Latest news with #ZahidMahmood
Express Tribune
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Drama Festival spreads anti-drug awareness
University students perform a drama, themed, Say No to Drugs, Yes to Life, during the Inter-University Drama Festival at the Punjab Arts Council. PHOTO: EXPRESS The Inter-University Drama Festival, themed "Nashye Se Inkar, Zindagi Se Pyaar" (Say No to Drugs, Yes to Life), concluded on Friday. Organised under the auspices of the Punjab Arts Council, nine university teams participated in the festival, which was part of a broader campaign against drug addiction. Islamabad Postgraduate College H-8 clinched the first position with its play Aas, Rawalpindi Women University secured second place with Un Dekha Jal, and Foundation University came third with Sarab. In individual categories, Rida Rehman was awarded Best Writer, Yasin Ahmed Best Director, Ali Naqvi Best Male Actor, and Fiza Faisal Best Female Actor. Usman Ali and Aqsa were recognized as Best Supporting Actors, while Muqaddas Fiza received the Best Villain award. The event was organised in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission, Anti-Narcotics Force, Shining Stars, and Saffron. The prize distribution ceremony was attended by Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Culture Shazia Rizwan, Saffron CEO Zahid Mahmood, HEC Focal Person Rana Shafiq, former Arts Council directors Naheed Manzoor and Waqar Ahmed, and current Director Sajjad Hussain. Renowned actors Anjum Habibi, Syed Basharat Jafri, and Amin Shahzad served as judges throughout the competition. Director Sajjad Hussain thanked participating institutions and guests for their support. Parliamentary Secretary Shazia Rizwan lauded the Arts Council for using drama to spread awareness about addiction. "Parents must also play a proactive role in keeping youth away from drugs," she said. Saffron CEO Zahid Mahmood highlighted the value of providing young artists a platform to promote social reform through performance. The top three winning teams received cash prizes of Rs100,000, Rs75,000, and Rs50,000 respectively. Artist Rana Kashif served as the compère throughout the festival.
Express Tribune
16-04-2025
- Express Tribune
Blackmailing victim attempts suicide
A case has been registered against two accused for blackmailing a canteen owner by making objectionable videos and extorting Rs2 million from him with threats to kill him. The victim, fed up with blackmailing of the accused, attempted suicide and was shifted to a hospital. Police reached the spot and started the action. Zahid Mahmood, a resident of 229 RB, registered a case with Sadar police station that his brother runs a canteen at a private factory on Khanoana Road. The accused, Rashid alias Pasha and Wilayat Ali, used to visit the victim's canteen. The accused started blackmailing him by making videos. The accused blackmailed him and extorted Rs2 million. The accused demanded another Rs1 million from the victim and threatened to make the videos viral on social media if the money was not paid. Tired of the blackmailing, the victim tried to commit suicide by consuming poisonous pills and is undergoing treatment in the hospital. Meanwhile, Muhammad Iqbal was tricked by robbers in Samandri area while he was withdrawing cash from an ATM. The robbers stole Rs50,000 from his account. Similarly, Tanveer Ahmad was targeted near Civil Hospital, Kashif Ali in Gol Chiniot Market, Mushtaq in Gulberg, Abdullah at Rangeela Chowk Ghulam Muhammadabad, Momin in Madina Town, and Shakil Ahmad at Depot Market Mansoorabad were deprived of valuables by street criminals.
Express Tribune
14-04-2025
- Express Tribune
Four Pakistanis among 11 dead as migrant boat sinks off Libyan coast
Listen to article At least 11 people have died after a migrant boat capsized near Libya's eastern coast, with four Pakistani nationals confirmed among the victims, according to the Pakistani embassy in Libya. The tragic incident occurred on April 12 near the Harawa coast, close to the city of Sirte, as reported in an official communiqué sent by the embassy to Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Rescue teams have so far recovered 11 bodies from the sea. A team from the Pakistani embassy visited Sirte and confirmed the identities of the four deceased Pakistanis using national identification documents. According to the report, three of the deceased hailed from Mandi Bahauddin, while one was from Gujranwala. The identified victims are: Zahid Mahmood, son of Liaqat Ali (Gujranwala) Sameer Ali, son of Raja Abdul Qadeer (Mandi Bahauddin) Syed Ali Hussain, son of Shafqat-ul-Hussnain (Mandi Bahauddin) Asif Ali, son of Nazar Muhammad (Mandi Bahauddin) Two additional bodies remain unidentified, while five others have been confirmed as Egyptian nationals. The Pakistani embassy remains in contact with local Libyan authorities to gather further details and assist in the identification process. Officials fear the death toll could rise as search operations continue.
