For thousands of years, humans have taken products from nature and eventually converted them into waste material. This process is linear and plays no part in converting the world into a better place. But there is a method through which the Earth can regain its strength and beauty, known as Circular Economy.
The method is quite simple in its mechanism and works under three major principles:
1. Eradicate waste and pollution
2. Convert products into the finest value
3. Regenerate the nature
Hence the Circular Economy is a system that solves crises like pollution, waste, biodiversity, and climate change.
The Concept of Circular Economy
The world has created massive waste due to industrialisation. But if used wisely, this advancement of technology can lead to resolving the issue at large. To manage the waste that may wreak havoc in future the Circular Economy has four concepts:
1. Reverse Logistics: Traditionally, the product goes from manufacturer to user and then to waste. In a Circular Economy, the product travels back to the manufacturer instead of going to waste so it can be recycled.
2. Recycle: The recycling stage has endless possibilities. Once the used or leftover parts of the product come back to the manufacturer they can be synthesized with the help of biomimicry. The process may sound complicated, but they are applicable with the assistance of simple concepts from basic sciences.
3. Involve Community: Most needed step is to promote and connect with the people so they can know about their responsibility towards the plant.
4. Use of Technology: As said before, our progress in the field of basic sciences and engineering can lead us to create a positive impact and tackle the global crisis.
Circular Economy in Pakistan; Young Generation has Taken the Command
Pakistan is the prime victim of the ‘linear process where the product comes from the manufacturer and goes to waste. Only the plastic waste of the country surges to 3.3 million tons. If the waste is collected, it will reach a size twice the height of K2 mountain.
Looking at the problem at hand, several young entrepreneurs have created startups based on the Circular Economy model. Recently, some potential ideas emerged from the Shell Tameer Awards, by Shell Pakistan, and their vision might help the country to minimize waste material.
Upcycled: The idea is a brainchild of a young female entrepreneur Sadaf Tagar. Upcycled produces plastic polymers and organic fertilizers from waste material.
EFG Construction: Ayan Raza’s initiated project utilizes plastic waste in the construction sector. The innovative startup takes plastic waste and converts it into building material. Hence the concept of reverse logistics and recycling are applied intelligently.
Mobiliti: Talking about recycling that serves mankind, Mobiliti by Abrahim Shah uses plastic waste to manufacture bionic prosthetics & assistive devices. It falls under a category of social entrepreneurship but with the base of Circular Economy.
Davaam Life (Private) Limited: Syed Salman Tariq created a technology-driven start-up that cut down single-use plastic at source through smart dispensing stations while providing solutions for waste collection, materials recovery facilities and end-use recycling.
Irverde-GoGreen: Angel Imdad, a female environmentalist, designed a model for responsible waste collection. It also educates and incentivizes communities for adopting environment-friendly practices and behaviors.
The notion of a Circular Economy may lead our country to fight rising pollution. Karachi, Lahore and other major cities are ranked as the most polluted cities in the world. It is the right time to use the power of youth and strengthen the Circular Economy model for better growth of the country.
The Conference of the Parties (COP) is a collection of states that have signed the 1992 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It commits them to work together to keep greenhouse gas levels at a level that would preclude hazardous anthropogenic (human-caused) interference with the climate system. Since then, the parties, or nations, have met nearly every year.
The most recent, COP26, was held in November 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland. It gathered 120 international leaders and delegates from over 200 countries. It concluded in the Glasgow Climate Pact, which reiterated the 2015 Paris Agreement aim of limiting the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C over pre-industrial levels and pursuing measures to restrict future temperature increases to well below 2°C.
COP27 goals
Image Source: Atalayar
From November 6-18, the Egyptian beach city of Sharm El-Sheikh will be hosting COP27. Every year, a different country from a different geographical area assumes the COP Presidency to bring world leaders together and identify goals. As an ‘All of Africa’ COP, the Egyptian COP27 Presidency has defined the summit’s four key goals as:
Mitigation: All parties, particularly those in a position to “lead by example,” are urged to adopt “bold and rapid efforts” to restrict global warming to far below 2°C.
Adaptation: Ensure that COP27 achieves “critically needed progress” in increasing climate resilience and assisting the world’s most vulnerable populations.
Finance: Make considerable progress on climate financing, including the promised $100 billion per year in development assistance.
Collaboration: Because the UN discussions are based on consensus, attaining an agreement will need “inclusive and active engagement from all parties.”
4 key areas to watch at COP27
Nature
It is impossible to keep 1.5°C alive unless we stop and reverse deforestation, reform our food and land use systems, and safeguard ocean ecosystems. Globally, nature is vanishing at speeds unmatched in human history. This not only harms animals and plants, but it also undermines the entire foundation of our economies, livelihoods, health, and food security throughout the world.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the land use sector accounts for around one-quarter of all worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, our natural ecosystems have enormous untapped potential as carbon sinks: they can store atmospheric CO2 as carbon in trees and soil on land, as well as in mangroves, tidal marshes, and seagrasses in the ocean.
It’s hoped that examples of implementation will become apparent at COP27. The nature pavilion at COP27 will be an important hub for these multistakeholder partnerships.
Food
Today, the global food, land, and ocean use systems account for more than 12% of the global GDP and employ more than 40% of all people. Agri-commodity prices have surged because of the food crisis, which has been compounded by the war in Ukraine, strained supply chains, and rising energy prices. This is very troubling: over 820 million people will be hungry by 2021.
Image Source: Business Recorder
Climate change and our global food system are inextricably linked through cause and effect: agri-food systems alone are responsible for up to one-third of GHG emissions, and climate change will continue to have drastic effects on food productivity, with the IPCC estimating that land productivity has already decreased by 21% due to climate change.
At COP27, there will be a particular emphasis on how we scale the solutions required to meet our growing food demand in a climate-resilient manner, which will include commercializing innovative technological solutions and promoting agroecological practices, which are often more climate-resilient than industrial farming methods.
Water
Floods and droughts are becoming increasingly frequent and severe because of climate change. According to the IPCC, 3 billion people might confront physical water scarcity if global temperatures rise by 2 degrees Celsius, which would have a severe impact on Africa and other climate-vulnerable countries. Furthermore, water security is a top issue for Egypt’s COP chairmanship. It is consequently critical that COP27 sees more collaboration among governments, enterprises, innovators, and other key actors.
Urgent water solutions are critical to attaining a net-zero future that is both sustainable and resilient. Following COP27, world leaders will gather in March 2023 for the UN 2023 Water Conference to address the interconnections between water and development, climate, and health.
