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Category: Entertainment

  • Pashto folk singer forced to live in a tent with over 200 family members

    Pashto folk singer Zarsanga Bibi is reportedly living in a tent along with over 200 family members after the culture department took back her official residence in Kohat district.

    Read more – KP govt offers job to Pakistan’s ‘Charlie Chaplin’

    Popularly referred to as the ‘melody queen’, Zarsanga Bibi has requested for help and demanded the culture department to provide her with a residence so that she can live the last years of her life in peace, comfort and dignity.

    Zarsanga Bibi said that the current pandemic has worsened living conditions for her and her family, forcing her to beg.

    According to details, the singer and her sons have rented a shop in Kohat Bazaar where they have kept over 2,500 awards, certificates and medals of the singer.

    “I appeal to President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan to take notice of my miserable plight. I just want a piece of plot where I could feel proud that my contributions fetched me at least a state given shelter. I at this stage and age have no other wish,” said Zarsanga.

    She said that she had rejected offers from Afghanistan and several other countries, saying that she only worked for Pakistan and that her country has been her identity and she would live and die with it. She added that she would never leave Pakistan despite her current situation and the disappointing attitude of relevant authorities.

    “I have over 200 sons and daughters and grandchildren and they all depend on me,” says Zarsanga Bibi. “The government had allotted me an official residence in Kohat for two years and on termination the specified time, I along with my extended family was forced to live once again in the tents in the open air where we have to pay Rs15, 000 as rent to the owner of the land.”

    Shahzada, the elder son of the living legend, said that his mother was suffering from chest infection and had other multiple health complaints. He said that despite multiple appeals and requests, no official responded to his family sufferings.

  • Fawad Chaudhry’s wife launches fashion label

    Fawad Chaudhry’s wife launches fashion label

    Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry’s wife Hiba Fawad has debuted her fashion label Nisa Hussain at the 10th Hum Bridal Couture Week.

    Nisa Hussain closed Show 1 at the last day of the Hum Bridal Couture Week with a gorgeous collection of bridal and wedding outfits. Set in rich, luxurious materials and embellishments, the 16-piece collection had a diverse colour palette ranging from neutrals to red. Resham and Hareem Farooq were the showstoppers while Arif Lohar brought in some drama and energy to the ramp.

    In a statement, the brand said that “the collection reflects the brand’s take on traditional subcontinental bridalwear, infused with the designer’s signature silhouettes and embellishments. Set in rich, luxurious materials such as velvet, tissue, organza, cotton net, jamawar and shamoise, the collection features artisanal gold, copper, pearl, tilla and tabkakora embroideries with a diverse colour palette ranging from neutrals to red and everything in between.”

    Speaking about her debut, Nisa Hussain’s Creative Director Hiba said: “Pakistan’s fashion industry has gained remarkable ground all over the world, where our bridal wear is considered among the world’s finest couture. With my debut bridal collection at BCW, this marks a significant milestone for my young and emerging brand.”

    Read more – Farah Talib Aziz calls out Haris Shakeel for plagiarism

    Meanwhile, speaking at the event, Fawad said that his favourite collection from the day was the “one named after his daughter [Nisa Hussain]”. The minister also added that he was very happy to see designers showcase their creativity and talent at the event and that these outfits can prove to be a great export for Pakistan.

    When asked when he is launching at menswear line, Fawad said that his field is politics so we should not expect one anytime soon.

    https://youtu.be/mGSROXA8PYc

  • Mia Khalifa questions Mrs Jonas’ silence on farmers protest

    Lebanese-American media personality Mia Khalifa has left no stone unturned when it comes to extending her support to the Indian farmers as they continue to protest in Delhi. Despite immense backlash and death threats, Mia is standing strong for the farmers and is even urging people to join her and support them.

    While international stars and celebrities including Rihanna and John Cusack have been rallying for the farmers, Bollywood celebrities have chosen to either remain silent on the matter or act as a government mouthpiece. Mia recently questioned Priyanka Chopra’s silence on the matter, saying that it reminded her of “Shakira during the Beirut devastation.”

    Taking to Twitter, Khalifa wrote: “Is Mrs Jonas going to chime in at any point? I’m just curious. This is very much giving me Shakira during the Beirut devastation vibes. Silence.”

    Khalifa even shared a plate full of food on her Twitter timeline to highlight the importance of farmers, asserting that there will be no food without farmers.

    https://twitter.com/miakhalifa/status/1358248121856184322?s=19

    It is pertinent to add here that Chopra, in December 2020, had tweeted that farmers are “India’s food soldiers”.

    “Their fears need to be allayed. Their hopes need to be met,” the actor had said.

  • Models thank Imran Ashraf for appreciating their efforts

    Models thank Imran Ashraf for appreciating their efforts

    After walking the ramp at the Hum Bridal Couture Week 2021, Imran Ashraf has lauded and appreciated models for making all fashion shows successful with their hard work and dedication. Ashraf walked the ramp for Uzma Babar wearing a greenish-gold sherwani with Yumna Zaidi.

    In an Instagram post, the Ranjha Ranjha Kardi actor wrote: “This applause is solely for the models of the fashion week. You deserve all the credit for making the show successful.”

    “The celebrities are just mere guests at such events. It’s the models who are the real kings and queens, who deserve all the appreciation,” he added.

    Soon after Imran’s posts, models thanked the actor for appreciating and acknowledging their efforts.

    “This means so much,” said Maha Tahirani. “Absolutely glad to hear it and pleased to have people like you to look up to!”

    “You’re the sweetest Imran,” said Farwa Kazmi. “Indeed very humble. Thank you for acknowledging our hard work and respecting our platform. It was so great meeting you, you’re a wonderful person.”

    Similarly, another model Raahima Ali, commenting on Ashraf’s post, wrote: “Always had mad respect for you as a person and as an actor, but today that respect has skyrocketed. You are what they call a star sir. Thank you for acknowledging our work that’s barely ever shed any light on.”

    Supermodels Mushk Kaleem and Amna Baber also thanked Imran for his kind words.

    “Thank you for speaking up for the backbone of our fashion shows,” said Mushk. “Our models deserve so much applause and thank you for bringing that to everyone’s notice.”

    Read more – Mushk Kaleem opens up about taking drugs to lose weight

    Imran started his career as an actor in 2011 with supporting roles. His strong and heartfelt performances won the audience’s hearts making him an established actor in the field.

  • ‘This bashing has to stop,’ says Mehwish Hayat after ‘Groove Mera’ receives criticism

    Mehwish Hayat, Gohar Rasheed and Fatima Bhutto among others have stepped in to defend the official anthem of the sixth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Groove Mera after it received criticism on social media. This year’s anthem, released on Saturday, features Aima Baig, Naseebo Lal and Young Stunners.

    “I don’t know what the fuss is about?,” wrote Mehwish on Twitter. “I loved the new PSL anthem 2021. It was bold and fresh.”

    “This is what stifles creativity in our country, we always want more of the same and not prepared to accept anything different,” continued the actor. “This bashing has to stop. We need a diversity of voices and ideas.”

    Similarly, Rasheed questioned: “Why do we always have to bash PSL anthem? Has it become a ritual?”

    “Groove Mera has a nice stadium anthem vibe to it,” said the actor, adding: “Remember putting up a show in these times is not easy. So let’s show some respect and support, because the world is watching us.”

    Meesha Shafi also lauded the anthem, referring to Naseebo Lal as “Queen”.

    Other noted personalities including Wasim Akram, Fatima Bhutto and Maria Memon also tweeted in support of the anthem.

    Bhutto said she loved Naseebo Lal in the anthem, while Akram reminded everyone that Groove Mera is just a song.

    Meanwhile, the song has more than 2.5 million hits and is trending at number one on YouTube Pakistan.

  • HBCW21: More stars than fashion

    HBCW21: More stars than fashion

    If there is one thing that we love about Hum TV’s annual Bridal Couture Week (HBCW) it has to be the number of stars at the event. From Imran Ashraf to Sarah Khan to Resham, all the ‘it’ stars of the season were spotted setting the ramp on fire or in the front row or just hanging out backstage. While all this makes the HCBW an exciting affair, I wish I could say the same about the fashion and the outfits on the ramp because my biggest takeaway from the three-day extravaganza was the celebrity showstoppers and the acts they put up.

    Imran Ashraf & Yumna Zaidi walk for Umsha by Uzma Babar

    Held at the Pearl Continental Hotel in Lahore, this year’s HBCW was a grand affair despite COVID limitations. I have to add here that the organisers did a fantastic job ensuring all SOPs were followed and all attendees were wearing masks (and covering their nose and mouth) at all times.

    “I spent the entire Day 1 ensuring that everyone was wearing their masks properly,” remarked Moiz Kazmi of MK Digital while talking to me. He shared that the organising team present on site was under strict instructions to ensure that everyone was following the necessary SOPs and if anyone was found violating them, they were immediately escorted out of the hall. All chairs were also placed at a distance to ensure social distancing.

    Moreso, in an official announcement, Hum TV said that all models and those participating were required to undergo COVID-19 tests. The announcement also added that fittings will not be done during the event to ensure minimum contact. This explains why several models and showstoppers were seen wearing ill-fitted garments.

    This year’s HCBW saw many favourites including Ali Xeeshan and Khadijah Shah return to fashion weeks and one has to say that the two are game-changers. While Xeeshan’s collection Numaish wasn’t as strong as his previous ones, the message he intended to give out through his show was brilliant. Trust Ali Xeeshan to bring his signature drama to the ramp while creating social awareness. On the other hand, Shah presented a gorgeous collection of bridal dresses which are bound to be bestsellers in the upcoming wedding season.

    Despite being a hard year on several fronts, it was heartening to see many new designers debut. For instance, Nisa Hussain made a strong debut with theatrics and fashion. Arif Lohar opened her show with his Jugni Jee, grooving on the ramp like there is no tomorrow. Her showstopper Resham brought in some old-school glam, while Hareem Farooq was the chirpy, modern bride who likes to enjoy her wedding day.

    I have to admit that like any other person, I love to watch my favourite stars on the ramp but at the same time their casual attitude really puts me off. For example, Hira Mani and Affan Waheed who walked for Alishba and Nabeel on Day 1 chatted as they walked down the ramp. Similarly, Saboor Aly could barely manage her dress and stumbled several times. Usman Mukhtar and Salman Saeed appeared as if they were forced to walk. But not all was bad. Ayesha Omar and Maya Ali glided down the ramp as did Imran Ashraf and Yumna Zaidi. Sarah Khan and Falak Shabir brought their romance to the stage which made our hearts flutter.

    Interestingly, the fashion was not the only thing that was unoriginal. Nabila’s makeup team also presented looks which we have seen several times before and it felt that not much effort was made to bring in fresh trends as far as makeup is concerned.

    President of Hum Network Sultana Siddiqui, in a press release, said that the show was being presented “to bring normalcy to everyday life” and the show was successful in that as it offered a nice break from the monotony of COVID-times.

  • PSL 6 anthem ‘Groove Mera’ has everyone buzzing

    The much-awaited anthem of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season six featuring Aima Baig, Naseebo Lal and Young Stunners has finally released.

    Titled Groove Mera, the track starts with Naseebo Lal’s strong vocals and as she takes charge, the audience is guaranteed to start buzzing to the track. We go on to see Aima Baig who, in her quintessential style, delivers powerful vocals. Then we see Young Stunners making an entrance as they rap their way into the song. The rap has been written by the artists themselves. 

    “Continuing the rich tradition of entertaining PSL fans with a new anthem for each season, Groove Mera refers to the swing and feel of the movements of cricketers. It refers to moments of finesse that one finds in the heart of every cricket match,” read the official statement by the league.

    “This year’s anthem also reflects the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the majority of the fans will be watching Pakistan’s biggest sporting event remotely, this anthem cheers both players on the field and their fans at home as they celebrate their groove,” continued the statement, adding: “Most importantly, the best part of this year’s anthem is that, it is featuring female vocalists as the leads.”

    Last year’s anthem Tayyar Hain featuring Asim Azhar, Ali Azmat and Haroon had disappointed fans. The star-studded collaboration had failed to impress cricket aficionados, who retaliated by poking fun at the song.

    Read more – ‘I’m sorry’: Asim Azhar responds to backlash on PSL anthem

    Groove Mera has been composed by Xulfi while the music video has been directed by Fida Moin.

  • Shibli, Fawad meet Shaan to condole Neelo Begum’s demise

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz and Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry met Shaan Shahid on Saturday to condole over his mother, Neelo Begum’s demise.

    The ministers offered condolences on the death of actress and offered prayers for her.

    https://twitter.com/FawadPTIUpdates/status/1357995312766410752?s=19

    Taking to Twitter, Shaan thanked Faraz and Chaudhry for visiting him and offering their prayers.

    “Thank you for being a part of us,” wrote Shaan on Twitter. “The connection of the people and their representatives grows stronger when we share each other’s sorrows and joy.”

    The actor also tagged Prime Minister Imran Khan, referring to him as a “true leader”, implying that PM Khan had also sent his condolences via the ministers. Earlier, PM Imran had expressed his condolences on social media.

    Neelo Begum passed away at the age of 80 on January 31. She was suffering from cancer.

    Meanwhile, earlier Shaan also penned a heartfelt note for his late mother and wished that his mother has reunited with his father Riaz Shahid in heaven.

  • Farah Talib Aziz calls out Haris Shakeel for plagiarism

    Fashion powerhouse Farah Talib Aziz and her daughter Maliha Aziz Jamil have called out designer Haris Shakeel for plagiarising their work.

    Read more – ‘Ichhra looking hairpiece’: Nabila receives flak for ridiculing local makeup artist’s work

    Commenting under an Instagram post which compared the two outfits, the mother-daughter duo called out the designer for blatantly copying their designs and passing them as his own. Their comments come just after Shakeel successfully showcased his bridal collection at the ongoing Hum Bridal Couture Week 2021.

    According to Maliha, this is not the first time Haris has copied their designs.

    “If you are a designer then why not come up with your own designs instead of copying Farah,” said Maliha. “Don’t you feel any embarrassment when you order online from Farah Talib Aziz and then keep those dresses as your own samples to take orders on from your shop?”

    “What is the point of copying our designs from two years ago?” she said further, adding: “This must be the tenth time you have been caught making blatant copies of Farah Talib Aziz.”

    “Do you not feel ashamed of yourself?,” she questioned.

    Similarly, Farah also asked Haris stop “constantly copying” her designs.

    Meanwhile, Haris is yet to comment on the matter. The designer showcased his collection Ishq on the first day of the Bridal Couture Week with Saboor Aly as his showstopper.

  • ‘Stop killing dogs,’ says Hania Aamir after authorities allegedly shoot puppy

    A resident of Defence Housing Authority (DHA), Karachi Mehak Taherani has accused security officials of the private housing society of shooting dead her pet dog outside her house.

    “My puppy was shot dead by DHA outside my house,” said Mehak on Instagram. “Her name was Kobe.”

    Sharing details of the incident, Mehak, in a video, said: “My six-month-old dog was shot dead by DHA [police]. She was out doing her business in the morning [when she was shot] even though the guards of my street told the police that this is a house pet. Yet they shot her. Not once, but three times.”

    “I don’t understand why this happened or what she did to deserve such a thing,” said a visibly distressed Mehak in the video.

    Mehak further said that she will be filling a case against the police of the private housing authority, adding that she does not know how far this case will go.

    “The whole street knew her,” shared Mehak. “She slept right outside our house in a dog bed and was extremely friendly with everyone who came by.”

    “It is not okay that any agency of anywhere gets to get away with this,” remarked the resident. “I am shocked at the inhumanity in our country and its people. They [dogs] are scared of you, you do not need to feel threatened.”

    “What if he was a German Shepherd? Would it have been shot?,” questioned Mehak. “Probably not.”

    Soon after the video started doing the rounds on social media, several celebrities including Hania Aamir and Yasir Hussain condemned the brutal killing of the dog.

    Sharing Mehak’s video, Hania said: “She’s right. If it was a pure bred dog this would have never happened.”

    “Stop killing stray dogs,” she asserted.

    Meanwhile, several journalists and social media users also condemned the incident and urged authorities to take notice.

    Last week, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) imposed a complete ban on shooting stray dogs in the city.