Category: Uncategorized

  • ‘Even as a cricketer, you’re an actor’: Wasim Akram talks to The Current about why he chose to act in ‘Money Back Guarantee’

    ‘Even as a cricketer, you’re an actor’: Wasim Akram talks to The Current about why he chose to act in ‘Money Back Guarantee’

    In an exclusive interview with The Current, cricket great and commentator Wasim Akram along with his wife, philanthropist Shaniera Akram, discussed their upcoming film ‘Money Back Guarantee’.

    The film plays host to a star-studded cast with the names of actors like Fawad Khan, Ali Safina, Ayesha Omar and Mikaal Zulfiqaar on the marquee.

    When asked about why he chose to venture into acting after 25 years in cricket and commentary, Akram opened up about his decision:

    “I have been acting for 25 years not just for television commercial or brands. And before that, even during the time I was a cricketer”, the 56-year-old former captain of the Pakistan team said. “When you’re on the field you have to be mindful about where you have to be angry, where you want to be excited, where you have to have a go at one of your fielders when they have dropped a catch.”

    Akram revealed that he had always enjoyed watching movies and television shows, and was grateful for the opportunity writer and director Faisal Quraishi gave him by casting him in ‘Money Back Guarantee’.

    “I enjoy watching movies…especially on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Stand TV in Australia. I watch very different movies too, so credit goes to Faisal who convinced me to give it a go,” the former pacer told us.

    Akram also shared that this was not something he was making a career out of at this stage, but thought, “Why not, let’s give it a go?”

    The complete interview with Wasim Akram and Shaniera Akram will be released on The Current’s YouTube channel on the first day of Eid.

  • Moonis bought benami Spanish properties on same day father Pervaiz Elahi became CM

    Chaudhry Moonis Elahi purchased several properties in Spain on the day his father, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, took oath as Chief Minister (CM) Punjab on July 27 last year.

    Writing for The News, Umer Cheema has revealed that this information has been obtained by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) from Spanish authorities.

    Moonis confirmed holding benami properties in Spain, which includes an apartment, a Range Rover and a company among the newly made assets apart from a bank account and previously incorporated companies.

    Moonis admitted to their ownership and said he would declare them in his next year’s tax return. He said it was nothing more than a coincidence that the purchase of properties occurred on the day his father took the oath.

    National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore had written a letter to the authorities in Spain for an ongoing investigation of alleged corruption, looting and ill-gotten properties against the family.

    It has been found that Barcelo hotel in Barcelona is also owned by Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi family, while another multi-story plaza is also said to be owned by Elahi family—with a person named Saqib Tahir appointed as caretaker, reports Samaa News.

    The Canary Islands in Spain are also said to be home to various historic buildings, plazas and orchards, owned by Eahi family.

    Moonis Elahi has recently started a taxi service in Barcelona by obtaining 250 taxi vehicles on bank lease.

    In Spain, Chaudhary Pervez is known as the frontman of the Elahi Family.

  • SC to hear defence ministry’s request to hold simultaneous elections across Pakistan

    SC to hear defence ministry’s request to hold simultaneous elections across Pakistan

    The Supreme Court (SC) will shortly hear a plea by the defence ministry to hold elections across Pakistan simultaneously.

    A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial, comprising of Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar, will take up the plea shortly.

    A day earlier, the ministry requested the apex court to withdraw the order for upcoming elections due to the fear of terrorist attacks on political campaigns.

    The ministry has submitted a sealed petition in the SC, requesting that the elections be held simultaneously across the country after the completion of the term of the National, Balochistan, and Sindh assemblies.

    It may be noted that this is the same bench that announced the April 4 verdict directing the government and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold snap polls in Punjab on May 14.

  • Former cricketer Rashid Latif points out Babar Azam’s weaknesses

    Former cricketer Rashid Latif points out Babar Azam’s weaknesses

    Former Test cricketer Rashid Latif has picked out what he thinks is a weakness in current captain Babar Azam’s batting.

    The former wicketkeeper said that the margins are the area where Azam can improve significantly, pointing out that the chances of dismissal are higher in the area where the ball swings the most.

    Babar Azam was dismissed for one run by Adam Milne in the third T20I against New Zealand on Monday at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

    “Babar and Virat Kohli face almost the same problem. Both of them do not take the entire foot forward and strike the ball with the body, rather than holding it upwards. Chances of dismissal are higher in the area where the ball swings the most.

    Even when he [Babar] hit the last stroke to complete his century, the ball crossed over the gully point – so he needs to stay a little cautious in that area,” Latif said.

    “Woakes, when he came here for the T20I series, worked on his bowling as well and quickly figured out that if the swing isn’t working, then transitioning it into a slower ball might help you in claiming Babar’s wicket,” he further added.

    In Monday’s match, New Zealand, after winning the toss, decided to bat first and scored 163 runs after losing five wickets. In reply, Pakistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals but Iftikhar Ahmed’s fast-paced knock brought the men in green close to the target, eventually falling short by just four runs.

    Pakistan are currently ahead in the series with a margin of 2-1.

  • Jo raaz meray pass hain agar mai bata doon, log cricket dekhna chorr deinge; Umar Akmal threatens to reveal all

    Jo raaz meray pass hain agar mai bata doon, log cricket dekhna chorr deinge; Umar Akmal threatens to reveal all

    Former middle-order batsman Umar Akmal discussed his leaked dance video in a podcast with YouTuber Nadir Ali, saying that he has respect for those ex-cricketers who are continuously bashing him on the media for no reason.

    “I beg that please don’t humiliate me anymore, I have a family too and I am not a youngster. When my family listens to someone humiliating me, they will also get hurt,” he said.The cricketer said that he knows many secrets.

    “So please, if you don’t want to lose your respect then keep quiet,” he warned.

    Continuing in the same vein, he said that if he leaked the secrets of those players their families will also get hurt. “The people of Pakistan will stop watching cricket and will hate those ex-cricketers,” he stated.

    While asked about Babar Azam, Umar Akmal said that he will pay the consequences if the captain takes his name on camera. “You should ask Babar if that was me who did not give him shoes, then I will pay the consequences.”

    Umar also disclosed that he has rejected international leagues just to play domestic cricket in Pakistan to set an example for juniors.

    “There is a lot of discrimination against me and some people have personal issues with me. I think that’s why even with these brilliant performances in domestic cricket, I am not selected for the New Zealand series,” he observed.

  • Why was Iftikhar sent at number 8? Babar Azam reveals secret strategy

    New Zealand has won the third T20 in the bilateral series with Pakistan in front of a full capacity Gadhafi Stadium Lahore on Monday evening.

    The Kiwis set a target of 163 in 20 overs, winning the match by 4 runs in the last over.

    Pakistan’s batting line up collapsed yet again, as one by one batsmen failed to score after Fakhar Zaman and Muhammad Rizwan fell.
    Young star batter Saim Ayub also failed to hit the shots he is known by, scoring only 10 runs off 9 balls.

    Surprising many, hard hitting all-rounders Iftikhar Ahmed and Faheem Ashraf came to bat in at number 7 and 8 while full time bowler came to bat prior to them with Shadab Khan.

    Babar Azam revealed why he sent Iftikhar Ahmed in at number 8 when asked by the media. The skipper explained that the team are trying a flexible batting line up so everyone can bat according to the situation, stressing that number does not matter and Iftikhar Ahmed can bat at at any number. “There is a proper role for everyone in the team,” he said.

    Iftikhar and Faheem almost turned the game on its head, when Pakistan was 88/7 playing brilliant cricket in the death overs.
    Needing 15 to win from Neesham’s final over, Iftikhar hit a six and a four to reduce the target to five off the last three deliveries.

    But Neesham had Ahmed caught at long-on by Daryl Mitchell and then after a dot ball dismissed last man Haris Rauf in the same manner.

    Iftikhar led the fightback with Faheem as the pair added 61 for the eighth wicket, with Ashraf holing out after a 14-ball 27 studded with two sixes and as many fours.

    Iftikhar smashed six sixes and three fours.

    The victory means New Zealand trail the five-match series 2-1 after Pakistan won the first two games, by 88 and 38 runs, also in Lahore.

    The last two matches are in Rawalpindi on April 20 and 24.

  • PPP, PML-N ready to befriend PTI

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Monday agreed to engage in delegation-level dialogue with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in a bid to find a way out of the present political crisis in Pakistan, reports Samaa.

    According to the news outlet, Yousaf Raza Gilani, Naveed Qamar and Qamar Zaman Kaira from PPP and Rana Sanaullah, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Khawaja Saad Rafique from PML-N attended a crucial meeting between the two parties.

    Talking to media after the meeting, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that politicians must not shy away from negotiations.

    PPP leader Yousaf Raza Gilani called for dialogue between political parties to resolve the ongoing political crisis.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has also called a meeting of coalition partners today to evaluate the country’s political situation and Jamat-e-Islami’s negotiation efforts between the government and PTI reports Geo News.

    According to Geo News, the meeting will be held today at 3:30pm at the PM House.

  • ‘Domestic violence is no joke’: YouTuber Shahveer Jafry slammed for ‘prank-smothering’ wife in video

    Is it about time we recognize how YouTube and TikTok trends are riddled with misogynist and sexist content that is influencing audiences.

    Shahveer Jafry, aka Shahveer Jay, has come under fire on social media after sharing a clip of a prank where he is trying to smother his wife, then cussing himself when he fails to do so.

    Founder of Soul Sisters and entrepreneur Kanwal Ahmed slammed the ‘prank’ as disgusting and degrading, criticising Jafry for refusing to take in to account how the country he’s making this kind of dangerous content for, has high rates of domestic violence, with women being beaten, denied their rights and even starved by their husbands and in-laws.

    Twitter users slammed Jay for such harmful content that is being passed around as a ‘prank’ but is the living reality for countless women suffering in abusive marriages in Pakistan.

    https://twitter.com/nishat218/status/1647986630966353921?s=20

    ‘Don’t downplay violence’, this twitter user wrote.

    https://twitter.com/han3yy/status/1648053657634590736?s=20

    Although the video has been deleted from Jafry’s Instagram account, it is still horrifying how the rise of YouTube trends and viral videos are consistently riddled with misogyny and sexism.

  • Police arrest Chinese worker on accusation of blasphemy

    Police arrest Chinese worker on accusation of blasphemy

    A Chinese worker at the Dasu Hydropower Project in Upper Kohistan was arrested by the police on Sunday after being accused of committing blasphemy by some of the laborers working on the location, Dawn has reported.

    The SHO of Komila confirmed the arrest and mentioned that an FIR has been lodged against the accused under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code.

    The complaint was filed by Gulistan and Yasir. According to the complaint filed at the Komila police station, a mob attempting to break into a Chinese camp near Barseen was reported to police official Jehanzeb on Sunday night.

    “After receiving the information, a police party reached the site, took control of the area and safely shifted the accused to the Komila police station,” the complaint said.

    Despite the arrest, a large number of protesters arrived at Komila early on Monday and once again obstructed the Karakoram Highway while raising slogans against the Chinese man. However, following the police’s guarantee of filing an FIR, the protestors reopened the Karakoram Highway for traffic. Additionally, local religious leaders appealed to the demonstrators to end the protest.

  • Next-level troll; Shaheen trolls former Pacer Shoaib Akhtar in his recent talks with local media

    Next-level troll; Shaheen trolls former Pacer Shoaib Akhtar in his recent talks with local media

    Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan’s ace fast bowler, has trolled former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar in a recent interview.

    Shoaib Akhtar had once criticized Shaheen Afridi when the latter was injured in the final match of the T20 World Cup. “If I was in that situation, I will take an injection and go back to the field. I would never step back if my team needs me, no matter how much pain I am in.”

    The former pacer also gave sharp comments on current skipper Babar Azam in an interview with a private news channel. Stating that Babar Azam should have be the biggest “brand” in Pakistan, the speedster said that it was but unfortunate that he cannot express himself well.

    In an exclusive interview with a local media channel, Shaheen Afridi, an integral part of Babar Azam’s close knit squad, was asked about the qualities of Shoaib Akhtar that he admires the most.

    To which the pacer replied, “He makes good brands (Brand ache se banate hain),” in a clear jibe at Akhtar’s comments about Babar.