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                        <title>Latest Lifestyle News, Fashion &amp; Celebrity News - The Express Tribune</title>
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			<title>Misbah Arshad crowned Miss Universe Pakistan, set to represent country globally</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2624915/misbah-arshad-crowned-miss-universe-pakistan-set-to-represent-country-globally</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2624915/misbah-arshad-crowned-miss-universe-pakistan-set-to-represent-country-globally#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 26 10:22:57 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Psychology student Misbah Arshad wins title and prepares for the global competition in Puerto Rico]]>
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				<![CDATA[Psychology student Misbah Arshad has been crowned the new Miss Universe Pakistan following a competitive selection process, becoming the fourth Pakistani woman to represent the country on the global Miss Universe stage.

At the official ceremony in Zambales, Philippines, Arshad received the sash and crown from her predecessor, Roma Riaz.

Contestants progressed through several rounds, including evening gown, burkini and traditional wear, before reaching the final question-and-answer segment that ultimately determined the winner.





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The question-and-answer round proved to be the defining moment of the competition. Asked who would pose the tougher question if she were in a room with her 10-year-old and 80-year-old selves, Arshad offered a thoughtful response.

&ldquo;My 10-year-old self would ask me the harder question because she would want to know how everything turned out,&rdquo; she said.

Reflecting on the challenges she faced along the way, Arshad said her journey had been marked by failures, but that each setback had also offered an opportunity to learn and grow.

&ldquo;We keep rising through these moments. It is a beautiful cycle of life, something we should not just embrace, but truly enjoy,&rdquo; she said.





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Arshad is no stranger to international pageantry. She previously represented Pakistan at Miss International 2023 in Japan and Miss Supranational 2024 in Poland. As the newly crowned Miss Universe Pakistan, she is now preparing to travel to Puerto Rico for the 75th edition of the Miss Universe competition.

In a heartfelt Instagram post following her victory, Arshad shared a message about perseverance, stressing that failure does not determine whether someone is a winner. &ldquo;What does is keeping hope alive, continuing to put effort and becoming better with every step,&rdquo; she wrote.

She also revealed the meaning behind her winning gown, designed by Vietnamese designer Nguyễn Tiến Truyển. The gown&rsquo;s symbolism, she explained, was closely tied to her personal philosophy and aspirations.

&ldquo;This gown is pure white, because it is the colour of hope, a reminder to never stop believing in your dreams,&rdquo; Arshad said. She added that the crystals featured on the gown represented education and knowledge &mdash; qualities she believes people acquire through continuous learning and self-improvement.





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Looking back on the competition, Arshad said her victory had made her realise that the true prize was not simply the crown, but everything she experienced along the way: the emotional highs and lows, the hard work, the lessons and the people she met throughout the journey.

For the young pageant winner, those experiences are what make the journey meaningful and deeply human. As she prepares for the next chapter, Arshad said she hopes to remain present in the moment, enjoy every step and remain grateful to those who supported her along the way.]]>
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			<title>Usman Peerzada looks back at old Lahore, laments cultural change</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2624909/usman-peerzada-looks-back-at-old-lahore-laments-cultural-change</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2624909/usman-peerzada-looks-back-at-old-lahore-laments-cultural-change#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 26 08:45:14 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Veteran actor reflects on Lahore’s changing identity, Pakistan’s past and the growing influence of AI on creativity]]>
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				<![CDATA[Veteran actor, director and writer Usman Peerzada took&nbsp;a reflective trip down memory lane in a recent interview, comparing the Pakistan he grew up in with the rapidly changing cultural landscape of today. Speaking about the changing character of Lahore, he offered a poignant commentary on heritage, art and identity.

For Peerzada, Lahore remains an irreplaceable romance. Recalling the tranquil, green city of his youth, he said, &ldquo;Lahore was more of a cycle city. That was the beauty and joy of Lahore. I always call Lahore two cities: one is the inner city behind the walls, and the other is outer Lahore, which the British started settling after the mutiny. There was no conflict between the residents of old Lahore and new Lahore.&rdquo;

He acknowledged that migration from smaller towns to the provincial capital is a natural part of urban growth, but argued that Lahore&rsquo;s cultural character suffered when newcomers failed to understand the city&rsquo;s inherent spirit.

&ldquo;I always feel that the people who migrated from smaller cities damaged Lahore&#39;s culture. Unfortunately, they could not understand the temperament of this city. They could not understand the beauty and the joy that was Lahore and living in Lahore,&rdquo; he said.

In his view, people who move to Lahore from smaller cities often try to reshape it according to their own expectations rather than embracing the city as it is.

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Despite these changes, Peerzada believes Lahore&rsquo;s essence cannot easily be displaced. Speaking about his enduring connection to the city, he said, &ldquo;Lahore is what it is and will always remain that way. I have been in love with this city; I could never imagine ever living away from Lahore. Lahore has its magic; it&#39;s a great city, it has great magic, and I always pray that people don&#39;t destroy this magic.&rdquo;

Reflecting on broader societal changes across the country, Peerzada drew a stark contrast between the Pakistan of his childhood and the country he sees today. &ldquo;The Pakistan I was born in, that was not this Pakistan,&rdquo; he said, describing the Pakistan he knew as more tolerant, educated and beautiful.

The actor also spoke about his upcoming autobiography, acknowledging that documenting a personal history comes with its own dilemmas, particularly when it involves sensitive truths and real people.

He said the book is intended not only as a record of his own life but also as a way of showing younger generations how society has changed. &ldquo;It is not just my story; it is for these kids as well, to show what we were and what we have become,&rdquo; he said.





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Asked jokingly whether his life could ever be adapted into a film, Peerzada said the project would likely face immediate hurdles with censors.&nbsp;&ldquo;First of all, that film would get censored. Similarly with the book I am writing, I can&#39;t figure out which parts I should delete and which names I should change to pseudonyms; I don&#39;t want to hurt people,&rdquo; he said.

He also turned his attention to the modern entertainment industry and the rapid advancement of technology, warning that the growing reliance on computers and artificial intelligence could fundamentally alter the way people experience creativity and culture.

&ldquo;We are reaching out very fast to that time when computers will dictate to us, when computers will decide what we have to eat, what we have to think, how we have to wear clothes, what kind of music we are going to listen to, what kind of cinema we are going to watch, and the Gen Z generation is already living in the such times,&rdquo; he said.

While acknowledging that artificial intelligence can streamline automated creative output, Peerzada argued that genuine artistic expression requires a human element that technology cannot replicate. He said that even if AI is given notes about a character or situation, it can quickly produce a script, but questioned whether such work could ever capture the emotional depth of human storytelling.

For Peerzada, technology may be able to generate words, scenes and stories at remarkable speed, but the essence of creative work lies in something less tangible: the human experience behind it.]]>
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			<title>Shakira, Christina Aguilera concerts in Abu Dhabi cancelled amid US-Iran war</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2624935/shakira-christina-aguilera-concerts-in-abu-dhabi-cancelled-amid-us-iran-war</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2624935/shakira-christina-aguilera-concerts-in-abu-dhabi-cancelled-amid-us-iran-war#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 26 12:21:12 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Iran has pressed attacks on Emirati ships in recent weeks, after a ceasefire fell apart last month]]>
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			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Entertainment organisers have announced the cancellation of a UAE concert by US singer Christina Aguilera and a festival featuring Shakira in Abu Dhabi, amid the ongoing Middle East war.

Iran has pressed attacks on Emirati ships in recent weeks, after a ceasefire fell apart last month.

The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday said it is suspending all trade and financial dealings with Iran after reporting an Iranian missile attack directed at its ships. Against this backdrop, the organisers of the Offlimits music festival, scheduled for November with Shakira as the headline act, announced on Tuesday that the festival was cancelled, vowing to refund tickets.

&quot;We look forward to bringing the OFFLIMITS community together again in 2027,&quot; a message on the festival website read, without stating the reason behind the cancellation.

Separately, ticket sales website Ticketmaster said Christina Aguilera&#39;s scheduled September 25 concert had also been cancelled, without providing a new date, Emirati media reported. Both the Offlimits festival and the Aguilera concert had been scheduled for April before being postponed.

Gulf countries, including the UAE, long seen as a haven of security in a turbulent region, have been struggling to recover from the impact of repeated Iranian strikes. Tourism and cultural activities have taken a hit, even as the scale and intensity of Iranian attacks on the UAE have declined.]]>
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			<title>'Baby Shark' boy returns to stage as a K-pop singer</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2624931/baby-shark-boy-returns-to-stage-as-a-k-pop-singer</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2624931/baby-shark-boy-returns-to-stage-as-a-k-pop-singer#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 26 12:03:06 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Debuts a decade after starring in YouTube’s most-watched video]]>
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				<![CDATA[The child star of the &quot;Baby Shark Dance&quot; video, the most-watched video in YouTube history, released his ​first K-pop digital single on Thursday, a decade &zwnj;after he first found fame.

Park Geonroung, who starred in the video when he was 7 years old, will make his solo K-pop debut ​under the name &quot;Baby Shark Boy&quot; and is backed by ​Pinkfong Company, which owns the copyright for Baby Shark.

&quot;Baby Shark ⁠Dance brought joy to people around the world, and I&rsquo;m ​very grateful that so many people still remember me from ​10 years ago. That made me want to come back and connect with people through music again,&quot; he said.

The catchy song, which is about ​a family of sharks, was released in 2016 and the video ​has since surpassed 17.2 billion views. It has been played at the &zwnj;White ⁠House and praised by US&nbsp;President Donald Trump, Tesla CEO Elon Musk and celebrities, while prompting parodies and a dance craze.

In the years since the video, Park has starred in Pinkfong&#39;s ​other shows. He ​said his ⁠new digital single, titled &quot;WAVE&quot;, opens with the familiar Baby Shark melody before shifting into an ​electropop sound, to which he contributed lyrics.

Park added ​that he ⁠views the single as the start of a longer musical journey. &quot;WAVE&#39; feels more like a new beginning than a one-off project. ⁠I ​hope to keep showing different sides ​of myself through music as well as other kinds of content,&rdquo; he said.]]>
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			<title>Spotify picks 50 outstanding Pakistani songs of 2026</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2624812/spotify-picks-50-outstanding-pakistani-songs-of-2026-1</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2624812/spotify-picks-50-outstanding-pakistani-songs-of-2026-1#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 26 20:20:40 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Qaisar Kamran]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Diverse selection that includes pop, ballads, hip-hop reflects growing global reach of Pakistani music]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Spotify&#39;s editorial team has highlighted 50 Pakistani songs that it says have stood out during the first half of 2026, reflecting the changing sounds and themes of the country&#39;s music scene.

The selection, titled &quot;The Best Pakistani Songs of the Year So Far 2026&quot;, includes songs ranging from pop and ballads to experimental music, reinterpretations of older classics and Pakistani hip-hop.

Among the tracks singled out by Spotify&#39;s editors are &quot;Khasara&quot; by Abdul Hannan and Samar Jafri, &quot;Har Baar&quot; by Murtaza Qizilbash and Samar Jafri, &quot;Tu Hai Wohi&quot; by Asim Azhar, &quot;Shikaar&quot; by Talha Anjum, Talhah Yunus and Jokhay, and &quot;Bewajah&quot; by Hasan Raheem and Umair.

&quot;Khasara&quot; has been praised for approaching heartbreak through self-reflection and accountability rather than placing blame on another person.

Another track featuring Samar Jafri, &quot;Har Baar&quot;, sees Murtaza Qizilbash combine a slow arrangement with poetry centred on longing, vulnerability and the possibility of reunion.

Asim Azhar&#39;s &quot;Tu Hai Wohi&quot; takes a different approach by revisiting the 1982 Bollywood classic of the same name.

The singer combines Urdu, Punjabi and English with contemporary R&amp;B influences, creating a version aimed at connecting a familiar melody with a younger generation of listeners.

The list also reflects the growing international reach of Pakistani hip-hop.

&quot;Shikaar&quot; by Young Stunners members Talha Anjum and Talhah Yunus, alongside producer Jokhay, is highlighted for its international collaboration, lyrical wordplay and layered production.

For fans familiar with the duo&#39;s earlier work, Spotify notes similarities in mood and style with tracks such as &quot;Afsanay&quot; and &quot;Two Tone&quot;.

Hasan Raheem and Umair&#39;s &quot;Bewajah&quot; explores a relationship through the perspectives of two lovers, portraying both sides of an emotional standstill.

The song also incorporates Shina, with Hasan Raheem singing in the regional language, adding another cultural dimension to the track.

Taken together, Spotify&#39;s selections suggest that Pakistani music in 2026 is continuing to balance personal storytelling with experimentation.

Heartbreak, love and vulnerability remain prominent themes, while artists are also drawing on poetry, regional languages, older musical influences and international collaborations.

The complete 50-track playlist is available on Spotify.

Spotify was founded in April 2006 by Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon. As of March 2026, it was one of the largest providers of music streaming services, with over 777 million monthly active users comprising 300 million paying subscribers. Spotify is listed on the New York Stock Exchange in the form of American depositary receipts.

Spotify offers DRM-protected audio content, including over 100 million songs and over 7 million podcast titles, from record labels and media companies. Operating as a freemium service, the basic features are free with advertisements and limited control, while additional features, such as offline listening and commercial-free listening, are offered via paid subscriptions. Users can search for music based on artist, album, or genre, and can create, edit, and share playlists. It offers some social media features such as messaging, creating profiles, following friends, shared playlists, and creating listening parties called &quot;Jams&quot;.

As of December 2022, Spotify is available in most of Europe, as well as Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Oceania, with availability in a total of 184 markets. Its users and subscribers are based largely in the United States and Europe, jointly accounting for around 53% of users and 67% of revenue. It has no presence in mainland China, where the market is dominated by QQ Music. The service is available on most devices, including Windows, macOS, and Linux computers, iOS and Android smartphones and tablets, Smart Home devices such as the Amazon Echo and Google Nest lines of products, and digital media players like Roku. As of December 2023, Spotify was the 47th most-visited website in the world with 24.78% of its traffic coming from the United States followed by Brazil with 6.51% according to data provided by Semrush. As of 2022, Spotify is the current sponsor of Spanish football club FC Barcelona, with music artists like Drake, Travis Scott, and Ed Sheeran collaborating with the club by changing their shirts into their artist logo, sometimes used for album promotions.

Unlike physical or download sales, which pay artists a fixed price per song or album sold, Spotify pays royalties based on the number of artist streams as a proportion of total songs streamed. It distributes approximately 70% of its total revenue to rights holders (often record labels), who then pay artists based on individual agreements.]]>
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			<title>'Nayab' director says film was heavily cut for TV without his consent</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2624724/nayab-director-says-film-was-heavily-cut-for-tv-without-his-consent</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2624724/nayab-director-says-film-was-heavily-cut-for-tv-without-his-consent#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 26 08:12:05 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Umair Nasir Ali says nearly half his film was cut for its TV broadcast without consultation]]>
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				<![CDATA[Director Umair Nasir Ali has expressed disappointment after discovering that large portions of his 2024 sports drama Nayab were edited out during its recent television broadcast without his knowledge or involvement.

In a series of Instagram Stories, Ali said Nayab had aired three or four times previously and that it had &ldquo;always been heartening&rdquo; to see the film reach a wider television audience.

However, the director said the latest broadcast prompted messages and calls from viewers who noticed that several scenes were missing from the version that originally reached cinemas.

&ldquo;I began receiving messages and calls from viewers pointing out that several parts of the film had been edited from the version we made, without consultation. I must admit, seeing your finished work altered is a difficult feeling,&rdquo; he wrote.

Ali compared the experience to changing a completed work of visual art, arguing that every element of a film contributes to its overall rhythm and structure.

&ldquo;Cinema is an art form. Every scene, pause and transition is part of a larger rhythm, carefully shaped through writing, shooting and editing. In some ways, it is like altering parts of a finished painting to fit a particular wall,&rdquo; he said.



Screengrab: Instagram/umairnasirali

Despite his concerns, the filmmaker clarified that his comments were not intended as an attack. He acknowledged that television broadcasting comes with scheduling and formatting constraints, while also recognising the channel&rsquo;s contribution to Pakistani storytelling.

&ldquo;I completely understand that television has its own formats, schedules and limitations. And knowing HUM TV&#39;s longstanding contribution to Pakistani storytelling and original content, I share this only as a sincere concern and in the spirit of respect for the creative process,&rdquo; he wrote.

His appeal extended to broadcasters more broadly, with the director asking that filmmakers be included in discussions when films are adapted for television. &ldquo;It is a small consideration, but a meaningful one for the work, for its creators, and for the film culture we are all collectively trying to build,&rdquo; he added.

Ali later reviewed a screen recording of the film&rsquo;s August 16 television broadcast to assess how much of the original production had been aired. He said Nayab has a runtime of approximately 155 minutes, while the broadcast included around 38 minutes of advertising, leaving substantially less time for the film itself.

According to his calculation, roughly 79 minutes of the film were broadcast, meaning around half of the original runtime was missing from the televised version.



Screengrab: Instagram/umairnasirali

The director said the extent of the cuts was particularly difficult from a creative standpoint.&nbsp;&ldquo;Film is a craft, and for any artist, seeing your work altered like this is honestly painful. At this scale, it simply is not acceptable for anyone belonging to this fraternity,&rdquo; he wrote.

Ali ended his message by directly appealing to the management to review the matter and establish stronger standards for how films are presented on television.

&ldquo;HUM TV has long been one of the leading names in Pakistani drama. I sincerely hope the management looks into this and helps set the right standard for how films are presented on television,&rdquo; he said.

Nayab marked Ali&rsquo;s feature directorial debut and stars Yumna Zaidi as an aspiring cricketer, alongside Jawed Sheikh, Fawad Khan, Usama Khan, Noreen Gulwani, Huma Nawab and Adnan Siddiqui.

He is also the founder of production house Num Films and was involved in directing the re-recorded version of Pakistan&rsquo;s national anthem released for the country&rsquo;s 79th Independence Day.]]>
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			<title>Sadia Imam recalls navigating a male-dominated industry early in her career</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2624741/sadia-imam-recalls-navigating-a-male-dominated-industry-early-in-her-career</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2624741/sadia-imam-recalls-navigating-a-male-dominated-industry-early-in-her-career#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 26 10:42:33 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Actor says she kept strict boundaries with colleagues after feeling some male co-stars took advantage of her innocence]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Actor Sadia Imam has opened up about her early years in the entertainment industry, recalling how some male colleagues made assumptions about her personality and expected her to join their social circles.

Speaking in a recent interview, Imam said there were few female celebrities in her age group when she entered showbiz in 1996, leaving her surrounded largely by male colleagues.

&nbsp;

&ldquo;There were many times I overheard my male colleagues&rsquo; discussions about me. When I&rsquo;d be entering the room, they&rsquo;d be like, &lsquo;Leave her&rsquo; and &lsquo;She doesn&rsquo;t enjoy going to parties,&rsquo;&rdquo; she said.

Imam recalled that Pakistani dramas were frequently filmed abroad at the time, with productions such as Dusri Duniya shooting in London and the United States. She said some colleagues initially assumed she would be interested in joining them at clubs and parties during overseas shoots.

&ldquo;At that time, many of our dramas were shot abroad, whereas now only our award shows take place outside of Pakistan. When filming for dramas like Dusri Duniya, the shoots would take place in London and America. Before that, they expected me to be a party girl who would join them at clubs,&rdquo; she explained.

&ldquo;When I went into the industry in 1996, there were very few women. Besides me, there were seniors like Sania Saeed, Huma Hamid and Maria Wasti from Lahore. I basically just had men around me,&rdquo; she said.

Looking back, Imam said she felt betrayed by some male colleagues, particularly because she chose to maintain personal boundaries rather than become overly familiar with people at work. &ldquo;So, I can say that I was stabbed in the back by male colleagues in the industry, especially if I did not open up,&rdquo; she said.

Imam also credited her father with helping her maintain a clear separation between her professional and personal lives. She said he advised her not to bring work relationships into her home or social life.

&ldquo;I never had friend groups. If you went to my house, for the past few years you would see that my father had cleared that line for me. He told me that work colleagues do not need to come to the house and you do not need to go out with them,&rdquo; she explained. &ldquo;So I didn&rsquo;t have friends,&rdquo; she added.

The actor further reflected on how social dynamics within the industry could influence professional opportunities, suggesting that people who did not fit into established groups could sometimes find themselves sidelined.

