Author: newsdesk

  • The deadly COVID-19 third wave

    The deadly COVID-19 third wave

    On Sunday, 5,611 people tested positive for COVID-19. The third wave of coronavirus seems to be spreading quite fast. On Saturday, 157 people died due to coronavirus in Pakistan. This was the highest number ever recorded since the pandemic broke out in the country. Last year the highest number of deaths was 153 in June. 
    On the other hand, people are not following basic SOPs like wearing masks or sanitising hands or maintaining social distancing. The interior ministry has notified army deployment for the implementation of COVID-19 SOPs. Hopefully, people will now follow SOPs. 

    In the wake of the third coronavirus wave, the government has started walk-in vaccination for those between the age of 60 to 64. But the problem is that the vaccination process in Pakistan is quite slow. According to a report in Dawn, if Pakistan continues its vaccination drive at this rate, “it will take more than three years to cover 20 per cent of the country’s population”. Even the private vaccines are not much in numbers. Unless and until we accelerate our vaccination drive, it will be very difficult to deal with this pandemic.
    We have seen how horrible the situation is in neighbouring India. Prime Minister Imran Khan and several cabinet ministers as well as many Pakistanis expressed their solidarity with India. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi tweeted: “As a gesture of solidarity with the people of India in the wake of the current wave of COVID-19, Pakistan has officially offered relief and support to India, including ventilators, Bi PAP, digital X-ray machines, PPEs and other related items.” Qureshi added that Pakistan believes in a policy of humanity first. 
    We should not take the situation in India lightly. No hospital beds and acute oxygen shortage in India is scary. Unfortunately, the hospital capacity in Pakistan as well as oxygen supply is  also reaching its capacity. Some hospitals in cities like Islamabad are full. ICU beds were more than 90 per cent full a few days ago in Lahore. Oxygen supply ended in two hospitals in Quetta. This is all frightening but real. 
    We need to be more careful and follow SOPs strictly while the government needs to focus more on the vaccination process.

  • Twitter censors tweets of lawmakers, filmmakers, MPs on Modi govt orders

    Twitter censors tweets of lawmakers, filmmakers, MPs on Modi govt orders

    At the request of the Modi government, Twitter has removed almost 50 tweets by influential people that criticised Modi for mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic.

    According to reports, the Indian government issued an emergency order to Twitter on Friday to censor 52 tweets.

    Among them were tweets from a lawmaker named Revnath Reddy, a minister in the state of West Bengal named Moloy Ghatak, and a filmmaker named Avinash Das.

    According to a spokesperson of Twitter, the accounts were notified in advance that their content will be withheld at the request of the Indian government.

    The spokesperson further added that the company made these tweets unable to be viewed because they violated the local law.

    Indian government cited Information Technology Act, 2020 that were violated by these Twitter accounts.

    “When we receive a valid legal request, we review it under both the Twitter Rules and local law. If the content violates Twitter’s Rules, the content will be removed from the service,” said the Twitter spokesperson. “If it is determined to be illegal in a particular jurisdiction, but not in violation of the Twitter Rules, we may withhold access to the content in India only. In all cases, we notify the account holder directly so they’re aware that we’ve received a legal order about the account.”

    Besides, this is not the first time Twitter has bowed down against the pressure of the Indian government. In February, when framers were protesting in Delhi, more than 500 Twitter accounts were removed at the request of the Indian government.

    The Indian government issued a notice of noncompliance to Twitter, and the employees could face jail time if the company refused to comply with the order.

    India is in the midst of a deadly second wave of COVID-19 cases, which has made ventilators, medicine, and oxygen scarce.

    According to the Johns Hopkins coronavirus resource centre, India reported 346,786 new cases of the coronavirus on Friday, a new record high, and 2,624 deaths, also a new record. Less than 1.5 per cent of the country’s population has been fully vaccinated.

  • FIA, NAB to start investigation for fuel shortage

    FIA, NAB to start investigation for fuel shortage

    The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) have started an investigation against those who were responsible for the shortage of fuel in June 2020.

    The probe has been started because according to the reports, the shortage of fuel had caused a loss of Rs25 billion to the national exchequer in 2020.

    The agencies have asked the Petroleum Division to provide records along with Inquiry Commission reports. During the investigation, NAB will look into the role of Petroleum Division secretary, director general (DG) of oil at the Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division), and oil marketing companies (OMCs) in the petrol crisis.

    Similarly, NAB will also examine the alleged connivance of government officials with OMCs.

    NAB will further investigate the officers of oil refineries, OMCs and the Inter-State Gas System (ISGS) because the provision of licences to the OMCs was a criminal act.

    NAB further added that the officers of different companies were appointed in the petroleum division, and they have allegedly been influencing the policy and decision making, which has resulted in massive losses to the national exchequer.

    According to sources, the federal cabinet had earlier advised the FIA to complete the inquiry within three months. The investigation would later be transferred to NAB from FIA for the collection of funds plundered from the national exchequer.

    Besides NAB, the FIA has also moved to take action and asked the petroleum division and the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) to provide relevant details and records of OMCs and the inquiries did to unearth facts behind the petrol crisis.

  • In a first, Kangana thanks Pakistan for extending prayers

    Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut has made headlines every now and then. Apart from her argument on nepotism, the actress has also been very vocal about her dislike of Pakistan. However, as Twitter in Pakistan trends with hashtags showing solidarity to India, Kangana’s heart, too, turned soft. But she was still misinformed about one detail.

    Taking to Twitter, Kangana wrote: “Heartwarming to see top trend from Pakistan #PakistanstandswithIndia. Narendra Modi provided the country with the vaccine. Nice to see them appreciate his kindness and reciprocate with love. We too acknowledge their empathy in these testing times.” But the actress was misinformed about the vaccine available in Pakistan.

    Pakistan is currently administering Sinopharm and Sputnik, which have been sent from China and Russia, respectively. Some users also clarified that the vaccines in Pakistan were not supplied to them by India.

    https://twitter.com/Little_knightss/status/1385846303574269953?s=19
    https://twitter.com/talkingcurves/status/1385834239837540352?s=19

    As of Saturday, the coronavirus death toll in India stood at 1,66,10,481 with 2,624 fatalities reported in 24 hours, out of which Maharashtra saw the maximum casualties (773) followed by Delhi with 348 daily deaths, reported the Hindustan Times.

    People across the country are scrambling for life-saving oxygen supplies, while patients lay dying outside hospitals. There is a shortage of life-saving medicines and hospital beds too.

    Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan has also expressed solidarity for the people of India in the current wave of COVID-19.

  • Yasir Hussain highlights plight of ‘Ainak Wala Jinn’ cast, importance of royalties

    Yasir Hussain highlights plight of ‘Ainak Wala Jinn’ cast, importance of royalties

    Yasir Hussain has highlighted the plight of Ainak Wala Jinn cast and has requested Prime Minister Imran Khan to help them amidst the ongoing debate on royalties.

    Read more – Faysal Quraishi, Ayesha Omar give a crash course on royalties

    Sharing a photo of PM Khan with Ainak Wala Jinn’s cast, Hussain drew attention towards the financial troubles these icons have had to undergo since the 90s comedy show ended years ago. The purpose was to add onto the nationwide movement backed by showbiz personalities to be paid royalties for their work and serials that are re-run repeatedly.

    Hussain also mentioned how gruesome it has been for the cast to find suitable roles after Ainak Wala Jinn.

    “Did you know that the cast of Ainak Wala Jinn was never cast for any other drama? Some of them died of hunger while others are hardly surviving on charity,” lamented Hussain.

    The actor also reminded the PM how these actors are the sole reason why he could build all the hospitals he has so far.

    “[PM] Imran Khan, these people have supported you from the days when you placed the first brick of your hospital to the beginning of your political journey,” Hussain asserted, adding that our government needs to offer help to veteran artists and have mercy on those who have been part of our showbiz for generations.

    Read more – ‘Govt working to introduce royalty payments for artists’

    Ainak Wala Jinn was one of the biggest serials that children grew up watching on PTV for years. The show continued for four seasons with the same cast as. Be it Zakota Jinn or Bil Batori, the dialogues are still remembered till this date with many in their homes mimicking their favourite characters.

    This is not the first time that Hussain has raised his voice in support of senior artists. He was also among the first Pakistani celebrities, who spoke in support of Naila Jaffery and urged the government to help the ailing actress.

  • Pakistan IT exports cross $1.5bn for the first time

    Pakistan IT exports cross $1.5bn for the first time

    The Pakistan Information Technology (IT) industry has experienced $1.5 billion in exports for the first time. In March, the industry received the highest export remittances of $213 million.

    According to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP, IT and IT-enabled services recorded a huge increase of $1.512 billion during the first nine months of the current fiscal year (FY) 2020-21.

    The industry observed an increase of $459 million, or 43 percent in comparison to the previous period in which the IT exports stood at $1.512 billion.

