Weekly News Round-Up (4th – 10th December)
This week in the news, find out how Pakistanis are making a name for themselves globally, the first glimpse at Jemima Khan’s upcoming film ‘What’s love got to do with it?’, Atif Aslam’s debut as an actor in Sang e Mah and more! Read on to find out all the news you’ve missed this week.
Exclusive First Look At Jemima Khan’s ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It?’
This first look of What’s Love Got To Do With It is getting us all kinds of excited – especially when @NaughtyBoyMusic and @RFAKWorld are on the soundtrack… 😍🙌🏾 #RollOn2022 pic.twitter.com/laXxpuAVn8
— BBC Asian Network (@bbcasiannetwork) December 9, 2021
On the 9th of December, Studiocanal and Working Title revealed the first look from Jemima Khan and Shekhar Kapur’s upcoming cross-cultural British romantic comedy “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” and so far, it looks really promising!
The movie will star Pakistan’s sweetheart Sajal Aly amongst other noteworthy international celebrities, while the soundtrack will feature at least two songs from the maestro himself, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and British-Pakistani DJ Naughty Boy!
The film follows documentary filmmaker Zoe ( Lily James), for whom swiping right to find Mr Right has only delivered bad dates and funny anecdotes, much to her opinionated mother Cath’s (Emma Thompson) dismay. For her childhood friend and neighbour Kazim (Shahzad Latif), the answer is to follow his parents’ example and opt for an arranged marriage with a bright and beautiful bride from Pakistan. As Zoe films his hopeful journey from London to Lahore to marry a stranger, chosen by his parents, she begins to wonder if she might have something to learn from a different approach to finding love. “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” will release in U.K. cinemas in 2022.
Sang e Mah Enthralls Fans Yet Again!
Sang-e-Mah has been a highly anticipated project not only because it is a sequel to Sang-e-Mar Mar, but also because Atif Aslam is making his TV debut with this drama! Though little is known about Atif’s character, a recent clip shared on Momina Duraid Production & Hum TV’s official Instagram handle features Atif Aslam sitting on a charpoy and singing “mamala sangeen hai…beech main khara hun main zid pe ara hun main…“, while Hania Amir exclaims “geedar ka bacha hai” and Kubra Khan states, “there’s a method in his madness”. While we haven’t been able to completely understand how Atif’s role will play into the plot we did get a brief glimpse into the storyline.
Speaking to FUCHSIA Magazine, Saife Hasan had revealed that Sang-e-Mah is an issue-based story about Pashtun tribal areas. The story revolves around a long-standing tradition called “Ghagh” which means “Ailaan” in Urdu. The tradition involves forcing girls to marry men who have made an “announcement” or a “call” to marry them against the girls’ will. According to Saife Hasan, the tradition still stands in some areas and the drama aims to shed light on the issue. That being said, we cannot wait for the show to release so we catch a glimpse of our favourite actors inaction!
Pakistani E-Sports Professionals Win Big At CEO2021!
On the 6th of December Pakistan’s professional gamer Arslan Siddique a.k.a. Arslan Ash won Gold at CE02021 held in Florida- beating both Hoa Luu from the USA who won Silver and Nopparut Hempamorn from Thailand who won Bronze. However, Arslan wasn’t the only Pakistani gamer in the top 7 at CEP2021 – Khan Imran nabbed 4th place while Farzeen tied at 7th place with Marquis Jordan from the USA. Arslan is Pakistan’s first Redbull Athlete and has multiple awards to his name including being the Unified EVO Champion and the 2019 ESPN Player of the Year.
However, though there is a bright future for Pakistani e-sports professionals there is a dire need for Government funding and assistance so players can participate more actively in international championships and represent their country. “I was so depressed because I couldn’t make it to Redbull Kumite…My view is that the Pakistan government should intervene in making visas available because all our hard work and talent fall by the wayside just because we can’t freely travel… despite this unfortunate situation, This will not break my confidence and I will keep working hard…”, posted Arslan on Instagram on the 13th of November.
This news of Pakistan’s win at the CEO2021 has motivated many to work hard to make their dreams a reality. Arslan, Khan and Farzeen are inspirations for today’s youth and we wish them the best of luck for the future!
