Too much happened and you blinked? We get it. From major headlines to moments you might’ve missed, here’s your quick scroll through everything that had Pakistan (and beyond) talking this week.
1. Arijit Singh Announced Retirement From Playback Singing
Bollywood’s Arijit Singh, widely regarded as one of the most soulful and influential voices in Indian music, has officially announced that he is retiring from playback singing. The announcement was made on January 27, 2026, through his social media accounts, including Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), and quickly spread across news outlets and fan forums.
Although many reports simply said Arijit was “retiring,” the reality is more nuanced. In his message, Singh explained that he is stepping back only from playback singing for films – he will not be singing new songs for movie soundtracks going forward. However, he was careful to say that he is not quitting music entirely.
2. Two Dead, Including An Infant, After Falling Into An Open Manhole In Lahore – All We Know So Far
A tragic accident in Lahore has claimed the lives of a 24-year-old woman and her 10-month-old daughter, drawing sharp criticism of infrastructure safety and government oversight. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday evening near Bhatti Gate close to Data Darbar, has led to recovery operations, arrests, and official condemnation. Late-Wednesday, local emergency services received a call reporting that a woman and her infant had fallen into an open sewer manhole while getting off a rickshaw in a busy Lahore area where development work was underway. Rescue 1122 and police teams were promptly dispatched and began a continuous operation to search for the victims.
By the early hours of Thursday, the body of the mother, identified as Sadia, was recovered from a sewerage line near Outfall Road, roughly three kilometres from the incident site. Despite extensive efforts, teams continued the search for the infant. After nearly 17 hours of exhaustive work, the body of her daughter, Rida Fatima, was found in the Sagian area, about five kilometres away from where the tragedy happened. Officials said the force of the sewage flow likely carried the bodies away from the manhole.
3. Everything To Know About Basant – The Kite & Spring Festival
Basant’s roots go back thousands of years as a celebration of spring and renewal. The festival’s name comes from the ancient Sanskrit word Vasanta, meaning spring, and it originally marked the transition from winter to warmer, fertile months in the agrarian cultures of the Indian subcontinent. In early Vedic and Hindu calendars, this seasonal celebration was known as Vasant Panchami, observed on the fifth day of the lunar month Magha, when mustard fields bloom and skies brighten. People welcomed the season with prayers, music, and seasonal foods, and the colour yellow became associated with Basant because it reflected both the mustard flowers and the hopeful glow of spring sunshine.
Over time, Basant evolved as it spread across regions and cultures, taking on unique local traditions. In the Punjab region, including what is today eastern Pakistan and northern India, Basant became strongly linked with kite flying – a practice that grew especially popular during the 19th century under the patronage of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who held large kite festivals and encouraged colourful festivities that filled the skies above Lahore and surrounding cities.
Read more here!
4. Is People We Meet on Vacation Worth Your Time? Here’s the Verdict
I landed on People We Meet on Vacation (based on the bestselling novel by Emily Henry and directed by Michael Showalter) mid-scroll on Netflix — zero expectations, mild skepticism, and that familiar rom-com fatigue weighing heavy. Let’s be honest, the genre hasn’t exactly been delivering lately. Everything feels either too glossy, too try-hard, or emotionally hollow. So was I impressed? Did it actually hold my attention? And more importantly — is it worth your time?
Short answer: yes. Longer answer? Find out why here!
5. Late Ho Gaye By Shehzad Roy: A Powerful Reflection on the Pressures Faced by Our Children
Shehzad Roy is at it again – nudging our conscience, employing satire to take a long hard look in the mirror and recognise ourselves for what we truly are – a nation desperate to worship the English language above all else. Not just that, but the race to be the first at everything is fast becoming a signature national trait that might end up ruining the mental health of the very generation we work so hard to raise.
Shehzad Roy’s latest song, “Late Ho Gaye,” is not just a visual treat but also represents the sad reality and sentiments of children. The video is directed by Aida Moon and sung by children of Zindagi Trust.
Late Ho Gaye serves as a wake-up call for parents, educators, and society at large. It reminds us that while education is important, childhood should not be overshadowed by undue stress and unattainable expectations. By highlighting the struggles children face, the song encourages us to create a space where they can learn, grow, and simply enjoy being children. Shehzad Roy has a clear message: our children deserve more than a race to success, they deserve to live, laugh, and learn at their own pace.
6. 3 Ways Aik Aur Pakeezah Shows How Society Fails Its Women
Aik Aur Pakeezah confronts the harsh and deeply uncomfortable reality of cybercrime—and more importantly, the unequal burden its victims are forced to carry. At the center of the story is Pakeezah, whose life is turned upside down when a private video of her and Faraz is leaked. What follows is not justice or protection for the victims, but a rushed, secret marriage in the dead of the night, as if marriage alone can erase public shame. The drama makes it painfully clear that while both are victims of the same crime, society does not treat them as equals—and never intends to.
From the very beginning, the contrast between Faraz and Pakeezah’s lives after the incident exposes this imbalance. Faraz can step outside freely. He can sit with his father, eat shaljam gosht, and exist in the world without fear. He knows that if things get too difficult, he can always return to his parents’ home, where he will still be accepted. Pakeezah, on the other hand, is trapped indoors, terrified of being recognized, judged, or humiliated. Faraz himself admits the truth she already knows: his family will accept him, but they will never accept her. Pakeezah’s own family cuts off all contact, reinforcing what society loudly believes—that when something like this happens, it is the girl who must carry the blame. The boy is forgiven, rehabilitated, even sympathized with. The girl is erased.
Catch up on full article here!
7. Nipah Virus Outbreak In India – Here’s Everything You Need To Know About It
A new Nipah virus outbreak has been reported in West Bengal, India, with five confirmed cases and nearly 100 people quarantined in attempts to contain the virus. Several countries across Asia have raised alerts and tightened health screenings, particularly at airports, in response to the situation. Nipah is mainly carried by fruit bats, also known as flying foxes. These bats do not usually look sick but can spread the virus through their saliva, urine, or droppings. People can become infected if they have direct contact with infected animals like bats or pigs, or if they eat food contaminated by bats, such as fruit or raw date palm sap. The virus can also spread from person to person through close contact with an infected person’s body fluids, which is why family members and healthcare workers are at higher risk during outbreaks.
Symptoms usually appear between 4 and 14 days after infection. At first, the illness may look like the flu, with fever, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, and vomiting. However, the disease can quickly become more serious. Some people develop breathing problems, while others experience brain inflammation (encephalitis), which can cause confusion, drowsiness, seizures, and even coma. In severe cases, the illness can worsen very fast. Click here to read more!
8. Farhan Saeed & Sana Javed Unite For The Final Project Of Late Saira Raza, “Tu Jo Mila”
This project is particularly special because it is the last play penned by the late Saira Raza, one of the most talented and beloved writers in the industry. Sadly, Saira Raza passed away recently, leaving behind a legacy of memorable dramas such as “Mere Humsafar”, “Dil Mom Ka Diya”,“Yahya”, and more. Her stories were known for their emotional intensity, realistic characters, and relatable family themes, and fans are eagerly awaiting this final work of hers.
“Tu Jo Mila” is being directed by the talented Qasim Ali Mureed, known for his remarkable work in dramas like “Jaan-e-Jahan”, “Mere Humsafar” and “Prem Gali”. The project is produced under the banner of Six Sigma Productions, which has consistently delivered quality content over the years.
According to director Qasim Ali Mureed, “Tu Jo Mila” is a family drama interwoven with a love story, capturing the essence of a classic Pakistani drama. Viewers can expect engaging family dynamics, heartfelt relationships, and emotional twists that Pakistani audiences love, along with the romance that makes these stories so relatable.
9. This Week’s Pakistan Idol: 5 Standout Performances And Some Special Guests
The performances paid tribute to the sounds that shaped generations, while special guest appearances by Asim Azhar and Mekaal Hasan added a fresh, contemporary touch to the night, making it a perfect mix of past and present. Asim Azhar also delivered a special performance that instantly struck a chord with viewers.
Out of the night’s many moments, five performances truly stood out, capturing the spirit of the show and reminding everyone why Pakistan Idol continues to resonate with music lovers. One particular special performance, however, has been all over Instagram feeds since last night, quickly becoming the most talked-about moment of the episode.
Check them out here!
That’s your week in rewind. Some stories will fade, others will grow – but for now, you’re all caught up.
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