Author: newsdesk

  • Taliban dissolve US-backed Human Rights Commission in Afghanistan

    Taliban dissolve US-backed Human Rights Commission in Afghanistan

    Taliban authorities dissolved the United States (US)-backed Human Rights Commission in Afghanistan and other five key departments on Monday as the country faces an economic crisis.

    The Afghan government’s spokesman Inamullah Samangani told Reuters, “These departments were not deemed necessary and were not included in the budget, they have been dissolved.”

    However, he added that these departments could be reactivated in the future “if needed”.

    The announcement was made in the country’s first annual budget since the Taliban takeover. The budget stated that Afghanistan faces a budget deficit of 44 billion Afghanis ($501 million) this financial year.

    Samangani said the budget was “based on objective facts” and intended only for departments that had been active and productive.

    The High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR), the National Security Council, and the commission for overseeing the implementation of the Afghan Constitution have also been dissolved. It is pertinent to mention that HCNR was last headed by former Chief Executive Officer of Afghanistan Abdullah Abdullah who was working to negotiate peace between the US-backed government of former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and the then-insurgent Taliban.

    Last week, the Taliban ordered women to cover themselves from head to toe in public, expanding a series of oppressive restrictions on women.

  • Exclusive: Mohsin Abbas Haider set to star in Shah Rukh Khan’s Pakistani biopic?

    Exclusive: Mohsin Abbas Haider set to star in Shah Rukh Khan’s Pakistani biopic?

    Actor Mohsin Abbas Haider recently shared the first look of his forthcoming short film, Main Shah Rukh Khan Hoon directed by Badar Mehmood.

    Ever since the poster has been released, it was speculated that maybe this is Khan’s Pakistani biopic.

    However Mohsin exclusively revealed to The Current that, “This is not SRK’s biopic, this is the story of an aspiring actor who wants to make it big and has grand ambitions. The boy is very impressed by Shah Rukh and is his fan, the story revolves around how SRK impacts his acting career.”

    The Na Maloom Afraad star added further that he is playing five characters in the film and he is very excited about the same.”

    Earlier the talented actor-host shared his fan moment after he received an autograph from one of the superstars from Bollywood, Shahrukh Khan.

    In an Instagram post, Mohsin shared his excitement about receiving SRK’s hand written autograph. “Fan Moment, Finally Received The Autograph Of A Man Whose Story/Struggle Inspired Me In My Struggling Days. Who Motivates Me. A Self Made Superstar, My Mentor, The King, The Legendary Sir,” he wrote.

  • Musk says no Twitter deal without clarity on bot accounts

    Musk says no Twitter deal without clarity on bot accounts

    The tech mogul Elon Musk and Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal are arguing about bots, which Musk has made a core issue in his acquisition of the microblogging site.

    On the other hand, Agrawal outlined Twitter’s approach to spam accounts and the obstacles it faces in dealing with them in a series of tweets on May 16.

    Every day, Twitter suspends almost half a million spam accounts, according to Agrawal. He reaffirmed Twitter’s long-held estimate that less than 5 per cent of its daily active users are spam accounts, which Musk mentioned on Friday when declaring that his $44 billion proposal to buy Twitter was temporarily on pause.

    That estimate, according to Agrawal, is based on ‘many human reviews of thousands of users’ picked at random, but it’s impossible to know which accounts are counted on any given day.

    While Twitter feels its estimations are realistic, the measures were not independently validated, and the actual number of bogus or spam accounts could be greater.

    Believe it or not, Musk responded to Agrawal’s first 13 tweets with a ‘faeces emoji’.

    Musk then asked a more thought-provoking inquiry about how can advertisers know what they’re getting for their money as this is essential Twitter’s financial health.

    Tesla’s CEO has been vocal about bots and spam accounts on Twitter, describing bitcoin spam and bots as the most aggravating issue on the network.

    Read more: Musk postpones Twitter acquisition after discovering number of fake accounts

    Anyone who has seen the answers to Musk’s tweets knows that they are full of such con artists, many of whom try to profit from Musk’s fame.

    However, other analysts believe that the world’s richest man is leveraging the bot issue to lower the price at which he would purchase the platform, whether as an unusual bargaining ploy or out of necessity.

  • Khan wants to divide the country: Rana Sanaullah

    Khan wants to divide the country: Rana Sanaullah

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said the government is ready to form a judicial commission to inquire about life threats received by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.

    Speaking on Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath’, Rana Sanaullah said that the government had provided Khan ‘prime minister-level’ security and around 150-200 security personnel had been deployed for his safety. He said that security stays with Khan all the time and they move him from Bani Gala to wherever he goes.

    “However, if Imran Khan needs more security, then he should tell us. We will provide it too,” he added.

    “If you have recorded that video, then share it with the people. You say you will bring everything in front of the people of Pakistan, then you must share the video. They say one thing one day, and another the next day. Every few days, they bring a new fraud and lie. This man [Imran Khan] wants to divide the country and misguide the youth.”

    Talking about PTI leader Dr Shahbaz Gill’s claim that two of Imran Khan’s mobile phones were stolen in the Sialkot jalsa, Rana Sanaullah said that Imran Khan’s mobile phones must have been stolen by his companions because Imran Khan is “surrounded by such people who can do it”.

    On a question asked about the comments Khan made in relevance to Dr Rizwan’s death caused by a heart attack and poison that can be mixed in food, Sanaullah said, “What should I say to this horrendous man? He was the prime minister of this country and unfortunately is again the candidate for the position of prime minister. If something like this was even suspected, the family would have had his post-mortem done.”

    “They bring such lies and fraud to their fan crowd and they believe whatever he [Khan] says. Anyone with wisdom knows about the lies told by Khan,” said Sanaullah.

  • Box-office update of five Eid releases: Hit or Flop?

    Box-office update of five Eid releases: Hit or Flop?

    The 10-day week for Eid films, namely Ghabrana Nahi Hai, Dum Mastam, Parde Mein Rehne Do, Chakkar, and Tere Bajre Di Rakhi, has concluded recently.

    Although most of theses films have under performed at the ticket counters, yet they have brought some footfalls to local screens.

    Ghabrana Nahi Hai (Semi Hit)

    Ghabrana Nahi Hai (2D) @ ME Cinemas

    Ghabrana Nahi Hai starring Saba Qamar, Zahid Ahmed, and Syed Jibran has performed the best out of all the Eid releases. Saba’s star-power has definitely contributed to the film’s collection toppled with the engaging screenplay and crisp writing.

    Here’s a day-wise breakdown:

    Tuesday ( Eid Day 1): 68 lacs

    Wednesday ( Eid Day 2): 1.15 crore

    Thursday ( Eid Day 3): 1.17 crore

    Friday to Sunday: 1.7 crore

    Weekdays: 1.3 crore

    Total collection: 6 crore

    Dum Mastam (Average)

    Imran Ashraf and Amar Khan starrer commercial potboiler Dum Mastam is also performing better than the other releases, thanks to Imran’s performance and successful music album.

    Here’s a day-wise breakdown:

    Tuesday ( Eid Day 1): 65 lacs

    Wednesday ( Eid Day 2): 1.11 crore

    Thursday ( Eid Day 3): 1.08 crore

    Friday to Sunday: 1.20 crore

    Weekdays: 96 lacs

    Total collection over 10 days: 5 crore

    Parde Mein Rehne Do (Below Average)

    The Ali Rehman and Hania Aamir starrer is at the third spot. Here’s a day-wise breakdown:

    Tuesday ( Eid Day 1): 44 lacs

    Wednesday ( Eid Day 2): 76 lacs

    Thursday ( Eid Day 3): 75 lacs

    Friday to Sunday: 60 lacs

    Weekdays: 45 lacs

    Total collection over 10 days: 2.95 crore

    Chakkar (Below Average)

