Two teenage girls, reported as missing from the Korangi area of Karachi, have been found safe in Lahore on Monday.
Thirteen year old Kinza and 14 year old Naila are fans of the Korean pop band BTS. According to the police, both wanted to go to South Korea to meet the boyband.
The police revealed that Kinza and Naila had planned to travel from Karachi to Lahore, then to Islamabad from where they would fly out to South Korea. Both of them had run away from their homes after gathering information about how to travel to Korea, what difficulties they might encounter and which train they would take. The police futher revealed that both girls had made Google ID’s before leaving , and were using their parents’ Whatsapp numbers. Kinza had also planned on writing a letter about the planned escape of the girls along with Naufal, Kinza’s cousin, but he refused to come along.
According to the Korangi SSP Sajid Sadozai, the teenagers were recovered from Lahore railway station where they were placed under protective custody. A police team will bring the girls back to their homes in Karachi.
An explosion has taken place in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul. Multiple casualties are being reported.
In a tweet, a spokesman of the Kabul Police Command, Khalid Zadran confirmed the tragedy.
He wrote, “Today around 4 o’clock there was an explosion on the road of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which unfortunately resulted in casualties. Security teams have reached the area, and the details of the incident will be shared later.”
نن څلور بجې شاوخوا د باندنیو چارو وزارت پر سړک چاودنه شوې چې له بده مرغه تلفات لري. د امنیتي برسۍ ټیمونه ساحې ته ورغلي، د پېښې جزئیات به وروسته درسره شریک کړل شي.
According to media outlets, at least three people have lost their lives as of now.
It has also been reported that the blast took place when a meeting was underway between a Chinese govt delegation and Taliban representatives inside the ministry.
Reports of a blast outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Afg, while a meeting was underway between a Chinese govt delegation & TB representatives. This will be the second high-profile attack against Chinese interests in Kabul in as many months. Courtesy @aishwaria_s 1/2 https://t.co/uAMM3edwBE
Following substantial pledges from the international community for Pakistan’s flood rehabilitation and climate resilience building, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif accompanied by federal ministers, held a press conference in Islamabad to discuss the figures that the country received.
On Wednesday, the premier announced that the Geneva conference proved to be successful as the world pledged a total of $9.7 billion.
Giving a breakdown of the amount pledged at the conference, the prime minister said Saudi Arabia committed $1 billion, followed by China $100m, Qatar $25m, Canada $18.6m, Denmark $3.8m, European Union €87m, France €380m, Germany €84m, Italy €23m and Azerbaijan $2m.
During the conference, he said that the world trusted this government, adding that, “It is now upon us to utilise the amount on infrastructural development and for the development of other important sectors.”
“The ball is now in our court. We now have to transparently spend every single penny on the people’s prosperity”, he affirmed.
He added that the incumbent regime would keep up their work until the flood-affected populace was repopulated into their homes.
Answering a question about the sit-in in South Wazirabad against terrorism, and militancy, the prime minister said the National Security Committee (NSC) discussed the issue in detail.
Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari termed the PM’s foreign policy “successful”, citing the amount raised for flood victims and simultaneously dispelled the “myth” that Pakistan was isolated.
Bilawal said the requirement of $16bn [for flood recovery] in times of Covid, as well as the crisis triggered by the Ukraine-Russia conflict, was “no joke”.
Earlier this week, an International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan was held in Geneva which was co-hosted by Pakistan and the United Nations (UN). PM Shehbaz addressed the platform and asked the world to pour in support for Pakistan.
A five-member bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday (today) heard Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi’s plea challenging Governor Balighur Rehman’s orders to de-notify him as CM.
During the hearing, Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh remarked that the governor can ask a chief minister to take a vote of confidence from the assembly.
While Elahi’s lawyer Barrister Ali Zafar responded that his client became the chief minister by taking votes in the assembly, Justice Hafeez said that the chief minister should always have the support of the majority of the lawmakers (186 members) in the house.
At one point, Justice Sheikh said that if a consensus could not be reached between the governor and the chief minister, then the case would be heard on “merit”.
“The matter has now prolonged beyond a reasonable time,” he remarked, adding that the court would have to look at assembly dissolution, violation of the governor’s orders, and the way forward.
In the late hours of December 22, Rehman denotified Elahi as CM. At the time, the governor had said that since the chief minister had refrained from taking a vote of confidence at the appointed day and time, he ceased to hold office.
Subsequently, Elahi approached the court, saying the move was “unconstitutional, unlawful and of no legal effect”.
LHC later reinstated Elahi as the chief minister after he assured the court that he would not dissolve the Punjab Assembly until the next hearing, which was held today.
Pakistan’s entertainment industry is continuing 2022’s highs with Ali Sethi all set to perform at this year’s Coachella festival. The singer took to Instagram on Tuesday night to reveal that he will be performing at the famous music festival. Sethi will take the stage on the third day of the almost week long festivities on April 16, when Frank Ocean will be the main headline. In his post, the singer encouraged all of his fans to attend and also revealed that presale tickets will be available from January 13 onwards.
Fifty Fifty star Majid Jahangir, passed away in Lahore in the early hours of Wednesday. The comedian, who rose to fame from the popular sitcom that also starred the late actor Ismail Tara, died of prolonged illness. Jahangir will be laid to rest in Karachi, his son Fahad Majid Jahangir confirmed.
The actor was hospitalised after he had a fall last month, in which he fractured his spine. Jahangir was also suffering from a respiratory illness that had worsened recently.
Jahangir kickstarted his acting career in Moin Akhtar’s PTV show Saat Rang. However, it wasn’t until 1979, he starred and was propelled to fame thanks to PTV’s famous comedy show Fifty Fifty along with Tara, Zeba Shehnaz, Bushra Ansari, and Ashraf Khan.
The show became later became a household name across the country and so did the cast. Jahangir was a constant feature in the show until it stopped airing in 1985.
It was then reported that Jahangir had moved to the United States and lived there for the next 23 years. On returning to Pakistan, he resumed his career by participating in Aamir Liaquat Hussain’s shows for local TV and in the comedy show Khabarnaak. In 2021, Jahangir told of his financial woes to The Express Tribune and added that it has become a nuisance for him to even arrange for his medicines for stroke and other ailments.
In the 80s, Jahangir was conferred with the Pride of Performance award for his role in Fifty Fifty. In 2020, he was awarded Tamgha-i-Imtiaz and a Lifetime achievement award.
Actor Sadia Khan ringed in the New Year’s Eve with Aryan Khan at a party in Dubai. The Khuda Aur Mohabbat star posted a picture with Aryan on her Instagram handle which sparked dating rumours. Even Indian film critic Kamaal Rashid Khan claimed that Sadia and Aryan are in a relationship.
Now Sadia in an interview with City Times has rubbished all the rumours, “It is very strange how people are making up stories about myself and Aryan without knowing the full picture. There needs to be a limit to all that goes around in the name of news.”
The actress also added, “This doesn’t mean that we are dating. I am not the only one who took a picture with Aryan either; there were a few other people who clicked pictures, and they also uploaded them, but somehow I am the one whose picture is floating around.”
Sadia Khan also went on to say a few words in praise of Aryan Khan, as she said, “I would say that Aryan is a very sweet and an extremely well-mannered boy. So, please stop all these baseless rumours about us. Love and respect.”
She also took to her Instagram handle to shut down the rumours.
Actor Momal Sheikh recently made an appearance on The Talk Talk Show hosted by Hassan Choudary, where she shared her thoughts on Behroze Sabzwari’s claim that ladies shouldn’t wear tight clothing while traveling on bikes.
The Daraar star said, “it is his point of view, maybe it was something he observed while he was coming to the interview and he expressed his thoughts, Maybe it was something that stuck in his mind and he wanted to talk about it, whenever we come to the show we don’t talk the scripted things, we speak our heart out, so I can give him the benefit of doubt, maybe it was something disturbing him, hence he said it, so people should move on and let it go, and if anything needs to be requested, it should come from Behroze Sabzwari rather than me.”
On being asked about the public’s perception of her clothing, Sheikh replied she couldn’t influence anyone’s opinions or change their minds, so she should just let it be and do whatever she wanted. In the end, the public makes you famous.
Last year she stated in another interview that she is not afraid of her father (Javed Sheikh) but she is scared of her brother Shahzad Sheikh.
“I’m not scared of my father but I am scared of Shahzad,” said Momal while talking to Momina on her show Momina Mixed Plate.
