COVID-19 claimed 19 more lives across the country during the past 24 hours, taking the death toll from the disease to 6,692.
According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), 660 fresh infections emerged during this period, lifting the national tally of cases to 324,744. As many as 26,670 new tests were conducted over the previous 24 hours.
There are a total of 9,378 active cases of the coronavirus as 308,674 patients have recovered from the virus.
Sindh has reported 142,348 cases so far, followed by Punjab that reported 101,936 cases while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported 38,779, Balochistan 15,717, Islamabad 18,309, Gilgit-Baltistan 4,091 and Azad Jammu and Kashmir 3,564.
In a special session, the NCOC hinted that drastic steps including the closure of all services will be taken to curb the spread of the virus as the public is not complying with the SOPs.
“NCOC is closely monitoring the situation. If there is no improvement in SOPs compliance, the NCOC will have no choice but to revert to strict measures leading to re-closures of services,” said the centre, in a statement.
Earlier, Minister for Planning and Development and Chairman NCOC Asad Umar had said that daily COVID-19 death rate witnessed a spike of 140 percent last week as compared to the mortality rate recorded a few weeks back.
Last week daily covid mortality was 12. This is a 140% increase vs few weeks back. We are collectively committing a blunder by recklessly ignoring all sop’s & the results have started to show. If we do not change our current path we will lose both lives and livelihoods
Sana Javed and Umair Jaswal have made it official. The couple made hearts flutter with pictures from their nikkah, which reportedly took place in Karachi Tuesday night.
The couple look absolutely stunning in their wedding finery and glowed. While Jaswal donned a self-worked white sherwani, Sana wore a pale peach outfit with gold detailing.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CGk8jIkhEqc/
Umair’s brother Uzair Jaswal also shared a picture of the ‘baraati boys’ from the nikkah.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CGky-QeAURR/
Friends and members of the entertainment industry including Feroze Khan, Bilal Abbas Khan, Ayesha Omar, Aiman Khan and Sadaf Kanwal congratulated the newlyweds on their social media post.
Meanwhile, Natasha Ali Lakhani of Natasha’s Salon revealed that she did Sana’s makeup for her big day.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CGmO4z7DEEx/
Umair and Sana had sparked rumours of a relationship in December last year, when Umair thanked Sana for his birthday cake and giving him ideas for his next bike.
As the controversy surrounding the arrest of Capt (r) Muhammad Safdar rages on, army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has ordered a probe into the alleged abduction of Police IG Mushtaq Mahar by the Sindh Rangers.
According to a statement shared by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Gen Bajwa has directed Karachi Corps commander to “immediately inquire into the circumstances to determine the facts and report back as soon as possible”.
The probe announcement by the army chief came after Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari demanded that Gen Bajwa take notice of the incident.
Bilawal said that every police officer in Sindh, from a station house officer to senior police officers, were wondering who had “surrounded IG Sindh Mushtaq Mahar’s office at 2am on Sunday night”.
“Who were the two persons who went inside the IG’s house at 2am and where was our IG taken at 4am in the morning?” he asked.
SINDH POLICE DEMORALISED:
The pressure inflicted on the police to arrest Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader has demoralised the provincial police. In a leave application to the government, the IGP along with a dozen officers sought two-month leave over the treatment meted out to their department.
This move prompted a visit of Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah and PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to the IG House. It seems that the visit was fruitful as the police high-ups decided to postpone their leave plan for 10 days. They said the decision was taken “in the larger national interest” and pending the conclusion of the inquiry into how the arrest of PML-N leader Mohammad Safdar unfolded.
ARREST OF CAPT SAFDAR:
Safdar was arrested from his hotel room in the early hours of Monday from his hotel room for raising slogans at the mausoleum of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, and jumping over the grill surrounding the grave. The Sindh government led by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) had distanced itself from the matter soon after the arrest.
Afterwards, the Sindh police tweeted that the arrest was lawful, but the tweet was deleted soon after it was put up. But after few hours, the tweet was updated again, wherein the police said that Safdar was arrested as per law.
One of Bollywood’s most iconic films Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge is celebrating 25 years. The lead actors of the film – Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol – got nostalgic about the film and changed their Twitter display names to Raj Malhotra and Simran, their characters from the movie.
