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  • Saas bahu narrative in dramas, Mani thinks channels know best while Hira says no comment

    Saas bahu narrative in dramas, Mani thinks channels know best while Hira says no comment

    Saas bahu narrative in dramas; Mani thinks channels know best while Hira says no comment

    Ahead of the release of the film ‘Teri Meri Kahaniyaan’, The Current team had a chat with the iconic pair Hira and Mani, who will be starring together in the horror-comedy directed by Nabeel Qureshi, along with veteran actress Gul-e-Rana.

    Aside from the questions about their upcoming film and how the two find collaborating with each other on film sets, we asked the couple what they thought about stereotypical dramas that revolve around saas-bahu narratives, and whether its time for scripts to evolve.

    To this Mani replied, “This is what people like to watch.”

    While Hira said, “I don’t know whether they should change or not, I can’t say anything.”

    Hira previously starred in the Kashf Foundation drama ‘Kashf’, in which Hira’s character was someone who had the ability to forsee the future and unfortunate events that will come to pass. It quickly went on to become a fan favourite.

    On whether more dramas like ‘Kashf’ should be made for screens, Hira replied: “I feel like everyone should be able to do what they think is right.”

    “Channel heads are well aware of what kind of dramas should be made. They are closely watching which dramas are getting good ratings. Look at the current two to four dramas which have become a hit,” Mani opined.

    Teri Meri Kahaniyaan is coming to cinemas across Pakistan on June 29.

  • ‘Salman Khan is next’: threat from gangster who claimed to kill Sidhu Moose Wala

    ‘Salman Khan is next’: threat from gangster who claimed to kill Sidhu Moose Wala

    Candian based gangster Goldy Brar, a member of the Indian gang Lawrence Bishnoi, has spoken to India Today, revealing that he was responsible for the death of rapper Sidhu Moose Wala, while threatening to target Salman Khan.

    Moose Wala had been shot dead a year ago in his car near his village Moosa in Punjab’s Mansa district. A day later Brar wrote a Facebook post where he took responsibility for the murder, claiming that it was done to avenge the death of another gangster.

    Goldy Brar, whose real name is Satinderjeet Singh, revealed the reason for murdering Moose Wala, claiming the rapper was an egoistic person who misused money and political power, and needed to be taught a lesson.

    “Sidhu Moose Wala was an egoistic person. He misused his political and money power. It was necessary to teach him a lesson, and he was taught one,” Goldy Brar said.

    “He had personally harmed us, made some mistakes that were unforgivable, so we had to punish him. When a rich man has close ties with top police officers and when the government doesn’t do justice, how can we expect justice from the courts? So, we sought justice ourselves,” he added.

    Singh then threatened to kill Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, for his innvolvement in the killing of a black buck, a sacred animal in the Bishnoi community. In 1998, during a break from shooting, Khan and his co-stars allegedly went hunting for black bucks in Rajasthan, enraging the Bishnoi community, who are known for their strong environmental and wildlife protection principles, and considering the Black Buck to be a sacred animal.

    “Bhai Sahab (referring to the gang Lawrence Bishnoi) had stated that he wouldn’t apologise. Baba will show mercy only when he feels merciful.”

    Salman Khan recently responded to threatening calls and letters he was receiving in an interview in April, stating that he has a lot of faith in God:

    “I know whatever is going to happen will happen no matter what you do. I believe that He is there. It is not that I will start roaming freely, it is not like that. Now there are so many Sheras around me. So many guns are going around with me that I am scared these days.”

  • David Corenswet is the new Superman, here’s where you may have previously spotted him

    David Corenswet is the new Superman, here’s where you may have previously spotted him

    The DC Universe, along side with its head James Gunn, have announced that the next actor to play Superman will be David Corenswet.

    Surprised? Yes, for sure, but certainly not the internet, as since his debut on the big screen with Netflix’s ‘The Politician’, fans have been petitioning for him to become the next Superman. But for those who certainly are taken a back with a new face, here are some things you should know about our new Clark Kent.

    Corenswet began his career as a side character in Ryan Murphy’s ‘The Politician’, starring Ben Platt, Gwyneth Paltrow and Zoey Deutch. He played the sensitive and intelligent jock River, who is rivals with Platt’s character Payton in competing for the class president position, and helps Payton overcome his perfectionism and anxiety. He then went on to star in Murphy’s ‘Hollywood’, which is set in the post World War 2 era and explores the lives of a group of actors who are ready to do anything to make their dreams come true.

    Many fans had been drawing comparisons between Corenswet and the former Superman Henry Cavill. Speaking to EW in 2019, Corenswet revealed that he had seen the fan casting on Twitter.

    “I am officially not taking a position,” he said when asked if he thought there was a resemblance between him and the British actor. “I think that’s the way to go. But it has come to my attention. It actually came to my attention before the internet got a hold of me, and my sort of pie-in-the-sky ambition is definitely to play Superman.”

    Corenswet further went on to praise Cavil’s performance in the films, while expressing that he would like to step away from the gritiness for the film to take on a more realistic and optimistic approach:

    “I would love to see somebody do a really upbeat throwback,” he said. “I love the Henry Cavill dark and gritty take. I would love to see the next one be very bright and optimistic.

    While for Lois Lane, Murphy had announced that Rachel Borshnan had been selected for the role, who had previously starred in the critically acclaimed ‘The Marvelous Mrs Maisel”.

  • After Asad Abbas, veteran actor Rashid Mehmood opens up about needing financial help

    After Asad Abbas, veteran actor Rashid Mehmood opens up about needing financial help

    Veteran actor Rashid Mehmood has opened up about suffering medical setbacks after suffering a stroke. The event has impacted movement in his hands, face and tongue, the actor revealed, adding that he received limited financial assistance from the government upon appealing for help.

    “I don’t need charity,” revealed the former ‘Ainak Wala Jin’ star to Daily Point. “I need respect and dignity.”

    The actor, who had worked in renowned dramas like ‘Saheen’, recalled his disappointment when he received a check of Rs200,000 from the government upon appealing for financial assistance. “After working hard all my life, my worth was only 2 lac rupees.”

    Former Coke Studio singer Asad Abbas has also appealed to his fans and other singers to help fund a surgery as he battles kindey failure. Abbbas, who sang the OST for ‘Raqs-e-Bismil’, revealed to the Daily Pakistan podcast that his family members had spent everything they had on his operation, while most of the public figures he had collaborated with had not inquired after his health or sent any help. He currently needs PKR 50 million in order to fund his treatment in the US.

    Actor Adnan Siddiqui shared a clip of Abbas where he appealed to fans and other public figures to fund his kidney transplant, and shared that he is getting four dialyses sessions per day. In the caption, Siddiqui highlighted Abbas’ achievements as a singer:

    “Asad Abbas has graced our lives with his beautiful voice,capturing our hearts with his soulful performances and musical genius. Sadly, behind the curtain of his immense talent, he is today waging a personal battle that has left him in a state of extreme financial distress.

    He is currently grappling with a critical kidney issue, which has not only taken a toll on his health but has also created significant financial burdens.

    It is in times like these that we, as a community, need to rally together and extend our support to someone who has given us countless moments of joy through his music. As an artist too, it is our responsibility to stand by fellow artists and help them during their times of need.

    I appeal to each and every one of you to contribute whatever you can to assist Asad Abbas in this trying time. Your contribution, no matter how big or small, will make a significant difference in easing his financial burdens and allowing him to focus on his recovery and return to doing what he loves most – creating beautiful music.

    You can donate here—
    Support Asad Abbas for Kidney Transplant
    PK46HABB0001437900548101.
    Habib Bank Asad Abbas.
    Jazz Cash 03003456490.
    Easy Pesa 03003456490.”

  • FBR faces Rs75 billion shortfall in annual tax collection target

    FBR faces Rs75 billion shortfall in annual tax collection target

    The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is currently confronted with a shortfall of Rs75 billion in attaining the revised annual tax collection target of Rs7,200 billion for the fiscal year.

    Despite collecting Rs7,125 billion, which falls short of the revised target, the FBR faces a net revenue shortfall of Rs75 billion for the fiscal year 2022-2023.

    Originally, the FBR’s annual tax collection target was established at Rs7,640 billion for the outgoing fiscal year, subsequent to the unveiling of the mini-budget in February 2023.

    To generate additional revenue, the government implemented various measures, including an increase in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate from 17 per cent to 18 per cent, the application of a higher GST rate of 25 per cent on luxury goods, and a 154 per cent rise in the Federal Excise Duty (FED) on cigarettes.

    However, over the past four months, the FBR failed to generate the anticipated additional revenue, leading to a downward revision of the revenue collection target from Rs7,640 billion to Rs7,200 billion by the end of June 2023.

    Notably, Minister for Finance and Revenues, Ishaq Dar, took to Twitter to highlight the achievement of the highest-ever tax collection for the outgoing fiscal year.

    He stated, FBR has collected Rs7,000 billion in taxes for the first time in the country’s history as of June 26, 2023, and expressed optimism that the revenue collection would further increase by June 30, 2023.

    It is expected that the FBR will issue a formal statement regarding the revenue collection in due course.

  • Javed Latif demands punishment for those who launched ‘Chairman PTI’

    Federal Minister and senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Javed Latif, has demanded punishment for the individuals who launched project “PTI Chairman”, Express Urdu has reported.

    While talking to media personnel in Lahore, Javed Latif said that an institution initiating self-accountability sends a positive message, and other institutions should also follow the line.

    He further added that if the individuals who have launched this project [PTI] are not arrested and punished, a similar incident like May 9 could happen again.

    If the serving members can face a court-martial, then the retired officers should also held accountable, he opined.

    Latif further said that both the facilitators and masterminds of May 9 events, no matter how powerful they may be, should face punishment.

  • No Chinese journalist left in India after last one expelled

    No Chinese journalist left in India after last one expelled

    Freedom of expression in India is shrinking as the last remaining Chinese reporter has been expelled from New Delhi. The visa extension of the last Chinese reporter, who was associated with the Chinese official News agency Xinhua, was denied by Indian authorities last month.

    The expulsion marks the first instance in history that not a single Chinese journalist is present in India since 1980.

    Critics say that the action reflects that there is no space for journalists in Modi’s government.

    Indian authorities have been accused of taking such steps to hide cruelty against minorities like Muslims, Kashmiris and Dalits.

  • Karachi residents disappointed as ATMs run out of cash ahead of Eid-ul-Azha

    Karachi residents disappointed as ATMs run out of cash ahead of Eid-ul-Azha

    As the country prepares to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha on June 29, the residents of Karachi are encountering a pressing issue with the depletion of cash in automated teller machines (ATMs).

    Consumers have expressed their grievances regarding the frequent unavailability of ATM services during the lead-up to Eid festivities.

    “We have made multiple visits to ATMs since this morning, only to find them out of order and devoid of cash,” shared concerned individuals.

    It is not uncommon for consumers to encounter difficulties with ATMs nearing the arrival of Eid. This situation arises due to the heightened demand for cash withdrawals, particularly for the purchase of sacrificial animals.

    Pakistan is set to observe Eid on June 29 (Thursday). The government has declared a four-day holiday for the public, including the Day of Arafah, which falls on June 28.

  • Public Accounts Committee summons religious affairs officials on lack of facilities for Hajj pilgrims

    Public Accounts Committee summons religious affairs officials on lack of facilities for Hajj pilgrims

    The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has summoned officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs on July 4, over lack of facilities provided to Pakistani Hajj pilgrims.

    Chairman Noor Alam Khan, while presiding over a PAC meeting, criticised the performance of Religious Affairs Minister Talha Mehmood, emphasising that being a minister requires effective performance, not just holding the position.

    Noor informed the committee that he had personally witnessed the plight of the pilgrims and had received videos and written complaints highlighting their difficulties.

    Noor Alam said that not a single complaint had been received during the tenure of the pervious minister, late Mufti Abdul Shakoor, who died in a car accident.

    “This year, the situation is totally messed up. The President and the Federal Minister Talha Mehmood have also gone for Hajj but pilgrims are suffering. The President and the Minister should see what the condition of the pilgrims is,” he added