Empower Sports Academy hosted a high-impact press conference at recently, formally unveiling its mega project and strategic partnerships aimed at transforming the future of female sports and education in Pakistan. The event was attended by leading media houses, corporate partners, sports professionals, educators, and stakeholders from across the country.

At the conference, Malika Junaid announced a landmark partnership between the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) and Empower Sports Academy to launch a nationwide initiative that will identify, train, and empower 10,000 young female athletes every year across Pakistan, expanding further in the years to come.

Representing the Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, Sindh, Coordinator Fahad Shafique expressed his delight at the progress made so far by Empower Sports Academy, and played a video message from the Minister and Chairman PMYP, Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan. In the message Rana Mashood said, “This initiative reflects our government’s unwavering commitment to uplifting young women through sport. By reaching out to 10,000 girls this year and expanding even further in the years to come, we are broadening access to training, mentorship, and competitive opportunities.”

Malika further added, “Empower Sports Academy has already begun working with girls from all over Pakistan including girls in cities and underserved communities in remote villages of Balochistan, northern areas of Pakistan, Punjab, and Sindh.

The post Empower Sports Academy Unveils Landmark CSR appeared first on Glam Magazine.

By Anusha Zahid

Alisha Junaid is the founder of Empower Sports Academy, which held the first women’s volleyball tournament in Pakistan last year. GLAM interviewed Alisha two years ago at the launch of Empower Sports Academy, and this is a follow-up interview now that their second national volleyball tournament has successfully concluded.

Originally from the United States, Alisha is a TEDx speaker, a recipient of the USAID Youth Leadership Award, and a student at Babson College. She has organized national volleyball tournaments throughout Pakistan and coordinated international tours, all while advancing her personal athletic and academic pursuits.

Congratulations on successfully concluding the second year of Pakistan Volleyball Championship. Do you think this year’s tournament was better compared to last year’s in terms of participation and overall excitement?

Yes definitely. This year, we expanded the preliminary round to eight different cities, a significant increase from last year’s three. We had teams from Abbottabad, Sadiqabad, Islamabad, Karachi, and Quetta, among others. This year, we also made a conscious effort to concentrate on the younger age groups, which was a deliberate decision to prioritise the development of our next generation.

To achieve this, we leveraged social media to promote the event, engaged with our networks to spread the word and encouraging teams to participate and then share their experience with their own networks. This grassroots approach led to a significant increase in participation. But what was truly heartening was seeing girls from various cities come together to a single location and participate in the tournament. The event saw a high level of engagement and exceptional sportsmanship, with teams from the same city coming together to support each other, especially at the final stages of the competition.

Were there any standout performances or emerging talents from this year’s championship?

It’s challenging to recall a specific standout athletic performance, but what really caught my attention this year was the exceptional sportsmanship and honesty displayed by the girls. In Pakistan, this can sometimes be lacking, but in this tournament, I saw a different dynamic at play. The girls were able to connect with each other, even with teams they were competing against; suggesting that collaboration and mutual respect are values that are being instilled in our young athletes, and that’s a promising sign for the future. Also, we were fortunate to have experienced coaches on board, including the national team coach and Eric Ballelos, who had travelled from the US to assist with the event. Their expertise was invaluable, and it was also a great opportunity for the girls to learn from them.

As for emerging talent, we selected a promising volleyball player from the national team last year named Khizra, who was sent to the US to play at a Division 3 college. Not only did she excel in volleyball, but she also successfully completed her undergraduate degree and is now a working psychologist. Our goal is to replicate this experience with more girls.

Who were the sponsors this year? Do you think they played a role in the success of this year’s tournament?

This time, we were fortunate to have some prominent names supporting us, which helped elevate Empower to the next level. Jazz came on board and signed a three-year contract, Interwood, which has been with us for the past two years, renewed their support with a three-year contract. We also secured a three-year partnership with Naya Nazimabad. Two electric motorcycle companies, Hyder and Crown also contributed by sponsoring the Player of the Match awards (one for volleyball and one for badminton) in the form of electric motorcycles to motivate the players. I am incredibly grateful to all our sponsors because running these tournaments is expensive. We cover the expenses for transporting all the players to Karachi, including bus tickets and their accommodation, because we want them to focus entirely on their game without worrying about logistics. Our sponsors and the prize money they provide are essential in making this possible. Last year, we heard a heartwarming story about a girl whose father started a business using one of these motorcycles, which significantly helped their family. That’s exactly the kind of impact we want to see, contributing not just to the girls’ athletic growth but also enabling them to support their families.

What were some of the challenges that you faced during this year’s tournament, and were they similar to or different from those you encountered in previous years?

From the girls’ side, I believe there were fewer challenges this time. We were able to clearly communicate the rules and ensure everyone understood how the tournament was being organised. However, challenges exist, mainly because we imposed certain restrictions on participation. For example, we have age limits, and we do not accept girls over the age of 19 or national team players. With the addition of our coach Eric this year, and discussions with our board, our focus remains on developing young players. We faced some challenges with over-age participants, though fewer than last year when we had an open age category. While we have thought about creating a category for players aged 19 and above, we’ve noticed that training and influencing older players is much more difficult because they tend to be more set in their ways, making it quite challenging to manage.

Have you chosen any young girls to take on coaching roles for the upcoming tournament?

We have selected a few young women to serve as coaches and are currently in discussions with some of them. These women have played on the national team and possess valuable experience and insights into the game and the competitive environment. However, to be eligible, they need to be over 25 years old. Our aim is to help them develop a coaching career and livelihood, while also ensuring that the timing aligns with their career stages – some are still active on the national team and wish to complete that chapter first.

In addition, we have identified several coaches from Pakistan, including both men and women, whom we are training during the summer. We are handling their visa arrangements, and hopefully by July, we expect to have our first group of around four coaches. These individuals will have the chance to learn from Stanford’s world-class coaching staff in the US.

With the increased visibility and support, what are your hopes for the future of women’s volleyball in Pakistan after this year’s tournament? 

Our hope for next year is to bring more athletes into the fold and expand what we’re doing with Empower. This year, we started incorporating sports like badminton alongside volleyball, and we saw a fantastic response. We plan to add more sports and gradually expand into various Olympic disciplines, but since taking on new sports is a logistical challenge, we’ll proceed step by step. Perhaps next year we will bring in squash and table tennis as well. Our objective is to show the girls that their involvement in sports can open doors for their future – their energy on the court, playing and having fun – especially this year after the prize ceremony when they all danced to classic desi songs and having an impromptu dance party – it was incredible to see them let loose and celebrate. We want to create more memories for them.

The post The Journey Continues appeared first on Glam Magazine.

The Masala Family Festival, held at the Karachi Expo Centre on 27 and 28 December, drew thousands of visitors from across the city. Thousands of families flocked to the two-day HUM Masala Family Festival, enjoying shopping, an food court, children’s activities and spectacular live concerts. Organised by HUM Network in Karachi, the Masala Family Festival has evolved from a one-off event into a cherished annual tradition—one where families come together, spend an entire day immersed in entertainment, and return home satisfied. Like the previous years, Expo Centre was transformed into a vibrant hub of colour, flavour and festivity.

The two-day festival offered attendees a diverse selection of food, pet shows, a car show, games, shopping and family-friendly activities. Visitors could be seen savouring a variety of cuisines, taking part in games, browsing stalls and meeting their favourite chefs and artists throughout the day. Through its festivals, HUM Masala presents live cooking sessions, talent hunts, celebrity meet-and-greets, interactive games with prizes, and electrifying music concerts by renowned singers.

As always, discounted products proved to be a major highlight, attracting large crowds to the hundreds of stalls set up in the venue. Upon entering the Expo Centre, a stunning display of vintage cars immediately caught the attention of visitors. The dedicated children’s zone, complete with rides and games, delighted younger guests, while animal lovers enjoyed seeing parrots, cats, dogs and other animals up close. Meanwhile, the heavy bike exhibition remained a popular attraction among the younger visitors.

Renowned HUM Masala cooking experts Shireen Anwar, Mehboob Khan, Saad Butt, Zarnak Sidhwa, Rida Aftab, A.R. Jamali and Rafia conducted live cooking demonstrations. They were joined by Abeel Javed and Kiran Khan, while Dr Noreen Batool’s team presented live skincare demonstrations.

Visitors had the opportunity to meet well-known comedians and personalities including Hanif Raja, Maham Aamir, Javeria Saud, Umar Alam and Nimra Shahid. A fashion show titled “Khayaal”, presented by Shaista Hasan was popular too. On both days, Umar Alam kept audiences engaged with lively game shows on the outdoor stage, with thousands participating enthusiastically despite the chilly weather. As evening set in, power-packed performances by Ashir Wajahat, N.S. Chauhan, Khudgharz, Ali Tariq and Mudabbir Aziz Jamal captivated the crowd and brought the festival to an enjoying close.

The Masala Family Festival has established itself as a regular family-oriented event in Karachi and Lahore, offering accessible entertainment across a range of activities. Despite high visitor numbers, the festival maintains organised operations and a family-friendly environment.

The post Karachi Hosts Pakistan’s Largest Family Festival appeared first on Glam Magazine.

The event brought together a diverse group of attendees, including local celebrities, philanthropists and community leaders. During the event, it was announced that Syed Javaid Anwar contributed 300,000 dollars towards the foundation’s education initiatives, highlighting a strong commitment to expanding learning opportunities.

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During the programme, guests received updates on the foundation’s ongoing work, the challenges students face, and the specific areas where support is most needed. The discussion focused on practical priorities, including scholarships, learning materials and academic guidance.

Alongside raising funds, the event also helped build awareness of the foundation’s programmes and strengthened support within the Houston community. The M&D Foundation will now use these contributions and the momentum from the event to advance its mission of widening access to education in Pakistan.

The post M&D Foundation’s Houston Event Strengthens Support for Education appeared first on Glam Magazine.

With the city entering its best weather of the year, the festival is built around a simple idea: two full days outdoors with food, music and space to unwind by the water. Visitors can expect pop-up kitchens, artisan stalls, workshops, live performances, and dedicated areas for families.

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It is set up as a come-and-go space rather than a tightly scheduled programme, so visitors can stay for a quick walk around or settle in for most of the day.

The kids’ section includes games, sports and pony rides. Around the venue, visitors will also find a mini petting zoo.

It blends relaxed corners with a good range of activities, which makes it an easy choice for a weekend outdoors.

Venue: The Lakefront at Islamabad Polo Club (opposite The Rock Musicarium and near Naval Sailing Club).

The post Lakeside Picnic 2025: A New Outdoor Festival Comes to Islamabad appeared first on Glam Magazine.

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This year, the festival widens its scope with an International Pavilion, welcoming artists from around 12 countries. The addition turns Lok Mela into a global exchange of creativity, where cultural borders blur through art, sound, and design.

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Evenings will feature themed musical nights leading up to a grand finale on November 16. For food lovers, the air will be rich with the aroma of regional favourites, offering a feast of local flavours that capture the essence of each province.

A beloved tradition that continues to celebrate the country’s creative spirit, Lok Mela 2025 promises more than entertainment, it offers a journey through the textures, tastes, and traditions that make the nation’s cultural landscape so rich.

The post Lok Mela 2025: A Festival Where Every Thread Tells a Story appeared first on Glam Magazine.

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Held in collaboration with Nestlé NIDO, the event brought together children aged six to seventeen who turned spelling into a stage for creativity, confidence and pure joy.

Sultana Siddiqui, President of HUM Network, attended the ceremony alongside Punjab Minister for Information Azma Bokhari, applauding the finalists for their dedication and poise. Parents and teachers filled the audience, cheering as each participant took the stage one last time.

From quick-fire rounds to nail-biting finishes, the competition crowned its national champions:

• Muhammad Talha Ibrahim (15–17 category, EMS High School, Islamabad)
• Salma Ayesha Khan (12–14 category, EMS High School, Islamabad)
• Alaiya Farukh (9–11 category, Preparatory School, Islamabad)
• Muhammad Waiz Naveed Abbasi (6–8 category, Asas School, Islamabad)

Muhammad Talha Ibrahim of EMS High School, Islamabad, emerged as the overall national champion, winning the 15–17 category without getting a single word wrong throughout the final. 

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Each winner took home a trophy, cash prize and gift hampers, but the real reward was seeing young voices take the spotlight. It is about more than words; it is about self-belief, curiosity and community.

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Through initiatives like Spelling Whizz, HUM continues to champion learning beyond the screen, creating platforms that empower the next generation to think, speak and dream boldly. As this year’s competition comes to a close, the excitement already hints at what is next: a tradition in the making, where every child’s confidence takes centre stage and education feels like celebration.

The post NIDO × HUM Spelling Whizz Crowns Its Champions in Lahore appeared first on Glam Magazine.

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The night began with energy. The venue was packed, the crowd was buzzing, and the atmosphere promised a memorable show. But as the evening went on, that excitement started to wear thin. Many attendees reported waiting in long lines, struggling to enter, and dealing with poor sound quality once inside. Some said they could barely hear the singer over the crowd, while others were frustrated by how the event was handled overall.

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Several fans pointed out that this is not an isolated incident. Large-scale concerts in Pakistan often face similar challenges with logistics, sound, and crowd management. For many, the disappointment was not about Atif Aslam’s performance but about the experience surrounding it. When audiences pay premium prices and make the effort to attend, they expect the basics to run smoothly.

Still, once Atif took the stage, there were moments that reminded everyone why they showed up in the first place. His calm stage presence, effortless vocals, and ability to connect with the audience carried through the technical hiccups. Even with the setbacks, fans cheered, sang along, and captured snippets of a night that was chaotic but still memorable.

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It may not have been the seamless concert everyone hoped for, but it once again proved how deeply Pakistan’s audiences crave live music and how much potential there is for the industry to grow if the experience starts matching the talent on stage.

The post Chaos at Atif Aslam’s Karachi Concert Has Fans Divided appeared first on Glam Magazine.

Launched in mid-2025, Nido HUM Spelling Whizz is a nationwide competition that celebrates curiosity and communication. It turns learning into a shared experience for students, parents, and teachers, one that encourages growth, teamwork, and pride in every small win.

After successful rounds in Karachi and Islamabad, the competition recently reached Lahore, where students aged 6 to 17 gathered at Alhamra Hall to showcase their spelling skills. Participants displayed focus, teamwork, and impressive command over language, earning applause from judges and audiences alike. For many, it wasn’t just about getting the words right; it was about standing tall and speaking with confidence. The event’s atmosphere was filled with energy and encouragement, a reminder of how powerful learning can be when it’s celebrated collectively.

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Several schools advanced to the regional round, bringing students one step closer to national recognition while helping them build confidence, discipline, and a sense of achievement that extends far beyond the competition.

Through initiatives like this, HUM continues to champion education as a space for curiosity, creativity, and confidence. Beyond spelling, Nido HUM Spelling Whizz helps students discover and take ownership of their voice.

The post Nido HUM Spelling Whizz: Celebrating Young Minds Through Words appeared first on Glam Magazine.

It was a night of showstopping performances, dazzling red-carpet moments, and the familiar faces audiences have loved for years. From the electrifying performance by Mehwish Hayat and Humayun Saeed to Asim Azhar’s powerful opening act, the evening delivered spectacle and star power in equal measure. Each act brought its own spark, turning the stage into a showcase of everything that defines HUM: glamour, talent, and charisma.

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The red carpet shimmered with contemporary elegance and the vibrant flair that defines Pakistani fashion. Inside, the performances struck a perfect balance between nostalgia and newness. Tributes to beloved icons met rising stars who represent where the industry is headed next.

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This year, Ishq Murshid stole the spotlight, sweeping major awards and reminding everyone why Pakistani storytelling continues to captivate audiences across borders. Beyond the trophies and applause, the night felt bigger. It was a reflection of how far entertainment in Pakistan has come since HUM first began bringing it together.

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For over a decade, the HUM Awards have been more than a televised event. They have mirrored the evolution of Pakistani entertainment, celebrating the artists, producers, and viewers who have shaped its journey. Hosting the ceremony outside Pakistan carried a sense of home for the diaspora while marking HUM’s continued growth beyond borders.

In the end, it wasn’t just about who won. It was about pride in the craft, the community, and the creative movement HUM helped build.

The post The 10th HUM Awards Light Up Houston appeared first on Glam Magazine.