Lahore and it’s inhabitants love the winter season, better known as the ‘Shaadi’ or Wedding Season, in our little city!

It is what adds the sugar and spice in our chilly months of winter. From the wedding food to the lit up houses, the blaring sound of distant music, and traffic all around; winters would never be the same without all the couples getting hitched! However, what makes this season more exciting than the rest are the PICTURES!

The chance to flaunt all the painfully pre-planned outfits finally arrives, and cannot possibly be complete without our friends. The wedding photographers!

If you haven’t booked your wedding photographer yet, this article is for you!
Here are the top five famous wedding photographers in Lahore you definitely need to know about!

The Videographers

These groups of young and innovative photographers come up with some of the best wedding videos and pictures. Moreover, they are cherished by their clients.

Their choice of location of wedding shoots are mostly old-world locations in androon sheher. As expected, most of these iconic pictures include backdrops such as the Badshahi Mosque and the more rustic Masjid Wazir Khan.

These make for stunning spots that create an aura of romance and tradition that are characteristics of Pakistani pride. Alongside good results, The Videographers are a breeze to have at the wedding. It is so because they have less of a professional and a more easy-going and relaxed approach to their work. They capture candid moments perfectly and relax their clients completely. Moreover, they ease them into the ideal mood and then capture the most amazing memories! https://www.facebook.com/pg/thevideographers/photos/?ref=page_internal

Studio Afzl

This group of experienced photographers has been helping seal the deal since the 1980s. Interestingly, they possess a charm in their pictures that is personal and all about the couple.

From their family to their friends, these individuals figure out the level of importance each member of the bride and groom’s family and friends hold, and capture heart-warming pictures of these relationships on their camera films.

Similar to the videographers in this respect, they have a unique eye for capturing candid moments and happy people in their element. Their wedding albums consist of a collection of unforgettable and beautiful images, representing what Pakistani weddings are all about.

It is highly refreshing to get value for money when they work so thoroughly.

You will have no regrets if you get this team on board peeps!!

HS Studio by Bilal Saeed

This particular studio has worked with and learned from one of the best photographers who recently and unfortunately passed away this year- Bilal Saeed.

Known to cover almost every big event for many years now, his coworkers continue to carry on his legacy by taking phenomenal photographs, capturing the event decor beautifully alongside the guests at it.

Their work often pops up on social media forums, impressing those that stumble upon it.

With a traditional style of capturing images of brides, grooms, and events, they highlight the basic theme of weddings and are a delight to have as part of the wedding crew.

Irfan Ahson

Also among the big guns, this photographer and his crew cover some of the biggest, most grand weddings of Pakistan. Although they come with a hefty package.

They cover weddings of well-to-do families that often have elaborate decor and outfits prepared for the wedding. Interestingly, they capture all of it fruitfully.

Giving the people what they want, they are definitely saving this spot on our list!

Aiesh Photography

Here is a company that takes the same kinds of pictures as those mentioned above, and that too for much less than the big guns have to offer!

With reasonable packages for pre-wedding, wedding, and studio shoots and much more; they can get the job done excellently, providing value not to mention (again) for less money!

Their shots of brides alone and with their grooms are absolutely magical, playing with focus and angles they manage to truly make the couple stand out on their special day.

Alivation Media

Alivation Media is an ideal wedding photography and videography company. Indeed, they profoundly offer incredible services by making your day extra special. The picture quality is great and the video quality is HD. Most importantly, the crew is friendly and makes sure the couple is comfortable before starting the shoot.

Alivation Media has a lovely traditional style of capturing your special moments. However, the best part is that this team is extremely affordable and can easily travel nationwide for their clients. Indeed, from couple photoshoots to bridal photography, from covering your wedding events to creating beautiful video reels; you name it, they do it!

Check out their Facebook and Instagram page to book them.

https://www.facebook.com/AlivationMedia

https://www.instagram.com/alivationmedia/

So get ready and let the Shaadi Season begin!

The Regenerative Clinic of Harley Street London is now providing services in Pakistan. Carrying out procedures at the South City Hospital and Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre. Our world renowned surgeons will perform Orthopaedic and Regenerative Procedures for patients in Karachi, Pakistan. Surgeons will travel from the UK to perform these procedures, using cutting edge technology to preserve and rejuvenate joint function.

