Pakistan has faced numerous difficulties since its independence in 1947, including a weak economy, dishonest and incompetent leaders, inadequate civil institutions, conflict and security issues, and regional instability.  However, Pakistan has already demonstrated great resiliency in the face of tragedy.

Pakistan has advanced significantly in terms of industry, airlines, embassies, literacy rates, exports, and so much more.

Literacy rate:

Pakistan has come a long way in terms of literacy rate. At the time of the first census in 1950, the overall literacy rate was 14% in Pakistan.

 The current literacy rate of Pakistan is 58.00%. We have defeated illiteracy with the help of the Pakistani government’s ministry of education. 22 million pupils can now easily access schools and institutions.

GDP by Industry:

Out of the 921 industrial units in the subcontinent, Pakistan only received 34 at the time of independence. They were the cotton textile, cigarette, sugar, rice husking, cotton ginning, and flour milling sectors; collectively, they produced just 7% of the GDP and employed just over 26,000 people.

Now, Pakistan has the 22nd-largest economy. Pakistan’s industries have prospered over the years and are now responsible for 64% of GDP, up from only producing 7%. Agriculture, the automotive sector, cement, steel, tobacco, chemicals, machinery, and the cotton textile industry are among the major industries.

Radio Pakistan:

According to one of the pioneers of Radio Pakistan, three radio stations in Dhaka, Lahore, and Peshawar existed at the time of Independence. In 1947 there was no radio station in Karachi, the capital of Pakistan.

Now, Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC, Radio Pakistan) is operating 67 broadcasting units. These stations spread across the country and cover 98% of the population and 80% of the total area of Pakistan.

Embassies and consulates in Pakistan:

Since the creation of Pakistan in 1947, Pakistan faced a lot of struggles. Iran was the first country to open its embassy in Pakistan.

Now, there are about 59 Foreign Embassies and 68 Consulates placed in the territory of Pakistan.

Pakistan International Airlines:

PIA was founded on 29 October 1946 as Orient Airways and was initially based in Calcutta, British India, before shifting operations to the newly independent state of Pakistan in 1947.

 After facing a lot of challenges, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has become one of the best airlines in the world. PIA is Pakistan’s largest airline and operates a fleet of 29 aircraft. PIA’s expansion is uninterrupted, and the airline now serves every domestic destination as well as international locations on four different continents.

Universities and Colleges in Pakistan:

Education is a necessity for any country’s development. At the time of independence, there were only a few colleges and universities in Pakistan.

Now, there are over 190 universities and 2900 affiliated colleges in Pakistan.

IT sector of Pakistan:

Pakistan’s digital growth is undergoing a rapid transformation. One of Pakistan’s fastest-growing industries, IT/ITeS contributes around 1% of the country’s GDP or about 3.5 billion USD. It has already doubled in the last four years. In the next two to four years, it will expand another 100% to $7 billion, analysts predict.

Tourism Industry:

The tourist industry in Pakistan has a lot of potential. The fastest growth rates in tourist arrivals are currently being seen in Pakistan. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, the direct contribution of travel and tourism to Pakistan’s GDP in 2016 was ₨793 billion (equivalent to ₨4.0 trillion or US$18 billion in 2021), constituting 2.7% of the total GDP. By 2025, the government predicts tourism will contribute ₨1 trillion (US$4.4 billion) to the Pakistani economy.

Pakistan is experiencing a crisis, yet all is not lost, and there is still hope for Pakistan.

References:

(2022). Retrieved 13 August 2022, from https://www.pjbf.org.pk/pakistan-industry

(2022). Retrieved 13 August 2022, from https://www.piac.com.pk/corporate/about-us/history

Radio Pakistan – Wikipedia. (2022). Retrieved 13 August 2022, from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_Pakistan

(2022). Retrieved 13 August 2022, from https://www.embassy-worldwide.com/country/pakistan/

Tourism in Pakistan – Wikipedia. (2022). Retrieved 13 August 2022, from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Pakistan

(2022). Retrieved 13 August 2022, from https://invest.gov.pk/sites/default/files/inline-files/IT.pdf

Haq, R. (2022). History of Literacy in Pakistan 1947-2014. Retrieved 13 August 2022, from http://www.riazhaq.com/2014/03/history-of-literacy-in-pakistan-1947.html?m=1

14^th August is just around the corner. It is a National holiday in Pakistan. It commemorates the day when Pakistan achieved independence and was declared a sovereign state following the end of the former British India.

