Author: newsdesk

  • Breaking: Barack Obama, Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Apple, and others hacked in unprecedented Twitter attack

    Breaking: Barack Obama, Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Apple, and others hacked in unprecedented Twitter attack

    The Twitter accounts of major companies and individuals have been compromised in one of the most widespread and confounding hacks the platform has ever seen, all in service of promoting a bitcoin scam.

    It all began when Elon Musk’s Twitter account was seemingly compromised by a hacker intent on using it to run a bitcoin scam.

    Microsoft co-founder bill gates also had his account hacked by the same hackers, who posted a similar message with an identical bitcoin wallet address. Both accounts continued to post new tweets promoting the scam almost as fast as they are deleted.

    A spokesperson for Gates tells Recode’s Teddy Schleifer, “We can confirm that this tweet was not sent by Bill Gates. This appears to be part of a larger issue that Twitter is facing. Twitter is aware and working to restore the account.”

    Shortly after the wave of tweets from Gates and Musk’s accounts, the accounts of Barak Obama, Apple, Uber, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, hip-hop mogul Kanye West, and former New York City mayor and billionaire Mike Bloomberg, among others, were also compromised and began posting the scam.

    The origin of the scam appears to be when Musk’s account issued a mysterious tweet at 4:17PM ET reading, “I‘m feeling generous because of Covid-19. I’ll double any BTC payment sent to my BTC address for the next hour. Good luck, and stay safe out there!” The tweet also contained a bitcoin address, presumably one associated with the hacker’s crypto wallet.

    The investigation is going on but Twitter has taken security measures to prevent further attacks. Twitter has locked the compromised accounts. They will be restored once the company will be confident about security measures.

    Most of the accounts will be able to operate normally and the company is working to streamline their services.

  • Sarah Khan is engaged to Falak Shabir

    Sarah Khan is engaged to Falak Shabir

    Sarah Khan said yes!

    The actor, who has been stealing the show with her performance as Miraal in Sabaat, just announced that she has gotten engaged to singer Falak Shabbir.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CCqakA6l4W6/

    According to details, Falak proposed to Sarah on her birthday and the couple is expected to tie the knot tomorrow.

    Read more – Nimra Khan ties the knot

    The two have been sharing pictures from their engagement and behind the scenes on social media.

    Soon after the couple made the announcement, congratulatory messages poured in for them.

    While Sarah is a household name in the Pakistani drama industry, Falak is a well-known singer-songwriter, also referred to as the ‘King of Soul Style’ and ‘Mr Unplugged’. Apart from singles, Shabir has also sung songs for many Bollywood films.

  • FBR, NADRA launch web portal for tax profiling, asset inquiry

    FBR, NADRA launch web portal for tax profiling, asset inquiry

    The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) have launched a web portal through which Pakistanis can view the list of declared assets and download information for documentation and record-keeping.

    The portal provides the following services that allow you to check your asset details online:

    a) FBR Tax Profiling System

    b) FBR Assets Inquiry System (FBR Maloomat)

    The web portal created by FBR and NADRA collects your data from official sources in order to calculate your assets. As long as you’re a Pakistani citizen, you can view the information from anywhere in the world.

    ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA TO ACCESS THE INFORMATION:

    • You must be a Pakistani national with a valid CNIC or NICOP
    • You should be above 18 years of age
    • Citizens residing in Pakistan must have a PTA registered mobile number
    • Overseas Pakistanis must have a valid email address
    • You must make a payment of PKR500 through NADRA e-Sahulat or you credit/debit card

    HOW TO USE THE TAX PROFILING SYSTEM:

    1. Visit the official website for FBR Tax Profiling System
    2. Create your account by entering your valid CNIC number in the relevant field followed by the computer-generated verification code and click on ‘Submit’
    3. Pay the application fee via your credit/debit card or through a nearby NADRA e-Sahulat franchise. A city-based drop-down list of e-Sahulat outlets is also there on the portal for your convenience  
    4. Once you have successfully made the payment, here is the information that will be available for viewing:
    • Tax Filer Status
    • NTN number
    • Total Income
    • Tax Paid
    • Net Wealth
    • Withholding Tax
    • SIM card in your name
    • Number of cars
    • Arms License
    • Executive Services
    • Passports
    • Travel information

    6. You can save the information in a PDF format and print it if needed.

    FBR ASSETS INQUIRY SYSTEM

    Here is a step-by-step tutorial on how to carry out an FBR assets check using the board’s web portal.

    1. Visit the official website for FBR Maloomat
    2.  Use your registered mobile number to send your CNIC number to 9966

    OR

    3. Select the ‘Get Login/ Password for Asset Inquiry (It’s Free)’ tab on the top. Then, enter your CNIC number, name, choose an appropriate prefix, pick current service provider and add your mobile number in the relevant fields. Just make sure the phone number you enter into the portal is registered in your name.

