Author: News Desk

  • ‘I don’t know him’; Mahira dismisses Firdous Jamal’s misogyny in brutal swipe

    ‘I don’t know him’; Mahira dismisses Firdous Jamal’s misogyny in brutal swipe

    Mahira Khan has proved she is a pro at hitting back. The superstar has been the target of veteran actor Firdous Jamal’s frequent ageist and unsavoury comments. Till now, she has maintained tight-lipped, ignoring the older actor’s rants. 

    But during a recent appearance at a literary festival where she was asked questions in a rapid-fire round, Mahira finally responded. 


    During the session, Khan shared her thoughts on big names like Imran Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Humayun Saeed. She was also questioned about Firdous Jamal.

    Maintaining her calm composure, she stated, “I cannot comment on Firdous Jamal as I do not know him.”

    Uff, that was brutal! 

     Waseem Badami then reminded her that Firdous Jamal is a senior actor. After pausing for a moment, she said, “Firdous Jamal is indeed a very experienced actor.”


    When asked about her bond with Bollywood superstar SRK, Khan showed discomfort over the topic. She said, “I can never have enough of him, but when someone asks a question about him, I do reply, and then people say that she is quite obsessed with him.

     That’s why I expect them not to ask me, because then they say she wants to talk about it, which I never start on my own.”


    Meanwhile, professionally, Mahira Khan has a new project lined up titled Love Guru, slated to release next year.


    Firdous Jamal’s misogynistic statements on Mahira Khan had enraged many of the superstar’s fans. On Faysal Qureshi’s morning show, Salaam Zindagi, where they played a game giving advice to different actors, Firdous remarked, “Sorry to say if someone likes it or not, but Mahira is not heroine stuff. She’s a mediocre sort of a model, she’s not a good actress, and not a heroine.”


    He didn’t end there. The 65-year-old continued, “She’s quite aged as well and we don’t have heroines at this age; they only play the characters of mothers.”

  • Fans speculate as Alizeh Shah removes all Instagram posts

    Fans speculate as Alizeh Shah removes all Instagram posts

    Fans were left curious as model and actress Alizeh Shah removed all her posts from Instagram, leaving behind only one dance video.

    It is unclear if Shah permanently deleted her posts or temporarily removed them from her account. However, the only video that remains on her profile had stirred quite the controversy at the time of upload as her attire did not sit well with netizens.

    The video featured her performing on the song “King” by Wahid Khan, composed by Yahya Fareed. It was released under the banner of Free Bird Production, and featured a solo performance by Shah, prompting netizens to train guns at her for her wardrobe.

    Behind-the-scenes photos and short videos on the actor’s social media had also drawn strong reactions.

    While Shah defended her performance, emphasising her right to express herself freely, it wasn’t the first time she had to take a bold stand against trolls over her fashion choices.

    Taking to Instagram in October, the Ehd-e-Wafa actress had talked about her right to dress as she likes.

    “I know being a Pakistani with a unique fashion sense causes issues, but really, is that even my problem?” she had written, responding to critics who called her out over pictures from her vacation in the United States (US).

    “I AM A PUBLIC FIGURE, not PUBLIC PROPERTY, so keep your lame opinions to yourself!” she had said, adding that she pitied haters who were “obsessed with hating” her just because “they were not loved enough”.

  • Pakistan vs South Africa: First T20, probable playing XI and match details

    Pakistan vs South Africa: First T20, probable playing XI and match details

    The first T20 match between Pakistan and South Africa is scheduled for today, December 10, 2024, at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban. The game will start at 9:00 PM Pakistan Standard Time.

    Heinrich Klaasen will lead the Proteas side, as Aiden Markram is being rested to focus on the upcoming Test series. Key players Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, and Tristan Stubbs are also being rested for the T20 series but will participate in the One-Day Internationals. Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi return to the T20 squad, with George Linde making a comeback after three years.

    On the other hand, the Pakistani squad is led by Mohammad Rizwan, with notable players including Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf. The team aims to build on recent performances and start the series on a positive note.

    Head-to-Head in T20s:

    Total Matches: 22
    Pakistan won: 12
    South Africa won: 10


    Pitch Report:

    The pitch at Kingsmead in Durban is excellent for batting, with good pace and bounce. Batters can trust the surface and play their shots with confidence. The ball comes onto the bat nicely, making it easier to score runs. This ground has seen some high-scoring games before, and we can expect the same this time.

    For bowlers, hitting the right length consistently is key to extracting any help from the pitch. In the final overs, however, they’ll need to vary their deliveries, using different lengths and lines to remain effective.

    Probable Playing XI:

    Pakistan:
    Muhammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Abdullah Shafiq, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Irfan Khan Niazi, Usman Khan, Salman Ali Aghaz, Abbas Afridi

    South Africa:
    Heinrich Klaasen (C), Dewald Ferreira, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Hendrik van der Dussen, Matthew Breetzke, Peterson Kruger, OEG Baartman, George Linde, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi

    T20 Series Schedule:

    1st T20I: December 10, Durban
    2nd T20I: December 13, Centurion
    3rd T20I: December 14, Johannesburg

    During the tour of South Africa, Pakistan will play three T20s, three ODIs, and two Test matches.

  • Blame games and allegations: PTI leaders question each other’s motives

    Blame games and allegations: PTI leaders question each other’s motives

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has been going through increasing discord and divide amongst leaders, especially after its unsuccessful protest call on November 24, which led to multiple fatalities. Imran Khan’s aide and PTI supporter, Salman Ahmad, took to X (formerly Twitter) to post a long letter questioning Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi’s role in the recent protest.

    “Bushra Bibi promised the protesters that she would remain at D Chowk until her husband’s release and expressed her determination: ‘I will never leave you. You promise me that you will not leave D Chowk without Khan.’ But then why did they decide to retreat when the situation was heading towards massacre,”  wrote Salman Ahmad, who has been openly critical of Bushra Bibi’s role in PTI.

    Bushra Bibi had taken a central role in the November 24 call for protests, leading the caravan, along with the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur, towards Islamabad.

    Reportedly, Bushra Bibi refused to accept the government’s demand to relocate the PTI protest to Sangjani instead of D-Chowk.

    The PTI leadership, including Bushra Bibi, vowed to reach D-Chowk under any circumstances, but when the government launched its crackdown at midnight on November 26, they were nowhere to be seen.

    At least six lives were lost in the three days of protests, which included a policeman and three Rangers officials who were run over by a speeding vehicle, officials and hospital sources said.

    Meanwhile, PTI leadership officially claimed the death of 12 of its supporters during the protest.

    “Her sister Maryam Wato claimed that she was abducted by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, while Bushra Bibi insists: ‘I was at D Chowk till midnight; I was the last person there.’ Eyewitness accounts contradict her claim, who says she was in a bulletproof SUV and away from the centre of the demonstration,” wrote Salman Ahmad in a long post.

    The Pakistani American singer and PTI activist also wrote: “Bushra Bibi claimed that she was shot, but no concrete evidence was presented to support this claim. Is there any CCTV footage to confirm this?”
    Meanwhile, Geo News reported another spat between PTI leaders while they were attending the new Toshakhana case hearing on Monday.

    Bushra Bibi reportedly briefed the PTI founder on the recent protest alleging that no mobilisation occurred from Punjab. After which, Barrister intervened, saying that 5,000 individuals from Punjab had been arrested. He further briefed the PTI founder about the crackdown and mass arrests targeting the party in Punjab.

    Aleema Khan then questioned Faisal Chaudhry, Khan’s lawyer, about the lack of access to facilities, including a newspaper to Imran Khan and a monitoring commission previously set up by the Islamabad High Court.

    In response, the lawyer said that he was doing everything within his capacity and raised concerns about why senior party officials were not actively approaching the court.

    However, Mashal Yousafzai, who was recently kicked from CM KP’s cabinet as an advisor, interjected, accusing Chaudhry of obstructing the commission’s work, to which he replied that the commission was court-mandated and beyond his influence.

    Barrister Gohar reiterated that certain decisions should be left to the party’s leadership to avoid confusion. 

    It is worth mentioning that this was the second time in less than ten days that a spat took place between Aleema Khan and Barrister Gohar. On December 5, Aleema confronted Salman Akram Raja and Barrister Gohar about the number of deaths that occurred in Islamabad in the PTI protest.

  • Australia, New Zealand and South Africa react to Champions Trophy deadlock

    Australia, New Zealand and South Africa react to Champions Trophy deadlock

    With the deadlock between Pakistan, the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on the hosting of Champions Trophy 2025 continuing, Australian, New Zealand and South African cricket boards have reacted to the impasse.


    According to reports, the three cricketing boards have expressed displeasure and asked the ICC to put an end to uncertainty surrounding the event. They have said that all boards should be given an update and the matter should be resolved at the earliest.


    “The schedule for the Champions Trophy 2025 has not been announced yet; the ICC should now decide what will happen in the Champions Trophy and the next tournaments. If India is refusing to go to Pakistan this time, it [ICC] can forbid it from going to any country in the future. A solution should be found for this,” reports quoted a joint statement as saying.


    Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) maintains that Pakistan will not back down from its position until the BCCI accepts the demands in writing. The Pakistani government does not want to take any kind of risk this time and the matter will move forward if a written guarantee is received, reports said.

    Champions Trophy 2025 is about to start in February in Pakistan, but the schedule has yet to be decided.

    The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has expressed strong reservations about travelling to Pakistan for the tournament, citing security concerns and lack of permission from the Indian government.

    The BCCI has requested that the ICC consider a hybrid model, where India’s matches could be played in a neutral venue, such as the UAE or Sri Lanka. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has insisted that the tournament should be held entirely in Pakistan.

    The ICC has been caught in the middle of this dispute, with both Boards presenting their cases. The ICC held a meeting on November 29, 2024, to discuss the matter, but no resolution was reached. The ICC has given the PCB a day to accept the hybrid model or risk losing hosting rights for the tournament.

    The ICC is considering various options, including shifting some matches to neutral venues, but a final decision is yet to be made.

    According to some reports, PCB has agreed on the hybrid model under some conditions. Under this model, for all the upcoming matches for the next three years, Pakistan and India will play in a neutral venue. Pakistan is hosting the Champion Trophy 2025, and India will be hosting the T20 World Cup 2026. 

    However, PCB sources have denied these claims.

  • Fake News watchdog exposes disinformation during PTI protests

    Fake News watchdog exposes disinformation during PTI protests

    Fake News Watchdog (FNW) has issued a report on Sunday which exposed fake news, fabricated news, and disinformation spread during and after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest in Islamabad in November. 

    The investigative piece report countered the manipulated news that disseminated during former Premier Imran Khan’s party three-day-long protest, which began on Sunday (November 24) and ended on Tuesday (November) 26.

    The report highlighted fake tweets from PTI supporters claiming on X (formerly Twitter) that Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur was removing the barricades on the Motorway while on his way to Islamabad; noting that in the footage, the man in question is not Ali Amin Gandapur but rather Dr Zahoor Swati from Mansehra, a doppelganger of Gandapur.

    Many news channels had aired the news that Ali Amin Gandapur and Bushra Bibi were arrested during last month’s protest in federal capital. However, FNW claimed that security forces had not arrested them, as both had managed to escape from the scene.

    FNW also declared YouTuber Imran Riaz Khan’s tweet regarding the alleged massacre during the PTI protest “fabricate claims”. The Watchdog clarified that the image he used was created by using AI to depict a non-existant scene from Islamabad with blood flowing on roads.

    While debunking claims that Tahir Abbas, who fell from the three storey containers at D Chowk, had passed away, the report said that Abbas was alive, as he can be seen in a video meeting with CM KP Ali Amin Gandapur.

    The Watchdog also pointed out the false reports of shootings targeting former Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser and Chief Pashtunkwa Milli Awami Party Mehmood Khan Achakzai. 

    “News of the PTI founder being transferred from Adiala jail turned out to be fake. Whereas, news of 600 youth resigning from army academies during the protest also proved to be baseless,” the report maintained.

    The statements of PTI leader Qasim Suri regarding PTI founder Imran Khan’s health had extremely negative impacts, said the Islamabad-based organisation.

    The report also declared the widely circulated claims attributed to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi regarding the alleged targeting of Kashmiri people as false.

  • Jungkook sets Spotify record with 7.79 Billion solo streams

    Jungkook sets Spotify record with 7.79 Billion solo streams

    Jeon Jung-Kook, known globally as Jungkook, is a South Korean singer and songwriter who became famous as the lead vocalist and dancer of BTS.


    Jungkook’s recent success isn’t just about music. He recently released his documentary, “I Am Still,” giving fans an intimate look at his life. The film explores his journey, both as a member of BTS and as a solo artist. Viewers see his struggles, triumphs, and personal reflections. It’s a heartfelt project that connects deeply with fans.


    The documentary reveals the pressures Jungkook faces. He talks openly about balancing his work with his desire to stay true to himself. His dedication to his craft is clear. Fans have praised “I Am Still” for showing a raw, unfiltered side of the global star.


    Musically, Jungkook is on fire. His latest single, “3D (feat. Jack Harlow),” continues to dominate the charts. The wide range of remixes and versions of his songs also show his versatility. He’s not just a singer but an artist who constantly evolves. Each track he releases feels fresh, pushing boundaries in the music industry.


    Despite his busy schedule, Jungkook stays connected with fans. He often interacts with ARMY through live streams, sharing moments of his daily life. These interactions make fans feel closer to him, solidifying his bond with his audience.



    He started his career as the youngest member of BTS, debuting at age 15 with their first album “2 Cool 4 Skool” in 2013. Over the years, he has become a key figure in the global music industry. Although he considered stage names like ‘Seagull,’ ‘Tattoo,’ and ‘Ean,’ he decided to keep his birth name.

    Jungkook has also released solo tracks like “Begin” and “Euphoria.” He has also produced songs for BTS, such as “Love is Not Over” and “Magic Shop.” His talents have significantly contributed to BTS’s global rise.


    As of December 8, 2024, Jungkook continues to dominate the music charts. With over 7.79 billion streams on Spotify, he has 6.5 billion streams as a lead artist, showing his global appeal.


    His solo career is thriving with hits like “Seven (feat. Latto)” with over 2.08 billion streams, “Standing Next to You” with 1.04 billion streams, and “Left and Right (feat. Jungkook of BTS)” surpassing 1 billion streams.


    Jungkook’s daily streaming numbers are strong, with millions of listeners worldwide enjoying his solo tracks. Songs like “Seven” and “Standing Next to You” continue to top the charts, establishing him as a rising solo artist outside of BTS.


    The variety of remixes and versions of his hits, including “Seven (feat. Latto)” and “3D (feat. Jack Harlow),” highlights his versatility and wide appeal in the global music market.


    These achievements show Jungkook’s consistent growth and success in the international music scene, proving his position as one of the most influential artists in the world today.

  • Code of conduct violation: ICC punishes Travis Head, Muhammad Siraj

    Code of conduct violation: ICC punishes Travis Head, Muhammad Siraj

    Indian fast bowler Mohammad Siraj and Australian batsman Travis Head have been fined for violating the code of conduct during the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

    Australia achieved the required target of 19 runs without losing any wickets on the third day of the second Test played in Adelaide on Sunday. The Indian cricket team was bowled out for 180 runs in their first innings of the match.

    Siraj, however, celebrated in a provocative manner and made an inappropriate gesture towards the dressing room after dismissing Australian batsman Travis Head for 140 runs.

    In response, Travis Head also behaved inappropriately, leading to an exchange of bitter words between the two players. After the unpleasant incident, Siraj was criticised by former Australian cricketers and commentators.

    On Monday, Siraj was fined for violating the code of conduct.

    The ICC fined Siraj 20 per cent of his match fee, while both Siraj and Travis Head were given one demerit point each.

    The ICC said, “Muhammad Siraj and Travis Head have admitted their mistake.”

    India defeated Australia by 295 runs in the first match of the 5-Test series, while in the second match, Australia defeated India by 10 wickets to level the series by 1-1.

    India emerged victorious in the opening Test at Perth Stadium, winning by 295 runs. After being bowled out for 150 in their first innings, India made a strong comeback by dismissing Australia for 104. In their second innings, India declared at 487/6, setting Australia a daunting target of 534. The hosts were bowled out for 238, handing India a comprehensive win.

