Current Final

Tag: Pakistani Celebrities

  • Shehzad Roy urges government to reverse sales tax on books

    Shehzad Roy urges government to reverse sales tax on books

    Singer and social activist Shehzad Royal has requested the government to undo the book sales tax it has recently imposed, and restore teacher salary rebates.


    Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) handle, the singer said that he also requested the Prime Minister and Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal to reinstate the 25 percent tax rebate for teachers.
    Shehzad Roy tweeted, “I have spoken with the Prime Minister @CMShehbaz & planning Minister Ahsan iqbal @betterpakistan sahab & requested to reverse the 10 percent sales tax on books and reinstate the 25 percent tax rebate for teachers. They both reassured me that they will reconsider this decision with a favorable outcome.”


    The federal government, through the Finance Bill 2024, removed tax rebates for full-time teachers and researchers which created panic in the education sector. The proposal was aimed at teachers at both private and public education institutions.
    The Finance Bill proposes a 10 percent sales tax on books, with the condition that any refund of excess input tax would not be allowed. When the International Monetary Fund (IMF) wants Pakistan to tax stationery products, which include books, pens, paper, sticky notes, and similar material, it is uncertain if the government would remove this tax rate.

  • Why did Mehwish Hayat say no to Bollywood?  

    Why did Mehwish Hayat say no to Bollywood?  

    Actress Mehwish Hayat has captivated audiences with her versatility in roles in dramas and films like Dillagi, Punjab Nahi Jaungi, London Nahi Jaunga, Daghabaaz Dil and her Hollywood debut Ms. Marvel.
    But the star has never appeared in a Bollywood project and now we know why.

    She appeared as a guest on Nashpati Prime where she highlighted how fortunate she had been to get offers from Bollywood over her career, but she turned them all down.
    Mehwish said, “Luckily, I have been blessed to be part of the revival of Pakistani cinema from the beginning. I’ve worked with Nabeel, I’ve worked with Nadeem, and seeing the love people showed for our films, and how great those films were, made me feel I don’t need to go elsewhere to prove myself. I am appreciated in my own country, where actors receive the respect they deserve. However, it’s unfair that due to film promotions, sometimes we don’t even get to watch our films in cinemas for the first time with our team members. So, I prefer to play on my home ground, play well, and enjoy.”

    Sounds like a good enough reason to us too.

  • Arsalan Naseer says a nepo baby hijacked his project with Ayeza Khan

    Arsalan Naseer says a nepo baby hijacked his project with Ayeza Khan

    In the Pakistani drama industry, celebrity children often get special treatment. Actor Arsalan Naseer, who debuted in the 2021 series ‘Chupke Chupke’, recently talked about his run-in with nepotism.


    Naseer took to his Instagram Stories for a candid Q&A session with fans earlier this week. In his honest style, Naseer openly discussed how he, too, has been affected by the widespread issue of nepotism.

    A fan eagerly wrote to Arsalan Naseer, “Please work with Ayeza Khan… That too with the main lead and a happy ending.” Sharing this fan’s comment on his Instagram Story, the actor revealed some behind-the-scenes drama.


    “I was working with her, but they took an actor’s son instead and kicked me off the project. After a while, Ayeza left as well,” he stated. Naseer highlighted how the industry often favors star kids over talented actors, depriving fans of what could have been a great on-screen partnership.

  • PTI’s Gandapur wants to meet army, ISI chiefs for talks

    PTI’s Gandapur wants to meet army, ISI chiefs for talks

    Following Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) expressing willingness to indulge in dialogue, Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur, after meeting incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan at Adiala jail, said on Monday during his media talk that he wanted to meet Army Chief Gen Asim Munir and Director General Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Nadeem Anjum.

    CM Gandapur told journalists that Imran Khan hadn’t ever refused talks with other stakeholders, regretting that no one responded to Khan’s call for dialogues, confirming that the talks with the establishment or political parties have not yet started.

    He also stated that terms and conditions will not be changed for talks, adding that his party demanded recovery of its stolen mandate and a commission to investigate May 9 riots.

    “I want to meet the army chief and the DG ISI,” he said, clarifying that he met top military leadership on multiple occasions but those meetings were not one-on-one.

    The Chief Minister also criticized the newly launched Azm–e–Istehkam operation, confirming that the last apex committee meeting did not discuss military action.

  • Feroze Khan asks fans for prayers as father fights for health

    Feroze Khan asks fans for prayers as father fights for health

     Actor and model Feroze Khan has been in the spotlight for his recent marriage to Zainab. He shared photos of the event on social media accounts and also updated fans on his father’s health.  
    In a deeply emotional moment, he shared a photo with his hospitalized father, reaching out to his fans, seeking their prayers for his father’s health.


    “Say a prayer for my father as he is battling with serious health issues. Hold your parents really closely till they are still around. The life is too short to love them enough. Hearing his heart beat is another high,” he wrote on Instagram.
    Here is the story shared by Feroze Khan:

  • Pakistani smash hit series ‘Tere Bin’ ready to captivate Turkish audiences

    Pakistani smash hit series ‘Tere Bin’ ready to captivate Turkish audiences

    The biggest Pakistani television sensation of 2023, ‘Tere Bin,’ is set to captivate global audiences with its dubbing in Turkish. The trailer for the Turkish-dubbed version, called ‘So Deep,’ has already created a lot of excitement.


    ‘Tere Bin’ was a huge hit not just in Pakistan, but also in India, Bangladesh, and other countries. The chemistry between Yumna Zaidi and Wahaj Ali received international praise.


    Yumna’s Meerab and Wahaj Ali’s intense Murtasim were loved by fans everywhere.


    According to media reports, ‘Tere Bin’ has been a game-changer in South Asian entertainment, breaking viewership records and setting new standards for drama productions. Its success has opened doors for cultural exchanges, with Turkish audiences eagerly waiting for its release.


    ‘Tere Bin’ is more than just a drama; it’s a cultural phenomenon. As it gets ready to air in Turkey, fans worldwide are excited to see how this beloved story translates into a new language and culture.


    The buzz around its Turkish release is strong, promising another successful chapter for this remarkable drama series.

    check out the trailer:

  • Zardari recommends rehabilitating Kacha dacoits

    Zardari recommends rehabilitating Kacha dacoits

    President Asif Ali Zardari said on Monday that if the criminals of Sindh Kacha area, except for the most hardened ones, surrendered before the state, then they should gradually be brought into the national mainstream and rehabilitated to make them responsible and valued members of society.

    President Zardari asked that strict action be taken against high-risk criminals.  

    During a meeting on the law and order situation in Sindh, Zardari directed authorities to improve the condition of roads, health, and education infrastructure in Kacha areas of Sindh to upgrade the socio-economic condition of the people of that area.

    Minister for Interior Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Member of the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Sindh Assembly Speaker Syed Awais Qadir Shah, Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Minister for Planning and Development Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Minister for Home, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Zia ul Hassan Lanjar, Additional Chief Secretary Sindh Muhammad Iqbal Memon, Inspector General of Police Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon, Director General Rangers Sindh Major General Azhar Waqas, GOC 16 Division Pano Aqil Garrison Major General Aamer Amin and senior officials of the federal and provincial governments attended the huddle in Nawabshah.

  • Sajal Aly, Sheikh Mubashir steal the show in latest episode of ‘Zard Patton Ka Bunn’

    Sajal Aly, Sheikh Mubashir steal the show in latest episode of ‘Zard Patton Ka Bunn’

    Zard Patton Ka Bunn is a new drama that’s getting a lot of attention. It’s about significant issues like girls not getting educated, and needing more medical help in rural areas of Pakistan. These are issues that many people deal with and the drama is portraying reality in a beautiful way.
     
