Relief for Showbiz Industry
The Pakistan government has announced a Film Finance Fund with an annual allocation of one billion rupees and a medical insurance policy for artistes. Finance Minister Miftah Ismail during the budget speech 2022-23, announced a five-year tax holiday for filmmakers, a five-year income tax exemption on the construction of new cinemas, production houses and film museums, tax rebate on film and drama export and income tax exemptions for cinema and producers.
Rs1 billion will be utilised for establishing a National Film Studio along with a National Film Institute and a Post-Film Production Facility. Foreign filmmakers will be given a tax rebate on local joint productions of films and plays with the condition of 70% shooting within Pakistan so that the projection of different local places can help promote local tourism and culture, besides business activities.
Iffat Calls it a Day
Pakistani actress and model Iffat Omar has decided to quit the drama industry. Iffat Omar believes Pakistani drama industry is not producing quality content hence she cannot work in the industry. “I have decided to quit showbiz because the work is so bad and I criticize it myself. To do the work yourself and then critique it as well doesn’t feel right,” according to her. In a recent interview with the BBC, the actress claimed she was not happy with the portrayal of violence in the drama serial Musht-e-Khaak, in which she played the mother of Feroze Khan.
NBP Wins Case in US Court
NNBP has won the case Harold Brown Sr., et al vs NBP filed in the United States District Court, Southern District Court, Second Circuit, New York. NBP had filed a motion to dismiss which was vigorously contested through its US attorneys leading to the case against NBP being dismissed in its favour.
The Harold Brown case falsely alleged that NBP allowed money transfers which resulted in financing of terrorism against US persons in Afghanistan which may have amounted to an offence under the US Anti-Terrorism Act, as amended by the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act. The dismissal of the case has shown that the claim against NBP was without any legal basis.
‘Goodfellas’ Actor Dead
AActor Ray Liotta, who starred in Martin Scorsese’s gangster classic “Goodfellas,” has died in the Dominican Republic at age 67.
Liotta, whose blistering turn as real-life mobster Henry Hill in Scorsese’s crime masterpiece won universal admiration, was shooting a new film in the country when he died. Although he also did well earlier in his career, Liotta’s breakout role came in 1990 when he was cast alongside Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci in what is widely considered one of the greatest films of the 20th century. “Goodfellas” won one Oscar, and was nominated for five others, and scenes from the movie continue to resonate as cultural touchstones.
Bangladesh High Commissioner Applauds SouthAsia
GO Deploys Fire Tender at Mahmoodkot Terminal
Gas & Oil Pakistan Ltd. (GO), Pakistan’s fastest growing oil marketing company (OMC) in the private sector, has deployed a Fire Tender at its Mahmoodkot Terminal in Punjab.
This new Fire Tender will enhance the fire-fighting capabilities at the Mahmoodkot Terminal. It will be available 24/7 for the surrounding areas and other neighbouring oil installations in case of emergency. Under the initiative, a new Truck was purchased and changed into a Fire Tender with 4,000 litres water and 500 litres foam capacity. The Fire Tender has been deployed at Mahmoodkot Terminal managed by the GO Operations Team.
GO is one of the leading OMCs to incorporate state-of-the-art tools and high-tech resources; making full use of technology to hone their supply chain management and HSE functions.
Pakistani Startup Wins Big
Dastgyr, a Pakistani e-commerce startup, has raised $37 million in Series A investment, making it the country’s largest-ever funding of its kind.
Dastgyr, an e-commerce marketplace platform, recently received an investment from VEON, which is a global digital operator that provides mobile connectivity and services. The investment positions Dastgyr to take advantage of VEON’s global expertise and its operating company, Jazz’s distribution network and digital payment solutions via JazzCash.
Dastgyr will remain an independent entity, with a minority position being taken by VEON Ventures. The new investment will support Dastgyr’s expansion into 15 new regions of Pakistan, alongside its existing network in Karachi, Lahore, Sheikhupura and Gujranwala.
Internet Explorer No More
The oldest internet browser, Internet Explorer, has finally been shut down after 27 years, after its launch in 1995. The classic browser is being replaced on Windows 10 with Microsoft Edge, a faster, more secure and more modern browsing experience than Internet Explorer. Microsoft Edge also addresses a key concern: compatibility for older, legacy websites and applications. The Twitter family went viral with their memes after the news spread, both funny and sad in nature.
HBL to Provide Payment Services on WhatsApp
HBL has become the first Bank in Pakistan to launch “full feature” banking services on WhatsApp. The facility has been developed in partnership with leading cloud communication service provider E.Ocean.
HBL’s Conversational Banking was made available to its clients through E.Ocean’s WhatsApp Business Platform in 2021. To use the service, HBL clients need to initiate a conversation on HBL’s WhatsApp number (021-111-111-425) from the mobile number registered with the Bank. Now, in addition to the information services already being offered, the “full feature” set of services will enable HBL’s customers to conduct payments / financial transactions as well. These services include: Intra-bank Funds Transfer, Mobile recharge (Prepaid & Postpaid), Utility Bill Payment and Temporarily block/unblock Debit or Credit Card.
Lady of the Lords
Shaista Gohir, a British Pakistani women’s rights campaigner, has been appointed to the House of Lords as a non-party political peer.
CEO of the Muslim Women’s Network UK, she made her name campaigning fearlessly for the rights of Muslim women and speaking out against extremism and radicalism.
She was chosen by the House of Lords Appointments Commission, and both the Prime Minister and the Queen agreed with her choice. Her likely title will be the Baroness of Hall Green, reflecting her close connection with the area of Birmingham. Hall Green is where she has lived for the last 20 years and where her charity Muslim Women’s Network UK is based.
‘Squid Game’ Offers $4.56m to Winner
Squid Game reality show has been approved by Netflix after the blockbuster success of the famous series. The streaming giant has now invited over 450 participants around the world to participate in the games for a whopping $4.56 million.
Fans of the drama series are in for a fascinating and unpredictable journey as our 456 real world contestants navigate the biggest competition series ever, full of tension and twists, with the biggest ever cash prize at the end. The show invites English speaking contestants around the world, with ages more than 21. According to Brandon Riegg, Netflix VP of Unscripted and Documentary Series, ‘Squid Game’ took the world by storm with Director Hwang’s captivating story and iconic imagery. We’re grateful for his support as we turn the fictional world into reality in this massive competition and social experiment.”
Men’s Fashion Week is Back
It is back to the old ways for Men’s Fashion Week, which kicks off in Paris, with the last pandemic-era restrictions cleared and the surprise return of Hedi Slimane of Celine, who had previously called official fashion shows “obsolete”.
However, with the last restrictions on international travel dropped, several big names are set to celebrate men’s fashion weeks, including US designers Tom Browne, known for his creative shows, and Matthew Williams of Givenchy. The biggest surprise is the return of Slimane, creative director of Celine and one of the most influential figures in men´s fashion of recent decades. One of the key brands within the LVMH group, Celine last presented as part of the official fashion calendar in February 2020, before Slimane dramatically announced that the traditional timetable was “obsolete” and “archaic”.
Rickshaw Girl Gifted with House
The Sindh government have gifted a house to a young woman of Karachi, who after her father’s untimely demise, had started driving his auto rickshaw to support her family.
Alisha Abdul Jameel, a resident of Shah Faisal Colony, is the youngest among her sisters and wanted to fulfil the wishes of her late father Abdul Jameel, a rickshaw driver who had no son and taught his youngest daughter to take the bull by the horn. She lives in a two-room rented house in Shah Faisal Colony along with an unmarried sister and mother.
After the media highlighted her story, the Sindh government decided to buy her family a house in Shah Faisal Colony as a gift to “Pakistan’s first female rickshaw driver”.
Afghan Girl Wins Australian Senate Seat
AAustralia made history when Fatima Payman, an Afghan refugee, won a Senate seat from Western Australia.
Fatima Payman has won Western Australia’s sixth and final Senate seat, becoming the first Afghan Australian and the first hijab-wearing Muslim woman in parliament.
Payman arrived as a refugee from Afghanistan with her parents and three siblings, before growing up in Perth.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his party leaders congratulated Payman on her victory. “Congratulations Senator Payman,” the premier tweeted.
In June, for the first time in Australia’s history, Prime Minister Albanese included two Muslim members, Anne Aly and Ed Husic in his cabinet.
Masood Khawaja is Dead
AActor and comedian Masood Khawaja passed away in Rawalpindi after a prolonged illness.
Khawaja was being treated at a hospital as because suffering from a kidney disease. The actor had earlier appealed to the prime minister and chief minister of Punjab for help. For many years, the actor had enthralled people with his incredible comedy. The show ‘Khawaja Online’, seen on ATV, was one of his most popular programmes. Masood Khawaja had last performed in a stage play at Rawalpindi Arts Council.
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