    The Ahsan Khan, Neelam Muneer, and Yasir Nawaz starrer, with far lesser show slots, is at the last spot. Here’s a day-wise breakdown:

    Tuesday ( Eid Day 1): 28 lacs

    Wednesday ( Eid Day 2): 54 lacs

    Thursday ( Eid Day 3): 50 lacs

    Friday to Sunday: 40 lacs

    Weekdays: 38 lacs

    Total collection over 10 days: 2.1 crores

    Tere Bajre Di Rakhi (Flop)

    Jannat set for Lollywood debut with 'Tere Bajre De Rakhi'

    This Syed Noor directorial which also marked the acting debut of TikToker Jannat Mirza has amassed a combined sum of 80 lacs over the past 10 days.

  • Exclusive: Police officer suspended after woman files harassment complaint

    Exclusive: Police officer suspended after woman files harassment complaint

    A Lahore resident, Maryam Khan, shared pictures on her Twitter account in which a Lahore traffic police officer on a motorbike can be seen harassing her in broad daylight on Mall Road, one of the busiest roads in Lahore. He parked his bike next to her car at a signal and made ‘kissing’ gestures at her and her daughter.

    “Here are photos of a traffic police officer named Sami Ullah on Mall Road, Lahore at 12.30 pm today, harassing me and my daughter while we were at a traffic light stop before G.O.R 1,” tweeted Maryam Khan.

    She tagged City Traffic Police (CTP) Lahore to take action against the harasser.

    While talking to The Current, Public Relations Officer (PRO) Rana Arif said that the police officer, Sami Ullah, has been suspended and an inquiry is underway. He added that the next action will be taken as per the inquiry report. He said that CCTV cameras are placed all over Mall Road and it will be very easy to find out what actually happened.

    Earlier, responding to Khan’s tweet, CTP Lahore said, “Ma’am, if you have any complaints regarding any traffic police official. You can register the complaint on Rasta app which is the right forum.”

    Following the incident, Twitterati expressed their disappointment and anger over it.

    https://twitter.com/seditiousmusing/status/1526270762272935936?s=20&t=wMtPjunef7zBXk1wHTxZtw

  • Crisis-hit Sri Lanka has enough petrol left for one day, PM warns

    Crisis-hit Sri Lanka has enough petrol left for one day, PM warns

    As the country suffers its greatest economic crisis in more than 70 years, Sri Lanka’s new Prime Minister (PM) declared that the country is headed to its last day of petrol stock.

    PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said the country urgently needed $75 million in foreign currency to pay for crucial imports in a televised address. In order to pay government salaries, he claims the central bank will have to print money.

    Sri Lankan Airlines, which is owned by the government, may be privatised, according to PM Wickremesinghe.

    The pandemic, soaring energy prices, and populist tax cuts have all wreaked havoc on the island nation’s economy. Medicines, fuel, and other essentials were in low supply due to a chronic shortage of foreign cash and rising inflation.

    Auto rickshaws, the city’s most popular mode of transportation, and other vehicles have been queuing at gas stations in Colombo.

    The country has enough petrol for one day at the time. Mr Wickremesinghe, who was appointed Prime Minister last week, cautioned that the next few months will be the hardest of our lives.

    He noted that shipments of petrol and diesel using an Indian credit line could provide fuel supplies in the coming days.

    Mr Wickremesinghe stated that the nation’s central bank will have to print money to assist the government in meeting its salary bill and other obligations.

    The PM stated that he is forced to allow the printing of money against his will in order to pay state employees and purchase vital products and services. However, the nation must keep in mind that printing money causes the local currency to depreciate.

    Read more: CNG prices pushed to Rs140 per kg for sales tax collection

    As part of his efforts to stabilise the country’s finances, he advocated selling out Sri Lankan Airlines. In the fiscal year ended March 2021, the airline lost 45 billion rupees ($129.5 million; £105 million).

