Author: newsdesk

  • Coronavirus myths flooding your WhatsApp? Here’s what is actually true

    Coronavirus myths flooding your WhatsApp? Here’s what is actually true

    The WhatsApp inbox of almost every Pakistani user has been flooding with myths regarding the new coronavirus — COVID-19 — since first two cases of the disease in the country were confirmed by the government last night.

    While the World Health Organization (WHO) has already declared an emergency following the global outbreak of the novel virus that has so far claimed over 2,700 lives and left around 81,000 others infected, here are some myth busters you need to know while maybe ignoring all those forwarded messages on WhatsApp.

    Does the new coronavirus affect older people, or are younger people also at risk?

    According to the WHO, people of all ages can be infected by the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Older people and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus. 

    WHO advises people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus, for example by following good hand hygiene and good respiratory hygiene.

    Are antibiotics effective in preventing and treating the new coronavirus?

    No, antibiotics do not work against viruses, only bacteria.

    The new coronavirus is a virus and, therefore, antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment. However, if you are hospitalised for the COVID-19, you may receive antibiotics because bacterial co-infection is possible.

    Can eating garlic or putting on sesame oil help prevent coronavirus?

    Garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties. However, there is no evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from the new coronavirus.

    As for sesame oil, it does not kill the new coronavirus. There are some chemical disinfectants that can kill the 2019-nCoV on surfaces. These include bleach/chlorine-based disinfectants, either solvents, 75% ethanol, peracetic acid and chloroform.

    However, they have little or no impact on the virus if you put them on the skin or under your nose. It can even be dangerous to put these chemicals on your skin.

    Are there any specific medicines to prevent or treat the new coronavirus?

    To date, there is no specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat the new coronavirus, however, chloroquine phosphate — used for the treatment of malaria — has so far proven to be the most effective drug against the virus.

    Those infected with the virus should receive appropriate care to relieve and treat symptoms, and those with severe illness should receive optimised supportive care. Some specific treatments are under investigation, and will be tested through clinical trials. WHO is helping to accelerate research and development efforts with a range or partners.

    Can pets at home spread the coronavirus?

    At present, there is no evidence that companion animals/pets such as dogs or cats can be infected with the new coronavirus. However, it is always a good idea to wash your hands with soap and water after contact with pets. This protects you against various common bacteria such as E.coli and Salmonella that can pass between pets and humans.

  • ‘ImaanFest’: World’s first Muslim LGBTQI+ festival to be held in April

    ‘ImaanFest’: World’s first Muslim LGBTQI+ festival to be held in April

    London will on April 11 be hosting the world’s first-ever Muslim pride event, ‘ImaanFest’, which comes after a successful crowdfunding campaign by its organisers, Imaan, a leading Muslim LGBTQI+ group in the United Kingdom (UK).

    LGBTQI stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex, while the ‘+’ represents other sexual identities.

    According to reports, ImaanFest organisers successfully raised close to $20,000 in order to host the event, explaining that LGBTIQ+ Muslims often found themselves isolated, without community and frequently facing homophobic, biphobic, transphobic and Islamaphobic abuse.

    “The event will build on the incredible events we organised in the past, and feature panels, discussions, speakers, arts, culture and history — a first for LGBTQI Muslims,” they were quoted as saying.

    With tickets for ImaanFest now available to members of the public, organisers are now using social media to reach queer Arab speakers and service providers who might like to get involved. Other speakers include queer British-Iraqi writer and filmmaker Amrou Al-Kadhi and trans activist Asifa Lahore.

    An Islamic online news agency, 5 Pillars UK, notes that the event has been organised “despite Islam’s strict prohibition of homosexuality”. The news agency adds that the “practice and promotion of homosexuality is considered a major sin in Islam by all mainstream schools of thought”.

    Imaan group has received a slew of negative tweets from online trolls after announcing the event over social media. But the group is responding to negative responses with “#Islamophobia”.

    Most Muslim-majority countries and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have opposed moves to advance LGBTQI+ rights at the United Nations (UN), in both the UN General Assembly (UNGA) and the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

    A number of Muslim countries, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Iran among others, have strict laws against homosexuality, with punishments for the same being as serious as a jail term or the death penalty.

  • Schools in Sindh and Balochistan closed due to Coronavirus scare

    Schools in Sindh and Balochistan closed due to Coronavirus scare

    All public and private educational institutes are closed in Balochistan until March 15 to protect children from the spread of Coronavirus. After two cases were confirmed in Pakistan on Wednesday, one in Karachi and one in Islamabad, governments are taking precautionary measures.

    The notification states that all public and private educational institutes, as well as madrassas, will be closed for more than two weeks.

    “The ongoing examinations of Grade 9 and Matriculation are also suspended,” the education minister said in a video message, “We want to keep our children safe’. He also said that it was a safety measure and no one needed to panic.

    A copy of the notification

    RELATED: Two coronavirus cases confirmed in Pakistan

    Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani also announced that the schools in the province would remain closed on Thursday and Friday, after the confirmation of a case in Karachi on Wednesday night.

    Saeed Ghani’s tweet

    The State Minister for Health Dr. Zafar Mirza tweeted last night, confirming the two cases.

    He said that everything was under control and also tweeted a helpline number.

    He asked people to refrain from sharing personal information of the patients saying that the patient in Karachi, as well as his family, was immediately placed in quarantine at a private hospital on the National Stadium Road while the one in Islamabad was moved to the capital’s Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).

  • Daren Sammy offers match tickets to sobbing Qalandars’ fan

    Daren Sammy offers match tickets to sobbing Qalandars’ fan

    Karachi Kings’ coach Dean Jones and Peshawar Zalmi captain Darren Sammy retweeted a video of an upset Lahore Qalandar’s fan crying after his team’s defeat on Sunday against Islamabad United.

    Jones took to twitter and asked the kid to support Kings and also offered him tickets to watch the cricket matches.

    Peshawar skipper Sammy also retweeted the video and wrote, “Ok buddy PeshawarZalmi got u come let me dry your tears.”

    A video of a kid who supported Lahore Qalandars went viral on social media. The video shows a young boy sobbing over Sunday night’s defeat of Lahore Qalandars by Islamabad United who won the game by a wicket.

    The kid was sad over Qalandars’ poor performance and Usman Shinwari, the man who bowled the last over in the game.

    Lahore Qalandars lost both matches they played in PSL 5.

  • Two coronavirus cases confirmed in Pakistan

    Two coronavirus cases confirmed in Pakistan

    First two cases of coronavirus in Pakistan were reported on Wednesday, one of which was in the provincial capital of the country’s southeastern province of Sindh.

    While The Current is attempting to garner details of the other case, the first reported case is that of a 22-year-old man who, according to government sources, reached Pakistan from Iran by air and has a history of travel to Tehran “from where he acquired the virus”.

    The young man recently arrived in Karachi on a bus, however, authorities added, it is not yet clear as to when exactly did he reach the country.

    According to reports, the patient and his family were immediately placed in quarantine at a private hospital on the port city’s National Stadium Road.

    Meanwhile, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Zafar Mirza, hours after his “no confirmed cases of coronavirus statement”, has tweeted the development.

    The Current had on Tuesday reported possibility of unreported coronavirus cases being present in the country — a claim then denied by the authorities.

  • FBR to regulate real estate, jewellers trade to comply with FATF agenda

    FBR to regulate real estate, jewellers trade to comply with FATF agenda

    The investigation against money laundering now extends to real estate, gold, gems, and jewellery, as the federal board of revenue is making new rules to stop the financing of terrorism and money laundering in these areas, DAWN reported

    What does this mean?

    Jewellers will have to document and record the value of their sales and the information will be shared with the FBR. Any suspicious transactions such as buying of selling of gold and precious stones will also have to be reported. Jewellers will also submit a ‘special return form’ with their data. 30,000 jewellers will be recorded by the FBR.

    READ MORE: Study reveals: Excessive smartphone usage affects brain like drugs

    Law division and Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) will also monitor services provided by lawyers and chartered accountants.

    “We have sent these rules to the law division for vetting,” FBR spokesperson and Member Policy Dr Hamid Ateeq confirmed. After vetting, he said, the rules would be notified for implementation.

    These rules will also apply to housing authorities and sub-registrar offices for real estate. Property agents will not be covered under these rules.

    The reason for these new regulations is because Pakistan needs to implement new Financial Action Task Force (FATF) rules.The implementations of these rules will help Pakistan get off the FATF grey list.

    FATF strongly urges Pakistan to swiftly complete its full action plan by June 2020.

    READ MORE: As Delhi burns, Gurdwaras open doors to Muslims fleeing violence

  • Celebrities condemn violence against Muslims in Delhi

    Violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) have been taking place in Delhi for months now but the situation appears to have worsened dramatically after shocking incidents of police brutality at universities emerged in the past couple of days.

    As per reports, over a dozen people were killed with over 200 people injured in the violence in North-East Delhi since Monday. It is pertinent to mention here that US President Donald Trump was in India during the time of these protests.

    With #DelhiBurning and #DelhiViolence trending on Twitter since Monday, many celebrities from Bollywood and Lollywood have come forward to speak out against the targeted brutality against Muslims in India.

     Hamza Ali Abbasi, who is among the most vocal actors, was the first to raise his voice.

    Hareem Farooq raised a very important question.

    Actor Mansha Pasha also wrote in a tweet, “So terrifying to see what is happening in India. Prayers for all minorities and all the people in India fighting and protesting against these bigots.”

