The TV host shared a video on Tuesday afternoon of piles of trash she came across on a trail in the hill station.

“We travel to beautiful places to escape the mess. Let’s not leave our mess behind for someone else to clean up. Take your memories. Take your photographs. Take your garbage too,” she wrote in the caption for the video.

“What is this nonsense? Wherever I go here [Nathia Gali], this is the state,” she said, pointing to  wrappers, styrofoam cups and plastic bags strewn across the ground on the trail.  

“If you had plastic bags, why not put the trash in that and put carry it till you found a trash can?” she wondered.  

“The point is, we always complain about the state of our country, what will become of it, how will the situation become better but we can’t even manage to keep it clean,” she lamented, apologising for her aggression but labelling the situation ridiculous.

Kazim said we talk about climate change and the state of the environment, with hail in the rainy season and hot weather in the winter, but it’s all happening because of our propensity to litter and not take care of our surroundings.

“So, if things are bad, it’s our own fault,” she said.

Kazim’s not wrong — Pakistanis aren’t in the habit of picking up their own trash, even in the most scenic of locations. Residents of the country’s mountainous regions have long complained of tourists who leave a trail of garbage in their wake.

The One Battle After Another actor ​took home four awards, including the special, noncompetitive honor of Icon of the Year, ‌presented by singer Janet Jackson. She also won the Fashion Vanguard Award, Best Actress, and Video Director of the Year for the short film Escape Room.

“There would be no me without you,” Taylor said to Jackson during a ​tearful acceptance speech for the Icon of the Year award, which BET describes as ​honouring those who have paid homage to music, entertainment, advocacy, and community impact.

“I ⁠worked my a** off 20 years for this. So, I’m not accepting what I’ve earned with ​arrogance; I’m accepting what I’ve earned with gratitude,” she said.

The BET Awards were held at the ​Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles and broadcast live on BET, as well as multiple Paramount-owned channels.

Comedian Druski, the youngest person ever to host the ceremony, opened with his comedic pastor persona, leading the audience in a humorous group ​prayer that blended jokes with tributes to spirituality.

The ceremony featured performances from Cardi B, Raye, T.I., ​Kehlani, Doechii, and Don Toliver.

Boundary-breaking music industry executive Sylvia Rhone was also honoured with the BET Ultimate Icon ‌Award, which ⁠recognises individuals who have made a lasting impact throughout their careers in the entertainment industry and the Black community.

“Tonight’s honour bears my name but really belongs to all of us who create culture. I’ve been fortunate to spend my life around extraordinary artists,” Rhone, 74, said as she accepted ​the award onstage.

“Black creativity ​is one of the ⁠most powerful forces in the world. It has shaped culture,” she said.

She emphasised that while technology is valuable, it is essential for Black creatives ​to preserve the soul and artistry of music for the next generation.

The ​50-year veteran ⁠of the music industry is the first Black woman to have held various top level positions at a number of well-known record labels.

She has held executive roles at Epic Records, Universal Motown, Elektra, Atlantic, and ⁠East ​West, and is known for her mentorship, including her work ​with Missy Elliott, Brandy, and Busta Rhymes.

Other honours of the night included Cardi B winning Best Female Hip-Hop Artist and ​Lauryn Hill taking home the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award.

“I’ve been thinking a lot about the lives we lead, the yellow brick roads we build for ourselves, and the detours life asks us to take,” she wrote in an Instagram post on Sunday. “Some are expected. Others arrive completely out of the blue. But each one has a way of shaping us and leading us exactly where we’re meant to be.”

Commenting on the photograph she shared with the post, she said it was taken after she had just stepped off the stage at Brilliant Minds after doing something she hadn’t done in a long time: interviewing someone. “It felt like returning to my roots, to the place where my journey as a storyteller first began,” she said.

“This year, every project I’ve begun has brought me back to why I became a storyteller in the first place,” Chinoy said.

“There’s so much I’m excited to share. A film fund that will champion new voices. A residency built around ideas and creative exchange. And new characters I’m nurturing, who will soon find their way into the world,” she said.

Her Neela Asmaan project is currently calling for applicants for its new climate futures residency. Patakha Pictures, a part of Chinoy’s SOC Films, provides grants for young filmmakers to work in Pakistan.

“Sometimes, the path forward isn’t about discovering something new. It’s about finding your way back to yourself. What’s coming next feels a lot like that,” she wrote, ending on a hopeful note.

Quoting comments from a post announcing the score for one of the top 20 finalists, Riaz shared an open letter to her Instagram account, saying no crown “is worth hatred”.

“Over the past few days, I have been the target of a paid and orchestrated campaign of online harassment. Male supporters of a Miss Universe Pakistan finalist have publicly questioned my ability as a judge, sent hate, and even posted threats promising to ‘make my life miserable’,” said the former Miss Universe Pakistan — who is one of the judges for the competition this year.

“A real queen,” she said, “does not encourage harassment, intimidation, or hate to advance her own ambitions”. She said real leadership was measured by how we treat others and this behaviour was contrary to the spirit of healthy competition.

Riaz said these threats were not acceptable and will be met with legal action if they continue. “Online abuse is not beyond accountability,” she said, tagging the Punjab Police and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

“I chose to represent Pakistan with dignity, respect and unity. I will continue to do so,” Riaz said, adding that she would not let online pressure replace merit and that all judging was done “based solely on the official Miss Universe criteria”.

“To every young girl watching: never let someone convince you that bullying is the price of ambition. Pakistan deserves women who lift each other up not tear each other down,” she said, ending her message.

The comments Riaz quoted were from a post from the official Miss Universe Pakistan account announcing the judges scores for contestant Aneesa Sheikh. The contestant is appearing for selection again after failing to progress past the Top 20 stage last year.

Riaz wasn’t the only person targeted either, Miss Universe Egypt Deputy Director Kosh Himal Hewage — who is also a judge and rated Sheikh lower than Riaz did — was also called out.

Josh Yugen, the owner of the Miss Universe Pakistan franchise, responded to Riaz’s letter saying, “The most beautiful crown is one built on integrity. Kindness is never weakness, and respect is never optional. May every future queen remember that true leadership is measured by how she treats others — even in the face of adversity.”

Called the Manifesto Library, the physical iteration of her book club Service95 — which she has been running since 2021 — will open at the historic Livraria Lello bookshop in Porto, Portugal today (June 27).

While this initiative is part of a multi-day celebration of the Livraria Lello’s 120th anniversary, the library will remain at the venue as a permanent feature.

In a press release, Lipa was quoted as saying, “When I founded the Service95 Book Club, my ambition was for it to become a home for writers and readers, wherever they are and whatever their circumstances. Reading the world brings us closer — but sadly, not everyone is in favor of that.”

She called the new library a “dream collaboration” and said that the carefully curated 100 books in its collection were works that “that ask questions or have been questioned”. She noted in the statement that many of the authors of these texts had “paid for their words with their life”.

The collection includes works such as Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale and Reginald Dwayne Betts’ Felon. Other represented authors include Salman Rushdie and Olga Tokarczuk.