  • Blast in Karachi: One dead, 11 injured

    Blast in Karachi: One dead, 11 injured

    A blast has been reported near the New Memon Mosque in Karachi’s Kharadar district, and casualties are expected. As per Geo, at least a young woman has been killed and 11 people have been injured as the result of the blast.

    According to television footage, motorcycles, rickshaws, and a police car were damaged, with people attempting to put out the flames. While the actual origin of the explosion has yet to be determined, residents believe it was triggered by an explosive device mounted to a two-wheeler.

    The development comes four days after the Saddar blast, that left one person dead and 13 injured. The terror attack is still being investigated.

    This is a developing story.

  • Court allows divorce on grounds of mental cruelty to husband

    Court allows divorce on grounds of mental cruelty to husband

    An Indian state Chhattisgarh High Court bench granted a decree of divorce on grounds of mental cruelty to the husband.

    The court declared that if a wife insists that her husband to get separated from his parents and threatens to implicate him in a false dowry demand case, it would be counted as mental cruelty.

    Justices Goutam Bhaduri and NK Chandravanshi heard a petition filed by a husband challenging the order passed by a Family Court in 2017 by which his plea seeking divorce on the ground of cruelty was rejected.

    The judges noted that the marriage of the couple hardly worked for two months. The wife often left her matrimonial house as she wanted to live alone with her husband who made several attempts to reconcile but in vain.

    “In such a lower middle-class family, it is the responsibility of the eldest son to take care of his elderly parents, as he has deposed also in his statement. In such a situation, if the wife persistently creates constraints upon the husband to get separated from his family and to live with her at her parental house and also threatened him that, otherwise she will implicate him in the dowry case, it, itself amounts to mental cruelty on the husband,” the high court remarked.

    The Family Court was unjustified in making such an observation, the court said.

  • ‘Zabardast meeting rahi’: Adnan Siddiqui hangouts with Nawaz Sharif in London

    ‘Zabardast meeting rahi’: Adnan Siddiqui hangouts with Nawaz Sharif in London

    Actor Adnan Siddiqui, is currently in London to promote his Imran Ashraf-Amar Khan starrer film Dum Mastam.

    The senior actor met the former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who is currently resising in the European city.

    The two spent quality time together, pictures of their meeting were posted by the official twitter handle of PML-N.

    The Mom star shared his great experience of meeting the veteran politician.

    He revealed that Nawaz promsied a better film policy in the country and expressed his progressive vision for the film fraternity of Pakistan.

    Screenshot of a tweet is going viral on social media, that features Adnan praising Nawaz and claiming that if he becomes the PM again, he will vainish inflation and improve the economic situatio of the nation.

    However the tweet has been posted from a fake handle and is not authentic.

    Former focal person on digital media to former PM Khan, Dr Arsalan Khalid exclusively stated to The Current, “Artists make an important part of society and its good to see pml-n promoting this meeting realizing how wrong they were when they attacked all the artists and celebrities who are supporting Imran Khan.”

    Earlier the Ahista Ahista star shared pictures when he met the legendary Indian musician, AR Rahman at Dubai Expo 2020 after cancelling his booked flight on December 21

    Mom star uploaded a selfie on December 24 with the Oscar-winning musician, AR Rahman on his Instagram. He shared his experience as the evening not to be forgotten ever after listening live singing from AR Rahman.

    Adnan said, “I was supposed to fly back on December 21, stayed put another day only to see A R Rahman sahib perform live.”

    The live performance lasted for around three hours where people were standing for listening to his soulful music. He considered it a privilege that he immersed in his ethereal music.

    He also revealed the humility of a legendary musician and international icon, who took him backstage to introduce his crew.

    He added, “Not everyone can be Mr AR Rahman.”

    Last month, Popular Indian singer Arijit Singh performed at a concert in Dubai Abu Dhabi. During the concert, the Channa Mereya singer took out the time to praise Pakistani singers, Atif Aslam and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. 

    Later, he went on to sing the popular song of Atif Aslam’s Pehli Nazar Mein from the Bollywood film, Race.