    Sharing a picture of a burnt down mosque in India she wrote, “Secular India is going up in flames with this horrible act.”

    Armeena Khan, who has never shied away from voicing her concern on matters of public interest remarked, “We never learn, do we?”

    https://twitter.com/ArmeenaRK/status/1232387300069453826?s=20

    Many Bollywood celebrities also spoke out. Sonam Ahuja, Javed Akhtar and Swara Bhasker were among those who condemned the violence.

    A Muslim living in India gave an interview to the BBC Hindi, presenting an eyewitness account of the violence.

  • Delhi riots: Imran warns of ‘strict action’ against harming Pakistani non-Muslims

    Delhi riots: Imran warns of ‘strict action’ against harming Pakistani non-Muslims

    As the situation in New Delhi continues to worsen with communal violence by extremist Hindu mobs making the Indian capital a living hell for the country’s minority Muslim community, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has warned far-right activists against any similar acts targetting the minority communities of Pakistan.

    Anti-Muslim riots over a controversial citizenship law have erupted in the Indian capital of New Delhi this week, leading to violence that has left 21 dead and hundreds injured as the police fail to control Hindu-supremacist mobs running rampage in Muslim areas.

    “I want to warn our people that anyone in Pakistan targetting our non-Muslim citizens or their places of worship will be dealt with strictly. Our minorities are equal citizens of this country,” the premier tweeted.

    In an earlier tweet, he said what was being seen in India was the “Nazi-inspired Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) — an Indian right-wing, Hindu nationalist, paramilitary volunteer organisation — ideology taking over a nuclear-armed state of over a billion people”.

    He also once against urged the world community to act against the bloodshed in India before it was too late.

    “As I had predicted in my address to UNGA [United Nations General Assembly] last year, once the genie is out of the bottle the bloodshed will get worse. IoJK [Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir] was the beginning. Now 200 million Muslims in India are being targeted. The world community must act now,” he stated.

    Meanwhile, the premier’s warning against any acts of violence targeting Pakistani minority communities is receiving mixed reactions from Twitterati.

    What do you think of PM Imran’s statement? Let The Current know in the comments.

  • Four lions kill teenager at Lahore’s Safari Park

    Four lions reportedly attacked and killed a 17-year-old youth at Lahore’s Safari Park, it emerged Wednesday.

    According to reports, the body of the youth identified as Bilal was found in the lions’ cage at the park Wednesday afternoon.

    Bilal was reported missing two days ago after his family had registered a complaint when he didn’t return home. They had said that he had gone to get grass.

    A severed head and arms were found inside the cage and there were bloody clothes as well. Bilal’s father identified him because of his clothes.

    However, it is not known how Bilal got inside the cage. While some reports suggest that Bilal went towards the cage of lions while cutting grass in the park where he was mauled by the lions, others say that the youth entered the lions’ cage, which resulted in his death.

    The Safari Park administration and the police have launched an investigation into the matter to determine the cause behind the incident.

  • As Delhi burns, Gurdwaras open doors to Muslims fleeing violence

    As Delhi burns, Gurdwaras open doors to Muslims fleeing violence

    As New Delhi Chief Minister (CM) Arvind Kejriwal suggests calling the army amid police’s failure to quell violent communal clashes that have so far claimed at least 20 lives and left hundreds of others injured, Gurdwaras are offering help to Muslim families fleeing violence in the Indian capital.

    According to a report in India Times, members of the Sikh community are not only patrolling with their neighbours of the Indian Muslim community to ensure that no one from outside attacks the latter’s homes, but many Gurdwaras — places of assembly and worship for Sikhs — are also giving shelter to the Muslims of riot-infested Delhi.

    Novelist Nilanjana Roy tweeted that she had come across news from one part of the city wherein a Gurdwara had opened its doors to anyone who needs shelter.

    https://twitter.com/nilanjanaroy/status/1232303148766617601

    Many other people shared similar stories.

    DELHI RIOTS:

    The riots — clashes between anti and pro Citizens Amendment Act (CAA) groups, which soon took a communal colour — that began earlier this week, are the worst Delhi has witnessed in recent years.

    The controversial citizenship law has been deemed discriminatory toward Muslims, against which the Muslim minority community of India has been staging protests across the country since December last year.

    With Hindu supremacist mobs running rampage in New Delhi earlier this week, things escalated quickly.

    Violence broke out in three Muslim-majority areas in north-east Delhi on Sunday and has continued since. Protesters are split along religious lines, and each side blames the other for starting the clashes.

    But the violence has been linked to a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Kapil Mishra, who had threatened a group of protesters staging a sit-in against the CAA over the weekend, telling them that they would be forcibly evicted once United States (US) President Donald Trump left India.

    It merits a mention that Trump had been in the country on a two-day maiden visit. When asked about the violence during a press briefing, Trump evaded the issue, saying the incident was “up to India” to handle.