TREASURE TROVE

Sexist statement by the Punjab Bar Council raises concern

The Punjab Bar Council is under fire on social media for a sexist comment that was printed in a diary/calendar that bears the body's name and logo.The quote, which appears on one of the pages inside, reads: "Whichever nation has given women more freedom than is necessary will someday regret their mistake."

As the image circulated on social media commentators were outraged by its blatant sexism and misogyny. In a Facebook post about the diary, the Women Lawyers Association said: "A blatantly sexist page from the lawyers' diary published by the Punjab Bar Council. Women Lawyers' Association is outraged by this hostile discrimination again women endorsed by the Punjab Bar Council, a body that is supposed to regulate and preserve the integrity of the profession. We demand that the Punjab Bar Council issue an apology for spreading misogyny in a profession that is already unwelcoming for women to begin with."

Tweeting Birdie
@Maheenkhanpk

In a bus stop in Miami. Proud moment. #courage #perseverance

#READYFORACOMEBACK

Meera to grace the silver screen in Baaji

The first look of Saqib Malik's debut feature film ‘Baaji’, has revealed Meera alongside Osman Khalid Butt, Mohsin Abbas Haider, Amna Ilyas, Ali Kazmi, Nayyar Ejaz and Nisho to be part of the cast. According to the actress, she is playing the lead character in the film. "The shoot is going on right now and I play the title character who will be referred to as baaji," Meera shared. According to a press release, ‘Baaji’ is “a social drama/thriller set against the backdrop of a fading Lollywood and the emerging new order of the Pakistan film industry.”

Amna Ilyas added, “It's a film with strong female characters... so far it looks very good! We have a song to shoot and I think we'll be done then.” About taking on the project, Mohsin Abbas Haider said, “As an actor, ‘Baaji’ really appealed to me. We do a lot of commercial work but this is different. I hope it does well here.” The movie is expected to release in mid-2019.

#APROUDMOMENT

Short film 'Dia' to premiere in UK

Nida Khan-starrer short film, Dia, directed by film-maker Hamza Bangash is all set to premiere in London at the prestigious platform of BAFTA-qualifying London Short Film Festival (LSFF). The film, based on a true story, revolves around the notion of mental illness which is still considered a taboo in today’s society. The film has already had its world premiere at the Locarno Film Festival (Switzerland), Batumi Art-House (Georgia) and Riga IFF (Latvia), and there are plans of having it screened at Alliance Francais, Karachi on November 24. The plot revolves around Mariam (played by Khan), a law student preparing for her final year exams. She lives with her overbearing mother and younger brother in a middle class neighbourhood in Karachi. As her exams and graduation near, Marium’s mother urges her to consider an arranged marriage. The girl, who is already in a secret relationship online, refuses. As the pressure of marriage and finals build to a boiling point, she struggles to retain her sanity. The film chronicles her descent into madness and how she attempts to seek help in a society where mental illness remains taboo.

#WOMENEMPOWERMENT

Ayesha wants to play strong woman on-screen

Ayesha Omer has been in the entertainment industry for quite some time now and is known for playing unconventional characters.

Ayesha recently spoke to Haroon Rasheed of BBC Asian Network and shed light on her choice of characters and the reasons behind.

"I have always wanted to do characters that push the boundaries, that send out a strong positive image in the world," said the 30-years old actress.

Adding further, she said, "In recent times we have seen films like Verna and Parwaz Hai Junoon that were female centric and portrayed strong, independent females."

She emphasised, "I'll only want to do characters that would further push that message, we need that kind of image-lifting of Pakistan."

#GLOBALTAKEOVER

Nabila to style Manish Malhotra’s show in Doha

Nabila dabbled on to international territory recently by becoming the official stylist for India’s acclaimed International Indian Film Awards (IFFA’s) and now, she’s getting set to do it again as the stylist for Indian designer Manish Malhotra’s upcoming show in Qatar. The show has been organised with Fashion Weekend International (FWI2018), a brand that is being launched this year, highlighting Doha as its first destination. There’s bound to be plenty of hype surrounding the show for Malhotra is world renowned.

Also, a show by him promises some heavy duty star power. For this particular show, Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan has been enlisted to be his showstopper.

It cannot be said for certain if Nabila will be styling the actress, but with Malhotra’s clientele coming from around the world, her involvement as the official stylist is bound to be noticed not just in India but globally. Fauzia Vohra, the organiser of FWI2018, elaborates, “Manish Malhotra and Nabila are both iconic names with a global following. A similar profile of people forms the target audience of FWI2018, Destination Doha. We also have overseas guests flying into Doha specifically for FWI18.”

#MUSICREVIEW

Shafqat Amanat Ali croon’s Gandhi’s favourite hymn, Vaishnav Janto

Music transcends all language barriers, geographical borders, religious faiths and enmities, as proved by Shafqat Amanat Ali’s heartwarming rendition of an Indian bhajan Vaishnav Janto. Initiated by Indian Ministry of External Affairs, on Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary, the Pakistani band Fuzon’s frontman was amongst the few artists chosen to lend their voices to sing the freedom fighter’s favourite hymn. Ali’s soulful vocals went viral, galvanising praise from across the borders. The lyrics are in the heritage-rich Gujrati language, which naturally doesn’t click with local speakers, but it’s the tremor and tenor in the music which communicates what foreign words don’t. The music sets an eclectic, culturally rich mood, fused with the local flavour of its setting. While everyone sits back and talks about patching hearts and differences through music, Shafqat Amanat Ali practically stands out to croon his heart out for this cause.