Blog

  • Transgender people to get Rs7,000 every third month

    Transgender people to get Rs7,000 every third month

    Shazia Marri, the chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), stated on Sunday that transgender people will get a Rs7000 stipend under the Benazir Kafalat programme, which would be paid out every third month.

    Shazia Marri, who is also the Minister for Poverty Alleviation, announced the stipend at a ceremony to mark the BISP’s admission of transgender people at Karachi’s Arts Council of Pakistan.
    The minister asserted that up to 50,000 members of the nation’s transgender community had registered as Benazir Kafalat Program recipients, making them eligible for financial aid.
    According to her, the transgender community shied away from approaching data managers because of how society treats them.

    “This is a step forward in helping struggling transgender persons who not only face immense violence in their daily lives, but are also subjected to blatant discrimination,” she said.
    “The decision to extend BISP cash handouts to the transgender community has been made at such a time when several incidents of discrimination and violence, especially in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, have been reported,” she added.

    “This is a step forward in helping struggling transgender persons who not only face immense violence in their daily lives, but are also subjected to blatant discrimination,” she said.
    “The decision to extend BISP cash handouts to the transgender community has been made at such a time when several incidents of discrimination and violence, especially in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, have been reported,” she added.

  • Farhan Saeed, Imran Abbas, others express disappointment on Pakistani economy’s plight

    Farhan Saeed, Imran Abbas, others express disappointment on Pakistani economy’s plight

    Pakistan recently faced a nationwide power breakout, several parts of the country also battled severe gas shortage, and now with the rupee losing its value further against the dollar, netizens and celebrities are struggling to feel patriotic. Prominent Pakistani actors weighed in on the deteriorating conditions of the country’s economy and whether we, as a nation, have lost all hopes for betterment.

    “How will we ever recover from this? Since I’ve been alive, I’ve never seen the Rupee strengthen against Dollar drastically,” Farhan Saeed wrote on Twitter on Saturday while reacting to the Pakistani rupee standing at an all-time low against the dollar.

    Concerned about how non-serious people are taking the economic distress we’re in, he added, “But still we are either this party or that party, but not Pakistan. No one’s serious about where we are, have we lost hope?”

    Actor Imran Abbas also made a cryptic post while sharing Finance Minsiter’s viral video.

    Ushna Shah shared her two cents on the subject. Claiming that she loves Pakistan and its people, she added how it gets harder to feel love when you can’t live a hassle-free life due to the unavailability of basic resources.

    “I love my country, I love my identity, and I love my fellow Pakistanis. But when there is no electricity and no gas at the same time, there is a shortage of petrol and UPS crashes due to overuse, and literally, no way to power the house when I need coffee, well, tarana gana thora mushkil hei. (it’s hard to sing the national anthem then)” she wrote.

    Actor Aijaz Aslam questioned how productive political press conferences are if all that happens is leaders blaming each other while the civilians struggle to live.

    “What’s the point of these press conferences? Leaders just blame each other and nothing else. No one ever discusses the strategies to bring stability to the country. The currency devaluation is unstoppable and basic commodities are unaffordable for a common man, Reham karo (Bless us)” read his tweet. 

  • Khan lashes out at govt on fuel hike

    Khan lashes out at govt on fuel hike

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan lashed out at the incumbent government for Sunday’s surprise hike in petroleum prices.

    In a tweet, he said, “Total mismanagement of our economy by a corrupt and incompetent imported govt has crushed masses and salaried class with the latest hike in petrol and diesel prices”.

    Moreover, he claimed that 35 per cent “unprecedented inflation” is expected with Rs 200 billion mini-budget.

    Earlier in the day, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar announced that the federal government has decided to hike the prices of petrol and diesel by Rs 35 per litre.

    The decision came days before International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) officials are scheduled to visit Pakistan to discuss the stalled ninth review of the country’s current funding programme.

  • Why you need to write for Aap ki Awaaz

    Why you need to write for Aap ki Awaaz

    As a budding journalist, student or just someone who has an interest in writing, one often questions what should I write and where can my work be published? Will I be able to put across my voice for the world to hear and learn from or will it just be something that I post on my personal social media instead of sharing it with the world? So here is a chance for all of you.

    The Current is soon going to launch its sister website, ‘Aap ki Awaaz’, an important platform that is of the people, by the people, for the people. It will be the voice and stories of the people as they want the world to hear and read it.

    This is one space that will be fully covering the raw emotion of the people. We at The Current have been overwhelmed after reading some great pieces written by the younger generation. Listening to their inspiring stories and understanding how at times the mainstream media just can’t provide a space for the common person’s story has made us realise how important this platform will be.

    To our readers and students, ‘Aap ki Awaaz’ will serve as one platform where you can learn and then write for. The best part is you are not bound by any one genre. The website will allow you to be creative and write whatever you like, be it on history, fashion, politics, sports or lifestyle. So grab your pens, keyboards, cameras, mobiles, Aap ki Awaaz needs to be heard out loud by the common man.

  • 41 dead after passenger bus plunged into ravine at Lasbela

    A passenger coach plunged into a ravine near Lasbela, leaving at least 41 dead, Dawn has reported.

    While confirming the event, Lasbela Assistant Commissioner Hamza Anjum told Dawn.com that the vehicle was going from Quetta to Karachi and had close to 48 passengers in it.

    “Due to speeding, the coach crashed into the pillar of a bridge while taking a U-turn near Lasbela. The vehicle subsequently careened into a ravine and then caught fire,” he said.

    He continued by saying that three people, including a mother and her child, had been saved and sent to the Civil Hospital in Lasbela. On the other hand, one of the injured people passed away from his wounds while en route to the hospital.

    The officer added that the bodies had been sent to Karachi’s Edhi mortuary.

    DNA testing will be used to identify the victims as the recovered remains were unidentifiable.

  • Govt increases petrol, diesel prices by Rs35 per litre

    Govt increases petrol, diesel prices by Rs35 per litre

    Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday announced that the federal government has decided to hike the prices of petrol and diesel by Rs35 per litre, which will be applicable from 11 am today.

    Dar said that 11 per cent increase was witnessed in the prices of petrol products in the international market.

    The prices of kerosene oil and light diesel oil have been increased by Rs18 per litre.

    After the latest round of hikes, petrol is now priced at Rs249.80, diesel at Rs262.80, kerosene oil at Rs189.83 and light diesel at Rs187.

    The minister was of the view that prices of petroleum products were not increased in the past 4 months, adding that prices of diesel and kerosene oil also decreased during the period.

    The minister went on to say that the speculations had also led to an artificial shortage of petroleum products in the market. “On social media, it was reported that [fuel prices] were to be jacked up by Rs47-80 which unfortunately became an incentive for them [hoarders],” he added, “because of this, we have received reports of artificial shortages in the market.”

  • Toyota announces second price hike in less than 20 days due to economic uncertainties

    Toyota announces second price hike in less than 20 days due to economic uncertainties

    Toyota Indus Motor Company (IMC) has announced a second price increase for its vehicles in January 2023, following a significant depreciation of the Pakistani rupee against the US dollar.

    According to the company’s statement, they are facing difficulties in maintaining their current prices due to the economic uncertainties and volatility of the PKR.

    “This situation has made it extremely difficult for IMC to hold on to the current retail selling prices, and therefore, we are compelled to pass on some impact to the market,” the company said in a statement.

    Toyota also stated that the price increase is subject to change and that the prices in effect at the time of delivery will continue to apply to all orders.

    “Any change in government levies and taxes (including FED, Sales Tax, CVT, etc.), tariffs, fiscal policies, import policies, etc., will be on the account of the customer,” the automaker said.

    This latest price increase for Toyota vehicles comes at a time when Pakistan’s economy is already struggling. Moreover, experts believe that this won’t be the only price hike, as the continued volatility of the PKR will pressure other manufacturers and importers as well.

    Here are the new prices of all cars:

    Model Old price (Rs) New price (Rs)
    Yaris GLI MT 1.3 3,819,000 4,079,000
    Yaris GLI CVT 1.3 4,069,000 4,339,000
    Yaris ATIV MT 1.3 4,039,000 4,309,000
    Yaris ATIV CVT 1.3 4,239,000 4,529,000
    Yaris ATIV X MT 1.5 4,339,000 4,649,000
    Yaris ATIV X CVT 1.5 4,609,000 4,929,000
    Corolla Altis X MT 1.6 4,939,000 5,269,000
    Corolla Altis 1.6 X CVT-i 5,369,000 5,749,000
    Corolla Altis 1.6 X CVT-i SE 5,909,000 6,319,000
    Corolla Altis Grande X CVT-11.8 Beige 6,169,000 6,609,000
    Corolla Altis Grande X CVT-i1.8 Black 6,209,000 6,649,000
    Revo V AT 2.8 11,429,000 12,239,000
    Revo V AT Rocco 12,049,000 12,899,000
    Fortuner 2.7 G Petrol 12,509,000 13,419,000
    Fortuner 2.7 V Petrol 14,319,000 15,359,000
    Fortuner 2.8 Sigma 4 Diesel 15,099,000 16,189,000
    Fortuner Legender Diesel 15,909,000 17,069,000
  • ’10 saal me aik film hit’: Kangana Ranaut slams Shah Rukh Khan, shares hateful tweets

    ’10 saal me aik film hit’: Kangana Ranaut slams Shah Rukh Khan, shares hateful tweets

    Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut took a dig at Shah Rukh Khan and his filmography after a netizen wrote back to Kangana saying, “Kangana Ji’s film Dhakad earned 55 lakh rupees on the first day and lifetime collection 2.58 crores. While Pathaan film earned more than 100 crores on the first day.”