“This library is a shrine to books that have disappeared, to authors whose courage unmasks structures of power and control, and to readers who refuse to be told what book they are allowed to read. You are invited to visit and decide for yourself what belongs on these shelves. Because sometimes the most subversive thing you can do is read a book and then talk about it,” the pop star said.

Books are a big part of Lipa’s life and public image, even outside of her book club. She met her now-husband Callum Turner at a bar and they got talking because they were both reading Hermann Diaz’s Trust. She was also a keynote speaker at the 10th anniversary celebrations of the International Booker Prize this year.

On Tuesday, police in Sargodha arrested four people after a seven-year-old girl was found dead after having gone to a neighbourhood shop. Police arrested four suspects in the case with the prime suspect later being killed during an attempted escape.

On Wednesday, a three-year-old in Karachi was found murdered outside her home. The police surgeon said it was “one of the most horrific” cases she had seen in her career.

The little girl had gone outside to play at noon and her parents began to search for her when she didn’t return around four and a half hours later. Her grandfather found her body stuffed into a bag and left outside their house.

In the aftermath, many of the country’s celebrities had the same questions: how many more innocent lives have to be lost before we ensure our kids are safe?

Adnan Siddiqui, asking God to have mercy on the country, said animals shield their young from harm out of a natural instinct; how then had we humans failed to do the same for our children? He called for predators who targeted children to be given “the harshest punishment allowed by law”.

Ushna Shah called out the lack of meaningful action in Pakistani society in response to such incidents. She said Pakistanis will “blame victims” and “be outraged online”, but will not take steps amend laws to “make punishments for assault more brutal” or even “hold boys accountable for their actions” early in life.

“We will never take women’s rights as human rights. We will continue to blame victims.”

Ayesha Omar struck a similar tone on the need for societal change while talking about the gruesome murder in Karachi.

“The environment all over Pakistan is barbaric. I’m shaken, so, so, so angry and feeling hopeless about this country,” she lamented. “and that’s what they want, for women to always be fearful and hopeless.”

She said the only way out was for the ment of this country to “speak up, step up [and] hold other men accountable”.

Aiman Khan called for “justice, accountability and a society where everyone feels safe”. She said all victims were somebody’s children and no family deserved to go through such trauma.

Iqra Aziz was distraught, saying nobody could say when this cruelty would stop because everyone knew it can be committed with impunity. She said we had convinced ourselves that we can’t send our kids outside our homes, but we couldn’t bring the predators we so feared to justice.

We can only hope that the outrage over these horrific incidents leads to meaningful change in the way we protect our children but as many stars noted, the monsters who abuse these children are not always punished.

The Korean-Canadian rapper was seen wearing a t-shirt with the Confederate flag at a fan event, with his newly founded label Upper Room posting pictures and taking them down soon after.

The flag, which was used by the Confederate States of America during the US Civil War, has come to represent white supremacist ideals and the economic justification of slavery.

Users on X — fans and ops alike — knew this was something he’d have a hard time walking away from.

Seeing the backlash, Upper Room issued an apology on Tuesday. In an Instagram story, it said, “We would like to extend our sincere apologies for the concern, discomfort, and disappointment caused by the vintage T-shirt that appeared in a recently shared photograph.

“The garment was selected solely as a vintage wardrobe item,” it continued. “However, upon recognising the historical significance and sensitivity associated with the symbol displayed on the T-shirt, we took measures to ensure that it would not be visible in any official content. Despite these efforts, the image was subsequently shared externally.

“We take full responsibility for this oversight,” the label said. “Upper Room and the artist unequivocally reject and do not tolerate racism, hate, discrimination, or any form of intolerance. We are also grateful to those who brought this matter to our attention. In response, we will strengthen our internal review procedures for wardrobe selection and content approval to help prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.”

People did not buy it, saying Lee grew up in North America and should have known better.

A user called it “laughable” how the moment Lee gained control over his public image, he pulled this stunt, after remaining generally unproblematic during his time with NCT.

Another said Koreans were sensitive when it came to their own history and expected other people to respect it — as evidenced by the backlash received by Starbucks recently. They said it was wrong of Lee not to afford the same courtesy to other cultures.

Users asked fans not to defend his actions and one even wondered if he had taken inspiration from Nicki Minaj — who has, in recent times, become an ardent supporter of President Donald Trump.

Lee has not addressed the controversy personally, even though some fans are demanding an apology. Upper Room’s statement can be said to be his — he founded the company earlier this month — but many have said that may not be enough in this case.

Both actors shared on their respective social media accounts on June 22 copies of a settlement agreement that stated the terms of their resolution.

The dispute between both actors began when Shajaffar appeared on the YouTube show Say It All with Iffat Omar, claiming that a person identified as “Arsalan” had caused her to feel “uncomfortable” on set. She had clarified on social media that she was not talking about Arslan Khan, her College Gate costar.

Butt’s connection to the incident was attributed to Omar, the host, who purportedly said he was the one being discussed.

Following this disclosure, Butt sent Shajaffar a legal notice against “false, baseless, malicious and defamatory” comments, and said her statements had caused “serious reputational damage, mental distress, humiliation and public embarrassment” to Butt.

Butt’s notice demanded Shajaffar “retract the allegations”, “take steps for the removal of the defamatory content”, “issue a clear, unconditional public apology and retraction” on YouTube and “refrain from repeating such allegations in the future”.

Shajaffar, in turn, issued a Rs 1 billion counter-notice to Butt, terming his legal notice “false, misconceived, mala fide, legally defective, and apparently issued with ulterior motives to pressurise, intimidate and silence my client (her) after repeated acts of harassment committed by your client (Butt)”.

The settlement reached by both parties on June 19 said that “certain misunderstandings, differences and controversy arose between the parties, including matters relating to personal statements, communications, legal notices, complaints and/or proceedings initiated or contemplated before different forums and institutions”.

It added that the parties had agreed to voluntarily resolve disputes, differences and controversies amicably in the presence and with the help of “respectable elders, well-wishers and mutual mediators”.

As per the agreement, both parties agreed to put the matter of “alleged workplace harassment” behind them and declared it “amicably resolved”.

“Both parties confirmed that the matter has been fully and finally settled,” the document said.

“No claim, allegation, ambiguity, misunderstanding, grievance or dispute now remained pending between the parties arising out of any incident, statement, communication, notice, complaint, interview, social media content, legal notice or any other matter occurring prior to the execution of this agreement,” the agreement clarified.

Both parties agreed that “All past events, statements, allegations, complaints, notices, legal communications and disputes are hereby mutually forgiven, withdrawn, settled and brought to an end.”

The agreement clarified that it was not to be “treated as an admission of guilt, liability, misconduct or wrongdoing from either party”.

The agreement said both parties were not to “make any defamatory, hostile, threatening or adverse statement against each other” and that they would “cooperate in withdrawing, closing, not pressing or rendering infructuous any complaint, application, notice, claim or proceeding filed by either party against the other”.

Shajaffar told Images she was unwell and could not attend court hearings, so she chose to settle the matter out of court. She said Meer Sikandar — the director of Meesni, in which both actors were co-stars — helped guide them to the settlement.

With additional reporting by Imran Gabol

Gul Pir took to Instagram to announce the birth of his son, Salar, and the timing of the announcement perfectly coincided with the holiday celebrating his induction into the Cool Dad’s Club.

The comedian shared pictures of himself and his wife, Dr Azeemah Nakhoda, with their baby. He also shared a video of all the Father’s Day gifts he got from his wife to celebrate the occasion.

In a touching caption, Gul Pir wrote that the moment he first held his son, his wish was to give the child “all the happiness in the world” and shield him from all pain ever.

He said he realised this wish wouldn’t come true — that the boy won’t be happy all the time, and that pain may teach him a few lessons — but Gul Pir would always have his son’s back.

“Will love you till the end and be there as your Baba. Happy Father’s Day to me,” Gul Pir said.

Separately, Karachi-based mithayi shop S Abdul Wahid posted a reel with mithayi gift boxes prepared for the announcement of Salar’s birth.

The clip of the blue, bassinet-shaped boxes was shared by the new dad on his Instagram story.

Saudi Gazette reported that General Entertainment Authority Chairman Turki Al-Sheikh said Esposito recited the Shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith, and joined members of a production team in prayer at a mosque while filming in the kingdom.

According to Al-Sheikh, the actor’s decision followed positive experiences during his time in Saudi Arabia and interactions with Muslims while working on a production in the country.

He also said Esposito expressed appreciation for the community and hospitality he encountered during filming.

A video shared on social media showed the actor praying alongside members of the production team inside a mosque, the report said.

Esposito has built a decades-long career in film and television and is also known for his performances in Better Call Saul, The Mandalorian, and other productions.

The report said he earned international recognition and multiple award nominations for his portrayal of Gus Fring.

According to Saudi Gazette, Esposito is currently involved in filming Seven Dogs, one of several major productions being developed as Saudi Arabia expands its entertainment and film sectors and seeks to attract international productions and talent.

Cover photo: Red Sea Film Festival / Instagram

In a video posted on his Instagram account on Saturday, the actor warned the move would result in local artists, technical crew and other people associated with filming losing their jobs.

He started by recognising that the government was working to promote filmmaking in Pakistan, “Recently, we’ve all been very happy the way the Punjab government, the Sindh government, the federal government have been supporting our film industry, the way they’ve been making investments and lending support.”

“But something came up in the budget that has left us shocked and worried… On one hand, you’re talking about supporting the industry; on the other, there’s talk of removing taxes from international projects,” the actor said.

He said the “confusion” from the authorities had left many people scratching their heads.

Quraishi said Pakistani dramas had made a place in the world and were popular across a number of international markets, such as India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Azerbaijan and Turkiye. He questioned why we would encourage film imports when our own content was well-received.

The actor went on to say that every drama shot in Pakistan has “at least 100 people” attached to it, from actors to writers, directors, technical staff and vendors. He said if even 10 slots on TV were given to foreign content, it would result in the loss of at least 1,000 Pakistani jobs.

Back in the day, he said, at the very least, Pakistani dubbing artists could make a living from foreign content. Quraishi said even that had dried up nowadays after artificial intelligence had taken over dubbing work.

“The loss will be borne by our own people. It doesn’t matter to me or to other people raising concerns… but there are people who need work and we want all of them to have jobs,” he said.

He requested the government to reconsider its decision in the interest of Pakistan’s people.

Earlier on Thursday, actor and director Shamoon Abbasi also objected to the move, saying it took Pakistan “10 years to re-establish our drama industry” after a prior surge in the airing of foreign content.

“Bringing back foreign content to Pakistan will destroy the actors, producers, directors [and] writers once again,” Abbasi said.

The two posted a reel on Instagram on Friday, talking about the virus and how freely available treatment can help patients and society.

In the clip, Munawar tells viewers that people infected by HIV can opt for free treatment in Pakistan. He said getting treated can bring patients to a point where the disease becomes “undetectable”.

He explained that this meant individuals who get treated can’t transmit the disease to others. “In three months, the viral load in your blood can drop to zero and a large portion of your blood can effectively be cleaned.”

Bhutto said the safest person, from a medical point of view, isn’t the one who’s never been tested, it’s the one whose viral load is suppressed.

Munawar said people stayed away from testing and treatment out of a fear of society and their ignorance. He said people often die because this fear prevents them from getting diagnosed.

“If this disease is not treated in a timely manner, a patient can die within 10 years,” the actor said.

Bhutto said, “The more you know about HIV, the safer you are.”

HIV and the stigma around the condition remain a serious problem in Pakistan, with the health ministry saying in May that nearly 20,000 patients had “gone missing” after discontinuing treatment.

The ministry said an estimated 369,000 people were living with HIV in Pakistan, while only 84,000 cases were currently registered, highlighting a significant detection gap. In 2025 alone, 14,000 new cases were reported.

The country reeled in horror in April, when an exposé from the BBC revealed severe medical malpractice in Punjab’s Taunsa which led to a surge in HIV infections among the area’s children.

At the time, Bhutto said medical malpractice “accounted for the majority of major outbreaks” and the victims were “victims are almost always children”.

“Prejudice against the disease must stop so these children can live full and happy lives,” the activist said.

“We celebrate the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of James ‘Jimmy’ Burrows, who passed away peacefully today surrounded by his loving family,” his family said in a statement. The time and place of his death were not disclosed.

Burrows won 11 Emmy Awards for excellence in television and helmed more than 1,000 episodes of hit programmes, working as a director, producer and writer.

Burrows was among the early innovators of the multi-camera sitcom — short for situation comedy — when his prolific career began in the 1970s, directing episodes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Laverne & Shirley and The Bob Newhart Show. His first Emmy came for directing Taxi, a groundbreaking comedy starring Danny DeVito, Andy Kaufman and Tony Danza, about the rough-and-tumble staff of a New York City taxicab company.

He directed 236 episodes and also co-created Cheers with longtime collaborator James Brooks, as well as its spin-off Frasier. His other hit shows include The Big Bang Theory, Mike & Molly, and 3rd Rock from the Sun. Recently, Burrows took a rare step in front of the camera and starred as himself in The Comeback, reuniting with Friends star Lisa Kudrow for a show that pokes fun at life behind the scenes working on a sitcom in Hollywood.

“For more than five decades, Burrows was one of the most influential and beloved directors in television history. As a legendary director, mentor, and creative force, he helped shape generations of comedy and brought immeasurable joy to audiences around the world,” his family said.

Cover photo: AFP

Khan, who is a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) goodwill ambassador, urged people to remember that “When one family finds safety, we all share in a more hopeful future.”

The star, while undertaking her duties with the UNHCR, said she had met Afghan refugees “who were forced to leave their homes and rebuild their lives from nothing”.

Seeking asylum is “not an abstract idea”, she said. “It is the moment everything changes for a family.”

She said there were refugee parents she had interacted with who were “working every day to give their children a future” and young people “determined to continue their education”.

Despite losing everything, she said, refugee families continued to hold onto hope.

The actor said she had “seen resilience in places where life has been incredibly hard” and how “safety can change what tomorrow looks like”.