    The drama has a talented cast, including Sajal Aly, Hamza Sohail, Ali Tahir, Samiya Mumtaz, and Rehan Sheikh. They’re doing a fantastic job of bringing the story to life. Sajal Aly and Sheikh Mubashir Mehmood are outstanding as Meenu and Roshan.
    Episode 07 was particularly amazing. The performances were excellent, and the story was engaging. Hamza Sohail and Rehan Sheikh also stand out as great performers.


    The drama takes a political turn with the entry of Doctor Nofil, played by Kaesar Kallan, making the story even more captivating. The upcoming episodes promise to be exciting.
    The drama, written by Mustafa Afridi and directed by Saif Hassan, airs every Sunday at 8:00 PM on HUM TV and is produced by Kashf Foundation and Momina Duraid Productions.

  • From Tharparkar to Times Square: Mai Dhai’s journey celebrated on global stage

    From Tharparkar to Times Square: Mai Dhai’s journey celebrated on global stage

    Folk singer Mai Dhai, a renowned figure from the deserts of Tharparkar, has reached a new milestone by being featured on the iconic Times Square billboard in New York City.
    Times Square is well-known for its famous digital billboards and commercials, which include pictures of notable celebrities and a variety of well-known brands. It is acknowledged as one of the world’s busiest travel destinations. 
     
    Mai Dhai belongs to the Manganhar Muslim community, known for its rich musical heritage in Pakistan’s Tharparkar district and India’s Rajasthan state.
     
    Since her breakthrough appearance at the 2013 Lahooti Live Sessions, her unique look and soulful voice have captured the attention of audiences worldwide. With her appearances at the prestigious SXSW Music Festival in 2015 and the City University Graduate Centre in New York, Mai Dhai’s global profile increased even further.
     
    Dhai unexpectedly rose to fame in Pakistan in 2016 after making her Coke Studio season 8 debut and receiving critical acclaim for ‘Aankhaṛli Phaṛookai’ and ‘Kadi Ao Ni,’ which featured Karam Abbas Khan and Atif Aslam.
     
    The official account of Spotify Pakistan posted a picture of Mai Dhai with the captioned, #Koyal jaisi awaaz pohanchi seedha Times Square
    Listen to @MaiDhai_Official on the #EQUALPakistan playlist
      Another singer from Pakistan, Talal Qureshi, was featured on a Spotify billboard at Times Square in October 2023. Spotify promoted his album ‘Turbo’, showcasing his blend of contemporary techno sounds and traditional Pakistani music.

  • A woman’s smoking habits are her own business, stresses Sadaf Kanwal

    A woman’s smoking habits are her own business, stresses Sadaf Kanwal

    Famous actor Sadaf Kanwal stirred attention with her frank talk on an Eid special interview with ‘IQE’. Known for her directness and strong opinions, Sadaf spoke openly about her industry’s reputation, thoughts on Pakistani cinema, and unwavering support for personal freedom, notably concerning smoking.


    Addressing accusations of insincerity, Sadaf clarified, “I am genuine in every way. I am true to myself. If you approach me, I will respond respectfully. Some say I’m fake, but that’s not accurate.”


    She continued, “If you show me love, I will show it back. There are people in the industry I don’t interact with or don’t get along with. They call me fake in return, and I accept that. Everyone has moments where they’re not entirely genuine, including myself.”


    The standout moment in the interview was Sadaf’s passionate remarks on personal freedom and respect, especially regarding smoking. Reflecting on her journey, she shared, “I used to smoke, but I’ve quit now. However, it’s not right to judge others.”


    “Whether a woman smokes or not is her own business. She has the right to make her own choices. She’s not your sister or daughter. It’s her life. Just because you can see someone’s Instagram, doesn’t mean you should criticize them. Stop doing that,” she asserted firmly.


    Sadaf also shared her views on the current state of Pakistani cinema, praising directors Nadeem Baig and Nabeel Qureshi for their entertaining films. “Every Eid, I eagerly await movies from two directors: Nadeem Baig and Nabeel Qureshi. Their films are lively and enjoyable.”