Tag: #ary

  • Kuch Ankahi goes out with a bang, leaving audiences wanting more

    Kuch Ankahi goes out with a bang, leaving audiences wanting more

    The last episode of Kuch Ankahi aired on Saturday night, receiving high ratings from audiences for a satisfying wrap up to its gorgeous story telling and moving performances by Sajal Aly, Bilal Abbas and Qudsia Ali. The build up to this spectacular finale was besieged with questions about who would Aliya finally pick: Salman or Azfar? Would Sofia phupoo give in and marry uncle Thanvi? Would Samiya abandon her husband and his toxic mother to start being independent on her own? But in the final episode, Kuch Ankahi wrapped up all these questions, leaving all of us hoping that this is the show that should be getting a season 2.

    We finally see Aliya and Salman put aside their differences, a win for fans of the show who had shipped the cat-and-mouse duo from the very first episode. Many were left heart broken by how Azfar was rejected, despite the love he had for Aliya. But hopefully, there are better things in store for him?

    We also got a beautiful wedding as Sophia Phupoo and Uncle Thanvi wed, a satisfying resolution to her reluctance of letting go of her first love and husband who had passed away quickly. But then their heart tugging meeting at the train station, when Thanvi promises to prove his love to Sophia, just proved the show made a breakthrough by focusing on two aged people getting married.

    Clearly, we’re not over the episode, and neither is social media. As since yesterday, users sobbing over the ending of a gorgeous drama that gave us everything we’ve been asking Pakistani dramas to provide us.

  • While Twitter praises Sar-e-Rah for encouraging empathy, Maria B claims it’s actually ‘spreading destruction’

    While Twitter praises Sar-e-Rah for encouraging empathy, Maria B claims it’s actually ‘spreading destruction’

    Sar-e-Rah dropped its most anticipated episode this Saturday which explored the struggles of a transgender boy who tries to gain acceptance from his family by studying hard.
    The episode delved into how Sarim (played by Muneeb Butt) is bullied by his step-mother and brother a because of the fact that he is an intersex man, who is regularly pushed away from spending time with them. However, Sarim and his father have a close bond, who encourages him to work hard and is the only one who embraces his true nature rather than hiding it away.
    In a scene that is gaining praises on Twitter, the father and Sarim are sitting near a beach where he teaches his son that there is no shame in wanting to be feminine, and he can choose to be whatever he likes because it won’t diminish his father’s love for him.
    Prominent transgender activist Mehrub Moiz Awan praised this scene for its ‘beautiful message’.

    ‘What a beautiful message! Who wrote this scene?’ she wrote.

    Actress Iffat Omar also sent praises to this scene

    Many users praised the way this episode depicted the relationship between the father and son, as portrayed by Nabeel Zafar and Butt’s moving acting. They lauded the show for handling a tabooed in a delicate manner, and showing how important it is for parent’s to empathize with and support their children.

    “The relationship between Sarang & his father is beautiful in #SarERah this week. This father is honest with his son, loves & supports him – what every child needs, but particularly those struggling against society. Nabeel Zafar & Muneeb Butt are brilliant,” one user wrote.

    Another user praised how the show was uplifting the minorities that it depicted on screen:

    “Best thing about #SareRah is that its not depressing. There is always hope and light at the end and thats what makes it special.”

    In a time when censorship overrules freedom of thought, and many drama creators refuse to engage with the audience they are creating stories for, this user praised Sar-e-Rah for taking a bold step in crafting unique stories that tackled social issues in a sensitive but thorough manner.

    “#SareRah @arydigitalasia a breath of fresh air,every minute worth spent. Meticulously crafted stories reflect talent, passion and time spent to study each one. Brought alive by superb acting,a rare positive take on negative social issues,absolutely no loose ends.”

    Unfortunately this message did not resonate with everyone, as harsh critics like fashion designer Maria B once more stepped up to criticize the drama for promoting vulgarity and encouraging the acceptance of the transgender community. On her Instagram stories, the fashion designer said:

    “So this is how you sell your soul…well done Pakistan.

    So this kid is intersex??? And instead of following sharia and getting corrective help to become male or female, his DAD is telling him to be gender fluid!!! Like transgenders.

    Now will you wake up Pakistan??

