Latest news with #Kamran
Express Tribune
06-08-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Autistic children lack support in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
In Pakistan, the predominant definition of a healthy child is a cute chubby kid with squeezable cheeks. As a result of this superficial criterion for well-being, children born with autism, who experience trouble reaching various neuro-developmental milestones, are often left neglected not only by caregivers but also by healthcare providers. Although lack of awareness on autism persists across the whole country, in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), the issue is significantly more alarming since till date the government has failed to establish a single public autism centre during their 14 years of holding office. Across the province, including Peshawar, there is no government-run facility to diagnose or treat children living with autism, leaving families to rely on expensive private centres or seek online consultations from other cities and abroad. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines autism as a diverse group of conditions marked by some degree of difficulty with social interaction and communication. Among children, the most common symptoms include difficulty in speech, avoiding eye contact, repetitive movements, social isolation and fixed preferences and routines. According to the Autism Society of Pakistan, nearly 400,000 children in Pakistan suffer from autism, with around 150,000 belonging to K-P and the nearby tribal areas. Alarmingly, K-P's health and social welfare departments do not even maintain official data on these children, highlighting a complete absence of state-level awareness or planning. As a result, parents are forced to approach facilities like PIMS in Islamabad, the Aga Khan Hospital in Karachi, or even attend costly online sessions with foreign experts. One such parent was Sidra Khan, whose four-year-old son was diagnosed with autism. It took her three months to even find a doctor for consultation. After an online session with a US-based doctor via PIMS, she discovered that no government centres for autism existed in K-P. At a private centre in Peshawar's University Town, she was charged Rs100,000 per month for therapy, forcing her to sell family property to continue her son's treatment. Similarly, Kamran, another parent from inner Peshawar, revealed that his nine-year-old son's autism was diagnosed three years ago. Due to the absence of experts in Peshawar, he is now planning to relocate to Islamabad or Karachi. Similarly, Nafeesa, a mother of two autistic children from K-P, was compelled to move to Islamabad to enroll her children into a special needs school, after spending nearly Rs200,000 to Rs300,000 on their unsuccessful treatment in Peshawar. According to a survey conducted by the Express Tribune, Peshawar has just one semi-public autism centre, which started as a project in 2021 and became operational in 2023 under the Social Welfare Department. This centre, located in Hayatabad, registers only 70 children, operates with just 14 staff members, and has a waiting list of over 200 children due to space and staffing shortages. There are roughly 15 private autism centres and five schools in Peshawar, charging between Rs60,000 to Rs100,000 per month, with only one offering free therapy to underprivileged families. Approximately 700 children receive therapy in these private facilities. Clinical psychologist, Masooma Khan explained that psychological, speech, occupational, and behavioral therapies, along with parental involvement, were essential for improving the lives of autistic children. Likewise, Dr Tariq Khan, a speech therapist associated with the Paraplegic Centre in Peshawar, stressed the need for early intervention, noting that most children were diagnosed at ages seven or eight, when developmental improvements become much harder. "Government intervention is necessary for improving autism services in public hospitals, increased awareness, and affordable therapies. Lack of treatment pushes many autistic children into lifelong psychological struggles, while poor families remain helpless due to unaffordable therapy costs," said Dr Khan.
