Category: Entertainment

Actor Saba Qamar has praised the Punjab government, saying she has been “observing the changes taking place across Punjab for some time” and that the recent speech by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif “reflected real commitment to improvement.”

In an Instagram story shared on Wednesday, Qamar wrote: “I’ve been observing the changes taking place across Punjab for some time, and the recent speech by the Chief Minister reflected real commitment to improvement. Any step taken toward better governance, public welfare, and development deserves appreciation. Progress benefits everyone and I truly hope this positive momentum continues for Punjab and its people.”

She posted the comments after Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif issued a series of directives aimed at improving public safety, infrastructure, and governance across the province.

Earlier this week, the chief minister ordered a comprehensive audit of fire safety systems in public and private buildings throughout Punjab, days after a deadly fire at Karachi’s Gul Plaza highlighted the risks posed by poor safety compliance. Chairing a high-level meeting, she directed authorities to ensure strict implementation of fire safety standards to prevent similar incidents.

CM Maryam Nawaz also instructed that roads be completely restored following any excavation carried out for sewerage and drainage projects. She emphasised that pits dug for development work in residential areas must be properly covered and fenced, and that manhole levels should be adjusted to prevent accidents. She further ordered the introduction of uniform, plastic-like manhole covers across the province.

To strengthen monitoring, she directed the establishment of control rooms and management cells in all deputy commissioner offices to oversee projects under the Punjab Development Plan (PDP). Officials informed her that transparency measures in PDP Phase-I had saved approximately Rs2.8 billion.

The chief minister also approved sewerage, drainage, disposal, and water storage projects in Sargodha, Dera Ghazi Khan, Gujrat, and Jhang, along with plans for trunk sewerage systems, new disposal stations, and rainwater drainage networks in Jhelum, Hafizabad, and Okara.

Highlighting urban beautification, she called for the creation of green belts and recreational spaces in every city and directed that a single utility corridor be established to avoid repeated excavations in neighbourhoods. She also ordered the proper placement of electricity poles along road edges, organised overhead wiring, and the installation of streetlights across tehsils.

Television host Tabish Hashmi has called for placing Karachi under a single authority and suggested privatising the city, saying repeated incidents such as the fire at Gul Plaza point to long-standing governance failures and absence of accountability.

Speaking on a private news channel’s program, he suggested privatisation as an option if governance failures continued. “If the government realised it could not run PIA and decided to privatise it, then Karachi should also be privatised. We, the people of Karachi Pathan, Baloch, Sindhi, Muhajir, Punjabi will handle it ourselves. If this is the current standard of governance, we can run it better, because it cannot be run worse than this,” Hashmi said.

Hashmi said Gul Plaza carried personal significance for residents across generations, recalling its place in everyday life for families in the city. He said the fire reflected how shared spaces in Karachi were being lost one by one.

Safety lapses linked to the incident were not new and should have been identified through routine inspections by relevant authorities. “Across the world, it is the job of departments and local governments to inspect buildings, especially older ones,” he said.

Referring to statements by senior officials following the incident, Hashmi questioned claims of accountability. “Accountability does not happen just because someone says, ‘I am accountable.’ Accountability is a process,” he said. He added that similar incidents had occurred repeatedly over the years. “This was not the first incident. Fires have happened before. Children have died in dumper accidents.”

He also questioned the practice of compensating victims without personal consequences for those in authority. “The compensation that is announced does not come out of their own pockets. It comes from taxpayers’ money. So how is that accountability?” Hashmi said.
Drawing on his experience in senior corporate roles, he said consistent failures would normally lead individuals to step aside. “If someone keeps giving excuses in front of a board or a boss, an educated person eventually realises that maybe they are not fit for that role,” he said.

Calling for structural change, he added Karachi could not function under fragmented control. “Karachi needs to be run under one unified power. When there are 36 different authorities, nothing can work”.

