Bank Alfalah announced the relaunch of AlfaMall featuring an exclusive BNPL option in the fashion category. Marking the occasion, an exclusive exhibit featuring renowned designers was held at the historic Mohatta Palace, unveiling the new AlfaMall website with a celebration of style, financial empowerment, and digital innovation.

The event was graced by Senator Rubina Khalid, Chairperson of the BISP, Consul Generals from the UAE, US and UK Deputy High Commission, CEOs from leading companies, top-tier celebrities and influencers.

A feature of the new AlfaMall is the Hunarmand category, dedicated to supporting and empowering local artisans. Through partnerships with skilled craftsmen and craftswomen, particularly women artisans, this initiative highlights the cultural heritage of Pakistan through products like Ralli quilts and intricate embroidery. Customers can purchase these handmade items, supporting sustainable fashion and economic growth for artisans.

In line with Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage, the show in the fashion category showcased renowned fashion designers such as Deepak Perwani, House of Amir Adnan, Muneeb Nawaz, Ali Javeri, and Hassan Sheheryar Yasin (HSY). These fashion outfits and jewellery can be purchased on AlfaMall.

Munib Nawaz’s dystopian dream was an homage to the dilemma we all face each day, confronting what’s inside and trying to maintain a strong facade on the outside. The collection focused on building structural facades with re-engineered pieces that juxtaposed them with an innate intricacy. 

House of Amir Adnan’s collection name was “Nawabs and Begums of Karachi.” The collection reinterpreted the splendour of Karachi’s aristocracy with a modern, minimalist palette of gold, white, and black. Embracing timeless elegance with a fresh aesthetic, each piece merged heritage with contemporary design, creating a striking contrast of opulence and modernity.

Three-piece suits and sherwanis in black and white were meticulously tailored, showcasing sleek silhouettes that exude sophistication. Gold accents—like intricate embroidery along lapels, collars, and cuffs—offered a refined touch, the white pieces evoked a sense of purity and poise, with black providing a bold counterpoint emphasising modern tastes. For women, the collection featured dresses in flowing yet structured designs, combining layers of delicate white and black fabrics with gold embellishments.

Deepak Perwani’s collection was inspired by strong women and architecture of Jaipur to the pink city. Ghaghras with delicate embroidered designs presented vibrant colours to the audience. “Fashion has the ability to connect people and boundaries,” the designer emphasised. 

HSY’s outfits, a masterpiece, were intricately handcrafted to embody both timeless tradition and bold contemporary flair. Set against Lahore’s iconic architecture, the golden elements in each design symbolized the timeless elegance that defines both the city and his brand.

Ali Javeri’s segment presented opulent jewellery with stones and kundan, accentuated by black dresses worn by the models.

By Ayman Munaf

Sultana Siddiqui, the powerhouse behind Hum Network, presented yet another compelling story after Mann Jogi on the screen with her second production, Nadaan. Known for her fearless approach to storytelling and projecting reality, Sultana Siddiqui once again chose to tackle pressing social issues through an intense drama series that promise to engage and inform. Nadaan, directed by Mehreen Jabbar and written by Saji Gul, delve deep into the dark realities of drug mafia and corruption, giving viewers a gripping portrayal of crime and resilience.

The story revolved around SHO Hussain (Ahmed Ali Akbar) and Dr. Tabeer (Ramsha Khan), two determined characters whose paths converged in their mission to cleanse their community from the pervasive influence of drugs. Set in the fictional town of Jam Nagar, where drug lords reign supreme and manipulate the weak, Nadaan showcased the relentless battle between good and evil. Ahmed Ali Akbar’s character, Hussain, a principled police officer tasked with rooting out the narcotics trade. His character pitted against the formidable antagonist Pir Subhan, a powerful drug lord who sold “ice” under the guise of medicine to his followers.

Nadaan is not only a narrative on addiction but also an exploration of the resilience required to stand up against evils. The episodes kept viewers engaged without the drawn-out length typical of traditional dramas, aligning with the recent trend of mini-series that deliver impactful storytelling within a shorter framework. This approach has resonated well with audiences, as seen with previous successful Hum TV mini-series like Mann Jogi. 

Critics have praised Nadaan for its realistic portrayal of the drug trade and the psychological toll it takes on both victims and those who fight to protect them. Under Mehreen Jabbar’s direction, the drama shed light on how crime and corruption deeply infiltrate communities, and how a few brave souls can make a significant difference. Saji Gul’s storytelling doesn’t just entertain but educates the audience on the harsh realities of addiction and the importance of societal responsibility.

This mini-series format has allowed Hum TV to craft concise, high-impact narratives that captivate modern viewers who seek meaningful, fast-paced content. With Nadaan, Sultana Siddiqui has once again underscored her commitment to using media as a platform for social awareness, shedding light on topics that are often brushed under the rug.

In a society grappling with numerous challenges, Nadaan stands as a powerful reminder of the courage needed to confront wrongdoing. By bringing together a stellar cast and a visionary director, Sultana Siddiqui has crafted a story that’s both timely and thought provoking, making Nadaan a must watch for viewers looking for substance and inspiration.

By Khursheed Hyder

Afshan Farooqi’s garden is the talk of the town, specially during spring time. Sprawling on a huge area in the middle of the built home structure, it houses flowers and rare plants set in tastefully designed areas. Her brother-in-law Kaleem Farooqui, a known businessman, and her husband Naeem Farooqi take huge interest in maintaining the aesthetically pleasing garden throughout the year.

Afshan Farooqi got interested in gardening through her father, “I think it was in the genes. My father was the first Pakistani Ph.D. in agriculture from UCLA.”

Growing up in an apartment in Rome, they had a small garden and Afshan’s mother was always experimenting with lemon seeds, beautiful rose bushes and various fruits. After her own marriage, she was very lucky to be married into a family of renowned horticulturists. “My father-in-law loved his green lawn and also planted various basic flowers and vegetables in his garden.”

Spring, says Afshan, is the best time in their enclave, “as our elders call it.” Work starts in the huge garden area at the end of August/September and seeds are planted by her husband all the way to January. “My brother–in-law Kaleem Farooqui who is our backbone in the enclave has very beautifully documented each season for the last 30 years.

Different seeds are sowed at different times so that they all bloom around the same time which is the last week of February and first week of March. The garden transforms into a riot of colours with beautiful designs and fragrances, which guests enjoy when they are invited in the spring to witness the transformation. The garden festival has become iconic as people from all walks of life such as celebrities, politicians, consul generals, officials, friends and families are invited in the tea parties held for more than a week to celebrate the season.

The outstanding features for Afshan is the orchids section which is her favourite flower. “We got exposure to beautiful orchids in Manila, and I did an in-depth study about orchids to learn how to treat and maintain them in our challenging environment when it is not so humid.”

Apart from the time spent in taking care of the garden, Afshan wears a lot of working caps as she does not believe in sitting idle. She holds the position of Vice President of the Ladies Horticultural Club of Karachi in which they have monthly meetings and different activities to create an atmosphere of learning. “We did a plant gala recently and people bought a lot of plants and learnt how to take care of them, tutored by the committee members. Afshan also has a catering business ‘Bombay Bhel,’ the specialty being Bhel puri.  “We make many other savoury things and have several outlets around the city.”

In the end Afshan Farooqi says life is a gift from God. “I love life and have learnt a lot from the ups and downs. It is very important to learn new things in your lifetime. There is nothing you can’t do. Just keep focused and always try to do your best,” she emphasized.