Hadiqa Kiani embarks on a new musical journey with VASL

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

The Tamgha-e-Imtiaz recipient and Pakistan’s most versatile and accomplished woman in music, Hadiqa Kiani embarks on a new musical journey with the launch of her latest music album, VASL.

With VASL, Kiani explores the roots of her music, reproducing her original compositions from the start of her career for the next generation of Pakistani listeners. The organic Eastern structure of the album aims to create an atmosphere of ease, comfort and, peace.

Showcasing her brilliant versatility and melodious voice, Kiani has released first single from VASL, “Humsafar”. Composed and produced by Kiani herself, the poetry for “Humsafar” is penned by Khawar Kiani with musical arrangement by Hassan Badshah.

Visually captured by ace director Abdullah Haris in the scenic hill station, Murree, the music video explores the stunning environment of the region. Kiani’s wardrobe has been designed by Yousuf Bashir Qureshi, distinguished as the pioneer of utilitarian avant-garde working mostly in natural fibers such as cotton, silks, jute, and linen. Every Yousuf Bashir Qureshi piece, like every song on the album, holds an individual narrative, it is carefully designed, self-aware, responsible, and offers protection. The perfect compliment to the raw connection that the ballads of VASL aim to create.

The music video for “Humsafar” can be viewed at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92xHCyAtL_o

Indeed, the versatility of Hadiqa Kiani is unparalleled. From pop-rock hits to folk classics, she does it all with an ease and grace unfamiliar to many. Earlier in 2021, Kiani also made her television acting debut to much acclaim.

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Mohammad Hafeez bids adieu to international cricket

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-Desk)

Former Pakistan Test captain Mohammad Hafeez has finally announced his retirement from international cricket, according to the media reports on Monday. Premiere Cricket Website ESPN also shared the news on its official Twitter Handle.

Hafeez, aka The Professor, had earlier bid farewell to Test cricket in 2018.

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FIA official speaks up on Alizeh Shah’s viral video

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) Sindh Cybercrime Department head Imran Riaz on Saturday told that reports about actor Alizeh Shah contacting the agency over a video made without her consent are false.

Speaking exclusively , Imran Riaz said that he recorded a video shedding light on the actor’s video after it went viral and informed the public that this act of filming someone without consent is a crime.

He added that if Alizeh Shah approaches the agency, due action will be taken against the culprits who filmed her and then posted the video on social media.

The FIA official can be seen in the video asking people to remain careful about what they post or share on social media platforms.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXkxRnUo-wq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

In a tweet, Imran Riaz also elaborated that the act comes in the definition of ‘cyber stalking‘ and is punishable under Section 24 of PECA 2016.

It is pertinent to mention that actor Alizeh Shah came under severe criticism after a video of her smoking a cigarette made rounds on social media.

The actor is yet to comment on the incident and has kept mum since then.

Alizeh Shah, who is one of the most followed celebrities in Pakistan with at least 3.9 million Instagram followers, has proved her mettle in the drama industry by playing diverse roles.

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A.R. Rahman’s daughter Khatija Rahman gets engaged.

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Famed Indian singer A. R. Rahman’s daughter Khatija Rahman got engaged to audio engineer Riyasdeen Shaik Mohamed in an intimate ceremony.

Taking to Instagram, Khatija shared the news with her followers while introducing her partner-to-be. She also penned down a lengthy note along with an adorable collage of the couple.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CYOR58Clp6a/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

She wrote, “With the blessings of the Almighty I’m happy to announce to you all my engagement with Riyasdeen Shaik Mohamed @riyasdeenriyan,”

“ An aspiring entrepreneur and a wizkid audio engineer. The engagement happened on 29th December, my birthday in the presence of close family and loved ones,” she added.

Meanwhile, the well-acclaimed musician also shared the post on his IG Story.

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Sadia Ghaffar introduces her baby girl Raya Khan to the world

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Renowned Pakistani actress Sadia Ghaffar has sent the internet into a meltdown after sharing the first picture of her baby daughter Raya Hayat Khan as she wished her fans a happy New Year.

The Gul-e-Rana actress, who welcomed her first child with husband Hassan Hayat in July 2021, turned to her Instagram on Sunday and shared an adorable picture of 6-months-old baby Raya.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CYL1vPUPBZ5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Sharing the sweet picture, Ghaffar captioned it as, “Happy New Year everyone. Raya Hayat Khan (heart emoticon) #MashaAllah”

Within minutes, fans and fellow celebrities took to Maat actress’ post’s comment section and dropped loving and praising comments.

Actresses including Ushna Shah, Aiman Khan, Minal Khan, Saboor Aly and other showered her post with love and hearts.

Earlier, Ghaffar shared a sweet photo of the daughter with face covered with an emoticon to celebrate two months of her birth.

She wrote in the caption, “MASHAA ALLAH Happy two months my daughter. For all of those who want to see RAYA, well, she looks exactly like me. she’s my xerox copy.”

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Moammar Rana’s daughter Rea gets engaged in star-studded ceremony

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Pakistan’s popular film actor and director Moammar Rana’s elder daughter Rea Rana got engaged in a star-studded ceremony on Sunday in presence of family members, friends and showbiz stars.

The lavish engagement ceremony was graced by film stars Rambo, Sahiba, Reema, Ghulam Muhiuddin, Farooq Hasan, Haider Sultan and other celebrities.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CYO11OoI9wH/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Film actress Reema, who attended the engagement ceremony with her husband Dr Tariq Shahab, shared a series of photos from Rea’s engagement ceremony on Sunday.

The actress captioned the snaps: “ATTENDED THE BEAUTIFUL ENGAGEMENT CEREMONY OF MY DEAREST COLLEAGUE MOAMMAR RANA’s BEAUTIFUL PRINCESS RIYA IN LAHORE”.

Moammar Rana, a popular Pakistani film actor and director, is a super proud father of two beautiful daughters Rea and Ranyea.

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Omicron on the rise in Karachi as 11 new cases detected

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

The Omicron variant of the coronavirus is rapidly replacing the Delta variant as 11 members of a family in Karachi’s District East have been found infected with it. 

“Experts at the Provincial Public Health Laboratory (PPHL) have detected 11 cases of Omicron variant from the samples of a family from Lahore. These samples had been collected by the Sindh Health Department, which sent them to DUHS, where our experts confirmed the presence of Omicron variant through Next Generation Sequencing (NGS),” Prof Saeed Quraishy, Vice Chancellor, DUHS, .

The Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), Karachi, has acquired the capability of conducting the Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) with the help of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the varsity’s Provincial Public Health Laboratory (PPHL) is now the designated lab of the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, Prof Quraishy added.

He said they would continue to carry out surveillance for the Omicron variant cases at their lab, adding that they were using the molecular genetics technique for the detection of new variants, which is not available at many other facilities in the country.

Officials of the Sindh Health Department said they had sent the samples of 20 people infected with COVID-19 to the Dow University for confirmation of the Omicron Variant and after analysis, the Dow University confirmed that 11 people of the family, who came in contact with a female member of their family from Lahore, were infected with the Omicron variant.

“We are now tracing other contacts of these people and will take their samples for analysis but community transmission of this variant has started in the country and we have started seeing a slight surge in the cases of COVID-19 during the last two days,” an official of the Sindh Health Department.

Prof Dr Saeed Khan, an expert of the molecular genetics and pathology at DUHS, also confirmed that they had detected 11 cases of the Omicron variant while a 12th person was also infected but due to less viral load in the sample, they could not declare it a case of the variant with certainty.

“Community transmission of Omicron has started in Pakistan and it is now replacing the Delta variant very rapidly. As it is several times more transmissible, it would soon replace the Delta and other variants in our population,” Prof. Saeed Khan said and warned that people who were not vaccinated or those who had not received the booster dose were vulnerable to the Omicron variant infection.

