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  • Fawad Khan breaks silence on criticism over judging Pakistan Idol

    Fawad Khan breaks silence on criticism over judging Pakistan Idol

    The return of Pakistan Idol after a decade has opened a bonanza of soul-stirring voices, audience interest and some controversies.

    The new panel of judges features Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Zeb Bangash, Bilal Maqsood, and Fawad Khan, and it’s Fawad who has found himself at the centre of a debate on the judges. 

    After facing heavy criticism for being part of the Pakistan Idol judging panel, Fawad Khan has finally responded.

    In a video circulating on social media, a reporter asked Fawad, “The nation wants to know what it’s like being a judge on Pakistan Idol.” Smiling, Fawad replied, “The nation knows what they want to know. Today everyone knows everything.”

    He went on to say that Pakistan Idol is an entertainment platform designed to give young artists a stage. “Whenever I sit in a chair like this, I try to remember when we did Battle of the Bands years ago, two or maybe three seasons. It was always an entertainment platform, and many talented artists came through it. I always wish them well, and it’s an honour to watch them perform. I feel like I’m part of the audience when I sit there, cheering for them,” Fawad said, graceful as ever. 

    “The unfortunate part is that only one person wins in the end, but I’ve always said that being on such a stage is just a calling card. Everyone sees you now, your introduction to the world has been made. It’s all about giving talent the right exposure,” he added.

    The video popped up online after another viral clip from a music launch event for his upcoming film Neelofar in Lahore, where Fawad jokingly said, “No, I haven’t sung any song,” and then added with a grin, “Pakistan isn’t letting me sing.” His humorous comment spread quickly online, with fans delighted by his refusal to take the unfounded criticism to heart. 

    Singer Humaira Arshad recently criticized the producers, saying they had “prioritised star power over musical authority.” Without directly naming Fawad, she remarked that some judges “have no connection with music,” suggesting their inclusion was based more on fame than skill.

    Her comments reignited debate about reality shows drifting away from their main goal — discovering genuine musical talent — and becoming more about celebrity appeal and sponsorships.

    But Fawad’s supporters have been quick to defend him. Before becoming one of Pakistan’s biggest TV and film stars, Fawad Khan was the lead vocalist of the popular rock band Entity Paradigm (EP). The group helped shape Pakistan’s early 2000s rock scene with iconic songs like Hamesha and Waqt, which became youth anthems.

    Similarly, Bilal Maqsood’s inclusion makes sense for many fans, as he was one half of the legendary pop-rock band Strings. Supporters argue that both Fawad and Bilal bring decades of experience from performing, composing, and understanding the entertainment business.

  • Sohail Afridi ‘ignores Imran Khan’s instructions’ as KP forms 13-member cabinet

    Sohail Afridi ‘ignores Imran Khan’s instructions’ as KP forms 13-member cabinet

    The newly formed 13-member Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet has reportedly ignored the instructions of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan.

    According to reports, Imran Khan had directed that the provincial cabinet should not exceed eight members and should remain in single digits. However, a 13-member cabinet took oath from the KP governor on Friday. 

    Reports citing a senior party leader revealed that Imran Khan had clearly advised against including Asad Qaiser’s brother Aqibullah Khan, Shahram Tarakai’s brother Faisal Tarakai, and former provincial minister Shakeel Khan in the cabinet. Despite his instructions, all three were included.

    Reports added that Khan had also suggested including senior PTI members who had been previously overlooked.

    Provincial Minister Meena Khan Afridi, however, denied the claims and said Imran Khan did not issue any strict orders but only sent a message suggesting that the cabinet should be kept small. He added that Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had the authority to select his own cabinet members.

    Meena Khan said changes could still be made to the cabinet, adding that Imran Khan could include or remove anyone he wanted. He said the cabinet includes both experienced ministers and young faces, ensuring a mix of expertise and fresh energy.

  • Ayushmann Khurrana reveals he did ‘Andhadhun’ for just one rupee

    Ayushmann Khurrana reveals he did ‘Andhadhun’ for just one rupee

    Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana has revealed that he charged only one rupee to work in the blockbuster film Andhadhun.

    In a recent interview, Ayushmann said that he later received a share of the film’s profits, especially after its massive success in China. The 2018 thriller became one of the highest-grossing Indian films overseas.

