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Author: News Desk

  • Dr Umair becomes Pakistan’s sole member of International Emmy Awards Academy

    Dr Umair becomes Pakistan’s sole member of International Emmy Awards Academy

    Television producer and director Dr Umair Haroon has been elected as a member of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (IATAS), the organisation behind the prestigious International Emmy Awards.

    He is currently the only Pakistani serving on the Academy, in a milestone that underscores the growing recognition of Pakistan’s television industry on the global stage.

    With a career spanning more than 200 documentaries and television projects, Dr Haroon is known for pioneering science-based and investigative storytelling in Pakistan, including the launch of the country’s first forensic science television series.

    His work has consistently focused on using media as a platform for public service and education.

    Membership of the Academy is considered one of the highest acknowledgments of professional achievement in television, and Dr Haroon now joins an international roster of industry leaders such as Mo Abudu and Tunde Aina.

    “To stand at this platform is to solidify my commitment to using media as a force for education, justice and cultural preservation. Pakistani television has a rich tradition of storytelling from classic dramas that defined eras to bold, contemporary narratives tackling real issues,” Dr Haroon said.

    He also expressed gratitude to the Academy’s Nominating Committee, President & CEO Bruce Paisner and Director of Membership Tracy Oliver. “I am immensely proud to represent a creative community that brings authenticity and depth to the global screen, and I look forward to contributing to the Academy’s work in recognising outstanding international talent.”

    Founded in 1969, the International Academy has honored some of the most influential figures in television, including Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey, Shonda Rhimes and J.J. Abrams. Dr Umair Haroon’s induction not only highlights his personal achievements but also marks a significant step toward greater collaboration and visibility for Pakistani content in the international television arena.

  • Netanyahu made last-minute changes to Trump’s Gaza plan draft approved by Muslim countries: reports

    Netanyahu made last-minute changes to Trump’s Gaza plan draft approved by Muslim countries: reports

    Prime Minister (PM) Benjamin Netanyahu secured “significant 11th-hour changes” to United States (US) President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace deal, it has emerged, raising concerns if Pakistan among other Muslim states had previously agreed on a different draft.

    According to The Times of Israel, Netanyahu, during the extensive meeting with Trump, managed to secure the changes to the proposal regarding the scope and nature of Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza, along with the disarmament of Hamas.

    “Point 3 of what was then a 21-point plan obtained by The Times of Israel stated that ‘Israeli forces will withdraw to the battle lines as of when the [US special envoy Steve Witkoff’s] proposal was presented to prepare for hostage release’,” it said.

    The publication noted that the previous version did not specify which Witkoff proposal and the plan published on Monday stated that “Israeli forces will withdraw to the agreed-upon line” without any further elaborations.

    However, it added, that it appeared to refer to a “new map” that was “included in the updated version that illustrated three phases of Israeli withdrawals from Gaza”.

    The report further said that the map showed that “Israeli troops will be able to remain in the majority of the Gaza Strip even after the first pullback of Israel Defence Forces (IDF) troops in preparation for all of the hostages to be released”.

    “They will then be able to remain in those positions until the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) of Arab and Muslim countries is prepared to deploy and fully operate to disarm Hamas, the plan states. Even after the second phase of the withdrawal, the IDF will remain in over a third of the Strip, the map indicates,” the report said.

    “The third withdrawal will clear the final troops out of Gaza, but the map shows that a security buffer zone will be established along the perimeter of the entire Strip, another Israeli demand aimed at mitigating the threat of another October 7-like invasion,” it added.

    Further, the report said that point 16 of the original plan simply stated that the IDF would progressively hand over the Gaza territory that it occupies.

    It added that the updated version added two lines that “further qualify the nature of the withdrawal in Israel’s favour”, stating that IDF “will withdraw based on standards, milestones, and timeframes linked to demilitarisation that will be agreed upon between the IDF, ISF, the guarantors, and the US”.

    “Practically, the IDF will progressively hand over the Gaza territory it occupies to the ISF according to an agreement they will make with the transitional authority until they are withdrawn completely from Gaza, save for a security perimeter presence that will remain until Gaza is properly secure from any resurgent terror threat,” read the plan announced on Monday.

    While it also mentioned that Netanyahu managed to secure concessions regarding disarmament during a meeting with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and top adviser Jared Kushner at his hotel in New York on Thursday and Sunday, the report comes as US-based news outlet Axios also claims that the deal before Hamas was significantly different than the one the US and a group of Arab and Muslim countries had previously agreed on.

    “Trump presented the situation as straightforward,” Axios reported.

    “Israel, the US and its Arab partners were all aligned on a final plan, and Hamas had to agree or face annihilation,” it said.

    The publication claimed that officials from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and Turkey were furious over the changes, and Qataris had tried to convince the Trump administration to not release the plan due to said objections but the White House did so anyway.

    It merits a mention that Pakistan’s Deputy prime minister (PM) and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has also seemingly distanced Pakistani experts from the plan.

    Appearing on Geo News a day after Trump, standing alongside Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, asserted that PM Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir fully backed his Gaza plan, the FM revealed that Islamabad had held detailed discussions with Trump’s team on the proposal and later submitted its amendments to the points shared by Washington.


     
    However, he said, the draft did not incorporate all of Islamabad’s amendments.


     
    Just hours before the President Trump’s announcement, the premier had welcomed the plan, saying durable peace between the Palestinian people and Israel was essential for regional stability and economic growth.


     
    In a post on X, PM Shehbaz said he was “convinced that durable peace between the Palestinian people and Israel would be essential in bringing political stability and economic growth to the region”.

  • Shah Rukh Khan becomes richest actor in the world with UNBELIEVABLE net worth

    Shah Rukh Khan becomes richest actor in the world with UNBELIEVABLE net worth

    Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is known as ‘King Khan’ for a reason, and his wealth now rivals that of royalty, as he has become the richest entertainer in the world.

    According to the Hurun Rich List, Shah Rukh is now officially a billionaire with an estimated wealth of $1.4 billion (approximately PKR 395.5 billion).

    The 59-year-old actor has now surpassed several international icons in wealth, including Taylor Swift ($1.3 billion), Arnold Schwarzenegger ($1.2 billion), Jerry Seinfeld ($1.2 billion) and Selena Gomeza ($720 million).

    His fortune comes from a diverse portfolio of ventures spanning the entertainment, sports, real estate and tech industries. A significant source of his wealth is Red Chillies Entertainment, the production company he co-founded in 2002. The company has since grown into a full-fledged media powerhouse with verticals in film production, visual effects, content distribution and post-production services.

    Shah Rukh also co-owns the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL) – a team valued at hundreds of millions of dollars. His real estate portfolio includes his iconic Mumbai residence Mannat, a luxury villa in Beverly Hills, properties in London and Dubai, and a farmhouse in Alibaug.

    Apart from films and business, the actor remains one of the highest-paid brand ambassadors in India with lucrative endorsements across fashion, technology and finance industries.

    His continued dominance at the box office, with back-to-back blockbusters in recent years, has only strengthened his position as a global icon. In 2023 and 2024, films like Pathaan, Jawan and Dunki were a huge success.

    The Hurun Rich List has also highlighted the net worth of other Bollywood celebrities such as Juhi Chawla and family ($93.5 million) and Hrithik Roshan, who holds the third spot among Indian actors with wealth amounting to $25.9 million.

  • Pakistan to face Bangladesh in November for Hockey World Cup qualifier spot

    Pakistan to face Bangladesh in November for Hockey World Cup qualifier spot

    Pakistan hockey’s road to the 2026 FIH World Cup has been defined with a decisive three-match series against Bangladesh in Dhaka this November.

    The series will take place on 13, 14, and 16 November, with the winner advancing to the World Cup Qualifiers in February.

    The International Hockey Federation (FIH) arranged the playoff for Pakistan after the team failed to qualify directly due to its withdrawal from the Hockey Asia Cup in India. Bangladesh, who finished sixth in that tournament, secured the playoff against Pakistan.

    The winning side will join 15 other teams in the qualifiers, where only seven will book a ticket to the 2026 World Cup. Opponents in the qualifying round will include Canada, Chile, the United States, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Austria, England, France, Poland, China, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, and one African team yet to be confirmed.

    For Pakistan, victory in Dhaka is vital. A win would revive hopes of reaching the World Cup and provide a much-needed boost for hockey at home, where the sport continues to struggle for recognition and resources.

  • Zubeen Garg’s manager arrested in connection with singer’s death

    Zubeen Garg’s manager arrested in connection with singer’s death

    In a major development in the ongoing investigation into the death of Indian singer Zubeen Garg, his manager Siddhartha Sharma and festival chief organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta have been arrested from New Delhi on Wednesday morning.

    The arrests come nearly two weeks after Garg reportedly drowned in the sea off Singapore on September 19.

    Both Sharma and Mahanta have been booked under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, criminal conspiracy, and causing death by negligence. Following their arrest, they were flown to Guwahati and produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s court.

    Indian religious festivities and a concurrent court closure forced the hearing to take place at the residence of the judge, who remanded the duo into 14 days’ police custody.

    Special DGP (CID) Munna Prasad Gupta, who is heading the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the high-profile case, confirmed the arrests and said the investigation would proceed “in accordance with the law.”

    The police have also seized both men’s mobile phones and recovered Zubeen Garg’s phone, which could be critical in uncovering the circumstances surrounding his death.

    Zubeen’s wife Garima Saikia Garg expressed satisfaction over the progress. Speaking to reporters, she said, “We are all waiting to know what happened to him in his final moments. I have full faith in the investigating team and hope we will soon have answers.”

    The Assam government had earlier constituted a 10-member SIT to delve into the circumstances leading to the singer’s untimely death. Garg, 52, was a cultural icon in the northeastern region and had been in Singapore to perform at a festival organised by Mahanta’s team.

    With both prime suspects now in custody, the investigation is expected to gain momentum in the coming days.

    The singer was known for his famous Bollywood song Ya Ali from the film Gangster.

  • ‘Never apologised’: Mohsin Naqvi rubbishes Indian media’s claims

    ‘Never apologised’: Mohsin Naqvi rubbishes Indian media’s claims

    Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi has strongly rejected Indian media reports that claimed he had apologised to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over the Asia Cup trophy controversy.

    Taking to X (formerly Twitter), to reply to a tweet of the report posted by India Today,  Naqvi wrote, “Indian media thrives on lies, not facts. Let me make it absolutely clear: I have done nothing wrong and I have never apologized to the BCCI nor will I ever do so.”

    He called the reports “fabricated nonsense” and “cheap propaganda” aimed at misleading the Indian public. “Unfortunately, India continues to drag politics into cricket, damaging the very spirit of the game,” he added.

    Naqvi reiterated his stance on the trophy handover. “As ACC President, I was ready to hand over the trophy that very day and I am still ready now. If they truly want it, they are welcome to come to the ACC office and collect it from me,” he wrote, adding a cricket emoji.

    The controversy began after India defeated Pakistan in the Asia Cup final but refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi, who also serves as the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board. The presentation ended without a handover, leaving the trophy with ACC officials.

    During a recent ACC meeting, BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla reportedly pressed for the trophy’s delivery, but Naqvi maintained that the issue was not on the agenda and insisted the Indian captain should collect it directly from ACC headquarters.

    The Asia Cup trophy is still at the ACC office in Dubai.

  • Sanam Jung turned down soap ad because she doesn’t like ‘showing shoulders’

    Sanam Jung turned down soap ad because she doesn’t like ‘showing shoulders’

    Actress and television host Sanam Jung recently revealed that she declined a major endorsement deal with a popular soap brand because she was uncomfortable with the nature of the advertisement.

    In a candid conversation on the comedy talk show Hansna Mana Hai, Sanam opened up about the personal boundaries she’s maintained throughout her career, especially when it comes to her on-screen appearance.

    “When I first entered the industry, I made a conscious decision not to appear in soap commercials,” Sanam shared. “Most of them require showing your shoulders, and even though the setup just pretends that the actor is bathing, it still gives off that impression. Personally, I don’t like that.”

    She further elaborated on an early opportunity she turned down from a well-known brand. “When I received an offer from a very big soap brand, I told my manager that it didn’t feel right to me,” she said. “My manager replied, ‘If you keep saying no to everything, you won’t be able to grow in this field.’”

    Despite the industry pressure, Sanam stood her ground. “Everyone has their own values and principles. I believe we should hold on to them,” she said. “Even today, I only take on projects that feel right to me.”

    Apart from her professional choices, the actress also shared a humorous yet terrifying travel anecdote from a recent trip with her daughters. Recalling the incident, Sanam said she was rushing through Doha airport with her daughters, aged eight and one, fearing they might miss their flight to Karachi.

    “I was running with my younger daughter in my arms when I tripped on a tile and fell in the most dramatic, filmi way,” she laughed. “The baby fell out of my arms too, it was a scary moment.”

    Fortunately, two fellow travelers came to her aid. “They asked me where I was going and when I told them, they said, ‘There’s still time for the flight, why were you running?’ What could I say? I just have this fear that the gate will close and I’ll be left behind.”

    Sanam Jung is married to Syed Abdul Qassam Jafri, who works as a pilot for an international airline. The couple are parents to two daughters.

