News Buzz

April 2021

When Ali Sang with Aima

Ali-aima

Every year, patriotic songs are released on Pakistan Day to acknowledge the sacrifices made to achieve freedom.

This year, to celebrate March 23, the ISPR, in collaboration with Ali Zafar and Aima Baig, released a new national song ‘Aik Qaum, Aik Manzil’ highlighting Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s message of unity.

The video was a visual treat, featuring various military parades and ‘Pakistan Day’ celebrations at Minar-e Pakistan, Pakistan Monument, Faisal Mosque, Badshahi Mosque, Ayub Bridge (Sukkur), and other major destinations.

Singers Ali Zafar and Aima Baig truly put their heart and soul into the song. The sentimental lyrics were written by Abid Hassan and the composition was by Ali Zafar himself.

Jazz Drive-In

Jazz-drivein

The Jazz Drive-In Cinema has started in Karachi at the Raiha CineGold Plex, Bahria Town, Phase-1. Films will be shown in the evenings from Friday to Sunday and will follow a week-wise theme, ranging from classics to action, science fiction, fantasy and animation.

Jazz, in partnership with Activemedia and with the collaboration of Bahria Town, Raiha CineGold Plex, The House of Rana, Bookitnow.pk and Samaa FM, has initiated the process. To promote digital payments, tickets and food purchased via JazzCash will provide a 50% cash back for a limited time.

Viewers are provided space to park their vehicles in an orderly manner with the audio individually heard through each vehicle’s stereo via radio frequency.

With a hygienic, socially distant and controlled environment, the Jazz Drive-In Cinema is sure to bring the big screen back into the lives of individuals when most entertainment avenues have been closed off for the public.

‘Yorker’ is Out

yorker

Innovative Biscuits has launched a YouTube-based short film platform ‘Digestive Showtime’ with the release of the first short film titled ‘Yorker’. Featuring Wahaj Ali as the protagonist, the film is a roller-coaster ride and is high on emotion, laughter and star power.

Directed by Ahsan Rahim and Syed Nini, ‘Yorker’ provides entertainment and leaves viewers with strong messages about daily life complexes that teenagers face in society.

New PAF Chief

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Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar has been appointed as the Chief of the Pakistan Air Force.

He joined the PAF in 1986 as a fighter pilot and has commanded the Fighter Squadron Operational Airbase and Regional Air Command. Before becoming the Air Chief, he was serving as the Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Administration).

In the Pakistan Day Parade, the new Chief led the fly-past.

Sania Maskatiya’s Mashaadi

sania

Fashion house Sania Maskatiya has launched the first-ever clothing collaboration with Mashion, featuring actress Mahira Khan.

Designed for the annual Mashaadi 2020 campaign, the collection is everything that Sania Maskatiya and Mahira Khan and her team at Mashion imagine weddings would be this year - effortless, timeless and yet so memorable.

The new luxury pret collection comprises timeless classics featuring luxe fabrics, flowy cotton nets, gauzy organzas and rich raw silks in beautiful neutral tones, all of which are handcrafted with Sania Maskatiya’s quintessential embroideries on both classic and contemporary silhouettes.

Meera Sethi Records
Audio Book

Actress-turned-author Mira Sethi’s coming debut novel ‘Are You Enjoying?’ has already made it to the list of 2021’s most anticipated books. It has been compiled by Vogue Magazine and Refinery29. While the book will be out in April 2021, it will be available for Pakistani readers in May 2021. Mira was said to be busy recording the audiobook for the novel.

The book is a collection of short stories set in Pakistan. According to the catalogue description, ‘Are You Enjoying?’ is a free-spirited, confident, indelible introduction to a galvanizing new talent.

 
 

Fawad Alam in Web Series

fawad-alam

Cricket player Fawad Alam is making his acting debut in the web-series ‘Khudkash Muhabbat’. The OTT platform Urduflix released a poster for the web series on Instagram.

Fawad made his international cricket debut back in 2007 and, after a break of ten years, made a comeback and scored two centuries in 2020.

Careem Unveils Breakfast

careem

To launch breakfast on the Careem Super App and better understand the challenges of customers and Captains, Careem colleagues including its leadership in Karachi, took their bicycles out for a spin to ride around the city as ‘Food Delivery Captains’. The initiative was also in line with creating awareness for a healthy lifestyle.

The activity was conducted in partnership with IHOP, with a flat 50% discount on Belgian waffles and Mocha Latte for all Careem customers. This gave the Careem guys the opportunity to ride around the city and complete food delivery orders as Captains interact directly with the customers and restaurants and take their feedback on the service. They also took pictures to share the experience on social media.

Sapphire’s Colour Therapy

sapphire

The new normal has made people aware of self-preservation and made them bold and hopeful. Sapphire’s new unstitched lawn collection — the POP line - is all about this. Blank Canvas featuring Jasmyn Rana, a psychotherapist who deals with people who are in emotional distress, helps you heal from the memories of the past and the present in the hope of a brighter future through colours.

