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  • Punjab govt revised working hours again; 8 am to 10 pm

    Punjab govt revised working hours again; 8 am to 10 pm

    Punjab government has again revised working hours for business operations in the province to curb the surge of COVID-19 cases.

    All businesses in Punjab will be allowed to operate all week long from 8 am to 10 pm every day.

    Other essential businesses such as medical stores, clinics, grocery stores, petrol pumps will be permitted to operate 24/7.

    The minister has directed all district administrations to ensure the wearing of face maks in markets all over Punjab.

    It was decided in a high-level meeting held yesterday in Lahore chaired by the provincial Law Minister, Raja Basharat. The meeting discussed the Coronavirus situation across Punjab and adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to stop the transmission of the viral infection.

    It must be noted that the Punjab government had allowed all businesses to operate 24/7 after a steady decline in Coronavirus cases across the province.

    In the last 24 hours, Punjab has reported 158 new cases and 2 deaths due to Coronavirus.

  • Atiqa Odho acquitted in nine-year-old liquor case

    Atiqa Odho acquitted in nine-year-old liquor case

    Nine years after Atiqa Odho was booked in a case for allegedly possessing liquor at Islamabad International Airport (IIA), the actor has been acquitted by a court in Rawalpindi.

    According to details, the judge said that there was no evidence against the actor. Odho had been booked for allegedly smuggling two bottles of foreign liquor in her bag while she was checking in for Pakistan International Airline’s (PIA) Karachi-bound flight PK-301 in June 2011. The liquor had been confiscated on the spot as per the law and Odho, who was secretary information of Pervez Musharraf’s All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) at the time, had been allowed to travel.

    However, Iftikhar Chaudhry, who was CJP back then, took suo motu notice of the incident after the news was widely discussed on television. He directed police and Customs officials to clarify why a case had not been registered against the actor. Following the notice, Customs officials sent a lawsuit to the Airport police station, which then registered a case against Odho under Section 3/4 of the Prohibition Order of 1979.

    The actress was granted interim bail three days later from the court of Rawalpindi Additional Session Judge Iqbal Chadhar. The court also restrained the police from arresting or harassing the artist. The police later recorded her statement and presented the charge sheet after 14 days due to pressure from the Supreme Court.

    Odho regularly presented herself in court for six months until she was granted immunity from appearing before the court until the final verdict.

    Read more – ‘Pyar Ke Sadkay’: The curious case of Mahjabeen’s pregnancy

    The actor has not yet responded to her acquittal.

  • KP govt to transform small dams into picnic points

    The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has decided to transform small dams into picnic points to boost tourism in the country. The government has begun to transform five dams into picnic points for the public. 

    As per details, Kundar Dam in Swabi, Jalozai Dam Nowshera, Thand Dam Kohat, Chattri Dam Haripur and Jhangra Dam Abbottabad are being completed as picnic spots.

    Services like parking, restaurants, open cooking, solar system, spot fishing and others will be available for the visitors on these sites.

    Earlier on August 19, Prime Minister Imran Khan had chaired a meeting on reviving the tourism sector in the country, where it was decided to form a coordination committee under the supervision of his Special Assistant on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resources Development Zulfiqar Bukhari.

    The committee would meet after every week and would give a briefing to PM Khan over the progress and development of the tourism sector in the country.

  • Did a sniper really take shots at Maryam Nawaz in Lahore? IG answers

    Did a sniper really take shots at Maryam Nawaz in Lahore? IG answers

    Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Shoaib Dastgir has dismissed reports of bullets being fired at the vehicle of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz last week when she was to appear before the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in Lahore.

    Many police officials were injured when a scuffle broke out last week between policemen and PML-N workers ahead of Maryam’s appearance. Footage of the incident suggested that workers had brought bags full of stones which were pelted at police and security officials.

    READ: Safdar for police case against Imran over ‘assassination attempt’ on wife Maryam

    Former senator Sajid Mir, after meeting Maryam on Sunday, claimed she had been targeted by some sniper during her appearance, saying the windscreen of her bullet-proof vehicle could not be smashed by a stone.

    Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Dastgir said no evidence was offered to back up claims asserted through reports and social media.

    He also said the institution of police is an independent one and has no tussle with any political party. However, he warned, those who took the law into their hands will be punished.

  • Qureshi leaves for ‘very important’ China visit to represent Pakistan’s civil, military stance

    Qureshi leaves for ‘very important’ China visit to represent Pakistan’s civil, military stance

    Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has left for a two-day visit to China to attend the second round of the China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue, a statement from the Foreign Office said on Thursday.

    In a video message released before his departure, the foreign minister said he was going on a “very important trip to China” and that he had a discussion with Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan before leaving.

    “I am leaving on a very important visit to China. I had a discussion with the prime minister regarding this visit yesterday. My delegation will represent the stance of the political and military leadership of the country. I am hopeful that my meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi will prove to be beneficial for both countries,” Qureshi said.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    Qureshi, who is accompanied by senior officials, will visit China’s Hainan province where he will lead the Pakistani delegation in the dialogue, the FO statement added. He is scheduled to return tomorrow (Aug 21).

    State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will lead the Chinese side during the dialogue, according to the statement.

    “During the dialogue, both sides will discuss cooperation on COVID-19, bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual interest,” the FO said.

    “The visit will play an important role in further strengthening Pakistan-China ‘All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership’ and deepen strategic communication and coordination with China on a range of issues.”

    The first round of the China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue took place in March 2019 in which both sides vowed to protect the $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) from “all kinds of threats”.

    Reports emerging on Wednesday suggested the foreign minister will “hold meetings with his Chinese counterpart and senior leadership while important decisions will be taken regarding the visit of the Chinese president to Pakistan.”

    He was also expected to call upon Chinese President Xi Jinping during the trip.

    The trip comes after PM Imran, earlier this week, said it should be clear that Islamabad’s future is tied to Beijing which has stood by Pakistan through thick and thin.

    Speaking to senior journalist Kamran Khan during a wide-ranging interview, he said that both countries recognised each other’s importance and were further strengthening mutual ties. “Unfortunately, western countries are using India against China,” he added.

    The premier also said that Chinese President Xi Jinping was scheduled to visit Pakistan in May this year but his visit was delayed due to the coronavirus outbreak. “His visit is now expected towards the end of the year.”

  • KYA BOLA? (Aug 20): PML-N govt’s finance minister all-praise for PTI to Kuwait running out of money

    KYA BOLA? (Aug 20): PML-N govt’s finance minister all-praise for PTI to Kuwait running out of money

    Following are some snippets that stood out from Urdu newspapers on August 20, 2020, which The Current takes no responsibility for.

    PML-N Govt’s Finance Minister All-Praise For PTI

    It has been reported by Daily Jang that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former finance minister Miftah Ismail has said, “Hukoomat ne Ehsaas Programme mein ghareebo ko paisay diye… iski tareef krta hun.”

    ‘Hukoomat Aur Yeh Saal’

    It was reported by Daily Dunya that Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed has said, “Nawaz Sharif deal kr k gaye… mazeed siyasatdaan andar janay walay hain. Teesra saal hukoomat k liye imtahan ka saal hoga… agar pichlay saalo ki tarha yeh saal bhi aisay guzar gya to phir buhat barray masail paida ho jayeingay.”

    Kuwait Running Out Of Money

    It was reported by Daily Dunya that Kuwait’s Finance Minister Barak Ali Al-Shaytan has warned the parliament that only two million dinars remain in the country’s treasury and no money will be available to pay government employee’s salaries after October.

  • Pakistani actor Hasan Khan to play Sushant Singh Rajput in film for Amazon Prime?

    Pakistani actor Hasan Khan has created a bit of a frenzy after he announced that he will be playing the late Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput for “Indian web”.

    In an Instagram post, the actor wrote: “Alhamdulillah got a project which is really close to my heart, playing Sushant Singh Rajput’s character for Indian web.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CD_-eIEJkUs/

    While the actor did not share further details, Indian media denied the rumours and reported that “Amazon Prime Video has not commissioned or licensed any project on the late Sushant Singh Rajput with actor Hasan Khan or for that matter with anyone else”.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CEEBzeTpTbh/

    Later while speaking to a local media outlet, Hasan revealed that the film has already been shot and will be released soon. The actor said that the film has been directed by a Pakistani director, Mohammad Mussavir and produced by Indian producer, Raj Gupta.

    Hasan also said that the film was originally scheduled to release on Amazon Prime but due to strong criticism and backlash from Sushant’s fans, Amazon Prime backed out of the project. He added that the film will now release on the producer’s own channel ‘Imperfect Movies’.

    The actor also shared some BTS pictures with the publication. Viewer discretion is advised.

    Sushant allegedly died by suicide on June 14, though fans believe that he was murdered. Mumbai Police was investigating his death but after fans expressed their distrust in them, the matter has been referred to India’s top investigation agency the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The controversy surrounding his death does not seem to be dying and it appears that fans will not rest until the matter is settled as per their expectations.

  • ‘Diriliş: Ertuğrul’ star Engin Altan virtually meets terminally ill Pakistani children

    ‘Diriliş: Ertuğrul’ star Engin Altan virtually meets terminally ill Pakistani children

    Diriliş: Ertuğrul star Engin Altan Düzyatan met three terminally ill Pakistani children via video link on Tuesday fulfilling their wish of wanting to meet him.

