Browsing Category

Moved by what she saw and learnt, Rizvi vowed to help the children suffering from diabetes, in every way she can. She has announced on social media, “There are about 300-400 children that come to NICH every month with undiagnosed diabetes. Some have lost an eye already (as personally witnessed) and some have severe liver issues. Each one of them goes home with a glucometer in order to be able to monitor their sugar levels themselves — which is being subsidized by the government. But, these families can’t even afford the testing strips that are needed to check their sugar levels at least once daily, for each strip costs between Rs 20-30. Since they are unable to buy the strips, they are unable to monitor their sugar and land up suffering from a plethora of other diseases too. One 50 strip bottle costs Rs 1150 (subsidized rates) and I would like to raise rupees 10 lacs worth of bottles which I will personally give to Dr Mohsina who heads the Children’s Diabetes ward at NICH to make sure it goes to the most deserving families. I will only give in kind to the hospital, and not be handing over any money to them. Also, I will personally be in constant contact with the doctors that head and/or run this ward. Please help me raise these funds”.

It may be noted, NICH is a 500-bed hospital which is currently under the administrative control of Health Department Government of Sindh. It is the first children’s hospital of the country and presently one of the largest and the only children’s hospital of the province of Sindh. It provides tertiary care services for almost all types of pediatric diseases and is equipped with latest diagnostic gadgetries. Its highly qualified faculty provides teaching and training facilities both at undergraduate and post-graduate levels. It is a prime institution of the country recognized nationally and internationally.

Renowned Indian Screenwriting teacher Ashwini Malik conducts Screenwriting Workshop in Karachi

Posted on November 7, 2018

By Editorial Team

Pakistan International Film Festival under the banner of Karachi Film Society organized a hands-on intensive screen writing workshops here in the metropolitan city for aspiring writers. The four-day workshop which started from November 4, 2018 is being conducted by the renowned Indian screenwriting teacher, screenwriter, script consultant and an independent filmmaker Ashwini Malik.

Film is a highly collaborative medium and undoubtedly the most vital part of a film is the screenplay, which is the key to any film’s box office success. Globally, screenwriter’s role in film making is considered as important as that of the director. Keeping in mind the dire need to develop and train local screenwriting resources, KFS has developed this intensive screenwriting workshops. The workshop for fresh writers is developed in two stages. The first stage is to impart the essential principles of the art and craft of screenwriting to the participants, and later they will be tasked to develop a screenplay under mentorship during the workshop.

The workshops also discussed the uniqueness of storytelling in the subcontinent and how Indian and Pakistani films are different in their approach from the Western models.

ABOUT ASHWINI MALIK:

Ashwini Malik is a screenwriting teacher, screenwriter, script consultant and an independent filmmaker. After graduating from Film & Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune in 1994, he began his career by writing and directing TV shows. He has been teaching screenwriting since 2004, at FTII, Pune and Whistling Woods International, Mumbai. He regularly conducts workshops in India and abroad, and has been a mentor at several script labs including New Voices Fellowship for Screenwriters (Asia Society), Mumbai Mantra CineRise Screenwriting Programme, the MAISHA film labs in East Africa, NFDC’s script development workshop and the Indo-German Screenwriting programme. His screenwriting credits include I Am, Road, Movie and Sorry Bhai.

About KFS

Karachi Film Society is a nonprofit organization and parent body of Pakistan International Film Festival (PIFF) founded by Ms. Sultana Siddiqui, founder and president of HUM Network Ltd and recipient of President’s Pride of Performance Award. The founding members of KFS include Dr Ishrat Husain (former Governor State Bank of Pakistan), Ms Ameena Saiyid (CEO OUP), Senator (r) Javed Jabbar (writer/producer, former Information Minister), Mr Sirajuddin Aziz (CEO Habib Metropolitan Bank), Mr Jamil Baig (CEO Nueplex Cinemas), Ms Ronak Lakhani (Chairperson SOP), Ms Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy (Oscar winning director/producer) and Ms. Sayeeda Leghari (Managing Director/Chairperson, Pepsi Sukkur Beverages (Pvt Ltd.). The primary goal of Karachi Film Society is to improve access of the people in innovation and excellence in different categories and genres of cinema and films to highlight the unique scope of this mass medium.

Events Trending

The Fundraisers are back with Bargain Basement Sale 2018!

Posted on November 5, 2018

By Editorial Team

The Fundraisers are bringing their most exciting Bargain Basement Sale of the year on Sunday 11^th of November 2018, from 12PM to 5PM at the Gulberg Galleria Mall, Lahore. This year’s annual sale is bringing you hundreds of the best Pakistani fashion and lifestyle brands all of whom have generously donated items to be sold at the event at heavily discounted prices.

Clothing items range from high-end couture, bridals, semi-formal and prêt-à-porter along with beautiful jewellery pieces, art, furniture and home accessories from over 200 brands. The BBS Vintage Section always pulls in a big crowd and this year’s sale promises to be equally fabulous filled with brand new, or pre-loved and gently worn designer items that can be purchased for charity along with furniture pieces. Those who have a love for international designers need to check out this section where exquisite pieces by Fendi, Bulgari, Manolo Blahnik, Gianni Versace, Gucci, Valentino, Tory Burch, Victoria Beckham, Christian Dior and Coach, but to name a few.

The BBS grand raffle is additionally on form with several extraordinary prizes including flights to Dubai and weekend night stays at the best hotels in Lahore, Chitral and Hunza up for grabs. Raffle prizes also include meal vouchers at Lahore’s finest eateries, treatments at the best of salons, free cakes by the best of bakeries and a whole lot more. An annual auction will also be held, where high-end items will be available for bidding. These include stunning works of art from Pakistan’s leading contemporary artists: Nazia Ejaz, Shazly Khan, Farhan Manto and Hussain Chandio which is great news as everyone has a chance to bid and take home a beautiful piece of art.

This year all the proceeds from the sale will benefit six charities working for education and healthcare. These include 1) Pink Ribbon Pakistan for building the first breast cancer hospital in Pakistan; 2) Rising Stars Foundation (RSF) for schools in Swat and Uch Sharif for the underprivileged; 3) Lahore Hospital Welfare Society, for the Shams Shahabuddin Convalescent Home; 4) Door of Awareness, for education of street children in Lahore;5)The Giving Tree for providing cancer comfort totes to chemotherapy patients, and 6) Sunbeams School System for the underprivileged in Punjab. The first tier sponsors of the event are Sapphire and Arif Sons. The second tier co-sponsors include Sabrosa, Interwood, Guard Filters and Gulberg Galleria with PR by Lotus and a radio media partnership with City FM 89. In addition, BBS has partnered with the following companies to provide logistical and technological support for this years sale: SimSim Pakistan, Easy Tickets, Autosoft Technology, Lumensoft Technology and Daewoo.

In 2017, the #fundraisersBBS raised a total of Rs.10.7 Million for the year and 100% of these monies were distributed amongst nine charities. This year they are looking forward to raise even more funds to support their chosen causes. Admission tickets can be bought in advance online via easytickets.pk, or they are available at the door on the day. Fundraisers Co-Founder, Nuria Rafique-Iqbal explains: “BBS is by the community for the community. This is our 13^th year of operations, and we are so happy to enjoy the continued support of designers, charities and the public at large. We have thousands of items on sale at great discounted prices so please come and shop on Sunday 11 November and help us make a difference in the lives of thousands. We try very hard to make the event better each time and we listen to our customers feedback so as to ensure that everyone has a great shopping experience with us. We are truly thankful to all the generous sponsors and brands for helping make this event happen and we look forward to welcoming the public at what promises to be a great event which is fun for all. Remember 100% goes to charity – it is first come, first served, no BBS members are allowed to purchase, so all you wonderful shoppers should come early to get the best deals! See you there on Sunday 11 Nov at Gulberg Galleria from 12-5pm when #fashiongivesback to support #6supercharities”

News Trending

The Citizens Foundation’s good governance rating upgraded by JCR-VIS

Posted on October 25, 2018

By Editorial Team

JCR-VIS Credit Rating Company Limited (JCR-VIS) has upgraded Non-Profit Organization Governance Rating of The Citizens Foundation (TCF) to ‘GR-9+’ (GR-Nine Plus) from ‘GR-9’ (GR-Nine). On a scale from 1 to 10, rating of GR 9 and above reflects a ‘Very High Level of Governance’. Previous rating action was announced on February 24, 2016. The improved rating shows TCF’s continued commitment to quality education for the less privileged and shows that the organization manages its growing scale of operations in the most efficient way.

NPO governance ratings are based on a composite evaluation of the level of regulatory compliance, mission and program strength, governing body, executive management, utilization of funds and transparency, self-regulation and stakeholders’ relations. Commitment of the governing body and executive management are reflected by the significant growth in number of schools with over 220,000 enrolled students across Pakistan.

The assigned rating by JCR-VIS to TCF incorporates focus on quality education in line with its mission and efficiency in fund utilization. Rating also reflects on the governance infrastructure in place at the organization with effectively functioning board and board committees, strong focus on transparency and adequate internal control framework. Support structure is also being continuously upgraded by bringing in professional management and the implementation of more sophisticated systems and procedures.

Speaking about the rating of GR9+, TCF CEO Syed Asaad Ayub Ahmad said, “We, at The Citizens Foundation believe in operating as a professionally managed not-for-profit organization. There’s an even greater responsibility on us to maintain complete transparency and ensure that the funds entrusted upon us are utilized as carefully as possible. We are accountable for every single penny that we receive as a donation. The improved credit rating is the result of the high level of commitment of every TCF employee and their unwavering resolution towards the cause of education. I am also grateful to everyone who is supporting TCF in our mission to educate the less privileged children of our country.”

Given that a large chunk of TCF’s network comprised primary schools, management focused on addition of secondary school units during 2017. Moreover, strong focus on qualification and training of teachers, academic result achieved by students and initiatives such as Curriculum Development and Learning Management System was also emphasized for improving quality of education.

Change in ratings also incorporate growing quantum of donations with majority of donations being generated through repeat donors. As a result, financial strength of TCF is considered sound with overheads remaining within internal benchmark of 10% of operating expenses. Funds generated through donations have grown in line with increasing expenses and expansion in operation.

News Trending

Coke Studio releases the ninth and final episode from Season 11 titled ‘AFTAB’

Posted on October 20, 2018

By Editorial Team

Coke Studio proudly released the ninth and final episode from its landmark Season 11 titled ‘AFTAB’ featuring “Dildar Sadqay” by Jawad Ahmad and Elizabeth Rai, “Aurangzeb” by Mughal-e-Funk and “Ko Ko Korina” by Momina Mustehsan and Ahad Raza Mir. Produced by Zohaib Kazi and Ali Hamza, episode nine of Coke Studio’s eleventh chapter will be aired on all major television channels, radio stations and will be available online at www.cokestudio.com.pk.

“Dildar Sadqay” sets premise for the debut of Elizabeth Rai and the return of Jawad Ahmad on the sets of Coke Studio. The song is a master class in its atmospheric delivery as the addictive hook line finds its foundation within the string section of the arrangement and the iconic dholak beat picks up rhythmic pace. With a solid riff and sonic playfulness, “Dildar Sadqay” instantly builds an authentic musical palette that one can resonate with.

Mughal-e-Funk’s “Aurangzeb” is a musical interpretation of the life and the cultural contributions made by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Primarily an instrumental composition, his regime is introduced with a melodic riff on the Sitar and guitars. The Emperor’s stringent contribution towards arts and culture is represented with sharp piano sol while the introduction of Tabla beats symbolizes counter movement against the regime. Taking a dramatic shape with the growing ethereal Tarana sung by backing vocalists suggests the conflict between the authority and artists. A surfeit of emotion that spills over the edges of “Aurangzeb’s” arrangement, this instrumental piece is all set to become a thrilling experience for the audience.

The last song of the season 11, “Ko Ko Korina” marks the debut of Ahad Raza Mir paired with the songstress Momina Mustehsan as they re-create the magic of the era by-gone. The famous love-drenched ballad finds home on the stage of Coke Studio with an up-tempo and a feel-good melody. The memorable lively antics of the lead singers and the enchanting chorus in the middle section make this version of “Ko Ko Korina” a rarity to cherish.

For more information, log on to www.cokestudio3.com.pk or facebook.com/cokestudio and look for the hashtag #CokeStudio11 to follow the Coke Studio journey.

Images Courtesy of COKE STUDIO PHOTOGRAPHY TEAM

Older Posts