    4. Receive the code on your mobile number

    5. Once you login to the FBR Asset Inquiry System, you will be able to see different tabs. From there, select any tab and click on ‘Load Data’ to see your relevant data.

    You can view the following information if you check your assets using FBR:

    • Withholding Tax 
    • Vehicles 
    • Travel Information 
    • Utilities with bill amount
    • The details of properties in your name

    FBR updates assets data on its portal on a regular basis. Therefore, you will be required to visit the portal regularly to view updated data.

  • QMobile’s decision to appoint Esra Bilgiç as brand ambassador leaves the entertainment industry divided

    QMobile’s decision to appoint Esra Bilgiç as brand ambassador leaves the entertainment industry divided

    Yasir Hussain’s criticism of QMobile appointing Esra Bilgiç as their brand ambassador has left the entertainment industry divided once again. While some actors have seconded Yasir’s opinion, others have said that it’s not a big deal and that international artists should be welcome in Pakistan.

    Read more – Yasir Hussain likens Turkish dramas to ‘landay k kapray’

    While Minal Khan and Aiman Khan agreed with Yasir, Bilal Ashraf, Anoushey Ashraf and Agha Ali were of the opinion that there is no harm in foreign artists working in Pakistan.

    “If Fawad and Mahira can work in India, I’m sure international artists can work here,” said Anoushey.

    Agha said that actors like to be international and that we should work to welcoming them in our country. He said that we should respect them and work on building ties with other countries.

    “Let outsiders feel welcomed here. And please stop making all of us actors [look] insecure,” commented Agha.

    Bilal said that “art has no language or boundaries”.

    He added, “Pakistan zinda dil logon ka mulk hai (Pakistan is a country of lively people).”

    Aijaz Aslam said that “healthy competition is always good”.

    Read more – Yasir Hussain vs Turkish dramas: the debate heats up

    Later, when the trolling got intense, Anoushey said that she will interview Yasir live to discuss both point of views.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CCn3jWPj4sV/

    Meanwhile, Iqra Aziz requested everyone to respect each other’s opinions and not point fingers at anyone.

  • Police arrest man who allegedly gang-raped TikTok friend

    Police arrest man who allegedly gang-raped TikTok friend

    The Lahore Police has arrested a man who allegedly gang-raped a girl with his two accomplices. The two reportedly became friends at a popular video-sharing app, TikTok.

    According to reports, the victim girl filed a complaint at Millat Park police station in Lahore in which she accused three men of gang-raping her.

    In her complaint, the girl stated that she became friends with a boy, Shiraz, through the TikTok app 20 days ago. Shiraz then called her to come to the Samanabad area on June 13. When she reached there, Shiraz asked her to sit in his car. Two men were already sitting in the vehicle.

    The girl said that she was gang-raped by all three men on gunpoint inside the car.

  • New heights of friendship: Turkish Airlines to manage Pakistan’s fruit, vegetable exports after PIA ban

    New heights of friendship: Turkish Airlines to manage Pakistan’s fruit, vegetable exports after PIA ban

    As Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight operations in Europe remain suspended, Turkish Airlines has offered its services to transport fruit and vegetable exports to other countries, Profit reported.

    According to fruit and vegetable exporters, Turkish Airlines will charge lower freight charges for transport of Pakistani fruits and vegetables to England, Germany and other western countries and has assured that it will facilitate the promotion of the same. 

    Earlier the European Union Air Safety Agency (EASA) imposed a six-month ban on PIA’s flight operations to Europe after reports emerged that several PIA pilots held dubious flying licences. 

    Among other issues, the ban created problems for the export of Pakistani fruits and vegetables. In this regard,  the Pakistani Embassy in Istanbul Commercial Counselor Bilal Khan Pasha met with Turkish Airlines Chairman Ilker Ayci who assured that Turkish Airlines will resume its flight operation in Pakistan and will help in the export of fruits and vegetables to the European Union (EU).

    Moreover, a delegation of exporters led by Waheed Ahmed, the head of All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association (PFVA) met with Turkish Airlines General Manager (GM) Gurhan Sozen.

    READ: Embarrassment for aviation minister as Civil Aviation Authority says all licences issued are real

    According to Waheed Ahmed, PIA had recently reduced freight charges in order to assist exporters to reduce cost of export shipments, however, after the six month ban on PIA, exporters will have to use the services of foreign airlines who might charge higher freight charges.

    According to exporters, during the meeting with Turkish Airlines GM the need for reduction in freight charges and provision of special handling facilities for perishable cargo to facilitate the export of Pakistani fruits and vegetables to Europe, the UK and Canada was stressed.

  • Embarrassment for aviation minister as Civil Aviation Authority says all licences issued are real

    Embarrassment for aviation minister as Civil Aviation Authority says all licences issued are real

    Federal Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan and the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday had to face embarrassment at the hands of Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) that said all commercial pilot licences (CPL) and airline transport licences (ATPL) issued by the authority were genuine and validly issued.

