Pakistani fashionistas you should be giving your heart to on Instagram

Maryam Raja. (Photo courtesy: @merlettebymaryam/Instagram)
Updated 20 June 2019
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Pakistani fashionistas you should be giving your heart to on Instagram

  • Our pick of top Pakistan-based designers who can offer ample inspiration, especially when you are running on empty

ISLAMABAD: There's a good reason to double-tap on this copy.

We scoured Instagram for this year's top accounts that offer the best advice in fashion and style from Pakistan. Here's what we came away with:

Rehmat Ajmal (@rehmatajmal)

With more than 80,000 followers, Rehmat Ajmal, model and owner of bespoke fashion line Rehstore, tops our lists and rightly so. Her Instagram account offers users an incredible experience with curated content, a behind-the-scenes look at fittings and fashion shows, and a window into her source of inspiration, such as the quotes she frequently posts. Ajmal’s ‘gram presence' is also heavily punctuated with non stylized shots showcasing her keen fashion sense.

Anaa Nadim Saber (@oursecondskin)

Anaa Nadim Sabir is steadily growing as one of the “it” girls of NYC’s fashion scene with a heavy-duty portfolio of modeling and brand consultations, which includes those for Man Repeller and And Other Stories. With style that is a perfect mix of feminine, modest fashion and street wear, Pakistani-American Saber, who has more than 25,000 followers is on her way to becoming a main stay at fashion weeks around the globe. Her Instagram handle has well-thought out editorials, and lots and lots of outfits for inspiration.

Maryam Raja (@merlettebymaryam)

Editor and fashion stylist Maryam Raja launched her fashion blog in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. After moving to Pakistan and working in different capacities in the world of fashion, her chic style sense is being picked up by brands looking to update their aesthetic. Raja, whose insta handle boasts nearly 8,000 followers, frequently shares pictures of outfits that are both western and eastern-inspired.

Sarah Cheema (@sarahkcheema)

Another style queen, Sarah Cheema – who is the CEO and designer of Atelier De Frower –shares photos that showcase desi formals against the backdrop of beautifully sun-drenched nature shots. With 20,000 followers and growing, the designer is slowly and steadily inching her way to the top of the fashion ladder.

Marya Javed (@no.fomo)

Filmmaker and writer Marya Javed’s Instagram feed is a beautiful source of fashion inspiration, especially on days when you are running on empty. Her outfits celebrate the best of traditional wear as well as give ample space to ensembles that could inspire you to break out of a style rut. Javed currently has more than 15,000 followers.  


Pakistan police say 27 cops killed in 134 attacks in restive Bannu district in 2025

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Pakistan police say 27 cops killed in 134 attacks in restive Bannu district in 2025

  • Bannu is a restive district in northwestern Pakistan where militants frequently attack law enforcers
  • Police say at least 20 drone attacks by militants killed nine civilians, injured 19 cops during the year

PESHAWAR: Police in Pakistan’s northwestern Bannu district said this week that at least 27 police personnel were killed in 134 attacks while 53 militants were killed during various security operations in the volatile area during the year, as Islamabad grapples with a surge in militancy. 

Bannu district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province is one of Pakistan’s most dangerous districts, where militants affiliated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) frequently target law enforcers in attacks. 

Regional Police Officer Sajjad Khan told reporters during a press briefing on Wednesday that at least 134 “terrorist attacks” were recorded in Bannu district during 2025 that targeted police stations, posts, checkpoints, police mobiles and police parties.

“As a result of these attacks, 27 police personnel were martyred and 79 were injured,” a statement issued by Bannu Police said on Wednesday. 

It said at least 168 intelligence-based operations were conducted by police across the district during the year, in which 105 militants were arrested and 65 were killed. 

Khan informed media that militants carried out 20 drone attacks targeting police installations and civilian areas in 2025, killing nine civilians and injuring 19 police personnel. 

“However, following the installation of an anti-drone system in Bannu district on Jul. 18, 2025, the situation improved significantly,” the statement said. “More than 300 drone attacks were thwarted, and four drones were struck/spoofed.”

He said the Bannu police force has been equipped with drones, anti-drone guns, sniper rifles, armored personnel carriers (APCs), thermal imaging systems, tactical helmets and bulletproof vehicles. 

“Bannu police reiterates its resolve to continue its struggle to maintain law and order in the district, completely eliminate terrorism and protect the lives and property of the public,” the statement concluded. 

Pakistan blames the Afghan government for facilitating TTP attacks inside its territory, a charge Kabul denies. The surge in militant attacks has strained ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan, leading to deadly border clashes in October that saw dozens killed and several wounded on both sides.