Veteran actor and Bushra Ansari and Asma Abbas’ elder sister Sumbul Shahid has passed away after a long battle with COVID. The actor has been on the ventilator for several days now with Bushra and Asma requesting fans and followers for prayers.
According to reports, Shahid was admitted in a local hospital in Lahore. Further details are not known as yet.
Sumbul was last seen in Nandin which she played Faiza Hassan and Shahroz Sabzwari’s mother.
Asad Siddiqui took to Instagram stories to announce the demise of Sumbul Shahid. He wrote: “Zara’s Khala Sumbul Shahid passed away. Please pray for her and the family.”
Later celebrities turned to their social media to pay tribute to the departed soul.
Finding myself at a loss of words after hearing about Sumbul Shahid. May Allah grant her the highest place in Jannah. Sending my duas and love for the family. Allah give us all strength to deal with this magnanimous loss. إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ pic.twitter.com/akTQCsChpU
Crystal artist Sara Shakeel, who has been making waves with her artwork in Pakistan, has been featured in British Vogue. Sara’s crystal magic on Billie Eilish’s pictures caught the attention of the bestselling magazine, which then interviewed Sara about her work and process.
“Little did I know, my love and mad respect for Billie Eilish would land me an interview with one of my favourite magazines British Vogue,” said Sara, while sharing a screengrab of her interview in Vogue.
Speaking to the publication about her Eilish artwork, Shakeel said: “It’s the first time we have seen Billie in this way, so I wanted to create something new for her.”
“I don’t care who the person is, as long as they inspire me,” said Sara further, adding: “No matter how ordinary someone or something is, I try to make it extraordinary.”
Talking about the love and appreciation she receives, Sara said: “I’m a happy-go-lucky person who never dreamt of being famous, but now I’m so humbled; my work exists because of them.”
Meanwhile, this is not the first time Sara made waves internationally. In December 2020, she collaborated with French luxury brand Lancôme for their digital Christmas campaign, which featured Hollywood celebrities Julia Roberts and Amanda Seyfried.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Moazzam Sher Kallu has won the PP-84 Khushab by-election with a significant margin. Kallu came out on top with 73,081 votes and retained the seat that was vacated after the death of PML-N lawmaker Malik Muhammad Waris Kallu in March.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Ali Hussain Baloch was the runner-up with 62,903 votes. Kallu’s margin of victory is 10,178 votes.
PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the public and winning candidate Moazzam Sher Kallu. “The people of Khushab have rejected the wheat and sugar thieves,” Sharif was quoted
پاکستان مسلم لیگ (ن) کے صدر اور قائد حزب اختلاف شہبازشریف کی پی پی 84 خوشاب میں انتخابی فتح پر عوام اور پارٹی امیدوارملک معظم کلو کو مبارک
خوشاب کے عوام نے بھی آٹا چینی چوروں کو مسترد کردیاہے
الحمداللہ عوام اس خدمت کا اعتراف کررہی ہے جو مسلم لیگ (ن) نے اپنے دور میں کی تھی
Maryam Nawaz celebrated the Khushab victory on Twitter. She said “people in every city have declared Nawaz Sharif’s victory” and derided those who wanted to “minus Nawaz Sharif”.
ہر شہر میں عوام نے نوازشریف کی فتح کا اعلان کر دیا ہے۔ ہر صوبے سے نوازشریف کے بیانیہ کی تائید عوام کے حق حکمرانی کی فتح ہے نوازشریف کو مائنس کرنے والو! دیکھو اللّہ کے کام! صرف نوازشریف رہ گیا ہے باقی سب مائنس ہوچکے ہیں۔ pic.twitter.com/Tb04OSI2D2
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) May 5, 2021
“Look at the works of Allah! Only Nawaz Sharif is left [standing], while everyone else has been cut out,” added Maryam.
A total of eight candidates stood in the race. Besides the PML-N and PTI candidates, PPP’s Ghulam Habib Ahmed was in the running, as well the banned TLP’s Asghar Ali. The independents included Amjad Raza, Aurangzeb, Imran Haider Khan, and Ilyas Khan Azad.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said in a statement that “no untoward situation of law and order has been reported at the polling station”.
Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari congratulated the President PML-N Shehbaz Sharif, for the win in PP-84 by-polls.
Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party @BBhuttoZardari congratulates President Pakistan Muslim League-N @CMShehbaz, for the win in PP-84 Khushab by-polls.
When lawyer and analyst Reema Omer posted a Twitter update complaining about getting only three Cocomos in a 5-rupee packet, little did she know that her tweet would blow up and people would start demanding PML-N’s Miftah Ismail [owner of Bisconni] to investigate the matter.
Oh the disappointment of opening a packet of cocomo and finding only three instead of the usual four biscuits 💔
In an exclusive interview with The Current, Ismail had said that there are supposed to be four cocomos in each packet. The businessman turned politician said that he wants to have at least five in each packet but due to an increase in the price of ingredients used, they cannot afford to increase the number of cocomos in one packet.
Meanwhile, PML-N’s Maiza Hameed Gujjar promised that when the party wins the NA-249 recount, she will request Ismail to add “one more cocomo” in the packet.
Stay strong when we win in the recount tom inshAllah we will request #miftah Sab to add one more 🙌
Amazon has finally added Pakistan to its list of seller countries with Pakistanis now able to create accounts using Pakistani credentials and details.
As per details, several officials including Aisha Moriani (Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce), Omer Gajial (Ex-Amazon Category Development Head for Amazon North America division), and Shoaib Sarwar (deputy Consul General, Consulate General Pakistan, Los Angeles) along with the team members of NECC (National Ecommerce Council) and Badar Khushnood from Pakistan Software Houses Association have played an important role in this development.
This is a huge milestone and will transform Pakistan’s economy as more sellers from the country will visit the platform.
Earlier, advisor to Prime Minister (PM) Iman Khan on Commerce and Trade, Abdul Razak Dawood stressed that e-commerce has changed the business practice and that Pakistan must pay attention to it.
Besides, after COVID-19 e-commerce practices have increased by many folds, and it is a great oppertunity for women, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs.
We have finally made it. @amazon will be adding Pakistan its Sellers’ List within a few days. We have been engaged with Amazon since last year and now it’s happening. It is a great opportunity for our youth, SMEs and women entrepreneurs. .
On this occasion, Special Assitant to PM, Dr Shahbaz Gill said: “The contemporary government has achieved a milestone that the country had been unable to achieve for more than ten years.”
“Pakistan will enter into the global market, and it will generate economic activity of millions, that will also create many employment opportunities, thank you, Imran Khan,” he added.
پاکستان کی تاریخ میں جو کام پچھلے دس سال سے نا ہوسکا وہ بالآخر موجودہ حکومت نے کر دکھایا۔
AMAZON نے پاکستان کو سیلر لسٹ میں شامل کردیا ہے۔
اس سے پاکستان عالمی منڈی میں شامل ہوگیا ہے۔اس سے اربوں کی سرمایہ کاری اور روزگار کے مواقع پیدا ہوں گے. شکریہ عمران خان pic.twitter.com/c7PIqHCUTU
In addition, Pakistan’s largest EdTech platform, Extreme Commerce has trained millions of people for Amazon selling and trading and complete e-commerce.
The company has said that “The new era of e-commerce boom for Pakistan is about to start. Get your agencies ready for more business, aa you are about to get flooded with Pakistani manufacturers and brands who would need your services to take them to Amazon. Do your best, do not let the brand Pakistan down ever again, please.”
In less than 24-48 hours, Pakistan will hopefully show up in the list of allowed countries for Amazon sellers. You…
Prime Minister Imran Khan virtually addressed Pakistani ambassadors and high commissioners from across the globe on Wednesday.
PM tweeted that he told all Pakistani missions abroad that their priority “must be the welfare and well-being of our greatest asset, overseas Pakistanis”.
Today I addressed our envoys in all our missions abroad with a strong message that their priority must be the welfare & well-being of our greatest asset, overseas Pakistanis – especially our hard working labour abroad. Their welfare must take priority.https://t.co/WA7Ah49m9Q
“Overseas Pakistanis are precious assets of the country,” the premier said, adding that it is unfortunate that Pakistani ambassadors do not treat them well.
