Naseer Turabi is a poet who wrote Woh Humsafar Tha in 1971 to express his sadness on East Pakistan’s separation.
Naseer Turabi
He was born in Hyderabad, Hyderabad State which was then, Deccan.
Naseer came to Pakistan after the independence of Pakistan in 1947. He did his M.A. in Mass Communications from University of Karachi in 1968. The poet now lives in Karachi.
He began writing poetry in 1962. His first collection of Poetry Aks-e-Faryadi was published in 2000.
After the East Pakistan Separation, he wrote a Ghazal Woh Humsafar Tha expressing the sadness at the great tragedy of separation of East Pakistan.
The same Ghazal was later used as a theme song for the Humsafar drama series. He also wrote lyrics for the theme song Dil Ka Jo Mol Chukatay Honge of Mol and Zindagi Gulzar Hai drama series. He has also written the lyrics of Dil Aitebaar for Khwab Saraye and for Yaqeen Ka Safar OST.
The ghazal is top-notch, Abida Parveen has also sung it. But for the newer generation, the Quratulain Baloch version of the song for Pakistani drama Hamsafar on modern instruments and rhythm is more engaging.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has announced the National Amateur Short Film Festival (NASFF) to give amateur filmmakers a platform to showcase their talent and skills. The purpose of NASFF is to give a chance to the creative and talented youth of the country to make high-quality short films projecting a positive image of Pakistan. Winners of the competition will be awarded prestigious scholarships in film schools across the globe.
According to a press release, the film festival is “to proffer a chance to our enormously creative and talented youth to produce high-quality short films projecting a positive image of Pakistan.”
The launch event of NASFF was held on Monday and was a star-studded affair with Mahira Khan, Humayun Saeed, Zara Noor Abbas, Iqra Aziz, Farhan Saeed, Wahaj Ali, Bilal Abbas Khan, Mashal Khan, Ayub Khoso, and Qasim Khan from Alpha Bravo Charlie in attendance. All of them will serve as brand ambassadors of the festival.
Encouraging everyone to apply, Farhan said: “If you have talent, I promise you this is the best opportunity.”
Sharing pictures from the event, Mahira said: “There are so many young artists who come to me all the time wanting to direct, act, write stories, etc. I’m so glad that I can be part of this initiative along with all my other colleagues.”
“NASFF is a great step forward in stimulating the youth of Pakistan, who aspire to be innovative filmmakers. With opportunities like these, there is so much creative room to explore talents beyond the traditional approaches,” she added.
Similarly, Zara said that she was very happy to be supporting the initiative.
Meanwhile, Humayun Saeed urged aspiring filmmakers to take the advantage of the opportunity.
“If you have the knack for films and television and want to produce some quality content then this platform is your stepping stone,” said the actor.
“Getting an opportunity to study your creative field with a full scholarship at one of the top filmmaking institutions in the world would be a dream come true right?” said Iqra in her social media post.
“NASFF is the right place to be for all the budding creative minds that are ready to break the norms,” she wrote, adding that she is very happy to be part of the project.
Bilal Abbas, who is also one of the brand ambassadors, gave a “huge shout out to NASFF for understanding and evolving the talents of ambitious potential filmmakers in Pakistan.”
“For anyone who aims to work for the entertainment industry to yield good classic content then grab this opportunity,” said the actor.
Wahaj said that NASFF will pave the way for all ambitious and creative filmmakers to a brighter future.
How to apply
Registration for the event is free and the last date to register is January 1, 2021. The last date for the submission of the project is March 10, 2021, while the festival is scheduled to take place in April. Participants can make films of all genres including fiction, documentary, animation, and experimental films. However, the film must be original. Entries can be submitted in Urdu, English & Regional Languages but with English subtitles.
Further details are given on ISPR’s official website: ispr.gov.pk/NASFF
After teasing the fans with stills from the film and behind the scenes, Filmwala Pictures has finally dropped the teaser of Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad.
The short teaser is packed with action, muscle flexes, and fire cracking chemistry between the two leads. We already know that Fahad Mustafa will be playing a ‘dirty cop’ in the film and the teaser shows him jump on cars and crack skulls in his uniform. The teaser is catchy and exciting and the film promises to be a rollercoaster ride.
Featuring Mahira Khan and Fahad in the lead, Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad has been directed by Nabeel Qureshi and produced by Fizza Ali Meerza. The duo has previously delivered hits including Load Wedding and Actor in Law – both of which had Fahad in the lead.
Speaking to The Current, Nabeel had shared that the film will be a satirical action-comedy – something along the lines of their previous film Actor in Law. Fahad had said that the film will feature action sequences that have never been tried before in Pakistan and that he performed all the stunts himself.
