petition in the Supreme Court appealing that the court was “not giving a right to a fair trial to Meesha.” The hearing for the case has been scheduled for May 9. Meesha’s lawyer, Nighat Dad said that the trial court had not permitted delaying the cross-examination of witnesses and that sufficient time was needed to cross-examine the witnesses.

  • Meesha Shafi sues Ali Zafar for defamation, demands Rs 200 crore in damages

    Meesha Shafi sues Ali Zafar for defamation, demands Rs 200 crore in damages

    Meesha Shafi and Ali Zafar’s legal battle does not seem to be easing up anytime soon.

    On Wednesday, Meesha’s lawyer, Nighat Dad, in a tweet shared that Ali Zafar has been served a defamation notice for his comments he made to various media channels regarding his ongoing feud with Shafi.

    The legal notice read, “In a statement aired on Hum News on 27th April 2019 (a link of which you have posted on your Twitter account also) you falsely claimed and published that our client is lying and has made false sexual harassment allegations against you just to get fame and recognition so as to get Canadian immigration. In addition to the same, you have also claimed that our client wants to become Malala, thereby implying that Malala also fabricated a false story like Meesha just to gain international recognition and immigration of a foreign country.”

    It added, “You have also knowingly and falsely claimed/published that our client’s case against you has been dismissed by the ombudsperson against sexual harassment and that you have been exonerated from all charges of sexual harassment.”

    The notice asks Zafar to tender a public apology within 15 days and pay Rs200 crore in “compensation for the loss and damage to our client’s reputation.”

    In case you are still confused about the case(s), watch our explainer videos below:

    https://youtu.be/KHiqV912X38