Various celebrities of the country were conferred civil awards for their excellence and work in the entertainment industry at the civil awards ceremonies held in the federal and provincial capitals on the occasion of Pakistan Day.

Renowned Pakistani actress Sajal Ali was conferred with the prestigious honour, Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Medal of Excellence), in recognition of her talent in the field of acting, especially her work across the borders.

The actor was given the award during a ceremony in Lahore, where Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman conferred the honour on Sajal on President Asif Ali Zardari’s behalf.

President Asif Ali Zardari has conferred Pakistan's second highest civilian award "Hilal-e-Imtiaz” on iconic musician Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan for his services to the Pakistani and South Asian music industry at Aiwan-e-Sadr on the eve of the Pakistan Day.

The music sensation was awarded for his services in the areas of arts, Qawwali and singing and for taking Pakistani arts to the global level through his live rendition of Qawwali and modern music.

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan said he was grateful for the honour. The singer said: “It is with profound gratitude that I accept the prestigious Hilal-e-Imtiaz & Sitara-I-Imtiaz awards bestowed upon me by the esteemed President. I extend my heartfelt appreciation to my cherished family, friends, and devoted fans whose unwavering support has been my guiding light on this remarkable journey. Together, we stand in humble reverence, inspired to continue our pursuit of excellence.”

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan told Geo News it’s a huge honour for him that he was first given Sitara-I-Imtiaz in 2018 and now Hilal-e-Imtiaz in 2024. “I will do my best to continue promoting the soft side of Pakistan to the world. These are the highest civilian honours and I am inded for this. It’s my duty to promote the legacy of my uncle and teacher Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan through modern Qawwali. I am thankful to the whole nation and my fans globally from across the world who have always stood by me.”

Seasoned actor and host Adnan Siddiqui received the Presidential Pride of Performance award, which is the recognition of people’s "notable achievements in the field of art, science, literature, sports, and nursing".

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori conferred the award on Siddiqui on President Zardari's behalf in a ceremony held at Governor Hous Karachi. 

Moreover, TV host Juggun Kazim also received Tamgha-e-Imtiaz for hosting the country’s biggest Ramdan transmission.

Filmmaker Bilal Lashari, who is known for “The Legend of Maula Jatt” movie, was conferred the third-highest honour and civilian award, Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence).

Other celebrities who received the honours include classical dancer Sheema Kirmani, TV host Vasay Chaudhary and others.

Wasim Badami believes that kids being part of his Ramazan transmission is not the end of the world.

In a conversation with Something Haute, he shared that if it were up to him, he would get all of Pakistan’s kids to be part of his show, including his own, the sole reason being exposure. Badami quoted Ahmed Shah as an example.

Contrary to the criticism received for having very young children on his show, the anchor and host believes that Shah’s whole image has changed for the better since becoming a part of Shaan e Ramazan. “People knew him as this ‘phadde baaz’ (aggressive) kid. Six years down the line, his whole image has changed!” he claimed.

About the assumptions that kids on his Ramazan show spend the whole day and night on set, Badami clarified, “They don’t come to spend the whole day or night there, this is a misconception. They come before their segment starts, that too, unprovoked. We tell them that it’s too early right now. But they want to have fun.”

As for complaints about children — like vlogger Muhammad Shiraz — coming from villages to participate in his show, Badami said, “I feel that these children should be encouraged to travel around the world. Why not? He’s so talented. He’s Pakistan’s pride. Why should he not travel the world? Why should he be deprived of that exposure?”

The host went on to clarify that without meaning to be boastful, he firmly believes that Shah is a great example of what early media exposure can do for children. “It’s all available online, you can go and check who Ahmed Shah was. What did people know him as? He was known for his phadde baazi (aggressive behaviour). Fast forward to today, he recites the Holy Quran on TV, he speaks to everyone with respect, I have an example to quote.”

The inclusion of Shiraz, a child YouTube sensation, in Badami’s show sparked a wave of criticism online, with many, including actor Mishi Khan, raising concerns about the exploitation of child stars for ratings and profit.

Hailing from Ghursay in Gilgit-Baltistan, Shiraz is a five-year-old vlogger who uploads his daily activities to YouTube, showcasing his “raw village life”. Within a month, his channel set him on a course to stardom, with his fan following traversing borders.

In response to the initial backlash generated by the announcement of Shiraz’s participation in the show, Badami stated during a transmission of Shan e Ramazan that child stars are treated like family members on his set. He emphasised the channel management’s commitment to their well-being and assured that their education and health is prioritised over their appearance on the show.

Pakistan's legendary scriptwriter, host, satirist and humorist Anwar Maqsood has said that fake news circulating on social media regarding him had made his life “hell”.

During the past few days, reports emerged that Maqsood was allegedly abducted a couple of days ago, where he was threatened, tortured, and slapped to stop him from speaking against the incumbent government and their “facilitators”.

In response, the noted showbiz personality had issued a brief statement through his son, Bilal Maqsood, that such reports were “baseless” and condemned all those spreading such news without verification.

The famous writer, in a now detailed video statement, said: “During the recent days, some reports were rife due to which my life had become hell. I have fans across the world; people from different countries and cities were inquiring about my well-being. I’m fine.”

The satirist informed his fans that whatever they’ve heard was untrue and “it will never happen”. He added: “I’m 84 years old. I won’t keep breathing if I’m slapped.”

The scriptwriter, responding to claims that he had been subjected to severe beating, said nothing of the sort had happened. “I love my soldiers who are sacrificing their lives for us. I’m not saying this on anyone’s instructions, I’m saying this from my heart.”

Maqsood reminded his fans that he had a basic phone, which did not even have a camera. He wondered how he could tweet without having a smartphone.

“42 fake accounts are running on social media with my name and image. I told the FIA, police to bring those accounts down, but they said they couldn’t do anything,” he added.

“But until my last breath, I will keep working for you [fans] and Pakistan,” he further said.

Alizeh Shah, a popular actress in Pakistan, recently amazed her fans with a beautiful bridal photoshoot. She looked stunning in a white wedding dress, which had elegant embroidery, making her look even more beautiful and sophisticated. The white dress symbolizes purity and innocence, fitting perfectly for a bride on her special day.

The embroidery on Alizeh’s dress was very beautiful, with detailed patterns that made her outfit feel royal. The careful craftsmanship emphasized her figure, making her look even more beautiful. The embroidery also showed Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage, mixing old traditions with new styles. Alizeh’s dress not only suited her perfectly but also showed off her great sense of style and fashion.

To complete her bridal look, Alizeh wore beautiful jewelry that matched her outfit perfectly. The jewelry had traditional designs but with a modern twist, adding style and sophistication to her look. The detailed craftsmanship of the jewelry made it look luxurious, enhancing Alizeh’s bridal attire.

Alizeh Shah’s recent bridal photoshoot shows her beauty, grace, and great style. Her choice of a white bridal gown, along with beautiful embroidery and jewelry, proves she is a fashion icon. In every new project, Alizeh keeps impressing her fans and remains one of Pakistan’s most talented and stylish actresses.

Iqra Aziz and Yasir Hussain, a much-loved celebrity couple in Pakistan, recently posted a sweet picture that made their fans very happy. The photo showed the couple with their cute son Kabir, capturing a loving moment between mother and child. This picture touched the hearts of their followers on social media, who expressed a lot of love and admiration for the family.

In the picture, Iqra Aziz can be seen giving a gentle kiss on Kabir’s cheek, a gesture of pure maternal affection that touched the hearts of fans. The picture shows the strong bond between mother and son. Moments like these remind us of the happiness and beauty of family life, and Iqra and Yasir’s fans quickly showed their love for the lovely family.

The couple is famous for being open and sincere when they talk with their fans. They often show bits of their family life on social media. This specific picture connected with their followers. The comments section was filled with messages of love and admiration for the family. Many people praised Iqra for being a loving and caring mother. Others appreciated Yasir for being a devoted father.

Iqra, Yasir, and little Kabir have become very popular with their sweet family moments. As they keep showing their life as parents to their fans, one thing is sure – the love they have for each other is very special and inspiring.

Mariyam Nafees, a famous actress with strong opinions and remarkable talent, isn’t afraid of exciting experiences. With her artistic partner, Amaan Ahmed, Mariyam went on a daring adventure in the wild landscapes of Australia. They went rafting in the wild waters, which was so thrilling that it left them breathless and wanting more.

The couple loves adventure just as much as they love each other. You could see it in how excited they were together as they went through rough rapids and rushing waters. Even with all the tough parts of nature, Mariyam and Amaan stayed strong together. They trusted each other a lot, which helped them stay strong even when things got wild and crazy.

Their adventure showed how exciting life can be and how close Mariyam and Amaan are. They both love the thrill of life’s most exciting moments. As they faced the rough waters, they felt really happy and excited. It’s like they were saying that real adventure isn’t just about beating tough things, but about enjoying the journey with open hearts and brave spirits.

After their brave trip, Mariyam and Amaan became not just adventurers but also storytellers. They told stories about being strong, being together, and always looking for excitement. Their rafting trip in Australia shows how much they both love exploring. It’s like a sign to everyone that even in normal times, you can find something amazing if you’re brave enough to look for it.

Let’s take a quick look at some photos of actress Mariyam Nafees enjoying a vacation with her husband in Australia, without waiting any longer.