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  • Farhan Saeed looks almost unrecognisable in first look of ‘Shamsher’

    Farhan Saeed looks almost unrecognisable in first look of ‘Shamsher’

    The first look of the upcoming original series Shamsher has been officially revealed online, showing singer Farhan Saeed in a completely new and intense style. The striking poster gives fans a glimpse of the powerful emotions and gripping story that the show promises to deliver.

    Known for his popular roles in Suno Chanda, Udaari, and Mere Humsafar, Farhan is now taking on a bold new challenge in Shamsher. The role is expected to showcase a deeper and more intense side of his acting talent.

    The series is produced by Nina Kashif, the creative force behind several hit dramas like Humsafar and Baaghi. She is known for telling emotional and socially powerful stories, and Shamsher continues that tradition.

    The show is directed by Shehrazade Sheikh, who has directed popular dramas such as Dil-e-Momin and Muqaddar. Her direction is known for mixing beautiful visuals with emotional storytelling. With Shamsher, she aims to deliver a strong, character-focused series.

    The series is part of Tapmad’s Originals lineup and will be available to stream only on the Tapmad platform. With a star-studded cast and a powerful story, Shamsher is set to be one of the most talked-about digital shows this year.

  • Children from six cities found in Punjab operation

    Children from six cities found in Punjab operation

    The Crime Control Department (CCD) of Punjab has found 44 missing and runaway children, many of whom had been abused or were drug addicts.

    The children came from different cities including Abbottabad, Karachi, Lahore, Ghotki, Swat, and Mansehra.

    A private media source claims that during a ceremony organized by CCD, the children were handed over to their parents.

    Dr. Usman Anwar, the Punjab Inspector General, stated during the event that child labor, child exploitation, and child abuse are red lines for the police. 

    According to him, restoring the social structure requires protecting children from predators, keeping them out of trouble, and assisting them in becoming responsible citizens.

    According to the IG, psychologists are counseling both the parents and the children who suffer from abuse or addiction.

    Additional IG CCD said the department recovered a large number of missing and runaway children in a short time. 

    The parents of 13 children have been traced and reunited with their offspring. 

    Children left alone will be taken to SOS Village, the child protection and welfare bureau, or other rehabilitation centers.

  • ‘Super-vision’ might be closer than you think

    ‘Super-vision’ might be closer than you think

    Researchers at the University of Science and Technology of China have developed wearable contact lenses that allow people to see in the dark, even with their eyes closed.

    According to a study published in Cell on May 22, the lenses can detect flickering patterns and images without the need for night-vision goggles, using nanoparticles that detect near-infrared light.

    “It’s totally clear cut: without the contact lenses, the subject cannot see anything, but when they put them on, they can clearly see the flickering of the infrared light,” senior author and neuroscientist Tian Xue explains. 

    Xue also detailed that wearers can actually see clearly with their eyes closed, as there is less interference from near-infrared light, which penetrates the eyelids more effectively than visible light.

    The researchers also managed to alter the colour of the nanoparticles, converting red light into green, which could be beneficial for individuals with colour blindness.

    “Our research opens up the potential for non-invasive wearable devices to give people super-vision,” Xue said.

     
    Although the invention may seem like something out of a comic book, the study highlighted its practical applications.

    According to the study, “there are many real-world uses for this technology, such as encoding and transmitting infrared information, improving vision in low-visibility situations (like fog or dust), and integration into smart devices for emergencies and rescue.”

  • ESPN names Sri Lanka’s Kusal Perrera as Pakistan’s Khawaja Nafay in major PSL coverage blunder

    ESPN names Sri Lanka’s Kusal Perrera as Pakistan’s Khawaja Nafay in major PSL coverage blunder

    A slip-up by American sports network ESPN during the second Eliminator of HBL PSL 10 sparked chatter among cricket fans.

    In a clip highlighting top performers from Lahore Qalandars’ innings, ESPN mistakenly labelled Sri Lanka’s player Kusal Perera as Pakistan’s Khawaja Nafay, even though Nafay was not included in the playing XI. The error appeared in a social media post that featured Perera’s photo and score, but displayed the wrong name.

    Fans were quick to catch the mistake, pointing it out across social media platforms. A few minutes later, ESPN quietly removed the post and replaced it with a corrected version, properly crediting Kusal Perera for his stellar batting.

    The highlight of the day, however, was Lahore Qalandars’ dominant performance. They thrashed Islamabad United by 95 runs to secure a spot in the final of PSL 10, set for Sunday at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

    Batting first after winning the toss, Qalandars scored a total of 202 for 8. Perera led the charge with a 61, while Muhammad Naeem added a solid 50. Contributions also came from Abdullah Shafique (25), Bhanuka Rajapaksa (22), and Asif Ali (15).

    For Islamabad, Tymal Mills picked up three wickets, Salman Irshad grabbed two, and Imad Wasim and Jimmy Neesham took one wicket each.

    In chasing the target, Islamabad United collapsed, with all out in the 16th over after scoring only 107 runs. Salman Agha scored 33 runs, followed by Shadab Khan with 26, while the rest of the lineup failed to deliver, with several players falling for single digits or ducks.

    Lahore’s bowlers were on fire, with Shaheen Shah Afridi, Salman Mirza, and Rashad Hussain each taking three wickets, sealing a resounding victory.

    With this win, Lahore Qalandars march into the final to face Quetta Gladiators on Sunday, May 25.

  • Angelo Mathews bids farewell to Test cricket

    Angelo Mathews bids farewell to Test cricket

    Sri Lankan cricketer Angelo Mathews has announced that he is retiring from Test cricket. 

    The 37-year-old former Sri Lankan captain posted a statement on social media, revealing that he will retire from the longest format of the game in June.

    Mathews, who made his Test debut in 2009, confirmed that his final Test match will be against Bangladesh in Galle on June 17.

    Although he is stepping away from Test cricket, Mathews has confirmed his availability for Sri Lanka’s ODI and T20 teams. However, he has not featured in a limited-overs international match since June last year.

    In his statement, Mathews wrote, “It has been the greatest honour and privilege to represent my country for the past 17 years. I gave the game everything I had, and the game, in return, has given me so much. Whatever I am today, it is because of cricket.”

    He added, “I will be retiring from the Test format. As discussed with the selectors, I remain available for the shorter formats if my country needs me.”

    Mathews retires as the third-highest run-scorer for Sri Lanka in Test cricket history. The right-handed batter has scored 8,167 runs in 118 matches at an average of 44.62. Only legends Kumara Sangakkara (12,400 runs) and Mahela Jayawardene (11,814 runs) have more runs than him for Sri Lanka in Tests.

    In addition to his batting achievements, Mathews also contributed to the game with the ball, taking 33 wickets in his Test career.

    He captained the Sri Lankan Test team in 34 matches between 2013 and 2017.

  • World Bank commits $55 million to help govt reform power sector

    World Bank commits $55 million to help govt reform power sector

    Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari received a delegation from the World Bank to discuss reforms that are currently in progress, along with discussing additional avenues of collaboration. Details from reports reveal that Anna Bjerde, Managing Director Operations at the World Bank, is heading the delegation.

    According to a press statement, the power minister has highlighted initiatives to bring about a competitive power market in the country. This move is reportedly expected to reduce financial strain on the federal government by improving efficiency.

    During the discussions, the power minister told the World Bank’s delegation about the establishment of an Independent System and Market Operator (ISMO), which will serve to ease the shift from the government being the only power purchaser to a system where various buyers and sellers can operate in the power market.

    Reports indicate that Pakistani authorities have already begun to hire officials to make the aforementioned shift. Moreover, the power minister outlined progressive policies, telling the delegation about the ministry’s success in public revenue enforcement and Islamabad’s goals to substitute broad subsidies with those that offered support to a targeted segment.

    This could result in the national exchequer being spared unnecessary strain, allowing the government to consolidate its fiscal position or allocate the freed-up funds elsewhere. 

    According to reports, the power minister requested the World Bank’s help regarding the design and implementation of narrow subsidies. If designed correctly, it would allow for only the deserving stratum of the population to receive subsidies.

