Category: Uncategorized

  • Peshawar university employees take pay cuts after varsity runs out of money

    Peshawar university employees take pay cuts after varsity runs out of money

    The administration of the University of Peshawar has announced that it will not able to “disburse full salary to its employees for the month January” due to the financial constraints.

    In a notification issued by the registrar on Jan 21, the university said it will only be able to pay “basic and personal pay” due to lack of funds.

    The Current confirmed the veracity of the notification from the Peshawar University’s registrar office. A news report said that the university will pay its employees only 30 per cent of the salaries due to the constraints.

    The registrar was quoted as saying that the provincial government had approved Rs250 million for the university, but Rs150 million only was released and the remaining funds were linked with the introduction of some reforms.

    “We have requested the government for more money, but they haven’t responded to our request yet,” the registrar was quoted as saying.

    Earlier this month, the Higher Education, Archives and Libraries Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) had issued a notification to the public sector universities directing to implement “no pension liability” for all future initial recruitments in addition to other strict measures to overcome the rising deficit.

    The department had also directed delinking of the pay scales from the basic pay scale scheme and university pay scale, while further stating in a notification that government grant and other resources meant for higher education shall not be expended on meeting the shortfall of the schools run by the universities.

    “These schools should have separate Board of Governors (BoG),” it had read.

    Furthermore, house subsidy and requisition should be paid to the employees on the provincial government rates. All medical allowances in their current form had been abolished and shall be paid at the provincial government rates, it had said, adding that the maintenance cost, including repair, security and other facilities’ costs, should be fully recovered from the employees provided with accommodation by the universities.

    “The universities will be assisted in the process of exploring new avenues of financial resources, including renting out academic blocks to other institutions,” the notification had said.

  • ‘Tandav’: A weak script saved by brilliant performances

    ‘Tandav’: A weak script saved by brilliant performances

    Amazon Prime’s latest Indian web series Tandav has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. After the show opened to poor reviews by critics, it sparked outrage among the Hindu right-wing for depicting Lord Shiva in poor light. Protests were arranged and threats were issued against the cast and makers of the series (police had to be stationed outside Saif Ali Khan’s house), forcing them to issue an apology. They later also agreed to remove the objectionable parts in view of rising unrest.

    However, despite the poor reviews and immense backlash, the show continues to trend and with good reason – the foremost being that the show is extremely binge-able. The episodes are short, crisp, and fast-paced. Though the plot is weak and predictable with the makers trying to fit in too many issues in just nine episodes – dynastic politics, the race for the seat, farmers’ protests, and the student protests’ – the mindblowing performances will make you forgive the producers.

    Anuradha

    Saif Ali Khan was amazing as the manipulative and ruthless Samar Pratap as was Dimple Kapadia as the power-hungry Anuradha Kishore. Let me just add that Kapadia owned every scene she was in, her screen presence was that good. Sunil Grover’s performance as Gurupal, Samar’s henchman was enough to send a chill down your spine.

    Gurupal

    Zeeshan Ayub did complete justice to his role of a morally upright and ambitious student Shiva and won audiences with his flawless performance. Playing a role like this in India’s current political climate requires guts and Ayub shone in it.

    As far as the show’s plot is concerned, there are two parallel stories running – on the one hand, we have India’s ruling party and their internal politics and quest for the Pradhānamantrī‘s ‘kursi’ and on the other, we have young students rallying for their rights and those of the farmers, who have been evicted from their land. Trouble brews when the two worlds collide and that’s what the gist of the series is.

    Director Ali Abbas Zafar, in an official statement, clarified that “Tandav is a work of fiction and any resemblance to acts and persons and events is purely coincidental” and that’s how one should also take it. While the series does appear to have been inspired by real-life incidents, it is also imperative to keep in mind that creative liberty has been taken.

    It would be pertinent to mention that some scenes of the series have been shot at Saif’s ancestral home, Pataudi Palace. This is also the first time shooting took place inside the historical palace.

    In an interview, Saif had shared that though he doesn’t mind renting the grounds of the property, he was a “little bit nervous when the crew moved inside”.

    I would also like to add here that several viewers had expressed that they found the background score to be overpowering, I felt it complimented the mood and overall setting of the show.

    Tandav is no Rajneeti but it isn’t all that terrible either. Watch it for the performances, drama and masala.

  • Sushant Singh Rajput memorial fund set up for students aspiring to study astrophysics

    Sushant Singh Rajput memorial fund set up for students aspiring to study astrophysics

    On Sushant Singh Rajput’s 35th birth anniversary i.e. January 21, his sister Shweta Singh Kirti has announced that a scholarship programme has been set up for students aspiring to study astrophysics at the Department of Physics at the University of California in the United States.

    “I am happy to announce that on the 35th birthday of bhai, a step has been taken towards fulfilling one of his dreams,” wrote Shweta on social media.

    “The Sushant Singh Rajput Memorial Fund of $35,000 has been set up in UC Berkeley. Anyone who is interested in pursuing Astrophysics at UC Berkeley can apply for this fund.”

    “Grateful to the Angels who made it possible,” she added.

    Sushant fascination and interest in science and space is no secret. The actor, who was the owner of the highly advanced Meade 14’’ LX-600 telescope, had even bought a piece of land on the moon in the region called the ‘Mare Moscoviense’ or the ‘Sea of Moscovy’. In an interview, his co-star Bhumi Pednekar revealed that Sushant would carry his telescope to his outdoor shoots so he could see the stars everywhere.

    Earlier, Sushant’s family had announced that they would set up a foundation in his name – the Sushant Singh Rajput Foundation. It would honour his memory and legacy by providing support to young talents in cinema, science and sports – three fields that were close to Sushant’s heart.

    Shweta also wished her late brother by sharing baby pictures of him and their mother.

    “This smile can melt every heart. Happy Sushant Day,” said Shweta. “Happy Birthday my little brother. I hope you always stay happy wherever you are! Love you.”

    Besides the fund, it has also been reported that a road in south Delhi will soon be named after Rajput as the area’s civic body has cleared a proposal for it.

    Read more – Sushant Singh Rajput’s death has highlighted India’s frantic press and the inside world of Bollywood

    Meanwhile, Sushant’s friends, colleagues and other members of the entertainment industry including Kriti Sanon, Preity Zinta, Rajkummar Rao, Kiara Ali Advani, Parineeti Chopra and Shraddha Kapoor celebrated the late actor’s life by sharing photographs, memories and moments from his life.

  • Newsletter- 21st January 2021, Thursday

    Newsletter- 21st January 2021, Thursday









    *|MC:SUBJECT|*

    Good morning *|MERGE1|*. it’s the 21st of January. They say Thursday is the best day to start a new habit because you are less likely to be busy with competing priorities like you do on Mondays. So pick a new habit and stick to it. The weather will be nice and warm in the major cities of Pakistan, but Peshawar will have some clouds. 

    Morning Meme

    A new President

    Yesterday, all eyes were on Joe Biden being sworn in as the 46th US President. #InaugurationDay was trending at No. 1 on Twitter in Pakistan. Check out the story below to find out the tweets that sum up the inauguration.
     

    Read

     Imran Khan accused of receiving funding from India’s BJP, Israel

    Political opponents per foreign funding ka ilzam lagana is the easiest tactic used by our politicians, and playing the same foreign funding card, PDM has accused Imran Khan of receiving funding from India and Israel.  

    Read on

    Drama Review

    Samiya se Samra, aur Moosa se Mikaal tak sab desi dramon mein parents apnay bacchon ki pasand kay huay khilaaf. Sab dramon ki aik jaisi stories se bore ho kar Ashar aur Ayesha hogaye confuse.

    Watch

    Jemima says Imran Khan took no money

    Opposition jo marzi kehti rahay but check out this video in which Imran Khan’s ex-wife Jemima is saying all the right things about our Prime Minister.

    Watch

    Exclusive: The All Girl musical band

    This local All-Girl musical band has taken over social media with a hit new track Mera Nahi Hai. We spoke to these four amazing women in their 20’s about how they are navigating their way through life whilst living their dreams.

    Read

    Fresh allegations of sexual misconduct emerge against Sajid Khan

    More than two years after Sajid Khan was first accused of sexual harassment and misconduct, Sherlyn Chopra has leveled fresh accusations against the Bollywood filmmaker, alleging he had flashed his genitals in front of her and asked her to feel his penis.

    Read On

    Sania Mirza recounts her COVID experience

    Sania Mirza has revealed that she had tested positive for COVID-19 in the beginning of the year.
    In a note posted to social media, the tennis champion said that though she is fine and healthy now, she wanted to share her experience.

    Read On

    Current Baba’s prediction

    You will miss all the work-related deadlines today so maybe today in the office you should focus more on getting things done rather than wasting your time scrolling through Food panda to decide what to order for lunch.

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  • Indian SC issues notice to ‘Mirzapur’ makers, Amazon Prime

    Indian SC issues notice to ‘Mirzapur’ makers, Amazon Prime

    The Supreme Court of India has issued notices to the makers and producers of the web-series Mirzapur and Amazon Prime Video.

