Indians have fallen in love with Pakistani media persons, lauding them and calling them “journalists with spines” after a video of a group of the same boycotting a press conference went viral on social media.
In the viral video, one of the journalists, namely Riaz Gondal, can be seen calling out government officials for making media persons wait for hours for the press conference. “We have been waiting for two hours. Corruption in Jhelum is rampant. All government officials are looting the people in the name of welfare,” he tells the officials upon their arrival.
“But since you have wasted our time, we are boycotting your press conference,” Gondal adds as all journalists then remove their mics from the podium.
Though the exact details are not yet available, a social media user claimed that journalists boycotted the deputy commissioner’s press conference.
The video has been watched and shared over a million times, especially across the border — where media is time and again accused of being a lapdog of the government.
Here’s how Indians showered praises on the professionals on this side of the border:
ARY Digital’s masala-packed drama Nand finally came to a close on April 13 after 146 episodes with main antagonist Gohar’s death. The drama had everything from miscarriages to scheming nands and bhabhis and even plastic surgery.
Gohar’s domineering, jealous, and unsympathetic nature led her to a painful and heart-rending death. For those who haven’t watch the finale and want to know, Gohar died after her second husband poisoned her.
Nand originally featured Faiza Hasan, Shahroz Sabzwari, Minal Khan, Aijaz Aslam, Maha Hasan, and Ayaz Samoo in the lead and revolved around three couples, Gohar (Hasan) and Jehangir (Aslam), Saqib (Sabzwari) and Rabi (Khan), and Hasan (Samoo) and Farwa (Maha).
The drama busted rating charts with Hasan’s unbeaten acting. After ruining everyone’s lives and getting exposed Gohar got perfect retribution for her evil deeds – she lost her mind and started living on the streets following which audiences believed the drama was close to an end. But turns out the makers had other plans up their sleeves. They turned the drama into a Pakistani version of a Star Plus drama.
The drama had taken a complete turn from when it began and the titular character Gohar aka the Nand had gotten a face transformation and Hasan, who initially played the role and was a major attraction, was replaced by Javeria Saud.
The Nand was not the only one who had undergone a change but another female protagonist Rabi (played by Minal) died in Episode 95 that aired on January 13, 2021. Rabi and her daughter Dua died in a car accident in Germany, where they had gone to visit Rabi’s sister-in-law.
However, even after Saud replaced Hasan, many watched the drama but soon began to lose interest because the drama dragged on tirelessly.
With multiple new faces taking the story forward, Gohar did not learn from her mistakes and continued on different ventures making life for those around her hell.
After eight long months, the drama’s makers decided to end everyone’s suffering, including those of the audiences, and wrap up the show. While many viewers loved the drama giving it strong ratings, it drew mixed reviews with many wanting it to end. Hence, in an attempt to leave audiences satisfied, the drama makers gave Gohar a painful and tragic death for all the havoc she caused in other people’s lives.
Meanwhile, announcing the news of the drama’s conclusion, Aijaz Aslam wrote: “Finally it’s over. A beautiful year-long journey has come to an end on a very high note. Thank you, everyone, for your love and support which kept the viewership graph higher and higher all the way till the end.”
Finally its over #nand#jahangir … a beautiful year long journey has come to an end on a very high note … thank you everyone for your love and support which kept the viewership graph higher & higher all the way till the end … I just made a small collage of memories pic.twitter.com/rCVT4ixsTd
A woman who set the Guinness World Record for the longest hair in her teenage years got her first haircut after 12 years.
Hailing from India, 18-year-old Nilanshi Patel donated the cut hair for display at the Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Museum in Los Angeles.
She first set the Guinness record for longest hair on a teenager when she was 16 while her hair length was 5 feet, 7 inches long. She broke her own record for the second time with hair measuring 6 feet, 6.7 inches long before her 18th birthday.
“My hair gave me a lot — because of my hair I am known as the ‘real-life Rapunzel,’ now it’s time to give back,” Patel said.
She said she had initially thought of donating her hair to make wigs for children with cancer, but her mother convinced her that it should be displayed in the museum to inspire others.
Her mother, Kaminiben Patel, had a deal with Nilanshi that she would donate her own hair to the cancer wig program if her daughter agreed to give hair it for museum display.
“I love my new hairstyle. I feel proud that I’m going to send my hair to the US museum– people will see and be inspired by my hair,” said Patel.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has said the government would uphold the law without discriminating between the weak and powerful, as he slammed sugar mill owners for hiking up sugar prices.
Responding to a question on Jahangir Tareen’s hearings while addressing media persons in Sargodha, the PM said: “I am ready to listen to everyone’s reservations, but there is one thing they should understand. Sugar prices increased by Rs26 in a year or so.”