    Pakistani pilots working with foreign airlines as well as Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) have now for weeks been unable to discharge their duties amid bars by the international community following the aviation minister’s claims of dubious licences.

    His statements on the floor of the National Assembly had led to grounding of several Pakistani pilots working with foreign airlines besides the suspension of the national carrier’s operations in the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) as well as the United States (US) over safety concerns.

    READ: US bans PIA

    According to reports, the Aviation Division secretary, who is also serving as the director general (DG) of Pakistan CAA has told the DG of Civil Aviation Regulation of Oman that all CPL and ATPL licenses issued by his office are genuine and validly issued.

    In a letter, a copy of which is available with The Current, he wrote that his office had cleared or verified 96 pilots licenses out of 104 names received from various CAAs or foreign airlines. This includes the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Vietnam Airlines, Bahrain Air, Civil Aviation Malaysia, Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department and Turkish Airlines.

    READ: Army to finally launch Askari Airline?

    The remaining licenses will be cleared by next week, he maintained and added that the matter had been “misconstrued and incorrectly highlighted” by media as well as netizens on social media.

  • KYA BOLA? (Jul 15): ‘Horn Bajaao Hukmaraan Jagaao’ to ‘Jiyalo ko cheeni choro ko jawaab dena khoob aata hai’

    KYA BOLA? (Jul 15): ‘Horn Bajaao Hukmaraan Jagaao’ to ‘Jiyalo ko cheeni choro ko jawaab dena khoob aata hai’

    Following are some of the best snippets from Urdu newspapers on July 15, 2020, which The Current takes no responsibility for.

    ‘Horn Bajaao Hukmaraan Jagaao’

    According to Daily Dunya, the Pakistan Association of Tour Operators has become part of traders’ protest movement “Horn Bajaao Hukmaraan Jagaao”. Launching the movement, trade union member Naeem Mir said,“Agar hukoomat horn se naa jaagi tou taajir baraadari hukoomat ka band bajaa de gi”.

    ‘Faisal Vawda kis ka kis se manaazra krwa rahay hain’

    According to Daily Dunya, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has accepted Federal Minister Faisal Vawda’s challenge of a debate on the economy. PML-N stalwart and former Sindh governor Muhammad Zubair has said that Dr Waqar Masood, who is Pakistan’s longest-running secretary of finance, was part of the PML-N government’s economic team for five years.

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s finance aide Hafeez Shaikh, on the other hand, was a part of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government. “Faisal Vawda kis ka kis se manaazra krwa rahay hain!” he maintained.

    ‘Jiyalo ko cheeni choro ko jawaab dena khoob aata hai’

    Daily Jang has reported that Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab, in response to Punjab Information Minister Fayazul Hasan Chohan’s verbal attacks against PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, has said that“Jiyalo ko cheeni choro ko jawaab dena khoob aata hai,”  taking a dig at the government members in Punjab over their alleged involvement in activities that had led to a sugar crisis earlier this year.

  • Don’t want to step out? Book your sacrificial animal online from these stores

    Don’t want to step out? Book your sacrificial animal online from these stores

    Eid-ul-Adha is only a few days away, and in normal circumstances, we all would have made plans to buy sacrificial animals before coronavirus pandemic happened, but now we have to adapt to the ‘new normal’ and should follow all the SOPs issued by the government and avoid visiting crowded areas. So, if you are not planning to go to the cattle market to buy an animal then here are a few stores where you can book your Qurbani animals online.

    METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan

    https://www.facebook.com/metro.pk/posts/3322357304467612

    Website: https://www.metro.pk/

    Al-Fatah

    https://www.facebook.com/alfatahpk/posts/3096682580384777

    Website: https://www.alfatah.pk/

    Meat One

    https://www.facebook.com/MeatOne/posts/3181169238588386

    Website: http://www.meatone.net/

    ARY Sahulat Bazar

    https://www.facebook.com/arysbpk/posts/4080668311974486

    Website: https://www.arysahulatbazar.pk/

    NOTE: The article is not sponsored. The Current did its own research to write this article.

  • Saba Qamar hits out at body shamers, rishta brigade in new video

    Saba Qamar hits out at body shamers, rishta brigade in new video

    Saba Qamar has been keeping her audiences and fans entertained with wholesome content during this lockdown and pandemic. The actor, who recently launched her YouTube channel, has been sharing fun but thought-provoking videos, much to the delight of her fans.

    Her latest video is no less. Titled #BreaktheStereotype, Saba’s latest videos hits out at bodyshamers and the rishta brigade, who belittle women.

    Using her signature humour and sarcasm, Saba tries to get several messages across including body-shaming and gender equality and urges her followers to break different stereotypes. The video has been written and directed by Saba and features some of her closest pals.

    Watch it below: