Author: newsdesk

  • Ahmed Ali Akbar hopes to feature on Naswar packet after ‘Parizaad’ chips

    Ahmed Ali Akbar hopes to feature on Naswar packet after ‘Parizaad’ chips

    Pakistani actor Ahmed Akbar is being showered with love and applause after his exceptional acting skills in ongoing drama Parizaad. The actor recently turned to his Instagram to share a photo from a chips pack by a local manufacturer.

    “Ya Allah tera shukar bas ab naswar bhi (Thanks to Almighty Allah! Now we need Naswaar), he hilariously captioned alongside his post.

    Parizaad is a story of a boy born in an underprivileged family. The drama also features Mashaal Khan, Ushna Shah, Saboor Aly, Yumna Zaidi and more.

    Actor Adeel Afzal aka Nasaaz from Parizaad has also grabbed attention after his phenomenal acting in the drama. While talking about Ahmad, he shared how he helped him during the shoot to portray his character.

  • ‘No deal with Nawaz, keep us out of it’: DG ISPR tells media

    ‘No deal with Nawaz, keep us out of it’: DG ISPR tells media

    Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General (DG) Major Gen Babar Iftikhar termed the rumours of a deal with former Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif as “baseless” and urged the media to “keep the establishment out of it.”

    At a press conference in Rawalpindi, DG ISPR dismissed any deal with Sharif, saying, “If someone does talk of a deal, then you must ask them who is offering a deal.”

    “Who is striking a deal with Nawaz Sharif?” he posed a question while adding that there is no trouble between the civilian government and military.

    Security situation at the Western border

    During an ISPR briefing to the media, DG ISPR also addressed the Pakistan-Afghanistan border i.e. Durand Line issue. According to him, border fencing which is 94 per cent completed, was being done in an effort to protect the people on both sides [Pak and Afghan] as well as to regulate trade. 

    He revealed that the security situation along the Western border was “challenging” during 2021. He said: “People can cross the border from designated points. This process will be eased in the coming months. The blood of our martyrs was spilled in fencing of the border. It is a fence of peace. It will be completed and remain.”

    No ceasefire with TTP currently, operations to continue

    The DG ISPR said that talks with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan  (TTP) are “on hold” but the operations [against them] are “ongoing”.

    “The TTP is not a monolith. They have internal differences. There were some problems, some conditions that were non-negotiable from our [Pakistan] side so there is no ceasefire right now. We are continuing with operations and will continue till we get rid of this menace,” he added.

    The worst siege in human history: DG ISPR on Kashmir

    He recalled Indian forces’ cruelty in occupied Kashmir a “propaganda” campaign by their media and said that this is the “worst siege” in human history.

    The DG ISPR accused India of endangering regional security by purchasing arms, adding that it would lead to a race in the region and have a negative impact on peace.

    He also added that India faked an encounter in Neelum Valley and killed an innocent Kashmiri and then blamed Pakistan for it.

  • Pakistani goes viral for remarkable truck art painted on Nike sneakers

    Pakistani goes viral for remarkable truck art painted on Nike sneakers

    A Pakistani artist Haider Ali is being appreciated on social media for painting a pair of Nike shoes with authentic truck art designs.

    Ali paints the familiar motifs of flowers and kohl-rimmed eyes over the shoes. His craft is unique. Ali explained how he began his journey as a shoe artist. He takes plain Nike shoes and paints them over with authentic truck art designs.

    The painting shows the various wonders of Pakistan’s vibrant cultural landscape.

    His craft was widely appreciated on social media.

    Ali previously made headlines after he honoured George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement with a stunning mural in June 2020. “Hum kaaley hain tou kia hua, dil waley hain (So what if we’re dark-skinned? We’ve got big hearts),” reads the mural. It also features another saying that goes, “Goron ki na kaalon ki, Dunya dil walon ki’ (This world belongs neither to whites or blacks, only for those with big hearts).”

  • ‘Sadiq aur Ameen’: Can PM Khan be disqualified?

    ‘Sadiq aur Ameen’: Can PM Khan be disqualified?

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and his ruling party are being criticised by the Opposition after a scrutiny committee of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) reported that the party received funding from foreign nationals and companies, under-reported funds, and concealed dozens of its bank accounts.

    Lashing out at the premier, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shehbaz Sharif said, “Truth has a strange way of exposing people. The facade of ‘Sadiq aur Ameen’ [Truthful and honest] has been shredded into pieces.”

    The Current reached out to the legal experts to understand what will happen to PM Khan’s stance of being truthful and honest and will the Supreme Court (SC) disqualify him.

    It is being speculated that the ruling PTI may only face confiscation of funds but another notion is that the election commission can take action against the party head under the corrupt practices clause of the election act.

    Former Additional Advocate General Punjab and Advocate Supreme Court, Faisal Hussain Chaudhry while speaking to The Current said, “The Prime Minister cannot be declared or disqualified in this aspect. This aspect has been dealt with by SCP. Secondly one has to see whether the accounts were concealed.”

    “The party chairman submitted the accounts which were duly audited by a chartered accountant. It’s not his own, he just submitted the documents,” said Hussain.

    “Similar cases which contain the same allegation, more or less, are on Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari are also pending. So, whatever the consequence of this case would be, it will be applicable to the other parties as well,” said Hussain.

    Reema Omer, a legal adviser for the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) in a conversation with The Current said, “A question that arises from this case is whether PM Khan would cease to be “honest and Ameen” under Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution if the ECP finds the PTI had received foreign funding, given that as head of the party, he issued certificates pledging that the PTI received no funds from any source prohibited under the law.”

    “Supreme Court’s interpretation of Article 62(1)(f) has been arbitrary and inconsistent, which makes it difficult to predict how such a plea would be decided,” she added.

    “However, given the dangers inherent in the SC disqualifying members of parliament on vague and subjective grounds and making declarations about their honesty, such a provision should be construed narrowly. It is time laws such as Article 62(1)(f) are repealed or read down — not given more teeth,” said Reema.

    “Imran Khan’s disqualification was one of Hanif Abbasi’s prayers in the petition before the Supreme Court. The SC did not give any definitive answer and left it open, to be determined once the issue of foreign funds is decided,” said Reema Omer.

  • Peshawar Zalmi to reveal kit for seventh edition of PSL tonight

    Peshawar Zalmi to reveal kit for seventh edition of PSL tonight

    The wait for Peshawar Zalmi’s fans is over as the franchise announced to reveal the playing kit for the much-awaited seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), starting January 27.

    Read More – ‘Pick me’: Namibia captain asks to be picked in PSL after Kamran Akmal backs out

    The announcement was made on the official Twitter account of Peshawar Zalmi on Wednesday, according to which the kit will be unveiled today at 8pm.

    “Zalmi Fans! The wait is almost over. Playing Kit Reveal at 8 PM tonight,” read the Tweet which accompanied a video trailer.

    The trailer featured Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal among other players of the franchise.

    Zalmi announced their squad after the PSL player drafts which took place in Lahore in December. Earlier, Akmal said that he would not take part in the league after he was demoted in silver category by Zalmi but later the wicket-keeper batter agreed to represent his franchise.

    The seventh edition of the tournament is set to be played from January 27 while the final will be played on February 27 in Gaddafi Stadium Lahore.

    The first match will be staged in National Stadium Karachi (NSK) where defending champion Multan Sultans will face former champs Karachi Kings.

  • Pakistan’s first visually impaired diplomat set to publish book on Indian Kashmir abuses

    Pakistan’s first visually impaired diplomat set to publish book on Indian Kashmir abuses

    Pakistan’s first visually impaired United Nations (UN) delegate Saima Saleem has announced her upcoming book, written on the topic of human rights violations happening in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

    On the occasion of World Braille Day, Saima said, “Working for human rights is my passion, and my book is also written on the topic of gross and systematic human rights violations happening in IIOJK. It is in the last phase of editing and I will try my best to get that published in Braille as well.”

    She believes that people with disabilities can become useful and productive for society if attitudinal and access barriers can be removed for them.

    Saleem is the first blind civil servant and the first blind diplomat of Pakistan. This is her first book.

    She made history at the 76th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) with a speech that she read from Braille- tactile code enabling blind and visually impaired people to read and write by touch.

    Saleem holds a master’s degree in international law with a specialisation in international humanitarian law and human rights from the University of Geneva.

  • PTI’s Hammad Azhar gives tax details, confirms that he paid Rs18 million in taxes

    PTI’s Hammad Azhar gives tax details, confirms that he paid Rs18 million in taxes

    Energy Minister Hammad Azhar has responded to The Current’s news report that stated he paid Rs29,025 in an individual capacity in 2019. However, the minister denied the report and clarified that he paid Rs18 million in 2019.

    Hammad Azhar said that, “My AOP pays my personal income tax on my behalf and it has paid Rs18 million on that count. They [Federal Board of Revenue] have listed clearly that my AoP has paid my share of income tax as Rs18 million.”

    The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) released its 2019 tax directory for parliamentarians recently. According to the document, the directory complied tax returns filed manually and electronically till January 3, reports Dawn.

    According to the data, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan paid Rs98 lakh. Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly (NA) Shehbaz Sharif paid Rs82 lakh while Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari paid Rs5 lakhs 30 thousand.

  • How and where to get your free booster shot in Pakistan

    How and where to get your free booster shot in Pakistan

    The fifth wave of Covid-19 has recently emerged all over Pakistan. Authorities have urged citizens to get vaccination completely and follow strict SOPs. Those who completed two doses of the vaccine can get booster shots from designated centres.

    Eligibility of booster shot

    According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), health personnel, citizens who are above aged 30, and those children who are above age 12 and have weak immune systems can receive booster shots.

    It is important to note for those people who want to get a booster shot, the gap between the second dose of vaccine and booster shot should be more than six months.

    Which vaccine you can choose?

    People can choose booster shots of their choice from four available vaccines which are Sinopharm, Sinovac, Moderna, and Pfizer.  

     Director-General of Ministry of National Health Service, Dr Rana Safdar said, “mix and match has been allowed or booster of the same company, which was administered earlier, can be given as per the choice of the people.”

    Here, the term “mix and match” means those people who had been vaccinated with another vaccine, can get booster shots from the different manufacturing companies.

    Where people can receive booster shots?

    Sindh:

    The media coordinator of the Provincial Health Department, Mehar Khursheed told that people can get booster shots from any vaccination centre in the province. People need to take their vaccination cards and the National Identity cards to get shot in the vaccination centre.

    Punjab:

    According to the spokesperson for the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department, doses for booster shots are available in all approved district headquarters hospitals (DHQs) and tehsil headquarters hospitals (THQs).

    Balochistan

    The administration of booster shots had started already from December 30 according to the Provincial Coronavirus cell in charge Dr Naqeebullah. The facility of booster shots is available at 96 vaccination centres in the province. He notified that the people who got the dose for booster were all above aged 30 with six month time period gap from the second dose of vaccination.

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

    Director-General Health Department Niaz Mohammad said that all approved vaccines are available to vaccination across the province for booster shots. People need to take their vaccination cards to get a dose of the booster.

    Islamabad

    According to the spokesperson of the Ministry of Health, Sajid Shah, all Chinese manufacturing vaccines, Sinopharm and Sinovac are available in all vaccination centres for booster shots however for other vaccines Moderna and Pfizer are available in mass vaccination centres.

    Azad Jammu and Kashmir

    Divisional Monitoring Officer for Covid-19 Vaccination, Shafaq Malik said that people can get booster shots from any of the approved vaccines available at currently 142 centres in the region.

  • PIA to fly to European countries once again as EU decides to lift ban

    PIA to fly to European countries once again as EU decides to lift ban

    The ban imposed by the European Union (EU) on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight operations is expected to be lifted soon, local media reported quoting the country’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) official.

    The ban had been imposed following the crash of a PIA aircraft in May last year, which resulted in the deaths of 97 passengers and crew.

    An International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) audit team that had visited to undertake a safety audit of the aviation authority completed the process on December 10. Its final report will be released in a few weeks and shared publicly, The News reported.

    According to The News, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) had extended travel restrictions imposed on PIA in April for an indefinite period and directed the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) to get its safety audit done by ICAO scheduled in July.

    In its January 4 letter to DG CAA Khaqan Murtaza, ICAO’s Deputy Director Denis Guindon wrote that the committee conducted the audit in December 2021 and “determined that the actions taken by Pakistan had successfully resolved SSC (Significant Safety Concern).”

    “I wish to refer to the Significant Safety Concern (SSC/PEL-01/09-2020/PAK refers) that was issued to Pakistan on September 18, 2020, as well as the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) Continuous Monitoring Approach (CMA) audit that was conducted by an ICAO team in Pakistan from 29 November to 10 December 2021.”

    He further said that until the CAA received the approval, PIA would not be able to resume flight operations to the EU.

    “In accordance with the USOAP SSC process, […] the ICAO SSC Validation Committee reviewed the actions and relevant evidence validated in Pakistan. The Committee determined that the actions taken by Pakistan had successfully resolved SSC,” the letter stated.

  • PM Khan wants similar ECP scrutiny on bank accounts and funding of PPP, PMLN

    PM Khan wants similar ECP scrutiny on bank accounts and funding of PPP, PMLN

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Wednesday welcomed the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) scrutiny of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) funding, money which he said came through donations from overseas Pakistanis.

    Taking to Twitter, the premier wrote, “I welcome ECP’s scrutiny of PTI’s funding through donations from Overseas Pakistanis. The more our accounts are scrutinised the more factual clarity will emerge for [the] nation to see how PTI is the only political party with proper donor base premised on proper political fundraising.”

    In another tweet, PM Khan said he looked forward to seeing similar ECP scrutiny on funding of the other two major political parties, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

    His comments come a day after the report compiled by the scrutiny committee of the ECP noted that the ruling party had received funding from foreign nationals and companies, under-reported funds, and concealed dozens of its bank accounts.

    PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif criticising PM Khan said, “Truth has a strange way of exposing people. The facade of “Sadiq aur Ameen” has been shredded into pieces.”

    PPP Chairman took to Twitter and said, “Tax records reveal @ImranKhanPTI income increased more than 50 times since gaining power. Pakistan has become poorer but Imran is richer.”