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  • ‘He’s the smoothest talker’: Kajol thinks Shah Rukh Khan can be her defence lawyer

    ‘He’s the smoothest talker’: Kajol thinks Shah Rukh Khan can be her defence lawyer

    Every 90s kid went through a phase in their lives when they thought that Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol were married. Though they are not, the perception is on point. After all, their chemistry is still undefeatable, even if you are Ranveer Singh and Alia.

    Speaking about her upcoming show ‘The Trial-Pyaar, Kanoon, Dhoka’ on Netflix, actress Kajol gave an interview to Bollywood Bubble where she was asked which actor could play her lawyer in a film. She immediately replied that no one but Shah Rukh would succeed at the job:

    “Shah Rukh. Hands down I will choose Shah Rukh. He is the smoothest talker ever.”

    “And he will be standing over there and be like ‘lines ki jaroorat nahi hai, mein bol sakta hu’ (laughs). He will stand there and he will talk me out of anything that I’ve gotten myself into. So, definitely hands-down Shah Rukh.”

    Someone convince Karan Johar to get these two back in a film again, we’re still not over DDLJ.

  • Riz Ahmed’s ‘Nimona’ hailed by critics as a unique queer fantasy

    Riz Ahmed’s ‘Nimona’ hailed by critics as a unique queer fantasy

    On Friday, Netflix dropped the highly anticipated animated fantasy film ‘Nimona’ which stars Pakistani-British actor Riz Ahmed, Chloe Grace Montez, Eugene Lee Yang as the main leads, and is adapted from the comics of the same name by ‘She-Ra’ creator ND Stevenson.

    Since its release, critics have hailed the film as a gorgeous queer fantasy that calls for acceptance and equality for the LGBTQ+ community, but mostly critics have hailed Ahmed’s and Mortez’s performances, as Entertainment Weekly praised it for the casual queer representation as the main lead Nimona is a gender non-conforming being, and the romantic relationship between two male knights.

    Speaking on the queer representation, Ahmed had said:

    “I understand this is a big win and a big moment representation-wise, and we’re all so proud of that. But I think those moments only feel like real wins when they’re not tokenized, when they are actually there because of the emotional truth of the character. When we are honoring these characters as human, that’s when it feels real, you know?”  

    Writing on the powerful vocal performance by Mortez as Nimona, Polygon hailed her for creating the duality between the rebellious side of the vibrant shape shifter, but also exploring her vulnerable side as an outcast who doesn’t feel like she can belong anywhere.

    Coming on the themes of queer representation, Mashable praised Nimona for being speaking on empowering the queer community:

    “Along with its unique animation and rollicking action sequences, Nimona digs into themes of individuality, identity, and acceptance that aim to speak directly and warmly to the queer community. At a time when LGBTQ rights and spaces continue to come under attack from bigoted legislation(opens in a new tab), Nimona cements itself not just as a great fantasy film, but as an important one as well.”

    Calling it a film that takes aim at the post 9/11 surveillance state, IGN praised Nimona for being “a tender and bold tale about challenging institutions, being a good ally, and the need to live as your true self.”

    Nimona takes place in a science fantasy world where Ballister Boldheart (played by Riz) is the first commoner to be enlisted in the presitigous Institute of Elite Knights, when an accident takes place during the knighting ceremony after which he is forced to flee for his life. Partnered with the rebellious Nimona (voiced by Chloe Grace Montez) a shape-shifter who has a desire to do something evil, they team up to clear his name and investigate the perpetuators behind the accident.

  • Terrorist attacks increased by 79% in Pakistan in first six months of 2023: report

    Terrorist attacks increased by 79% in Pakistan in first six months of 2023: report

    According to a recent report from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), terrorist activities in the country have risen by 79 per cent in the first half of 2023.

    The report highlights that during this period, there were approximately 271 militant attacks in the country, leading to the loss of 389 lives and injuring 656 individuals.

    In the first six months of last year, there were 151 attacks resulting in 293 fatalities and 487 injuries.

    The statistics indicate a significant rise of 79% in militant attacks during the initial half of this year as compared to the same period of the previous year.

    During the first half of this year, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa experienced the highest impact, with a total of 174 recorded militant attacks. These attacks led to the loss of 266 lives and left 463 people injured.

    Out of the reported incidents, 100 attacks occurred in mainland KP, resulting in 188 fatalities and 354 injuries. Additionally, 74 attacks took place in the tribal districts (formerly known as FATA), causing 78 deaths and 109 injuries.

  • 18,000 Punjabis ate their way to the hospital during Eid

    18,000 Punjabis ate their way to the hospital during Eid

    Punjab’s public and private hospitals faced an emergency of sorts during the Eid holidays after over 18,000 patients were admitted on gastrointestinal related illnesses after consuming too much meat.

    Around 3,000 people were admitted in hospitals in Lahore alone, with most complaining of stomach ache, heartburn and high blood pressure.

