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  • KP govt allots Rs50 million to restore Kapoor Haveli, other historical buildings

    KP govt allots Rs50 million to restore Kapoor Haveli, other historical buildings

    The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has allotted Rs 50 million for the renovation and restoration of 15 historical sites in the province including the Kapoor Haveli and Dilip Kumar’s house located in Peshawar’s historical Qissa Khwani Bazaar.

    According to a report in The Express Tribune, the ancestral homes of Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar are among the 15 historical sites recently identified for restoration by the KP government. It is pertinent to mention here that while Kumar’s residence was declared protected heritage by the Directorate of Archaeology and Tourism in 2013 and later a protected monument, under the Antiquity Act 1997, the Kapoor Haveli was reported to have been converted into a museum in 2012. Despite the special status awarded to the buildings, little to no attention was paid to them and the former residences of the Bollywood stars currently stand in dilapidated conditions. Officials have often cited a lack of resources and funds and legalities surrounding buildings’ ownership as the reason behind their dismal condition.

    But as per the latest details, the archaeology department of the province has forwarded a recommendation to Chief Minister Mahmood Khan under which the provincial government will buy the two buildings and restore them.

    “The buildings’ ownership had been a long-standing hurdle in the way of their restoration. Certain individuals had claimed their right over the historic properties and there had also been attempted demolitions in the past. But now that the Directorate of Archaeology and Tourism has decided to buy the building and start the long overdue renovation work, the buildings are also expected to open their doors to tourists in the near future,” an official of the archaeology department told the publication, adding that the buildings hold great historic value.

    Kapoor Haveli located in Dhakki Munawwar Shah locality is the birthplace of Raj Kapoor, who is considered to be the greatest showman of the subcontinent cinema.

    Directorate of Archaeology Director Dr Abdul Samad also shared that restoration work at Peshawar’s ancient Mahabat Khan Mosque is already underway.

    Meanwhile, the Awami National Party (ANP) on Friday urged the KP government to acquire and preserve the historic Kapoor Haveli.

    In a statement, the party’s provincial spokesperson Samar Haroon Bilour said that the archaeology department was not taking any action to preserve the Kapoor Haveli, adding that the provincial government had been claiming that it had allocated funds for its preservation. Bilour said these claims were incorrect as the building was still private property and funds cannot be allocated for private property. She also offered assistance to the KP government in the conservation of this heritage site.

    Earlier in 2018, Rishi Kapoor had requested the Government of Pakistan to preserve his ancestral home and convert it into a museum.

    Minister of Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi, at that time, had said, “There was a call from Rishi Kapoor. He requested that his family’s home in Peshawar should be made into a museum or some sort of institution. We have accepted his request.”

    Read more – Rishi Kapoor’s unfulfilled wish: a visit to Pakistan

    Similarly, Shehryar Afridi, who was serving as the Interior Minister at that time had shared that the actor had called him personally with his request.

    “He had called me and talked about making his ancestral home into a museum. Now the federal and provincial governments are working on this and will transform the house into a museum soon,” Afridi had stated.

    Rishi had last visited Pakistan with Shashi Kapoor and Randhir Kapoor in 1990. They had travelled to Peshawar to see their family’s house and also took some soil from the house to keep their heritage intact. In 2017, Rishi had expressed his desire to visit Pakistan again before he dies but his wish remained unfulfilled as he passed away in April 2020.

  • WATCH: Mahira Khan rides a bike like a pro

    WATCH: Mahira Khan rides a bike like a pro

    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.

    Read more – The first look of Mahira Khan and Fahad Mustafa’s upcoming film is out

    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.

  • Wasim Akram’s message for trolls is winning the internet

    Wasim Akram’s message for trolls is winning the internet

    Sultan of Swing Wasim Akram has a fine sense of humour and his latest video addressed to social media trolls is proof of that.

    Akram, who has been keeping fans updated with his daily workouts, posted a video in which he is saying: “This is to motivate you. Our goal is to live a healthy life. That’s the idea. I’ll be 55 soon, so why not? Sometimes it’s an effort, but you got to do it.”

    “You know, people sometimes abuse you on Facebook and Instagram. For them, I have a message: Batameezi sirf buzdil log kartay hain (only cowards are ill-mannered). This [your words] only shows your background. I feel for your elders.”

    He continued: “Some people also criticised me for not wearing a shirt while in the pool because I’m a Muslim.”

    “Ghalti hogayi payen, next time three-piece suit. Woh bhi nahi pasand tey ghagra pa lawan ga,” joked the former cricketer.

