Author: Ali Qasim

COKE STUDIO RELEASES THE SECOND SONG FROM SEASON 14, KANA YAARI

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

After the overwhelming response of Tu Jhoom, Coke Studio releases the second song from Season 14, KANA YAARI featuring icons Eva B, Kaifi Khalil and Abdul Wahab Bugti.

Betrayal: tough on friendship, great for art. That’s what singer-songwriter Kaifi Khalil proves in beautifully crafted Kana Yaari; a song about relationships that just didn’t last. This is the Coke Studio tune we knew was coming, with futuristic sounds with cultural integrity. Kana Yaari features Kaifi, folk singer Abdul Wahab Bugti who adds Balochi spirit and the magnetic Eva B who always understands the assignment; anchoring Kaifi’s style.

The mix of characters in Kana Yaari makes an interesting point about Coke Studio: it’s a meeting place of opposites. Creating a world for them becomes a team effort. Video Director Jamal Rahman shifts the song’s moody message – honoring it with a hopeful outcome by the last chord. In his video, the artists wander through an interior space, dismantling brightly-coloured walls as if dropping their own invisible boundaries. The song speaks of betrayal, but visually we feel joy.

And it works because the audience can relate. All three performers have incredible personal style (helped by Samiya Ansari), that is unmistakably, un-self-consciously Pakistani. Local spirit shines through Production Designer Hashim Ali’s color and textural references that feel true to Dera Muraad Jamal and Lyari, the artists’ homes.

Kana Yaari pushes regional representation, but Xulfi and Associate Music Producers and Arrangers Abdullah Siddiqui, Arsalan Hasan and Sherry Khattak don’t stop there. The global, rearview-rattling beats hijack the song; turning Kana Yaari into a Balochi-dancehall blend that can pulse out any car window on a sunny day, from Seaview to South Beach.

Kana Yaari can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQDAi8tI-cU and streamed on Spotify at: https://open.spotify.com/genre/0JQ5DAqbMKFQ0zHsfXlNmV

Keep yourself logged on to https://www.instagram.com/coke_studio to follow the Coke Studio journey.

 

11th ArtBeat–National Child Art Competition and Exhibition

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Pakistan’s biggest Child Art contest entitled “ArtBeat–National Child Art Competition” is in its 11th edition now and is ready to get exhibited. The annual competition was initiated in 2012 by The LITTLE ART with a vision to promote visual culture, understanding of issues among children and youth from their own perspective, celebrate children as artists and present children’s views as a point of discourse for adults and the community.

Mastermind of the contest and director of The LITTLE ART Shoaib Iqbal briefed that, in the past 10 years, nearly 100,000 children have participated as artists in ArtBeat and despite the covid outbreak, response of the students was amazing this year too. In total we have received nearly 3500 artworks, digital designs, photos and stories online from more than 185 schools from across the country and 24 community organizations participated this year in the competition.

Shoaib Iqbal added that The LITTLE ART has decided to showcase the art works produced by children in National exhibitions. The first exhibition will be held at Gallery 11, Pakistan National Council for the Arts, Islamabad on Friday, January 21, 2022. Mr. Bryce Hutchesson, Charge d’Affaires, Australian High Commission, Islamabad will inaugurate the exhibition. After the Islamabad, The Little Art will bring the children art works exhibition in Alhamra Art Council Lahore and in Karachi during February, he concluded.

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Babar Azam declared ICC T20I Team of the Year captain

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

The International Cricket Council (ICC) revealed on Wednesday the names of the XI players who constitute the ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Year, with Pakistan skipper Babar Azam as the captain of the squad.

Pakistan’s star players, wicket keeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and bowling sensation Shaheen Shah Afridi, also made it to the team.

In a statement issued for the announcement of Men’s T20I Team of the Year, the ICC said that it is to recognise 11 outstanding individuals who have impressed one and all, “be it with the bat, the ball or their all-round exploits in a calendar year.”

Here is a look at the players who made the cut from Pakistan.

Babar Azam

The Pakistan skipper was at his classy best in the shortest format in 2021, leaving his best at the T20 World Cup where he ended the tournament as the leading run-scorer. 

Overall, Babar played 29 matches and aggregated 939 runs at an average of 37.56 with one century and nine half-centuries. His captaincy was also praised as he led his team to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup in UAE and Oman.

Mohammad Rizwan

The Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter ruled the roost in 2021 when it came to the shortest format of the game. Aggregating a staggering 1,326 runs in only 29 matches, Rizwan struck at an average of 73.66 and a strike-rate of 134.89. 

Apart from his exploits with the bat, he was as solid as ever behind the stumps, playing a key role in Pakistan’s run to the semis during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021, where he ended up as the third-highest run-scorer.

Shaheen Afridi

It was a year to remember for Shaheen Afridi, especially in the shortest form of the game. Extracting brilliant movement with the new ball and reversing it with the old, Afridi picked up 23 wickets in 21 matches at an average of 26.04 and an economy of 7.86. 

Still only 21, Shaheen will likely lead the Pakistan pace bowling unit for years to come and with already rapid improvements in his bowling, he will undoubtedly prove to be a fearsome prospect.

The others include Jos Buttler of England, Aiden Markram of South Africa, Mitchell Marsh of Australia, David Miller of South Africa, Wanindu Hasaranga of Sri Lanka, Tabraiz Shamsi of South Africa, Josh Hazlewood of Australia, and Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh.

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NCOC finally gives its verdict on schools’ closure, places bans in cities with high COVID-19 rates

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

After a brief delay, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) finally issued Wednesday revised coronavirus guidelines and SOPs for the education, restaurant, entertainment, and other sectors as Pakistan continues its battle against a fifth wave of the pandemic and struggles to contain the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

In cities and districts with positivity higher than 10%, the classes for children under 12 years will continue on “staggered” days, while classes will be conducted daily for fully-vaccinated students above 12 years of age.

In the cities and districts which have a positivity ratio of up to 10%, classes will continue as usual, but with stringent COVID-19 protocols intact, as per NCOC’s guidelines.

With effect from February 1, at least one dose for students above 12 years will be mandatory and no exemption other than medical reasons will be entertained, the NCOC guidelines stated.

“Aggressive sentinel testing in educational institutions will be carried out for targeted closures in high disease prevalence education institutes,” the NCOC said.

Federating units in consultations with health authorities will set a number of cases or infection rate as the benchmark for closure of education institutes, the forum stated.

The decisions were taken during an NCOC session held today in Islamabad with Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Asad Umar in the chair, a statement from the forum said.

The forum took a “detailed review” of the current trend of the pandemic in the country and after a “deliberate and consultative process”, it has agreed upon the following non-pharmaceutical interventions:

For cities/ districts with positivity above 10%:

Gatherings/Weddings:

  • Indoor gatherings of all types, including weddings, will be banned from January 24. 
  • Outdoor gatherings, including weddings, will be allowed with a cap of fully vaccinated 300 guests — applicable from Jan 24.

Dinning

  • There will be a complete ban on indoor dining. However, outdoor dining for fully vaccinated citizens and takeaway service will be allowed.

Gyms

  • Indoor Gyms at 50% capacity for fully vaccinated individuals will be allowed.

Cinemas

  • Cinemas will be allowed to open at 50% capacity for fully vaccinated individuals only.

Shrines

  • Shrines are allowed to open at 50% capacity for fully vaccinated individuals only.

Amusement Parks

  • Allowed to open at 50% capacity for fully vaccinated people only.

Sports

  • There would be a complete ban on contact sports like karate, boxing, martial arts, water polo, kabaddi and wrestling.

Education sector

  • Schools will be allowed to open with 50% attendance (staggered days) for students below the age of 12 years. For students (fully vaccinated) over 12 years, the NCOC has recommended 100% attendance.

 

Cities with less than 10%

Gatherings/weddings

  • Indoor gatherings are allowed with a maximum limit of 300 guests (fully vaccinated), while outdoor events can be held with a maximum limit of 500 guests.

Dining

  • Indoor and outdoor dining is permitted for fully vaccinated individuals only, while takeaways are allowed 24/7.

Gyms

  • Indoor gyms are open for fully vaccinated individuals only.

Shrines

  • Open for fully vaccinated individuals only.

Parks

  • Open for fully vaccinated individuals only.

Sports

  • All types of sports are allowed for vaccinated individuals.

Education

  • Children will continue to attend schools with strict SOPs, while those above 12-years of age must have to be fully vaccinated.

Restrictions imposed across Pakistan

Business timings

  • Businesses will continue without time restrictions

Public transport

  • Public buses will be allowed to operate with 70% of their seating capacity. Wearing masks will be mandatory throughout the journey, with a complete ban on serving meals/snacks. Restrictions will come into force from January 20.

Railways

  • Railways will operate with 80% occupancy level from January 24.

Office Routine

  • Offices will be allowed to operate at 100% capacity with normal working hours. However, work from home is encouraged.

Domestic Air travel /meals

  • There will be a complete ban on meal/beverages serving during the in-flight journey for domestic travel.

Education sector

  • With effect from February 2022 vaccination for students above 12 years will be mandatory (at least one dose). No exemption other than medical reasons will be entertained.
  • Aggressive sentinel testing in educational institutions will be carried out for targeted closures in high disease prevalence education institutes.
  • Federating units in consultations with health authorities will set a number/percentage for closure of education institutes.

Mask wearing

  • Compliance to compulsory mask wearing while incorporating innovative measures for enforcement. Strict adherence to SOPs in mosques and other places of worship be ensured by all federating units.

Extended lockdowns

  • Targeted lockdown with stringent enforcement protocols based on risk assessment will continue.
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WhatsApp for Android, desktop to get new features

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

WhatsApp is reportedly adding new features to its Android and desktop apps.

The Android app will get new drawing and pencil tools in a future update while WhatsApp Desktop will receive new chat bubble colours. The desktop app will also be getting a new dark blue colour that will be only visible while using the dark theme mode.

The instant messaging app is also testing a new emoji message reactions information tab and new settings for message reactions notification.

WhatsApp features tracker WABetaInfo said WhatsApp is introducing new drawing tools to its Android app. The instant messaging app is planning new pencils to draw but will be receiving two pencils, including one thinner and one thicker than the existing pencil.

The app is also working on a blur image tool that may be added sometime in the future.

The new features were seen in WhatsApp beta for Android 2.22.3.5 update, but are disabled by default. These features are still under development and may be rolled out to WhatsApp beta testers soon.

The WABetaInfo report said the app is also introducing new colour to its Windows and macOS apps with WhatsApp beta for Desktop 2.2201.2.0 update. The new colour scheme will be visible in the dark theme and the chat bubbles seem to be greener compared to the existing colour.

Other elements of the app will also see colour changes with chat bar and background colour now reportedly have a blue tinge.

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Saba Qamar filming a project with her ‘favourite co-star’

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Saba Qamar will soon be seen sharing the screen with her favourite co-star after a long time.

Saba Qamar has a number of projects slated for release this year. She will be playing the lead in the film Ghabrana Nahi Hai, web series Naina ki Sharafat, and drama serial Fraud, which will star Mikaal Zulfiqar and Ahsan Khan. She will play a police officer in Umer Ahmed’s Serial Killer, but it is yet not confirmed whether it will be a drama or a film.

On Monday, Ahsan Khan shared a video of him with Saba from the set of their upcoming project and gave their fans an insight into their collaborations over the years.