    Anna Bjerde assured Pakistani officials that the country would have the World Bank’s support in the implementation of the reforms. She hailed the ISMO as a significant landmark in Pakistan’s journey to deregulate and liberalise the power market.

    The power minister outlined Pakistan’s excess electricity capacity of approximately 7,000 megawatts. As per reports, he suggested that the electricity should be diverted to industrial customers at competitive rates instead of allowing it to go to waste.

    The reduction in electricity rates could encourage a greater level of industrialisation in the economy. A fall in power rates could pull the large-scale manufacturing (LSM) sector out of its decline, which has witnessed a 1.9 percent contraction in the large-scale manufacturing (LSM) sector during the first eight months of fiscal year 2024-25. 

    The delegation from the World Bank agreed with the idea of utilising surplus electricity. The World Bank’s Country Director, Najy Benhassine, pledged $55 million in funding to assist Islamabad in transforming the country’s power sector.

  • ‘Mysore Pak’ to ‘Mysore Shree’; Indian shops rename desserts amid Pakistan phobia

    ‘Mysore Pak’ to ‘Mysore Shree’; Indian shops rename desserts amid Pakistan phobia

    Several sweet shops across India have begun renaming their desserts by removing the suffix ‘Pak’ due to its association with Pakistan and replacing it with ‘Shree’.  A dessert named ‘Mysore Pak’ has been renamed to ‘Mysore Shree’, highlighting the growing hyper-nationalism in India.

    According to Indian media, the proprietor of Tyohaar Sweets, Anjali Jain, spearheaded the campaign.

    Sweet names like Gond Pak, Aam Pak and Moti Pak have been renamed Gond Shree, Aam Shree, and Moti Shree.

    Tyohaar sweets even changed its most exclusive creations Swarn Bhasm Pak and Chani Bhasm Pak into Swarn Shree and Chandi Shree.

    According to details, ‘Pak’ or ‘Paka’ in Kannada refers to a sweet mixture or a sweet syrup. Mysore Pak was named for its origin in the city of Mysore, Karnataka, and essentially means sweet syrup from Mysore.

    The act of changing the sweets’ name led many social media users to take a jibe at the Pakistan phobia. A user took to X (formerly Twitter), writing, “Sorry for the guy whose name is DeePak.” Another social media user wrote, “All people with names Pushpak, Roopak, and Champak be like, ‘Oh good god’.”

    One of the users mocked the act of rebranding the sweets’ name, writing, “Let us delete the alphabet P,A,K from everywhere, even from laptops and phones’ dictionary.”

    A netizen said, “The word Shah means king in Iran and Muslims. So, Amit shah [India’s Home Minister] should also change his name.” Another quipped, “Before: Khaana Pak gaya kyaa, After: Khaana shree hogaya gaya kyaa.”

    The renaming comes weeks after Workers of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vandalised Karachi Bakery in Hyderabad over its name.

    According to The Wire, the vandals wore saffron shawls, stepped on Pakistani flags, and chanted anti-Pakistan slogans. CCTV footage showed them hitting the bakery’s sign with sticks, to target the word ‘Karachi’.

    The bakery has been a renowned establishment in Hyderabad since 1953 and its name refers to the founder’s hometown prior to partition, said The Wire.

  • Shafaat Ali leaves Kazakh vlogger speechless in viral clip

    Shafaat Ali leaves Kazakh vlogger speechless in viral clip

    Balnur Baltabayeva, the popular travel vlogger from Kazakhstan, just dropped an Instagram reel featuring comedian Shafaat Ali, and fans can’t get enough. In the video, Balnur looks genuinely amazed as Shafaat effortlessly switches between languages, leaving viewers entertained and impressed.

    “I GOT SHOCKED the way @shafaatsyed SPEAKS many languages,” she captioned the post.

    In the video, she asks, “How many languages do you speak?” Shafaat casually responded, “I speak about five or six languages. I never counted them. Urdu, English, Farsi, Pashto, Hindko, Punjabi, Raiki… a little bit of Arabic.”

    The real twist came when Shafaat broke into a spot-on Donald Trump impersonation, leaving Balnur in fits of laughter.

