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  • ‘Tandav’ makers issue ‘unconditional apology’ after series sparks outrage

    ‘Tandav’ makers issue ‘unconditional apology’ after series sparks outrage

    The cast and crew of Amazon Prime show Tandav have offered an “unconditional apology” after the political drama was accused of hurting Hindu sentiments. The official apology was tweeted by the creator of the show Ali Abbas Zafar.

    “Our sincere apologies,” read the statement. “We have been closely monitoring viewer reactions to the web series Tandav and today during a discussion, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has informed us regarding a large number of grievances and petitions received on various facets of the web series with serious concerns and apprehensions regarding its content hurting the sentiments of the people.”

    “Tandav is a work of fiction and any resemblance to acts and persons and events is purely coincidental. The cast and crew did not have any intention to 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.”

    “The cast and crew of Tandav take cognizance of the concerns expressed by the people and unconditionally apologise if it has unintentionally hurt anybody’s sentiments,” it added.

    In a follow-up tweet, Zafar said: “We just want to share a quick update with everybody. We are in further engagement with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to resolve concerns that have been raised.”

    He added that they “should have a solution shortly”.

    Directed by Zafar, the political drama stars Saif Ali Khan, Sunil Grover, Dimple Kapadia, Sarah-Jane Dias, Gauahar Khan, Kritika Kamra, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, and Dino Morea in lead roles.

    Khan and the makers of Tandav have been at the receiving end of backlash and outrage after a local official from India’s ruling Hindu nationalist party registered a police complaint against Amazon Prime’s latest web series alleging it insults Hindu gods and goddesses.

    Following the outrage and backlash, Saif was given police security. A set of policemen were seen guarding his building to ensure all the safety required to the star and his family.

    Meanwhile, Kangana Ranaut has been having a field day on Twitter, lashing out at the actors and web series and demanding strict action against them.

    In a now-deleted tweet, Ranaut even said: “Because even Lord Krishna forgave 99 mistakes of Sheshupala…. pehle Shanti phir Kranti (First calm, then revolution)…. time to take their heads off.”

  • Foreign investment falls by 30%

    Foreign investment falls by 30%

    Foreign direct investment (FDI) fell by 30 per cent in the first half of the current fiscal year (H1FY21), according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

    According to a report based on the data compiled by a local media outlet, Pakistan received $952 million in foreign investment during July-December FY21 compared to $1.357 billion in the corresponding period last year.

    In addition to the damage done by the pandemic, the impact of heavy outflow from the portfolio also played a key role in making the balance sheet poorer in the first half of FY21. The data shows that the outflow during July-December was $244m compared to a net inflow of $18.8m in the same period last year.

    The breakup further shows that China made 38pc contribution to the overall $952m FDI the country received in July-December period of FY21. However, the FDI inflows from China also contracted to $359m in the period under review compared to $396m in the same period of last fiscal year.

    The other significant contributions were from the United States and UK at $65m and $63m, respectively, both improved from $44m and $58m in the same period of last fiscal year. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has started disinvesting; however, in July-December FY21, the inflow was $16.3m.

    The country received the highest foreign investment of $261m in electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply sectors. While an inflow of $137m was noted in financial and insurance sectors.

  • Reema gets her first dose of COVID-19 vaccine

    Reema gets her first dose of COVID-19 vaccine

    Reema Khan has received her first dose of COVID-19 vaccine in the US.

    Taking to Instagram, Reema shared a video of herself getting the first shot. When asked that how is she feeling, Reema replied: “I’m fine.”

    “Finally got the first COVID-19 vaccine dose,” she captioned the post.

    Earlier, the film star also shared a video in which she said that she is going to get her first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and prayed that the vaccine is available in Pakistan soon.

    “This is very important,” she said.

    In the video, she also urged her followers to get vaccinated, not only for themselves, but for their loved ones as well.

    Meanwhile, Imran Abbas lauded Reema for getting the vaccine, calling her a “pioneer”.

    Reema lives in Washington DC with her husband Dr Tariq Shahab and son Ali Shahab. Due to coronavirus lockdown, Reema and her son were stuck in Pakistan. As soon as flight operations resumed, the two flew back to the USA in August.

    According to Reuters, the first vaccine was administered in the United States in mid-December. Since then till the filing of this report, nearly 12.3 million doses have been given, out of 31.2 million doses distributed. The total includes 1.6 million people who have received both doses.

  • Minister says Bilawal may have received NRO, but not from PTI

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ali Muhammad Khan has claimed that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is not taking part in the protest outside the Election Commission of Pakistan because he may have been given an NRO [National Reconciliation Ordinance].

    The PTI minister, who appeared on Nadeem Malik’s show alongside PPP’s Qamaruz Zaman Kaira, said the PPP chairperson is avoiding the opposition rally because he may have reached a deal over the corruption cases against him. He, however, went on to say that the incumbent government doesn’t believe in making deals with corrupt politicians.

    The PTI minister, however, refused to confirm if Bilawal and his father have actually been given a clean chit in the graft cases against them: “Maybe they have received the NRO, I have no idea.”

    However, Ali Muhammad Khan claimed that his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has never received or given an NRO.

    This prompted the host to ask if the PTI has refused to give NRO to anyone, then who has given Bilawal this alleged NRO to dissuade him from joining the opposition protest. “Is there a government above the PTI government,” he asked.

    The host asked: “Has Bilawal been given an NRO?”

    “I don’t know,” said Ali Muhammad Khan. “We don’t give NRO,” he said, adding that the PPP and PML-N’s politics is based on NROs.

    Taking a dig at the PTI leader, Kaira said that on the one hand the minister says “his party doesn’t give NROs, and, on the other, he claims that Bilawal has received an NRO which is why he is not a part of the opposition protest; who is dishing out these NROs then — is there a government above the government?”

    He said the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) is protesting outside the ECP for the very same reason — an end to the government above the government.

    PROTEST OUTSIDE ECP:

    Tensions are running high in the twin cities, especially the federal capital, as the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) remains undeterred on plans to hold a protest outside the office of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) against the delay in the decision of ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) foreign funding case.

    With security around the ECP being tightened to avoid any untoward incident, Geo News reported that the federal government has deployed two platoons of Punjab Rangers along with police personnel and sealed the election watchdog’s main entrance with barbed wires.

  • Hira Mani is now an ‘official singer’

    Hira Mani has said that she is now an “official singer”.

    Sharing a picture of herself from her new song Saawari, Mani wrote: “Official singer”.

    She then thanked all her fans and followers for making it possible.

    “Please keep loving me like you do,” said Hira.

    The Mere Pass Tum ho actor is very fond of music and has often shared videos of herself singing on her Instagram handle.

  • IN PICTURES: Naumaan Ijaz celebrates 26 years of marriage

    IN PICTURES: Naumaan Ijaz celebrates 26 years of marriage

    Naumaan Ijaz and his wife Rabia Naumaan are celebrating 26 years of marital bliss.

    Pictures from their anniversary celebrations were shared by Rabia on social media.

    Later, Naumaan wished his wife on social media calling her his strength, weakness and universe.

    Rabia also expressed her love for Naumaan thanking him for always making her feel loved.

    Ijaz had earlier sparked outrage after an interview of his went viral in which the actor talked about cheating on his wife and getting away with it because he is such “a great actor”.

    When host Iffat Omar had asked Naumaan the secret behind his successful marriage, Naumaan said that he is very lucky as far as his wife is concerned. He admitted that he falls in love regularly and that his wife doesn’t find out because he is such “a great actor and an intelligent man.”

    Meanwhile, here’s a picture of the couple from their wedding day.

  • Tensions run high as PDM remains undeterred on protest outside ECP amid terror threats

    Tensions run high as PDM remains undeterred on protest outside ECP amid terror threats

    Tensions are running high in the twin cities, especially the federal capital, as the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) remains undeterred on plans to hold a protest outside the office of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) against the delay in the decision of ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) foreign funding case.

    With security around the ECP being tightened to avoid any untoward incident, Geo News reports that the federal government has deployed two platoons of Punjab Rangers along with police personnel and sealed the election watchdog’s main entrance with barbed wires.

    Walkthrough gates have also been installed in the Red Zone area for pedestrians.

    Leaders of the anti-government opposition alliance are scheduled to gather at Kashmir Chowk around 1 pm from where they will lead workers to the ECP aboard a container.

    Earlier, the PDM leadership met in Islamabad at the residence of Maulana Fazlur Rehman to review the protest strategy.

    Addressing the media after the meeting alongside Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice-president Maryam Nawaz, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief said the PTI foreign case could not be delayed any further and urged the commission to announce the verdict soon.

    “Decisions against elected prime ministers are given in a few months’ time but verdict against a selected premier has been pending for over six years,” he said.

    “Foreign funding case is the biggest scandal in Pakistan. Imran Khan has amassed millions in the name of party funds. He took the mother of all NROs to create political instability in the country,” he said and claimed that PM Imran used charity funds for personal business and to spread chaos.

    The protest will not be attended by PPP chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari who is currently in Sukkur and plans to celebrate PPP’s win in the Umerkot by-polls.

    Meanwhile, Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed has warned the opposition of creating a law and order situation. He has also said he “doesn’t want to scare anyone” but Rawalpindi and Islamabad have been on high alert since December 15.

  • Newsletter- 18th January 2021, Monday

    Newsletter- 18th January 2021, Monday









    *|MC:SUBJECT|*

    Good morning . Today is the 18th of January. The weather is supposed to be cloudy in Islamabad and Peshawar, whereas residents of Lahore, Karachi and Quetta will enjoy Plenty of sunshine. To beat your Monday blues, check out how Peshawar’s Charlie Chaplin is spreading happiness during tough times.

