If you are not updated with latest developments, you should know that

• Many Torrent Websites are Down!
• Tumblr is blocked!
• “Beygairat Brigade” the KEYWORD is completely banned over internet in Pakistan; and
• a weird warning page is appearing on too many web pages where it states:

Surf Safely! This website is not accessible

The site you are trying to access contains content that is prohibited for viewership from within Pakistan

I personally think that this is the result of a new “censor filter” that is being installed by Government of Pakistan to block and ban the content that the Government seems not suitable for Pakistani audience.

If we believe on a recent report which said, Pakistan Likely to Re-Open YouTube on 3rd May, it seems very much obvious that something is cooking today and it may change the way we enjoy our freedom on internet. Now how restrictive it would be and how would it violate our privacy rights, this is what should be the concern of all internet users.

Let us know in the comments if you are facing any downtime, any “Surf Safely” errors or any signs that you think restricting your access to any information in Pakistan.

This post, Internet Censorship in Process in Pakistan? Torrents Down, Beygairats Blocked! , was originally published at PakiUM.com

Elections are approaching nearer day by day and the enthusiasm of all political parties is on a high note. A hefty amount is being spent on print, electronic, and social media campaigns. Manifestos have been announced, claiming highly on issues like law and order, internal stability, energy crisis, foreign investment, education and establishment of new universities, making Pakistan an Islamic welfare state, green revolution and relief to farmers, infrastructure development, poverty alleviation, liberation from the slavery of America, and other beautifully carved slogans. But where are culture, arts, and restoration of film industry? Is this issue considered by any political party and included in its manifesto? Certainly, no party. And if, it’s there by anyone, it would be a mere eye wash.

PPP, PML-N, PML-Q, MQM have no point at all in their manifestos regarding entertainment industry and crisis-hit Lollywood. PTI (claiming and asserting with full force to make a Naya Pakistan), has only one point in its manifesto that PTV will be given a status of autonomous body but nothing for Lollywood. However, ANP has claimed to promote arts, culture, artists, and other people attached to this field; but they also didn’t give any point for film industry. So at the beginning of a new government, the future of Lollywood has still a big question mark.

That clearly means no political party is seriously interested in shaping up the cultural face of Pakistan. Culture that shows the world how our nation looks like, our language, dress, food, life style, values, ideology, traditions, arts, aesthetics, and what kind of people we are.

To get Lollywood firmly stand on its feet, we need a full fledge cultural policy, the first and foremost thing. Under that policy, film industry be supported financially and in terms of talent. But such policy can be made only by a person(s) having strong understanding of arts and entertainment, or by the film makers on their own. Perhaps no political party has anyone with such artistic skills.

Film industry has to devise a plan itself to get their demands fulfilled. Like, artists and others related to film industry should participate in elections, and take steps for industry’s betterment after reaching in assemblies. There are certain faces from industry participating in elections 2013, like Shafqat Zahra Bukhari (Meera’s mother), Laila, Musarrat Shaheen etc. but the thing is they should work for Lollywood after winning a seat in assemblies. Only this way, industry can solve its problems on more solid basis.

Lollywood is an industry that can’t stand on firm basis without government support. There are many matters depending on state, like infrastructure development, concession in entertainment tax, establishment of film and performing arts academies, state of the art cinemas and studios, promotion of arts and culture through different sources etc. can’t be done by film makers or production studios on their own.

Former Punjab government spent billions of rupees on laptop and Metro bus schemes each, but film industry couldn’t get one billion even. This thing is quite enough to consider the stark situation of the important source of entertainment in the country. Why the hell our leaders don’t give a damn to art and entertainment. Though, it’s quite obvious that we need entertainment today more than ever before. It can’t be fulfilled through Indian and English movies, as we all want to see the culture, traditions, characters, and stories of our own society, not of India, America, and England etc. This is the matter of our very survival …

And who knows what the future of cinema industry is after the formation of new government? We’re left with the only option of wait and see. Let’s hope the future will be very bright……

This post, Will the upcoming Pakistani Government be favorable of Lollywood? , was originally published at PakiUM.com

The ad depicts the need for change in Pakistan with confident and bold narration done by Omer and will be sure to send the message to the masses and spread much needed awareness. The background score was arranged by fellow team member, Saad Sultan..

