Actor Sarwat Gilani Is Engaged To Fahad Mirza

Actors Sarwat Gilani and Fahad Mirza are engaged to be married. Resuscitating the concept of true love, Gilani told The Express Tribune how she was fated to reunite with the man who she met a decade ago. What has often been dismissed as idealistic, the couple’s story depicts the notion that love conquers all.

The couple, who exchanged rings on October 11 this year, celebrated their union with an intimate gathering of around 70 on the roof-top garden of her residence. In an up-close and personal interview, a happy and love-struck Gilani flaunted her diamond ring with a twinkle in her eyes. While Gilani wore an Amna Aqeel outfit on her engagement day with hair and make-up done by Natasha’s Salon, Mirza sported a white boski shalwar kameez from Moosajees.

On the question of how and where she met Mirza, Gilani smilingly proclaimed, “We met 10 years ago, in the year 2003 to be precise. We liked each other then but I was busy acquiring a degree in Communication Design from the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture, and he was studying at Dow Medical College, pursuing his plans of becoming a surgeon.”

Explaining how grueling student life can be, she said, “Those days were tough as far as studying and getting the degree were concerned… Aur amma abba ki koshish thi ke hum graduate kerlain!” she remarked jokingly.

“Today, however, it [our story] has unfolded to be very filmi” she said. “Some time back, I was performing in a stage play Dhaani and Fahad came to watch it. Later, he texted me and said that he saw the play. That’s how we got in touch with each other for the first time after really long,” she exclaimed.

“Initially, I thought we both must be at different stages in life. People would joke about us being together but we used to laugh it off. And it just so happened that in the process of proving them wrong, we proved them right by falling in love, again!”

As the resilient Gilani begins a new chapter in her life, she doesn’t shy away from shedding light on her past, where she was married and got divorced a couple of years thereafter. She was briefly married to Omer Saleem, the brother of TV personality Ali Saleem. “I got married as a rebound. When you are vulnerable, nothing seems reasonable. You try to satisfy your heart and prove your point. That didn’t work out for me. I thought the love was merely a four-letter word. Also, when you are heartbroken, you lose faith in love. But life goes on and you realise, as you grow up, that being in love doesn’t mean you can’t be practical. You can be both at the same time.”

After her marriage didn’t work, she found solace in acting and painting. “I focused on my work, primarily on these two art forms. I was bouncing between these two loves of mine… I took refuge in them,” she said. Today, as her life takes another favourable turn, she is happier than ever and has given a special place to Mirza in her life.

When asked why Mirza is the one for her, she smiled and said, “Well, there have been actors and other people who have been interested but something or the other just wouldn’t click. I wanted commitment; I am strictly a one-man woman.” She went on to say, “With Fahad, there was familiarity, an association… and our family wanted us to consider it. Also, there was an established comfort level between our families. I have found Fahad to be a sincere person. With others, I wasn’t too sure but with Fahad, it seemed like it was written in stone.” Acknowledging how supportive Mirza has been, she said, “Whenever I tire down, he encourages me to strive and quotes Rumi to boost my will.”

With a wedding that is planned for summer 2014 followed by a honeymoon in Istanbul, Gilani looks thrilled about tying the knot. She hopes that the couple will have “a very exciting journey” but that one must know that it’s not all fun and games. “One should know when to give in and when to give up. Family must always be the priority” is the talented actor’s mantra.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 22^nd, 2013.

Karachi operation watching only govt's interests: Farooq Sattar

MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar has said that Sindh government is launching operation in the city for its vested interests.

While talking to the media at Lahore Airport, he said that everybody knows about the dens of terrorists.

Law enforcement agencies must exterminate all the secret hideouts of terrorists who have nothing to do with the peace of the country; rather their aims are to horrify citizens in the name of so-called slogans and manifestos of justice.

He contended that all stake holders and political parties should make endeavours to make the military operation in Karachi successful, adding that this job can’t be made successful without cooperation and coordination of the MQM which is real representative of people in the metropolis.

He said that the MQM offered cooperation in this regard but the Sindh government is taking the issue with irresolution.

It seems that the MQM is being targeted as it had demanded an operation against terrorists without discrimination.

Sattar urged upon Sindh government to take measures for dispelling such an impression of politicized targeted operation in the city.

He said his party was never consulted about the targeted actions, adding that had the govt sought cooperation from all political parties, the targeted action would have been a success from the very beginning.

He alleged that the ongoing Karachi operation was not directed against criminals, as every single child of Karachi knew where the crime dens were across the city.