    At a time when Bollywood is debating skyrocketing actor fees and huge production budgets, Ayushmann distanced himself from the trend. He said he has always been a producer-friendly actor.

    “For me, Saraswati comes before Lakshmi. My goal is always the success of the film. If a movie does good business, the actor deserves to earn more,” Ayushmann said.

    He added that he leaves discussions about fee hikes to his management team. “I’m a Punjabi with an artistic mind. I don’t really understand much about financial negotiations,” he said with a smile.

    Andhadhun, directed by Sriram Raghavan, was made on a budget of around ₹17 crore (approximately 54 crore Pakistani rupees) and went on to collect more than ₹444 crore (approximately 1.4 billion Pakistani rupees) worldwide, including over ₹300 crore (950 crore) from China alone.

  • Three Afghan robbers in police uniforms among four killed in Peshawar encounter

    Three Afghan robbers in police uniforms among four killed in Peshawar encounter

    Four robbers have been killed during a police encounter in the Meera Kachori Mehr Gul Kallay area of Peshawar, reports confirmed on Friday.

    According to reports, a team reached the area after receiving reports of the robbers’ presence. The suspects opened fire on the police, who retaliated, killing all four members of the gang.

    Police said the slain robbers had been committing crimes while wearing police uniforms since 2003. The gang was involved in several major robberies, including looting millions of rupees and jewellery from a doctor’s house.

    SSP Operations Peshawar Masood Ahmad Bangash confirmed the identities of the four dead robbers, stating that three of them were Afghan nationals.

    He said the gang was wanted by police in Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Nowshera, and other districts. The robbers were involved in two major incidents in recent weeks.

    Police recovered Kalashnikovs, a rifle, two pistols, and motorcycles from their possession.

  • Umar Akmal says Waqar Younis ruined his career out of jealousy

    Umar Akmal says Waqar Younis ruined his career out of jealousy

    There seems to be no end to the rift between Umar Akmal and iconic fast bowler Waqar Younis, as the former batter has once again accused his ex-coach of destroying his international career.

    Speaking on a local television show, Umar said that internal politics and personal grudges pushed him out of Pakistan cricket. He alleged that certain Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials continue to block his return to both domestic cricket and the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

    “Some people sitting in the PCB don’t want me or Kamran [Akmal] to play again. That’s why we’re not being picked in the PSL either,” Umar said.

    The 35-year-old added that he has remained fit and ready to play, but officials deliberately ignored him in domestic competitions, making it hard for franchises to judge his form.

    Turning his focus to Waqar Younis, Umar accused the former fast bowler of having personal issues with him during his coaching stint.

    “Waqar Younis ruined my career, not because of performance, but because of jealousy. He couldn’t tolerate my fame, my earnings, or my lifestyle,” Umar claimed.

    Umar Akmal said that earlier, one could not afford such things, but when Allah has given them money, why not spend on oneself.

    He went on to add that as a senior cricketer, he still respects him, but not as a coach.

    “In 2016, when I went to play the World Cup, I submitted letters and files to the cricket board and suggested that if he was removed, the team would get better,” he said.

    He also hinted that Waqar had clashes with other senior players. “He didn’t just target me. There were others too, but I don’t want to name them right now,” he added. Umar said he has evidence to back his claims and will reveal details when the time is right.

    The long-standing feud between Umar Akmal and Waqar Younis continues to resurface periodically, reigniting debate among cricket fans about the treatment of talented but controversial players. 

    Umar Akmal is currently practicing regularly and sharing his training videos on social media, hinting at his desire to make a comeback.

  • Petrol, diesel prices go up for next 15 days

    Petrol, diesel prices go up for next 15 days

    The federal government has increased petrol prices by Rs2.43 per litre for the next fortnight, effective from November 1, following recommendations from the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and the concerned ministries.

    According to a notification issued by the Finance Division, the new price of petrol will be Rs265.45 per litre for the next fifteen days. High-speed diesel (HSD) has also become costlier, rising by Rs3.02 to Rs278.44 per litre. Officials said the adjustment follows OGRA’s latest review.

    Kerosene has gone up by Rs3.34 to Rs185.05 per litre, while the price of light diesel oil (LDO) has increased by Rs1.22, reaching Rs163.98.

    Earlier this week, it was reported that petroleum prices were expected to rise by up to Rs2.34 per litre in the next fortnight as the global oil market experiences fluctuations and the impact of recent US sanctions on major Russian producers takes place. 

    Initial estimates for the first 12 days of the pricing cycle had suggested that petrol might rise by Rs1.48 per litre and HSD by Rs1.38. Kerosene was expected to increase by Rs2.34 per litre, and LDO by Re0.49.

    Earlier this month, the federal government had reduced fuel prices following a drop in international rates. Petrol was cut by Rs5.66 per litre to Rs263.02, while the price of HSD dropped by Rs1.39 to Rs275.41. The price of kerosene fell by Rs3.26 to Rs181.71, and LDO was set at Rs162.76 per litre.

  • Viral Saudi ‘Sky Stadium’ video turns out to be AI-generated

    Viral Saudi ‘Sky Stadium’ video turns out to be AI-generated

    A video of Saudi Arabia’s futuristic ‘Sky Stadium’ that went viral on social media has turned out to be fake. 

    The video, which many believed showed the design for a 2034 FIFA World Cup stadium, was actually created using artificial intelligence.

    According to Arab media, the video does not depict any official project approved by the Saudi government. The creator of the video revealed that it was made entirely with AI and was only a conceptual idea, not part of any real plan in Saudi Arabia.

    Despite being fictional, the video gained massive attention worldwide, with millions of views across social media platforms.

    While the AI-generated Sky Stadium is fake, Saudi Arabia is indeed planning to build 15 state-of-the-art stadiums for the 2034 World Cup. One of these projects is the ‘Cloud Stadium’ in the futuristic NEOM mega city.

    The Cloud Stadium will be constructed around 350 meters (1,150 feet) above ground, with a seating capacity of 46,000 spectators. It will be powered entirely by solar and wind energy.

    Official sources said construction on the NEOM stadium is scheduled to begin in 2027 and is expected to be completed by 2032.

  • Saudi Arabia loses hosting rights for inaugural Esports Olympics 2027

    Saudi Arabia loses hosting rights for inaugural Esports Olympics 2027

    The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on Thursday that Saudi Arabia will no longer host the inaugural Esports Olympics scheduled for 2027.

    The IOC said in a statement that it had “mutually agreed” with the Saudi National Olympic Committee to end their cooperation on the Olympic Esports Games.

    The first Esports Games were initially planned for this year in Riyadh but were postponed in February. Saudi Arabia had secured hosting rights for 12 years starting in 2025, under an agreement signed with the IOC in July last year.

    Then-IOC president Thomas Bach played a key role in creating the event before being succeeded by Kirsty Coventry.

    Olympic Esports Series competitions, smaller virtual sports events run by the IOC, took place in 2021 and 2023. However, gaming critics widely criticized them for excluding popular esports titles.

    “Recently, the two parties and the Esports World Cup Foundation sat down again and reviewed this initiative,” the IOC statement said.

    “They mutually agreed that they will end their cooperation on the Olympic Esports Games. At the same time, both parties are committed to pursuing their own esports ambitions on separate paths.”

    The IOC added that this new direction would help align the Esports Games with the long-term goals of the Olympic movement and allow broader participation. “This approach will be a chance to better fit the Olympic Esports Games to the long-term ambitions of the Olympic movement and to spread the opportunities presented by the Olympic Esports Games more widely, with the objective of having the inaugural Games as soon as possible,” it said.

    The Esports World Cup, which includes many of the world’s most popular games, held its first two editions in Riyadh in 2024 and 2025. The event is organized by Saudi Arabia.

    Saudi Arabia’s growing investment in sports has drawn global attention and criticism. Human rights groups accuse the kingdom of using high-profile sporting events to distract from alleged rights violations, a practice known as “sportswashing.”

    The Saudi government rejects these accusations and maintains that its actions are in line with national security laws.

  • Friendship, faith and fear: Case No. 9’s blasphemy arc is Pakistan’s darkest truth on screen

    Friendship, faith and fear: Case No. 9’s blasphemy arc is Pakistan’s darkest truth on screen

    It’s not just the raw reality that the drama Case No. 9 is drenched in but the way that it’s expressed that has viewers hooked. You would think that rape was enough, but no, the drama also touches about the sensitive issue of blasphemy and the terror of fake social media propaganda.