Watch TVC below:

This post, Omer Nadeem did a Project for Imran Khan (PTI) , was originally published at PakiUM.com

Hidhyidans – an association of dynamic young individuals, headed by – Omar Qureshi, Alee Raza Maher, Furqan Buriro,  Ibrahim Khan, operating since June’2012, all dedicated to the cause of bringing forth to public eye the talented youth and the young of our beloved city – Hyderabad, who have dared to stand apart and stand above the ordinary lot. Towards this end, HidHydians organizes a variety of events and initiatives inviting the youth of the city and providing them with a forum to exhibit and foster their special talent and besides join hands together to bring peace and spread smiles on a massive scale.

For all that they have done up to now, in my point of view, is definitely up to the mark. Realizing where they stand in the society and in the social-modern-world right now, the following initiative they presented and the outcome that popped up is highly appreciated everywhere.

Team HidHydians, under the supervision of Excursions Department headed by Asif Ansari & Ahmed Kazi, arranged an event by the name of ‘Dirt-Wiper’ that took place on Saturday, 23rd of March. Dirt-Wiper was an event arranged basically to spread awareness amongst the citizens of Hyderabad about keeping our surrounding environment clean and to bring the vitality of our original community back by focusing on aesthetic improvements and promoting well-maintained and safe neighborhoods.

The event started in Qasimabad, where all members of the Hidhydian team were present to welcome all those people they invited through social-media channels and through notice-board invitations at schools and universities.

Just as the Spartans of team HidHydians started to block the roads and wipe the dirt off, the number of participants began to grow. The high point was when Mehboob Abro, ex-nazim of Hyderabad showed up to lend a hand in the cleaning of the streets. He also contacted the office of the DCO for assistance but sadly it was closed due to the 23rd being a national holiday. Dhoom Television was present at the Qasimabad venue, covering the hearty efforts of the whole team. Interviews of the team were taken and later some group photographs.

After completing the set target of Qasimabad, the whole team headed towards the second venue i.e. the camp setup by Cantoment Board Hyderabad (CBH) at Defence Park, Defence. After a break-period of lunch exclusively given by Mirchi 360 Restaurant and CMH team, a crowd of 160+ people was divided into four teams. The trash removal team, fumigation team, paints team and chalk-throwers team. Each team had its own leader, while the employees and supervisors of CBH were present at all times with teams to guide them in their charitable endeavor.

The participants, accompanied by the whole CBH team of workers, police officers, supervisors and a fire engine team headed out towards Thandi Sarak. The sight of all the people wearing yellow baseball caps running on the road dodging cars, cleaning the whole stretch of the road looked like buzzing bees collecting pollen from different coloured flowers was commendable. Instructions were given on mega-phones and the communication between team HidHydians Management on voice-gadgets, proved that their mind was only set towards the 23^rd March Mission.

The whole rally of people headed upwards from Thandi Sarak towards main Saddar with heavy vehicles guarding everyone, and then from there towards doctors’ lane, and crossing that, they ended the whole event at Quaid-e-Azam complex. From where everyone headed back to camp at Defence park. Each and every corner was wiped, brushed, painted, fumigated properly. Loud calm instructions were given to shop-keepers for not throwing trash out and keeping the city clean. ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ shout-outs were heard all the way in trucks and fire-brigades.

The whole stretch of the event in Saddar was provided coverage by Aaj and Express news. The Photographers Society of HidHydians (comprising of: Ahmer Qureshi, Hassan Rizvi, Shahbaz Mehdi, Adeeb Ahmed, Mustafa Ansari, Noshad Khowaja, Adil Lakhani) snapped over 400 pictures in total and now are working for a cliché-video. PakiUM representatives were also present at the event lending a hand in the cleaning plus write-up coverage for an event which doesn’t even fit into the genre of the work they’re operating in. Also The Sketches band’s lead singer Saif Samejo appreciated the whole event with kind words.