An increase of Rs26 per kg in sugar prices translates into Rs120-130 billion, and this huge sum of money went from the citizens’ pockets to the sugar mills, PM Imran Khan said.
“It is obvious: the government has to work in the best interests of the people and we’ve asked the FIA (Federal Investigation Agency) to probe the matter. During the investigation, several horrific things were revealed to us.”
The premier said he was ready to speak to those who had reservations against the proceedings, but stressed that the government would uphold the law — the same law that is applicable to everyone.
PM Imran Khan said the “elite and the powerful are the actual menaces behind the country’s downfall.”
“If you combine the amount of corruption done by all poor people in jails, it will amount to a maximum of Rs2-3 billion.”
The premier, speaking on PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif’s bail, said if they are unable to convict people against whom evidence was available, the country could not prosper.
A day later, on Thursday, his aide on accountability and interior Shahzad Akbar said it was regrettable that a few were threatening watchdogs for questioning them “only for personal gains”.
واپس سرکار کے نام منتقل کر دی گی اعتراض کے لیے عدالت موجود ہے، اور یہ کام محکمہ مال پنجاب کا ہے لیکن نکی مریم کو اس میں بھی شہزاد اکبر نظر آتا ہے ویسے کمال ہے اب آگے ہونے والی گھریلو لڑائیاں بھی میرے متھے نہ لگا دینا !
He was tweeting on reactions by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to the transfer of 127 kanals of land belonging to the Raiwind residence of the Sharif family back to the government.
Punjab Revenue Department was ordered, however, a court in Lahore approved the stay order and summoned all parties to the case on April 27.
The court of civil judge Faheemul Hassan Shah issued the stay order after Nawaz Sharif’s nephew Yousuf Abbas Sharif and other members of the Sharif family, through their lawyers, approached the court.
Hania Aamir has often been on receiving end of criticism for her lively and unfiltered presence on social media. The actor, who recently hit four million followers on Instagram, took to her social media handle to address the hate she receives.
“It’s very sad that there are very few people left in this world who are real and genuine,” said the actor. “And those who are [real and genuine] are afraid because people call them with weird names [such as] ‘sokha‘, when they are only trying to be as original as possible.”
“All they are doing is keeping the child inside them alive. It’s vulnerability, it’s innocence, and not trying to be somebody they are not,” said Hania further, adding: “All they want is happiness for themselves and the people around them.”
Hania continued: “It doesn’t make sense, when you hate on them.”
“I just read a comment which said ‘Oh I unfollowed her because she was like crossing her limits’. What are you talking about man?,” questioned Hania. “All I talk about is love and respect and coexisting with different opinions, and that’s it.”
“I love you all, man. Don’t miss out on my content,” concluded Hania on a humorous note.
Earlier, Hania had also posted alengthy note in which she talked about self-love and urged people to be kind to each other and accept difference of opinions. In her note, Hania also questioned why people can’t be happy in others happiness.
Pakistan has ranked as the fourth weakest passport in the world, only stronger than war-torn Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq, on the Henley Passport Index.
The Henley Passport Index assesses the travel documents based on how many countries citizens can access without a visa, using information from the International Air Transport Association.
It does not take into account any temporary pandemic-related travel restrictions.
Based on the index, Japan is the most powerful passport with access to 193 countries, Singapore has come second with access to 192 countries. Germany and South Korea share the third place with each giving access to 191 destinations.
Despite a military coup, Myanmar has secured the 94th spot in the index with access to 47 destinations whereas India and Bangladesh stand at the 84th and 100th ranks, respectively.
China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have climbed from the 90th position to 68th, and 65th position to 15th, respectively.
European Union (EU) countries make the majority of countries ranked on the top 10 list of the Henley Passport Index. The report reveals that the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) have dropped down to seventh place, together with Switzerland, Belgium, and New Zealand.
Among other countries, the passports of which are ranked among the most powerful are Italy, Finland, Luxembourg, France, Spain, Netherlands, Ireland, Sweden, Malta, Greece, and Norway.
The gap between Japan that holds first place and Afghanistan’s access to other countries is 167.
Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has launched the Rehmatul-Lil Alameen scholarship program for underprivileged students, Radio Pakistan has reported.
As per details, a budget of 27.93 billion rupees has been approved for this national-level program which will be used over the next five years. The program will be implemented in 129 public sector universities across the country.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Islamabad, PM Imran said the scholarship will be available to all Pakistanis including non-Muslims, adding that the federal government will annually provide Rs 5.5 billion for 70,000 scholarships.
PM Khan said that under the scholarship program a total of 350,000 scholarships will be provided in five years at a cost of Rs 28 billion.
He further said that the provincial governments of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will also separately provide scholarship to the students.
The premier asserted that the government is especially focusing on the education sector with the aim that “our youth learn from the Sunnah of Hazrat Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wa Salam Khatim-un-Nabiyeen“.