“We have tried to pull off Mission Impossible type stuff in Pakistan with Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad,” said the actor. “I endured multiple injuries while performing these stunts. My heel was injured throughout the course of filming and I couldn’t even walk properly but still, I did all the stunts myself and no double was used.”
The film was scheduled to hit screens on Eidul Azha but because of the coronavirus lockdown, its release was delayed. Latest reports have suggested that the film’s makers are eyeing a December 2020 release now.
To say that Humsafar was a game-changer in the Pakistani drama scene would be an understatement. The Mahira Khan-Fawad Khan starrer truly revolutionized the Pakistani drama industry and had everyone hooked.
Humsafar is currently celebrating its ninth anniversary and to commemorate the occasion, Mahira shared a few clips from the drama and talked about why the drama is close to her heart.
“What is there left to say that hasn’t already been said?” wrote the actor on Instagram. “Maybe that’s the thing about Humsafar, there is always more to say.”
She continued: “Khirad is by far my most special character. She loved fiercely, she gave wholeheartedly and when it came to her self-respect she held that closest to her heart. What a woman.”
“Humsafar is beyond all of us who made it,” wrote Mahira further. “It’s all of yours. This safar, this journey is nothing without all of you.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFh-XwchQ1m/
Earlier, in an interview with The Current, Mahira had said: “I believe Khirad was one of my strongest characters…And I do not associate crying with being weak.”
When asked if there can be another couple like Khirad and Ashar on Pakistani television, Mahira said: “Yes. Ashar and Khirad have their own chemistry. And they should be left alone there. But I believe and I think, there have been so many other couples that people have loved and liked.”
Directed by Sarmad Khoosat and written by Farhat Ishtiaq, Humsafar also featured Naveen Waqar, Atiqa Odho, and Hina Khawaja Bayat.
Mahira was last seen in Superstar opposite Bilal Ashraf. Her next film Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad was scheduled to release on Eid ul Azha 2020 but was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Apart from that, Mahira will also be seen in The Legend of Maula Jatt and Neelofar, both of which also star Fawad Khan.
Pakistan-India tensions may be at an all-time high at this point but Mahira Khan’s Indian fan base continues to grow. The latest Bollywood celebrity to follow Mahira on Instagram is none other than Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan. Roshan follows a total of 170 people only on the social media app and Mahira is one of them.
Given the political tensions between the two neighbouring countries, it is unlikely that we will see them in a film or project together but they sure would make a lovely pair.
Mahira’s Bollywood career may have been short-lived but the actor made a mark there with her performance in Raees opposite Shah Rukh Khan. Besides, she has often been spotted with B-town celebrities at different events and award functions.
With Sonam Kapoor at the Cannes Film Festival
With Ranbir Kapoor at the Global Teacher Prize in Dubai
Other Bollywood stars who follow Mahira on Instagram include Sonam Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Ayushman Khurana and Gauri Khan.
Fahad Mustafa was not joking when he said that Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad will have ‘Mission Impossible type’ stunts – because BTS images and videos hint that the film is packed with a lot of action.
Mahira Khan recently shared a video of herself riding a bike with the caption: “I learned how to ride a bike for Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad. This video was my second day of lessons…so you can imagine how good I actually am.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFUr3LDpKZV/
“I also got a certificate after completing all my lessons,” she added. The actor also shared that she was mentored by trainers at the Pink Riders Pakistan, an institute that helps women across the country learn how to ride motorbikes.
Addressing her co-star Fahad, Mahira also said: “Ajaa meri motor bike pe beth ja.”
In response, Fahad remarked, “Helmet khareed loon. Let me think about it, Mahira. Gira na dena.”
The film’s director Nabeel Qureshi commented that Mahira should have put a song behind the video.
Meanwhile, Mahira’s friends Adeel Hussain and Aima Baig admired the actor’s motorcycle driving skills.
Mahira’s upcoming film Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad was scheduled to hit screens on Eidul Azha but because of the coronavirus lockdown, its release was delayed. Latest reports have suggested that the film’s makers are eyeing a December 2020 release now.
The gang-rape of a woman on the Lahore-Sialkot motorway has sparked nationwide outrage, with countless protests being organised across the country to demand justice for the victim and safe space for women in the country. Members of the Pakistani Entertainment Industry also took the initiative of organising a peaceful protest outside the Karachi Press Club to raise their voice on the matter and give it more momentum.
Among those present at the occasion was Mahira Khan, Sarah Khan, Ayesha Omar, Adnan Siddiqui, Ali Rehman Khan, Aijaz Aslam, Frieha Altaf, Bushra Ansari, Sarwat Gilani, Yasir Hussain, Asim Jofa, Anoushey Abbasi and Gul-e-Rana.
Sharing pictures from the event, Mahira said: “We demand a secure nation for all women! At home, on the streets, at work, alone, not alone, with kids, without kids, in a skirt or in a burkha. Wherever she may be, whoever she may be – we demand basic rights of safety.”