    According to Anadolu Agency, the actor took part in an event arranged by Make-A-Wish Foundation in Karachi. The foundation grants one wish of children who are suffering from fatal diseases.

    Fizza Khuda Baksh, 14, Sidra Khan, 15, and Sohail Umer,16, are big fans of the hit Turkish series and wanted to meet Düzyatan. The three attended the event dressed up as characters from the show.

    “I saw your drama on PTV which is lovely and telling us the Islamic history and how our heroes fought for Islam,” Umer told the actor.

    “I wished to speak and meet you and today my dream has been fulfilled,” said Khuda Baksh.

    Speaking to those in attendance Düzyatan said, “I am very happy to meet these children and soon will visit Pakistan to meet with my Pakistani brothers and sisters.” He also thanked the children and the rest of his Pakistani fans for the overwhelming love.

    “I am very happy for this love from Pakistan,” said Engin.

    The event was attended by the Turkish Consul General Tolga Ucak and prominent Pakistani actors including Humayun Saeed, Nadeem Baig and Zeba Bakhtiyar. Meanwhile, Ayesha Omar hosted the event.

    Humayun, while interacting with the Turkish actor said that he has watched all episodes of series and is a fan of his acting.

    “I have watched all episodes of Ertuğrul and the main reason was your acting,” Humayun told Engin. “The way you performed your character, the way you fight and all your action scenes were very very good. I watched all episodes just because of you.”

    Read more – Ertuğrul cast to visit Pakistan in Oct/Nov

    Humayun also expressed hope that he and Engin would meet soon.

    Engin, in response, thanked Humyaun for his love and for watching the drama series.

  • Aijaz Aslam reveals he got hurt while shooting the suicide scene for ‘Log Kya Kahengay’

    Aijaz Aslam reveals he got hurt while shooting the suicide scene for ‘Log Kya Kahengay’

    Aijaz Aslam has shared that he got hurt while shooting for Log Kya Kahengay‘s suicide scene.

    Read more – ‘Meray phone kay darwazay hamesha khulay hain,’ Yasir Hussain tells colleagues

    Sharing the scene on social media, Aslam said that he got hurt while performing the scene because the harness broke and his neck “got stuck in the rope”.

    “Those few seconds were devastating,” said the actor. “My feet were numb and swollen, my throat was choked [while my head was] head spinning. I couldn’t swallow food for a few months.”

    He continued, “Those few seconds made me realise those who commit suicide go through such pain and agony and leave their families devastated forever.”

    The actor also appealed to his followers to take care of their loved ones “so they don’t reach the extreme point of no return”.

    The scene was not aired on television because of its sensitive content. However, it is part of the episode that has been uploaded on YouTube.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CD61xr-J8ca/

    Aslam in the drama plays Haseeb, a father of two, who loses his job and is buried under debt. He is unable to fulfill his family’s wishes and collapses under the pressure because of which he takes his own life.

    Read more – ‘Pyar Ke Sadkay’: All’s well that ends well

    Log Kya Kahengay also starres Faysal Quraishi, Saheefa Jabbar Khattak, Sakina Samo and Kinza Razzak. It airs every Saturday on ARY Digital at 8pm.

  • Woman accused of practicing witchcraft beaten to death by villagers

    Woman accused of practicing witchcraft beaten to death by villagers

    A woman in the Indian state of Bihar was beaten to death for allegedly practicing black magic.

    According to reports, the police said that the deceased, Geeta Devi, had reached at her in-law’s house in Jharkhand on Monday morning. As soon as she reached, a crowd attacked the 30-year-old with sticks and rods.

    Her brother, daughter and mother-in-law were also manhandled when they tried to save her. Geeta was then, allegedly, dragged on the road and beaten up. By the time the police arrived at the scene, Devi was already dead. The police have said that an FIR (First Information Report) has been filed.

    According to the villagers, Geeta’s neighbour and relative Munshio Mahto’s family had accused her of practising witchcraft. They threatened to kill her after Mahto’s son died due to some illness about two weeks ago.

    Geeta had gone to her father’s house after she received the threats. But when she returned Mahto, along with 10 to 15 villagers, allegedly started beating her with sticks and rods killing her in the process.

    The local police station officer-in-charge Parmeswar Singh said Geeta was lynched for allegedly practicing black magic.

    “On the complaint of the deceased’s mother-in-law, an FIR has been lodged against Munshi Mahto and others in this connection. The body has been sent to Giridih Sadar hospital for post-mortem”, he said, according to a news report.