25 years!!! Filled with gratitude towards you for loving Raj & Simran, with all your heart. This always feels special. #DDLJ25@yrfpic.twitter.com/HHZyPR29f9
Every 90s desi kid has seen the film multiple times and to celebrate the film’s silver jubilee, The Current brings to you five things you (probably) did not know about the film.
1. SRK initially refused to play the role of Raj
SRK, who is also know as the ‘King of Romance’, reportedly did not want to be part of the project because he just couldn’t connect to the character of Raj Malhotra.
“Raj was unlike anything I had done before,” the actor had said. “There were films like Darr, Baazigar and Anjaam, in which I had portrayed negative characters. Also, I always felt that I wasn’t cut out to play any romantic type of character. So, when I was presented with the opportunity by Adi [director Aditya Chopra] and Yash Ji of essaying the role, I was excited to work with him but had no idea how to go about it and also if I would be able to do it well.”
He further shared: “Actually, I always felt Adi’s love for me made him cast me. I found the character endearing and sweet in the right way — the-over-the-topness is my contribution. It was one of those roles that I realised can do with me using a version of my real self so you might see some quirks, habits and mannerisms that were true to my off-screen persona, especially the sense of humour part.”
Khan also said that he is very shy around women and did not know how he would pull off the romantic scenes in DDLJ.
“I was told by many people that I looked unconventional, very different from what the perception of a leading man was. I did feel, maybe, not being handsome enough or as they called it then ‘chocolatey’ would make me unsuitable for romantic roles. Also, I am very shy and awkward with ladies, and I did not know how I would say all the loving, romantic bits,” he had said.
2. Kajol thought that Simran was a “little boring”
Kajol, while talking about her character Simran had confessed that she had found her to be a “little boring”.
“I thought Simran was a little boring, to be honest, but I recognised her”, the actor said. “I realised there is a lot of Simran in almost everybody we know, there is always that wanting to do the right thing in someone. A lot of people don’t do the right thing but we always want to do that. You want to get that approval; you want to get that feeling of you are approved of and that you are doing something right in the world. So, yes Simran was like that. I thought she was just cool, a little old-fashioned but cool.”
3. The film was made on a budget of INR 4 crores
The film, which was also shot in Europe and London, was made on a budget of INR 4 crores. Though it doesn’t seem like a lot by today’s standards, it was a pretty hefty amount back in the day. However, the money was well spent as the film went on to collect Rs 89 crores in India and INR 13.5 crores in the overseas market in the year of its release i.e. 1995.
4. Raj and Simran’s car ride through Zurich had a special backseat guest
SRK and Kajol weren’t the only two enjoying a ride through Zurich in the former’s cherry red convertible. Director Aditya Chopra, who wanted to monitor the scene closely, was actually lying across the car’s backseat during all the romantic scenes.
5. It is the longest running film in the history of Indian cinema
DDLJ is the longest-running film in the history of Indian cinema. The film is still being shown at the Maratha Mandir theatre in Mumbai.
As a leave request to the Sindh government by the high-ups of the provincial police strengthened the claim that the IG was detained by the Sindh Rangers for the arrest of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Capt (r) Safdar, senior journalist Hamid Mir took a dig at journalist Kamran Khan for trying to refute his claim about the police chief’s detention on the basis of “irrefutable sources”.
ہاں جی! کچھ کہیں گے آپ یا نہیں؟ آپکے ناقابل تردید ذرائع نے کل مجھے بھی فون کیا تھا اور وہی کہا جو آپ نے بغیر تصدیق کئے لکھ مارا میں نے انکو جو جواب دیا تھا وہ ذرا انہی سے پوچھ لیجیئے اور آئندہ اپنے ان ذرائع کے کہنے پر میری خبر کی تردید مت کیجئے گا https://t.co/UtLfbTb24b
The tweet by the Geo News anchorperson came on the heels of a news report which revealed that the high ranking officers of the service have sought a 60-day leave. An application signed by AIG Special Branch Imran Yaqoob, a copy of which is available with The Current, said that he submitted the request for leave after the police high command was “ridiculed and mishandled” leading to the demoralisation of all ranks of the Sindh Police.
In his recent tweet, Mir was referring to a statement made by Kamran Khan wherein he contested his claim about the detention of IG Mushtaq Mahar by the Rangers to force him to sign Safdar’s arrest warrants.
Following the arrest of Safar, Mir had tweeted: “Unfortunate incident. Sindh Govt informed PML-N leader Muhammad Zubair that IG [insector general] Sindh was kidnapped by Rangers at 4 in the morning he was brought in sector commander’s office where addnl IG was already present and were forced to issue the orders for the arrest of Cpt Rtd Safdar [sic],” Mir claimed in a tweet.
At this, Kamran Khan, who is an anchorperson at Dunya News, said that the IG was “fully onboard with the arrest”. Maintaining that internal rifts were affecting the affairs of the joint opposition’s Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), Kamran Khan had quoted sources as saying that all claims regarding the IG’s arrest were not true.
Alluding to the application by the Sindh police officials, Mir asked Khan that what does he have to say about it now. He went on to advise him not to “refute his future reports” on the basis of the so-called “irrefutable sources”. “These irrefutable sources also called me with this claim, but go and ask them what I told them,” he said.
A day after it was reported that Sindh police was pressurised to register a case against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Capt (r) Safdar, high ranking officers of the force have sought a 60-day leave.
According to reports, several senior officers, including Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mushtaq Mahar, have decided to go on leave.
The officials also include the additional inspector general (AIG) of Karachi, Special Branch AIG and several deputy inspector generals (DIGs).
An application signed by AIG Special Branch Imran Yaqoob, a copy of which is available with The Current, says that he submitted the request for leave after the police high command was “ridiculed and mishandled” leading to the demoralisation of all ranks of the Sindh police.
A day earlier, soon after the “inappropriate” arrest of Capt (r) Safdar from his hotel room in Karachi, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) led Sindh government had distanced itself from the development.
Amid criticism aimed at alleged rifts among the ranks of the joint opposition — the PPP purportedly going after allied PML-N — it was claimed that the provincial police chief had actually been forced to go after Capt (r) Safdar.
Meanwhile, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Tuesday reportedly took notice of the incident.
“Taking notice of Karachi incident, COAS has directed Karachi Corps commander to immediately inquire into the circumstances to determine the facts and report back as soon as possible,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
Gujranwala police have booked Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders Rana Sanaullah, Khurram Dastgir, and Imran Khalid Butt for allegedly trying to run over police officials after they asked the politicians to stop their vehicle.
The first information report [FIR] was registered on the complaint of a sub-inspector at Satellite Town police station. According to the FIR, four PML-N supporters attending the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) Gujranwala public meeting on October 16 attempted to hit the police personnel with their vehicle.
Earlier in the day, Gujranwala police booked at least Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) members over violation of coronavirus SOPs during its power show in the city last week.
The case registered at the Civil Lines police station against the PDM workers alleged that the political workers flouted measures put in place to contain COVID-19 and also blocked roads.
Last week, the joint opposition held its first rally in Gujranwala as it kicked off its anti-government drive. The rally was termed by the opposition a resounding success, but the government called it a flop show.
Police had also booked over 100 people, including internet service providers, sound system organisers and residents in at least seven FIRs [First Information Reports] for violating coronavirus guidelines ahead of the gathering in Gujranwala.
With the Pakistan Democratic Movement holding rallies in different parts of the countries in a bid to oust the government, Sanam Saeed has criticised them for “creating more mess and chaos like always”.
“Utter disgrace,” remarked the actor.
However, the actor received immense criticism for her tweet following which she later deleted it.
She is stuck in SUV while Mariam Nawaz drives in her Mehran all day long…definitely some leader material
Meanwhile, other members of the entertainment industry including Shaan Shahid, Haroon Shahid and Omair Rana have condemned Capt (r) Safdar and PML-N for raising slogans at the mausoleum of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan and jumping over the grill surrounding the grave.
Don’t use quaid for political mileage..I strongly condemn this act on mizar e Quaid by the opposition . Yeh log Apnay jhoot ko sach kernay kai liyay quaid ka Sahara laitay hain inka quaid London mai hai Karachi main nahee .qaid e Azam is & will always be the symbol of the pure . pic.twitter.com/fVUVAKhCnT
Hey @BBhuttoZardari Sir, could you please look into the matter? As Policing is a provincial subject, this might interest you.
Oh wait, you must have run into him at the #PDMKarachiJalsa and given him a warning Haina? Well it’s not like he did this at Gari Khuda Bukhsh. Haina? https://t.co/Ci9vspqEBi
Gujranwala police have booked at least Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) members over violation of coronavirus SOPs during its power show in the city last week.
The case registered at the Civil Lines police station against the PDM workers alleged that the political workers flouted measures put in place to contain COVID-19 and also blocked roads.
The FIR nominates Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders Khurram Dastgir, Chaudhry Mehmood Bashir, Salman Khalid Butt, and Muhammad Bashir Virk among others.
Last week, the joint opposition held its first rally in Gujranwala as it kicked off its anti-government drive. The rally was termed by the opposition a resounding success, but the government called it a flop show.
Police had also booked over 100 people, including internet service providers, sound system organisers and residents in at least seven FIRs [First Information Reports] for violating coronavirus guidelines ahead of the gathering in Gujranwala.
COVID-19 GUIDELINES FLOUTED:
The massive gathering also blatantly flouted the anti-coronavirus measures, especially at a time when the second wave is in the offing. It is understandable that social distancing was not possible in a small stadium, but face masks — an effective precautionary measure — were also conveniently ignored.
Out of the party leaders, only some were covering their faces, but they too removed them once they started addressing the gathering. PML-N’s Maryam Nawaz and JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman and his party leaders did not wear masks at all. As for the crowd, a negligent number of people bothered to wear face masks as a measure to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has warned that the second wave of coronavirus infections was imminent, especially in cities that face higher air pollution levels.
In an award ceremony pertaining to clean green index programme, the prime minister said that he feared there might be a resurgence of COVID-19 infections in cities where the rate of pollution increases in October and November.
“I fear that in October and November […] cities like Faisalabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Gujranwala where there is more pollution […] there might be a second spike in coronavirus cases. The cases are rising gradually and we hope that they don’t increase quickly; we are monitoring it,” he added. According to the PM, the infections could increase during winter as ‘pollution becomes stagnant in the atmosphere’.
This is not the first time that the premier has warned of a resurgence of the deadly virus. At the start of this month, he had urged people to follow precautionary measures to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Even though there have been multiple warnings by the government officials about the imminent spike in coronavirus infections, the federal and provincial governments have yet to take any serious measures to thwart a potential catastrophe. In March when the virus had started making inroads in Pakistan, the federal government through its reckless attitude enabled the outbreak.
The prime minister had said the coronavirus infection was just like normal ‘flu’ which could be cured with ‘hot water’. This attitude didn’t help the government or public living under the shadow of a pandemic.
If you catch #coronavirsu, you will recover soon because it is like a flu, said PM of Pakistan Imran Khan. — And world doesn’t have vaccine coz it is just like flu. So, Imran Khan, return money to @WorldBank & AB; u collected in the name of Coronavirus
This time again, the government is dilly-dallying on measures to prevent COVID-19 outbreak. Despite a gradual spike in cases since September, the government has allowed schools and businesses to operate, exposing millions to the virus.
SMOG AND CORONAVIRUS:
Experts say the pollutants could also aid the spread of coronavirus, said a BBC report. “In addition to air pollution decreasing immune defences, it is thought that particulate and nitrogen dioxide found in air pollution can act as vectors for the spread and survival of airborne particles such as Covid [virus],” Mary Prunicki, director of air pollution and health research at Stanford University, said.
Studies have shown that exposure to high levels of pollution worsens the condition of patients who have diabetes, hypertension, coronary disease and asthma. And it also weakens the immune system of healthy people.
“The lung is the gateway to the body and any damage to the organ can cause severe problems. And that makes people more susceptible to Covid-19,” Dr DJ Christopher, head of pulmonary medicine at the prestigious Christian Medical College in Tamil Nadu, said. Christopher said. “It’s akin to fighting a war with weakened front-line soldiers.”
In Lahore, the air quality index has crossed 200 –very unhealthy– since the past week. According to the IQAir website, “Air quality in Lahore usually worsens during the winter season from October to February.” It says that winter air pollution is ‘worse due to temperature inversion, which results in a layer of warm air that is prevented from rising trapping air pollutants’.
