shehzad roy tabish
| |

Shehzad Roy and Tabish Hashmi to tour US for Zindagi Trust

ByJustpaste.in

Singer, activist and philanthropist Shehzad Roy is heading to the United States next month, and this time he is bringing comedian and actor Tabish Hashmi along for the journey. The two have announced Zindagi Trust’s annual fundraising dinner tour, scheduled to take place across six American cities between September 18 and 25, with the aim of rallying support from the Pakistani diaspora for one of the country’s most pressing challenges: quality public education.
Roy shared the announcement through a video posted on his Instagram account, speaking with the urgency and conviction that has come to define his advocacy work over many years. He was direct about what the tour was trying to achieve and why the Pakistani diaspora’s involvement matters.
“That time is not far when people in Pakistan won’t have to beg for education, and parents will be able to send their children to government schools with confidence, knowing they will learn from the best local teachers,” Roy said. He also emphasised the structural reforms he believes are essential to getting there. “We also need proper licensing and qualifications for teachers,” he added.
Speaking about the tour itself and what it would offer those who attend, Roy described it as an opportunity for supporters to understand the full picture of what Zindagi Trust has been doing on the ground. “We are coming to share how the organisation is changing the paradigm for government schools and government teachers,” he said.
His invitation to the diaspora was direct and personal. “We will share everything that has been accomplished, what still needs to be done, and how each of you can play an integral part in this cause. So please be there,” he said.
Roy also explained his decision to bring Hashmi along as a companion for the tour, offering what is clearly both a personal and strategic reason. “He is a great entertainer and will bring happiness into your lives. The reason I am bringing him is because he truly believes in our cause,” he said. The combination of Roy’s advocacy record and Hashmi’s ability to connect with audiences through humour and warmth suggests an event format designed to be as engaging as it is purposeful.
The tour will take in Chicago, New Jersey, Washington, Dallas, Houston and San Francisco, covering a significant spread of cities with large Pakistani diaspora communities.
Zindagi Trust was founded by Roy with the mission of transforming Pakistan’s public school system, improving access to quality education for children who would otherwise have no alternative, and raising the professional standing of government school teachers across the country. Over the years, Roy has remained one of Pakistan’s most persistent and credible voices on children’s rights and education reform, using his platform as an artist to keep the conversation alive in ways that formal advocacy alone rarely manages.
The American tour represents an effort to extend that conversation beyond Pakistan’s borders and bring those who have left the country into a direct relationship with the work being done on the ground. For the communities in those six cities, September’s fundraising dinners will offer both an evening of entertainment and a meaningful opportunity to contribute to something real.

Similar Posts

  • | |

    Pakistan invites foreign investors as UK peer prai…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has assured foreign investors of full government support, saying Pakistan is ready to facilitate investment and provide opportunities across different sectors. Naqvi made the remarks during a meeting with British House of Lords member Lord Zamir Choudrey in Islamabad on Saturday. The interior minister said Pakistan has significant investment potential and that the government wants to create an environment where foreign investors can operate with greater confidence. He assured investors that all possible facilities would be provided to support their business activities in the country. The discussion also covered regional peace and stability. Naqvi said Pakistan was continuing its efforts to promote lasting peace in the region. He expressed optimism that the country’s diplomatic and peace initiatives would produce positive results. Lord Zamir Choudrey appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to contribute to regional stability. He also praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir for their efforts to promote peace. Choudrey said the government’s policies were helping create new opportunities for investment in Pakistan. The meeting comes as Islamabad seeks to strengthen economic ties with international partners while promoting Pakistan as an attractive destination for foreign investment. Pakistan has also been increasing cooperation with China on security and counterterrorism matters. Earlier this month, Naqvi met Chinese Minister of State for Public Security and Special Service Bureau chief Ling Zhifeng at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in internal security. Their discussions included border management, illegal immigration and efforts against drug trafficking. Meanwhile, security concerns surrounding Chinese nationals working in Pakistan remain a major issue. The CPEC Secretariat has decided to purchase a new bulletproof vehicle costing Rs95 million to strengthen security arrangements for Chinese citizens. The vehicle will reportedly be a 3,500cc Toyota Land Cruiser. It will be added to the existing fleet of security vehicles used for the protection of Chinese nationals. Government departments have also acquired or are seeking additional bulletproof vehicles and helicopters for security purposes. Officials have said Chinese citizens face significant security risks in Pakistan. As a result, they are generally restricted from travelling in ordinary, non-bulletproof vehicles. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said the protection of Chinese nationals is a key responsibility of the Pakistani government. The purchase also highlights the security challenges linked to major China-Pakistan economic projects. The government is balancing efforts to attract more foreign investment with measures aimed at improving the security of international investors and workers.

  • |

    Ram Kapoor opens up on hidden depression during ‘Bade Achhe Lagte Hain’

    ByJustpaste.in

    Ram Kapoor has made another candid revelation on the latest episode of Lock Upp 2. The 52-year-old actor opened up about a painful chapter from his past that he had kept hidden for years. Kapoor reflected on the time he spent working on Bade Achhe Lagte Hain. During that period, he struggled with obesity and continuous weight gain, which eventually led to serious health complications. He revealed that this phase also overlapped with the most difficult emotional period of his life. According to Kapoor, this was a secret he had never shared publicly, not even with his wife, Gautami Kapoor. He said, “I have kept one secret from the world; even my wife doesn’t know. During the show, I went through the absolute worst depression of my life.” He then described just how severe his health situation had become at the time. Doctors reportedly told him he could die within six months if nothing changed. Kapoor recalled being on insulin three times daily, with his blood sugar levels swinging between dangerously high numbers. Despite this, he kept working roughly 14 hours a day without pause. He admitted he avoided confronting the issue seriously, largely because of the immense love and financial success he was receiving during that time. He explained that walking away from all of it felt nearly impossible, even as it took a toll on both his body and mind. He also acknowledged that the pressure changed his personality, admitting he became a much harder person to be around during those years. Kapoor further shared that even his wife and child only learned the full truth about this struggle after watching the latest episode of Lock Upp 2 themselves. This revelation adds another deeply personal layer to Kapoor’s run on the show, where he has continued opening up about experiences he had never spoken about publicly before. By choosing to share this now, years after the fact, Kapoor seems intent on giving fans a more honest picture. His story sheds light on the hidden costs that can come with sustained fame, long working hours, and public pressure, even when everything on the surface appears successful.

  • | |

    Punjab schools to reopen on August 24 after summer…

    ByJustpaste.in

    LAHORE: Schools across Punjab are set to reopen on August 24 following the summer vacation, with the provincial government directing education authorities to complete all necessary arrangements before students return to classrooms. Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has instructed relevant departments and school administrations to ensure that educational institutions are clean, secure and fully prepared for the new academic session. The minister directed school administrations to pay particular attention to the cleanliness of classrooms, washrooms, playgrounds and other areas of school premises. He also stressed the need to ensure the availability of safe and clean drinking water for students and staff. In view of the ongoing monsoon season, authorities have been asked to inspect and clean water tanks and school rooftops and ensure proper disinfection. Drainage systems should also be checked to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water, which can increase the risk of mosquito breeding and dengue fever. The education minister ordered school administrations to strictly follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) aimed at preventing dengue outbreaks. Officials have been directed to identify and remove potential mosquito breeding sites from school premises and ensure that no stagnant water remains in or around the institutions. Security arrangements have also been made a priority ahead of the reopening. The minister directed both government and private schools to ensure full compliance with prescribed security SOPs and make certain that CCTV cameras and other security equipment are operational before students arrive. Schools where construction or repair work is underway have been instructed to install proper barriers and restrict students’ access to potentially hazardous areas. The authorities have also been directed to inspect electrical installations throughout school buildings. School heads must ensure that fans, lights, switches, electrical sockets and wiring are in safe working condition to prevent accidents. Rana Sikandar Hayat further instructed heads of educational institutions to conduct a final inspection of their respective schools before reopening. He warned that negligence, delays or failure to comply with the government’s instructions would not be tolerated and could result in action against those responsible. The minister emphasized that all arrangements must be completed before August 24 so that students can return to school in a clean, safe and healthy environment.

  • | |

    PTI announces September 27 to Islamabad over key d…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced plans to march to Islamabad on September 27 if its demands regarding party founder Imran Khan are not met, with senior party leaders calling for legal and constitutional relief. The announcement was made during a public gathering near the motorway in Peshawar, where PTI leaders said the planned demonstration would go ahead unless progress is made on several issues, including regular meetings with Imran Khan, access to his personal physician, and timely hearings of court cases involving the former prime minister. Addressing supporters, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said the party had pursued every available constitutional and legal avenue but had failed to achieve the desired outcomes. He argued that the party had little confidence in the judicial process and claimed that recent constitutional amendments had affected the functioning of the courts. Gandapur also alleged that PTI supporters had faced excessive force during previous demonstrations. He questioned the continued detention of Imran Khan and reiterated the party’s position that the former premier’s removal from office was the result of external interference. He further claimed that Pakistan’s economy had performed better during Imran Khan’s tenure and criticized the current government’s handling of economic and security challenges. The chief minister also expressed concern over inflation, unemployment, law and order, and the country’s overall economic situation. He accused the federal government of mismanagement and urged supporters to remain united ahead of the planned protest. Speaking at the same event, PTI leader Sohail Afridi said the party had exhausted all legal and constitutional options before deciding to launch another protest movement. He maintained that the planned march was intended to demand justice rather than political concessions. Afridi announced that PTI would proceed towards Islamabad on September 27 if its demands remained unaddressed. He told supporters that the party was seeking what it described as judicial justice and the restoration of legal rights for its leader. The planned demonstration is expected to become one of PTI’s major political mobilization efforts in the coming months. Party leaders have called on supporters from across the country to participate peacefully in the protest. The federal government has not yet issued a detailed response to PTI’s latest announcement. Political observers say the coming weeks will be important as both sides weigh their next steps amid Pakistan’s evolving political landscape.

  • |

    Oil prices slide as US-Iran tensions ease

    ByJustpaste.in

    Global oil prices declined by about 1% on Tuesday as investors assessed the possibility of a diplomatic breakthrough between the United States and Iran. Brent crude futures fell by 54 cents, or 0.6%, to $87.82 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate crude dropped 66 cents, or 0.8%, to $81.95 a barrel. Both benchmarks had fallen by around 1% earlier in the session. They reached their lowest levels in more than a week. The decline came after US President Donald Trump said Washington was engaged in positive talks with Iran. He also indicated that a settlement could be possible. However, Trump warned that US strikes could resume if negotiations fail. Iran has also indicated that it would respond to further attacks. The possibility of diplomatic progress has reduced some concerns about disruptions to oil supplies from the Middle East. Analysts said the market remained highly uncertain. Any breakdown in negotiations could quickly push oil prices higher. Concerns about attacks by Yemen-based Houthi fighters have also influenced the market. Officials in Yemen have warned that the Houthis could seek to disrupt shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The waterway is an important route for international energy shipments. Market analysts remain uncertain about whether the Houthis have the ability to impose a complete blockade. However, shipping activity in the Red Sea and nearby waters has already declined significantly. The Strait of Hormuz is another major concern for energy markets. It is a key route for global oil shipments. Recent data showed that oil and refined product exports through the strait had dropped sharply. Net exports averaged around 2.9 million barrels per day in the week ending July 24. The figure was nearly 5.9 million barrels per day during the previous week. The lower shipping volumes have added to concerns about global energy supplies. However, analysts said weaker demand was also preventing oil prices from rising further. Demand in Asia has been particularly affected. Slower consumption could reduce pressure on the global oil market. Investors are also watching US energy inventory data. A preliminary market survey indicated that US crude oil stocks probably declined last week. Gasoline inventories were also expected to fall. Distillate stocks, which include diesel and heating oil, were estimated to have increased. The market is now closely following developments in US-Iran talks. A successful diplomatic agreement could reduce fears about supply disruptions and support the normal flow of energy shipments. A breakdown in negotiations, however, could revive concerns over attacks and shipping disruptions.

  • |

    Thailand school shooting leaves seven dead, 15 injured

    ByJustpaste.in

    At least seven people were killed and 15 others injured after a student opened fire at a school near Thailand’s capital Bangkok on Friday. The suspected shooter was among those killed after turning the weapon on himself, according to police. The incident took place at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Nonthaburi province, northwest of Bangkok. Students rushed out of the school as emergency teams arrived at the scene. Several wounded people were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Teachers and students were reportedly among those killed and injured. A student at the school said he initially mistook the sound of gunfire for firecrackers or someone hitting an object. He later realised that several shots had been fired. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul described the incident as a terrible tragedy and questioned how such an attack could occur in the country. Emergency responders said they treated several students who had suffered gunshot wounds to their backs, chests and arms. A male teacher was found dead on an upper floor of the school, while a female teacher was also found with serious injuries. Rescue workers attempted to revive the injured teacher before rushing her to hospital, but she could not be saved. Following the shooting, traffic around the school came to a standstill as parents rushed to collect their children. Authorities also moved to provide assistance to students, teachers and affected families. Police identified the attacker as a student. The incident is the second school shooting reported in Thailand this year. Thailand has experienced several deadly shooting incidents in recent years. The country witnessed its deadliest mass killing in 2022, when a former police officer killed 36 people, including 22 children, in a prolonged attack at a childcare centre. Other deadly shootings have also taken place in Bangkok and other parts of the country, raising continued concerns over gun violence and firearm access.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *