Author: newsdesk

  • God has told both men and women to ‘guard their modesty,’ says Hamza Ali Abbasi

    God has told both men and women to ‘guard their modesty,’ says Hamza Ali Abbasi

    Prime Minister Imran Khan’s comments on rising rape cases due to vulgarity in society have sparked an intense debate on social media with everyone from Jemima Goldsmith to Rohail Hyatt weighing in on the issue. Hamza Ali Abbasi, who recently embarked on a spiritual journey to connect with God, has now also stepped in to share his thoughts on the matter.

    “In my personal understanding, God has made it clear in the Quran that sexual instinct is one of the most powerful instincts in both men and women,” said Hamza. “Hence God emphasizes on overall modesty and responsible behaviour from both men and women, equally, in this particular area.”

    Quoting a verse from the Quran, the actor further said: “Speaking as a man, in my understanding of what I believe is the literal speech of God, Quran, God has very clearly told all men who say they are Muslims that no matter what anyone is dressed like or behaves like, unconditionally lower your gaze and guard your own modesty.”

    Hamza also shared verses from the Quran to further express his point of view.

    He also took time to respond to his followers and discuss the subject.

    “Allah has made it clear that we are only responsible for our own intentions and deeds,” said Hamza, asserting that as individuals, we all need to start acting responsibly.

    The actor also said that a woman’s dressing does not contribute to rising rape cases.

    When a user asked Hamza to explain indecency, the actor said: “Any kind of sexual behaviour or actions outside marriage.”

    Hamza also clapped back at a troll who raised questions on his wife Naimal Khawar’s dressing.

    “If you mean face covering and head covering, it’s not commanded by Allah in our understanding,” clarified Hamza. “In case you are thinking about verses of Surah Ahzab, it is a commandment to establish identity in a dangerous situation, not for purity.”

    Meanwhile, Hamza is currently working on his book on Allah and religion, which he announced in December 2020. The first draft of the book was completed last month and the actor hopes to make it free for everyone.

  • SBP could soon be launching digital currency in Pakistan

    SBP could soon be launching digital currency in Pakistan

    State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Dr Reza Baqir has said the central bank is carefully studying the options to launch digital currency in Pakistan.

    Speaking to a private media outlet, Baqir highlighted the role of the central bank in the wake of COVID-19 in Pakistan. He also talked about his vision to bring digitisation to the country’s financial sector.

    “The launch of digital coin in Pakistan will have a twofold benefit to us. Not only does it boosts our efforts for financial inclusion, but the central bank-issued digital currency will allow progress in our fight towards anti-money and countering terrorism financing,” said Baqir.

    On the entry of global fintech companies like stripe in the Pakistani market, Baqir said that big international payment providers are “very welcome” in Pakistan.

    “Pakistan is the home to the fifth-largest concentration of people. It is a market where people are generally tech-savvy, and it is a market that is waiting to burst as far as digitisation is a concern,” said Baqir.

    “We are very open, and we embrace any global mobile payment operator that wants to come to Pakistan.”

  • PPP, several others, including PTI’s Fawad, against criminalising criticism

    PPP, several others, including PTI’s Fawad, against criminalising criticism

    The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has said that it rejects any attempts to further gag the fundamental right of freedom of expression in the name of preventing defamation and disrespect of the armed forces.

    In a statement, Senator Farhatullah Babar expressed grave concern over a bill moved by a PTI MNA and approved by the National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior seeking to amend the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) to send anyone to jail for two years with fine Rs 500,000 or both for what has been described as ‘defamation of the army”.

    He said that Section 500 of the PPC already provides punishment for the defamation of anyone, and the addition of Section 500-A is aimed only at gagging freedom of expression guaranteed under Article 19 of the constitution in name of national security. It is not acceptable and will be opposed at every platform he said.

    “The nation has witnessed enough of how behind the facade of ‘national security’ citizens have disappeared mysteriously, national resources diverted, internment centres set up, ex-tribal areas made a no-go area, foreign and security policies hijacked and security establishment’s business and commercial empire expanded exponentially.”

    Section 500-A is liable to be grossly misused in the name of national security as Section 295-C has been misused in the name of religion, he said.

    “Defence forces working within their constitutional limits are universally admired and do not need any legislation to protect their honor and respect. Similarly, no legislation can stop people from questioning those who transgress their limits with impunity,” he said.

    While the PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) reportedly tried to block the bill from approval by NA Standing Committee on Interior, saying it was a violation of right to freedom of expression, some government members have also expressed concern.

