Tag: Punjab

  • Imtiaz Ali was advised against casting Shahid Kareena in ‘Jab We Met’

    Imtiaz Ali was advised against casting Shahid Kareena in ‘Jab We Met’

    Bollywood filmmaker Imtiaz Ali has revealed quite shockingly, that he was advised against casting A-listers Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor in his cult hit film ‘Jab We Met.’
    Director Imtiaz Ali, who recently made a biopic film on Indian Punjabi singer ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’, said in a recent interview that he defied suggestions and cast Shahid and Kareena Kapoor in ‘Jab We Met’. The film proved to be a pivotal moment in their careers, achieving cult status over time.

    Imtiaz Ali said, “Fortunately, I have had different opportunities in my career with the supposed success of, or the position of stars, to put it that way.”
    He also said “I remember Shahid and Kareena visiting Jab We Met once. They were not doing well at the time. But it was very successful. You know, people really love that movie, don’t they? So, as a filmmaker, I believe I shouldn’t treat the film industry like the stock market,” said the filmmaker. “Making guesses isn’t what a film director, filmmaker, or producer should be focused on. Instead, we should recognize the potential of each actor for the roles we offer them.”

    He concluded, “A film works when you cast the actor who is most appropriate for that part, not just whoever might be popular at the time. I believe that’s what I’ve learned from my experience.”

  • Heatwave expected in Punjab soon

    Heatwave expected in Punjab soon

    The Meteorological Department has predicted that Punjab is likely to be hit by a heatwave from May 12 onwards, with temperatures expected to surge past 40 degrees.

    Dr Zulfiqar told Geo News that like Sindh, a heatwave is expected in Punjab from the second week of the ongoing month.

    The expert advised people to avoid stepping outdoors unnecessarily and stay indoors to avoid heatstroke.

    El-Nino effect

    Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) in its monthly outlook for May stated that the neutral phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is expected to persist during the forecast of this month.

    Considering the climatic outlook, the PMD added, overall a tendency for near-normal rainfall is expected in most parts of the country, however, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northern Balochistan, northern Punjab, and Azad Kashmir may get slightly above normal rainfall.

    Daytime maximum temperatures are expected to remain slightly above normal over northern and southern parts of the country, however, the central parts comprising most parts of Punjab and southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa may experience normal to slightly below normal maximum temperature.

    Above-normal precipitation in May is expected to benefit agriculture in Pakistan but precautions should be taken to prevent damage to standing wheat crops during the harvesting stage from hailstorms and windstorms in Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Photohar region and Gilgit-Baltistan.

    Anticipated higher temperatures in high-altitude regions are expected to accelerate snowmelt in the northern areas, offering opportunities for irrigation and power generation, it concluded.

  • ‘People were standing outside just to welcome me’; Aamir Khan on Punjab’s hospitality during Dangal shoot

    ‘People were standing outside just to welcome me’; Aamir Khan on Punjab’s hospitality during Dangal shoot

    Bollywood’s perfectionist Aamir Khan is grateful for the hospitality of the people of Indian Punjab while he was shooting ‘Dangal’ in 2016. Aamir Khan attended the Great Indian Couple Show where he said that during his stay in a Punjab village, he was touched by the locals’ simple yet profound gestures of respect.

    Aamir Khan said, “When I went to Punjab for the shooting of ‘Rang De Basanti,’ I was overwhelmed by the immense love and warmth received from the locals.”

    The Bollywood actor said that during the shooting of ‘Dangal,’ they were in a small village in Punjab. “I observed that in the mornings, people would stand outside their homes and greet the team with folded hands, while in the evenings, they would bid farewell with kind words.”

    He said, “The people there never bothered me nor did they stand in front of my car, they just greeted from a distance, and this had a great impact on me.”

    Aamir khan said, “I belong to a Muslim family, so I was not folding hands and saying Namaste. I am used to raising my hand and bowing my head, the way Muslims greet each other.”

  • Appeal against Maryam Nawaz for wearing police uniform not heard

    Appeal against Maryam Nawaz for wearing police uniform not heard

    A sessions court in Lahore has not proceeded with a request to file a case against Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for wearing a police uniform.

    The hearing was adjourned till tomorrow as Additional Sessions Judge Muzaffar Nawaz was on leave.

    The court has sought a front desk report from the petitioner.

    Lawyer Waqar Shah had filed a request to register a case against Maryam Nawaz, arguing that the Chief Minister has violated the rules by wearing a police uniform.

    Lawyer Aftab Bajwa has also filed a plea against the CM for similar reasons.

  • What are the 50 places in Lahore where WiFi is free?

    What are the 50 places in Lahore where WiFi is free?