“Cases of COVID-19 are expected to start rising within a few weeks in Karachi and rest of the country. We may see the peak of fifth wave of COVID-19 by the end of January or first week of February 2022,” he warned and urged people to take precautionary measures, wear masks and get vaccinated with booster dose, if required.

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Adnan Siddiqui bids farewell to 2021, ‘the show must go on…’

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Pakistan entertainment industry’s versatile star, Adnan Siddiqui is looking back at the year 2021.

Being an avid social media user, the actor turned to his Instagram handle on Dec. 30 and penned down a note, reflecting on ‘bittersweet’ moments from year 2021.

The Mere Paas Tum Ho star began with, “Bidding adieu to 2021, a year that was bittersweet for me. Resumed travel after more than a year long hiatus, a refresher in the otherwise staid scenario.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CYGzUj7KU62/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

After two years of pandemic, the Mom star touched upon resuming on his work and said, “Took up writing once again, something that my father always wished I should be regular with but work commitments didn’t allow me to be. Glad that I am honouring(at least striving to)his wishes. So there’s happiness, hope and creative fulfilment.”

The Mere Humdum Mere Dost famed actor also shared heart-breaking memories from the year – losing a few close cousins and friends and continued writing, “I’d, however, remember them with great fondness for their loved and lived life to the fullest.”

The 52-year-old actor, who posted a dapper picture of himself, expressed his hope for the coming year and wrote, “A day to go before we enter into the New Year, parting shot on a filmy note: the show must go on…”

“How was the year for you?… #anotheryeargoneby,” he concluded his note.

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Mehwish Hayat shares a musical message to welcome 2022

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Popular actor of the Pakistani showbiz industry, Mehwish Hayat has left fans awestruck with her melodious voice and powerful message.

Pakistani superstar, Mehwish Hayat posted a monochromatic video on the photo and video sharing application, Instagram that features the superstar as she sings American singer, Mariah Carey’s mega-hit ‘Hero‘.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CX_y-rGhzV6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Social media users can’t stop praising the ‘Punjab Nahi Jaungi’ actor for another talent apart from her versatile acting. The video that was shared by Hayat earlier this week has garnered thousands of hearts and compliments in the comments sections.

The euphonious cover of Carey’s hit posted by ‘Dil Lagi’ actor was captioned with, “As another year comes to an end with a new one on the horizon. This is just a reminder for anyone who needs to hear it – the real hero lies within us all”.

Although her rendition was appreciated and loved by everyone including co-actors Sana Fakhar and Dino Ali, it was the powerful message in the caption promoting self-empowerment that grabbed the attention of many, as she further added, “We just need to acknowledge and realise the power that we hold within ourselves. Why look outside to find our hero when there is one inside of each one of us. Be your own hero today, tomorrow and always!”

Mehwish is one of the leading names of Pakistani drama and film industry and has given out impressive performances over her career span, including dramas like ‘Kabhi Kabhi’, ‘Dil Lagi’, and blockbuster movies ‘Jawaani Phir Nahi Aani’ and ‘Punjab Nahi Jaungi’.

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Areeba Habib makes a traditional bride in red as she ties the knot:

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Congratulations are in order for actor and model Areeba Habib as she tied the knot with beau Saadain Imran Sheikh in a stunning daytime nikkah ceremony on Friday, December 31.

The gorgeous Areeba made for a stunning traditional bride as she blushed in a classic red bridal ensemble as she signed her nikkah papers.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CYIwSONoAI1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Meanwhile, her groom, Saadain, also went the traditional route in a black kurta shalwar. He paired it with a black waistcoat with intricate detailing on the pocket.

Areeba first announced her engagement to Saadain earlier this year in August, sharing photos from the intimate ceremony in which she wore an ivory outfit embellished with pink flowers.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXlgeOpPnN9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The Jalan star then announced her wedding date earlier this month, sharing pictures of the invitation package on Instagram. 

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