Category: Lifestyle

The lifestyle of millennials is underreported in our mainstream media. The Current’s lifestyle news covers social events and issues that are unique.

  • Divorced women fear imprisonment under Taliban regime

    The Taliban regime in Afghanistan has modified divorce laws, now requiring both parties, husband and wife, to be present in court in order to get a divorce.

    Under the previous Afghan government, women were granted the right to get ‘one-sided divorces’ in order to help them escape abusive marriages, according to The Washington Post.

    Women could testify about suffering abuse at the hands of their husband, even if he had refused to make an appearance in court.

    The Post clarified that the Taliban had not commented on ‘one-sided divorces’ being nulled or whether a woman can be married after gaining a divorce in such a manner. However, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has said that both parties must appear before a judge to request a divorce under the Taliban’s interpretation of Islamic law.

    Under the Taliban regime, it has become more difficult for women to seek refuge after escaping an abusive marriage. A psychologist told The Post that local aid groups providing counselling and relief to abused women have been shut down. She also elaborated that under the new law, it has become more difficult to prove domestic violence.

    “Under the new law, women need to first go to the police station and provide multiple witnesses to prove abuse or if their husband is addicted to drugs,” she said.

    Women face more problems to find legal counseling as the Taliban have banned women from working as lawyers and judges. A lawyer speaking to the Post revealed that more women will find it harder to leave their abusive marriages if they cannot find proper legal representation to help them escape domestic violence:

    “The Taliban have created the perfect situation for men seeking revenge. The courts have lost their effectiveness and instead we see on the news women receiving [public] lashings for adultery.”

    Previously the Taliban regime caused international outcry after enforcing a policies that restricted women’s movement. Women were banned from attending high school and college, couldn’t travel anywhere without a male guardian and were restricted from attending parks, fairs or gyms.

    The United Nations received a report on the state of human rights in Afghanistan, which had criticized the Taliban regime for pursuing a policy ‘tantamount to gender apartheid’.

  • Hindu students attacked for celebrating Holi at Punjab University

    Hindu students at Punjab University were attacked by Islami Jamiat Tulba (IJT) on Tuesday for celebrating their religious festival Holi with the permission of the administration at Punjab University’s new campus.

    As a result, at least 15 students of the Hindu community were injured. Videos of the incident uploaded on social media show a group of IJT members thrashing the minority community members.

    Other videos showed the security guards carrying batons and beating the students while they were running from the scene.

    Sindh Council Secretary General Kashif Brohi said that 15 students from both the Hindu community and Sindh Council suffered injuries and moved away without celebrating the event, reports Dawn.

    He said the IJT activists started hurling threats after students had posted invitations [Holi celebration] on their Facebook page.

    On the contrary, IJT spokesperson Ibrahim Shahid told Dawn that they did not stop the Hindu community members from celebrating Holi. He said the attackers might have used their name but the IJT would ensure equality for minority community members to hold their religious events.

    He claimed they were holding Dars-i-Quran on the campus and were not present there.

    However, in the past, IJT was responsible for many attacks on students.

    Activist Ammar Ali Jan, condemning the attack, said: “It reflects a deep sense of paranoia that stems from our need to expel impurities” from our own past.

    He added that this sickness will continue unless we accept and celebrate the many histories and cultures that shape our country.”

  • Economy is a feminist issue, Aurat March releases its manifesto (and we couldn’t agree more)

    Aurat March has selected it’s theme for this year: Feminism in the Times of Crisis, and the social movement has released a statement on their Instagram page detailing their demands from the government to improve the economic conditions of the country.
    “The economic crisis in Pakistan is not just a financial problem, it is a humanitarian crisis that affects the most vulnerable people in our society. The government’s reliance on Western lenders is a short-term solution that will have long-term consequences for the poor and marginalized. The current economic policies of the government are exacerbating inequality and perpetuating the cycle of poverty. We must prioritize pro-poor growth and invest in the well-being of its most marginalized citizens,” the statement reads.