    While Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari had earlier blocked a similar bid to curb criticism, Federal Minister Fawad Chaudhry has now said it was an “absolutely ridiculous idea”.

    In a tweet, he said he strongly felt that instead of introducing new laws to quell criticism, the laws dealing with contempt of court “should be repealed”.

    He was seconded by Mazari.

    “Totally agree. Cannot state it strongly enough,” she wrote.

  • VIDEO: Giant lizard causes panic inside Thailand store

    Video captured from a supermarket in Thailand shows an almost six-feet long lizard creating panic inside the store.

    The video, which has gone viral on social media, shows a monitor lizard crawling up a shelf of products in the store. The nearly one-minute-long video was captured by a customer in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.

    https://twitter.com/gunsnrosesgirl3/status/1379788937921724419?s=20

    People who witnessed the event told the Daily Mail that the incident happened on Tuesday. No one was hurt and the lizard did not take any food, they said.

    The witness who filmed the video later also paused to take a selfie with the creature in the background.

  • Jemima Tells PM Khan Off

    Jemima Tells PM Khan Off









    *|MC:SUBJECT|*

    Good Morning, *|MERGE1|*. It’s April 8. Hello, Subscriber. I hope you are having a great week.

    Yesterday, Urooj did this crazy story about this woman who finds out that her son’s bride is her long-lost daughter but here comes the twist. The mother revealed that she had adopted the boy after giving up on all hope of finding her daughter.

    Pakistan won the ODI series against SA.?

    It’s going to be a sunny day again.

     

    Laila-The Current 

    MORNING MEME
     

    Jemima calls out Imran Khan

    So, in an interesting turn of events, Jemima — our Prime minister Imran Khan’s ex-wife — has schooled him about women’s rights in Islam. 

    Jemima took to her Twitter account to share a news report about Imran Khan’s comments about rape while quoting an ayat along which she wrote ‘The Onus is on men’. 

    Read On

    NA body approves bill seeking criminal proceedings against anyone defaming military

    A bill seeking criminal proceedings against anyone who defames the military, has been approved by National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior. 

    The bill, under which the said act is punishable by up to two years in prison or a fine of Rs500,000 or both, will now be presented before the lower house of parliament.

     

    Read On

     Drama Review

    The Current Top 5 ki iss episode main Saman and Ashar discussed last episode of Chalawa is ke ilwa they discussed weak characters like Ammar and Junaid from Qarar and Rakshi from Pehli SiM Muhabbat.  Watch the review for the rundown on last week’s dramas and which ones you should be watching.  

     

    Watch

    Iffat Omar promises to get 10 people vaccinated ?

     Iffat Omar has promised to get 10 people vaccinated after jumping queue to get vaccinated herself at Federal Minister for Housing and Works Tariq Bashir Cheema’s residence in Lahore. The model-turned-actor also admitted her fault and apologised for her actions after receiving a barrage of criticism and backlash. 
     

     

    Read On

    ‘Mrs Sri Lanka’ injured after ‘Mrs World’ snatches crown

     Beauty queen Pushpika De Silva won the ‘Mrs Sri Lanka’ title at a ceremony on Sunday. Moments after the crown was placed on her head, the 2019 winner seized Mrs De Silva’s crown, claiming she could not be awarded the title because she was divorced. 

    Though the judges had announced Ms De Silva the 2021 winner at the final in a theatre in Colombo, the 2019 winner, Caroline Jurie, stripped Mrs De Silva of her crown, citing a pageant rule that competitors must be married and not divorced. 
     

    Read On

    On this day: 8 April DELHI PACT

     

     On this day, the Nehru-Liaquat Pact made in 1950, following the escalation of tension between India and Pakistan in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) after economic relations between the two countries had been severed in December 1949.

    Current Baba’s prediction

     You will get to spend quality time with your family today.

    HEY, WAIT A SECOND PLEASE. 
     
    If you like the newsletter, make sure that this email doesn’t get lost in promotions or spam.

    Here’s how: 

    • Through your phone, add us by hitting the “Kabob,” (the three dots in upper right-hand corner). Then click “move to,” and select “primary inbox.”
    • If you’re using a desktop just drag and drop the email into primary as shown in the video below. (You can also do this on your phone if you open your email in your browser). Easy.

    And don’t forget to send us your feedback. We would love to hear from you 

    Twitter

    Facebook

    Instagram

    Website

    Copyright © 2020 Instant Morning Current, All rights reserved.
     