    He concluded by saying: “[You] don’t think before speaking or writing. Classic.”

    Social media users couldn’t get enough of Akram’s video and took to Twitter to appreciate it. Check out some of the reactions below:

    Shaniera Akram added to her husband’s joke by posting a picture of Shoaib Malik standing in the pool in a three-piece suit.

  • ‘Plz forgive me’: Nida Yasir apologises for being ‘insensitive’ towards rape victim’s family

    ‘Plz forgive me’: Nida Yasir apologises for being ‘insensitive’ towards rape victim’s family

    Nida Yasir is without a doubt controversy’s favourite child. Her morning show has sparked more controversies than you can count and the host appears to have found herself in hot water once again after she invited the family of four-year-old Marwah, who was brutally gang-raped and murdered, on her show and questioned them about the mortifying incident. Several viewers thought that Nida was insensitive in her questioning and forced the victim’s family to relive the horror. They then took to social media to express their distaste and outrage over the matter. As the clips from the show began to circulate on social media, users started calling for a boycott of Nida and her show and demanded PEMRA to take notice.

    https://twitter.com/uhreebs/status/1306326470177021953?s=20

    Following the outrage, Nida posted an apology video in which she responded to the backlash and explained what went on behind the scenes.

    “I’ve heard a few people are upset with me over the questions I asked Marwah’s family”, said Nida.

    “First of all I’d like to apologise,” said the morning show host. “If I unconsciously hurt anyone’s intentions with my words and the questions I asked Marwah’s parents.”

    Nida then went onto say that her shows are planned a week in advance and that her only goal is to make sure that her viewers are entertained with her show.

    She then revealed that her team did not approach Marwah’s family, but the victim’s family approached the show because they wanted media coverage and attention. She said that she cancelled whatever she had planned for the day and decided to invite them to her show.

    “God is witness”, said Nida. “I did not do this for TRPs. Ours is an entertainment show, not a news show. We get ratings and TRPs on shows which have excitement in them. Such shows are depressing, even I get depressed doing them.”

    “But Marwah’s needed my support at this point and I considered it my duty to invite them to my show. And you will not believe it but two days after my show, Marwah’s rapist was caught. Her family is very grateful to me. They are poor people and were in a dire state before they got some financial support because of our show,” shared Nida.

    Almost close to tears, Nida further said: “I cannot return Marwah to them, but they only felt relieved once the rapist was caught.”

    “In any case, I would like to apologise again if I hurt anyone. I am also a human being. I also got shocked at the revelations,” she continued.

    “Please forgive me, I am a human being after all. And I hope that I will be me more careful in the future,” pleaded the host.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CFO5ilJBruU/

    Later, when a social media user commented that Nida did not let “the poor mother grief for her child properly”, Nida said the lady on the show was not Marwah’s mother and urged everyone to watch the complete show before passing any judgement. It is pertinent to mention here that the lady in question was Marwah’s grandmother.

    Four-year-old Marwah, a resident of Karachi, had gone to a shop on the morning of September 4 when she went missing. Two days later, her body was found from a garbage collection point in the locality. As per the latest reports, an anti-terrorism court in Karachi has remanded three suspects in police custody. The investigating officer told the court that during the course of the investigation and as per statements of witnesses, it was discovered that the minor girl was subjected to sexual assault. One of the suspects has also reportedly confessed to his crime and revealed that the minor girl died after being gang-raped.

  • Dr Shahbaz Gill hits out at Frieha Altaf, Sarwat Gilani, calls them ‘pathetic elite’

    Dr Shahbaz Gill hits out at Frieha Altaf, Sarwat Gilani, calls them ‘pathetic elite’

    Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Political Communication Dr Shahbaz Gill has hit out at Frieha Altaf and Sarwat Gilani, referring to them as ‘badbakht elite’ after a video of theirs on their way to the celebrity protest went viral on social media.

    In the video, Sarwat and Frieha are telling their followers that they are on their way to the protest to demand justice for the motorway gang-rape victim and show a poster which reads ‘Rapped’ instead of ‘Raped’.

    Besides Dr Gill, several other social media users have called out the actors for being insensitive.

    https://twitter.com/nighatdad/status/1306079162243768321?s=20
    https://twitter.com/AliaChughtai/status/1305907953569017866?s=20

    Some social media users also directly called out Altaf and reminded users of problematic things she has done in the past.

    While Frieha and Sarwat are yet to respond to Dr Gill’s comments, Sarwat earlier 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.” According to details, the protest was organised by Yasir Hussain, Frieha Altaf and Asim Jofa.

    Sarwat has now made her Twitter account private and only those who follow her can view her tweets.