    Is the agenda still not clear? Lannat on all the people who sold their souls and will contribute to the destruction of our kids.”

  • Twitter users collectively agree that the chemistry in ‘Mujhe Pyar Hua Tha’ is at its peak

    Twitter users collectively agree that the chemistry in ‘Mujhe Pyar Hua Tha’ is at its peak

    ARY drama serial ‘Mujhay Pyar Hua Tha’ aired its 12th episode last night and Twitter users have collectively agreed that there’s no jori that deserves more praises than Maheer and Saad.
    In the episode, we witness the couple begin their married life together and slowly open up to each other. What is wholesome is how despite the fact that their marriage was arranged at the last minute, Saad still assures her that he would never restrict her to living the way he wants and will respect her wishes as he did as a friend before.

    We also witnessed some light husband and wife banter between the two, which has made fans declare that no one has served chemistry in the past like the way Hania Amir and Wahaj Ali are. Have they defeated ‘Humsafar’s’ long-held topslot?

    We have to agree with the rest of Twitter that Saad is one of the finest male leads we have watched on television screens. A caring and compassionate man who is gentle to the women in his life? Is kind and selfless to his lover, despite the fact that she may not be on the same page as him, but promises not to impose his feelings or force her into marrying him? Respects the fact that Maheer loves someone else and assures her that he will help her, regardless of the pain he feels? Print this in history books please.

    And we’re particularly marking down the days until the next episode releases because it looks like Maheer and Saad will be serving more couple goals, and keeping us singles crying in our sleep.

  • Kuch Ankahi breaking stereotypes, encouraging better family relations

    Kuch Ankahi breaking stereotypes, encouraging better family relations

    Our morbid fascination with domestic violence seems have become one of the essential tools required to make a hit drama. There aren’t many television dramas which depict healthy family relations, where women are accepted and loved without being told to lose their identity.
    Kuch Ankahi, therefore, is an anomaly, a breath of fresh air on our screens because it depicts a supportive family where the father isn’t holding back his daughters from their dreams, women aren’t constantly plotting to one-up each other and the male lead isn’t a toxic, triggering person. It proves that more dramas need to follow its lead and start portraying women in a positive light.
    On last night’s episode, we witnessed how the youngest sister, Tania, is openly dancing at her sister’s wedding event when a person behind her body shames her, forcing her neighbor to stand up for her.

    The moment resonated with viewers and clips of the scene are now being widely shared.

    https://twitter.com/koilak2/status/1629547537500901382?s=20

    What social media users have called the most touching moment in this episode is the scene between the father, Agha Jee, and the eldest daughter Samiya where he witnesses her unhappiness and reminds her that if she refuses, then he will call off the wedding. This kind of empowerment and kindness is rarely depicted in Pakistani dramas, and is teaching fathers to be more gentle to their daughters as Agha Jee assures Samiya that he will keep holding her hand regardless of whether she chooses to get married or not.

    This kind of warmth and support between the family members is not once-in-a-blue-moon, but a regular occurrence in this drama. Agha Jee never shies away from praising his daughters’ strengths and consistently empowers them to advance further in society. In several episodes, we witness Agha Jee doing his own chores while telling his daughters that they’re not responsible for household duties.

    This gentleness and respect towards women isn’t just prevalent in Agha Jee, but extends to all the men in the drama. The way they are completely the anti-thesis to the kind of male lead we have grown up watching is frankly shocking. Like the male lead Salman, who is time and again shown doing his own work. In one scene, he makes his own roti, an act we have only ever seen women perform.

    https://twitter.com/mawoxdeepxbillu/status/1626870264809263106?s=20
  • ‘General Faiz ne hamaaray sath ziyaadtiaan ki’: CM Pervaiz Elahi says former DG ISI was against him

    ‘General Faiz ne hamaaray sath ziyaadtiaan ki’: CM Pervaiz Elahi says former DG ISI was against him

    Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has accused former spy chief Faiz Hameed of wanting to put him and his son Moonis Elahi behind bars.

    In an explosive interview with ARY News’ programme ‘The Reporters’, Elahi said that General Faiz called the Chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and asked him to put the father and son behind bars.

    “General [retd] Faiz ne humary sath ziyaatiyaan ki”, (General (retd) Faiz did grave injustices to us), Elahi said, emphasizing that the former head of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief was “strongly against” him.

    He also revealed that he had taken up the matter with the ex-COAS General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa. Gen Faiz had then informed the army chief that the alleged political persecution had been ordered by Imran Khan.

    ‘Bajwa sahab humray mohsin hain’: CM Elahi

    Throughout the interview, the chief minister regretted Imran Khan’s remarks against General [retd] Bajwa. He reminded that General [retd] Bajwa is Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) benefactor and they shouldn’t be “ungrateful”.

    Elahi said that he told Moonis Elahi: “Bajwa sahab humray mohsin hain, aap ke mohsin hain, PTI ke mohsin hain. Khuda ka wasta hai un ke khilaf kuch na bolay” (Bajwa sahab is ours, yours and PTI’s benefactor, so don’t speak against him).

    He said he had reiterated the same in his meeting with PTI Chairman Imran Khan a day ago at Imran’s Zaman Park residence. “He [Imran] replied: ‘I’ve received many requests [not to speak against Bajwa],’ so I said: ‘Then accept them,’” Elahi added.

    “The injustice that Imran Khan did was making us sit beside him and criticising Bajwa sahab.”

    Elahi said General Bajwa met the Saudi king and the crown prince, went to Qatar to bring money for Pakistan and even worked with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to support Khan’s government.

    He said that he felt “very bad but could not speak to Khan in privacy before he made a long speech and announced the dissolution of Punjab and KP assemblies on Saturday.”

    The chief minister also claimed that 99 per cent of the people within PTI were against Khan’s decision regarding the dissolution of assemblies.

    ‘Mei ne kaha GET OUT’, CM Elahi gives shut up call to PTI member for speaking against General Bajwa

    He also warned that he and his party won’t tolerate a word against ex-COAS. He said that he even gave a shut up call to PTI’s Sardar Hasnain Bahadar Dreshak for speaking against Gen Bajwa.

    “Mai toh cabinet mein bardaasht nahi karta, pehlay din hee keh diya tha. Dreshak ne cabinet mei bak bak shuru kardi. Mei ne kaha get out” (I told everyone on the first day that I wouldn’t tolerate this behaviour in the cabinet. When Dreshak started speaking nonsense, I said get out).

    Dreshak resigned from his post as the provincial minister for food on December 17. Earlier, it was reported that he and Elahi exchanged heated words during a cabinet meeting on Friday after which the minister left the room in protest and later sent his resignation.

    About Usman Buzdar

    CM Elahi took a direct jibe at former CM of Punjab, Usman Buzdar, stating that he had ruined the province and that Elahi sorted things out with four months of hard work.

    In response, Buzdar said that criticism of him is like criticising the PTI narrative. He added that he also has a lot to say but he has never spoken ill about anyone.

    Moonis Elahi met Imran Khan

    Following Elahi’s interview, Imran Khan called Moonis Elahi to his residence and discussed his father’s “harsh” statements. The younger Elahi explained his father’s, his own and his party’s stance with regard to Bajwa.

    On Sunday, Khan also said that he would not take any action against Gen (retd) Bajwa if he attains power again, saying his grievances with the former COAS were not a personal dispute.

    The former premier made these remarks during a meeting with a delegation of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) at his Zaman Park residence in Lahore.

  • ‘Khan is using tragic killing of Arshad Sharif for petty politics’: PM Shehbaz

    ‘Khan is using tragic killing of Arshad Sharif for petty politics’: PM Shehbaz

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif—who is currently in Saudi Arabia—has said that Imran Khan, Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), is using the tragic killing of senior journalist Arshad Sharif for “petty politics”.

    His statement has come after Khan’s comments about Sharif’s death, terming it “a targeted killing”.

    Taking to Twitter, the Premier said: “Imran Niazi is playing a dangerous game. He is using the tragic killing of Arshad Sharif for petty politics and going to the extent of casting aspersions on state institutions.”

    PM Shehbaz further said that the PTI chief should wait for the findings of the Judicial Commission which was constituted to probe the death of the slain journalist.

    ‘Mujhe pata hai target killing ki gayi hai’: Imran Khan on Arshad Sharif’s death

    On October 25, Khan claimed that the killing of journalist and anchorperson Arshad Sharif was a targeted killing, stressing that he himself warned the newsman that his life was under threat.