    This email was sent to *|EMAIL|*

    why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences

    *|LIST:ADDRESSLINE|*


  • Punjab govt rushes to Tareen’s support amid reports of rift with PTI

    Punjab govt rushes to Tareen’s support amid reports of rift with PTI

    The Punjab government has said that disgruntled Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Jahangir Tareen is an important pillar of the party and had worked hard to form the government of Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar.

    Speaking to Geo News, Special Assistant to Punjab CM Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan had come to power on the manifesto of the supremacy of law and a corruption-free Pakistan.

    Awan, while responding to a question on accountability, said all those PTI leaders and ministers who were accused of corruption had returned to their positions after getting themselves cleared from the charges.

    The spokesperson dismissed media reports claiming that the government is taking revengeful action against Tareen.

    Tareen is facing charges of corruption in the sugar scandal and multiple cases have been filed against him.

    Amid his ordeal, reports had claimed the sugar baron was defecting to rival Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

    While the claims have been rubbished, any truth to the same could serve a severe blow to the ruling PTI, especially in Punjab where Buzdar is in power owing to the support of a number of loyal-to-Tareen MPAs.

    The PTI leader, after appearing in court on Wednesday, had said that his loyalty to PM Imran was being tested, but that he is not parting ways with the PTI.

    While responding to a question, Awan said that Tareen would never take a step that would harm PTI and that he had played an important role in forming the Buzdar government and taking forward the policies of the PTI government.

    “Jahangir Tareen will never want to see PTI getting weak on the political front. In pursuance of PM Khan’s mission he was active as a soldier,” she added.

    Meanwhile, the Punjab government has reportedly prepared a list of the PTI members who were in contact with Jahangir Khan Tareen.

    CM Buzdar is set to hand over the list to the premier, which would be followed by a final decision on said lawmakers’ fate.

    Tareen loyalists maintain that he also played a major role in securing PM Imran the recent vote of confidence and without his support, the government is struggling owing to a thin majority in Punjab.

  • Mrs World arrested for assaulting Mrs Sri Lanka on stage

    Mrs World arrested for assaulting Mrs Sri Lanka on stage

    The Colombo police has arrested the current Mrs World Caroline Jurie on charges of assault over an on-stage brawl in which she pulled the crown off the head of the new Mrs Sri Lanka Pushpika de Silva.

    In the video that went viral on social media, Jurie could be seen pulling the crown off de Silva minutes after she was declared Mrs Sri Lanka 2020 at a gala at Colombo’s Nelum Pokuna Theatre on Sunday. After the incident, De Silva in a social media post revealed that she needed hospital treatment for injuries sustained.

    Jurie was the previous year’s Mrs Sri Lanka and had gone on to win the Mrs World competition.

    According to reports, Sri Lankan senior police official Aith Rohan said: “We have arrested Jurie and [her associate] Chula Manamendra in connection with a charge of assault and causing damage to Nelum Pokuna [theatre].”

    De Silva told reporters outside the Cinnamon Gardens police station in Colombo on Thursday that she was ready to drop charges if Jurie made a public apology, but she had refused.

    “I tried to end this out of court, but she has refused,” de Silva said. “I can forgive, but not forget.”

    There was no immediate comment from Jurie or her lawyer.

    Police sources told AFP that a court hearing was likely next week and Jurie and her associate, who crashed onto the stage on Sunday, could be granted bail later on Thursday.

    Jurie had come onto the stage claiming that de Silva was divorced and therefore not eligible for the prize. To qualify for the title, contestants must be married. De Silva is estranged from her husband, but they are still legally married.

    Organisers said they were claiming compensation from Jurie for damages to the stage and backstage dressing rooms where several mirrors had been smashed.

    Jurie has also been accused by organisers of bringing disrepute to the event.

    The local franchise holder for the pageant, Chandimal Jayasinghe, said they were “deeply disturbed and sincerely regret” Jurie’s behaviour.

  • Rohail Hyatt says PM Imran’s words ‘have been taken out of context’

    Amid the recent criticism on Prime Minister Imran Khan over his remarks on rape, musician Rohail Hyatt has come forward to defend the premier.

    In a detailed Twitter thread, the musician said that PM Khan’s words were taken out of context and that he never said that rape is justified.

    “As a leader he is simply speaking to us about the ground realities of what is around us,” said Hyatt. “Yes indeed there is a sickness out there and one can contest if the better solution is to target the oppressor as opposed to the oppressed.”

    Hyatt added that as a father he would give similar advice to his child “to be mindful of how you dress in our society”.

    “There’s a sad trend by a certain group to attack IK on all such matters, labelling him as a ‘right-minded’ individual,” continued Hyatt, saying that he sees him “closer to [the] centre”.

    Elaborating his point further about extremist views, Hyatt said: “One wants to cover from head to toe and the other wants to strip-down from head to toe as a display of their preferences.”

    The musician concluded by advising people to bring themselves to the middle ground and not get caught up with the play of either extremists.

    Rohail in the past has shown his support for Imran Khan on various occasions.

  • Hajra Khan appeals to President Alvi, PM Khan to resolve PFF issues

    Hajra Khan appeals to President Alvi, PM Khan to resolve PFF issues

    Pakistan National Women Football Team captain Hajra Khan has urged President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan to resolve issues pertaining to the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF).

    In a video message, Khan said: “Today I speak in utmost sadness that the Pakistan Football Federation was suspended today for the second time in the last five years.”

    “I speak on behalf of all those football players, whose hard earned bread came from the sport. It came from representing Pakistan. We’ve worked hard, blood and sweat, to represent this country and we’ve taken it to the podium, we’ve won championships in the past,” said Khan.

    “Where do we go next? What is next for us? What sport do we switch to? Who do we rely on? Where do we express our love for the country, how do we do it,” she questioned.

    Requesting the President and Prime Minister, Khan said: “Today I request the President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan to take notice of the matter. There is still hope and we are expecting a response from you two. We expect the country to back us when we need them the most right now.”

    “It is a request, it might not be humble anymore, but it is a request. It is a need, it is a representation from all football players and again, it all relies on you,” she added.

    Reiterating her point, Khan in the caption said: “Players have all been affected roughly. Football as a sport has been ridiculed over time in Pakistan.”

    “Who’s answerable,” she questioned.

    Meanwhile, the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has said that they are “surprised” by the ban, expressing that the decision was taken in “haste.”

    PSB director-general Col (retd) Asif Zaman while talking to The News, said that Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Dr Fehmida Mirza had requested patience during her press conference held a couple of days back.

    “We were not expecting such a hasty decision from the football’s governing body. It has shocked us as the game of football will be the ultimate sufferer after such a decision. The minister had assured her help for resolving the issue in the best interest of the game,” said Col Zaman, adding: “Though the government does not want any interference, for the sake of the game’s future we wanted an amicable settlement of the issue.”

    Zaman said he was expecting FIFA to carry out a detailed and thorough review of the prevailing situation.

    “We were taken by surprise by this hasty decision that I feel would serve no good to the future of the game. We were expecting a rational review of the situation by the game’s governing body before imposing a suspension on the PFF,” said the DG.

    The FIFA in a handout issued on Wednesday said the decision to suspend Pakistan was prompted by the recent takeover of the PFF’s Headquarters in Lahore by a group of protesters and an alleged decision by certain individuals to remove the FIFA-appointed Normalisation Committee of the PFF led by Haroon Malik and to hand over the leadership of the PFF to Syed Ashfaq Hussain Shah.

    When PFF president Ashfaq Shah was approached in Islamabad where he was nursing his minor surgery, he said he was disappointed by the decision like any other Pakistani.

    In 2009, Khan was selected in the Pakistan national team for the 2010 South Asian Games in Dhaka, Bangladesh. After Khan’s participation at this event, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) selected her for a FIFA women’s football coaching course in Colombo, Sri Lanka. In December 2010, she played in the inaugural SAFF Women’s Championship, helping Pakistan reach the semi-final.

    21 year old Hajra Khan made history for Pakistani national women football team when she invited to top three German football clubs SGS Essen, FSV Gütersloh 2009 and VfL Sindelfingen to play, she spent three weeks there and played preseason trials. Being a Pakistani international footballer that opportunity was an important milestone in her career, she said.

    She was the first Pakistani women footballer to sign an international contract in 2014 with Sun Hotels & Resorts Football Club to play in the Maldives National Women’s league.

  • Police arrest boy for stealing brake plates from moving train in Sukkur

    Police arrest boy for stealing brake plates from moving train in Sukkur

    Police claim to have detained a teenager from Sukkur for stealing iron from a moving train.

    As per reports, a video of a boy hanging from one side of the train’s locomotive engine, allegedly stealing brake plates of the engine, did the rounds on social media a few days back.

    The police filed a case against the boy after the video went viral and conducted a raid at a house in Sukkur where they managed to nab the suspect identified as Sarfaraz Sheikh.

    After the video of him stealing from a moving train aired on TV, the police said that Sheikh altered his appearance to escape arrest.

    According to the police, the train, the boy was seen clinging to, was the Hazara Express and was travelling to Karachi.