Henna is a traditional ‘paint’ so to say, which is most commonly used for decorative designs on the hands and feet during marriage ceremonies.

The word “henna” immediately brings to mind: happy, blushing brides with swirls of neatly applied henna all the way up to her elbows, laughing and enjoying some of the most significant days of their life!

Let’s Delve into the History of Henna!

Henna is largely associated with Asian culture as being used for adorning brides on their weddings. The concept of a bride without henna on her hands is literally heart-attack inducing to the haw-hayebrigade present at every wedding!

It is also widely used for other cosmetic purposes such as dying hair, painting nails or simply to stay cool during the hot months of summer.

The origins of henna being used as a form of art can be traced to Egypt, approximately 9,000 years ago – Cleopatra herself is rumored to have used henna…imagine that!

Not only that, but henna was also used in ancient Egypt for its medicinal and healing purposes as during the mummification process to paint the nails of the mummies before burying them.

With people of different cultures mingling with others, it is difficult to pinpoint where exactly henna was discovered from and began its journey of fame. What’s for sure is that it’s here to stay!

Interesting Fact: Needless to say, henna also has a number of affiliated superstitions. One particularly interesting one is that the deeper and darker the henna stain on a brides’ hands, the better her relationship will be with her husband in the future! Good luck girls!

Shocker – Henna is used for more than just adorning brides!

Henna, comes from the plant Lawsonia inermis, also dubbed as the henna tree. It has many uses, some of which are elaborated below:

Hair color – along with painting patterns on the hands and feet of brides and bridesmaids, henna is also used as a natural hair dye.

It is particularly useful as a hair dye since it’s free from harsh chemicals that harm the hair strands. It is also recognized to improve hair health by sealing the cuticle, preventing breakage and enhancing the shine and appearance of hair.

In addition, it is said to prevent dandruff.

Cooling agent – Henna is particularly useful in relieving the effects of intense heat such as during sunstroke. This can be done by soaking hands and feet into a paste of henna to retain body temperature.

Headache Reliever – Henna has anti-inflammatory properties that reduces tension and promotes healthy blood flow in capillaries. It is for this reason that it is often used when seeking a quick remedy for intense headaches and migraines.

Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, henna oil is also used for treating arthritic and rheumatic pains.

Blood Pressure Regulation – this wonder plant also aids in lowering blood pressure. This is because of its hypersensitivity effects that relieve stress on the cardiovascular system.

It is also said to prevent the build-up of platelets and plaque in the arteries of the heart, thus preventing heart attacks and strokes.

Detoxification –Henna is known for working wonders on spleen and liver. While every tiny part of the human body is essential and is playing a vital role in maintaining our health and vitality, the liver is no exception.

Henna helps eliminate toxins we ingest everyday through the air or through daily food consumption.

By optimizing the functions of the liver, many other fatal conditions can also be avoided.

For this purpose, the bark or leaves of the henna plant are should be soaked in the water and then the consequent liquid can be consumed.

§  Insomnia or restlessness is a pesky sleep disorder which may not sound very serious, but is very frustrating for anyone who is actually going through it.

Henna oil has been known to provide blessed relief from such a disorder. Addition of henna oil to your daily regimen will help in achieving a restful sleep, ensuring you wake up recharged to take on the world!

Henna is commonly applied to burns, wounds and scrapes. Henna is able to eliminate inflammation as well as protect the skin against infections and is thus very useful for such infliction. It also provides a quick soothing effect which can be quite relaxing.

Reference:

Ask anyone and you’ll discover how utterly obsessed Pakistanis are about the state of our homes! Everything must be in perfect order, often to demonstrate the fact that we are more organized than them (typical aunty mindset!).

Jokes aside, the ambiance at home really affects the residents as it sets the entire mood; it sets the pace! Furniture, of course, is a big part of this.

Since Pakistan is brimming with talent of all sorts, when talking about the furniture market, Pakistani craftsmen can put the world to shame with their intricate designs and elaborate carvings.

Don’t believe us? Let’s take a look at some of the unsurpassed places to buy furniture from in Pakistan!

Renaissance

Renaissance is a particularly exquisite store which stands apart from any other with respect to the vast collection of items for sale.

From furniture to décor, wall hangings and even antiques; everything is available for all tastes.

Not only that, the store is also one of the only shops to stock high-end designer fabrics by the likes of Christian Lacroix and Sanderson!

Going to this particular store is a delightful experience as the store literally has something for everyone!

ChenOne

ChenOne is one of the finest brands in Pakistan which surely requires no introduction to!

It is one of the few brands to offer just about everything. And I really mean everything!