ASP Amna Baig Nominated For The ‘International Women of Courage’ Award
Chargé d’ affaires a.i. Angela P. Aggeler hosted a reception in honor of Ms. @amnaappi & the #16Days campaign. CDA Aggeler highlighted Assistant Superintendent Baig’s advocacy for human rights & gender equality for all women in Pakistan. Her work is an inspiration to us all. pic.twitter.com/M6sZTUc3c8
— U.S. Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) December 10, 2021
On the 9th of December, ASP Amna Baig a.k.a. Amna Appi from the Islamabad police was nominated for the ‘International Women of Courage’ Award at an event marking the 30th anniversary of the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign, hosted by US Embassy Charge d’affaires Angela P Aggeler. At the event, ASP Amna Baig’s role at the Gender Protection Unit in Islamabad was applauded and her efforts to facilitate women and transgender individuals in their fight against discrimination and injustice were praised. Ms Aggeler believes that ASP Amna Baig is a role model for young Pakistani girls and inspires them to pursue their dreams despite the obstacles they may face, and therefore, deserving of the award.
However, ASP Amna Baig isn’t the first Pakistani to be nominated for the ‘International Women of Courage’ Award. Previous nominees include Jalila Haider (2020) the first woman human rights lawyer from the Hazara minority of Quetta, Tabassum Adnan (2015) a women’s rights activist from the Swat Valley, Shad Begum (2012) a social worker from Dir Lower and many more inspiring women from Pakistan and around the world.
Who Are The 3 Pakistani Women Reinventing Our Society, Our Culture & Our World?
@BBCNews revealed its list of inspiring & influential #100Women of 2021. We congratulate the 3 Pakistanis on the list!@AbiaAkram, a leader in the disability movement, Laila Haidari, of Mother Camp- a drug rehabilitation centre, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, @Malala Yousafzai.
— British Pakistan Foundation (@BPF_UK) December 10, 2021
Earlier this week the BBC revealed its list of 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world for 2021 and three of them were Pakistani! To no one’s surprise, Malala Yousafzai made the list – 2021 has definitely been Malala’s year in the news! However, two more women earned the esteemed spot on the list and they are Abia Akram and Laila Haidari.
Abia Akram is a disability leader from Pakistan and the founder of the ‘Special Talent Exchange Program’ (Step). She is also the founder of the National Forum of Women with Disabilities and has campaigned for the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Inclusive Development. Moreover, Abia is also working to include disability in the UN 2030 Agenda and its sustainable development goals. She envisions inclusive development in the post-pandemic Pakistani society and the world.
Laila Haidari was born an Afghan refugee in Pakistan and was a child bride by the age of 12. She founded ‘Mother Camp’ a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul that has helped nearly 6,400 Afghans since 2010. She is a vocal advocate of women’s rights and is optimistic for a more moral and humane world for future generations.
Green Line Project Finally Begins Operations In Karachi
Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI inspects Karachi Green Line Bus Rapid Transit system.#GreenLineForKarachi pic.twitter.com/NUDCluCujy
— Prime Minister’s Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) December 10, 2021
Prime Minister Imran Khan inaugurated Karachi’s much-delayed Green Line Bus Rapid Transport System (GLBRTS) project on Friday the 10th of December. The Green Line bus project is expected to help overcome the difficulties faced by commuters in Karachi’s West and Central districts. According to the PM, the Green Line project is the first step towards the modernisation of Karachi in terms of transport and the success of Karachi will also help Pakistan achieve progress and prosperity.
According to national news outlets, the Rs35.5 billion GLBRTS project includes 21 stations along with ticketing rooms, escalators and stairs and also has the facility of backup generators to ensure an uninterrupted supply of electricity. It has the capacity to cater to the needs of 135,000 commuters and will operate from City Railway Station to Surjani Town.
Pakistani Ulema Condemn Killing over Unproven Blasphemy
‘Un-Islamic and inhumane’: Ulema condemn lynching of Sri Lankan national over blasphemy allegation.#Sialkottragedy #SrilankanManager pic.twitter.com/MBdH4GM2tO
— Sagar Suhindero (@Rahimbuxsagar) December 7, 2021
In Friday sermons this week (10th December) Ulema condemned the recent mob lynching of Sri Lankan national Priyantha Kumara that made global news headlines. They stressed that only the courts have the authority to punish the perpetrator of blasphemy and taking the law into one’s hands is not permissible according to Sharia and law of the land. They added that elements involved in making blasphemy allegations for their vested objectives would also be punished under the blasphemy law and agreed that a nationwide public campaign would be launched against extremism. (Source: Dawn)
