Every year the world celebrates Father’s day on the third Sunday of June. This time around despite the pandemic woes, celebrities made sure they empower their fathers with heartfelt social media posts.
Take a look at some of the sweetest wishes on social media by our celebrities:
From the past few months, Maya Ali and Bilal Ashraf have been churning BFF goals all over social media with their pictures and comments. They were recently seen in Ahsan Khan’s chat show, Timeout With Ahsan Khan.
They also appeared together in Quetta Gladiators official anthem. Their camaraderie has been appreciated by netizens as they don’t shy away from indulging in fun banter on social media.
Earlier, this year in March they were also spotted together at ‘TukTuk March’, organized by Karachi-based individuals dealing with disabilities.
They were also featured together on Hello Pakistan’s anniversary cover, along with Shehryar Munawar and Mawra Hocane.
Mahira Khan, Yasir Hussain, Yumna Zaidi and Aima Baig among others have extended their love and support to Saba Qamar after she announced her breakup with Azeem Khan.
“You do YOU. Happiness is just around the corner,” said Mahira, commenting under Saba’s post.
Saba’s co-star from Lahore Se Aagey Yasir Hussain also sent love and strength to the actor, saying: “Jitni strong Saba hai wo utna hi strong mard deserve karti hai (Saba deserves a strong man like herself).”
“Aur yaad rakhna mard darhi mooch se nahi balky apni sachai aur imandari se banta hai. Stay strong my friend,” he added.
Others who sent love to Saba include Bilal Ashraf, Rabia Butt, Aima Baig, Hadiqa Kiani and Yumna Zaidi.
“You’re a strong badass woman,” said Aima. “Also deserves the best of the best of the best.”
“Sending you a lot of love and light,” said Hadiqa, while Yumna said: “Your journey has been tough and you have made it worth it, we all love it for who you are.”
“Always pure best wishes for you,” added Zaidi.
Other actors and celebrities like Noor Bukhari, Adnan Ansari and Abdullah Sultan also commented under Saba’s post to show their support in her difficult time.
Earlier, Saba had announced her split, saying: “It’s a very hard time on me right now but as we all know ‘This too shall pass’.”
Later, Azeem in a statement, Azeem took full responsibility for the breakup saying: “Saba you have the most amazing soul and you deserve all the happiness in the universe.”
“May God bless you with all the success and love,” he added.
Karachi-based NGO NOWPDP organised a ‘TukTuk March’ for individuals dealing with disabilities. The event saw several A-list celebrities in attendance including Mahira Khan, Maya Ali, Humayun Saeed, Bilal Ashraf, Ayesha Omar, Feroze Khan, Hassan Sheheryar Yasin, and Wasim Akram.
NOWPDP is a disability inclusion initiative that works for the educational and economic empowerment of people with disabilities. According to a press release, the “TukTuk march was held to celebrate the right to livelihood and transport of people with disabilities.”
“With inclusivity as the primary focus, the march was meant to empower people with disabilities and encourage them to pursue their rights to work and mobility,” it added.
Strict COVID19 SOPs were followed including the wearing of masks, social distancing, and maintaining hand hygiene.
The celebrities were spotted doing bhangra on the streets of Karachi and riding rickshaws driven by differently-abled people. As per details, the rickshaws have been modified to facilitate those who have disabilities.
Ahsan Khan has responded to the controversy surrounding the inclusion of animals “as props” on his talk show Time Out with Ahsan Khan.
“Let me clarify. These rabbits are basically pets and the person who owns them brings them to the set,” said Ahsan, while speaking exclusively to The Current. “When they are on set, we make sure that they are well-fed and taken care of and are not facing any issues. They are not uncomfortable at all. The person whose pets they are keeps them indoors and they are very easy to play with.”
“Araam say haathon main aa jaatay hain,” explained Khan.
Khan further went onto share the segment has been inspired by the Hop Quiz on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
“Basically, this segment has been inspired by Hollywood’s The Tonight Show,” said Ahsan.
The actor then said that being a pet lover he is very careful with the animals on set and cares for them.
“I myself am a pet lover,” said Ahsan. “I have dogs at home. I have cats. I also have parrots and hens and they are all like my own children. We try to provide them with comfortable environments. So naturally, we are very careful with the animals – all of us on set.”
