ISLAMABAD – Actor Kinza Hashmi has said she believes she remains underrated despite portraying a wide range of characters throughout her television career, adding that she is content with her journey in the industry.

Speaking in an interview with journalist Maliha Rehman, Hashmi said she has often felt that her work has not received the recognition it deserves.

Citing her performances in dramas such as Dil Awaiz, Shirin Farhad and Khushboo Main Basay Khat, she said she has consistently chosen diverse roles and sought to present different aspects of her acting abilities. She noted that in Dil Awaiz, she portrayed two distinct characters, which she considered one of the more challenging experiences of her career.

Hashmi said she was aware that many people viewed her as underrated but added that she was not disappointed by the perception.

“I know I’m underrated, and I’m okay with it,” she said, adding that she believes audiences are aware of her potential and that she prefers to focus on her own professional journey.

Hashmi is currently appearing in the television drama Leader.

LAHORE – Actor Sahar Hashmi is set to appear in a new television drama, Jamal e Zohra, following her ongoing performances in Shaidai and Zanjeerein.

The upcoming Hum TV serial will reunite Hashmi with her Zanjeerein co-star Ahsan Khan, while Shahzad Sheikh has also joined the cast.

According to details shared by the production team, Jamal e Zohra is based on a novel of the same name. The drama has been written by Saira Raza and will be directed by Khizer Idrees.

Further details, including the release date and the full cast, have yet to be announced by the broadcaster.

LAHORE – Three leading organisations representing Pakistan’s entertainment industry have opposed a proposal in the Finance Bill 2026–27 to withdraw the advance tax on imported foreign television dramas and advertisements, warning that the move could undermine the local creative sector.

In a joint statement, the United Producers Association (UPA), Actors Collective Pakistan (ACT), and Directors Guild Pakistan (DGP) said the proposal threatened to reverse years of progress achieved by the industry, which supports thousands of jobs across television, film, digital media, advertising, music, animation, and post-production.

Several actors and directors also voiced concerns over the proposed measure.

Actor Faysal Quraishi said removing the tax could result in job losses for actors, technicians, and production crews, while veteran actor Laila Zuberi argued that the move would primarily benefit importers of foreign content at the expense of local productions.

Director and actor Shamoon Abbasi recalled the challenges faced by Pakistan’s entertainment industry during an earlier influx of foreign content, saying it had taken nearly a decade for the drama sector to recover. He warned that the proposed policy could once again adversely affect local actors, writers, producers, and directors.

Actor Hina Khawaja Bayat highlighted the international reach of Pakistani dramas, noting that local productions have gained audiences in countries including South Africa and Vietnam. She said government policies should focus on creating employment opportunities and boosting exports rather than encouraging imported content.

Actor Tazeen Hussain also expressed support for the campaign against the proposal.

The three organisations said they had submitted a four-point set of recommendations to the prime minister, finance minister, information minister, chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue, and members of parliament.

Among their demands are the immediate suspension of the proposed tax withdrawal, consultations with industry stakeholders, and the formulation of a long-term policy aimed at protecting and promoting Pakistan’s creative industries.