    Addressing an Insaf Lawyers Forum (ILF) convention in Peshawar, Khan said, “Jo marzi log kahein, mujhe pata hai target killing ki gayi hai” (Whatever people say, I know it was target killing), adding that “Arshad knew that his life was in danger, he was repeatedly warned. I told him too but despite that, he didnt step back even once or get scared,” he said in the speech.

    During the convention, Khan further said Arshad Sharif was the journalist he respected the most, using the term “martyred” for the late television host.

    Imran Khan heaped laurels on the slain journalist, calling him brave and pointing out that he put his life in danger but stayed on the path of justice “People threatened him, offered him money but he didnt change his stance,” Imran Khan revealed.

    “I told him to leave the country, but he did not listen,” Khan shared.

    “Sharif also criticised me, when he used to think I was wrong”, the PTI chief said.

    “Then I received information that they were about to kill him. They invaded his home and scared him in front of his family just so that he doesn’t speak the truth,” the former premier claimed.

    Imran said Sharif left the country but was being called back when his visa in the UAE was about to expire. “Not because he committed a crime but just so he doesn’t speak the truth. And they wanted to do the same with him what they did with Azam Swati, Shahbaz Gill and Jameel Farooqui,” Imran added.

    He repeatedly urged the lawyers’ community at the convention to take a stand. “You people have more responsibility because you know justice and the role of law more than the citizens.”

    “I will fight these cruel people till my last breath”, he said, adding that Allah has not given us the choice of being neutral.

    On Monday, Khan tweeted: “Arshad Sharif’s murder has sent shockwaves across Pakistan. It has highlighted an ongoing targeting of anyone who dares to criticise or question those holding power. When will our senior Judiciary act to ensure our citizens’ fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution are protected”.

    On October 23, Arshad Sharif was killed in Kenya in a reported shooting incident by the country’s police.

  • Celebrities react to journalist Arshad Sharif’s demise

    Celebrities react to journalist Arshad Sharif’s demise

    Journalist Arshad Sharif died in Kenya after being shot, according to his wife Javeria Siddique.

    She wrote, “I lost friend, husband and my favourite journalist @arsched today, as per police he was shot in Kenya. Respect our privacy and in the name of breaking pls don’t share our family pics, personal details and his last pictures from hospital.”

    A-list celebrities took to their social media handles to express grief and shock on Arshad’s demise.

    Actors like Sajal Aly, Muneeb Butt and Mariyam Nafees shared their thoughts on the unfortunate incident.

    Kenyan police report:

    According to a Kenyan police report, Arshad was traveling with a man they claim was his brother Khurram Ahmed. The police was tipped off about a stolen car outside an electrical shop. The owner of the car had left his son in the car. When he came back, he found that the car was missing and his son had been abducted. The police traced the car and when they found the car, they state that Arshad and Khurram Ahmed did not stop the car. They were fired upon and when the car was stopped, Sharif had died from a gun shot wound to the head. According to the police report, the car was fired upon nine times.

    According to Arshad’s former employer ARY News, “Police in Kenya have confirmed his death and have opened an investigation into the accident which likely involved a gun attack.”

    He leaves behind five children. The family has asked the media and the general public to refrain from making assumptions and disseminating rumours regarding Arshad Sharif’s death.

    According The Star, a credible news outlet and one of the biggest in Kenya “Arshad Sharif was shot in the head and killed by police after he and his driver allegedly breached a roadblock that had been set up to check on motor vehicles using the route.”

    “They were driving from Magadi town to Nairobi when they were flagged down at a roadblock being manned by a group of police officers, police said.”

    “According to police, at the roadblock, there was a call for police to intercept a car similar to the one they were driving following a carjacking incident in Pangani area, Nairobi where a child was taken hostage.”

    “And a few minutes later, Sharif’s car emerged at the roadblock and they were stopped and asked to identify themselves,” reads the news report.

    “They allegedly failed to stop and drove past the roadblock.”

    “This prompted a brief chase and shooting that left Sharif dead. Their car rolled and his driver was injured and taken to hospital.”

    “He later told police he and his slain colleague were developers and were headed for a site in Magadi.”

  • Palmist told Khan that a big rock fell on Shehbaz instead of him

    Palmist told Khan that a big rock fell on Shehbaz instead of him

    Former Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed on Monday said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has been told by a palmist that there was a big rock that was going to fall on Khan but it fell on Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif instead.

    He made these revelations on ARY News in Waseem Badami’s programme 11th Hour.

    Rasheed said that everyone is with Imran Khan so it would be a waste for anyone who stands against him in the elections.

    Talking about his audio leak, Rasheed said since childhood, his [Sheikh] messages and tapes have been going viral.

    He said that after the PTI swept Punjab by-polls, he received messages from top bureaucrats for the first time addressing him as ‘respected sir’.

    During the show, he further revealed that Imran Khan has planned to do a tour of Sindh, especially the interior side of the province.

    Rasheed again stressed that he is of the view that they should be friends with the establishment. He said that Imran Khan has said that we will not talk against the establishment anymore and have to focus on the elections.

    Appearing on the same programme on Tuesday, former federal minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry agreed with Rasheed’s statement and said that they will not talk against the establishment. “We will try to normalise things in the future”, he added.

    Moreover, he said that PM Shehbaz Sharif should dissolve the National Assembly. According to him, election date will be announced within 45 days and the elections are likely to be held in October.

  • ‘Rubbish,’ General Bajwa speaks out against claim made by journalist about him

    ‘Rubbish,’ General Bajwa speaks out against claim made by journalist about him

    “Rubbish, totally rubbish,” said General Bajwa in response to an ARY News anchorperson’s claim about China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that was attributed to the army chief, reports Ansar Abbasi for The News and Jang.

    ARY News anchorperson Chaudhry Ghulam Hussain claimed that he was told by the army chief, in the presence of a couple of other people, that out of the initial Chinese investment of $19 billion for CPEC projects during the PML-N government, $10 billion were spent on the ground while $9 billion was stolen by contractors, government officials and political governments at the Centre and in Punjab. Ghulam Hussain said that when he asked why no action was taken, he was told by the army chief that the Chinese said they “don’t want to agitate these things in public” and that they will take action against their own people privately after investigating.

    Abbasi reports that whenThe News shared the video clip of the anchor’s claim with a defence source close to army chief General Bajwa, the source said Bajwa responded to ARY’s claim by saying, “Rubbish, totally rubbish.”

  • Fahad, Danish or Sheheryar: Who’s headlining the most popular game show in Ramazan?

    Fahad, Danish or Sheheryar: Who’s headlining the most popular game show in Ramazan?

    Game shows in the holy month of Ramazan are a major form of entertainment for television audiences in which people are entertained by interactive games with enormous prizes.

    Three private channels are telecasting game shows such as ARY ‘s Jeeto Pakistan League hosted by actor Fahad Mustafa, Game Show Aisay Chalay Ga Ramazan League on BOL Entertainment headlined by Danish Taimoor and Khel Kay Jeet With Sheheryar Munawar, on Express Entertainment.

    According to the YouTube viewership, Jeeto Pakistan is the number one game show this year.

    Viewership Analysis (April 15)

    Jeeto Pakistan League Ramazan Special

    This game show was launched in the year of 2014. We have analysed an episode of ARY’s game show from Friday episode which has got around 434,513 views with 8,000 likes till April 22. This game show is based on the seven teams from different cities and each has a celebrity captain. In each team, the audience plays the game under the captain’s leadership. The winner’s team gets grand prizes. This year, the program has added one more team, Gujranwala Bulls. The concept of teams is similar to the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Some team captains are led by cricket players such as Shoaib Malik and Sarfaraz Ahmed.

    Game Show Aisay Chalay Ga Ramazan League

    This game show was launched in December 2018 and was hosted by actor Nabeel Zafar. Now it is being hosted by actor Danish Taimoor. The Friday episode of this game show has gotten around 66,000 views with approximately 2300 likes till April 22. In this game, all teams consist of young social media influencers mainly from the TikTok platform. Besides social media teams, audiences also get involved in several games such as the tug of war segment.

    Khel Kay Jeet with Sheheryar Munawar

    This show is currently lagging in the number game. According to its Friday episode, it has gained only a few thousand views on YouTube. This show is launched this year.

    Until now, it has around 29,00 views on the first part of the program. Other parts of the episode have only a few thousand views on YouTube.