Category: National

The Current is a trusted source for national breaking news, analysis, exclusive interviews, headlines, and videos.

  • Modi, Bilawal, Tariq Jamil among others wish PM Khan a swift recovery

    Prime Minister Imran Khan on March 20 tested positive for COVID-19. According to details, the premier is suffering from ‘mild symptoms’ and is self-isolating at home. PM Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi has also tested positive for the virus.

    Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan, while talking to the media, said that they “are monitoring his clinical parameters, and medical treatment will be given to him if required.”

    “Right now, there is no need for any treatment, as such,” added Dr Sultan.

    Soon after the news of PM Imran testing positive spread, prayers started pouring in for his speedy recovery. Among those who sent him good wishes include Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maulana Tariq Jamil, PPP co-chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and PML-N’s Ahsan Iqbal.

    “Best wishes to PM Imran for a speedy recovery from COVID-19,” said PM Modi.

    “Our thoughts and prayers are with him during this time of difficulty,” said PM Rajapaksa.

    “May Allah grant him full and speedy recovery,” said Maulana Tariq Jamil.

    PPP’s BBZ and Sherry Rehman and PML-N’s Ahsan Iqbal also prayed for the PM’s swift recovery.

    PM Khan’s former teammates Wasim Akram, Ramiz Raja and Waqar Younis also prayed for his swift recovery.

  • Motorway rape case culprits handed death sentence

    Motorway rape case culprits handed death sentence

    An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore has handed two culprits in the motorway rape case – Abid Malhi and Shafqat Bagga – a death sentence. They have also been sentenced to prison for life and slapped a fine of Rs 50,000 each.

    According to reports, the two have been sentenced to death for gang-raping a woman on the Lahore-Sialkot motorway in September 2020. The court, which had earlier reserved the verdict, announced it today at Lahore’s Camp Jail, where the trial took place.

    This is the first time that convicts in a gang-rape case have been handed death sentences.

    The court has also ordered to confiscate the two convicts’ properties.

    THE INCIDENT

    A woman, along with her three children, was driving to Gujranwala in her car when she was forced to stop at the Gujjarpura section of the Lahore-Sialkot motorway after running out of fuel at around 1:30 am in September 2020.

    She immediately called a relative and sent him her location. He asked her to also dial the Motorway Police helpline 130 but she was reportedly refused help.

    In the meantime, two robbers approached the car, broke the window and took the woman and her children to nearby bushes where they raped her repeatedly in front of the children. They also snatched her purse that had cash around Rs100,000, one bracelet, car registration and three ATM cards.

    Read more – ‘We took her kids to the bushes to make her follow us,’ says man who gang-raped mother of three

    The Gujjarpura police have registered a case, while Motorway Police spokesperson said they had not been able to take action as the incident did not occur in the limits of Motorway Police.

    The case had sparked outrage and protests across the country following which the government formulated the Anti-Rape Ordinance 2020, under which special courts will be set up across the country to expedite trials of rape cases on a priority basis and award harsher sentences, such as chemical castration.

  • Lahore barber uses broken glass, hammer and butcher’s knife to cut and style hair

    Lahore barber uses broken glass, hammer and butcher’s knife to cut and style hair

    A barber from Lahore Ali Abbas has gone viral on social media for his unique method of styling and cutting hair. He uses different tools such as broken glass, hammer and butcher’s knife to cut his customer’s hair. Abbas sometimes also uses fire to style the customer’s hair.

    Talking about his unique way of styling hair, Abbas told ARY News that he wants to invent unusual techniques in his profession.

    “Meri koshish hoti hai ki har din main kuch naya se naya try karun. Today, I cut his hair with glass and styled it in layers. Kaam dil se karein toh kaamyaabi milegi zaroor (I try to do something new every day. Today, I styled his hair in layers with cut glass).”

    For one of his female customers, Ali used a butcher’s knife and she was happy with the styling.

    “I am really satisfied. During the process, I was slightly scared but it’s really good,” said the woman.

  • Man booked for stabbing fashion designer, sons in Karachi

    Man booked for stabbing fashion designer, sons in Karachi

    A First Information Report (FIR) has been filed against a resident of Karachi’s Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Falcon Complex for stabbing and injuring fashion designer Moazzam Khan and his two sons over a parking dispute.

    According to reports, the incident took place on Tuesday night when Moazzam was embroiled in an argument over a parking issue with the suspect identified as Ibrahim Durrani.

    https://twitter.com/MJibranNasir/status/1372507616992227333?s=20

    In the video clips, which have gone viral on social media, a man can be heard and seen exchanging hot words with Durrani over the way he reversed the car. As the argument grew intense, Ibrahim stabbed Moazzam and his two sons – Fahad Moazzam and Ata Moazzam – with a Swiss knife and fled the scene.

    In the FIR, Moazzam also said that he took his injured sons to the Aga Khan University Hospital himself despite being injured.

    “My wife informed me that Ibrahim Durrani also resorted to aerial firing,” Moazzam said in the FIR, adding that the assailant had also threatened them with “dire consequences” if the matter was reported to the police.

    Later, the Shahrah-e-Faisal Police registered a case against Durrani under Sections 324 [attempt to murder] and 337-H(II) [Whoever does any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life or the personal safety of other, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine, or with both] read with 34 [Criminal acts by several persons in furtherance of common intention] of the Pakistan Penal Code.

    Ibrahim and his father Khalid Durrani, an official of the Pakistan Air Force, have been booked in the case and the Investigation Police has been assigned the case’s probe. However, no arrests have been made so far.

    According to reports, Shahrah-e-Faisal investigation officer Israr Afridi, the police had raided the suspects’ house but they were not found there. He said the police later confronted Khalid, who was sick.

    Afridi maintained that Khalid was neither seen in the CCTV footage of the incident, nor any evidence was found against him, which was why the police did not arrest him. However, another report has said that Khalid instigated his son to “attack them more”.

    He said Ibrahim’s mobile had been powered off and suspected that he had deliberately switched off the phone to avoid arrest.

    Efforts are underway to trace him using his mobile phone’s location and call detail record, Afridi said, adding that he believes Durrani’s mental condition is not stable.

  • Firdous Ashiq Awan lashes out at talk show host, guests

    Special Assistant to Chief Minister Punjab on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan lashed out at PPP’s Agha Rafiullah during Geo News Aapas Ki Baat, after which PML-N leader Mian Javed Latif walked out from the show.

    The debate started when Dr Awan mentioned PML-N while replying to a question about recent political developments, and Agha Rafiullah interrupted her, which enraged her and she lashed out at him and programme host Muneeb Farooq. Things further escalated when Rafiullah used a derogatory term to refer Firdous Ashiq Awan. The heated debate was beeped out several times when abuses were reportedly exchanged.

    She also accused the host of ‘ fixing’ the show saying such things always happen in this show.

    In December last year, PML-N’s Azma Bukhari and Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan had traded barbs in the same show, forcing the host to end the programme. However, their disagreement did not end even after the show, as both politicians almost came to blows on the news channel’s premises.

  • ‘India has to take the first step’: PM Imran at Islamabad Security Dialogue

    ‘India has to take the first step’: PM Imran at Islamabad Security Dialogue

    Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday launched the first Policy Advisory Portal at the inaugural session of the Islamabad Security Dialogue. The portal has been developed by the National Security Division (NSD) to engage over hundred think tanks and academia in policy making, said the Prime Minister’s Office.

    PM Khan said that when his government came to power, he tried to resolve issues with India.

    “We just have one issue, which is Kashmir,” said the premier, adding that August 5 happened, which “led to a total breakdown between both countries.”

    PM Khan said he hopes that the right of self-determination given to the Kashmiris as per UN Security Council resolution would be given to the Kashmiris.

    “It would benefit India if there is a resolution on the Kashmir issue. If we achieve peace through dialogue, it will change the entire landscape of the region. There is a lot of poverty in India. Our trading and economic ties should be strong, which will increase regional connectivity. It will help India that it can have regional connectivity up to Central Asia. India has to take the first step after August 5, otherwise, we cannot move forward.”

    While inaugurating the Advisory Portal, Prime Imran Khan appreciated the initiative and said that Pakistan has immense young talent in this country.  “This is a step in the right direction”, he said.

    The advisory portal will be a dedicated and integrated platform through which major think tanks and universities working on the subject of comprehensive national security will be able to share policy recommendations directly with the national leadership.

    “The aim of the portal is to bridge the gap between intellectuals and policymakers,” said SAPM on National Security Division and Strategic Policy Planning Dr Moeed Yusuf who conceived the portal. 

    Islamabad Security Dialogue is a two-day international conference. Two sessions of the Islamabad Security Dialogue were held on Wednesday, while three sessions will take place on Thursday. Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa will inaugurate the second day. 

    Being held mostly in a virtual format, the Dialogue is being attended by officials, global and regional experts and media. The main theme of the Islamabad Security Dialogue is Comprehensive Security Framework that will enable the country to unfold its untapped potential in becoming a hub of global and regional development.

    The NSD plans to make the Islamabad Security Dialogue an annual event to parallel the world’s leading security dialogues.

  • ‘Islamabad police receives 2,700 fake calls daily’

    ‘Islamabad police receives 2,700 fake calls daily’

    The Islamabad police receives approximately 2,700 fake calls daily because of which the police response system is being badly affected, Inspector-General Qazi Jamil ur Rehman has said.

    The police chief appealed to the masses to avoid making hoax calls as it may put someone’s life in danger.

    “If we are sent to a hoax call, it means we’re not available when someone really needs our help. It could be a matter of life or death,” said the IG in a statement.

    He said that police emergency department 15 plays an important role in receiving and transmitting calls from the public.

    However, the fake calls not only waste the time of the operator but may cause a delay in responding to an emergency situation.

    The IG directed 15 authorities to book frequent callers and proceed with legal action against them.

    SMS alert service launched

    Meanwhile, the Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has taken several initiatives like issuance of smart driving licenses, online appointment system, SMS alert service for the convenience of motorists, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Farrukh Rashid announced.

    The ITP also revealed that over Rs20 million fine was collected from drivers by issuing as many as 73,609 challans over various traffic violations during the ongoing year. Some 1,420 were ticketed against over-speeding, 2,767 for tinted glasses, 566 for illegal lights, 2,590 for lane violation, 8,816 for not using a helmet and 3,150 for not fastening their seat belt. Similarly, 1,831 people were fined for using mobile phones while driving, 737 over wrong parking and 3,136 were charged for using fancy number plates.

    Earlier, PTI Senator Faisal Javed Khan had also shared a picture of himself getting fined by the police for not wearing a seatbelt.

  • Government demands resignation of Chief Election Commissioner

    Seeking disbanding of the election watchdog, the ruling party has called on the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) to resign for “failing to hold the recently-held Senate elections in a transparent manner”.

    “It was a longstanding demand of the prime minister that the power of money should not be used to influence elections,” said Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood while addressing a press conference alongside Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz and Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry.

    “For this purpose, the premier wanted the Senate elections to be held via an open ballot.”

    Mahmood said it is the sole responsibility of the ECP to ensure transparent polls are held. He said that the government had told the ECP to implement a system wherein it would not be possible for corrupt practices to take place.

    The minister called on the election commission to be disbanded, alleging that it had failed to meet up to the standards required of it.

    “To ensure transparent elections are held is the responsibility of the election commission. This responsibility was not fulfilled,” he said. “The election commission failed to act as a neutral umpire hence it should resign,” added Mahmood.

    Explaining the government’s demand for the ECP to be disbanded, Mahmood said the PTI was the most popular political party in the country yet it did not have confidence in the ECP. He claimed the ruling party was not the only one which didn’t trust the ECP.

    Earlier, Federal Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari had also taken a dig at the CEC, saying: “It is unfortunate that he is increasingly creating a partisan image of the ECP which erodes its credibility as well as [the] credibility of future elections under its supervision.”

    The minister had alleged that the CEC was partial and added that “instead of supporting PM & PTI’s demand for open ballot to ensure transparency in Senate elections, PDM’s opportunism & CEC’s partisan approach prevented fair, free and transparent Senate elections”.

    “CEC must take prime responsibility for this sorry state of electoral affairs.”

  • 14-year-old student dies in Peshawar Police custody

    14-year-old student dies in Peshawar Police custody

    A 14-year-old student of Grade 7 was found dead in police custody in Peshawar on Sunday. According to the police, Shahzeb was arrested on Sunday after a fight with a shopkeeper and a weapon was recovered from him. The police claimed that the youth later committed suicide in the lockup. An alleged CCTV footage of his suicide is also doing the rounds on social media.

    Read more – Police brutality, again

    On the other hand, Shahzeb’s father said his son had gone to get his pictures taken around 2 pm on Sunday as he needed them for his school. He said when he reached the police station after he got a call that his son had been arrested, the police did not tell him for three hours about his son’s condition. He believes that his son did not commit suicide but died due to police torture.

    Responding to the incident, Peshawar CCPO said that “in view of the tragic young death, the entire staff of the respective police station has been suspended, [an] FIR registered and responsible staff arrested.”

    The CCPO added that he has also requested a judicial inquiry into the matter. Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (IG) KP has said that he will monitor the incident himself.

    Meanwhile, Special Assistant to Chief Minister KP on Information and Public Relations, Kamran Bangash has said that CM KP Mahmood Khan has ordered a judicial inquiry into the tragic incident and is monitoring the situation personally.

    He added that he and Deputy Speaker Provincial Assembly Mahmood Jan met with the family of the deceased and offered condolences on behalf of the government.

    Video report of the incident:

    Incidents of police brutality are not uncommon in Pakistan. Earlier in January 2020, five officials of Islamabad Police’s Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) were arrested after they gunned down a 21-year-old boy, Usama Satti, in cold blood near Srinagar Highway, G-10 sector in the federal capital.

  • Shahbaz Gill egged and inked in Lahore

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s aide Dr Shahbaz Gill was egged on Monday upon his arrival at the Lahore High Court (LHC).

    According to reports, the premier’s aide on political communication was also subjected to inking besides the two eggs that were hurled at him.

    “This ink is of their kaalay kartut [misdeeds],” said Gill while reacting to the incident.

    “Maryam [Nawaz], next time you do something like this, I will come to your house and wash my face there,” said Gill, adding: “We are Imran Khan’s followers, we will not take revenge. We will, instead, teach you values.”

    He maintained that the government could react to the incident but it won’t stoop down to the perpetrators’ level.

    Gill had earlier alleged that he has been informed that PML-N workers are planning an attack on him at LHC.