    If you’ve seen the drama, you have wondered why the rapist Kamran’s (Faysal Quraishi) best friend and business partner’s name is Rohit (Junaid Khan). At first, it was thought that maybe it was a way to include a minority in the story but in Episode 11, we find out that’s not the case.


    Rohit reveals to his wife Manisha (Naveen Waqar) that he feels he has a moral obligation to support Kamran, despite knowing that he raped Seher (Saba Qamar) because when they were in college together Kamran had supported him when an angry mob came to the university to attack Rohit for alleged blasphemy. Kamran then stands up against the mob for his friend, convincing them that Rohit had done no such thing (which he had not) and that the people spreading the rumour were doing it for personal reasons. The crowd listens and Rohit owes Kamran his life. At least that’s how Rohit feels.


    At first, it was a bit strange, an expectation that the drama was heading in a different, heavy direction but no. Writer Shahzeb Khanzada very smartly touched the issue, let it resonate with the audience and then moved on. 


    Social media was also all praise for the way the sensitive issue was portrayed. 


    SOCIAL MEDIA TRAUMA


    Episode 12 was also very significant when it comes to what victims feel when propaganda is spread about them on social media. Kamran convinces his employee to hire a social media propaganda team to spread Sehar’s photo on social media and that she was after him and his money. The irony is not lost when it is hashtag ‘#JusticeforKamran’ that starts to trend on social media, which is a popular one when someone is standing up for a cause – not realizing it might be misused as well. The rape victim must be protected, says Sehar to her lawyer Beenish (Amina Shaikh) who agrees and says they would take it up with relevant authorities. But the damage is also done when people all around Sehar and her family realize what is happening with the family. The way the drama shows a team being hired to spread misinformation, from seemingly real accounts, makes you think twice about what you might believe on social media and it’s clear that it was done so you would feel that way. 


    THE WOMEN


    It is the women in the drama that are the real stars. They support each other and stand for each other, strong and able to handle the trauma that keeps hitting them. 


    Beenish and Manisha stand by Sehar like mountains, and the way Manisha does so without even flinching, despite being married to Rohit, is heartwarming. Even Kamran’s wife, Kiran (Rushna Khan) is such a complex character with Rushna truly doing her justice. Kiran is stuck in a web of having to live and trust her child’s father but knowing that he has done ‘something’ wrong and watching Rushna act out the different feelings that Kiran is constantly experiencing really makes you feel for women who are married to manipulative men. 


    The drama is on a constant high with no low in sight and despite expecting that Sehar will win in the end as good always does, it still keeps you on the edge of your seat because in reality, you never really know if truth in Pakistan will prevail.

  • CM Afridi’s 13-member KP cabinet takes oath

    CM Afridi’s 13-member KP cabinet takes oath

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) newly formed 13-member cabinet of Chief Minister (CM) Sohail Afridi has taken oath in a ceremony held at Governor House Peshawar. 

    The cabinet, which includes ten ministers, two advisers and one special assistant, will work under CM Afridi, who replaced Ali Amin Gandapur as the provincial chief executive earlier this month.

    The oath-taking ceremony comes hours after the cabinet was named following CM Afridi’s consultation with jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, who gave him the nod to proceed with the appointments.

    Earlier, Afridi had repeatedly sought to meet the incarcerated former premier for guidance but was denied permission despite court orders.

    On Friday, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi administered oath to Mina Khan, Fazal Shakoor, Faisal Turkai, Aaqibullah, Arshad Ayub Khan, Aftab Alam, Dr Amjad, Khaliq Ur Rehman, Riaz Khan and Syed Fakhar Jehan as provincial ministers.

    The governor also administered oath to Muzammil Aslam and Taj Muhammad Tarand as advisers while Shafeeullah Jan took oath as a special assistant.

    While their respective portfolios will be announced later, CM Afridi’s cabinet is significantly smaller than Gandapur’s initial 33-member setup that was later reduced after a reshuffle.

    On Oct 13, Afridi had assumed office after securing 90 votes in provincial assembly session boycotted by the JUI-F, PML-N and PPP.