Team HidHydians managed to pull it off quite well with the help of all the groups who approached them, i.e – SZABIST Student Society, RSGB, Nakkh Clothing, Fatima’s Treats.

For more updates, follow them here:
Www.facebook.com/HidHydians

Watch some photos from the event:

This post, HidHydians arranged Dirt Wiper Activity in Hyderabad (Pictures/Coverage) , was originally published at PakiUM.com

In 1950s, some years after Pakistan’s independence, Lollywood was struggling hard to establish itself. By the grace of God and with the help of migrated artists, slowly and gradually our industry started producing quality work. In 1951, Chanvay (directed by Madam Noor Jahan) and in 1952, Dupatta (directed by Sibtain Fazli) came and with these movies, Lollywood made its presence felt as an independent film industry. So Pakistan got the way to success and then there was no looking back.

Maula Jatt was a classic, a film that scored heavily and reached cult status in Pakistan. (Released in 1971)

50s, 60s, 70s, and some years of 80s as well was the golden era of Lollywood. The journey starting from Chanvay continued till mid 80s. After that, unluckily, we couldn’t keep the right path. The mega success of Maula Jutt in 1971 detracted our directors from Urdu to Punjabi. They utilized the talent of late Sultan Rahi for Gujjar and Jutt characters only. Marshall Law period by Zia-ul-Haq also contributed to the failure of our industry as his government didn’t support the art work as it should be.

In late 80s and early 90s, Reema, Shan, Madiha Shah, Babar Ali, Rambo, Sahiba, Resham, Saud, Sana, Arbaz Khan, Khushboo, Saima, Moammar Rana and many others were introduced. 90s, the last decade of the century, can also be admitted a successful one as we saw Bulandi, Jeeva, Sangam, Sargam, Ghooghat, Dupatta jal raha hay, Nikah, Rukhsati, Mushkil, Hathi meray sathi, Chief Saab, Khoey ho tum kahan, Khilona, Choorian, and many other hit films.

Our films since 1951 to mid 80s were a great source of entertainment, education, information, and social change. Because of being social subjects, movies of that era like Daivar bhabi, Ayyaz, Armaan, Shaheed, Umrao jaan ada, Surayya bhopali, Dosti, Aaina, Shama, Bahisht, Yeh aman, Zarqa, Anjuman, Bazar-e-Husn, Bandish, Dehleez, and a long list of names, had a great influence on viewers’ lives. These movies contributed a lot to a positive social change through story, character, poetry, and music.

Propaganda tool was also powerfully used by veteran director Riaz Shahid who portrayed the wars of Palestine and Kashmir. Parvaiz Malik, Shabab Kairanvi, Hassan Tariq, S. M. Yousuf, Qadeer Ghori, W. Z. Ahmad, Luqman, Ehtesham, Nazr-ul-Islam, and other directors of the era gave us awareness and education through cinema art.

Dupatta Jal Raha Hai was one of the popular hits of later 90′s. Starring Ali Ahmad, Nadeem Baig and Arbaaz Khan. Released in 1998

At present, movies are being made in a low quantity. Those too are mostly on typical Jutt, Gujjar, Chowdhry, Vadera, or a specific clan. Another character, prostitute, is also very common one in Lollywood movies. Like we saw in Majajan, Zill-e-Shah, Nach kay yaar manana, Sooha jorra, Gujjar da kharrak etc. On the contrary, Hassan Tariq (Umrao jaan ada, Surayya bhopali), and Javaid Fazil (Bazar-e-Husn) portrayed the ture colors of this element of our society fulfilling all the creative, technical, and social demands.

In present age movies, Shoaib Mansoor has also made it skillfully acted by Iman Ali in Bol. If we talk about awareness and education of the people through films, Bol is the perfect example, simultaneously covering the hot issues of daughters’ rights, desire of son, prostitutes, and middle sex people.

In recent productions, Bhai log by Syed Faisal Bukhari, and Shareeka by Syed Noor were also good in subjects. Bhai log covered the atmosphere and life of under world and Shareeka had the subject of property disputes, step relations, unfair desire of wealth and power etc.

The directors like Shoaib Mansoor, Syed Faisal Bukhari, Syed Noor, and Shahzad Rafique who are still working and contributing to the restoration of our industry some way or the other, are worth praise. Also some young directors are coming to the surface with their work, for example Kaptaan, Chambiali, The Dusk, and Seedlings. The long gaps between quality works must be narrowed down to catch up the audience and keep them intact. Let’s hope Lollywood is going to showcase some really good work in the coming months!

This post, Lollywood contribution to social change of our society , was originally published at PakiUM.com

The novel is basically the story of a Dadi, the matriarch of the Bandian family in Karachi, and her quest to find the perfect Shia Muslim groom for her granddaughter Zeba. Told from the point of view of Zeba’s younger sibling Saleha, the novel explores how negotiating ancient marriage traditions in the 21st century could stretch a family to the end of its tether. Dadi, swears by the virtues of arranged marriage. All her ancestors – including a dentally and optically challenged aunt – have been perfectly well-served by such arrangements. But her grandchildren are harder to please.

Shazaf, a teacher by profession is a master degree holder in english literature from Karachi University.“I grew up listening to stories of my mother’s home town in India and so the fictional town of ‘Bhakuraj’ was born as this vital, bizarre place full of eccentric people,” Shazaf explained during an interview with a news source.

When she as asked about sectarian violence she answered, “Never make the mistake that what is happening on the political scene is a representative of what the ordinary citizen thinks or wants – people desire unity, peace and stability, not violence and bloodshed.” Shazaf has started work on her second novel, which is expected to be out in the near future.

This post, Shazaf Fatima Launched her debut Novel titled as “How It Happened” , was originally published at PakiUM.com

Lollywood actress Saima has suggested low budget telefilms as a possible solution to the crisis-hit film industry. She is of the view that Lollywood can be saved if all the concerned ones play their role accordingly and take it as their family. She is herself working in a tele film “Daivar bhabhi” along with Moammar Rana.

She is one of those actors who are continuously working in movies when many others have said it goodbye and joined TV industry for their career and financial survival. This way she has at least contributed on her part some way or the other in hard times of industry.

Although, tele films are meant for TV more than cinema, however, this idea can be executed and realized solidly to a certain extent. Film making at present is really a hard nut to cracker in terms of finances, production quality, and marketing because of having a large canvas.

Taking a look at the comparison of feature length and tele films, there are certain points that give upper hand to the latter.

Finances:

There is a hell of a difference between a feature film and a mix of TV and film formats; a difference of almost one or two millions and more than a hundred millions. One point, however, may be  notable that tele films for cinemas will have to be shot on 35mm.

We can cut down on music, songs, dances, and unnecessary action. Rather the investment should be done on strong marketing. Social media is a powerful tool these days to market the product and building the opinion of people in favor.

Production quality:

Quality and standard is the biggest problem of Lollywood. It’s directly linked with investment. Spending the amount of 1 or 2 millions sensibly can solve the problem. Also the subjects should be of the type that can shot up in limited resources, like a story involving less characters and locations etc.. If done by TV production houses and channels, tele films can have a far better quality.

Marketing:

It’s one of the most important aspects of TV and film production.Without a proper advertising campaign in this age, cinema industry can’t reach its audience. Being cheaper than feature length, tele films can spare a handsome amount for marketing. This can be handled with more ease as the channels have direct links with advertising agencies.

Freshness:

Lollywood desperately needs a fresh look, on camera and in production, direction, and screenwriting also. If fresh directors work upon the idea properly, they’ll be able to do better than the same old names.

Sponsorship:

Tele films can have commercial sponsors and media partnership more than the productions directly done by Lollywood directors, as our industry unfortunately doesn’t enjoy a good reputation.

