“Faris sambhaal lega”…This month’s episode was very interesting and the story progressed further with many filmi things. The chosen poetry was added with relevant tracks.

Saadi-Faris Reunion

So, first things first, it was heartbreaking to see Saadi being beaten up by his own Mamu but yes, Mamu ki kya baat hai, Saadi ki achayi uskay khilaf use ki…too bad Mamu! it was horrifying yet depicted true love of her Mehbooba ( sounds really funny when Saadi calls Faris Mehbooba) I guessed it right as the writer tried to instill the idea that Saadi was captured by Hashim Kardaar’s man but I felt somewhere that he was Faris.

It was really emotional when Faris tried to realize Saadi that his family comes first and he should be concerned about them by saying “Fiyona aur uska bucha zyada eham hain” the way Saadi broke and started crying was so sad to read.But it was a good re-union.

Miss Red and her so called innocence!

Miss Red ka dil torr diya Faris ne, as the previous episode ended at the very heartbreaking note but this month’s episode pays it back so Aabdaar was heartbroken and felt devastated as Faris proved to be loyal to Zumar and he used Aabdaar only to get her goals accomplished. Faris’s character seemed selfish at this point but Miss Red is purely wrong and I am glad Faris told her what was needed.

Haneen and her verge towards good!

Haneen is on her way to a positive change in her life. She started memorizing Quran so she is not a Hafiz-e-Quran in a criterion we usually call someone hafiz but Nemrah Ahmed through her wisdom managed to convey that even if you know a verse you should revise it and that is also a part of hifz. Loved all her conversations with Memoona, she is such a nice lady and her conversation left a calm and tranquil impression on the reader. I was surprised to know that Haneen didn’t had an ounce of sympathy for Hashim Kardaar but I was glad that she is out of that Ishq I presume.

Zumar…Maakir

Zumar Faris…She managed to get through the trauma of Aabdaar and Faris when she started to think logically and tried to read between the lines. Zumar is Maakir that sounds bad but it was actually quite satisfying to see her this way saving her family because Hashim and his family has left no other option for her. Zumar managed to get into the laptop of Hashim when he had an Anxiety Attack which she took it as a heart attack.

Zumar started the tafseer from the Surah ( Al-Naml) which Saadi left and it was refreshing to see her heart getting soft, Indeed with the remembrance of Allah the heart softens.

Jewelry Aunty and her Budha dil!

Jewelry Aunty, Mrs Javahirat…..Allah bachaye isse! So no matter how many plastic surgeries you do to hide your real age but you can’t really stop feeling old and weak from inside. It was so selfish of her not having any genuine sympathy for his beloved son Hashim Kardaar. She deserved that reality check from Haroon Obaid. He with his words crashed her Ego and has set the grounds for her failure which is not a good sign for Mrs.Javahirat.

Nausheervan…Now tou you are gone!

Nausheervan ka bura waqt shuru hochuka hai because he is dumb and Zumar is playing mind games with him and ab tou Saadi bhi nahi chorega Nausheervan ko! Bringing back Alicia and conspiring against Hashim and his family Zumar is playing her part wisely.But why on earth Alicia wants her key chain back? Ants Ever-after.

Nausheervan was surprised to know that Saadi is not innocent at all. Well, at this point no one is innocent but Yes, Yusuf’s still are innocent and they are conspiring but for their justice and that’s okay.

Ahmer Shafi….. A disappointment!

Ahmer Shafi is proving himself to be loyal to Javahirat and threatens Haneen by investigating all about her past. He was not a black character, I liked him but he disappointed me. I didn’t expect this level of cheapness from him. He is on a wrong path and completely blinded by the power show of Kardaars.

Hashim kardaar…. Has moved on…hmmm!!

Hashim Kardaar has moved on…really??? It was good to see this because I really want him to repent and turn into a good person obviously after getting his due punishment. He got his oil company all turned to ashes. Did Faris planned this as well?

Hashim Kardaar had an Anxiety attack and I think its Karma time.He is getting back what he has given away.
Lol… that speech really showed how politicians talk about their “Good Plans” and I would be glad to know if its all true!

Ending and Predictions!

The episode ended with some tracks which were a bit scary. Saadi is captured by Faseeh and he murdered him. I don’t know for how long Saadi have to deal with such people and by using her Haq-e-Difah would kill these criminals. Sigh!!! The happiness of re-union were crashed by this incident.

Aabdaar is suffering from depression and Hashim needs someone to be around him because he knows now he is alone. Hashim would soon propose Aabdaar and let’s see what will be her answer.

I will have to wait to know the answer because now I could not figure it out how Aabdaar will react further but one thing is sure …Zumar-faris relationship is not that weak but it is quite strong.

Any predictions?

Do share your views and predictions about Naml’s episode.

Asma Jamali

After much anticipation and a longer-than-usual wait, Naml is back with its sixteenth instalment. Need I to remind you that I got mesmerized by it again? I don’t think so :)

****SPOILER ALERT****

Progress

So here’s a summary

• Zumar’s adopted kidney is failing and she is in a desperate need of another kidney donor. She obviously doesn’t want any other family member to sacrifice for her and decides to hide this from all of them.

• Aabdar interviews a person having gone through Near Death Experience (NDE), which apparently is her on-going project.

• Shehreen tries to get a confession out of Hashim about the assault on Saadi. Hashim (tactfully) dodges her and keeps her on her place.

• Haneen visits the Sheikh again in pursuit of a remedy for her Marz-e-Mustamir (chronic illness). The Sheikh suggests that the first line of action is lowering your gaze (as suggested in Surah Noor for both men and women).

• Saadi and Maryangio have a chat. She confides in him (reluctantly) that she has been pondering over the oddly rude behaviour of Javahirat towards her, especially the way she threw her out of the house after Aurangzeb’s death.

• Justice Sikandar wonders who might be Saadi’s lawyer (who leaked Sikandar’s video) in his meeting with Hashim and Khawar. Hashim is of the opinion that this all is Faris’s doing. Khawar seeks permission to interrogate Saadi which Hashim gives but not willingly.

• Haneen teaches her mother to blackmail Faris and Zumar into going to a family wedding together.

• Saadi is collecting some small props for breaking open his prison door but is not much confident.

• The Yousufs and Ghazis attend Eid-ul-Azha dinner at the Kardaar’s place. Zumar messages Haneen to bring the pen camera from home and they both get their family photos taken (courtesy of the Kardaars) posing a victory sign and holding the pen camera.

• Aabdar crashes into a meeting of Haroon and Hashim and tricks them into confessing that they are the ones who have kept Saadi locked. She manages to take a promise from Hashim that she will be allowed to visit Saadi once for her project on NDE.

• Khawar confronts Saadi in order to get his lawyer’s name and in doing so, tells him that Justice Sikandar’s video has been leaked. Saadi doesn’t tell him anything and taunts that however hard he may try, he would never become a Kardaar. Khawar leaves in rage and throws the Eid dinner pictures of Saadi’s family on his bed.

• Aabdar meets Faris in her house when he comes to see Ahmar. Faris gets sceptical about her that she could be the eluding eye-witness.

• Saadi recites Quran and reads the story of Sulaiman (A.S.), his servant hoopoe (hud-hud) and the queen of Saba. He gets sad in thinking that he does not have a hud-hud who could deliver messages from his family. He quits dua and opens the envelope with his family’s pictures in it. He now notices the one of Zumar and Haneen with the pen-camera. He realizes that it was these two who leaked Justice Sikandar’s video and gets amazed (once again) by the ways Allah helps his servants. Zumar knowingly did this becase she knew they would be sending these pictures to Saadi.

• Zumar and Haneen track down the possible country where they could have kept Saadi. With Haneen’s hacking ability, Zumar’s convincing powers and their brains combined they finally pick the most likely place for Saadi’s captivity: Colombo, Sri Lanka.

• Aabdar remembers that the first time she saw Saadi was in their university. It was the time when Sheru was beaten up and Saadi was counselling one of his teachers who was infertile. All three of them were sitting in the cafeteria. The way Saadi counselled his teacher caught Aabdar’s attention and she got really impressed.

• Faris goes on to destroy A. S. P. Sarmad Shah’s reputation in his own family party. But as soon as he realizes that the function was Shah’s son’s birthday party, he decides not to do this. Apparently he doesn’t want a father being humiliated in front of his son just like his own dad was humiliated in his eyes.

• Guilt is settling inside Sheru now. He accidentally kills a pet dog and gets extremely spooked by its dead body.

• Haneen is unable to retrieve the corrupted files. She decides to trick Khawar into telling her about the correct procedure using her superb acting skills. She gets what she wanted as Khawar unknowingly shows her what to do in such situation.

• Faris and Zumar go to the wedding and they meet with Sarah and her daughter Amal there. Amal instantly gets to her Uncle Faris and complains that he doesn’t meet with them anymore. Zumar suddenly feels that she cannot sit through this wedding and asks Faris that they go somewhere else for dinner.