    Meanwhile, fashion designer Maheen Khan, who was also part of the protest, also responded to some users who questioned why the celebrities felt the need to organise a separate protest. She also addressed the allegations that they hijacked the transgender’s protest.

    Other celebrities present at the protest include Mahira Khan, Sarah Khan, Ayesha Omar, Adnan Siddiqui, Ali Rehman Khan, Aijaz Aslam, Bushra Ansari, Anoushey Abbasi and Gul-e-Rana.

  • Bushra Ansari urges Maulana Tariq Jamil to break silence over motorway gang-rape

    Bushra Bashir, formerly known as Bushra Ansari, has urged Maulana Tariq Jamil to break his silence over the motorway gang rape and hold a ‘dharna‘ or ‘ihtejaj‘ (protest) in this regard.

    In a social media post, the actor wrote: “Thinking what to ask and what to think.”

    “Just want the rapist to be alive, not to be hanged. They should live the rest of their lives, with the pain and helplessness with broken legs broken arms and without the organs which destroy women and their souls,” she continued.

    “I demand and strongly demand to cut and throw their sickness tools and make them impotent and break their legs and hands so that they just become a symbol for all others who are going to do this today tomorrow or day after. Because they will keep doing this until they don’t see these results,” said the actor, adding that they should be made an example out of.

    Bashir then went onto say that she has had enough.

    “Islam ki bohat [baatein] karty hain toh practical banain. Aankh k badly aankh, toh izzat or zilat k badley zilat.”

    Addressing Maulana Tariq Jamil, Bushra said: “Please Maulana Tariq Jameel, koi dharna, koi ihtejaj aap bhi toh karain. Aap ki yahaan bohat zuroorat hai. Boliye please.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CFEGUS9hkmu/

    Read more – Bushra Ansari lashes out at fan for criticising her drama ‘Zebaish’

    Later the actor also said that those who are protecting the criminals should also be punished for doing so.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CFFM1cEBkVD/

    Meanwhile, as per the latest reports, the police have identified one of the suspects behind the gruesome incident that shook the nation. The individual, namely Abid Ali is a resident of Haroonabad town of Punjab’s Bahawalnagar district, is a proclaimed offender, and has been nominated in multiple cases earlier as well. While Ali is still at large, the other suspect identified by the Punjab government Waqarul Hassan reportedly surrendered himself on Sunday at Lahore’s Model Town police station. He claimed that his brother-in-law was using the mobile phone which had wrongly implicated him in the crime, adding that he himself was not involved. The police have said that they will conclude the matter after they receive the DNA report of the suspect.

  • ‘We want answers’, Mahira Khan tells PM Imran

    ‘We want answers’, Mahira Khan tells PM Imran

    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.”

    “We want answers,” asserted the actor.

    Read more – Coronavirus: Atif Aslam, Mahira Khan appreciate PM Khan for his efforts

    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.

    https://twitter.com/ImranAbbas/status/1304290321157758976?s=20

    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.”

  • Feroze Khan lashes out at Bakhtawar, asks her ‘are you finally waking up’

    Feroze Khan has lashed out Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari and asked her what her party has been doing “in power all these years”.

    Responding to a tweet of Bakhtawar’s, in which she discussed the motorway rape incident and why Pakistan needs sex education, Feroze said, “Are you finally waking up?”

    In a later tweet, Feroze also remarked that he does not think of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari “a suitable politician”.

    Feroze has been actively speaking up on matters of social interest. Earlier, when Karachi was flooded and underwater, Feroze called out PPP and the Sindh Government for being incompetent.

    https://youtu.be/nXoUEhuzyws

    Meanwhile, Feroze is urging Prime Minister Imran Khan to take strict action over the motorway rape incident.

    “I will always count on your statement that Pakistan will be ‘Riasat-e-Madina’,” wrote Feroze on social media. “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 itself. Please help the voiceless please help the weak, please kill the monsters.”

    “I assure you the youth is with you if you step up and just put these guys to their place people have way too many hopes in you there needs to be rapid action please,” he said further.

    As per the latest reports, the police have revealed the identity of one of the suspects behind the gruesome incident that shook the nation. The individual, namely Abid Ali and a resident of Haroonabad town of Punjab’s Bahawalnagar district, is a proclaimed offender and has been nominated in multiple cases earlier as well. However, his accomplice is still unidentified and both the suspects are at large.