&ldquo;When they would take you out of the group, they would make you go in the second lane. I always wondered if they cast a new weak character, how that would go,&rdquo; she said.

Imam concluded by saying she has always preferred maintaining a small social circle and does not believe close workplace friendships are necessary. &ldquo;I always believed that you should not get close to people in this life because people will take advantage of you,&rdquo; she said.

On the professional front, Imam is currently co-hosting television review show Kya Drama Hai alongside Nadia Khan and Ateeqa Odho. She also runs a YouTube channel where she shares commentary and insights on current television dramas.]]>
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			<title>Aiman and Minal Khan give fans a glimpse of their separate summer getaways</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2624749/aiman-and-minal-khan-give-fans-a-glimpse-of-their-separate-summer-getaways</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2624749/aiman-and-minal-khan-give-fans-a-glimpse-of-their-separate-summer-getaways#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 26 11:19:05 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2624749</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Twin sisters share holiday moments from Azerbaijan and Europe, from sightseeing and fashion to food and theme parks]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Actors and twin sisters Aiman and Minal Khan have been giving fans a glimpse into their separate family getaways this summer, sharing moments from their travels across Europe and Azerbaijan.

The sisters embarked on individual trips with their husbands and children, documenting everything from sightseeing and food stops to family outings, fashion looks and visits to some of the region&rsquo;s most recognisable landmarks.

Minal kicked off her travel updates with a video titled &ldquo;Euro summer&rdquo;, offering glimpses of her time exploring cities across Germany and the Netherlands.





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In one post, she wrote, &ldquo;Early check-ins, Eurostar, viral food stops &amp; 25k steps a day. This turtle theory keeps me going with Hasan,&rdquo; referring to her son&nbsp;with actor Ahsan Mohsin Akram.





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Her photo dump captured moments from the family holiday, including food stops, their Eurostar journey, a visit to Ripley&rsquo;s Believe It or Not! and long walks through the cities on their itinerary.





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Minal and Ahsan also shared a collaborative post of themselves dancing in front of the Eiffel Tower, before continuing their Paris adventure with a family visit to Disneyland.





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The actor later posted glimpses of some of Paris&rsquo; best-known attractions, including the Louvre, as well as shopping areas and other parts of the city.

She eventually wrapped up her European travel series with a vlog featuring highlights from the destinations they visited.





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While Minal explored Europe, her sister Aiman shared glimpses of her own family getaway in Azerbaijan.





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Aiman&rsquo;s posts featured leisurely walks through the city, picturesque architecture and a series of carefully styled outfits.

Her updates also offered followers a look at the family&rsquo;s sightseeing adventures and the historic surroundings they explored.





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Her husband, Muneeb Butt, documented the trip through his own photo dumps, sharing family moments alongside fashion inspiration and visits to historical sites with their children.

Aiman also shared photographs of herself and the children dressed in traditional Pakistani attire as they marked Pakistan&rsquo;s Independence Day while in Azerbaijan.

Through their separate journeys, the sisters offered followers two distinct takes on a family summer getaway &mdash; Minal&rsquo;s European adventure centred on iconic landmarks, food stops and theme-park outings, and Aiman&rsquo;s Azerbaijani trip focused on culture, architecture, fashion and family time.]]>
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			<title>Dananeer Mobeen takes fans along on her 12,000-foot Rakaposhi adventure</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2624727/dananeer-mobeen-takes-fans-along-on-her-12000-foot-rakaposhi-adventure</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2624727/dananeer-mobeen-takes-fans-along-on-her-12000-foot-rakaposhi-adventure#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 26 08:17:09 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2624727</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Actor shares stunning glimpses of her high-altitude trek to Rakaposhi and Diran Base Camps with friends and family]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Actor Dananeer Mobeen has given fans a glimpse of her latest mountain adventure, sharing pictures and videos from her trip to Rakaposhi Base Camp and Diran Base Camp.

Through a series of Instagram posts and Stories, Mobeen documented the breathtaking landscapes, high-altitude hikes and memorable moments she shared with friends and family during the trip.

In one post, the actor revealed that she had trekked to both Rakaposhi Base Camp and Diran Base Camp, reaching an altitude of more than 12,000 feet.

A video from the journey showed Mobeen relaxing on a mountain ledge in a bandana and sunglasses, with snow-covered peaks stretching out behind her. Her laid-back demeanour against the dramatic landscape quickly caught the attention of her followers.





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The post drew praise from fans and fellow celebrities, who admired the scenery as well as Mobeen&rsquo;s adventurous spirit.

Many fans referred to the actor by her childhood nickname, Geena, while applauding her for taking on the challenging trek.





Followers also highlighted her apparent love for nature and the outdoors, with several describing the high-altitude journey as both adventurous and inspiring.



Mobeen shared another glimpse of the trip in a separate video showing her hiking across a glacier. Keeping the tone playful, she captioned the post, &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t tell my mom.&rdquo;

She later added another humorous note to the video, writing, &ldquo;Sidequested a bit too hard and got stuck in a storm on a glacier.&rdquo;





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Beyond the demanding hikes, Mobeen also shared quieter moments from her travels on Instagram Stories. Her updates included scenic views of cows wandering through the hills and a picture with her sister, Nafayal.



Screengrab: dananeerr/Instagram

Through her social media updates, Mobeen offered followers a glimpse into a side of her life away from the entertainment industry, documenting high-altitude trekking, family time and the natural beauty of the northern mountains.

On the professional front, Mobeen continues to be associated with acting projects including Hurmat and Soulmates, adding to her growing presence in Pakistan&rsquo;s entertainment industry.]]>
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			<title>Spotify picks 50 outstanding Pakistani songs of 2026</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2624812/spotify-picks-50-outstanding-pakistani-songs-of-2026-1</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2624812/spotify-picks-50-outstanding-pakistani-songs-of-2026-1#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 26 20:20:40 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Qaisar Kamran]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2624812</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Diverse selection that includes pop, ballads, hip-hop reflects growing global reach of Pakistani music]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Spotify&#39;s editorial team has highlighted 50 Pakistani songs that it says have stood out during the first half of 2026, reflecting the changing sounds and themes of the country&#39;s music scene.

The selection, titled &quot;The Best Pakistani Songs of the Year So Far 2026&quot;, includes songs ranging from pop and ballads to experimental music, reinterpretations of older classics and Pakistani hip-hop.

Among the tracks singled out by Spotify&#39;s editors are &quot;Khasara&quot; by Abdul Hannan and Samar Jafri, &quot;Har Baar&quot; by Murtaza Qizilbash and Samar Jafri, &quot;Tu Hai Wohi&quot; by Asim Azhar, &quot;Shikaar&quot; by Talha Anjum, Talhah Yunus and Jokhay, and &quot;Bewajah&quot; by Hasan Raheem and Umair.

&quot;Khasara&quot; has been praised for approaching heartbreak through self-reflection and accountability rather than placing blame on another person.

Another track featuring Samar Jafri, &quot;Har Baar&quot;, sees Murtaza Qizilbash combine a slow arrangement with poetry centred on longing, vulnerability and the possibility of reunion.

Asim Azhar&#39;s &quot;Tu Hai Wohi&quot; takes a different approach by revisiting the 1982 Bollywood classic of the same name.

The singer combines Urdu, Punjabi and English with contemporary R&amp;B influences, creating a version aimed at connecting a familiar melody with a younger generation of listeners.

The list also reflects the growing international reach of Pakistani hip-hop.

&quot;Shikaar&quot; by Young Stunners members Talha Anjum and Talhah Yunus, alongside producer Jokhay, is highlighted for its international collaboration, lyrical wordplay and layered production.

For fans familiar with the duo&#39;s earlier work, Spotify notes similarities in mood and style with tracks such as &quot;Afsanay&quot; and &quot;Two Tone&quot;.

Hasan Raheem and Umair&#39;s &quot;Bewajah&quot; explores a relationship through the perspectives of two lovers, portraying both sides of an emotional standstill.

The song also incorporates Shina, with Hasan Raheem singing in the regional language, adding another cultural dimension to the track.

Taken together, Spotify&#39;s selections suggest that Pakistani music in 2026 is continuing to balance personal storytelling with experimentation.

Heartbreak, love and vulnerability remain prominent themes, while artists are also drawing on poetry, regional languages, older musical influences and international collaborations.

The complete 50-track playlist is available on Spotify.

Spotify was founded in April 2006 by Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon. As of March 2026, it was one of the largest providers of music streaming services, with over 777 million monthly active users comprising 300 million paying subscribers. Spotify is listed on the New York Stock Exchange in the form of American depositary receipts.

Spotify offers DRM-protected audio content, including over 100 million songs and over 7 million podcast titles, from record labels and media companies. Operating as a freemium service, the basic features are free with advertisements and limited control, while additional features, such as offline listening and commercial-free listening, are offered via paid subscriptions. Users can search for music based on artist, album, or genre, and can create, edit, and share playlists. It offers some social media features such as messaging, creating profiles, following friends, shared playlists, and creating listening parties called &quot;Jams&quot;.

As of December 2022, Spotify is available in most of Europe, as well as Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Oceania, with availability in a total of 184 markets. Its users and subscribers are based largely in the United States and Europe, jointly accounting for around 53% of users and 67% of revenue. It has no presence in mainland China, where the market is dominated by QQ Music. The service is available on most devices, including Windows, macOS, and Linux computers, iOS and Android smartphones and tablets, Smart Home devices such as the Amazon Echo and Google Nest lines of products, and digital media players like Roku. As of December 2023, Spotify was the 47th most-visited website in the world with 24.78% of its traffic coming from the United States followed by Brazil with 6.51% according to data provided by Semrush. As of 2022, Spotify is the current sponsor of Spanish football club FC Barcelona, with music artists like Drake, Travis Scott, and Ed Sheeran collaborating with the club by changing their shirts into their artist logo, sometimes used for album promotions.

Unlike physical or download sales, which pay artists a fixed price per song or album sold, Spotify pays royalties based on the number of artist streams as a proportion of total songs streamed. It distributes approximately 70% of its total revenue to rights holders (often record labels), who then pay artists based on individual agreements.]]>
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			<title>AR Rahman brings Shah Rukh, Salman together for Asha Bhosle tribute</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2624774/ar-rahman-brings-shah-rukh-salman-together-for-asha-bhosle-tribute</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2624774/ar-rahman-brings-shah-rukh-salman-together-for-asha-bhosle-tribute#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 26 13:10:39 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2624774</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Stars to feature in 'Asha Forever', celebrating the late playback singer’s enduring musical legacy]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Oscar-winning Indian composer AR Rahman has revealed a star-studded lineup for his upcoming tribute video for legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle, with Shah Rukh Khan, Kamal Haasan, Salman Khan and filmmaker Karan Johar set to appear in the project.

Titled Asha Forever, the tribute music video has brought together some of Indian entertainment&rsquo;s biggest names, with Rahman taking to social media over several days to thank each of them for agreeing to be part of the project.

Rahman first announced Shah Rukh Khan&rsquo;s involvement on Sunday, describing his participation as a &ldquo;heartfelt&rdquo; gesture in honour of Bhosle.

&ldquo;A heartfelt thank you to dear Shah Rukh Khan for graciously agreeing to be part of Asha Bhosle ji&rsquo;s tribute music video,&rdquo; the composer wrote on X.



A heartfelt thank you to dear @IamSrk for graciously agreeing to be part of Asha Bhosle ji&rsquo;s tribute music video. #ComingSoon #AshaForever
&mdash; A.R.Rahman (@arrahman) August 16, 2026


The following day, Rahman announced Kamal Haasan&rsquo;s participation, calling the veteran actor a legend who had enriched Indian cinema in numerous ways.

&ldquo;A warm Thank you to the one and only Kamal Haasan for lending his support for the Asha Bhosle ji&rsquo;s tribute music video,&rdquo; he wrote, adding that having Haasan involved in the tribute was &ldquo;truly special&rdquo;.



A warm Thank you to the one and only @ikamalhaasan for lending his support for the Asha Bhosle ji&rsquo;s tribute music video. Having a legend who has enriched Indian cinema in so many ways be part of this tribute is truly special. #ComingSoon #AshaForever
&mdash; A.R.Rahman (@arrahman) August 17, 2026


Salman Khan was added to the lineup on Tuesday, with Rahman highlighting the actor&rsquo;s affection for Bhosle and his generosity in celebrating her legacy.

&ldquo;A heartfelt thank you to dear Salman Khan for agreeing to being part of Asha Bhosle ji&rsquo;s tribute music video,&rdquo; Rahman wrote. &ldquo;Your affection for Asha ji and your generosity in celebrating her extraordinary legacy make this moment incredibly special.&rdquo;



A heartfelt thank you to dear @BeingSalmanKhan for agreeing to being part of Asha Bhosle ji&rsquo;s tribute music video. Your affection for Asha ji and your generosity in celebrating her extraordinary legacy make this moment incredibly special. #ComingSoon #AshaForever
&mdash; A.R.Rahman (@arrahman) August 18, 2026


&nbsp;

Rounding out the lineup, Rahman announced Karan Johar&rsquo;s involvement on Wednesday. The composer thanked the filmmaker for agreeing to participate, recalling that their video call had been &ldquo;truly special&rdquo;.

&ldquo;From celebrating music and cinema to giving a voice to generations of artists, your presence in this tribute feels especially meaningful,&rdquo; Rahman wrote.



Thank you @karanjohar for so graciously agreeing to being part of Asha Bhosle ji&rsquo;s tribute music video. The video call was truly special. From celebrating music and cinema to giving a voice to generations of artists, your presence in this tribute feels especially meaningful.&hellip;
&mdash; A.R.Rahman (@arrahman) August 19, 2026


The project carries added emotional weight as Bhosle died on April 12 at the age of 92 following multiple organ failure. She was cremated with full state honours at Mumbai&rsquo;s Shivaji Park Crematorium, with several prominent figures from the Indian film industry attending the funeral.

Part of Asha Forever was recorded while Bhosle was still alive, with Rahman having hoped she would eventually see the finished project.

The recording features Bhosle alongside musicians from London&rsquo;s Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, where Rahman serves as Honourary President. The composer previously recalled that Bhosle had encouraged the team to keep the song fun and energetic during the recording, reflecting the creative spirit that defined her career.

Rahman and Bhosle shared a decades-long musical partnership, collaborating on memorable tracks including Rangeela Re, Tanha Tanha, Kahin Aag Lage and Radha Kaise Na Jale. Their history gives Asha Forever an added significance as a continuation of one of Indian cinema&rsquo;s enduring musical collaborations.

A release date for the tribute video has not yet been announced. With four major figures from Hindi cinema now attached to the project, anticipation is building around how their individual connections to Bhosle&rsquo;s legacy will feature in the final tribute.]]>
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			<title>From classical to rock music: Independence Day songs that shaped generations</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2623849/from-classical-to-rock-mus-independence-day-songs-that-shaped-generations</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2623849/from-classical-to-rock-mus-independence-day-songs-that-shaped-generations#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 26 08:37:20 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2623849</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[From early patriotic 'naghmas' to pop and rock anthems, these songs trace Pakistan’s evolving musical identity]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Every August, Pakistan&rsquo;s Independence Day arrives with a familiar soundtrack.

Some songs take us back to the country&rsquo;s earliest years. Others belong to school assemblies, cricket matches, family gatherings or the August 14 playlists that seem to return every year.

Their musical styles may have evolved from classical voices and orchestral naghmas to pop, rock and contemporary productions, but the emotion remains remarkably familiar.

Here is a chronological journey through some of the songs that have become part of Pakistan&rsquo;s musical memory.

1947 &mdash; Millat Ka Pasban Hai Muhammad Ali Jinnah





Among the earliest songs associated with the new Pakistan is Millat Ka Pasban Hai Muhammad Ali Jinnah, written by Mian Bashir Ahmed and performed by Munawwar Sultana and Qadir Faridi on Radio Pakistan Lahore in August 1947.

At a time when the country itself was only days old, songs such as this helped establish a musical vocabulary for the new nation, centred on Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the idea of a newly created homeland.

It belongs to a period when radio was the country&rsquo;s most powerful mass medium, making these early national songs particularly significant.

1970s &mdash; Sohni Dharti Allah Rakhe





The 1970s produced some of the most enduring milli naghmas in Pakistan&rsquo;s history.

Sohni Dharti Allah Rakhe, associated with Shahnaz Begum, was written by Masroor Anwar and composed by Sohail Rana. Its affectionate language and memorable melody turned it into one of the country&rsquo;s best-known patriotic songs.

Rather than relying solely on grand declarations of patriotism, the song celebrates the beauty and character of the homeland. Decades later, its opening notes remain instantly recognisable.

1970s &mdash; Hum Zinda Qom Hain





Hum Zinda Qom Hain&nbsp;became another defining song of the era, particularly through the voices of the Benjamin Sisters.

The song focuses on the people themselves, offering a collective declaration of resilience and national identity.

It went on to become a familiar part of school functions, television programmes and Independence Day celebrations.

Its simplicity is perhaps part of its longevity: it was made to be sung together.

1974 &mdash; Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan





Then came Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan, sung by Shahnaz Begum and written by Jamiluddin Aali, with music by Sohail Rana.

For many Pakistanis, the song is inseparable from childhood memories of August 14. It was the kind of milli naghma that could move effortlessly from television studios to school stages and community celebrations.

Its enduring appeal lies in its combination of an instantly recognisable melody and an uncomplicated expression of national pride.

1980s &mdash; Yeh Watan Tumhara Hai





With Yeh Watan Tumhara Hai, the mood becomes more reflective. Mehdi Hassan&rsquo;s rendition gave the song extraordinary emotional depth.

Instead of simply celebrating the country, it carries an underlying sense of responsibility &mdash; the idea that the homeland ultimately belongs to its people.

Hassan&rsquo;s measured delivery and unmistakable voice helped transform it into one of Pakistan&rsquo;s most enduring national songs.

1987 &mdash; Dil Dil Pakistan





Then Pakistani patriotism found a completely different sound.

Dil Dil Pakistan&nbsp;by Vital Signs, sung by Junaid Jamshed, arrived in 1987 and introduced a new generation to the idea that a national song could also sound like contemporary pop.

Written by Nisar Nasik and developed for Vital Signs by Shoaib Mansoor, the song represented a departure from the traditional milli naghma. Its youthful presentation helped turn it into a phenomenon.

What followed was bigger than anyone expected. Dil Dil Pakistan&nbsp;became one of the defining songs of Pakistani pop culture and is often described as the country&rsquo;s unofficial second national anthem.

1990s &mdash; Ae Jawan





By the 1990s, patriotic music had become firmly embedded in Pakistan&rsquo;s pop scene.&nbsp;Ae Jawan&nbsp;by Awaz gave the genre another youthful voice.

The song spoke directly to young Pakistanis, reflecting a decade in which local pop music was becoming increasingly influential. Patriotic music no longer belonged exclusively to traditional singers or state television.

1996 &mdash; Jazba-e-Junoon





If Vital Signs gave patriotism a pop sound, Junoon gave it rock.

Released on the band&rsquo;s 1996 album Inquilaab, Jazba-e-Junoon&nbsp;became one of the most recognisable Pakistani rock anthems.

Its appeal was closely tied to the energy of the 1990s, when Pakistani rock was finding a huge youth audience. The song&rsquo;s association with cricket and national sporting moments further strengthened its place in popular culture.

For a generation growing up with Junoon, patriotism could mean loud guitars, packed stadiums and the unmistakable voice of Ali Azmat.

2003 &mdash; Dil Se Maine Dekha Pakistan





Haroon&rsquo;s Dil Se Maine Dekha Pakistan&nbsp;carried the patriotic pop tradition into the new millennium.

The song approached Pakistan through people, places and memories rather than simply through national slogans. Its imagery and melody gave it a softer, more personal quality.

Haroon later recreated the song for Independence Day in 2017, bringing it back to a new audience while retaining its nostalgic connection with the early 2000s.

2017 &mdash; Kabhi Parcham Mein Lipte Hain





By 2017, patriotic music was increasingly exploring stories of sacrifice and the human cost behind national symbols.

Kabhi Parcham Mein Lipte Hain, sung by Atif Aslam, was released as an ISPR song and focused on the relationship between soldiers, their families and the national flag.

It is a more solemn entry in the Independence Day soundtrack. The familiar green and white becomes intertwined with grief, duty and the families who wait for those serving the country.

A soundtrack that keeps evolving

Pakistan&rsquo;s patriotic music has travelled a long way since 1947.

From the early days of radio to the rise of pop and rock, and eventually to contemporary productions, each generation has added its own sound to the country&rsquo;s Independence Day soundtrack.

The result is a playlist that spans almost eight decades &mdash; and perhaps that is why these songs return every August.

Put them together and they tell a musical story of Pakistan itself: how the country has changed, how its generations have changed, and how the language of patriotism has evolved with them.]]>
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			<title>Aashir Wajahat reunites with 'Kafeel' co-star Areeka Haq in romantic new music video</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2621337/aashir-wajahat-reunites-with-kafeel-co-star-areeka-haq-in-romantic-new-music-video</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2621337/aashir-wajahat-reunites-with-kafeel-co-star-areeka-haq-in-romantic-new-music-video#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 26 11:48:15 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Video sparks nostalgia among fans, who say it feels like the happily-ever-after Subuk and Daneen deserved]]>
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				<![CDATA[Actor and singer&nbsp;Aashir Wajahat has released his latest single, Beqadra, reuniting on screen with his Kafeel co-star Areeka Haq in a music video that has delighted fans.

He unveiled the video on Instagram and YouTube, bringing back the pairing that won audiences over as Subuk and Daneen in the hit drama serial.

While the duo previously earned praise for their chemistry in Kafeel, Beqadra reunites them in a fresh romantic setting, much to the excitement of longtime viewers.





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Shot against Pakistan&#39;s scenic landscapes, the music video features sweeping mountain ranges, cascading waterfalls and lush greenery that complement the song&#39;s emotional tone.

Wajahat and Haq share playful moments, dance together and portray a couple whose natural chemistry once again takes centre stage.

For many fans, the reunion felt like a continuation of Kafeel&#39;s story. The drama concluded with Daneen accepting Subuk&#39;s marriage proposal, but viewers were left wanting to see more of the couple&#39;s life together.

Beqadra offers a glimpse of that imagined happily-ever-after, making the music video especially meaningful for followers of the series.









Fans quickly flooded the comments section with messages celebrating the reunion. One viewer wrote, &quot;The Subuk and Daneen sequence we deserved at the end of Kafeel,&quot; while another commented, &quot;Subuk and Daneen living their happily ever after.&quot;

Many others praised the pair&#39;s effortless chemistry, saying it felt as though the beloved characters had returned once again.

The post also caught the attention of singer and Wajahat&#39;s close friend, Samar Jafri, who&nbsp;commented, &quot;Maa sadqe,&quot; delighting followers.



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Haq also shared behind-the-scenes moments from the shoot on Instagram, posting a photo with Wajahat that quickly drew thousands of likes and enthusiastic reactions from fans.





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In another post, Wajahat and Haq shared another photograph from the Beqadra shoot, giving fans an additional glimpse of the duo behind the scenes.

With its emotional storytelling, picturesque locations and the reunion of Wajahat and Haq, Beqadra has struck a chord with fans, demonstrating that the pair&#39;s on-screen chemistry remains as captivating beyond Kafeel as it was in the drama itself.]]>
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			<title>Grammy-winning DJ Fred Again remixes viral hit 'Pal Pal'</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2621315/grammy-winning-dj-fred-again-remixes-viral-hit-pal-pal</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2621315/grammy-winning-dj-fred-again-remixes-viral-hit-pal-pal#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 26 08:30:25 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2621315</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Singer Ali Soomro reflects on song's journey, thanks Indian singer Talwiinder for bringing own spin to track]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[British DJ Fred Again remixed Afusic and Ali Soomro&rsquo;s viral Pakistani hit Pal Pal, adding his own personal touch to the song.

Soomro shared videos of the Grammy-winning DJ on Instagram, showing him performing the hit during a livestream with Mexican band Latin Mafia. In the caption, the singer thanked his team for helping take the song to audiences around the world and reflected on the emotional journey of turning Pal Pal into a massive global hit.





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&quot;Today, seeing Fred put his own spin on the track made me realise how small the world really is. It&rsquo;s funny how things come full circle,&quot; Soomro wrote.

Reflecting on the journey behind the song, he noted, &quot;There are some things in life that become bigger than us. Pal Pal was one of those things. My brother Afusic (Affan Khan) and I made this song purely out of love.&quot; The singer added, &quot;Before Pal Pal, we had never earned a penny from our music. We weren&rsquo;t chasing trends or trying to go mainstream, we just wanted to make something we believed in and let the world hear it.&quot;

Soomro also highlighted the long hours spent in the studio and the excitement of seeing the song gain mainstream success on music-streaming platforms.

&quot;We worked on it after our jobs, after birthdays, after whatever life threw at us. I still remember Afusic coming to the studio late at night after work, and I&rsquo;d already be there, excited because we were about to create something together. Those early playlist adds from Spotify Pakistan felt like huge wins and kept us going,&quot; he shared.

Further, Soomro thanked Indian singer-songwriter Talwiinder for bringing his own interpretation to the original hit. &quot;A huge thank you to Talwiinder for trusting the song and bringing his own magic to it. It truly made Pal Pal feel complete,&quot; he wrote.

The singer concluded by expressing his gratitude to his team and everyone involved in making the song a success.

Pal Pal has become one of Pakistan&rsquo;s biggest musical hits.&nbsp;It was named the second most-streamed song in Pakistan, according to Spotify Pakistan. The track also propelled both Afusic and Soomro to bag the eighth and ninth spots as Pakistan&#39;s most-streamed artists.]]>
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			<title>Pakistani content creator Atifa Arshad wears spiderweb sari to 'Spider-Man' premiere</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2621317/pakistani-content-creator-atifa-arshad-wears-spiderweb-sari-to-spider-man-premiere</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2621317/pakistani-content-creator-atifa-arshad-wears-spiderweb-sari-to-spider-man-premiere#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 26 08:58:20 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2621317</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Forbes honouree Zainab Jiwa embraces superhero theme with pearl web corset, henna at event]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[United Kingdom-based Pakistani content creator Atifa Arshad attended the&nbsp;Spider-Man: Brand New Day premiere London, wearing a&nbsp;custom spiderweb-inspired sari that fused the Marvel fandom with South Asian fashion.

Atifa shared photos from the premiere on Instagram. The content creator donned a black sari featuring intricate red spiderweb embroidery, complemented with matching red embroidery along the neckline. She completed the look with traditional jewellery, a sleek bun, and a handbag featuring the same spiderweb motif.





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&quot;Spidey Sari for the Spider-Man: Brand New Day premiere! HELLOO?!! (I fear nothing will ever top this look),&quot; she wrote.

Discussing the outfit, Atifa revealed that the design was created by Lebanese designer Rita Qaranbach before being stitched by her family&#39;s tailor in Pakistan.&nbsp;

On her Instagram stories, she shared the original concept sketch by Qaranbach and explained that the outfit had been planned months before she even received an invitation to the premiere.&nbsp;&quot;She designed what I envisioned. I then sent this to my tailor. I&#39;m talking three months ago with, yes, NO INVITE!&quot; she said.



Screengrabs: atifaarshad/Instagram

Atifa&#39;s look drew praise from international fashion commentators, including American celebrity stylist Luxury Law, who has worked with actors and singers including Zendaya and Ariana Grande.



Screengrabs: atifaarshad/Instagram

Atifa was not the only South Asian creator to embrace the superhero theme. Content creator and Forbes&#39; 30 Under 30 honouree Zainab Jiwa also attended the premiere in a modest Spider-Man-inspired ensemble.

Her outfit featured a skirt by Raishma and a pearl web corset created by Harriet Christelow.





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Zainab also incorporated South Asian tradition into the look with intricate spiderweb-inspired henna.





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Atifa and Zainab&#39;s outfits demonstrated how traditional craftsmanship can be creatively fused with pop culture, representing South Asian fashion at a major Hollywood event.]]>
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			<title>Tiny kurtas, polka dots and Y2K fashion define Pakistani influencers' summer style</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2620924/tiny-kurtas-polka-dots-and-y2k-fashion-define-pakistani-influencers-summer-style</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2620924/tiny-kurtas-polka-dots-and-y2k-fashion-define-pakistani-influencers-summer-style#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 26 11:17:34 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2620924</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[From fusion dressing to tailored basics, creators are reimagining nostalgic trends for modern wardrobes]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[&nbsp;

If there is one thing Pakistani influencers have agreed on this summer, it&#39;s that Y2K fashion is making a comeback.

Scroll through Instagram and you&#39;ll spot a wave of familiar silhouettes and nostalgic styling cues: tiny kurtas that look as though they were borrowed from an early-2000s Bollywood wardrobe, cheerful polka dots, tailored vests, crisp button-downs and effortless fusion outfits that blur the lines between Eastern and Western dressing.

But this isn&#39;t a full-fledged Y2K revival complete with low-rise jeans and flashy accessories. Instead, creators are borrowing the era&#39;s playful spirit and adapting it for today&#39;s wardrobes.

The result is a season built around timeless staples, thoughtful styling and versatile pieces that can be dressed up or down with ease. Across Instagram, these influences are appearing in different ways, from nostalgic silhouettes to elevated everyday basics.

The Y2K revival

The influence of the early 2000s is impossible to ignore. From capri pants and headbands making a surprise return to warm, nostalgic colour palettes featuring butter yellow, cherry red, chocolate brown, powder blue and soft pink, influencer wardrobes are echoing an era once defined by carefree dressing.

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Tiny kurtas are back

Perhaps no trend has made a stronger comeback than the tiny kurta. Once a staple throughout the late &#39;90s and early 2000s, the silhouette has found a new audience among fashion creators.

Styled with straight-leg jeans, capris, tailored trousers or flowing skirts, the tiny kurta strikes the perfect balance between nostalgia and modernity.

The look feels unmistakably reminiscent of old Bollywood films while fitting seamlessly into today&#39;s minimalist aesthetic.

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Polka dots make a playful return

After seasons dominated by florals and abstract prints, polka dots are quietly reclaiming their place in summer wardrobes.

Whether worn on dresses, matching sets or separates, the classic print brings a playful, vintage-inspired touch without feeling overly retro.

It&#39;s another reminder that timeless patterns never truly disappear&mdash;they simply return with a fresh perspective.

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Basics are having their moment

Statement pieces have taken a back seat to wardrobe essentials. Oversized button-down shirts, classic vests and relaxed tailoring have become the foundation of countless influencer outfits this season.

Worn over denim, tucked into tailored trousers or layered beneath lightweight outerwear, these basics prove that simple styling often makes the strongest statement.





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Fusion dressing takes centre stage

Perhaps the defining characteristic of this summer&#39;s fashion is its embrace of fusion dressing. Influencers are increasingly pairing traditional and Western pieces rather than keeping them in separate wardrobes.

Kurtas are being styled with denim, skirts paired with waistcoats, shalwars worn with fitted tank tops and structured blazers layered over Eastern separates.

The combinations feel less like carefully curated trends and more like a natural reflection of how younger Pakistanis are choosing to dress&mdash;comfortably, creatively and without rigid fashion rules.





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Romantic silhouettes return

At the softer end of the spectrum, flowing silhouettes are making a comeback. Satin maxi dresses, Scandinavian-inspired cotton dresses and airy white cotton skirts have become staples for those embracing understated elegance.

Lightweight fabrics, clean lines and neutral tones offer a refreshing contrast to structured tailoring, proving that effortless femininity still has a place in summer fashion.





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More than any single trend, this summer&#39;s style is defined by the freedom to mix eras, silhouettes and influences. Whether it&#39;s reviving the tiny kurta, embracing Y2K-inspired colour palettes, reaching for a tailored vest or pairing Eastern staples with Western basics, Pakistani influencers are proving that personal style no longer fits neatly into one category.

Nostalgia may have sparked many of this season&#39;s looks, but they&#39;re being reimagined for a generation that values versatility over rules. If this summer is any indication, the future of Pakistani fashion lies not in choosing between tradition and trends but in blending the two effortlessly.]]>
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			<title>As fashion stumbles, jewellery will help shape luxury's winners</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2620566/as-fashion-stumbles-jewellery-will-help-shape-luxurys-winners</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2620566/as-fashion-stumbles-jewellery-will-help-shape-luxurys-winners#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 26 11:29:37 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2620566</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Sales of jewellery at Richemont soar by 24% in quarter till June 30, LVMH also expected to improve hard luxury sales]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[As luxury groups grapple with weak fashion sales and a hit to spending from the Middle East conflict, investors are increasingly focused on one question: who sells enough jewels?

The answer may help determine the $400 billion industry&#39;s next winners and losers.

The luxury goods sector was expected to return to growth in 2026 after contracting for two consecutive years, but the conflict was still curtailing spending in the first quarter and the impact is set to be greater in the three months to June, industry analysts say.

Leather bags, a traditional driver of profitability, are not offering enough support, viewed as too pricey and unattractive to younger consumers. But jewellery is doing better.

While still representing a relatively modest share of sales for most luxury players, the segment &quot;punches well above its weight&quot; in terms of steady growth and stronger margins, Vontobel analysts said earlier this year.

Gold rally &#39;adds to appeal&#39;

Interest in the category was piqued as shoppers began to tire of a lack of innovation in high-end fashion during a period of designer changes, and a rally in gold has added to its appeal as an investment, said Carole Madjo, head of European luxury research at Barclays. &quot;All these points combined together were making jewellery a bit more attractive compared to soft luxury,&quot; she said.

Sales of jewellery at Cartier and Van Cleef &amp; Arpels owner Richemont soared by 24% in the quarter till&nbsp;June 30, far outpacing analyst estimates.

LVMH, owner of Bulgari and Tiffany, is also expected to improve its hard luxury sales. Barclays analysts last month raised growth expectations for its Watches and Jewellery division from 7% to 8% for 2026, well above the 3% growth it posted last year.

The division, LVMH&#39;s third largest, accounted for 13% of its &euro;81 billion turnover in 2025. LVMH reports second-quarter sales on Monday, Gucci owner Kering on Tuesday, and Hermes on Wednesday.

Jewellery drives innovation

While Richemont and LVMH own the largest jewellery brands, smaller labels are doing well too, prompting renewed interest by traditional fashion-focused players.

Kering, owner of Pomellato and Boucheron, said in April sales of its new jewellery division grew 22% on a comparable basis in the first quarter, outperforming all other segments.

Hermes&#39; jewellery segment has shown a compound annual growth rate of almost 30% since 2019, according to Vontobel analysts, albeit from a very small base.

&quot;Even at soft luxury players like Hermes, Prada, Gucci, everybody&#39;s putting a bit more emphasis on jewellery because that&#39;s where the growth is coming from right now. So you want to be exposed to that,&quot; Madjo said.

Bags and shoes lose favour

The switch in consumer focus to jewellery from items such as high-end bags and shoes could pose a challenge for players like Hermes, whose global appeal has long rested on its tightly controlled Birkin bag franchise.

Its stock fell about 10% after it missed first-quarter growth estimates, raising questions about the strength of its scarcity-driven model.

&quot;Bags and shoes are facing meaningful headwinds, as both have experienced significant softening in consumer desirability, particularly among younger audiences,&quot; said Claudia D&#39;Arpizio, senior partner at consultancy Bain &amp; Company.

&quot;These categories, especially bags, have historically been strong contributors to revenues and margin growth; however, post-COVID dynamics have created a more challenging environment. So players need to find a winning formula for these.&quot;]]>
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			<title>Misha Japanwala brings Pakistani artistry to Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey'</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619619/misha-japanwala-brings-pakistani-artistry-to-christopher-nolans-the-odyssey</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619619/misha-japanwala-brings-pakistani-artistry-to-christopher-nolans-the-odyssey#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 26 08:35:08 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619619</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Artist designs two sculptural pieces worn by Lupita Nyong'o as Helen of Troy]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Pakistani artist Misha Japanwala achieved a remarkable milestone for Pakistan by collaborating with the creative team behind Christopher Nolan&#39;s The Odyssey to create two sculptural pieces worn by Lupita Nyong&#39;o in her portrayal of Helen of Troy.

Japanwala shared a feature by W Magazine on Instagram alongside behind-the-scenes images documenting the sculpting process and her attendance at The Odyssey fashion event.

&ldquo;The Odyssey &mdash; The honour of a lifetime to contribute to Christopher Nolan&rsquo;s vision and work with the legend Ellen Mirojnick and Sara O&rsquo;Donnell to create these two very special sculptural works that adorn Lupita Nyong&rsquo;o&nbsp;as Helen of Troy!&rdquo;, she wrote.





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She also thanked Nyong&rsquo;o for championing her work, adding: &ldquo;Thank you Lupita for championing my work, and to the costume designers for trusting me to bring these pieces to life. A dream come true to be a tiny part of this monumental film and cinematic history. I still can&rsquo;t believe it&rsquo;s real&rdquo;.

Describing the collaboration, W Magazine detailed Japanwala&rsquo;s creative process behind the designs. &ldquo;Dressing the face that launched ships presented an initial challenge: Helen had to feel enigmatic, almost otherworldly, yet fit the film&#39;s grounded vision. &quot;We really had to get down to the realism of that queen,&quot; said Mirojnick.

The magazine added that Nyong&rsquo;o recommended her friend, artist and fashion designer Misha Japanwala, who is known for her sculptural body casts that celebrate all shapes.

Japanwala also designed a bespoke gold choker for Helen&rsquo;s final look: &ldquo;Helen&#39;s final gleaming gold look&mdash;a choker, also by Japanwala, and a chainmail-like caftan-gown&mdash;provides a striking bookend, as she bids farewell to Telemachus and sends her wistful regards to Penelope&rdquo;.



https://www.instagram.com/p/Cd51tp7rIrW/



This is not the first time Japanwala&#39;s work has received international recognition. In 2022, Vogue India featured her bridal look, which paid homage to her signature sculptural breastplate aesthetic.





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Earlier, in 2021, she designed a custom gold breastplate and arm cuff for Cardi B, worn in the music video for Rumors, the rapper&#39;s collaboration with Lizzo.

Japanwala&#39;s contribution to one of Hollywood&#39;s most anticipated films marks another significant milestone in her growing international career. Her work continues to showcase Pakistani artistry on the world stage, bringing greater international recognition to Pakistan&#39;s contemporary creative talent.]]>
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			<title>Hong Kong's Robert Wun: the bold millennial conquering Haute Couture</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617487/hong-kongs-robert-wun-the-bold-millennial-conquering-haute-couture-1</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617487/hong-kongs-robert-wun-the-bold-millennial-conquering-haute-couture-1#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 10 Jul 26 06:32:39 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Robert Wun rose from kitchen startup to couture star, dressing icons with bold, boundary-pushing designs]]>
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				<![CDATA[Five years ago, Hong Kong-born designer Robert Wun was working from his kitchen -- now he dresses some of the world&#39;s best-known entertainers.

In a short space of time, the 34-year-old has rocketed from unknown to one of the most sought-after fashion names, designing for everyone from Lady Gaga to rapper Cardi B, who sat front row at his latest show on Wednesday in Paris.

&quot;I have some days off, sometimes,&quot; he told AFP with a smile, while admitting to being &quot;quite exhausted mentally and physically because I haven&#39;t had a break for two and a half years.&quot;

&quot;It&#39;s something I always wanted, so that&#39;s why I seldom complain about it.&quot;



The latest collection was called &#39;Childsplay&#39; and drew inspiration from fairy tales and other childhood stories/AFP

Working with his team and models again ahead of presenting his latest collection, Wun appeared relaxed and good humoured, a man at ease with the success that wasn&#39;t obvious for someone from his background.

His mother worked in insurance and his father in electric cabling, while the conservative Hong Kong boys&#39; school he attended was a hostile place for creative teenagers like him.

&quot;That&#39;s where my stubbornness came in, because I was getting bullied a lot. I managed to still stick with what I truly wanted to do, or how I wanted to do things, or how I want to express myself,&quot; he explained.

He found his calling -- and other kindred spirits -- studying at the London College of Fashion, going on to make the British capital his permanent home.

He now lives in Hackney in east London, with his 12-person studio in Dalston producing two or three made-to-measure outfits a month for red carpet events, galas or weddings.



US rapper Cardi B, wearing one of Wun&#39;s lateest designs, at his Fall/Winter Haute Couture show on Wednesday/AFP

Wun was possibly the busiest couturier at this year&#39;s Met Gala in New York, dressing eight people, including K-pop star Lisa, couture collector Jordan Roth and Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka.

Asked by AFP what she admired about Wun, Cardi B said &quot;everything&quot;.