• At dinner Zumar decides to tell Faris what she has been going through. But the discussion gets in the wrong direction and Faris tells her that he loves her but he has married her to see how she looks when she gets defeated. This breaks Zumar’s heart and she gets back to her former strict and reserved self.

• Zumar, Faris, Haneen and Sam are in the house when police (lead by A. S. P. Sarmad Shah) bangs on the door to arrest Faris. Zumar, shocked, asks for arrest warrant. Faris is alleged with the murder of someone on the night 28^th of August (the night Dr. Aiman’s hospital was burnt to ashes). Faris gets mad at Zumar, suspecting that this might be her doing. Hashim and Javahirat watch over contently from their balcony as Faris gets arrested.

Points to Ponder

• We now come to know that Aabdar was not enagaged at the time they were studying in the university and it was definitely not her fiancé who beat Sheru up. Also, Saadi’s lack of interest in helping Sheru hints that he might be behind this. Does Saadi already know Aabdar? And who told Sheru that it was Adbdar’s fiancé who beat him?

• Maryangio and Saadi are bonding now. They each have a piece of the jigsaw puzzle of Aurangzeb’s murder. It is only a matter of time before this loose cover by Javahirat blows up.

• We never knew that Saadi also went through NDE. Apparently he doesn’t remember this either.

• Why Oh Why we cannot have a misunderstanding-free relationship between Zumar and Faris?? I sure hope to see them together before I die (*sighs*).

• Will Faris be the one who donates his kidney to Zumar? Or will Zumar not survive through this phase? I’m afraid I see more chance for the latter one:(

• Well we have one good news now, that it is not India where Saadi is kept. This makes it easier for Saadi to escape. I am so rooting for Aabdar to help him in fleeing.

• Faris is arrested again! Will he able to present an alibi for that night? I guess Zumar will be able to do something for her this time.

Best Scene

The best scene for me was the one in which Saadi counsels his teacher. It was a really heart touching way of giving hope to someone. No wonder Saadi got Aabdar’s attention. This might be another example of Saadi’s naiki coming back to him that Aabdar might be able to help him.

Quality Rating

The pace was a little slow and not much character development was there. But the overall quality has been maintained and anticipation has increased even further. I would score it with 4 out of 5.

Share your own review with us please:)

Eagerly waiting for the next installment,

Noor-us-Saad

Namlians received their Eid gift in the form of an early episode, and what an episode it was! Number 15 of Naml (or should I say Nahl) once again made us cry, laugh and ponder simultaneously all through its 55 pages.

****SPOILER ALERT****

Progress

Summarizing the story, we got several major developments. I would list them in bullets for your ease and mine:

• The Kardaars suspect that Faris is behind the accident in Dr. Bukhari’s hospital-to-be. Khawar resolves to find clues about finding Faris’s hand in all this.

• Shehreen requests to meet Faris in a restaurant, but seeing Haneen with him, changes the topic to the gun used to shoot Saadi. Faris mentions the gun’s exact model and Shehreen suddenly remembers that Sheru possesses this model.

• Ahmar is interrogated by Faris in front of Zumar and Haneen about the thing by which Justice Sikandar was blackmailed by Saadi. He tells them that Justice Sikandar murdered an OCP of Intermediate Board. This was the very same OCP whom Haneen is guilty of blackmailing.

• Saadi’s pen camera originally belongs to Mr. OCP and contains the video of him being murdered at the hands of Justice Sikandar. Saadi finds this pen on OCP’s desk when he goes to his house after Haneen’s confession.

• Zumar realizes that the keychain and the pen given to him by Gul Khan are Saadi’s. She meets Gul Khan who tells her that it was found in the purse of a lady from the under construction building. Zumar learns about how the woman look like but it is not enough to lead her to Sarah yet.

• Haneen reads Shaikh’s book and finds herself as the diseased person she saw earlier, who was diagnosed with Ishq. She gets horrified by seeing this and refuses the Shaikh’s offer to cure her.

• Hashim goes to meet Saadi and demands to provide confidential information about his Thar Coal project. Saadi refuses to co-operate at any cost. Hashim threatens him and leaves for a few hours giving him time to think.

• Aabdar Obaid comes to know that her father and Hashim are involved in keeping some scientist in a safe house as she overhears her father’s call to Hashim. Later on, she learns from Ahmar that Saadi is a NESCOM scientist who is most probably been abducted for the sake of confidential information.

• Hashim gets back to Saadi and plays Haneen’s audio message on Whatsapp in which she agrees to come with his driver to a hotel. He pressurizes Saadi by sharing his nasty plans with him. Saadi feels utterly helpless but then notices Haneen’s Whatsapp status of a part of Ayah 68 of Surah Nahl and a video camera icon.

• He notices that the audio message was sent prior to changing the status. He calms himself down and says that Haneen would never go with Hashim’s driver. Hashim makes snide comments but gets blown over when Haneen calls him and says that she won’t come as Saadi has forbade her to go. She also makes a strong point to discontinue any such conversation between them. Hashim gets utterly shocked and repeatedly asks Saadi what has he done sitting here? Saadi (all relieved now) recites these Ayahs:

“So when you recite the Quran, seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Shaitan. Surely, he has no authority over those who believe and rely on their Lord. His authority is only over those who befriend him and those who associate others with Him.”

Surah Nahl 98-100

• Haneen after sending that audio in which she agreed to come to a hotel remembers that Saadi used to post some Tafseer videos on his facebook page. She remembers the one about Ayahs 66 to 69 of Surah Nahl and plays it. Saadi explains that Allah (SWT) might have made an analogy of honey bees with girls. Honey bees are supposed to follow the paths made easier for them, just as young women are supposed to follow the straight and halaal path led for them. But now-a-days, honey bees are getting confused by the mobile signals in the air, which mess up their sense of direction and they get lost and deviate from the straight path. Likewise, girls are deviating from the straight path because of unlawful and unethical conversations with na-mehrams on mobile phone. Haneen cries while watching this video and then calls Hashim to discontinue any unlawful contact they used to have.

• Saadi used to ask his listeners to change their Whatsapp status to the Ayah learned today for 24 hours. That’s how he knew that Haneen has recently seen that video and will not go with Hashim’s driver.

• Shehreen meets Sheru and tricks her into telling her about the gun he possessed. Although, Sheru rejects outright that he had that particular model but in his stupidity gives all the clues against his statement through his body language.

• Zumar and Haneen watch the video of the OCP being murdered and then watch the whole video of Saadi’s meeting with the Kardaars. Both of them receive immense shock after this realization but decide not to tell Faris about this truth because he might do something stupid.

• Justice Sikandar has recently been appointed as a high court judge and a party is thrown in his honour. Zumar (along with Faris) is invited to this party. Faris remembers how arrogantly Sikandar had refused to plead his case justly. He plans Sikandar’s destruction by publicizing the OCP’s murder video and the honourable Justice’s Reputation goes down the sewers when that video is played in his party.

• Zumar is told by her doctor that her donated kidney is no longer supporting her.

Points to Ponder

• Zumar now realizes that Faris is not guilty, but has not told him yet. Her ego restricts her from confessing her fault. Let us hope that this does not create more problems for the couple.

• Speaking about Zumar, I hope she is not in grave danger because of her deteriorating health. But I remember a conversation between her and Hanna when Hanna asks her that why do writers kill the character we love the most and Zumar replies that the writer makes us love the character that is about to die. I hope this was not a clue for her death :(

• It might be Saadi whom Hashim remembers whenever he sees Haroon Obaid’s face and gets sad.

• Aabdar is getting closer to the truth. She seems pretty innocent but she has a sharp mind too. The question remains that who was her fiancé who beat Sheru up and why did Saadi not help him? Probably Saadi thought that this was for Sheru’s own good:)

• The revelation part was pretty straight forward, but thank God Zumar and Hanna saw that video safely. I was dreading some more twists before it.

• What was it that Shehreen needed to discuss with Faris? Is she really interested in him? Shehreen! Woman! Get a grip, you will only hurt yourself!

Best Scene

For me, and I am sure for most of you, the best scene was the Tafseer one. As I read the translation of the ayahs, some connections were being made in my mind to Haneen’s present situation too. But the way the whole concept was explained was awesome. Only this powerful reminder from Allah (SWT) and an explanation from her brother could snap Hanna out of her disease. The way it was showed that your good deed comes back to you was amazing as well. Saadi never would have imagined that he would help his sister and himself by a good deed done so long ago. But Allah (SWT) always remembers and returns the favours multiplying manifolds.

Quality Rating

The pace was fast as usual and character development was exemplary as usual too. The episode had all the elements tied together like a wonderful necklace. I would rate this episode as 5 out of 5 because for me it was flawless.

Share your own review with us please:)

Eagerly waiting for the next installment.

Noor-us-Saad

Alright then, number 13 is out and it has got to be the best episode yet!! Brilliant story-telling and awesome execution of the plot. Every page of Naml keeps you hooked to it. The episode was titled “Man khisht ba Malika daad’, meaning ‘I gave the queen a diamond’.

