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  • ‘Pyar Ke Sadkay’ goes from ‘aik tarfa pyaar’ to a love triangle

    ‘Pyar Ke Sadkay’ goes from ‘aik tarfa pyaar’ to a love triangle

    I’m pretty sure that this is the umpteenth review on Pyar Ke Sadkay you’re reading because this romantic comedy has been trending all around. The drama has received rave reviews from audiences and critics alike and has gone onto become one of the most popular dramas currently on-air. When the drama first aired, it didn’t really seem like my cup of tea so I skipped watching it and caught a few glimpses here and there, enough for me to understand what the story was about. However, after reading glowing reviews, I decided to jump the bandwagon and give it a watch. And let’s just say two episodes in, I figured out why.

    Read more – Bushra Ansari says she is done with ‘saas-bahu’ dramas

    Pyar Ke Sadkay is about two simpletons Abdullah and Mahjabeen who, due to a twist of fate, end up getting married to each other. Abdullah — played by Bilal Abbas Khan — is a shy, under-confident young man who lives in the shadow of his stepfather, Sarwar (Omair Rana). He does anything and everything to win his stepfather’s approval, who uses his simplicity to manipulate him. He is in love with his classmate Shanze (Yashma Gill) who isn’t interested in him (until now) and belittles him when he asks for her hand in marriage. Hence, the ‘aik tarfa pyaar‘. It’s obviously not as intense as the one we saw in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, but just for reference.

    Abdullah

    On the other hand, Mahjabeen (Yumna Zaidi) is the daughter of an accountant who works in Sarwar’s office. She doesn’t want to study and hopes to get married so she that can avoid giving her matric exams. Mahjabeen is all set to marry Dr Hammad (Khalid Malik) but when he ditches her, a heartbroken Abdullah steps in to marry her and save her izzat. As the two begin their wedded life and start developing feelings for each other, Shanze also gets married to a narcissist and when her marriage doesn’t turn out to be the way she imagined, she is impressed by Abdullah’s attitude towards his wife and sets her sights on him — giving birth to a love triangle.

    Mahjabeen

    As they say, ‘jorian asmano main banti hain’, Mahjabeen and Abdullah are perfect for one another and their compatibility has been perfectly encapsulated with Bilal and Yumna’s chemistry which is lit. Atiqa Odho, who plays Bilal’s mother in the drama has even compared their chemistry to Mahira Khan and Fawad Khan’s in Humsafar and I have to say that I do agree with her to an extent. Playing simple and comic characters is never easy but both the actors have outdone themselves with their performances. The romance between the two leads is perhaps the main reason why this drama has made it into the hearts of the audiences. It is so innocent, yet so endearing that you can’t help but sigh. Add to that, a strong performance by Rana as the devilish Sarwar and you have a winning team.

    Sarwar

    Meanwhile, the writing and direction is also brilliant. The dialogues are fun and witty and each scene has been well thought out and director Farooq Rind has made sure that everyone puts forward their best fronts. Another thing I’d like to point out here that the drama is not without a message. The writer and director have neatly weaved the concept of harassment into the storyline making the drama a perfect example of how to use entertainment to create awareness without making it sound like a sermon.

    Pyar Ke Sadkay is a delightful watch and one you should definitely watch while in isolation because it is bound to put a smile on your face and make you forget about ‘corona times’ for a while.

    The drama also features Khalid Anam, Gul e Rana, Shermeen Ali, Danish Aqeel, Ashan Mohsin among others and airs every Thursday at 8 pm on Hum TV.

  • Living with corona

    Living with corona

    Last week when we wrote our editorial, there were a little more than 30,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases. At the time of writing this today, Pakistan’s confirmed coronavirus cases are more than 41,000. Deaths, too, have increased — last Sunday, they were more than 600… this Sunday, they are almost 900.

    A spike of around 11,000 new cases and almost 300 deaths in just one week. This is the reality of coronavirus even though we will have to live with it. At least for a year or more.

    And since we have to live with corona now, we should at least have some rules: face masks should be mandatory and for those who can’t afford them, the government should provide them. Qatar has made the wearing of face masks compulsory and anyone defying the order can face a jail term of up to three years. A fine of up to $55,000 has also bee announced for those who repeatedly fail to cover up.

