Atif Aslam, Aima Baig to sing PSL 2022 anthem

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Atif Aslam and Aima Baig will sing the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022 anthem, which has been produced and composed by Abdullah Siddiqui. The anthem will be released next week through an event partner, a press release by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) stated. 

According to the statement, the theme of the song is inspirational and motivational with the lyrics and music aimed at uplifting the mood of the fans and the nation as the world is passing through tough and testing times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This will be the first time Aslam will sing the PCB’s marquee event song, while Aima had been featured in last year’s “Groove Mera,” which turned out to be a smashing hit.

Atif Aslam is an internationally-acclaimed Pakistan singer who has recorded numerous chart-topping songs for the local and international film industry. In 2008, he was bestowed with Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (medial of distinction) by the government of Pakistan, while he has received over 50 other different awards from within and outside Pakistan.

Baig is one of the most popular female voices in Pakistan. In the past seven years, she has recorded a number of hits and has won local and international awards.

Speaking about the event, Abdullah said: “Getting to produce this anthem is a dream for any musician, and I’m very honoured and thankful to the PCB for the opportunity this year.”

“Both Atif Aslam and Aima Baig are undeniably the best and working with them has been a privilege. I’m very excited for fans to hear what we have come up with,” he added. 

The producer further said: “We have tried to produce a song that captures the spirit of the game in a meaningful way, while still being very fun and catchy.”

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Ali Zafar and Gul Panra’s track ‘Larsha Pekhawar’ becomes most watched Pakistani song of 2021

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Pakistani renowned singers Ali Zafar and Gul Panra’s collaborative track ‘Larsha Pekhawar’ has garnered more than 52 million views on YouTube, making it the most watched Pakistani song of 2021.

‘Larsha Pekhawar’, the refreshing version of the classic Pashto song which released on September 22, trended number one on the video streaming website for around five weeks in Sept and October.

Celebrated singer Atif Aslam’s track “Rafta Rafta”, featuring actress Sajal Ali, has racked in over 41 million views to take the second spot on the video streaming platform. The video, released in July 2021, was filmed in Skardu.

Ali Zafar’s rendition of the iconic Naat ‘Balaghal Ula Be Kamalihi’ was the third most viewed video of 2021 with 32 million hits. The video shows the beautiful aerial view of the majestic Baadshahi Mosque.

While, Atif Aslam’s rendition of renowned kalaam ‘Mustafa Jaane Rehmat’ hit over 22 million views to stay at fourth on the list.

Young Stunners’ track ‘Why Not Meri Jaan’ also created quite the stir online it attracted more than 15 million views.

Farhan Saeed’s ‘Na Cher Malanga Nu’, Asim Azhar’s ‘Yaad’, Bilal Saeed’s ‘Mitti Da Khadona’ and Sahir Ali Bagga and Alizeh Shah’s ‘Badnamiyan’ were among the top ten Pakistani tracks released in 2021.

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PCB to give top 15 Pakistani players cash incentives today

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Core Pakistani cricketers will be honoured today by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) with cash incentives and recognition for a year of splendid performance that won the hearts of millions of cricket fans around the world.

At a reception scheduled for today (Friday) evening, PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja is expected to present a cash incentive of Rs1.5 million to each of the top 15 players who remained an integral part of the unit in all the three formats of the game throughout the year.

Two Test specialists Abid Ali and Sajjid Khan have also been invited apart from 18 players (three reserves) for their exceptional show in the longer version of the game.

“The reception to honour the top cricketers is meant to recognise the services of all those cricketers who have helped the team stand tall in almost all the formats of the game,” a PCB official said.

“Barring some brief hiccups, the team members have given exceptional performance throughout the year. Be it T20 World Cup performance, Test matches performance at home and abroad, the team has shown exceptional courage in all the departments of the game.”

“Beating South Africa at their own soil and later sweeping through Bangladesh in their own backyard were exceptional achievements that needed to be recognised,” the PCB official said.