He read out complaints received on Citizens Portal and condemned the “callousness and insensitivity” displayed by embassy workers.
“Expats face unnecessary delays and complications in availing routine services,” PM Imran said. He further added that complain resolution of the embassy is mostly firefighting and lacks a passion to solve these issues. “The job of embassies is to serve their citizens.”
PM had recently recalled Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Raja Ali Ejaz and six staff members after reports of their alleged mistreatment of the Pakistani expat community surfaced. The Foreign Office said there is zero tolerance for any lapse in public service delivery. “The feedback provided by Pakistani expats living in Saudi Arabia was shocking,” said PM. He added that an indifferent attitude towards the expat community is “unforgivable”.
PM Imran in particular acknowledged the services of labour working abroad in tough conditions . “These workers deserve our utmost respect and the government will not spare anyone misbehaving with them.”
Former diplomatsreact to PM’s comments
Former Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua tweeted she was deeply dismayed at the unwarranted criticism of the foreign ministry.
Deeply dismayed at the unwarranted criticism of the Foreign Ministry. There seems to be woefully inadequate understanding of Embassies’ consular work, the acute resource constraints, and the role of multiple departments which not under the control of Ambassadors.
Former Foreign Secretary and Ambassador of Pakistan to the US Jalil Abbas Jilani does not completely agree with PM Imran. In a tweet, the former diplomat said that he wished the PM was properly briefed about working of Missions. “Services like attestation of degrees, marriage certificates, licenses etc are referred to HEC, Interior or Provincial govts for verification. You don’t get timely response. Hence delays. Blaming envoys unfair.”
Hon PM Sir, wish you were properly briefed about working of Missions. Services like attestation of degrees, marriage certificates, licenses etc are referred to HEC, Interior or Provincial govts for verification. You don’t get timely response. Hence delays. Blaming envoys unfair. https://t.co/FtmVSQnrer
Jilani also said that the foreign service of Pakistan suffers from “decades of neglect, political paralysis and resource constraints”.
FSP suffers from decades of neglect, political paralysis,and resource constraints.What is needed now is a renewal of diplomatic capacity, resources,appreciation and an effort that balances ambition with limits of the possible at a moment of growing difficulties at home and abroad https://t.co/FtmVSQnrer
Jilani and Janjua were not the only former diplomats to be irked by PM’s comments. Former Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir also tweeted that PM’s ire and critique of the foreign ministry and envoys is misplaced.
Sir respectfully, your ire and critique of Foreign Ministry and Envoys is misplaced. Usual services to the community are essentially in the domain of other departments that handle passports, nicop, consular attestation etc. Yes the missions should keep their doors open. https://t.co/mMJuvY9j1J
HBO has released the official first images from Game of Thrones spinoff House of the Dragon. The images feature series stars Emma D’Arcy, Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Rhys Ifans and Steve Toussaint.
The upcoming series, which began production last month is set 300 years before the original Thrones series. It will tell the story of the Targaryen family, ancestors of Mother of Dragons Daenerys Targaryen (played by Emilia Clarke), as House Targaryen begins its historic downfall.
The cast so far includes Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen, Paddy Considine as King Viserys, Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower, Emma D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, Sonoya Mizuno as Prince Daemons’ unlikely ally Mysaria, Rhys Ifans as Hand of the King Otto Hightower, Steve Touissant as Lord Corlys Velaryon aka a legendary Westerosi seafarer known as The Sea Snake, Fabien Frankel as the knight Ser Criston Cole and Eve Best as Lord Corlys’ wife Princess Rhaenys Velaryon.
Earlier, in an interview, HBO/HBO Max chief content officer Casey Bloys had said that showrunners Miguel Sapochnik and Ryan J. Condal are “prepping” and “have been writing for a long time”. He added that they have drafts of all 10 Season 1 episodes “in various stages.”
The series is one of several spinoff Game of Thrones projects in the works, including a Broadway show and the Dunk and Egg novellas and planned TV adaptation. A prequel starring Naomi Watts has already been killed by HBO.