Holding a placard, which read “Real men don’t rape”, Sarah Khan said: “No mercy for rapists.”
Sarwat Gilani said that the entertainment fraternity came out to “demand justice and security for our women and children”. Sarwat also lauded Prime Minister Imran Khan’s decision to punish rapists with castration — the process of removal of testicles of a man.
We stand together as one voice,” said Ali Rehman. “One voice to demand the protection of our women, children and transgenders. One voice to demand their freedom. “We stand together.”
Aijaz Aslam held a placard which read: “Stop rape”.
Mansha Pasha said she stepped out after a long time to “join a protest and speak about the state of women’s safety in Pakistan and the fact that there is none.”
“We aren’t safe on the street, at work or even in our homes,” she added.
“Rape happens because of: 1) Rapist; 2) Failure of law enforcement agencies,” asserted Mansha.
Yasir Hussain and Adnan Siddiqui addressed the protesters gathered at the venue.
Bushra Ansari stood by her earlier stance, saying that hanging the rapist is not enough.
According to details, the protest was organised by Yasir Hussain, Frieha Altaf and Asim Jofa.
Meanwhile, some social media users are criticising the actors for holding a separate protest instead of attending the main one organised by the Aurat March.
I really want to believe their hearts are in the right place, but wtf? This is cringe-worthy. And can someone explain why the celebrities felt the need to have their own protest against #motorwayincident vs getting more support for the first one? pic.twitter.com/Ezjwpu2opU
Sarwat later clarified that a second protest was held because “a lot of celebrities were busy with work on the first protest’s date, [so] we decided to get out a day when most of us were available.”
Following the harrowing Motorway Rape Incident and growing intolerance towards Shias in Sindh, Mahira Khan penned a note saying that she stands with the “Shias of my country”, the “women of this country” and “against anything that goes against the basic foundation of this country”.
Addressing Prime Minister Imran Khan, Mahira said: “We all want answers. Answers for women being raped, for those in power victim shaming, for minorities being called kaafir.”
Besides Mahira, several other celebrities including Feroze Khan, Imran Abbas and Farhan Saeed have urged PM Imran to take strict action and make an example out of those involved in the motorway gang-rape.
I don’t believe you ! I have faith in @ImranKhanPTI and I understand the dirty politics that’s being done behind him …. HE WILL AND HE CAN DO IT ! https://t.co/59SMFvtBgc
– I will always count on your statement that Pakistan will be “Riasat e Madina” and if you don’t hang these monsters raping and killing children and women in the open nothing can ever be changed … just make one example. Public execution is what I demand @ImranKhanPTI
– I have major hope in you … this is the time you can do it please I beg you it’s the little that needs attention the big will all fall in place it self. Please help the voiceless please help the weak please kill the monsters @ImranKhanPTI
Meanwhile, Asim Azhar told PM Khan that he’s “afraid our country is coming to a point where being from a particular sect can end your life.”
I’m afraid tweeting this could make me a target for them too maybe but at least I want to let you know – this is not the Pakistan that Quaid founded. I’m scared not just for Shias but for every person I know that belongs to a background that triggers the extremists. @ImranKhanPTI
Mahira Khan and Mehwish Hayat, among other celebrities have condemned the brutal gang-rape of a mother of two and have demanded for the mindset to be changed.
Mehwish Hayat, in a tweet said: “Scream all you want about ‘Public Hanging of Rapists’ – nothing will happen till the mindset changes.”
How come in Singapore women are safe to walk home alone even at 4am?Why can’t we have the same sense of security here?! Are we living in a civilised society or a jungle?Scream all you want abt #PublicHangingOfRapists -nothing will happen till the mindset changes!#motorwayincidenthttps://t.co/Mfl4h8bfcN
Similarly, sharing a quote by Manto, Mahira said: “Hang them! Kill them! Publicly shame them! – It won’t change a thing. The problem is so deeply ingrained within our society, so deep-rooted, that even the officer said: ‘She shouldn’t have left at that time. This is the way our society is’.”
“Why should we accept this mindset? Why should we question the victim yet again and not the those who commit the crime?” she questioned.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CE9oF91hAcc/
On Tuesday night, two robbers reportedly gang-raped a mother of two on the Motorway within Gujjarpura police’s jurisdiction. The woman, along with her two children, was driving to Gujranwala in her car when she was forced to stop at the Gujjarpura section of the Motorway after running out of fuel at around 1:30 am. She immediately called a relative and sent him her location. He asked her to also dial the Motorway Police helpline 130 but she was reportedly refused help.
In the meantime, two robbers approached the car, broke the window and took the woman and her children to nearby bushes where they raped her repeatedly in front of the children. They also snatched her purse that had cash around Rs100,000, one bracelet, car registration and three ATM cards.