Express Tribune
06-08-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Autistic children lack support in K-P
Listen to article In Pakistan, the predominant definition of a healthy child is a cute chubby kid with squeezable cheeks. As a result of this superficial criterion for well-being, children born with autism, who experience trouble reaching various neuro-developmental milestones, are often left neglected not only by caregivers but also by healthcare providers. Although lack of awareness on autism persists across the whole country, in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), the issue is significantly more alarming since till date the government has failed to establish a single public autism centre during their 14 years of holding office. Across the province, including Peshawar, there is no government-run facility to diagnose or treat children living with autism, leaving families to rely on expensive private centres or seek online consultations from other cities and abroad. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines autism as a diverse group of conditions marked by some degree of difficulty with social interaction and communication. Among children, the most common symptoms include difficulty in speech, avoiding eye contact, repetitive movements, social isolation and fixed preferences and routines. According to the Autism Society of Pakistan, nearly 400,000 children in Pakistan suffer from autism, with around 150,000 belonging to K-P and the nearby tribal areas. Alarmingly, K-P's health and social welfare departments do not even maintain official data on these children, highlighting a complete absence of state-level awareness or planning. As a result, parents are forced to approach facilities like PIMS in Islamabad, the Aga Khan Hospital in Karachi, or even attend costly online sessions with foreign experts. One such parent was Sidra Khan, whose four-year-old son was diagnosed with autism. It took her three months to even find a doctor for consultation. After an online session with a US-based doctor via PIMS, she discovered that no government centres for autism existed in K-P. At a private centre in Peshawar's University Town, she was charged Rs100,000 per month for therapy, forcing her to sell family property to continue her son's treatment. Similarly, Kamran, another parent from inner Peshawar, revealed that his nine-year-old son's autism was diagnosed three years ago. Due to the absence of experts in Peshawar, he is now planning to relocate to Islamabad or Karachi. Similarly, Nafeesa, a mother of two autistic children from K-P, was compelled to move to Islamabad to enroll her children into a special needs school, after spending nearly Rs200,000 to Rs300,000 on their unsuccessful treatment in Peshawar. According to a survey conducted by the Express Tribune, Peshawar has just one semi-public autism centre, which started as a project in 2021 and became operational in 2023 under the Social Welfare Department. This centre, located in Hayatabad, registers only 70 children, operates with just 14 staff members, and has a waiting list of over 200 children due to space and staffing shortages. There are roughly 15 private autism centres and five schools in Peshawar, charging between Rs60,000 to Rs100,000 per month, with only one offering free therapy to underprivileged families. Approximately 700 children receive therapy in these private facilities. Clinical psychologist, Masooma Khan explained that psychological, speech, occupational, and behavioral therapies, along with parental involvement, were essential for improving the lives of autistic children. Likewise, Dr Farrukh Tariq, a speech therapist associated with the Paraplegic Centre in Peshawar, stressed the need for early intervention, noting that most children were diagnosed at ages seven or eight, when developmental improvements become much harder. 'Government intervention is necessary for improving autism services in public hospitals, increased awareness, and affordable therapies. Lack of treatment pushes many autistic children into lifelong psychological struggles, while poor families remain helpless due to unaffordable therapy costs,' said Dr Tariq.
Time of India
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Bollywood filmmaker died with only Rs 30 in his pocket. His daughter directed 3 Shah Rukh Khan blockbusters, one of which made Rs 400 crore
Farah Khan: Finding Joy Amidst Domestic Turmoil When Luxury Disappeared: Farah's Turning Point Sajid Khan: Teenage Struggles and Reluctant Breadwinner Living Without Basics: A Home Without Electricity or TV Farah Khan: From Choreographer to Blockbuster Director Sajid Khan: Laughter, Success, and the Housefull Series Life Today: Contentment and New Ventures Conclusion: From Ruin to Remarkable During the vibrant film era of the 1960s and 70s, Kamran Khan, a former actor and stuntman, made a name for himself directing low-budget action thrillers. These B-grade productions featured popular wrestling icon Dara Singh and included titles like Beqasoor, Watan Se Door, Ilzam, and Panch Ratan. While these movies enjoyed modest popularity, Kamran eventually aspired to shift towards more mainstream cinema. Fueled by ambition and a desire to make a mark beyond the periphery of commercial entertainment, he staked his entire fortune on one major every asset he owned on the line, Kamran poured his savings into a new film and managed to rope in the acclaimed actor Sanjeev Kumar for the lead role. However, the project suffered a devastating blow when the actor abandoned it midway. Left with an incomplete film and mounting production costs, Kamran's dream debts running into lakhs, the collapse of the film left him financially devastated. The loss was not merely monetary—it triggered a downward spiral into alcoholism and deep mental anguish. For the next thirteen years, Kamran did not return to work. His health declined, his marriage fell apart, and he eventually died destitute. The family couldn't even afford the cost of his funeral and had to approach his close friend, scriptwriter Salim Khan, who helped cover the the time of his passing, Kamran's children, Farah Khan and Sajid Khan, were still in their teenage years. Struggling to process the trauma, they were thrust into adult responsibilities far too early, compelled to earn a living and settle their father's pending the Ajanta Ellora Film Festival, Farah Khan reflected on the turbulent early years that she and Sajid endured. Her solace, she recalled, came from cinema. While chaos unfolded at home, with their parents separating and financial distress worsening, the escape offered by movie theaters became her sanctuary. Films directed by Manmohan Desai and Nasir Hussain, with their vibrant plots and melodramatic flair, provided her with a temporary sense of peace and happiness. Despite personal instability, those three hours inside a darkened theater served as a balm during her shared that her father, though largely unknown to most, once entertained audiences with quirky action movies featuring Dara Singh. Titles like Robin Hood Comes to Bombay or Tarzan Comes to Bombay were typical of his filmography, blending fantasy with urban storytelling. She humorously recalled Singh parading around Mumbai in his Tarzan costume—a vivid memory amidst the gloom of financial ruin. But once Kamran poured all his wealth into a doomed film and it failed miserably, everything collapsed. Over the next decade and a half, her father remained unemployed and withdrawn. Times were brutally once confided to veteran journalist Karan Thapar that her father's death marked a dramatic shift in her life. Before his financial downfall, she lived a relatively pampered life. But that comfort disappeared rapidly. She told Thapar that her father passed away with just Rs 30 in his with barely anything—only a roof over their heads—they lost their cars, her mother's jewelry, the music player, and all personal luxuries. The home that once held warmth turned cold and barren. They even resorted to renting out their living room for a few hours each day. People would host kitty parties or play cards in their drawing room in exchange for money, which helped them survive for a couple of years."I was a spoilt brat before that, and would get whatever I wanted and then suddenly everything changed… Only the house remained, and everything else went… The cars, my mom's jewellery, the gramophone—everything. Finally, we were left with an empty house, two sofas, and a fan," she a candid discussion on the YouTube show Timeout with Ankit, Sajid Khan recounted how their lives changed overnight. Typically, children inherit assets or financial security when parents pass on. In their case, Kamran's death left Farah and Sajid with nothing but debts. At the time, Sajid was just 14 and Farah, 17. They owed Rs 3 lakh in 1984—a substantial amount for the time. With no roadmap for how to earn, the siblings promised their creditors that they would repay every rupee, bit by turned to dancing, founding her own troupe, while Sajid began performing mimicry acts at birthday parties. On Sundays, he'd entertain crowds on the beach, collecting small earnings, which he would mostly hand over to Farah, while saving a little for movie tickets. Their childhood was transformed into a daily hustle for also shed light on their daily hardships. Unlike most families in the neighborhood, theirs didn't own a television set. There was only one fan to share, and at times they couldn't even afford electricity bills. During two particularly difficult weeks, they lived without power and would sleep in the hall, huddled together under the single fan. There was no safety net or fallback option. They worked because there was no alternative. Despite the challenges, their mother, though working as a housekeeper in a hotel and living separately, insisted they complete their education. She did all she could—leaving home in the morning and returning at night—to make ends also spoke about the emotional weight of asking for money for their father's funeral. He approached relatives but found no help. Eventually, it was Salim Khan—father of Salman Khan—who came forward and contributed funds so they could conduct the final rites. In spite of these blows, Sajid retained his humor, stating that while one can lose material possessions, the ability to laugh and entertain remains resilience and talent eventually propelled her to the top of the film industry. She began her professional journey by choreographing dance numbers, a skill that gained her widespread recognition. Her directorial debut came with Main Hoon Na, a film that struck gold at the box office and starred Shah Rukh Khan . This success was followed by Om Shanti Om, which not only emerged as a massive hit but also introduced Deepika Padukone to cinema. According to Sacnilk , the movie grossed Rs 152 crore third directorial outing with Shah Rukh Khan, Happy New Year, also featuring Deepika, further solidified her place in Bollywood. The film raked in nearly Rs 400 crore worldwide (Rs 397 crore), cementing her status as a bankable found his calling in comedy and direction. He became best known for helming the wildly popular Housefull franchise. Spanning five films, the series became a consistent box-office winner. Collectively, the Housefull films have amassed more than Rs 800 crore globally, highlighting his command over mass has embraced the digital age and currently manages a thriving YouTube cooking channel. Her platform, which blends humor with culinary flair, has garnered 1.93 million subscribers. From a young girl watching movies for escape to becoming a celebrated director and now a digital creator, her journey is a testament to story of Farah Khan and Sajid Khan is one of extraordinary resilience. Born into a home that went from cinema dreams to abject poverty, they refused to be defeated by circumstances. With grit, creativity, and an unshakable bond as siblings, they carved out successful careers, not only overcoming their past but triumphing over it.