&quot;The creativity, the colours ... It&#39;s really the quality,&quot; added the New Yorker, who was one of the earliest adopters of Wun&#39;s designs after his breakout collection in 2021.

The &quot;I Like It&quot; singer sat next to Chinese superstar Fan Bingbing, underlining how Wun&#39;s popularity straddles East and West.

Horror influences 

Fascinated by the natural world and heavily influenced by film, the British-Chinese designer produces work that is widely described as bold, futuristic and sculptural.



Haute Couture collector Jordan Roth also chose Robert Wun for the 2026 Met Gala/AFP

It can often feel dark and claustrophobic too, incorporating influences from horror movies, leading some to see him as the fashion world&#39;s millennial interpreter of the anxiety-filled 2020s.

After catching the eye of Vogue and other fashion influencers five years ago, he made his Haute Couture debut in Paris in 2023 as a guest.

Undaunted by becoming the first Hong Kong designer on the fashion world&#39;s elite stage, he sent out models in outfits with stains and obvious defects.

For Autumn-Winter 2025, he included what looked like blood-stained handprints, while he also likes to incorporate disembodied hands or limbs.



A model in the Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2025-26 collection show in Paris/AFP

What you will not find is an obvious Chinese aesthetic.

&quot;It&#39;s a beautiful thing to be able to reference your culture and put it into your work. There&#39;s so many creators out there doing a marvelous job at that,&quot; Wun explained.

He aims for something more universal, boundary-defying, or as he puts it &quot;the power of taking a back seat sometimes to let your work speak for itself, not yourself being the centre (of attention).

&quot;It&#39;s less about, like &#39;oh my god, I was inspired by this Chinese painting&#39;.&quot;

Latest show

His latest autumn-winter collection was named &quot;Childsplay&quot; and drew inspiration from fairytales and Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki, whose films are beloved by kids and adults alike.



Models at the Robert Wun Haute Couture Fall/Winter show on Wednesday /AFP

It was a slight departure from Wun&#39;s previous work, more playful yet still unsettling, with the use of male models and suits a reminder that he is happy to blur gender lines.

&quot;It was never really my intention to do something that perhaps people see as very serious, or as a reflection upon the times, when things are difficult and dark,&quot; he said.

&quot;I really used childhood as the anchor ... I&#39;m not using the lens of a child to create this collection. It&#39;s more from the point of an adult that has lost childhood, and what are we supposed to do now, looking back.&quot;]]>
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			<title>Six Pakistani dramas that let their women be more than victims</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622947/six-pakistani-dramas-that-let-their-women-be-more-than-victims</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622947/six-pakistani-dramas-that-let-their-women-be-more-than-victims#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 09 Aug 26 11:07:19 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2622947</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[From Sana in 'Ankahi' to Zebo in 'Udaari', these female leads worked, endured and fought back]]>
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				<![CDATA[Long before &quot;female-led&quot; became a marketing line, writers like Haseena Moin were putting female leads on screen who held jobs and said no to men while the script stood firmly behind them.

Some of these dramas lived on VHS tapes before satellite television reached Pakistani households,&nbsp;sparking living-room arguments over the female role.

Either way, the six shows noted below share one thing: a woman at the centre who was allowed to be ambitious, wounded and whole, all at once.

Ankahi (1982)



Screengrab: Ankahi/YouTube

Also written by Haseena Moin, Ankahi put Shehnaz Sheikh opposite Javed Sheikh, Behroze Sabzwari and Qazi Wajid. The lead, Sana Murad, has&nbsp;no money, no real qualifications and an endless supply of nerve, which she uses&nbsp;to talk her way into a job she was not remotely prepared for.

Sana&#39;s father dies early in the story, leaving the family in a financial dilemma, and Sana decides it&#39;s on her to fix it. A chance meeting with a company chairman gets her hired, and what follows is a mostly comic, occasionally moving account of a woman figuring out office life as she goes.

Tanhaiyaan (1985)



Photo: Tanhaiyaan/IMDB

Written by Haseena Moin and directed by Shahzad Khalil, Tanhaiyaan&nbsp;starred&nbsp;Marina Khan, Shehnaz Sheikh and Behroze Sabzwari. The drama centred around two sisters who lose both their parents and their family home in a blow. They are then left to figure out how to hold onto what&#39;s left of their lives.

What made the show radical for its time wasn&#39;t the tragedy but everything that came after it. With women finding work and earning money, the drama never stopped to explain or justify the choice to the audience; it simply let them get on with it, the way any drama about young men finding their feet might have.

Underneath the loss and the rebuilding, genuine warmth and wit run through the sisters&#39; friendships and mishaps, and it&#39;s that mix of humour and hardship rather than the &quot;landmark drama&quot; label it&#39;s usually handed that has kept people rewatching it decades on.

Maat (2011)



Screengrab: Maat/YouTube

Written by Umera Ahmad and starring Saba Qamar and Aamina Sheikh, Maat,&nbsp;meaning defeat, puts two sisters from the same lower-middle-class household on opposite paths and lets their choices do the talking.

Saman, played by Saba, chases comfort and status through one marriage and then another, while her older sister Aiman quietly absorbs the harsh reality of the world while building herself up.

For most of the show, Aiman looks like the one who&#39;s lost, passed over, underestimated, treated as an afterthought by almost everyone around her, including her own sister. However, 25 years later, it&#39;s Saman who ends up alone and regretful, while Aiman is the one who builds a home and has a son.

Maat&nbsp;tells the story of the kind of strength that looks like patience from the outside and turns out, decades later, to have been the winning move all along.

Durr-e-Shehwar (2012)



Screengrab: Durr-e-Shehwar/YouTube

Played by Samina Peerzada in one version and Sanam Baloch in another, the female lead in Durr-e-Shehwar&nbsp;marries expecting warmth and love but ends up getting cold silence from her husband and open hostility from her mother-in-law instead.

The daughter, Shandana, grows up assuming her parents had a flawless marriage, until she learns what her mother went through to hold it together.

That gap between the story a daughter believes and the reality her mother lived becomes the real subject of the drama:&nbsp;how each generation defines compromise differently, and what it costs to keep a marriage standing.

Digest Writer (2014)



Photo: Digest Writer/IMDB

Saba Qamar plays Fareeda, a lower-middle-class college student whose father has already decided that all the family money and attention belongs to her brother. Writing is the one place Fareeda gets to exist on her own terms, and she pours herself into it under the pen name Rashk-e-Hina, sending her stories into a literary world that has no real interest in taking a woman&#39;s ambition seriously.

A producer named Rida spots something in Fareeda&#39;s writing and offers her a shot at adapting it for television, a break that should have been the turning point of her life. Instead, it drags her into a world of industry egos, professional betrayal and family pressure.

What makes Digest Writer linger is that it never lets Fareeda&#39;s talent alone save her. She gets her recognition, eventually, but the show is honest about what she has to give up to get it, and it&#39;s that honesty, more than the glamour of a writing career, that has kept the drama in conversation years after it aired.

Udaari (2016)



Screengrab: Udaari/YouTube

At the heart of Udaari is Zebo, a child whose innocence is shattered by abuse from her own stepfather. However, the drama doesn&#39;t let the trauma swallow Zebo whole; instead, it builds toward a version of her who fights back, refusing to stay quiet about what was done to her.

Zebo&#39;s&nbsp;mother, widowed and initially blindsided by the man she remarried, eventually turns her guilt into protection, leaving everything behind to shield her daughter and start over under a new identity. Then it&#39;s Meera, a singer next door with troubles of her own, who steps in when Zebo needs it most, pushing her toward the courage to speak up rather than stay silent.

By the time Zebo takes the stand, she&#39;s carrying the strength of every woman who refused to let her be broken by what happened to her.

A popular moment from Udaari&nbsp;is a courtroom scene, where Zebo flips the script on who should feel ashamed and names herself a survivor rather than a victim.

The shows reveal a pattern across four decades of Pakistani television: women who work, absorb, push back, and refuse to be flattened into either pure victim or pure hero. From Sana talking her way into an office to Zebo standing her ground in a courtroom, the dramas trusted their leads to be authentic, strong, and relatable.]]>
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			<title>Faysal Quraishi urges Pakistan to prioritise local content over foreign productions</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622006/faysal-quraishi-urges-pakistan-to-prioritise-local-content-over-foreign-productions</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622006/faysal-quraishi-urges-pakistan-to-prioritise-local-content-over-foreign-productions#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 26 07:27:47 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Actor says Pakistani dramas draw more YouTube views per episode than Netflix shows]]>
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				<![CDATA[Actor Faysal Quraishi stressed that Pakistan should focus on promoting local content rather than foreign productions, arguing that Pakistani dramas on YouTube often received more views than episodes on Netflix.

Appearing on&nbsp;a podcast, he stated that Pakistani dramas were watched globally through free platforms, receiving millions of views.&nbsp;&quot;If you look at our episodes on YouTube and compare them to an episode on Netflix, ours would have more views,&quot; Quraishi said.

The actor added,&nbsp;&quot;Netflix and other platforms are running in Pakistan, but even then our dramas are watched around the world, whether by Pakistanis or people who understand Urdu or Hindi. Our competition is directly with Netflix series, and they go towards billions because our serials have so many episodes.&quot;

Quraishi also argued that&nbsp;India did not air Pakistani drama serials because of the competition they posed, while stressing that every country prioritised&nbsp;its own entertainment industry. &quot;If we discuss competition, India is a big player, so why do they not play our dramas? Because they have their own thing. Their narrative is to stick to their local people,&quot; he stated.

Despite this, he expressed positivity regarding colleagues such as Mawra Hocane who have worked in the Indian entertainment industry.&nbsp;&quot;I think it is good when people go and work there,&quot; Quraishi said.

Discussing the global potential of Pakistani media, the actor noted the need for higher budgets, and argued&nbsp;that a film&#39;s success ultimately depended on audience satisfaction. &quot;If we make people spend Rs2,000 at the cinema, they want to get what they are promised. If they expect to get scared, they should be scared. If they expect to cry, they should cry, and if they expect to laugh, they should laugh,&quot; he noted.

Further, Quraishi stressed that performers&nbsp;should receive royalties, saying it was standard practice for creators to earn a share of the revenue generated by their work.

He also urged actors to advocate not only for themselves but for future generations. &quot;Every person should stand up for themselves and think about the people after us and the future too. Do you really think people 100 years ago would have imagined Karachi becoming as busy as it is today?&quot; he said, adding that meaningful change only happened when people were willing to push for it.

On the professional front, Quraishi is set to star in the upcoming drama Wafa Jurm Ho Jaise. The actor most recently appeared in Behroopia and Khaie.]]>
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			<title>Express Entertainment's 'Shaandaar' breaks new ground</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2620351/express-entertainments-shaandaar-breaks-new-ground-1</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2620351/express-entertainments-shaandaar-breaks-new-ground-1#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 26 Jul 26 00:01:54 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Qaisar Kamran]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2620351</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Television drama's exploration of darker side of privilege comes as breath of fresh air that departs from typical Pak]]>
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				<![CDATA[A man is killed on a road. The case makes headlines. Social media erupts with questions. Then, slowly, attention shifts elsewhere.But what happens when such incidents are not treated as isolated crimes, but as part of a larger pattern?

That is the question at the heart of Shaandaar, a new crime thriller airing on Express Entertainment.

The 16-episode drama, directed by Wajahat Rauf, draws inspiration from several real-life roadside killing cases that have sparked public debate in Pakistan. It is not a dramatisation of one specific incident. Instead, the story brings together elements from different cases involving violence, power and influential individuals.

The result is a television drama that attempts to move away from the familiar formulas that dominate Pakistani television.There are no traditional family feuds at the centre of Shaandaar. Instead, the drama explores crime, privilege, power and the consequences of actions that can sometimes appear to have been buried by influence.

The drama features an ensemble cast including Shamoon Abbasi, Shahzad Sheikh, Areeka Haq, Ali Dayan, Laila Wasti and Ahsan Afzal Khan. Its treatment is deliberately fast-paced, with the makers aiming to combine the tension of a crime thriller with the realism of stories inspired by events that have already entered public consciousness.

For Ahsan Afzal Khan, who plays the central character Salar, the opportunity to work in such a genre was one of the main reasons he agreed to the project.

&quot;A script picked by Mr Wajahat Rauf already gives you the impression that something different is coming,&quot; Khan told The Express Tribune.

He said Pakistani television rarely gets the opportunity to explore stories of this kind. &quot;There are very few such stories,&quot; he said. &quot;We were getting a chance to do something different a crime thriller genre.&quot;

That difference, he believes, is one of the drama&#39;s biggest strengths.Khan describes Shaandaar as fast-paced, gritty and dark, but not without moments of lightness. The tone, he says, gradually changes as the story progresses. &quot;There is a light mood too, then slowly it gets darker and darker,&quot; he said. &quot;There are social messages and a lot of things.&quot;

The actor also believes that the drama&#39;s pace is an important part of its appeal. &quot;It keeps you interested,&quot; he said. &quot;I watch the episodes myself. I watch them with my family and I feel like watching the next episode. It is not dragged.&quot;

That response is particularly significant for Khan because, according to him, Shaandaar has brought him a new audience. &quot;Teenagers and Gen Z are enjoying this drama a lot,&quot; he said.

He also said that people who do not usually watch Pakistani dramas, and instead prefer international content, have shown interest in the series.

That may be partly because the drama presents a world that feels closer to the crime thrillers many younger viewers already consume on international streaming platforms.

At the centre of the story is Salar a character who is privileged, arrogant and powerful.He looks down upon others and misuses his influence. He is narcissistic and wants things on his own terms. But Khan says Salar is not written as a one-dimensional villain.

&quot;I hope people relate to the human side of Salar, but not to his entire personality,&quot; he said.

The character may be difficult to defend, but the actor believes that understanding the reasons behind a person&#39;s behaviour is not the same as approving of it. &quot;No negative character is a bad person, and no positive character is a good person,&quot; Khan said. &quot;We are all layered somewhere.&quot;

He argues that people are shaped by their experiences by what they see at home, what they face at school and how they are treated by those around them. &quot;Did we face bullying? What did we face? All of that is incorporated into your mind,&quot; he said. &quot;You are reacting as a defence mechanism.&quot; this is what makes Salar interesting.

Beneath the arrogance and privilege, there is a human being with emotions and vulnerabilities. But those qualities do not erase the damage he causes.

&quot;He is privileged. He is arrogant,&quot; Khan said. &quot;He wants what he wants.&quot;]]>
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			<title>'Politics, not quality' keeps Pakistani content off Netflix: Mehreen Jabbar</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617702/politics-not-quality-keeps-pakistani-content-off-netflix-mehreen-jabbar</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617702/politics-not-quality-keeps-pakistani-content-off-netflix-mehreen-jabbar#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 11 Jul 26 12:26:40 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2617702</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Hopes Pakistan's first Netflix show will debut next year and that it will open the doors for Pakistani content]]>
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				<![CDATA[Director Mehreen Jabbar believed &quot;politics, not quality, is the biggest obstacle preventing Pakistani content from reaching global streaming platforms such as Netflix, Prime Video and HBO&quot;, arguing that commercial and regional considerations shape the platforms&#39; decisions.

Speaking on a recent talk show, Mehreen shared her two cents on why Pakistani content had not made its way onto global streaming platforms.

Mehreen was asked why Pakistan still didn&#39;t have a strong footprint on international streaming platforms, especially given how much the industry had grown technically and creatively, and given that a fair amount of what already streams on these platforms was not exactly award-worthy either.

&quot;I think the main thing everyone knows is that it&#39;s politics,&quot; Mehreen said. &quot;Their head offices are in neighbouring countries, and obviously, their population and subscriber base are much bigger. That market is still developing here; a lot of people don&#39;t pay to subscribe to Netflix or Amazon Prime. So these companies go where it&#39;s financially beneficial for them.&quot;





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Still, she isn&#39;t without hope. &quot;I hope this changes,&quot; she said. &quot;Hopefully, our first show will come on Netflix next year, and that&#39;s when I hope the doors will open.&quot;

The conversation moved to a topic that&#39;s been stirring unease within the acting community: the government&#39;s move to remove the foreign drama tax, particularly Turkish content, from local airwaves. Due to this, people in the industry fear that it will open the floodgates to more competition and could hurt homegrown productions.

Mehreen wasn&#39;t convinced this was a real threat. &quot;Turkish dramas used to be very popular, but if you notice, hardly anyone talks about them anymore, because our own industry has grown so much,&quot; she said. &quot;In the last two or three years especially, our industry has really taken off among the diaspora and South Asian audiences, so I don&#39;t think we face that threat.&quot;





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&quot;Personally, I think competition is a healthy thing,&quot; she added. &quot;When there&#39;s competition, you focus on improving yourself.&quot;

Mehreen was also asked about recent criticism from writer Dr Yunus Butt, who aimed her directorial pacing, specifically calling out how a 26-episode drama can stretch to 32, and describing her style, along with actor Shuja&#39;s performance, as slow.

Her response was measured. &quot;Honestly, this is their opinion, and good for them,&quot; she said. &quot;I&#39;ve never really been the type to respond to statements like that. It&#39;s their opinion, the way critics have theirs and audiences have theirs. That&#39;s what freedom of speech and freedom of thought mean. You liked it, or you didn&#39;t, that&#39;s okay. We can&#39;t please everyone. There isn&#39;t a single project in the world, out of billions of people, that everyone likes the same way. No one can pull that off.&quot;





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Having previously sat on the Censor Board herself, Mehreen said she understood the fine line broadcasters must walk. Since television entered every household, she explained, channels have to use their own judgment about what fits their audience and internal policy, a responsibility she didn&#39;t take lightly, even if she personally leaned away from restrictive censorship.

Mehreen didn&#39;t hold back on one of the industry&#39;s most persistent complaints: delayed payments. She described a chain of blame that&#39;s become almost routine: production houses blame channels, channels blame advertisers, and advertisers blame their own vendors and retailers. By the time the money doesn&#39;t arrive on schedule, she said, it&#39;s often the makeup artists, electricians, and the crew who bear the brunt of it.

&quot;Unfortunately, I&#39;ve said this many times; it feels like I&#39;m on a repeat record,&quot; she said. &quot;It really comes down to figuring out where and at what point it needs to be fixed. Project management isn&#39;t proper in our industry, and I honestly don&#39;t know when that will change.&quot;





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She also pointed to a lack of unionisation as part of the problem. &quot;I think the real issue is that people don&#39;t unionise,&quot; she said. &quot;Unions exist, but they have no real power, because there&#39;s no unity behind them.&quot;

On a more hopeful note, Mehreen pushed back on the idea that Pakistani dramas were only now becoming progressive in how they portray women. &quot;In the 90s and 2000s, in the plays I did, it was very common. But at one point, we were influenced by a certain kind of Indian soap opera, but now we&#39;re coming back to our own history. We&#39;ve always had so many strong female characters, going back to the classic PTV plays, and you&#39;ll find them full of strong women. So it&#39;s not like this is happening for the first time. It&#39;s always been there. We&#39;re just coming back to it.&quot;

For Mehreen, it seems, the story of Pakistani television isn&#39;t one of catching up; it&#39;s one of returning to strengths the industry has always had, while it waits for the world to catch on.]]>
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			<title>Ali Wasi Kazmi discusses playing Sikandar in ‘Raja London Ka’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617112/ali-wasi-kazmi-discusses-playing-sikandar-in-raja-london-ka</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617112/ali-wasi-kazmi-discusses-playing-sikandar-in-raja-london-ka#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 26 06:54:23 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
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				<![CDATA[Actor talks about honing his craft, director's guidance and co-star Samar Jafri's honest critique]]>
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				<![CDATA[Actor Ali Wasi Kazmi discussed his character Sikandar in the drama Raja London Ka&nbsp;in an interview. The Express Entertainment action-thriller took the television industry by storm, with Kazmi&#39;s portrayal of the scheming anti-hero at the centre of the show&#39;s dark underbelly.

While his performance in Raja London Ka showcased immense polish, Kazmi admitted that adjusting to the television screen required stepping out of his comfort zone. Reflecting on his debut role in Bakhtawar alongside Yumna Zaidi, Kazmi shared that while public praise was encouraging, it was a close friend and fellow Raja London Ka co-star, Samar Jafri, who gave him the honest perspective he needed to mature as a performer.

&quot;Samar is someone I really like because he speaks to me very straightforwardly. He openly told me &#39;You performed very badly in Bakhtawar.&#39;&quot; Rather than taking offence, Kazmi said he used the critique to refine his acting, shifting away from amateur habits to master subtle screen presence.

Kazmi shared that his friendship with Jafri came full circle while the two were hanging out in Lahore and Jafri received a call from the Raja London Ka&nbsp;production team.&nbsp;&quot;I was in Lahore, and Samar was there with me. He got a call, while sitting next to me, from the production team asking if there was a guy available in Lahore for a character role,&quot; the actor recalled.

He added, &quot;The casting team later looked at me and said, &#39;Ali, you naturally walk and talk exactly like this character.&#39;&nbsp;If I weren&#39;t sitting there with Samar that day, I wouldn&#39;t have auditioned for Sikandar.&quot;

According to Kazmi, although he was able to find the&nbsp;physical essence of Sikandar easily, capturing the psychological weight of a manipulator wasn&#39;t instant. Kazmi opened up about his early days on the set of Raja London Ka, saying, &quot;The first four to five days of filming were highly intimidating.&quot;

However, he revealed that a breakthrough for him came entirely from director Fajar Raza, who helped Kazmi peel back the layers of the script. The actor noted that Raza&#39;s precise direction gave him the clarity to understand Sikandar&#39;s planning, schemes, and quiet calculations. Under the director&#39;s mentorship, Kazmi stated that he &quot;managed to settle comfortably into the role.&quot;

Further, discussing the production dynamic, the actor stated that it worked seamlessly alongside Jafri&#39;s leading performance, recalling that crew members often remarked that they &quot;chose the least violent person in real life to play the most violent character on screen.&quot;

Reflecting on his life before entering the entertainment industry, Kazmi said that he was paving an independent creative path. Sharing that he came from a traditional family background where his father expected him to join the military, the actor said that he had initially enrolled at the National College of Arts to hone his creative passion but then dropped out to chase storytelling.

The move materialised with Kazmi&#39;s indie visual cover of Paar Chana De, with the video exploding online, crossing 28 million views on YouTube. The success, according to the actor,&nbsp;proved that he had the visual eye and screen presence to captivate an audience, ultimately acting as his calling to mainstream television directors.

With Raja London Ka&nbsp;continuing to introduce major plot twists, Kazmi shared that he was fully enjoying Sikandar&#39;s ongoing arc. Despite receiving new offers since the show began airing, Kazmi stated that he remains conscious in choosing not to rush into signing his next project, preferring to take his time and evaluate characters with depth.]]>
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			<title>Shekhar Kapur says AI could put blockbuster filmmaking within anyone’s reach</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2624755/shekhar-kapur-says-ai-could-put-blockbuster-filmmaking-within-anyones-reach</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2624755/shekhar-kapur-says-ai-could-put-blockbuster-filmmaking-within-anyones-reach#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 26 11:33:18 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
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				<![CDATA[Indian filmmaker believes AI dismantling traditional barriers to cinema; could empower new generation of storytellers]]>
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				<![CDATA[Indian Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur has weighed in on artificial intelligence&rsquo;s growing role in cinema, arguing that the technology could soon make blockbuster-scale filmmaking accessible to anyone with a desktop computer.

Speaking to Variety India, Kapur said the cost and logistics of filmmaking were undergoing a fundamental shift as AI-powered tools became more accessible.

&ldquo;Filmmakers have reached a point where a film with the visual scale of a blockbuster like Avatar can realistically be produced for a fraction of the cost, right on a desktop,&rdquo; he said, adding that the financial landscape of how films are created, budgeted and presented to global audiences had been transformed.

For Kapur, however, the shift is about more than reducing production costs. He described himself as a strong proponent of AI and said he actively encourages young people to experiment with the technology and use it to tell their own stories.

The filmmaker even suggested that the next generation could surpass the work of established filmmakers, arguing that the sheer number of young people now gaining access to filmmaking tools could produce a wider pool of creative talent.

&ldquo;The younger generation will almost certainly make far better films than we ever did,&rdquo; Kapur said, describing it as a statistical guarantee. He reasoned that among the millions of young people who now have access to filmmaking technology, thousands could have visions that are more innovative than those of filmmakers working today.





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Kapur has nevertheless stressed that AI cannot replace the human instincts behind compelling storytelling. While the technology can broaden access to filmmaking tools, he has previously argued that intuition and innovation remain fundamentally human qualities.

That belief also shapes his view of the opportunities available to aspiring filmmakers. &ldquo;The question for today&rsquo;s youth is no longer how to get a chance to make a movie and show it to the world, since the tools are already in their pockets,&rdquo; he said.

For decades, Kapur noted, filmmakers have had to navigate barriers involving financing, studios, equipment, crews and distribution. He believes AI is steadily dismantling many of those obstacles, potentially allowing a much wider range of voices to enter the industry.

Kapur&rsquo;s own career has crossed cultural and geographical boundaries. He gained international recognition with the Oscar-nominated film Elizabeth and has continued to work across different cinematic traditions.

His international filmography also includes the 2022 romantic comedy What&rsquo;s Love Got to Do with It?, which featured actor Sajal Aly in her international film debut.

Set between London and Lahore, the film starred Aly alongside Lily James, Shazad Latif, Emma Thompson and Shabana Azmi. It follows a documentary-maker who films her best friend&rsquo;s arranged marriage to a bride from Pakistan.

Kapur has previously spoken warmly about working with Aly, saying she came &ldquo;highly recommended&rdquo; and praising her ability to bring both innocence and maturity to the role.]]>
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			<title>'Nayab' director says film was heavily cut for TV without his consent</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2624724/nayab-director-says-film-was-heavily-cut-for-tv-without-his-consent</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2624724/nayab-director-says-film-was-heavily-cut-for-tv-without-his-consent#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 26 08:12:05 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
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				<![CDATA[Umair Nasir Ali says nearly half his film was cut for its TV broadcast without consultation]]>
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				<![CDATA[Director Umair Nasir Ali has expressed disappointment after discovering that large portions of his 2024 sports drama Nayab were edited out during its recent television broadcast without his knowledge or involvement.

In a series of Instagram Stories, Ali said Nayab had aired three or four times previously and that it had &ldquo;always been heartening&rdquo; to see the film reach a wider television audience.

However, the director said the latest broadcast prompted messages and calls from viewers who noticed that several scenes were missing from the version that originally reached cinemas.

&ldquo;I began receiving messages and calls from viewers pointing out that several parts of the film had been edited from the version we made, without consultation. I must admit, seeing your finished work altered is a difficult feeling,&rdquo; he wrote.

Ali compared the experience to changing a completed work of visual art, arguing that every element of a film contributes to its overall rhythm and structure.

&ldquo;Cinema is an art form. Every scene, pause and transition is part of a larger rhythm, carefully shaped through writing, shooting and editing. In some ways, it is like altering parts of a finished painting to fit a particular wall,&rdquo; he said.



Screengrab: Instagram/umairnasirali

Despite his concerns, the filmmaker clarified that his comments were not intended as an attack. He acknowledged that television broadcasting comes with scheduling and formatting constraints, while also recognising the channel&rsquo;s contribution to Pakistani storytelling.

&ldquo;I completely understand that television has its own formats, schedules and limitations. And knowing HUM TV&#39;s longstanding contribution to Pakistani storytelling and original content, I share this only as a sincere concern and in the spirit of respect for the creative process,&rdquo; he wrote.

His appeal extended to broadcasters more broadly, with the director asking that filmmakers be included in discussions when films are adapted for television. &ldquo;It is a small consideration, but a meaningful one for the work, for its creators, and for the film culture we are all collectively trying to build,&rdquo; he added.

Ali later reviewed a screen recording of the film&rsquo;s August 16 television broadcast to assess how much of the original production had been aired. He said Nayab has a runtime of approximately 155 minutes, while the broadcast included around 38 minutes of advertising, leaving substantially less time for the film itself.

According to his calculation, roughly 79 minutes of the film were broadcast, meaning around half of the original runtime was missing from the televised version.



Screengrab: Instagram/umairnasirali

The director said the extent of the cuts was particularly difficult from a creative standpoint.&nbsp;&ldquo;Film is a craft, and for any artist, seeing your work altered like this is honestly painful. At this scale, it simply is not acceptable for anyone belonging to this fraternity,&rdquo; he wrote.

Ali ended his message by directly appealing to the management to review the matter and establish stronger standards for how films are presented on television.

&ldquo;HUM TV has long been one of the leading names in Pakistani drama. I sincerely hope the management looks into this and helps set the right standard for how films are presented on television,&rdquo; he said.

Nayab marked Ali&rsquo;s feature directorial debut and stars Yumna Zaidi as an aspiring cricketer, alongside Jawed Sheikh, Fawad Khan, Usama Khan, Noreen Gulwani, Huma Nawab and Adnan Siddiqui.

He is also the founder of production house Num Films and was involved in directing the re-recorded version of Pakistan&rsquo;s national anthem released for the country&rsquo;s 79th Independence Day.]]>
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			<title>Pro-Palestine campaigners urge boycott of new Spider-Man film over producer’s support for Israel</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2623679/pro-palestine-campaigners-urge-boycott-of-new-spider-man-film-over-producers-support-for-israel</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2623679/pro-palestine-campaigners-urge-boycott-of-new-spider-man-film-over-producers-support-for-israel#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 26 09:49:04 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Anadolu Agency]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Avi Arad, producer for the film holds Israeli and US citizenship, served in Israeli military between 1965-1968]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pro-Palestinian campaigners in Lebanon, Jordan and elsewhere in the Arab world have called for a boycott of Spider-Man: Brand New Day over producer Avi Arad&rsquo;s support for Israel and his rejection of criticism directed at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the war on Gaza.

The Campaign to Boycott Supporters of Israel in Lebanon urged audiences not to purchase tickets for the film, arguing that financially supporting a production involving figures who have publicly backed Israel amounts to &ldquo;cultural normalisation.&rdquo;

&ldquo;Do we want to support a production involving individuals who have publicly expressed political support for Israel?&rdquo; the group said in a social media statement ahead of the film&rsquo;s release.

The campaign called on the public to avoid paid screenings and said its position reflected its opposition to normalising Israel or its policies.



📍قاطعوا Spider-Man

📌بالتزامن مع اقتراب عرض الجزء الجديد من Spider-Man في صالات السينما اللبنانية بتاريخ 30 تموز، يجدر بنا أن نتساءل: هل نريد دعم عملٍ ترفيهي يشارك في إنتاجه أشخاص أعلنوا مواقف سياسية داعمة لـ&quot;إسرائيل&quot;؟

📌يُعد Avi Arad، أحد أبرز منتجي سلسلة Spider-Man منذ عام&hellip; pic.twitter.com/auL9Wwxg50
&mdash; Boycott Campaign (@BoycottCampaign) July 28, 2026



In Jordan, the Taharrak anti-normalisation group issued a separate statement calling for the film to be boycotted and excluded from the schedules of Jordanian cinemas.

The group also urged the Jordanian Artists Syndicate, cinema operators and other relevant bodies to take a position against its screening. The calls have since been amplified by activists and content creators in other Arab countries.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day, released internationally on July 31, stars Tom Holland as Peter Parker and is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton. Marvel lists Arad as one of its four producers alongside Kevin Feige, Amy Pascal and Rachel O&rsquo;Connor.

The campaign focuses on Arad&rsquo;s political record rather than the film&rsquo;s plot or its other cast and crew members.

Arad, a former Marvel Studios chief who holds Israeli and US citizenship, served in the Israeli military between 1965 and 1968 and was involved in the 1967 Six-Day War.

In a 2024 letter published by entertainment news outlet TheWrap, Arad rebuked then-US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer after the senator described Netanyahu as an obstacle to peace and called for Israel to hold new elections.

&ldquo;It&rsquo;s not your war. It is not your country. And it is not you who is at risk,&rdquo; Arad wrote, arguing that Schumer had no right to influence Israel&rsquo;s electoral process. He also described himself as a proud former member of the Israeli military and rejected Schumer&rsquo;s position on a ceasefire.

Campaigners say those statements demonstrate Arad&rsquo;s support for Israel&rsquo;s conduct during the Gaza war and argue that ticket purchases contribute financially to a production associated with him.

The effect of the campaign on attendance remains unclear. The film continued to screen in Lebanon despite the boycott call, with a representative of the Grand Cinemas chain telling Lebanese publication L&rsquo;Orient Today shortly after its release that demand remained high.]]>
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			<title>Karan Johar reflects on 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' criticism as film marks two decades</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2623275/karan-johar-reflects-on-kabhi-alvida-naa-kehna-criticism-as-film-marks-two-decades</link>
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			<pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 26 07:33:49 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
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				<![CDATA[Filmmaker recalls couple walking out mid-screening, says movie's intention was not to endorse infidelity]]>
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				<![CDATA[On the 20th anniversary of Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, Indian filmmaker Karan Johar reflected on the concerns and criticism surrounding the film, emphasising that his intention was never to endorse infidelity but to explore the pursuit of love.

Johar shared a message on his Instagram account, recalling the film&rsquo;s premiere and the harsh reactions and comments he received from audiences who criticised his approach to the subject of infidelity within marriage.&nbsp;He acknowledged that the film&#39;s message had been interpreted differently, but expressed hope that viewers watching it today could find lessons in the film&#39;s exploration of the boundaries within marriage and the complexities of love.

&quot;On the eve of the 20th anniversary of Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna&hellip;penning down some unique encounters and realisations I had, thanks to this film!&quot;&nbsp;he captioned the post.

Addressing what he described as a misconception about the film, Johar emphasised: &quot;The film did not endorse infidelity (that was never my intention) but it did show that stepping out of the boundary of marriage to seek love or desire can destroy your foundation and family. A choice (with no judgement) only we need to make.&quot;

He added that the film &quot;perhaps did that and you can hate it or love it.&quot;&nbsp;&quot;It certainly didn&rsquo;t make you feel indifferent to it. 20 years later, I meet many people who tell me they couldn&rsquo;t relate to it then but understand it better today,&quot;&nbsp;Johar wrote.





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The filmmaker also acknowledged the film&rsquo;s flaws, admitting that it was &quot;over bloated&quot;&nbsp;in scale and featured opulent, and at times unnecessary, songs that reflected his understanding of mainstream cinema at the time. However, he maintained that the film was made with the right intentions.

According to Johar, he knew that the movie was &quot;touching a raw nerve, a fact of life we as a society like to brush under value-based carpets. A reality we don&rsquo;t want thrown at us by our beloved movie stars and icons.&quot;

He noted, &quot;I don&rsquo;t deny the flaws of the film,&quot; but added that he &quot;always felt it had its heart in the right place.&quot;

Further, the filmmaker recalled the night before the film&#39;s official premiere, when he attended a preview at a cinema and witnessed a strong reaction to the work.

Recalling the incident, Johar said he had quietly gone to watch the film with an audience and was sitting behind a middle-aged couple. The filmmaker shared that at one particular scene in the film, the woman looked at her husband in shock and dropped her popcorn. The man then turned back and said in Gujarati that it was a dream sequence, but upon realising that it wasn&#39;t, looked at his wife angrily and&nbsp;signalled an immediate exit.

&quot;They left the cinema and my heart sank,&quot;&nbsp;Johar recalled.

The filmmaker also shared another&nbsp;encounter in which a mother confronted him after her daughter&rsquo;s divorce, accusing him of promoting problematic values through his films.

Johar concluded his reflection with gratitude to the cast and crew, encouraging audiences to revisit the film with a more nuanced perspective.

&quot;We want life to give us black and white solutions to all our relationship traumas, but can we look at it with a grey lens? Maybe then we will understand ourselves better, just maybe,&quot;&nbsp;he wrote.

Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna&nbsp;follows Dev and Maya, played by Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji. The story centres on two individuals trapped in unhappy marriages who develop an emotional connection that eventually leads to an extramarital affair.

As the movie marks two decades since its release, Johar&rsquo;s reflection suggested that it&#39;s controversial themes continued to resonate with audiences. While he acknowledged the movie&#39;s flaws and the criticism it received, the filmmaker remained firm that its intention was&nbsp;to explore the complexities of love, marriage, desire and the difficult choices people make when relationships begin to fall apart.]]>
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			<title>US box office rebounds as higher ticket prices offset smaller audiences</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622219/us-box-office-rebounds-as-higher-ticket-prices-offset-smaller-audiences</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622219/us-box-office-rebounds-as-higher-ticket-prices-offset-smaller-audiences#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 26 11:00:36 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Record openings for 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' and 'The Odyssey' lift revenues despite lower cinema attendance]]>
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				<![CDATA[The US&nbsp;box office saw its biggest opening weekend in history thanks ​to the one-two punch of Spider-Man: Brand New Day&nbsp;and The Odyssey.

But the industry&#39;s rebound is increasingly being powered by higher ticket prices, premium-format screenings and &zwnj;a handful of blockbuster releases rather than a broad return of moviegoers. While the domestic box office revenue is on pace for its best year since the pandemic, film audiences have shrunk.

Whether high-budget movies can sustain this year&#39;s momentum is an early test of how much the industry&#39;s recovery depends on fewer people paying more to watch movies.

Theatres sold an estimated 470.9 million tickets through the ​first 30 weeks of 2026, compared with 747.3 million during the same stretch of 2019, according to S&amp;P Global Market Intelligence.

&quot;Revenue growth for exhibitors for a ​long while now has been mostly driven by increases in average ticket price along with increases in concession prices,&quot; said S&amp;P ⁠Global Market Intelligence analyst Wade Holden.

Data from research firm Placer.ai, which tracks foot traffic, shows a similar pattern. When measured through July, US&nbsp;theatre attendance is up 8.1% ​this year compared with 2025, but down 27% against 2019 levels.

A stronger and more varied slate of films, including non-franchise successes like Obsession&nbsp;and Project Hail Mary,&nbsp;has helped drive box office ​growth this year. Domestic box office revenue reached $6.2 billion through August 2, up 15% from the same period last year, according to media analytics firm Rentrak. In 2019, box office sales topped $7 billion at this point in the year.

Unlike recent years, when the domestic box office was dominated almost entirely by sequels and popular franchises like Marvel and Star Wars, this year&#39;s biggest earners include a ​larger share of original or standalone films, suggesting audiences are responding to a broader range of theatrical releases.

&quot;This year&#39;s success at the box office speaks to a well-rounded ​release calendar that features a bit of everything and appeals to a wide spectrum of moviegoers,&quot; said Shawn Robbins, director of movie analytics for ticket seller Fandango and the founder and owner &zwnj;of Box ⁠Office Theory.

The high-profile summer releases of Spider-Man and filmmaker Chris Nolan&#39;s re-imagining of Homer&#39;s epic, which has sold out higher-priced IMAX venues, are giving exhibitors some of their best results since the pandemic. COVID-19 accelerated a shift that was already underway as streaming services gave consumers more home viewing options.

Many audiences now reserve theatre&nbsp;visits for major event films and franchise releases. Theatre chains responded by expanding premium large-format screens and upgrading the in-theatre experience, betting that consumers will pay more for outings that cannot easily be replicated ​in front of a television.

Early signs are ​encouraging. AMC Entertainment, the world&#39;s largest ⁠cinema chain, said strong demand for premium screens helped it post its highest single-weekend revenue in its 106-year history and biggest-attended weekend of the decade. More than 10.2 million moviegoers visited its AMC and Odeon theatres, it said.

Even though inflation has partly weighed ​on the consumer appetite for the movies, higher prices have benefited a handful of major studios, with Universal, Walt Disney, Sony, ​Warner Bros, and Paramount ⁠Pictures, accounting for 68% of domestic receipts this year, according to an analysis of data provided by Rentrak.

Hollywood concentration has prompted concern from regulators. California, along with 11 other states, sued Paramount Skydance to block it from acquiring rival Warner Bros Discovery in a $110 billion deal. A combined Paramount and Warner would have made up nearly 11% of the domestic box office ⁠through this ​past weekend, according to Rentrak.

The success of titles such as The Odyssey&nbsp;and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,&nbsp;distributed ​by Comcast&#39;s Universal helped lift its market share to 24%, underscoring how a small number of blockbuster releases are increasingly driving exhibitors&#39; financial performance.

