Actor Zahid Ahmed has discovered that real happiness comes from within, a realization that came about through a journey of faith and peace through prayer.
Recently, Ahmed appeared as a guest on After Hours, where he opened up about his spiritual journey. The actor is known for brilliant acting and a powerful voice that have led him to many commercial successes. Behind the fame, he’s been on a personal journey to find peace and purpose.
The host, Ushna Shah, asked, “You are a very spiritual person, far as I know, you offer prayers (Namaz), tell me about your spiritual journey?”
Zahid replied, “I just came to a point where I realized that, you know, there’s only so much to the world, and we’re not here to earn, pay bills, and die. There has to be a bigger purpose to life; there has to be a bigger calling. And, you know, when you get most of what people aspire in life…..after experiencing respect, money, fame, and all that, if there is still a restlessness inside me that is not being fulfilled in any way, then that thing compelled me to find out what it is and how it can be fulfilled.”
The Zara Yaad actor found peace by turning to his faith and looking within himself; he said, “Literally, by submitting my will to Allah, Alhamdulillah, it’s been six to seven years that I’m consistent in establishing Namaz.” His story is an inspiring example of how looking inward and turning to one’s faith can bring true contentment, especially when worldly achievements fall short.
Currently, Zahid is starring in the drama serial Jaan Se Pyara Juni.
Earlier, during the launch of Shark Tank, Something Haute host Hassan Chaudhary said, “I have to ask about Faris for those who are really enjoying Faris’s performance, what would you like to say to them?”
Zahid Ahmed replied, “I don’t love that character, I don’t even hate that character, I just did my job as an actor. For me, it’s enough that Humayun Bhai personally contacted me and asked me to play this character. It was a pleasure working with Humayun Saeed, Yumna, Adnan Siddiqui, and Sohail, so it was amazing; you just do your job when you sign it. I was up for it because I had never had the opportunity to work with him.
Author: News Desk
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Zahid Ahmed reveals spiritual transformation: ‘I found peace in namaz’
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‘Climate does not recognise boundaries’; India’s state minister calls for South Asia alliance to tackle smog
India’s Minister of State for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Kirti Vardhan Singh, recently talked to a Pakistani platform, The Citizenry, where he emphasised the need for an “inclusive” approach to combat smog that has plagued both India and Pakistan since the start of October.
COP 16 is taking place in Cali, Colombia. It is the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. Today is the last day of the convention.
The convention seeks to “protect 30% of the planet, including terrestrial, marine and freshwater areas, transforming them into protected areas by the end of this decade. In addition, the framework emphasizes the restoration and protection of critical ecosystems, such as rainforests and wetlands.”
However, one of the delegates and the state minister of environment from India, while talking to the media, called for reviving the SAARC Malé Declaration on Control and Prevention of Air Pollution as he submitted its updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) at the UN biodiversity conference (COP16) in Cali, Colombia.
Singh emphasised the importance of regional cooperation in combating ever-rising air pollution in the Punjab region on both sides of the border, particularly in metropolitan centres like New Delhi and Lahore, where the Air Quality Index has soared to hazardous levels.
While talking to the media at the conference in the Blue Zone, an area designated for negotiations and dialogues between member countries, he responded to a question asked by the Citizenry’s Oonib Azam by saying, “Since climate change does not recognise any national or political boundaries, we need an inclusive and collective approach that involves all governments.”
Reportedly, India became the second SAARC country, after Afghanistan, to submit its update. India’s NBSAP included achievements such as “planting 98 million trees” and “efforts to conserve and restore India’s coastline”.
However, Pakistan’s representation was limited to a single official delegate, Naeem Ashraf Raja, director of the Biodiversity Programme at the Ministry of Climate Change, who did not submit the biodiversity plan on the country’s behalf.
The Indian minister also highlighted his country’s readiness to assist neighbouring countries in updating their NBSAPs that include knowledge, capacity building and infrastructure support.
Additionally, he said that biodiversity conservation “must be integrated into broader, environmental and developmental strategies to combat climate change, reduce land degradation and promote sustainable livelihood”.
Singh stressed the importance of a two-pronged approach to address regional air pollution and explained his side of the story by describing that there is a need for alternative solutions for farmers and, secondly, a strong legal framework within the country.
