Pakistani flick ‘Na Baligh Afraad’ channels ‘90s nostalgia for laughs this Eid 

the combination of photo shows the posters of the Pakistani film Na Baligh Afraad. (Photo courtesy: nabqur/Instagram)
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Updated 18 June 2024
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Pakistani flick ‘Na Baligh Afraad’ channels ‘90s nostalgia for laughs this Eid 

  • Set in the ‘90s, film revolves around two naive brothers who get entangled in hilarious misadventures
  • Directed by critically acclaimed Nabeel Qureshi, film stars breakout actors Aashir Wajahat, Samar Jafri

KARACHI: Pakistani movie buffs are in for some laughs, hilarious plot twists and ‘90s nostalgia this Eid Al-Adha, with the release of the latest Pakistani film ‘Na Baligh Afraad’ over the religious holiday.

The comedy flick takes viewers to the streets of ‘90s Karachi and the lives of two teenage brothers, Mazhar and Fakhar, whose innocence gets them entangled in a series of misadventures that give birth to a comedy of errors. 

Acclaimed director Nabeel Qureshi directed the movie which is produced by Fizza Ali Meerza and stars singers and actors Aashir Wajahat and Samir Jafri in the lead roles alongside Rimha Ahmad, Mohammed Ehteshamuddin, Faiza Hasan, Saleem Mairaj and Irfan Motiwala. 

The title of the film is inspired by Qureshi’s 2014 hit ‘Na Maloom Afraad.’ 

“We grew up in the 90s so it has a lot of nostalgia [for us],” Qureshi told Arab News at the premiere of the film. “I always wanted to do something which is related to the 90s.”

Wajahat, who plays the role of Mazhar, declined to reveal too many details of the plot but promised that audiences would get to see the brothers entangled in a hilarious web of problems.

“I think the film offers a lot of comedy, a lot of entertainment, and a lot of fun,” Wajahat told Arab News. “Just a quarter to two hours of good entertainment.”

Jafri, who plays Fakhar in the film, said the film was not just for kids or teenagers. 

“Everybody can watch it because it’s a family movie,” Jafri told Arab News. “It has comedy, it has thriller, it has romance, it has bromance.”

But for an actor who did not grow up in the ‘90s, was it difficult to play a character set in that era?

“I learned things from my director, he taught me a lot on the set,” Jafri revealed. “And of course, when you are doing a character, you study it. I watched a few old movies [such as] ‘Andaaz Apna Apna’,” he said, referring to a 1994 Bollywood cult classic that starred Indian A-listers Salman Khan and Aamir Khan as two gold diggers who attempt to woo an heiress to get access to her father’s wealth.

“I think given the timing, this film will maybe give a lot of courage and inspiration to people and newcomers to do something,” Qureshi said about his expectations for the film. “And I think because the storyline is very different, so maybe things will be a bit better [for the movie.]” 
 


Pakistan, Oman navies discuss maritime security, ink agreement to share shipping data

Updated 24 December 2025
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Pakistan, Oman navies discuss maritime security, ink agreement to share shipping data

  • Visiting Oman royal navy commander calls on Pakistan Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf in Islamabad
  • White shipping agreement refers to exchange of prior information on movement of commercial ships

ISLAMABAD: The naval commanders of Pakistan and Oman discussed regional maritime security on Wednesday and signed an agreement to share shipping information with each other, the Pakistan Navy said in a statement.

The press release followed a meeting between Pakistan Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf and the visiting Oman Royal Navy Commander Rear Admiral Saif Bin Nasser Bin Mohsin Al Rahbi at Naval Headquarters in Islamabad.

Both navies maintain close professional relations, reflected in expert-level staff talks, joint training, bilateral exercises, and participation in multilateral exercises between the Pakistan Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman.

“During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional maritime security and bilateral naval cooperation were discussed,” the Pakistan Navy said.

The MoU was signed by both sides at a ceremony at the Naval Headquarters, the navy’s media wing confirmed. 

“The MoU is aimed at establishing of guidelines and procedures for information sharing in order to enhance mutual awareness of white shipping,” the Pakistan Navy said in a statement. 

White shipping agreement refers to the exchange of prior information on the movement and identity of commercial non-military merchant vessels.

Information regarding the identity of vessels helps countries tackle potential threats from sea routes. This particularly helps in the development of a proper regional maritime domain awareness

The statement said Al Rahbi lauded Pakistan Navy’s professionalism and acknowledged its ongoing contributions to maritime security and regional stability.

Pakistan and Oman share geographical proximity and common maritime boundaries. Bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries span a wide range of areas, including economic cooperation, people-to-people contacts and strong defense ties.

In December, a Royal Navy flotilla from Oman visited Karachi to take part in the annual bilateral Thamar Al Tayyib (TAT) 2025 exercise. 

Pakistan Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman have been conducting the TAT series of exercises regularly since 1980.