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  • How do Shias spend 9th,10th Muharram?

    How do Shias spend 9th,10th Muharram?

    While everyone knows the reason behind why we observe Ashura, there are several misconceptions about what exactly Shias do on these two days.

    To gain some better insight, The Current spoke to several Shias about how they spend the important days of 9th and 10th Muharram and here is a short summary of what they told us.

    9th Muharram

    On 9th Muharram, all Shia Muslims attend the majlis and juloos, where they listen to the historical background of the tragic incident of Karbala. In these gatherings, the religious scholars highlight the importance of the Family of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) in Islam and the hardships they faced during the incident.

    During zuhr, all men and women are segregated to offer prayer(namaz) during the juloos. After offering prayers everyone performs Ziyarat of Shabeeh e Zuljanah (Imam Hussain’s ride) after which they pray to Allah and recall the hardships of the family of Imam Hussain(A.S).

    Many Shia families arrange drinks and food, also known as Niyaz, for people attending the juloos.

    Then they pray Maghrib and Isha and do Ammaal, Nawafil that are specified for that night (Shab e Ashoor). They also recite Surah e Ikhlas because according to their Imam the surah is one of Allah’s favourite. They also eat something before Fajar for faqah which means they do not eat anything from Fajr to Zuhr.

    After this, everyone gathers to listen to the Azaan e Ali Akbar (the son of Imam was the moazzan at that time and it was his last Azaan before his Shahadat).

    10th Muharram

    Ziarat e Ashoorah (Salam to Imam Hussain and his companions) is recited at zuhr following which everyone gathers to eat Niyaz because the faqah timings end then.

    The night of 10th is called Sham e Ghareeban during which everyone listens to the hardships of the Imam’s family left after the shahadat of the male members. According to tradition, when camps were burnt down, the women and children were forced to evacuate and were made captives.

  • ‘Nation is proud of you’: PM Shehbaz, President Alvi and others congratulate Arshad Nadeem

    ‘Nation is proud of you’: PM Shehbaz, President Alvi and others congratulate Arshad Nadeem

    Pakistan’s star athlete Arshad Nadeem won the gold medal in the javelin throw competition at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham on Sunday (August 7).

    The 25-year-old won with a massive throw of 90.18m to beat defending world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada, who took Silver with 88.64m throw.

    The Pakistani athlete hailing from Mian Channu participated in the event despite elbow and knee injuries.

    “My preparation is really good despite elbow and knee injury, for which treatment is ongoing,” said Arshad Nadeem while talking to Samaa News before the final.

    Arshad Nadeem earned Pakistan its first track and field gold medal after 60 years.

    It was Pakistan’s second gold in the ongoing Commonwealth Games. Pakistani weightlifter Nooh Dastagir Butt bagged the first gold for Pakistan.

    Prominent personalities, including President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, congratulated Arshad Nadeem for bringing a gold medal home.

    Read more – Hey Pak govt, aren’t we sporty enough for you?

    “What amazing news to wake up to early this morning! Arshad Nadeem has done Pakistan proud by winning the first gold medal in Commonwealth Games,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in a tweet.

    President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi also congratulated Arshad Nadeem for “making history”.

    Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa also congratulated Nadeem.

    Have a look at other congratulatory messages:

  • Pakistan to overcome $4 billion external financing gap soon: SBP

    Pakistan to overcome $4 billion external financing gap soon: SBP

    In the midst of intense pressure on foreign currency reserves, Pakistan will soon close its $4 billion shortfall in external finance with the assistance of friendly nations under IMF conditions, according to Acting Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Dr Murtaza Syed.

    He also acknowledged that inflation will continue to be higher for the ensuing 11 to 12 months, which is why the central bank was aiming for an average inflation target of 18 to 20 per cent for the current fiscal year 2022–2023

    According to The News, acting SBP Governor Dr. Murtaza Syed stated that Pakistan has already met its gross external financing requirements of $34 to $35 billion.

    However, Islamabad is also attempting to secure confirmation of $4 billion in inflows from friendly nations like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. According to him, these extra dollar inflows will be used to boost foreign currency reserves and build a safety net in case of a crisis-like circumstance.

    He resisted providing a specific timeline but assured that the $4 billion finance deficit will be closed quickly. He argued that urgent attempts were being made by the government and IMF high-ups to secure confirmation from their respective nations.

    Denying that the scenario was similar to Sri Lanka, he praised Bangladesh and claimed that nation performed properly, chose to return to the IMF, and also increased utility costs while maintaining enough levels of foreign exchange reserves.

    Speaking of increasing inflation, he believed that supply interruptions abroad had set the way for a global super cycle of commodities, leaving Pakistan with no choice but to concentrate on agriculture productivity in order to secure food security.

    According to Murtaza Syed, people would have to deal with this challenging moment because there is no immediate magic wand to manage increased inflation. He said that while it is a challenging time, there is no alternative way to prevent the country from entering a more challenging situation if nothing was done.

