The PIMS Tragedy
The fire that took the lives of at least 14 newborns at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) on August 26, 2026, in Islamabad has shocked and saddened the entire nation in equal measure, including showbiz celebs. Zara Noor Abbas, Muhammad Ahmed, Azekah Daniel, Ahsan Khan and Sabeena Farooq, in their individual messages, expressed deep sadness at the tragedy, calling it “criminal negligence” and demanded accountability from those responsible for the horrific incident. Let’s see if accountability takes place. May all the babies who lost their lives rest in peace.
Nadia Knows Best
Seasoned actress Nadia Afgan has some words of wisdom for young actors and actresses. She believes that, these days, the younger lot in her profession hide their financial stress behind the images that they post on social media. She urges them to save the money they earn from their art and travel, rather than waste it on displaying their status. Spot on, Nadia A! Sometimes we wonder how wise you are. You must have saved and globetrotted a lot, we assume.
A Different Kind of Love
We don’t know when supermodel Gigi Hadid and actor Bradley Cooper will get to tie the knot (they’ve been dating for three years now). What we do know is that Gigi H finds being with her 20-years-older boyfriend ‘different’. In a recent interview, she said, “What’s beautiful about my current relationship and so different from what I’ve experienced before is the ability to be deeply honest. [He and I] are able to say what we think, when we think it.” Hmmm… So, pop star Zayn Malik, her former partner, wasn’t “deeply honest.” We’re not saying that. She’s suggesting it…
Cut Down to Size?
After director Umair Ali Nasir’s complaint that more than an hour of his film Nayab was edited out by a TV channel when it screened the movie, actor Adnan Siddiqui is now grousing about the trimming down of his role in the drama Zanjeerain. He claims that his and fellow actor Usman Javed’s roles were ‘sidelined’ in such a manner in the drama that they were reduced to cameo appearances. If that’s true, then we must say it’s a terrible form of character assassination.
Sour Grapes
A long, long time ago, pop stars Harry Styles and Taylor Swift dated — well, between 2012 and 2013. She even wrote a number of songs about their relationship. Then, this year, on July 3, 2026, Taylor S married American football player Travis Kelce at Madison Square Garden (MSG) in New York in a grand ceremony. Two months later (August 29, to be precise), Harry S had a concert at the same venue (MSG). During the gig, he couldn’t help but say, “We’re at Madison Square Garden, home of the world champion New York Knicks… and they also do weddings.” Yes, Harry S, a wedding to which you were not invited.
A Rakhi Ruckus
Bollywood hottie Kriti Sanon appeared in a jewellery advert made especially for the Raksha Bandhan festival (when sisters tie a piece of thread — a rakhi — around their brothers’ wrists, signifying sibling love and security). As soon as the advert aired, actress-cum-BJP politician Kangana Ranaut took offence at the outfit that Kriti S had worn in the ad. Addressing Kriti S, Kangana R said, “From all the options that are available to us today, why would you tie your brother a rakhi in your bikini/undergarments? The advert looks intentionally creepy.” Kriti S initially obliquely replied, “The essence of festivals is not in the clothes you wear, it is in the emotions and meaning you hold for the traditions… When will we stop telling women what to wear?” Amidst the brouhaha, the jewellery brand pulled the advert. No wonder, Kriti S then directly posted an image of Kangana R calling her a “dharm ki thekedarni” [self-appointed guardian of religion]. That’s modern-day India for you, folks — a society hanging by a thread!
Published in Dawn, ICON, September 6th, 2026
