Celebrities

Ayesha Omar says image-based abuse damaged her career and mental health

Actor Ayesha Omar has opened up about the impact of image-based abuse, saying that private vacation photos shared online without her consent affected her career, mental health and personal life.

Speaking to BBC Global Women, Omar criticised social media platforms and authorities for failing to protect women. She was featured in a report by gender justice organisation Chayn, which documented cases of image-based abuse faced by Pakistani and diaspora women in countries including the UK, Canada, Germany, Malaysia, the UAE and Kuwait.

Omar recalled that private photos from a trip to Thailand with friends were leaked online without her permission. She said one image, showing her in a swimsuit and shorts, was allegedly taken from her laptop and widely circulated.

The actor said the incident caused serious damage to her professional life. She revealed that she lost work opportunities because women in her culture are often expected to maintain a certain public image, especially when representing brands.

Omar also shared that the experience deeply affected her mental well-being. She said it left her traumatised and hypervigilant, making her constantly worry that someone might be secretly filming her.

Chayn founder Hera Hussein said image-based abuse should not be understood only as the sharing of nude photos. She stressed that the real issue is lack of consent, adding that even non-explicit images can be harmful in certain cultural contexts.

The report also highlighted the case of a Pakistani woman identified by the alias Mahnoor, whose private photos in Western clothing were allegedly circulated by her ex-husband. According to the report, the incident damaged her marriage, affected her family relationships and had consequences for her children.

The BBC report noted that image-based abuse has now expanded beyond leaked photos, as images can be cropped, edited or manipulated to create false narratives.

Omar and Mahnoor’s cases show how image-based abuse continues to harm women, including public figures, often through revenge-driven harassment and online shaming.

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Sanam Jung questions Karachi’s e-challan system after six traffic fines

Pakistani actor and television host Sanam Jung says she received six traffic e-challans within a month of returning to Pakistan, claiming that several were issued for violations she did not commit.

In an Instagram video, Sanam said the repeated fines had frustrated her family, particularly her father. She accepted responsibility for the first challan, which was issued for using a mobile phone while driving.

However, she disputed some of the later fines, including one for allegedly not wearing a seat belt. Sanam said fastening a seat belt had become a regular habit during her time abroad and insisted that she never begins driving without it.

Questioning the accuracy of the system, she expressed concern over being penalised for offences she says did not occur.

Celebrities

Tipu Sharif laments Karachi’s disappearing trees and shrinking green spaces

Actor Tipu Sharif has urged Karachi residents to plant more trees as rapid development continues to shrink the city’s green spaces.

Sharing an Instagram video of himself distributing plantation supplies, Sharif encouraged people to take part in tree-planting drives. He remarked that many graveyards now appear greener than residential areas and called for living spaces to be made equally green.

The actor warned that Karachi is losing trees at an alarming rate, leading to hotter streets, poorer air quality, less shade and fewer birds.

Referring to the monsoon season, Sharif said it presented the ideal opportunity to increase the city’s greenery. “The monsoon season is starting in Karachi. There’s no better time to start planting trees. I request you guys to fill Karachi’s roads, footpaths, and alleys. Please plant trees everywhere and increase greenery,” he said.

Highlighting the city’s rapid construction and property developments, the actor warned that continued deforestation could lead to serious environmental and health concerns. “In Karachi, there is not even two per cent of trees left and there’s construction and development happening. After a few years, we won’t even be able to breathe,” he stated.

Regarding his own efforts to combat the issue, Sharif shared that he had been distributing agricultural material across different parts of the city. “Today I am at the forestry nursery, taking 200 peepal trees to be planted in different areas, cemeteries, and places where greenery is lacking,” he said.

“Just think, people who have already passed away have greener surroundings in these cemeteries, while people living today don’t have clean air to breathe. Why is this?” the actor questioned.

Concluding his message, Sharif wrote, “Our one simple goal is to leave behind shade for people we’ll probably never meet. A tree planted today is a gift to future generations. Let’s stop turning Karachi into a concrete jungle and start bringing life back, one tree at a time.”

Sharif is known for his performances in dramas including Tapish, Humrahi, and Sitaron Se Agay. Along with advocating for environmental conservation, the actor also runs an advocacy page on Instagram addressing issues regarding animal abuse and sharing content about distributing food among the homeless.

Celebrities

Waqar Hussain’s Beautiful Gesture For Female Workers Win Hearts

Waqar Hussain is a celebrity makeup artist who has worked with many big names in the industry. He is also a versatile actor and his stint on Qudussi Sahab Ki Bewa is unmatched. He sat for a podcast and revealed a lesser known side of him. Fans are loving it and singing praises of him.

Waqar Hussain is also known for his bridal makeups. He makes the best brides in Pakistan but his greatness is not just limited to decorating brides. He revealed a great relationship that he shares with his female workers.

He shared that he has always treated his female workers as his own family. He has no daughter of his own but he has married off 10 girls who worked for him like his daughters. Mostly women do not continue to work after marriage but he is happy that he trained those women to have independent careers if they need it anytime.

The star is being applauded for his greatness. Babar Zaheer said, “You are great.” Another added, “So kind of you.” One said, “This is why Allah has blessed you.”