Here are some ways to celebrate 14^th August with your friends and family:

Decorate Your House

Encourage the kids to adorn your house with flags, banners, balloons, and other items that promote independence in all its vibrant hues. Hoist the National Flag on top of your roof. This will instill a sense of patriotism in your home.

Play “Mili Naghmay”

National Songs reflect the actual feelings of every Pakistani and foster a sense of patriotism and connection. So, gather up and play songs like “Dil Dil Pakistan”, “Hai Jazba Junoon” on repeat.

Wear Green or White Clothes

Anyone who is patriotic for this country feels overwhelmed by wearing green or white clothing. Make sure that everyone in your family, from your grandparents to the smallest members, is wearing green or white clothes, accessorized with Pakistani flag pin.

Visit National Monuments

Take your kids to national landmarks and museums so they can connect with Pakistan’s history by witnessing the past come to life in front of their eyes.

Pray for Pakistan

Pray for Pakistan to be rescued from the evil spirits of anarchy and bloodshed that threaten the country. Pray God to provide a government that will advance the country. Pray that we achieve Jinnah and Allama Iqbal’s goal! 

“Teatime with Roha” is a food photographer based in Islamabad. She uses natural light to create stunning photos. She has a fantastic eye for details, and her food photography will make you hungry!

 Here are her top five tips to take Instagram-Worthy food photos:

Natural Light

Natural lighting! It’s the most important thing when it comes to aesthetic food photography. Not direct sunlight but perhaps something more of a “golden hour” intensity. Simple sunrays passing through a window or branches of a tree will do the trick too!

Capture steam or water drops

When capturing a drink, it’s temperature showing is a bonus. If it’s a hot drink, try to capture the vapours and if it’s a cold drink, try to bring in the water droplets for an Icey feel.

 White plates on white marble tops

This has got to be the easiest beginner’s way of capturing an aesthetic photograph. Personally, I find it to be very whitewashed because our culture is so colourful, nonetheless it does look good.

Focus on fewer items

Too many food items in one frame can be confusing. Focusing on fewer items brings out the beauty in each of them more. I personally love taking closeup shots of food. So close you can taste the picture!

Build your personal aesthetic

Remember that there is a difference between objective and subjective aesthetics. You need to enjoy what you do and give it your own twist. I love taking a sort of “point of view” shot of my plate, holding it in my hand and people really clicked with that!

In terms of plot and themes, Pakistani English novels are among the most distinctive. Over the years, various themes have been emphasised in these novels. These novels discussed the hidden truths of society.  Here are the top 5 award-winning books written by renowned Pakistani authors that had a significant impact on readers around the world.

Moth Smoke by Mohsin Hamid

British-Pakistani author Mohsin Hamid’s first book, Moth Smoke, was released in 2000. It tells the story of a banker named Darashikoh Shezad from Lahore, Pakistan who loses his job, falls in love with his best friend’s wife, and then begins a life of crime and drug use.

 Hamid explains the theme of crime and punishment in this novel. This is clear from the fact that the main character has gone beyond his breaking point in love and ends up dealing drugs while losing control.

My Feudal Lord by Tehmina Durrani

Tehmina Durrani is a Pakistani women’s right activist and author. She described her abusive marriage to Ghulam Mustafa Khar. The novel’s main themes centre on sexism and misogyny, the customary silence of women, and how their pride and dignity are dependent on the patriarchy of tribal leaders.

Ice Candy Man by Bapsi Sidhwa

Bapsi Sidhwa in her novel, Ice Candy Man focuses on the theme of partition of India along with several other themes. The brutal partition of India is depicted in the book through the eyes of Lenny Sethi, a young woman.

Sidhwa offers the most astounding perspective on strength, heartache, and terror. The way Partition is portrayed in Ice Candy Man exposes readers to the startling realities of that era’s society.

In Other Rooms, Other Wonders by Daniyal Mueenuddin

In Other Rooms, Other Wonders is a collection of short stories written by Pakistani American author Daniyal Mueenuddin. He has also worked as a journalist, lawyer, and a businessman.

In this book, Mueenuddin focuses on the timeless themes of desire, life, class, culture, and power. The book also examines a mental rivalry between Pakistan’s middle-class and elite social circle.

I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

I am Malala is the autobiography of a young woman who defied death and absurd traditions. She became the voice of perpetually silent children, especially the girls of her town.

Her early life is described in the book, along with the ups and downs of the Taliban in Swat Valley and her struggles, hardships, and dangers.

There is no denying that Pakistani music is among the best in the world. In 1980s and 1990s, newly popularised rock culture completely revamped the sector. Music scene was revolutionised by rock bands like Vital Signs and Junoon. Growing up in Pakistan, these were the musicians and bands that figuratively defined our childhood.

They experimented with various musical styles, subgenres, and instruments, which altered how music was perceived. Here are just a few of the Pakistani bands that made life a little bit saner for us.

Vital Signs

Vital Signs were a Pakistani pop and rock band formed in Rawalpindi in 1986 by two Peshawar University students. After their formation, they soon became Pakistan’s first and most commercially successful band.

 Dil Dil Pakistan, Hum Tum and Aitebar were some of the top songs produced by band. Vital Signs songs will serve as a constant reminder of the legend we lost, and every song will forever be tainted with a nostalgic feeling.

Aaroh

Aaroh is an alternative rock band from Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan, formed in 1998. The band was founded by keyboardist Kamran Khan and lead guitarist Nabeel Nihal.

They quickly gained dedicated fan base in no time. Na Kaho, Jalan, and Jeeyay were hits produced by band and these songs peaked on many regional music charts.

Junoon

A Pakistani Sufi rock group called Junoon was founded in 1990 and hails from the cities of Tappan, New York, and Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. Junoon produced many songs that contain originals, renditions, and tributes.

Junoon se, Soyonee and Garaj Baras were some of the most iconic songs this band gave us.

Noori

Noori is a Pakistani rock band from Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, formed in 1996. The group was formed by songwriter, lead vocalist, and guitarist, Ali Noor, along with his younger brother Ali Hamza, who were soon joined by other members.

The upbeat songs of Noori were heard by every child in the early 2000s. The band represented the optimistic outlook of the youth of the era, and their songs are still fondly recalled today. The band produced songs such as Suno Ke Mein Hoon Jawaan and the epic Manwa Re.

Strings             

Strings was a Pakistani pop/rock formed by Bilal Maqsood, Faisal Kapadia and others. Strings attained international fame and popularity due to their unique music and lyrics.

Yeh Hai Meri Kahani, Durr se koi Aye and Sajni were some of the best songs produced by band with a magnificent melody and rhythm. 

Do you have a hungry chef at home who finds happiness in flouring the entire kitchen? Or your child is a picky eater who needs to be exposed to some new ingredients? Watching cooking shows is a great idea to encourage their enthusiasm and grow their interest.

All these shows are exciting, entertaining, and packed with delectable food. Just be careful not to watch them when you’re hungry, or you might find yourself licking your screen!

Sugar Rush

Sugar Rush, a Netflix baking competition series, has long been a favourite among foodies. Four baking teams compete in the series for a $10,000 prize. Renowned chefs Adriano Zumbo and Candace Nelson are among the judges. Children will be riveted by this fast-paced show.

Zumbo’s Just Desserts

Zumbo’s Just Desserts is an Australian baking reality competition television program hosted by Adriano Zumbo and Rachel Khoo. Australian amateur chefs compete to wow master of patisserie Zumbo with their confections. Those who don’t meet the criteria compete to replicate his distinctive desserts in the “Zumbo test.”