The Gujjarpura police have registered a case, while the motorway police spokesperson said they had not been able to take action as the incident did not occur in the limits of Motorway Police.
The incident, followed by Lahore’s new Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Umar Sheikh’s comments have sparked outrage nationwide. According to details, the CCPO said: “I am shocked… you are a mother of three and the only driver late at night… [she] should have taken the GT [Grand Trunk] Road instead, which is densely populated.”
Sheikh went on to say that the woman should “at least have checked her fuel before taking the motorway”.
Humayun Saeed said that he was “shocked beyond belief and extremely distressed to learn about this incident.”
Shocked beyond belief and extremely distressed to learn about this incident https://t.co/R2kj6L3N9M
Ayesha Omar talked about how she didn’t even feel safe in her own country.
Why are men so shocked about what happened yesterday? Is the first time someone was raped and then blamed for it? This is the reality of our country. Woman are on their own. We are not safe on the streets, in markets, in our cars, in our homes or in our graves. #motorwayincident
Mansha Pasha and Hareem Farooq said that the victim is not to be blamed.
The first crime is committed by the rapist. The second by those who blame the woman. The third by the officials who do nothing. And the fourth by those who say nothing.
Adnan Siddiqui and Sarwat Gilani expressed their shock over the incident.
“My head hangs in shame. I am really sorry,” wrote Adnan.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CE9njPrBFbL/
“It’s heartbreaking, blood boiling and extremely sad to see this news,” said Sarwat.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CE9EgItj7pp/
Several celebrities including Feroze Khan, Mawra Hocane, Aijaz Aslam, Faysal Quraishi, Asim Azhar, Yumna Zaidi, Minal Khan, Sarah Khan and Ali Rehman Khan called for the public hanging of rapists.
Feroze urged Prime Minister Imran Khan to take swift action and not let down his voters.
– I have major hope in you … this is the time you can do it please I beg you it’s the little that needs attention the big will all fall in place it self. Please help the voiceless please help the weak please kill the monsters @ImranKhanPTI
– I will always count on your statement that Pakistan will be “Riasat e Madina” and if you don’t hang these monsters raping and killing children and women in the open nothing can ever be changed … just make one example. Public execution is what I demand @ImranKhanPTI
Cycling karti howi larki sey tharak ..aurat ka gang rape 5 saal ki bachi k sath ziyadti ..and the result is 0 …latkao ayese kutton ko chock pe had hogai hey
Until a strict action is taken May it be for corruption or rape this country ain’t going no where . #imrankhanPTI at least hang the rapists of little children for gods sake . What kind of riasat is this ?
Rape incidents unfortunately poori dunya me hotey hain but insaaf milta h speed trials hotey hain punishments milti hain unfortunately our slow and outdated Justice system gives confidence to these sick criminals, change the law !#PublicHangingOfRapists#motorwayincident
I remember while shooting 'Verna' I'd question Shoaib Saab, how is it possible that someone can walk into a park and pick up a girl and rape her in broad daylight. It sounds impossible. His response was "Hota Raha hai, ho sakta hai aur hota rahay ga" 🤷🏻♂️ #HangRapists
Why hang them when we can castrate them? Why let them go so easily when they can live with the pain, shame and guilt without their genitals? Why wait to make this the law till God forbid it happens too close to home? No counseling or rehabilitation needed here. #cuttheirweapon.
Because death is too good for them.They should live a long life feeling the same pain that they caused others. By public hanging we are only deterring the problem not fixing it.There needs to be better systems to protect our women & children & weed out the offenders from society https://t.co/bNOckeRvnI
Osman Khalid Butt had similar thoughts and called for the system to be fixed.
Clearly even capital punishment did 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 to deter future criminals. This country, its elected officials, our law enforcement agencies need to do their job in protecting women, minorities, even children from such crimes.
To everyone here claiming I'm sympathizing with rapists, calm the fuck down. All I'm asking is we need to push to fix the system. Punish all criminals (can't believe I have to say this), but FIX the system. Your bloodlust is not a long-term solution, it is no answer to crime.
Mahira Khan says it’s about time technicians and those involved behind the scenes get their due credit and respect.
While wishing choreographer Nigah Jee on his birthday, Mahira said: “I have been wanting to say this for a while – I hope that our award shows create categories for our technicians. It’s about time! I hope we get to see choreographers, cinematographers, art directors, editors etc get recognition. Our films/dramas are nothing without them.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDl43L7B5yq/
Mahira makes a valid point here. Technicians including the set crew are an integral part of any film or drama without whom a film would be incomplete.
Meanwhile, with cinemas expected to reopen from August 10, it is likely that Mahira’s upcoming films Quaid e Azam Zindabad and The Legend of Maula Jatt will release soon.