(FP Report)

5 year girl sexually assaulted in Lahore

Unidentified men sexually assaulted a five-year-old girl in Lahore, Local TV reported.

After the assault, they dumped the minor girl outside Ganga Ram hospital and managed to flee.

DSM Dr Asif said the ill-fated girl was still unconscious, adding she need surgery, however, pediatric surgery facility was not available at Ganga Ram hospital.

He said the girl was being shifted to Children Hospital.(FP Report)

Karachi Central jail under threat, alleged terrorists shifted

Five alleged terrorists belonging to different outlawed organisations including Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, were shifted to different prisons in rural Sindh due to security concerns. According to jail officials, the decision was taken due to reports that terrorist organisations plan to attack Central Jail Karachi and free their members. The inmates who were shifted includ Mohammad Abdullah aka Taimur, son of Riaz Shahid; Waseem Barodi, son of Sami Ahmed; Hafiz Qasim Abdul Rasheed, Mohammad Shafiq alias Bashir and Inamullah.(DailyTimes)

Cheque distribution at CM House: Harmful drinking water served,10 women fall unconscious

At least 10 women, belonging to the families of the victims who lost their lives in Karachi’s Abbas Town bombing, fell unconscious when they were served harmful drinking water during an event to distribute cheques at Sindh Chief Minister House here on Tuesday. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah was scheduled to distribute compensatory cheques among the families that lost their homes and loved ones in the bombing that killed 51 people and injured over 140 others. 

The women who were seated in the front rows asked the event organisers for water. Around 10 women fell unconscious after drinking the water served to them. Later, when to news come to the surface, the CM House’s spokesman said that the water served by the caterers in event was harmful for health. He, however, said that only two people including a woman and a man fell unconscious after drinking the water. Meanwhile, nine people were shifted to the Civil Hospital Karachi in the early hours of Tuesday when they fell unconscious after a toxic gas filled a house located on Mauripir road.(FP)

An open letter to SC: List of dual nationals submitted Begum Shehnaz Sheikh

Begum Shehnaz Sheikh

PML-Q’s former MNA Begum Shehnaz Sheikh submitted through an open letter to the Supreme Court on Monday a list of parliamentarians having dual nationality.

In her open letter written to the Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, she alleged that the cases of all the parliamentarians having dual nationality were not equally dealt with. She requested the apex court to put the procedure pertaining to reimbursement of benefits enjoyed by the dual nationality holder parliamentarians, on hold until the final verdict on the pending review pleas of the dual nationality holders was delivered.

In her letter, she mentioned the names of 20 dual nationality holder parliamentarians. She said a few of those, whose membership was suspended by the apex court, still continued to remain at their offices. The letter includes the names of Asim Hussain, Raza Haroon, Shahbeen Rizvi, Tayyib Hussain, Fauzia Ejaz and Jameel Ashraf.

Shehnaz Sheikh alleged that she was not justly dealt with despite she had tendered her resignation. She claimed that all dual nationality holder members of parliament were not equally treated. She said all dual nationality holder parliamentarians were not directed to return all the monetary benefits they had drawn during the period they occupied public offices and other emoluments from the public exchequer, including monthly remunerations, TA/DA and facilities of accommodation, along with other perks etc.

She requested the apex court to stop all proceedings of reimbursement of monetary benefits granted to the suspended parliamentarians until a decision came on the review pleas filed against the Supreme Court’s verdict of disqualifying 11 members of parliament.

It may be recalled here that the membership of Begum Shehnaz Sheikh was suspended by the Supreme Court in October 2012 for holding Australian nationality, while being a Pakistani national and a member of the parliament.(The News)

Diwali Symbolizes The Triumph Of Good Over Evil And It Is The Festival Of Lights: Altaf Hussain

The Chief of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) Mr Altaf Hussain has greeted the Hindu community in Pakistan and throughout the world on the occasion of the festival of Diwali. He said that Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the Hindu community and it symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. It is also the occasion of joy, mirth and happiness and celebrated as a festival of lights.
Mr Hussain said that all religions teach about respecting the places of worship and festivals of other religions besides recognizing the dignity of mankind. Those who do not follow these basic precepts of their religion are, in fact, acting contrary to the teachings of their religion.
Mr Hussain asked the Hindu community to offer prayers for peace and promotion of religious tolerance and harmony in the country. He asked them to offer special prayers for elimination of the heartless terrorists who were killing innocent people.