According to EntTelligence, the average adult ticket price was $13.46 through July 30 this ​year, while admissions for premium formats such as IMAX averaged $18.22.]]>
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			<title>Nemrah Ahmad warns AI creators over unauthorised videos of her novel</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2621809/nemrah-ahmad-warns-ai-creators-over-unauthorised-videos-of-her-novel</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2621809/nemrah-ahmad-warns-ai-creators-over-unauthorised-videos-of-her-novel#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 26 09:50:06 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Author says AI adaptations of her novels are illegal and warns creators of copyright action and legal consequences]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Novelist Nemrah Ahmad has criticised the growing number of AI-generated videos based on her bestselling novel Jannat Kay Pattay, describing the practice as &quot;extremely illegal&quot; and unethical.

In a statement shared on Instagram, Ahmad warned YouTube channels and Instagram pages creating AI adaptations of her novels without permission that they would face copyright complaints and possible legal action.

&quot;PSA: All the YouTube channels/Instagram pages making AI videos on my novels, especially Jannat Kay Pattay, need to delete those because one by one we are going to report them for copyright violations,&quot; she wrote.

Ahmad said copyright complaints could result in social media accounts being removed and warned that those responsible could be identified through legal channels.

&quot;Not only will your channel/Insta be taken down, you will also be traced legally through Meta. You cannot hide behind keyboards because Meta has a responsibility when it comes to such copyright violations, and they are supposed to provide details about YOU to the government that requests it,&quot; she added.



Screengrab: nemrahahmad_/Instagram

The author stressed that she had never authorised visual adaptations of her novels. &quot;You have no right to make video content on my novels. I never gave my novels to TV productions. Doing this with AI is not only illegal, unethical but extremely cheap.&quot;

She also urged readers to report any AI-generated videos based on her work.

The videos circulating on social media typically use generative AI to recreate scenes, characters and settings from Jannat Kay Pattay, presenting animated interpretations of the novel without the author&#39;s involvement or permission.

Ahmad is one of Pakistan&#39;s best-known contemporary novelists, with works including Jannat Kay Pattay, Namal and Mus&#39;haf. Her fiction is widely recognised for blending suspense, mystery, romance and Islamic themes.

Her warning comes amid growing concerns within the publishing industry over the unauthorised use of generative AI to reproduce creative works, as authors and artists increasingly seek stronger protections for their intellectual property.]]>
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			<title>10 book-to-screen adaptations to revisit after 'The Odyssey'</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2620916/10-book-to-screen-adaptations-to-revisit-after-the-odyssey</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2620916/10-book-to-screen-adaptations-to-revisit-after-the-odyssey#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 26 10:00:30 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[From 'To Kill a Mockingbird' to 'Wuthering Heights', readers can see classical literature make it to the big-screen]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Christopher Nolan&#39;s The Odyssey has reignited audiences&#39; love for literary epics, reminding viewers that some of cinema&#39;s most unforgettable stories began on the pages of classic novels.

From the moral complexities of To Kill a Mockingbird to the sweeping romance of Pride and Prejudice, filmmakers have spent decades bringing beloved books to life, allowing readers to finally see the characters and worlds they once imagined.

Whether it&#39;s fantasy, historical drama, romance or crime, these adaptations have introduced generations to timeless stories in an entirely new way.

Here are 10 book adaptations worth revisiting after watching The Odyssey:

1. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

Novel published: 1960



Based on Harper Lee&#39;s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, To Kill a Mockingbird follows young Scout Finch as she watches her father, Atticus Finch, defend a Black man falsely accused of assault in the racially divided American South.

Told through a child&#39;s eyes, the film explores justice, empathy and prejudice, with Gregory Peck delivering an Oscar-winning performance as Atticus alongside Mary Badham, Phillip Alford and Brock Peters.

2. The Godfather (1972)

Novel published: 1969



Francis Ford Coppola&#39;s masterpiece adapts Mario Puzo&#39;s bestselling novel about the powerful Corleone crime family.

As reluctant heir Michael Corleone is drawn deeper into the family&#39;s criminal empire, the story evolves into one of cinema&#39;s greatest tales of loyalty, ambition and betrayal.

Marlon Brando and Al Pacino lead a stellar cast that also includes James Caan, Robert Duvall and Diane Keaton.

3. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Novel published: 1982 (Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption)



Adapted from Stephen King&#39;s novella, the film follows banker Andy Dufresne after he is wrongfully imprisoned for murder and forms an unlikely friendship with fellow inmate Red.

Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman bring remarkable emotional depth to this enduring story of hope, resilience and redemption.

4. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

Novel published: 1954



Peter Jackson&#39;s Oscar-winning fantasy epic begins with Frodo Baggins embarking on a perilous quest to destroy the One Ring before it falls into the hands of the Dark Lord Sauron.

Elijah Wood leads the adventure alongside Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom and Sean Astin, bringing JRR Tolkien&#39;s legendary world to life.

5. Pride and Prejudice (2005)

Novel published: 1813



Joe Wright&#39;s adaptation of Jane Austen&#39;s beloved novel follows the spirited Elizabeth Bennet as she gradually overcomes her prejudice towards the reserved Mr Darcy.

Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen headline the romantic period drama, supported by Rosamund Pike and Donald Sutherland.

6. The Hunger Games (2012)

Novel published: 2008



Set in the dystopian nation of Panem, Suzanne Collins&#39; bestselling novel follows Katniss Everdeen as she volunteers to take her sister&#39;s place in a brutal televised competition.

Jennifer Lawrence anchors the blockbuster franchise alongside Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson and Elizabeth Banks.

7. The Great Gatsby (2013)

Novel published: 1925



Baz Luhrmann&#39;s lavish adaptation revisits F&nbsp;Scott Fitzgerald&#39;s Jazz Age classic through the eyes of Nick Carraway, who becomes captivated by the enigmatic millionaire Jay Gatsby and his longing for Daisy Buchanan.

Leonardo DiCaprio stars opposite Carey Mulligan, with Tobey Maguire and Joel Edgerton completing the central cast.

8. Little Women (2019)

Novel published: 1868



Greta Gerwig&#39;s acclaimed adaptation breathes fresh life into Louisa May Alcott&#39;s classic, chronicling the lives, dreams and relationships of the four March sisters.

Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Emma Watson and Eliza Scanlen lead the ensemble, joined by Timoth&eacute;e Chalamet, Laura Dern and Meryl Streep.

9. Emma (2020)

Novel published: 1815



Autumn de Wilde&#39;s colourful adaptation follows the wealthy and well-intentioned Emma Woodhouse, whose attempts at matchmaking often create more complications than romance.

Anya Taylor-Joy shines in the title role alongside Johnny Flynn, Bill Nighy, Mia Goth and Josh O&#39;Connor.

10. Wuthering Heights (2026)

Novel published: 1847



Emily Bront&euml;&#39;s Gothic classic returns to the big screen in Emerald Fennell&#39;s highly anticipated adaptation.

Chronicling the passionate and destructive relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw, the film stars Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie, offering a fresh take on one of literature&#39;s most enduring romances.

The enduring appeal of literary adaptations lies in their ability to transform words into unforgettable cinematic experiences. While every reader imagines characters and settings differently, these films offer a fresh perspective on stories that have stood the test of time.

As The Odyssey inspires a new appreciation for classic literature on screen, these adaptations prove that some of the greatest adventures, romances and dramas are best experienced both on the page and in the cinema.]]>
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			<title>Dr Mehr Afshan Farooqi traces a lifelong bond with Urdu</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612239/dr-mehr-afshan-farooqi-traces-a-lifelong-bond-with-urdu</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612239/dr-mehr-afshan-farooqi-traces-a-lifelong-bond-with-urdu#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 09 Jun 26 12:09:38 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Professor reflects on literary upbringing, academic journey, research on Ghalib, and Urdu’s future]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Urdu is not something Dr Mehr Afshan Farooqi, daughter of&nbsp;Shamsur Rahman Faruqi,&nbsp;first encountered in a classroom. It is something she remembers hearing, speaking, and breathing long before she ever thought of it as an academic discipline.

Her father remains one of the most influential Urdu literary critics of the modern era. Today a professor of Urdu and South Asian Literature at the University of Virginia, Dr Mehr has built a career around a language that shaped her earliest sense of the world.

Yet her journey into academia was not a straightforward inheritance. It was shaped as much by privilege as by a quiet resistance to living in the shadow of her father&rsquo;s towering intellectual legacy.

Her childhood in Allahabad was steeped in books, poetry, and conversation. &ldquo;My parents taught me to memorise and recite Urdu couplets from the moment I could speak,&rdquo; she recalls, describing a home filled with literature, visits to old bookstores, and late-night gatherings where she would sit quietly, absorbing it all.





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Despite this deeply immersive upbringing, Dr Mehr initially resisted following the same intellectual path. Determined to define herself independently, she pursued a Master&rsquo;s degree and later a PhD in medieval Indian history. But distance did not dilute her connection to language; it sharpened it. Eventually, she returned to the literary world she had grown up in.

Today, she is recognised as a leading scholar in her own right, best known for her acclaimed work on the 19th-century poet Mirza Ghalib. Her research revisits Ghalib&rsquo;s mustarad kalam&mdash;the verses he chose not to include in his published collections&mdash;offering a more intimate look at his creative process.

She describes this as a sophisticated act of self-editing, shaped by a period of major cultural and technological transition. &ldquo;Ghalib was writing at a time when the printing press was revolutionising literature,&rdquo; she explains.

Beyond scholarship, Dr Mehr is also vocal about how Urdu is positioned in contemporary discourse. She criticises attempts to confine the language to a single religious identity, arguing instead for a more expansive understanding of its cultural roots. &ldquo;Urdu belongs to the soil of India, not to any single religion,&rdquo; she says.

Despite concerns about institutional neglect, she remains hopeful about the language&rsquo;s future. In her view, Urdu&rsquo;s survival will depend less on official patronage and more on public engagement.

With the help of digital platforms, social media, and private initiatives, she believes a new generation can be inspired not only to appreciate Urdu&rsquo;s beauty but also to actively read, write, and preserve its script.]]>
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			<title>Momina Iqbal shares stunning wedding moments with Hamza Habib</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611070/momina-iqbal-shares-stunning-wedding-moments-with-hamza-habib</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611070/momina-iqbal-shares-stunning-wedding-moments-with-hamza-habib#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 26 12:34:29 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Actor showcases multiple designer ensembles and heartfelt moments with husband]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Actor Momina Iqbal tied the knot with Hamza Habib this week, sharing photographs and videos from their wedding festivities, including the Dua-e-Khair, Mayoun, Mehndi Lagayi, Mehndi and Baraat ceremonies.

The actor documented each event on Instagram, giving followers a glimpse into the celebrations through candid moments, couple portraits and detailed looks at her bridal wardrobe.

Iqbal began by sharing images from her Dua-e-Khair ceremony, where she wore a light pink garara paired with a gold blouse and an embroidered dupatta by Aneelas Formals. She completed the look with soft pink-toned makeup and fresh pink roses woven into her hair.





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For the Mayoun ceremony, the couple coordinated in shades of yellow. Iqbal complemented the traditional colour palette with orange floral accessories and a matching dupatta.

At her Mehndi Lagayi event, the actor chose a golden sharara ensemble by Haseens, consisting of a shirt and dupatta adorned with intricate detailing.

She later switched to a heavily embellished gown by Ahmad Sultan for the Mehndi celebration, pairing it with a dark purple dupatta while Habib coordinated his attire to complement her look.





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However, it was her bridal ensemble that drew the most attention.

Designed by Fahad Hussayn, the orange-and-gold outfit featured intricate craftsmanship, statement jewellery and bold bridal makeup.





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One of the most distinctive elements of the look was the use of three dupattas &mdash; one draped over her shoulders, another styled across her outfit, and a third placed traditionally over her head.&nbsp;





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In her final wedding post, Iqbal shared a heartfelt message dedicated to designer Fahad Hussayn alongside a series of bridal portraits.

&ldquo;Fahad, I honestly don&#39;t have enough words to express my admiration for you or to offer prayers that truly reflect how much you deserve,&rdquo; she wrote.

&ldquo;Meeting you made me understand why God grants certain people such respect, recognition, honour and a special place in the hearts of others.&rdquo;





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The actor also expressed gratitude to the photographers, stylists and the wider team involved in bringing the wedding celebrations together.

The couple&#39;s wedding photos have since garnered widespread attention on social media, with fans congratulating the newlyweds and praising Iqbal&#39;s carefully curated looks throughout the festivities.]]>
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			<title>Miss Universe Pakistan finalist Aneesa Sheikh calls for end to cyberbullying, harassment</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615920/miss-universe-pakistan-finalist-aneesa-sheikh-calls-for-end-to-cyberbullying-harassment</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615920/miss-universe-pakistan-finalist-aneesa-sheikh-calls-for-end-to-cyberbullying-harassment#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 11:25:53 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615920</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Issues an appeal directly to women worldwide to disrupt toxic subcultures]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Amidst intense digital scrutiny and mounting online tensions, Miss Universe Pakistan finalist Aneesa Sheikh has delivered a powerful, heartfelt public service announcement urging a complete halt to cyberbullying and harassment.

The Pakistani-American model, singer, and academic, who previously represented the nation as Miss Grand Pakistan 2022, took to her official platform to clarify her stance on internet safety. Far from a routine pageant response, her statement carries deeply personal weight, referencing the tragic loss of her 22-year-old brother to online bullying.

In an emotional video and caption, Aneesa made it undeniably clear that human safety and mental health must always take precedence over any title. &quot;No competition, no title, and no disagreement is ever worth someone&rsquo;s safety or mental health,&quot; she shared. &quot;Having lost my brother to online bullying, this is an issue I take incredibly seriously. I will always condemn threats, harassment, intimidation, and bullying toward anyone, regardless of who they are.&quot;

The announcement comes at a critical juncture in the Miss Universe Pakistan selection cycle. When tensions recently escalated online, with digital fanbases and aggressive commentary beginning to target the competition&#39;s judging panel, prompting previous titleholders to speak out against coordinated cyber harassment.

Addressing the behaviour of digital spaces, Aneesa firmly distanced herself and her management from any abusive behaviour, emphasising that a true community is built on empathy rather than division. While acknowledging that no single individual can police the entire internet, she vowed to continue using her voice to lead by example, fostering discussions rooted in kindness.

She also issued an appeal directly to women worldwide to disrupt toxic subcultures, asking them to &quot;Shift away from habits that tear others down, cultivate meaningful, compassionate discussions and prioritise unity and think twice before posting.&quot;

In an Instagram post, Aneesa said that to ensure accountability, her team has set up a dedicated reporting channel where users can forward screenshots of credible threats, targeted harassment, or abusive messaging.

&quot;Valid reports are being systematically documented and forwarded to the appropriate authorities and legal commissioners in Lahore and Islamabad for immediate official review,&quot; she said.]]>
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			<title>Nida Yasir shares highlights from Europe trip with son</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611043/nida-yasir-shares-highlights-from-europe-trip-with-son</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611043/nida-yasir-shares-highlights-from-europe-trip-with-son#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 26 09:07:11 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2611043</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[TV host documents her travels, sharing sightseeing adventures, family moments and a stylish vacation wardrobe]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Television host Nida Yasir has been drawing attention on social media after sharing glimpses of her recent family trip to Europe with her son, Balaj.

Through a series of Instagram posts and videos, Nida documented moments from her travels, including sightseeing tours, interactive art experiences and visits to some of the region&#39;s most popular attractions.

One of the most talked-about clips from the trip shows the host riding a Vespa scooter through the streets of Budapest, passing several iconic landmarks.

In the video, she is seen wearing a yellow dress paired with a brown top and statement jewellery.





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The post received an enthusiastic response from followers, with many praising her energy and adventurous spirit. One user commented, &quot;The heart should stay young,&quot; applauding her youthful outlook.



In another update, Nida shared footage from a visit to Fr&ouml;csk&ouml;lő, an interactive art space where participants paint on one another as well as on surrounding surfaces, turning the activity into a colourful paint-filled experience.





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The host also gave followers a look at her travel wardrobe, which differed from the traditional attire viewers are accustomed to seeing on her morning show appearances.

During the trip, Nida opted for several Western outfits, including a black-and-white polka dot dress paired with a white cardigan.

Fans were quick to notice the style shift and compliment her fashion choices throughout the vacation.





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Nida is married to actor and director Yasir Nawaz, and the couple have three children. She is widely recognised as a long-running morning show host on television.]]>
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			<title>Reports suggest strain in Justin Timberlake, Jessica Biel’s marriage amid singer’s drinking habits</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2609135/reports-suggest-strain-in-justin-timberlake-jessica-biels-marriage-amid-singers-drinking-habits</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2609135/reports-suggest-strain-in-justin-timberlake-jessica-biels-marriage-amid-singers-drinking-habits#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 20 May 26 08:37:40 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2609135</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Tabloid claims Biel 'sick of being publicly embarrassed' following husband's 2024 drink-driving charge]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Reports suggest that singer Justin Timberlake may be facing strain in his marriage to Jessica Biel after 13 years together, with rumours alleging the situation has worsened due to public scrutiny surrounding Timberlake&#39;s alleged driving-related incidents and concerns regarding aspects of his lifestyle.

A report by&nbsp;Radar Online&nbsp;suggests Biel has long tolerated the musician&rsquo;s irresponsible behavior and drinking habits, and is now reportedly feeling embarrassed about how their relationship is perceived publicly.





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Timberlake received a driving while ability impaired (DWAI) charge in September 2024 after prosecutors dropped the more serious driving while intoxicated (DWI) count as part of a plea deal. The singer was required to pay a $500 fine, complete 25 hours of community service, and publish a public safety announcement.

The case drew further attention in March 2025 when additional police bodycam footage emerged showing the singer performing sobriety tests.

&ldquo;She [Biel] does everything with the kids, and she&rsquo;s sick of being publicly embarrassed&rdquo;, an insider told Radar Online. The source also told the outlet, &ldquo;Justin is the kind of guy that when he&rsquo;s out, has always had a drink in hand&rdquo;, referring all the way back to the singer&#39;s NSYNC prime tour days.

Timberlake and Biel, married since 2012, share two sons. However, they have reportedly been going through a rough patch ever since their engagement days in 2011, when Biel warned Timberlake to &ldquo;settle down or she was out&rdquo;.]]>
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			<title>Fact check: Viral video does not show Hollywood actor Jason Statham displaying Palestine flag on his car</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2606680/fact-check-viral-video-does-not-show-hollywood-actor-jason-statham-displaying-palestine-flag-on-car</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2606680/fact-check-viral-video-does-not-show-hollywood-actor-jason-statham-displaying-palestine-flag-on-car#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 06 May 26 16:33:10 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Fact Check By iVerify]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[The clip is from 2023 and does not feature Statham; no such video was found on actor's social media accounts]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Multiple accounts on the social media platform X were sharing a video since May 5, 2026, claiming to show Hollywood actor Jason Statham displaying a Palestinian flag on his car. However, the clip is old from 2023 and does not feature Statham.

Public figures, including actors, musicians, and athletes, have repeatedly used their platforms to comment on the war in Gaza since late 2023. Several celebrities have expressed solidarity with Palestinians by calling for&nbsp;ceasefires, humanitarian aid access, and protection of civilians, while others have&nbsp;voiced support&nbsp;for Israel or focused on condemning violence more broadly. These positions have often been communicated through social media posts, open letters, fundraising campaigns, concerts, and appearances at public events.&nbsp;

HOW IT STARTED

On May 5, 2026, an X user, who appears to be based in Turkiye per their profile and previous posts,&nbsp;shared&nbsp;a video of an individual displaying a Palestinian flag on his car, with the following caption: &ldquo;Famous actor Jason Statham hung a Palestinian flag on his car.&rdquo;

The post, which racked up 2.5 million views, also included a photo of Statham.

A similar post, including the clip and the actor&rsquo;s photograph, was&nbsp;shared&nbsp;by another X account with the same caption. It garnered 176,700 views.

An X user, who calls themselves a journalist in the bio, also&nbsp;shared&nbsp;the video with a similar caption, gathering 90,600 views.

Subsequently, several other social media users shared the video on&nbsp;Instagram&nbsp;and X, as can be seen&nbsp;here,&nbsp;here,&nbsp;here,&nbsp;here,&nbsp;here, and&nbsp;here; collectively accumulating more than 90,000 views.&nbsp;

METHODOLOGY

A fact-check was initiated to determine the veracity of the claim due to its high virality and keen public interest in celebrities expressing solidarity with Palestinians.

A keyword search was conducted to corroborate whether any credible international media outlets had reported on such a video of Statham; however, it did not yield any results.

Similarly, no such video was found on any of Statham&rsquo;s official social media accounts, including&nbsp;Instagram&nbsp;and&nbsp;Facebook.



@sitsavorbite

he made sure to wash his car first🥹 #freepalestine #freepalestine🇵🇸❤️ #freepalestine🇵🇸 #palestine #palestinetiktok #fyp #fypシ
♬ الصوت الأصلي - Ramos Hajjaj




A reverse image search yielded a&nbsp;TikTok post&nbsp;dated October 21, 2023, wherein the same video was shared with the caption: &ldquo;He made sure to wash his car first.&rdquo; It was accompanied by several pro-Palestinian hashtags.

As can be seen, the video is old, and the caption suggests that the individual in the clip is preparing for a pro-Palestinian rally by washing his car first.

The results further identified the&nbsp;location&nbsp;in the clip as&nbsp;Moo Moo Express Car Wash, which is situated on Rome Road in Ohio, US.



When the team conducted a keyword search, it yielded several news reports regarding a pro-Palestine rally in Downtown Ohio on October 22, 2023. They&nbsp;featured&nbsp;cars at the rally that were similar to the one in the viral clip, displaying Palestinian flags on their bonnets.





The search results also found news reports by several media outlets from October 2023 &mdash; including Turkish and&nbsp;Pakistani&nbsp;social media outlets, such as&nbsp;Anadolu Agency,&nbsp;T&uuml;rkiye Gazetesi, and&nbsp;TGRT Haber&nbsp;&mdash; in which they had debunked the claim that the viral clip showed Statham or his car.

FACT-CHECK STATUS: FALSE

The claim that a viral video of Hollywood actor Jason Statham displaying a Palestinian flag on his car is&nbsp;false.

The footage is old and shows a pro-Palestinian demonstrator preparing for a rally in Columbus, Ohio.

This fact check was&nbsp;originally published&nbsp;by iVerify Pakistan &mdash; a project of CEJ-IBA and UNDP.]]>
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			<title>From hiking to hotpot, lonely consumers in China fuel a $7.4b companionship economy</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611049/from-hiking-to-hotpot-lonely-consumers-in-china-fuel-a-74b-companionship-economy</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611049/from-hiking-to-hotpot-lonely-consumers-in-china-fuel-a-74b-companionship-economy#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 26 09:50:26 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2611049</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Young adults in China are paying gig workers for emotional support and shared activities to cure social anxiety]]>
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				<![CDATA[On the stone steps leading up Mount Tai, one of China&rsquo;s best-known peaks, hikers can book and &zwnj;pay for &ldquo;climbing buddies&rdquo; to walk with them, carry bags, and take photos for a few hundred yuan.

The increasingly popular service is part of a broader &ldquo;companionship economy&rdquo; emerging in China, which includes paid partners for running, sightseeing, and even eating out at hotpot restaurants, a meal traditionally shared with friends.

Providers, often students or ​young gig workers, advertise on social media with promises of &ldquo;emotional value&rdquo; conversation, and practical help, turning what was once an ​experience or favour among friends into a bookable &ndash; and payable &ndash; service.

While there is no official data about ⁠the size of the companion economy, estimates cited by state media said it was worth around 50 billion yuan ($7.4 billion) in 2025.

The ​trend reflects broader shifts in China&rsquo;s urban lifestyles and service economy.

Researchers and state media have described growing demand for &ldquo;emotional consumption&rdquo; as young ​people live and work farther from family networks, face longer working hours and have a harder time maintaining traditional social ties.

China&#39;s prolonged youth unemployment has coincided with - and contributed to - a growing reliance on gig and flexible work among young people, as graduates and job seekers turn to delivery, ride‑hailing and ​other online platform work in the absence of stable jobs.

Official data shows China has more than 200 million so-called flexible workers.

Paying for company

After leaving the army in 2022, Chen Wenxin founded a hiking-companion company, with a focus on the eastern province of Shandong. &ldquo;I have always been &zwnj;a hiker ⁠and have a lot of hiking experience,&quot; Chen said. &quot;I noticed rising demand in the hiking escort service, then decided to try my hand in the field.&rdquo;

His team has expanded from fewer than 10 workers to about 370 now. He said the company charges 800 yuan ($116) for daytime climbs on Mount Tai, the highest point in Shandong.

Psychotherapist Sami Wong, managing director of research firm 3Drips Psychology, said the appeal ​of paid companions is partly about ​certainty and control in a ⁠social environment that can otherwise feel like a lot of effort and high-risk.

Meeting people requires emotional labour and investment, she said, and &ldquo;the outcome is very uncertain,&rdquo; which creates anxiety. Paid companionship can help ​customers avoid the sting of rejection. &ldquo;When you pay for this service, you always get a &#39;yes&#39;,&rdquo; Wong ​said.

Tang Junxing, 24, a ⁠junior at a university in the southern Chinese city of Guilin, said he earns pocket money as a travel companion. The side gig started when a university professor asked him to be her driver on a week-long road trip.

&ldquo;That&rsquo;s when I realised you can actually make money ⁠by accompanying ​people on trips and driving for them,&rdquo; he said. Tang says he typically ​earns 3,000 to 5,000 yuan a month.

&ldquo;Most of my clients are women and their core need is emotional value, someone who makes them feel good and makes the ​trip easy,&rdquo; he said.]]>
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			<title>In New York, waiting in line becomes a social scene</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611619/in-new-york-waiting-in-line-becomes-a-social-scene</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611619/in-new-york-waiting-in-line-becomes-a-social-scene#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 26 12:18:46 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2611619</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The power of social media trends means that for some, waiting for hours is an attraction in itself in New York]]>
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				<![CDATA[In front of L&#39;industrie Pizzeria, as at many other New York restaurants and shops, customers line up behind barriers in this case, all to grab a prized pizza slice.

Not everyone in America&#39;s biggest city finds standing in line to be a chore. The power of social media trends means that for some, waiting for hours is an attraction in itself.

&quot;It&#39;s gotten pretty crazy in the city recently,&quot; food influencer Ali Chilton, who has 168,000 followers on Instagram, told AFP.

&quot;Some would blame me for the lines at some of those places,&quot; the 31-year-old said, citing a craze for hot chocolates at dessert shop Glace after a video she posted in 2023 racked up tens of millions of views.

People can queue overnight in New York if needed, as happened last year when punters sought to bag free tickets for a play starring Lupita Nyong&#39;o and Peter Dinklage in Central Park.

Isabella Downes, who lately waited 40 minutes outside a Manhattan deli, said she was drawn to the idea of &quot;participating in something trendy and fun.&quot;

She was queuing to try out Dot Cakes, small frosted cakes with multicoloured sprinkles that went viral and sell for $11 apiece.

In a &quot;polarising&quot; world, she said, &quot;being collectively together over one thing, and it&#39;s usually a pretty happy and excited environment, that can be really nice too.&quot;

Line sitters



Photo: Queue outside Swatch/AFP

For the impatient, a new tool has recently become available: the website &quot;Damn Lines&quot; estimates waiting times in real time using cameras installed in nearby homes, in exchange for payment.

Or you can hire a line sitter to wait in your place.

One firm, Same Ole Line Dudes, says its workers are in at least two separate queues on any given day.

They charge clients $25 an hour for the privilege of sparing them the boredom of waiting. At courts, where media outlets often use line sitters to get a seat for high-profile cases, the rate rises to $50 an hour.

Robert Samuel, the company&#39;s founder, said that customers include businesses that may hire sitters to create a queue, enticing others to join it.

&quot;I can&#39;t say the name, but we&#39;ve had a few companies that have hired my line sitters as posers to wait outside their establishments,&quot; he told AFP.

Social ritual

Roberto Casati, a French-Italian philosopher, pointed to a deeper sense of meaning for people who join long queues like those in New York.

&quot;A social ritual is being created around the line,&quot; Casati, a research director at the French National Centre for Scientific Research, told AFP.

These moments become &quot;shareable,&quot; &quot;Instagrammable&quot; experiences and therefore more &quot;acceptable&quot; than waiting at the supermarket, he added.

Samuel Abrams, a professor at Sarah Lawrence College in New York state, said that queuing was about &quot;status.&quot;

&quot;To wait at the right place signals taste, knowledge, and stamina,&quot; he wrote in a piece for specialist website NewGeography.com.

The phenomenon can, however, create tensions.

In 2024, the hugely popular bagel chain Apollo ended up in court with the owner of a building over its long lines blocking neighbouring tenants&#39; entrances.]]>
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			<title>French museum reports theft of arty banana</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610853/french-museum-reports-theft-of-arty-banana</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610853/french-museum-reports-theft-of-arty-banana#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 01 Jun 26 07:26:51 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2610853</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[In July last year, a visitor ate the fruit but guards quickly intervened and stuck up a replacement banana]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The missing fruit, which was taped to a wall to form the provocative work by Cattelan called &quot;Comedian&quot;, was noticed by a guard on Saturday to have gone missing.

The Pompidou-Metz museum, which is a branch of the famous Pompidou Centre in Paris, said in a statement it had lodged a criminal complaint for theft against persons unknown.

It also said it had replaced the banana.

It is not the first time damage has been dealt to the conceptual artwork, whose perishable banana centrepiece is replaced every three days to keep it contemporary.

In July last year, a visitor to the museum ate the fruit. But guards quickly intervened and stuck up a replacement banana.

Cattelan said at the time he was disappointed the hungry visitor had consumed only the banana and not the tape as well. The museum did not take legal action in that instance.

This time, though, it decided to make its criminal complaint because the perpetrator was unidentified, and therefore &quot;there is no possibility of dialogue&quot;.

It also said that &quot;this is the second time this has happened&quot;, and it felt it was an issue of respect for the artwork.

Cattelan&#39;s edible creation, which aims to question the notion of art and its value, has sparked controversy ever since it made its debut at the 2019 Art Basel show in Miami Beach with an asking price of $120,000.

A performance artist, David Datuna, ate &quot;Comedian&quot; at that 2019 show, saying he felt &quot;hungry&quot;.

But the work&#39;s value has only risen.

Chinese-born crypto founder Justin Sun, in 2024, forked out $5.2 million for one iteration of the work, then days later ate it in front of cameras in Hong Kong.

As well as &quot;Comedian&quot;, Cattelan is also known for producing an 18-carat, fully functioning gold toilet called &quot;America&quot; that was offered to Donald Trump during his first term in the White House.

A British court in March found two men guilty of stealing it during an exhibition in 2020 in the United Kingdom, from an 18th-century stately home that was the birthplace of wartime prime minister Winston Churchill.

It was split up into parts, and none of the gold was ever recovered.]]>
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			<title>PCOS renamed Polycystic Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome in hopes of improving diagnoses</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2607884/pcos-renamed-polycystic-metabolic-ovarian-syndrome-in-hopes-of-improving-diagnoses</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2607884/pcos-renamed-polycystic-metabolic-ovarian-syndrome-in-hopes-of-improving-diagnoses#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 13 May 26 10:51:46 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2607884</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[PCOS renamed PMOS after 14-year global effort to better reflect hormonal and metabolic nature of condition]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) has officially been renamed Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), following a landmark 14-year collaboration between Monash University, medical experts, researchers, and patients worldwide.

The announcement was made by The Lancet on Tuesday, marking a significant shift in how the condition is understood and discussed globally. The condition affects around one in eight women, impacting more than 170 million people worldwide.

According to speakers at a press conference announcing the change, the previous name &ldquo;Polycystic Ovary Syndrome&rdquo; was considered misleading because it inaccurately suggested the condition was primarily a gynecological issue centered on ovarian cysts.

Patient advocacy and professional organisations, including the Endocrine Society, participated in the renaming process. Experts explained that the new term, PMOS, better reflects the complex nature of the condition by highlighting its hormonal, metabolic, and reproductive aspects rather than focusing solely on the ovaries.

The updated name aims to simplify public understanding of the condition while recognising its broad effects on the body. PMOS is associated with hormonal imbalances, metabolic complications, weight fluctuations, skin issues, mental health challenges, and reproductive health concerns.

A three-year international transition period will now begin, supported by educational campaigns and awareness initiatives involving healthcare professionals, researchers, and governments worldwide. The updated terminology is expected to be formally incorporated into the 2028 International Guideline update. 

&ldquo;The thought behind that is that there&#39;s no cysts in the ovary, so it&rsquo;s very confusing,&rdquo;&nbsp;said Dr Melanie Cree, of the pediatric endocrinology department at the University of Colorado. She added, &ldquo;The hope was that with a more comprehensive and accurate name change, that it would start to enable and push better care.&rdquo;

The conference also highlighted the contributions of Lorna Berry, an Australian woman living with PMOS who played a key role in the renaming initiative. &ldquo;This is about accountability and progress,&rdquo;&nbsp;she said.

Berry added, &ldquo;It is about my daughters, their daughters, and the countless women yet to be born. We deserve clarity, understanding, and equitable healthcare from the very beginning.&rdquo;

Rachael Morman, chair of Verity, also welcomed the change, saying the new name properly acknowledges the hormonal and metabolic dimensions of the condition.

&ldquo;It is fantastic that the new name now leads with hormones and recognises the metabolic dimension of the condition,&rdquo; she said. She concluded, &ldquo;This shift will reframe the conversation and demand that it is taken as seriously as the long-term, complex health condition it is.&rdquo;]]>
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			<title>Soviet-era watches revived for luxury market</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603857/soviet-era-watches-revived-for-luxury-market</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603857/soviet-era-watches-revived-for-luxury-market#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 20 Apr 26 20:10:40 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2603857</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[From frozen factory floors to the wrist of Putin, former British lawyer turns ailing Raketa into a success story]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[When David Henderson-Stewart first visited Russia&#39;s Raketa watch factory, its few remaining watchmakers were huddled in winter coats over vintage equipment.

The British former lawyer knew nothing about watches, but his love of Soviet design led him to see potential in the ailing enterprise, which once employed 7,000 workers and produced timepieces for astronauts and the mass market.

President Vladimir Putin now wears a watch made by its bespoke offshoot, Imperial Peterhof Factory. &quot;I would never have found something as interesting as Raketa in the West,&quot; said Henderson-Stewart, who did not wear a watch until he took over the factory outside St Petersburg with a partner in 2010.

A yearning to live abroad drove Henderson-Stewart to move to Russia to work in law after studying at Oxford and at Paris&#39;s Sorbonne University. He has stayed, raising three children, who all have Russian citizenship. Under his leadership, Raketa&#39;s pivot to high end watches with an emphasis on their &quot;Made in Russia&quot; credentials has paid off.

Western sanctions imposed over the war in Ukraine squeezed trade and shuttered foreign luxury stores in Russia from 2022, but domestic demand rose for the largely unsanctioned company, while sales continued to Europe and the Middle East. Its own supply chain was little affected.

&quot;We don&#39;t depend on the West for components. We produce most of them ourselves,&quot; Henderson-Stewart said at the revamped Raketa facility, whose industrial roots date to 1721. &quot;That&#39;s what our community likes ... that it&#39;s a Russian-made watch.&quot;

PUTIN BOOST

In the factory, some of the over 200 employees use refurbished machinery to fashion tiny cogs, wheels and springs, continuing the rare practice of making all mechanical parts in-house. Elsewhere, watchmakers with magnifying eyepieces work painstakingly, pop music blaring in the background.

Raketa received a boost in 2022 when Putin was spotted wearing his Imperial Peterhof Factory watch. Some local media read it as a signal of support for domestic production after the invasion of Ukraine. Putin has since worn the watch regularly, spurring demand for similar designs, said Henderson-Stewart.

Public records show Raketa posted profit of 109 million roubles ($1.43 million) in 2025, over 15% more than in 2024. Priced from around $700 to $3,500, Raketa watches are mostly based on Soviet designs, including the steely-faced Baikonur, named after the cosmodrome from which Moscow still launches crewed space flights.

The hands of another of its watches sweep counter-clockwise. This unique model has become a bestseller since it was brought to Henderson-Stewart&#39;s attention by head engineer Lyudmila Voynik, 86, who has worked at the factory since the 1950s. &quot;I have lived my life here. I am proud that we managed to revive it all once again.&quot;]]>
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			<title>Shehzad Roy unveils teaser of new podcast featuring Malala Yousafzai</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2600850/shehzad-roy-unveils-teaser-of-new-podcast-featuring-malala-yousafzai</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2600850/shehzad-roy-unveils-teaser-of-new-podcast-featuring-malala-yousafzai#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 03 Apr 26 08:52:03 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2600850</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Shot at her London home, Malala appears as the first guest on Roy’s new venture, ‘Laga Reh Podcast’]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Shehzad Roy has given fans a first look at his new venture, Laga Reh Podcast, with a teaser featuring Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai as his first guest.

The short clip, shared on Thursday on YouTube and Instagram, was filmed in Malala&rsquo;s London home and promises a conversation that is open, honest, and more personal than usual interviews.

In the teaser, Roy is seen asking Malala questions about her life, her work in education, and the challenges she has faced over the years. The discussion touches on topics that are often surrounded by public debate, showing that the episode will not shy away from tough questions.





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At the same time, the conversation feels natural, with moments of light humour and relaxed chatting, making it clear that the podcast will mix serious discussion with friendly conversation.

The teaser also shows Malala&rsquo;s husband, Asser Malik, joining parts of the conversation. Roy directs a few questions to him, including topics about Malala&rsquo;s bestselling book. This gives a hint that the podcast will not just focus on Malala alone but also on the people around her, giving viewers a fuller picture of her life and work.





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What makes the promo stand out is how relaxed and open the conversation feels. The podcast will be more than a standard interview, aiming instead to give viewers a chance to hear personal thoughts and insights that are rarely shared in public.

The pacing and tone of the teaser suggest that the full episode will be a mix of deep questions, personal stories, and lighthearted moments.





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With this first glimpse, anticipation is growing for the full episode.

Fans are eager to hear Malala speak openly about her experiences all in the calm and thoughtful style that Roy brings to his podcast.]]>
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			<title>Thought-provoking 'Khali Stage' wins hearts on World Theatre Day</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2599838/thought-provoking-khali-stage-wins-hearts-on-world-theatre-day</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2599838/thought-provoking-khali-stage-wins-hearts-on-world-theatre-day#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 28 Mar 26 20:36:34 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[APP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2599838</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Play captivates audience with powerful message, artistic brilliance; receives all-round praise from enthusiastic audie]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Marking World Theatre Day on Friday, the thought-provoking play &quot;Khali Stage&quot;, presented in collaboration with Dolphin Communication and the Pakistan National Council of the Arts, captivated the audience with its powerful message and artistic brilliance. The hall echoed with applause for a long time after the outstanding performance, as attendees paid rich tribute to the creative efforts of Asma Ismail Butt.

They remarked that such meaningful and creative productions not only breathe new life into theatre but also play a vital role in highlighting social values and intellectual awareness.

The play was written by Muhammad Waqar Azeem, while direction and presentation were led by Ms. Asma Ismail Butt.

The drama effectively and movingly portrayed the spirit of theatre, its history, and its decline and revival. The cast included Lareb Rathore, Imran Rashdi, Kaleem Khan, Masooma Shah, Noor Shararti, Waqas, and Samran Ali, all of whom delivered powerful and deeply felt performances that received great appreciation from the audience.

The story revolves around a young girl who is deeply connected to theatre. On an empty stage, she begins to see characters from the past come alive before her eyes. However, as soon as a modern director enters the scene, all the characters disappear.The dialogue that unfolds between the girl and the director reflects the lack of creative spirit in modern theatre and raises important questions about its future.

According to the CEO of Dolphin Communication, Ms. Asma Ismail Butt, &quot;Khali Stage&quot; is a sincere effort to highlight the creative and intellectual dimensions of theatre and to remind audiences of its enduring importance.

At the end of the performance, the audience praised the play wholeheartedly and stated that such productions play an important and necessary role in promoting intellectual awareness and cultural sensitivity in society.

World Theatre Day (WTD) is an international observance celebrated on 27 March. It was initiated in 1961 by the International Theatre Institute.

World Theatre Day was initiated in 1962 by the International Theatre Institute (ITI). It is celebrated annually on 27 March by ITI Centres and the international theatre community. Various national and international theatre events are organized to mark this occasion. One of the most important of these is the circulation of the World Theatre Day International Message through which at the invitation of ITI, a figure of world stature shares his or her reflections on the theme of Theatre and a Culture of Peace. The first World Theatre Day International Message was written by Jean Cocteau (France) in 1962. It was first in Helsinki, and then in Vienna at the 9th World Congress of the ITI in June 1961 that President Arvi Kivimaa proposed on behalf of the Finnish Centre of the International Theatre Institute that a World Theatre Day be instituted. The proposal, backed by the Scandinavian centres, was carried with acclamation.

The 2023 International Message was entrusted to Samiha Ayoub, an Egyptian actress mainly in theater, but also active in the world of cinema and television.

For the 62nd edition of World Theatre Day in 2024, the message, entitled &#39;Art is Peace&#39;, was written by Jon Fosse, Norwegian writer and playwright. It strongly and profoundly recalls the founding values of theatre with respect to the global community, emphasizing the peaceful and universal value of art.

The 2026 International Massage was entrusted to American actor Willem Dafoe with the conclusion: &quot;In a world that seems to get more divisive, controlling and violent, our challenge as theatre makers is to avoid the corruption of theatre solely as a commercial enterprise dedicated to the entertainment by distraction or as the dry institutional preserver of traditions, but rather to foster its strength to connect peoples, communities, cultures and above all to question where we are going.&quot;]]>
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			<title>James Tolkan, iconic 'Back to the Future' actor, dies at 94</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2599840/james-tolkan-iconic-back-to-the-future-actor-dies-at-94</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2599840/james-tolkan-iconic-back-to-the-future-actor-dies-at-94#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 28 Mar 26 20:36:34 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[News Desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Also famous for his 'Top Gun' role, star leaves behind strong legacy]]>
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				<![CDATA[James Tolkan, the veteran character actor known for his steely presence and unforgettable roles, has died at 94 in Saranac Lake, New York, a family spokesperson confirmed. Tolkan became an indelible figure in Hollywood with his portrayals of intense, no-nonsense characters, leaving a mark on audiences across decades.

Tolkan is perhaps best remembered for Back to the Future, where he played the strict Hill Valley High School principal Mr. Strickland, famously berating students as &#39;slackers&#39;. He reprised the role in the sequel and even appeared as Strickland&#39;s grandfather in the third installment. Audiences also cheered his commanding presence as Tom Cruise&#39;s officer, Pete &#39;Stinger&#39; Jardian, in Top Gun.

Beyond these iconic roles, Tolkan&#39;s filmography spanned a remarkable range. He appeared in Woody Allen&#39;s Love and Death as Napoleon and his look-alike, played the crooked accountant Numbers in Dick Tracy, and featured in three Sidney Lumet films: Serpico, Prince of the City, and Family Business. His versatility extended to horror with The Amityville Horror, sci-fi with WarGames, and fantasy with Masters of the Universe.

On stage, Tolkan shone in Broadway productions, including the original Glengarry Glen Ross as Dave Moss and Wait Until Dark, where he replaced Robert Duvall in the role of Harry Roat. His television credits were equally extensive, with appearances on Remington Steele, Miami Vice, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, The Wonder Years, Leverage, and A Nero Wolfe Mystery, where he also directed several episodes.

Born on June 20, 1931, in Calumet, Michigan, Tolkan moved through Chicago and Tucson, Arizona, after his parents divorced. Following service in the U.S. Navy, he studied at Coe College, the University of Iowa, and honed his craft at The Actors Studio alongside classmates like Warren Beatty. He made his onscreen debut in 1960 on Naked City and built a career defined by dedication, discipline, and memorable intensity.

Tolkan is survived by his wife, Parmelee, whom he met on the set of the off-Broadway play Pinkville in 1971. The couple married that year in Lake Placid. Fans wishing to honour Tolkan&#39;s memory are encouraged to donate to local animal shelters or Humane Society chapters.

Tolkan is perhaps best known for his role in the 1985 film Back to the Future as the strict Hill Valley High School vice principal Gerald Strickland; the character refers to Marty McFly, his father, and Biff Tannen derisively as &quot;slackers&quot;.]]>
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			<title>'Cheating fruit' AI trend gains millions of TikTok views</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2599111/cheating-fruit-ai-trend-gains-millions-of-tiktok-views</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2599111/cheating-fruit-ai-trend-gains-millions-of-tiktok-views#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 24 Mar 26 23:07:11 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[News Desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Video shows strawberry cheating on her husband with eggplant]]>
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				<![CDATA[The latest social media trend featuring AI-generated fruits has people creating dramatic, soap-opera-style stories where fruits cheat on one another. It all started with a TikTok video showing a strawberry cheating on her husband with an eggplant. Since then, these anthropomorphic fruit characters have continued the trend, engaging in over-the-top relationship drama and infidelity.

Posted by creator trombonechef and AI cinema on TikTok, the sad fruit stories have increased to subsequent multi-part videos and continues stories of affairs. Many compared the drama to Love Island storylines.

Although not very impressive productions of AI, the trends have taken over for pure entertainment purposes, which often include ridiculous storylines of betrayal and awkward voiceovers, gaining millions of views.

Another popular trending storyline is that of a strawberry couple, whose upcoming wedding is sabotaged by a chocolate. The video features the chocolate going out of her way to steal the strawberry&#39;s man and set fire to her wedding dress.

Many viewers took to TikTok to share their obsession with these AI-cheating fruit videos, saying that they are taking over their lives.

Many musicians, including Zara Larsson, received criticism for reposting these videos after talking about the negative consequences of AI.

This is not the first time that we have seen AI videos go viral. Just last year, AI cat videos were blowing up on social media, featuring cheating scandals and videos of mothers accidentally cooking their children in ovens or throwing them into washing machines.

Commentators took to social media to share the consequences of this type of content for children who are scrolling online.

This trend has also entered the Eastern sphere, where content creators in South Asia are making similar AI videos with desi-flavored items including Samosa and Jalebi, as well as Karela and Aloo.

All in all, it could be noted that this viral wave of AI-generated &quot;cheating fruit&quot; dramas highlights both playful creativity and the growing absurdity of internet culture in the age of artificial intelligence. While these humorous and exaggerated soap-opera-style short films might appeal to the audience, they also raise concerns about the type of content we are allowing our children to be subjected to.

As this phenomenon grows globally, we can see how AI is not just a tool for innovation, but also a powerful force shaping entertainment, trends, and digital behavior.]]>
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			<title>Mahmood Aslam celebrates upcoming Pride of Performance honour</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2624714/mahmood-aslam-celebrates-upcoming-pride-of-performance-honour</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2624714/mahmood-aslam-celebrates-upcoming-pride-of-performance-honour#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 26 07:27:13 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Asif Raza Mir hosts gathering with actors Zara Noor Abbas, Usama Khan among those in attendance]]>
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				<![CDATA[Veteran actor Mahmood Aslam recently celebrated&nbsp;his upcoming Pride of Performance honour at a gathering hosted by fellow actor Asif Raza Mir. Colleagues including Zara Noor Abbas and Usama Khan were among those in attendance.

The actor, best known as Mehmood Sahab from Bulbulay, was recognised by the government for his contribution to television, theatre and film.&nbsp;The annual civil awards list, announced ahead of Pakistan Day celebrations on March 23 next year, includes more than 372 recipients. Of these, 54 awards have been given in the field of arts, while 29 recognise contributions to literature.

In a video from the event, Aslam thanked Mir for hosting the gathering. &quot;I want to thank Asif for thinking of this and putting it together, and Usama for standing by the idea and making it happen,&quot; he said.

The actor&nbsp;also extended his gratitude to those present at the celebration, including Zara and other friends.





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At the gathering, attendees embraced and congratulated Aslam on the career milestone.&nbsp;The evening was one of several such tributes for actors receiving awards from the government &mdash; actor Zahid Ahmed also recently marked his own Pride of Performance&nbsp;recognition with a dinner honouring the mentors who shaped his career.

Beyond his comedic turn in Bulbulay, Aslam left a mark in dramas including Andhera Ujala, Din, Boota from Toba Tek Singh, and Landa Bazar. More recently, his Instagram reels and short-form content on social media have found a new audience among Gen-Z viewers, who have taken to his comic videos.]]>
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			<title>Sadia Imam recalls navigating a male-dominated industry early in her career</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2624741/sadia-imam-recalls-navigating-a-male-dominated-industry-early-in-her-career</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2624741/sadia-imam-recalls-navigating-a-male-dominated-industry-early-in-her-career#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 26 10:42:33 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Actor says she kept strict boundaries with colleagues after feeling some male co-stars took advantage of her innocence]]>
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				<![CDATA[Actor Sadia Imam has opened up about her early years in the entertainment industry, recalling how some male colleagues made assumptions about her personality and expected her to join their social circles.

Speaking in a recent interview, Imam said there were few female celebrities in her age group when she entered showbiz in 1996, leaving her surrounded largely by male colleagues.

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&ldquo;There were many times I overheard my male colleagues&rsquo; discussions about me. When I&rsquo;d be entering the room, they&rsquo;d be like, &lsquo;Leave her&rsquo; and &lsquo;She doesn&rsquo;t enjoy going to parties,&rsquo;&rdquo; she said.

Imam recalled that Pakistani dramas were frequently filmed abroad at the time, with productions such as Dusri Duniya shooting in London and the United States. She said some colleagues initially assumed she would be interested in joining them at clubs and parties during overseas shoots.

&ldquo;At that time, many of our dramas were shot abroad, whereas now only our award shows take place outside of Pakistan. When filming for dramas like Dusri Duniya, the shoots would take place in London and America. Before that, they expected me to be a party girl who would join them at clubs,&rdquo; she explained.

&ldquo;When I went into the industry in 1996, there were very few women. Besides me, there were seniors like Sania Saeed, Huma Hamid and Maria Wasti from Lahore. I basically just had men around me,&rdquo; she said.

Looking back, Imam said she felt betrayed by some male colleagues, particularly because she chose to maintain personal boundaries rather than become overly familiar with people at work. &ldquo;So, I can say that I was stabbed in the back by male colleagues in the industry, especially if I did not open up,&rdquo; she said.

Imam also credited her father with helping her maintain a clear separation between her professional and personal lives. She said he advised her not to bring work relationships into her home or social life.

&ldquo;I never had friend groups. If you went to my house, for the past few years you would see that my father had cleared that line for me. He told me that work colleagues do not need to come to the house and you do not need to go out with them,&rdquo; she explained. &ldquo;So I didn&rsquo;t have friends,&rdquo; she added.

The actor further reflected on how social dynamics within the industry could influence professional opportunities, suggesting that people who did not fit into established groups could sometimes find themselves sidelined.

&ldquo;When they would take you out of the group, they would make you go in the second lane. I always wondered if they cast a new weak character, how that would go,&rdquo; she said.

Imam concluded by saying she has always preferred maintaining a small social circle and does not believe close workplace friendships are necessary. &ldquo;I always believed that you should not get close to people in this life because people will take advantage of you,&rdquo; she said.

On the professional front, Imam is currently co-hosting television review show Kya Drama Hai alongside Nadia Khan and Ateeqa Odho. She also runs a YouTube channel where she shares commentary and insights on current television dramas.]]>
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			<title>From coffee to hotpot, brands race to grab a bite of China's growing burger market</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2624371/from-coffee-to-hotpot-brands-race-to-grab-a-bite-of-chinas-growing-burger-market</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2624371/from-coffee-to-hotpot-brands-race-to-grab-a-bite-of-chinas-growing-burger-market#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 26 09:39:34 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Western fast-food market in China could grow to $87 billion by 2027]]>
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				<![CDATA[Burgers are having ​a moment in China, with budget-conscious diners and smaller households turning the humble sandwich into one of the country&#39;s hottest fast-food battlegrounds, drawing &zwnj;in everyone from global restaurant chains to hotpot operators and coffee brands.

Yum China&#39;s Pizza Hut Burger Bar format, in which a burger counter operates alongside an existing Pizza Hut restaurant, expanded to over 200 outlets in six months, the company said in July. It plans to grow the format to 500-600 outlets by the end of 2026, or about 10% of its total Pizza Hut ​store network.

The rush into burgers reflects broader shifts in China&#39;s consumption habits. As households get smaller and economic uncertainty keeps spending in check, diners are ​favouring lower-cost, portable meals that offer convenience without sacrificing value.



A cook makes a burger with a plant-based patty at VeggieWorld fair in Beijing, China November 8, 2019. Picture taken November 8, 2019. PHOTO: Reuters

That is turning burgers from a niche Western import, dominated by McDonald&#39;s, ⁠KFC and Burger King, into one of the most hotly contested segments of China&#39;s restaurant market as new brands race to cash in.

Last month, hotpot chain Haidilao entered ​the segment with Huanxianbao, or &quot;Fresh Burger&quot;, a chain selling burgers, as well as pizza, pasta and fried chicken. Coffee chain M Stand has also opened burger-focused outlets in ​some cities.

China&#39;s Western fast-food market was valued at 499.65 billion yuan ($74.1 billion) in 2025 and is expected to reach 587.09 billion yuan by 2027, according to data provider iiMedia Research, despite recent high-profile challenges for many global brands.



People queue at a Five Guys fast-food restaurant after the US burger chain opened its first two locations earlier this month, in Beijing, China, August 15, 2026. PHOTO: Reuters

Burgers topped consumer preferences, with 55% of respondents selecting them. While still a relatively small segment of China&#39;s fast-food market, the burger category was worth $18.4 billion in 2025 and is ​projected to grow 8.7% annually through 2035, according to Emergen Research.

Part of the appeal is economics.

As consumer spending remains cautious, burgers offer a lower-cost alternative to full-service ​restaurant meals while still serving as a substantial meal option, said Zhu Danpeng, a China food industry analyst. &quot;It&#39;s a good value-for-money choice,&quot; he said.

Wang Fang, a university student in Beijing, said burgers &zwnj;have become ⁠a go-to lunch option for her and her classmates because they are cheaper than ordering multiple dishes at a restaurant.



Burger buns stored at a Five Guys fast-food restaurant after the US burger chain opened its first two locations earlier this month, in Beijing, China, August 15, 2026. PHOTO: Reuters

&quot;With meat, vegetables and butter, it makes a very affordable balanced meal,&quot; she said.

The category also aligns with changing demographics. Rising numbers of one-person households, smaller families and young urban workers have fuelled demand for convenient individual meals, a trend Yum China says is creating opportunities across its brands.

Pizza Hut added burgers to its menu in 2024. By 2025, burgers accounted for a mid-single-digit percentage of ​Pizza Hut sales, the company said, adding ​that it expects the category to ⁠generate more than 1 billion yuan in sales this year, or 5% to 6% of the brand&#39;s revenue.

The company said burgers appeal to takeaway and delivery customers in China, where 43% of consumers order delivery at least once a week, compared with a ​global average of 23%, according to Euromonitor.

The growing appetite is drawing players from across the industry. Domestic chains such as Tasiting ​are competing with McDonald&#39;s, ⁠Yum China&#39;s KFC and Shake Shack.

International brands are also eager to grab a seat at the table.

When US chain Five Guys opened stores in Beijing this month, consumers waited more than two hours to be served. Wendy&#39;s said in May it plans to enter China and open up to 1,000 franchised restaurants over the next decade.

Liu Tao, a 48-year-old musician ⁠in Beijing, ​regularly takes his 11-year-old son to McDonald&#39;s on Sundays, squeezing in a meal between the boy&#39;s ​maths and English classes.

&quot;We only have an hour, and we&#39;re rushing from one place to the next,&quot; Liu said. &quot;When you want food that&#39;s clean, quick and something children don&#39;t get bored of, nothing is better ​than a burger. My son eats it in the car as we head to his English class.&quot;]]>
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			<title>Comic-Con kicks off with Marvel's return</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619823/comic-con-kicks-off-with-marvels-return</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619823/comic-con-kicks-off-with-marvels-return#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 26 11:01:23 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[San Diego Comic-Con returns with Marvel, DC, Star Trek, del Toro and major previews through July 26 for fans galore]]>
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				<![CDATA[Comic book fans will return to San Diego, California on Thursday for the latest Comic-Con, with many convention-goers buzzing about this year&#39;s return of Marvel.

The studio skipped last year&#39;s event, but will be back at the coveted Hall H on Saturday to promote &quot;Avengers: Doomsday,&quot; which is slated to premiere in December.

Under the Russo brothers&#39; direction, the latest superhero flick will pick up where 2019&#39;s &quot;Endgame&quot; left off, bringing together heroes and villains from X-Men, the Avengers, Black Panther and the Fantastic Four to duke it out once more.

The last time Marvel was in Hall H, they stunned more than 6,000 attendees by announcing Oscar-winning actor Robert Downey Jr&nbsp;would return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe -- or MCU as breathless fans call it -- not as Iron Man, but as the villainous Doctor Doom.

DC Studios will also grace Hall H to preview its HBO series &quot;Lanterns,&quot; starring Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre as small-town Nebraska detectives, which debuts August 16.

The flesh-and-blood narrative offers a new take on 2011&#39;s &quot;Green Lantern,&quot; a Ryan Reynolds-led space adventure movie.

Sneek peeks

Since the pop culture festival began in 1970, it has grown into a major event, with thousands of sometimes-costumed fans gathering in San Diego to buy memorabilia, see their idols and celebrate beloved stories.

Mexican director Guillermo del Toro will mark the 20th anniversary of Oscar-winning &quot;Pan&#39;s Labyrinth&quot; on Friday.

Crew members from &quot;Star Trek&quot; will also land in San Diego on Saturday, to commemorate six decades of exploring the far reaches of the universe.

&quot;That&#39;s what I&#39;m most excited about,&quot; local fan Reyna Villalobos told AFP.

&quot;They told me there will be actors from across the franchise and I think that&#39;s incredible.&quot;

Studios line up to showcase their best and newest offerings at Comic-Con, with dozens of panels to entertain fans.

In addition to promo for Emmy-nominated horror comedy &quot;Widow&#39;s Bay,&quot; Apple TV is expected to offer a glimpse of upcoming films &quot;Mayday,&quot; starring Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh, and &quot;Matchbox: The Movie,&quot; with John Cena and Jessica Biel.

On Friday, fans will see the hotly anticipated preview for &quot;Spaceballs: The New One,&quot; a long-awaited sequel to Mel Brooks&#39;s legendary space comedy.

Weeks before its opening in Los Angeles, the Lucas Museum will be on hand to share new details about its exhibits.

Comic-Con runs through Sunday, July 26.]]>
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			<title>Aniqa Jamal Iqbal to represent Pakistan in historic Miss World debut</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618559/aniqa-jamal-iqbal-to-represent-pakistan-in-historic-miss-world-debut</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618559/aniqa-jamal-iqbal-to-represent-pakistan-in-historic-miss-world-debut#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 16 Jul 26 08:31:59 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[The 24-year-old will represent Pakistan at Miss World for the first time in the pageant's 73-year history]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan is set to make its official debut at the Miss World beauty pageant for the first time in the competition&#39;s 73-year history, with 24-year-old Aniqa Jamal Iqbal crowned Miss World Pakistan 2026.

Aniqa was officially crowned during a ceremony held at a hotel in Lahore, where she received the title from Dr Shafaq Akhtar, Miss Pakistan Universal 2022. Mr Pakistan World Ataullah Gujjar also attended the event to mark the historic occasion.





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Currently pursuing a master&#39;s degree in accounting and auditing, Aniqa is no stranger to the international pageant circuit. She has previously represented Pakistan at Miss Earth, Miss Global, Miss Cosmo, Miss Eco International and Miss Aura International.

She also gained international recognition after winning four titles at the Miss Freedom of the World competition in Kosovo.

Beyond pageantry, Aniqa said&nbsp;she hopes to use the platform to advocate for social causes. In line with Miss World&#39;s &quot;Beauty with a Purpose&quot; initiative, her campaign focuses on raising awareness and support for people living with thalassaemia in Pakistan.





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The Miss Pakistan World Organisation, established in 2002, has spent more than two decades preparing Pakistani women for international beauty pageants.

Sonia Ahmed, head of the organisation, described Pakistan&#39;s participation in Miss World as a landmark moment.

&quot;Pakistan&#39;s first official participation in Miss World is not only a major milestone for national representation on a global stage but also proves that Pakistani women are proving their mettle across international platforms, just as they do in other fields,&quot; she said.





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While Pakistani contestants have represented the country at several international beauty pageants over the years, this will mark the nation&#39;s first official appearance at Miss World.

Aniqa&#39;s participation in Miss World 2026 closes one of the last remaining gaps in Pakistan&#39;s representation at major international pageants, opening a new chapter for the country on the global stage.]]>
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            </image>
			</item>	</channel>
                </rss>
