Author: newsdesk

  • ‘Govt working to introduce royalty payments for artists’

    The federal government is working to introduce a comprehensive bill to ensure that artists are given financial credit for their work, PTI Senator Faisal Javed Khan has announced.

    “Most countries around the world give royalties to artists every time a show, their work is re-run, a second time or more,” wrote Faisal on Twitter. “Sadly in Pakistan where many artists are already underpaid, there is no policy or law ensuring that artists be given financial credit for their work.”

    The Senator further said that it is “very critical to fill the gaps and bring proper framework via amendments in legislation to ensure that our producers [and] artists get their rights to royalties.”

    Khan added that he is in touch with all stakeholders and is looking to introduce a comprehensive bill to address the matter.

    Speaking exclusively to The Current on the matter, Senator Faisal said: “Royalty is very important and I am working on this bill to ensure our artists get their due right. I am hoping to get it passed soon without any further delays.”

    Asserting that the government is committed to addressing this issue, Senator Faisal said: “Actors, musicians, singers – all artists must be supported,” adding that they will soon be entitled to royalties.

    Responding to Senator Faisal’s announcement, several artists including Mikaal Zulfiqar, Ali Zafar, Ali Safina and Sakina Samo lauded the initiative and hoped that it would resolve artists’ concerns.

    https://twitter.com/SakinaSamo/status/1381551181483413504?s=20

    Ever since Naila Jaffery appealed to producers and the government to pay royalties to actors for the work and content that is re-run, the conversation around royalty payments for artists has gained momentum with several actors demanding it.

    “Why is it even a matter of discussion?” Siddiqui had questioned. “Artists rightfully deserve to be paid royalty.”

    “So many producers and channels rake in copious amount of money through reruns. It is only ethical to pay actors their due,” he added.

    “We as a community of artists, singers, actors, writers, producers, directors, composer, editors and so on, need to be recognised by our government as an industry,” asserted Ahmed Ali Butt had.

    Zulfiqar was the first one to demand payment for reruns and after Jaffery’s appeal, several artists including Yasir Hussain, Sabeeka Imam, Ayesha Omar and Mansha Pasha had demanded TV channels for royalties.

    Earlier in July 2020, the government had announced that it will be creating a film task force to promote the entertainment industry and resolve its issues. Members of the government including Senator Shibli Faraz had held a virtual meeting with artists and stakeholders involved and shared the government’s intentions. They also discussed issues being faced by the film industry and their proposed solutions. Among those present during the meeting included Humayun Saeed, Vasay Chaudhry, Ali Zafar, Fizza Ali Meerza and Nadeem Mandviwala.

    Chaudhry, while speaking to The Current, had said that Senator Shibli had shown a “keen interest in the issues of royalties when it was brought up by me.”

    “He told us that the issue of royalties of artistes is very close to his heart and he will make sure to do something about it,” shared Vasay.

  • Which Dating App Do You Use?‍‍

    Which Dating App Do You Use?‍‍









    *|MC:SUBJECT|*

    It’s Monday again, *|MERGE1|*! And April 12. Ramzan starts this week! I hope you had a great weekend and got to enjoy the glorious sunshine. Today will be sunny as well.

    This weekend, I decided to step into the new territory of online dating. I downloaded this application, and what I like most about the app is that men cannot initiate a conversation with women. In the app, women always have to make the first move. It’s cool but found it very shallow to judge people based on their pictures alone. Have you ever tried a dating app? 

    Have a great week! 

     

     

    Laila-The Current 

    MORNING MEME
     

    PM Imran expands ‘Koi Bhooka Na Soye’ programme to three more cities ?

    In a virtual ceremony in Islamabad yesterday, PM Khan launched the ‘Ehsaas Koi Bhooka Na Soye’ programme in Peshawar, Lahore and Faisalabad. Under the new scheme, free meals will be served to labourers,  daily wage earners, and piece-rate workers via food trucks. 

     The PM remarked that the pilot project was first launched in Islamabad to understand the challenges that the government may face in the implementation of the new scheme. 

    Remaining matches of PSL 2021 to be held from June 1

    The remaining matches of PSL 6 will be held from June 1, said the Pakistan Cricket Board.  

    The PCB announced that the tournament will resume after the players and officials undergo a seven-day quarantine stay at one hotel and another following three training sessions, PSL will resume from June 1. 

    You can check the schedule of the remaining matches on PCB’s website.

     Saeed Ghani | The Current Life

    One of PPP’s faces in Sindh, Saeed Ghani is a man of the people. A dog lover and the holder of many ministries, we ask him about the rumour that he hangs out with murderers and hitmen and ask him about the photo with Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari in his office — where Ghani has a big smile on his face. Catch it in this week’s The Current Life.   

    Watch

    On this day: 12 April INTERNATIONAL DAY OF HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT 

     On this day, we celebrate the start of the space era for humankind, reaffirming the important contribution of space science and technology in today’s world. Also, today is remembered as the first human space flight, carried out by Russian Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. This historic event opened the way for space exploration.

    Current Baba’s prediction

     Go easy on yourself today, don’t overstress, things will work out! ?

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  • Lahore declared Pakistan’s first ‘polio-free city’

    Lahore declared Pakistan’s first ‘polio-free city’

    Lahore has become the first polio-free city in the country.

    According to details, the Lahore deputy commissioner said that the fifth environmental sample taken from the city for the poliovirus tested negative. Earlier four environmental samples for the virus had tested negative, he added.

    He credited the achievement to the doctors, polio workers, and the parents for making the city polio-free.

    Earlier on April 3, around 3.5 million children got vaccinated during the first four days of the nationwide polio campaign in the country.

    Read more – Here’s where you can find COVID-19 vaccine in Karachi, Lahore

    A five-day polio vaccination campaign commenced across the country on March 29 to vaccinate over 40.1 million children under the age of five.

    As many as 290,000 polio workers were administering anti-polio drops across the country while following COVID-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs). Security forces were providing foolproof security to the teams to avoid any unpleasant situation.

  • PDM: Done and dusted?

    PDM: Done and dusted?

    PPP chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Monday announced that the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) has called upon its members to resign from all positions of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM). 

    Flanked by party leaders, Bilawal held a news conference to speak about the matters that came under discussion during the recently-held Central Executive Committee meeting of the party. 

    He said the CEC had come to the conclusion that resignations from the national and provincial assemblies should be “like an atom bomb”.

    Bilawal said the PPP’s stance that the Opposition should not “abandon the Parliament and the Senate battleground” had been vindicated.

    He said if the PPP had listened to other political parties in the Opposition and boycotted the Senate elections and by-elections, then it would have harmed democracy.

    “We did not give the PTI government an open field to form a two-thirds majority in the Senate,” he said, adding that the government lost on its “own pitch” when the PDM candidate won from the Nowshera by-election.

    “We will not undermine these gains that the PPP has achieved after giving many sacrifices,” he said. “When the PML-N was in power, we protected the Parliament then and we will protect the Parliament today.”

    He said those who wanted to resign from the Parliament, should do so.

    “But, no one should try to impose their will or their dictation on any other political party,” he said. “And the Pakistan Peoples Party will continue in its firm, consistent Opposition to the selected government that has been ongoing since day one and has not broken for a single day,” stressed the PPP chairperson.

    “The Pakistan Peoples Party rejects the so-called show-cause notice,” he said. “Politics is done with equality and respect,” he added.

    “The PPP demands an unconditional apology to the ANP and to the PPP for this obnoxious attitude,” he said.

    Bilawal said the PPP stands by the ANP and would not abandon them under any circumstances. “There is no concept of show-cause notices in democratic alliances,” he said.

    He recounted the PPP’s participation in the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy and the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy.

    “We condemn the politics of Opposition against members of the Opposition,” he said.

    The PPP chairperson said his party’s doors were open for all other parties, adding that there should be a “working relationship” among them.

  • Punjab govt launches mobile lungar for travellers, labourers

    Punjab govt launches mobile lungar for travellers, labourers

    Punjab government has launched a mobile lungar scheme in Lahore and Faisalabad in line with Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s Ehsaas Koi Bhooka Na Soye Programme.

    Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar inaugurated the programme in two cities, and food trucks are operating on four different routes in Lahore since.

    The following are the routes of the food trucks in Lahore:

    1. Thokar Niaz Baig to Data Darbar to cater to Multan Chungi, Mandi Stop, Chowk Yateem Khana and Chauburji
    2. Circular Road, Railway Station, Do Moria Pul, Badami Bagh Auto Parts Market, Masti Gate, General Bus Stand, Sabzi Mandi and Niazi Chowk
    3. Garrhi Shahu, Co-op Store, Shalamar, Darogay Wala and Shadipura
    4. Lakshmi Chowk, Mayo Hospital Chowk, Shah Aalam Market, Dalgaraan Chowk and Dehli Gate

    CM Buzdar has announced that 10,000 boxes will be distributed regularly on these routes to provide meals to labourers and travellers.

    In various areas of Faisalabad, two trucks will distribute almost 10,000 lunch boxes regularly.

    CM Buzdar remarked that feeding the needy is Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)’s Sunnah and is also in line with PM Imran’s vision of a welfare state.

    He added that the project will be launched in other cities of Punjab as well.

  • Sadia Ghaffar and Hassan Hayat are expecting their first child

    Sadia Ghaffar and Hassan Hayat are expecting their first child

    Sadia Ghaffar and Hassan Hayat Khan, who tied the knot last year in March, are expecting their first child.

    Interestingly neither Ghaffar nor Khan made the announcement but it was in fact Saboor Aly, who revealed the news on social media.

    Sharing a picture of herself with Sadia’s baby bump, Saboor said: “Can’t wait to meet the mini you and share the most precious bond of love!”

    “I am going to be the favourite khala,” she added.

    Commenting on Saboor’s post, Sadia said: “Blessed with the best Khala ever! Can’t wait to spoil the [baby] together!”

    Zara Noor Abbas and Kinza Hashmi also sent love and blessings to the couple.

    Sadia and Hassan celebrated their first wedding anniversary on March 1.

  • Rights champion IA Rehman passes away at 90

    Rights champion IA Rehman passes away at 90

     Journalist and veteran human rights activist Ibn Abdur Rehman aka I A Rehman passed away in Lahore at the age of 90 on Monday.

    He died of old age and high sugar and blood pressure levels, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Secretary General Harris Khalique said.

    The deceased left behind three sons and two daughters. His wife, Tauseef I A Rehman, had died in 2015.

    A protégé of Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Abdur Rehman became chief editor of the now-defunct Pakistan Times in 1989. He wrote a regular column for Dawn until a few days before his death.

    He was the founding chair of the Pakistan-India Peoples’ Forum for Peace and Democracy (PIPFPD) and a director of the HRCP since 1990.

    Between 1978 and 1988, he remained executive editor of weekly Viewpoint.

    Tributes poured in from all quarters as word of Abdur Rehman’s passing spread.

    “A titan of human rights, Mr Rehman’s integrity, conscience and compassion were unparalleled,” HRCP said.

    Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the country had lost a “true icon”.

    Political leaders from both the government and opposition, media persons and rights activists are among those expressing grief and sorrow over Rehman’s death on Twitter.

  • Alizeh Shah opens up on her struggles with acne

    Alizeh Shah opens up on her struggles with acne

    Alizeh Shah has opened up about her struggle with acne.

    “Hello people. Here I am putting my biggest insecurity on display,” wrote Alizeh on social media. “Yes, I have been struggling with acne for quite a long time. A lot of us had this idea that ‘clear skin’ should be the goal but I guess living a happy life with acne is possible.”

    She further said: “The current state state on your skin does NOT measure your worth your beauty!”

    “There is nothing more attractive than confidence. Once you see your beauty, everyone will so,” said the actor further, urging everyone to embrace the “glorious mess” that they are.

    Shah also posted her short video clip where she showed off her face without makeup, flaunting her natural beauty.

    Earlier, Hania Aamir had also shared her ‘painful struggle’ with acne and how it induced feelings of insecurity and anxiety in her.

  • 600-year-old statues discovered in Thar

    Statues dating back almost 600 years were recovered during a recent campaign in Thar while restoring a heritage site in the area.

    According to a report in Dawn News, volunteers of the Endowment Fund for Trust for Preservation of the Heritage of Sindh found the statutes while restoring a temple in the desert district.

    “Statues were unearthed during restoration works at the Nagarparkar City Temple by Endowment Fund for Trust for Preservation of the Heritage of Sindh,” read a brief announcement by the organisation. “The temple will shortly be handed over to the Culture Department, Government of Sindh, along with the statues of (sandstone and marble) Mahavira and other Tirthankaras of Jainism.”

    Read more – 1,300-year-old Hindu temple discovered in KP

    Hameed Akhund of the Endowment Fund for Trust for Preservation of the Heritage of Sindh said that the statues were likely to have been discovered long ago.

    “We think when the war began in 1971 between India and Pakistan, someone dumped them in a cave-like space where we were doing our project. We found them in the same place,” said Akhund, adding that they will be handed over to the Sindh government.

  • Punjab archaeology department to restore 400-year-old fort in Sheikhupura

    Punjab archaeology department to restore 400-year-old fort in Sheikhupura

    The Punjab Archaeology Department has announced plans to restore a 400-year-old Mughal-era fort-like palace in Sheikhupura.

    According to details, a study will be conducted on the fort, currently in a dilapidated condition, before the restoration work.

    The building underwent several structural changes over the years in different time periods with much of the building currently in ruins. Restoration work on the exterior walls is in progress.

    Photo via The Express Tribune

    Those involved in the restoration work have also suggested study tours from Lahore to Qila Sheikhupura and Hiran Minar, saying that they can be entertaining as well as informative. Only guided tours will be allowed inside due to the current condition of the fort.

    Read more – Authorities to restore historic mosque near Lotus Lake

    Spread over an area of more than 64 kanals, the Sheikhupura Fort is perched on a high mound in the south of the city and is a magnificent symbol of the glory of the Mughal era. Experts have suggested that it was not a traditional fort but the residence of Emperor Jahangir, who had a hunting resort nearby.

    Photo via The Express Tribune

    An official of the Archaeology Department Malik Maqsood Ahmed says the fort was not built for military purposes but as a palace.

    The fort was also used as a military base during the Sikh and British eras. After the partition of the Indian sub-continent, a refugee camp was also set up here.

    Many  government offices were also built here that resulted in the changes of the building’s structure and badly damaged the original historic look of the building.

    Locals of the city say that the fort is the identity of the city. A mechanic who has been working in front of the fort for many years, says that if the government develops a food street after the restoration work in the fort, it will not only grow the business activities but also tourist interest.

    Secretary Tourism and Archaeology Ehsan Bhutta said that when the fort was handed over to Punjab Archaeology Department in 2011, it was in a terrible condition.

    In 2017, the department initiated a restoration project at the site, which is still continuing. The outer wall of the fort is being restored while the interior portions have been renovated and some benches have fixed there. Display boards with information have been installed at numerous places.