Popular Indian comedian Zakir Khan has stunned his fans by announcing that he will take an extended break from comedy, potentially lasting until 2030, during a live show in Hyderabad. 

Khan made the unexpected revelation during his “Papa Yaar” tour performance at a packed auditorium in Hyderabad. He told the audience that he plans to step away from comedy after completing his current commitments and scheduled programs.

“Two important things, I am going on a long, long break. 2028, 2029, possibly until 2030. It’s a three, four and five-year break. Will take care of health and other things. There are two or three things that need to be fixed,” Khan told the crowd.

He continued with an emotional message to those present. “Everyone here right now is very close to my heart. Your presence is nothing less than a blessing for me. I will remain grateful to every person present here.”

The announcement left the audience stunned into silence.

After the video clip went viral, Khan provided additional details and clarified that all shows scheduled through June will go ahead as planned. 

He invited fans to attend these performances as a celebration and assured them the tour would not be excessively long. He thanked his supporters for their continued loyalty.

Zakir Khan has become one of the most recognisable names in Indian comedy. He shot to fame in 2012 after winning the title of India’s Best Stand Up on Comedy Central, which launched his career into the mainstream.

Beyond stand-up comedy, Khan has built a diverse entertainment portfolio. 

He gained significant recognition for his role as Ronny in the Amazon Prime Video series “Chacha Vidhayak Hain Humare,” which showcased his acting abilities alongside his comedic talents.

Khan also hosts “Aapka Apna Zakir,” a comedy show on Sony Entertainment Television.

His relatable humor, often centered on everyday experiences and relationships, has earned him millions of fans, especially in Pakistan and India.

David Beckham has said that parents should let their children “make mistakes” a day after his son Brooklyn Beckham publicly said he had no interest in reconciling with his family and accused his parents of controlling narratives about their lives.

Speaking on CNBC’s Squawk Box on Tuesday, the former England footballer did not directly address Brooklyn’s claims but spoke about parenting, social media and his children.

“I’ve been able to use my platform and my following for 
UNICEF and it’s been the biggest tool to make people aware of what’s going on around the world for children,” Beckham said.

“I’ve tried to do the same with my children to educate them. They make mistakes. Children are allowed to make mistakes. That’s how they learn. So that’s what I try to teach my kids. But you know, you have to sometimes let them make those mistakes as well,” he added.

Beckham’s comments came a day after Brooklyn, 26, posted a lengthy statement on Instagram in which he accused his parents, David and Victoria Beckham, of attempting to control his life and public image.

“I do not want to reconcile with my family,” Brooklyn wrote. “I’m not being controlled, I’m standing up for myself for the first time in my life.”

“For my entire life, my parents have controlled narratives in the press about our family. The performative social media posts, family events and inauthentic relationships have been a fixture of the life I was born into.”

He further alleged that his parents placed “countless lies in the media” to protect what he described as their public image.

He also alleged that his mother “hijacked” his first dance with Nicola and said his wife had been disrespected by his family and excluded from his father’s 50th birthday party.

“My family values public promotion and endorsements above all else. Brand Beckham comes first,” Brooklyn wrote.

“The narrative that my wife controls me is completely backwards. I have been controlled by my parents for most of my life.”

Brooklyn said stepping away from his family had brought him peace and said he and his wife wanted privacy and a life away from media attention.

Senior Pakistani actress Fazila Qazi has sparked mixed reactions after showing zero interest in two major television stars, Fahad Mustafa and Humayun Saeed, during a recent podcast.

In a candid conversation with actor Ahmad Ali Butt, Qazi delivered what many are calling a shocking snub when asked about hosting various showbiz personalities. 

When Butt mentioned Fahad Mustafa’s name, Qazi’s response left the host visibly stunned.

“Who is he?” Qazi asked dismissively, referring to Mustafa, one of Pakistan’s most successful television hosts and actors.

Her reaction to Humayun Saeed, one of the most recognisable names in the industry, was equally lukewarm. When his name came up, Qazi offered a brief, unimpressed response.