    We need to make and implement rules like these. If malls and shopping centres are open, proper protocols like social distancing must be followed and implemented by the local administration. Businesses and factories that have opened up or will be opening up soon should also follow strict SOPs. Anyone who fails to follow these rules should face imprisonment or heavy fines for endangering people’s lives. If there are no strict penalties, there will be no deterrent. And if there is no deterrent, then it is open season for coronavirus.

    Just look at what happened at retail shops earlier this week. People thronged clothes shops and other markets. It was sheer madness. Some say it is because of the timings (shops are not allowed to open past 5 pm or over the weekend). But there is another view that says how many people still think of COVID-19 as flu and are not really bothered unless and until they or their loved ones get it. This is downright dangerous. Coronavirus is not flu. It has already taken more lives in just a few months than flu takes in an entire year. The damage coronavirus causes to vital organs of even those who survive it is way more dangerous than anything else.

    Pakistan will see a peak at the end of this month and we can only hope that our health sector is able to deal with it.

    We understand the economic implications of stricter measures but we should also realise that the global pandemic is leading the world to recession in the first place. Pakistan will be no different. The post-corona world is one that we may not even recognise. It will cause a lot of misery around the world, both in terms of being deadly and when it comes to financial hardships. 

  • Visually challenged Pakistani girl becomes a sensation on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’

    Visually challenged Pakistani girl becomes a sensation on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’

    14-year-old singer Sirine Jahangir – the only contestant of Pakistani origin on Britain’s Got Talent – has gone on to become a huge sensation on the show. She hopes to make it to the final.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CALPY6uliT5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
    https://www.instagram.com/p/B9W60tzlFna/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Born in 2005 in London, Sirine started losing her eyesight gradually from the age of five. By the time she was 10, she had completely lost it. Sirine excelled at sports and dancing was her favourite pastime.

    Speaking to a news outlet, Sirine’s father Kafeel Jahangir shared that during his trips to the UK, the late Junaid Jamshed used to sing with Sirine and teach her about music. Sirine uses music and her story to inspire other people with disabilities.

    Sirine is also the granddaughter of Sahibzada ‘Chico’ Jahangir who is an active Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) member. He is currently serving as Prime Minister Imran Khan’s spokesperson on Trade & Investment in UK & Europe. Fauzia Kasuri is Sirin’s aunt while the late singer Junaid Jamshed was her uncle.

    Every Monday she visits a school to teach a young 6-year-old boy who has the same condition as her. She teaches him Braille and gives him the confidence to believe in himself and not let his challenges hold him back.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B_5GGgpJwA_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
  • Yasir Hussain likens Turkish dramas to ‘landay k kapray’

    Yasir Hussain likens Turkish dramas to ‘landay k kapray’

    The debate around the airing of Diriliş: Ertuğrul doesn’t seem to end.

    After Shaan and Reema, Yasir Hussain has also come forward and urged PTV to make a historic drama using those artists and technicians who pay taxes to the country.

    “Landy k kapray aur Turkey k dramay, dono hee local industry ko tabah kardein gay,” wrote the actor.

    Read more – Humayun Saeed to play an Islamic hero in Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar’s historical epic

    It appears that actor received criticism for his comments because, in a successive Instagram story, Hussain said that when someone’s father or brother lose their jobs to Turkish people, only then will they understand what he is saying.

    Meanwhile there are some actors who have praised the series.

    Turkish historic drama series Diriliş: Ertuğrul has been trending ever since its first episode aired on PTV Home. Pakistanis are loving the drama series and it has become a sensation in the country to the point that PTV is now aiming to set a new record with the series.

    In an exclusive interview with The Current, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Faisal Javed Khan revealed that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had gifted the drama series to Pakistan as a goodwill gesture.

  • Dubai set to open drive-in cinema

    Dubai set to open drive-in cinema

    After the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned that coronavirus may never go away and we will have to learn to live with it, Dubai came up with a solution to entertain people amid the pandemic crisis. People in Dubai will soon be able to watch films on the big screen but only from their own cars at a new drive-in cinema created on the roof of one of the world’s largest shopping malls.

