Today, the Pakistan International Film Festival (PIFF) 2025, organized by the Karachi Film Society (KFS) in collaboration with the Intellectual Property Organization (IPO) Pakistan, commemorated World Intellectual Property Day through a series of impactful events over four days. The initiative, led by HUM Network and PIFF, drew a large and engaged crowd, who appreciated the significance of this cultural milestone.
This prominent gathering attracted the attention of media professionals, academics, entertainment figures, corporate leaders, university students, and filmmakers, marking it as one of the most impactful events in the local film circuit.
On Day 3 of the festival, the much-loved Pakistani film Joon was screened. Written and directed by Babur Ali, the film features Saleem Mairaj as the gangster Daud, while Ashir Wajahat appears as a street sweeper who, after getting entangled with the wrong people, becomes involved in crime. A romantic angle with Romaisa Khan is also portrayed. The film received great interest from the audience. This was followed by the screening of She Chef (2023), directed by Melanie Liebheit and Gereon Wetzel, which showcases the inspiring culinary journey of a young Austrian woman across Michelin-starred kitchens in Europe.
The highlight of Day 3 was the grand and heavily attended premiere of Hundan: An Echo of a Dirge (2025). Present at the event were the film’s director Karamat Ali Huzai, actors Zahid Azeem, Alhanul Kudrat, and Munira Shah, as well as Sindh Minister Nasir Hussain Shah, Executive Director of Hashwani Group of Companies Ameen Hashwani, Taha Saleem, S.T. Mustafa, renowned actresses Rubina Ashraf, Hina Bayat Khawaja, Shaniera Qureshi, along with various social representatives, notable personalities, and members of the press.
While addressing the ceremony, the provincial minister praised Sultana Siddiqui, HUM Network, and PIFF for their continued efforts, emphasizing the need to propel Pakistan’s film industry forward. He also assured the Sindh Government’s full support and committed to allocating a dedicated budget for such initiatives.
Sultana Siddiqui, President of HUM Network, expressed her gratitude to the guests — especially Minister Nasir Shah, Taha Saleem, S.T. Mustafa, Ameen Hashwani, Shahnaz Wazir Ali, Rubina Ashraf, journalists, media channels, and friends — and shared her vision for seeing the local film industry thrive. She stated, “Films like Hundan must reach the public. With persistent effort and government support, our talented youth are fully capable of accomplishing great things in the future.”
Attendees praised Hundan and emphasized the need for more films of its kind.
