The murder of 25-year-old Karachi entrepreneur Mir Raza has sent shockwaves through the city, and actor Shuja Asad is among those who have chosen not to stay silent about it. Mir Raza was a young Karachi-based entrepreneur who had built a dessert brand called Wafflix from the ground up. At just 25, he was carving out a name for himself in the business world, the kind of story that Pakistan needs more of. Then, in a devastating and senseless turn, he was abducted in his hometown. His body was later found in Gulistan-e-Johar, another young life violently cut short in a city that has seen too many. Shuja Asad, who has been building a strong reputation through back-to-back hit drama projects, stepped away from his professional commitments and joined a protest at Bahadurabad demanding justice for Mir Raza. YouTuber Azlan Shah joined him at the demonstration, and both added their voices to a growing chorus of citizens asking how a young man building something legitimate could simply be taken and killed without accountability following. What made Asad’s presence and his remarks particularly pointed was the comparison he drew, one that landed hard with those who heard it. He noted that law enforcement agencies had been visibly active in responding to Wasim Akram’s missing dog, a situation that had generated its own wave of public attention, while a young man had been abducted and murdered without the same urgency or visible response. The contrast was stark and his willingness to name it publicly was widely appreciated. He also called directly on Karachiites to join the protest and demand that Mir Raza’s case be taken seriously. His message was clear: this was not someone else’s tragedy to grieve from a distance. This was a Karachi story, and the people of Karachi had a responsibility to show up. The response from the public was immediate and warm. “He is right. Young men of Karachi deserve better,” wrote one person. “Great brother Shuja,” said another. A third commenter offered direct appreciation: “You took a great stance.” The reactions reflected a genuine sense of gratitude that a public figure with reach had chosen to use that reach for something that mattered. For many ordinary Karachiites who have felt the helplessness of watching violence go unaddressed, seeing Shuja Asad standing at a protest rather than simply posting a condolence message from behind a screen carried real meaning. Mir Raza’s case is still being investigated. For his family and for everyone who knew him, the demand is simple and urgent. Justice for a 25-year-old who was working hard, building something, and deserved to live.

A reel that actress and writer Mehar Bano posted while on a trip to northern Pakistan has gone viral for all the wrong reasons, with many viewers finding the premise of the video deeply unfunny and some expressing genuine alarm before realising it was staged. Mehar Bano, known for her bold screen presence and her work across Pakistani dramas and films, was on vacation with a group of friends when they decided to create a prank reel built around the concept of her fake death. The video was filmed in the style of a breaking Pakistani news report, with Mehar lying motionless on a rock while her friends played the roles of reporters and devastated family members lamenting that their holiday had been ruined by her sudden passing. The production was deliberately styled after the kind of dramatic live television reporting that Pakistani news channels are known for, clearly intended as satire. The internet, however, was not amused. The backlash was immediate and pointed. Comments flooded in from viewers who found the death prank concept distasteful rather than clever. “I actually thought she died,” wrote one person, capturing the alarm that the video initially triggered before its prank nature became clear. Another was far blunter in their assessment, writing simply, “What a third class act.” A third commenter expressed their reaction without ambiguity: “I did not find this funny.” The response reflects a broader sensitivity in Pakistani digital culture around death-related humour, particularly when it is framed as breaking news. For a country where audiences have frequently received genuinely distressing news about public figures through social media and news channels, a video that mimics that format as a prank occupies uncomfortable territory. What the creators of the reel may have seen as a piece of satirical comedy landed for many viewers as something that was using a format associated with real loss and real grief for the sake of social media engagement. The criticism also reflects something about the evolving relationship between Pakistani celebrities and their online audiences. There is a growing expectation that public figures, particularly those who occupy cultural space as artists and writers, should bring a certain level of thoughtfulness to the content they share publicly. For those who follow Mehar Bano and appreciate her work, the reel felt like a misalignment between the intelligence they associate with her and the specific choice she made here. Mehar Bano has not publicly responded to the backlash or addressed the criticism of the reel at the time of writing. The video remains shared on her Instagram account, where the comment section continues to reflect the divided reaction it has generated.

Dua Lipa has given fans an inside look at her time at Sunny Hill Festival, sharing a vibrant collection of photos and videos that captured the excitement of the event. The Grammy-winning singer posted a 20-slide Instagram carousel featuring live performances, behind-the-scenes moments and late-night memories from the festival’s second day. The 30-year-old Albanian-British pop star uploaded the post on Sunday, August 2, inviting followers to experience the festival alongside her through a series of candid images and video clips. The carousel documented everything from energetic performances on stage to relaxed moments away from the spotlight, offering fans a closer look at one of Europe’s biggest summer music events. Captioning the post, Dua wrote: “DAY TWO ON THE HILL @sunnyhillfestival Between @esdeekid @lewiscapaldi @gjin and @pawsaofficial it’s been a rollercoaster of emotions!!!! AND I NEVER WANT IT TO END.” The singer’s montage featured performances by Lewis Capaldi, Gjin, PAWSA, and Esdeekid, showcasing the lively atmosphere that kept audiences entertained throughout the festival. Through the videos, fans were able to witness the packed crowds, energetic stage performances and memorable moments that defined the second day of the event. Away from the concerts, Dua also shared several playful clips with her sister, Rina Lipa. The siblings were seen dancing, jumping and singing together while enjoying the festival, giving followers a glimpse of their close bond. The candid moments highlighted the relaxed atmosphere behind the scenes and reflected the singer’s excitement about spending time with family during the event. Among the carousel’s standout moments was a humorous late-night clip filmed in the early hours of the morning. Near the end of the post, Dua recorded herself picking up a sandwich at 4:28 a.m., with music from the festival still playing in the background. Treating the meal as breakfast, the singer jokingly embraced the festival’s non-stop schedule, showing that the celebrations continued well into the early morning hours. The light-hearted moment quickly became one of fans’ favourite clips from the photo dump, with many praising the singer for sharing authentic glimpses of her experience rather than only polished stage images. Sunny Hill Festival has grown into one of Europe’s leading music festivals, attracting internationally recognised performers and thousands of fans each year. Dua Lipa has long been closely associated with the event and frequently uses her platform to celebrate its atmosphere and performers. Her latest Instagram post once again reflected that enthusiasm, combining spectacular concert footage with personal memories that resonated with fans around the world. As the festival continues, Dua’s latest social media update has offered followers a front-row seat to the music, laughter and unforgettable experiences that have defined her time at Sunny Hill. From electrifying performances to spontaneous late-night snacks, the singer’s photo dump perfectly captured the energy and joy of one of the summer’s biggest musical celebrations.