Tag: editors-pick

  • Minal Khan’s ‘Qismat’ is a mindless entertainer

    Minal Khan’s ‘Qismat’ is a mindless entertainer

    Let’s be honest. No matter what we say, us Pakistanis love a little drama – whether in real life or in our dramas. Which is why Minal Khan’s latest drama Qismat, which airs on Hum Tv on Saturdays provides the perfect weekly dose of drama. It has all the masala and ingredients needed for an OTT dramatic experience and is without a doubt one of my weekend guilty pleasures.

    While the storyline and plot are predictable and irks you at some points, Qismat is like that mindless entertainment you need at the end of a long working week.

    Maham & Soha

    Qismat revolves around two cousins – Maham (Sharmeen Ali) and Soha (Minal Khan). Soha’s parents have passed away so she has been adopted by her Khala, Maham’s mom. The drama starts with Maham getting married into a rich family. Meanwhile, Soha is in love with her colleague Walid and the two of them want to get married except Walid’s mother and sister oppose the rishta.

    Rayyan and Soha

    Maham’s husband Adnan’s (played by Kamran Jilani) brother Rayyan (Faizan Khawaja) sees Soha when he comes from Australia for the wedding and falls in love with her. The two get married on Maham’s wedding with everyone’s blessings. Everyone is happy with this except Soha who still wants to get married to Walid. So she goes and tells Rayyan that she loves someone else and doesn’t want to marry him. This breaks Rayyan’s heart and after much contemplation, he finally tells his brother the truth and sends Soha the divorce papers. Adnan is very angry with this development and in turn, becomes cold towards his wife. In the midst of all this, Maham gets pregnant, which means that her marriage is no longer in trouble. Soon both families find out about what is happening following which drama ensues.

    I am loving the masala and twists because one: they are not entirely unbelievable and secondly because there are not too many. Qismat may be a mindless watch and its plot may have been done to death, but it is entertaining and keeps you interested. I have to add here that the pace of the drama is a little slow and there are a few scenes that could have been easily eliminated and made the drama crisper.

    The only annoying part of the drama is Walid and his sadistic family – his sister boils my blood.

    As far as the performances are concerned, all of the actors have done a good job. Minal has perfected the role of a crying heroine and this is exactly what she does in this drama as well.

    So far, seven episodes of the series have aired and each of them has received more than a million hits which means that I’m not the only one enjoying this. If you do plan on watching it, keep your sense and sensibility aside and watch the drama for some entertainment and masala.

  • ‘It’s been fantastic’: Kate Middleton on Pakistan tour

    ‘It’s been fantastic’: Kate Middleton on Pakistan tour

    The Royals may have bid goodbye to Pakistan for now but we’re not getting over their visit anytime soon. And even more, after Duchess Kate told CNN that her trip to the country has “been fantastic.”

    In an exclusive news interview, apparently her first-ever ever since she became a royal, Kate Middleton said: “It’s been fantastic, we’ve seen a lot of Pakistan, a huge variety, it’s amazing seeing some of the geography but then to see some of the community activities like this [SOS Village] has been really special.”

    Kate was speaking CNN’s Max Foster after visiting an SOS children’s village in Lahore during the royal tour on Thursday.

    The Duchess, who set up an Early Years initiative last year, said: “I think William and I really wanted to come and see a SOS children’s village like this. There are so many vulnerable women here but they’ve really used their positivity and the support that the village here provides them really to support and protect the next generation, the children in their care and give them the best possible start to their future lives.”

    At the SOS village, a charitable organisation that provides orphaned children with a home and family structure, Kate and William interacted with the children and even celebrated the birthdays of three children.

    Kate also delivered the first speech of her tour there and impressed the gathered crowd by delivering the opening remarks of her speech in Urdu.

    The Duke and Duchess were so moved by the visit that they reportedly made a second trip to the village the next day after stormy weather caused a change in their plans and forced them to spend the night in Lahore.