    With social distancing essential in the United Arab Emirates to control the spread of the virus, VOX Cinemas says that only two viewers per car will be allowed at the open-air venue, which opens on Sunday and can accommodate up to 75 cars at a time. Tickets cost 180 dirhams ($50) per vehicle inclusive of popcorn, snacks and drinks.

    Dubai, the UAE’s business and tourism hub, has been easing coronavirus restrictions since the Ramzan began three weeks ago, allowing malls and dine-in restaurants to reopen at limited capacity.

    However, children aged 3-12 and people over 60 are still barred from such venues, including the outdoor cinema, which sits on the roof of Majid Al Futtaim’s Mall of the Emirates. The screen stands under the peak of the mall’s indoor ski slope.

    Dubai, a major shopping and entertainment destination, has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic due to travel troubles and closures to curb the spread of the disease.

    The UAE has so far recorded 20,386 coronavirus infections and 206 deaths.

  • Couple arrested for ‘Bollywood style’ robberies

    Couple arrested for ‘Bollywood style’ robberies

    The Delhi Police arrested a couple for committing ‘Bollywood style’ robberies. The duo, who is being dubbed ‘Bunty-Babli’ in reference to Rani Mukherjee and Abhishek Bachchan’s superhit film, reportedly committed dozens of snatchings in the city.

    Read more – ‘Death by massage’: police arrest serial killer masseur

    According to a report in India Today, the couple rode a white-coloured scooty and while the man would drive the scooter, the woman would snatch phones and other belongings as a pillion rider.

    After the robberies became common, an investigation team was constituted to look into the matter. Hundreds of reports with same modus operandi were searched but nothing could be substantiated. After that, the team started to collect and analyse CCTV footage of the crime scenes as well as the escape route used by the duo. While the CCTV footage had poor resolution and the police were unable to identify the criminals through it, it was enough to give the team the couple’s physical structure.

    After a tedious investigation process, the team finally managed to nab the criminals and arrest them while they were at the market to sell the stolen mobile phones. They recovered four mobile phones and one scooty from their possession.

    Read more – Mother sends son to buy groceries, he returns with bride

    The police revealed that the man, identified as Arjun alias Karan, was is an active criminal of central Delhi. He was involved in 31 cases and is a drug addict. Meanwhile his wife, Vaishali Kaushal is a tattoo artist and also a drug addict. The two had tied the knot a few months back and have been carrying out snatchings ever since.

  • Shahid Afridi buys Mushfiqur Rahim’s bat auctioned for coronavirus relief

    Shahid Afridi buys Mushfiqur Rahim’s bat auctioned for coronavirus relief

    Shahid Afridi has contributed to Bangladesh’s COVID-19 relief efforts by buying a cricket bat put up on auction by Bangladeshi batsman Mushfiqur Rahim for $20,000.

    The bat had been used by Rahim during his maiden double hundred in Test cricket. Rahim had made this score in Bangladesh’s match against Sri Lanka in the Galle Test of 2013.

    Rahim made the announcement on social media and thanked Afridi for purchasing the bat and helping him raise money for his fellow countrymen.

    Afridi also shared the news and said that he and his foundation Shahid Afridi Foundation “believe that human suffering and empathy is beyond borders” and that he “hopes this small token will help build bigger bridges”.

    https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/1261380200836878338?s=20

    In a video message shared by Rahim, Lala also appreciated Mushfiq for “doing wonderful work” for his people.

    “Only real heroes undertake such efforts. We’re all experiencing unprecedented times, in which we need each other. I’ll always remember the love I received from Bangladesh,” said Afridi. “Buying your cricket bat on behalf of the Pakistani people, I wish to become a part of your journey.”

    Cricketers and sportsmen around the world are auctioning their memorabilia to raise funds for coronavirus relief drives.

  • Why do businesses not grow in Pakistan?

    Why do businesses not grow in Pakistan?

    CEO Maple Leaf Capital, Waleed Saigol, has said that businesses grow in Pakistan but at a slow pace, and the problem lies within the policies and mindset of the country’s power groups.

    Speaking at a virtual conference hosted by Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) on Thursday, with prominent businessmen, including over a hundred chief executive officers (CEOs) and leaders of the business community, in attendance to discuss “Why Businesses Do Not Grow in Pakistan?”, he said that ironically, Pakistan had developed nuclear bombs under pressure, however, state institutions “didn’t prioritise economic and business growth”.

    “The role of media is also questionable… our news anchors do not bring these issues to the public, besides, we as a nation like to discuss controversies to malign each other. If we want to see business growth in Pakistan, we have to sort out interference by the country’s institutions,” Saigol maintained.

    In response to Saigol, Dr Nadeemul Haq, the vice chancellor of PIDE, said, “Undoubtedly, Pakistan is a talent-repellent state. All our talented people go and serve in big companies around the world rather than working here.”

    While moderating the conference, Dr Haq took the conversation to Alman Aslam, who is a business advisor to local and foreign companies.

    “We need to understand why all this is happening in Pakistan. A businessperson here has to do many things that have nothing to do with business growth, but for the mere survival of his or her company,” Aslam said.

    “Company owners are harassed by corrupt tax collection authorities of Pakistan,” he alleged, adding that it reminded him of centuries-old tax collection practices.

    “The court system is flawed, take a matter to court and you will not get justice in 20 years. Besides, how can private companies excel when the government is intervening in every business? We have authorities like the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) that bully and interfere in the matters of private companies. If you want companies to grow, just allow them to grow.”

    An argument was raised in the discussion that Pakistani businessmen cannot think globally, in response to which Saigol said, “We cannot think globally because we are not allowed to think globally.”

    “The illogical policies of the government don’t let businessmen make viable investments here in Pakistan or anywhere abroad. Similarly, no foreign company will come here to invest. It took Lucky Cement Group two years to send $50 million to Africa to set up their plant,” Saigol added, lamenting that to transfer $1 million, you needed an approval from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), and to make a payment of more than $10 million, you needed an approval from the Economic Corridor Committee (ECC).

    “Just imagine the level of regulations here,” he concluded.

  • Anwar Masqood gets emotional while talking about Moin Akhtar

    Anwar Masqood gets emotional while talking about Moin Akhtar

    Anwar Maqsood, in a Q&A session hosted by his son Bilal Maqsood, got emotional while discussing the late Moin Akhtar. The renowned writer remarked that the two were inseparable, adding that people like him tend to live in the hearts forever.

    “Moin is like a vine wrapped around my heart,” said Maqsood when asked if he misses Moin. “32 years I wrote for Moin.”

    He went onto say, “Big people [like him] they might leave [our] sight but are here… Moin is here. He’s in every house, he’s in every heart.”

    “Often times when I’m writing something like Loose Talk, I write my name and instinctively start writing Moin’s,” he sighed.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CALM7JElI6t/

    In the Q&A session, Bilal asked his father ten questions sent in to him by his fans.

    Apart from his thoughts on Moin, Maqsood was also asked what advice he would give to young people to which the writer said, “Don’t chase money but goals.”

    He also didn’t leave a chance to criticise morning shows, which he has often spoken up against. When asked when Pakistan as a nation will ‘wake up’, Maqsood replied: “When all these morning shows will end, the nation will wake up from its sleep.”

  • Fans spot ‘Virat Kohli’, ‘Usman Shinwari’ in Ertuğrul

    Fans spot ‘Virat Kohli’, ‘Usman Shinwari’ in Ertuğrul

    As Diriliş: Ertuğrul fever continues to grip Pakistanis, fans have now started pointing out how two of the show’s characters look a bit too much like two South Asian cricketing stars… and to be honest, the resemblance is truly uncanny!

    READ: Pakistanis lose it over ‘un-Islamic’ Instagram of ‘Diriliş: Ertuğrul’ star

    While many took to Twitter to point out how much a character from the show resembled Pakistan’s left-arm fast bowler Usman Shinwari…

    …another cricketing star, Mohammad Amir, cannot seem to help but wonder if Indian skipper Virat Kohli is also there in the series.

    While the Indian batsman is yet to respond, here’s what Twitterati are saying:

    https://twitter.com/mafiapraveen/status/1261224289111609344

    Turkish historic drama series Diriliş: Ertuğrul has been trending ever since its first episode aired on PTV Home. Pakistanis are loving the drama series and it has become a sensation in the country to the point that PTV is now aiming to set a new record with the series.

    In an exclusive interview with The Current, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Faisal Javed Khan revealed that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had gifted the drama series to Pakistan as a goodwill gesture.