ISLAMABAD: Ayesha Omar’s next role in “Dhai Chaal” is playing a journalist on a quest of uncovering life and realities in Balochistan.
“It’s about how the people of Balochistan have sacrificed a lot, and went through a lot of hard times to regain peace in the region. It’s about their sacrifices,” Omar told Arab News.
Directed by Taimoor Sherazi and written by Faiza Chaudhry, Dhai Chaal is expected to hit the big screen in February 2020.
Omar’s role will be aiming to report on Balochistan and provide a real account of what people in the region are facing ranging from the presence of foreign entities to corruption.
Her role is opposite Shamoon Abassi who will be playing an Indian spy working to dismantle progress and miff China-Pakistan relations.
the film is produced by Dr. Irfan Ashraf who is committed to highlight the tribulations faced by the people in Balochistan, Omar said.
“He’s been working in the region of Baluchistan for the past 15 years,” she said. “He saw the struggles of the people and wanted to give people a true picture of what’s happening there.”
Omar said, “In addition to our great cast and team, we have people helping out locally from Baluchistan. It’s a team of young people and energetic hard working kids, and lots of university students from universities in Balochistan,” citing producer and writer Ashraf’s work in the region as inspiring the support from the local population.
“People are just genuinely helping this guy with his mission. And that’s what he came to me with... I really, really want to do this (role),” Omar said.
Ayesha Omar’s new film focuses on realities in Balochistan
Ayesha Omar’s new film focuses on realities in Balochistan
- Film ‘Dhai Chaal’ is expected to hit the big screen in February 2020
- People of Balochistan are helping us to complete the project
PM calls for tapping gemstone reserves as Pakistan pushes for economic recovery
- Pakistan this month approved first national policy framework for precious stones, aiming to lift annual exports to $1 billion
- PM Shehbaz Sharif directs implementation of new policy framework, completion of Islamabad Gemstone Center by Aug. 2027
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday called for tapping Pakistan’s vast gemstone reserves, Sharif’s office said, as Islamabad seeks to boost their exports to support economic recovery.
The development comes two weeks after Pakistan approved its first national policy framework for gemstones and precious stones, aiming to reform the sector, align it with international standards and lift annual exports to $1 billion within five years.
Pakistan has intensified efforts to monetize its untapped mineral resources, amid fiscal pressures and an International Monetary Fund-backed reform program. Over the past two years, Islamabad has hosted international minerals conferences and signed agreements with countries including the United States, Saudi Arabia and China to attract investment and move up the value chain in mining and minerals processing.
On Monday, PM Sharif presided over a meeting on the promotion of precious stones and minerals in Islamabad, at which he directed seeking services of relevant experts of international repute for the construction of proposed gemstone centers in Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, according to his office.
“There is a need to utilize the potential of gemstone reserves in Pakistan so that valuable foreign exchange can be earned from the exports of these precious stones,” Sharif was quoted as saying by his office.
Despite officials estimating Pakistan’s gemstone reserves at around $450 billion, formal exports remain negligible, at about $5.8 million annually, due to weak certification systems, limited domestic processing capacity, widespread smuggling and fragmented regulation across federal and provincial authorities.
Pakistan’s new policy framework includes geological mapping to accurately assess reserves, the establishment of internationally accredited laboratories and certification regimes and the creation of a dedicated authority to regulate and promote the sector. The government also plans to set up a National Warranty Office and centers of excellence to support training, research and value-added processing.
The prime minister directed the implementation of the policy framework and the completion of Islamabad Gemstone Center by Aug. 2027.
A location has been identified on the Constitution Highway for the establishment of a gemstone center in Islamabad, according to Sharif’s office. The center will provide international standard value addition services, certification, incubation center and trade center facilities.
“Exports should be increased through value addition in the gemstone industry,” he said, urging officials to work together with the governments of all provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir to promote the industry.