  • Imran govt denies entry to Committee to Protect Journalists coordinator

    Imran govt denies entry to Committee to Protect Journalists coordinator

    Pakistan’s immigration authorities have barred entry of Committee to Protect Journalists’ (CPJ) Asia Programme Coordinator Steven Butler, saying that his name had been placed on a “stop list”.

    “Last night [Wednesday], Pakistani immigration authorities denied entry to CPJ Asia Programme Coordinator Steven Butler, citing a blacklist managed by the Ministry of Interior,” the CPJ said in a statement issued Thursday as journalists across the country accuse the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of placing bars on media.

    “A border officer at Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore told Butler that his journalist visa was valid, but it was voided because his name was ‘on a stop list of the Interior Ministry’,” it quoted Butler as saying.

    According to the statement, Butler’s passport was “confiscated” by airport authorities and he was forced to board a flight bound for Doha. When he arrived in Doha, authorities there placed him on a flight to Washington, the statement read further.

    While on the flight, Butler told the CPJ that the flight crew had seized his passport and boarding pass and that he was in “a kind of restrictive custody”.

    “Pakistani authorities’ move to block Steven Butler from entering the country is baffling and is a slap in the face to those concerned about press freedom in the country,” the statement quoted CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon as saying.

    “Pakistani authorities should give a full explanation of their decision to bar Butler from entering and correct this error. If the government is interested in demonstrating its commitment to a free press, it should conduct a swift and transparent investigation into this case.”

    Butler had landed in Lahore to participate in the Asma Jahangir Conference — Roadmap for Human Rights in Pakistan, said the statement.

    BARS ON MEDIA:

    The development came two days after Geo News, one of Pakistan’s major news channels, took off the air a press conference of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman with its anchor explaining it was because the Pakistan Electronic Media Authority (PEMRA) has banned a live telecast of the event.

    Veteran journalist and analyst Hamid Mir also tweeted on October 12 that PEMRA has “forced TV channels not to show” Fazl’s press conference. He said that the government was showing weakness by “imposing unannounced censorship” in Pakistan.

    The incident is not the first of its kind as channels have been barred from airing press conferences or interviews of opposition leaders especially ever since the Imran Khan-led PTI government rose to power.

    Asif Zardari, former Pakistani president, and Maryam Nawaz, the daughter of jailed former prime minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif, have faced similar restrictions.

    “The current wave of censorship is not very current,” journalist Munizae Jahangir was quoted as saying by SAMAA.

    “Unfortunately, this has been going on for a while,” Jahangir said. “I would even say that during the time of Nawaz Sharif it started even then.”

    When asked if the government was behind it, Jahangir said, “If the government is not behind this current wave of censorship, then why is it still happening? It should stop.”

    She pointed a finger at “undemocratic forces” for censorship in the media and added, “If you do have undemocratic forces influencing democracy, then you will see censorship in the media.”

  • Royal Visit Day 2 – Kate & William explore the mountainous North

    Royal Visit Day 2 – Kate & William explore the mountainous North

    After creating waves and winning hearts on the first day of their visit, the Duke and Duchess began the second day of their trip by heading straight to the beautiful mountainous North of the country.

    On the third day of their five-day visit, Kate and William are visiting the mighty Hindu Kush mountain range to witness the effects of climate change, which is one of the key areas of focus of their visit.

    They arrived in Chitral on a helicopter where they were gifted the traditional Chitrali cap and a book of photos commemorating the trip of Princess Diana, who visited the valley in 1991.

    Upon receiving the book, William remarked “Fantastic,” as he sifted through the pages of the book. The residents also gifted an embroidered coat to the Duke and a shawl to the Duchess.

    The Duchess wore a long taupe-coloured skirt and a darker coloured shirt under a leather vest for the visit. She opted for flat knee-high brown boots and accessoried with gold earrings and a beige pashmina, while William wore a teal shirt and beige chino trousers. People couldn’t help but compare her to Diana.