Industry Decarbonization
How lofty aspirations made in Glasgow are executed in developing countries in a reasonable and equitable manner will be a focus of negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh. With the globe undergoing an unprecedented surge of urbanization across the global East and South, the materials needed to construct low-carbon, climate-resilient cities will be a critical component of unlocking decarbonization.
Image Source: CSIS
Concrete, steel, aluminum, and chemicals, as well as the ships, aircraft, and trucks that transport them, presently account for 30% of greenhouse gas emissions, and this figure is expected to rise. The key to transitioning these worldwide industries is to lower the costs of clean methods and technology in comparison to the carbon-intensive traditional ones.
Netizens are quick to jump to conclusions and come up with all sorts of mind twisting theories when it comes to viral videos. Similarly, Tabish Hashmi casual chat with a friend went on streak to break the internet and the ocean of assumptions rose like a Tsunami.
Tabish on the other hand, being a quick gun to respond, has shared a clarification video, checkout below.
It all began with a private conversation that was caught on camera by a sneaky fan, looking for a selfie with the always ready comedian and host of TBH.
Tabish in the video was seen discussing about a mysterious deal that lead to him earning crores, yet he still showed the desire to want AUR (more). Leaving his fans guessing as to what must have been the real subject of the conversation.
The keyboard warriors and ever active meme community jumped on it and shared their bits on the comedian-turned-host.
Savyour on the other hand is offering cashbacks upon ongoing 11.11 deals and discounts, an opportunity that cannot be left unused, follow Tabish in his mission to earn crores and get you own cashback deals on Savyour.
Walee, the builder of an award-winning creator economy platform (Walee), welcomes Rizk Haddad as Head of Monetization, Middle East and North Africa and Turkey (MENAT), based in Dubai, UAE.
With more than 15 years of experience in strategy, marketing and building distribution networks, Haddad’s expertise is to establish businesses and develop monetization strategies, with a focus on innovative digital products and services, across MENA, Turkey and Asia Pacific. He is a true leader in the field having worked with renowned companies – including Zee Entertainment, Webedia and CNBC Asia – complemented with a strong academic background with an MBA in Strategy and Entrepreneurship from London Business School.
Najib Sabbagh, Managing Partner, Walee MENA said, “Our main objective as an emerging regional company is to invest in the right talent who are perfectly aligned with our journey – Rizk’s entrepreneurial spirit and deep understanding of the advertising and media landscape will enable him to drive our strategy and client acquisition efforts. Having served in our target industries, from telecom, media and entertainment to technology, he will accelerate Walee’s growth by establishing a strong portfolio of brands, businesses and agencies looking to benefit from the power of our innovative creator solutions.“.
Ahsan Tahir, CEO, Walee globally added, “Rizk is an exceptional professional who can help our clients derive the true value from Walee’s interoperable martech suite for their funnel needs, and deliver at scale – from building awareness with influencer marketing campaigns and AI-driven influencer insights, managing their brands using Walee’s social listening and digital service center platforms, to accelerating conversions via Walee Shops, a dynamic social commerce solution.”
Having already serviced some of MENA’s top brands, Walee will be rapidly setting up new on-the-ground operations to cater for high demand.
About Walee
Founded in 2019, Walee is an award-winning creator solution serving brands, agencies, marketers and creators, whether as influencers or affiliates. Walee’s community comprises more than 150,000 businesses and individuals from across 300 cities. benefitting from its one-window solution that enables brands to market, sell and service their products and services using tools and platforms covering Influencer Marketing, Insights, Social Listening, Digital Service Center, Shops, SMS and Payment Gateways and Mobility Marketing.
For the previous few years, internet privacy has had a bad year every year. Millions of people are impacted each month as a result of data breaches and social engineering assaults, which are at an all-time high and fundamentally challenging the idea of online data privacy.
According to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report, the average cost of a data breach climbed 2.6% between 2021 and 2022, from USD 4.24 million to USD 4.35 million. Now that I think about it, we live in a time when strict fines are imposed for breaking data privacy rules that are being passed across continents. However, businesses struggle to protect their digital infrastructure. Surprisingly, 67% of US internet users are unaware of their nation’s privacy laws. In addition to that users fancy a lot of myths that lead them to believe that their data is protected; however, most of it is nowhere close to being true.
Image Source: My Tech Decisions
Myth 1: Using a private browser ensures that the data is safe
Whether it’s Private Mode, Incognito Mode, or whatever name your preferred browser gives it, these browser modes are made to let users browse the internet without leaving any traces of their online activity, including cookies, passwords, and other tidbits of information.
Your online activities are still viewable and recorded, and they may even be shared or sold to stakeholders like third parties. This is true even if the private mode session is supposed to delete your data whenever you terminate a private session.
Myth 2: Hackers only target large systems
Small businesses are three times more likely to be attacked than larger ones, according to Barracuda. Along with financial losses, these companies also incurred legal fees, fines for noncompliance, damage to their reputations, and lost customers. As a result, many small businesses are unable to recover from these losses.
Any organization that has an online presence and does business online, regardless of its size or the volume of data and money it handles, is vulnerable to online attacks. Because of this, online firms make sure their digital infrastructure has strong mechanisms and security controls that are challenging for hackers to breach and steal from.
Myth 3: Public Wifi is secure if it has a password
Image Source: The Nation Online
It’s no secret that Wi-Fi hotspots are becoming the norm for online connectivity. They are frequently available, free, and simpler to connect with in public places like airports, hotels, sports arenas, and schools.
The fact that public WiFi connections are a haven for hackers is something that is less well understood. There are significant risks associated with using a public WiFi hotspot since a hacker might impersonate the original network and instantly access your internet activities.]
Myth 4: IT professionals are responsible for keeping my data safe
The idea that only IT professionals are qualified to manage cyber-security and attain online privacy is another common misconception. Yes, utilizing strong defense mechanisms makes IT professionals better able to deal with constantly changing online dangers, but everyone who interacts with data should have a fundamental awareness of online privacy and data security.
When handling a person’s personal data, all employees who work in a corporate setting should be aware of and follow industry best practices. Personnel should, in their individual capacities, refrain from opening any suspicious links in emails, ensure the privacy of the information supplied, exercise caution when sharing data, implement security protocols when appropriate, and be knowledgeable about the core security procedures.
While cooking pasta is a no-brainer, make a small mistake and you might end up with a stick, sloppy and tasteless pasta. Hence, comes the pasta hacks taking your cooking to a whole new level. Mastering the art of pasta recipes is not difficult. However, that doesn’t guarantee that you are making it in the best possible way.
So, hold onto your pans and pots as we share foolproof hacks to streamline your pasta recipes.
1. Choose The Right Shape
While you might be tempted to pick your favorite pretty-looking pasta from the grocery aisle, chances are the shape might not with the recipe that you are planning to cook. Experts recommend using a shorter pasta shape for baked dishes. The Italian market says Gemelli, orzo, and penne are great options for this kind of dish. Meanwhile, a butter or oil-based sauce, paired with a more delicate pasta shape may be a better way to go.
Image source: ndtv
2. Use The Pasta Water
The pasta water is the magic potion and no, we’re not exaggerating. Experts recommend using the pasta water for an added hint of flavor in the pasta sauce rather than draining it down the sink. Reserve some of the water in a container to use later and then add it to your sauce. Later, while adding the pasta to the dish, you can pour in some of that reserved pasta water. You’ll be amazed at how it can transform an average sauce into something really special.
3. Olive Oil For Leftovers
Have you ever looked at the leftover pasta in distress? This tends to happen once you take a look at the clumpy pasta sitting in the fridge. Well, not anymore! Using this hack will revive your pasta to an extent that it will not only look fresh but also taste fresh. All you need to do is to add some olive oil to the noodles before refrigerating. The extra bit of fat will cling to the pasta, preventing the pieces from sticking.
If you are someone who always rinses the pasta right after cooking then you might need to rethink. Experts recommend rinsing pasta in only two instances; If you are planning to use it in a salad or if you plan to stir-fry the pasta since the extra starch can get clumpy and messy in the pan.
If you’re serving a hot pasta dish with sauce, rinsing the pasta can get rid of that extra starch which can make your sauce thicker and creamier.
5. Always Cook In A Shallow Pan
If your stovetop takes several minutes to heat up then you might want to switch from cooking your pasta in a pot to a pan. Heating a flat pan of hot water will spread the water more evenly across the heating element and it will start boiling faster. Then, you can add your pasta to the pan and get cooking faster.
Image source: delish
6. Re-heat And Re-eat
Reheating the leftovers only to find out that the pasta now feels dry and icky takes away all the excitement. While reheating your pasta in the microwave, remember to add a bit of water to the dish to ensure the pasta doesn’t get dried out. You can use a similar method if you’re reheating your pasta on the stove — make sure to steam it a bit so you don’t have to contend with hard, crunchy noodles. Baking your pasta is another great way to ensure that it doesn’t get clumpy or dry, of course only if you don’t mind the slight change in texture.
While smartwatches are being proven to be a good investment due to their high customer-facilitated functions and health optimality, the prices are skyrocketing, making it extremely difficult for individuals to purchase a good quality smartwatch. However, there are some smartwatches that have proved their durability in the market and are in a reasonable price range. Following are some of them that you can find in your nearest mobile shop and are not much of a burden on the pocket.
Haylou RS3
Image Source: Haylou
Price: Rs. 9800
An AMOLED display with outstanding graphics is available on the Haylou RS3. The aluminum alloy frame exhibits superb and traditional Bauhaus design. The watch faces included in Haylou’s new RS3 smartwatches are constantly being updated and come with a variety of watch faces. You can change the watch faces to fit your personal style. Haylou RS3 can withstand water up to 5 ATM, or 50 meters underwater, so you can immediately jump in the pool and begin swimming.
Amazfit Bip U
Image Source: GSM Arena
Price: Rs. 9100
The watch boasts a sizable 1.43 color screen with a 320 by 302-pixel resolution. This makes the Amazfit Bip U’s notifications huge and clear enough to read, as well as to send messages and make calls. Choose from over 70 different, distinctive Amazfit Bip U watch faces, each with its own style and color palette. For a more unique appearance, you can even upload a photo of your choice. The bio tracker sensor in the watch can measure blood saturation levels to give users information about their physical and emotional health. This is a fantastic feature to have, especially given the somewhat modest cost of the Amazfit Bip U.
Lenovo S2 Pro
Image Source: Giz China
Price: Rs. 6350
Here comes a brand-new, cost-effective smartwatch from Lenovo, the Lenovo S2. The wearable features a sporty, rectangular appearance. Only 9.9 mm thick, it has a tiny body and is lightweight thanks to the use of thin steel. One physical button and a simple design make up the smart band’s side buttons. It’s an athletic smartwatch with a silicon strap and an athletic nylon variant. The gadget supports a call ID display and features call and message notifications. It has a sleep monitor, a remote self-timer, a stopwatch, a sedentary reminder, a clock, and anti-lost features. The list of multi-sport activities includes hiking, biking, running, basketball, football, rope skipping, and badminton.
Amazfit Neo
Image Source: hodinky
Price: Rs. 6550
You’ll get a sense of nostalgia from the Amazfit Neo Fitness’ classic smart-watch style. Enjoy traditional digital watch functionality with modern features thanks to its physical buttons. Additionally, it evaluates your sleep quality using the synchronized Amazfit Neo App. Simply wear the smartwatch while you go to sleep, then examine the data when you wake up. Several well-known apps that are available for both Android and iOS allow you to receive vital notifications. You can manage calls while on the go thanks to Bluetooth capability.
Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.
Are you fond of fast fashion? If yes, Engine translates its customer’s voice by anticipating their needs and turning their desire into reality by providing the best high international/western fashion clothes. It sheathes all the categories which include Men, Women, Girls, and Boys.
Setting a strong foothold by selling exemplary products in their diversified clothing line- Engine makes sure when it comes to fast fashion and affordability they deliver the most outstanding clothes to its target market.
This year on 11.11 Sale have your chance to avail this opportunity and upgrade your wardrobe with the trendiest outfits that you think will fit best. The sale Engine is offering is very friendly with your pocket and heavy on the wardrobe as it will help you serve classy looks. The sale starts from 30% off and goes up to 50% which means you can avail the discount offers and save half the amount of money this season. Engine is giving you the chance of choosing whatever you like from around 5000 articles available.
If you like anything trendy, give yourself a good chance of getting your hands on Engine’s new sale collection because it’s the ultimate answer to all your fashion needs present. From jaw dropping silhouettes to bold prints and comfortable solids, Engine has got everything sorted for its customers for any time or any occasion.
Not just men and women, kids can also benefit from the sale and the articles they are selling. Engine has got its Mini Fashionist as all covered on top of the line with the most adorable western apparel. You have an impeccable opportunity to revamp your and your family’s wardrobe from Engine’s collection without having to break the bank. You are just a click away so shop now!
Previously, a study based on computer simulations by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) made startling revelations about the impact of climate change on South Asian countries by 2100, which includes Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh.
“If climate change continues at its current pace, deadly heat waves beginning in the next few decades will strike parts of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh and similar events will become more frequent and intense,” according to international researchers.
United Nations Climate Change Report
A recent report published by United Nations warns that upcoming climate change would be as deadly as cancer in certain parts of the world. According to the report already vulnerable areas are likely to be hit the hardest, driving an inequality surge in human development unless there is urgent climate action.
The new data shows the need to act quickly, not only to mitigate climate change but also to adapt to its consequences. For instance, in Faisalabad, Pakistan, even with moderate mitigation, additional deaths due to climate change would average 36 per 100,000 people each year between 2020-2039. Without substantially expanding adaptation efforts, Faisalabad could expect annual climate change-related death rates to nearly double, reaching 67 deaths per 100,000 by midcentury. An increment almost as deadly as strokes, currently Pakistan’s third leading cause of death.
Image source: nature
“As we face the punishing impacts of global climate change it can be easy to wonder whether efforts to reduce emissions by individual countries, states, or cities make a difference. This platform shows the direct role these efforts play in shaping our collective future,” said Climate Impact Lab’s Hannah Hess, Associate Director at Rhodium Group.
According to Nadeem Faisal, former director of the Climate Data Processing Centre — a key unit within the PMD, “In the very recent past, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) conducted a thorough research for an international organization, which should also have set alarms bell ringing.”
“An analysis of the data revealed that the annual mean temperature has risen for the country as a whole by 0.74°C over the last 58 years by 2019, which is quite alarming. The recent changes in weather conditions very much manifest the authenticity of this finding.” He added.
Human Climate Horizon Platform
Human Climate Horizons (HCH) is a data and insights platform providing localized information on the future impacts of climate change across several dimensions of human development. It is open access and the scalable digital public good – a window to possible futures – fed by an evolving stream of multidisciplinary frontier research.
Lahore: 7th November 2022 – Descon Oxychem Limited (PSX: DOL), the leading manufacturer and exporter of hydrogen-peroxide (H2O2) and allied products, witnessed a 23.57% increase in production as per the company’s financial-year 2022 (FY22) results. The company has delivered exceptional business performance despite challenges posed by increase in energy costs and global supply chain disruption.
Due to the improved production, increased exports and surge in H2O2 prices in the domestic and international market, DOL witnessed a 52% year-on-year (YoY) increase in revenue (PKR 4.2 Bn) and profit after tax of PKR 471 Mn, a 69% YoY growth. To keep up with growing H2O2 demand, the company achieved record production of 40,550 MeT.
“We are very pleased with our yearly results which proved to be one the strongest in the company’s history. Our outlook continues to look promising for the coming months with increased margins, and positive cash flows. We implemented an effective strategy to mitigate the adverse geo-political/Economic impacts through improved price-management, better product-placement, enhanced exports and timely expansion. This performance showcases that the company’s resolve to continuee to strengthen its position as a regional market-leader,” said Chief Executive Officer of DOL, Mohsin Zia.
DOL was established in the year 2004 and over the decades it has achieved sustainable growth. Going forward the company plan to penetrate into into new segments enhancing margins and hedging against slow demand in future. In addition to this the company also plans to strengthen its presence into export market therefore creating value for the shareholders and earning precious foreign exchange for the country.
With the Single’s Day nearing and the anticipation building, realme has dropped the hottest anthem of the season. Touted as the Wish Come True anthem, the song features Raamis rapping and calling out all youngsters to celebrate being their real selves.
The anthem heralds the much awaited realme 11.11 Sale on Daraz, which is the year’s biggest-ever sale by realme. Each year, realme fans help break records of previous sales held by realme, making it a chart topping brand on Daraz. This year will be no different, and that is why in celebration of its loyal fanbase, realme has released this anthem as an ode to them.
The brand’s beloved mascot has also undergone a transformation – becoming the genie that shall make all their wishes come true. Donning the avatar of Aladin, GenieMeow hovers out of the magical lamp to fulfill all the wishes from November 11 – 22, 2022.
For the 11.11 Sale, realme is introducing exciting bundle deals and discounts on its hottest smartphones and AIoT products. The realme smartphones featured during the sale event include the realme C11, realme C25Y, realme C35, realme 9i, realme 9 4G, and the realme 9 Pro+. Excited fans can also avail a special 1-day bundle offer whereby they can receive a realme Power Bank for free on the purchase of a realm 9 Pro+ handset.
A vast collection of tech-savvy AIoT products such as realme 33W Dart Charge Power Bank, realme Power Bank 2, realme 10000mAh Power Bank 2i, realme Buds Q2, realme Buds Air 2, realme Buds Air 2 Neo, realme Buds Air Neo, realme Buds Air Pro, realme Buds Q, realme Buds Wireless, realme Buds Wireless Pro, realme Smart Band, realme Band 2, realme Smart Scale, realme Smart Watch, and realme Watch S are also having their prices slashed during the sale.
So, while you wait for the date to arrive, listen in to the anthem and get your dancing shoes on for the Wish Come True anthem.
Pakistan – Wednesday, 03 November 2022: To celebrate the spirit of eSports, Pakistan’s No.1 LED TV brand, TCL Electronics, brings the biggest Football E-Gaming Event, “TCL Gamers League 2022,” with a massive prize pool of PKR 1.5 million. Registration for the league has started. Mark your calendars for the 12th and 13th of November for the Karachi Qualifier which will be held at Lucky One Mall and 18th and 19th of November for Lahore Qualifier followed by Grand Finale on the 20th November at Packages Mall. The series of events will be full of exciting games and surprises for families, and TCL will be giving away cash prizes and led TVs for the participants.
The main aim of TCL is to promote eSports, gather all the football fans under one roof and provide them with the best gaming experience in the world. The participants will be competing with each other on TCL’s latest C series, which includes Mini LED TVs and QLED TVs and have the most advanced gaming features:
144 Hz VRR
120 Hz MEMC
Game Master
HDMI 2.1
Free Sync Premium and much more
Talking about the biggest gaming event, the Head of Marketing TCL Pakistan, Mr. Majid Khan Niazi, said: “When it comes to motivating youth and their talent, TCL has always been at the forefront to promote esports. By providing this incredible platform, TCL wishes to highlight Pakistan’s talent by facilitating gamers with the best gaming experience in the world.”
TCL has maintained a position as the leading player in the Global Consumer Electronics industry. With a global presence in over 150 countries, the brand is working towards building a prominent position in the Pakistani electronics market by offering high-end technology at affordable prices.
Pakistan – Friday, 4th November, 2022: Beaconhouse, the country’s largest network of private educational institutions, has launched the 15th edition of its flagship ‘School of Tomorrow’ (SOT) Event series today in Lahore, marking the 47th anniversary of the Beaconhouse Group.
The three-day event, themed ‘Guardians of the Future’ will host over 150 global and local thought leaders from various sectors, including education, development, healthcare, technology and digital media, for insightful panel discussions on a multitude of topics relevant to the youth and varying factors impacting the general public.
Over the last four decades Beaconhouse has been a committed advocate for the rights of children and encourages young people to be active participants in their learning, and be viewed as guardians of the future: the next generations of mentors and leaders within their families, communities, and nations.
Taking the narrative forward, the first on-ground SOT conference in four years includes 40 plus sessions ranging from panel discussions on the future of education, the global economy, climate change and technology to interesting interactions with thought leaders including Jeffrey Archer (best-selling author), Dr Faisal Bari (Dean, LUMS School of Education), Ron Berger (Professor, Harvard Graduate School of Education), Sean Covey (President, FranklinCovey Education), Salima Hashmi (Founding Dean of the Mariam Dawood School of Visual Art & Design, BNU), John Hattie (internationally acclaimed Researcher and Professor), Kamran Lashari (DG, Walled City Lahore Authority), Syeda Arfa Zehra (Educationist and Human Rights Activist), Samina Baig (High-altitude Mountaineer), Shae Gill (internationally renowned singer), Ali Xeeshan (leading Fashion Designer), and Hasan Sheheryar Yasin (iconic Fashion Designer and TV Host).
Speaking about the conference, Kasim Kasuri, Event Chair and CEO of Beaconhouse, said, “We are excited to bring School of Tomorrow back to Lahore after 6 years — our XVth edition since 2000! The aim of SOT Events is to catalyse conversations around the future of learning, climate change, technology, arts and culture, entrepreneurship, and inclusion. Edition XV of SOT is called “Guardians of the Future” — and is dedicated to the youth, who are the true custodians of our future. We hope to promote communities that value the rights of children and, in doing so, promote globally-minded, critical thinkers who will not only be our leaders of tomorrow but also contributors to making the world a peaceful place for everyone — despite our differences.”
The conference will also feature two unique exhibits including Classrooms of Tomorrow, an interactive space on the future of learning curated by Google and Beaconhouse EdTech, and Co-exist/Co-exit: the future was today – an immersive art experience curated by Rashid Rana and Risham Syed and presented by the School of Visual Arts & Design, Beaconhouse National University.
Continuing its association with SOT, United Bank Limited (UBL) is the lead sponsor for SOT XV for the third year in a row. Being a socially conscientious corporate citizen, UBL’s ideology revolves around having an affirmative and lasting impact on the communities it operates in. Therefore, this partnership is a testament to UBL’s constant support towards quality education and initiatives driven to create a more balanced and inclusive educational ecosystem in the country.
Other key sponsors include My BackPack, Emkay Books and Paramount Books.
The SOT Event is open to the public on Saturday 5 November and Sunday 6 November at Beaconhouse-Newlands, Phase VI, Lahore.
Kurkure and fun go hand in hand. From their advertising campaigns to their product launches – everything is purely iconic. Not to mention the actual product, the taste and revolutionary flavors offered by Kurkure aren’t just tempting, but they are truly irresistible.
Starting with the Red Chilli Jhatka flavor, Kurkure has come a long way. Now their range of products includes a variety of flavors catered to every individual – be it a spice lover or someone who likes to keep it simple. Their extensive range of flavors includes the Chutney Chaska and Toofaani Mirch.
However, if that wasn’t enough Kurkure is back at it again with a new Masalaydaar flavor which surely will make us jump out of our seats. ‘Yes, you definitely shouldn’t underestimate the spice level with this one.’
Kurkure Toofaani Masala
The Kurkure ‘Toofaani Masala’ flavor comes in an appealing bright purple packaging. The disruptive pack is sure to catch your eyes in the snack aisle. The Toofaani Masala flavour has taken the spice level to another dimension and if you have tried and loved the ‘Toofaani Mirch’ flavor then be sure to try the new one, because you are going to love it.
The new Kurkure AD
The new Kurkure AD has become the talk of the town with its captivating visuals. The AD featuring Sajal Aly shows bright futuristic animations with food shots that look nothing less than mind-blowing. The purple-colored theme also seems attractive and a treat to the eyes.
Kurkure has always managed to come out with iconic ads featuring our favorite celebrities and the recent one is nothing short of brilliant. Tapping into the auditory simulation after the super cool TV ad with Sajal, they have launched another one that is unique in its own way! The Masala Remix, as they call it, has sounds of crunch and spice with upbeat music that is a treat for the ears.
Kurkure Launch
Kurkure has embarked on this fun journey to launch a new flavor in style. As part of the launch, Kurkure Pakistan has released a one-of-a-kind game on TikTok which is really fun and enjoyable! Check it out below:
Kurkure sure is the perfect option to add to your snack list when you’re looking to indulge and unwind. Kurkure’s Toofaani Masala is bound to become the go-to choice as it satisfies all your spicy snack cravings.
Are you excited to try this new flavor? Let us know in the comments below.
Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.
No matter how much you enjoy your favourite high street restaurants the essence of roadside Chinese can never be replaced with anything else. The aroma, the sizzling sounds, and the crispy crunchy feeling of wok-fired veggies – the taste is unmatched. With many Chinese carts popping up in Karachi, we decided to enlist the ones that you must try.
Wok On is Karachites latest obsession. With its delicious flavour and generous servings – the eatery has gained a massive fan base who visit the cart religiously. The recipes are made using fresh vegetables and spices which adds an extra hint of flavour. However, the lines are long making the waiting time so make sure to take your time out accordingly.
Location: Bahadurabad
2. Wok’s
Wok’s authentic Pan Asian food is available for delivery to Karachites throughout the city. The balance of spice is what makes the eatery consistent among the eaters. So, if you don’t like your Chinese spicy then you know where to go.
If you want to enjoy your roadside Chinese from the comfort of your home then Wok Express is the way to go. Their home delivery service is available for its customers along with a flat 50% discount. So, what are you waiting for?
Fork Wok isn’t just your regular Chinese spot. Their take on continental food is what you need to check out along with their Chinese. Their saucy gravy with the right amount of spice and herbs makes it an absolute comfort Chinese food.
When traveling, you should never put too much confidence in your surroundings. You’ll be able to rest easy and have peace of mind if you know how to conceal money when you’re traveling. Know that you can be a target if you’re a tourist because they know you have money and thieves are constantly prepared to take advantage of whatever chance you may give them. It’s crucial to outwit them and make it difficult for them to remove your goods in this situation. It’s not a guarantee that a thief will target you on your next journey. It’s that you will be protected in the event that it does, which is conceivable.
Use a money belt
Image Source: Finding Beyond
In a travel money belt, you can conceal some of your cash. Normally, money belts are worn under clothing. One of the oldest and safest methods for protecting your money is this one. Many seasoned travelers have used money belts. Although the traditional money belt is worn around the waist, there are modern variants that are worn over the neck or thigh.
In the handle of your hairbrush
This is a practical technique to conceal some of your cash when traveling. How many burglars would think your hairbrush contained money? It’s possible to get a hairbrush with a hollow handle and a covert detachable cap that lets you conceal some cash. The hairbrush is practical and mixes in with your other cosmetic supplies so that no one would guess its hidden purpose.
Hiding it in your shoes
Image Source: Pinterest
Even if it’s cliche, keeping some cash hidden in your clothes is still one of the best options if you’re concerned about theft. It has been a tried-and-true technique for ages. There is no way you can lose this money unless the robber coerces you into giving them your shoes.
But there are certain disadvantages to stuffing cash in your shoe. If you frequently have this issue, you should apply an odor spray to stop your feet from sweating.
In an empty water bottle
Carry a water bottle that is empty and fastened to your clothes, daypack, pocketbook, or other items using a fastener or key chain. People frequently carry water bottles or plastic bottles when walking about, especially in warm regions. Many burglars won’t consider stealing a water bottle.
Carry a dummy wallet
Image Source: Quora
Carry two wallets, and in the second one, store some outdated or phony cards along with a few modest dollars. In the unfortunate event that you find yourself in a confrontational scenario, you might present a fake wallet, which is empty of all cash and credit cards.
Keep the major chunk of your money in a wrist wallet
Wearing a wrist wallet is a discreet way to carry some cash with you for usage at establishments like pubs and restaurants or when out and about.
Carry small amounts
Don’t carry all of your money or significant sums of cash with you; only enough to get you where you’re going. Keep that money in a safe back at your hotel or apartment as an alternative.
Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.
The devices we use on a daily basis can be remarkably durable, but unbeatable? Nowhere near. Even while companies like Apple and Samsung have introduced self-service options for certain simple solutions, it is occasionally necessary to visit a nearby repair facility or local electronics retailer. Just remember to first secure your personal info. Our phones are after all the most private piece of technology there is. And it’s worth taking every care when you have to give that gadget to someone else—typically, someone you don’t even know. (That’s especially true if you have to ship your phone in for repairs because it could collide with additional folks traveling through.)
Image Source: Cambra Media
Keep these guidelines in mind before sending off your phone to be mended the next time.
Keep your phone number secured
You’ll probably want to make sure you can still stay connected unless you’re very certain the repair job will be completed quickly. You may take out your actual SIM card from your phone and insert it into another phone to use whenever you need it if your phone still has one. Some more recent smartphones employ “integrated” SIMs rather than those awkward pieces of plastic, including all of Apple’s new iPhone 14 models sold in the United States. This implies that you are unable to just enter your phone number into another device after leaving the repair shop.
Always back up your phone
Image Source: Computer World
You have the option of backing up everything on iPhones to iCloud or straight to a computer using a USB cord. The latter is generally faster; therefore, we advise going that route. With Android phones, things can be a bit more difficult; you can back up your installed applications, messages, preferences, and more to your Google account, but you’ll need to make sure your images and critical information are stored somewhere else.
Clear your data
Wipe your phone completely after you’re certain that all of your crucial files are kept somewhere secure. On iPhones, open the Settings app and select Erase All Contents and Settings under General > Transfer or Reset iPhone. You may open the Settings app, hit System or General management, click Reset, then select the option for a Factory Data Reset. Different Android phones organize things differently.
Restore your settings
Image Source: Apple Support
As soon as you get your repaired (or replacement, or new) phone in your hands, set it up as usual. You’ll be prompted to choose whether to restore from a backup at some point throughout the setup procedure. Pick the appropriate one, which is most likely the most current in this situation.
Going to a neighborhood repair shop is absolutely OK for simpler fixes like screen replacements and battery swaps. The wisest course of action may be to contact the manufacturer for a repair if only to increase your chances of receiving a complete replacement if you find yourself in a position where your phone actually won’t work again.
Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.
All our lives, we have heard about the pros of going to bed early. It benefits our health and productivity as well as our overall well-being. Time and again, researchers have discovered that sleeping early offers way more benefits to people than those who like to stay up late. However, it’s easier said than done.
With changing lifestyles where the majority of our activities are influenced by the outside world, it’s a little hard to shut down a little early than your peers. Meanwhile, if you have decided to sleep and wake up early we have all the tips you need to master the habit.
1. Maintain Your Routine
Bedtime routines are a well-documented, effective strategy for improving sleep in children. The practice of quiet, concentrated attention has several health benefits. Meditation near bedtime may help reduce the anxiety that might otherwise keep you awake, limit symptoms of insomnia, and reduce sleep disturbances. Likewise, reading a book is another good way to relax and induce sleepiness.
While it may be tempting to scroll on your phone to relax before bedtime, the habit could be keeping you up later. Blue light emissions have a higher chance of suppressing the body’s melatonin also known as the sleep hormone. Blue light exposure in the evening can make you take longer to fall asleep, get less sleep overall, and get lower-quality sleep.
Image source: healthline
3. Stick To Your Sleep Schedule
Sleeping at different times, each day, can make it difficult for you to fall asleep earlier. Waking up and going to bed at the same time each day helps your body develop a routine. Even on weekends and days, you would like to sleep in, it helps to maintain a consistent sleep schedule. As you adjust to an earlier sleep schedule, it can help to make the change in smaller 15-minute increments.
4. Increase Physical Activity
Many studies have shown that engaging in exercise daily develops a healthy sleeping pattern. However, vigorous exercise less than an hour before you go to bed may delay falling asleep15 and reduce overall sleep time. Experts advise trying a low- or moderate-intensity activity. Some meditative movements such as yoga or qigong include combinations of gentle stretching and breathing exercises which can be extremely beneficial.
Image source: lifescience
5. Avoid Caffeine In the Evening
Caffeine might help you kick through a long evening but it can also keep you up at night. Experts recommend avoiding stimulants including coffee, tea, and energy drinks four to six hours before bedtime.
October is observed as the month of Mental Health Awareness, but we rarely see any communication around it. Why? Because the topic is still a stigma, from anxiety to psychosis, from depression to self-harm, everything is taboo – especially suicide!
One major reason for this is the lack of real-life stories – hence, we spoke to some of the people – patients, doctors, witnesses, indirect sufferers, and survivors to understand it better. See if you can relate to any of the stories below…
Suicide – A Medical Condition … Not Behavioural, Tells A Psychiatrist
Dr. Saeed Akhtar is a psychiatrist who has studied medicine in England and has been serving in the field of psychiatry for the past 14 years. He works for Dow Hospital and at a trustee clinic to help people who can’t afford the high fees of regular psychiatrists. Here at Khizar Clinic, located near Stargate (Malir), he treats people with fees as low as Rs 500. Even though the fee is exceptionally low compared to other hospitals, the waiting area looks quite empty. As Dr. Saeed says downheartedly, “Maybe it’s not even about the money? Maybe it’s just about people not understanding the seriousness of this matter!”
Khizar Clinic – Run by A.K Welfare Trust, assists their clients with fees as low as 500Rs. (Source: Author)
About suicide, Dr. Saeed explains, “Suicidal behavior is a trait found in genes, if a person is depressed and has a family history of people who have committed suicide, then he or she is more likely to attempt suicide than someone with clean family history. You see, it’s not in a person’s hand what they carry in their genetics. Secondly, not suicide is not always an outcome of depression, many other mental illnesses like bipolar disorder (BPD), schizophrenia, and borderline personality disorder can cause suicidal behavior. It’s not always depression and does not necessarily go away on its own as people say, “it would just go away.”
According to him, at times, medicine is mandatory to prevent a person from committing suicide, for example in BPD, therapy won’t always work. It’s a chronic illness, and medicines are needed to save a person from going into a state of psychosis (a state in which a person loses contact with reality) which might lead to suicide, and the same goes for someone who suffers from schizophrenia. “The point of saying this is that medical professionals are there to understand your case, and each case is different, and we deal with it accordingly. All you have to do is to be informed enough to know that it’s time to reach out. In the end, it’s all about awareness, which we thoroughly lack, and somewhere our medical professionals are culpable. After them, it’s society.
When a person dies because of kidney failure, the cause of death is the disease, but when a person loses his life by suicide, the person is blamed and not the illness that caused it. The idea of being suicidal is a behavioral condition rather than a medical condition, which leads to people’s confused attitude toward the sufferer. “I am not saying that medicine is always the answer, in fact, psycho-therapy works 100% if the illness doesn’t necessarily demand medication. What I am saying here is that suicidal behavior is a medical condition which must be attended to by professionals, either a psychologist or a psychiatrist,” says Dr Saeed.
Therapy Helps – Hear It From A Survivor
‘Therapy works 100%’, suggests Dr. Saeed, who has been in this field for 14 years. But let’s hear it from Natasha, who is another DSH survivor, and narrates her experience of her long-held suicidal thoughts, which are no longer haunting her – thanks to psycho-therapy.
“I had a rough teenage life, everyone had their problems, mine was failure in love, academics, and my body image; all three combined. They felt like good reasons to hurt myself. I kept harming myself for years, and when I say years it means 4 to 5 years of misery. At one particular point, I was extremely suicidal; this was the time that the cuts started getting deeper, almost lethal. That’s when my brother forced me as well as begged me to get therapy. It wasn’t easy for him to make me step out of my little bubble of misery, but he managed. Therapy worked wonders! Although my scars kept me from moving on completely, I got them covered up with a dream-catcher tattoo. Whenever I feel down, I look at them and tell myself If I survived through this, I can keep surviving through anything else!”
Natasha – flaunting her henna – on the same arms she once scarred. (Source: Natasha)
Why Suicide Rates Are Escalating – A Psychologist Tells The Reason
While Dr. Saeed apprises us of suicide being a medical condition and its treatment, Yumna Usmani, a psychologist, and a mental health therapist, tells us what she thinks are some of the reasons behind the escalating rates of suicides.
“A lot of people claim to be “mental health experts” while they simply don’t know the ABC of psychology. In our society, only a few people decide to go for therapy, and those who finally decide to go for it, come with a lot of baggage and vulnerabilities, and end up getting played. There must be a way that someone filters these scams out of our system because it only makes the situation worse,” she says. Another fundamental reason according to her is a delay in the treatment. “Do not wait for signs and symptoms like fatigue, sleeping disorder, eating disorder to show up; just when you think ‘it’s getting too much’ see your therapist immediately. If we have a fever we take paracetamol right away, do we wait for it to reach to 104-degree Fahrenheit? No! Then why wait for your mental health to get out of hand? See a therapist, we are like your personal cheerleaders, our place is a place of empowerment,” she adds.
Recently, the suicide rates in Pakistan have been escalating which depicts the fact that we have failed to create a safe space for everyone, to provide them a suicide prevention helpline, to identify the root causes of growing suicide rates (even in certain rural areas) and we haven’t made enough efforts to raise mental health awareness. We are not only insensitive when it comes to creating stigmas around suicide, we are a failure as a society too.”
Image Source: Born Realist
According to Usmani, fraudulent therapists, delays in treatment, lack of mental health awareness, and society’s attitude are the most prominent causes behind the escalating rates of suicide. However, both the psych experts, Dr. Saeed and Usmani, insist that in the end what matters the most, is the attitude of society towards a suicidal individual, both before and after committing the act.
An Up-Close View Of Social Stigma Around Suicide – By Someone Who Lost A Loved One
Rushaan Farrukh was a student who committed suicide by jumping off from the fourth floor of Beaconhouse National University (BNU), Lahore, on 26th November 2018. Her friend Aimen, who was also the eyewitness of the incident, shares her experience with agony.
“She was a very happy person; I remember she often used to wear a star-sticker on her cheek and carry an orange flask with her. She was very open and receptive, an overall warm and friendly person,” she recalls, adding that despite this, there were certain instances where people said insensitive things about her – perhaps out of jealousy or hate.. no one can tell.
“It was around 12:50 pm. I was in my stats class and immediately rushed out when my friend said someone had jumped off the roof, only to find out that it was Rushaan. I don’t have words to describe my shock but I do have words to describe how people reacted at BNU. People were putting up stories on Snapchat; there were two guys who recorded everything, and then there were some people saying “I hope she doesn’t die a haram death.” People on the fourth floor did nothing and called it a ‘publicity stunt’. There were no ambulances in the university, Baharia Hospital refused to admit her because they thought it was a ‘crime’ you see. People passed the vilest comments, and then, in the end, the insensitive people on social media, even those who didn’t know her, worsened everything by going to her public profiles and commenting stupid things about her. BNU’s administration didn’t know how to react to the situation. We kept receiving messages from them notifying us one moment that classes will be held the next day and the next moment saying that classes will remain suspended, like, if the ‘classes’ really mattered at that moment?
We were too distraught to react to any of it. As for my trauma, I still see her in my dreams. I feel like we could have saved her.”
She remembers calling a helpline two days after the incident, while on the road, literally breaking down. Once done, this guy on the other side of the line started to rationalize what happened. “I don’t know why but it seemed very inappropriate at that time. And by rationalize, I mean, in a way kind of supporting the whole idea of suicide. This guy was the CEO of this organization btw.” Apparently, it’s the only suicide hotline in Pakistan and one of the employees forwarded her call to the CEO because he had ordered them to forward all calls related to that incident to him, which did not prove helpful at all. “The CEO knew nothing about psychology anyway.”
Absence Of Suicide Prevention Helplines
The last statement of Aimen leads to another important fact: We are losing people who could’ve been saved. The absence of an official suicide prevention helpline is a real problem. Some NGOs have taken this initiative but many of them have shut down. Some do not respond at all, and some just tells that they are not operational anymore; only a few working platforms are available, such as the “Pakistan Suicide helpline.”
Waqas, a correspondent of “Pakistan suicide helpline” and also a psychologist currently enrolled in his M.Phil. program, narrates…
“We have been running this helpline for almost a year now. In a year’s time, we have attended to approximately 25 clients. At times we feel quite helpless, especially because we are doing this over the phone and not in person, the clients disconnect any minute, and we own no right to call them back. They leave counseling sessions without notice and that’s when we realize time and again how badly we are failing at raising awareness regarding the issue.
Image Source: The Romania Journal
He further informs that so far, most of the calls are received from Islamabad, then Lahore, and then Karachi. The gender ratio over the last year has been 1:1, and the number of male clients and female clients is almost identical. He has been single handling all calls, but now, one of his friends who also happens to be a psychologist, has joined in to help… “so it’s just the two of us.”
Also, they cannot work full-time, so the service is available from 3 pm to 9 pm.
It can be seen, that over time, lack of availability of therapists could possibly lead to the malfunctioning of this helpline as well as it is difficult for just two people to run a helpline for 24 hours. Because of the unavailability of one single national helpline, a lot of contact numbers are available on the internet with the title of “suicide helpline” and people who want to make a call cannot make out which one is authentic and which one is not. This leads to further confusion and worsens the situation.
What are the potential solutions to this problem?
Attentiveness: People should pay attention to their loved ones. If you notice someone being suicidal, reach out to them. Usmani says, “Long-lasting moodiness, excessive frustration, unexpected rage, and outbursts are signs; a person’s sudden behavioral change such as a losing interest in a long-loved hobby, eating and sleeping disorders, not taking medicines, self-harm… all could be signs.”
Building Suicide Prevention Centers: Dr. Saeed suggests “we should start building suicide prevention centers in Pakistan. If for some reason we are unable to start a helpline, then we should at least take the initiative where every hospital (government and private both) can spare a corner to set up a desk for counseling and where counseling is provided 24×7.”
According to Pakistan penal code 325, attempted suicide and suicide are criminalized acts, people with attempted suicide cases hesitate to reach out, and people with suicide cases are sent back from the hospitals without any help when they need it the most. Decriminalizing this act can help people, with attempted suicide history, to reach out. If suicide is forbidden in Islam, then to punish a person who is not in a state of sanity, is also forbidden in Islam.
On interviewing 10 regular viewers of shows depicting graphic content regarding suicides, 9 out of 10 replied that they went through depressive episodes after watching such shows. Almost everyone is aware of the effect that media has on people. “Shows like these work as a spark which later bursts into a full-fledged fire,” says Usmani. Therefore, people who are prone to depressive episodes should avoid watching shows showing others committing suicide.
There should be a legal notice sent to all pharmaceutical stores to not sell sleeping pills until the person brings a recent prescription.
Mental health awareness should be promoted through social media and from grass root levels for the upcoming generation. Sessions on this topic should be introduced as a mandatory part of the education system, in schools, colleges, and in universities.
And lastly, by understanding suicide, and not considering it as a “taboo”.
Stepping into the world of theater, Spotify, the world’s most popular audio streaming platform, is partnering with the critically acclaimed play Na Mukammal as the title sponsor. The much anticipated play returns with more shows to be held this month in Karachi, Lahore and Dubai.
An original comedy drama centered around music, Na Mukammal is written and directed by Hasnain Raza who is possibly the youngest and the first to have penned an original play in over 5 years in Pakistan. The musical drama uniquely showcases two stories that run parallel and explores identifiable universal themes of love, loss and longing set against the 70s and 90s where music unites the characters and stitches the story together.
“I wrote this play only so I could play all my favorite songs in a large theater hall. When I penned it, I didn’t have any grand ideas for the story, just my love for classical jazz. My friends hated my playlist so I wrote this play, casted them [for the initial run] and made them fall in love with the music,” said Hasnain Raza, writer and director of Na Mukammal.
The play is produced by award winning documentarian turned actor Hani Taha under her banner Hangami Productions that produces only original theatrical content. Hani is possibly Pakistan’s only professionally trained female actor and producer actively doing theater in the country. Na Mukammal’s November run is her third production this year.
“When I first saw Na Mukammal staged, I was blown away by its use of music, live rain, exquisite lights and a story so fresh and impactful that we had never seen in Pakistan. In over 5 years something original was put out and I instantly knew that this was a project that needed to be shown across the world as an emblem of our culture,” said producer Hani Taha on why she chose to bank on Na Mukammal.
“Music and art go hand in hand, and we are excited about our collaboration with Na Mukammal, where music is playing the central character and is pushing the story forward,” said Talha Hashim, Spotify’s Marketing Manager for Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
After its shows in Karachi starting from November 04-06, at the Arts Council, the play will travel to Lahore to the Al Hamra from November 25-27, and then to Dubai on January 06-08. Na Mukammal will be the first Pakistani production to be staged at the prestigious Alserkal Avenue in Dubai, and the only second production to ever go to Dubai from Pakistan.
The soundtrack of the play is available on Spotify. You can listen to it for free here.
