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.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jeevan (@jeevanbyhussainrehar)

There was a quiet sense of timing, as if he had arrived exactly when his work was meant to be seen.

Beyond the Headline Moment

Most headlines framed it simply: “Hussain Rehar debuts in Paris.” But for those of us here, it felt different. We have watched his work evolve from bold bridal statements to clean, sculptural forms that keep the drama but refine the silhouette. Watching Jeevan glide through Paris was not about validation; it was proof that his craft speaks clearly, no matter the city.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Raheel Rao (@rahealrao)

Jeevan: Life, Translated Through Design

Meaning “life”, Jeevan reads like a creative manifesto. Structured jackets, metallic fabrics, and hand-embroidered roses told a story that was both familiar and forward-looking. One standout look, a cream jacket scattered with red florals and paired with sculptural shorts, captured Rehar’s instinct perfectly: risk with discipline, opulence with restraint.

There were no theatrics or cultural clichés. Just sharp tailoring, confident silhouettes, and a refusal to dilute craft for international taste.

In Paris, that translation felt effortless.

Speaking the Same Language, Differently

Rehar’s momentum stands out for being entirely homegrown. His atelier, team, and aesthetic are rooted here. The Paris showcase felt less like a leap abroad and more like a widening of the circle.

Within our fashion community, the sentiment was clear: this did not feel like a debut so much as a natural next step. That is what makes Jeevan special. It is global without translation.

This evolution is not his alone; it reflects a growing confidence in how our industry presents itself to the world.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jeevan (@jeevanbyhussainrehar)

How It Redefines Fashion

Bridal grandeur has long shaped our fashion identity, with gold, volume, and spectacle at its core. In recent years, however, several designers have begun redefining what luxury from Pakistan can look like. Jeevan carries that evolution forward, less about embellishment, more about structure, balance, and control.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jeevan (@jeevanbyhussainrehar)

The Quiet Revolution

At Hôtel de Maisons, the applause said enough. Jeevan did not aim to redefine anything; it simply proved that great design speaks in every language.

Some debuts make noise. This one made sense.

And if Jeevan is any indication, our next chapter is already being written.

The post Hussain Rehar in Paris: A New Chapter for Our Fashion Scene appeared first on Glam Magazine.

Each province in Pakistan has distinctive fabric heritage, such as the Sindhi ajrak and Punjabi phulkari. Pakistani fashion influencers have blended cultural identity with modern tools to rebrand Pakistan’s global image. Social media is no longer only about entertainment for us, it is also where we learn about culture, identity and trends.

Some examples of famous fashion influencers in Pakistan include, Zain Ahmad the founder of a Pakistani clothing brand ‘Rastah’ that has gained international recognition. Zain’s designs have been worn by famous influencers including Justin Bieber and Anwar Hadid.

Moreover, model Mushk Kaleem, frequently represents Pakistan while walking runways abroad, talking about inclusivity. This made us brown teens who feel left out from the beauty standard, feel seen as she has redefined the “ beauty standard”

These creatives have made Pakistani fashion more accessible to us, younger generations eg. by pairing khussas with jeans. This also attracts international audiences who want to incorporate cultural elements into their fashion style. These steps keep our culture alive, while making it a part of everyday fashion.

Fashion influencers play a critical role in highlighting the diversity between the different regions of Pakistan, as many feature regional designs in their content, allowing viewers to witness the wide spectrum of Pakistani culture through a single scroll of their social media accounts. This plays a significant role as it was found that 82% of people are highly likely to follow influencer recommendations (Berger, 2016)

Pakistani wedding fashion has gone viral on social media platforms such as Tiktok and Instagram and led to Pakistani designer’s work being featured in bridal magazines as well as representing South Asian culture. Influencers like Sarah Sarosh frequently incorporate Pakistani elements in their content, this demonstrates the influence of our fashion across borders.

Apart from clothing fashion, influencers like Hania Amir have used their reach not only to showcase fashion, but also to promote mental health awareness and body positivity – topics that really matter to us as teens. Fashion influencers elevate Pakistan’s global image and positively affect the economy by highlighting small businesses that contribute to the country’s creative economy.

Furthermore, many influencers are now invited to international fashion weeks and exhibitions, further cementing their status as cultural ambassadors. The power of Pakistani fashion influencers is growing rapidly and this comes with great responsibility. It is essential influencers promote sustainability and ethical practices. Influencers like Anoushay Abbassi’s blend of fashion and advocacy for supporting local artisans makes their influencer role highly crucial.

In today’s day and age, teenagers are growing up in this digital world where perceptions are shaped by information available on the internet, especially social media. Pakistani fashion influencers have become trendsetters, story tellers and identity shapers. Through every post, reel, OOTD (outfit of the day) pictures they are transforming how the world sees Pakistan. Clothing in Pakistan is a powerful expression of national pride, cultural identity and centuries old craftsmanship.

The post Fashion Influencers are Becoming Cultural Ambassadors appeared first on Glam Magazine.

Credits:

Designer – Deepak Perwani

Photographer – Jaffer Hassan

Model – Mahnoor Zaheer, Rabita Ali, Maleena Mansoor, Meera

MUA – Nabila

The post Fashion Shoot appeared first on Glam Magazine.

Lights, camera, chemistry! Presenting an exclusive glimpse into Shirin Farhad – where timeless romance meets cinematic charm. Farhan Saeed and Kinza Hashmi bring magic to the frame in this much-awaited HUM TV drama by MD Productions.

The post Shirin Farhad Photo Shoot appeared first on Glam Magazine.

Model: Aasif Rehmaan

Grooming: Ali Abbas

Photographer: Ansar Mehmood

The post Fashion Shoot appeared first on Glam Magazine.

The Asian Institute of Fashion Design (AIFD), in collaboration and  support of Iqra University, marked a historic milestone in its 24-year fashion journey with a spectacular fashion showcase entitled ‘Fashion Odyssey.’

Held at Iqra University’s Main Campus, the autumn-themed extravaganza drew an audience of almost 1,500 attendees, including some of the country’s top celebrities, fashion icons, influencers, and key corporate figures.

Speaking about the accomplishments of the students of AIFD and the showcase, the Founder of AIFD, Sanober Ahsan expressed, “Equipped with a highly qualified and distinguished faculty and buoyed by a purpose-built-state-of-the-art campus, AIFD has been imparting the finest form of quality education to the students for 24 years.”

The fashion extravaganza spotlighted the creativity and craftsmanship of AIFD’s final-year students of 2024 whose designs were brought to life by 11 renowned models. The catwalk was also graced by recently trained AIFD students making their fashion runway debuts, further illustrating AIFD’s diverse talent. From handcrafted jewellery to intricate embroidery and fusion cuts, the imaginative designs highlighted the students’ innovative use of colour, texture, and form. The runway, glowing with dusky lights and autumn-inspired foliage, was a testament to the artistry of the next generation of fashion visionaries.

Industry legends Rizwan Beyg, as the official show director, and Nabila as the official makeup stylist, lent their expertise to ensure an evening of seamless sophistication.

Quote from Rizwan, “The idea behind this show stems from the realisation that fashion plays a vital role in the cultural revival, yet it is slowly losing its essence as everyone focuses solely on bridal wear. AIFD has done a great job because they have turned out tremendous talents like Zaheer Abbas and Adan Pardesi .

The models showcased 60 couture masterpieces on the runway styled meticulously by celebrity stylist Tabesh Khoja, who has been a part of AIFD alumni.

Adding more star power, Asfa Sultan served as the mistress of the ceremony while Dino Ali hosted the Red Carpet. Reflecting on the success of the event, the Chairman of Iqra University, Mr Naveed Lakhani who   remarked, “It was an honour to host the biggest fashion show in AIFD’s history, celebrating 24 years of creativity, passion and artistry.”

The post Asian Institute of Fashion Design Celebrates 24 Years of Fashion Excellence appeared first on Glam Magazine.

Designer: Rana Rizvi

Model: Zahra Fatima

Photographer: Wajahat S Khan

The post Fashion Shoot appeared first on Glam Magazine.