Telecommunication

Muttahir Ahmed Khan Finally, the well-awaited light comedy of Ali Zafar “Total Siyapa” is on screen now to entertain the cinema gores and to provide food for thought to the critics. The well-organised and considerably vibrant and glamorous premier was held, the other day, by Geo Entertainment, at a newly built modern cinema of the city, with Ali Zafar onboard. Besides, Aamna Shaikh, Muskan, Humayun Saeed, Ijaz Aslam, Asif Raza Meer and other showbiz stars, media personalities, business icons and people from all walks of life graced the occasion. The film is a light story, imbued with situational comedy and diversified ironic angles and most of the times, keeps the viewers energetic, smiling and laughing. The locale is of a for...

April 3, 2014 at 8:31 pm | News Desk

Our correspondent WEXNET exhibition, which is Pakistan’s premier exhibition dedicated solely to the promotion of women entrepreneurs, was organized by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) at the Expo Centre, Johar Town, Lahore from 21st to 23rd of March, 2014. WEXNET aims to provide a formalized platform to women giving them an opportunity to exhibit their products, network, learn from others’ experiences and form collaborations and partnerships for mutual benefits. Paper Miracles experienced the WEXNET trade fair expo for the first time, displaying its unique artisans work to promote the innovative jewelry and accessories made from recycled paper to the international delegates, local dignitaries, corporate visitors an...

April 3, 2014 at 6:22 pm | News Desk

Afrah Jamal Like Rick’s from Casablanca, people tend to gravitate towards the Karachi Literature Festival (KLF). To rendezvous with authors, (global & regional), journalists (foreign and local), diplomats, filmmakers, celebrities, publishing giants, analysts & social media pundits. To hail divergent views and forge lifelong connections while sprinting from session to session; at author signings by makeshift book stalls, in the midst of earnest discussions, during lively Q/A’s and at coffee stands. KLF, which became a part of Karachi’s social scene in 2010, is a portal to a realm where discourse is welcome and diversity is celebrated. Where elitism gets shunned, and cultural bonds are reinforced. Those who ventured...

March 10, 2014 at 5:43 pm | News Desk

Afrah Jamal A forlorn figure making portraits in hotel lobbies may not be newsworthy. The flash-forward of him wandering his old stomping grounds however can make headlines. By then he has acquired some elegant titles that go well with stardom, while retaining a measure of humility that keeps him grounded. Renowned musician and actor Ali Zafar has been in the game for a decade. His name is listed in ‘Wall Street Money Never Sleeps’ (2010) - soundtrack section. He has an array of awards under his belt and a line-up of movies & songs to his credit. He saunters on stage to take his place as the star of the evening but happily shares the spotlight - with a fan, randomly chosen for a photo-op, with nimble footed celebrities who walt...

March 10, 2014 at 5:29 pm | News Desk

  Our correspondent A good candidate for miracles is the story of this young social activist who has given these women with physical disability a way to become sole breadwinner of the family by doing wonders out of mere paper. Touched by the massive victimization of the horrendous earthquake of 2005 and inspired by the strength of these earthquake victims who found shelter at a village on the outskirts of Islamabad, the Rotary Club of Islamabad Renaissance (RCIR) introduced the paper bead-making at the paraplegic centre in order to generate income. Strips of waste paper are rolled in order to make a variety of paper beads supported by chains and strings which finally takes the form of necklace, earrings and bracelets. To put ...

March 10, 2014 at 5:06 pm | News Desk

Ruchi Kumar Jaipur: British author of Egyptian origin, Shereen el Feki, discusses sexuality in the Arab regions, India’s historical struggle for sexual freedoms and her controversial book ‘Sex and the Citadel’ When British author Shereen el Feki began writing her book ‘Sex and the Citadel’, she wanted to help outsiders understand what’s going on in the Arab region. By the time she finished it, the book was as much for them as it was for the Arabs themselves. “Arab people often feel isolated with their problems, confusions and ignorance without realising that there are other people around them who have devised innovative ways to tackle some of these problems,” she explains. Shereen’s book Sex and the Citadel deals wit...

February 16, 2014 at 1:30 pm | News Desk

Afrah Jamal One day an actress, a filmmaker, a director and a distributor gathered to talk shop over tea. Even though a regional film had won at the NY City International film festival, and another cleaned up the local box-office a few years ago, the obituary for the Pakistani cinema was delivered a while ago. It was to remain uncontested for a long time. Film buffs were left wondering why not a single award winning film (Seedlings) or documentary (Saving Face) had been screened in the gleaming new cinemas; or where that little advertised indie horror flick disappeared to, moments after its debut. And do local movies even stand a chance against the distributor’s bottom line, or space unfairly reserved for the Indian blockbuster for...

November 16, 2013 at 2:00 pm | News Desk

Pakistani film Zinda Bhaag has been nominated by the Pakistani Academy Selection Committee (PASC) for Oscar consideration. Zinda Bhaag will be Pakistan’s first official entry in the the “Foreign Film” category after Ghoonghat which was nominated for Oscar consideration in 1963. A total of four films were submitted to the committee for consideration including Chambeli, Josh and Lamha (Seedlings). The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will choose the final nominees for all award categories including Best Foreign Language Film by 8th January 2014. The complete and final list of Oscar nominees will be announced on 16th January 2014. PASC member Mohsin Hamid said, “Zinda Bhaag is funny, natural, hip, and casually aud...

September 14, 2013 at 10:11 am | News Desk

Colors of Brazil in Pakistan Jointly organised by Embassy of Brazil and Verve Events, the fashion show titled 'Colours of Brazil' was true to its nomenclature where the collection of Kamiar Rokni were presented to audience. Ambassador of Brazil Alfredo Leoni and Arsalan A Khan were the moving force behind the event. Arsalan said that his trip to Brazil was a life changing experience, and that promoting the Brazilian culture is now a lifetime desire. The event was the result of a project initiated in 2011 by the Brazilian Embassy with the invitation to four young and talented Pakistanis to visit Brazil and experience the best of the Brazilian cultural life. They included Arsalan A Khan, Creative Director of Verve Events, and Kami...

September 12, 2013 at 7:51 pm | News Desk

Honda Readies 'Flying Acura' To Challenge Cessna MichimasaFujino began working on Honda Motor Co. (7267)’s aviation project 27 years ago at a hangar in Mississippi. Next year, Fujino, now president of the aircraft unit, says the project may finally get off the ground. If so, Tokyo-based Honda would become the first newcomer to get U.S. approval in the $21 billion business-jet market since 2006. That would pit the carmaker against market leaders Textron Inc’s Cessna and Brazil’s Embraer SA (EMBR3), who have fended off threats from companies such as Bill Gates-backed Eclipse Aviation, which sought bankruptcy protection five years ago. Though delivery of the HondaJet hasn’t started, Fujino said he has clinched two to three years of ...

August 30, 2013 at 11:48 am | News Desk