Celebrity in focus – Mehreen Jabbar

Mehreen Jabbar is a filmmaker, at a very young age, has an extensive portfolio. After directing her first play in 1994 she went on to create work which ranges from short independent art films to commercial serials for television. Her success as a director can be assessed by the fact that her work has appeared in many film festivals around the world including The Hong Kong International Film Festival, The San Francisco Asian-American Film Festival, and The Leeds Film Festival in U. K. to name a few. At home, Pakistan, her exceptional style of story-telling has earned her much praise and several awards.

Mehreen grew up around Pakistan's show business. Her father, Javed Jabbar, is also a filmmaker himself. He has also been running a highly successful advertising agency for about 30 years where she got her first exposure to the television world. Further she went to the United States in order to study film and completed a two year program at University of California Los Angeles. She describes this experience as a crucial part of her training because her teachers were working professionals from the film industry who were able to provide real insights on the art and business of film making.
Mehreen returned to Pakistan to practice her skills professionally. Her first play in 1994 was called “Nivala” which was based on a short story by Ismat Chugtai, one of the foremost authors in the Urdu language. Unfortunately, the decision makers at the state run television of that time declined from airing “Nivala” because it was based on the work of an Indian writer and, subsequently, the idea for the entire series was cancelled. Though this was a hinder but it did not deter Mehreen from doing what she loves. She continued to make short films, feature length plays, and drama serials.
Due to the low quality of films being produced in Pakistan and the shady atmosphere at cinema houses, going to a theater is not a feasible form of entertainment for the mainstream public. Thus, television remains by and far the most popular source of family entertainment. So that has been the industry to which vast majority of writers, producers, directors, as well as, actors turn who wish to polish their expertise and create work with depth and meaning for the audience.

Much of Mehreen’s work has focused on the everyday lives of average Pakistani women and the conflicts they experience from day to day. On the other hand, several directors have created fine plays which are obvious in their attempts to raise awareness of women's rights; Mehreen enjoys the challenge of applying nicety to get her message across. Her viewers often find themselves immersed in the minds of her characters in order to fully understand the characters’ motives. Her telefilm, “Putli Ghar”’ is an example of such work. Another telefilm “Farar” is about three friends, a widow, a working woman, and a third woman who is a student of classical dance. The play shows the struggle of each woman to sort out her life and find a unique identity for herself.

To Mehreen experimenting with a story is one of the most interesting parts of creating a play. She believes that producers are playing it safe and are flat to take on projects which are based on a proven storyline for success. The result is that the same basic plot is repeated over and over again in different plays or films such as - Ramchand Pakistani.

Nevertheless, commercial Pakistani films remain largely unpopular on the conventional side; hence several independent filmmakers have emerged in recent years, such as, Shireen Pasha, Farjad Nabi, Hassan Zaidi, and Mehreen Jabbar herself, who seem to be breathing a new life into the Pakistani art films.

Ramadan merriment of Pakistani inhabitants!

The holiest month ninth at number on the Islamic Calendar is “Ramadan”. It is a month of fasting from sunrise to sunset and self discipline. It is widely observed in Pakistan. Muslim in Pakistan is about 97% of the whole population. They fast, attend mosques with increased frequency, and recite Quran during the entire period of one month in Ramadan.

After completing the fasting month on the first day of Shawwal all the Muslims celebrate “Eid ul fitr”. Eid is an Arabic word meaning "festivity", while Fitr means "to purify"; and so the holiday symbolizes the purification. Eid-ul-Fiter Salat or Namaz is a Sunnah strongly recommended, just short of obligatory of Muhammad PBUH. The Salat comprise of two raka’ah Namaz which generally offered in an open field called Eid-gaah and also known as “Namaz e Eid”. This Salat should be performed with Jama’at with extra six Takbirs, three of them in the beginning of the first raka'ah and three of them just before ruku' in the second raka'ah. 

Eid ul-Fitr lasts for one day of celebrations. Yet, it is celebrated for two or more days in some countries. It is sometimes also known as the "Smaller Eid".

As daylight begins to fade, Muslims await the Muezzin's call to perform the Maghreb prayers. Once the call is heard they may break fast called Iftari in Arabic. Most will first take some form of thirst-quenching drink. This varies not only by individual preferences but also but local customs. It is quite common in the Middle East to breakfast with water and dates. But in Pakistan it is more common to drink a local fruit juice or rose syrup water with some dates. Then they have a lot of food variety in Iftari such as smosa, pakora, chicken roll, fruit chat, channa chat, and dahi bahlay. And finally after offering prayer they go for their regular evening meal. 

Chand Raat occurs the night before Eid day celebrations commence. It is actually marking the end of the month of Ramadan. In the night known as Chand Raat all people celebrate by various means such as girls putting henna on their hands. People buy gifts and sweets that will be given to friends and families who come over to celebrate the end of Ramadan. The streets, major building and landmarks, even outside of malls and plazas, put on displays of elaborate decorations and colorful light shows. There are large crowds in the city ready to celebrate the beginning of Eid and it is a boom time for business in all essence. 

Discover Pakistan: Ansoo Lake

Ansoo Lake is a high-altitude lake, elevation 16,490 feet or 5027 meters, in the Kaghan Valley near Malika-e-Parbat in the Himalayan range. The strange thing about it is the lake is said to have been discovered in 1993 by Pakistan Air Force pilots who were flying low above the area. Earlier, the lake was not even known to the locals. The name comes from its drop-like shape “the Urdu word Ansoo means tear”.
To reach this fascinating place one need to first come to Saif ul maluk Lake and then from there it takes one whole day if started earlier in the morning. One should travel for this in the season of July-August; because in the ends of August, there would be start of snow fall and even local people start evacuate these areas because of heavy snow fall in those areas. People having some breathing problems like Asthma, are not recommended for this. Because the air pressure will be lower at high altitudes and the tough hike could affect badly on such patients.

A far as clothing is concerned one needs to have some water proof clothes and especially take care of shoes and socks. Heavy rain can start any time there so one could need spare clothes too. For food items chocolates are best substitute of energy lose along with it mineral water & orange juice also a quick refill of energy requirements for such a place.
Before reaching on the top of the mountain where Ansoo Lake is situated one may find a “Dead Lake” as it is in a shape of Cup so better known in Urdu as “Piyala Lake”. While reaching on the final destiny one may find it uninteresting due to the snow all around but it is quite a nice place for picnic because all the time it is surrounded by dark & thick clouds. The scenes are really enjoyable there.

As this place is on the top of the mountain and involves so much hiking one may feel dizziness but it is pretty normal because of the Low oxygen at high altitudes. By going through the gorgeous beauty of the “Ansoo Lake” people feel refresh within seconds by themselves without consuming any energy drink.
This eternal beauty change drastically during each season like in spring it surrounds by the snow just start melting, in summer it all around covered by the greenery, in autumn the lake is skied by dark clouds, and finally in winter the whole place including the tear shape lake occupied by white stunning snow blanket. 

Fatima Surayya Bajia

Commonly called as “Bajia” the lady is symbol of courage, faith and true adaptation of centuries which still continues. S9V8KH2RE87N She is a very renowned personality in Pakistan TV, Radio, and stage as a writer. She has achieved pride of performance award in Pakistan and several other awards from abroad regarding his literary and civil work. Remember that she also remained adviser to the chief Minister in Sindh province.
Aroosa and Asavari are two most popular plays by her. She has three sisters and two brothers. They are linked to the industry in one or the other way.  Zohra Nigah is her younger sister and a famous poet. Zubaida Tariq is also her younger sister and a well known cooking expert. Mrs. Kazmi is a famous dress designer and also Bajia’s third younger sister. They three of them have two brothers named as Ahmed Masood Hamidi and Anwer Maqsood both needs no introduction about their work.

Suffering by mouth cancer and her age element that has become conscious of Fatima Surayya Bajia seems to be living a hyperactive life. She described herself as “a civil society horse”. She has not written anything significant during the last seven or eight years as first her mother died and then she lost her two sisters. Furthermore a year or so ago passed away her brother Ahmed Maqsood Hamidi. She was at the age of 14 years when her grandfather published her first novel in India.
In her TV serials she elaborately depicts the culture of the area and the period she sets the story in. In Auraq, the literary program that ran for about two years on PTV, she vividly depicted the culture of the area whether Sindh, Punjab, Baluchistan, Frontier or Kashmir in the stories she included in the program. She surprised many literary critics when she came up with wedding songs purported to be written by Amir Khusrau. She normally snatches of Amir Khusrau’s poetry in a way pick one line or a stanza and then turned them into a complete geet format. She found this activity a more stimulating one as she very well aware of the vocabulary used during that era. By seeing the current crises faced by Pakistan she thinks that the situation in the country is frightening. But she believes in Allah and that He will set things right because among 18 million people at least 16 million are quite innocent and uncritical people.

Dynamic personality of Pakistan: Faryal Gohar

Faryal is at a time doing multiple things like she is a brilliant actress, a television writer & more importantly a self motivated human activist of UNO in Pakistan. As far as her early life is concerned she was an extra ordinary student who was equally sound for curricular and non-curricular happenings. In Pakistan she belongs to Sindh province and Karachi city. During her entire study life she attended the Lahore American School, Kinnaird College, and finally she did political economy degree from McGill University and documentary film production training from southern California, Europe.
Faryal whole family is talented enough as her father was in army, her younger sister, Madiha Gohar, is a splendid artist and an active member of “Ajoka Theater”. Faryal too did work in theater a few years and in 1984 got married to a charming TV personality “Jamal Shah” but the couple got divorced after a few years without mentioning a mature reason to media, viewers or their fans. She has a younger brother name Amir who is an industrial engineer.
As a writer Faryal wrote his first novel named “The Scent of Wet Earth” which was published by Penguin in August, 2002 and ranked 0n 5th position in New York Times International bestseller list. It was based on film-making sensibilities, the consciousness of “other” and knowledge on “animal behavior”. Despite of acting and novel writing Faryal did a lot for Pakistan in other means such as she produce a documentary titled as Pakistan Poverty Assessment. This work contains the laborious research work on 54 districts and concerned the poor people perception of their poverty reasons.
Faryal plans to extend her commitment to environmental preservation and Here her goal is to, “develop a new paradigm for development which respects cultural identities and the natural environment while enhancing the quality of life on this planet.” A loner by nature, Faryal can be extremely gregarious when the occasion arises. Such dynamism makes her an enigma for those who have not met her personally. Faryal is not a high profile scandal seeker. She shuns vacuous social scenes, preferring to spend time with her beloved pet dogs and ‘underdogs.’ An animal rights activist, Faryal cares for an astounding eighteen cats, seven dogs, three goats, and one donkey.
Feryal’s second novel is already being release. The accompanying screenplay is underway, and her film, Tibbi Galli, will be showcased at the Rome International Film Festival. Faryal is at a landmark moment in her life. These achievements and her acceptance by the world community is no small feat given the often virulent xenophobia aimed at Pakistan from abroad, complemented by misrepresentations about this place and its people. Such news may seal the lips of national and international gossip fiends alike. Let us hope that it inspires them to emulate Faryal and adopt more constructive endeavors.

Brand in focus: Hassan Sheheryar Yasin (HSY)

HSY have no necessity of any kind of introduction because his own name is a remarkable starting of a successful business venture known by everyone who belongs to his field even rather only in an inspiration. Off course he is none other than Hassan Sheheryar Yasin who is one of the biggest names in Pakistan Fashion industry. He was born in Lahore Pakistan. This stylish fashion designer has also launched his new studio in the highly fashionable district of Zamzama in Karachi. The flagship studio of this fashion designer is currently in the cultural capital of Pakistan, Lahore.

A graduate of the “Pakistan School of Fashion Design” in 2000, HSY is affiliated with the La Chamber Syndical De La Couture Parisians in France. Started out in 1994, Pakistani Fashion Designer Hassan Sheheryar Yasin worked both as a choreographer and as Fashion designer in various shows within Pakistan and in international shows in Dubai, London UK, New York City USA, and Toronto Canada.
The introduction of Yasin’s own Fashion Label Clothes enters in the marketplace in year 2000, HSY. He starting his career with a bridal collection and formal wear couture house, it has since become one of the most recognized South Asian fashion labels in the world and currently employs over 350 people and six stores internationally, with the flagship studio housed in Lahore.  Among very few Pakistani fashion designers, HSY has won international appreciation and considered among the top Pakistani Fashion designers.

In 2003, First time a Karachi-based top fashion magazine “Diva” of that time placed this Pakistani Fashion designer on the cover of their “Most Powerful People” and also as one of their 10 Faces of the Year. In 2007, this radiant Pakistani and emerging Fashion personality also introduced HSY brand jewelry. Behind all his business ventures set up his philosophy could be explained by his popular quote about designing art is “Creativity is very important to be a designer, but if you want to be a successful designer then you need to be successful in every single way like being innovative and understanding the market”.

HSY is the winner of the Lux Style Fashion Designer Award of the Year (2005). Hassan Sheheryar Yasin has done one of the biggest thing to happen in fashion dress designs in the last decade in Pakistan that was his aim at HSY to showcase a diverse dresses collection in order to represent the rich cultural heritage of the East.
Now in 2010 Hassan Sheheryar Yasin has been actively involved in the world of fashion for over 15 years. This year, his label HSY, celebrates 10 years of excellence. Predominantly a Bridal House specializing in fashion design & tailoring. HSY’s distinctive Pakistani and Middle East inspired designs are infused with western influences. Augmented by vacillating and systematic embroidery, refined cutting, and judicious color choices the HSY brand is tantamount with the art of elegance. It is the thing overwhelming too in his recent collection of “Dubai Fashion Week Collection of 2010”. 

Ambreen Bukhari- Menika Mines

An entrepreneur needs special skills and confidence either male or a female and belongs to whatever country land. But, on the other hand it is quite true that in developing countries he/she has to face more than the developed one. In Pakistan, as in many other developing countries, women are handicapped in society. Therefore they face many challenges, as they do not enjoy the same opportunities as men. They are not only deprived of financial resources but also lack access to basic needs such as education. Limited access to the essentials of life undermines their capabilities, limits their ability to secure gainful employment, and results in low income, poverty and social exclusion. Their ambitions and aspirations are suppressed.
Gradually things are improving for women, which have been caused by their tremendous determination and courage. They are entering in the field of education, health, engineering, IT and active participation is seen in the sports and politics arena. About 60% of women entrepreneurs in Pakistan have opted for traditional business such as parlors, bakeries, boutiques, but the largest number is employed in the garments and handicrafts sector. One example of such a nice and encouraged lady is Ambreen Bukhari; she is running her jewelry showroom named Menika Mines in posh area of capital city Islamabad.
Ambreen Bukhari faced numerous challenges and criticism when she dared to enter into the difficult business of collecting, cutting, and exporting precious stones and preparing studded jewelry for the domestic market. Nobody believed she could succeed when she decided to open for business 11 years ago. The precious stone trade was considered a purely male domain, as one is supposed to travel to the mountains, interact with male entrepreneurs to manage the inner and outer workings of the business, and to actively explore for niche markets. Many of her colleagues thought that it would be insulting for men to have a female entrepreneur in their sector, but she has opened her doors and done very well.
Ambreen Bukhari completed her post-graduate studies abroad, specializing in geology, after which she returned to Pakistan with her two daughters to start a stone trading business. She soon found herself in very difficult circumstances. Yet, she took stock in her business and strove to be able to support her children and strengthening her resolve to fight against all odds. Today, she has full floor showroom for her jewelry in a business center in the most famous market of Islamabad. She also arranges exhibitions in Islamabad and Karachi and has participated in international events. She is a leading exporter of precious stones and has represented Pakistan at international forums. She also works as a consultant and imparts training in stone-cutting techniques.

 

General Pervez Musharraf - Former President of Pakistan

General Pervez Musharraf, the second of three brothers, was born in Delhi on August 11, 1943. His parents chose to settle in Karachi after the formation of Pakistan. He comes from a middle class family. His father, Syed Musharraf-ud-din, was a member of the Pakistani Foreign Service and later, retired as secretary of foreign affairs. His mother, Zarin, worked for the United Nations Organization. Shortly after the India-Pakistan division in 1947, Syed moved his wife and three children, Musharraf, older son Javed, and youngest son, Naved from Old Delhi, India, to Pakistan. 

He spent his early years in Turkey, from 1949 to 1956, due to his father, the late Syed Musharraf-ud-din deputation in Ankara. Fluently he can talk in Turkish language and claims that Kamal Ataturk is his hero. Later the family moved back to Pakistan, and Musharraf attended St. Patrick's School in Karachi and graduated in 1958. He later attended Forman Christian (FC) College in Lahore and was said to be a good math student. In 1961, Musharraf attended the Pakistan Military Academy and graduated 11th in his class. He was commissioned in April 1964 to an artillery regiment and later joined the Special Service Group. Musharraf continued his military education at the Command and Staff College and the National Defense College in Pakistan. He also attended the Royal College of Defense Studies in the United Kingdom. In 1965, he was charged with taking not permitted leave and was about to be court-martialed when war broke out with India. The charges were dropped and Musharraf reported for duty.

Musharraf was commanding an artillery brigade. In the 1990s, he was promoted to major general and assigned an infantry division and later commanded an elite strike force. Later he served as deputy military secretary and director general of military operations. As his rank and notoriety rose, Musharraf was also making inroads in the political arena. In 1998, he was personally promoted over other senior officers by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to be the Army chief of staff and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee.

From May to July 1999, Pakistan and India took up arms once again in what became known as the Kargil Conflict in the Kashmir area along the northern borders of India and Pakistan. Prime Minister Sharif claimed Pervez Musharraf was solely responsible for the Kargil misfortune while Musharraf claimed Sharif was to blame. In any case, the incident was a total embarrassment for Pakistan.

Prime Minister Sharif claimed Pervez Musharraf was solely responsible for the Kargil misfortune while Musharraf claimed Sharif was to blame. In any case, the incident was a total embarrassment for Pakistan, not to mention a loss of prestige, morale, blood and treasure. On October 12, 1999, Sharif attempted to dismiss Musharraf from his position as commander-in-chief of the Army, but senior Army generals, loyal to Musharraf and believing the prime minister was distancing himself from any responsibility for the military defeat, refused to accept Musharraf dismissal. Musharraf was out of the country, but when word reached him of Sharif's orders, he immediately boarded a commercial airliner for Pakistan. Sharif ordered the Karachi airport closed to prevent Musharraf plane from landing. The generals seized control of Sharif's administration and placed Sharif under house arrest. He was later exiled to Saudi Arabia. Musharraf arrived at the capital and took control of the government. The sitting president of Pakistan, Rafiq Tarrar, remained in office until June 2001, at which time Musharraf formally appointed himself president.

The United States required Pervez Musharraf support, promising to provide billions in aid to Pakistan and applying heavy pressure to break diplomatic ties with Afghanistan and join the "war on terror". Ultimately he agreed to join the U.S.A in order to stable the economic condition of Pakistan. Shortly after Musharraf seizing of the government in 1999, several Pakistanis filed court petitions challenging his assumption of power. Musharraf had always claimed his intention was to institute democracy in Pakistan.

The Pakistani Supreme Court asked Musharraf to hold national elections by October 12, 2002. To ensure his continued control, Musharraf held a referendum on April 30, 2002, to extend his term of office another five years after the October elections. But opposition parties and coalitions formed against Musharraf, and the Parliament was virtually paralyzed for over a year. In November 2003, Musharraf agreed to hand certain powers over to the newly elected Parliament. The National Assembly elected Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali as prime minister.

Musharraf was reelected in October 2007, but the election was contested by a number of judges because he still held the dual positions of army chief and head of state. Musharraf had several of the judges arrested, suspended the constitution, and declared a state of emergency, shutting down all private media channels. On November 24, 2007, the Pakistan Election Commission confirmed the reelection of Pervez Musharraf as president. Musharraf resigned from the military on November 28, 2007, thus releasing some of the pressure and continuing what seems to be a "passive-aggressive" pattern of political strategy to stay in control with as much power as he can garner respectfully.

On March 22, 2008, the Pakistan People's Party named ex-Parliament Speaker Syad Yousaf Raza Gillani as its candidate for prime minister to lead a federation government against Musharraf. At first Musharraf resisted, saying he would defeat those who tried to push him out of office. On August 18, 2008, however, Pervez Musharraf resigned from the post of president in response to the coalition government's threat of trial. It is believed that, had the allegation taken place, he would have faced corruption and possibly murder charges. The departure of the former general set off wild celebrations in Pakistan. After his resignation, Musharraf went on a pilgrimage to Mecca and has made a few public-speaking appearances in the United States. He has said that he would like once again to participate in Pakistani politics but has no plans for the abrupt future.

The ending of Pervez Musharraf time as leader of Pakistan is a mixed one. He did much to improve Pakistan's financial condition, making it the world's third-fastest-growing economy in 2006 and a preferred country for investment. His policies and alliances helped Pakistan significantly reduce its foreign debt and reduce poverty, and they set the country on a path of prosperity, growth, and economic reform. He married Begum Sehba in 1968. They have two children, Ayla and Bilal, and four grandchildren: two granddaughters from Ayla and a grandson and a granddaughter from Bilal. Ayla works as an architect in Karachi. Bilal is a graduate from Stanford University and works in the United States, in Silicon Valley.

A legitimate leader on the way to democracy!

Hundreds of thousands of mourners paid last good wishes to former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on Friday, 28Dec2007. She was buried at her family's mausoleum in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, the southern province of Sindh. The attacker struck just minutes after Bhutto addressed a rally of thousands of supporters in Rawalpindi, 8 miles south of Islamabad. She died after hitting her head on part of her vehicle's sunroof and not as a result of bullets a spokesman of Pakistani ministry said it. 

Benazir Bhutto, the eldest child of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, was born on 21June1953, at Karachi. She attended “Lady Jennings Nursery School” and then “Convent of Jesus and Mary” in Karachi. After two years of education at the “Rawalpindi Presentation Convent”, she was sent to the “Jesus and Mary Convent” at Murree. She passed her O-level examination at the age of 15. In April 1969, she got admission in the U.S.A at Harvard University's Radcliffe College. In June 1973, Benazir Bhutto graduated from Harvard University with a degree in “Political Science”. After graduating from Harvard, Benazir Bhutto joined Oxford University in the fall of 1973. Just before graduation, she was elected to the Standing Committee of the most prestigious “Oxford Union Debating Society”.

Benazir Bhutto returned to Pakistan in June 1977. She wanted to join the Foreign Service but her father wanted her to compete in the National Assembly Election. As she was not yet of age to contest so she primarily started with assisting her father as a political advisor. In July 1977, General Zia-ul-Haq imposed Martial Law. During the Martial Law, Benazir Bhutto was permitted to go abroad on medical grounds in January 1984, after spending nearly six and a half years in jail. She went into exile in England for two years.
In July 1984, her younger brother Shah Nawaz died under strange circumstances in Paris. She came back to Pakistan to attend his burial ceremony. A year later she came back to Pakistan to fight the elections for National and Provincial Assemblies held by General Zia-ul-Haq. When she returned on 10April1986, one million people welcomed her at the Lahore airport. She attended massive rallies all over Pakistan and kept in close touch with the “Movement for Restoration of Democracy”.

Benazir Bhutto married to a wealthy landowner, Asif Ali Zardari, in Karachi on 18December1987. The couple had three children: A son Bilawal and two daughters, Bakhtawar and Aseefa. She became the first ever female prime minister of a Muslim nation on 1Dec1988.

In 1990 she was found herself in court protecting her against several charges of corruption while in office. She continued to be a prominent focus of opposition discontent, and ultimately won a further election in 1993. But unfortunately was replaced in 1996 due to several charges again against her and her husband. While in self-imposed exile in Britain and Dubai, she was condemn misconduct and verdict to three years in prison in 1999. She continued to direct her party from abroad, being re-affirmed as “Pakistan People’s Party” leader in 2002.

Benazir Bhutto came back to Pakistan on 18October2007, after President Musharraf approved her official pardon on all corruption charges, opening the way for her return and a possible power-sharing agreement. Mournfully her homecoming rally after eight years in exile was hit by a suicide attack. She was rushed to the hospital, but soon succumbed to injuries suffered in the attack. The loss of the country's most popular democratic leader has plunged Pakistan into turmoil that intensifying the dangerous instability of a nuclear-armed nation in a highly volatile region more.

Currently her son is acting as a chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party. Her husband is in service of Pakistanis in the form of President of Pakistan. Along with the ability of being a prudent political leader she has numerous roles to play on the stage of life as an obedient daughter, loyal wife, amicable mother, smashing personality, realistic writer and a dedicated lecturer. Her publications include "Daughter of the East" and "Foreign Policy Perspective".

Atiqa Odho, an Entrepreneur - New trends in cosmetics business in Pakistan!

Happily, there are many examples of people in Pakistani show business who appreciate and recognize the virtues of their hard work and ingenuity. Such an example is Atiqa Odho, who is amply gifted with numerous qualities; she is a make-up artist, a hair stylist, a model, a TV star, a film star and now an entrepreneur as she moves to her own business of a cosmetic company- Atiqa Odho. Born to a liberal family, she received the best possible education and upbringing in the U.S.A. Though initially she gives the impression of an ordinary child but later on her zeal set her apart from her peers.

Additionally the vivacious and vital Atiqa had her own position from her earlier days. Atiqa was persuaded by Pakistani television in 1990 to work for a drama serial. Her acting appealed to the masses and one can easily remember her great performances till now. She was highly successful in modeling as well. After nearly a decade, Atiqa grew too tired of travel between U.S. and Pakistan. Hence, she decided to make Pakistan her permanent residence. She has a keen desire to provide an amiable atmosphere to her two children, and her husband, Javaid, in Pakistan.

In fact, Atiqa stepped into her working life as a make- up artist and got training in England. Later, she moved to Pakistan and practiced her profession as a beautician. She started her own beauty parlor and appropriately named it “Cuts and cappuccino”. Since returning back to Pakistan after years in the States, Atiqa Odho is proving unstoppable she is all set to make a difference and has already realized her vision of launching own cosmetics line.

She had several reasons for launching a color cosmetic range in the market but the two main ones were my belief that a woman understands another woman’s needs and that she was simply tired of seeing what was available in the marketplace. Either very substandard products were on the shelf in retail or alternately extremely expensive imported products that were not affordable to the Pakistani women. 

 The product has beautiful and glamorous packaging color that is “Red” which makes consumers exciting. The unique coding of lipsticks makes it easy for consumer to remember like for pink lipstick “AP” and for brown lipstick “AB”. The code automatically tells about the lipstick shade.

At present Atiqa brand consists of 35 Lipstick colors, 20 Loose Eye-shadow colors with applicators, 25 Pressed Eye-shadow colors with applicators, 10 Blush-on colors with applicators, 8 Cake Face Powders colors, 8 Eyeliner colors, and Mascara. Atiqa says that the market is still abundant in opportunities for new entrants and that she likes healthy competition.

 

Syed Babar Ali - An entrepreneur and industrialist of Pakistan

Syed Babar Ali is the man behind Packages, Milkpak, LUMS and Ali Institute. He is a great industrialist and a most successful entrepreneur of Pakistan. After completing his graduate degree, Babar Ali got admission in the University of Michigan, United States. He was spending a year there and came back to Pakistan on his parents demand. He has a great passion for getting knowledge. So after coming to Pakistan, he started working on the development of a great education institute in Pakistan, Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). 

LUMS and Ali Institute of Education are the two great ventures of Babar Ali as he thinks. LUMS is the pioneer institute of business education in Pakistan. LUMS produces the lots of economists, mathematicians, entrepreneurs, marketers and accountants each year. Ali institute of education focuses on training of teachers, so they able to groom our young generation.

Syed Babar Ali envisioned and set up the great businesses in Pakistan including;

• Packages Ltd. – one of the most recognized company worldwide
• Milkpak Ltd. – now Nestle Milkpak Limited
• Tetra Pak Pakistan Limited
• International General Insurance Company of Pakistan Limited
• Tri-Pack Films Limited
• First International Investment Bank and Systems Private Limited 

  Achievements and Honors:

• Served as the Minister of Pakistan – Finance and Economic Affairs in 1993
• An International President of WWF (1996-1999)
• Honorary Doctorate Degree of Laws from McGill University, Canada (1997)
• An OBE from Britain (1997)
• Receive many awards from the Government of Sweden and the Netherlands.

"Haste does not bring success. Hard work, persistent hard work, is the key." Babar Ali's massage for youth.