    The manifesto went on to address current talks between the Pakistani government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), stating how the measures implemented due to these loans will impact women, working class and the rural poor directly:
    “The government is relying on bailout loans from Western lenders like IMF to starve off an impending economic collapse. These loans come with conditions like privaitization of public institutions and services, removal of electricity and fuel subsidies, increase in indirect taxes, and cuts in social expenditures. These measures will impact those who are already marginalized. Women, working-class people, and rural poor are already caught up in the crushing cycles of poverty, struggling to survive amidst structural issues like mounting debt, and situational economic blows like COVID-19, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and unprecedented destruction in the wake of the 2022 floods.”
    The movement went on to reveal that global rankings show Pakistan ranks the lowest regarding per capita income, health, and education in South Asia, and needs to introduce economic policies that prioritize the poor and marginalized of the country:
    “Global rankings increasingly evidence the need for Pakistan to prioritize pro-poor growth that ensures the wellbring of its most marginalized. The country has the lowest HDI rankings for per capita income, health, and education in South Asia. Even Bangladesh and Nepal, two of the least developed countries in the region, have better rankings. Pakistan’s expenditure on defense is higher than the combined expenditure on health and education.”
    The note ended with the movement demanding that the government introduce economic policies that prioritized the well being of the working class and poor of Pakistan:
    “We demand decent work and living wages for all residents, including regularization of temporary work and the expansion of social protection coverage. Secondly, IMF-driven policies that benefit polices that benefit global capitalism at the expense of all the poor and marginalized should be stopped. Finally, we demand rollback of budget cuts in public institutions, the reinstallment of HEC scholarships, and the implementation of survivor-centric welfare systemsn as well as quality education and healthcare for all.”

    Read their complete statement here:

  • Heartwarming video shows IBA students hosting farewell party for hostel cook

    Heartwarming video shows IBA students hosting farewell party for hostel cook

    A moving video of a hostel cook receiving a farewell party from students at IBA has been doing the rounds on social media.

    Zakir Lala, who was IBA’s oldest working employee, and had worked there for over 31 years, was given a farewell by students at the end of his tenure.

    https://twitter.com/idrikki541/status/1630915796766531584?s=20

    Speaking to BBC Urdu about why they chose to say goodbye with a grand gesture, one student revealed that Lala had taken care of them when they were alone in university.
    “Zakir Lala is one of the oldest employees of our hostel and this was the least that we could do for him,” he said.
    Lala revealed that he was moved and grateful for the love the students had showered on him.
    “I did not expect the amount of respect these children had shown me. I am very grateful to God that these students have sent their prayers,” he remarked.

    Twitter users have called this a “beautiful tribute” and a thoughtful way to celebrate Zakir Lala’s service.

    https://twitter.com/xtrracover/status/1631888669203222529?s=20

  • Aurat March not allowed to take place at same venue as Haya March, security to be withdrawn if location not changed, warns administration

    Aurat March not allowed to take place at same venue as Haya March, security to be withdrawn if location not changed, warns administration

    Aurat March, scheduled to take place on March 8 to protest injustices against women and minorities has been denied permission to hold a public rally by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rafia Haider.

    While talking exclusively to The Current, activist and one of the volunteers of Aurat March, Leena Ghani, said that they had applied for a Non-Objection Certificate (NOC) on February 13 for the march to be held on the decided date. However, the administration backed out at the last moment.

    “At the time, in a meeting with deputy commissioner Rafia, she assured us. However, later she sent a rejection letter,” Ghani revealed.

    She said that in the letter, the administration has also banned them from gathering at Lahore Press Club, from where the march typically starts every year.

    About the meeting they had with Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Operations on Friday, she mentioned that they kept on insisting on changing Aurat March venue. “It seems like they have promised Nasir Bagh to Haya March organisers for a gathering, that’s why they want us to pressurise now.”

    She also added that police have said that security won’t be provided if they don’t change the venue. However, the organisers remained adamant that security should be provided regardless of the fact that where they want to protest.

    Moreover, she mentioned that NOC is just a formality, and in the past, a verbal agreement used to take place.

    “NOC is not needed in order to exercise your constitutional right to march,” said Ghani.

    Now, she said that they are going to move Lahore High Court (LHC) to challenge the decision.

