Nasir Iqbal storms into international squash final

Pakistani television host and actress Mathira has candidly spoken about her age, cosmetic procedures, and her views on ageing during a recent appearance on Inqilaab Voice’s podcast The Hot Seat. Known for her outspoken personality, the television star shared personal details while addressing beauty standards, self-confidence, and life in the public eye. Mathira has established herself as a prominent television personality through hosting, acting, and her active presence on social media. With more than 2.6 million Instagram followers, she has appeared in projects including Chaal, Quddusi Sahab Ki Bewa, Nagan, Dil Ke Rung Hazar, 21 MM Show, and Raasta. She is also recognised as a single mother raising three sons while balancing her career. During the podcast, Mathira honestly revealed her age while dismissing society’s obsession with youth and appearance. She said, “I will be honest, I am 34. I think I am a thick woman, and I can still turn heads. Youth is a part of your life; no one can live forever young. To be famous is written in your fate; not everyone becomes famous.” Speaking about her journey in the entertainment industry, Mathira emphasised that she built her career on her own. “Who launched me and gave me fame? No one, I am self-made. I am not worried about my future and youth. I’m a public person who loves private life, and I’m not worried about weight shaming,” she said. The actress also addressed rumours surrounding cosmetic procedures and openly admitted to having undergone several treatments over the years. She explained that her nose surgery was not done for cosmetic reasons alone but was necessary after an accident. “I did get a nose job, that’s for sure, because of my accident my bone got slanted or disfigured. I got it done in Turkey,” Mathira revealed. She further acknowledged that she occasionally opts for non-surgical cosmetic treatments. “Yes, I do get a bit of fillers or Botox. I did get a bit of liposuction 15 years ago,” she shared. Mathira also challenged the stigma surrounding ageing, particularly the pressure placed on women to remain young. According to her, society often unfairly judges women based on their age while celebrating youth as the only standard of beauty. Expressing her views, she said, “A woman doesn’t get old that easily. Have you seen Shakira, how well is she doing? We have stereotyped women, saying women ageing or ‘Umer dhalna’ is a very disgraceful thing.” Her remarks resonated with many viewers, as she encouraged women to embrace every stage of life instead of feeling pressured by unrealistic beauty standards. Throughout the conversation, Mathira maintained that confidence, self-acceptance, and individuality matter far more than age, adding that she has never allowed criticism over her appearance or body to affect her outlook on life.

Independence Day celebrations at Liberty Chowk in Lahore took an unexpected turn after a large crowd became involved in disorderly behaviour following an organised event on Thursday night. The Punjab government had arranged a special programme at Liberty Chowk to mark Pakistan’s Independence Day. The venue was decorated with lights and other patriotic arrangements, while professional artists were invited to entertain the public. The official celebrations were held as planned, with people gathering at the iconic Lahore location to mark August 14. However, scenes changed after the formal programme ended. Videos circulating on social media appeared to show a large crowd behaving aggressively at the venue. The footage showed people climbing and swinging on structures at the site. Some individuals were also seen throwing bottles and getting involved in physical confrontations. The gathering appeared to consist largely of young men, while women and families were not prominent in the crowd shown in the videos. The scenes quickly attracted criticism online. Many social media users expressed disappointment over the behaviour and questioned whether such actions were appropriate during a national celebration. One user criticised the crowd for behaving like a mob rather than a united nation. Another argued that the country needed a stronger sense of civic responsibility. Others said the incident was unfortunate and pointed to the need for citizens to take responsibility instead of blaming authorities and institutions for every problem. The videos sparked a wider discussion about how public celebrations should be conducted. Independence Day events are traditionally associated with patriotism, national unity and respect for public spaces. The incident at Liberty Chowk highlighted the contrast between the carefully organised official celebrations and the disorder that reportedly followed among sections of the crowd.