Category: Entertainment

Aamir Sajjad, a pop culture enthusiast, launched Pakistan’s first Superman and Christopher Reeve fan club on Friday. At the launch event, he also announced Comic Con Pakistan, a pop culture festival that will take place on January 31, 2026, at the Karachi Expo Centre.

As part of the pre-launch event, Sajjad also revealed a life-sized Superman statue from his personal collection. The statue was unveiled at the Comic Con Pakistan head office in Clifton, Karachi. The event also coincided with the release of a new Superman movie directed by James Gunn and distributed by Warner Bros Pictures.

While comic conventions are still growing in popularity in Pakistan, cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad have already seen passionate fans, cosplayers, and collectors building strong communities. Sajjad shared plans to take Comic Con to the next level, expanding it to studios and cafés and even inviting Hollywood stars.

Sajjad’s love for movies started in childhood. Over the past 20 to 30 years, he built a massive collection of original Hollywood movie items.

“I now have more than 5,000 collectibles,” he said. “These include Rambo’s knives and bullet casings fired at King Kong, signed by filmmaker Peter Jackson.”

Despite little support from his family, he stayed committed to his dream of launching a full Comic Con in Pakistan.

Sajjad also revealed that Superhero Pakistan, the official mascot for the event, is based on the Pakistani flag. He said a major film project based on the character is already in development.

HKC Entertainment, the official distributor of many Hollywood movies in Pakistan, has also partnered with Comic Con Pakistan.

At the event, Sajjad remembered one of his previous exhibitions at IVS Gallery. “Children came to see it, some of them had special needs,” he said. “They met superheroes and left feeling happy and inspired. That moment kept me going.”

Sajjad added, “Who exactly is a ‘Superman’ and what does he do? Anyone who changes other people’s lives is a Superman.” He also mentioned that he has created over 500 original superhero characters.

Journalist Khursheed Hyder, who attended the launch, said she was “very impressed” by Sajjad. “He’s always on the go, doing different things,” she said. “It’s not an easy hobby; it takes a lot of time, money, and thought.” She also praised how realistic the Superman statue looked.

Talking about her childhood love for the hero, she said, “When you make a person famous, you start liking what they represent. Superman was larger than life; we read the comics, watched him on TV and in films. He stood for justice, goodness, and helping others. That leaves an impact on you.”

Another guest, Saima Hashim, said, “It’s a big step forward for the creative industry here. This platform will open countless opportunities for everyone, especially the youth, to showcase their talents, express themselves, and connect with like-minded communities.”

The Superman statue, which has real eyebrows, crystal eyes, and lifelike hair, has been with Sajjad for nearly 15 years. He shared that a close friend who works at a major art studio helped him design every detail, from the pose to the base.

Sajjad also announced that several mini-events are planned before the main Comic Con launch next year. These smaller events are all part of the “road to Comic Con” campaign.

Tajik singer and social media sensation Abdu Roziq is reportedly facing a travel ban. This follows his release on bail on Sunday after being detained at Dubai International Airport on Saturday over alleged theft charges.

According to media reports, the 21-year-old was detained shortly after arriving in Dubai from Montenegro. Reports citing sources claimed, “Roziq has been released on bail, but has been banned from traveling abroad.” This claim, however, has not yet been confirmed by Dubai authorities.

Dubai Police and the Dubai Media Office have both declined to comment on the matter, and no official statement has been issued as of Sunday afternoon.

Interestingly, Roziq later posted a video on Instagram showing himself receiving an award at the India International Influencers Awards (IIIA) held at the Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights Hotel on July 12.

Abdu Roziq, who rose to global fame through his appearance on the 16th season of India’s reality show Bigg Boss, stands just over 3 feet tall due to a hormone deficiency and is one of the region’s most recognisable young stars. He holds a UAE Golden Visa and has lived in Dubai for several years, gaining widespread popularity through his music, viral videos, and appearance on Bigg Boss 16.

In 2024, Roziq made headlines for fighting his first boxing match at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena and launching his restaurant “Habibi” in the UK. That same year, he was also summoned for questioning by India’s Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case, though he was not named as an accused.

The nature of the current allegations in Dubai remains unclear as fans await an official statement.

The entertainment industry is speaking up about the issue of delayed payments in Pakistan and its impact on the livelihoods of artists.

In a video message shared on social media, senior actor Syed Muhammad Ahmed criticised production houses for how they handle artists’ payments. “Production houses try to make actors beg like beggars for their money in every project,” he said.

“It was once considered shameful to talk about payment issues, and even today the topic is treated as taboo but now more artists are beginning to speak up,” he noted. 

“Production houses make artists work until 1am instead of 9pm and actors have to keep working even when they don’t want to. But when it comes to paying them, a delay of five to six months has become normal,” he explained.

“After waiting for months, actors often have to share their personal struggles to finally get paid and even then, the cheque is handed over as if it is an act of favour. Actors have to explain their situation like beggars just to get what they’re owed,” he said, adding that “Payment issues in the industry have now reached a serious point and raising one’s voice is crucial. Money has become the biggest need now and it is time to speak up for our rights.”

Meanwhile, actor Faizan Khawaja has announced his decision to leave Pakistan’s entertainment industry, citing chronic delays in payments and widespread mistreatment as the main reasons behind his exit.

In an Instagram story on Sunday, Faizan revealed that financial instability and a lack of accountability within the industry had taken a serious toll on his well-being. He said, “I had to repeatedly ask for the payment I had already earned. That’s why I said goodbye to showbiz.”

Faizan stated that the problem is systemic and affects countless artists who rely on acting to support their families. 

He shared, “These cheques often came two years late. Sometimes they never came at all,” adding that in some cases the delayed cheques became void and forced actors to work without pay or legal help.

He also cited the example of the late Humaira Asghar Ali, who reportedly faced similar struggles with unpaid dues amid serious health and financial challenges.

“Many of us live under constant stress unable to pay rent or utility bills yet continue working in silence,” Faizan added. “Keep quiet, keep working and keep begging. That’s how the system works.”

Describing his decision as deeply emotional, he said the constant humiliation and financial uncertainty eventually outweighed the creative satisfaction of acting. “I’m not alone,” he added. “Many actors quit because they can no longer tolerate the exploitation.”

Faizan’s post was met with an outpouring of support from fans and fellow artists who praised his courage and called for systemic reforms to protect industry professionals. He warned, “Unless real structural changes are made, more artists will continue to be driven out by exploitation disguised as opportunity.”

Veteran director and producer Mehreen Jabbar has also openly criticised the persistent issue of payment delays in the television industry, calling the system “deeply flawed” and “unprofessional.”

Despite the industry’s growing viewership and global reach, Jabbar believes its internal practices remain compromised. She said, “In the US, even with all their issues, there’s a fixed schedule for payments. People know when they’ll get paid. Here, you have to chase payments like beggars.”

She emphasised that the problem is not limited to lead actors or big names but affects everyone from directors to spot boys, lighting technicians and other crew members. “Ask anyone and they’ll have horror stories. This is across every channel and production house,” she added.

According to Jabbar, the situation is especially dire for crew members who are already underpaid and lack basic protections. “They do the hardest labour. But with no union, no rights and no fair pay they remain trapped.”

She said that while some actors can speak up or move on to better markets, most behind-the-scenes workers do not have that option. “Working in Pakistan has become more disheartening,” she admitted. “Compared to other places, the difference in professionalism and organisation is stark.”

She noted that the only relatively smooth productions tend to be short-form content or brand-sponsored projects where stricter timelines and corporate oversight help prevent delays. Jabbar, whose career spans over 30 years, said it is disappointing to still be fighting the same battles. “In some ways, things have gotten worse. There’s no real change and I’m not sure if there ever will be.”

Major developments have emerged in Humaira Asghar’s case as police further probe into her personal data and contacts.