However, what’s admirable about them isn’t the range of products they offer, rather the quality of products they sell.

Clothes, décor, accessories, shoes or furniture items; all pieces are sturdy and built to last.

ChenOne often offers wonderful sales with packages for furniture of the whole room so to say, and these deals are what you should never miss!

Something I really admire about this brand is that every item is for individual sale – so for instance, if you don’t want to purchase a dresser for whatever reason, you don’t have to!
 

Habitt

Habitt has become one of the go-to stores for every household need. They have a wonderful variety of articles catering to every imaginable genre relating to the house!

They have a beautiful range of flower decorations as well as just about everything else you would need to make your house a strikingly bright home.

Perhaps the main attraction at Habitt is that everything is reasonably priced. The chic furniture that would cost you a kidney in other stores is reasonably priced and robustly constructed. Oh and another major attraction – you can find furniture for everything!

They even have a gorgeous collection of patio furniture! Cute little items are available for your children’s rooms too, ranging from bunker beds to wardrobes and study tables. For the babies, they have cots, infant sized chairs and toys too!

Habitt also often has deals to make it easier to purchase entire sets for major renovations or for someone getting married.
 

Interwood Mobel

Interwood Mobel strives to create and retain customer satisfaction through outstanding quality products. Every item is crafted to perfection and made to last.

They have showrooms across the country in all major cities and also export products to UK, Africa, Norway, Spain, Middle East and India.

The brand beckons considerable respect and the fact that they have been chosen as the furniture vendors by multiple major corporations in the country such as Allied Bank, Marriott, PepsiCo among others, is evidence of the trust people place in their brand.

S. Abdullah Home

This particular brand is known more for its diverse range of top-of-the-line tiles, floors and all other fixtures for the home.

They also have a complete and comprehensive range of furniture, which is high quality and high on the comfort scale as well.

Their pieces sway more towards the contemporary and modern rather than traditional.

Going to S Abdullah and purchasing furniture from them is also delightful due to the after sales service you will receive.

I mean who doesn’t like neatly dressed workers with polite tones coming to your house and delivering your items? It just makes the entire experience more pleasant!

Chiniot Furniture Stores
Furniture stores in Chiniot are hailed and praised for their exquisite craftsmanship all over the country. These stores are present on the main G.T. Road.

The huge showrooms proudly display intricately carved pieces which are quite regal. What’s more? If you know how to haggle, you can get the best deal!

Reference:

We have all dreaded the flying joota from our parents, haven’t we? That being said, while we do fear it, we are also extremely proud of our rich cultural heritage.

So in beginning of this article about Pakistani fashion brands for men’s shoes, the first and foremost thing I will mention here is the traditional cultural shoes all Pakistani men love to flaunt!

The Traditional Khussa/Kohlapuri/Peshawari Chappal

These shoes are worn by men all over Pakistan. They are largely popularly worn with the traditional shalwar kameez and often on occasions such as Eid, Nikkahs and marriage ceremonies.

The khussa in fact is always worn with Sherwani by the groom on the Baraat day.

The ethnicity of these shoes has deep cultural roots. So much so, that you would be hard pressed to find any Pakistani whether at home or abroad who would not possess a few pairs of each! They can be found at local stores such as Khussa Mahal and Khussa Collection in all cities across Pakistan.

Furthermore, there has been a famous case of a high-end designer copying the styles of our shoes!

1st Step

1st Step has quickly made a mark as one of the leading designer shoe houses in the country. They have a range of shoes for the modern day man, with contemporary designs for all semi-formal and formal occasions.

The company has a great online presence and has quickly catapulted itself into a relevant brand with it’s eye catching designs.

Some of the recommended designs? You can go wrong with the black leather Oxford – which is a must for the classy gentleman who wants the classic English design without the redundant add-ons that we so oh-so-often in contemporary Pakistani designs.

Bata Shoes

This is literally a name we have grown up hearing. Bata shoes are one of the most common and famous brands of Pakistan in shoe wear. It caters to men, women and children as well.

Bata Pakistan traces its origin back to 1942 and was incorporated in Pakistan in 1951. The company has managed to maintain its reputation by providing high quality footwear at an affordable price.

Another factor that has helped Bata maintain its popularity is its widespread network of branches which ensures that you can find a store when you need it!

Servis Shoes

For many of us, Bata and Servis shoes are two names that are largely interchangeable and often spoken together. However, they are two distinct entities, and it would be hard to distinguish which of these is more popular.

Servis shoes began its journey with a group of friends more than 50 years ago! It began with a shoe manufacturing plant in the industrial area in Gulberg Lahore and has flourished to establish branches all over the country.