    According to the official, the SBP has loosened the cash margin requirements for opening L/Cs for imports and offers incentives to individuals who do so. According to him, the IMF opposed trade restrictions and took action to prevent the depletion of foreign exchange reserves.

    The current pressure on foreign reserves is now anticipated to end within the next two months. He also promoted energy saving as a way to ease the burden of high import costs.

    The senior official believed that as long as the economy’s structural issues persisted, Pakistan will continue to see boom and bust cycles. He gave a recent example in which the nation’s GDP increased by 6 per cent, indicating that the overheating of the economy led to imbalances known as the budget deficit and current account deficit. Although a recession is not imminent, he continued, the economy must be managed carefully.

  • Hey Pak govt, aren’t we sporty enough for you?

    Hey Pak govt, aren’t we sporty enough for you?

    Sports in any country is a celebrated sector of society. It brings pride and recognition to a country. Sports are symbolic of life. Life demands discipline, resilience, respect, compassion, teamwork, and character. Sports help develop those skills to apply on the playing field and in life. In any country, the state invests in their sports and the individuals playing them. Pakistan does just the opposite of it.

    Pakistan chooses to forget its most talented and has a way of neglecting its sportsmen and sportswomen. Cricket and our men in green are a source of continuous pride for the country but there are other sports and players who too wear green with pride, and give it their all to bring us glory.

    Our teams have gone to the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics but the players participating tell the same stories of negligence and their individual hard work. So what is that the players say? One: They need the state to pay attention to them. Two: Recognise the talent and show confidence in them when they are trying to develop their skills and polish themselves for the better. Three: Give them better training so that they can perform well and bring gold, silver, and bronze medals back home. Four: Treat them as equal and as important as they would treat a person playing cricket. Five: Don’t take credit for our individual wins as you have not invested in us. They ask the state to actually invest in them so that they can stand tall amongst the best.

    What does the state do instead? The state has been in a habit of neglecting the raw and the talented, barring them from the opportunities which could have done wonders for the games, players, and the country. Yes, in recent times we see a prime minister congratulating a gold medalist but is congratulations enough? Don’t they deserve better training, better chances, and a better future? We can only hope that the state realises that mixed fortunes become the fate of many players in Pakistan because they were left out at some point. We can only hope that the state realises that every sport matters, every game matters, and every player is worth fighting for and that he and she deserves to get the best facilities. May our talented players keep making us proud.

  • Eshal Fayyaz hits out at troll for slut-shaming her

    Eshal Fayyaz hits out at troll for slut-shaming her

    Actor Eshal Fayyaz has clapped back at a troll on Instagram for slut shaming her under the comment section of her recent post.

    The troll told her to show her talent and not her body. He also used some derogatory terms for the Kaaf Kangana star.

    Eshal Fayyaz Looks Gorgeous In Her Bold Photoshoot - Lens

    Eshal replied to him by saying that it is her social media account and he can unfollow her. She also stated that the dirt is in his mindset and not her post.

    Last year, in a rare and candid interview, Fayyaz opened up about being sexually assaulted by her abusive stepfather.

    Speaking to Nida Yasir on her Ramzan special show Shaan e Sahoor, Eshal said: “My biological father died when I was 3-4 years old after that my mother got married again.”

    “My stepfather tried to rape me multiple times and I decided enough is enough when he attempted for the fourth time. I shared it with my sister and together we told my mother. After that, she divorced him and never got married again.”

    The actress also clarified rumours of her alleged marriage with Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar (KRQ).

    When Nida asked her about these rumours, Eshal said that she had no idea who spread these rumours.

    “When the rumours of my and Khalil-ur-Rehman’s marriage spread, I was so afraid that I locked myself in the room and I was sitting alone, crying in my room,” said Eshal. “My mother explained to me that sitting in fear will not do anything. Go in front of people and explain, after which I faced the public and clarified all the rumours.”

    The actor further said that Qamar is like family to her and lashed out at social media for spreading false rumours. Fayyaz further remarked that life was very easy when social media didn’t exist but after its takeover people have become negative and harass others.

    Talking about her next project, Eshal said that she is working on her next film Mein Hoon Teri Gulnaz, which will also be produced by KRQ. Qamar and Eshal had earlier also worked together in Kaaf Kangana.

    Eshal had appeared on the show with Ismat Zaidi, Javeria Abbasi and Nazish Jahangir.

  • Here’s why Honda CD70 is the real Road Prince

    Here’s why Honda CD70 is the real Road Prince

    Similar to the price of cars, motorcycle prices in Pakistan have reached an all-time high in the current year 2022. Not even a single two-wheeler among the credible and well-known brands costs less than Rs100,000.

    Even the Chinese Road Prince 70cc model, which was viewed as a less expensive substitute for the Honda CD70, is currently being sold for about Rs75,000.