The actress was found dead in her flat in Karachi’s Defence Phase 6 on July 8. Latest media reports, citing police officials, reveal that electronic devices used by the actress, including three mobile phones, a tablet, and a laptop, have been unlocked, and their data is now being analysed. The passwords for all these devices were discovered written in her personal diary.

According to investigators, statements of two people linked to the case have already been recorded, while two more individuals have been summoned for questioning.

Early findings indicate that Humaira would go to the gym regularly and stay in touch with a beautician. Police added that they will contact her gym trainer and other relevant people to push the investigation forward.

Officers are also reviewing her bank account details and analysing communication records to identify any potential links with close connections.

Humaira Asghar’s body was brought from Karachi and laid to rest in Lahore.

The father of actress Humaira Asghar has spoken publicly for the first time.

Humaira Asghar, who was found dead in her apartment in Karachi’s Defence Phase 6, was laid to rest in Lahore on Friday, where her father briefly spoke to the media during her funeral.

When asked by a journalist why he had not been in touch with his daughter for nine months and what he thought of the post-mortem report, Humaira’s father said, “I don’t know anything about this, all this information is with my son. I don’t even have a smartphone; I only keep a simple phone.”

He also denied reports claiming the family refused to receive Humaira’s body. “None of us ever refused to claim Humaira’s body. The medical process was not complete yet, and the body can only be handed over to the family once that’s done,” he said.

When asked if there should be an investigation into his daughter’s death, Humaira’s father looked towards the sky and said, “Whatever Allah wills, that is what will happen.”

Meanwhile, Humaira’s cousin told the media that her father had been in their village, grieving his sister’s death just days before the news, which is why he was out of touch.

Humaira Asghar’s body was discovered on July 8 in a flat at Ittehad Commercial when a court bailiff arrived to evict her over unpaid rent. After repeated knocks went unanswered, the door was forced open, revealing the decomposed body.

According to the initial post-mortem report, the body was in the final stage of decomposition, suggesting that the actress had died about nine months ago. The report noted that the flesh from the lower part of her body had completely deteriorated and the corpse had begun to attract insects.

Earlier, reports circulated that her family had refused to come to Karachi to claim her body. However, her remains were eventually handed over to her family, and she was laid to rest in Lahore on Friday with significant media coverage at the funeral.

Meanwhile, social media users have noted the absence of people from the entertainment industry at Humaira’s funeral.

Actress Tuba Anwar has revealed that a special WhatsApp group has been created to help actresses in the showbiz industry stay connected and check in on each other’s mental health and well-being.

In an interview with a digital media outlet, Tuba revealed, “Some actresses have come together to form this group with the aim of regularly staying in touch and checking on each other’s mental health.”

She said this step was taken after the tragic death of actress Humaira Asghar Ali, who was reportedly struggling with loneliness and lacked social support. “There are many actresses who live away from their families for work, and they are all being included in this group,” she added.

“Humaira’s death has drawn attention to the importance of mental health and mutual support in the industry,” Tuba said.

She further explained the purpose of the group, saying, “Actresses will not only share their thoughts but also try to support each other so no one feels isolated. Many of my friends also work far from their hometowns and have been deeply affected by Humaira’s passing.”

This initiative comes after the heartbreaking discovery Humaira Asghar Ali, whose decomposed body was found in a flat in Defence Phase 6, Karachi. 

She had been living alone in the rented apartment for the past seven years, after moving to Karachi from Lahore in 2018.

Her remains were discovered when a court bailiff arrived to vacate her flat on July 8, after the landlord filed a complaint over unpaid rent. When repeated knocks went unanswered, the bailiff broke the door open and found the 32-year-old actor’s body lying in a room, hidden away for months.

Initially, Karachi Police Surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed estimated that Humaira had been dead for at least a month, based on the advanced stage of decomposition. However, investigators now believe her death occurred back in October 2024.

Her last Facebook post was shared on September 11, 2024, and her final Instagram update was on September 30. Deputy Inspector General Syed Asad Raza confirmed that Humaira’s phone records show her last dialled call was made in October 2024. After that, her phone remained inactive.

Investigators also found that her apartment’s electricity had been disconnected since October last year due to unpaid bills. The flat’s water pipes were dry and rusted, expired food was found in the kitchen, and there were no candles or backup lights.

“There were rusted jars, dry pipes, and no signs of electricity or candles in her flat,” an investigator said. “One neighbor returned to the vacant apartment on the same floor in February but by then the smell had faded because the balcony door had been left open.”

Humaira Asghar Ali rose to fame after winning Veet Miss Super Model in 2014 and was known for her appearance in the reality show Tamasha Ghar in 2022. She also acted in popular dramas including Just Married, Ehsaan Faramosh, Guru and Chal Dil Mere, and appeared in films like Jalaibee (2015) and Love Vaccine (2021).

Police efforts to locate her family revealed that Humaira’s father had severed ties with her nearly two years ago and initially refused to come to Karachi to claim her body. However, her remains were eventually handed over to her family on July 11.

Initial post-mortem findings of the autopsy conducted on the remains of Humaira Asghar Ali in Karachi’s upscale Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Phase VI, have revealed that the actress died eight to 10 months ago.

Police Surgeon Summaiya Syed prepared the autopsy report, stating in it that the body was severely decomposed and unrecognisable at the time of recovery.

Medico-legal findings revealed that the body was in an “advanced stage of decomposition”, facial muscles were completely deteriorated, and fingers and nails were “reduced to bone”.

Other details that have been noted in the findings include that her bones began to “disintegrate upon touch”, while brain matter was completely decomposed via autolysis. Internal organs had turned into a “black-coloured mass” and while her bones were not fractured, the cartilage in the joints was not present. 

Humaira’s head and spine remained intact, but no spinal cord was detected. Brown-coloured insects were present, especially in the hair, but no maggots were found.

Additionally, the report stated that due to the extent of the decomposition, it is impossible to determine the exact cause of death. 

However, Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) profiling and toxicology tests are underway and are expected to provide further insight. Hair strands, clothes and blood samples had been sent for chemical analysis. 

Humaira’s remains were found when law enforcement personnel visited her apartment around 3:15pm on Tuesday to enforce a court-ordered eviction. No response from inside prompted the police to force open the door, discovering her body lying on the floor. 

She had reportedly been living alone in the flat for the past seven years.

After the body was discovered, speculations erupted on social media that the deceased’s family refused to claim Humaira’s body. 

Speaking to journalists last night, her brother Naveed said that his parents were “distressed” due to the recent death of another close relative.

He stated that for the last three days, the family was in contact with Chhipa and the police, including Station House Officer (SHO) Farooq Ahmed Sanjrani of the Gizri Police, adding, “according to the guidelines, we were [eventually] going to receive the body and perform the rites.”

Moreover, Naveed said that Humaira was an “independent person” who wouldn’t visit the family for extended periods.

“She moved to Karachi and had been living here for the last seven years … she would visit home after several months or even a year at times … She didn’t contact us for a year, although our mother had reached out to her asking about her whereabouts.”

“Her mobile phone had been switched off for the last six months, so our mother could not contact Humaira. We could not trace her number either,” he concluded.

Singing sensation Ali Sethi is all set to release his first full-length studio album titled Love Language on August 1, 2025. After starting the year with two powerful singles, Maya and Tera Sitam, the musician is now ready to share a complete musical journey with his fans.

Taking to Instagram on Thursday, Ali made the official announcement. In a heartfelt caption: “Love Language, my first full length studio album, is out on August 1.” He also added, “A ragamala rendezvous. I made it for me and you.” 

The post featured three photos from the album’s cover art, immediately grabbing attention with bold visuals and a deep red theme. From shiny red leather gloves to a lace-like red shirt and a jeweled red headpiece covering Sethi’s face, the color red dominated the entire look. It wasn’t just a fashion statement, it became the album’s identity, appearing in the title font, Ali’s name, and the list of songs.

In one of the photos, his red-gloved hand pointed directly at the swirling list of songs, giving fans a first look at the full tracklist.

The upcoming album Love Language will feature sixteen songs in total, including the already released Maya and Tera Sitam. Some of the unique titles include O Balama (Censored Love Song), Hanera, Rocket Launcher featuring Maanu, Nursery Rhyme (Interlude), Lovely Bukhaar, Jhatka in Jaunpuri (Interlude), Hymn 4 Him (Ghoomray), Villain, Bridegroom, Jadugarni, Kaava, Horizon, Subho Shaam featuring Natania, and Escape From Jhaptaal.

In the final photo, Ali is seen looking off-frame, his arm lifted and his face still partially covered in red jewels. The image gives a feeling of intensity and mystery, something Ali Sethi has mastered in both his visuals and music. With over 2,000 likes on the post within just seven hours, it’s clear that fans have been eagerly waiting for this album.

Ali Sethi has always stood out for blending traditional South Asian music with modern experimental styles. With Love Language, he seems ready to bring that mix to an even larger stage.

After the death of actress and model Humaira Asghar Ali, her family faced allegations of negligence. However, her brother Naveed Asghar has strongly denied these claims, stating that the family was in regular contact with Humaira, attributing a previous statement given by his father to mental stress. 

The body of Humaira Asghar, who was found dead in an apartment in Karachi’s Defence Phase 6 on Tuesday, has officially been handed over to her brother. The police had discovered her decomposed remains while vacating the apartment on a court order.

Earlier reports had claimed that Humaira’s father had refused to accept her body. Later, her brother-in-law contacted the police, but they stated that the body could only be released to a blood relative.

Naveed Asghar arrived in Karachi on Thursday, and then contacted the police, to complete all legal formalities. The Chhipa Foundation then handed over the body to him.

Speaking to the media alongside Ramzan Chhipa, Naveed said, “My sister was independent, may Allah forgive her and make her future journey easy.”

He addressed the rumors of the family neglecting her, saying, “The news that we had become detached from our sister is wrong. We were in constant contact with the police and Chhipa since the last three days, and we had to come to claim the body. Since legal proceedings take time, so now we have received the body.”

Naveed explained the mental state of his parents when they received the news of her death: “Our younger aunt recently died in a traffic accident. Both our parents were already in deep stress. Then, we got the news of Humaira’s death. Calls started pouring in, and under that mental pressure, our father said those words.”

He added, “My sister came into showbiz on her own. She was independent. But it’s natural for parents to worry and question, because it’s their responsibility to guide and protect their children.”

Revealing more about their family dynamics, he said, “Our mother hadn’t been in contact with Humaira for almost a year. The last time they spoke, she had asked Humaira where she lived, but Humaira didn’t tell her. Her phone remained switched off for the past six months. We tried to reach her many times but failed. Even our mother didn’t know where she was living.”

Naveed also criticized the media’s handling of the situation. “The media is constantly discussing our family, but they should also focus on other aspects of the case. Why has no one questioned the landlord? How was the flat opened? Why didn’t the landlord inform us earlier?”

He continued, “My mother is suffering mentally due to the media coverage. We also ask: did someone break the lock and enter? Why were there no CCTV cameras in the building? If there had been CCTV, the facts could’ve come out earlier.”

About the condition of the body, Naveed said, “The body is not in a condition where anything can be said. We will decide our next steps after the forensic report is released.”

On the other hand, Ramzan Chhipa, head of the Chhipa Welfare Foundation, confirmed Naveed’s consistent contact saying, “Naveed was in touch with me for the past two to three days. The rumors on social media that the family abandoned Humaira are completely false.”

He clarified, “The impression that Humaira Asghar’s parents refused to take her body is baseless.”

The model’s relatives have now left with her body for Lahore.