The brand caters to shoes of a vast variety from jogging shoes to formal work shoes and just about everything in between.

Borjan Shoes

Another extremely common or rather a household name is Borjan Shoes.

Borjan is largely known for its shoes being super comfortable which of course is a huge consideration when it comes to shoes.

They’ve recently upgraded their entire design line for men too! They have an extremely up-to-date inventory of shoes for men including sneakers, loafers as well as formal shoe collection.

Borjan too has been around for a long time with aspirations to branch out beyond the borders of our country.

Mochari Shoes

This particular brand is relatively quite new to the shoe-scene in Pakistan. Thus, it is less known but definitely worth mentioning.

The brand started off in 2014 which makes it practically new born in front of long standing giants such as Bata and Servis. However, with tremendous speed, Mochari is making a place for itself in the market by making Pakistan’s cultural heritage a central concern in all its designs.

All shoes are handmade with top notch leather, which is reflective of the effort by the company to promote local craftsmanship and provide opportunities to our highly skilled but underutilized workers.

Every pair of shoes crafted by Mochari boasts an authenticity which you would be hard pressed to find in even the best brands across the world. This is perhaps the reason why the company is taking over the international market bit by bit, with branches in Australia, Dubai, UK, US and even India!

Who doesn’t love a respite in the middle of a hectic work week? All of us do! In fact for most of us we mark all public holidays for the year ahead before the year even begins. Always be prepared right?

Kashmir Day

Kashmir Day is celebrated on the 5th of February in order to display solidarity with the people of Kashmir who are suffering at the hands of a cruel military regime.

It is also known as “Youm-e-Yakhjehti-e-Kashmir”. The issue of Kashmir has long remained a sensitive topic for every Pakistani who acutely feels the pain of their brothers and sisters over in the beautiful valleys living a tortured life. Thus, in order to highlight the importance of this issue and to prompt thought on how to solve the matter, Kashmir Day was announced by Qazi Hussain Ahmad in 1990.

Holi

Holi is celebrated in March after the full moon. For 2019, the day falls roughly on the 21st of March.

This beautiful festival of colors is a Hindu festival which is also happily celebrated all over Pakistan where not only Hindus, but also their fellow friends of every religion join them in the robust celebrations.

Perhaps the signature of Holi has become the “rung” parties where bright colors in powder form are thrown upon one another. The whole atmosphere becomes cheery and none can resist joining in the fun!

Pakistan Day

Pakistan Day, also known as “Yaum-e-Pakistan” is celebrated on the 23rd of March to commemorate the Lahore Resolution of 1940.

This holds special significance as this very resolution then led to the formulation of our beloved country.

In order to remember this fateful resolution, the Minar-e-Pakistan was also constructed in Lahore on the very site where Muslim League passed the resolution.

Shab-e-Mairaj

This particular holiday is one of strong religious significance. Muslims believed that this was the day when the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H.) was called to the heavens by Allah. This was the night when the beautiful gift of Salah was bestowed upon us whereby we Muslims gained the means to converse directly with our magnificent Creator. It is observed on the 27th day of Rajab, which is the seventh month in the Islamic calendar.

Death Anniversary of Z.A.Bhutto

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was amongst one of the truly strong leaders of Pakistan. He had both the brains and the will power to withstand any foreign meddling into the affairs of the nation and to steer the nation towards development and prosperity.

His downfall too was catastrophic, with chaos reining the whole country.

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s fate was sealed when the Supreme Court in a series of suspicious and highly conspiratorial hearings tried and found him guilty of authorizing the murder of a political opponent by the name of Ahmad Raza Kasuri.

He was then hanged to death on the 4th of April 1979.

Labour Day

Labor Day is celebrated across the world on 1st of May. Different countries celebrate the day in different ways with a variety of traditions. By and large, it signifies the historic day of 1st May 1886 when unions demanded that the work day be restricted to a humane eight hours.

Eid-ul-Fitr

Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated after the Holy month of Ramadan in which Muslims observe fasts for the whole month. Understandably, after an entire month of fasting there is much to celebrate and happy faces can be seen all around!

One of the most celebrated customs of the day is gift giving, commonly referred to as Eidi, which basically entails elders of the family distributing money among the younger ones to signify a happy gesture.

Eid-ul-Azha

Among the Western world, Eid-ul-Azha has been a source of considerable debate especially by animal rights activists. However, for the Muslims, this day is an essential part of our religion and the sacrifice of animals during the day is symbolic of the sacrifice rendered by one of our Prophets.