School of Chocolate

School of Chocolate is a game show in which nobody ever loses. School of Chocolate feels more like a masterclass where everyone has the chance to learn and grow rather than following the typical elimination format. Chef and master chocolatier Amaury Guichon teach eight chefs the craft of chocolate and pastry. They receive helpful tips and suggestions, and we get to enjoy admiring their exquisite chocolate creations. 

Chef’s Table

Chef’s Table is a great watch if your child already has a passion for food or if you’re hoping to pique their interest and help develop their palate. It tells the tales of some of the greatest and most renowned chefs in the world, highlighting their passions and detailing each of their individual paths through the culinary world.

Best Leftovers Ever

Best Leftovers Ever is a 2020 streaming television series. The show revolves around home cooks competing to turn leftovers into delectable dishes and finding new uses for them to win a $10,000 prize.

Nadiya Bakes

Nadiya Hussain shares her love of baking with some of her favourite time-saving recipes without sacrificing flavour. This is one of the most entertaining cooking programs on Netflix because all her recipes are made with simplicity in mind, and she has a friendly hosting style. 

1 – Rise of Gru
We last saw the minions wreaking havoc in 1960s England before they met up with a young Gru. Perhaps their next adventure will be their first with him. The Rise of Gru is out in the theatres and we’re excited to watch it!

2 – Hocus Pocus 2
Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy are set to reprise their roles as the sinister Sanderson sisters in this sequel to the 1993 Halloween cult favorite. This time around, three young women accidentally bring the witches to modern-day Salem and must figure out how to stop them. The film is being produced exclusively for Disney Plus.

3 – Thor : Love & Thunder
Marvel’s second film of 2022 is the highly anticipated follow up to Taika Waititi’s Thor: Ragnorak. Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster will return to the franchise, and it’s been teased that she will wield Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir, at some point. Tessa Thompson’s Valkyrie will be back, and Thor will meet up with the Guardians of the Galaxy to face Christian Bale’s Gorr the God Butcher. Sooo, you know it’s goons be a good time!

4 – The Gray Man
Based on a novel, this action thriller stars Ryan Gosling as a CIA mercenary who is forced on the run when he discovers some unsavory things about his agency and a rival agent is sent after him. Directors Joe and Anthony Russo (Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame) are at the helm and the impressive supporting cast includes Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Billy Bob Thornton and Jessica Henwick.

5 – Black Panther : Wakanda Forever
We lost Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman to colon cancer in 2020, and both filmmakers and fans across the world mournedhis passing. This obviously led to questions about what would happen to the Marvel haracter, as he was set to become an important piece of the MC’s future. As it turns out, we’re still getting a second film in 2022, but Boseman will not be recast, and the story will instead shift to focus on King T’Challa’s sister Shuri, layed by Letitia Wright.

6 – Avatar : The Way of Water
It’s taken almost a decade and a half, but we’re finallyyy getting the long-ago promised follow-up to James Cameron’s once-highest-grossing film of all time, Avatar. When old enemies return, they’re forced to evacuate and find a new home. Kate Winslet is also starring in the movie & we’re really looking forward to watching it!

7 – Shazam : Fury of the Gods
Zachary Levi is back in this sequel to the 2019 hit DC superhero film, which follows a teen foster child who acquires superhuman abilities when he utters the word “Shazam!” DC fans can’t wait for the movie and neither can’t we!

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has invited distinguished members of the global film community to join the organization under various categories and our very own Mohammed Ali Naqvi is one of them. Recognizing his talent and vision, international acclaim and numerous awards in documentary and film making, Naqvi has been invited to become a member of the Oscars under the category of documentaries. It is indeed a moment of tremendous pride for Pakistan.

Mohammed Ali Naqvi is already a member of the Television Academy (Emmys) and IDA (International Documentary Association).

Overall 397 members have been invited in various categories. These member will henceforth be able to vote for the Oscar nominations and winners. Mohammed Ali Naqvi shares this honour with  newly-minted Oscar winners Billie Eilish, Finneas O’Connell  (music branch) and Kajol, Ariana De Bose and Troy Kotsar (actors); Paramount chief Brian Robbins and Disney general entertainment chief Dana Walden (executives); and film critic Leonard Maltin (members-at-large). Full list is available at www.oscars.org/news/academy-invites-397-membership

It is heartening to see that our talent is receiving global recognition and is sharing the stage with the big name of the world. The stage is set and the spotlight has started shining on our film industry, it is now for us to make the most of this opportunity and create an enabling environment for our stars to shine internationally.

