Latest news with #Naqvi
Express Tribune
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Mayi Re' director talks second instalment
Fan-favourite director Meesum Naqvi made an appearance in an episode of YouTube series, Gup Shup with FUCHSIA Magazine, where he answered fan questions such as whether Mayi Ri will have a second season and how Parwarish's script was developed. "When we created Mayi Ri, beautiful things like Aina and Samar happened," Naqvi said. "They gathered an insane fan following." After Mayi Ri, the production house wanted Naqvi to cast Aina Asif and Samar Jafri together again. Mayi Ri delved into the life of a 15-year-old schoolgirl who is compelled to marry her underage cousin. The show unravelled the devastating consequences of child marriages, which can shatter innocent childhoods forever. On the other hand, Parwarish touches upon the challenges of parenthood and turns the spotlight on the younger generation's ache for control and independence. Both shows have captivated viewers with their layered scripts and focus on meaningful societal issues. Naqvi shared that he did not want to make Mayi Ri 2. "What would even be the plot of it, that the couple does a halala and is back together?" he asked. "That would not have made sense." "I made the show against child marriage, and I cannot have negated that just because people wanted the two back together. There will be no Mayi Ri 2 because I have told a complete story," clarified the director. Naqvi still wanted to make something with the two of them together, and Parwarish was created. The director was not fully on board with Parwarish at the start. "Two years after Mayi Ri, I didn't have any ongoing projects. Someone in the production house asked, 'Why not Parwarish?' The script wasn't complete at the time so I was a bit hesitant. The people at the production encouraged me to give it a go. Eventually, I gave it a read and loved it!" Regarding the two main leads, Aina had a bit of scheduling issues but made it work. For Samar's background, the director shared, "We were always sure that Samar would play the character of Wali. The character was designed keeping him in mind, from his music background to his personality traits." Calling upon repetitive storytelling, the director revealed, "We initially considered turning Nooray Zeeshan into one of the heroines and creating a proper love triangle. I didn't do it because I did not want to show cousin marriages on screen. We had seen enough of this in Mayi Ri."
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
‘Mayi Ri' does not need a sequel: Director Meesum Naqvi
Fan-favourite director Meesum Naqvi made an appearance in an episode of YouTube series, Gup Shup with FUCHSIA Magazine, where he answered fan questions such as whether Mayi Ri will have a second season and how Parwarish's script was developed. 'When we created Mayi Ri, beautiful things like Aina and Samar happened,' Naqvi said. 'They gathered an insane fan following." After Mayi Ri, the production house wanted Naqvi to cast Aina Asif and Samar Jafri together again. Mayi Ri delved into the life of a 15-year-old schoolgirl who is compelled to marry her underage cousin. The show unraveled the devastating consequences of child marriages, which can shatter innocent childhoods forever. On the other hand, Parwarish touches upon the challenges of parenthood and turns the spotlight on the younger generation's ache for control and independence. Both shows have captivated viewers with their layered scripts and focus on meaningful societal issues. Naqvi shared that he did not want to make Mayi Ri 2. 'What would even be the plot of it, that the couple does a halala and is back together?' he asked. 'That would not have made sense.' 'I made the show against child marriage, and I cannot have negated that just because people wanted the two back together. There will be no Mayi Ri 2 because I have told a complete story,' clarified the director. Naqvi still wanted to make something with the two of them together, and Parwarish was created. The director was not fully on board with Parwarish at the start. 'Two years after Mayi Ri, I didn't have any ongoing projects. Someone in the production house asked, 'Why not Parwarish?' The script wasn't complete at the time so I was a bit hesitant. The people at the production encouraged me to give it a go. Eventually, I gave it a read and loved it!' Regarding the two main leads, Aina had a bit of scheduling issues but made it work. For Samar's background, the director shared, 'We were always sure that Samar would play the character of Wali. The character was designed keeping him in mind, from his music background to his personality traits.' Calling upon repetitive storytelling, the director revealed, 'We initially considered turning Nooray Zeeshan into one of the heroines and creating a proper love triangle. I didn't do it because I did not want to show cousin marriages on screen. We had seen enough of this in Mayi Ri.' Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Govt bans land travel for Arbaeen pilgrims
Listen to article The federal government banned the overland travel for pilgrims heading to Iraq for the Arbaeen, citing security concerns in the restive Balochistan province, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed on Sunday. Naqvi said that the decision had been taken after consultations with the Foreign Ministry, the Balochistan government, and the security agencies, adding that the pilgrims would be allowed to travel to Iraq only by air. Arbaeen, marking the 40th day of mourning after Ashura, sees millions of pilgrims, including thousands from Pakistan, travel to Karbala, Iraq, annually. Traditionally, many Pakistani pilgrims journey by road through Balochistan and Iran. However, due to the deteriorating law and order situation in the province — including increased terrorist attacks by Indian proxy outfits — the government deemed the move necessary for public safety and national security. "After extensive consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Balochistan Government, and security agencies, it has been decided that Zaireen will not be allowed to travel to Iraq and Iran by road for Arbaeen this year," Naqvi posted on X. "Zaireen will, however, be able to travel by air. Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to arrange maximum flights to facilitate their pilgrimage in the coming days," he added. "This difficult decision was taken in the interest of public safety and national security." On the direction of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for arranging flights to facilitate the pilgrims, the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced four special flights from Karachi between August 8 and 11, with return flights from Najaf scheduled from August 18 to 21. According to a PIA spokesperson the fare has been set at Rs212,000 per person, and the ticket sales had started. He added that more flights could be scheduled if necessary. Officials said passengers traveling by air individually will have to be sponsored by local people, otherwise they cannot enter Iraq. Meanwhile, private airlines have sharply increased fares, with tickets now ranging between Rs300,000 to Rs350,000. Tour operators estimate group travel expenses at $1,400 per pilgrim, compared to just $550 for land travel. This has raised fears that tens of thousands of low-income pilgrims might be unable to afford the journey. Salars — pilgrim group leaders — argue that the ban that has been announced just 15 days before Arbaeen has caused significant financial losses. They said that many people had already made advance payments for visas, vehicle certifications, and hotel bookings. They demanded that the government allowed supervised bus convoys under security agencies' protection or provide alternative transport arrangements. "This loss isn't borne by the rich but by the poor," a pilgrimage organiser told The Express Tribune on condition of anonymously. He questioned why the ban wasn't announced earlier during a recent trilateral meeting between Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq, where travel restrictions were discussed. During a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Naqvi briefed him on Balochistan's security situation and the new pilgrim policy. The prime minister directed for the initiation of the Gwadar Safe City project to enhance security in the region. Naqvi emphasised the need for better pilgrim management. Starting next year, he said, the pilgrims will only be allowed to travel under officially registered group organisers, with special embassy-issued visas required for independent travel. This system aims to curb illegal travel and overstaying issues. Meanwhile, Naqvi also visited Quetta and Azad Kashmir. In Quetta, he paid tribute to martyred soldiers at the Frontier Corps headquarters, praising their sacrifices in maintaining peace. Later, in Muzaffarabad, he met the family of Major Rab Nawaz, a martyred officer, and offered condolences.
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Air travel to continue: Road travel for Arbaeen pilgrims banned
ISLAMABAD: In a move aimed at ensuring the safety of pilgrims, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced on Sunday that Pakistani citizens would be prohibited from travelling to Iran and Iraq by road for this year's Arbaeen pilgrimage due to ongoing security concerns. The minister announced the decision through a post on X, following a detailed briefing to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, the prime minister instructed the Aviation Minister to facilitate the pilgrims by arranging special flights to Iran and Iraq. The meeting also delved into the prevailing law and order situation in the volatile Balochistan province, with the prime minister urging the interior minister to expedite the implementation of the Gwadar Safe City project. In a post on X, Naqvi explained that the decision was made after comprehensive consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Balochistan government, and various security agencies. 'This difficult decision has been taken in the interest of public safety and national security,' he added. However, Naqvi confirmed that pilgrims would still be allowed to travel by air, and this move is expected to ease some concerns amid heightened security threats in regions bordering Afghanistan and Iran. Earlier in May, Pakistan and Iran had agreed to strengthen cooperation to ensure the smooth movement of religious pilgrims. This agreement includes keeping their shared border open 24 hours a day during Muharram and Safar, including the Arbaeen period. As part of the agreement, both countries have committed to increasing the number of flights available for pilgrims and have also explored the possibility of sea travel to alleviate congestion at land crossings. Tehran has also pledged to provide accommodation and meals for up to 5,000 Pakistani pilgrims in Mashhad during the peak season. Pakistan has faced a rise in terrorist attacks in recent years, particularly in the border provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, further complicating the safe passage of pilgrims during religious events. Each year, approximately 700,000 Pakistani pilgrims travel to Iraq to commemorate Arbaeen, a significant religious event marking the 40th day of mourning after the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) in Karbala. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
New official sugar prices notified for Karachi
Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi on Sunday issued a new official price for sugar in the city, with a notification now in effect. According to the notification, the new wholesale price for sugar has been fixed at Rs 170 per kilogram, while the retail price is set at Rs 173 per kilogramme. Unjustified hike in sugar prices will not be allowed: Govt All wholesalers, retailers, and departmental stores have been strictly instructed to implement the new prices. Commissioner Naqvi warned that legal action would be taken against anyone found violating the official rate. Sellers of sugar have also been directed to prominently display the new prices. The move is aimed at regulating the market and ensuring the commodity is sold at the government-fixed rate.