    Sabahat Rizvi challenges denial of NOC to Aurat March

    Earlier, the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) Secretary Sabahat Rizvi challenged the decision of DC Haider.

    The development took place after DC’s decision was condemned and criticised by organisations including the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP).

    Many people have argued that it is an attempt to suppress women’s voices and prevent them from exercising their constitutional rights.

    ‘We will march’: Aurat March determined despite NOC denial

    NOC was denied on the grounds of “security concerns, controversial banners and posters, strong reservations by the general public and religious organisations and the likelihood of clashes with members of Jamaat-i-Islami’s Haya March.”

    Reacting to the denial of the NOC, organisers have remained adamant that they will march on the decided date as they don’t require a NOC to exercise their constitutional rights.

    “Women, khawaja sara community, transgender persons, gender non-conforming people, and allies of the Aurat March have the right to assembly under Article 16 of the Constitution of Pakistan,” they said.

    They highlighted that “large crowds are allowed to gather for PSL, but a peaceful gathering of women and gender minorities is being silenced and denied their constitutional right to assembly.”

    They added the administration has forgotten that the courts have already upheld their right to hold Aurat March in 2020. 

    It is not the first time that the city’s authorities have imposed such a restriction. Last year, the organisers in Lahore had been urged to cancel the rally over safety concerns. The march was also arbitrarily cut short by the district administration despite being given permission.

  • Customers express frustration over inability to pay for Netflix with Islamic Cards while being charged Sood for late payments

    Customers express frustration over inability to pay for Netflix with Islamic Cards while being charged Sood for late payments

    A Faysal Bank customer expressed his discontent with the bank on Facebook after his credit card was converted into a shariah-compliant card called “Noor Islamic Card”. The customer complained that he is unable to make transactions with Netflix or use the card for any “unislamic” purposes.

    He posted on Facebook, saying, “Just converted my Faysal Bank Credit into Noor Islamic Card. Now I can’t use the card on Netflix, bcoz they have become Islamic, and they cannot allow their customers to use their card on any unislamic things.”

    Other users also commented on the post, with one user pointing out that the bank still charges interest, which they refer to as Musawah payment, if a bill is not paid on time. Another user claimed that their conventional credit card was converted into a Noor Islamic Card without their consent and the bank’s response to their complaint was unsatisfactory.

    Many users expressed their frustration with the bank’s service, with some even stating that they would be closing their Faysal Islamic Card account due to the Netflix payment issue. One user also pointed out that Meezan Bank has the same policy regarding Netflix transactions.

    Another user shared their experience, stating that their Faysal Bank card did not work when they tried to buy movie tickets and food at the bank’s food court on the same day that their card was converted from a conventional card to an Islamic one. It was only then that they realized that their card had been converted.

    The conversion of conventional credit cards into shariah-compliant cards is a growing trend in Pakistan’s banking sector. While this is seen as a positive move by some customers, others are skeptical of the benefits and limitations of shariah compliant cards.

  • City in Sindh goes viral for being ‘super-clean’, where Muslim, Hindu residents clean up together

    A few days ago, Mithi, a city in Sindh, went viral on Twitter for its clean roads and responsible citizens who have kept their surroundings neat.

    “Zero litter or garbage This is one of the streets within Mithi City. The picture is captured at 4:00 PM, after the rush hours. The usual cleaning happens once a day, early in the morning. Now compare it to urban cities Diff in civic sense between Jahil log & parhe likhe log”

    Soon, other residents of the city spoke up and confirmed that the people of this area ensure that Mithi remains clean.

    https://twitter.com/Smahaseghani/status/1631571150458216449?s=20

    Activist and painter Zulkfiqar Bhutto commented that he had also visited Mithi and regarded it as ‘the cleanest city I’ve ever seen in Pakistan’.

    Mithi is a small town located near Tharparker, Sindh, and is also known as the only place where 80% of the population comprises of Hindus.

    The area is known for the strong interfaith harmony between Muslims and Hindus, as Dawn writer Hassan Raza noted that in this town, Muslims will not slaughter cows out of respect for Hindus, and Hindus will not hold any marriage ceremonies or celebrations during the month of Muharram.

    “In our village, Hindus and Muslims have been living together for decades and there has not been a single day, when I have seen a religious conflict. No loud speaker is used for Azaan at the time when Hindus are worshiping in their temple, and no bells are rung when it is time for namaz. Nobody eats in public when it is Ramazan and Holi is played by every member of the village.”

    BBC Urdu also ran a story in 2021 about how in Mithi, both Hindus and Muslims come together to celebrate the Holi festival.

  • FIR filed against Gauri Khan over purchase of Lucknow property

    FIR filed against Gauri Khan over purchase of Lucknow property

    An FIR has been filed against Gauri Khan, wife of Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan, in Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow.
    Khan is a well-known interior designer who has worked with prominent celebrities like Farah Khan, Ranbir Kapoor and Siddharth Malhotra.

    The FIR was filed under Section 409 of the Indian penal Code which pertains to breach of trust, and was registered with the Sushant Golf City police in Lucknow.
    The complaint was filed by Kirat Jaswant Shah, a resident of Mumbai, who said that he had paid the entire amount for a flat, which was approximately Rs86 lakhs, but had not recieved it. The flat in question is located in the Tulsiani Golf View project in the Sushant Golf City area of Lucknow.
    Along with Khan, who is the brand ambassador for the housing project, other people named in the FIR include Managing Director of Tulsiyani Construction and Development Limited, Anil Kumar Tulsiyana and the director Mahesh Tulsiyana.

  • Local man mansplains to woman on how long household chores take, gives Twitter some hilarious content

    It’s a tale as old as time, a song as old as rhyme, that men will never stop mansplaining to women about their lived experiences.

    Whether you’re a professional or not, men will consistently assume they know better about the topics you have spent your entire life actually doing.

    A hilarious exchange took place on Twitter when a woman pointed out how much time and energy is expected from them to complete their household chores but in return they are denied their right to property or receive wages from their husband as compensation.
    In jumps Bashir who proudly declares uss ko sab kuch pata hai.

    And then to further prove his point, the man decides to make an excel chart of the numerous chores women must complete on a daily basis and the amount of time it takes to complete them. His source: the little angry man screaming inside his brain.

    As shocking as that sounds, Twitter took delight in the opportunity to roast mediocre men. Soon users on the app responded with some hilarious memes.

    le sigh

    No you’re wrong! Brother must have a super cleaning robot in his home and now expects women to act like robots as well!

    Wish house chores were finished this quickly as this man assumes

    Oh, we’re laughing

    Men reading this, khuda ka wasta delusion mein say niklo and come into the real world. Women aren’t robots and it’s not their job to cater to your needs every day. If you’re so desperate to marry, then learn to properly finish household chores and listen to what women have to say.

  • Hazim Bangwar reveals why he chose to leave Hollywood and start working in Pakistan

    Hazim Bangwar reveals why he chose to leave Hollywood and start working in Pakistan

    The past month, Assistant Commissioner Hazim Bangwar broke the internet with his larger than life personality and fashion choices. The government official has been a model, rapper and music producer in Hollywood.

    Bangwar showed up on Mathira’s show, where the former singer opened up about why he had decided to leave behind his career in Hollywood and come Pakistan to do his CSS. Bangwar revealed that it was the realization that he wanted to help his country that made him want to come back:
    “I completed my Bachelors in Fashion Marketing, my second degree was LLB. My mind would keep fluctuating between art and academia…Then I got signed to a music label. So I was travelling, limousines, first class, this and that…So when I came to Pakistan, reality would hit me. I’m first class in Emirates and here people would get pushed around while travelling on buses. I’m eating the best food from the best restaurants, and here people don’t have anything to eat. So I would ask myself ‘What am I doing?’ I was disconnected from reality, and somehow felt like I was wasting my time. So while I was on my break, I came back to Pakistan and decided to stop complaining and take action.”

    Bangwar also ta about how shocked other people in his life were when they found out about his decision to stay in Pakistan.
    “People would say to me ‘Why have you come back? You’re set in life go back! A government job?!’ Because of that I was absolutely determined to show them that why not? If someone wants to do something good for their country then why can’t they come back?”

    Watch the full interview here: