Author: optimum_tech

  • Eight cases of rape reported in Lahore in last 48 hours

    Eight cases of rape reported in Lahore in last 48 hours

    Eight cases of rape have been registered in Lahore in last 48 hours, Dawn has reported.

    A housemaid was raped in Defence Lahore, after being promised a job against an attractive salary package. The woman got pregnant after the rape, leading to her husband kicking her out of the house.

    In a separate incident, a man kidnapped a 14-year-old girl from Muzaffargarh, took her to Lahore, and raped her.

    One woman was gang raped in Quaid-e-Azam Industrial area, another was raped in Sabzazar.

    Another woman was allegedly raped in Green Town area of Lahore.

    As per the details, the suspects involved in rape incidents also take money from the the survivors by blackmailing them.
    Last year in June, Punjab government declared a rape emergency in the province, following an increase in rape and sodomy cases in the province.

  • ACF’s Ayesha Chundrigar teams up with Marina Khan, Sania Saeed to make short film about animal rights

    ACF’s Ayesha Chundrigar teams up with Marina Khan, Sania Saeed to make short film about animal rights

    Animal Rescue Foundation ACF announced on Wednesday that they are making a short film ‘Aisa He Hota Hai’ which will explore the issue of animal rights in Pakistan. The five minute film will be directed by powerhouse Marina Khan, while the script was written by the founder Ayesha Chundrigar and veteran actress Sania Saeed will star in the film.

    The Current spoke to Chundrigar about how this project came about. The animal rights activist revealed that the short film reflected how animal abuse isn’t an isolated issue, but connects with every other issue in society. She also told us that the project was made without a budget, except for necessities like cameras and petrol, describing it as “a film about animals, but at the same time, it’s not about animals, its so much more.”

    “I am a psycho therapist by profession and what is very interesting for me, especially in my line of work with animals, is that I have to deal with human behavior of all sorts. I meet some of the best people, the kindest people, but then I also meet the worst kind of people that abuse those who are more vulnerable than them, who exploit them and treat them very badly. I have had the privilege of doing my work, while also looking at it through the lens of a psycho-therapist. And everything I do on social media, if you look at ACF’s, I tell stories of animals, of how we help…I try to get to the root of the problem.”

    Chundrigar said that the film was born out of her fascination by the connection between animal abuse and all other kinds of things that can happen in society:

    “We normally see animals and animal abuse as totally separate from issues in society. But what I find fascinating is how animal abuse is linked so deeply to every other issue in society, we just have a blind spot to it. But it’s so necessary to look at it because it’s so pivotal to everything else. So I thought it’s finally time to address it through the most powerful medium, which is a film, because it can reach all sorts of patents on social media and can have a really wide range. The difficult part is to put it in a story form, but it was honestly one night. I was just sitting and thinking…and this idea just came into my head. I wrote it within five minutes.”

    Chundrigar partnered with long time animal activist Sania Saeed, who is often spotted at the shelter and during rescue operations as well. Chundrigar gushed about Saeed’s enthusiasm for the project, and said she was the first person who Ayesha had reached out for the script:

    “I shared this idea with Sania because she’s the most amazing human who comes to the shelter all the time to help us with our rescues, with re-habilitating, and grooming animals there. She’s come with us to places like Empress Market to spread awareness. She is truly one of my top five most favorite people in the world. She’s so deep, incredible and empathetic. When I told her about the idea, she immediately came on board and also wrote all the dialogue because I wrote it in English, she translated it into Urdu.”

    It was through Saeed that Ayesha connected to the producer Imaan, veteran actress and director Marina Khan’s niece, who both came on board to help push the project forward:

    “Marina herself is amazing”, Chundrigar praised the ‘Dhoop Kinare’ actress. “She has visited us several times, and has even adopted a paralysed puppy from us who has grown to become this naughty little cartoon who lives with her. And Marina is the biggest animal lover, and an inspiring woman. I was lucky to be in her and Sania’s presence and working and learning with them. It happened organically, like I didn’t have to do anything. We talked with each other, and then had a couple of meetings, and then everything came together easily. Iman got the best team together for our sound, photography and so on.”

    We also spoke to Marina Khan on what drove her to participate in the project. She said that it was to help encourage empathy towards animals, and to show respect to all of God’s creatures:

    “The project was about addressing empathy towards animals and show respect to all of God’s creatures. We may use animals for labour and we may use them as food but we can still show them some respect. Also to show that the mistreatment of animals leads to the mistreatment of humans.”

