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’s first non-life Shariah-compliant takaful operator says ‘historic’ IPO oversubscribed 21 times

Updated 22 January 2026
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Pakistan’s first non-life Shariah-compliant takaful operator says ‘historic’ IPO oversubscribed 21 times

  • Pak-Qatar General Takaful Limited offered 30 million shares to investors with ceiling price of Rs14 per share
  • Company says IPO proceeds will be used for investments in software, infrastructure, setting up new branches

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s first non-life Shariah-compliant takaful operator announced on Thursday that its initial public offering (IPO) was oversubscribed 21 times at the country’s stock exchange, saying the development reflected strong investor confidence in the Islamic insurance system. 

The Pak-Qatar General Takaful Limited said earlier this month it would issue 30 million shares with a floor price of Rs 10 and a ceiling price of Rs 14 per share. Institutional investors will receive 75 percent of the shares on offer, while the remaining 25 percent will be allocated to retail investors, it added. 

“Pak-Qatar General Takaful Limited’s (PQGTL) IPO book-building has concluded with a historic oversubscription of [21x] times, marking the first-ever IPO of a dedicated General Takaful company at PSX,” the company said in a statement. 

It said investors responded “strongly” as the strike price closed at Rs 14 per share, compared to the floor price of Rs 10. Total demand reached Rs 4.74 billion [$17 million].

The company said successful bidders will be provisionally allotted 22.5 million shares while the remaining 7.5 million shares will be offered to retail investors on Jan. 28-29. 

Shahid Ali Habib, CEO of Arif Habib Ltd., which was the lead manager for the IPO, said that country’s first-ever IPO of any dedicated general takaful company, has made a historic debut at PSX.

Habib said this reflects investor confidence in Pakistan’s fast-growing takaful sector and PQGTL’s strong market position.

The statement further said proceeds from the IPO will be utilized to fund strategic initiatives, such as investments in software and other intangible assets, hardware and infrastructure, marketing and brand development and human resource enhancement. 

Proceeds will also be used to establish new branches and transform existing ones to improve operational efficiency and customer experience, it added. 

Pak-Qatar General Takaful Limited is part of Pakistan’s pioneer Islamic financial services group and is backed by Qatar-based financial institutions.