Tag: editors-pick

  • PM Khan declared ‘Man of the Year’

    PM Khan declared ‘Man of the Year’

    Prime Minister Imran Khan’s popularity keeps on rising.

    Jordan’s Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center has named PM Khan as its ‘Man of the Year’ in its recent list of the most persuasive Muslims in the world.

    According to Arab News, the center is an autonomous research entity with the Royal Aal Al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought in Jordan.

    At the same time, PM Imran Khan has also become the sixth most popular world leader on Twitter, boasting 10.5 million followers.

    “If The Muslim 500 was in print back in 1992 and I was the Chief Editor then, I would have nominated Imran Khan as our Muslim Man of the Year because of his brilliant performance in cricket, which culminated in Pakistan winning the 1992 Cricket World Cup — a sport I have always admired for its combination of elegance and intense competitive play,” said Professor S Abdallah Schleifer, a Professor Emeritus of Journalism in the American University in Cairo, who chose Imran Khan as winner of the title.

    Schleifer was quick to add that Khan’s role in cricket was not the only criteria for him being bestowed with the title. He was also impressed with Khan launching a successful fund-raising campaign to establish Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, which is devoted to both the care of cancer victims and its research.

    “This was his magnificent response to the loss of his mother to cancer in 1985 and given Khan’s extraordinary popularity with Pakistanis both at home as well as among the large number of Pakistani expats – along with his own, no doubt, generous personal contribution — he raised sufficient funds so that by 1994, the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital opened its doors in Lahore whereby 75 percent of its patients receive free-care,” he added.

    However, it was PM Khan’s desire for peace with neighboring India which earned him the title, Schleifer said.

    Khan assumed the office of Prime Minister of Pakistan last year after devoting 22 years of his life to building an opposition political party that was committed to reform and confronting Pakistan’s civilian political establishment over the issue of embedded corruption and mismanagement, the report said.

    This and his other accomplishments, professor Schleifer says, are detailed in the biography that accompanies his ranking (Number 16) in the latest edition of The Muslim 500.

    “But what is particularly to his credit is that upon taking office in August 2018, Khan made it quite clear that one of his top priorities was to work for lasting peace with India,” Schleifer said.

  • Bewafa: Women come forward, relating to the storyline

    Bewafa: Women come forward, relating to the storyline

    Though only four episodes of ARY’s latest drama Bewafa have aired, it has created a huge stir in social media groups. Women are discussing how relevant and real the drama is.

    And it is.

    The drama is a great, and refreshing, watch after the ajeeb saas bahu dramas with unreal twists (the brother’s wife marrying another brother concept is just TOO MUCH). This one seems to stay true to its basic concept – why and how people cheat.

    Finding messages on her husband’s phone that shouldn’t be there

    Ahaan, played by the stellar Ali Rehman Khan, is a successful IT guy and his wife Kinza played by Naveen Waqar starts off not being the shakki sort but soon starts to seriously doubt her husband’s fidelity. And for good reason since Ahaan is becoming way too friendly with his co-worker Shireen played by Ushna Shah. Shireen proclaims her love for Ahaan in a voice note that Kinza hears and is OBVIOUSLY not happy about it. Ahaan tells Shireen off initially but then kind of likes talking to her too.

    Justification to Kinza and presents from Shireen

    Women are loving the drama because it shows, simply and starkly, how cheating can affect a family and how it, sometimes, begins. In groups, women are discussing how the same thing has happened with them or someone they know; men AND women first engaging in an emotional affair, which develops into something else. Women tend to blame the cunning and ambitious Shireen, who is developing a full game to get to Ahaan; but she isn’t the only one to blame. Ahaan is also changing her name on his phone to a guy’s name to talk to her so Kinza won’t get jealous. He is lying to Kinza to go out with Shireen on lunch dates. Kinza, with her incredibly jealous and controlling behaviour is also driving Ahaan away.

    The drama also shows how this issue can affect the mental health and well being of a child since Kinza and Ahaan have a son who is old enough to understand that something is not right. He asks his father if he is bringing another wife, showing how tough suspicion and an affair can be on a full family unit.

    Ushna and Ali have acted brilliantly in the drama, fully engaging with the realistic role they are playing. Naveen’s portrayal of the suspicious wife could be a lot better since she seems to exude only one emotion – distrust. Her acting is a little wooden at times, making the viewer wonder if she is even invested in the relationship.

    The drama is definitely one to watch – and will be the one to discuss long after its finale.

    Are you watching the drama? How do you like it?

  • Kensington Palace tweets about Royal Visit in Urdu

    Kensington Palace tweets about Royal Visit in Urdu

    Ahead of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s first official visit to Pakistan, Prince William and Kate Middleton attended an exclusive reception hosted for them by His Highness the Aga Khan in association with Pakistan High Commission at the Aga Khan Centre in London.