    Pakistan is currently witnessed a rise in animal cruelty cases, most notoriously the elephant Noor Jehan, who passed away in Karachi Zoo in April due to poor health and neglect. Furthermore, there have been consistent cases of dog culling, as was the case in a May incident, when a man was arrested after a video showed him killing a dog by hanging and another case in KPK where another man was arrested for butchering dogs.

    To ensure that there is a shift in society in how animals are seen and treated, Chundrigar said that her organisation has been working through their social media pages to raise awareness about showing empathy and compassion to animals, so that the work for ensuring better rights for animals keeps progressing:

    “The state of animal rights in Pakistan has always been bad, the difference is that animals were never highlighted as a cause being worthy of even talking about. But now you and I are talking about it. Animal rights has become news now, and that is what my organization has been building towards. Because it’s very easy to say something like ‘we need laws’ or ‘we need our rights’. Of course we need them, that’s common sense! But to implement a policy, we need to ensure that the cause is seen as important. This is what my organization has been working towards for the last ten years, we have been building this case to become worthy of news. This is how we know about Noor Jehan, or the rising reports of dog culling, and the reason why people are trying to stop it and those in charge and now taking notice. This is a movement of animal rights, and like any movement its not just going to happen. You cant force it, but let it take shape slow and steady, but you have to be consistent and set an example through your actions. This is what we share on our social media about why animals are important, and what it takes to make a compassionate society. This is what I’m keep doing, because I look at it through a psychological perspective. The moment people start noticing animals, automatically you’ll seem ore things done to benefit them, which is why I’m working on psychological roots of change as oppose to just working on surface level stuff, because that is the way to bring about change not just through laws or policy, but through the mindset.”

  • You will regret if you don’t do these 7 best online courses offered by Harvard

    You will regret if you don’t do these 7 best online courses offered by Harvard

    Participating in Harvard University’s free online courses offers a myriad of benefits. As one of the most prestigious institutions in the world, Harvard provides a seal of excellence that can enhance your credibility and demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning.

    By enrolling in these courses, you gain access to a diverse range of subjects across multiple disciplines, allowing you to explore areas of interest, deepen your knowledge, or venture into new fields of study.

    With expert instruction from experienced faculty members and industry professionals, you can learn from some of the brightest minds in their respective fields, gaining valuable insights and perspectives.

    The flexibility and accessibility of Harvard’s online courses are additional advantages. These courses offer a convenient learning experience, as you can access lectures and course materials at your own pace and according to your schedule.

    The elimination of geographical barriers allows learners from around the world to participate, providing opportunities for individuals who may not have access to traditional education. Moreover, the online platform fosters interactive learning environments, enabling engagement with fellow learners through discussion forums and collaborative projects.

    This facilitates networking opportunities, connecting you with like-minded individuals globally, which can be valuable for professional growth, knowledge sharing, and potential future collaborations.

    Here are the seven best of 600 online courses Harvard University is offering.

    CS50’s Introduction to Game Development

    Learn about the development of 2D and 3D interactive games in this hands-on course, as you explore the design of games such as Super Mario Bros., Pokémon, Angry Birds, and more.

    Course Duration: 12 weeks
    Fee: free online
    Difficulty: Medium

    CS50: Introduction to Computer Science

    An introduction to the intellectual enterprises of computer science and the art of programming.

    Course Duration: 11 weeks
    Fee: free (fees of certificate included)
    Difficulty: Advanced

    4P Model for Strategic Leadership Podcasts

    A Free Podcast Series

    Course Duration: NA (self-paced)
    Fee: free
    CS50’s Introduction to Programming with Scratch

    A gentle introduction to programming that prepares you for subsequent courses in coding. difficulty: Introductory
    Course Duration: 3 weeks
    Fee: free
    Pricing Strategy

    Learn how to evaluate and make economic decisions based on demand in this 15-minute Harvard Business School (HBS) Online lesson.

    Course Duration: NA
    Fee: free

    Understanding Customer Needs

    Learn how to identify customer needs through this 15-minute Harvard Business School (HBS) Online lesson.
    Course duration: self-Paced

    Fee: free
    Difficulty: Normal

    The Health Effects of Climate Change

    Learn how global warming impacts human health, and the ways we can diminish those impacts.

    Course Duration: 7 weeks’ long
    Fee: free
    Difficulty: medium

    Engaging in Harvard’s online courses also promotes skill development and personal growth. By enrolling in these courses, you can acquire new skills, broaden your understanding of various subjects, and stay updated on the latest advancements in your field. This commitment to continuous learning and self-improvement not only enhances your knowledge base but also showcases your dedication to professional development. Furthermore, the opportunity to learn from Harvard’s renowned faculty and interact with a diverse group of learners can foster personal growth, expanding your perspectives and fostering a lifelong love for learning.

    In conclusion, participating in Harvard University’s free online courses offers numerous advantages. It provides access to a prestigious institution, diverse course offerings, expert instruction, flexibility, networking opportunities, skill development, and personal growth. By taking part in these courses, you can expand your knowledge, improve your credentials, and demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning.

  • Case of Fraud registered against Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi

    Case of Fraud registered against Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi

    A local watch dealer has requested that an inquiry of fraud be opened against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi and others, Samaa has reported.

    Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, Shahzad Akbar, Zulfi Bukhari, and Farah Gogi have all been named in the complaint filed at Kohsaar Police Station, under the provisions of fraudulent receipt and deceit.

    As per the First Information Report (FIR) the former Prime Minister and others nominated in the complaint, presented fake receipts for buying Toshakhana gifts and fraudulently used the watch dealer’s forged signature for the alleged deal.

    “We never bought or sold such things, so legal action should be taken,” claimed the watch dealer.

    Separately, on Tuesday Bushra Bibi, filed a petition in the Lahore High Court — seeking blanket cover in all cases registered against her across the country.

  • Kissi haal may khush nahi: why Gen Z is not happy with anything?

    Kissi haal may khush nahi: why Gen Z is not happy with anything?

    It’s unfair to generalize an entire generation as being “not happy with anything.” The experiences and attitudes of individuals within a generation can vary greatly. However, there are some potential reasons why some members of Generation Z may appear to be unhappy or dissatisfied.

    One possible reason is the current state of the world. Gen Z has grown up during a time of great social and political upheaval, including economic uncertainty, climate change and political polarization. These issues can be overwhelming and lead to feelings of anxiety and hopelessness.

    Another factor is the prevalence of social media in Gen Z’s lives. Social media can create a constant pressure to present a perfect image and compare oneself to others, leading to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. Additionally, social media can expose Gen Z to a constant stream of negative news and information, which can contribute to feelings of pessimism and despair.

    Finally, there may be a perception that previous generations have left Gen Z with a world that is in worse shape than it was before. This can lead to feelings of resentment and disillusionment, as well as a belief that the current systems and structures are not working for them.

    Overall, it’s important to recognize that every generation has its own unique challenges and struggles, and it’s unfair to characterize an entire group as being uniformly unhappy or dissatisfied.

  • See Prime’s ‘Teri Meri Kahaniyaan’ is Pakistan’s biggest creative ensemble with three directors

    See Prime’s ‘Teri Meri Kahaniyaan’ is Pakistan’s biggest creative ensemble with three directors

    The upcoming anthology film ‘Teri Meri Kahaniyaan’ is bringing together a star-studded cast with some of the biggest directors and actors for three short films which will be directed by Nadeem Baig, Nabeel Qureshi and Marina Khan.

    The film will feature diverse tales from the minds of storytellers like Khalil-ul-Rehman Qamar, Vasay Chaudhry, Ali Abbas Naqvi and Basit Naqvi. Pakistan’s biggest stars like Wahaj Ali, Mehwish Hayat, Shehryar Munawar, Ramsha Khan, Hira and Mani are cast in lead roles, making it one of Pakistan’s biggest creative collaborations.

    The Current spoke to veteran actress, director and producer Marina Khan, one of the directors helming the project. We asked her how this collaboration came into being, and she revealed that originally, Qureshi had made a short film for See Prime. But the production house decided to expand it into an anthology film by reaching out to Baig and then her:

    “Nabeel had been making a short film for See Prime, which turned out nicely, and they did not want to only upload it on YouTube. So the team of See Prime approached Nadeem for the second film, who reached out to me for the third film.”

    The film features three unique stories with a different cast. Nadeem Baig will be narrating a classical love story “Aik Sau Taeswaan” written by Khalil-ul-Rehman Qamar, which will star Mehwish Hayat and Wahaj Ali. Nabeel Qureshi will helm a ghost story “Jin Mahal” which will feature celebrity couple Hira and Mani, while Khan will be directing a modern love story “Pasoori” which will star Ramsha Khan and Sheheryar Munawar. Speaking on what her short film is about, the ‘Dhoop Kinare’ actress revealed:

    “It is the story of a girl whose childhood dream has come true. But, she now has to make a choice between the dream or her wedding day.”

    Nadeem Baig was also contacted by See Prime for the idea of an anthology film. Speaking to The Current, he said he was also looking forward to watch it in the theatre.

    Discussing the casting choice behind his short film, which will feature a classical love story between the main leads, the ‘Kuch Ankahi’ director revealed that he felt that there would be good chemistry between Mehwish and Wahaj:

    “I thought Wahaj would suit the character and I thought he and Mehwish would have quite interesting chemistry, and I hope it works for the audience as well.”

    The film will release on Eid-ul-Azha in theatres across Pakistan. Watch the complete trailer below:

  • Exclusive: Usman Mukhtar discusses ‘Umro Ayyar’ and why such films are needed today in Pakistan

    Right now, it looks like the Pakistani film industry is morphing, with a string of upcoming movies that cover a range of diverse topics. Babylicious is gearing up for release, an exes-to-lovers story. Kukri which explores the story of serial killer Javed Iqbal. And now, director Azfar Jafri is developing an adaptation called ‘Umro Ayyar: A New Beginning’ from the Urdu novel “Dastan-e-Amir Hamza”.

    The beloved Urdu novel, is based on the Persian folklore written by Ghalib Lakhnavi in 1855. It is an epic tale about the legendary exploits and adventures of Amir Hamza and his crew. Umro Ayyar, the central character of this film, is described as a thief who is known for his cleverness and steals from the rich to help the poor.

    The upcoming film will star Usman Mukhtar, Sanam Saeed, Adnan Siddiqui, Ali Kazmi and veteran actor Simi Raheal.

    The Current reached out to Mukhtar to ask why he chose to take part in such a project, and spoke about his love for the original novels:

    “I chose this project because I have loved Umro since I was a child, and have read all of its books. I was very excited when I became a part of this film.”

    Mukhtar also talked about the need to familiarise today’s generation with stories like Umroo Ayyar.

    “I think that it’s about time. I think there are so many stories we have in the sub-continent, in our own culture, that are un-explored that we don’t make films about. I honestly don’t understand why producers don’t focus on our own stories. I think it’s about time that it’s happening and I’m really excited and I hope people, when they watch the film, they like it.”

    Mukhtar last appeared in ‘Sinf-e-Ahan’ along side Sajal Aly and Kubra Khan. In 2022, he released his horror short film ‘Gulabo Rani’ which received rave reviews from audiences, and also received the ‘Best Short Horror Film’ Award at the Los Angeles Sci-Fi & Horror Festival.

    Speaking about whether he will step back into dramas once more, the ‘Sabaat’ actor said he’s waiting for a good script to come around:

    “I hope so as well, I just feel that the scripts…are not that great, but as soon as I’m offered a good script I’d love to come back on television.”

  • Indian boy killed by friends in dispute over birthday party bill

    Indian boy killed by friends in dispute over birthday party bill

    A boy in India has been killed by four of his friends in a dispute over paying a restaurant bill for a birthday celebration.

    On May 31, 20-years-old Sabir Ansari, a resident of Mumbai, invited four of his friends to a restaurant to celebrate his birthday. When the INR 10,000 bill arrived, the friends told Sabir to pay, promising that they will return the money by night.

    However, upon asking for the money later in the day, the friends threatened Sabir, refusing to pay.

    That night, the victim was attacked with a sharp weapon in Mumbai’s Shivaji Nagar area by his friends. He died later at a hospital.

    Police have arrested two of his friends while the other two are minors and therefore not in custody.

  • Exclusive: Transgender activist Shahzadi Rai discusses inclusive education policy initiated by Sindh Govt

    Exclusive: Transgender activist Shahzadi Rai discusses inclusive education policy initiated by Sindh Govt

    Transgender activist Shahzadi Rai took to social media to announce that she was collaborating with Sindh Education Minister Sardar Shah to work on the first ever transgender inclusive education policy, which will allow more members of the khwaja sira community to enroll into schools and continue to pursue higher education through scholarship programs set up by universities.

    Speaking to The Current, Rai, who is working as a Violence Case Manager for Gender Alliance Initiative, spoke about the importance of the policy, which is a step forward in helping transgender individuals pursue their academic dreams and help in empowering their community:

    “Through this policy, we aim to help members of the Khwaja Sira community pursue higher education, especially those who can read and write but could not study in schools. When we had our meeting to discuss this policy, one of the first things we talked about was setting up a scholarship program for the transgender community in universities. So that more transgender people can study ahead.”

    We also talked about how this policy will help in setting up more safe and inclusive environments for transgender individuals:

    “We had also discussed setting up more safer environments within schools for transgender people. We are forming up a draft of the things we want. Although it won’t be a part of this policy that we are drafting, but ahead in the future we will start including books with chapters that will discuss the history of the transgender community.

    In this policy, we have ensured that it is strictly forbidden that no teacher can misbehave with a transgender student. Our biggest concern is to ensure that teacher’s are trans-friendly.”

    Sindh Education Minister Sardar Shah was seen speaking on the importance of the education policy at the Sindh Assembly, highlighting the importance of such a step which will help members of the transgender community become equal members of our society by providing them fair education policies.

  • No, divorces are not rising because of Aurat March, but because women are recognising their right to live

    On Saturday, actress Nazish Jahangir set social media ablaze when during a podcast with controversial YouTuber Nadir Ali, the model turned actor claimed that she did not identify as a feminist, because apparently “not all crying women are truthful.”

     “…l believe in equality, and I still confidently say that not all crying women are truthful. I am always standing with the right person whether it is a woman or a man.”

    The abysmal part of this conversation begun when Nazish Jahangir went on to address Aurat March, saying that the movement is responsible for the rise of divorces in the country, adding that it was not a solution to any problem:

    “I don’t believe in these Aurat Marches. It’s not benefiting the women for whom we are fighting. They are not reaching the women they’re standing up for. Such poor women would be sitting in villages and making food while they chant slogans on the streets here. I think these fake feminist movements will never get you justice,”

    “I wonder who they are protesting for then. Are they protesting for us? Because our league knows everything about it. We know our rights and we know the value of equality. The ratio of khula has also increased after these marches,” The ‘Thays’ actor claimed. “I’m not asking women to bear cruelties or abuse. They can leave their houses if they like but at least give it a shot. Our parents are the biggest example of sacrificing and surviving relationships with patience and love. Because now women are getting divorced only after one month.”

    Yes this is a deeply messed up argument, there is a lot to unpack and a lot of myths to dissect which are once more churning up harmful stereotypes towards organisations working for women’s rights. Perhaps the worst statement was about Aurat March encouraging divorces in Pakistan. A sweeping statement Jahangir gave without any proof that it is true.

    In reality, Aurat March is not the reason why women are choosing divorce Aurat March is the solution to a long term issue: the limited support and neglect shown towards women in a patriarchal society that demands that everything be sacrificed for the sake of a marriage.

    Since Ms Jahangir is from the acting profession, and our dramas claim to know best about what women should want from a marriage, can we all collectively recall one drama that has portrayed a healthy marriage? Can we say that ‘Tere Bin’, which features a man stalking and slapping his wife was what women should look up to in order to understand how to keep their marriages intact?

    Furthermore, if Ms Jahangir is claiming that women who break away from their marriages do not understand sacrifice and hard work because Aurat March tells them to be less tolerant, then she needs to be aware that more women in Pakistan have died trying to stay married. Sara Inam was murdered by her husband in Islamabad after three months of marriage, was the murder her own fault? Qandeel Baloch‘s murderer, her brother, was pardoned by the court despite confessing his crime to authorities, only because his parents pardoned him. Just five days ago, another man walked free from a court in Karachi after murdering his daughter, because he was once again pardoned by his family. Another man in Lahore murdered his wife and then sent her body back to her family via a rickshaw.

    All these nameless women, the countless ways they were let down by the law and society in Pakistan. How is that we know about them, Ms Jahangir? It’s definitely not because of the family system, which continues to hide predators, and pardon them after unforgivable crimes. This heroic act solely belongs to Aurat March, which has time and time again raised placcards for countless women you claim it does not protect.

    You claim to say that Aurat March cannot help the women in villages because they’re too busy shouting slogans, but it is through Aurat March that we know these women’s names. Working class women like Dua Zehra, whose parents couldn’t make an announcement at a mosque because she was a Shia, and who was slammed by media organisatons, who claimed she had disohonored her family. It was local activists who pressurised authorities to take child abduction seriously, helping her come back home.

    Claiming that you’re unaware about a topic is one thing, but making sweeping generalisations about women’s rights, especially during a time when laws seek to further restrict women’s access to escaping abusive marriages, and more feminist activists are being trolled onine, it is incredibly disheartening to see a public figure as yourself talking without properly fact checking yourself.

    If you are still confused about how to be a well informed and articulate public figure, then take an example from Ayesha Omar and Kiran Malik, who carefully broke down why watching the rise in divorce rates is a good sign that more women are learning to stand up for themselves and escape their abusive marriages.