  • Hamza Ali Abbasi cancels Netflix subscription over movie sexualising young girls

    Hamza Ali Abbasi cancels Netflix subscription over movie sexualising young girls

    Hamza Ali Abbasi has cancelled his Netflix subscription and is urging everyone to do the same after Netflix ignored criticism and went ahead with the release of Cuties. The streaming platform had received immense backlash from outraged audiences who accused them of ‘sexualising’ young girls in the film.

    Sharing a picture of his cancellation, Hamza said: “Despite global condemnation, Netflix still went ahead and released Cuties.”

    “Yup, now we have softcore pedo porn on a mainstream media platform. That’s a deal-breaker for me”, he said further. “Can’t do much, but what I can do is cancel my Netflix subscription.”

    Hamza also urged his followers to do the same.

    Earlier, Hamza had expressed his “horror” to see a show in the “mainstream blatantly sexualising 11-year-old kids.” He had signed a petition calling for Netflix to cancel the movie and had stated that he would cancel his subscription if they don’t. Till the filing of this report, 205,042 had signed the petition.

    According to details, the film, which premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, is about Amy, a Senegalese Muslim girl who lives in a poor neighbourhood in France. After she develops a fascination with dance, she joins a dance group called the ‘Cuties’.

    Meanwhile, the film’s official synopsis states: “Eleven-year-old Amy starts to rebel against her conservative family’s traditions when she becomes fascinated with a free-spirited dance crew.”

    The film is originally a French-language film titled Mignonnes. It was written and directed by Maïmouna Doucouré, who is also Senegalese. The director, in an interview, had shared that the inspiration for the film came from seeing an amateur talent show in Paris.

    “There were these girls on stage dressed in a really sexy fashion in short, transparent clothes. They danced in a very sexually suggestive manner,” said Doucouré. “There also happened to be a number of African mothers in the audience. I was transfixed, watching with a mixture of shock and admiration. I asked myself if these young girls understood what they were doing.”

    However, parents and audiences say that the film exploits and sexualises children and demanded Netflix to remove the film from the streaming platform. Multiple petitions were filed on change.org in an attempt to force Netflix to cancel the movie.

    “The movie Cuties shows children dressed provocatively, dancing sexually and is rated only for adult viewers,” read a petition. “It was created for the entertainment of adults who are paedophiles. Please sign the petition to protect our children from exploitation in movies.”

    Following the backlash, Netflix apologised for the “inappropriate” artwork used for the film.

    The film’s original poster showed the film’s cast – all children – in midriff-baring uniforms and short shorts striking various dance poses.

  • PEMRA bans ‘Jalan’ over ‘immoral’ content

    PEMRA bans ‘Jalan’ over ‘immoral’ content

    The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has ordered an immediate ban on ARY Digital’s ongoing drama Jalan, saying that the content of the drama goes against the “social and moral ethics of Pakistani society”.

    In a notification, PEMRA said that the content of Jalan goes against the values of the Pakistani society and that viewers and audiences have been strongly criticising the drama and its storyline. It further said that the channel and the drama’s makers had been repeatedly told to modify the script and content of the drama and bring it in line with Pakistani morals and ethics. But because they did not comply with PEMRA’s order and ignored its warnings, the regulatory body had no choice but to ban the drama under Section 27 of the PEMRA Ordinance.

    Jalan is about two sisters Nisha (Minal Khan) and Misha (Areeba Habib). While Misha is the sweet and obedient sister, Nisha is a spoiled brat and wants to be better than her sister, so she sets her sights on her brother-in-law Asfandyar (Emmad Irfani) because he’s rich and good-looking. Ignoring the fact that her sister is married to Asfandyar, Nisha openly flirts with him and urges him to divorce his pregnant wife. Despite, its convoluted and twisted storyline, the drama trends on TV and social media every week.

    Earlier, in a notice issued on September 4, PEMRA had directed ARY Digital and the makers of Jalan to review its content and script and modify it in accordance with Pakistani values.

    In the press release, the media regulatory body said that it has been getting multiple complaints regarding the drama, its content and script through the Pakistan Citizens Portal, PEMRA social media accounts, and PEMRA call centres. It added that the content of the drama, especially the main storyline, is being strongly criticised by audiences on social media.

    “Audiences have strongly criticised the drama saying that it has made a mockery of sacred relationships,” the notification had read.

    PEMRA had also requested all stakeholders, including TV channels and production houses, to immediately review the content of their future dramas.

    “Regardless of the cost and time invested in the drama, if the content of a play is against national values and expectations of the audience, the play will be banned without any warning,” stated the press release.

    While the lead cast and makers of the drama have yet to respond to the ban, Fahad Sheikh who plays Ahmer in the drama, expressed his disappointment over the decision.