Pakistan won 20 of 29 T20Is during the year which also saw them putting up some resolute show in the T20 World Cup. The team that looked unbeaten finally lost to Australia in the semi-finals but not before winning many hearts for the competitive element that was on display. Beating pre-tournament favourites India by ten wickets also stunned many.

Two of the core cricketers Harris Rauf and Fakhar Zaman will not be in a position to attend the reception due to their commitments in the Australian Big Bash League while Shadab Khan is expected to reach in time on Friday.

The reception that will only be attended by the PCB high-ups is meant to boost the morale of the team members ahead of the hectic season that also includes some important series and T20 World Cup to be held in Australia in October/November.

Pakistan will also host leading international outfits including Australia, England, New Zealand, and West Indies during the coming season.

It is expected that the top 15 players will be given around Rs1.5 million each as cash incentive while the rest of the five including three reserves and two Test specialists will also be awarded.

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Ajoka’s Nirvaan Nadeem bags Global Award.

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Theatre personality and head of Ajoka Institute of Performing Arts won the Global Film and Music Award 2021 for his contribution to theatre.

The US-based organisation announced the awards at a ceremony held in Virginia. The winners include Indian composer Anu Malik, singer Poornima, actor Shishir Sharma, Singer Sanchi Mukerji, director David Serero and composer Milind Shrivastav. The event was conducted by anchor Simran Ahuja.

The Festival Director Seema Sethi congratulated Nirvaan for his achievements in the field of theatre. Nirvaan in his acceptance message thanked GFMF committee for the award and for acknowledging the vibrancy Pakistani theatre.

Other award winners from Pakistan include filmmaker Shoaib Sultan (“ Darya Ke Us Paar”) and Nayab Faiza (theatre acting).

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SOC Outreach expands to SINDH with “Inheritance”

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

In order to educate women on their constitutional rights, multi-award winning production house SOC Films, under its community engagement platform, SOC Outreach, took their latest animation series, “Inheritance Rights of Women according to Pakistani Law”, across the province of Sindh.

To instill critical thinking in the next generation of Pakistanis, SOC Outreach conducted sessions in different colleges, and communities across Sindh screening animated films on the ‘Women’s right to access to property and inheritance’ according to the Pakistani law. 

“When you talk to Pakistani women no matter if they are living in an urban or rural area, the realization hits that a large number of them are unaware about their basic rights provided by the state. This lack of knowledge plays a major role in their unequal participation in the society. Our films aim to fill this information gap and educate them about their inheritance laws all across the country.” said Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.

“In a society like Pakistan where women’s access to property and resources, and ability to earn and be financially independent is limited and challenging, an inherited property is one of the few women can acquire property, gain financial independence and escape cycles of violence.” said Javeria Kamran, Program Coordinator at The Legal Aid Society.

Understanding the need for improved legal awareness amongst women in Pakistan, the animated “Inheritance Rights of Women according to Pakistani Law” series, produced in collaboration with The Legal Aid Society [LAS] and National Commission on the Status of Women [NCSW], comprises of 9 animated films, shedding light on Women’s right to marital and legal property in Pakistan. The films are available in 8 regional languages.

For more information about SOC Films, please visit: http://www.facebook.com/socfilms https://www.instagram.com/soc_films/

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Ali Gul Pir and Azeemah Nakhoda are officially engaged.

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Renowned comedian and musician Ali Gul Pir got engaged to Azeemah Nakhoda in an intimate ceremony on Wednesday.

The engagement affair was attended by his close friends and family members. Pictures and videos from the ceremony have taken the internet by storm.

The humourist, who is known for making funny parody videos on social media, lefts everyone in awe as he went down on one knee and put a ring on his fiancée.

Clad in an ivory kurta pajama, Ali completed his look with a shawl, designed by Nomi Ansari. On the other hand, his fiance, Azeemah was dressed in a gorgeous icy blue outfit. She completed her look with minimal makeup.

