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.

  • Lahore: Public holiday announced on March 2

    Lahore: Public holiday announced on March 2

    The local government has announced a public holiday in Lahore on March 2 (Saturday) to mark the annual urs of Hazrat Shah Hussain, popularly known as Madhu Lal Hussain.

    The 436th annual three-day urs celebrations of Madhu Lal Hussain will begin in Lahore on Saturday, reports The News.

    Secretary Auqaf Dr Tahir Raza will inaugurate the urs by performing traditional chador laying on the grave of the saint. Members of the Religious Committee and a large number of devotees will participate on the occasion as well.

    The Auqaf Department has allocated Rs459,000 for the Urs grant. Local police have made foolproof security arrangements for the visitors.

  • ASP Sheharbano to be given treat by Saudi royalty for her bravery

    ASP Sheharbano to be given treat by Saudi royalty for her bravery

    Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki met the brave police officer ASP Sheharbano Naqvi and announced that the Kingdom is arranging a royal visit for her along with her family.

    The news was broken by Murtaza Ali Shah of Geo News who shared that the diplomat offered the trip to the ASP during their meeting at the Saudi Embassy.
    Al-Malki hosted ASP Sheharbano, appreciated the courage of the police officer, and told her that the Saudi govt would bear the expenses of her travel to Saudi with her family as a royal guest.

    Syeda Sheharbano Naqvi is being lauded for her display of courage in rescuing a woman from a fanatic mob in the Ichra market. She recently met Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir at General Headquarters where the army chief appreciated her for her bravery.

    She has also been nominated for the highest artillery award in the police, the Quaid-i-Azam Police Medal (QPM).

  • Sindh govt declares rain emergency, announces half-day in Karachi

    Sindh govt declares rain emergency, announces half-day in Karachi

    Syed Murad Ali Shah, Chief Minister of Sindh, has on Thursday imposed rain emergency in the province and declared that tomorrow (Friday) will be a half-day for all government and private offices in the megacity.

    On Wednesday, the Sindh Pakistan Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued a notice warning of the possibility of urban flooding in the province with expected heavy rainfall, directing deputy commissioners and all concerned officials to take required measures, reports Dawn.

    According to the advisory issued by the Meteorological Department, rain/thunderstorms with scattered heavy rainfall is expected in northern parts of the province from Feb 29 till March 2.

    “Heavy falls may generate urban flooding in low-lying areas. Fishermen of Balochistan are advised not to venture into deep sea till March 1 while those of Sindh are advised to remain careful during the forecast period,” it said.

    Today, the Sindh chief minister chaired a meeting to discuss the matter, deciding to declare a rain emergency in the province and put local institutions, the administration, and hospitals on high alert, a statement issued by his spokesperson said.

    The statement also said that Murad decided that tomorrow would be a half-day at all public and private offices in Karachi and urged the people to not leave their houses unnecessarily.

    “After 2 pm tomorrow, three to four spells of rainfall have been predicted in different areas of Karachi,” he said.

    Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab also confirmed the same. In a post on X, he said: “Though preparations have been made, as a matter of abundant precaution, it has been decided in the meeting presided by CM that tomorrow will be a half-day for offices in Karachi division from 2 pm.

    “Citizens are requested to also avoid unnecessary movement to avoid any inconvenience,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the meeting chaired by the Sindh CM was informed by PDMA Director General Salman Shah that rainfall had been predicted in the northern areas of the province from tonight till March 2 (Saturday).

    He said that rainfall was expected in the central areas of the province from March 1 (tomorrow), adding that rains were expected in the province from today.
    “Rains are expected to begin in Karachi on Friday afternoon, with 13mm to 16mm expected in a 12-hour timespan,” the official informed the meeting.

    Over the possibility of rainwater entering the province from the mountainous areas in Balochistan’s Jhal Magsi and Khuzdar, CM Murad directed the Larkana commissioner to make the necessary arrangements in this regard.

    Meanwhile, the provincial irrigation department assured Murad that Manchhar Lake would be able to withstand the inflow of rainwater.

    The Karachi mayor acknowledged that there were drainage issues after last month’s rainfall. However, he assured that these were being resolved, adding that the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) had 53 vehicles with suction machines available.

    PDMA’s Shah also vowed to provide the necessary machinery to the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) for draining rainwater, noting that Karachi’s main artery Sharea Faisal comes under water pressure during the rains.

  • After Punjab gives control to a woman, all hail women deputy speakers in KP, Balochistan

    After Punjab gives control to a woman, all hail women deputy speakers in KP, Balochistan

    After Maryam Nawaz was given the charge of Chief Minister in Punjab, other provinces are also stepping up and recognizing the position of women in politics. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have also elected women for the post of deputy speakers in their respective assemblies.

    PTI-backed member from Chitral, Suraiya Bibi has been elected as the Deputy Speaker in KP Assembly after securing 87 votes.

    Suraiya Bibi is from the constituency of PK-1 Chitral, representing the Banu, Chitral, and Lower Dir regions. She has served as the Vice President of the Malakand Women’s Wing of the Tehreek-e-Insaf. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Sociology. However, it is important to note that she is the second woman in the province to have been elected for this post. The first was Mehr Taj Roghani from Mardan, who is now a senator.

    In Balochistan, Ghazala Gola has been elected unopposed as the deputy speaker of the Balochistan Assembly.

    She belongs to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and according to her Twitter bio has served as a provincial minister on women’s development in Balochistan.

    Additionally, Sindh Assembly has elected Anthony Naveed from PPP as the deputy speaker. Naveed is from a minority community and is a former Special Assistant To Chief Minister Sindh – Pakistan on Interfaith & Harmony.

  • Karachi: Homeless siblings run over by car

    Karachi: Homeless siblings run over by car

    An unfortunate incident took place in Karachi when a fast-moving car ran over a sleeping family killing three siblings and injuring two other family members.

    The family was sleeping on a footpath near Nagan Chowrangi in the small hours of Wednesday morning when the car ran over them. However, the car driver managed to escape in injured condition, leaving behind his vehicle which was impounded by the police.

    The police said that two brothers and their sister were killed in the accident, reports Dawn. Bali Gopi Chand, 22, and Ashok Gopi Chand, 9, died on the spot. Later, Shri Ram Gopi, 15, died during treatment at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre. Sita Gopi, 14, and Lalay Gopi, 6 were injured and admitted for treatment.

    “An FIR has been registered and police are working on the case,” said SSP Zeeshan Shafiq Siddiqi, adding that police will arrest the driver and whoever else was in the car. A case of manslaughter has been registered.

    Area SHO Qamar Kiani said that the police had conducted raids at three places to nab the suspect but to no avail.

    He also said that the case was registered on the complaint of a relative of the victims, who informed the police that he lived in the slum area of Sohrab Goth and sold vegetables on a pushcart. He was asleep in his home when at around 3 am someone informed him about the death of his relatives in a car accident.

  • Shadi karo aur bahir chalay jao; 17 countries that give citizenship after marriage

    Shadi karo aur bahir chalay jao; 17 countries that give citizenship after marriage

    Immigration is an important topic in Pakistan, especially with a looming economic crisis and rising inflation making the standard of living quite poor for most people.

    Many Pakistanis are eager to get the citizenship of another country through matrimony. There are a total of 17 countries where saying “I do” can pave the way to acquiring citizenship.

    Geo News took a closer look at the policies of each of these countries and how a couple can seek citizenship.

    Uruguay

    Uruguay, with its stable economy, grants citizenship after three years of marriage to a Uruguayan national.

    Dominica

    Dominica, a Caribbean gem, extends the opportunity for citizenship through marriage, beckoning individuals to a life of financial incentives and natural beauty after three years of union.

    Sweden

    Sweden opens its doors to couples married to Swedish nationals or those in registered partnerships, requiring three years of cohabitation.

    Germany

    Germany, a highly developed European nation, offers a short three-year timeframe for spouses of registered same-sex partners of German nationals.

    USA

    The United States, known for its diverse opportunities, requires three years of legal permanent residency and cohabitation for citizenship through marriage.

    Ireland

    Ireland presents a solid option, enabling citizenship through naturalization after three years of marriage or civil partnership.

    United Kingdom

    The United Kingdom stands out as a fast-track route, allowing citizenship by naturalization for couples residing for at least three years.

    Netherlands

    The Netherlands grants citizenship after three years of marriage or registered partnership, emphasizing cohabitation.

    Slovenia

    Slovenia provides a quicker path through marriage, reducing the usual 10-year naturalization period to just three years.

    Chile

    Chile prioritizes family reunification, granting citizenship after two years of marriage and cohabitation.

    Grenada

    Grenada, an enchanting Caribbean destination, allows spouses married after February 6, 1974, to become eligible for citizenship after two years.

    Bolivia

    Bolivia, although not offering many direct citizenship programs, presents marriage as a streamlined option, shortening the typical residency requirement to two years.

    Peru

    Peru simplifies the process further, allowing citizenship after two years of marriage.

    Argentina

    Argentina, with its rich culture and affordability, offers citizenship after two years of marriage, providing numerous benefits.

    Spain

    Spain, a treat for culture lovers, facilitates citizenship after one year of legal marriage, boasting a high quality of life and a moderate living cost.

    Belize

    Belize, a tropical haven, offers citizenship after one year of marriage to a Belizean national, combining a great climate with low living costs.

    Luxembourg

    Luxembourg stands out with a unique approach, requiring passing the Living Together in Luxembourg course or test and a Luxembourg language test for citizenship after three years of marriage. Known for providing a high quality of life, Luxembourg offers couples a distinctive route to acquiring citizenship.

    As we delve into the complex pathways of global citizenship through marriage, these 17 countries stand as diverse options, each with its own set of opportunities and advantages for couples embarking on this extraordinary journey together.

  • World’s third biggest mosque opens to public ahead of Ramzan

    World’s third biggest mosque opens to public ahead of Ramzan

    Algeria has finally opened the third-biggest mosque in the world and the largest in Africa, ahead of the holy month of Ramzan, according to Al Jazeera.

    The inauguration of the mosque has taken several days due to unrest in the country. The Grand Mosque of Algiers was formally opened on Monday by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

    Djamaa El-Djazair is how the locals refer to it, and it can house up to 120,000 worshippers at once. With a height of 265 meters (869 feet), it has the highest minaret in the world.

    After seven years of construction, a vast modernist building spanning approximately 70 acres was completed, with marble and wood elements along with Arabic and North African architectural elements.

    It even has a library large enough to house a million volumes and a helipad. The massive structure was built by a Chinese firm, reportedly costing around $900 million.

    It is being marketed as the third-biggest mosque worldwide, following the holy mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s mosque in Madina, both located in Saudi Arabia.

  • Pakistan mein kab aur kahan barish hogi?

    Pakistan mein kab aur kahan barish hogi?

    As per the latest forecast from the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), several regions across Pakistan are on high alert as they anticipate rainfall and heavy snowfall starting from Thursday.

    The Met Office has issued a weather advisory indicating that a strong westerly wave is set to approach western parts of the country by February 29, likely affecting most areas by March 1. This weather system is expected to persist for approximately two days, potentially leading to disruptive conditions.

    Areas including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Gawadar, Quetta, Chitral, Abbottabad, GB, Kashmir, Multan, Faisalabad, and Sialkot are bracing for heavy rain accompanied by wind and thunderstorms.

    In Sindh, Kambar Shahdadkot, Jacobabad, Larkana, Shikarpur, Kashmore, Ghotki, Sukkur & Dadu, Jamshoro, Thatta, Tharparker, Badin, Umerkot, Mirpur Khas, Hyderabad, Tando Allahyar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Naushahro feroze, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sanghar districts & Karachi division are bracing for heavy rain accompanied by wind and thunderstorms on February 29 and March 1. PMD has also warned of the possibility of isolated hailstorms during this period.

    Similarly, Balochistan is expected to experience widespread heavy rain along with wind and thunderstorms in areas such as Nokkundi, Dalbandin, Chagi, Kalat, Khuzdar, Lasbella, Awaran, Turbat, Kech, Gwadar, Jiwani, Pasni, Ormara, Panjgur, Kharan, Noushki, Washuk, Mastung, Sibbi, Naseerabad, Zhob, Sherani, Barkhan, Musakhel, Kohlu, Jhal Magsi, Loralai, Ziarat, Quetta, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah and Qila Saifullah during the same timeframe.

    Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) is likely to witness heavy to extremely heavy rain coupled with thunderstorms from February 29 to March 3, affecting areas like Chitral (Lower & Upper), Dir (Lower & Upper), Malakand, Buner, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Torghar, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Swabi, Mardan, Nowshera, Peshawar, Charsadda, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai, Hangu, Karak, Kohat, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank, DI Khan, North & South Waziristan districts.

    Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and Kashmir are also expected to face heavy to extremely heavy widespread rain, along with windstorms and snowfall throughout the forecast period.

    In Punjab, cities including Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Kasur, Okara, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Khushab, Sargodha, Mianwali and Bhakkar on 01st & 02nd March. Heavy snowfall is also expected in Murree, Galliyat and surrounding during the period. Rain-wind/thunderstorm is expected in Multan, Kot Addu, Layyah, Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rahim Yar Khan, Sadiqabad, Khanpur, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar are gearing up for widespread heavy rain accompanied by windstorms.

    The Met Office has issued warnings regarding the possibility of flash flooding in various regions. In Balochistan and Dera Ghazi Khan, heavy rainfall may lead to flash flooding in local nullahs on February 29 and March 1. Similarly, hill torrents in KP, Kashmir, Murree, and Galliyat, as well as local nullahs in Islamabad, could experience flash flooding on March 1 and 2.

    Moreover, the heavy rain and snowfall may result in road closures in popular tourist destinations such as Murree, Naran, Kaghan, and Swat, among others. Consequently, tourists are advised to avoid unnecessary travel during this period.

    The PMD has urged all relevant authorities to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to mitigate any potential risks or untoward situations arising from the forecasted severe weather conditions.

  • Naa Channa Daal naa; Pakistan has a new favourite daal

    Naa Channa Daal naa; Pakistan has a new favourite daal

    Lentils are an important part of the diet of Pakistanis, with the plant-based protein being a staple in most households.

    The country grows and consumes a wide variety of nutritious lentils, not just in normal daal form, but also in kababs, bhallas and even chaat.

    However, what is the country’s favorite daal? Gallup Pakistan has released a new survey about this very important question.

    In the survey, 21 percent people gave a verdict in favor of maash ki daal and said it was their favorite among all pulses, reports Geo.

    17 percent of Pakistanis chose gram dal as their favorite, 14 percent chose moong dal and eight percent chose masoor ki daal, while four percent chose white beans (Lobya) as their favorite.

    Six percent said they liked all pulses, while four percent said they did not like any pulse.

  • Flash floods wreak havoc in Gwadar

    Flash floods wreak havoc in Gwadar

    Unexpected floods have hit Pakistan once more as Balochistan bears the brunt of sporadic rainfall just before spring. The flooded area includes the provincial capital of Quetta but this time, Gwadar has been severely affected.

    The flood was prompted by heavy rains on February 27 in Gwadar where the highest amount recorded was 58 millimetres.

    According to the Commissioner of Makran, the rain persisted for nine hours while in Gwadar, the duration was more than 16 hours which also impacted the electricity system.

    Some of the other areas experiencing rains were Dalbandin, Khuzdar, and Turbat.

    It has been forecast that heavy rains will continue across the province until March 2.