Entertainment

Hamza Ali Abbasi, Naimal Khawar Launch Supervised Matchmaking App with Wali Feature

In a country where love stories often tiptoe around societal expectations, finding a life partner can feel less like romance and more like a carefully supervised project. In Pakistan, where dating still raises eyebrows and traditional matchmaking can feel rigid, if not outright limiting, the idea of two individuals getting to truly know each other before marriage remains a sensitive, almost controversial concept.

Into this complicated landscape step Hamza Ali Abbasi and Naimal Khawar—a celebrity couple now positioning themselves as unlikely matchmakers for the modern Muslim generation.

Earlier this week, the duo announced the launch of their new matrimonial platform, Marriage 4 Life, a service they say is rooted firmly in “Islamic values” while attempting to bridge the gap between tradition and technology.

But, this isn’t just another matchmaking app, according to Abbasi, what sets Marriage 4 Life apart is its global, on-ground presence. Offices have already been established across cities in the UK, Norway, Paris, and Denmark, along with a base in Lahore. The couple also hinted at expansion plans that include Karachi, North America, and the Middle East—suggesting ambitions far beyond a simple digital platform.

These offices, Abbasi explained, will serve more than just introductions. They aim to offer pre- and post-marital consultations, with a team that includes psychologists and therapists—an inclusion that quietly acknowledges a growing need for emotional and mental health support in relationships often rushed into commitment.

Still, it’s the app’s most talked-about feature that has truly stirred conversation – the Wali function, thata is designed to allow parents or guardians to oversee interactions between potential matches, this feature comes with two modes. In one, conversations can be monitored in real time. In the other, an AI system scans messages for “indecent” language and alerts guardians when necessary.

For some, it’s a reassuring nod to cultural norms. For others, it raises questions about privacy, autonomy, and whether digital matchmaking is simply recreating the same controlled environment it claims to modernise. Abbasi, however, describes the platform as an “all-in-one solution” to marriage-related challenges, pointing to its detailed bio-data system, reportedly verified by agents on the ground—as another distinguishing feature.

Yet, despite the innovation, a lingering question remains: how different is this from the age-old scene of a boy and girl sitting across from each other under the watchful gaze of family, urged to “get to know each other”? Abbasi and Khawar have framed it as an introductory glimpse, promising more comprehensive details in the days ahead.

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Entertainment

‘Mera Lyari’ heads to UK Asian Film Festival, tackles stereotypes

Pakistani cinema is once more drawing international attention, reflecting the industry’s expanding global influence. The latest example is the film Mera Lyari, scheduled for its world premiere on May 2, 2026, as part of the 28th UK Asian Film Festival hosted at London’s British Film Institute.

For years, cinematic portrayals of Karachi’s Lyari neighborhood have predominantly framed it through the lens of crime and turmoil. Mera Lyari counters this established narrative by foregrounding the community’s vitality, perseverance, and its significant role in nurturing Pakistan’s sporting talent. The film seeks to reframe Lyari’s image, offering a more authentic perspective centred on its residents, cultural life, and profound passion for football.

Mera Lyari was first released in Pakistan in January 2026 with support from the Sindh government. The film features a strong cast including Dananeer Mobeen, Ayesha Omar and Samiya Mumtaz. It is written and directed by Abu Aleeha, who has tried to tell a story that reflects everyday life in Lyari rather than repeating familiar stereotypes.

A notable aspect of the film is that many members of the supporting cast are from Lyari. Their involvement adds a sense of authenticity to the story, allowing the film to present a more natural and honest reflection of the community, its language and its way of life.

At its core, the film revolves around football, a sport that holds a special place in the area. It shows how the game brings people together and serves as a source of hope and identity for the community. Through its characters and setting, the film presents Lyari as a centre of talent and culture, rather than one of violence.

The release of Mera Lyari also comes in response to the Indian film Dhurandhar, which faced criticism for its portrayal of Lyari as a hub of terrorism and gang conflict. The depiction sparked displeasure among those in Pakistan, with many arguing that the movie ignored the area’s positive aspects.

The controversy even led to a constitutional petition being filed in a Karachi court, particularly over the portrayal of political figures such as Benazir Bhutto.

By taking the film to an international platform, the makers of Mera Lyari hope to offer a more balanced perspective of the area and of Karachi as a whole. The screening at the UK festival may open new doors for Pakistani cinema, while also helping reshape global perceptions of the country.

More importantly, the film sends a clear message: Lyari is more than the stereotypes and stories; it is a place of culture, sport and community.

Entertainment

‘Zombeid’ Teaser: Fahad Mustafa and Mehwish Hayat Enter Zombie Madness

The wait just got a lot more intense and a lot more terrifying. The teaser for Zombeid, starring Fahad Mustafa and Mehwish Hayat, has finally dropped, and it wastes no time in setting a grim, blood-soaked tone.

Opening with a haunting voiceover – “We’ve seen wars, we’ve seen the pandemic, only this was left” – the teaser plunges straight into a chaotic montage of snarling zombies, flashing danger from every corner. It’s loud, unsettling, and unapologetically gory, signaling a dramatic departure from the safer, formula-driven storytelling Pakistani audiences are used to.

Touted as Pakistan’s first full-fledged zombie thriller, Zombeid looks determined to push boundaries. The teaser hints at a high-adrenaline narrative packed with action. One standout moment features Fahad Mustafa inside a fighting octagon, stripped down and ready for combat, suggesting that survival here won’t come easy it’ll be fought for, brutally.

Behind the madness is the familiar powerhouse duo of Nabeel Qureshi and Fizza Ali Meerza, known for delivering crowd-pleasing hits. This time, however, they seem to be trading humor and social commentary for tension, fear, and spectacle

Amid the chaos, the teaser also offers a softer glimpse into the story. A brief but intimate shot of Mustafa and Hayat together hints at an emotional core beneath the horror, a relationship that might be tested in the face of unimaginable danger. It’s a reminder that even in a world overrun by the undead, human connection remains at stake.

Set for an Eidul Azha release, Zombeid is shaping up to be one of the most unconventional films to hit Pakistani cinemas in years.

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Entertainment

Saheefa Jabbar Khattak Labels Overseas Pakistanis ‘Hypocrites’

Never one to soften her words, Saheefa Jabbar Khattak has once again found herself at the center of public conversation for her remarks about overseas Pakistanis and their often emotional ties to home.

The model-turned-actress, known as much for her outspoken nature as for her work in the fashion and entertainment industry, recently appeared on the talk show GupShab. During the conversation, she reflected on her own experience of moving abroad with her husband, offering a perspective that sharply contrasts with the nostalgic narratives often shared by expatriates.

While many public figures, including Sanam Jung, have openly discussed the emotional challenges of settling in a new country. Saheefa took a more critical stance. She questioned what she described as a pattern of contradiction among overseas Pakistanis, calling out what she perceives as a lack of honesty in how people talk about life abroad.

According to her, individuals who choose to relocate should fully embrace their new environment instead of romanticizing what they left behind. She emphasized that living overseas comes with structure, rules, and opportunities that many willingly accept, yet some continue to dwell on comforts they once had in Pakistan. In her view, this mindset reflects a kind of hypocrisy, enjoying the benefits of a new life while simultaneously longing for the conveniences of the old one.

Her comments quickly gained traction online, drawing mixed reactions; some social media users agreed with her straightforward take, appreciating her willingness to say what others might hesitate to voice. Others, however, felt her remarks overlooked the emotional complexities of migration; the quiet loneliness, the cultural disconnect, and the longing for familiarity that often accompanies starting over in a foreign land.

Saheefa, who has previously spoken about her personal struggles with mental health and taken breaks from acting, is currently focusing more on her digital presence rather than actively pursuing television projects.