In addition to providing the full range of orthopaedic surgical procedures we offer Lipogems and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) as alternatives to surgery. These cutting edge new treatments are widely used in joint preservation and aesthetics, and are now available in Pakistan

Our team of orthopaedic specialists, plastic surgeons and radiographers, work together with a skilled support team to ensure the very best treatment possible for our patients. Clinics and treatment facilities both are available in Harley Street, London, Ascot, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and now in Karachi Pakistan.

Our surgeons from across the UK perform orthopaedic procedures alongside our team in Karachi. We use the latest techniques from abroad and expertise from our Harley Street Private Practice to enhance our patients experience.

Whilst we offer traditional surgical techniques, our team are experts in providing alternative non surgical solutions to our patients. We are pioneers in bringing the innovative Lipogem® treatment to the UK and now Pakistan. When used in orthopaedic medicine, Lipogems® technology has the potential to aid the repair, replacement, reconstruction and support of damaged or injured tissues without the need for joint surgery.

We maintain the importance of measuring outcomes and the on-going assessment of our patient’s journey. Our specialists and partners are committed to supporting the growth of research in this modern field of healthcare.

Our Face Clinic offers natural solutions to your aesthetic needs with state of the art Regenerative medicine. The minimally invasive procedures have a rapid recovery period allowing our patients to return to their life enjoying a rejuvenated look and feel. Facial ageing comprises of 3 main factors, surface skin changes (UV damage), positional changes (gravity as tissue loses strength and elasticity) and volume loss (facial deflation). Facial Lipogems addresses each of the 3 main factors and in so doing achieves profound improvements in facial contour and delivers long lasting fresher and natural facial appearances.

PRP has been well established over the last, 10 years as an effective facial rejuvenation procedure. Often known as the ‘Vampire Facelift’ it uses the restorative qualities of blood to refresh the quality of the skin. It helps improve skin quality, appearance of papery decolletage, skin tightening and reduction in appearance of stretch marks and acne scars.

Tanzara Gallery takes pleasure in presenting once again the works of Australian/Pakistani artist Nazia Ejaz who is successfully building a niche for herself in the local and international art market. The Australian High Commissioner, H.E. Margaret Adamson will inaugurate the paintings exhibition at Tanzara Gallery on Monday 10th September at 5.00 PM.

Nazia has worked with various artistic themes exploring them in myriad new ways. Her recent body of work is the continuation of the artist’s innovative reflection on the theme of perception and identity. This exhibition titled “This is about nothing II” is a body of work resulting from an in depth study of the correlation between the social environment and our perception of it. Nazia’s work is avant-garde in nature – Emphasizing on repetitive patterns and line, she successfully takes liberty in translating her thoughts into exquisite linear rhythms. Her canvases emphasize on patterns comprising of curves, loops, circles allowing meandering lines to create their own magical effect. The work is imbibed with vibrant coloration and texture. The compositions are balanced and accommodated within a scheme of rhythm and flow. There prevails an atmosphere of ease and fluency bringing a soothing uplifting touch. Highlighting the painterly quality without adding any external element, Nazia successfully renders her feelings through striking patterns and textures, imbuing her canvasses with a refined sense of aesthetics.

Nazia Ejaz has numerous group and solo exhibitions to her credit in various countries including Australia, UK and Pakistan. She received her Graduate Diploma in Indian Art History at School of Asian and African Studies (SOAS) / Sotheby’s Institute UK in 1996 and is recipient of Staff Nomination Award, University of South Australia, 2015. She has a double Masters in Fine Art from The Slade School of Art, London and University of South Australia, respectively. Her work is part of various private and public collections including Clifford Chance London, UK and V&A Museum London, UK.

In keeping with its tradition of offering quality art to its patrons, Tanzara presents Nazia Ejaz’s latest work. The PR was handled by Catalyst PR & Marketing

Saqib Malik’s long awaited directorial debut for the big screen, titled “Baaji”, will soon be nearing completion. A social drama-cum-thriller set against the backdrop of a fading Lollywood and the emerging new order of the Pakistan film industry, “Baaji” promises to be a film with a difference.

Penned by Irfan Ahmed Urfi and Saqib himself, “Baaji’s” storyline aims to deliver a sizzling dose of high glamour and intense drama. Although the film is an homage of sorts to the riveting story and character oriented classics of Pakistani cinema of the seventies, “Baaji” will, however, be very contemporary in its tone and treatment.

“Baaji” boasts of a unique and stellar line up of actors,  including Meera making her comeback in a career-defining title role. Showstopper supermodel Amna Iyas, who recently stole the show in 7 Din Mohabbat In, will also  be proving her acting prowess as the female lead. The men in the film should equally hold their own with Osman Khalid Butt leading a crew that includes Mohsin Abbas Haider and Ali Kazmi in pivotal roles. Nisho, the Lollywood star of yesteryears, will be seen in a strong supporting role, along with  the highly sought after Nayyar Ejaz.

Musically, Baaji should also hit all the right notes with names like Zeb Bangash, Jamal Rahman, Taha Malik and the legendary maestro of Pakistani cinema, Taffoo, contributing to the film. Audiences will surely wait with bated breath for Baaji to hit the screens mid 2019.

8th June 2017

Lulusar’s newest collection – Nivali is now live on their website – and they deliver nationwide.

Nivali is an eclectic mix of evening and day wear in subtle tones ranging from beige to black. In regard to detailing, customers will note that the ‘Ogra’, ‘Kara’ and ‘Shali’ pieces will feature the brand’s signature boot cut design, detailed hems and tapered cuts – while some others like ‘Mogh’ will feature bold floral prints and wider leg cuts.

Lulusar is THE online shopping portal for the modern woman. They are synonymous in providing quality fashion and great aesthetics to its customers at an affordable price.

The range combines impeccable design and production along with intricate detailing to create a perfect, tailored wardrobe for modern, independent women.

Lulusar is a project that integrates every step of the modern fashion value chain.
With their work history in the fashion and retail industry, spanning more than 25 years, it can truly be said that experience is at the heart of its foundation.

23rd May 2017, Avari Towers, Karachi: Women of all ages are concerned about their skin’s beauty and youthful appearance. Skin ageing is governed by our body’s biological clock and accelerated by pollution, stress, UV light amongst other factors.

Today, women who use rejuvenating treatments are encouraged to undergo medical procedures and choose skincare products from highly specialised brands. Remedies like Botox (Hyaluronic Acid) and Skin Peel (Dermabrasion) are all highly publicised methods with highly promising claims.

These are in fact expensive and painful and can only ensure short-term results; others provide visible results but only after several weeks of constant use.

Peng Qureshi, the owner of Peng’s Hair and Beauty Clinic is bringing to Pakistan what he claims to be ‘ a revolutionary machine to rejuvenate the face by GUINOT. It supposedly gives immediate results, is painless and most of all, is affordable on any budget.

The Launch of the new machine was held at the Khursheed Mahal at Avari Towers in Karachi, where the guests were shown live demonstrations of Hydraderm’s two signature treatments; The Hydraderm Youth Treatment visibly rejuvenates the skin while the The Hydraderm Lift Treatment visibly rejuvenates facial features.

French Ambassador Mr. Francois Dall’orso was the guest of honour at the occasion. Other guests included Zhalay Sarhadi, Zoe Viccaji, socialites and salon owners in Karachi, who all came in full force to see the live demonstration of what the company claims to be a revolutionary product.

The Hydraderm is now available at Peng’s Hair and Beauty Clinic. Peng’s, established in 1979, is one of the most popular high-end salons in Karachi and is accredited as a GUINOT certified salon.

After having already served as the executive producer of the Nicholas Cage and Elijah Wood starrer – ‘The Trust’ (2016) and now with ‘The Terminal’, slated for release in late 2017 starring the incredibly talented Margot Robbie in post-production – Habib Paracha bears the title of the youngest Pakistani Hollywood producer.

Habib Paracha is an industrialist, food connoisseur and has most recently added the film producer feather to his cap. Having titled himself a global citizen, Mr Paracha says he is an Entrepreneur first.

Having his work lauded by many contemporaries in Hollywood, notably his friends James Maslow, Eric Roberts and one of his dear mentors Quincy Jones, Mr Paracha’s journey into film making started off as an experiment and he has been honing it ever since. Having established his footing as a capable and robust new addition to the Hollywood scene, Habib has now set his sights on showcasing Pakistan to his western counterparts.

“I love Pakistan. Pakistan will always be home… I want to showcase my country in all its grandeur to the wider global audience because Pakistan has so much untapped potential which is not available for the world to see. I want to be one of those individuals who make it happen.”

Habib Paracha spends his time between the States and Pakistan and is an alumnus of the esteemed Karachi Grammar School, and Boston University – Habib has most recently launched his new Thai-fusion themed restaurant – ‘Pan Asia’, in Karachi.

We look forward to more great things from Habib.

Munawwar Husain, 70, is a simple man placed in Lollywood’s deceptive scheme of things. Considered the granddaddy of the precious few makeup men at Lahore’s Evernew Studios, Husain has powdered and rouged a whole bevy of film babes, from Firdaus to (late) Madam Noorjehan, and prepared a moustache or a wig for every second hero in Tinseltown, though his knowledge of cosmetics is as basic as anything. He cannot tell a concealer from a foundation cream, or a serum from hair oil.

Yet, Husain has survived 40 odd years as a full-time studio employee and is also a proud achiever. So much so that he is not willing to pass on his hard-earned knowledge of the art of makeup.

“Why should I?” he argues, almost arrogantly:

“I dedicated an entire lifetime learning the art and now I should give it all out just like that?”

There is a tinge of bitterness in his tone that stems from the fact that years of dedicated service have borne him no fruits whatsoever.

“Everyday I promise my children that I’ll bring them gifts and sweets but I’ve no money,” he laments. “We’re living on Allah tawaqqul only!”

When prodded if it has to do with the film industry going to the dogs, Husain breaks into an emotionally moving spiel, “I’ve seen the industry’s prosperous days all right. I’ve seen paupers coming in and making huge amounts of money. I saw the rise of a Sangeeta who was a poor girl from Karachi, I saw Ejaz Durrani become a star from being a nobody. And so on. But, our contribution in presenting these people well on screen was never rewarded.”

However, Husain admits to a lack of drive because of which he never ventured out, not even when the film industry’s decline started a few years back. Though he’d like to blame it on the fact that he’s over the hill now.

But, clearly, there is a feeling of being ignored and left out. While TV groups increasingly swarm the studio space to shoot serials and programmes, this hasn’t helped Husain or his assistants since each crew comes with its own makeup team. All these crews do is occupy the paint-spattered chairs in front of a large, beetle-stained mirror in the dimly-lit attic of a makeup room. Husain is dislocated for sometime.

Will Work for Food

People like Husain are not a rarity in the Lollywood of today. In fact, as you take a stroll down the corridors of the giant Multan Road studio you come across several people, a lot of them past their retirement age, toiling their lives away. They are either resigned to their fate or too naïve to even realise that there is a world outside the walls of the studios. For a lot of others, switching to greener pastures is a luxury they cannot afford.

“One should not be greedy,” contends senior cinematographer Hanif Bhatti.

Bhatti has another film on hand. He has no clue whether he will have any work anytime soon afterwards.

“I am not scared of competition,” he defends his stance.

He even dares distributors to pitch the first Bollywood film (expectedly), Sohni Manhival, against a film by the same name that he recently shot.

Having rolled camera for the past 35 years now, Bhatti is not ready to give up hope, albeit for his vocation’s sake. “There are times when I’ve only 8 or 9 shifts a month, but I am glad I am never out of work.”

And, to think that Bhatti is one of the busiest technicians in Lollywood today.

Humayun Malik is more realistic in his approach. A Nigar-award winning, sexagenarian recordist, Malik has faithfully stuck to his job ever since he entered the studios as a young apprentice, back in ’60s. But, he speaks cogently of having little or no assignment in the current scenario, as well as of good old days when he worked with such directorial giants as Khalil Qaiser, Kamal Pasha, S Suleman, Hasan Tariq and Shamim Ara who were an inspiration for him.

“Today, we’re left with no genuine director,” he notes, “Most of them are Gujjars and badmaash whose language is very crude. They know nothing of the nuances of speech, how can they help the artists dub properly?”

But, again, there is an implicit sense of complacency as Malik talks of “making do,” that arises from him being “old enough to branch out!”

Renowned film maker and owner of the Evernew empire, Shahzad Gul looks at it in another way, “Most of these technicians do not know the highly competitive world that exists outside the studios. They are used to the machinery we have here. They are self-taught who might have difficulty adjusting some place else.”

Whatever the truth may be, the fact is that you don’t see a fresh, young crop of technicians coming up in the studios.