For 2019, the days are roughly estimated to be June 5thonwards.

Independence Day

Pakistan’s independence day falls on the 14th of August. It is a day of great celebration with patriotism running at an all-time high.

The day is marked by military parades, air shows, concerts, patriotic songs and flags all around.

Children prepare for the day with green and white clothes, flags, lights and many other small adornments all showing their love for their homeland.

Ashoora

The Ashoora is the 9th and 10th of the month of Muharram. Ashoora is mostly observed by Shia Muslims by lamentations of a religious nature in honor of the slain Iman Hassan and Hussain.

Tales of the tragic day of Karbala are told in congregations in mosques around the country and followers of the Shia sect wear black as a display of their internal pain and sorrow.

For 2019, the 9th and 10th of Muharram is estimated to fall on the 10th of September onwards.

Urs of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai

The Urs of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai is a public holiday for the province of Sindh, falling on October 13th. He is a well-known Sindhi Sufi scholar with a considerable following.

His poetry dealing vastly with the Unity of God, religious tolerance and humanistic values is quite famous and perhaps the major reason for his fame.

Eid Milad-un-Nabi

Eid Milad-un-Nabi is celebrated as being the birthday of our beloved and revered Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.). Muslims distribute sweets, participate generously in charitable activities and observe fasts in honor of the Best of Allah’s Creation.

Birthday of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah

Quaid’s birthday is celebrated on the 25th of December with a public holiday. Schools around the country celebrate with speeches and debates to better remember the values of our leader. There are also official tributes for the great man who fought with all he had to give us a separate homeland.

Christmas

Christmas too falls on the 25th of December. The day is a public holiday in acknowledgement of our fellow country-men who follow this particular religion.

References

Cousin marriages are quite the norm in many third world countries, including Pakisatan. Haven’t you all been threatened to be married off to your khala ka beta or your phupho ki beti at least once in your life?

If you say no, I must tell you, you are missing out on a vital experience of being a true Pakistani!

Jokes apart though, our curriculum used to include a topic on the Hindu caste system where the castes were strictly forbidden from intermingling.

While we may pretend to have risen above all such systems and prejudices, there are still a large percentage of families in Pakistan who are still strongly entrenched in meaningless traditions such as those that involve making sure the children marry within the same caste; which often means within the same family.

The current situation

Cousin marriages are a huge reality of Pakistan today. We think that with modernization and progressive educational institutes we might have outgrown at least this portion of our history, however this particular tradition is very much alive and pulsating even in the most educated families.

Worth mentioning here is the fact, that the western world despite allowing gay marriages and lesbian marriages, strongly opposes inter-family marriages.

Talk about calling your bhai-jaan his honey later!!!

The reason why inter-family marriages are strongly stigmatized in the west is not because they never had this particular difficulty. Looking into the history of major civilizations across the world, it becomes evident that inter-family marriages have been around for a long while and form a part of the history of almost every culture.

Nevertheless, in the light of researches, bringing to light the harmful effects of cousin marriages, countries have gone so far as to introduce legislation banning inter-family marriages.

All the reason this system ought to be abolished

So for all the boys and girls being threatened by a rishta from your family, please feel free to circulate this among your parents.

It might not make much of an impact since our parents’ brains have been embossed with this mentality since generations:

On a serious note, a study was conducted in order to investigate the high incidence of infant deaths and congenital abnormalities among babies in the Pakistani community.

The conclusions drawn from the study were that first cousin marriages are a bigger factor than any other contributing towards this situation. Alarming statistics indicate that marriages to blood relatives account for nearly a third of all birth defects in babies of Pakistani origin.

These birth defects are often fatal as they pertain to the heart or the nervous system, leading to not only a miserable, disease ridden existence for the innocent child, but also a terrible life for parents who are destined to then see a piece of their heart in pain right in front of their eyes and being totally helpless about it!

What can we do about it?

With many families continuing this tradition blindly, literally for centuries, it is an extremely sensitive subject to broach. In case you were wondering about the look you’ll get when you do broach the topic, well here it is:

Owing to cultural values rendering the practice untouchable, the topic needs immediate attention, but with a lot of care:

• Education is key!

• Broach the topic in a casual way, sliding it into conversations here and there to at least introduce it.

• The technicalities regarding the role of genetics and how cousin marriages increase the risks of congenital diseases is a particularly important topic. It requires counseling by trained professionals able to deliver the information in a much more comprehensive manner than a layman.
  

Lastly, the topic must be talked about, it needs to be addressed, so make it a point to normalize the issue rather than keeping it under wraps.

With changing trends and accelerated westernization of our youth, there has been a definite boost in interest in EDM. EDM for those of you, who don’t know stands for Electronic Dance Music branching from production methods of disco, techno, house, trance and is the very thing that has aunties going like:

The rise of EDM

That being said, the rise of EDM and related artists in Pakistan signals just the huge amount of change that is taking place in the genres of creativity and innovation.

EDM as touted by the very name was intended to be played in dance clubs and the like. Nonetheless, it rapidly made a place for itself in mainstream music, and judging by its popularity, it’s here to stay!

While Pakistan is definitely stepping up in terms of recognizing that music goes beyond the basic ballay ballay, bhangra and bolay choriyan types; the amount of skill and work that actually goes into this particular art is for now beyond their powers of interpretation!

With that stated, DJs are looked upon as mere people playing playlists on repeat on weddings!

The Culprits

However, some DJs have despite all this managed to make a mark for themselves. One such name is Faisal Baig, who despite all the hurdles has managed to make a name for himself in the industry.

In case you’re wondering what he looks like, here’s a visual:

Faisal claims that the industry was affected by the dangerous living conditions of Pakistan, about a decade back, just like every other industry. With conditions becoming far too hazardous, especially in Karachi which was the hub of every progressive art skill, the whole scenario of EDM rising to the top frizzled out.

The ‘party scene’ so to call it, also subsided due to a large number of substance abusers frequenting such occasions.

EDM artists are in kind of a sticky situation if you consider the fact that while some artists might spend hours honing his talent, the market for his/her services is virtually non-existent.

I for one in all my years have never seen an EDM artist be gainfully employed actually DJ-ing.

Nonetheless, many have now surfaced such as Anthony Pappa, Bilal Brohi, Fuzzy Nocturnal, Salim Ahmad, Getafix. What’s even more encouraging is the fact that a woman too has made her place in the mix!

Hira Tareen, a prominent female in the Pakistani DJ community has taken positive steps to nurture the DJ community of Pakistan, thus attempting to open up more venues for potential DJs to see a light at the end of the tunnel for their talents and skills.

Spreading the Music

Hira Tareen has formed a forum under the name of Pakistan DJ Network (PDN) in order to provide DJs with a venue where they are able to collaborate and display their talents.

One such event hosted by Hira Tareen and Ali Safina has already been held where many artists were able to collect under one roof and hold discussions regarding the goals, plans and challenges faced by DJs all over the country.

Worth mentioning in this mix are the Pakistani-American sisters duo who have taken the music world by storm by their unique style and stunning voices. Going by the name of Krewella, the sisters have also recently performed in the esteemed Coke Studio rendition of Runaway.

Yasmin and Jehan Yusuf’s bold style has made its way into the American Music Industry, and have truly left a mark proclaiming Pakistanis, and Pakistani women can excel in any field that they set their sights on!

Planning an event is not everyone’s piece of cake, literally!

From selecting the venue to getting into the nitty gritty of the event, it can end up being a headache not to mention the fact that it can become extremely stressful, too!

With our day-to-day lives becoming super-busy, a number of event management companies have sprouted up to ease the burden of planning and managing our special events.

Finding the best event planner is not easy but luckily for you, we have rounded up the best event planners in Lahore!

Royal Events Lahore

‘In the past, people were born royal. Nowadays, royalty comes from what you do’Gianni Versace

This quote aptly summarizes the services provided by Royal events, Lahore.They specialize in organizing events ranging from thematic birthdays to weddings and true to their name, give a Midas touch to the event.

Their highly professional and skillful team ensures that your event is perfect and up to the mark. From the décor to the food; they look after everything so that you enjoy the event without a care in the world.

With the passage of time, things have changed and so has the way we like to have our events organized.

From our weddings to birthdays to even corporate events; every event is based on a theme. Tulips event has emerged on the scene as specialists in thematic events. Their team of young and creative individuals is always brimming with ideas that are out of the box.

The enthusiasm and commitment shown by their team is exceptional and makes your event an unforgettable one.

Daisy Dot Events

‘Some people look for a beautiful place. Others make a place beautiful.’ Hazrat Inavat Khan

If you like to stand out and want your event to be unique, then Daisy Dot events is just what you need.

From organizing thematic birthday parties, farewell parties to bridal showers, to any event you may have in mind, the team at Daisy Dot events is sure to ‘WOW’ you with their out-of-the box creativity.

Their thematic center pieces and outstanding floral arrangements always take the cake, no matter what the event is!

The Memories Event Planner

True to their name, The Memories event planners are here to create wonderful memories for you and your guests, no matter what the event is!