    According to reports, a bench headed by Chief justice of India (CJI) SA Bobde admitted the plea and sought a response from the makers of the web-series and Over The Top (OTT) platform Amazon Prime Video.

    The petition sought a direction that the government of India set up a core screening committee for web series, films, or other programmes that are directly released on online platforms.

    The plea said, “The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting must make a certificate from a government authority mandatory before releasing any web series, movies, or program on OTT platforms.”

    “By showing such ridicules and shameless things on the name of a city/ district is the insult of approximately 30 lakh population and rich culture of Mirzapur,” added the plea.

    The PIL was filed by Sujeet Kumar Singh, a resident of Mirzapur, who said the web-series makers had shown Mirzapur as a city of goons and adulteress. The show, which was released on Amazon Prime Video on November 16, 2018, explores crime, murder and general lawlessness in a typically dysfunctional fictional town in the Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh. Its second season was released in October 2020.

    The plea has made the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Excel Entertainment Private Limited and Amazon Prime Video as parties in the case.

    The court’s notice comes two days after an FIR was registered in Uttar Pradesh (UP) against the creators of Mirzapur for hurting “religious, social and regional sentiments” and “damaging social harmony”.

    The FIR was filed by local journalist Arvind Chaturvedi who alleged that the Amazon Prime Video show hurts religious, social, and regional sentiments and damages social harmony. Chaturvedi also claimed that the series has hurt religious beliefs and feelings by focusing on abusive and illicit relationships. It is pertinent to add here that Chaturvedi has also written a book on the life of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    Chaturvedi also accused the makers of spoiling the image of UP and presenting the city of Mirzapur in a poor light. He claimed that the web series shows abusive content, incest, and illicit relations.

    Meanwhile, Amazon Prime is also under fire for its recently released political drama Tandav. The show is facing backlash for its portrayal of Hindu Gods and it has been alleged that the show depicts them in a poor light. Several BJP leaders have called for a complete ban on the show.

    Tandav creator Ali Abbas Zafar on Tuesday announced that the cast and crew of the show has decided to implement changes in the series in order to pacify viewers who have been hurt because of the content.

    Zafar shared an official statement from the cast and crew of Tandav on Twitter and asserted that the team had no intentions to hurt or offend the sentiments of any caste, race, community, or religion.

    “We have the utmost respect for the sentiments of the people of our country. We did not intend to hurt or offend the sentiments of any individual, caste, community, race, religion or religious beliefs or insult or outrage any institution, political party or person, living or dead,” read the statement.

  • Adnan Siddiqui, Sheheryar Munawar lambast Cannoli owners for mocking manager’s ‘English’

    Adnan Siddiqui, Sheheryar Munawar lambast Cannoli owners for mocking manager’s ‘English’

    Sheheryar Munawar, Adnan Siddiqui, and Ahsan Khan among other celebrities have slammed the owners of Cannoli Café Soul in Islamabad, Uzma, and Diya, for mocking and ridiculing their restaurant manager for his English speaking skills.

    Sharing his thoughts on the incident, Adnan Siddiqui in a long note posted to Instagram said that he “wish[es] someone had taught them basic courtesy”.

    “The joke’s on them because they just exposed their class, rather lack of it,” said the actor. “Do yourself a favour and find a cure for your colonial hangover.”

    Similarly, Munawar condemned the behaviour of the owners, writing: “Seems like an exaggerated scene out of a 90’s movie, where the mean rich kids pick on the protagonist, making fun of his humble background.”

    “Shame,” he added.

    Expressing his outrage, Ahsan Khan said: “I find it very distasteful that even in today’s world we demean people who work for us just because they can’t speak English.”

    “Such pretentious snobs,” added the actor.

    Ahmed Ali Butt, Sarah Khan and Mushk Kaleem also expressed their distaste over the incident and criticised the disgraceful remarks by the two women.

    Mushk also reminded her followers of the time when Iman Aly had passed a “condescending statement about the current models of our industry.”

    Meanwhile, the owners later issued an apology, saying that they “are saddened and appalled by the reaction of the people, how they have misconstrued our banter with a team member”.

    Social media users, however, are not buying their “fake apology” and have criticised them further for being tone deaf and arrogant.

  • Osman Khalid Butt points out the difference between harassment and flirting

    Osman Khalid Butt points out the difference between harassment and flirting

    Osman Khalid Butt used a viral meme to educate people on the difference between harassment and flirting.

    The original meme showed a man and woman indulging in PDA with the caption: “The difference between harassment and flirting is your financial position.”

    Butt cut out the latter part of the caption, writing: “The difference between harassment and flirting is CONSENT.”

    Earlier, Osman had schooled a troll by explaining the difference between intimacy and sex to him.

    Meanwhile, the actor is currently shooting for his upcoming drama Chupke Chupke with Ayeza Khan and Mira Sethi. The comedy-drama, which is expected to go on-air in Ramazan, is being directed by Danish Nawaz.

  • Twitterati slam Cannoli owners for ‘non-apology’

    After the owners of Cannoli Café Soul sparked outrage for mocking their manager for his English speaking skills, they issued an apology which reeks of privelege and arrogance.

    In an official statement, the café said: “We are saddened and appalled by the reaction of the people, how they have misconstrued our banter with a team member.”

    The owners explained that the video showed “casual gup shup” between the owners and their team, adding: “This video depicts the gup shup between us as a team, and is never meant or taken in a hurtful or negative way. If anyone was hurt or offended we apologise, however that was never our intention.”

    The statement further said: “We are not required to prove or defend ourselves as kind employers. Our team has been with us for a decade, that should speak for itself.”

    “We are proud Pakistanis who love our language and our culture,” the statement concluded.

    However, social media users are not buying Cannoli’s apology, with some wishing they had never issued one.

    One user had predicted the entire apology statement.

    https://twitter.com/MirTharkiMir/status/1352214340087279619?s=20

    https://twitter.com/Shehzad89/status/1352231146638225421?s=20
  • ‘Ichhra looking hairpiece’: Nabila receives flak for ridiculing local makeup artist’s work

    ‘Ichhra looking hairpiece’: Nabila receives flak for ridiculing local makeup artist’s work

    Nabila is at the receiving end of flak for leaving “bitter” comments and mocking a makeup artist Fatima Nasir’s work.

    Commenting on Eman Suleman’s post, in which the model had shared pictures from a recent shoot, Nabila wrote: “Great idea, executed badly, especially the Icchra looking hairpiece. When the subject is so beautiful it’s a sin to not up to our game.”

    While Nabila’s comments appear to be well-intentioned, her choice of words did not sit well with the makeup artist and model.

    Defending Nasir, Eman wrote: “I think it’s a job well done, better than any parlour could have done.”

    Instead of ending the debate there, Nabila continued her criticism saying: “In my opinion, the hair finish looks too synthetic and takes away from the regal styling.”

    “Obviously we can choose to be reactive or grow from criticism. I prefer the latter,” added the makeup maestro.

    At this point, Fatima jumped in to defend her work and explained the process behind the hairdo.

    “It’s a lot easier to just criticise someone’s work don’t you think?,” she questioned, to which Nabila replied: “I see you choose to react and defend. All the best.”

    During the exchange, Fatima pointed out to Nabila that it was wrong of her to use the word ‘Ichhra’ to describe her work.

    “Sorry if I hurt you, but false empathy can be interpreted as false flattery in my dictionary. If I were you, I would investigate how I can improve my finishing skills. But you are not me. Let’s leave it at this,” concluded Nabila.

    Soon, models Farwa Kazmi and Rehmat Ajmal also jumped in to defend Fatima and called out Nabila for her comments.

    “It’s sad to see such a condensing and wicked comment coming from a very senior artist who has been in the industry for 35 years. One can only claim their right to criticise when they also praise the work others do,” wrote Kazmi.

    Similarly, Ajmal wrote that the senior makeup artist’s comments were “quite disgusting and off-putting”.

    Farwa further wrote: “If I were you, I would write my opinion and leave my suggestion in a polite way without attacking the artist, the work and the locality which would have been well received.”

    “But you aren’t me, you are Nabila. Let’s leave it at that,” she added.

    Nabila had earlier come under fire when she had demanded for salons to be opened when coronavirus cases were at an all-time high in Pakistan.

  • Ameer Gilani clears the air on his relationship status

    Ameer Gilani clears the air on his relationship status

    Ameer Gilani has put to rest all rumours regarding his relationship status and clarified that he is single.

    Responding to a question during an interactive session on Instagram, the Sabaat actor said that he has no girlfriend and is single.

    It was being speculated that Ameer is in a relationship with his Sabaat co-star Mawra Hocane.

    Later, while responding to a question on when is he is getting married, the actor said: “Not any time soon.”

    Meanwhile, responding to a question on his studies, the actor said that he is currently doing his Masters and would like to pursue a PhD some time in the future. Gilani is enrolled at Harvard University for an LLM. He has been attending classes online due to the pandemic.

    Gilani rose to popularity with Hum TV’s Sabaat in which he shared the screen with Hocane, Sarah Khan, and Usman Mukhtar. The drama was a critical and commercial success. While Ameer hasn’t revealed the details of his next project, he has shared that he will be returning to the screen soon.