“Educated boys are not ready to work at such low salary structure that exists here, and they ought not to,” adds Husain who says he would never want his two sons to step into his shoes. Perhaps, the only young technician one finds around the place is 21-year-old Masrur ul Hasan who replaced his elder brother – recordist Mehmood – a month back and is already contemplating quitting and setting up his independent music company.

For the Love of Film

University-educated Sipra Kalyanpuri left his lucrative job of a lecturer to pursue his first love – music – and started composing for films. But, Sipra has had to pay a heavy price for following his heart and not his head.

“For eight long years I waited outside Syed Noor’s office, wanting to be introduced to him. I had a few melodies ready to play, but each time the sycophants around the director would shoo me away for their own petty interests. Obviously, they would rather promote somebody who was related to them or paid them out of his own pocket. I wasn’t game for that.”

While Sipra’s long and hard struggle was finally over and he was granted Noor’s next two projects, Maa and Do Ankhain (being produced by actress Saima), it is obvious that the angry young man wouldn’t wish his worst enemy onto the “hypocrite” film barons.

“Everybody here talks of a dearth of educated people, but when a parha likha banda enters the studio, he is snubbed and made to feel as if he was an alien,” says Sipra in a fine mix of English and Urdu.

According to Sipra, electronic media offers better chances to a new comer. He recently recorded a jingle for a private TV production and is in conversation with Sameena Peerzada for her next serial as well. Besides, he is due on a Geo TV show very soon.

Well known choreographer Pappu Samrat, aged 38 is another, Lollywood crossover story. Having done over 500 movies in almost three decades years (his first movie, Love In Nepal, came out in ’88), Pappu now finds takers outside the industry, too. Where films have become fewer in number, he makes a quick buck doing music videos and shows for TV. Proud scion of a family of classical dancers (Khanu, Akbar), Pappu enjoys an edge over other people in the field since he has Kathak training as well as typical ‘filmi’ dance experience on his resume.

Pappu has also raised a few talented local dance troupes. Lahore’s famous Star Group is a band of 4 boys Pappu trained under his able wings.

For Pappu, being young and having a second string to one’s bow are definite advantages:

“I think those who are dependent on films only are handicapped in a way, because there is very little work being done. 80% film technicians are sitting idle.”

Tucked away in their pokey, little rooms, old-timers wear out like a piece of antiquated studio furniture. Completely unmindful of the kind of challenges the world of modern, state-of-the-art production houses presents, these technicians are content to hole up within their narrow shells that can offer them precious little. Perhaps they feel they are in the age bracket where they don’t need to start afresh.

Deepak Chopra’s New York TImes Bestseller Novel based on the life of the Holy Prophet of Islam is almost six years old now, but unfortunately, has seen little traction within the Islamic world. The book masterfully carves a narrative that is respectful enough to not offend the Muslim population but still has enough open-minded insight to present us an alternative yet self-reflexive picture of the most influential person in history. This being Ramadan, here are four much-needed lessons you will learn by reading Deepak Chopra’s tribute to the Prophet’s journey.

Context

Context: the beast we so often forget when trying to analyze the world. Perhaps the best part of Deepak Chopra’s book is that it gives us a honest contextual insight into 13th century Arabia. A dry, parse land full of superstitious people and little faith; where infant girls would be buried alive or sent to the dessert to rot away just because of their sex.

It also offers us insights into the pulsating belief in the Makkans that they were the sons of Abraham, despite the hundreds of deities that had propped up since then.

Such insight helps fill in the vacuum that is often created between the origins of faith and our times. For example, most Muslims would be unaware that the Holy Prophet was acquainted with Christian and Jewish doctrine and was a monotheist deep in his heart well before the Miracle at Hira.

A Human Story

The story of the Prophet of Islam is a human story, as posited by the Quranic verse:

Say (O Mohammad), ‘I am Only a Human Like You’

Deepika Chopra’s novel is a human story. It reveals the human aspects of the Prophet’s early years and later his experience as a leader of the Muslim Ummah. Deepak ingenuously uses the first person narrative (in the voice of people who knew the Prophet himself) so that all religious dogma and superstition would seem as a belief of the first person rather than an actual event.

What he does confirm are traits, characteristics and the victorious story of the Prophet as he helped spread Islam in the Arabian subcontinent.