    Australia leveled the series with a commanding 10-wicket victory in the second Test at Adelaide Oval. India scored 180 in their first innings, while Australia responded with 337, taking a significant lead. In the second innings, India managed 175, setting Australia a modest target of 19 runs, which they achieved without losing a wicket.

    With the series tied at 1-1, the upcoming third Test in Brisbane promises to be a crucial encounter in this closely contested series.

  • THIS Bollywood legend sent a message to Behroze Sabzwari after watching Tanhaiyan

    THIS Bollywood legend sent a message to Behroze Sabzwari after watching Tanhaiyan

    39 years after its release, Tanhaiyan remains one of Pakistan’s most beloved drama serials. At the time it aired, the drama was a monster hit, both here and across the border.

     Did you know Bollywood’s showman Raj Kapoor once sent a special message to veteran actor Behroze Sabzwari after watching Tanhaiyan? The story will leave you amazed. 

    Appearing as a guest on After Hours with Ushna Shah, Behroze Sabzwari shared an incredible story about receiving praise from Bollywood legend Raj Kapoor after his performance in the iconic drama Tanhaiyan.

    The host Ushna Shah mentioned, “You have worked with such big stars, and you even worked in Tanhaiyaan. It’s said that after Tanhaiyaan, you received a call from Raj Kapoor. Is that true?”

    Behroze replied, “Yes, it’s a huge honor for me. Actually, I didn’t get a call directly, but I received a message through Haseena Apa.  Marina Khan and Shehnaz Sheikh were also part of it because this happened in 1986. At that time, I was shooting in China. It was a Pak-China co-production called Rishte Aur Raaste for PTV. Since I was in China, I couldn’t attend cricket matches in Sharjah that year, which we artists used to attend annually.”

    “Raj Kapoor met Haseena Apa and the other cast members, he was very happy after seeing Tanhaiyaan and was starting a new film at that time, in which he eventually cast Zeba Bakhtiar. I received a message saying, ‘When Kabacha (the guest) visits Bombay, he will be my guest,’” the Zindagi Gulzar actor added.

    But the story didn’t end there. Several years later, Behroze finally got confirmation that the message was real.

     “In1992 we had gone to Sharjah again, as we did every year. This time, I met Randhir Kapoor in an elevator. Randhir Kapoor said, ‘Kabacha Sahab, would you like to have coffee with us?’ I replied, ‘It would be an honor!’ He then said, ‘You have no idea how much my father loved you in Tanhaiyaan.’ At that moment, I realized that the message I had received back then was indeed true.”

    The Yunhi actor shared some special memories of working with the late Qavi Khan, describing him as a truly unique person.

    The host asked, “Can you share a memorable moment with Qavi Sahab?”

    Behroze replied, “I did a lot of theater and television with Qavi Sahab. Believe me, there is no one like him. As a producer, he made 12 films, out of which only two were successful, and 10 remained unreleased. His last film left him financially broke. At that time, he couldn’t even pay the artists who worked with him. But, after 15 years, when he finally received financial stability by the grace of Allah, he made sure to repay all the artists he owed money to. This is the greatness of Qavi Khan.”

     Describing his relationship with Qavi, Sabzwari added, “I felt very close to him. Despite being older than me in age and experience, he treated me like a friend. He never acted superior, even though he had every right to, given his stature.”

  • Aymen Saleem’s gender reveal is absolutely adorable

    Aymen Saleem’s gender reveal is absolutely adorable

    Aymen Saleem, the stunning and popular Pakistani TV actress known for her roles in hit dramas like Chupke Chupke is embarking on an exciting new chapter in her life.


    She tied the knot with Kamran Malik in 2023 in an intimate family gathering. Her wedding went viral on social media, with fans adoring her beautiful bridal outfits. Since then, she has not appeared in any dramas.

    She recently announced that she is expecting her first child. 


    Today, she shared a heartwarming video from her baby’s gender reveal event on Instagram. During the dreamy celebration, Aymen and her husband unveiled a beautiful blue car to announce they were expecting a baby boy. The couple is excited to welcome the addition to the family soon.


    A special moment from the event was captured in the video, and fans, friends, and followers have been showering the couple with congratulations and best wishes.


    Fans have been leaving lovely comments, expressing happiness and excitement for the couple.

    Check the video below: