One of Pakistan’s most-loved celebrity couples, Farhan Saeed and Urwa Hocane have reportedly parted ways with mutual understanding.
According to reports, the couple has decided to mutually end their three-year marriage.
While the couple has not yet made an official statement, reports have stated that the reason behind their separation is mounting tension and irreconcilable differences.
Recently in an interview, Hocane had said if her husband wants to remarry, she will remain silent.
The couple tied the knot in an intimate Nikkah ceremony at the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore on December 16, 2016.
Meanwhile, fans have rejected the reports and are waiting for the couple to make an official announcement.
Weren't they just talking about each other in recent interviews with @Something_Haute? … Extremely sad and shocking… Allah reham kare#FarhanSaeed#UrwaHocane
Yasir Hussain and Iqra Aziz are not one to shy away from expressing their love publicly. The biggest proof of this was their engagement, which took place in front of thousands of people at an award function last year.
On Iqra’s birthday, Yasir took to Instagram to wish his wife with an Allama Iqbal shair and a heartwarming wish.
Sharing a picture of the two, Yasir wrote: “I love you to the moon and back aur uss say bhi aagay kyunkay sitaron se aagay jahan aur bhi hain, abhi ishq ke imtihan aur bhi hain.”
Thanking Yasir in the comments, Iqra expressed her love for him and said: “Shaadi k is ek saal main apnay jitna khush mujhe rakha hai ab agay zindagi aur bhi haseen hogi inshAllah [You’ve kept me so happy during this one year of marriage, that I look forward to more].”
“I love you my lifeline,” she added.
Yasir also celebrated Iqra’s birthday at midnight with a cake.
Iqra and Yasir tied the knot on December 28, 2019. This is Iqra’s first birthday with husband Yasir.
American music sensation Cher, who has long been campaigning for Kaavan’s release will reportedly be arriving in Pakistan on November 27 to see the elephant off.
According to a report in Gulf News, Cher is arriving in Islamabad on November 27 to see Kaavan off as he leaves for Cambodia, where he will spend the rest of his life in a wildlife reserve. The singer says that it will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience and that she “will sob” when she sees him for the first time.
Just saw Kaavan made a little Video. He’s SO PRECIOUS. I Will SOB WHEN I SEE HIM 4 THE FIRST TIME Maybe I’ll need a Take 2😉. IM STARTING TO GET SO EXCITED
Earlier, the singer had revealed that she had composed two songs for Kaavan.
“Can’t wait to sing to him on way to Cambodia,” Cher had said in a tweet.
36-year-old Kaavan is being relocated to a wildlife sanctuary in Cambodia for retirement after the Islamabad High Court in May this year ruled that the Margazhar Zoo is not fit for animals. Kaavan has spent most of his life in a small enclosure with meagre shelter, and the last eight years alone after his companion elephant Saheli died. The court’s decision came after a four-year global campaign, backed by Cher. He is set to fly out of Pakistan on November 29 on a Russian cargo plane, specially chartered for his transportation.
Kaavan’s travelling crate
“All arrangements have been made, a Russian plane has been chartered that will land at Rawalpindi’s military (Chaklala Airport) in the morning of November 29, the same evening Kaavan will depart the Marghazar Zoo at 3 PM in VIP protocol paying his last regards to the city where he was brought as a calf from Sri Lanka in 1985. Kaavan was brought up at the same Marghazar Zoo. Here he had a female companion Saheli who later died of gangrene in 2012,” shared Director of the Four Paws Project Dr Amir Khalil. Four Paws International, the global animal welfare organisation in collaboration with another animals’ rights group, Free the Wild, has raised funds for the relocation of the elephant from Pakistan to Cambodia.
“Now at the age of 36, Kaavan is leaving for yet another home into retirement,” added Dr Khalil.
Meanwhile, Islamabad Zoo on Monday gave a farewell party to Kaavan which was attended by the public and government officials. The party was held right outside Kaavan’s enclosure and also included performances by Haroon, Natasha Baig, Khumaariyan and Arieb Azhar.
Speaking at the farewell, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam said: “It is a sad but the right step to send off the animal to a sanctuary where it will be in a much bigger space and with its own kind.”
PTI Senator Faisal Javed Khan, who was also at the event, tweeted: “Sorry and farewell to Kaavan as our dearest (from childhood) is off to Cambodia.”
..preserve the ecological habitats & wildlife while focusing on eco tourism & nature conservation. Kavaan-we all remember from our childhood ll surely b missing Saheli who remained his partner here frm 1990to2002(untill her death) Kavaan ll join his new friends in Cambodia. @cherpic.twitter.com/u2bwwuRVe8
Later, President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi also paid a visit to Islamabad to bid farewell to Kaavan.
During his visit, President Alvi said that he hopes that Kaavan finds happiness in Cambodia.
President Dr. Arif Alvi paid a visit to Islamabad Zoo to pay farewell to Kaavan- the elephant. He was briefed about the arrangements for Kaavan's transportation to Cambodia. pic.twitter.com/B33tn8sTEx
Retirement of Kaavan to Cambodia is a result of consideration of the feelings of animals. Mohd bin Musa Al-Damiri wrote a book حیات الحیوان in 14th century. In intro he says that he wants to change wrong human beliefs about animals. That they have intelligence and strong feelings https://t.co/jHtRxg8MBf
Uzair Jaswal just dropped a new single Yaadaan, the music video of which features Minal Khan. And like most of his songs, this one is also about heartbreak.
According to the singer, “Yaadaan is a song about heartbreak. It’s a nostalgic journey down memory lane. Bittersweet, just how life is.”
In the music video, Uzair can be seen reminiscing about lost love. The video shows Uzair and Minal first as a happy couple but their love story ends up having a sad ending.
The video has been directed by Adnan Aslam and Umair Mushtaq, while the vocals and guitars were recorded by Sarmad Ghafoor.
Prior to the release of the single, there was a lot of buzz surrounding it after Jaswal posted pictures with Minal on Instagram, with fans speculating whether the two celebrities were starring together in a drama or a music video.
Jaswal is a Pakistani singer, songwriter, and actor who has been making waves in the Pakistani music scene. He was also the youngest Coke Studio’s sensation. Meanwhile, Minal has gained popularity with of her recent drama Jalan in which she perfectly portrays the evil and narcissistic sister, Nisha.
A proud moment for Pakistan as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection Dr Sania Nishtar and Mahira Khan make it to BBC’s ‘100 women of 2020‘ list.
According to BBC, the list includes “100 inspiring and influential women from around the world for 2020”.
“This year 100 Women is highlighting those who are leading change and making a difference during these turbulent times,” said the publication.
Writing about Mahira, BBC said: “Mahira Khan is no ordinary actress – she is outspoken against sexual violence, refuses to endorse skin-lightening creams and supports the fight against racism. She wants to tackle social issues in her native Pakistan by changing the narrative in films and on TV.”
“Mahira is a national goodwill ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, raising awareness of the plight of Afghan refugees in Pakistan. She’s been a firm favourite with audiences ever since starting out as an MTV video jockey (VJ) in 2006. Mahira is also a devoted mother to her 11-year-old son,” it added.
Mahira Khan with son Azlan
Similarly, talking about Dr Nishtar, BBC wrote: “Dr Sania Nishtar is a leader in global health and sustainable development. Since 2018, she has been spearheading the transformative Ehsaas Poverty Alleviation programme, which has improved the livelihoods of millions of Pakistanis by providing mobile banking and savings accounts, and other basic resources.”
“As SAPM on Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Sania has helped to empower the masses by taking the necessary first steps toward the development of a welfare state in Pakistan.”
Explaining the process behind the selection, BBC stated: “The BBC’s 100 Women team drew up a shortlist based on names gathered by them and suggested by the BBC’s network of World Service languages teams. We were looking for candidates who had made the headlines or influenced important stories over the past 12 months, as well as those who have inspiring stories to tell, achieved something significant or influenced their societies in ways that wouldn’t necessarily make the news. The pool of names was then assessed against this year’s theme – women who led change – and measured for regional representation and due impartiality before the final names were chosen.”
The list also includes Sanna Marin, who leads Finland’s all-female coalition government, Michelle Yeoh, star of the new Avatar and Marvel films and Sarah Gilbert, who heads the Oxford University research into a coronavirus vaccine. Meanwhile, one name on the list has been left blank as a tribute to countless women “around the world who have made sacrifices to help others”.
Meesha Shafi has shut down all rumours and reports that suggested that she would like to date Captain of the Pakistan cricket team Babar Azam.
In a story posted to her Instagram, Meesha shared a post by Babar Azam Fan Army which stated that the singer is a big fan of Azam’s, adding that Meesha would “love to date him”.
Rubbishing the claims, Shafi wrote: “I have no idea who this is or why it exists. It makes zero sense. 100% concocted out of thin air.”
“This quote is fabricated,” she added and requested Instagram to remove it.
Later, Meesha also shared that she received an apology from the Instagram account that posted the news and that she now “considers this ridiculous matter closed”.
This is a 100% fabricated, false and fake quote. I have received an apology from the Instagram page where this was first posted. And with this…. I consider this ridiculous matter closed! 🙏🏼 https://t.co/NSnB2CRuADpic.twitter.com/vVYO0lE8Hs
Appearing as a guest on the latest season of the Netflix series My Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman, acclaimed American stand-up comedian Dave Chappelle opened up about his spiritual journey.
“I wanted to have a meaningful life, a spiritual life, not just what my hands can hold,” he said. “I felt like I’ve always had this notion that life should mean something.”
Chappelle, 47, revealed that his conversion came about through his visits to his local pizza shop as 17-year-old growing up in Washington, DC. He recalled that it was the positive vibes of the Muslim staff that caught his attention.
“The pizza shop was across from my house and it was, like, all these Muslim dudes that worked in there,” he said. “I used to go in there and crack jokes. And I am also a naturally curious guy and I would ask [the owner] questions about his religion and the guy was so passionate about it. It was very compelling. I liked the perspective of it.”
Chappelle also expressed his weariness surrounding the public discourse about Islam.
“It’s been presented in the public space in such a narrow and dismissive view,” he said. “It’s a beautiful religion. And the ideas in that religion are reflected in all the major Abrahamic faiths. You’ll see these ideas in both Christianity and Judaism, you know. It is the idea that this place does mean something, you know?”
In the interview, the actor also shared one of his favourite stories from Islamic history – the one which centered on the origins of Zamzam water.
“The thing that comforts me about it is the idea that all of this is from a singular source and the source is ultimately kind. And even though we may not understand the intentions of this source, we’re all connected and bounded by it”, he said.
An Indian state on Sunday asked police to investigate Netflix series A Suitable Boy after a member of the country’s ruling party objected to scenes in the series, in which a Hindu girl kisses a Muslim boy against the backdrop of a Hindu temple.
The series, based on an English novel by one of India’s leading writers Vikram Seth, follows a young girl’s quest for a husband in the backdrop of newly independent India (1951). It is directed by celebrated Indian filmmaker Mira Nair.
“It has extremely objectionable scenes that have hurt the feelings of a particular religion,” Narottam Mishra, the interior minister of the central state of Madhya Pradesh, said on Twitter.
“I’ve directed police officers to get this controversial content tested” to determine “what legal action can be taken against the producer-director of the film for hurting religious sentiments”.
He later said: “For objectionable scenes in the web series A Suitable Boy, an FIR has been lodged against Monika Shergill (Vice President Content, Netflix India) and Ambika Khurana (Director, Public Policy at Netflix) associated with the management under Section 295 A (willfully hurting religious sentiments) in the Civil Lines Police Station of Reeva.”
वेब सीरीज ‘A Suitable boy’ में आपत्तिजनक दृश्यों के लिए #OTTPlatform#Netflix के प्रबंधन से जुड़ीं मोनिका शेरगिल और अंबिका खुराना के खिलाफ रीवा के सिविल लाइंस थाने में धारा 295 ए (धार्मिक भावनाओं को जानबूझ कर ठेस पहुंचाने) के तहत एफआईआर दर्ज की गई है। pic.twitter.com/84A4ZlLz6Y
Gaurav Tiwari, a leader of the youth wing of India’s ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which also governs Madhya Pradesh, has filed a separate complaint against Netflix and warned of street protests by Hindus if the series is not taken off the platform. He also accused the show and streaming platform of promoting ‘love jihad’ – a term radical Hindu groups use to accuse Muslim men of converting Hindu women by marriage.
A Netflix India spokesman declined comment on the police complaint.
It is pertinent to mention here that the six-part series was officially commissioned by BBC Studios and produced on a budget of £16 million making it one of the most expensive BBC series ever made. Netflix is the exclusive distributor of the series for all global territories, except continental North America and China. It released on the streaming platform on October 23, 2020.
Social media commentators say the scope for creative freedom is narrowing in India, especially when it involves any depiction of Hindu-Muslim relations.
Many Indians took to Twitter demanding a boycott of Netflix, which sees India as one of its most promising growth markets, but where its shows have faced legal challenges.
Last month, a unit of India’s Tata conglomerate withdrew a jewellery advertisement featuring a Hindu-Muslim family celebrating a baby shower, following threats to one of its stores and wide criticism on social media.
Earlier this month, the Indian government announced rules to regulate content on video streaming platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Walt Disney’s Hotstar.
Hamza Ali Abbasi’s birthday wish for wife Naimal Khawar might have been a few days late, but it sure was worth the wait.
Sharing a lovely family photo of them dressed in white, Hamza said: “Couldn’t have wasted this wish while travelling, so here goes: I thank Allah every day for his biggest gift to me in this world, I love you Naimal and it’s a blessing from Allah that I get to spend my life with you.”
He also praised Naimal for being an amazing mother and showered her with lots of love.
According to details, Hamza and Naimal are travelling back to Pakistan from the United States, where Hamza is studying religion at the Ghamidi Center of Islamic Learning.
With the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) insisting that they will go ahead with the Peshawar jalsa as planned on November 22, despite a sharp increase in cases of COVID-19, Special Assistant to PM on Political Communication Dr Shahbaz Gill has accused opposition parties of not caring about the lives of ordinary people.
Taking a dig at Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari’s upcoming engagement, Dr Gill shared a picture of the invitation card and said: “For Bakhtawar’s engagement, you need a mandatory COVID-19 test report or you will not be allowed to enter Bilawal House. But you call ordinary citizens to your jalsas and put them at risk.”
“These are those people who consider the public to be less than them,” added the SAPM.
بختاور کی منگنی پروگرام کیلئے کرونا ٹیسٹ کی رپورٹ بھیجنا لازم ورنہ آپ کو بلاول ہاوس آنے نہیں دیاجائیگا خلقِ خدا کو جب جلسوں میں بلاتے ہو تو کیوں اُن کی جانوں کا خیال نہیں رکھتے اپنی جانیں تو بہت عزیز ہیں تمہیں؟ یہ ہے وہ فرعونیت یہ ہے وہ ظالمانہ سوچ جو عوام کوکم ترسمجھتے ہیں pic.twitter.com/WsBEqmCmsf
Bakhtawar will be getting engaged to Mahmood Choudhry on November 27 at Bilawal House in Karachi. All guests attending the ceremony have been requested to get tested for COVID-19 and send the results via e-mail.
“All attendees are requested to please email a scanned copy of their negative COVID-19 PCR test result 24 hours prior to attendance. This is a mandatory requirement for security clearance,” the invitation reads.
The guests have also been asked not to bring mobile phones with them due to security purposes.
“Please note — no photography or mobile phones will be permitted inside the venue and photographs will be available for all guests through our official photographer.”
“We thank you in advance for adhering to our safety protocols to keep you and your loved ones safe, and enable us all to enjoy the occasion,” it added.
The couple will reportedly tie the knot in January 2021 in Karachi.
Meanwhile, it is being reported that Bakhtawar is looking to recreate her mother Benazir Bhutto’s Nikkah look for her engagement.