****SPOILER ALERT****

Progress

We witnessed some solid developments in this episode, starting off with Dr. Sarah Ghazi’s account of attack on Saadi. Saadi calls her to the family function at ‘Foodily Everafter’ to secretly pass the sole evidence he had against the Kardaars. She however, excuses from attending the function and they arrange to meet in the under-construction building. Unfortunately, due to Sheru’s stunt, she loses her pouch there (she was watching from the rooftop of the neighbouring under-construction building). She cannot muster enough courage to attack Sheru but makes sure that Saadi gets medical attention. She recovers her valuables from her pouch but the diamond shaped key-ring was missing (which had the pen camera attached to it). She abandons hope and decides to stay quiet for her daughters’ safety. By the way, later on we get to know that Gul Khan possess that key-ring and pen now.

Haneen gullibly tells Hashim that Zumar wants her to crack open Saadi’s laptop and the corrupted files in the USB. Hashim, possessing the devil’s brains, puts two and two together and asks Haneen to give him the files in the flash drive because they were his. Haneen does not however give him the correct USB (thanks a million) because it was Saadi’s.

Zumar is warming up to Faris but there is something about his attitude that pins her. She gets to know that Faris was the one who gave her the nose-pin and they have a fight over it. Faris angry (and embarrassed, because their voices carried over to the whole family), leaves the house. Nudrat gets very angry at Zumar and says things that hurt her so much that she leaves house. Faris is called back by Haneen and he finds Zumar sitting in the jungle-y area near their house, bruised and heart-broken. He comforts her, telling her about Nudrat’s bad experience with the house. Nudrat had apparently had to live in this house once before, when Zumar’s mom ousted her from her from her house. Zumar softens up to him because of his kind words and his first-aid for her bruised toe.

Another major development was when Zumar finds photos of herself and Zartasha just after the attack on them in Saadi’s laptop. She asks Ahmer’s expert opinion on this who downright rejects that these could have been taken by Faris. But he agrees that Faris must be the one shooting her. Zumar hires him to find out about how and by whom were these pictures taken.

As for Saadi, he gets to know that he is in India. Being brought their illegally and having worked for NESCOM, Pakistan, he cannot run away. He recites the Qur’an again, reading the Ayahs about the queen ant in Surah Naml. Suddenly, the holy book is snatched from him and he is injected with a paralysing serum. Hashim Kardaar comes into the room with all his glamour and infuriates Saadi by telling and showing in pictures that his family has forgotten him and is in Hashim’s control. He also says things about Haneen that are ultra-cheap and asks Saadi to work from him because he does not have any other choice (really Hashim??).

Meanwhile, Zumar, in her attempt to understand Faris, tries to open his secret room in the basement. Faris immediately confronts her and scares her off. She does not give up though, and later on convinces him to open the door for her. Faris opens the door and the episode ends (*sigh*).

Character Development

Dr. Sarah Ghazi

I know it’s hard to for us readers to connect with her cowardice but she does represent a mentality in our society. She does however vent her rage a little by ill-wishing for the culprit’s children at Hashim’s face. The writer has given us many strong female characters in this novel, Zumar, Haneen, Javahirat, but this one represents a typical overly-cautious mother who cannot even stand as a witness for an innocent boy’s murder. Or even avenge her husband’s murder.

Zumar & Faris

Ok, there is something fishy about Faris now. He is presented as the mystery guy in this episode. What is in that room that he hides from everyone? His former wife’s relics? Proof of her love for Zumar? Some clues he has against Kardaars? Or was he actually involved in attacking Zumar?? And what is the origin of his middle name Taheer? As far as I know it has Arabic orgins, but does it connect in some way to Persian as well? Only time will tell. As for Zumar, she has finally decided to investigate the unknown about Faris Taheer Ghazi. I liked how she was shown to crack up when Nudrat yelled at her. This showed a more eastern-woman side of our Ms. Attitude.

Haneen

For the first time in the past 3 months, Haneen showed some sense. She did not go to meet Hashim at night and is not willing to trust him blindly either. At least, she is putting her beloved brother’s possession near and dear. She has also cracked Saadi’s laptop for Zumar.

Hashim

How can anyone be so cunning, cruel and heartless at the same time? Although, every piece of the Kardaar clan is a masterpiece in evil, but Hashim Kardaar is indeed the devil himself. We had correctly guessed that he must have been unaware of Haneen’s crush on him, but to use it against an already helpless brother? That is taking evil to a whole new level.

The New Entries

We get to know about a mystery guy Haroon Ubaid. So far we only know that he is a corrupt politician, had a Persian mother, has been friends with Javahirat Kardaar (sends her diamond necklace) and has hired Ahmar to run his campaign. Another new entry mentioned was of Mrs. Touqeer Bukhari. Apparently, she is also someone to look out for.

Quality Rating

The episode was fast paced, so I would give 5 out of 5. Overall, the scenes kept relating to the title mentioning a queen and a diamond. It was well-thought and brilliantly put together. An overall score of 4.5 would be appropriate.

Do share your own rating and reviews about this episode.

Yours Truly

Noor-us-Saad

P.S. I deliberately left out Sheru’s discussion :-P He is such a waste-of-space.

For the episode, one word: Awesome!

For Kardaars, two words: موتو بغيىظكم (Die with your Anger!)

I personally think these words were better meant for Naushervan than any other Kardaar (Let’s call him Sheru from now onwards:-P). Oh, and one correction, the name is Naml not Namal, we pronounce it wrong :)

Boy, this novel is full of murdering lunatics! Eleven episodes have gone and we have seen 3 murders, one suicide and one murder attempt. Let’s see what we got to read in this episode.

****SPOILER ALERT****

Progress

This episode had (again) a lot to offer. Zumar and Faris have started their new life exactly as we expected. I had a funny image in my mind that Faris was trying to be as good a husband as Salaar Sikandar, and failed miserably, haha. Saadi finally got the concrete proof he needed against Hashim. By the way the recording pen thing was kind of obvious, how could Khawar and Hashim be such fools to not think that Saadi can be recording all this? True his phone was taken but there are numerous other gadgets that can be used for recording. Anyways, good work Saadi, we are proud of you!

Just as expected, Saadi was really hurt when he came to know about Haneen’s cheating scenario. Thank God it was handled wisely by Zumar. Sheru, being the idiot he is, tried to take things into his hands and shot Saadi. As a result of this, Hashim abducted Saadi from the hospital, and the Yousufs are now completely at a loss as to who shot him and where in the world is he now. It is a big relief that he is alive, but still his family doesn’t know that.

Pace (4.5 out of 5)

The story is running on a highway. We all knew something was going to happen to Saadi in this episode that is why I skimmed the parts of Zumar and Faris’s happily everafter to get to the main part. Sorry Nimra…

Anticipation (6 out of 5)

This whole episode was highly anticipated because of the teaser Nimra left for us regarding Saadi and the next episode is even more anticipated. Readers have questions buzzing in their heads as to who on earth was the person who saw Sheru shooting Saadi and whether Saadi had alerted someone before he came to that under-construction building? There must be someone who called the police or ambulance. One thing is certain though, Saadi put the video recording in his laptop and someone (Haneen most probably) will discover it.

Best Scenes

Although, the highlight of this episode was Saadi’s murder (attempted) and disappearance, personally, the best scene for me was the confrontation scene in Hashim’s office as it had a lot to offer. Hashim and Javahirat were apparently helpless in front of ‘becahara, masoom Saadi’ and don’t even get me started at Sheru’s woes, haha. By the way, I wasn’t expecting such insults from Saadi’s mouth about Sheru. But alas! Anger makes one do strange things.

As for the shooting scene, I don’t know why, but I feel sorrier for Sheru than Saadi. He has committed a hideous crime just out of jealousy. Just like Qabeel did to Habeel. Just like Iblees refused to prostrate before Adam. Both had done more harm to themselves than to others. By the way did anyone notice, the words Saadi spoke to Sheru were also the words of Habeel before death?

“Tum agar mujh par hath uthao ge, main tab bhi tum par hath nahi uthaoon ga”

What to Expect

The person bearing witness to Sheru shooting Saadi might be the pathan boy whom he met at the masjid in the previous episode. Zumar would have been a strong candidate too but she had no clue what was happening. What about ‘main tumhari keeper hoon’ dialogue? Anyways, Now that Saadi is out of sight, I have my faith on Haneen to uncover the truth and Zumar to take action on it. Things are going to be much more intense and I have a hunch Sheru’s guilt will get the better of him and he will blurt his confession just as he did in front of Hashim. Faris is proving to be pretty dormant; he has yet to play his role too. Next episode may also have progress in Javahirat’s guilt and the Kardaars will eventually collapse from within before anyone confronts them.