  • Saim Ayub tops ICC T20I all-rounder rankings

    Saim Ayub tops ICC T20I all-rounder rankings

    Pakistan may have lost the Asia Cup to India, but fans still have something to cheer about as Saim Ayub has climbed to the top of the ICC T20 all-rounder rankings with 241 points.

    The 23-year-old scored 37 runs and picked up eight wickets during the tournament, powering him past India’s Hardik Pandya (233 points) and Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi (231 points).

    In the ODI batting charts, captain Babar Azam continues to hold the third place with 739 points. Saud Shakeel stands 12th in Test batting rankings, also with 739 points.

    Sahibzada Farhan climbed 11 spots to reach 13th in T20 batting with 658 points.

    Among bowlers, Noman Ali ranks sixth in Test bowling with 806 points while Abrar Ahmed also sits sixth in T20 bowling rankings with 686 points.

    Pakistan’s team rankings remain steady with the side placed fifth in ODIs, seventh in T20s and seventh in Tests.

  • Controversial new reality show Lazawal Ishq premieres amid backlash and buzz

    Controversial new reality show Lazawal Ishq premieres amid backlash and buzz

    The much-anticipated and arguably controversial Pakistani reality show Lazawal Ishq has officially premiered on YouTube.

    Despite intense backlash and criticism on social media, the show has sparked widespread buzz for bringing a bold new format to Pakistani screens.

    Set against the backdrop of a grand mansion with picturesque landscapes, a shining pool and a heavy dose of glitz and glam, Lazawaal Ishq has been shot at a scenic location Turkiye and blends elements of reality TV as well as matchmaking.

    Aiming to explore emotional connections and relationship compatibility among young adults, the format includes several stages from glamorous first impressions and introductions to partner selection and dramatic interactions.

    All of it is guided by the show’s host and popular actress Ayesha Omar, who appears in full red-carpet glam, donning a striking red gown for the first episode.

    The episode features ten contestants: five girls — Jannat, Urooj, Laiba, Batool and Fatima — and five boys, namely Hamza, Sheeraz, Fahad, Maaz and Junaid. Pairings were made based on mutual preferences following the boys’ entrance.

    Urooj, one of the participants, made it clear from the beginning that she’s looking for a real connection and potentially a life partner, echoing the show’s core concept.

    Ayesha Omar, sharing a clip from the episode on Instagram, revealed that her mother appreciated the show’s unique premise. “Did my mum like the first episode? BILKULLLLLL!” she wrote, adding that her mother found it interesting and insightful to see how modern youth express themselves.

    “The interaction was healthy, she said… she’s really looking forward to following the show.”

    The episode marks Ayesha’s first interaction with the participants of Lazawaal Ishq, and she has expressed admiration for them. During the episode, Ayesha also admitted she’s open to marriage herself and encouraged participants to embrace the journey with fun and honesty, even if it includes “some mistakes”.

    However, not everyone is impressed.

    From the moment the show’s promo dropped, Lazawaal Ishq has faced harsh criticism, with many calling it “un-Islamic” and a copy of Western dating shows. Hashtags like #BoycottLazawalIshq and #BoycottAyeshaOmar began trending soon after the premiere.

    While some viewers have praised the fresh concept and the show’s attempt to reflect the emotional complexities of today’s youth.

    The actress has already addressed the backlash, saying that it is not a “dating show”.

    As a debate continues to rage online, one thing is clear, Lazawaal Ishq is already one of the most talked-about shows in the country. Evidently so, it has racked up over 200,000 views within 24 hours of the first episode dropping.

    Watch here: Episode One.

  • After sabotaging Asia Cup, India now plans to politicise Women’s World Cup

    After sabotaging Asia Cup, India now plans to politicise Women’s World Cup

    India has now set its sights on politicizing the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s World Cup after turning the Asia Cup into a political affair.

    Indian journalist Boria Majumdar wrote on X (Formerly Twitter) that the pattern seen during the Asia Cup will continue in the Women’s World Cup. 

    “The India-Pakistan game in Colombo will not be another cricket match. It will be a continuation of the Asia Cup, and the only thing that changes is the gender. From men to women – that’s the only change. There will be no handshakes, lots of off-field drama and heightened stakes,” he wrote.

    Pakistan and India are scheduled to meet on October 5 in the Women’s World Cup.

    During the Asia Cup, Indian players refused to shake hands with Pakistani cricketers in any of the matches. After winning the final, the Indian captain also declined to receive the trophy from the Asian Cricket Council chairman.