Scotsman
30-07-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Plans approved to turn former Edinburgh cake shop into a hot food takeaway at South Clerk Street
Plans have been approved to turn a former Edinburgh cake shop into a hot food takeaway. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The proposals for 3 South Clerk Street were submitted by a Mr Kamran in May and approved by the council's planning department on July 23. The application site is a vacant mid-terrace ground floor commercial unit within a four-storey row of tenements, situated in the Southside Conservation Area. The plans include an external flue on the rear elevation that would terminate above eaves level. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This former cake shop at 3 South Clerk Street in Edinburgh will soon become a new hot food takeaway after change of use plans were accepted by the council. | Google Maps Approving the proposed change of use of the existing vacant shop to form a hot food takeaway, the council's chief planning officer David Givan said: 'The external works would be situated to the enclosed rear elevation of the application site and by virtue of this, it would have a neutral impact on the character and appearance of the conservation area. 'The proposals have regard to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of the conservation area and are acceptable. It is not anticipated that the proposal would lead to an unreasonable impact upon residential amenity. 'In terms of the proposed use itself, this would represent a suitable commercial addition to the application site and would contribute towards the vitality and vibrancy of the mixed-use nature of the surrounding area.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The application received two objections, regarding seagulls and E-bike deliveries, which planners deemed as 'not material planning considerations'. The applicant now has three years to carry out the needed change of use works at 3 South Clerk Street.
Indian Express
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Bollywood director lost entire life's savings after one flop; daughter was forced to dance, son performed for money at beach to repay debts
In the 1960s and 1970s, former actor and stuntman Kamran Khan began directing B-grade action movies starring Dara Singh. These were films such as Beqasoor, Watan Se Door, Ilzam, and Panch Ratan. However, after welcoming his second child, he thought to go mainstream. He mortgaged everything he owned, pooled his entire life's savings into the project, and signed Sanjeev Kumar to star in it. However, midway through filming, the star abandoned the project, leaving Kamran with debts amounting to lakhs of rupees. Overnight, he lost everything, and spiralled into alcoholism and depression. He didn't work for over a decade, his marriage crumbled, and he eventually died penniless. The family didn't even have money to pay for his funeral, and had to borrow a small amount from his close friend, writer Salim Khan. Kamran's two children were only teenagers then, but they had to start earning for themselves, and to repay their father's debts. They've now left marks on the industry themselves; they're Farah Khan and Sajid Khan. In a recent interaction at the Ajanta Ellora Film Festival, Farah reflected on the difficult childhood that she and Sajid experienced. 'Cinema kept me happy even in the worst of times. During my childhood, when things were bad at home, and parents were fighting, they were separating. The only time I got happiness was when I went to a movie theatre, sat for three hours, and we saw either a Manmohan Desai movie or a Nasir Hussain movie. We used to watch the potboilers at that time. That kept us happy.' Also read – Mughal-E-Azam actor worked in over 500 films, but lived in a house without electricity, could never afford a car She continued, 'I don't think anyone knows my father's name, because he used to make B-grade movies with Dara Singh, and they used to be great fun. They were all like Robin Hood Comes to Bombay, Tarzan Comes to Bombay… Dara Singh is roaming around in Tarzan's kachchha all over Bombay city… Then, the usual happened. He put all his money into one movie, including the house, and it was a washout, and with that, everything went. Then, for the next 13-14 years, my father didn't work. He didn't leave the house, and times were very, very bad.' In an earlier interaction with journalist Karan Thapar, Farah said that her father died with only Rs 30 in his pocket. 'I was a spoilt brat before that, and would get whatever I wanted and then suddenly everything changed… Only the house remained, and everything else went… The cars, my mom's jewellery, the gramophone—everything. Finally, we were left with an empty house, two sofas, and a fan. We even rented out the drawing room for a few hours. People would come, organize a kitty party, play cards in the room, give us some money in return, and leave. That's how the house was running for a couple of years.' Also read – Legendary Bollywood music composer lived as paying guest in final years, banned family from attending funeral In an interview on the Timeout with Ankit YouTube channel, Sajid told the story of his father's failures. 'My father was a filmmaker, who used to make films with Dara Singh. He used to make black-and-white B-grade films. Salim Khan was one of my father's close friends. When Farah was born, my father was going through a very good time, but when I was born, he gave his first flop. He must've thought that he has two kids, and he should expand. He decided to make an A-grade film. He tried to make a big film with Sanjeev Kumar. That film never worked, because it never got made. Halfway through, Sanjeev Kumar abandoned the film and ran away. My father lost all his money. Then he started drinking, he became an alcoholic, my parents got divorced. And I went and stayed with my aunts.' He said that even as a child, he would shuttle between his maternal and paternal relatives, and would be confused about his religion. 'One day, I asked my father, 'What is my religion'. He kept his drink down, he used to drink from morning till evening, and he pointed out of the window to the Lido Cinema. He said, 'That's your religion'. This was fed to me as a seven-year-old child. He said, 'In there, Hindus and Muslims and Christians all come together, they laugh and cry together, that's your only religion',' he said. Read more – Bollywood's biggest star of the 1950s became destitute, Amitabh Bachchan spotted him 'alone, unnoticed' at a bus stop: 'I drove on…' Sajid recalled the moral crisis that he experienced immediately after his father died, because he had bought a ticket to a movie and wasn't sure if he should go to watch it. He said, 'I'd bought a ticket for a Friday show of Rajesh Khanna's Naya Kadam. On Tuesday, my father died. He drank himself to death. By Thursday, I started worrying about the ticket I'd bought for the movie. Should I go to see the movie or not? I'd just lost my father on Tuesday. I was 14. I asked my friend what to do, and he said, 'Have you gone mad?' But I told him that my dad would've wanted me to see the movie. My friend took the ticket from my hand and tore it. I'm still dealing with this in my head. Was I right to think about a movie after my dad died? But this was what he had inculcated in my head.' He continued, 'Normally, when parents pass away, they leave some real estate or some money in the bank, or a will. My father left Farah and me with debts. I was 14, she was 17. We had a debt of Rs 3 lakh, in 1984. We were shattered. We had no idea how to earn money. We spoke to those people and told them that we would pay them back bit by bit. Farah started dancing, she started her dance troupe. I started doing mimicry at birthday parties. On Sundays, I'd perform at the beach. I would give the money to Farah, and save some to watch movies.' Read more – Bollywood's most celebrated Golden Age writer died penniless, burdened by heavy debts; Javed Akhtar blamed Raj Kapoor Opening up further about the hardships they experienced in the subsequent years. 'We were the only family in our neighbourhood that didn't have a TV. We had no money. We had just one fan. We didn't have money to pay for electricity for two weeks. We would sleep in the hall, Farah and me. You work when you don't have a choice. We did it with a certain amount of dignity, and my mum insisted that we finish our education. She was also working, she was doing housekeeping at a hotel, but she was living separately because she had to go in the morning and she'd come back in the evening. When my father passed away, I went to one of my relatives to ask for money for the funeral. We did not have money for the funeral. It was Salim uncle who gave money for the funeral. Salman's dad. He gave me money. But that's life. They can take everything away from you, but they can't take away your sense of humour,' he said. Farah began choreographing dance numbers, and eventually climbed her way to the top of the pyramid. She made her directorial debut with the film Main Hoon Na, and then made the blockbuster Om Shanti Om, both starring Shah Rukh Khan. Sajid made several hit films himself, but was accused of sexual misconduct during the #MeToo movement. He hasn't directed a film since then.