    The couple then visited the northern tip of the Chiatibo Glacier in Broghil National Park and were shown how it has retreated rapidly in recent years due to global warming. It was the first time the couple had seen a melting glacier.

    Standing between the snowy peaks of the mountain range, the duke said communities “vulnerable to change” needed “more education, more awareness and political action.”

    Following that, they travelled to Bombaret village in Kalash valley, where they interacted with the locals and spent time with children. They also enjoyed performances of traditional dances and music by the local people.

    The Duchess was all smiles as she took part in the festivities.

    A special cultural show, focused on the life in the Northern Areas, was also held for the royal couple.

    After completing their engagements, the couple flew back to Islamabad.

    For all the royal updates from Day 1, click here.

  • Royal Visit Pakistan Day 1: Kate & William arrive in a rickshaw for grand reception

    Royal Visit Pakistan Day 1: Kate & William arrive in a rickshaw for grand reception

    Prince William and Kate Middleton’s maiden tour of Pakistan is in full swing and the two won the hearts of all the countrymen by arriving in a brightly-painted rickshaw for an event hosted by British High Commissioner Thomas Drew and his wife.

    While Kate shimmered in a dress by Jenny Packham, William looked absolutely dapper in a sherwani by Karachi-based designer Naushemian. Kate accessorised her look with bespoke earrings by Onitaa, which were sourced from Pakistan.

    Prince William also addressed the event which had Pakistan’s who’s who – from politicians to entrepreneurs – in attendance.

    He started his speech, which he had penned himself, with a “Shukriya” to the people of the country for a warm welcome, adding that he was enjoying the delicious food here.

    He then said: “For a country so young, Pakistan has endured many hardships, with countless lives lost to terror and hatred. Tonight I want to pay tribute to all those who have endured such sacrifice and helped to build the country that we see today.”

    “The challenges ahead are great. But we cannot be daunted, nor distracted.”

    He continued: “Instead we should draw strength from our shared bonds and heed the words of Muhammed Ali Jinnah as we do so. My message to you all is of hope, courage, and confidence.”

    The royal reception was the last event in their jam-packed schedule.

    The royal couple commenced their trip with a visit to Islamabad Model College for Girls where they interacted with the staff and students and visited classrooms.

    Kate looked stunning in a beautiful custom Periwinkle Silk outfit by designer Maheen Khan. Her nude court shoes were from British high-street brand New Look.

    Following their visit to the school, they went to Trail 5, Margalla to attend an event regarding environmental protection. They also set a leopard camera trap with children.

    After a change in outfit, Kate and William visited Aiwan-e-Sadr where they met with President Arif Alvi and his wife as well as Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his wife.

    Following that, they arrived at the Prime Minister House for a lunch hosted by PM Imran Khan in their honour.

    Kate is wearing trousers by Maheen Khan and a tunic by Catherine Walker, with a scarf by Satrangi and earrings by Zeen.

    Several members of PM Imran’s cabinet were present on the occasion including Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari, Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood, Special Assistant to the PM for Overseas Pakistanis Sayed Zulfiqar Bukhari and Special Advisor to PM for Information and Broadcasting.

  • PICTURES: Royals arrive in Pakistan

    PICTURES: Royals arrive in Pakistan

    The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, touched down in Islamabad Monday night on their first official visit to the country.

    The royal couple was welcomed by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, his wife and British High Commissioner in Pakistan Thomas Drew after their airplane landed at the Nur Khan Airbase.

    Kate looked resplendent in a sky blue flowy outfit by Catherine Walker accessorised by earrings and clutch by Zeen.

    Here’s a closeup of the Duchess’ accessories:

    The five-day visit, which will end on October 18, has been organised at the request of the United Kingdom’s (UK) Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The last royal visit was in 2006.

  • Review – ‘Salam – The First ****** Nobel Laureate’

    Review – ‘Salam – The First ****** Nobel Laureate’

    As Dr Abdus Salam walks on to the stage at the Nobel ceremony of 1979, there is almost a whiff of costumery, of a flamboyant display of identity. In front and behind him in the procession are men in a uniform of “penguin” tuxedoes. And there is Dr Salam, resplendent from the top of his whipped-cream turban, the black sherwani, the white shalwar, down to his up-curled khussas. He was clearly fond of his three-piece suits too. But on that day in Stockholm: I am Muslim, I am Pakistani, his attire shouted. The world heard him, but his country did not.

    Such is the premise of Salam: The First ****** Nobel Laureate, the fourteen years-in-the-making documentary about Dr Abdus Salam streaming now on Netflix. It is not a film about the science that made the man, but the politics of his identity. Should it matter that an internationally feted theoretical physicist is of the minority Ahmadi faith? It did to both Dr Salam and Pakistan.

    Produced by Pakistanis Zakir Thaver and Omar Vandal and directed by an American-Indian, Anand Kamalakar, it has already won awards and been seen in 30 countries on the festival circuit as well as private screenings in Pakistan. However, the film’s release on Netflix makes it far more accessible, particularly where it matters, in Pakistan.

    Stitched together with rare archival footage, newspaper clippings and interviews of colleagues, wives, children, admirers, assistants and associates, Salam is threaded through with details and footage that were unseen or not commonly known.

    Particularly memorable is his moment in Stockholm, his interaction with the two men who broke his heart and condemned his community to a virtual prison – Bhutto and Zia – and his funeral attended by the thousands.

    Moreover, the documentary does not paper over his flaws: his whacky ideas, his vanity, his quirks, his testiness; genius becomes more humane in its layers. The story of the young boy from a small town in a developing country who ended up rubbing shoulders with global scientific superstars should just be inspirational, but it also leaves you heartbroken.

    Dr. Abdus Salam, a theoretical physicist, Nobel laureate, twice-married, Pakistani-for-life, global citizen, rags-to-researcher, died over two decades ago, but his life is still so achingly contemporary. The politics of identity are foremost in this age of right-wing populism.

    I travelled to Rabwah several years ago, to the hostel where men and women of the Ahmadi faith live in a state of limbo, hiding, or waiting for their asylum papers to come through. Their stories of everyday discrimination and brute violence never leave you.

    Dr Salam’s grave

    It is a well-kept town with broad tree-lined roads, a state of the art hospital and educational facilities, ringed by the Kirana hills and encircled by hate. Here is where Dr Salam chose to be buried, the Muslim on his gravestone effaced, his life and work all but forgotten in the country where he derived his identity, where he deserved recognition, and where he wanted to promote scientific research the most.

  • Fazl offered ‘tempting political package’ to call off Azadi March

    Fazl offered ‘tempting political package’ to call off Azadi March

    Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has rejected a “tempting political package” offered to call off his upcoming anti-government ‘Azadi March’, The Current learnt Saturday.

    The right-wing political party leader and a vocal critic of Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, has announced taking to the roads of the capital on October 31 against the incumbent government’s “selection to power” after “fake election”.

    With the announcement stirring up the country’s dormant political scene overnight and forcing the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to devise a counter-strategy against the challenge, sources have informed The Current of a covert offer recently made to Fazl.

    “Maulana [Fazl] was offered a tempting political package to call off his upcoming protest,” they said.

    Refusing to answer this scribe’s queries pertaining to the details of the offer, sources said that while some leaders had urged the JUI-F chief to consider it, others, including Fazl himself, were against striking any deals and his refusal had also led to “threats from certain quarters”.

    “But the threats didn’t deter him, in fact, he is more determined than ever. The main reason behind his determination remains the fact that the people trying to convince him have backstabbed him in the past.”

    “This is why Fazl has now told the people urging him to call off the march to fulfil their promises first,” sources added.

    To a question pertaining to the motive behind the offer, they said, “Maybe the ruling party fears that opposition will resort to actions similar to those carried out by its workers and leaders during its infamous 126-day siege led by Imran [Khan].”

    “But Maulana has clarified that it will be a peaceful campaign as he doesn’t want any clashes with state institutions.”

    Sources also quoted Fazl as saying that he was ready to join hands with any political leader except PM Imran. “Maulana told this to a close aide of the premier because he believes Imran has made their rivalry a personal one,” they said, adding that PTI government’s actions towards the JUI-F chief and his companions had also played a major role in it.

    ‘NO COMPROMISES NOW’:

    Speaking to The Current, Fazl’s brother and JUI-F Senator Attaur Rehman said that the party had given the federal government an August deadline to step down some three months back, but the warning wasn’t taken seriously.

    “Fazl had demanded Imran Khan to step down or be ready for a long march to Islamabad. Now we’re all set for it,” he said.

    Adding that he was not aware of any offers being made to his party chief, Rehman further said that the government had lost its chance to strike a deal. “We won’t make any compromises now.”

    AZADI MARCH:

    Voicing his concerns against the alleged rigging that marred the country’s last general election, Fazl has announced staging a sit-in at D-Chowk in the federal capital’s red zone — the same place where Imran had demonstrated for five months against then PM Nawaz Sharif in 2014.

    Fazl was earlier approached by leaders of the two major opposition parties — Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) — and requested to postpone the lockdown plan and Azadi March till November, but he has made it clear that it was not his individual decision and he was obliged to stand by that of JUI-F’s Central Working Committee.

    The march — earlier scheduled for October 27 — will now be held three days later on October 31 as according to Fazl, his party would now join Kashmiris in observing the previously announced date as black day in protest against the Indian occupation of Jammu and Kashmir.

  • Shoes that make a celebrity

    Shoes that make a celebrity

    They say “Clothes make the man” but in this case, we have noticed that funky and upbeat joggers make a celebrity. Here are some examples.

    Imran Khan

    We are convinced that Prime Minister Imran Khan has the funkiest joggers on this planet. He pretty much has every colour from reds and oranges to blue in his collection. Don’t believe us? Check out these pictures. We do wish we had better quality pictures.

    Sheheryar Munawar

    In a world full of boring, be Sheheryar Munawar. Who knew the actor had a quirky side to him – we didn’t either but thanks to his joggers we now know. He really knows how to rock those neons.

    Ali Sethi

    Anyone who is an Ali Sethi fan knows how much the singer loves his golden sneakers. He’s made no secret of his jogger collection. Here’s giving you a sneak peek too.

  • Elif Shafak’s ’10 minutes 38 seconds’ is thought-provoking, insightful and relevant

    Elif Shafak’s ’10 minutes 38 seconds’ is thought-provoking, insightful and relevant

    “We must do what we can to mend our lives, we owe that to ourselves – but we need to be careful not to break others while achieving that”.

    The main theme in Elif Shafak’s new book 10 minutes 38 seconds in this strange world is kindness and tolerance, or rather the lack of them in this world.

    The novel follows the journey of a young girl Leila from her small rustic village in the backroads of Turkey, to the bright lights, fast lanes and seedy underbelly of Istanbul. Here she suffers unspeakable ordeals, but at the same time also befriends a motley crew of vagrants, all trying to find their way in this strange world. Each has a different story, a different background but what is common to all of them is that each one lives on the outskirts of society; never really accepted. Never really loved.

    Elif has weaved the story in the beautiful way she usually does. Her words pulse with spirituality and insightful meaning. She has taken up the cause of those who cant stand up for themselves and whom society shuns.

    What really stands out for the reader is that humanity and human emotions are the same everywhere, as is bigotry and prejudice even if they have different faces in different cultures. This world ought to be safe place for everyone regardless of race, religion or orientation.

    Do read this for all the various themes she has addressed and definitely for her prose.