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  • From football to acting, Muneeb Butt’s fascinating career journey

    From football to acting, Muneeb Butt’s fascinating career journey

    Muneeb Butt may be very famous now but the route he has taken to arrive at this point was marked by plenty of twists and turns. He recently talked about his first acting job as a junior artist in a commercial during an interview on ARY Digital’s Ramadan special show ‘Shan e Suhoor’.


    During the heart-to-heart chat with host Nida Yasir, Muneeb openly discussed his personal life, family, daughters, and career.
    Talking about his dreams for his career, Muneeb Butt shared that he didn’t come from a family in the entertainment industry. He revealed that it all began when he was playing football in his neighborhood. A guy who was about his age, working as a junior artist coordinator for a commercial, approached him and suggested trying acting. He convinced Muneeb to visit the sets of a commercial shoot, which sparked Muneeb’s interest in acting.

    “I went there as discussed, and I saw that there were at least 4 buses filled with other young boys like me, all being taken for the junior casting of the commercial,” Butt explained. He mentioned that actors like Shehroze Sabzwari, Ahmed Ali Akbar, and Ainy Jaffri were the main stars of the commercial, while he wasn’t even in the background.


    “After that commercial, I told my family about my dream to study media sciences. While studying, I began my journey to enter the entertainment industry,” shared the actor from ‘Sar-e-Rah’. “That’s how it all began for me – going to auditions, facing rejection many times, and finally getting small roles.”
    But he is grateful, saying, ‘I owe my success to a friend’s father who had connections in the industry and decided to help me without any ‘mutual benefit’.’

    The celebrity also revealed that while he was studying, he began working at an advertising agency. There, he learned more about the industry’s opportunities. With the support of his boss and colleagues, he decided to step in front of the camera.
    Muneeb Butt made his first appearance on screen in ARY Digital’s drama ‘Baandi,’ alongside Maria Wasti, Yasra Rizvi, Nimra Bucha, and others.

  • Know all about Eid predictions here

    Know all about Eid predictions here

    There is a strong possibility that the Shawwal moon will be visible in Pakistan today.

    The age of the moon will be complete enough to be visible to the human eye this evening, according to experts of Meteorological Department. However, the final announcement of the moon of Shawwal will be made by the central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee.

    The moon of Shawwal has not been seen in Saudi Arabia, in view of which, Eid-ul-Fitr will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, in Saudi Arabia.

    In addition to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Kuwait will celebrate Eid tomorrow, according to media reports in the Gulf-based newspapers. Simi­larly, Australia has also announced that Eid will be observed on Wednesday.

    The central moon-sighting body will meet at the roof of the Federal Secreta­riat’s Kohsar Block in Islamabad, while meetings of zonal and district Ruet-i-Hilal committees will be held at their respective headquarters concurrently.

    In a statement on Mon­day, the committee requ­es­ted citizens to share any information regarding sightings of the moon with the committees in their respective areas.

    If the committee manages to spot the new moon today, then Pakistan will also celebrate Eid with the rest of the world.

  • Azhar Mahmood appointed Pakistan head coach for New Zealand series

    Azhar Mahmood appointed Pakistan head coach for New Zealand series

    Former test cricketer Azhar Mahmood has been appointed as head coach of the national cricket team for the series against New Zealand starting from April 18.

    The matches of the series will be played from April 18 to 27 in Rawalpindi and Lahore.

    Azhar Mahmood represented Pakistan in 164 international matches, taking 162 wickets and scoring 2,421 runs. He has previously served as bowling coach with Pakistan Men’s Cricket Team from 2016 to 2019.

  • Apple set to unveil new iPad Pro, iPad Air models in May

    Apple set to unveil new iPad Pro, iPad Air models in May

    Apple is preparing for a significant launch event, as reported by Mark Gurman in Bloomberg’s Power On newsletter. The tech giant is set to unveil its latest offerings, the new iPad Pro and iPad Air, during the week of May 6.

    The anticipated launch will introduce new models, including 11-inch and 13-inch OLED iPad Pro versions, alongside a larger 12.9-inch iPad Air. Additionally, consumers can expect refreshed Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil accessories to accompany these devices.

    This announcement marks a notable event for Apple, as it’s been nearly eighteen months since the release of any new iPad hardware. The upcoming iPad Pros are expected to boast enhanced displays, transitioning from mini-LED to OLED panels similar to those found in iPhones.

    This upgrade promises deeper contrast and increased brightness. Alongside display improvements, there’s anticipation for a sleeker design, with a thinner chassis and a repositioned front camera to the landscape edge. These new models will be powered by the advanced M3 chip.

    However, consumers may need to prepare for potential price hikes, as hinted by Gurman’s newsletter. Currently, the 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $799, while the 12.9-inch model begins at $1099.

    For those seeking a more budget-friendly option, the new 12.9-inch iPad Air aims to deliver a larger screen size without breaking the bank. Details regarding its processor, whether M2 or M3, remain unclear at this stage.

    Excitingly, the new accessories are expected to enhance the user experience further. Rumors suggest that the new Apple Pencil might include a new squeeze gesture feature, while the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro is set to mimic a laptop with its aluminum base and larger trackpad.

    Although updates for the base model iPad and iPad mini are scheduled for later in the year, Gurman anticipates only minor improvements, primarily a processor upgrade for the iPad mini.

  • Overseas workers’ remittances surge to $3 billion in March

    Overseas workers’ remittances surge to $3 billion in March

    In March 2024, Pakistan witnessed a significant surge in the influx of overseas workers’ remittances, reaching a notable milestone of $3 billion.

    This remarkable figure reflects a remarkable 31.3 per cent increase on a month-on-month basis compared to February 2024, when the remittances stood at $2.25 billion.

    The latest data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) unveiled this positive trend, highlighting the pivotal role remittances play in Pakistan’s economic landscape.

    Year-on-year comparisons also underscored the upward trajectory, with a 16.4 per cent increase noted in March 2024 compared to the same month in the previous year, when remittances amounted to $2.54 billion.

    Such consistent growth in remittances holds significance beyond mere monetary figures, as these funds contribute substantially to bolstering the country’s external account and fueling economic activity.

    Moreover, they serve as a crucial supplement to the disposable incomes of remittance-dependent households, enhancing their financial resilience.

    In a broader fiscal context, the first nine months of Fiscal Year 2024 witnessed a steady rise in workers’ remittances, totaling $21.0 billion.

    This marks a modest 0.9 per cent increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous fiscal year, where remittances amounted to $20.8 billion.

    Such stability and growth in remittances underscore the resilience of Pakistan’s overseas workforce and their commitment to supporting their families and homeland.

    Breaking down the sources of these remittances, Overseas Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia emerged as leading contributors, with remittances totaling $703.1 million in March 2024.

    This represents a substantial 30 per cent increase compared to the previous month and a noteworthy 24 per cent increase year-on-year.

    Similarly, remittances from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) witnessed a remarkable surge, jumping by 43 per cent on a monthly basis to reach $548 million in March, reflecting a 34 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.

    The United Kingdom also played a significant role in this surge, with remittances soaring to $462 million in March 2024, marking a notable 33 per cent increase compared to February 2024.

    Meanwhile, remittances from the European Union exhibited a robust 19 per cent monthly growth and a 6 per cent year-on-year improvement, amounting to $315 million in March 2024.

    Overseas Pakistanis in the United States also contributed significantly, send`ing $373 million in March 2024, reflecting an 18 per cent increase compared to the previous year and a substantial 30 per cent increase month-on-month.

  • Sikh Yatrees to come to Pakistan for mela

    Sikh Yatrees to come to Pakistan for mela

    Sikh pilgrims will come to Pakistan on April 13 to participate in the celebrations of Khalsa Janma Day and Vasakhi Mela. Officials of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), Pradhan and other Sikh leaders will be welcoming the guests.

    The main ceremony will be held at Gurudwara Panja Sahib, Hasan Abdal, on April 14. The pilgrims will reach Nankana Sahib from Hassan Abdal on April 15 and on April 18, they will go to Gurudwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, Narowal, reports The Express Tribune.

    On April 20, the yatrees will visit Aimanabad and reach Lahore where they will stay for one day.

    The Sikh pilgrims will return to India after completing their 10-day pilgrimage on April 22.

  • Get ready for Eid: Aima Baig to release new song

    Get ready for Eid: Aima Baig to release new song

    Aima Baig is getting ready to release her new song on April 11, as shown on a poster she posted on Instagram.
    Aima Baig is very popular in Pakistan as a singer, but she recently faced a difficult time because of a cheating and a tax scandal.
    Despite the tough situation she is ready to shine in the music scene again, judging by her latest posts on Instagram.

    The post said: “It’s been a while… Finally thinking about releasing a song this Eid. What do you guys think! Maybe a poster tonight? Or…”

    “We created this song a while back, and I feel like now is the right time to release it on this Eid, April 11th, 2024.
    I believe everyone can connect with the lyrics in some way. Let’s hope you all enjoy it.
    I’m excited for you all to listen and watch the music video. @thatlil.kid and @uzzifilms did a fantastic job shooting it. It’s definitely going to be a fun watch.”

  • ’Four salary bonus’, PM Shehbaz is reportedly rewarding his staff

    ’Four salary bonus’, PM Shehbaz is reportedly rewarding his staff

    A few days before leaving for Washington to ask the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a new bailout package to avoid a default, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved a proposal to give up to four salaries in bonuses to his staff. He also asked his finance minister to concur with it.

    The PM is being faced with criticism that the policy to hand out such big awards to bureaucrats amidst such deeply serious economic conditions is against an austerity drive.

    Also, analysts are asking whether this move would bode well for the new IMF bailout package as the IMF discourages bloated government expenditures.

    The rewards were approved for staff officers because of ‘their extraordinary efforts in the completion of tasks’, according to the Express Tribune.

    More importantly, the cost for these bonuses will be paid to these government servants by taking loans from banks at a 23 per cent interest rate.

  • Bella Hadid’s sister creates Palestinian film company to expose truth about Israel

    Bella Hadid’s sister creates Palestinian film company to expose truth about Israel

    Fashion designer Alana Hadid, who is the sister of supermodels Bella and Gigi Hadid, has started a film production and distribution company called Watermelon Pictures, according to Deadline. Watermelon Pictures aims to be a Palestinian-owned independent film label. It plans to support filmmakers from all over the world who are not well-represented in the industry, with a focus on cultural diversity and social issues.

    Watermelon Pictures, as mentioned on its website, is committed to giving a voice to those often overlooked in the film world. The company wants to share stories that haven’t been told before and believes in using creative expression to make a difference in society.


    Their first project, a documentary called ‘Walled Off’, focuses on the ‘Walled Off’ Hotel in Bethlehem. This hotel, facing the Israeli West Bank barrier wall, is a special place financed and thought up by famous British street artist Banksy. It stands as a symbol of artistic resistance against political challenges.

    A lot of famous people are working together on the documentary Walled Off, including Anwar Hadid, who is Alana Hadid’s brother. Roger Waters from Pink Floyd is also part of the team. Plus, Kweku Mandela, who is Nelson Mandela’s grandson, is helping with the production.
    Alana, who is the Creative Director of Watermelon Pictures, shared her vision for the company,: “We want to make a place where voices that often get ignored can be heard. We want people to express themselves creatively against unfairness. With our films, we hope to teach and inspire people all around the world to stand up against injustice.”


    Watermelon Pictures isn’t just about supporting important causes; it also celebrates Palestinian culture as a big part of who they are. They’re proud of Palestinian heritage and want to show how vibrant and strong it is. That’s why they chose a watermelon as their symbol because it shares colors with the Palestinian flag.


    As Watermelon Pictures starts sharing different stories and encouraging important conversations, they’re making a big effort to include everyone. Their work is a big step towards making sure everyone’s voices are heard in the movie world.

  • Serious lapses in security protocol of slain Chinese nationals

    Serious lapses in security protocol of slain Chinese nationals

    Since a tragic terror attack in Shangla claimed six lives including five Chinese citizens, a decision to constitute an investigative committee was taken by the government.

    The attack exposed serious lapses in the security detail of the Chinese engineers and a disregard for standard operating procedures (SOPs).

    The committee was shocked to find out that the bus carrying the Chinese officials was not bulletproof, let alone bombproof, which is the requirement under the security SOPs.

    It pointed out multiple significant flaws in the security detail due to which the incident took place.

    They further said the company “that was required to provide bullet- and bombproof vehicles to transport Chinese workers, and duly paid for, failed to meet its contractual obligations.”

    Moreover, according to the SOPs, the District Police Officer in Upper Kohistan was supposed to be informed about the movements of the foreign nationals in advance which did not happen.