“I would serve him tea. Serving tea is also a big thing,” she said, her tone suggesting minimal enthusiasm.

The interview clips quickly went viral, triggering a debate on social media platforms. Reactions ranged from supportive to highly critical, with many users questioning Qazi’s remarks.

“Har cheez k do pehlun hote hain ho sakta isska experience acha nai raha [Every matter has two sides. Maybe her experience wasn’t good],” one user commented.

Others were less forgiving. “Rajab Butt 2.0,” wrote one critic.

Several users invoked religious sensibilities. “Izzat Allah ne di hai aisay nahi kehna chahiye [Allah gives respect. One should not speak like this],” commented a viewer who found her tone inappropriate.

“Whats wrong with her?” asked another bewildered commenter, while some defended the actress. “Ho skta hai woh bhool gai ho her bat ko itna troll kerna bekar logo ka kam hai [Maybe she forgot. Trolling everything is the work of useless people],” one supporter wrote.

“Lmao nobody knows her everyone knows fahad,” one user quipped, suggesting that Qazi herself may be less recognizable than the stars she dismissed.

Qazi also shared her views on the entertainment industry, revealing she actively discouraged her children from pursuing careers in showbiz.

“This is an uncertain livelihood. I did not want my children to enter this industry. There are other parents like me who feel the same way,” Qazi explained. “Qaiser and I did not run our household through acting but through production.”

Fazila Qazi started her career as a fashion model in 1988 and entered the drama industry in 1991. 

Her notable television performances include popular PTV dramas such as Rozi, Kashish, Muqaddas, Khatoon Manzil, Nazr-e-Bad, Haya Ke Daaman Main, and Deewana. 

In recent years, she appeared Geo TV dramas Tere Bin (2023) and Sirf Tum, and ARY Digital’s Tark E Wafa. She also featured in the 2025 drama Silsila on LTN Family.

On the other hand, Fahad Mustafa is one of Pakistan’s most successful actors, producers, and television hosts. 

He began his acting career in 2003 with the drama serial Umrao Jaan Ada and rose to prominence with critically acclaimed performances in Main Abdul Qadir Hoon (2010), which is widely considered his best dramatic performance. 

His other notable television work includes Kankar (2013), where he portrayed an abusive husband in a hard-hitting social drama about domestic violence, Dusri Biwi, Daagh, Veena (2009), which earned him a Lux Style Awards nomination for Best TV Actor, and most recently Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum (2024), which marked his triumphant return to television after years of focusing on films and hosting.

Since 2014, Mustafa has hosted Jeeto Pakistan, described as Pakistan’s biggest game show, on ARY Digital. 

His film career includes major box office successes like Na Maloom Afraad (2014), Actor in Law (2016), Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2 (2018), and Load Wedding (2018). In 2008, he co-founded Big Bang Entertainment, a production company that has produced numerous award-winning dramas primarily for ARY Digital. 

Mustafa is married to Pakistani writer Sana Fahad, whom he wed in 2006, and they have two children.

Actor Namra Shahid voiced her frustration during an appearance on Nadia Khan’s morning show after a drama critic failed to mention her name while reviewing the Hum TV serial Muamma.

Namra, who plays Asiya in the psychological thriller, expressed disappointment when discussing a review by Aamna Haider Isani of Something Haute, who reviewed the drama’s third episode.

“Yesterday, when Muamma’s third episode aired, Something Haute reviewed it. I was so hurt that I literally messaged Amna,” Shahid said during the show. “She reviewed it and said, ‘That girl, jiji’s helper, did an amazing job.’ Sorry, I forgot her name.”

The actor questioned the professionalism of the oversight. “This is too much. You sit down to write a review and you forget the name? When you are reviewing it for the public, you have a diary in front of you. Can you not write down a name? ‘I forgot the name’, why did you forget the name?”

Nadia Khan’s co-host suggested the omission might have occurred deliberately.

Shahid made clear her respect for co-star Saba Qamar while making her point. “Saba Qamar is in the same project, and I completely respect her. She is an amazing artist and an amazing human being. But other people have also worked on the project.”

She emphasized the responsibility critics hold when reviewing content. “If it is your responsibility to review a drama, then at least write the names on a piece of paper so you don’t forget.”

Nadia supported Namra’s position, noting that she has substantial screen time in the production. “Yes, and in this drama you have many scenes, even as many as Saba has.”

Muamma, directed by Shaqielle Khan and written by Imran Nazir, features Saba Qamar as Jahan Ara with Usman Mukhtar, Ali Ansari, Anoushay Abbasi and Namra Shahid also starring in it.

Brooklyn Peltz Beckham has said he does not want to reconcile with his family, accusing his parents, David and Victoria Beckham, of attacking him and his wife in the press and placing false information in the media.

In a series of posts shared with his 16 million followers, the 26-year-old said he had remained silent for years but decided to speak publicly after media coverage did not end. 

Brooklyn has also accused his mother, Lady Beckham, of disrupting his wedding by taking over his first dance with his wife. He alleged that when he was called to the stage, “my mum was waiting to dance with me” instead of his wife and said she “danced very inappropriately on me in front of everyone”.

“I have been silent for years and made every effort to keep these matters private,” he wrote. “Unfortunately, my parents and their team have continued to go to the press, leaving me with no choice but to speak for myself and tell the truth about only some of the lies that have been printed.”

“I do not want to reconcile with my family,” he added. “I’m not being controlled, I’m standing up for myself for the first time in my life.”

Brooklyn Peltz Beckham, the eldest son of David Beckham and Lady Victoria Beckham, alleged that his parents had tried to undermine his relationship with his wife Nicola Peltz Beckham. He said they had been “trying endlessly to ruin” the relationship and accused them of placing “countless lies in the media” to “preserve their own facade”.

“Recently, I have seen with my own eyes the lengths that they’ll go through to place countless lies in the media, mostly at the expense of innocent people,” he wrote. “But I believe the truth always comes out.”

He also addressed speculation surrounding his absence from David Beckham’s 50th birthday, stating that he and his wife travelled to London for the occasion but were unable to meet his father privately.

“We were rejected for a week as we waited in our hotel room trying to plan quality time with him,” he said. “He refused all of our attempts, unless it was at his big birthday party with a hundred guests and cameras at every corner.”

He claimed his father later agreed to meet him on the condition that his wife was not present. “That was a slap in the face,” he wrote, adding that his family later refused to see him during a subsequent trip to Los Angeles.

At the time, a source told an international media outlet that Brooklyn had chosen not to attend the party because his younger brother Romeo was present with a woman to whom he had previously been linked.

He also alleged that his mother had “repeatedly invited women from my past into our lives in ways that were clearly intended to make us both uncomfortable”.

He accused his family of prioritising commercial interests over personal relationships. “Brand Beckham comes first,” he wrote, adding that “family ‘love’ is decided by how much you post on social media”.

Brooklyn Beckham said he had experienced anxiety for much of his life, which he linked to his family situation. “I have been controlled by my parents for most of my life,” he said. “I grew up with overwhelming anxiety. For the first time in my life, since stepping away from my family, that anxiety has disappeared.”

He further alleged that he had faced “endless attacks from my parents, both privately and publicly”, which he claimed were sent to the press “on their orders”.

He said his younger brothers had also been involved. “They were sent to attack me on social media, before they ultimately blocked me out of nowhere this last summer,” he wrote.

In December, Cruz Beckham, 20, responded to a Daily Mail report claiming that their parents had unfollowed Brooklyn Peltz Beckham on social media. “Not true,” he wrote on Instagram. “My mum and dad would never unfollow their son. Let’s get the facts right.” He added: “They woke up blocked as I did.”