    The Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has initiated a pilot project to provide free WiFi services at 50 spots in Lahore. The project aims to promote connectivity by giving citizens access to the internet.

    “Free WiFi started at the following (50 spots) in Lahore. Rest of Lahore is being done too. Alhamdolillah! We promise, we deliver,” CM Maryam said in an X (formerly Twitter) post. 

    During a high-level meeting with Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) officials held in March, the chief minister approved the launch of the free WiFi pilot project in Lahore.

    Maryam Nawaz directed the IT department officials to begin offering free WiFi service, focusing on educational institutions, airports, railway stations, and bus stands. In Lahore, the Punjab government will provide free WiFi at 516 locations in total.

  • Maryam Nawaz wants more women in police department

    Maryam Nawaz wants more women in police department

    Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab Maryam Nawaz addressed the passing-out parade ceremony at Chuhng Police Training College, giving in a speech in which she said that the government wants more women in the police department.

    “I salute you all. I am happy the first sword of honour has been awarded to a woman police officer. I am proud of you. I was waiting for this event since taking the oath as chief minister,” she remarked.

    She stated that she is happy to see 530 women passing out, adding that “When I wore the police uniform for the first time, I realised it is a big responsibility.”

    The newly elected chief minister also said that right now, 7,000 women police officials are performing their duties in Punjab.

    “I want to increase women’s participation in Punjab police. Lady cops are superhuman. Women are softhearted, so they forgive,” she added.

  • Two TTP terrorists killed in Punjab while crossing over from KP

    Two TTP terrorists killed in Punjab while crossing over from KP

    The Khorasan Diary has reported that two terrorists were killed in Bhakkar, Punjab while entering the province from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

    Their post read, “Two militants have been killed in Bhakkar, Punjab in an exchange of firing with Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Punjab, according to officials the militants were trying to cross over from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: CTD Punjab.”

    Recently, the Chief Minister of KP Ali Amin Gandapur said in a conference about the increasing cases of terrorism that “terrorists can access Punjab too but it is due to the sacrifices of KP police that this is not happening.”

    The Khorasan Diary also reported, “The militants have been identified as the affiliates of Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan. They were entering Punjab for an attack. A grand search and sweep operation had been launched to arrest the other militants: CTD Punjab”

  • By-polls: Punjab requests suspension of mobile internet on polling day

    By-polls: Punjab requests suspension of mobile internet on polling day

    Punjab has requested the interior ministry on Saturday to shut down mobile networks and internet services in 13 districts and tehsils of the province on April 21, citing security concerns.

    The request has been made to maintain law and order in the province and avoid any untoward incidents.

    The provincial home department wrote a letter to the interior ministry for the suspension of internet on April 21 as multiple districts and constituencies are set to witness the conduct of by-polls after more than two months of February 8 general polls.

  • Weather alert: Rain spells entering Pakistan

    Weather alert: Rain spells entering Pakistan

    The meteorological department has predicted rains in various parts of the country, reports Geo.

    The weather became pleasant with thundershowers in many cities of Punjab including Rajanpur and Bhakkar.

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Parachinar city and adjacent areas received rain and snow on the mountains. In Quetta and its surrounding areas there were heavy spells of rains.

    Azad Jammu Kashmir’s Neelum valley also experienced overcast along with strong winds.

    The sand storm from the border desert of Afghanistan entered the Pakistani areas due to which trees were uprooted, mud walls and solar panels fell in many areas including Chaman, Qila Abdullah, Pashin, Gulistan, Jangal Pir Alizai, Saranan due to which high alert was issued.

    Gusty winds will continue intermittently in South Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir according to the Department of Meteorology. Heavy rain and hail may also occur at some places.

    Apart from this, the weather department has also that there is a possibility of rain in Karachi today and tomorrow (Saturday and Sunday). 

  • Nine labourers from Punjab shot dead in Balochistan’s Nushki area

    Nine labourers from Punjab shot dead in Balochistan’s Nushki area

    Unknown assailants gunned down at least 11 people in two separate terror incidents in the Nushki district of Balochistan, as reported by Geo News on Saturday.

    The militants stopped a bus on the National Highway from Quetta to Taftan and abducted nine people from Punjab who were travelling in it.

    The police launched a search operation for the abductees; however, their bodies were found under the bridge near a hill. All of them had been shot dead.

    Nushki Superintendent of Police (SP) Allah Bukhsh stated that the murdered men were from Punjab’s Mandi Bahauddin, Wazirabad, and Gujranwala areas and were labourers.

    Nushki Teaching Hospital MS Dr Zafar Mengal said the murdered men had been shot in various parts of their bodies.