“Finally my favourite, one and only,” Ahsan says in the video. 

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CY1fMtWo4l7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

“And he’s my favourite,” Saba responds. “There’s no room for doubt.”

Saba and Ahsan then start talking about their previous projects, including Daastan that brought them together on the screen for the first time in 2010. Daastaan was followed by Paani Jaisa Pyar in 2011. The pair then appeared in a film for ZEE5 titled Moomal Rano in 2017.

Saba called Ahsan her “favourite co-star” in the comments. In 2021, Saba appeared in the music video for Abrarul Haq’s song Begum Shak Karti Hai.

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Ghana Ali shares her first Family Photo Shoot.

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Actor Ghana Ali shared viral pictures of her photoshoot with husband Umair Gulzar and baby daughter Faija Umair on Instagram.

“Our first family photo shoot!” the photo gallery’s caption read.

The pictures see Ghana Ali holding Faija Umair while she and her husband are looking extremely happy. However, the baby’s face was not shown and will be revealed later.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CY371_zMAZR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The picture gallery has more than 20,000 likes from Instagram users.

It is pertinent to mention that the actor has quite a fan base on Instagram with millions of followers. She takes to the picture and video-sharing application to share family pictures with the fans. Earlier, she shared another set of family pictures and was liked by thousands of her fans.

It is pertinent to mention that the couple tied the knot in May last year. In September, she shared the news of her pregnancy by sharing pictures of her with her husband.

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Pakistani pacer Mohammad Hasnain to undergo test for bowling action

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Pakistan’s young fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain, who ended a brilliant stint with the Sydney Thunder side in the Big Bash League (BBL), is set to undergo a test for his bowling action which was reported by the umpires.

According to the EspnCricinfo, Hasnain will undergo the test at the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) accredited biomechanics laboratory in Lahore.

In any case, he is allowed to bowl until the results of his testing come out, which could take up to 14 days. That means, in theory, he could be fine to bowl in the opening games of the PSL, reported EspnCricinfo.

In his last game in BBL, Sydney Sixers all-rounder Moises Henriques was heard on the stump mic saying “nice throw mate” to Hasnain after he bowled him a bouncer.

This development will be a blow to Hasnain ahead of the upcoming Pakistan Super League 2022 which is set to roll into action on January 27, and Hasnain is an important member of the Quetta Gladiators squad.

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Hira Mani contracts Covid-19, appeals fans to wear masks

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Pakistan’s much-adored actress Hira Mani has tested positive for Covid-19 amid surge in cases. The versatile actress took to Instagram on Tuesday to inform her fans about it. She requested her followers to wear masks and follow the SOPs to protect themselves and others amid surge of cases in the country.

The 32-year-old star, who is wife of popular TV personality Salman Saqib Sheikh aka Mani, also asked her admirers to pray for her speedy recovery.

In her statement, the mother-of two said: “So guys I am covid positive!”

The actress and singer added: “Dua ki darkhast hai !! App sub bhe mask pehniye apne bachaon ka khayal rakhien SOP ZAROORI HAI.”

She also shared a picture of herself with a funny caption: “P.s eik filmy tasweer tou bunti thi….”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CVFXSWMohaK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Hira Mani has recently released her first official song ‘Sawaari’ for Kashmir Beats season 1 and garnered a lot of attention and praise, crossing 16 million views on YouTube.

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Registration of Social Media Companies

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Under the “Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules, 2021”, significant social media companies are required to register with PTA.

In this context, Joyo Technology Pakistan Pvt Ltd (Snack Video) and BIGO Service Pakistan Pvt Ltd (BIGO Live, Likee) are the first to register with PTA. Representatives of the two companies attended the event, held today at PTA Headquarters, Islamabad and completed the registration process. The companies were awarded the “Registration Certificates”.

The event was attended by the Chairman and Members of the Authority besides representatives of the concerned Technology Companies and senior officials from PTA.

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