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HUM Network and Police Pledge Road Safety Culture

HUM Network Limited (HNL), in collaboration with police departments from the four provinces—Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Balochistan—has initiated a campaign aimed at reducing traffic accidents in partnership with Shell Pakistan.
In this regard, press briefings were held on December 19, 2024, in each province to emphasise the importance of drivers obtaining licenses and the necessity of wearing helmets and seat belts.
In Punjab, the briefing took place at the Lahore Central Police Office, headed by Dr. Usman Anwar, IG Police Punjab, Sultana Siddiqui, President and Duraid Qureshi, CEO of HNL. “There is now no excuse for individuals not to possess a licence, as the process has been simplified for the public,” remarked Dr Anwar, underscoring the significance of adhering to traffic regulations, including wearing helmets.
Duraid Qureshi, addressing on the occasion said it was a great privilege to collaborate with the police across all four provinces, adding that the main objectives of the campaign were to transform behaviours, change mind-sets, and address the widespread negative perceptions of the police that needed to be altered.
President, HUM Network emphasised that with the growing population, it is crucial to strengthen the enforcement of rules and regulations to prevent accidents. She said the effectiveness of such campaigns relies heavily on collaborations between the public and private sectors. “As a media network, our role is to raise awareness, while law enforcement will be involved in the implementation,” she added.
At the press event in Karachi, held at the CCPO office, attendees included Ghulam Nabi Memon IG Police Sindh, Javed Alam Odho, Karachi Police Chief, Asad ur Rehman, CEO-Designate, Arif Hussain, COO, HNL and Badar Ikram, Head of HUM Films.
IG Police Sindh has announced that, following an initial awareness campaign, any vehicles operating on the road without a valid licence, would face strict enforcement measures.
In Balochistan, the event involved signing a memorandum of understanding between Balochistan Police and HUM Network along with a press briefing. Syed Arfeen, Bureau Chief, HUM News Karachi, and Ayub Tareen, Bureau Chief, HUM News Quetta represented the network. Moazzam Jah Ansari, IG Police Balochistan, addressing the briefing, said: “We will not only work on making it mandatory for people to wear helmets and acquire licences, but also collaborate with stakeholders to remove road encroachments, create more parking spaces and improve road infrastructure.
Peshawar’s briefing on the campaign was headed by Qasim Ali Khan, CCPO, Peshawar Traffic Police, along with Islam Ahmed Khan, Head of Business Oraganisation, HNL and Rehan Ahmed, Director News, HUM News. The CCPO stated that this awareness initiative could help the public avoid hefty fines in future. Chief Traffic Officer Saud Khan highlighted efforts to integrate traffic safety education into school curricula. “We will take this campaign to universities and colleges as well as hospitals.”
Recently, Islamabad joined the campaign with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between HUM Network and the Islamabad Traffic Police. The agreement was signed by Duraid Qureshi, CEO, HNL and Sarfraz Virk, CTO, Islamabad Capital Territory.
A Teen's Lens
Fashion Influencers are Becoming Cultural Ambassadors
Written by Myra Shah
Each province in Pakistan has distinctive fabric heritage, such as the Sindhi ajrak and Punjabi phulkari. Pakistani fashion influencers have blended cultural identity with modern tools to rebrand Pakistan’s global image. Social media is no longer only about entertainment for us, it is also where we learn about culture, identity and trends.
Some examples of famous fashion influencers in Pakistan include, Zain Ahmad the founder of a Pakistani clothing brand ‘Rastah’ that has gained international recognition. Zain’s designs have been worn by famous influencers including Justin Bieber and Anwar Hadid.

Moreover, model Mushk Kaleem, frequently represents Pakistan while walking runways abroad, talking about inclusivity. This made us brown teens who feel left out from the beauty standard, feel seen as she has redefined the “ beauty standard”
These creatives have made Pakistani fashion more accessible to us, younger generations eg. by pairing khussas with jeans. This also attracts international audiences who want to incorporate cultural elements into their fashion style. These steps keep our culture alive, while making it a part of everyday fashion.

Fashion influencers play a critical role in highlighting the diversity between the different regions of Pakistan, as many feature regional designs in their content, allowing viewers to witness the wide spectrum of Pakistani culture through a single scroll of their social media accounts. This plays a significant role as it was found that 82% of people are highly likely to follow influencer recommendations (Berger, 2016)
Pakistani wedding fashion has gone viral on social media platforms such as Tiktok and Instagram and led to Pakistani designer’s work being featured in bridal magazines as well as representing South Asian culture. Influencers like Sarah Sarosh frequently incorporate Pakistani elements in their content, this demonstrates the influence of our fashion across borders.

Apart from clothing fashion, influencers like Hania Amir have used their reach not only to showcase fashion, but also to promote mental health awareness and body positivity – topics that really matter to us as teens. Fashion influencers elevate Pakistan’s global image and positively affect the economy by highlighting small businesses that contribute to the country’s creative economy.

Furthermore, many influencers are now invited to international fashion weeks and exhibitions, further cementing their status as cultural ambassadors. The power of Pakistani fashion influencers is growing rapidly and this comes with great responsibility. It is essential influencers promote sustainability and ethical practices. Influencers like Anoushay Abbassi’s blend of fashion and advocacy for supporting local artisans makes their influencer role highly crucial.
In today’s day and age, teenagers are growing up in this digital world where perceptions are shaped by information available on the internet, especially social media. Pakistani fashion influencers have become trendsetters, story tellers and identity shapers. Through every post, reel, OOTD (outfit of the day) pictures they are transforming how the world sees Pakistan. Clothing in Pakistan is a powerful expression of national pride, cultural identity and centuries old craftsmanship.
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Pakistan Women’s Foundation for Peace

Women’s Day 2025
The Pakistan Women’s Foundation for Peace hosted the Women’s Day 2025 event, addressing Pakistan’s persistent gender disparity and the critical need for equality. Despite women’s undeniable contributions to society—excelling in academics, breaking stereotypes, and achieving historic milestones—Pakistan ranks 145th out of 146 countries on the Global Gender Gap Index, a position it has held for years.
President PWFFP said Women make up 49 percent of the population, yet their literacy rate remains only 51 percent, and their workforce participation stagnates at 25 percent. Even in politics and corporate leadership, their presence is limited, often restricted to token roles. Rural women face even harsher realities, with unpaid labour and lack of recognition. Billions have been spent on women’s development programmes, yet tangible improvements remain scarce.
PWFFP urges a national commitment to addressing these issues through better resource allocation, strict accountability, and a stronger push for gender parity. This year’s event featured renowned experts Dr. Ishrat Husain (Economist), Ms. Nasreen Jaleel (Politician), Dr. Tasneem Ahsan (Health Specialist), Barrister Zahra S. Viyani (Legal Expert), Ms. Baela Raza Jameel (Educationist), and Dr. Asad Sayeed (Economist). Their insights highlighted solutions to break barriers and advance women’s empowerment in Pakistan.
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Songkran – Festival of Water

The vibrant spirit of Thailand came alive in Karachi recently, as the Royal Thai Consulate General hosted the Songkran Festival at the Pakistan American Cultural Center (PACC). Held in collaboration with the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), PACC and Pakistan Print and Electronics Media. The event marked two special occasions: the Thai New Year and the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Pakistan.









Consul General Mr. Surashete Boontinand opened the evening with a warm address, highlighting the cultural significance of Songkran, recently inscribed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. He emphasized the importance of cultural exchange in strengthening bilateral ties.
Over 200 guests, including media representatives, diplomats and members of the local community, were treated to a colourful lineup of performances that blended Thai and Pakistani traditions. From elegant Thai dance to rhythmic Pakistani music and dance the evening was a celebration of unity through culture.
Guests also enjoyed a rich spread of Thai cuisine and took part in traditional Songkran activities, including the famous water-splashing ritual, which symbolizes cleansing, renewal, and good fortune.
The Songkran Festival in Karachi was more than a cultural showcase—it was a reflection of the growing friendship and mutual respect between the two nations, leaving attendees with memories of joy, connection, and shared heritage.
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