A Non-Judgemental Analysis of Controversial Incidents

There are a number of incidents used by skeptics and non-believers in undermining the message of the Prophet of Islam. One of the most prominent being the consent of the Prophet in the beheading of 40 Jewish men after the Battle of Uhud.

Chopra tackles this event reflectively without taking sides: it is a masterful approach to helping us understand how the real world event unfolded without holding opinions through the lens of Islam, human rights or a number of other ethical systems that could have been employed.

A first person narrative of Prophet’s friends and foes 

As Muslims, we often hear about Islam through a carefully coordinated message in line with our religious sect (be it Sunni, Shia or any other) or through the calculated criticism of agnostics and atheists.

Chopra’s novel helps us look through the early days of Islam through it’s most ardent proponents and enemies, all biases and human frailties included. This is a world where the companions actually did eat and err and were not all perfect deities in themselves: a message that Islam itself sought to communicate but was suppressed through centuries of romanticized fundamentalism.

So, what are you waiting for, go grab a copy.

The Kardashian’s have entered their 13th season: a story that began with the infamous Kardashian tape scandal and will probably not end before it spreads across the poorest regions of Africa. We have all heard of the blatant criticism before, from POTUS (Obama) himself considering them a measure of stupidity to mothers all across America trashing them for churning immorality and superficiality across the youth of the country.

While the show Keeping Up With The Kardashians, or it’s 500 spinoffs, are still not as popular here in Pakistan and India, it still remains to be evaluated whether the values that are embodied by the show have indirectly seeped into the subcontinent via American pop culture, which itself has been highly influenced by the Kardashian wave.

Before we take a look, it’s time to be perfectly honest: most of these values aren’t bad at all, but of course, when it comes to the Kardashians, it’s about breaking the boundaries of moderation – and that’s where we fall into dangerous territory.

The Material Life

The Kardashian’s live for the finer things in life: from the world’s most expensive floor tiles to diamonds the size of your thumb, nothing makes the Kardashians turn towards God faster than the shiny aspects of life. Not only do they profess their eternal longing for luxury, they do it without any sense of restraint or remorse. When enquired by Oprah whether they felt they were ‘spoiled’, Kim reply was:

We don’t think we are spoiled because we work super hard for what we spend.

If posting all day on Snapchat and saying ‘Yes’ to endorsement deals because you have a large derriere stands for working hard, then Kim does have a point.

Selfishness

The Kardashian’s are selfish, make no two mistakes about it. There will be plenty of talk about sacrificing time and money for family, but trust me, when it comes to the ‘I’, each Kardashian is willing to let go of everything for his or her own utilitarian benefit.

From the Kris Humphries wedding to the countless times one of the Kardashians has gone AWOL because a new love interest demands their interest over all other duties and responsibilities, the Kardashians survive on being selfish.

Just how many monologues about ‘looking out for yourself’ and ‘being selfish is alright’ we have heard from the eldest Kardashian sister or mother Kendall, we will never be able to keep count.

Forgive Yourself

The Kardashians also pride themselves on making mistakes and getting over them – pretty darn quickly. Kim’s home video? Fuhgettabout it! Khloe’s one night stand? Into the trash bin! Bursting out on Mom for being a bad manager? Who cares?

With the Kardashians, it’s all about forgiving yourself.

Family First

The Kardashians always put family first – and that’s a good thing, until they seem intent on destroying everyone else who is not a Kardashian or in their good books. Yes, the Kardashians function on good old tribal survival instincts which our ancestors used to help us get to this point. There are two primary ways in which the family first rule comes into play:

• One of the Kardashians does something wrong, or does something horrible to someone the family holds dear (a relationship, a failed business partnership or anything for that matter). The family responds to this by taking the side of their own kith and kin, regardless of who was wrong. Once again, the Kris Humphries saga is a primary example of this.
• When forced to choose between the family (and the show) and a love interest, the Kardashian will invariably choose the former. This isn’t such a bad thing actually.

Public Displays of Affection

The Kardashian’s story is an open book – literally. For the last 13 years, almost each aspect of their life for a good 4-6 months a year is open for public viewing minus the bathroom breaks.

We say almost because almost each new love interest makes an entry into Kardashian Television and we often see (and hear) all of the bedroom antics taking place.

So, if you have four relationships a year, the Kardashian’s teach us to not only be cool with your promiscuity, but to flaunt it with friends and family? Ah, good ol’ family fun.

First things first: Ripley Scott is one of the finest American directors out there. He has directed some of the most important films of the 20th century: Gladiator, Blade Runner, Alien, Thelma & Louise…ah, you get the idea: the guy is a big deal. Naturally, you expect a lot from a Ripley Scott film, one of those things being a coherent organized script and a proven methodology during shooting and editing.

Well, it turns out: Alien Covenant is a mess. It’s not the worst movie out there on this planet, but it has left a fair deal of fans from the Alien franchise dumbfounded by the missing Ripley magic.

The Unanswered Questions

Why has David (the android) become so damn evil? How come no one discovered the ‘mystery planet’ all this time when it was right under their shoulders? How did David manage to so cleverly wipe out an entire race of superior beings (Engineers) without being discovered? There are so many questions that prop out in one’s mind as the script scurries along. At some point you almost wish they would answer the questions just to give the narrative more utilitarian context, but unfortunately, Ridley Scott decides to keep the questions open for perhaps another sequel.

Same thing, again and again and again.

The pot seems to be running in loops now. It’s always a ship. It’s always a mission. It’s always people waking up from deep sleep. It’s always an android running the show. It’s always a planet with some peculiar characteristics. And it’s always an Alien getting on board and forcing everyone to turn towards their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The Planet just doesn’t have it.

The mysterious planet the colonizers land on isn’t so mysterious after all: it’s like New Zealand on steroids. It’s green, mountainous and swampy. Which really doesn’t make it such a spooky atmosphere – even with the month long storms.

There’s also way too much confusion: how many neomorphs are there on the planet and if so, where are they?

Neomorphs just don’t have it.

The main antagonists (minus David, of course) for a good portion are the velvet cream coloured neomorphs. Infact, the Xenomorphs from the previous Alien films does not show up until the last quarter of the film.

The neomorphs aren’t much scarier or effective as killing machines then the raptors in Jurassic Park (remember that scene in the open field?). This realization makes them much less dreadful considering the sophisticated weapons the colonists have with them. These mole rat-look-mofos’ seem like a nuisance after their initial appearance.

Also, when you think Aliens, you automatically think of Xenomorphs – there are no two ways about it. Why Ripley decided to do a ‘Godzilla’ act with his infamous villain is another mystery that shall go unanswered until the Behind the Scenes Blu-Ray footage comes out.

The Engineers went AWOL

The Engineers story-line was the best part of Prometheus. As for the CGI generator creatures themselves, they were intense and immediately had our curiosity. Sure, there may be many detractors who felt Prometheus did not hold true to the Alien franchise, but that was the entire goal, wasn’t it?

Unfortunately, there are no Engineers in Covenant. Which is a shame, because there was so much potential to exploit a three-way battle royal between the Colonists, the Aliens and the Engineers.

Dawn has done it again. With everyone arguing over what CPEC was and wasn’t, it was Dawn that somehow got it’s hands on the China Pakistan Economic Corridor’s ‘Master Plan’ and leaked out it’s details to the rest of us. Although there are ambiguities and contradictions still, but we do know a lot more about CPEC than we did a week ago.

The China Pakistan Economic Corridor is supposed to be the grand old plan that will change the country’s fortune – or that’s how it has been pitched for the last three years. Fortunately for us, the good folks at Dawn got their hands on the CPEC Master Plan, a 200-plus page up-to-date document that runs through the strategic goals and action plan for the joint initiative.

Needless to say, CPEC sounds little more than an excerpt from John Perkin’s “Confessions of an Economic Hitman”, a case of exploitative economic colonization disguised as ‘developmental assistance and investment towards a poorer ally’. Here are a few key points that we feel you should know from the new leak:

Agriculture forms a huge part of the CPEC strategy

This is one area most of us missed. China’s basic goal from CPEC is the economic actualization of one of it’s most undermined areas, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. One of it’s primary concerns is to tap into Pakistan’s agricultural potential. China aims to utilize cutting-edge agricultural technology and research with regards to machinery, seeds and irrigation in reaping the full benefits of the province’s agricultural portfolio.

As per the report, one of the main areas that lag behind are the lack of storage facilities. China seeks to overcome this with the establishment of storage facilities during all stages of the production and supply chain. This will lessen the wastage that occurs each year due to lack of storage facilities.

Visa-free entry for Chinese citizens, not so much for Pakistanis

China seeks visa-free entry for it’s Chinese citizens in a bid to promote it’s economic  and tourism interests. The irony here is that reciprocal facilitation for Pakistani citizens is not offered.

Dissemination of Chinese culture through a new fiber optic link

China seeks to develop a fiber optic link from Gwadar leading towards the Khunjerab Pass (via Sukkur – Islamabad) which will not only alleviate western China’s huge needs but will make the transmission of Digital Television Terrestrial Multimedia Broadcasting (DTMB) possible. Amongst many things, the document states that DTMB will enable Chinese culture and values to be disseminated throughout Pakistan.

For those who are aware of China’s lockdown on Islamic culture in the Kashgar region, this should be taken with more than just a pinch of salt.

Developmental of a coastal tourism industry in Gwadar and Karachi

The Dawn article paraphrases that dual vision of “yacht wharfs, cruise home ports, nightlife, city parks, public squares, theaters, golf courses and spas, hot spring hotels and water sports” across the Pakistani port areas. While this may seen like an excerpt from the Great Gatsby, there is little to doubt that the well off and affluent of western China are looking at Gwadar and nearby coastal areas as alternatives to the eastern Chinese waters.

The benefits are obvious for tourists and businessmen alike: the Indian Ocean is in a much more geocentrically important area than the Eastern China.

Invest with caution, my Chinese brethren

CPEC is not supposed to been as a certification from the Chinese government to it’s people, or so goes the theme with regards to it’s disclaimer to Chinese firms and private investors. The CPEC master plan clearly elucidates the socio-political realities of the country and warns investors to take full caution while treading on any uncharted territories.

Some of the risks that it warns against (and to be honest, understandably so) are extremely high inflation (which will diminish any far strung profit assumptions), the tumultuous security situation and interestingly, the fact that there are too many ideologies, races, religions, cultures and subcultures in the country to predict any long term socio-political stability.

Turns out, China isn’t pulling any freebies when it comes to CPEC. Thanks for the clarification, big brother.

When Donald J. Trump stepped into the White House, it seemed as if we had completely overestimated our ability to judge electoral results and political futures. But being homo sapiens, we must do we what we do best: make predictions even when we have no idea what our next meal will be. Our team therefore has assembled a list of reasons why we feel that Imran Khan’s political crusade is now a sure-fire dead end.

Basic Human Biology

Imran Khan is 64. And although he’s probably the healthiest 64-year old in Pakistan, there is little doubt that he has, at the very best, has 2 more elections to go before science begins to take it’s toll. Unlike the Sharifs (thank God), Khan does not have a lineage of conditioned-from-birth politicians waiting in the arms (Maryam and Co.) Add to that the diminishing appeal of a substantially older Imran Khan towards the youth and this is an equation which does not seem to optimistic. Unless – ofcourse – Mr. Khan can pull off a Bernie Sanders.

PML-N actually did some work this time around

PML-N has not done wonders. Infact, they have just been barely effective in most public domains. But the effort is there, especially when it comes to the crown jewel that is Punjab. PML-N – all it’s vile antics and idiosyncrasies aside – has stepped on the gas to ensure that PTI does not get any room whatsoever.

While the long-term feasibility of their biggest projects is definitely questionable, it needs to be understood that this is a country that has not had an effective government in decades. The expectations of the public, therefore, are spectacularly low, regardless of what it said on television.

Poor Captaincy & Mis-Fields

Even the biggest fans of Imran Khan have had their hair-pulling sessions once every few months. Imran Khan has a penchant for making political blunders: whether it’s making ridiculous statements and challenges or taking the wrong side at the wrong time. Additionally, he has never once come out on the winning side when it has mattered the most.

This held true even last month as the Panama Leak case decision was announced to the public.

The Bilawal Bhutto factor

The PPP and it’s megalomaniac leader Asif Zardari are not going to rest until the Pakistani Harry Potter gets his butt on the throne. While PPP’s popularity has gone done in North Punjab, the Bhutto name still holds great power across a large area of Sindh and South Punjab. Any false move by the PML-N, or it’s inability to provide electricity on time, will lead to a resurgence by the PPP, who will seek to bank on it’s Chairman, the younger Zardari.