AGP Executive Report

Arts & Culture: Comedian Dildar Parvez Bhatti was remembered on the 32nd anniversary of his death. Pakistan’s upcoming VXR festival will pair immersive art with emerging technology, while Karachi’s Third World Culture Festival has opened. An alumni artists’ showcase, Shahkaar Fankaar, has also opened in Islamabad. Film: Udta Teer continued its box-office run, crossing ₹33 crore in eight days, and Ghost School arrived on Pakistan’s cinema schedules. Pakistani actor Faran Tahir’s Hollywood comeback is drawing attention. Fashion & Heritage: LAAM Fashion Week wrapped its second season with craft and contemporary designs on the runway. A feature also explores Kamalia khaddar’s handloom history and natural fibres. Music: Asim Azhar marked his 30th birthday with new song “Ajnabi,” while Aima Baig revisited “Sajna Door” in a tribute to fans.

Live Arts: Karachi’s Third World Culture Festival opened this week, bringing a fresh spotlight to the city’s cultural calendar. In Islamabad, the US Embassy’s first Shahkaar Fankaar alumni artist showcase also opened, celebrating artists from its exchange programmes. Film: Pakistan’s National Cinema Days are part of the Minsk International Film Festival, which selected 130 films from 55 countries. Remembering a Broadcaster: Dildar Parvez Bhatti was honoured on the 32nd anniversary of his death; the radio and TV presenter was known for shows including Sohni Dharti and Takra. Fashion and Music: LAAM Fashion Week brought heritage craft and contemporary design to the runway. Hamza Malik and Zain Zohaib’s “Alfaaz” passed 50 million Spotify streams, while Aima Baig shared a heartfelt tribute revisiting “Sajna Door.”

New Music: Asim Azhar celebrated his 30th birthday with the release of “Ajnabi.” Aima Baig also revisited “Sajna Door,” thanking fans for keeping the Teefa in Trouble song popular. Arts in Karachi: The city’s World Culture Festival opens today, while the Karachi Biennale has cancelled its January 2027 edition, reportedly without consulting curator Noor Ahmed. Qawwali Goes Viral: A Lahore music academy’s young singers have won fans across the border with their rendition of Punjabi song “Alfaaz,” which has passed 49 million views. Fashion and Film: LAAM Fashion Week wrapped a four-day showcase blending heritage and contemporary design. Pakistani actor Faran Tahir’s Hollywood comeback has also drawn attention.

Karachi Culture: The 25-day Third World Culture Festival opens today, bringing around 1,000 artists from 150 countries to Karachi for performances and cross-cultural collaborations. Artists’ Rights: Punjab has approved plans to draft Pakistan’s first film royalty law, addressing concerns that creators miss out when their work earns from reruns and international releases; its rules are still to come. Music: Hamza Malik and Zain Zohaib’s “Alfaaz” has passed 50 million Spotify streams, with the collaboration also reaching listeners in India. Cultural Exchange: Austria’s ambassador visited Lahore’s Alhamra to discuss artistic ties and meet performing-arts students. Remembering Dildar: Comedian and writer Dildar Pervez Bhatti is being remembered on the 32nd anniversary of his death; his PTV work made him a beloved voice in Punjabi and Urdu entertainment.

Global Screen: Pakistani-American actor Faran Tahir returns as Marvel villain Raza in Vision Quest, nearly 18 years after his debut in Iron Man. Film Buzz: Karachi’s Hindu community is celebrating the upcoming Ramayana, with local fans wishing the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer success and an Oscar. Women’s Cricket: Pakistan will compete in the expanded 10-team ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy in November, offering more international opportunities for emerging players. Grassroots Sport: PCB and Allied Bank have pledged Rs100 million to support school cricket across 100 districts and 1,400 schools. Film Industry: Punjab plans to introduce Pakistan’s first film royalty law, while its Film City project is slated to launch on December 15. Fashion: LAAM Fashion Week wrapped its second season with a showcase of Pakistani designers and brands.

Visual Arts: Pakistani artist Maryum Shahid presented Whispers of the Eternal, a spiritual-themed exhibition, at Pakistan’s embassy in Doha, drawing diplomats and art lovers. Film: Faysal Quraishi and Hareem Farooq allege paid negative publicity is targeting their Punjabi film Mango Jutt, warning that online campaigns could further hurt Pakistan’s struggling cinema industry. Fashion: LAAM Fashion Week Season 2 wrapped after four days, showcasing Pakistani designers and brands. Screen Industry: Punjab plans to launch its first modern Film City on December 15, while actor-producer Humayun Saeed has called for a homegrown streaming platform to take Pakistani dramas to global audiences.

Fashion: LAAM Fashion Week wrapped four days in Lahore with 43 shows and more than 50 designers and brands, connecting runway collections with online shopping. Film: Udta Teer, starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan, reached about Rs26 crore net in India after five days, though weekday earnings fell from its opening weekend. Music: Danyal Zafar announced a temporary break from showbiz, citing health concerns. Streaming: Humayun Saeed renewed calls for a Pakistani OTT platform to take local dramas to global audiences, while the rescue documentary Hanging by a Wire joined Paramount+’s October 28 lineup. Heritage: Coverage marked Noor Jehan’s centenary, celebrating the singer’s enduring legacy.

Film: Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan’s Udta Teer has grossed Rs38.53 crore worldwide, despite a weekday dip in local ticket sales. Music: Singer Daniyal Zafar is taking a temporary break from his career, citing health concerns. Screen Industry: Humayun Saeed says Pakistan needs its own streaming platform to help dramas reach global audiences. Fashion: LAAM Fashion Week put Pakistani designers and stars in the spotlight, blending traditional craft with contemporary looks. Film Policy: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has ordered Pakistan’s first film royalty law. Awards Watch: Pakistani short film The Last Glance has qualified for the 2027 Oscars longlist.

Fashion: LAAM Fashion Week closed in Lahore on Oct. 26 after four days of runway shows, with Sajal Aly, Aiman Khan and Zara Noor Abbas among the celebrity highlights. Music: Danyal Zafar announced a temporary career break after describing himself as having reached a breaking point; reports say health issues have also led him to pause shows and tours. Film Industry: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz ordered Pakistan’s first film royalty law, a move aimed at establishing royalty protections for filmmakers. Screen News: A new poster for Shah Rukh Khan’s King has sparked comparisons with Baadshah; the film, also starring Suhana Khan and Deepika Padukone, is set for a Dec. 24 release.

Fashion: LAAM Fashion Week brought Pakistan’s retail labels and independent designers together, pairing traditional craft with contemporary styles. HSY is also set to unveil redesigned PIA cabin-crew uniforms on October 31. Film: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has ordered work on Pakistan’s first film royalty law, while the province plans to launch its first modern Film City on December 15. Actors Faysal Quraishi and Hareem Farooq say alleged paid negative publicity is hurting their film Mango Jutt and the wider cinema industry. Music: Danyal Zafar is pausing work to recover after describing two years of nonstop commitments as a breaking point. Pakistani Cinema: Short film The Last Glance has qualified for the 2027 Oscars longlist.

Cricket: Shadab Khan’s unbeaten 113 powered Pakistan to a dramatic one-wicket ODI win over England, with Haris Rauf helping him set a record last-wicket stand. Film: Punjab has approved Pakistan’s first film royalty law, while its first modern Film City is set to launch on December 15. Music: Danyal Zafar is stepping back from work to recover after two demanding years balancing acting and music. Fashion: Iffat Omar’s confetti mishap at Lahore Fashion Week went viral; the event also showcased a broad mix of Pakistani designers. Style: HSY’s new PIA cabin-crew uniforms are due to debut on October 31. Music: Pakistani hit “Majboor” has received an official remix by Lost Frequencies, taking the song to a wider audience.

Cricket: Shadab Khan’s unbeaten 113 and a record 89-run last-wicket stand with Haris Rauf powered Pakistan to a stunning one-wicket win over England in Lahore. Fashion: LAAM Fashion Week’s second season showcased Pakistan’s designers and retail brands, with runway shows streamed online. Film: Punjab plans to launch its Film City on December 15, with production rebates for Punjabi and Urdu films and a proposed film-industry royalty law. Music: Pakistani hit “Majboor” has a new official remix by Belgian DJ Lost Frequencies, giving the song’s global audience a fresh take. Literature: Karachi’s Sindh Literature Festival returns to Mohatta Palace on November 21–22, celebrating the province’s writing, music and cultural heritage.

Celebrity News: Mawra Hocane and Ameer Gilani welcomed their first child, a baby boy named Azmar. Fashion: LAAM Fashion Week returns to Lahore with 43 shows and a wider designer line-up. Pakistani Film: The rescue documentary Hanging by a Wire, Pakistan’s Oscar entry, joins Paramount+ on October 28. Arts & Culture: Patakha Pictures marked five years of supporting Pakistani documentary filmmakers, while a Karachi arts festival opened with qawwali. Music: Coke Studio’s new track Shabnam, produced by Talal Qureshi, features Hajra Yamin as acting coach; director Sarmad Khoosat has also called for royalties as Humsafar prepares for a Spanish-language release.

Pakistani Music: “Majboor,” the Pakistani pop hit with more than 250 million streams, has reached a wider audience through a new remix by Belgian DJ Lost Frequencies. Documentary: Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s Across Every Doorway follows four women tackling polio in Pakistan, from vaccination campaigns to laboratory work. Showbiz: Mawra Hocane and Ameer Gilani welcomed a baby boy, Azmar, drawing warm wishes from fellow actors. Komal Aziz Khan has also confirmed her permanent exit from acting to focus on business and personal growth. Film: Mohammed Ali Naqvi’s Hanging by a Wire, about the Battagram cable-car rescue, is set to join Paramount+’s October 28 lineup. Fashion and Art: LAAM Fashion Week opened its Lahore edition, while the US Embassy launched a new Islamabad gallery showcasing work by exchange-program alumni.

Showbiz: Mawra Hocane and Ameer Gilani announced the birth of their son, Azmar, drawing warm wishes from fans. Music: Atif Aslam’s “Tajdar-e-Haram” surged online again after the qawwali was heard during a film promotion at the Attari-Wagah border. Film: Pakistani short film The Last Glance made the 2027 Oscars longlist after winning at the Tasveer festival. Screen: Ali Zafar and Humaima Malick are set to star in an upcoming crime series. Fashion: LAAM Fashion Week opened its four-day Lahore edition, bringing live runway shopping to the city. Coke Studio: Hajra Yamin joined the team as acting coach for “Shabnam.”

Visual Arts: Islamabad’s USEFP opened the first Shahkaar Fankaar alumni showcase in its new gallery. The inaugural exhibition features Lahore artist Minaa Haroon’s work on jewellery, memory and inheritance. Screen: Pakistani short film The Last Glance has qualified for the 2027 Oscars longlist after winning at the Tasveer festival. Ali Zafar and Humaima Malick are also set to star in an upcoming crime series. Music: Coke Studio’s Nu.WAV has released “Shabnam,” produced by Talal Qureshi, with Hajra Yamin joining as acting coach. Fashion: LAAM Fashion Week has opened its four-day Lahore edition, while designer HSY is creating new PIA cabin-crew uniforms due to debut on October 31. Festivals: Karachi will host the third World Culture Festival, Mayor Murtaza Wahab confirmed.