Khan was appointed UNHCR’s Goodwill Ambassador to Pakistan in 2019, when she said she was proud to have come from a country that had a long history of hosting refugees.

She joins a handful of Pakistani celebrities who serve as goodwill ambassadors for different UN organs; Saba Qamar works with the UN agency for children while Shehzad Roy works with the Office on Drugs and Crime. Fawad Khan is the goodwill ambassador for the UN Development Programme and Hania Aamir recently joined the list last October with UN Women.

Afghan refugees who sought asylum in Iran and Pakistan have been returning to Afghanistan. According to figures from the UNHCR, over 5.5 million refugees had returned between October 2023 and February 2026.

Her acting prowess is compelling and irrefutable. All she needs to do is step into a frame and the eye is drawn towards her. She won’t be the loudest voice in the room. Nor will she court headlines with regular, viral social media content. She might not play the ‘main lead’, per se, in a project. But in spite of all this, Hajra always stands apart, on the basis of sheer talent.

“You know, some time ago, someone observed that I seemed very calm and asked if I was not as passionate about my work,” Hajra tells Icon. “I said no, I just know where I am going, and I know that what is to happen is unstoppable. No one can get in my way because the big guy at the top is looking after me. I am just, very patiently, looking forward to all the different pieces of the puzzle to come together.”

This was our conversation a few weeks ago. Today, her words ring true, with some of the pieces of the puzzle truly coming together neatly.

Whether playing the unwanted wife, a doomed girlfriend or another supporting character, actress Hajra Yamin has the rare ability to draw all eyes to herself. And it’s not because of her curly locks. As audiences celebrate her layered performance in Dr Bahu, she explains why she would willingly straighten her hair and trade her critical acclaim for commercial success…

In a recent episode of the currently on-air ARY Digital drama Dr Bahu, Hajra’s character, Minna, suffered a breakdown and, without too many words or theatrics, she made the audience cry with her. Social media has been flooded with praise for her performance, with many pointing out that they want to see an actress of her calibre in more dramas and in even better roles.

Throughout Dr Bahu, even though she is not playing the lead, Hajra has consistently delivered an outstanding performance. She expresses emotion and restraint through fleeting glances, pauses or a subtle squaring of her shoulders, establishing her character as a crucial linchpin of the storyline.

She is also starring in two other mainstream dramas: the top-rated Humrahi on Geo Entertainment and the long-awaited Aik Mohabbat Aur on Green Entertainment. Again, she may not be playing the archetypal lead, but when she comes onscreen, her impact lingers.

“I would, one day, like to be the main lead in a love story,” she says, “but as an actor, you have to make the best out of whatever comes your way. So, if what I am doing on-screen today is making the audience pause and feel that my performance is memorable, it is because, over these years, I have been preparing. All this love and attention will take me to better places.”

She adds: “Where I am right now is also a great place. If I had gotten everything early, then what I am doing right now would not have come to me. I did not have the same hold over my craft back when I first started out eight years ago. There were highs and lows but, looking back today, it was all fun.

“It’s so crazy, but when life gets difficult, one of the first things that comes to my mind is how I can translate the emotions I am feeling on to the screen. Ultimately, it is a luxury to get tired while struggling in a line of work that you love.”

She also has the audience’s love, I point out to her. She smiles. “This is something that I only realised recently. It is overwhelming.”

Making ‘space’

The audience’s faith in her stems from the many different roles that she has played over the course of her career. Hajra has always tried to swim against the tide, opting for challenging characters rather than the usual commercially viable ones.

Having said that, with Dr Bahu, one wonders if she is getting pigeonholed into playing the unwanted wife? After all, she had played a similar role in her last memorable role in Noor Jehan. While both roles have been lauded, did she also sense the repetition?

“The basic crux is the same,” she agrees, “which is why I had initially refused to play my role in Dr Bahu. But then, Nadeem [Baig] bhai, who has produced the drama under the Six Sigma Entertainment banner, intervened and told me that he really wanted to see me in this role. I had played Sumbul in Noor Jehan and Ifra in Main Manto Nahin Hoon, and he said that Minna in Dr Bahu would depict me in a new light.”

But does it really?

“The thing is, when I read the whole script, I felt that Minna’s background was different from Sumbul’s,” she replies. “She is educated but lacks confidence. She is patient, but she will reach a breaking point and finally make a decision for herself. I was very focused on portraying Minna in a different way, and then, of course, she does reach a different conclusion.”

She continues: “I also have to give credit to Adeel Husain for giving me the freedom to perform. The first time I saw him act was in Daam. He had been incredible, and I was very excited to be acting with him in Dr Bahu. He is incredibly generous and secure as an actor, giving you room to play while, in a very raw, organic way, making sure that his own character is registered.

“You see, in Dr Bahu, Minna did not have as many nuances to her as Sumbul had in Noor Jehan. I learnt from Adeel how an actor needs to make space for themselves, shamelessly, passionately, regardless of the script. I love it.”

Gravitating to directors

It seems that Nadeem Baig was right: Minna has proven to be yet another feather in Hajra’s well-plumed acting hat.

“Nadeem Baig is someone that I can always trust to be fair with every single character in a story,” declares Hajra. “Although he is a male director, he has a well-developed female gaze. He knows how to tell a story in an extremely sensitive way, capturing details and nuances that even you sometimes don’t realise are there.”

Is this why she signed on to play the minuscule role of Ifra in the Nadeem Baig-directed Main Manto Nahin Hoon? “Yes,” comes the reply. “Ifra’s character on paper was far more limited than what Nadeem Baig made it appear on screen. I think if any director can pull off a script written by Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar, it’s Nadeem Baig. He told me that my character will be loved, and I was on board.”

She adds, “The drama had such a great ensemble cast that I knew that, even if I was playing a small role, it would be seen, and that is exactly what happened — it was watched by a lot of people.”

We move on to her more recent characters. What inclined her towards Humrahi, which features Danish Taimoor and Hiba Bukhari in a romantic pairing?

“This was the first time that I was going to work with Babar Javed, and he’s a very respected name in the industry,” says Hajra. “I really enjoyed myself. I learnt how to channel my emotions without being allowed the luxury of time. As actors, we need to be flexible because, sometimes, there are lighting issues or outdoor shoots that need to wrap up by a certain time. Humrahi taught me that, with a good director of photography (DOP) and good production quality, a lot more work can be completed without compromising on the acting.”

And what prompted her to sign on to Aik Mohabbat Aur, co-starring Ahad Raza Mir and Maya Ali? “The director, Farooq Rind,” she says simply. “When I read the script, I didn’t see much room for myself, but my manager insisted that Dada — a popular nickname for Farooq Rind — would make something substantial of the role. When I started shooting for the drama, I clicked with him within a few days. He is such a pleasant, patient director to work with.”

She adds, “Usually on TV drama sets, there is this rush to get work completed. But with directors such as Nadeem Baig and Farooq Rind, the scenes being played out are the main priority. When you get a taste of sets like these, where the performance is everything, where you rehearse and where everyone on set is treated equally, you no longer want to settle for less.”

The hair and after

Hajra has straight hair in Aik Mohabbat Aur, which I observe is a departure from her signature thick, curly mane. “Yes, I wanted to try out a new look, even though the director said that he was fine with my hair. However, I wanted it to be straight.”

In fact, Hajra’s curly hair is striking and unique — has she ever considered getting it permanently straightened to achieve a more conventional look? “I have thought about it and, if the director or a character requires it, I am willing to change my appearance,” she replies.

“I really love my hair, though. What irks me, though, is when people start talking about only my hair and not my performance.” I don’t think that’s possible, I tell her.

Commercial or critical acclaim?

Does she prefer commercial or critical acclaim?

“Commercial,” she answers promptly. “I love being critically acclaimed, but I have been there, done that, and I think that some people subconsciously have started thinking that I only want to work in certain genres. That’s not true. As an actor, I want to work in every genre and be seen in every type of project.”

She continues: “I am at a point in my career where I know what I bring to the screen and the impact that I leave. I am blessed that, even when I play a relatively small role, the response is always phenomenal.”

I tease her: some of her peers might find working with her intimidating. Her eyes widen, and she exclaims, “Yes, I have heard that!” She pauses. “It can sometimes lead to power struggles, when people register your talent but still don’t want to work with you. There have been times when actors and actresses have said that they don’t want to work with me because they feel that I will overshadow them.”

That sounds like a blessing and a burden, I comment. She agrees.

“Luckily, I have now found a selection of people who want to collaborate with me rather than dim my light. This is why I have become very selective about the work that I do — I want to only work with people who are secure and want to work collectively to make a project better.”

Garnering praise

It is a testament to Hajra’s talent that even when she is relegated to a comparatively small role — the unwanted wife, the girlfriend who gets murdered after four episodes and so on — the audience is riveted by her performances. Imagine the power that she could wield should channels, producers and directors sign her on for better roles and give her better placement in dramas.

At this point, though, when she is being showered with praise from around the world, social media is rife with comments on how the audience wants to see more of Hajra Yamin. That includes Indian writer, actress and producer Sutapa Sikdar, the widow of late Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan, who recently praised her performance in Doctor Bahu online, calling her “an underrated gem.”

“It’s all upwards from here,” I venture.

Hajra smiles knowingly, as if she’s seen the highs and lows, understood her worth and is ready to take on the future.

“There can be no other way,” she tells me.

Originally published in Dawn, ICON, June 14th, 2026

When Esquire asked him who he thinks should take on the role’s great power and great responsibility, Holland had another young Brit in mind: “Owen Cooper would be awesome. Obviously, he’s super-talented and he’s the talk of the town right now.”

Holland told the outlet he’d love to stay involved in the franchise as a producer though it’s “pretty tough to get a producing credit on future movies.” Still, he said, he’d love to offer a level of mentorship similar to what Robert Downey Jr offered him in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

“In the way that Robert Downey was such a mentor for me in my first three movies, I would love to be that person for whoever is next,” he explained.

Holland’s choice makes sense given Cooper’s award-winning TV debut in Adolescence where he played Jamie Miller, a troubled teenager who stabs a classmate to death. His performance won him a Golden Globe and made him the youngest boy actor to bag a Primetime Emmy.

Holland is likely the most seasoned Spider-Man, having done more films as the superhero than both his predecessors — Tobey Maguire starred in three instalments while Andrew Garfield was in two. The upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day will be Holland’s fourth.

Cooper has also previously expressed interest in portraying the friendly neighbourhood hero. He told i-D magazine in March 2025, “I want to play Spider-Man.”

Separately, Holland gave the media the strongest confirmation yet of his marriage to his Spider-Man co-star Zendaya.

He told Esquire his grandmother had been tricked by AI-generated images of his wedding and thought she hadn’t been invited to the event. When asked if he had to explain the photos to other relatives, he responded, “No, because they were all there.”

The actor refused to comment further, saying, “That’s all you’ll get on that.”

In a reel on her Instagram account, Ansari said, “I’ve been hearing for about two months now that Somali pirates had captured our compatriots along with some Indians and Bangladeshis. These men who left their homes to work hard for their families are in dire straits.”

The actor said she had seen a few clips on the internet and thought the seamen must have been rescued by now, “Obviously, all their countries must be making efforts for their safe return, but how do we actually save their lives? Their children, their families are so worried.”

Talking about the squalid conditions the hostages are kept in, Ansari said she had seen videos of them drinking visibly unsafe water and was worried if they were able to charge their phones to maintain contact with their loved ones.

“Please, take this seriously. It’s a matter of life or death… I was under the impression this had been resolved, but then I saw a clip of this little girl who was missing her dad, my heart hurts so much [for her],” the actor said.

Ansari said these men had gone to sea to earn an honest living; they weren’t trying to break the law or immigrate illegally.

She requested the Foreign Office to “please do something for them” because it didn’t seem fair to these hard-working men and the families they left behind at home. “Maybe one of them is sick, God forbid… We don’t know” she worried.

Eleven Pakistani sailors were part of the crew of the MT Honour 25 which was hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia in April. Foreign office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said that Islamabad had been in touch with the vessel’s owners and the government of Somalia to secure the crew’s release during a press briefing last week.

He recalled that the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had been in touch with the Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali over the issue.

A statement from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs on June 8 also said they remained in touch with the foreign ministry and the embassy of Somalia to facilitate rescue efforts.

Cover photo: Fahim Siddiqi/White Star

In an Instagram story posted on Tuesday, the actor asked why people began to call for dog culling whenever they heard of a dog with rabies.

“When we don’t punish all people for the sins of any one person, we shouldn’t punish all dogs because a few carry rabies. Only people with thoughtfulness and compassion will understand this,” Farooq said.

Addressing the haters, she said she prayed for “God to soften your hearts one day”.

On Monday, the actor had put up a post from Lahore-based animal rights activist Uswa Ahmed on her story. In the video, Ahmed can be heard asking sanitation workers from the Suthra Punjab project why they had killed dogs.

They were moving a trailer full of dog corpses which sparked the activist’s reaction. The workers denied having killed them and drove away with Ahmed in pursuit.

The comments under the post were largely supportive, but some questioned the activist’s priorities for speaking up for animals. Others made fun of her for referring to strays she cares for as her “children”.

The Lahore High Court has barred authorities from culling dogs, instead directing them to use more humane methods of controlling stray animal populations as prescribed under the Punjab Animal Birth Control Policy 2021.

Despite the orders, there are reports of The dog culling in the city with guns and poison as of last month.

‘Champion’ Zoro the golden retriever, whose appearances in the 2019 drama Ehd-e-Wafa made him a national celebrity, died on Monday at the age of nine.

The announcement of his passing on his Instagram page read, “With deepest grief and sorrow we announce the departure of Champion Zoro from this mortal world. A wonderful pet who shall be remembered for his loyalist real-life character in Ehd e Wafa. Zoro, you will be missed dearly!”

Zoro, the family pet of the former head of the military’s media wing ─ which produced Ehd-e-Wafa ─ played the beloved companion of the show’s lead Saad (Ahad Raza Mir).

Aside from his fame on television, Zoro was a regular favourite in the dog show circuit, having taken home 10 awards for being the very best boy.

He was given the title ‘Champion’ by the Pakistan Kennel Club in recognition of his impressive record of wins.

Rest in peace, Zoro. You will be missed.

On Monday, they got closer than ever to the answer they were waiting for when New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani appeared to confirm the wedding dates during a press conference.

Speaking to the media about security arrangements for the FIFA World Cup and a series of other events coming up in the city, he said, “We are the biggest city in the country. We are used to big events, and we are incredibly excited for this one. We know it coincides with the Knicks’ [NBA] Finals run. We know it coincides with July 4, America 250, Taylor Swift’s wedding — all happening at the same time — and we are so excited to welcome the world here.”

Mamdani’s statement seemingly confirms rumours of a wedding on Independence Day weekend — July 3-5 — one of the many theories popular among Swifties.

Earlier, the CEO of the wedding’s speculated venue — Madison Square Garden — seemed to confirm his arena would be hosting the event.

Talking about rumours that Swift and her fiance Travis Kelce were given free tickets to a New York Knicks basketball game in exchange for renting out the venue for their wedding, he said the media got it “half wrong”.

When asked which half, he said, “Travis is in a mandatory training camp” and wouldn’t be able to attend the game.

As for Mayor Mamdani — a Swiftie himself — he won’t be at the wedding. When asked if he was invited and whether he planned on going, he replied, “No and no.”

“I wish them a lovely wedding. I’ll listen to ‘Only the Young’ at home on my own,” Mamdani added, referring to the Grammy winner’s 2020 track.

His fellow fans are probably rejoicing that he wasn’t on the guestlist, as invitees reportedly had to sign non-disclosure agreements and face penalties for revealing wedding details like the date and venue.

On Thursday, Butt posted a video on his Instagram account with Azhar’s rendition of the classic Bollywood song ‘Tu Hai Wohi’ playing in the background. The controversial content creator was mouthing the words and dancing to the music.

In the comments, Azhar appreciated Butt, saying, “Shehzada lag raha hai mera bhai (My brother is looking like a prince). Thank you so much my love.” The comments received mixed reactions due to Butt’s history of controversy and legal trouble.

Azhar later issued an apology on his Instagram stories. “Should’ve been more aware. Should’ve read the room better. My bad, fam,” the singer said.

He also took a moment to clarify that his appreciation for Butt using his music did not equal endorsement of the content creator’s other actions and was simply a gesture of mutual love between artists.

“But just for the record, thanking someone and showing love in return doesn’t mean my views and values are the same as anybody. But I understand and resonate with the concern of some of my fans and supporters, and I promise it wasn’t that deep. [It was] just a gesture of showing love in return,” the singer wrote.

Azhar urged fans to enjoy “bangers and sweet mangoes”.

Butt has faced several cases in court including on charges of promoting online gambling applications, hurting religious sentiments and unlawful custody of a lion cub. In May, the Islamabad High Court ordered his name to be removed from the passport control list.

The content creator maintains one of the larger fan followings in Pakistan with nine million followers on YouTube and a further 2.9 million on Instagram.

Gwyneth Paltrow, the Academy Award-winning actor and businesswoman, falls into the third category, especially after her ad promoting an Israeli real estate project went viral this week. Yes, right in the middle of a genocide that has killed over 70,000 people.

Netizens, many of whom have understandably strong feelings when it comes to profiting from progress built on the blood and tears of an oppressed people, were not happy.

Those were just the nicer ones — other users on X were far more brutal in their rebukes of the actor.

People couldn’t decide what was worse, that she did this at all or that she did it even though she really didn’t have to.

One user, pointing out Paltrow’s abject refusal to pick a side politically, said this wasn’t really a surprise.

Celebrities were equally enraged. In the comment section of a post talking about the incident, Mahira Khan found the whole thing “sick”while Fatima Bhutto was quick to point out how “genocide sells”.

Iraqi-American beauty mogul Huda Kattan said Paltrow knew “exactly what is happening there”. She called the video “disgusting”.

When so many of their colleagues are willing to call a spade a spade and a genocide a genocide, it really is astounding how so many influential people have no issue working with complicit entities and how many more are willing to pretend none of it is happening.

Khan was there as an ambassador of the trust for Pakistan and was joined by other notable celebrities, business leaders and prominent members of the British-Asian community.

Other attendees included the newly-knighted author Meera Syal, actor Kunal Nayyar and musician Jay Sean who performed at the event.

Talking about her interaction with the king, Khan said he was “charming and interested” in the charity’s work, particularly when it comes to work on mental health awareness and treatment in Pakistan.

She said mental health was something that people “attached to shame” which made even conversations about the subject difficult. She said people need to realise mental health issues were “a disease, like arthritis or cancer”.

She said the king knew what she had done for the charity and even commended her efforts. “He said, ‘You know, you guys have made such a big difference and I think this is something we can work more towards.’”

The actor also spoke on women’s rights and violence against women in Pakistan. Reiterating her reaction to the acid attack on Dr Mahnoor Nasir on Saturday, she asked where the men of the world were and why they weren’t angry. “I am very angry and I am sure all women are angry. Angry is an understatement, we’re boiling with rage. But where are the men? Why aren’t they speaking up? So, I think it’s time men stand up.”

Correction: An earlier version of this story identified the event as the British Asian Society gala. The error is regretted.

She took to Instagram on Tuesday to warn her fellow actors about the impending threat and how they could easily become obsolete if they didn’t carefully go through every contract they signed.

She said she was reviewing a contract for a drama in March when she noticed a clause giving the production house and the channel ownership of her “digital likeness”. She explained that meant they would have the right to use “everything that I have as a human being, my voice, my face, my gestures… And not just for that project, for anything, forever”.

Tareen said she raised the issue with the Actors’ Collective of Pakistan (ACT) and even they didn’t really know how to respond because it was unprecedented. “We thought it would never happen in Pakistan.”

The actor said others in the industry started receiving the same contracts just weeks later, indicating this isn’t just a one-off thing but a growing trend.

Explaining the potential consequences, Tareen said, “First, they use AI just to make your posters, pretty innocent. Then they use your voice for dubbing. Then they call you in for 10 scenes instead of 20, because now the model is training on your existing likeness and footage that they already have. And then, one day, the model is ready and they don’t need to call you in at all.”

She said this had happened earlier in Hollywood, where industry professionals went on strike in 2023 and shut things down until they got legal protections built into their contracts.

The actor acknowledged Pakistan doesn’t have a union like SAG-AFTRA in Hollywood, and there are already so many issues like payment schedules, working conditions and royalties, that many actors already have enough on their plates.

However, she contended that while one bad clause in a long contract might not be the hill many people are willing to die on, it can potentially end their careers in the long term.

She advised actors to look for the following words in any contracts:

• Likeness
• Perpetuity
• AI training model
• Anything that has the words AI in it
• Digital replica
• Intellectual property (IP)
• Synthetic performance
• Broad IP assignment

If any such terms are found, she said, actors should “ask questions, contact ACT Pakistan if you need to or consult with a legal attorney”.

“One actor reading the fine print changes nothing. All of us refusing to sign the same clauses in the same agreement changes everything,” Tareen said.

In a video posted on Instagram, an exhausted Hocane said that while ‘they’ say “not all women”, it is always a woman who is subjected to such cruelty and expected to walk out of it unscathed.

“It’s always a woman surviving what was meant to destroy her. It’s always a woman asked to forgive before she has even healed. It’s always a woman rebuilding herself [after suffering] from someone else’s cruelty,” the actor said.

She asked why this was something we glorified. “Why is survival a woman’s greatest achievement?”

Hocane joins a number of her industry colleagues in condemning violence against women, especially after a brutal acid attack on Dr Mahnoor Nasir in Quetta. She suffered burns on 70 per cent of her body when a man threw acid on her. The man was later killed by police while attempting to flee the city.

Saturday’s acid attack wasn’t the only case of patriarchal violence in the news last week, with people similarly horrified when a 64-year-old man admitted to killing his wife after she refused to go to bed with him. What was even more horrifying was a video of lawyers surrounding the man and telling him he wasn’t to blame.

With people defending women’s murderers and trying their absolute hardest to blame the victims for being attacked, Hocane’s questions sting hard. Why is it always women who have to carry the burdens of crimes committed against them and when will we make criminals and abusers pay instead?

Hina Parvez Butt, a lawmaker from Maryam’s PML-N and the chairperson of the Punjab Women Protection Authority, asked when “the minds of people like Falak Shabir will stop fixating on women’s clothing” in a post on X.

She drew a comparison between Pakistan and Turkiye, saying nobody in Istanbul comments on women’s clothes, “but here in Pakistan, anyone who feels like it jumps on social media and starts mouthing off.”

The lawmaker said this mentality was exactly what was keeping Pakistan from progressing. She asked people to do society a “great service” and “mind their own business”.

Shabir made his strange demand in a story posted on Instagram asking “as a father of two daughters” for the CM to make a law against people wearing short dresses. He seemed convinced that not doing so would lead to “cultural ruin”.

Reactions were mixed, with some celebrating the story as the rallying call for a cultural crusade, others felt he wasn’t being misogynistic because he never specifically mentioned women. Many — us included — were left questioning what he was talking about; who was roaming the streets of Punjab in short dresses anyway?

He later clarified with a picture of women in… crop tops. “This pick (sic) should be enough to explain and I am sure everyone in Pakistan has seen this clip,” the singer said.

He also posted screenshots of people agreeing with his original story, probably in an attempt to counter all the backlash he had been getting publicly.

“It’s not just me, hundreds of thousands of people are worried for their children’s future,” he said with his eight messages of support.

Addressing the misogyny allegations, Shabir said his statement wasn’t about any one gender but meant for “all kind of genders that are available in the market” — we really didn’t think this could get worse but we were wrong.

The singer said if someone interpreted it differently, that was their perspective, but the “intent was clear” from his side. He asked for people to “keep the context intact”.

Shabir isn’t the first man to try to police clothing — women’s or otherwise — in Pakistan and he unfortunately will not be the last. But in the face of so many other problems — including a sharp uptick in violence against women — are there really no bigger issues for him to talk about?

Dr Mahnoor Nasir has been shifted to a private hospital in Karachi for treatment and her attacker, later identified by police as Humayun Shah, an employee at the hospital, was kil­led in an encounter with law enforcers while attempting to flee on a bus.

News of her attack has rocked the nation, not only because of the ferocity of it, but because it is far from the first case of a woman being attacked with acid.

“A woman went to WORK today. To SAVE LIVES. And someone threw acid on her face. I can’t. I genuinely cannot,” wrote Mahira Khan in an impassioned Instagram story.

“Dr Mahnoor Nasir [was] attacked inside a hospital. INSIDE A HOSPITAL. This is barbaric. This is evil. I am shaking with rage. This woman deserved safety. Instead she was nearly burned alive by a man who thought he had the right to destroy her,” she wrote.

“It’s time for not just the women but the MEN to speak up. To be louder. To be angrier!!!”

Singer Hadiqa Kiani said what happened to Dr Mahnoor Nasir should shake us all. “It is heartbreaking, horrifying and absolutely unacceptable,” she wrote, highlighting that Dr Nasir’s is not an isolated case.

“For too long, our women have faced violence, acid attacks, harassment and even death simply for existing, working and living with dignity. This must not be treated as another tragic headline,” she wrote.

Kiani implored society to find the courage to protect women before tragedy strikes.

Actor Mariyam Nafees shared a video of herself talking about multiple acts of violence against women in Pakistan.

“If she says no to a marriage proposal, we kill her. If she’s stranded in her car with her kids, we rape her. If she’s a girl, we kidnap her, sell her and rape her. If she gets married,  for some reason or the other, we burn her or kill her. If she’s a doctor, we throw acid on her in broad daylight. If she was born, we throw her in a garbage bin or drown her in a drain. But we talk about clothes because that is the biggest issue of our society — this is, I don’t even know what to say anymore.” 

Actor Saheefa Jabbar Khattak shared a note on Instagram about how morally policing women helps normalise hatred and contempt. 

“When people constantly speak against women’s clothing, their choices, their rights or even their mere existence, they help create an environment where misogyny thrives. The same mindset that shames women for what they wear is part of the culture that enables violence against them, where it’s acid attacks, murdering a wife for refusing sex, or brutalising a woman because she gave birth to a daughter,” she wrote.

“These horrific acts do not emerge in a vacuum. They are rooted in the same belief that women should be controlled, judged and punished for simply existing on their own terms.” 

Filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy shared a screenshot of a story about the attack and said achievement, service or dignity has never protected women from violence.

“The shame belongs to the attacker and to our society that still allows this to happen.”

Actor Amna Ilyas highlighted that in the wrong hands, acid is a weapon.

“A woman should be able to go to work without fearing violence. We need accountability, justice and stricter control over substances that can be used to destroy lives,” she said.

“Another woman, incident, noise, then silence. Get well soon doc! Being an achiever woman in this society, you certainly need a guard. Rip life for a woman,” wrote host Shaista Lodhi, highlighting that the cycle of violence against women always end with the outrage soon dying down and then silence.

Actor Sana Javed called hearing news of the attack “deeply unsettling”.

“There is something extremely wrong when someone can so easily obtain acid and use it to destroy another person’s life. This is no longer just about one incident, it’s about how little has changed,” she wrote in an Instagram story.

Several celebrities shared a video of how to provide first aid in case of an acid attack, much to their regret. Hina Altaf said she her heart broke at having to share it, while Yasir Hussain said he’d seen videos of natural disasters but seeing this one shocked him.

Actor Ayesha Omar shared a lengthy note on the attack, calling it a “psychological one”.

“It’s an attack on her freedom, her professionalism, her independence, her autonomy, her education, her mind, her soul and her spirit. It reminds us of how unsafe women are, not just on the streets but at their so-called safe workplaces and even inside their own homes,” she wrote.

“She goes our to save lives and her own is ruined. By an employee of the same hospital. I’m shaken and shattered…I’m full of anger and rage.”

She called for major “mental reforms” in the country and a deep dive into how to “start shfiting the misogynistic, violent mindset prevalent in Pakistan on a grassroot level” for all tiers of society.

“It’s not about law and order only. It’s about shifting the sick, twisted mindset, otherwise we are heading towards complete collapse and destruction.”

The attack on Dr Nasir is not the first act of violence against a Pakistani woman and it won’t be the last, not when acid is easily available, when men can’t take no for an answer, and when society continues to turn the other way when it comes to protecting women.

Where these mini-dress clad people — presumably women, though he didn’t specify — are roaming is a mystery to us, as it probably is to most of you. It would be educational for us all if he would enlighten us all about where exactly in Punjab women are roaming around in public in short dresses.

“As a father of two daughter I humbly request to madam CM Maryam Nawaz please make a law against those who wear short dresses in public places — bazaars and streets — otherwise we will all be destroyed culturally,” he wrote in his story.

Naturally, people — read: we — are confused. Who is he talking about? What bazaars and streets does he frequent in Punjab where people roam around in short dresses? What do his daughters have to do with his request? And why does he think CM Maryam should be policing what people are wearing?

The reaction online to his request is, of course, mixed. Some are most pleased at this strange statement, happy that our ‘culture’ will be protected from these faceless short dress-wearing people. Others argue that he never mentioned women, and therefore cannot be called misogynistic. Some believed he was talking about men in shorts — also, a much-debated topic in Pakistan. A fourth more sensible group is as confused as us, wondering what prompted this sudden outpouring of concern.

If anyone figures out what he’s talking about, please let us know.

The actor gained global praise in the 1990s for his portrayal of Rupert Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He also played King Arthur’s father Uther Pendragon on the BBC series Merlin.

“He passed away peacefully of complications due to pneumonia, surrounded by his family,” his daughters, Emily and Daisy said in a statement.

“It has been, and forever will be, an honour and a privilege to be his daughters and to have witnessed firsthand the impact both he and his work have had on so many,” they said.

They spoke about “how dearly he will be missed by friends, colleagues and fans of the show he was in”, adding that he “loved his job very much” and “always considered himself incredibly lucky”.

Sarah Michelle Gellar, who played the titular character on Buffy, posted pictures with Head on Instagram.

“‘Tell Giles I figured it out and I’m ok.’ Well, I don’t have it figured out and I’m not ok. But I know I’m the lucky one because I knew you,” she wrote.

She thanked Emily and Daisy who “not only shared their dad with me, but with the world”.

Their co-stars David Boreanaz and James Marsters also paid tribute to the star, with Boreanaz describing him as, “All kindness and a soul that was inspiring to me.”

Marsters said, “There was a hole in the world,” now that Head had passed away.

“He was an unflaggingly kind and steady presence on the set of Buffy, and the best actor in the cast… I was lucky to have known, and learned from him,” Marsters wrote.

Head also starred in Ted Lasso from 2020 as former Richmond FC owner Rupert Mannion, the ex-husband of Hannah Waddingham’s character Rebecca Welton.

Brett Goldstein, their co-star and a writer on the show, said: “Anthony Head was a brilliant actor who played the worst person in the world, which was an incredible skill because he was the best person.”

“He will be sorely missed,” Goldstein said, sending love to Head’s family.

The actor trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and enjoyed a long stage career, performing in several iterations of The Rocky Horror Show and musicals such as Godspell and Chess.

Head’s other credits included a recurring role on the show Little Britain and appearances in Motherland, Doctor Who, The Archers and Bridgerton.

He also appeared in The Inbetweeners alongside his daughter Emily.

Head came from a family of artists, with his mother being an actor and his father making documentaries. His brother Murray is also an actor, having appeared in the Academy Award-nominated film Sunday Bloody Sunday.

Both his daughters followed their father into acting and Head’s long-term partner Sarah Fisher was an animal rights campaigner. She died in December last year.

“Marjane Satrapi died of sadness a little over a year after the death of Mattias Ripa, her husband and the love of her life,” they said in a statement sent to AFP.

Born in 1969 in Rasht in northern Iran, Satrapi arrived in France in 1994 and gained French nationality in 2006.

An outspoken critic of Iran’s theocratic government, Satrapi’s Persepolis recounts her early life in Tehran, struggling with restrictions imposed by Iran’s Islamic leadership after the 1979 revolution, before her parents sent her to Europe and she began a life in exile.

French President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to Satrapi, saying she was “a great artist who turned her Iranian childhood into a universal tale”.

The films she directed included a 2007 adaptation of the graphic novel of Persepolis — co-directed by Vincent Paronnaud — which won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for an Oscar.

“Even if this is a universal film, I want to dedicate this prize to all Iranians,” Satrapi told AFP at the time.

“Marjane was an extraordinary artist and a charming woman who embodied the joy of creation and the sorrow of exile and painful memories. We mourn her this morning,” Cannes festival supremo Thierry Fremaux told AFP.

‘Her courage will resonate’

She was a vocal supporter of the protests that erupted in the Islamic republic after the 2022 death of 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini while in custody for allegedly breaching the dress code for women.

She curated a collection of graphic stories on the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement in her latest book that came out in English in 2024, and was among those at a protest in Paris that same year to mark two years since Amini’s death.

“It’s very important that this regime disappears,” she said of the Islamic republic, but she stressed it could not happen overnight.

“I think it’s important to remain hopeful.”

The foundation of Narges Mohammadi, the jailed Iranian Nobel peace prize winner, praised Satrapi as “a fearless voice for feminism, human rights, and freedom”.

“She consistently advocated for women’s rights, standing in solidarity with the people of Iran and amplifying the message of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement on the global stage,” it said.

“Her courage will continue to resonate far beyond her lifetime.”

Also a painter, in 2020 Satrapi exhibited a series of works she said she had spent the past seven years painting between other projects, speaking of a need to isolate herself from the world with her canvases.

“I think my mental health depends on it,” she said.

She said she believed in being a feminist through her actions.

“If I show that I know how to do things just as well as — or even better than — a man, then I’ve won the battle and I can be an example for the girl who will come after me,” she said.

‘Love of my life’

She said last year she had turned down France’s highest civilian honour, the legion d’honneur, accusing the country of “hypocrisy” over visa policies that prevented dissidents travelling from Iran to France.

“I can’t ignore what I see as a hypocritical attitude towards Iran, which forged the other part of my identity,” she wrote, adding that she meant no disrespect to the award and that she loved France “deeply”.

Her work expanded beyond stories connected to Iran, including Radioactive, a 2019 biopic about pioneering radioactivity researcher and Nobel-prize winner Marie Curie, starring Rosamund Pike.

Her husband, a Swedish producer, actor and screenwriter, had been a long-time collaborator.

After his death on April 8 last year, Satrapi founded the Mattias and Marjane Ripa-Satrapi Cinema Foundation to support foreign students wishing to come to Paris to study filmmaking.

Since he died, Satrapi’s Instagram page consisted almost exclusively of a series of images spelling out “For I lost the love of my life”, along with a picture of her husband and an announcement of the foundation.