Pakistani director takes Karachi’s untold stories to Palm Springs Film Festival 

Pakistani director takes Karachi’s untold stories to Palm Springs Film Festival. (Photo courtesy: Stray Dogs Come Out at Night Facebook Page)
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Updated 16 June 2020
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Pakistani director takes Karachi’s untold stories to Palm Springs Film Festival 

  • Bangash says he wanted to draw attention to high suicide rate among young men in the country
  • Short film will be screened at virtual edition of prestigious event which ends on June 22

KARACHI: It’s a Karachi we all know but seldom talk about; and to start the conversation is an 11-minute short film by Pakistani-Canadian director, Hamza Bangash, which has been selected for screening at the virtual edition of the renowned Palm Springs International Festival (PSIF) this year.

Bangash says it’s his attempt to share some of Karachi’s untold stories by night.

“Although fiction, the film is inspired by the stories I heard,” Bangash, 29, said in an exclusive interview with Arab News on Tuesday.

Titled Stray Dogs Come Out At Night (SDCOAN), the film revolves around a young masseur named Iqbal and his acceptance of life as an HIV-positive person. 

In addition to being screened at the PSIF 2020, which runs from June 16-22, the film has also been nominated in two of its award categories – Best Live Action Short, and Vimeo Staff Pick Award.

Bangash said the film’s name is a metaphor used to describe the plight of young men in the country who are “often brutalized and not given enough opportunities” and a “revolt against toxic masculinity” that is rampant in society.

“The lives of the maalishwalas (masseurs) as shown in the film are more or less similar to those of stray dogs, who are in every nook and corner of Karachi and come out at night,” he said.

Iqbal, played by Pakistani actor Mohammad Ali Hashmi, lives with his uncle, Khurram – veteran actor Adnan Shah Tipu – in a one-bedroom apartment of Karachi. 

Both are uneducated migrants from Punjab, miles away from their families, navigating a new life in an alien city.

Khurram is a masseur, too, but has over the years learnt the tricks of the trade and how to survive the abusive nature of the profession. 

Their only respite is a visit to the city’s Sea View Beach, and it’s during one such afternoon when Iqbal – weighed down by life’s tribulations – feels drawn to the sea in an unusual way.

Bangash said, through the film, he wanted to explore the reasons for the increasing incidents of suicide among young men in the country.

“Iqbal’s character embodies the most common traits behind those taking their lives in our country; young, poor, isolated – with limited education and even more limited opportunities for growth,” he said.

His observations are not unfounded.

According to a 2012 report by the World Health Organization (WHO), around 13,000 people had killed themselves in Pakistan that year, with a significant drop in the suicide rate four years later where more than 5,500 took their lives in 2016. 

There was no recent data available on the topic.

Bangash said, while the numbers have improved significantly, the problems remain, and despite SDCOAN taking two years to make, “it was all worth it.”

“I spent eight months in research and finally shot the film in October 2018 over 48 hours, on a tiny budget. Then, I spent over a year-and-a-half in post-production and completed it in December 2019,” he said.

The efforts finally paid off, and the film premiered at France’s Clermont-Ferrand International Film Festival in February 2020. 

“After Clermont, the film was supposed to tour across Europe and North America, but coronavirus hit and festivals started to get canceled. I’m so grateful for our recent selection at Palm Springs. The festival programmer even called us one of the highlights of this year’s edition!” he said.

However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing from the start, with casting issues being one of his core problems, to begin with.

“We must have reached out to dozens of actors; no one was willing to come on board. We got really lucky with both Mohammad Ali Hashmi and Adnan Shah Tipu who is one of the few actors with international experience in art-house cinema,” he said.

Another issue was that film was entirely in Punjabi – a language that Bangash did not speak.

“It was really interesting to write a script in English, convert it to Urdu, and then work on the dialogues with my actors who speak in Punjabi. The experiences which both Hashmi and Tipu brought to the film, as native Punjabi-speakers, really helped mold the film into what it is today,” Bangash said.

He added that while he knew of Tipu due to the length and breadth of his performances in theater and film, he’d spotted Ali during one of his stage shows.

That was the first rung of the ladder, with Ali spending months in research to get into the skin of Iqbal’s character.

“After meeting up with many malishwalas during our research, we picked one for our character and I tried my best to adopt his mannerisms into my acting,” Ali, 26, told Arab News.

He added that the experience was emotionally draining and took him weeks to “get out of character.”

Ali narrates an incident when, during research, they were standing outside a restaurant “in their characters’ get up” and the management staff thought they were masseurs and pushed them away.

“At that point, I realized the humiliation, pain and agony that these people go through on a daily basis,” he said.

As for Bangash, he said he was happy that the film was being showcased on a distinguished platform, adding that winning the award was never a priority.

“It would be incredible to win, but it’s such an honor just to be competing in Palm Springs,” he said.


Pakistan begins voting for PSL Fans’ Choice Awards

Updated 9 sec ago
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Pakistan begins voting for PSL Fans’ Choice Awards

  • Voting for six categories will take place on PSL official YouTube Channel at 6pm every day till January 10
  • PSL Players’ Draft is scheduled for Jan. 11, while the 2025 edition will be held between April 8 and May 19

ISLAMABAD: The voting process for the much-awaited Pakistan Super League (PSL) Fans’ Choice Awards began on Sunday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said, with voting for the best batter taking place on PSL’s official YouTube channel from 6pm Pakistan time.
PSL is set to welcome its landmark 10th edition later this year. The Fans’ Choice Awards mark the celebration of some of the star players who have entertained fans and contributed toward the popularity of the Twenty20 league worldwide.
The nominees for the best batter of the HBL PSL included the top-three leading run-getters across the nine seasons — Babar Azam (3,504 runs), Fakhar Zaman (2,525 runs) and Mohammad Rizwan (2,403 runs).
“The voting for the six categories will take place on the official YouTube channel of the HBL PSL till Friday, 10 January and the winners of the Fans’ Choice Awards will be announced on Saturday, 11 January at the Players’ Draft ceremony,” the PCB said in a statement.
A total of six lucky fans, who would cast their votes on the PSL YouTube channel between Jan. 5 and Jan. 10, will also become eligible to win 2025 edition tickets through a lucky draw.
The six categories for the awards include, best batter, best bowler, best all-rounder, most valuable players, best individual performance, and the PSL icon.
Nominees will be revealed on the PSL official social media handles at the start of voting every day till Jan. 10.


History maker Maphaka removes Babar as Pakistan battle at Newlands

Updated 05 January 2025
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History maker Maphaka removes Babar as Pakistan battle at Newlands

  • Pakistan reach 155-7 at lunch trailing by 460 runs
  • Pakistan are a batter short after Saim Ayub’s injury

CAPE TOWN: South Africa’s youngest test debutant Kwena Maphaka took the key wicket of Babar Azam as Pakistan reached 155 for an effective seven wickets at lunch on day three of the second and final test at Newlands on Sunday, trailing their hosts by 460 runs.

Fast bowler Maphaka, 18, induced an edge down the leg side from Babar, who was caught by wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne having looked in control with a well-played 58.

Aamer Jamal will resume after the interval on five along with Khurram Shahzad, who has yet to score, as Pakistan seek to reduce their first innings deficit on a wicket that is still good for batting, but likely to deteriorate on days four and five.

Pakistan are a batter short after opener Saim Ayub fractured his ankle while fielding on the opening day and will take no further part in the game.

Maphaka (1-43) set off on a wild celebration when he captured the prized scalp of Babar, his first test wicket having taken over from former spinner Paul Adams as South Africa’s youngest test player.

Mohammad Rizwan made 46 before he inexplicably charged down the wicket at seamer Wiaan Mulder and was the second wicket to fall in the session with a wild swipe that resulted in him playing the ball onto his own stumps.

Salman Agha made 19 but was the third man out, stumped by Verreynne off the bowling of spinner Keshav Maharaj.

The home side posted a massive 615 in their first innings thanks to centuries from Ryan Rickelton (259), Temba Bavuma (106) and Verreynne (100).

South Africa have already claimed their place in June’s World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s from June 11-15, and are looking to win this series 2-0 after claiming a tense first test by two wickets in Pretoria.


Pakistan to fly injured Ayub to London for treatment as Champions Trophy looms

Updated 05 January 2025
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Pakistan to fly injured Ayub to London for treatment as Champions Trophy looms

  • Saim Ayub has been ruled out of cricket for six weeks after he sustained ankle injury on Friday 
  • Pakistan are scheduled to play Champions Trophy 2025 opener against New Zealand on Feb. 19

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has decided to send injured left-handed opening batter Saim Ayub to London for immediate medical treatment, the board said on Sunday, with the important Champions Trophy tournament just weeks away. 

Ayub has been ruled out of competitive cricket for up to six weeks due to a right ankle fracture that he sustained while fielding against South Africa at Newlands on Friday.

Ayub, one of Pakistan’s in-form batters who has performed well in white-ball matches against Australia and South Africa in recent weeks, is in danger of missing Pakistan’s Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand at Karachi on Feb. 19.

“Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi has decided to send Saim Ayub to London for immediate treatment and the decision was made after consulting the doctors,” the board said in a statement. 

The PCB said that Ayub, who was supposed to return to Pakistan with the squad, will now head to England. It said Naqvi spoke to Ayub over the phone and inquired about his well-being. 

Naqvi said the Pakistani batter will be checked by sports ortho specialist doctors in England, adding that an immediate appointment has been made by the PCB. 

“The medical team is looking into the entire case and Dr. Mumraiz has shared Saim’s medical reports with specialists in England,” Naqvi said. 

He described Ayub as a “brilliant stylish batsman and asset of Pakistan cricket.”

“Saim’s treatment will be done in the best hospital in the world and in this regard all resources will be used for his treatment,” Naqvi said. “We hope that the left-handed batter will make a full recovery before the ICC Champions Trophy.”

Saim will travel to London from Cape Town on the first available flight, with assistant coach Azhar Mahmood accompanying him.


Over 4,000 participate in second World Athletics-certified marathon in Karachi

Updated 49 min 24 sec ago
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Over 4,000 participate in second World Athletics-certified marathon in Karachi

  • Athletes from Poland, Germany, Japan and other countries take part in marathon event
  • The event featured Marathon (42.195 KM), Marathon Relay, Half Marathon (21.0975 KM) and 5KM Fun Race

KARACHI: At least 4,000 people from all walks of life took part in an annual marathon event, accredited by the World Athletics and held in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi on Sunday, its organizer said. 

The event kicked off on Sunday morning from the city’s Nishan-e-Pakistan monument at Sea View. It featured five types of marathons, such as the Full Marathon (42.195km) the Half-Marathon (21.1 km), the Relay Marathon, a team of four participants for 42.2km (10.5km run, 10.5km run, 10.5km run, 10.5km run and the Fun Run, a 5 km run.

Athletes hailing from Poland, Germany, Japan and many others participated in the event, Sports in Pakistan, one of the organizers of the event, said in a press release. The marathon’s certification by the World Rankings Competition ensured a world-class experience for all participants, it added. 

“We are delighted with the overwhelming success of the Karachi Marathon 2025,” Shoaib Nizami, CEO of Sports in Pakistan, said. 

“The event has emerged as a testament to Karachi’s unwavering resilience and warm hospitality and we extend our sincerest gratitude to our participants, sponsors, and partners for their invaluable support.”

The top performers in each category were:

Marathon Category:

  • Male Winner (1st Prize): Israr Muhammad (Pakistan) – Time: 2:30:13 won Rs. 500,000/
  • Male Winner (2nd Prize): Muhammad Riaz (Pakistan) – 2:32:13 won Rs. 250,000/
  • Female Winner (1st Prize): Enub Khan (Pakistan) – 3:47:49 won Rs. 500,000/
  • Female Winner (2nd Prize): Uzma Abid (Pakistan) – 4:01:13 won Rs. 250,000/

Half Marathon Category:

  • Male Winner (1st Prize): Muhammad Ajhtar (Pakistan) – Time: 1:12:08 won Rs. 50,000/
  • Second Runner-up Male (2nd Prize): Qasim Bajwa (Pakistan) – 1:12:52 won Rs. 40,000/
  • Female Winner (1st Prize): Mumtaz Naimat – 1:43:26 won Rs. 50,000/
  • Second Runner-up Female (2nd Prize): Dua Nazakat (Pakistan) – 1:51:45 won Rs. 40,000/

The city saw its first-ever World Athletics-certified marathon last year in January 2024 where hundreds of people from all walks of life participated. 


OIC body, Pakistani university launch fellowship program for Bangladeshi students and scholars

Updated 05 January 2025
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OIC body, Pakistani university launch fellowship program for Bangladeshi students and scholars

  • Program open for Bangladeshi nationals aged 22-45 residing anywhere, says state media 
  • Covers tuition fee waiver, airfare, honorarium and free accommodation for students, scholars

ISLAMABAD: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation and Pakistan’s University of Lahore have joined hands to launch a fellowship program for Bangladeshi students and scholars, state-run media reported on Sunday. 

The program is open for Bangladeshi nationals aged 22 to 45, residing in any country of the world, the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said. It said Bangladeshi nationals must have outstanding academic achievements and a demonstrated commitment to contributing to their communities for the fellowship.

The program covers tuition fee waiver, round-trip airfare, honorarium and free accommodation, it added. 

“This fellowship program is a testament to our commitment to bridging gaps in education and research across the Muslim world,” Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, COMSTECH’s coordinator general said. 

“By investing in Bangladeshi scholars and students, we aim to cultivate a generation of innovators and leaders who will address the challenges of our time.”

Eligible candidates can apply through the official websites of COMSTECH and the University of Lahore, APP said, adding that applications are open until Mar. 1, 2025.

The development takes place amid a renewed push from both Bangladesh and Pakistan to improve their ties after former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s ouster from office in August last year. 

Established together as one independent nation in 1947, Bangladesh won liberation from then-West Pakistan in 1971. Relations between the two countries continued to deteriorate during Hasina’s administration, which prosecuted several members of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) party for war crimes relating to the 1971 conflict.

However, Islamabad’s ties with Dhaka have improved as Bangladesh’s relations with India, where Hasina has sought refuge, have deteriorated.