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) April 15, 2021
Meanwhile, speaking on the occasion, Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood said the Rehmatul-Lil Alameen Scholarship is a nationwide program and will be implemented in 129 universities across the country. He said fifty percent scholarships will be given to women whilst two percent to specially-abled persons.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry and Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari also announced the news on social media, encouraging those eligible to apply for it.
The provinces are also separately pursuing the Rehmatul-Lil Alameen Scholarship program. In Punjab, one billion rupees has been approved for this scholarship program annually, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has allocated Rs 427 million for it.
The French Embassy has advised all French nationals and companies to temporarily leave Pakistan as violent anti-France protests paralyse the country.
“Due to the serious threats to French interests in Pakistan, French nationals and French companies are advised to temporarily leave the country,” the embassy said in an email to French citizens.
“The departures will be carried out by existing commercial airlines.”
Anti-French sentiment has been simmering for months in Pakistan since the government of President Emmanuel Macron expressed support for a magazine’s right to republish blasphemous caricatures depicting Holy Prophet (PBUH).
Good Morning, *|MERGE1|*! It’s April 14 and Happy Ramzan! First roza is always the toughest for me because I can’t function without tea. Bhook toh control hojati hai but the urge to have chai every three hours is a real test. Aap ko roza rakhnay mein sab se mushkil cheez kya lagti hai? ?This Ramzan I’m looking forward to AAJ TV’s Ramzan transmission which will be hosted by Imran Abbas from Turkey. I’m excited that they will also be talking to the cast of Ertuğrul and that the transmission, Baran-e-Rehmat, will be hosted by evergreen Reema.
Eat healthy, be kind and don’t forget the less fortunate .
It will be sunny today
Laila-The Current
MORNING MEME
TLP protests
FINALLY, an FIR has been lodged against TLP leadership by the state. Violent protests by TLP workers continued the whole day yesterday against the arrest of party chief Saad Rizvi and at least two protestors and a policeman were killed Tuesday in violent clashes between members of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and the police. In addition to that, the police arrested more than 100 supporters of the party. Looking at all the videos of helpless policemen facing the violent mob is making my heart heavy.
A day after Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) finally broke silence on backstabbing allegations, expressed its reservations and later resigned from offices of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) apart from the Awami National Party (ANP), members of the two parties have reportedly been removed from a WhatsApp group of the anti-government alliance.
According to sources, Yousuf Raza Gilani, Sherry Rehman, Saeed Ghani, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Mian Iftikhar were removed from the WhatsApp group of the joint opposition’s steering committee.
Russian President’s ‘Blank Cheque’ to Pakistan: What you need to know
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov recently visited Islamabad after nearly a decade and delivered an “important” message to the Pakistani leadership from President Vladimir Putin.
“I came with a message from my president that ‘tell Pakistan we are open for any cooperation, whatever Pakistan needs Russia is ready for it’,” Lavrov was quoted as saying by a senior Pakistani official who, according to The Express Tribune, attended the closed-door meeting.
The Russian president’s offer was dubbed by the official as a “blank cheque” as they revealed that Putin had conveyed to Pakistan through his top diplomat that Moscow would help Islamabad in any manner.
If you are like me jise samajh nahin araha ke what exactly blank cheque means? Our political desk editor Abdullah Zafar has simplified it for you.
Richa Chadha’s ‘Madam Chief Minister’ is ambitious
After the success of Sacred Games and Mirzapur, political and crime thrillers set in the corridors of power have become a thing in Bollywood. Indian politics has a history of being mired in plenty of controversy, drama and action and provides ample inspiration for gripping political dramas – one that will keep audiences engaged throughout the runtime.
Read the complete review by our Entertainment Editor Saman.
Mawra Hocane shares her most beautiful present ever?
Ameer Gilani has gifted Mawra Hocane the ‘most beautiful present’. Mawra shared a short video of a beautiful red Holy Quran, tagging Actor Ameer Gilani, thanking him for the present. She also said in the caption, “The most most beautiful present, one could ever give to someone.”
On this day, the Titanic struck an iceberg off the coast of Newfoundland and sank to the bottom of the sea at about 2:20 a.m. the next morning, taking the lives of more than 1,500 people. The Titanic was on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York when the tragedy occurred.
Current Baba’s prediction
Aaj aap ko buhat bhook aur pyaas lagegi for obvious reasons.
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Sarah Khan has been hospitalised due to ill health. Confirming the news, Khan’s manager told The Current that the actor has contracted typhoid due to which she had to be admitted to the hospital.
Sarah’s husband, Falak Shabbir was the first to share the news of his wife’s ill-health, posting a picture of Sarah actor lying on a hospital bed.
“She is unwell,” Falak said in the caption.
Several of Sarah’s colleagues including Imran Ashraf and Resham expressed their concern and wished her good health.