    Anticipating the influx of overeating citizens, the Punjab government had already put public hospitals on high alert, with doctors, nurses and paramedical staff on duty to administer to the population’s needs.

  • Naila Kiani and Samina Baig become first Pakistani women to summit Nanga Parbat

    Naila Kiani and Samina Baig become first Pakistani women to summit Nanga Parbat

    On Sunday, Naila Kiani and Samina Baig were two of the 52 climbers that scaled Nanga Parbat, the ninth-tallest mountain in the world with a peak that stands at 8,126 metres. They officially became the first Pakistani women to ever summit Nanga Parbat, a mountain known to be a particularly treacherous one to climb.

    Both women were part of different expedition teams. Naila Kiani’s ascent was announced by the Secretary of the Alpine Club of Pakistan (APC), Karrar Haidri in the following statement:

    “Today on July 2, 2023, at 10:18am, Naila Kiani scaled the majestic Nanga Parbat, standing tall at an inspirational height of 8,125 metres. She became the first Pakistani woman to climb Nanga Parbat.”

    Nanga Parbat is one of the 14 ‘eight-thousanders’, as recognised by the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (UIAA). This means their summits are in the ‘death-zone’, i.e. past 8000 metres, where oxygen levels are too low to sustain human life for an extended time-span.

    Naila has now scaled seven out of these 14 peaks. ACP said that apart from Nanga Parbat, Naila has scaled Mount Everest, K-2, Lhotse, Annapurna, Gasherbrum I and Gasherbrum II. “She serves as a bright example of how people can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles,” Mr Haidri stated.

    Samina Baig also became the first Pakistani woman to scale peaks on all seven continents.

    The Killer Mountain

    Nanga Parbat is notorious for being an extremely difficult climb, earning the nickname Killer Mountain for its high number of climber fatalities, and the way its unforgiving terrain pushes climbers to their limits.

    In the same expedition, a Spanish mountaineer died at Nanga Parbat Base Camp number 5, ARY News reports. Police reported the man died due to a heart attack.

    Last year, the Pakistan Army had to rescue two climbers who were stranded after summitting Nanga Parbat, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

  • Pakistan’s inflation rate drops to 29.40% in June: Citizens’ purchasing power remains under pressure

    Pakistan’s inflation rate drops to 29.40% in June: Citizens’ purchasing power remains under pressure

    The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) has released the latest data on the country’s inflation rate for June, indicating a slight decline compared to May. According to the report, the inflation rate for June stood at 29.40 per cent, showing an increase of 8.1 per cent compared to the same period last year.

    Although there was a marginal improvement from the inflation rate of 38 per cent reported in May, the country still faces significant challenges due to high inflation. This persistent inflationary environment continues to erode the purchasing power of citizens, affecting their ability to afford basic necessities.

    Analysing the data further, the report highlights that inflation in urban areas was recorded at 27.3 per cent, while agricultural communities experienced an even higher inflation rate of 32.4 per cent. These figures emphasise the vulnerability of rural areas and the agricultural sector to the rising cost of living.

    Comparing the current situation with that of the previous year, the Bureau of Statistics reveals a substantial year-on-year increase. In June of the previous year, the inflation rate was 21.3 per cent, further underscoring the severity of the current inflationary crisis.

  • Babar, Khusshaal: Celebrities who went viral with hilarious memes

    Babar, Khusshaal: Celebrities who went viral with hilarious memes

    We know our celebrities are incredibly talented, but you have to be talented at a whole other level to be able to go viral because someone has made memes out of your performance. And hum Pakistanis ki tou baat hee kya hai, we’re miserable because of, well, everything, but our meme game is undefeatable.

    From Babar Azam’s shock to Hira Mani, here are some hilarious moments that changed pop culture and the phrases you have been hearing to death.

    1 Hira Mani went viral when she said “Mard ko bhi tou samjho” in her interview with Samina Peerzada and launched a string of memes.

    2 We salute Khushhal Khan for his services to the meme game. Really sir, no one does it like you.

    https://twitter.com/peachcrisis/status/1675636350203359233?s=20

    3 Never change Babar Azam, please never change.

    https://twitter.com/inabaabelfaroqi/status/1612466551571070976?s=20

    4 Aye Musht-e-Khaak ended eons ago but this meme of Feroze Khan remains frozen on the internet.

  • Bilawal visits Tokyo, says Pakistan needs ‘trade, not aid’

    Bilawal visits Tokyo, says Pakistan needs ‘trade, not aid’

    Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, on his maiden visit to Japan, has declared his intention to boost trade and promote diplomatic ties between the two countries on Sunday. He stated that Pakistan needed trade and not aid.

    Giving an address at an event organised by the Pakistani diaspora living in Tokyo, Bilawal maintained that the two countries have agreed to further deepen and enhance their mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in multiple areas. These include trade, investment, human resource development and exchange, IT, tourism and agriculture sectors.

    “We have also jointly agreed to explore the possibility of working together on targeted programs with higher impact in the domains of solarisation, desalination, and water purification and housing and infrastructure rebuilding in the floods affected areas in Pakistan,” Bilawal said in a joint press stakeout along with his Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi, as reported by The News.

    Empowering our workforce

    In addition, the two sides have agreed to conduct language skill assessment tests for the Japanese language in Pakistan to facilitate the movement of skilled workers. The Nation reported that Bilawal underscored the importance of Pakistanis living abroad, stating: “The overseas Paki­stanis are our assets, who are play­ing vital role to promote bilateral ties between Pakistan and Japan. Our population consists of 65 per­cent youth and we want Pakistani youth to get employment in Japan.”

    Potential for growth

    The Foreign Minister met with repre­sentatives of the Japan Interna­tional Development Agency (JICA) and the Japan External Trade Orga­nization (JETRO) to discuss poten­tial for trade and investment. He also stated that Pakistan’s incumbent government was working on economic diplomacy in order to bring prosperity to the country.

    Bilawal also went on to praise Japan’s advancement in IT and other fields, saying Pakistan could learn from them. Both sides have seen a new vigour in their relationship through continued high-level exchanges.

  • Khaqan Abbasi thinks it’s ‘ethically wrong’ for PM to engage Farogh Nasim

    Khaqan Abbasi thinks it’s ‘ethically wrong’ for PM to engage Farogh Nasim

    Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has said in a TV show that he is not aware of the appointment of former law minister Barrister Farogh Naseem as a lawyer for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

    He further said on Sawal Yeh Hai that he doesn’t know who makes the appointment, but firmly declared that it is ethically wrong to engage a person as a lawyer if he has been accused by the same government.

    Farogh Naseem, a law minister in the previous government, will represent Shehbaz Sharif in a case pertaining to civilian trials in military courts.
    The Premier has chosen Naseem to be his attorney in the matter. Following the arrest of their party chairman, angry protestors from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) vandalised army installations, prompting the government to decide to try civilians under army laws.

    Special Assistant to PM Shehbaz, Malik Ahmad Khan, also said that he has disagreement with the political position of Farogh Naseem.

  • Creative and intriguing, here are four reasons why you should go watch ‘Teri Meri Kahaniyaan’

    Creative and intriguing, here are four reasons why you should go watch ‘Teri Meri Kahaniyaan’

    ‘Teri Meri Kahaniyaan’ has been hailed by critics and filmmakers as a progressive step, citing its three unique stories with stellar performances by actors like Wahaj Ali and Mehwish Hayat.

    The anthology film comprising of three stories directed by Nadeem Baig, Marina Khan and Nabeel Qureshi, is at heart an ode to celebrating creativity and the complexity of human nature, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you hooked till the credits roll.

    Here are four reasons why this film should definitely be on your watch list:

    1 Marina Khan knocks it out of the park with a wholesome rom com ‘Pasoori’

    We all remember Marina Khan from beloved classics like ‘Tanhaiyaan’ and ‘Dhoop Kinare’ but her powerful direction in helming this feminist comedy to life is something the Pakistani cinema truly needs, more women led movies that do not center around men. Pasoori revolves around the upcoming wedding of Salman (played by Shehryar Munawar) and Romaisa (Ramsha Khan), who receives an opportunity on her nikkah to perform at a talent show. With its hilarious side characters and Munawar’s ability to incite laughter and tears with his emotions, this was a well directed story.

    2. The hilarious comedy of ‘Jin Mahal’

    Jin Mahal, penned by Ali Abbas and Basit Naqvi and directed by Nabeel Qureshi, starts of with a tragedy as a couple is forced to live in an abandoned train after being forcefully evicted from their home. It still churns out golden moments thanks to stellar performances by Hira and Mani, as their characters Shehenshah and Mumtaz fight to keep their home by tricking others to believe a jinn resides there.

    3. Khalil ul Rehman’s engrossing ‘Aik Sau Taeeswan’

    A gripping tale about possessiveness, betrayal and the complex thing that is love, with gorgeous visuals and a powerful performance by the icon that is Mehwish Hayat, the third and final film is a masterstroke in why we need more films like ‘Teri Meri Kahaniyaan’. With a span of only 35 minutes, the tale dives into the glory of love, and its dark side as two married people sitting in a train confide their marriage woes to each other.

    4. The sizzling chemistry between Mehwish Hayat and Wahaj Ali

    When we spoke to Nadeem Baig, who directed ‘Aik Sau Taeeswan’, about why he picked Mehwish and Wahaj to star in his short film, he revealed that although the two had not shared the screen before, it was interesting to see how their chemistry would work out. In this film, their electrifying chemistry keeps the audience gripped. Hayat keeps the audience in control with her commanding performance as a married woman who is aware of her failing marriage, but refuses to let herself succumb to it. Equally compelling, Wahaj Ali keeps viewers engaged as the screen shifts from their playful flirting dynamics, to guilt and complete shock as the tables turn.