House of the Dragon is based on author George R R Martin’s 2018 novel Fire & Blood. The series will premiere on HBO and HBO Max in 2022.
Television host and actor Fakhar-e-Alam has escaped a fatal car accident unhurt.
Sharing the horrific experience on social media, Alam said: “Without question, Allah is the greatest protector of them all. I have just survived what could have been easily a fatal accident while on my [way] to to Hum News Pakistan for filming.”
“These trucks become killing machines in the hands of unlicensed drivers,” said Alam further, adding that Islamabad Capital Territory Police is handling the case.
Without question Allah is the greatest protector of them all. I have just survived what could have been easily a fatal accident while on my to to @humnewspakistan for filming.These trucks become killing machines in the hands of unlicensed drivers. @ICT_Police is handling the case pic.twitter.com/BmGwQSgpkq
Later, in a series of tweets, the 45-year-old actor detailed the entire incident.
“It was a close call to what would have been most certainly a fatal accident. This milk truck from Chiniot without indication made a U-turn from the far out lane forcing our vehicle to take evasive measure missing the truck, hitting the divider and ending up on the other side,” said Alam.
1/5 It was a close call to what would have been most certainly a fatal accident. This milk truck from Chiniot without indication made a U turn from the far out lane forcing our vehicle to take evasive measure missing the truck, hitting the divider & ending up on the other side. pic.twitter.com/f7bLDzXdQ0
“Once tossed to the other side we narrowly missed oncoming traffic,” he shared further. “The fact that the driver and I have walked away alive is nothing short of a miracle. These truck operators without proper training are allowed on our roads endangering all of us and our loved ones.”
“I am grateful to Allah that I will once again get to see my children but there are many who have never returned home because of extremely poor road safety & dangerous drivers. Tonight I followed up with Islamabad Police to do whatever was possible legally to stop this driver,” Alam added.
3/5 I am grateful to Allah that I will once again get to see my children but there are many who have never returned home because of extremely poor road safety & dangerous drivers. Tonight I followed up wid @ICT_Police to do whatever was possible legally to stop this driver
Alam shared that the traffic warden, who was an eye witness stated that the truck driver was wrong. “The driver had no ID card, no license. All I want is for Islamabad Police to make sure he never drives again & endanger anyone else’s life. He wrote a confession & maafinama, I just don’t want any family to be a victim of his,” Alam said.
He also urged people to report such drivers, saying: “Please report dangerous drivers, please wear a belt, it saved my life today and above all the law enforcement must not allow for such irresponsible people to drive on our roads. The truck is now at Aabpara police station. What happens next we will all be watching.”
5/5 Please report dangerous drivers, please wear a belt, it saved my life today and above all the law enforcement must not allow for such irresponsible people to drive on our roads. The truck is now at Aabpara police station. What happens next we will all be watching.
Meanwhile, in one of his tweets, Alam had revealed that he will be sharing studios with five gold medalists of Cambrian Patrol Britain, world’s toughest & largest military competition with 140 teams each year.
He said: “I will be bringing you the story of this league of extra ordinary gentlemen very soon with Hum Network.”
Had the honor of sharing studios with 5 gold medalists of Cambrian Patrol Britain, world’s toughest & largest military competition with 140 teams each year. I will be bringing you the story of this league of extra ordinary gentlemen very soon with @humnewspakistan@Humtvnetworkpic.twitter.com/1L8XQ7NWaU
According to him, this will be a “very special project” and “a big filming project,” presumably airing on Hum News/Hum Network.
Islamabad pre production meeting on a very special project into late night….a big filming spell starts tonight…Next few days will be awesome, tiring and entertaining…. pic.twitter.com/0LsenLtEm6
I’ll be honest. When the first teasers of Chupke Chupke released I was not impressed. Ayeza Khan as a clumsy, 20-something bewakuf larki didn’t really appeal to me and she appeared to have no chemistry with co-star Osman Khalid Butt. Don’t get me wrong here, both actors are brilliant but somehow I was unable to connect with the show.
Though I initially decided to avoid the drama altogether, the nature of my job doesn’t really allow me to do so and soon enough Chupke Chupke memes and fan edits started popping up on my social media feeds piquing my interest. And when ten-something episodes later, Faazi (Butt) and Meenu (Khan) tie the knot against their wishes, I ended up getting hooked to the show.
The premise of Chupke Chupke is by no means simple, given the number of characters in the show. Kudos to director Danish Nawaz for dealing with the script so skillfully and straightening out the creases. Nawab Sahab, the family patriarch had two wives – Bebe (Asma Abbas) and Ama (Uzma Beg). While Nawab Sahab has passed away, both his wives live in the same house but in different portions. The two cannot stand each other and are always putting each other down even though all their grandchildren are friends. Meenu, Haadi (Arslan Naseer) Mirchi (Areesha Sultan) and Waleed are Bebe’s grandchildren, while Gul Apa (Mira Sethi), Faazi, Roomi and Mishi (Aymen Saleen) are Ama’s grandchildren. Gul Apa is married to her maternal cousin Miskeen (Ali Safina), while Roomi is married to Mani (Salman ‘Mani’ Shaikh). Tara Mahmood and Farhan Ally Agha play Meenu and Mirchi’s parents and Qavi Khan plays Nawab Sahab’s elder brother.
Meenu and Faazi, who are constantly trolling each other, are set to marry outside the family on the same day. In a dramatic turn of events, the two end up getting married to each other and from there on there’s only trouble with a capital T. From the two refusing to acknowledge the marriage and later their feelings to the two grandmothers rejecting the nikkah and calling for an annulment to a ‘khufia’ (suspicious) and rushed rukhsati in the middle of the night – it is a mad caper.
If this drama was not enough, Haadi and Mishi, popularly known as Hashi, are also interesting in getting married to each other, while Gul Apa makes sure she makes life for the new bahu living hell with the help of the other ‘evil’ sister Roomi. Gul’s husband Miskeen, staying true to his name, will do or say something silly which is bound to make you laugh out loud. All the characters are so lovable that it is terribly hard to decide which one is your favourite. But if someone puts a gun to my head and forces me to choose, I’d go with Haadi and Miskeen.
The ‘evil’ sisters minus Mishi and Ama
What makes the drama stand out, even more, is the performances. Each actor from little Mirchi to the two dadis, everyone has brought their A-game lighting up the screen and bringing so much energy that it perks up the viewer also. Like mentioned earlier, I had some reservations about Ayeza playing Meenu, but I can now say with full conviction that the actor has done complete justice to her role and despite racking my brain for other options, I couldn’t think of a better actor for this role.
Meanwhile, Safina and Naseer in particular deserve a special shoutout. Safina’s transition into Miskeen is incredible – he has performed the role with such finesse that every time he comes on screen and says “Sarkar,” I want to cheer for him – his comic timing is excellent. Similarly, Naseer has made a promising debut as Haadi delivering one sarcastic comment after another with such ease.
The drama takes a while to set the stage but once it’s set its a rollicking rollercoaster.
As far comparisons with Suno Chanda are concerned, there are plenty, but I think I’ll leave those for another day. It’s Chupke Chupke’s time in the spotlight and it’s best to let it shine.
With only a few episodes to go till the finale, I am curious to know whether Haadi and Mishi will get married and what the future holds in store for Meenu and Faazi. Will Gul Apa go to Sadiqabad with her husband and leave them in peace? Can’t wait to find out!
The minister tweeted that the students of grade 9 and 11 will sit for their exams as per the scheduled timetable given by their respective boards.
Mahmood added that there was no truth to the rumours circulating regarding the cancellation of the exams.
Last month, Mahmood and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan had announced that as per the suggestion of the National Command and Operation Centre, all board exams had been postponed till June 15.
“Exams of 9, 10, 11 and 12, which were supposed to begin from the end of May, have been delayed further,” the minister said. “No board exams will be held till mid-June (June 15).”
Mahmood added that another meeting of the NCOC will decide in the third week of May whether these exams will be postponed further or not.