Release options:

This thing also goes in favor of tele films. As being a mix of television and film, they have the release options of both TV channels and theatres.

Watching a film in theatres is a full fledge experience as we go out, spend money, and give our time. In return, we want quality entertainment. Cinema industry has got to be an important role regarding  entertainment which is suffering badly in Pakistan, but what so ever the circumstances are, we have to have courage and raise our standards, if we are seriously to survive; not only financially but for the sake of art and our very ownself as artist.

This post, Low budget telefilms can save Lollywood, This is HOW? , was originally published at PakiUM.com

Faraz Anwar has been the frontman of Mizraab for over a decade and more recently accompanied Noori as lead guitarist for their US tour. Tu Kareeb Hai is the latest offering from Faraz Anwar and his first solo artist track in a while. Possibly one of the most undervalued artists in our music industry; Faraz Anwar is a multi-instrumentalist and has been in the industry since he was a teenager. He might be an acquired taste to some but there is no denying there is wealth of creativity this artist can draw upon and his compositions are often deep, thought-provoking and unpredictable.

This song we’re going to review today, Tu Kareeb Hai, was a remake of a track on Mizraab’s first album (Panchi, 1997). The album was released unfinished by the record label and in order to do justice with those songs, Faraz Anwar has been redoing them. The first reincarnations were on Maazi Haal Mustaqbil where we were introduced to much heavier progressive rock classics in the form of Panchi and Mayusee. Since that album, his playing style has evolved and become more distinct. There are to be remakes of Sahil and Nami and Kahani’s has already been released (I strongly suggest everyone checks out Kahani’s Remake). Faraz Anwar is much more versatile than given credit for and his prowess as a jazz fusion artist shines through this track. Masterfully blending elements that will keep both old fans and new converts satisfied, Faraz Anwar has come up with a beautiful track and I can not get enough of it.

As a Mizraabian, I have heard the old version hundreds of times and this new version is like meeting an old friend who has grown in complexity and intricacy. When comparing the old version of this track with the new, you can see the new version is light-years ahead in terms of production, composition and melody. Check it out for yourself and let us know what you think.

This post, Review: Faraz Anwar – Tu Kareeb Hai , was originally published at PakiUM.com

Pakistan music industry is the most renowned music industry of Asia. It has produced amazing talent like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Noor Jahan, Mehdi Hasan, Vital Signs, Junoon and recently, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Shafqat Amanat Ali, Atif Aslam, Ali Zafar, Hadiqa Kiani and many more. In the music scene, Pakistani singers are considered of much higher class than the singers of India. Recent winning by Nabeel Shaukat, a Pakistani singer, in Sur Kshetra proves that too. Many Bollywood movies feature songs sung by Pakistani singers. The Coke Studio session had have happened in both Pakistan and India. The Indian Coke Studio which was conducted in association with MTV did not receive as much fame and was not able to create as much hype as the Pakistani one did. In Pakistan, this year, Coke Studio is happening again.

Coke Studio Season 6 is expected to start in the month of May, although final date is yet to be announced. Pakium will inform you as soon as the dates are announced. We are expecting the same format of 5 episodes. The expectations with Coke Studio are high this year too. Three veteran singers who will be a part of Coke Studio season 6 are Abrar ul Haq, Ali Zafar and Ali Azmat.

The new addition in the Coke Studio family is Abrar ul Haq. He confirmed it on his Facebook status that he’s going to be a part of Coke Studio 6, and with this announcement his fans are very excited as surely he will inject a new taste to Coke Studio music. Abrar ul Haq recently joined a political party and is famous for his social work specially his hospital which runs on charity. His Punjabi songs will definitely add lots of excitement in the season.

Ali Zafar will be participating in Coke Studio for the 2nd time. He has already been part of Coke Studio season 2. Ali Zafar is also famous on other side of the border and has sung songs for Indian movies. He also received Dadasaheb Phalke Award in India in 2012. Along with his singing skills, he has won hearts of many with his acting skills. Let’s have high expectations from this multi talented guy in Coke Studio 6.