That was a crude review from my side. Do have your say in the comments, as no review is complete without your comments :)

Yours Truly

Noor-us-Saad

Number 29 is out and it has to be the most emotional episode so far.Completion of Chapter “Aab-e-Zeedan” and a shocking beginning of “Shehmat” has turned it into the most gripping, interesting and captivating novel of this year. When we read novels we usually have a love story which leads the novel script and other characters just add up. Here the novel not only has the love part but also the crucial, sickening, devastating mindset and psychology of different characters have been sketched out flawlessly.

Zumar was rescued by Faris, so Faris Ghazi once again proved Hashim wrong and saved Zumar by manipulating Naushervan and even not feeling guilty about it. I felt Naushervan was scared and just like Saadi, Faris is also a master of manipulative talk. Tada….bechara Naushervan became the sacrificing sheep and Zumar was rescued. We don’t really care much for Naushervan as long as Zumar was saved we are done with this part.

Bidding Farewell to Aabi.Honestly, I felt for her although she was after Faris, She cunningly tried to trap him. She was jealous of Zumar, She changed her technique to approach Faris yet at the end she proved that she is more human than Kardaars and died without being neutral.

Haneen our hero- The true essence of Haneen’s character was beautifully written in that letter, every word of it gradually connecting with one another and thus forming compelling dialogues was full of wisdom and at the whole completing the whole journey of a girl who falls and rises again. Loved the fact that a girl was shown standing up again and accepting all that happened .Indeed, she is her own hero. As it is said “ We are at the end narrators of our life’s story”

A letter to Aabdaar Obaid

Assalam-o-alaikum Miss Red!

I hope you are fine, I am glad you didn’t die because of suicide but gone from this world as someone who dared to say the wrong, wrong. Whatever that ishq and muhabbat led you to do things which were out of your control and we hated you. We literally felt disgusted over what you did but at the end you won her heart. A girl who was shown used by her very own father and they way she was broken inside made her to look for someone who could fill that gap in her although she had Hashim but she fell for Fares. We will pray for you Aabdaar. You won her heart!

Rest in Peace,
Namlians

Ahmer’s disappearance was made clear by the famous quote and he managed to escape from all the mess. Well let’s see if he bears the consequences of what he did to javahirat.

Surprise surprise…!!! I thought after knowing about the name of the murderer behind Hashim’s father death, Hashim will kill Javahirat but wohoooo he says he understands this!!! Really shocking but then A murderer can understand another murderer better..isn’t it ?

Hats off to Sheru and Hashim that they doubted Javahirat otherwise what a cunning women Aunty jewelry is …tauba tauba..
Haseena is a ghadaar !! I am feeling bad for doubting Sadaqat but Haseena is the real culprit along with that red scarf guy.

This episode was intensely captivating and I just can’t wait to read the last one.
What do you think about the latest development and what are your expectations about the last episode of Naml .

Asma Jamali

Firstly, sorry for the late review of this novel.Secondly,would try my best to cover everything which speedily happened in these episodes…

The title of the 23rd episode of Naml was “Morchaal” meaning “House of Ants” so this pin points at the very basic theme of the episode which will be more of Yusuf’s family.

Woww..just woww.. what an introductory poetry!

وہ ایک فقرہ خود کو سنانے کے لیے ڈھونڈو
پھر اس لاین کو مضبوطی سے تھام لو
اور پھر اس کی مدد سے خود کو تاریک اندھیروں سے باہر کھینچ نکالو

Nemrah Ahmed beautifully managed to portray the struggle of Haneen. Mainly it is related to Haneen but somehow everyone in this novel is deeply engulfed in darkness.

Faris is such a secret keeper, the sweet trifle between Haneen and Faris illustrated their love and harmony as a family.The episode has remarkable treasures and some mysteries were unfolded in an apt way and that’s the style of our beloved writer.

Going inside the Morchaal ..let’s get in their house and feel the fear, agony despair and hope in our Ants ?

• Saadi wants justice through court and Yusuf’s are not satisfied with thi, yet they support Saadi.Its not a piece of cake when you have Hashim as your opponent.

• Haneen if truth be told is gradually collecting her broken pieces and redeeming herself that could be effortlessly seen in conversation with Zumar. “ Aap srf shadeed halaath main roti hain, main shadeed halaath main aage ka sochti hun” thumbs up for hanna.

• The reason behind Naushervan’s attempt to kill Saadi was jealousy and the phone call with Zumar categorized this disease in three steps and definitely Naushervan was in the final stage where harming the person physically satisfies this disease.It was true wisdom.

• Colonel Khawar was back with a bang but hopefully Faris turned out to be different than a mere killer and Zumar was the one to rescue our Mamun , Welldone Zumar ??

• Spouses are one other’s mirror and how you start complimenting and appreciating the good things in your partner they will do it more for you. Another great message by giving a glimpse of the cute life of Faris and Zartaasha.

• Ha..Ha…Ha…Here comes Hashim proposing Aabi no actually ordering her to marry him ..how can such a person who destroyed many people’s life can even think of his own happiness….phew!! Good for him because he will be crushed when he would know that Aabi is head over heels in love with Faris.

The Turning Point of The Episode:

The conversation between Faris and Hashim and the hidden meanings which were unfolded afterwards were mind boggling.
At first I thought Hashim is guilty and he is ready to face the consequences of his dreadful evilest acts but No..No..No …Once a devil is always a devil..
No hope for you Hashim Kardaar and I was shocked to know what their real conversation meant when he was practicing Judo Karate on Naushervan.
Faris and Hashim they know each-other well and what their hidden agendas are! And waqayi Hashim acha aadmi nahi hai par wo azeem aadmi hai..:/

Pace

The pace of the episode was nearly perfect.It covered everything and it was a pretty fast episode with only Saadi’s track missing.

Tootay Taaray Jaisa Dil

Haaye!!! Once again a mesmerizing poetry, the Ba-zauq shayeri initially diverting our attention from Sun to the moon and then to the stars…Very deep! They have added good piece of literature.
So the title suggested that it would be Saadi’s heart but the episode depicted Faris’s heart as well and it could be Aabi and Zumar.. Mainly it was Saadi and Faris..I guess

Anyway, In this episode many new tracks were introduced as both the families are now in the verge of gathering people for their support, using each others dark secrets to cover themselves …how cunningly smart they are!
To know about the happenings and the comments about them let’s see what this episode offered..

• Tye Tye fish…for Hashim Kardaar he couldn’t find anything regarding Haneen’s blackmailing of O.S.P as a prop to use against Saadi.Somehow while reading this there was something fishy about Ahmer and that surprise blasted afterwards.

• The passport delieverd to Hashim was just a mere mystery and I thought if its not Khawar and Alicia it must be Saadi himself because he is not that masoom anymore and how could he do such a irresponsible act after planning everything out.By the end of this astonishing episode the writer tried to convince that it was Dr.Aiman.

• OMG…was the first impression I got when Faris (Mr.Sherlock Holmes) caught Aabdaar’s drama but by the end of the scene I really felt for Aabi, she is immature and is just hurting herself. It was intense.

• Saadi sneaking the house and was caught by Zumar …This lady is genuinely very wise she by her words convinced Saadi to stay home and heal himself within its beloved family….It was Cute “ kuch loug is qaabil hote hain kay unkay liye pighla jaaye”

• Faris Zumar Nok jhoank kay beghair kya maza haina? ….It was super adorable or I must say I laughed and then thought it could be renamed as Awwwing moment.. they way Zumar asked as if he had gone to pray taraweeh was hillarious and his reply “kyun meri ibadatoan ko nazar lgaati ho” and teesri biwi kay paas tha ? Sach main dau number insan…Haha
Zumar-Faris track always leaves impact whether it be intense emotional upheavals or funny and sweet tantrums.

• Haneen ….Yo girl way to heal yourself. It was good to see Faris trusted her and she regained herself. She provided the text messages to Saadi and that was the moment where Saadi was crashed, not because he just accused her of something and it didn’t turn out to be that but the most hurting thing was it was he himself being the main concern for his sister and he just couldn’t get over it.

• The first step taken by Saadi was to arrest Naushervan and using social media “Mera Naam Saadi hai” video to start paralyzing the Hashim Kardaar’s horrendous acts. It was refreshing to see Hashim being stressed out because Now the Yusuf’s are all ready.

• Haroon Obaid can stoop this low for her daughter or maybe he has some hidden benefits for himself as Zumar suspected.That nose pin was so dear to Zumar because there was an emotional connection with it.

• Surah Al Naml tafseer went on and it was so refreshing to read and know about the deeper meanings of the ayaat.No one is free, Freedom is a myth and how Zumar connected them to her life and decided that She will choose “Zumar”. Such a confident lady!

The Scene that was the turning point of this episode:

Well to everyone’s surprise it seems now that Ahmer Shafi is against Kardaar’s and is helping Yusuf’s family and the point which crossed the path of Ahmer and Khawar was their past and their families being sacrificed. How Hashim and Javahirat the two evil masterminds killed people for their own interest and blamed someone else to cover for them I mean such a corrupt family. Ahmer Shafi was a big surprise in this episode and the biggest surprise was his killing khawar.