She said that he is a little bossy and asks questions. “Even coming to this field, he said that tumhara kya kaam hai? Tum ne kyun karna hai?“
While talking about his protective behaviour, she further elaborated: “It’s just that he is a little protective to her little sister, not that he really don’t want me to work, of course, it’s not that. Uska ek roub hai, bharam hai like I want her to be under me, and islie bhi kyunkay mein argue bhi bohat karti houn.”
She said, “Sometimes I say that to him If I were your elder sister then you would see.”
Last year the Happy Bhaag Jayegi diva appreciated her cousin Shahroz Sabzwari and Syra Yousuf for handling social media scrutiny post their split, “The way Shahroz and Saira handled all the criticism was the best thing and that’s the way it should be. People always talk about something, they used to talk before and they will continue to talk no matter what.”
“My personal statement on their separation is that they are two individual and mature adults, they know what is good for them. Saira and Shahroz are two beautiful and kind hearted people”, she added.
Actor Shaan Shahid while promoting his forthcoming film, Zarrar chatted over his career, controversies, and colleagues, exclusively with The Current.
On being asked about why he rejected the Bollywood film Ghajini starring Aamir Khan and Asin, Shaan said, “There are some differences between the two nations (India and Pakistan), so picking up a villain from Pakistan puts more pressure and limelight on that relationship. Unko Villain sirf yahan pe nazar aatay hain or heroes sirf wahan pe. (They only see villains in Pakistan and heroes in India.)
The veteran actor added, “Also, the geopolitical system, Both India and Pakistan have a lot of baggage of the past and in the present as well. I think whatever is happening in India with Muslims is heartbreaking. I believe as a person you start creating an opinion and you have a set of rules or morals or values that you would rather put before making a financial decision.”
Moving forward, we asked Shaan if he gets offered a remake or a sequel of his 2006 Punjabi blockbuster Majajan, then who would be his preferred leading ladies? The film was released on 24 March 2006, across Pakistan. Majajan celebrated its Diamond Jubilee (100 weeks) in Lahore’s cinemas.
The Khuda Kay Liye star excitedly revealed that he finds Mahira to be very good and would want her as one of the heroines, whereas he wants to rope in Mehwish Hayat as his other leading lady as he finds her to be stunning as well.
On being quipped further, Shahid mentioned that he would like to see Mahira essaying Saima Khan’s character of a courtesan and Mehwish in Madiha Shah’s role.
Film’s synopsis
Zil-e-Shah (Shaan), an unhappily married man who belongs to the Syed clan, falls in love with a courtesan, by the name of Taari (Saima) who arrives to perform in his village. His wife (Madiha Shah) and family condemn their relationship.
Biopic Woes
On being asked by the host Uzair Anwer that if a biopic gets made on him, which young actor would he want to essay him in the film? The veteran artist was given four options (Hamza Ali Abbasi, Ahad Raza Mir, Bilal Abbas, and Imran Ashraf).
Watch his answer in the interview attached below:
The Majajan hero wasn’t too excited about these younger actors playing him in his biopic. He In fact hinted that it should be Shaan himself who should feature in a film based on him.
Shaan stated, “I think if they would have cast Sanjay Dutt in Sanju (2018), it would have been better. I personally feel that a biopic should be made on an actor when he passes away.”
He added, “Jesa bhi kaam kartay hain, they are all good actors, and they’ll approach the character according to their own set of skills.”
Shahid concluded by saying, “Its a difficult question and I haven’t yet given it a thought.”
On the occasion of late actor Irrfan Khan’s birthday, his son Babil Khan revealed how he dealt with his father’s death.
During the promotion of his debut project Qala, Babil shared the difficult phase of his life i.e. his father’s death. He added: “When it first happened, the first day, I didn’t believe it. One week had passed and it hit then. And then I just went into a really bad spiral. I just locked myself in my room for one and a half months.”
“Back then he used to shoot so much that he’d be gone for a long shooting schedule. When it just happened, I had somehow convinced myself that he’ll come back after the shooting schedule. And then I slowly started realizing that this is an indefinite shooting schedule. He’s not coming back. I just lost my best friend. It was devastating on a level that I can’t really put into words.”
Khan says that now he feels positive whenever he remembers his late father.
On the work front, Babil Khan just made his acting debut with the Netflix film Qala. He further has a web series coming his way by the name The Railway Men. The series features prominent actors like Kay Kay Menon, R Madhavan, and Divyenndu Sharma. Babil will also be collaborating with filmmaker Shoojit Sircar for a project, reports IndiaToday.