Colours have the power to shift your outlook on life and well-being. Just as one needs food to eat, one’s wardrobe contributes to their physical and emotional health.

Jasmyn dons Sapphire’s unstitched contemporary long jacket in a popping neon hue, with prettily edged deep pockets. The print is inspired by the traditional craft of Multan. She has paired it with a white tank top and a pair of white denim jeans. Truly an intricate and colourful fusion of art, fashion and mindfulness.

Nadya Accenture Country MD

nadya

Accenture has appointed Nadya Abdulla Kamali as Country Managing Director for the UAE. Based in Dubai, she is responsible for leading operations across the country and driving Accenture’s Health and Public Service industries, two strategic sectors in the region.

In addition, Kamali has also joined the Accenture Middle East Executive Committee. With over 27 years of experience spanning diverse industries, she has held leadership positions with Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC), DP World, Emirates Global Aluminum (EGA),Dubai Municipality and Dubai Petroleum.

Previously, she was the Chairperson and Managing Director of DUTECH and CEO of Customs World. She holds an MBA from the American University of Sharjah (AUS) and a BSc from the College of Engineering, Michigan State University.

Sundance Film Festival: Asia

sundance-film

Sundance Institute and XRM Media have announced a collaboration to create the Sundance Film Festival: Asia. The goal of the festival is to support, connect, promote and celebrate the independent film community in Asia, while showcasing a selection of films from the 2021 Sundance Film Festival.

The Festival is an expansion of the Institute’s programming in the region, further championing and promoting visibility for independent storytelling before a wider global audience.

The first edition will come in late summer 2021 and will be hosted in Jakarta, Indonesia, while future editions will expand to other Asian cities. The programming, to be curated by Sundance, will consist of selections from the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. Another programme will include a delegation of filmmakers, new Sundance Lab initiatives for Asian talent in collaboration with XRM Media, as well as Sundance Co/ab experiences designed specifically for the territory.

‘Avatar’ Tops All

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Directed and produced by James Cameron, ‘Avatar’ has once again become the all-time top-grossing film after de-seating ‘Avengers Endgame’. The epic science fiction film takes the throne as it returns to Chinese cinemas, taking the overall earnings to $2.7926 billion.

If things go according to the original plans, ‘Avatar 2’ will be in cinemas by December 2022, ‘Avatar 3’ in December 2024, ‘Avatar 4’ in December 2026 and ‘Avatar 5’ will conclude the franchise in December 2028.

‘Avatar 2’ will see the return of Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Giovanni Ribisi, Stephen Lang, Joel David Moore, Dileep Rao, CCH Pounder and Matt Gerald. The film will also include Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis, Edie Falco, Brendan Cowell, Michelle Yeoh, Jemaine Clement, Oona Chaplin, David Thewlis, Vin Diesel, and CJ Jones. Young actors Jamie Flatters, Britain Dalton and Trinity Bliss will do the roles of Jake and Neytiri’s children.

Dior’s New Brand Ambassador

diors

French luxury giant Dior has appointed Kim Blackpink’s Jisoo as its new global ambassador for both fashion and beauty. The announcement was made by Dior on its social media channels stating that Jisoo was a key inspiration for designer Maria Grazia Chiuri’s autumn-winter collection. Jisoo was featured in Dior’s highest-rated Instagram post during the Paris Fashion Week last fall, generating $614,000 in Media Impact Value which is more than double its top post from the previous season.

European luxury brands are turning to Asian stars for ambassador roles as they have a massive fan following across the globe. Many K-pop idols can be seen collaborating with international luxury fashion brands from Givenchy to Gucci. When it comes to the South Korean girl band, Blackpink women have quickly become high-fashion favourites.

FPCCI Appoints Asif Sumsum

asif-sumsum

The leading builder and former chairman of ABAD, Southern Region and real estate adviser to KCCI, Asif Sumsum has been appointed as Convener of the Central Standing Committee on Real Estate of the FPCCI.

Asif Sumsum is also the chairman of the well-known Sumsum Group Builders & Developers and has been in the business for the past three decades. He has served as Chairman of the Standing Committee on Real Estate of the KCCI and has also chaired various committees in the Association of Builders and Developers.

Asif Sumsum has always played a key role in the development of the real estate sector, resolving the problems of builders and strengthening relations between the institutions.

Sonya Hussyn’s Next

sonya

Versatile star Sonya Hussyn recently announced her new project titled ‘Mor Moharaan’. She posted a picture of the title page of her script which hints that the drama is about “Rooh ke rangoun ma rachi sachi mohabbaton ki dastaan”. It is written by Ali Moeen and directed by Owais Khan,with Seema Tahir Khan doing the production. While the subject of the drama is unknown, it seems to be revolving around stories of true love.