    The handsome growth in IT exports was driven through software consultancy, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), e-commerce, telecommunication services, etc.

    Moreover, the Pakistani IT industry capitalized on the worst-hit market of India that is also a leading IT service exporter, but because of the COVID-19, the global industry has consulted experts in Pakistan.

    Pakistani software houses are getting a great influx of orders from countries like the US, UK, EU, and the East Easter or Gulf countries because they have a high demand for IT services.

    The country could further increase the exports from $2 billion to $3-3.5 billion in the next financial year if the stakeholders including software houses, the government, and concerned authorities develop an aggressive plan while minimising impediments in the IT sector.

    Furthermore, as per the old policies of the government, the IT sector was exempted from the tax network but the government has decided to reverse the decision.

    Companies are concerned about the immoral practices of government departments, and the recent raids on the IT companies from the intelligence agency also created a fearful working environment for the other software houses, which are considering setting up their offshore offices in different countries.

    On the other side, revenue experts said the IT industry with handsome balance sheets should contribute to support the ailing economy with taxes at a time when the industry is witnessing a peak time.

  • Bilal, Sajal’s ‘Khel Khel Mein’ to be a historical drama

    Bilal, Sajal’s ‘Khel Khel Mein’ to be a historical drama

    Nabeel Qureshi has revealed that his upcoming project Khel Khel Mein featuring Bilal Abbas Khan and Sajal Aly will be a historical drama.

    Responding to a follower during a question & answer session on Instagram, Qureshi revealed that Khel Khel Mein is “something different from my previous movies” and will be a historical drama.

    Responding to other questions related to the lead pair, Qureshi shared that he had an amazing experience working with Khan and that Sajal was his first choice for the film.

    Meanwhile, other details about the new project have been kept tightly under wraps and are limited. The actors had earlier expressed their excitement over the film while announcing the news on social media.

    “Bismillah,” Sajal had said while sharing a picture of the script, while Bilal had said: “Working with the finest producer/director duo in the country for the first time. Iss baar milte hain theatre mei.”

    Speaking about Mahira Khan and Fahad Mustafa’s Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad that was expected to hit cinemas on Eid ul Azha 2020, Qureshi shared that he plans to release the film this year.

    Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad has been directed by Nabeel and produced by Fizza Ali Meerza. A teaser for the film had also been released earlier.

    Qureshi also mentioned that there are two upcoming movies that are pending for release.

  • PTI Minister’s Take On Earth Day

    PTI Minister’s Take On Earth Day









    *|MC:SUBJECT|*

    Hey,*|MERGE1|*! It’s April 23, and the second Friday of Ramzan. This pandemic has made me addicted to online grocery shopping. In my free time, I scroll through online grocery stores and end up buying things that I will probably never use. I don’t think I’m ever going back to a grocery store soon. Are you going to the grocery stores or ordering online? ?

    As per some reports, the announcement of stricter lockdown restrictions is expected today, with the possibility of complete lockdowns in cities with a high positivity rate.  

    Have you seen the video of PTI’s minister explaining what is Earth Day? Watch it…will make your day It will be sunny in major cities, and Peshawar, Lahore and Islamabad will have a breezy day. ?

    Have a good day!

     

    Laila-The Current 

    MORNING MEME
     

     Bail granted to Shehbaz Sharif ?

    The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday granted bail to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif. The bail was approved by the three-member bench comprising Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, Justice Alia Neelum and Justice Syed Shahbaz Ali Rizvi. Sharif was first granted and then denied bail after a division bench issued a split decision on Sharif’s petition, sending the matter to the LHC chief justice for the nomination of a referee judge. 

    Read On

     What is the background? ?

    Last year in September, Shehbaz Sharif was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in a money-laundering case. 

    In December 2019, NAB issued orders to freeze 23 properties owned by former Punjab chief executive and his sons, Hamza and Suleman, over claims they had acquired assets beyond their known sources of income and committed money-laundering. 

    ‘Quetta blast was a suicide attack’: Sheikh Rasheed

    Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed said on Thursday that the blast at Serena Hotel in Quetta was a suicide attack. He said this was a foreign attempt to destabilize Pakistan. “Pakistan Army and the people of Pakistan will defeat such designs.”

    Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed the responsibility for the Quetta blast.  Five people were killed and more than a dozen injured in the deadly attack. 

    Read On

    PTV, PTV Sports to turn HD, says Fawad Chaudhry ?