    With Trump’s signature tone and hand gestures, he declared, “Balochistan  great people. Fantastic people. I love them. They wear a lot of clothes… almost 12 yards of it. I don’t like it, but they look fantastic. They’re really hospitable. They just love to shove food down your throat. I love Balochi people  but please, do not come to the United States!”

    Fans instantly flooded the comments:

    “OMG he nailed Trump’s accent and that’s probably exactly what Trump would say!”

    “Shafaat always rocks ”

    “Both gems in one frame!”

    “He’s so talented, wow!”

  • Dust storms, rain coming to Lahore

    Dust storms, rain coming to Lahore

    The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a weather warning for Lahore and several other areas in upper and central Pakistan. The advisory, released on Friday, warns of strong winds, dust storms, and thunderstorms from the evening of May 23 to 24.

    According to the PMD, moist air is entering the upper and central regions of the country, while a western weather system is expected to reach the northern parts on May 24. This could result in intense weather activity, including thunderstorms and rain.

    The PMD has cautioned that strong winds and lightning may damage trees, electric poles, vehicles, and solar panels. People are advised to remain vigilant, and farmers have been urged to plan their activities in line with the forecast.

    The good news is that the ongoing heatwave in the upper regions is expected to ease during this period, offering temporary relief from the high temperatures.


    Weather Forecast for Friday and Saturday

    On Friday, most districts of Punjab are expected to remain very hot and dry. However, partly cloudy conditions with strong winds, dust storms, and thunderstorms are likely during the evening or night in areas including Kashmir, Murree, Galliyat, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Lahore, Sialkot, Narowal, and surrounding regions. Hailstorms may also occur in some places.

    On Saturday, hot and dry weather will likely persist across most parts of Punjab. Nevertheless, there remains a chance of partly cloudy skies with dust storms and thunderstorms at a few locations, including Kashmir, Murree, Galliyat, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Layyah, Dera Ghazi Khan, and adjacent areas. Isolated hailstorms are also expected.

  • Exporters eye $100 million mango exports despite climate hurdles

    Exporters eye $100 million mango exports despite climate hurdles

    Pakistani exporters are targeting to ship off 125,000 tons of mangoes this season. Shipments will reportedly begin from May 25 and are expected to generate large foreign exchange inflows for cash-strapped Pakistan.

    According to the Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association (PFVA), if exporters are able to meet the target, the mangoes will bring in approximately $100 million in export revenues. Reports reveal that last season’s export target sat at just 100,000 tons, indicating that exporters have increased their target by 25,000 tons for the current season.

    Analysts believe, however, that the domestic supply of mangoes may be detrimentally impacted by climate challenges, creating difficulties for exporters to meet their target. As per a key member of the PFVA, the supply of mangoes has been falling persistently owing to water scarcity and climate change.

    The aforementioned PFVA member, Waheed Ahmed, outlined how mango production could decline by a staggering 20 percent this year. He highlighted how mango production may fall from a respectable 1.8 million tons to a measly 1.4 million tons.

    Reports reveal that 70 percent of mangoes are grown in Punjab, with 29 percent being grown in Sindh. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is responsible for producing just one percent of Pakistan’s mangoes.

    According to Waheed Ahmed, authorities need to enact “provincial-level initiatives” to relieve climate-based pressures impacting mango production. These include, but are not limited to, developing mango varieties that are climate resilient, improving water management on a provincial scale, modernising the agricultural sector and investing in research and development.

    As per experts, climate change poses a significant threat to agricultural activities, a threat which mangoes are not immune to. Pakistan may soon be able to invest in initiatives once it receives funds from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) to combat climate-related shocks.

    Falling mango yields could result in an uptick in fruit prices in the domestic market. Increasing mango exports could exacerbate the problem, causing a further increase in prices.

    Waheed Ahmed has revealed that exporters are targeting new markets in addition to long-standing importers of Pakistani mangoes. These new markets include the United States, Australia, Japan and South Korea.

    Moreover, he outlined that exporters will place special emphasis on moving into the Turkish and Chinese markets. Reports suggest that South Africa will open its market for Pakistan’s mangoes too, which could result in a significant jump in mango exports.