    Motorcycle buyers are now giving the new Honda CD70 more thought even if it costs Rs116,000, as the Chinese competitors are no longer any less expensive. Customers also consider the Honda CD70 since it comes from a dependable brand that has long dominated the Pakistani motorcycle market.

    The Honda CD70 has significantly better fuel economy than any other 70cc motorcycle made in China, and it is also much more durable than its competitively priced alternatives. It consumes relatively little fuel; some owners even assert that their bike travels more than 60 kilometers per liter, making it Pakistan’s most fuel-efficient bike.

    Read more: Cheapest new cars to buy in Pakistan

    There is no denying that the Honda CD70 is the best motorcycle and actual road prince of Pakistan, considering the current price of petrol in Pakistan, the Honda CD70 is a much better option since it requires little to no upkeep and may help you save a lot of money.

  • Want to get rich? Make rich friends: Study

    Want to get rich? Make rich friends: Study

    Friendships that cut across class lines are a key indicator of economic mobility and can help alleviate inequality, according to a new research in the United States.

    The study analysed Facebook friendships of 72 million people.

    The study found that poor children who grew up with wealthy friends had, on average, 20 per cent higher incomes later in life than other poor kids. In fact, researchers discovered that other forms of social capital, such as having affluent parents or attending top-notch schools, are less significant indicators of upward economic mobility than friendships between rich and poor individuals.

    A project led by researchers and collaborators at the Harvard University-based nonprofit Opportunity Insights, which studies barriers to economic opportunities conducted the study, which was published in a journal named Nature. The research was led by Harvard economist Raj Chetty.

    “Growing up in a community connected across class lines improves kids’ outcomes and gives them a better shot at rising out of poverty,” said Raj Chetty while talking to The New York Times.

  • No ‘mauka mauka’ for India: Star Sports decides not to jinx Asia Cup 2022

    No ‘mauka mauka’ for India: Star Sports decides not to jinx Asia Cup 2022

    Indian broadcaster Star Sports has decided not to make its famous ‘Mauka Mauka’ advertising series for the Asia Cup 2022 match between Pakistan and India.

    According to reports in Cricket Pakistan, the ‘Mauka Mauka’ advertisement was made to make the Pakistan cricket team aware of their forgettable record against India in World Cups with the 1992 world champions failing to win even a single encounter.

    The report further states that the ad has lost its relevance after India’s 10-wicket loss at the hands of the Babar Azam-led side during last year’s T20 World Cup in Dubai and therefore, the advertisement will not be aired anymore.

    The arch-rivals — India and Pakistan — will face each other on August 28 at the Dubai International Stadium.

  • Russian woman comes to Pakistan to marry Gujranwala boy, embraces Islam

    Russian woman comes to Pakistan to marry Gujranwala boy, embraces Islam

    A Russian woman came to Pakistan to marry a man from Gujranwala. She also converted and embraced Islam.

    The couple recently appeared in an interview with a YouTuber during which they shared their story.

    Muhammad Ali said he met a Russian woman named Polina on an online community platform. Polina was impressed by him because he used to talk to her in a respectful manner.

    Muhammad Ali revealed that Polina was an atheist and was not following any religion so it was easy for her to convert to Islam.

    After converting to Islam, Polina married Muhammad Ali and now lives in Gujranwala with him.

    Polina said that she makes rotis and parathas. She also said she loves the northern areas of Pakistan.

  • Bollywood’s Chitrangada Singh opens up on resemblance with Mehwish Hayat

    Bollywood’s Chitrangada Singh opens up on resemblance with Mehwish Hayat

    Bollywood actress Chitrangada Singh was recently asked about her resemblance to the Pakistani star-actor Mehwish Hayat, who is riding high on the success of Ms Marvel and London Nahi Jaunga.

    The Bollywood star, in an interview addressed the resemblance with Hayat, “I keep getting tagged on Instagram saying that she’s my doppelganger and fans keep telling us that we look alike, or ask if we’re twins or sisters.”

    Mehwish Hayat finds her doppelgänger in Bollywood

    Singh added, “I haven’t seen Mehwish Hayat’s work in Ms. Marvel yet, but she’s beautiful and lovely. I do think that sometimes there is a look that is very similar – I do agree that there is a resemblance. Let’s just say that we’re both very hot women.”

    Taking to Instagram, the Punjab Nahi Jaungi diva recently shared a video of herself training at the gym. In the caption, Hayat wrote: “Now bring it on Nimra Bucha aka Najma, Aisha is getting ready!”

    Bollywood singer Honey Singh commented on Mehwish’s training video: “Brilliant.”

    Mehwish Hayat gets an admirer in Bollywood's Honey Singh

    In June 2022, Indian actor and singer Gippy Grewal took to his Instagram handle to praise the trailer of Mehwish’s Eid-ul-Azha release, London Nahi Jaunga.

    In 2020 also, the Carry On Jatta star said while speaking to the local media in Pakistan, Gippy said that he has seen Punjab Nahi Jaungi and would like to work with Mehwish.