The dynamic team of this event planning company ensures that your event is a success. From providing grand floral arrangements to amazing lighting and décor; The Memories event planners stand out as they also have a provision for destination weddings.

Creation Events CoAre you a romantic at heart and totally want to sweep your beloved off her feet by arranging an exclusive décor for two? Or are you someone who likes to stick to a theme when planning a birthday or a corporate event?

If you are either of the two, you are in luck as Creation events know exactly what you are looking for! The talented team of this event planning company is a hands-on bunch which is there to assist you round the clock and give you exactly what you need albeit any stress.

AYRA Events

It is not easy to balance style and budget but with AYRA events, you can easily manage to pull off your event on a budget.

From customized invitations to having an exclusive event, you can have it all.

One of the unique features of this event management company is that they keep your budget in mind while planning and executing your event, all the while giving it an exclusive vibe.

While education is of the utmost importance without any doubt – for us Pakis it is kind of a matter of life and death. Don’t believe me? Have you forgotten all the log kya kahenge? (what will people say?) taanay you used to get day and night when you didn’t study?

Oh and another winner has always been tum se shaadi kaun karayga? (Who’s going to marry you if you don’t have a good education?)

So, like I said, the world might value education but no country can ever place THIS amount of stress on education that even their marriages are incumbent upon a piece of paper that dictates your worth!

So now that you all understand the profound importance of this article, let’s get started and know about the top universities of Lahore you should choose for your further education.

Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS)

LUMS has been one of the foremost educational institutes in Pakistan for a long time now. Every one of us is well aware of the quality of education as well as the social esteem that is attached to the student of LUMS.

Before I go into the technical details of why an education at LUMS is a good idea, I’d like the say that the one thing that enables LUMS Alumni to stand out in the industry is the fact that they receive a well-rounded education.

There are multiple options available within the University for Students to explore not only of educational purpose but also of recreational interests.

In doing so, the students are exposed to their peers in far greater numbers than just a classroom interaction. Lasting relationships are formed and this is definitely the kind of networking that is priceless!

LUMS is located in DHA Lahore and the campus itself is pretty impressive.

The university is closely affiliated with highly prestigious organizations across Pakistan such as Telenor, Nestle, Unilever among many others. A student of LUMS also has a diverse portfolio of choices to pick from. They offer top of the line courses in:

·         Business development

·         Sales

·         Operations

·         Finance

·         Marketing

·         Administration

The list is by no means exhaustive! According to Wikipedia, LUMS is recognized worldwide as the top varsity in Pakistan in the QS University Rankings for the year 2016, 111th in Asia and among the top 700 in the world!

It has also been ranked by QS as among the top 300 universities globally for business and among the top 400 universities globally in mathematics.

University of Central Punjab (UCP)

University of Central Punjab is located on Khayaban-e-Jinnah Road, Johar Town.

It is one of the most acclaimed universities in Lahore and is recognized for academic excellence. The university offers nine faculties including Business Studies, Accounting & Finance, Information Technology, Engineering, Arts & Social Sciences, Pharmacy, Media & Mass Communication, Faculty of Sciences and Faculty of Life Sciences. 

The UCP campus boasts state of the art technologies such as a high-tech library, modern labs, auditoriums, swimming pool and the like to ensure the best is delivered to its students.

Virtual University of Pakistan (VU)

The M.A. Jinnah Campus of Virtual University of Pakistan is located on Defence Road, off Raiwind Road.

It is one of the fastest growing institutes of Pakistan, having opened recognized branches in all major cities. The university provides education in diverse fields and its alumni are employed at esteemed organizations such as Telenor, Zong, Allied Bank and many others.

VU holds the distinction of pioneering Information and Communications Technology based education in Pakistan with the goal of improving access to higher education while also maintaining the highest standards of quality.

Forman Christian College

Forman Christian College has been around for a long time. Understandably, it has a wide range of courses and programs to offer and has alumni serving in some of the best institutions in the country.

The faculty of the university is among one of the finest in Pakistan with 100 out of 220 faculty members holding PHD degrees.

References

Pakistani industry has churned up some real gems with outstanding quality over time such as Ankahi and Tanhaiyan.

With time, the overall quality of dramas being produced have increased manifold to put forward serials which have truly engrossing story lines. The quality of acting too, has vastly improved.

If you too are a drama freak, don’t miss the dramas listed below!

Baaghi

Baaghi is one of the drama serials which totally deserves every bit of attention it has received so far.

It is based on a tragic event, one of many that take place due to misguided mindsets of a few.

Qandeel Baloch was a bold and considerably different Pakistani media star, who spurned many controversies. She came from a small town, and was an ordinary girl dealing with the toils of life when she decided she wanted more.

Baaghi takes a look at her life before she came to the attention of the media.

She was unfortunately shot dead by her brother in the name of ‘honor killing’.

O Rangreza

O Rangreza is another acclaimed drama serial being run on Hum Television.

The story is based on the life of a girl called Sassi. Sassi’s father is a poet named Khayyam. While severely mistreating his sweet wife, Khayyam claims to be in love with an actress named Sonia, with whom he works.

His daughter begins to wish she could be like the actress her father holds in such high esteem!

Alif, Allah aur Insaan

This particular drama has incredible potential in inspiring Pakistanis to truly begin working hard.

The drama holds special significance as it attempts to deliver a message to those who watch it, rather than providing mind-numbing entertainment.

It is a story of trust and relationships, revolving around the lives of people from different backgrounds, faiths and beliefs.

Through its story, the serial highlights a fundamental concept of being rewarded by a Higher Power for hard work and patience.

Muhabbat Tum Se Nafrat Hai

Kaneez Begum and her family are the central characters in Muhabbat Tum se Nafrat Hai.

She is a woman who has endured many hardships in her life, but this has not deterred her from her interest in the world.

She strives to create a warm, welcoming and happy environment in her house. This is probably a topic of interest to many of us, who despite constant struggles at work, and other mental tensions, try our best to provide our best at home for our family.

Zindaan

Zindaan plays on ARY Digital. This serial too tries to deliver a lesson for its viewers that in life, there always will be a struggle between good and evil.

There is always some negativity, always a black cloud of some kind threatening to overshadow our efforts. However, we must keep moving forward despite any such negative influences.

We must make every effort to keep our family and our relationships intact. The show gives themes of intense love and obsession where characters try coping with all the negativity while moving forward in life.

Who Aik Pal

The plot of WohAik Pal, is centered on a happily married couple who have a child. The story of this drama reeks of love, betrayal and revenge, and is probably a classic reminder to ensure the people around us really deserve to be there.

In life, there are many two-faced individuals who sneak into our lives and wish us harm. In WohAik Pal, friends of the couple try to rob them and accidentally shoot the husband. Feeling guilty about their actions, one of them then marries the widowed wife.

The list is by no means exhaustive.

There are many other drama serials in Pakistan which are truly remarkable in terms of the issues they highlight and the lessons they attempt to deliver. One such drama serial worth mentioning is Adhi Gawahi, which attempts to bring to light a subject particularly sensitive in our society, which is Nikkah and consequently divorce

Another drama that deserves to be mentioned is Mubarak Ho Beti Hui Hai. While society has vastly progressed, the birth of daughters is still looked down upon even in educated households. Worth a watch!

Fashion says a lot about a person. And in Pakistan, weddings are the ultimate chance you get to flaunt who you are!

Thankfully, our talented local designers have spoiled us with a cosmic amount of options to choose from!

If you too want to flaunt a ‘Desi’ look at a Pakistani wedding, here are our top 4 wedding ensemble designers you need to know about!

Faraz Manan

This man is brilliant. He has been a part of the fashion industry for more than a decade, nevertheless, it is only recently that he has gained unrivaled fame for his equally unmatched couture creations.

First and foremost to be mentioned would be his aesthetic; he is excellent at tailoring and designing the newest trend of luxury wear- combining traditional work with modern cuts.

His threadwork, the Gatsby-esque tassles and layers, along with (my personal favorite) ultra modern lehenga cholis are renowned internationally, with his muse, Kareena Kapoor present in many of his launch shoots.

His flagship boutique, unlike most Pakistani designers, is in Dubai. He has won local awards for his brilliant work and continues to impress us all. Moreover, the tailoring and threadwork of his menswear collection, more particularly sherwanis are also incredible!

Go to any wedding this shaadi-season and you will see more than half the guests sporting Faraz Manan.

Bunto Kazmi

Many would say that this lady is the best at what she does, and very few would argue with this opinion. She is known to not market her designs and neither take part in MOST fashion shows and yet her name is on everybody’s lips when it comes to the ultimate wedding outfit, especially the bride’s.

Bunto Kazmi creates her masterpieces upon order and is not a retail designer, forming a striking contrast to designers like Faraz Manan in terms of business models. Even on the level of aesthetics, Bunto’s shawls and intricately woven threadwork is deeply traditional in every sense of the word.

Her masterpieces take months, and some even years to prepare- this is the standard of pure hard work and effort she puts into each piece. Every detail counts and it surely stands out.

