Pakistani singer Shehzad Roy has recently been appointed the National Goodwill Ambassador for United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

A few months ago UNODC has announced in a tweet,

“UNODC Chief designates popular Pakistani singer Shehzad Roy as National Goodwill Ambassador”

UNODC Chief designates popular Pakistani singer Shehzad Roy as National Goodwill Ambassador https://t.co/Z2myhobj4B pic.twitter.com/x0AeXRJ2JZ

— UN Office on Drugs & Crime (@UNODC) October 30, 2017

As the Goodwill Ambassador Shehzad Roy represented Pakistan at the UN convention in Austria yesterday 12th March and took to his Instagram to express how proud he was to be representing Pakistan, he wrote,

“I am humbled and proud to represent Pakistan as Goodwill Ambassador for UNODC – United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime at the 61st Session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in Vienna, Austria.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgORd7SncZa/?utm_source=ig_embed

Roy also thanked the UNODC executive director, Yury Fedotov for reaching out to young people and tackling their use of drugs.

“It was an honor to meet the Executive Director @YuryFedotov and Ambassador Alicia Buenrostro Massieu of Mexico chair on the #CND61”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgPfD-Ynp4B/?utm_source=ig_embed

Roy had stated previously that he had been following UNODC’s work even before he joined them. He commended their work in the fields of criminal justice and drug demand reduction.

The singer also added,

“These things are close to my heart, especially when children are concerned, and I will give my all to my new role as National Goodwill Ambassador for Pakistan.”

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While Indian government has banned Pakistani artists from working in the Indian film industry, composer Vipin Patwa, who has worked with the Pakistani singers such as Atif Aslam and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, says music has become global and talent is beyond nationality.

When asked what makes him look for talent in Pakistan instead of India, Patwa replied,

“We are living in 2018 and music has become global. Moreover, talent is beyond nationality. And let’s not forget that be it music, story or casting of a film, all decisions are taken collectively by a number of people and not a single person.”

When asked whether it was a good decision to get Aslam and Bashir on board, especially after the producer of the film Daas Dev said that Aslam had refused to promote the song Sehmi Hai Dhadkan?

The composer stated,

“Aslam was taken on board because his voice matched the character of the song. The decision was taken way before the controversy started. It’s a coincidence that this controversy has started at the time of my music launch. Which artist wouldn’t want to promote his work? If Aslam has taken this decision, there must be some reason behind it.”

When questioned if there were any talks to remove their songs from the film, Patwa explained,

“Removing an artist’s song merely on the basis of some controversy is the worst and most disrespectful thing. It takes a lot of effort and pain to create a song. I had specially flown to Dubai just to record the song.”

Patwa feels that he has always worked as a bridge between the two nations.

He shared,

“If my small efforts can bring two nations together, I would love to be a part of such projects. Moreover, I grew up listening to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan saab and Mehdi Hasan saab. Can you ask people to stop listening to their songs? You can’t because music is beyond boundaries,” 

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Abdul Sattar Edhi is a name that resonates with all humanity synchronously for the world was his country and human race his tribe. His philanthropic soul not only made him the most beloved man of motherland but he is also loved universally.

Daniel Swan, a British social worker recently drew a mural of Edhi in Trafalgar’s Square, London. He was moved by Edhi’s efforts towards humanity and created the mural to honour the late philanthropist.

Swan is a part of a UK-based organisation called People of Perception. On the website, he explains why he started helping out the homeless.

Swan wrote,

“I used to make what many would call a lot of money, working for one of the worlds largest corporations, doing nothing of value for humanity.”

Adding further, Swan said that he would go out to the streets in the evening to help homeless people and those experiences completely changed his life.

He further wrote,

“People do not have to suffer as they do. If only more of us helped each other, if only we lived by our love, we could change the whole world and find our riches within.”

Currently, People of Perception is building homes and hostels for the homeless. May they continue the good work.

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Mikaal Zulfiqar is coming up with four movies and the teaser for the first one is out. Na Band Na Barati is a production of Hum Films starring Mikaal Zulfiqar, Ali Kazmi, Qavi Khan among others. Na Band Na Barati is a comedy film which revolves around a marriage. The film will release this year on 29th of June. Here is the teaser:

https://www.facebook.com/HUMFilms/videos/1431313970307425/

What are your thoughts on this teaser? Share in the comments section!

