Handsome and versatile, Wahaj Ali has impressed us time and again with some remarkable performances in the last couple of years. From dramas to telefilms, his acting has never disappointed us. Whether it was the role of a determined young journalist in Ehd-e-Wafa or the role of a love-struck hero in Bharam, his performance was top-notch. Last night, we saw him playing the role of a romantic hero in Eid telefilm ‘Love Siyappa,’ and we loved his performance.
‘Love Siyappa’ was a 7th Sky Entertainment Production starring Hina Altaf, Maria Wasti, and Ali Abbas in pivotal roles. Written by Saima Akram Chaudhry and directed by Saima Waseem, the telefilm was primarily a love story. Shobi, played by the talented Wahaj Ali, is an aspiring actor who had come to the city with his friend to look for acting work after completing his education but is not able to find any. Meanwhile, he comes across Dua, played by the gorgeous Hina Altaf, and falls in love with her. Dua lives with her aunt, played by Maria Wasti, who is mourning her separation with her love interest Ahmed Kamal. Shobi transforms himself into an aged man, namely Ahmed Kamal, and charms Dua’s aunt into liking him. He then tells Dua’s aunt that he is the uncle of Shobi so that the two friends can get a space on rent in their house, and then begins the love story between Ahmed Kamal and Dua’s aunt and later of Shobi and Dua.
Wahaj Ali played the dual role of Ahmed Kamal and Shobi and made the transformations exciting and fun to watch. His voice transitions and expressions were totally at par with the demands of the role, and he made ‘Love Siyappa’ an enjoyable telefilm to tune to. Whether it was romantic moments with Dua or it was those scenes in which he was feeling guilty for lying to Dua and her aunt, or it was those fun scenes with his friend, he nailed every expression. The versatile, handsome, and talented actor won our hearts in every scene, and we loved every bit of his acting in ‘Love Siyappa.’
The season’s most awaited film Wrong No. 2 by YNH Films and Distribution Club is finally in the theatres now and has released a new music video ‘Gali Gali’.
A film by the famous Yasir Nawaz, Wrong No.2 hit the big screens nationwide this Eid-ul-Fitr. The song ‘Gali Gali’ is a peppy dance number featuring the Pakistani actress and model Yashma Gill along with the other cast members of the movie. Sung by Shahid Mallya and Isheeta Chakrvarty, the music director of the song is Simaab Sen, while the lyrics have been written by Sameer Rahat. The music video has got an energetic vibe to it and is visually very appealing.
Wrong No. 2 has been produced by Hassan Zia and Sheikh Amjad Rasheed, two of the industry’s most talented producers, whereas the screenplay has been written by Yasir Nawaz. A story by Danish Nawaz while the dialogues of the movie are by the creative genius, Ahmed Hassan. It is a romantic comedy featuring a power-packed cast with the gorgeous Neelum Muneer, Sami Khan and the legendary Javed Sheikh in the lead roles.
A story of a hilariously complicated love triangle that a rich father’s daughter, Zoya finds herself in, Wrong No. 2 features an epic family drama, some misfortunes, and a whole lot of laughter. Other cast members of the film include Danish and Yasir Nawaz, Ahmed Hassan, Ashraf Khan, Shafqat Cheema, Sana Fakhar, while Irfan Khosat has a guest appearance in the movie.
YNH Films, along with Distribution Club, has partnered up with EROS International for the worldwide distribution of the film, which has already been running successfully in the cinemas all over Pakistan.
The Telenor Youth Forum’s 2018-2019 program concluded today at the dtac headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, where a delegation of 16 young leaders from 8 nations, including Pakistan, pitched their four services to Telenor Group and dtac leadership and experts from Plan International, UNICEF and the Nobel Peace Centre. Out of the four teams, AgriMatch was declared the winning team and received USD 15,000 in funding to implement their proposed service, with an aim to reduce inequalities in accordance with the UN Sustainable Development Goal #10.
Following six months of intense development work and remote collaboration spread across four nations, AgriMatch has won Telenor Youth Forum for their mobile service to equalise the agricultural supply chain and empower farmers currently in a vicious cycle of debt and poverty. The team’s challenge was to design a digital solution to optimize or increase sustainability of food production, ultimately contributing towards reduced inequalities in global health.
Farmers and middlemen will soon be able find, contact and rate each other through the AgriMatch mobile platform, if the winning Telenor Youth Forum team has their way. AgriMatch aims to pilot their service in Myanmar where more than 70 percent of the population relies on agriculture as their primary source of income, according to a 2019 Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report.
Pakistan’s TYF representatives included two very talented girls, Asma Akbar Ladak from Karachi and Maieda Janjua from Islamabad. Asma’s team Paanigar pitched a solution to solve the water crisis in Pakistan through enhanced access to clean drinking water by providing a one stop solution for all water related problems. Maieda’s group Team Walrus, designed a mental health ed-tech platform to raise awareness, create understanding and build resilience in teenagers.
Telenor Youth Forum Concludes In Bangkok with AgriMatch Emerging as Winners
“I congratulate AgriMatch on winning and bringing an innovative solution to reduce inequalities in global health. At Telenor, we are always on the lookout for better and more creative ways to empower the society and bridge gaps in equality. Using our core competencies that include information and communications technology, we promote development of creative solutions that truly impact lives across the globe. I am sure it has been an amazing journey for all young delegates and it delights me that we share the passion of shaping a better future for our younger generations,” said Irfan Wahab Khan, Head of Emerging Asia Cluster and CEO Telenor Pakistan.
The Telenor Youth Forum kicked off during the Nobel Peace Prize week in Oslo in December 2018, where the 16 delegates were split into four teams, each with a health-related challenge to solve. From that point onwards, the delegates worked to develop their ideas, conduct user research, and prototype their services, leading them to the Bangkok finale. The teams also showcased their services in a digital exhibition which was attended by Telenor Group management and representatives from the Nobel Peace Center.
The Telenor Youth Forum is a global platform built upon the idea of bright minds working together to reduce inequalities. In collaboration with the Nobel Peace Center, the forum brings together young leaders from around the world to develop digital solutions that empower
societies. Out of more than 5,000 applicants, 16 accomplished delegates aged 20-28 were selected to represent their countries in the 2018-2019 program
Multi-talented actor and singer, Junaid Khan, who has been ruling our television screens giving us back to back blockbuster projects including Kamzarf, Silsilay and Ishq Tamasha to name a few, has just signed a project with Hira Mani – his hit costar from the 2017 blockbuster serial Sun Yaara.
Titled “Makafaat”, the serial will see Junaid in a lead role alongside Hira Mani, and is being produced under the banner of Mastermind Productions. Directed by Ahmed Kamran, the serial boasts a stellar cast, including Atiqa Odho, Ali Ansari, and Marium Nafees along with Junaid Khan.
“I am extremely excited about this project, because not only does the character I am playing has various dimensions, but I am also going to be back on screen with Hira (Mani) who is not only great fun to work with, but someone my fans enjoy seeing me on screen with,” Junaid Khan remarked when talking about his new project.
Shoot for Makafaat will begin after Eid ul Azha in Karachi, but there is a major part of the serial that will be shot in Europe as well
Easypaisa, the first and largest mobile financial service provider in the country has entered into an agreement with Haidri Beverages Pvt. Ltd. and Northern Bottling Co. Pvt. Ltd. for disbursement of retailer commissions through Easypaisa’s cashless distribution solutions. Haidri Beverages and Northern Bottling are the largest franchisees of Pepsi Cola International, covering the entire AJK region, KPK, Gilgit-Baltistan, Federal Capital and Northern Punjab.
The Easypaisa Retailer Commissions Disbursement Solution offers a convenient solution which is not only time efficient but also minimizes risks associated with cash handling. The solution will assist retailers operating in remote locations and also those who may not possess a conventional bank account. Retailers will now have the convenience of withdrawing their commissions from over 130,000 Easypaisa locations which will be instantly disbursed to their accounts. Furthermore, the solution allows them to withdraw commissions in any denomination and also transfer funds.
Sharing his thoughts on the development, Aslam Hayat, Acting CEO, Telenor Microfinance Bank said, “We are glad to extend Easypaisa’s Retailer Commissions Disbursement Solution to support Haidri Beverages and Northern Bottlers. Easypaisa, with the help of its extensive network of agents across the country, will be instrumental in facilitating smooth and convenient commission disbursement. The agreement comes in connection with Easypaisa’s commitment to facilitate everyday transactions as part of its long term goal of digitizing cash payments and
we will continue to build such partnerships in order to support interoperability and enhance financial inclusion in Pakistan.”
Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Qasim Jaffery – Group CFO, Haidri Beverages Pvt. Ltd and Northern Bottling Co. Pvt. Ltd, said, “It gives us immense pleasure to have partnered with Easypaisa for our commission disbursement, thus giving our retailers the ease and flexibility to access their commissions in a reliable and secure manner. Retailers are at the core of our business and as leading bottlers in Pakistan, we believe in connecting with our retailers by giving them greater accessibility to services by partnering with innovative financing solutions like Easypaisa.”
Since its launch in 2009, Pakistan’s pioneer branchless banking service Easypaisa has been instrumental in transforming the banking and finance outlook of the country through ground-breaking products and services. It has played a pivotal role in bringing the unbanked population into the fold of banking services through its initiatives aimed at strengthening financial inclusion in Pakistan.
Dubuzz, previously founded as Emax Media, organized a meet and greet yesterday on May 3rd, 2019 in Karachi, for all the hosts of different Ramadan transmissions that will be aired during the blessed month.
The event was graced by the striking presence of Reema Khan, who will be hosting the Ramadan transmission for Aaj News and Aaj Entertainment, produced by Emax Media, during the holy month. Among other anchors present at the event were Ali Rehman Khan – host of the Event, Reema Khan, Maya Khan, Sadiaa Imam, Amna Malik, Iqrar-ul Hasan & Sahir Lodhi.
The event was a huge success, where it was communicated how Emax Media is now open for services in Pakistan, after having provided innovative marketing tools to varying media partners in the Middle East, U.K. and Europe.
Emax Media is a content hub that provides customized content for different brands and Heads by CEO Farhan Gauhar. Their services include sales and marketing, content production, distribution, television and cable, etc. They provide technical support to operate and run television channels and are involved with broadcasting services. Emax Media have also globally partnered with Fox, Disney, Star and other networks. With the launch of their services in Pakistan, Emax Media is aiming to expand its horizons with the building of new clientele within the region.
. Transformers Roadshow winners receive seed capital and mentoring to realise their solutions to global development challenges
· Pakistan is third largest beneficiary member country of the IsDB with $12.43 billion financing received to date
· Health Minister Dr Zafar Mirza applauds IsDB’s contribution to the health sector in Pakistan. Awards winners of the roadshow.
Transformers Road show by IDBF
The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has awarded four Pakistani innovators, researchers and entrepreneurs seed capital and business skills mentoring as part of its fifth edition of the Transformers Roadshow competition, held in association with COMSTECH. The Roadshow is a global initiative in which applicants are invited to pitch ideas accelerating one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Minister of state for health, Dr Zafar Mirza was the chief guest for the Transformers Roadshow. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Zafar Mirza said that, the current initiative, namely the Transformers Roadshow, is a very novel idea. He congratulated IsDB for providing this opportunity to young Pakistani innovators to pitch their ideas for addressing one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. There is no dearth of innovative and creative ideas in our countries but there is a dire need of directing efforts towards providing indigenous solutions for the problems that we face, and secondly there is a strong need for connecting innovators with entrepreneurs, who can convert the ideas or prototypes into commercialized products or services.
Dr Mirza said that Pakistani innovators are using their skills in producing energy from renewable technologies, which can be linked with industry to eliminate poverty and generate employment. He said that with the help of IsDB we have started a project of mobile health clinics in Islamabad that will obviously facilitate people in providing basic health facilities in remote areas. Health minister said that IsDB and COMSTECH will provide support for providing health, education, food security and safe drinking for the poor of the society.
Addressing the gathering and during the press conference, President Islamic Development Bank Dr. Bandar Hajjar said, Pakistan is the integral member country of the IsDB group and is the third largest beneficiary of IsDB financing.
The IsDB group has provided a total financing of 12.43 billion USD to Pakistan, helping improve the lives of the people of Pakistan through a range of development projects. He highlighted that IsDB is financing Neelum Jhelum Hydro Power Project, Jamshoro Power Station, CASA 1000 project for improving energy needs of the country. Dr Bandar Hajjar said that he had a very fruitful and constructive meetings with the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan. He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision of Road to Naya Pakistan will pave way for the economic prosperity of the country. He said IsDB has earmarked a 500 million USD fund for promoting science technology and innovation in the member countries.
The competition attracted more than 200 entrants from across Pakistan, with shortlisted 20 teams presented their innovative ideas and 4 finalists were selected by the esteemed judging panel, awarded $3,000 seed capital and a ticket to Transformers Roadshow final to be held in Senegal later this year. The initiatives were assessed in line with the SDGs agenda across factors such as innovativeness, impact and outreach, practicality, scalability, sustainability, potential for patenting and commercialisation.
Coordinator General COMSTECH addressing the press conference said that “We are committed to developing local talent and nurturing solutions to key challenges. We are delighted that this event attracted some of Pakistan’s top minds who have made it their mission to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.” He said that the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan is collaborating with IsDB for funding innovative projects by Pakistani scientists.
Dr Hayat Sindi, Senior Advisor to the President, Islamic Development Bank said: “The quality of the applications here in Pakistan has been exceptionally high, and I am delighted to see so many innovative and novel solutions proposed across such a diverse mix of development issues. Science, technology and innovation are at the heart of the IsDB’s strategy and through the Transform Fund, our dream is to support solutions designed by local entrepreneurs and innovators who understand their communities.”
Winners of the competition will receive an invitation to attend the 2019 IsDB Transformers Summit in Senegal. The winners were:
Dr Osman Hassan, Smart SIM (Health)
Dr Khawaja Arsalan Habib, Short Circuit Fault Localization System (Energy)
Hassan Bin Rizwan, Muse Lessons (Education)
Ms Rehana Balti, Appricot Processing Strategy (Agriculture)
Teams presented their ideas to an esteemed judging panel from public and private sectors including:
Dr Hayat Sindi, Chief STI advisor to the President of the IsDB
Mr Yusuf Hussain, CEO, Ignite
Dr Fil Randazzo, CEO and Founder, Leverage Science
Lars Kroijer, Founder, Allied Crowds
Launched in July 2018, the Transformers Roadshow is one of the initiatives led by the IsDB Transform Fund set up to support the IsDB’s strategic focus on capacity building and human capital development. Previous editions took place in Uzbekistan, Niger, Kazakhstan and Bangladesh, where the Bank has awarded nine innovators. The IsDB mission via the Transform Fund is to equip people to drive their own economic and social progress at scale, putting the infrastructure in place to enable them to fulfil their potential.