Saadi finally said to Dr.Sarah to make a decision on the basis of the trust Saadi had on her? I think its time for Dr.Sarah to side with Yusuf’s and be brave.

Pace

This episode was also very happening and the pace is going good but this novel still has more tracks to uncover so its not going to end soon.

Overall, these episodes were captivating as the previous ones and there is not much to be criticized. The most admirable thing I found was Zumar’s behaviour she is the Queen of the ants and she is playing her part very well. Her words are just dripping with emotions, concern, and love for her family. You really enjoy everyone’s journey and Haneen is interested in interior designing …right? I assume might end up studying and finding her passion in designing.But its time now they should reach their destination and finish the game of Kardaars.

Any guesses?

Share your views about these episodes.

Asma Jamali

OMG…what an episode, I am speechless and still in awe. I wonder how come the writer has managed to keep the interest alive because for me Aab-e-Hayat had lost it long ago although it is better now but Naml has been an exceptionally good collaboration of suspense, plotting, intelligent conversation, brave decisions and most importantly the hope and wisdom conveyed through the deeper meanings of Ayats.

Yippie, let’s talk about the episode, It was ah-mazing with everything starting falling in its place and Kardaars getting ready for their horrendous end.

Team Faris or Farcissism ?:

I was sure that Faris is up to something but I never knew he was such a dau number insan, that he not only teamed up with Ahmer Shafi but also made sure Dr. Sarah to speak out in the court. Good job Faris ?

Team Zumar: 

I am sorry to say that it disappointed a bit because this episode promised to reveal the person who is going to be murdered  and I totally understand that, because of the length of the episode they just divided it so that it could occupy the required space in the digest but all this wait ended on the same note, matlab after reading the episode and all the happenings, the question…who is about to get murdered remains the same? That’s not fair… Apart from the slow pace, I don’t have any objection because it is still very interesting and gripping and the episode on the whole was quite nice.

I have to start with Aabdaar bibi so Zumar was right, she just changed the technique of approaching Faris, there is nothing more to be said about this character because all the good hopes went in vain after this episode. Aabdaar’s  baddua will come back to her and my guess for the ‘Person to get murdered’ will be Aabdaar or Javahirat! Yeah Javahirat could be the one if Hashim could go to this extend with Zumar he could definitely kill Javahirat after knowing the truth of his father’s brutal death.

Naushervan Kardaar… I don’t know I feel, I  have a soft corner for him after his attempts to be a good person and his convo with Zumar highlighted the fact that Naushervan is far better and considerate than Hashim. I just hope he confesses and Yusuf’s forgive him. Don’t kill me guys for this because I know you love Saadi but maybe he needs a chance. :)

So, Aabzeedan was actually for Naushervan, I mean seriously…this was that deep! Hashim is cunningly genius…Ahh I just love the smartness of the characters in this novel, he explained the whole business scenario and quite well made clear to Naushervan that he could read the personality as well…Wah Hashim!

Out of frustration, I want Hashim and Aabi to get married and ruin each-other’s life….Sachi, they  both deserve each-other. Hashim’s hospitality towards Aabi and her fabricated lies and edited pics with the caption sent to Faris was all pointing at one thing that they both have in common.. “Disgustingly Selfish”. Zumar & Faris shared a very candid couple time which is as we all know full of humorous tantrums and I loved the way Zumar investigated about Faris consuming drugs…Haha

Saadi and his helpful nature did put him in trouble but at the end it all serves him in a good way so that boy told everything about the CCTV footage they had in the airport but it all went in vain because of Makaar Hashim he brutally used the character assassination technique to ruin this important witness.

I am actually feeling sad for Faris, although I think I should be frustrated at him, for all the wrong choices he made because of Aabdaar but I am feeling sorry for him and Yes maanna parega Aabi your manipulative skills are beyond my expectations par Kardaars se dosti ka asar tou hoga na! …I will give 10/10 for her manipulative skills but Thank God Faris escaped!

Faris Taheer Ghazi once again proved that he is still a genius, Hashim is not afraid of Faris but he wanted to hurt him so bad that he played this game and used Shehreen for this but Mr. Sherlock Holmes got suspicious and finally escaped. The writer tranquilized us by highlighting the death of Natasha so we all thought the person who was about to die was from the past but Nope! By the end of the epsiode all namlians again got anxious.Good work Nemrah!

Very little coverage for Haneen even Javahirat had more content in this episode than her. Hoping the next episode will surprise us by bringing Haneen’s hero in the light…let’s hope for the best, wesay she is stable now she doesn’t need a hero to be strong but I want to see her complete and that completion comes from a true companionship if the writer had planned something like this..!

For Ahmer Shafi, the tables have turned down and he is in big trouble but Mr.Helper Saadi manages to get in his flat and uses her best weapon i.e her manipulative speech to convince the kidnapers to arrange a meeting with their boss…lady boss… right?  Who is she? Javahirat can’t be the one because now she is not that powerful at all… Guess please.

And the Mystery prevails…..!  Who was that lady in the white dupatta, Javahirat has so many enemies and I am sure she will be the last witness after which Kardaars will eventually be eliminated from Yusuf’s life or most probably from this world too!

Yet another suspicious character….that Chashmish Man still a mystery! Who was that ghar ka banda…..Still no clue!  And please someone remove my confusion about that court murder…Hashim was going to murder someone na…did I miss something?

I just don’t want to even write about it but I have to, how come a person could be this much cruel …..Hashim Kardaar. PLEASE DIE! …He was turning that lift into Aabzeedan so that red fish was Zumar….fingers crossed, Let’s just hope Faris rescues her as soon as possible!

All in all I liked this episode, and all the tracks were handled tactfully apart from the pace of the episode but I am hopeful for the next two episodes.

They definitely are worth waiting for!

Share your views about this episode of Naml.

Asma 

I cannot thank enough Nemrah Ahmed for this amazing episode and with such beautiful lessons which clear your mind and make you understand your worth. In the previous episode I was a bit disappointed for Haneen’s track as I felt her character needed more attention but after seeing the title of the coming episode I was over the moon to see her name.

Coming to the episode, the poetry was thought provoking it was actually a contrast between Kardashians….oops Kardaars and Yousuf’s Family. Haneen accepting her faults and repenting was in contrast with Hashim’s sins and his justifications. Same could be said about Naushervan and Saadi.

Faris, Zumar and Aabdaar:

I don’t know if Faris already knew about Niyaz baig or was he trying to give Hashim an indirect message don’t know but Faris failed this time. Faris and Ahmer’s scenes were hilarious, Whenever I read about Ahmer I always feel some Khair (good) in him.Yes, khair se yaad aaya Faris did something genius…JazakAllah u Khairan..hmmm who is this person it is still a mystery.

Faris- Zumar duo is always very hilarious, this couple cannot have a convo without tantrums and bullying but they still are sweethearts.

Yousuf’s Family’s Flaw: 

I have to admit what Hashim said to Naushervan about Yousuf’s  was right. Their self-image of being superior to others has affected them a lot. Zumar being a confident,strong and bold person was brutally broken after knowing the truth about her kidney failure and all the drama Hashim created to hurt her.

Naushervan reaching to the point of killing someone because of the frustration he lived with in which Saadi and Haneen did play a part. If we judge Naushervan as a person and acknowledge the tantrums and hate he was subjected to then it feels sad. Sometimes we in our self-righteous image criticize others so badly that we often forget this will not make us any better but will harbor so much hatred in others that they might take extreme measures to satisfy their ego.

I love this novel because they have not shown Yousuf’s as angels but they are truly human you know why because they repent and move on, unlike Kardaars who justify their acts and stay the same.

Still suspicious about Hashim: 

Ahh, my wishful thinking again I saw something in this episode which alarmed me and gave me hope to see Hashim turning to good. What Nudrat Aapa said to Hashim was heart wrenching, well even if it feels good that he might be guided but that guilt and regret would not let him live peacefully. Sigh!!!

Maybe he might change his mind after witnessing Naushervan’s life as he is slowly and gradually moving towards light. It gives me immense pleasure to see this change in Naushervan, that’s the positivity which is required.

Haneen- You are still not normal:

Haha…I think Osama was right when he was saying Hanna is overacting, I mean it wasn’t required to see her so much confident but ye tou banta haina boss she was back with a bang! And Osama such an adorable brother was eager to face the court just for giving a moral support to her sister.

Good job Hanna, I was really impressed by her answers and how intelligently she trapped Hashim . After all  Faris and Zumar had such an influence on her ab jis ghar main aise shaatir Mamun aur zaheen wakeel hongain, haneen could not be an exception.

DIY- idea was awesome and I believe every girl is talented and can use her talent in productive things.

Loved the way she stood for herself and what she said to Naushervan about Izzat was perfect!

I honestly can’t say much about it, because this episode have definitely taught girls some great lessons.