Sami Khan is on fire these days. He is giving back to back hits. After To Dil Ka Kya Hua and Aisi Hai Tanhai, the audience will be able to see him in Woh Mera Dil Tha also starring Madiha Imam and Furqan Qureshi. The play is written by the very talented Faiza Iftikhar and is directed by Mohsin Ali. From the promo, it seems like this is going to be a love triangle. Here watch the promo:

https://www.facebook.com/arydigital.tv/videos/1958331414178085/

This seems like a promising one? Are you guys excited? Share in comments!

Sana Safinaz just launched their summer campaign and the brand has come under fire as they have been accused of being racist and showing a wrong approach towards black people. With all social media bashing the brand, Sana Safinaz finally gave their take on Instagram. According to them, their campaign has helped the Masaai people a lot. Here is what they shared:

What do you think about the reply? Share your thoughts in comments!

Recently the video of a little boy singing Dil Diyan Gallan went viral on social media. He was seen singing a song of his favourite singer Atif Aslam beautifully. Here watch him crooning the tune in his beautiful voice:

The power of social media was seen again when the video of the little fan reached the star. Atif Aslam shared the video of little Arshman. He appreciated his talent and also stated that he would love to collab with him. Here is the star’s post for his little fan:

Woo mashallah innocence at it’s best. Well done Arshman – let’s collaborate soon https://youtu.be/XvFLJEwNGqY

A post shared by Atif Aslam (@atifaslam) on Mar 8, 2018 at 4:51am PST

So, dreams do come true in this world. And a collab between these two will surely be a delight to watch!

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is back in the news and again for not paying taxes. Rahat has been accused time and time again for not paying taxes.

The Federal Board of Revenue FBR recovered two million rupees in terms of taxes from the legendary singer. Fbr also has seized his bank account over the non-payment of tax.

Rahat was also accused last year when he did not pay taxes of about three million rupees. Again he had to pay about 3.2 million rupees as tax which he failed to do so and it resulted in cessation of his account.

Not paying taxes is a dilemma of our country. Seeing artists who people love fail to set an example in this regard i sad!

The versatile Zahid Ahmed is coming back as Akku on your screens. After starring in a social issue based drama Daldal, Zahid will be seen in a very different avatar. Hania Aamir will be playing the leading lady in the upcoming Visaal. The drama is written by Hashim Nadeem and will be directed by Ali Hassan. Zahid is seen in a very rugged look with long hair while Hania looks her usual bubbly self. Here are some behind the scenes pictures of both:

Are you guys looking forward to Visaal? Share in comments!

Ever since Faisal Kapadia and Bilal Maqsood of Strings bid farewell to Coke Studio after wrapping up the tenth season rumors of Noori producing the next season have been resurfacing over social media.

Noori’s manager denied the rumors previously by saying,

“The rumours are false. Noor and Hamza are not involved in producing Coke Studio 11 as of yet,”

But the rumors weren’t entirely false for in a recent Facebook post Coke Studio unveiled Ali Hamza that is one half of Noori The Band along with veteran Zohaib Kazi as the producers of Coke Studio 11th edition.

“We are thrilled to welcome Zohaib Kazi & Ali Hamza as the new producers on Coke Studio. Zohaib & Ali are both Coke Studio veterans, who have played an instrumental role in its success over the years. We cannot wait to share their brilliance with all of you, as we embark on a most exciting new chapter of the Coke Studio Pakistan journey. #CokeStudio”

Strings themselves took the throne from Rohail Hayat in season 7 and have produced four seasons since then until they bid farewell to the platform last season and went on to work on their new singles which will be released soon as the band celebrates it’s three decades of music and love.

A source has revealed,

“Hamza will be producing the Coke Studio now. Ali Noor is busy with some of his own projects and will not be able to give time to Coke Studio but Hamza will be taking care of business.”

We can’t wait to see what this new duo is going to bring to the biggest music platform of the country.

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Sana Safinaz came under the fire back in 2012 for it’s poor campaign choice and the famous brand has done it again. As some see the campaign as a representation of African culture other’s accuse the campaign for using black people as props and of culture appropriation.

Here’s what twitter had to say about the new Sana Safinaz spring collection,

One of the users said,

“#SanaSafinaz learned nothing from their infamous ‘coolie’ ad campaign a few years ago. Now they’re at it again appropriating African culture and using black people as props. Apparently #racism sells! @sanasafinazoff”

#SanaSafinaz learned nothing from their infamous 'coolie' ad campaign a few years ago. Now they're at it again appropriating African culture and using black people as props. Apparently #racism sells! @sanasafinazoff pic.twitter.com/UDofKaWsiz

— Nida Kirmani (@NidaKirmani) March 7, 2018

While another one called Pakistanis out for their deeply rooted racism,

“sana safinaz a large pakistani clothing brand using native africans and their culture as props. yall still want to tell me the deep rooted racism in pakistan is not there? try again”

https://twitter.com/sosunm/status/971535020056756225?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftribune.com.pk%2Fstory%2F1654567%2F4-sana-safinaz-faces-backlash-racist-campaign%2F

Some users said the campaign was very disturbing,

“I am sorry am I missing something here with this campaign? Sanasafinaz using these people as an ornament to selling their over priced lawn?? Mind blown at why they would deem this acceptable to the slightest. #disturbingAF”

I am sorry am I missing something here with this campaign? Sanasafinaz using these people as an ornament to selling their over priced lawn?? Mind blown at why they would deem this acceptable to the slightest. #disturbingAF pic.twitter.com/rVcWyXJfnF

— S H A H (@ShahTalks) March 7, 2018

One of the users said she’d be boycotting the brand this year,

“#SanaSafinaz using African culture as subservient props for a shoot is exactly why I’m not buying their lawn this time! This isn’t the first time this brand decided to appropriate a group of people who are often referred as disadvantaged #BoycottSanaSafinaz @sanasafinazoff”

#SanaSafinaz using African culture as subservient props for a shoot is exactly why I'm not buying their lawn this time! This isn't the first time this brand decided to appropriate a group of people who are often referred as disadvantaged #BoycottSanaSafinaz @sanasafinazoff https://t.co/Vpkl0wvwq2

— Heena Khaled (@HeenaKhaled) March 8, 2018

Many users thought the campaign exploited black people and reduced them to the status of accessories,

“let’s talk about the regressive, racist, downright offensive sana safinaz shoot. it’s 2018 & they think it’s okay to use black figures as accessories and exploit black culture as a means to sell overpriced lawn?matlub koi sharam hoti hai k oi hayah hoti hai.”

https://twitter.com/HaadeaP/status/971655637087252480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftribune.com.pk%2Fstory%2F1654567%2F4-sana-safinaz-faces-backlash-racist-campaign%2F

So far there hasn’t been a response from Sana Safinaz.

What’s your opinion of the campaign, share with us in the comments section.

International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8 every year. It commemorates the movement for women’s rights. March 8 was suggested by the 1910 International Socialist Woman’s Conference to become an “International Woman’s Day.” After women gained suffrage in Soviet Russia in 1917, March 8 became a national holiday there. The day was then predominantly celebrated by the socialist movement and communist countries until it was adopted in 1975 by the United Nations.

As the world celebrates women and vows to empower them so do our celebrities and this is what they had to say this women’s day.

Sarmad Khoosat

https://twitter.com/KhoosatSarmad/status/971605471277744128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftribune.com.pk%2Fstory%2F1654419%2F4-international-womens-day-men-celebrating-women-lives%2F

Adnan Siddiqui

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgCRoeQgQNL/?taken-by=adnansid1

Adnan Malik

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgDr5PBB6at/?utm_source=ig_embed

Sajal Aly

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgDk2PnAgXJ/?taken-by=sajalaly

Yumna Zaidi

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgEKBoUnI_W/?taken-by=yumnazaidiofficial

Sanam Chauhdry

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgDR24FBEJ-/?taken-by=sanamchauhdry

Ali Kazmi

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgDeQFKlzye/?taken-by=thealikazmi

Meesha Shafi

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgDzKxVF-af/?taken-by=meesha.shafi

Hina Bayat

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgDHEj2HdnD/?taken-by=hinakhwajabayatofficial

Sanam Saeed

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgDENMZlx4J/?taken-by=sanammody

Sheefa Jabbar

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgDtBndl-Xk/?taken-by=saheefajabbarkhattak

We wish a very happy women’s day to every woman out there, let’s create a better world for our future daughters. God bless.

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Riz Ahmed visited Pakistan recently to speak at Lahore Literary Festival after which the Star War star spent some time in Karachi as well. The actor who hasn’t been to motherland in past 13 years said that he was overwhelmed by the experience and will be posting pictures from his trip on his Instagram soon. But what he posted is much more than just vacation pictures.

Ahmed spent some time with the transgender community and shared their story with his followers,

“The transgender community has been an established part of South Asian culture for hundreds of years. You see many many more transgender people walking around in Pakistan than in New York or London.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf-0PSsBYvp/?taken-by=rizahmed

He further said,

“In recent times Pakistan has even had a recognised ‘third gender’ on official government documents, cementing their place in society. Despite this recognition however, they are marginalised and often earn a living through dancing, sex work or a kind of spiritual begging.”

Apart from highlighting the lives of transgenders in Pakistan he also shared some pictures of our well known truck culture and wrote,

“No one does cars, trucks & lorries like us”

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf3MZjjh2Q7/?taken-by=rizahmed

He also paid a visit to Juna Market & Johriya Bazaar and wrote,

“Juna Market & Johriya Bazaar, one of the older bits of Karachi. Most of this huge city is much newer. Used to be only half a million people til Partition in 1947. Now well over 20million call it home, mostly from India and elsewhere in Pakistan. A city of migrants.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bfy_bleBNJb/?taken-by=rizahmed

With a following list as diverse as Emmy Award Winner Riz Ahmed’s we hope his posts will help people see Pakistan for the country it really is. We hope to see more pictures from his trip to Pakistan soon.

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The prestigious Paris Fashion Week Fall 2018 started on 27th February and was wrapped up yesterday 6th of March. Yasmeen Jiwa was the only Pakistani designer at the Fashion Week showcasing her work. Her collection was featured on March 3 at the Intercontinental Le Grand, Paris.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ0Uor7jZB2/?hl=en&taken-by=yasmeenjiwa

The designer was invited by British company Oxford Fashion Studio to represent Pakistan. Maheen who manages Public Relations of Yasmin Jiwa told Geo.TV.

“We were invited in June last year to participate in New York Fashion Week in September 2017 by Oxford Fashion Studio — an independent organisation based in London who scout independent/ upcoming designers from around the world to participate in fashion weeks in London, New York, Milan, and Paris,” 

She further added,

“We realised that we will not be ready for September season so we opted for February in Paris and were luckily granted it. As this was our first ever show we wanted to take baby steps in which we opted to go for a group show, we shared our show with other international designers from Indonesia, India, Norway and Canada,” 

The collection was named ‘Qous-e-Qazah’ and it combined traditional embroideries such as mirror, thread, lace, cut work and sequence with modern edgy silhouettes.

“The brand Yasmeen Jiwa has always believed in weightless glamour which is not very common in our industry. The collection was given a great deal of praise by the media and buyers present at the show. It really opened the door to new international opportunities and definitely exceeded our expectations tenfold,” 

Speaking about the show, Jiwa said,

“I’ve always been a private person and have always enjoyed my private clientele, I knew that if I ever did a show it really had to be different from anything I’ve done before and I feel this was the perfect platform for me as I got the opportunity to meet people from all around the world.”

She continued,

“The venue was one of the most beautiful venues one could ever ask for. I was also extremely impressed by the organisers the level of professionalism was extremely refreshing,”

It feels so good to see people of homeland making us proud around the globe, more power to you and your team Mam. Kudos.

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Mahira Khan has been very vocal lately be it the #MeToo or Time’s Up campaign or some other political view she isn’t holding back. In a recent interview with Newsweek ahead of her UK visit the Verna starlet had some wisdom to share.

When asked of the brief ban on Verna the actress said,

“We knew there are certain things that have been said in this film that won’t go down well with certain people, certain institutions. And they didn’t. There was a feeling of, OK, it’s been banned—now what do we do? There was a handful of people who did not want it to go out, and then there was the entire brigade of people—a society—who created an uproar and said they want this film to be released,”

She continued,

“That pressure caused them to release the film. I don’t know what the outcome of Verna would have been 20 years ago, or 25 years ago, or 10 years ago even. But today people are like, ‘We’re not going to let you ban this film.’ I actually thought, OK, this is banned, or there will be several cuts. There were no cuts in the film. It only happened because people got up and talked about it—journalists, Twitter, talk shows debating it. There was enough pressure and it got released.”

“More than anything, Verna talks about power. Whether we talk about misogyny or patriarchal society or even abuse, they’re an act of power,”

When asked of what was it about the script or the project in particular that made her sign up for Verna she said,

“When I heard the story, all I knew was there are lines in the film that I wanted to be able to say. There were a lot of other great commercial projects that were around at the same time, but as an actor, it was a hunger to be able to be part of something like this.”

Speaking about whether the “Time’s Up” campaign is crossing into the Pakistani film industry, the Bol actor said,

“There are certain themes running through the world that are very similar. Whatever is happening there is happening here. People are raising their voice there; women are raising their voices here. There’s a very similar pattern in this country as well. We are having constant debate about gender equality, we are talking about women, women in films, the kind of roles written for women. It has trickled down,” 

She added,

“I would like better stories, and I want to see better roles for men and women. As far as tackling things like pay parity, in this industry, that is also being talked about. I think most of us—me and my female co-actors—I think we all fight for our rights. I think we’re creating a good groundwork for future generations,” 

Further, regarding India recently upholding its ban on Pakistani talent in Indian films, the actor said,

“I wish it was within our hands or our control. But it isn’t. It’s something governments are deciding, and so be it.”

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A huge fiasco went on when India initially banned Pakistani artists more specifically Mahira Khan and Fawad Khan from working in Bollywood. Their movies Raees and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil where Fawad had a cameo came under a lot of fire. Consequently, there were no more projects for the stars. Recently, an Indian minister talked about banning Atif Aslam and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. Saba Qamar who did Hindi Medium is also not going to be a part of the sequel. So, India has officially banned Pakistani artists to work in any of their media.

India Officially Bans Pakistani Artists!

Albeit almost entire industry chose to stay quiet on the topic but Adnan Shah Tipu who has worked in Bollywood previously had something to say. In a video on Shahroz Sabzwari’s facebook he said,

“Thank you for banning us. You have given us a chance to make an Amitabh Bachchan, Naseeruddin Shah and other big stars in Pakistan.You banned Pakistani players from Indian Premiere League (IPL), but then Pakistan Super League (PSL) happened.”

The actor has worked in numerous Bollywood projects such as Himesh Reshammiya’s Kajraare and Arshad Warsi’s Welcome to Karachi. Talking about his experience while working across the border, Tipu said,

“I have worked in India. People showed me a lot of love. But what does this ban mean? You don’t get our bread and butter. It is up to God.Your ban doesn’t change two facts. Facts that no one should ever forget. First, your paternity. Second, your nationality. My father’s name is Ghazanfar Ali Shah. I’m from Faisalabad, Dhobi Ghat, Pakistan. That’s not going to change,” 

The Maalik star further added,

“I did a film in 2007. I wasn’t starving back then. Therefore, because of your ban, neither Fawad Khan nor Rahat Fateh Ali Khan will starve. Pakistan is my mother. If I say anything to your mother, you will feel offended. Likewise, if you say anything about my mother, will I be ecstatic about it?”

He concluded,

“So, here’s what I have to say. Go play your game, we will play ours. You’ve banned us. Thank you very much.”

“Pakistan above all.”

All his followers on facebook had nothing but love for this man for taking a stand while the rest of our industry is restraining from giving any response.

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Imran Abbas has been giving hits after hits. Khuda Aur Mohabbat Season 2, Muhabbat Tum Se Nafrat Hai and now Noor ul Ain, all his recent shows have been extremely popular. But one thing was super common among all his shows, his lover boy avatar. Good news for Imran’s fans is that he is making a huge change as he will play a negative character in the next iDreams production named Koi Chand Rakh Meri Shaam Par. The play is written by Maha Malik and is directed by Siraj ul Haq.

And another good news for the fans, you will be able to see the famous Maheen and Waqar together again. Imran will star opposite Ayeza Khan again:

It is good to see Imran showing versatility. Are you guys excited?

Saba was ruling the TRP charts with Baaghi for which she bagged the best actress award in LSA 18 this year. Now she is coming back with Badshah Begum. Gohar Rasheed will be starring alongside her. After Digest Writer, we will see the pair again in Badshah Begum on HUM TV. The play will present a story from the Mughal Era and is already anticipated as a very big project.

We will keep you updated about Badshah Begum. Are you guys excited for the play? Share in the comments section!

Saboor Aly celebrated her birthday with her friends and she looked absolutely gorgeous. Her close friends Sadaf Kanwal and Amar Khan celebrated her day with her. With red balloons and a beautiful cake, Saboor looked super happy during her birthday celebration. Here are the pictures from her party:

Happy Birthday, Saboor!