Mohammed Ali Naqvi (www.monaqvi.com), is a well-known name internationally, and has won many accolades for his ground-breaking work. He is a Pakistani-American filmmaker whose films explore themes of human rights, social justice, politics, and identity in contemporary Muslim and South Asian narratives. His work is renowned for its stark presentation of dire poverty, clear-sighted examination of injustice, and probing analysis of political Islam. The recipient of two Amnesty International Human Rights Awards and a Grand Prix from the United Nations Association Festival, Naqvi served as Co-Executive Producer of the Netflix Original Top 10 docuseries Turning Point: 9/11 and the War on Terror. He received the inaugural Television Academy™️ Honor for directing and producing Showtime Original Shame, which documents Mukhtaran Mai’s path from a survivor of gruesome violence to a women’s rights activist.

Naqvi seeks narrative projects that emphasize multicultural perspectives in diverse stories and genres. He produced road-trip drama Big River and indie comedy I Will Avenge You Iago, starring Giancarlo Esposito and Larry Pine. Naqvi enjoys spending time with animals, an interest stemming from his childhood when he had two lions as companions.

It is rightly said that music and songs play the backbone of any movie. In olden times, it was only the songs that brought people to cinemas. The team of Chaudhry has made it possible for us and brought the songs from best singers of the modern era together. If you have paid close attention to the movie teaser and theatrical trailer and the songs released so far of the upcoming action biopic, so you must have noticed that the film has a perfect amalgamation of the best singers of not only Pakistani entertainment industry but also from the neighbor country.

Chaudhry is directed by Azeem Sajjad and Co-directed and produced by Neha Laaj under the banner of LAAJ Productions. Story of the movie is penned by Zeeshan Junaid and comprises a promising cast including some of the bigwigs of Pakistan’s entertainment industry Sana Fakhar, Yasir Hussain, Nawal Saeed, Sohail Sameer, Jia Ali, Arbaz Khan, Saleem Mairaj, Shamoon Abbasi and others. With striking similarity to the real life Chaudhry, DSP Tariq Islam a serving police officer is playing the Lead role in the biopic.

Director of Chaudhry a well-known figure Azeem Sajjad and Co-Director & Producer Neha Laaj has set the bar real high by bring the best of all in one power packed package and we would like to appreciate the team of Chaudhry for taking a different and difficult route. The complete package contains all genres of songs from qawwali to folk to a sizzling item number too.

As fas as the songs released by the movie so far, we have heard a melodious qawwali Nazar-e-Karam from the maestro Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. by far the best folk song of the year Kameez Teri Kaali by none other than Attaullah Khan Esakhelvi. A very powerful title song Lagi Par by the energetic Syed Asrar Shah and cherry on top would be the Sunidhi Chauhan’s item number Aatish Meri Beauty. Combining all these power-packed songs in a single 120-minute movie is not less than a marvel.

Speaking about the film, Neha Laaj said, “With support of Sindh Police, we have taken every step to make this movie a success. Our coming generations should remember and honor the heroes who have made sacrifices for the motherland.  The producer’s idea behind this movie was to make an international impact with Pakistani films pay tribute to our hero and everyone associated with Chaudhry has contributed towards achieving this goal. I believe in hard work and I am certain that the audiences will appreciate our efforts.”

So as far as what the producer has told us about the movie. We are now definitely looking forward to Chaudhry.

Laaj Productions and HUM Films are releasing the movie on 24 June 2022 on all major cinema screens across Pakistan.

Trailer link
https://youtu.be/t4Goz-Q0UIE

Lagi Part song link
https://youtu.be/LYriXk26aF8

Kameez teri kali song link
https://youtu.be/pXpPVBkwBoc

Qawali link
https://youtu.be/MIgGEtrj7-k