He further said that after the show invited backlash for “using animals as props,” he and his producer decided to avoid it.
“My producer and I thought that if this is hurting people and they are not liking it, then we can avoid it. So we have cut out the segment in the last three to four episodes we’ve recorded,” stated Ahsan, clarifying that the ones which included the animals were shot before.
“Although this segment is one of my favourites because this is the only one in which we discuss general knowledge, which not only educates my guests but also those who are watching the show. Whoever gives a wrong answer has to hold the pet in their lap,” he shared. It is pertinent to add here that the male guests usually enjoy petting the animals but the female guests are scared of them and often jump around screaming when asked to hold them.
“We on our end have been very careful with handling them, but if some people don’t like it then we, including my producers and all can apologise to them,” concluded Khan. “It’s a mutual thing. If something is not right, we should look into it.”
Earlier, a Lahore-based law firm Crown Chambers had filed a complaint before the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) against Express Entertainment and the show for using animals as props.
“The said segment on the TV show, subjecting a sentient living being, an animal, to unnecessary suffering is not only an offence under the law but a breach of the constitutionally guaranteed right to life under Art. 9 of the constitution, as laid down by Islamabad high court in Islamabad Wildfire Management board Vs Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad, cited in 2021 CLC 262,” read the complaint.
It further said: “The format of the segment involves a series of questions and answers with known celebrities as guests, who if fail to answer properly, as a “punishment” or “penalty”, are required to hold an animal or at times required to pile several animals such as petrified rabbits/pigeons etc, on their laps, causing distress not only to the animals but to the guest at times as well.”
“Morever, it has spread the message to masses through the said TV channel that projecteing such treatmeant onto animals is acceptable.”
The inclusion of animals on Time Out with Ahsan Khan sparked outrage after a video of Maya Ali screaming and jumping around while being teased with the rabbits went viral on social media. She had appeared on the show with Bilal Ashraf.
Maya Ali has shut down relationship scandals with co-actors.
Ali, who was recently seen with Bilal Ashraf on Time Out with Ahsan Khan opened up about her link ups with co-actors.
Upon being questioned about her pairing with Sheheryar Munawar, Ali said: “When I started my journey as an actor, everyone linked me with Osman Khalid Butt.”
“I think there’s a certain pairing that delivers a chemistry fans love or adore. Hence, they start to ship the two celebrities as couples,” said the actor.
The Mann Mayal actor further shared: “When we were at the premiere of Parey Hut Love, people called us a ‘Filmy Jodi’ which, for me, was a compliment. But this does not mean I will limit myself to only be seen with Sheheryar. From all the actors whom I have worked with, I absolutely adore Bilal Abbas.”
Adding onto the expectations of being an actor, Ali added, “People aren’t familiar with what goes on behind the scenes. I’ve come to the conclusion that these netizens are prepared to pen negative feedback, waiting for something to pick on.”
“I always tell people that we are public figures, not public property. Pick on our work! Be it negative or positive, we will happily entertain you. But judge till what we show you and not beyond the lines that are set for you to never cross,” said Ali.
The actor has recently made a comeback on our TV screens with Munawar in ARY Digital’s Pehli Si Muhabbat.
Meanwhile, when asked by Vasay Chaudhry onhis show Ghabrana Mana hai, that if he [Sheheryar] is single, the actor quickly replied, “Yes definitely I am single.. Alhamdulillah!”
Ever since Syra Yousuf posted a selfie of herself and Bilal Ashraf, social media users cannot stop shipping the two and asking them to get married to each other.
Read more – Syra Yousuf, Sheheryar Munawar turn up the heat with their latest photoshoot
“Kind people are the best kind of people,” wrote Yousuf in the caption.
Responding to Syra’s post, Ashraf said: “Syra, you are and a source of inspiration for so many and a true rockstar.”
Meanwhile, colleagues and other celebrities including Mahira Khan, Saboor Aly and Bilal’s Rangreza co-star Ghana Ali showered the two with love.
Earlier, Bilal had also shared a black and white picture of the two with the caption: “Dataaaaaaaa.”
Syra later revealed that Dataaa was their “standard greeting”.
Asim Azhar’s Ghalat Fehmi from the film Superstar, is trending in India a year after it’s release.