Saadi- The savior 

How can we forget hamara Saadi and how he used to be but in this episode we got a glimpse of old Saadi and that dialogue thrown towards Ahmer “ Tum Meri Maa nahi ho” was such a delight. Haha…I still enjoy this scene, Ahmer is a treat.

Coming to the last part of the episode….this is not done why every time its Zumar and her life being played for the sake of Kardaar’s selfishness. I believe everyone has suffered but Zumar did lose a lot.She is strong but this is too much, we all can’t see her suffer anymore. One more thing the last episode ended at someone killing someone in the court*** but after reading this episode it seems its Zumar being killed by Hashim.

Fingers crossed and all Namlians are in a dharna to  #SaveZumar because, She is worth it!

Share your thoughts about this episode and do tell me about how Haseena is having that gold…ahem ahem something fishy!!

Asma Jamali

Honestly, I wasn’t happy in the beginning but rather irritated when the story was flipped between present and past But slowly and gradually it started making sense and not just that it was yet again a treat to read.

Ek Musfat Aalim-e-Tanween main, so literally this episode was all about Aalim-e-Tanweem meaning in a state of hypnosis and every character was seen experiencing the retrospective state.

So,the episode started off with a picture of court room and I assume all the Namlians would have been so happy as this is what Saadi wanted i.eTRIAL.
Let’s get inside the court and I believe you all will be seated with Yusuf’s Family…Bring on the game Hashim Kardaar!

1- In the first part of the trial as Zumar was defending Saadi or putting forth his character, Hashim kardaar went into Aalim-e-Tanweem and we were disclosed with the most possible guess that the passport weren’t sent by Dr.Aiman and I am now pretty sure it must be Saadi’s plan.

2- I appreciate the professionalism of Hashim, although he is evil and I don’t like him but the way he was gathering and noting down the cards Zumar was playing Man, they are exceptionally smart, especially when he noted” Ghareeb card.”

3- So, we got to know that Hashim did not want to get into the trial because there is still some insaniyat left in him, he is not at all a wehshi. He did not want to crush and demoralize the character of Yusuf’s and definitely he had to do the character assassination because he had no evidence against Saadi.

4- Once again a loser Aabi, I want to say to Zumar that “aap itni bhi zaheen nahi hain jitni main samjhti thi”, Mamun was mortgaged..Really Zumar ☹
and how cheap Haroon Obaid is that he didn’t even think of his own daughter and used her to trap the Kardaars and Aabi knowing that she was misused still tried to instill the idea to Faris Ghazi that what she can do for him, Zumar would never ever dare to sacrifice that much.Thankfully,Zumar told everything to Faris before all the hype that Miss Red created so their relation didn’t suffer.

5- Yayy! Ahmer is with team Faris and it was good to see him joking with Zumar and she advising him to stay away from Kardaars to be safe.

6- How Hashim got into the trial was actually divulged quite late but when Aabdaar was cunningly forcing Hashim for this trial, I was like this girl is evil genius and the dialogue in the brackets were( I am not doing this for you Faris) I thought she must be the reason for us to see Hashim in the court room but Nah! It was our Saadi.

7- Haneen giving Aabdar a cure to her emotional state but she refused it because she fancies the idea of staying and being in love. I did somehow feel that Faris will give her that same book as his waada of giving her something worth having…u remember?

8- Mrs.Javahirat ..Isse zyada kya giraingeen nazroan se? she tried to destroy Zumar’s life completely by sterilizing her. I mean this is the height of disgust, these Kardaars are in a deep valley of horrendous and evil crimes.

9- The nok-jhonk of Zumar and Faris was sweet as always that scrabble part was so adorable…Next time you play scrabble make sure to use “Zumarise”
“Faricissim” and “Ghazi”and it was good to see Faris and Zumar taking over the job of a dictionary and describing the definations of these newly added words.

10- Awww, Aabi is not that evil, the writer tried to make us feel for her and honestly, I felt she was nice and being compassionate when she was observing Saadi and helping him to get out of his fear.Evaluating NDE is quite amazing :)

11- About Nausheervan the less said is better, he knew that Hashim was not doing this ONLY for him but rather he was doing all this for himself. So selfish Hashim! But this is what is expected from you!!!

12- Faris revealed all the crimes of Khawar to his son, to torture him for his committed duty for Hashim Kardaar.

On the whole, I found that past present shifting idea a tad bit boring in the start but after that it all fell into place as the writer has a record of associating the situations and the characters as I experienced in JKP.A fast paced,power packed and happening episode it was with memorable and light moments of Faris and Zumar cute nok jhonks and they are specifically important as the novel revolves around serious crimes and to lighten the mood we really need these adorable fights! That Dau number insan is hilarious and that jhoot ko sach kardena about Zumar, I must say their tantrums are fascinating.

This novel is heading towards the end and few of the characters are going to shock us if we aren’t good at guessing!

There is still that Sarah part and Aabdaar’s dialogue where she says I will speak against all of you.. this all shows that in the next episode these will play mind games and will mark the victory for Yusuf’s Family.

Can’t wait more to read the next episode, apologies if I missed something.
Do share your views about this episode of Naml.

Asma Jamali

I have to say this: this episode belonged to Faris Ghazi. He outshone even Zumar, Saadi and Hashim in this one. The episode was part two of Man Khisht ba Malika daad and had the theme of queens and diamonds as number 13. Once again Naml entranced us into itself.

                                                               ****SPOILER ALERT****

Progress

I wouldn’t go into details but here are the highlights. Faris shows Zumar what he has in the basement: he had been planning to take revenge from each and every one who was involved in sending him to jail and keeping him there (except Zumar ofcourse).  We get to learn that he is not that much ‘angry young man’ as he pretends to be, rather he just appears to be volatile in order to fool others. On the other hand, Saadi realises that Maya was playing the role of ‘good cop’ so that he would share his escape plans with her. Later on, he telephones Hashim and asks to face him if he has the courage to do so. Apparently, Saadi has his own plans to escape but pretends that he does not own his family anymore. We also meet Dr. Huma Bukhari (wife of Dr. Touqeer Bukhari) who has been Faris’s psychologist and has given false testament against him in the court. Both the Bukharis had been planning to inaugurate their own hospital (developed by corrupt means), which Faris single-handedly burns to ashes. He and Zumar also blackmail Dr. Huma into telling a few truths. Meanwhile, Zumar secretly listens to the recordings of Faris’s sessions with Dr. Huma and finds nothing to support her allegations against him. Ahmer on the other hand, investigates for Zumar and reports that it cannot be Faris who shot her. Hashim gets food poisoning and hallucinates about a girl who turns out to be Aabdar Obaid, a hypnotherapist and daughter of Haroon Obaid. Hanna and Zumar share their secrets with each other. Zumar comes to know about the secret chatting between Hanna and Hashim and gets infuriated about. They plan to notify Hashim that this conversation is not that secret and he shouldn’t dare use it against Hanna in any case. At the end of the episode, Zumar and Hanna come to know that Haleema is the secretary of Hashim and are stunned by this news.

Points to Ponder

I have several little issues to notify about this episode:

• Who is Abdar in reality? Is she really the cute ‘red riding hood’ as portrayed in her first appearance? Or is she someone to watch out for? I seriously doubt that Hashim saw a dream of her; I think she did all this by tele-hypnosis. Also, why does Hashim get sad thinking about her? She got Sheru beaten up by her fiancé, meaning she was engaged about 5 years ago so why is she still unmarried till now? Is she the one meant for our Saadi? Although I am not usually interested in match-making but they would make a cute couple.

• Faris turns out to be another genius in the family. He makes his own plans, executes them alone and even fools his close relations. Even Zumar is impressed by her husband’s witty ways. In the earlier episodes, we have been told time and again that Faris and Sheru are alike a lot; does this mean that Sheru will do something extra-ordinary too? I mean other than being an extra-ordinary looser at everything he does :-P

• Hashim and Sheru discuss that Haneen is the only heir of Saadi that can claim his blood. If she dies, her husband will get the right of pardoning the murderer. I sense that this will plant a seed in Sheru’s mind to woo Haneen into liking him (Ha! Good luck with that Sheru). Or else, Hashim might try this himself, which I frankly think is not possible now.

• One important thing is that Zumar now possesses Saadi’s keychain and pen. Hanna has Waris’s files and they both know now that Saadi went to meet Hashim on his last day with them. It is just a matter of time that these genius ladies put all this together to form Hashim’s picture. I really look forward to the day they all frame Hashim for all that he has done.

• Ahmer started noticing Hanna. For those of us who had been hoping for this, thumbs up  She is an evil genius and he is a con, their pair would be something to watch.

• Maryangio seems to soften up to Saadi and this might be the beginning of a comradeship between them. We all know that Saadi and Mary are the two having a clue each about Aurangzeb Kardaar’s murderer. So it was a relief for us, as together they can unmask Javahirat.

• I totally agree with Zumar about the OCP issue. When I read that episode, it was kind of hard for me to swallow to that such an honest officer would give away something so important succumbing to a blackmailing teeanager?? May be we do not know the whole story yet, or Hanna altered some truths.

• Oh my God, is Shehreen interested in Faris?? Lady, do something else with your life except hovering over your ex’s family. On a different note, I read in previous episodes and noticed that Shehreen already knew that Sheru likes her. Why then did she pretend to be hurt when he openly confessed? Has she been using Sheru too? Was she planning a revenge on Saadi for some reason? We can only wait and watch.

• The way Saadi defined a Moulvi’s position was the voice of my heart. I have been wanting to raise this issue lately. In our society, we put the dumbest and most incapable child in Maddarsa, he studies in close-minded environment and then lives an under-privileged life everafter. How do we expect to have open-minded, understanding and soft-hearted Moulanas then? We need to set a lot of things right, starting with this idea of confining Islam to a particular creed called Moulvi/ Moulana. Islam is not a profession. If we are given the privilege of higher education, we should also put our efforts in spreading the Message in every way we can. I know I got carried away, but I personally think that is the reason many of the younger ones are running away from the true message and mocking Islamic values these days.

Quality Rating

The episode was fast paced as always. Character development was brilliant again, as we saw another dimension of Faris Ghazi’s crude manners.  Every episode of Naml gives you more reasons to love it. I would give an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 to episode 14.

Share your own review with us please

Eagerly waiting for the next installment.

Noor-us-Saad

So we have the 12th episode of Naml in our hands. Personally, I think it was on the slower side and most of it was concerned with the aftermath of Saadi’s abduction. Nonetheless, it had many new developments & revelations to offer.

****SPOILER ALERT****

Progress

Now that Saadi is missing, the main concern of the Yousufs and Ghazis are his whereabouts and well-being. Zumar being a strong woman has shown her strength and (as expected) did not resolve to cry hopelessly rather decided to track the incident. Faris has his own share of love for Saadi and offered to help Zumar, which she accepted reluctantly. Faris and Zumar make Baray Abba, his servant Sadaqat, Nudrat , Haneen and Sam to move to their house for safety reasons. Needless to say is that each family member is shocked and full of sorrow on this incident.

As expected, the CCTV footages of the hospital are tampered with the involvement of security and police. One bait, a thug named Niaz Baig was used for distracting from the right course, but Zumar with her cunning and Faris with his skills see to it.

Meanwhile, Saadi is kept safe and healthy (yet confined) in a hospital somewhere with Mary Angio on the watch. He recites Quran there and understands that he has done some mistakes due to which he needs to suffer here. He confesses in his mind that he should not have gone to meet Hashim and co. without telling anybody and that he has given the pen camera to someone not worthy. There is a young lady doctor who has soft corner for Saadi, hopefully she might be able to help him.

Haneen is frustrated and has shut herself up in her room. A dangerous development is that she is getting involved with Hashim as a consolation. She revisits the Shaikh again who teaches her to strive and make dua simultaneously.

The biggest blast came right at the end where we got to know who the witness was. It was Dr. Sarah Ghazi. Apparently she does not have courage to stand up and claim Saadi’s blood to the Kardaars.

Character Development

Zumar and Faris:

Zumar can be unreasonably stubborn sometimes but she has a brain and she knows how to use it. Instead of falling for Hashim’s bait she devised her own plan of action and is being successful up till now. It came as a relief when she decided to work along with Faris (knowing his ‘skill’ J ) and put aside her own animosity for her beloved nephew. Faris on the other hand is being the man-of-the-house for the Yousufs. Despite his crude ways, he loves Zumar and Saadi very much and is helping execute Zumar’s plans.

I loved the way both Zumar and Faris shut Hashim up when he tried to be a ‘bee jamalo’ again. I must say, their marriage was done at just the right time and now we see a deadly combination in these two.

Haneen Yousuf:

I had (and still have) a lot of hope from Haneen but she is going completely in the wrong direction. Her snide comments on Zumar are unreasonable, when she herself is doing nothing in her power to track her brother. We all know that there is a powerful clue in Saadi’s laptop so it got a bit frustrating when she refused to crack the code. Her crush towards Hashim is increasing day-by-day which is a sign of danger for the Yousufs. Ok, Hashim might be a prince charming, but at least you can use your own brain (girl you are a super genious!!) to smell something fishy. The memory of Saadi calling out ‘O, my two prison-mates’ was really touching, and might click something in her mind later. By the way I loved the term Quran Crazy :-D.

Hashim Kardaar:

This man is a smooth criminal. He really loves Saadi just as Firaun loved Hazrat Moosa (A.S) as a brother but has too much at stake to let him go. But he does have guilt in his heart, unlike Sheru (his looser of a brother) who is still envious of Saadi. I was impressed when Hashim quickly made a story to shake his secretary Haleema’s concerns. But he has to do some serious effort from hiding this all from his mother, who is a cunning witch herself.

The Witness

I confess, I totally did not expect Sarah to be the witness. Exactly how and why she came to that place is a mystery. It is a mark of her cowardice that despite liking Saadi and despite knowing that it was Hashim who got her husband murdered, she is not willing to do anything about it. It is really frustrating for us that despite having a concrete proof in the hands of someone we can trust, Saadi and his whole family are suffering. Why on earth did Saadi choose her to give the pen camera to? It could have been Zumar, she would have believed in Faris’s innocence too. Well, we know that it was a wrong choice but Saadi might have his own reasons.

It is also possible thought that Sarah does not have the pen camera. Saadi could have given it to Ahmar or someone else. Saadi recalled that he gave the pen camera to a ‘ghalat shakhs’. We all know Ahmar is no angel. It is also possible that it was left for Haneen. She does not use gadgets anymore, so Saadi might have thought she was a wrong choice.

What to Expect

The list of Kardaar family’s unpunished crimes is getting longer and longer. It is only a matter of time when this house of cards will fall. We can definitely expect something from Mary Angio, both she and Saadi can put two and two together for Aurangzeb’s murder. I have a feeling that Ahmar may play a vital role in #SavingSaadi.

All in all, the story is moving in a very engaging way and the readers cannot help to wait eagerly for the next installment.

I would give this episode a rating of 4 out of 5; please share your own take on it in the comments J

Noor-us-Saad

Naml is a popular novel written by Nemrah Ahmed and I personally wasn’t enticed by it because of the relationship complexities it revolved around. Finally high-five to all the Namlians I became a Namlian too just after forcing myself to read it whether I was getting the relationships or not but I must say the novel has great potential and it has some huge lessons to offer. At first it was hard to contemplate but soon it reveals itself and the pearls of wisdom just dropping by in each episode make you wonder and ponder about the characters and comprehend their emotional state. Every character in naml has depth in true sense. From time to time it becomes difficult to understand the character and their true intentions. Heads off to Nemrah Ahmed for such a delightful experience of true knowledge of Quran. May Allah Reward her. Murder! is the subject it mainly concerns but its Nemrah Ahmed so there are many different dimensions to it. Let’s have a look into the plenteous aspects it is manifesting:

1. Status:

The two blood relationship families have different status obviously we all know the ‘’Kardaars’’ the synonym is ‘’Kardashians’’ are having financially a great hold over others and their family could be appropriately awarded by a title as ‘’Evilish Kingdom’’ and the’’ Kings of the Devils’’ is none other than Hashim Kardaar. Although his personality in literal sense is impressive but he is pure evil.  I have a question for Hashim Kardaar (the Modern Firoun of this era):  ‘’kisi ka khoon kardenay kay baad ya kisi ko sakht aziyat denay kay baad ghareeboan main khaana bantwa lenay se zameer aur dil ki taskeen hojati hai?’’   

On the other hand we have Yusuf’s family belonging to middle class status are highly appreciable in sense of responsibility, family bonding and true concern for each other.  So the status rank depicts the true picture of our society where the murderers are not destined for punishment if they have an evilest mastermind Hashim Kardaar. Yes, the rich people have plenty of contacts and they can easily murder someone and even not feel guilty because they know how to and when to bribe people and set the ground for themselves. Yusuf’s family after losing Waris Ghazi are trying hard to punish the murderers in a tactful way , Saadi being the heart throb is not the same Saadi anymore and we lost our masoom Saadi and his only crime was taking action for justice.

2. Family Protection:  

Both families are trying hard to protect their families and they have justification for every action they take. I must say they are super smart in justifying their acts.  The only justification Kardaars have for their horrendous acts is family protection and same is the case with Yusuf’s family.  Here we have the wicked way and the right way to do it and is written magnificently.