    Responding to the comment, the Manikarnika star said, “Yes, Dhakad was a historic flop, when did I deny this? This is SRK ji’s first successful film in ten years, we also take inspiration from him, I hope we will also get a similar chance that India gave him. After all this India is great, it is generous, Jai Shri Ram.”

    She also tweeted a series of hate tweets regarding Pathaan’s success and its slightly decent portrayal of Pakistani agencies.

    After noticing the same, former Pakistani actress Noor Bukhari took to Instagram and called out Indian actress Kangana Ranaut following her ‘hateful comments’ about Pakistan as the Bollywood actress took a jibe at Shahrukh Khan’s film ‘Pathaan’ for depicting “enemy nation Pakistan in a good light”. 

    This is what Noor wrote while giving Kangana’s face a silent but tight slap:

    It all started when Kangana, whose twitter account was just restored, praised the film Pathaan for doing exceptionally good business throughout the world cinemas. Later, Kangana realized her mistake and the ‘undisputed queen of feuds’ could not restrain her impulse and abruptly took a U-turn. In a thread of tweets, she lambasted the Pathaan for showing the enemy country Pakistan and ISI in a good light. Her scathing tweets hurt the sentiments of Pakistani people. 

  • ‘Misleading and incorrect’: OGRA rejects speculations about massive petrol price hike

    ‘Misleading and incorrect’: OGRA rejects speculations about massive petrol price hike

    The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) on Saturday rubbished rumours about a whooping increase of Rs80 per litre in petrol price.

    “It has been observed that speculative prices of gasoline and diesel are being reported in the print and electronic media since last evening, which is misleading and incorrect,” an OGRA spokesman said in a press statement.

    He advised the elements to avoid disseminating speculative prices of petroleum products in the “public interest” by spreading misleading and incorrect information.

    Earlier, OGRA also denied reports of a shortage of diesel and gasoline in the country, saying that sufficient stocks were available. However, in line with the government’s aim to convince the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Ministry of Finance is expected to increase the price of petroleum in the upcoming fortnightly review.

    The massive depreciation of the local currency against the US dollar in the last two days would not reflect greatly in the review due on January 31 (Tuesday) as the average exchange rate would clock in at Rs240, information gathered from the country’s oil sector showed.

    However, the fortnightly review due on February 15 may reflect a significant increase in domestic petroleum prices on account of rupee depreciation.

    Free on board (FOB) pricing will result in a significant increase in the price of fuel and gasoline in the subsequent weekly review the following week, according to The News.

    According to sources with knowledge of the situation, using FOB would likely result in an increase of Rs25 in the price of fuel. “The exchange rate would create some hike, but not so much”, they said, attributing the hike to FOB as diesel price in the international market went up to $117 per barrel compared to $114 per barrel.

  • Dar vs Khan: Ishaq challenges IK to live debate on economy

    Dar vs Khan: Ishaq challenges IK to live debate on economy

    Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, in a televised address on Friday, strongly criticised Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s economic policies and challenged him to hold a “live debate” with him on the economic crisis.

    The finance czar started by saying that the incumbent government sacrificed politics for the sake of the country.

    Taking a jibe at Khan’s address in which he narrated his economic successes, Dar said that the speech was “full of lies” and that he quoted wrong figures.

    “You [Khan] can hold a live debate and bring the economic survey and State Bank documents,” he said, asking the PTI chief to not mislead the public by quoting ‘wrong figures’.

    Speaking about Imran’s claims of creating 55 million jobs, the finance minister argued that the economic survey from the PTI setup showed that only 33 million jobs were created.

    Accusing Khan of creating the ongoing economic crisis, he said that inflation rate was 8.6 per cent under the former Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government, which spiked to double digits during the PTI era.

    Shedding light on International Monetary Fund (IMF), Dar said when Imran realised he was being ousted, he disowned all the agreements and left behind landmines, adding that Pakistan had only completed one IMF programme in its history which was under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif.

    Dar also claimed that during their previous tenure international rating agencies predicted Pakistan would join G20 by 2030.