This turns every piece of clothing she waves her artistic hand into a classic commodity, ready to be worn instantly. This evergreen designer is hands down brilliant, that brides do not even feel the need to see samples of what she is planning for their wedding outfit!  

The only information she requires is the color tone the bride desires. Bunto Kazmi is a true source of pride to our nation.

Fahad Hussayn

A true representative of the youthful Pakistani talent that has emerged in the textile industry, Fahad Hussayn, a BNU graduate, has nothing but the most unique fusion creations.

His time at BNU has helped him to craft works of art on finely tailored dresses. His bridal and couture outfits range from traditional hand embroidered pieces to contemporary patch-work and embellished designs.

His shoots consist of pure elegance and modern-day spunk which are distinguished characteristics of his work. Want to look unique on your sister’s wedding this year? Go for a Fahad Hussayn outfit!

HSY

Hassan Shaharyar Yasin has created a respectable repute along with popular couture wear for men and women alike. With outlets in the USA, UAE, UK, and Saudi Arabia; he shines locally as well as internationally.

Although in recent years he has not been marketed as expressly as of other designers, his presence and presentations at fashion shows and talk shows alike are enough to do the marketing for him.

Although competition has increased in the fashion industry over the years, HSY has been a thriving member of this community since 1994. His outfits for women are mainly traditional, mostly going along the conventional tones of reds, maroons, gold, and greens. It is also imperative to mention his exquisite embellishment work on male attires. If you want to stay safe and ‘in’ at the same time- go for HSY!

Being answerable to a desi boss is one of the many things we need to accept as employed Pakistanis. Nonetheless, what most of us do not realize is that there are more sides than just one to the generic leader we all envision before we are hired.

We usually deduce that this new boss is going to challenge, demand, and work us as much as our ability will permit us to, or maybe even more! This is why most of us are at a loss when we start work and are unable to maintain a steady equation with our managerial half.

You see, there is more to a ‘Desi’ boss than pushing one to their highest abilities- the slave driving, the screaming, the taking for granted, the silence, the impatience, the mysterious expressions- and what not!

Each boss has a unique personality that employees should know how to work with (or around!)

Here is a list of 4 main kinds of Pakistani bosses you ought to know about.

Mr. Primitive

As the name suggests, this desi boss is extremely conventional in every sense of the word. Even if they have acquired an education in the particular field they are working in, the ‘game’ behind their nature is majorly based on their experience.

Unwilling to change or entertain your innovative nature, Mr. Primitive will want the level of control you allow him to have over you.

Professionalism, and formal designations should be forgotten, as this guy will expect you not to want such titles- just work for him and give him the results he (specifically) needs.

New project proposals and over eager natures will not work well with such an authority figure, so it is suggested to keep your ideas to yourself and get ready to do as you are told- Just as you are TOLD!

Madam Khandaani

This lady is bubbly, loquacious, and may be a a socialite, yes; so better polish your small talk skills for this one!

A downside of working with Madam Khandaani is that, though it may seem like she values your input, she is but a khandaani gal, and you’ll have to compete with more than half the office as they will all be related to her!

She will choose them over you any day, and hence, working extra hard may not avail any good results for you. Stay strong though, it is not all bad. She also resorts to trying to balance this version of favoritism. Get on the right side of the rishteydars and you might just become one of them!

Again, professionalism is not a strong suit for this version of a Pakistani boss so form a situation in which it seems like you are favoring her word over anything else. Informal convincing and some of the age-old boot-licking may do the trick and get your point across.

Mr. Manipulator

This man is intelligent and totally professional. He is the desi tycoon. He is highly organize, so always be prepared. Prepared for what exactly?

Well, to be manipulated, of course! He will go to any lengths in order to use your skill-set for his gain. He will not always share with you what exactly the purpose of a particular given task is, and you may find yourself being overused, working overtime, with no idea how you got there!

Tips and tricks if you are an unfortunate employee of such a boss would be to stay on your toes, be aware and geared up to offer helpful information which may be appreciated- you may even have a chance of mercy on his behalf!

Madam Paranoia

This Pakistani boss, mostly female, has a brilliant brain that is unfortunately up to no good. All that grey matter has been converted into an extreme kind of paranoia.

Even if you do something right, she will believe that you are working at a bigger game, maybe even trying to gain approval only to later double-cross! And (God forbid) if you do something wrong, then you MUST only be trying to drag the name of the company down with you.

Either way fellas, you are not going to be spared. So what is the solution? Constant tassalIi/ reassurance. Become especially close to this person so that a level of trust slowly begins to form, solidify this trust with constant updates of your actions. You may make it out alive!