3. Lesson For Girls Through Haneen:  

The best , No wait …not the best but one of the best part of this novel are the messages and great tafseer of Quran through which Haneen seeks guidance and heals herself so here comes the ways to get rid of Ishq that causes nothing but eats your soul and causes depression .Many different types of Ishq and Muhabbat are explained and even the word’’ ISHQ’’ is amazingly comprehended.  After Saadi’s tafseer of Quran, which broke off as he escaped from the imprisonment of Hashim, Haneen’s healing process takes over and this series of Quranic explanation is started again . The conversation between Haneen and Zumar showed that Zumar’s heart has started melting a bit slow but at least it has evoked.  A great way to manifest the importance of Salah and explaining it as a true means of connection with Allah and the part where the teacher explains each step pf Salah was very touchy.  I appreciate the writer’s effort in beautifully demonstrating every aspect of Salah so that the younger generation be inspired.

4. Bitter Experiences and Changes In Characters:

After reading the last two episodes the very prominent thing I conclude are the changes which took place in different characters of Naml, this mainly concerns the part where Saadi Logs in the Facebook account of her mother and finds that life has changed for everyone, each one of them have moved on and yet Saadi remains static but he himself has changed a lot. He is not that masoom this is what he thinks even after logically and evidently putting forth the idea of ‘Self-defense’. Saadi believes he is no more innocent. Well Saadi has changed now he plays mind games and trusts no one but that is fair enough of what he has gone through. Saadi’s condition is very sad as he had no food to eat for two days Zaalim Kardaars. Haneen is on her way of healing and Sheikh’s book is also helping her.  Osama has grown up and Faris Ghazi is afraid of turning into Atheist due to the wrong number that was fed into his head by Ahmer.  Ahmer internally I think is quite disturbed because he could now clearly see where the Kardaar’s are heeding him.  Zumar’s heart is started melting and I must say this month’s episode was a great emotional upheaval for her, she was hurt and broken.

5. Faris-Zumar-Aabdaar Triangle:  

Aabadaar is the older Baharay Gull from JKP, yeah shocking right but Nemrah Ahmed revealed that in Facebook as one of the smarties has guessed it right. So here we have Baharay Gull damaging the relationship of Faris and Zumar.I mean seriously!!!! She was masoom, mazhabi and pyaari and that’s not the action of such an innocent ‘’Surkh Gurya’’.  The work wife of Faris is definitely trying to become the original wife. That is quite weird to see Aabdaar but I think there is much more to her character and we might ( it’s a big might) like her.

Ending and Predictions: 

I was glad to see Naushervan going against her family maybe it’s the first step of their clash and now the unity of Kardaars is not the same anymore which is a good sign.  Sneak Peak and its guesses were out of question it was hard to guess.

Episode ended but what an end it was Zumar being crashed and torn apart by Aabdaar bibi out of jealousy and Faris was completely helpless.

The Questions that arise are:

1-Will Faris be able to locate Saadi before Hashim’s men?

2- Is Haneen completely healed or she needs something more?

3-Will Saadi’s self-deceptive assumptions would make him abandon her family forever?

4-Will Aabdaar be Saadi’s  heroine?( In JKP it was mentioned if I am not mistaken  Baharay was similar to Haya , Haya changed and so could Aabdaar).

5-Would Hashim ever change to good?

6-What was the adventurous thing that Faris will give to Aabdaar in return of her favour?  7-A Million Dollar Question….Will Faris be able to commit 3 murders ?

Share your thoughts and reviews regarding this episode and feel free to share your own guesses.

Asma Jamali 

The plot of Nimra Ahmed’s novel Namal (From Surah Namal meaning Ants) revolves around a murder! No wait, it revolves around the relationship between a boy and his family! Umm…wait, it revolves around money and its evil. Ok I give up, Namal’s plot has all this and much more substance beautifully weaved and exceptionally narrated into a single story.

Umera Ahmed set the trend of integrating religion into stories in the modern history of Urdu popular fiction. I don’t know anything about Nimra Ahmed, but if she is inspired by Umera, she is definitely going to surpass her mentor in near future. The way she seamlessly puts Islamic teachings in her stories makes me fall in love with her writing every time. Umera Ahmed’s stories are more on a spiritual side, divine love and most of all how people repent for their sins. Nimra brings this all to everyday life and common settings.

The Plot

Namal’s story is a complex matrix and summarizing it can do injustice to it. But to get a gist, here it goes. Faris Ghazi (an intelligence officer) is convicted for the murder of his step-brother and wife and attempted murder of his relative Zumar Yousuf. His nephew (bhanja) Saadi Yousuf is convinced of his innocence and ultimately gets him out of the jail. On the other hand, Saadi’s aunt (Phupho) Zumar who also happens to be a district attorney lost her kidneys in the assault and is convinced that Faris is guilty, mostly because of a fake telephone call in Faris’s voice to Zumar prior to the attack. The actual guilty one is Hashim Kardaar (Faris’s first cousin) who, apart from being an accomplished lawyer, owns an inherited oil cartel. Hashim murdered Faris’s brother Waris in order to hide his corruption cases and in order to cover his tracks created the scenario in which Zumar was shot and Faris’s wife was murdered.

Saadi’s younger sister Haneen is super genius and makes a friend in USA. This friend Alicia who is later revealed to be half-sister of Hashim has introduced us to the motto of this novel “Ants Everafter”.

“Aik bachi k salgirah ko black aur gold ka touch de kar woh log sirf dunya ko apnay mazboot asaab dikhana chahtay hain. Siyah aur sunehra yani koila aur tail(oil).”

The Misunderstandings and Conspiracies

A basic theme of this novel is the conspiracies woven and the misunderstandings they create. The cunning lawyer Hashim and his devil of a mother Jawahirat manipulate reality in such a way that people like Zumar also believe this alternate reality and misunderstandings spawn.

“’I am sorry main ap kay pas nahi tha. Mera test tha phupho aur main fail hona nahi chahte tha.’ HAneen ko laga Saadi ki ankhon mein ansoo hain, ya shayad uski apni ankhen namm theen.”

Pace (4 out of 5)

The pace of the story is going fine. Although we keep revisiting the past, but every time Nimra tells a backstory we get to know some untold happenings that add to the depth of the plot. The way Haneen’s ‘sin’, Zartasha Ghazi’s murder and Naushervan’s fake abduction were shown, they added more to the ‘present’ as we know it.

Powerful Character Building (5 out 5)

Be it the scheming & queen-like Jawahirat Kardaar, the genius/ evil genius Haneen, the sweet and caring Saadi, the brute but honest Faris Ghazi, the sharp but stubborn Zumar, the cunning Hashim or the envious Naushervan, every character is carefully etched and has depth in it. I have given maximum rating because every major character is portrayed not in complete black or white, but in shades of grey; also because equal exposure is given to the characters.

Anticipation (4.5 out of 5)

There is always a blast in every episode that keeps you on the edge of your seats and makes you look forward to the next issue of Khawateen digest eagerly. I was totally not expecting the act of cheating by Haneen and was definitely taken off-guard by the brutal murder of Aurangzeb Kardaar. The revelation that Saadi burnt his phupho’s jahez stuff was shocking too. These twists are the reason that you crave for more.

Humour (2 out of 5)

Namal is an intense story involving brutal murders and devious deceptions, but it is not totally devoid of comic relief. We have been getting a lighter side in the form of quarrels between Haneen and Sam for example.

The Best Scene So Far

As I am covering 10 episodes, I have chosen three scenes from the previous episodes that have moved me the most. First was the scene when Naushervan faked his own abduction and Haneen burst her secret in front of everyone. I confess I did not suspect Naushervan to be stooping this low to get money. The whole scheme was kind of funny and written beautifully.

The second scene is basically in two parts: one is the letter from Alicia to Haneen and second is Haneen’s confession in front of her brother. The way Saadi comforted her in the 10th episode is also a mark of his good nature. I used to wonder why Haneen was allowed to watch dramas and movies day and night, the answer was that the writer had its consequence in mind and wanted to relate it to ‘addiction’. I also liked the way Haneen opted to quit her dream of engineering to offer kaffara.

“Baray gunahon kay baray kaffaray hotay hain, khaali khooli guilt aur dukh jaey bhaar me”

What to Expect

The writer has teased that Saadi might be killed in the next episode. If this is true, Haneen might have to take responsibility of exposing Hashim’s hand in Waris’s murder, as Saadi gave her the data she has to crack. But since Haneen has a crush on Hashim, it is not going to be soon. As for Zumar and Faris’s nikah, it will get more interesting to see Zumar try and put blame on Faris for her ‘murder’. I think this will be the point where Zumar will finally be convinced of his husband’s innocence. It looks like Jawahirat’s secret is about to be revealed and very minute details will play a crucial role in exposing her husband’s murder. But let us see what Nimra has in store for us :-)

Overall Impression

I will not recommend this novel for light reading but if you can take ‘episodic suspense’ it is a good read, although I have some reservation on the too-perfect-to-be-true scenarios for criminals and the brutality involved. The novel is probably getting the highest following currently. I think there will not be any issues in making a drama serial out of it because it would not involve expensive locations and a lot of fantasy.

This is it from my side. I have tried to write a critical review and not to summarize the story. If my opinion differs from someone else’s, I beg pardon beforehand :-)

Regards

Noor-us-Saad