    Morning Meme

    Peshawar’s Charlie Chaplin spreads happiness during tough times

    During tough times of Covid, Usman Khan from Peshawar has taken the initiative of spreading smiles after the area where he has lived has witnessed decades of suicide attacks, explosions, and threats from hardline militant groups.

    Read on

    Are you a business geek? Here’s something you need to know

    Great news for all those looking forward to starting a business in Pakistan. Pakistan has improved its position in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index for the second year in a row.
    According to the latest rankings released by the global organisation, Pakistan has improved its position by an impressive total of 28 points, surging from 136th place to 108th on the ran.

    Read on

    BOOK REVIEW: The Sikh Heritage — Beyond Borders of India and Pakistan

    Despite many hurdles, the history of the land of Pakistan retains a rich potential for the Sikh diaspora to relive and reclaim their religious heritage. As an effort to highlight and elaborate the religious memorials, Gurdwara, and history of the important religious figures, we find an impressive effort of Dr Dalvir S. Pannu as, The Sikh Heritage: Beyond Borders of India and Pakistan.
     

    Read on

    Vaccine procurement woes

    We thought the year 2021 will be a year of hope after last year’s pandemic outbreak. This year will indeed be a year when a vaccine is rolled out around the world but there is a catch. Find it out in this editorial. 

    Read

    Zayn Malik features ‘Chaudhvi Ka Chand’ in his new album

    Zayn Malik has released a new song from his album ‘Nobody is listening’ with a surprise for the fans of classical music. The surprise is that his newly released song features Muhammad Rafi’s Chaudhvi Ka Chand.

    Read On

    VIDEO: Shoaib Akhtar thrashes Pakistani advertisements

    Shoaib Akhtar jo ke apni on and off the field aggression ki waja se famous hain has recently trashed Pakistani advertisements in a live TV show, which basically runs on the advertisements. Khair he said ke world’s pathetic advertisements are made in Pakistan and without creativity. 
     

    Read On

    ’Sky is your limit’: ‘Proud sister’ Saboor Aly tells Sajal

    Like every Pakistani, Sajal Aly’s sister is also proud of her for getting a role in Jemima Goldsmith’s upcoming production ‘What’s Love Got to Do With It?’ Sharing the news on Instagram, Saboor congratulated her sister: “Proud sister. Your hard work paid off. We believe that sky is your limit, so go out and spread your wings and soar high.”

    Read On

    Current Baba’s prediction

    Today your uniqueness as a human being will be threatened when you will find someone who enjoys biryani with aloo just like you.

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  • #WesupportIqrar: Celebrities back Iqrarul Hassan after netizens demand apology for praising India

    #WesupportIqrar: Celebrities back Iqrarul Hassan after netizens demand apology for praising India

    Social media users are demanding an apology from television anchor Syed Iqrarul Hassan for praising India. The Sar-e-Aam host was replying to a tweet that stated that India is the ‘vaccine hub’ of the world.

    “India vs Pakistan,” Hassan had written in response to the tweet. “We are not even sure that we ordered the vaccine or not, banana to door ki baat (making it is another story).”

    “Muqabla kerna hai to taleem main kerain, science main kerain, khail main kerain, infrastructure main kerain, economy main kerain, technology main kerain … aur such ka samna kerain (If you want to compete, do it on the basis of education, science, sports, infrastructure, economy, technology … and face the truth).”

    Later, the television host also compared the public transport facilities of the two countries.

     Hassan then went on to highlight how even Pakistan’s currency is at a much lower value than other developing countries.

    Soon after these Tweets, Twitterati started calling him out and demanded an apology.

    https://twitter.com/yes_im_moonali/status/1350985716570972164?s=20

    Following the backlash, several celebrities, and social media users supported the anchor with the hashtag #WeSupportIqrar trending on social media. Shoaib Akhtar, Kamran Akmal, and Imran Ashraf were among those who came forward to defend the anchor.

    https://twitter.com/SyedGhayasAhma3/status/1351013489867948033?s=20

  • EXCLUSIVE: Hareem Shah reveals why she slapped Mufti Qavi

    EXCLUSIVE: Hareem Shah reveals why she slapped Mufti Qavi

    A video of Hareem Shah slapping Mufti Abdul Qavi has gone viral on social media.

    The video has also been shared on Hareem’s verified Instagram account without any details or explanations.

    Speaking exclusively to The Current, Hareem shared that she went to visit Mufti Qavi with her friend. During their meeting, the religious leader passed inappropriate comments and was rude to them prompting Shah to slap him. She said that she left his hotel room after slapping him.

    The TikTok star also clarified that all other videos with Mufti Qavi on her feed are old and that only the slapping one is recent.

    Earlier, in an exclusive interview with The Current, Hareem had said that if she could slap anyone it would be Mufti Abdul Qavi because he had lied that she took a selfie with him.

    Meanwhile, Hareem is all set to foray into the world of acting with a web series titled Raaz on Pakistan’s first Urdu OTT platform – UrduFlix.