“If issues such as pollution are not addressed, there can be no ‘Peace with Nature,’” he said, alluding to the COP16 theme.
Earlier on October 30, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz spoke at a Diwali ceremony, during which she hinted at writing a letter to the Chief Minister of Indian Punjab on the issue of smog.
“We need to have diplomacy with India regarding the issue of smog in Lahore. I’m thinking of writing a letter to the Punjab Chief Minister [Bhagwant Mann] in India that this is not just a political issue, this is a humanitarian issue,” CM said while addressing the ceremony in Lahore, adding that if Pakistan makes this move, India should reciprocate.
She even pointed out, “The winds don’t know there’s a border in the middle,” referencing the popular narrative of winds from India beginning pollutants to Lahore.
“Until both Punjabs come together, we won’t be able to tackle the issue of smog,” she asserted.
Effective from yesterday, the Punjab government has also imposed a “green lockdown” in Lahore, under which restrictions will be imposed on identified smog hotspots.
The announcement was made in light of increasing pollution levels in the provincial capital, which continues to rank at the top of the world’s worst air quality index.
Notably, the Pakistan Air Quality Experts Group (PAQx), comprising leading air quality experts, researchers, doctors and scientists, has issued a collective statement on the Punjab government’s “Smog Mitigation Plan”, criticising the measures taken by the provincial government as “lacking to deal with the scale of the challenge”.
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Five schoolchildren among 7 killed in Mastung blast
Seven people, including five schoolchildren, a police officer and a passerby, were killed in a blast on Friday morning near Civil Hospital Chowk in Mastung, Balochistan.
“So far, seven individuals have been martyred, including five school students, and 17 others have sustained injuries,” Kalat Division Commissioner Naeem Bazai confirmed to the press.
According to the commissioner, the blast occurred at around 8:35 am near a high school for girls at Mastung Civil Hospital Chowk.
“It appears that an IED [improvised explosive device] attached to a motorcycle was detonated near a police mobile,” he said.
Mastung District Police Officer (DPO) Miandad Umrani said the explosion damaged a police van and multiple auto-rickshaws present near the site of the attack.
District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) Medical Superintendent Nisar Ahmad Baloch told a private media outlet that 30 injured, mostly schoolchildren, were currently being treated at the DHQ as well as Nawab Hospital in Mastung.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and Balochistan Chief Minister (CM) Sarfraz Bugti have condemned the blast.
“We will avenge the murder of innocent children and people. The menace of terrorism can only be fought with unity,” CM Bugti wrote.
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‘You are not my boss’; Marwat hits back at Salman Akram Raja, then deletes post
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders are once again airing their dirty laundry in public view; this time, the brawl is between Secretary General Salman Akram Raja and maverick Sher Afzal Marwat.
It all started when Sher Afzal Marwat, while talking to Matiullah Jan, stated that he did not vote for Hamid Khan group in the recent Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) elections.
“I did not want to vote for Hamid Khan’s candidates in the SCBA, neither did I want to vote for the other group’s candidates, so I did not vote,” said Marwat.
Matiullah Jan, with a surprising reaction, asked Marwat whether his action put PTI at a disadvantage.
He replied: “How did I put PTI at a disadvantage? Hamid Khan passes some statements or other arguments against me. He should be thankful that I did not campaign against his candidates; otherwise, I could uld have had 30-40 votes. Nobody came to me to ask for any votes.”
A day later, Secretary General PTI Salman Akram Raja told reporters, “Sher Afzal Marwat must control himself, we are giving him a chance, if he wants to play a role in party, if he does not show discipline, we will take action.”
In a since-deleted post on X, Marwat wrote: “I am very saddened by the statement issued by Mr Salman Akram Raja adv against me. I was willing to work with you, but neither you are my boss nor do you have any authority to control me. Please bear in mind for all times I am only answerable to Khan sb and Chairman Barrister Gohar. Nobody else matters. Thank you.”
Marwat the Maverick has seen his star wane after constant battles within the party forced him to leave the centre stage. The media’s darling, Marwat, landed in hot water with his colleagues over his outspokenness in the early part of this year.
In his recent attack on PTI, Marwat alleged last week that the KP government, led by Ali Amin Gandapur, did not want Imran Khan to be released from jail. A day later, he said Ali’s actions could pave the way for Governor Raj in the province.
This isn’t the first time that the PTI leaders have been witnessed fighting with each other. Last month when, PTI’s Hammad Azhar insisted that the protest be held despite the SCO starting on the same day. Gandapur replied: “You are in hiding yourself yet you are telling party members to come out and protest.” He then pointed his guns towards PTI Punjab. “I came to Islamabad twice [to protest] but PTI Punjab leadership could not be found anywhere.”
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‘They look once and move on’: Ayesha Toor praises Karachi’s men
Actress Ayesha Toor believes that women often face less harassment in the metropolitan city of Karachi in comparison to other cities in Pakistan.
During her recent appearance on the FHM podcast, she shared her experiences living in Sindh’s capital, shedding light on the city’s complexities and impact on women.
“Karachi is a city full of problems. There are no roads, there are incidents of theft and robbery, and there are many problems, including water and electricity, but despite all this, I like the people of Karachi,” she said.
Talking about the treatment of women in Pakistan, Toor asserted that “When you leave home in Karachi, the people [men] will see you once, but then they will turn their backs and carry on with their work. People here do not harass women.”
“If there is any problem on the road, people come to your help,” Toor further pointed out.
“The people of Karachi do not have enough time to create problems for women. If I talk about myself, I have never faced as many problems in Karachi as I have encountered in Punjab,” she reflected on her experiences.
“I do not see as much dominance of men in Karachi as I see in Lahore or Islamabad. Although there is a lot of hospitality and love in Lahore, but male temperament is dominant there, while in Karachi, it is not like that”, Ayesha concluded.
The host, Adnan Faisal, also asked Ayesha Toor about her daily gym routine, to which she responded by discussing the balance between exercise and diet, especially in the context of cultural food preferences.
“In my opinion, the gym is just 20 per cent of the effort. Pakistani people say that home-cooked meals at night are very healthy, and dishes like karahi are common,” she said.
“To be honest, I love eating. I’m Punjabi and Pakistani, and life without karahi isn’t enjoyable; I have to eat karahi. My biggest issue is not food but my sugar addiction. I am addicted to sugar, and it’s a serious addiction,” she added, saying that she has struggled in trying to overcome her sweet tooth.
“My food is very clean and healthy, prepared in pure desi ghee. I pay attention to what I’m eating. But as soon as it hits 9 PM, I think, ‘Life is short; I need to eat cake,’ so I have a slice of chocolate cake almost every other night. It seems that your calorie deficit is probably not working out, considering the indulgences you allow yourself in the evening”, Ayesha admitted.
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Pakistani rupee closes October at Rs277.85 against US dollar
The Pakistani rupee (PKR) weakened by 5.77 paisa, or 0.02 per cent, against the US dollar (USD) in Thursday’s interbank market, closing at Rs277.85 per USD.
This was a slight drop from Wednesday’s close of Rs277.79.
In the open market, exchange companies quoted the dollar at Rs276.84 for buying and Rs278.72 for selling.
During the day, the local unit touched a high of Rs277.90 and a low of Rs277.80 against the greenback.
It is worth noting that since the start of the fiscal year, the PKR has appreciated by 49.12 paisa, or 0.18 per cent, against the US dollar. For the calendar year, it has strengthened by Rs4.01, or 1.44 per cent.
PKR’s performance against other foreign currencies
Currency Thursday’s rate Wednesday’s rate Change US Dollar (USD) Rs277.85 Rs277.79 5.77 paisa (-0.02%) British Pound (GBP) Rs361.02 Rs361.34 31.39 paisa (+0.09%) Japanese Yen (JPY) Rs1.8260 Rs1.8126 1.34 paisa (-0.74%) Saudi Riyal (SAR) Rs73.98 Rs73.97 1.34 paisa (-0.02%) UAE Dirham (AED) Rs75.65 Rs75.63 1.57 paisa (-0.02%) Euro (EUR) Rs301.69 Rs300.72 96.55 paisa (-0.32%) Chinese Yuan (CNY) Rs39.03 Rs38.99 3.68 paisa (-0.09%) Swiss Franc (CHF) Rs321.12 Rs320.24 88.10 paisa (-0.28%) Exchange rates Against the British Pound, the PKR gained 31.39 paisa, or 0.09 per cent, closing at Rs361.02, up from Rs361.34 the previous day.
Against the Japanese Yen, the PKR dropped 1.34 paisa, or 0.74 per cent, ending the session at Rs1.8260, down from Rs1.8126.
The rupee also weakened by 1.34 paisa, or 0.02 per cent, against the Saudi Riyal, closing at Rs73.98, and by 1.57 paisa, or 0.02 per cent, against the UAE Dirham, finishing at Rs75.65.
Against the Euro, the PKR decreased by 96.55 paisa, or 0.32 per cent, closing at Rs301.69, down from Rs300.72.
The rupee lost 3.68 paisa, or 0.09 per cent, against the Chinese Yuan, finishing at Rs39.03.
The local currency also declined by 88.10 paisa, or 0.28 per cent, against the Swiss Franc, closing at Rs321.12.
PKR’s closing on Wednesday
A day earlier, on Wednesday, the rupee had weakened by 5 paisa, or 0.02 per cent, against the US dollar settling at Rs277.79.
It fell by 94 paisa, or 0.26 per cent, against the British Pound, closing at Rs361.34.
The rupee gained 38.59 paisa, or 0.12 per cent, against the Swiss Franc, ending at Rs320.24.
Against the Japanese Yen, the rupee strengthened slightly, closing at Rs1.8126.
The PKR dropped by 1.33 paisa, or 0.02 per cent, against the Saudi Riyal, closing at Rs73.97, and fell by 1.36 paisa, or 0.02 per cent, against the UAE Dirham, closing at Rs75.63.
Against the Euro, the rupee dropped by 48.46 paisa, or 0.16 per cent, closing at Rs300.72.
The PKR also depreciated by 9.60 paisa, or 0.25 per cent, against the Chinese Yuan, closing at Rs38.99.
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How Aiman supported Minal through pregnancy challenges
Pregnancy can be a challenging journey, but having a supportive sister can make it easie
During her appearance as a guest on Amana Isani Haider’s podcast, Minal Khan shared the challenges she faced and how her sister, Aiman Khan, stood by her side.
“After I conceived, my sister was the first person I told. She was already three months pregnant, and she was so happy for me. She told me, ‘Now you don’t need to think about anything, Minal. I’m here. It’s not difficult; I know you’ll be scared, but I’ll take you along with me on this journey.’ Thanks to her support, I didn’t feel left out,” she said.
Reflecting on her postpartum experiences, the Nand actress revealed the difficulties she faced after giving birth.
“After pregnancy, Alhamdulillah, it went smoothly, but postpartum was very difficult. I got sick right after delivery with a severe infection. I had high fever, one night reaching 106 degrees, and my sister, husband and mother were just standing there, praying. In that moment I realized how vulnerable I was… I couldn’t even take a minute off because I was a mother now,” Minal added.
When asked if it was a planned pregnancy, she said replied, “Yeah… the baby came as a surprise but very very very good surprise that we will cherish all our live InshaAllah.”
On her plans to become a mother Minal said she didn’t want to plan her family in her 30s. “I wanted to have a family before reaching my 30s so that I have my own life, my health is stable and I am able to focus on my career again, not start it from scratch in my 30s.”
Minal Khan has starred in dramas such as ‘Kaash Main Teri Beti Na Hoti’, ‘Quddusi Sahab Ki Bewah’, ‘Nand’, ‘Mere Meherbaan’, ‘Mol’ ‘Mithu Aur Aapa, ‘Joru Ka Ghulam’, ‘Malkin’, ‘Beti To Main Bhi Hun’ and ‘ Ishq Hai’.
Minal and Ahsan Mohsin Ikram tied the knot on June 11, 2021, in Karachi.
It may be noted Aiman Khan and Minal Khan last made headlines when they stepped into the world of skincare with their new brand, Skin Recipe. The launch event, held in Karachi, attracted a host of social media influencers, celebrities, and the actresses’ family members. The buzz surrounding the Skin Recipe launch is spreading like wildfire on social media, with pictures and videos from the event circulating on Instagram. -
Did KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur just announce a ‘bloody revolution’?
A video showing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) Ali Amin Gandapur addressing a charged crowd has gone viral, sparking concerns over his words hinting at a bloody revolution.