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Sharing the lyrics of his song on Twitter, Asim wrote: “Ghalat Fehmi trending in India after a year of it’s release.”
“Art surely has no boundaries and that’s beautiful,” added the singer.
He later also shared that the song is trending at number two on Spotify India.
A romantic number, Ghalat Fehmi featured in Mahira Khan and Bilal Ashraf’s Superstar, which released in August 2020. The film was directed by Mohammed Ehteshamuddin and released by Hum Films.
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Meanwhile, the singer has also announced that he will releasing new music soon.
Chairman of the Special Committee of the Parliament on Kashmir Shehryar Afridi has announced the formation of a special advisory board, that will work in liaison with the entertainment industry in Jammu and Kashmir towards internationally promoting the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the valley and its people. The aim of the board is to highlight the plight of the Kashmiris under decades of Indian oppression.
According to a press release, the due to be notified board will be a “creative alliance of some of Pakistan’s top media personalities from the country’s television, cinematic and sporting spheres as well as in equal ratio some of J&K’s finest academics, thinkers and artists, and will be aimed at propagating Kashmir’s cultural richness both at home and abroad.”
The initiative is in line with Pakistan’s long-standing position, which is to promote the freedom of the Kashmiris from Indian oppression.
Actors and celebrities who have been invited to be part of the board include Humayun Saeed, Saba Qamar, Fahad Mustafa, Atif Aslam, Anwar Maqsood, Shaan Shahid, Ali Azmat, Yousaf Salahuddin, Saira Kazmi, Rahat Fateh Ali, Hadiqa Kiani, Shehzad Roy, Humaima Malick, Yousaf Salahuddin, Shaniera Akram, Adnan Siddiqui, Bilal Ashraf, Samina Peerzada and Shafqat Amanat Ali.
Film Producers Jerjees Seja, Momina Duraid and Ammara Hikmat have been chosen for the advisory role, while directors Syed Noor, Nadeem Baig and Bilal Lashari are also part of the list.
Meanwhile, sportspersons including Aisam ul Haq, Jahangir Khan, Jansher Khan, Maria Toorpakai, Wasim Akram, Sana Mir and Karishma Ali have been also been invited to join.
In a tweet, Adnan Siddiqui said that the invitation to join the board was a “matter of great honour and immense pride for him”.
Shaan said that everyone must support every initiative taken for Kashmir.
“No political point scoring should be done on issues that are of immediate attention,” added the actor.
The Legend of Maula Jatt’s producer Ammara Hikmat also said that she was honoured to be part of the board.
A plethora of male celebrities from Wasim Akram to Humayun Saeed have shared pictures of themselves with one nail polished a different colour prompting fans and followers to question the reason behind this.
Shaniera Akram, who spearheaded the movement in Pakistan, has explained that ‘The Polished Man’ aims to raise awareness about child abuse. Posting photos of some of most prominent faces in Pakistan, Shaniera wrote: “Some of the toughest men Pakistan has ever produced are showing their softer side and coloring one nail to represent the millions of children who suffer every day at the hand of an adult. Our Pakistani heroes say ‘We WILL NOT tolerate child abuse in our country’.”
She further explained that though the ‘Polished Man’ campaign has been around for years, 2020 has witnessed the highest level of child abuse in Pakistan.
Shaniera also encouraged men to start participating in the campaign.
YGAP is a foundation that started in 2008 by a team of young and enthusiastic volunteers and has since matured into a high impact international organisation driven by its work. They support local entrepreneurs who have shown the drive, talent and conviction to create change in their own communities through social impact ventures. They have started raising money for child abuse as one billion children have experienced violence in the last year alone – that’s half the world’s children. They’ve raised $ 530,743 donations so far and are still counting.
WHY NAIL POLISH?
YGAP’s cofounder Elliot Costello came up with the idea for Polished Man after a visit to campaign beneficiary Hagar International in Cambodia. One evening, he met a young girl named Thea, who drew a heart on Elliot’s palm, and then painted all of his nails blue.
Later, Elliot learnt how Thea came to be in Hagar’s care – she was physically and sexually assaulted for two years by her orphanage’s director. Elliot made the decision then and there to paint one nail to remember Thea. When he later learned of the extent of child violence, the Polished Man movement was born.