Kamila is an award winning novelist for her book Home Fire. She has also authored many other books. and has received multiple awards for her work in UK and Pakistan. She is the first female novelist from Pakistan to become Vice President of the Royal Society of Literature in the UK
Pakistan has the highest rate of Breast Cancer in Asia: with over 90,000 cases of breast cancer reported every year, 1 in 9 Pakistani women has become breast cancer patients at some stage of life. Almost half of these women die. A major reason for this high number is not just the lack of awareness but also the cultural taboo and stigma associated with the topic of women’s breasts in Pakistan – a mere discussion is considered immoral. Women hesitate to get their breasts checked or even check themselves on the grounds of modesty – this becomes a major barrier in the early prevention of the disease.
To help tackle this hurdle related to the illness, Ali Xeeshan, the country’s top fashion designer, working with a device that is historically known in South Asia to safeguard a woman’s modesty by covering her breasts: the dupatta (veil). “The Veil Of Care” campaign aims to not only drive awareness of the disease but also provide an active reminder with instructions on how to check oneself, all while emphasizing that this action is not at the compromise of modesty but well within its bounds.
This dupatta is designed with traditional embroidered motif patterns that incorporate a ribbon and also features poetry from pink warrior Asma Nabeel along its borders. The Veil Of Care comes with a small booklet knotted into a corner, a traditional ritual in which women knot the corner of their dupattas to hide money in, that explains in English and Urdu the correct way to check your breasts, and is available in stores and online. 100% of profits from the sales of these dupattas will go to breast cancer patients of the country’s top hospital: Shaukat Khanum Memorial.
“In South Asia, the dupatta is a symbol of modesty, and to protect this modesty; women often hesitate to check themselves. So, I designed a new kind of veil that not only serves the purpose of guarding women’s modesty but also gives them a reminder that they should take care of their health too” – Ali Xeeshan.
Asma’s haunting poetry highlights the need for women to check their breasts timely. Her beautiful words were embroidered on the dupatta and launched in the form of a video online.
To ensure that the campaign’s reach was national, the clothing brand GENERATION launched a further design rendition of the dupatta to make it more accessible to all women in Pakistan.
“As a womenswear brand, women’s health issues have always been very close to our hearts. Although we have been conducting annual Breast Cancer Awareness campaigns for many years, this year, we decided to take our commitment a step ahead. We’ve joined hands with Ali Xeeshan to bring you a one-of-a-kind Dupatta for which we’ll be donating all profits to the Shaukat Khanum Hospital.” – Khadija Rahman Creative Director GENERATION.
The Veil of Care will go a long way to address the issue of modesty for Pakistani women, reminding them that modesty and health can go hand in hand.
Public display of affection is not something we often witness in Pakistan or other Muslim countries as strict laws apply. Those who dare to cross the law are heavily fined and jailed as well.
A video of a passenger from an AirBlue flight has been making rounds on social media where the passenger narrates his encounter with a couple on a flight on the 20th of May from Karachi to Islamabad. According to the passenger, the couple was busy getting intimate on the plane.
In Pakistan, under section 294 of the Pakistan Panel Code (PPC) states: “Whoever, to the annoyance of others; a) does any obscene act in any public place, or b) sings, recites or utters any obscene songs, ballad or words, in or near any public place, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine, or with both.”
Naturally, the families sitting around them didn’t feel comfortable and complained to the cabin crew about their behaviour. Much to their surprise, even after the air hostess asked them to stop, they started kissing. Upon another complaint, the hostess handed the couple a blanket, so they don’t make other people uncomfortable on the flight. They continued with their lewdness under the covers.
At the end of the flight, the couple stood up to tell people who complained to the crew that they have no right to interfere with their privacy. The passenger submitted a complaint to the airline but didn’t receive any response as yet.
The story is for sure comical, so it did divide social media and cause a debate on whether the couple was right or wrong. Many also created memes and other jokes on Twitter just for a good laugh and to remind people of their hypocrisy.
Pakistan is the 3rd largest porn viewing country, so hypocrisy is it?
The same people would have been watching pornographic movies 15 minutes ago with VPN and now they are criticizing a couple doing kissing. #airbluekissing#Airblue pic.twitter.com/R7mX9E3V4j
— Abuzar Khan (@AbuzarK58020447) May 26, 2021
3rd largest porn viewing country se ek #kiss bardasht nh horhi?
"Masoom sirf wo hai, jise moqa nh mila" 🤣#airbluekissing pic.twitter.com/VE7h255Ym5— Manahil Fatima (@MFatilma) May 26, 2021
We love a good meme!
Live scenes from Airblue.#Airblue #airbluekissing pic.twitter.com/DCO4lSxAEg
— Salmaan Sabir (@SalmanSabirH) May 26, 2021
People wish that the couple had a splendid day even after the flight
Just hoping that the couple that started their day on the 7am flight with kisses and affection had a consistently quality day filled with many more kisses and hugs and love and happiness even thought they were going to Islamabad
— آزاد فلسطین🇵🇸 (@fay_alif) May 25, 2021
“A sad man whines about a couple kissing in the plane. A sad nation joins the while”
A sad man whines about a couple kissing in the plane. A sad nations joins the whine. #Airblue
— Syma Tasaduq (@SymaTasaduq) May 25, 2021
Everything wrong with us:
Desi couples make sure they fight like dogs in front of children, but anything even remotely intimate will be limited to the bedroom. What do you expect from an entire nation that grew up watching hate normalised and acts of love labelled as shameful?
— Salwa (@ranaslander) May 25, 2021
This will be funny, even for the investigators!
air kissing investigation xD
— saad. (@chimgadar) May 25, 2021
More support for the love birds
I absolutely love the couple who kissed on the flight. Wish my parents kissed in public. Pakistanis hate love cuz they only grew up seeing their parents fight. Affection is something they aren’t aware of.
— Nishat (@Nishat64) May 25, 2021
This is the guy who was kissing his wife and doing inappropriate things on a local #Airblue flight, shame on him , Is this Islamic republic of Pakistan? pic.twitter.com/Ko4GLaicGS
— Rehan Ajmal 🇵🇰/🇵🇸 (@RehanAjmalSays) May 25, 2021
Some didn’t feel like it was ok to justify the act
The amount of attention #airbluekissing is getting is concerning but at the same time those who are justifying this act are unbelievable.. #فحش_میڈیا_کو_لگام_دو pic.twitter.com/lD91tUVfXe
— Aman Ullah (@Aman_Educator) May 26, 2021
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Social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram have provided an easy platform for individuals to exhibit their works and talents; it is not far-fetched to say that the world has gone digital, making our options limitless. Entrepreneurs across the globe know how to use these platforms for their benefit, utilizing fun and distinct themes, to make their SMBs special.
Many Pakistani entrepreneurs are doing the same and have set up online businesses that promote Pakistani heritage with contemporary splendor. Get in the spirit of patriotism by not only buying these locally-themed products but also by supporting small businesses that work hard day in and day out to grow and sustain themselves:
They say good shoes take you to good places and this SMB might just be your ticket. Accommodating your needs for bedazzled khusas and some attractive embroidery to boot. This is the page to visit if you’re looking for something with an oomph factor for your traditional look.
Truckart Pakistan’s most favoured form of art, with vibrant colours and bold use of imagery, is the concept behind this SMB. From masks and mugs to notebooks and decoratives. This shop will be the perfect place to buy from.
Displaying a beautiful range of hand-painted wooden, steel, and ceramic goods. This SMB amalgamates aesthetics, creativity, and innovation with a cultural touch that will blend effortlessly at home.
As calligraphy becomes a dying art not just in Pakistan, but across the globe, this artist works to revive the tradition by arranging workshops and packaging customized giveaways that serve as a perfect combination of calligraphy with modern concepts and techniques.
Much like its name suggests, Rangkaari is an SMB that introduces uniqueness to your daily and celebratory needs with exquisite and intricate hand-painted clothes that will add that extra flair to your wardrobe.
An SMB harmonizing Islamic, Mughal, and truck art all in one. This contemporary creator has a wide variety of goodies to choose from gifts and home decor, packaging a part of Pakistan that is distinctly yours.
Take your pick from a range of eye-catching jewelry and Kurtis which exhibit Pakistani fashion with a modish vibe. With delicate designs and embroidery, this online SMB will be your haven for a style that defines you.
This SMB displays the richness of Pakistani art with its stimulating use of colors and voguish designs. It supplies an array of fashion accessories and home decor for local and international customers, showing Pakistani pride for its heritage at its epitome.
From carved wooden boxes to embroidered table runners, this SMB centers its business around the use of different techniques present in Pakistani art and culture to manufacture your ideal product.
Know of any similar businesses? Let us know in the comment section below.
For more listicles such as this, watch this space.
Pakistani actor Feroze Khan has shed light on a significant fact about former PornhHub star Mia Khalifa. The star reposted a post on his Instagram story that said, “Mia Khalifa left the porn industry long ago. Currently, Mia is sports commentator, influencer and activist against the porn industry”.
Although it has been a few years of Khalifa’s disassociation from the porn industry, people still remember her like a pornstar. Fans of Malala were appalled when they found out that the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate called Khalifa her best friend.
The Lebanese-American former PornHub star commented on Malala’s video and called her a ‘Queen’. Replying to the comment, Yousafzai called Mia Khalifa her ‘bestie’.
We are assuming that since both are activists and, let us not forget, prevalent one’s – that’s what ties them together as best friends.
In 2019, Mia Khalifa appeared on BBCHardtalk, where she formally announced that she had left the industry a while ago. Watch the full interview here:
Mia also spoke about how she got into porn at the age of 21. She told the host she was young and had just graduated from Texas. She was looking for a job and was spotted on the street by someone who had asked her to model at first and then slowly lured her into the business. She said, “When the first set of videos released, it shattered my entire world. I thought it was okay for me to do porn was because I thought no one would ever find out about it. There are millions of girls who filmed themselves having sex, and no one knows their name. No one knows who they are. No one recognizes them. So I wanted to do it as my dirty little secret, but it blew up in my face. It really did”.
She said she has quit the industry and is now moving towards doing different things. However, she is still alone as she was alienated by friends and family. She said, “I just realized some mistakes aren’t forgivable, but time heals, all wounds and things are getting better.”
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Badshah Begum is to be released in March and is a much anticipated political period drama. WOW360 asks the central character Zara Noor Abbas some fun and intriguing questions. The drama is directed by Khizer Idrees, produced by Rafay Rashidi and Momina Duraid and written by Saji Gul. Releasing soon on HUM TV it promises to be exciting !
Empowerment is the process of becoming stronger and more confident. We asked Pakistan’s leading corporate women what they consider to be empowering and how they can use their positions and influence to empower those around them.
Effie Pakistan Jury Members Share Their Opinion: Local Brand Ambassador Vs Foreign Brand Ambassador?
We got a chance to speak to industry leaders from the media, marketing and advertising industry at the Effie Jury Session 2021. We asked them if they prefer local brand ambassadors or foreign brand ambassadors, and here is what they had to say