Well, we have a piece of news for the fans, Ali is officially off the market, He recently got engaged with Azeemah Nakhoda in a ceremony attended by close family and friends.

Congratulations and wishes started to pour in for the artist. Actress Mansha Pasha also sent her warm wishes to Ali on getting engaged.

The Laal Kabootar famed actress, took to her Instagram Story and complimented Ali and his fiancée with sweet words. “So sad to have missed this but you guys look lovely,” she wrote.

Kiran Tabeir marks ’11 years of togetherness’ with husband

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Actor Kiran Tabeir marked her 11th wedding anniversary with her husband Ali Hamza Safdar on Thursday midnight.

A well-known name of Pakistan’s showbiz industry, actor and host Kiran Tabeir took to the photo and video sharing site, Instagram on Thursday midnight to share a clip from her anniversary celebration, that sees the couple cutting a cake in the candlelit space.

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

The ‘Meri Baji’ actor penned a heartfelt note to celebrate ’11 years of togetherness’ with the partner: “Definitely we Both deserve Appreciation..Because with All the craziness, disagreements, arguments (above all this my emotional Blackmailing 🙈 ) Between All this drama we Both Still manage to Love each other)”.

“Thank you so much Husband for All your Hard-work which you did to give me a Comfortable Life”, she further expressed.

Tabeir tied the knot with Ali in 2011, and both share a beautiful bond of love and friendship even after 11 long years of their marriage, the couple has managed to keep the spark alive between them.

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Pakistan records 3,000 coronavirus cases for first time in four months

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Pakistan reported more than 3,000 coronavirus cases for the first time since September 15, 2021, the National Command and Operations Centre’s (NCOC) data showed Thursday morning.

The NCOC data showed that the country registered 3,019 more cases in the last 24 hours, taking the overall infections’ tally to 1.31 million. The positivity ratio has reached 6.12% — the highest in more than four months, as the infection rate was last above it on September 8, 2021.

As many as five deaths were also recorded, which took the death toll to 28,992, according to official figures.

Although the Centre had ruled out a lockdown and closing of schools, the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training on Wednesday announced that a meeting of the provincial education ministers will be held today (Thursday) to debate whether the prevalent COVID-19 situation in the country warrants the closure of schools.

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SBP committee wants cryptocurrency banned in Pakistan

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

A complete ban should be imposed on cryptocurrency and other related activities in the country, says a committee of the State Bank of Pakistan.

The Sindh High Court had directed for the constitution of the committee under the supervision of SBP’s deputy governor, along with officials from ministries of finance and information technology, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, and Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan.

The court takes the committee’s opinion to mull over whether any form of cryptocurrency could be permitted under Pakistani law.

Filing compliance reports before the SHC on a petition against restrictions on trading virtual currencies, the committee suggested a complete ban on all cryptocurrency and other related activities in the country.

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FIA launches money laundering probe against Tik Tok star Hareem Shah

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

The Federal Intelligence Agency (FIA) has launched a money laundering probe against Tik Tok star Hareem Shah. 

FIA officials have decided to write a letter to the British National Crime Agency to request the body to investigate after video evidence showed the social media star confessing to carrying large sums of currency.

“Action is being taken against Hareem Shah under foreign exchange laws,” an FIA official said.

“Unlawful transfer of foreign currency comes under money laundering.”

Shah, who’s real name is Fizza Hussain as per documents obtained by Geo News, had traveled from Karachi International Airport to Doha on the night of January 10.

Speaking about the ordeal, the Tik Tok star said that she was dealing with large sums of currency of the first time and warned others to be cautious adding that she had safely reached Doha. 

“I was bringing a large amount from Pakistan to the UK for the first time. When bringing the amount, take care because you might land yourself in trouble. No one stopped me nor can they stop me. I reached safely,” she said. 

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