Ali Azmat is also a part of Coke Studio season 6. This will be his second time as he participated in very first season of Coke Studio. His song Garaj Baras feat. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan got very famous from season 1. Hoping he will delight us from his amazing voice and style.

Along with these three, the others who are expected to be part of Coke Studio season 6 are Alamgir and Gohar Mumtaz. This will be a debut in Coke Studio for Alamgir. Jal band performed in Coke Studio season 4, this time Gohar will be performing without Farhan as he has left the band.

Coke studio started 5 years back in 2008 and has raised the standard of the Pakistan music. We hope Coke Studio breaks it self made records and provide audience with ultimate soul satisfying experience.

Disclamer: Coke Studio has not yet published the list of artists performing, currently; the list is taken from artists’ official pages and twitter accounts.

Author Info: Adil Mirza works at Just Solved and can be found on Twitter at @gandisoch

This post, Coke Studio Season 6 and Expectations from it , was originally published at PakiUM.com

On 16^th December, 2012, a young female student of medicine was brutally gang raped by some persons in a running bus in Indian capital Delhi. She was also subjected to immense physical torture with an iron rod, according to news reports.

That disgusting incident was heard and condemned around the world. Indian artists also considered it their moral responsibility to raise the voice against the inhuman act. In this very context, Bollywood movies also came under hit regarding their extra ordinary bold, vulgar, and obscene content that is not only visual but in audio as well. Their public and media is protesting against their vulgarity and obscenity and demanding to put a stop on it. In response, their artists and other big bosses of industry have started defending themselves, like: our content is not meant for sexual provocation in people but to make them aware about the crimes.

If the defending statement is considered as right, even then there is no moral justification to repeat the objectionable scenes and item songs in every third movie.

Now days, Bollywood’s hottest news is revolving around the case and one of their directors has started working to make a movie on this very issue. News reports say that In India, thousands of women, even minor girls are raped every day. Delhi case is only a single reported example.

If Bollywood and its big bosses are so much worried about the case and they’ve sympathies for the died victim, then why are they resisting the increasing demands of stopping the extra immoral content in movies, film shows, and dramas. Or if their commercial interests are on stake without sexuality, at least they can do it within a limit. They’ve shown rape as well as sexy scenes boldly in the movies like Salam Bombay, Monsoon Wedding, Dirty Picture, Murder II, and many others.

Their only spicy ingredient to make a movie hit is sex. If we talk about public demand and taste, this very thing is set and developed by the content itself. First, Bollywood developed a taste of sex in their audience, now they are forced to pay the price. The public is not satisfied without hot sexy and masala scenes. And they have to do it to attract the maximum and every class of audience.

A few days ago, when there came a demand to shut down the night clubs in the country, one of their famous actor, Arjun Rampaul stated that it wouldn’t make any difference and Indian government should do something else to curb rape incidents. The above mentioned actor himself owns a night club.

Bollywood is expressing their deep condolence with Delhi rape victim. On the contrary, they are not ready to sacrifice their commercial interests.

Giving people the hot Munni, Sheela, Chamak Chhallo, Chikni Chambeli, and Jalebi Baee and expecting them to have a modest attitude towards women, are not they living in a fools’ paradise? Either they will have to change their way, or that paradise is going to be the hell of their women’s honor. Choice is theirs!

And last but not the least, the really disturbing thing is that this is not restricted to Indian society only; Bollywood has a great influence on our own people as well. So we would, too, could be the victim of that moral decline. Indian movies, dramas, shows etc. have a large number of audience and market in Pakistan, and as an obvious result, their language, fashion, and customs are silently penetrating in our daily lives. How can we save ourselves and our youth from the obscenity and sexual immorality which Bollywood is spreading for the sake of their commercial interests? This is a big question we have to find out the answer of, if we want to avoid the things like Delhi rape case!

This post, Delhi Rape Case and Bollywood influence on our lives , was originally published at PakiUM.com