“This time before we leave, we will tell our families that if we do not return, perform our funeral prayers,” Gandapur said while speaking at a ceremony in KP.
“We have understood that here, one does not get their rights through decency, respect, or according to the law […] the blood within us is red, the colour that symbolises a revolution. When the colour of blood is red… it tells us that problems won’t be solved without bringing a revolution,” he warned, adding that the time for a “decisive battle” had arrived.
CM Gandapur further said that when people asked for their rights as per the Constitution, they were thrown into jail and subjected to oppression or fake FIRs [First Information Reports] were filed against them.
The KP CM also announced the restoration of student unions in the province, saying, “We will provide full opportunities for students to emerge through student unions, which could enable them to raise their voices.”
Earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by CM Gandapur, recorded at least two major protests at Islamabad’s D Chowk. Another massive protest rally was held in Lahore as well.
The demonstration was against the ruling coalition’s proposed 26th Constitutional Amendment and sought the release of PTI founder Imran Khan from jail.
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Special children in Lahore get smog holidays
Holidays have been announced from November 1 to January 31, 2025 for special children in Lahore.
A notification issued by the Punjab government states that special children have been stopped from coming to school and the government has decided to give them leaves from November 1 to January 31, 2025.
Special Assistant to Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz for Special Education Sania Ashiq issued the notification in which she stated that on the instructions of Chief Minister Punjab, special children will be given leave from schools as reports suggest that those suffering from broncho-vascular, cardiovascular and immunodeficiency diseases specially get affected by the smog in the environment.
Sania Ashiq stated that special children of all government and private institutes will be given leave under the Punjab Environment Act 1997. She asserted that the purpose of this leave is to protect them from diseases because health experts have declared the atmosphere of Lahore as dangerous for them.
Soaring environmental pollution is increasing the chances of developing chest diseases, throat diseases, respiratory diseases, colds, coughs, allergies and others are high among special children.
The Punjab government has already imposed a “green lockdown” in Lahore which will take affect from today and under this the restrictions will be imposed on identified smog hotspots.
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Trans model Dolphin Ayan stripped naked, recorded at gunpoint; video leaked
Transgender model and social media influencer Dolphin Ayan, also known as Dolphin Ayan Ali, was stripped naked and recorded at gunpoint, a leaked video showed Thursday morning.
As messages of support pour in for Ayan, police have reportedly registered a case against the accused.
Meanwhile, Ayan has urged members of the community to not share the leaked video. “The more we share such videos, the more we harm ourselves. We should not circulate anyone’s videos, especially not those from within our community,” she said in a viral audio message doing the rounds on social media.
Reacting to the incident,Trans Action Alliance President Farzana Riaz said that the video was not a new one and had been recorded to blackmail Ayan. “This video is not new. It was recorded to blackmail Ayan for money.
She has already paid substantial extortion fees to keep it hidden,” she told a private media outlet.
Farzana noted that similar videos of other transgender individuals in Peshawar were often used as leverage for extortion and coercion.She also pointed out that there had been no police action. “Despite the registration of FIRs, the offenders operate without facing consequences.”
She further said that not even a single official had condemned these attacks, which highlights the authorities’ indifference towards issues facing the transgender community.
Transgender activist and central secretary of the Awami National Party, Dr Mehrub Awan, also expressed her frustration and concern on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “A video of Dolphin Ayan, the most successful trans dancer from Peshawar, is doing the rounds where she is being stripped naked on camera and threatened with a gun, and being forced to dance. We have literally written papers, done podcasts, book chapters, and spoken to media and officials about ‘Beela violence’ and how organised it is.”
“We ourselves have presented data and identified hotspots – Mardan and Peshawar – and profiled the criminals involved. We have done everything that we, as a broken and battered community, could do,” she added.
“When does this end? What else is expected from a community literally on the receiving end of genocidal murders in Pakhtunkhwa to do?”
“The public of Pakhtunkhwa deserves a formal statement on the ongoing mass murder, exploitation and violence against transgender persons in the province. This deserves a serious political commitment and follow through,” Mehrub said.
While Ayan’s leaked video has left social media users outraged, the violent incident isn’t the first of its kind. According to data from Trans Action Alliance, KP alone has seen the murder of 145 transgender individuals from 2015 to November 2024.