    Fawad Chaudhry, who was reappointed Minister for Information and Broadcasting in a recent cabinet shuffle, has shared his plans on what he plans to do under his ministry. 

    “The process that started in 2018 to initiate reforms in the Information Ministry is being resumed,” said Chaudhry in a tweet, adding that the project to make Pakistan Television HD will be completed by June 1. 

    In addition to this, work on making PTV Sports HD is also in progress. 

    Iske ilawa bhi he has announced several reforms. 

    Read On

     TikTok is being sued for misusing data of millions of children

    TikTok, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDan, could face a damages claim worth billions of dollars in London’s High Court over allegations that they have illegally harvested the private data of millions of European children, Reuters has reported. 

    The case will be heard next week and affected children could receive thousands of pounds each if the claim is successful. 

    Anne Longfield, the former Children’s Commissioner for England alleged that every child that has used TikTok since May 25, 2018, may have had private personal information illegally collected by ByteDance through TikTok for the benefit of unknown third parties. 

    Read On

     Hilary Duff to star in ‘How I Met Your Mother’ sequel

    Cult classic How I Met Your Mother is finally getting a sequel and Hilary Duff has been roped in as the lead. 

    Titled How I Met Your Father, the gender-swapped upcoming show, which will stream on Hulu, will feature the Lizzie McGuire star play the female version of the original’s lead character, Ted Mosby. 

    According to a press release, the story will “catapult us back to the year 2021 where Sophie and her close-knit group of friends are in the midst of figuring out who they are, what they want out of life, and how to fall in love in the age of dating apps and limitless options.” 

    Read On

    On this day: 23 April WORLD BOOK DAY

     On this day, World Book Day is celebrated every year. UNESCO undertakes the responsibility of the event. The first-ever World Book Day was celebrated on April 23, 1995. The date was decided by UNESCO as it was also the death and birth anniversary of William Shakespeare, a world-famous author. With the help of the event, UNESCO aims to inculcate reading habits among people, especially the youth, and highlight the various issues surrounding authors and publishers.

    Current Baba’s prediction

     Today is the day to finish your pending tasks.  

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  • Prayers for India: PM Imran, cabinet ministers tweet in solidarity

    On Saturday, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan tweeted:

    “I want to express our solidarity with the people of India as they battle a dangerous wave of COVID-19. Our prayers for a speedy recovery go to all those suffering from the pandemic in our neighbourhood & the world. We must fight this global challenge confronting humanity together.”

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry tweeted that in these difficult times, “our prayers are with people of India”.

    Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi expressed support for the people of India in the current wave of COVID-19.

    Apart from PM Imran and cabinet ministers, Pakistanis also expressed their solidarity with India. #PakistanStandsWithIndia trended as number 1 on Twitter.

    Yesterday, Faisal Edhi wrote to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offering help in tackling COVID-19 in India.

    According to BBC, India has recorded nearly a million infections in three days, with 346,786 new cases overnight into Saturday. [hyperlink

  • VIDEO: Indian police officer requests Muslims to pray for coronavirus pandemic to end

    VIDEO: Indian police officer requests Muslims to pray for coronavirus pandemic to end

    A video of a police officer in Mumbai requesting the Muslim community to pray for the coronavirus pandemic to end during Ramzan on a loudspeaker has gone viral on social media.

    “Main ne suna hai kay taraweeh ki namaz mein bohat jaldi suni jati hai to aap namaz me yahi mangna ke COVID hamare shehar se, hamare daish se jaldi chala jae (I have heard that Taraweeh prayers are heard, so please that COVID leaves our city and the country soon), the policeman can be heard saying in the video.

    Meanwhile, Pakistanis are extended their prayers for residents of it’s neighbouring country as India fights a deadly second wave.

    Prime Minister Imran Khan, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry and Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi also extended their prayers for India.

    #PakistanstandswithIndia and #IndiaNeedOxygen were some of the top trends on the microblogging website.

    Farhan Saeed, Shaan and Shoaib Akhtar were also among those who prayed for those suffering in India.

    Earlier on Friday, the Managing Trustee of Edhi Foundation Faisal Edhi wrote a letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and offered help to manage the deadly second wave of coronavirus in India.

    India posted a record tally of 346,786 coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, while daily deaths from COVID-19 also jumped by a record, government data released on Saturday showed.

    As per Indian media outlets, from the first wave of COVID-19, the demand for medical oxygen had increased from 700 metric tonnes per day to 2,800 metric tonnes per day. However, in the past few days, the demand has reached nearly 5,000 metric tonnes per day.