    The Royal’s official Twitter handle, Kensington Palace tweeted about the event in Urdu and also shared pictures from it. They also revealed the official hashtag of their visit: #RoyalVisitPakistan.

    Prince William and Kate are scheduled to visit Pakistan from October 14 to October 18.

    Speaking at the event, the Duke and Duchess said they are excited to visit Pakistan to meet its people and to witness and experience its beautiful culture. The Duchess added that she is looking forward to trying out the spicy food. Prince William said that he has heard wonderful things about the country.

    Meanwhile, Kate wore a green dress for the event and accessorised her look with a pair of earrings from Pakistani brand Zeen.

  • VIDEO: Inside Shahid Afridi’s house

    VIDEO: Inside Shahid Afridi’s house

    In case you missed it, former Pakistan Cricket Team captain Shahid Afridi, aka Lala has started his own Youtube channel where he posts videos related to cricket and his humanitarian work.

    Recently, Lala gave his fans an exclusive tour of his house in DHA Karachi and needless to say, his fans loved it. The video garnered 2.4 million views in only five days!

    The video starts with drone shots of Afridi’s house.

    Following that, Afridi welcomes everyone to his house and we are taken straight to the basement which is Afridi’s den. Afridi shares that his house was made two years ago and he chose the area because Moin Khan Cricket Academy is nearby and he regularly visits the academy to play.

    The basement of the house has a pool table as well as table tennis.

    Afridi then shows us his signed shirt collection – he has a shirt signed by Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakarra, Australian cricketer Shane Warne, Younis Khan and one of Virat Kohli, signed by the entire Indian cricket team. Afridi says that Kohli is one of his most favourite batsmen.

    While showing his collection, he also shared fond memories he has with those cricketers. Afridi also showed his trophies and other awards he has gotten over the years. The pool room’s walls are full of pictures and mementos of the cricketer’s matches.

    Lala then takes the camera to the drawing-room where he welcomes his guests. The room, done in shades of blue, also has gifts he has received over the years including a gun gifted to him by former Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif and Sachin Tendulkar’s bat with which Afridi made a new record.

    “This bat played an essential role in making Shahid Afridi,” said Afridi while speaking about the bat.

    We are then taken outside the house. Lala says that he loves green spaces which is why he made this garden where he spends most of his evenings with his family and children.

    In the end, Lala showed fans a small annex on the side of his house for his guests who come to stay with him. He said that it is important to give them their privacy.

    Annex

    Watch the whole video here:

  • Sarmad Khoosat’s ‘Zindagi Tamasha’ is the controversy we’ve been waiting for

    Sarmad Khoosat’s ‘Zindagi Tamasha’ is the controversy we’ve been waiting for

    Ace filmmaker Sarmad Khoosat has returned to the silver screen with yet another riveting film, Zindagi Tamasha (Circus of Life).

    The film which starres Arif Hassan, Samiya Mumtaz, Eman Suleman and Ali Qureshi in the lead is centred around a Naat Khwan Rahat Khawaja (played by Hassan) and his family who are outcast from society when a secret of Khawaja’s is leaked.

    Meanwhile, the official synopsis states: “The film is an intimate portrait of a family as well as a scorching political commentary on little gods on this earth who police our private passions.”

    The trailer also hints that the topic of blasphemy will be touched upon in the film.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAYXVRQeT5U

    Given the intolerance and misuse of the religion card in our society, Zindagi Tamasha will be a harsh wakeup call.

    The film will initially premiere at the Busan Film Festival in South Korea later this week and will release locally some time this year.

    Pakistani celebs took to social media to express their excitement for the film.

  • Bushra Bibi’s reflection doesn’t appear in the mirror, claims Indian media

    Bushra Bibi’s reflection doesn’t appear in the mirror, claims Indian media

    If claims of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi having two jinns was not enough, Indian media has now come up with a whole new theory.

    Sharing a screengrab from what appears to a Pakistani media outlet, Indian news channel ANI said that Bushra Bibi’s reflection does not appear in the mirror. The report further states that officials of the Prime Minister House have shared this information.

    ANI later deleted the story. But lucky for you, we took a screenshot and you know, as they say, screenshots are forever.

    ANI in its report had quoted that Pakistani channel Capital TV as their source. Other Indian media outlets also picked up the news and began to report it.

    However, Capital TV took to social media to slam ANI’s claims and said that the images were doctored.

  • Exploring the French Countryside

    Exploring the French Countryside

    It is always a delight to spend the summer in Europe but spending the summer in the European countryside is special. Think bright, sunny mornings, long, warm afternoons by the pool and cool nights under the starlit sky.

    This summer I had the chance to spend the summer in Provence, a historical province in southeastern France. The culturally rich province extends from the left bank of the lower Rhône to the west to the Italian border to the east and is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the south. To be honest, my family and I couldn’t have picked a better escape to relax and unwind from the hustle-bustle of our daily lives.

    What’s so special about Provence?

    Where to stay

    Chateau de Goult

    Getting around

    Places to explore

    Goult

    Provence Market

    Bonnieux

    Roussillon

    Gordes

    Learn how to make French Cuisine

    Don’t forget to soak in some Vitamin D.

    Just writing this piece has given me a serious case of wanderlust and made me want to go back.

  • Criminal negligence or accident? Bahria University student falls to death

    Criminal negligence or accident? Bahria University student falls to death

    A student of Bahria University Islamabad passed away after falling from the fourth floor of the university building.

    The deceased, 23-year-old Haleema Amin, was a bachelors student in her second semester at Bahria University. According to the police and hospital staff, she fell from the fourth floor of a new university block which is currently under construction.

    The hospital staff claimed that the Haleema was conscious when she was brought to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) in the afternoon by university staff, including a doctor.

    She had suffered multiple fractures including her backbone and was kept under observation and provided treatment. However, she passed away in the afternoon around 4:30 pm. The staff added that her body was later taken from the hospital by the same people who brought her to Pims.

    Meanwhile, the Margalla police said they found out about the incident when the woman was brought to the hospital. They said they were told she fell off the building while taking a selfie.

    The police said that the university did not allow them to investigate the scene of the accident and said that they would inform the police later and submit a report in this regard.

    The police also shared that the woman’s family has yet to be approached for legal action, and her body is not with the police or the hospital. They said legal action will be taken, including an autopsy, if a complaint is lodged with the police.

    Meanwhile, students of Bahria University said that their colleague passed away due to negligence by the university. They said that some of their classes were being held on the fourth floor of a new university block which is currently under construction and Haleem fell because of no proper fencing.

    The students took to social media and the streets to protest against the university for being negligent and hiding the facts of the case and are demanding justice for their friend.

    https://www.facebook.com/amna.asif.9277/posts/2399791793449586

    Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazaari also took notice of the incident and asked Education Minister Shafqat Mehmood to institute an inquiry.

  • Zainab’s father appointed focal person for child abuse in Kasur

    Zainab’s father appointed focal person for child abuse in Kasur

    Child Protection and Welfare Bureau (CPWB) Punjab Chairperson Sarah Ahmad on Tuesday announced that Zainab Ansari’s father Amin Ansari is being appointed as the focal person for child abuse in the Kasur district. According to details, the father of the six-year-old – who was raped and killed in January 2018 – volunteered himself for the task.

    Zainab’s case had sparked countrywide outrage and protests and her perpetrator Imran Ali was executed nine months after her death.

    The bureau, on the directives of Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, has launched a campaign in Kasur to raise awareness regarding child sexual abuse. According to the chairperson, this is the “first time that the government has started a campaign in Kasur.” Previously only NGOs were the only ones working on the ground to tackle the problem of child abuse in the area.

    Though the bureau had established a small outreach centre at the TMA Hall in early 2018, after Zainab’s case, the centre had not been equipped properly and largely depended on the Lahore head office.

    The development comes days after the remains of three minor boys, whom police suspect were raped and murdered, were found in Kasur’s Chunian Tehsil. According to the police, two children were reported missing in August while a third had gone missing earlier this month. On the indication of a local worker, police found the body of one of the boys and the skeletal remains of the other two at a deserted place in Chunian Industrial Estate area. Residents in Chunian says that five children had gone missing in recent months. The remains of four have now been found.

    Investigators claim that the heinous crimes have been committed by a single person as suggested by the result of the samples taken from the body of one of the victims, Faizan. The police have so far detained 20 suspects from Chunian, while the samples of over 950 others have also been collected for DNA tests.

    The discovery of the bodies had led to violent protests after which the government including Prime Minister Imran Khan had taken notice of the incident.

    In recent years, Kasur has garnered international attention for being a hotspot for child abuse and pornography.

  • Rounding up the best Emmy looks

    Rounding up the best Emmy looks

    The annual Emmy’s took place last night and TV’s hottest stars, actors, and writers put forward their best looks. The dresses on the Emmys red carpet were nothing short of glamorous, ranging from designer pieces like Ralph Lauren to outfits that haven’t even debuted at the Fashion Week yet.

    With Hollywood’s most elite all in one place, it was no surprise that the Emmys were a high-fashion affair. Here are some of the best looks from the night.

    Games of Thrones stars Emilia Clarke and Sophie Turner stunned in Valentino and Louis Vuitton respectively.

    • Emilia Clarke
    • Sophie Turner

    Kendall Jenner and half-sister Kim Kardashian looked effortlessly glam in black outfits. While Kendall donned a Richard Quinn dress over a Viex bodysuit, we’re still trying to find out which designer Kim wore.

    Kristen Bell wore a Dior dress with platinum Harry Winston jewelry and Brian Atwood shoes.

    Annie Murphy is a sure-shot head-turner in this midnight blue sequenced dress.