President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday formally accorded degree awarding status to the Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design (PIFD) at a special ceremony held here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr. The signing ceremony was attended among others by Minister for Commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr. Firdous Ashiq … Read more
The star of an Indian Bollywood comedy that pokes fun at Osama bin Laden has appealed to Pakistan’s leaders to overturn a ban on its release over security fears and religious sensitivities.
Pakistani censors banned “Tere bin Laden” (Without you, Laden) before it was due to open at cinemas nationwide last week and have delayed a review of their decision, saying the film could offend Muslims and incite suicide attacks.
“I respect our censors and their vision yet I would say this movie really needs to be seen by every Pakistani as it is pro-Pakistan and highlights our problems within a light comedy,” Pakistani actor Ali Zafar told reporters.
“I request to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and President Asif Zardari to intervene in the matter and help allow Pakistanis to watch the movie,” said Zafar, who is also a pop singer and plays the lead role in the film.
Pop music is rapidly taking over the Pakistani music scene, despite the moral brigade and diktats of the clergy. “Pop, along with soft rock, is growing in popularity. It has developed in a very short span of time and shows more promise than even Indian pop music,” claims Saadia, 19, … Read more