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  • PM Shehbaz directs power authorities to reduce load-shedding to two hours

    PM Shehbaz directs power authorities to reduce load-shedding to two hours

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif instructed the power authorities on June 4 to reduce load-shedding throughout the country to two hours, alerting that he wanted results rather than explanations.

    As per a report from ARY News, PM Shehbaz Sharif, who presided over a meeting to resolve the challenge of hours-long unexpected load-shedding in the country, asked power division officials and federal ministers to do whatever was essential to reduce load-shedding to two hours per day.

    While dismissing explanations for the duration of load-shedding, PM Shehbaz stated that officials should minimise the sufferings of the general public rather than furnishing justifications.

    “I only wanted to provide relief to the masses and will not accept the ongoing situation of load-shedding,” a defiant PM stated that he will not compromise and will not allow any minister or official to relax until the problem is resolved.

    He instructed officials to work around the clock to bring power to businesses. The prime minister also aimed the finance minister to secure all necessary resources to address the problem. It is worth noting that Pakistan’s generation capacity has deteriorated, with the power disparity reaching over 7,000 megawatts.

    As per power division sources, the country’s electricity demand has risen to 27,200 megawatts due to the hot weather. The length of unannounced load-shedding across the country has also been elevated to 14 hours. “There is a nationwide power production of 20,000MW, resulting in a shortfall of 7200 MW,” they added.

    According to reliable sources, the country presently acquires 4,635 megawatts of electricity from hydropower, 1,060 megawatts from thermal power plants, and 9,677 megawatts from IPPs. Considering the findings, 3 key power companies have shuttered 16 power plants in Pakistan largely owing to a shortage of fuel.

  • Promoting rape culture through ads, Indian perfume company faces backlash

    Promoting rape culture through ads, Indian perfume company faces backlash

    Trigger warning: Sexual assault/rape

    Two advertisements of a perfume company in India glorifying rape culture were taken down by the Indian ad regulatory body, the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI).

    “The ad is in serious breach of the ASCI Code and is against public interest. We have taken immediate action and notified the advertiser to suspend the ad, pending investigation,” the body said while replying to a complaint regarding the ads.

    Two different ads from the same company caused an outrage in India for insensitively portraying rape.

    In one of the ads, four men can be seen entering a store. They are shown having a dispute over who will take a ‘shot’. There are four of them, but only one ‘shot’ is available. During this debate, instead of the bottle of body spray, a woman is shown and it looks like they are having an argument over who will first rape the woman. The woman even turns around in anger, believing the four men are talking about her. However, she is then shown relieved, when one of the men picks up the body spray called ‘Shot’.

    People on social media expressed their anger over the adverstiments:

    https://twitter.com/RishitaPrusty_/status/1532632641815515136

  • 17 female students from Pakistan to participate in Energy Scholars Programme in Qatar

    17 female students from Pakistan to participate in Energy Scholars Programme in Qatar

    The US Mission Pakistan has confirmed the commencement of the inaugural four-week Future of Women in Energy Scholars Programme of the US-Pakistan Women’s Council (USPWC). Beginning June 5, 17 outstanding Pakistani female university students will take part in this certificate programme to learn about working in the energy sector.

    By giving young women the chance to study energy issues and energy infrastructure at Texas A&M University’s Qatar campus, this programme will encourage women’s participation and leadership in Pakistan’s energy sector.

    Following their two-week programme in Qatar, the students will return to Pakistan for a two-week familiarisation trip to learn about Pakistan’s energy sector from key Pakistani public and private-sector organisations in Islamabad and Lahore.

    Enrolled Pakistani female students are presently pursuing bachelor’s degrees in science and engineering at private and public universities across the country.

    The US Mission is assisting Pakistani women in pursuing career opportunities in the energy sector and in developing networks for a prosperous future through this programme. “The USPWC Future of Women in Energy Scholars Program will give young women hands-on experience in the energy sector,” said USPWC Executive Director Radhika Prabhu.

  • Shafqat Mahmood resigns as Punjab PTI president because of ‘health issues’

    Shafqat Mahmood resigns as Punjab PTI president because of ‘health issues’

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and the former Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood resigned from his post as the party’s Punjab President on Friday because of health-related issues.

    In a tweet, Mahmood wrote: “It was an honour and privilege to serve as President PTI Punjab and I thank chairman Imran Khan for the opportunity. It is time for change due to my surgery and convalescence. I congratulate the new President and will serve the party in whatever capacity assigned.”

    According to Geo News, Vice-President Shah Mehmood Qureshi will look after the PTI Punjab President post. However, the names of Ejaz Chaudhry and Mian Mehmood ur Rasheed are under consideration for the post.

    After the PTI’s Azadi March, Shafqat Mahmood remained hospitalised and underwent surgery.

    It is pertinent to mention that PTI Punjab leadership remained under extreme criticism as they were unable to put up a solid power show in Islamabad.

    The news has come forward at a time when PTI has a real test ahead, in which it will have to fight the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for 20 vacant seats of the Punjab Assembly (PA).

  • Massive price hike in gas prices from July: OGRA

    Massive price hike in gas prices from July: OGRA

    The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has increased the prices of gas up to 45 per cent. The decision has been taken to meet revenue shortfall for the year 2022-23.

    The new prices will be effective from July 1.

    OGRA has allowed Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) to increase the prices to up to 45 per cent while for Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), a 44 per cent hike has been approved.

    For the SNGPL consumers, the price of gas has now been fixed at Rs854.52 per MMBTU after an increase of 45 per cent.

    “While for SSGC consumers, the price of gas has been fixed at Rs1,007.82 per MMBTU after an increase of Rs308.53 per MMBTU,” said a notification.

    The developement came two days after the government increased prices of petroleum products up to Rs30 per litre.

  • Man arrested for raping daughter with friends, kept her in chains

    Man arrested for raping daughter with friends, kept her in chains

    A man has been arrested by the Sindh Police for raping his daughter along with two of his friends, reports ARY. Nadeem, the girl’s father, used to keep his daughter shackled in chains. A case has been registered against him.

    According to Superintendent of Police Landhi, the police raided his house after receiving information from confidential sources.

    The girl was handcuffed in the house when the police arrived, and Nadeem was arrested from the scene.

    The girl told the police that her father used to rape her along with his friends, torture her and keep her in chains so that she wouldn’t escape.

    The police is further investigating the matter.

  • ‘Get a boob job, fix your face’: Ananya Panday reveals what hurt her in Bollywood

    ‘Get a boob job, fix your face’: Ananya Panday reveals what hurt her in Bollywood

    Bollywood actor Ananya Panday made her debut in Bollywood with Karan Johar’s Student Of The Year 2 with Tiger Shroff and has managed to mark her place in the film industry.

    In a recent chat, the actress revealed that she has faced ‘sexism’ in the early days of her career.

    During her recent appearance on The Ranveer Show, the Pati Patni Aur Woh diva said: “As soon as I started working, people started saying things like ‘you should fix this and fix that, like get a boob job or change something about your face. And, it is said very casually and not in direct words that you sometimes even don’t pick it up. They would say, ‘just fill up a little more. Put on some weight.’”

    Ananya Panday reveals facing ‘casual sexism’ in her initial days; Says people asked her to 'fill up'

    Ananya said that she felt hurt about it and would think, “Is that what people care about? Is that what I am reduced to? Is there nothing about me paramount to my waist size or chest size?” She said that the worst thing a person can do is judge them for their body.

    Panday mentioned that she wasn’t promised work in the industry nor was spoken about any opportunities. The actress also said that she always wanted to be an actress but she never knew how she would accomplish that. “I never thought it was going to be easy,” Panday said.

    Meanwhile, on the work front, the Khaali Peeli actress will be seen next in Puri Jagannadh’s action film Liger alongside Vijay Deverakonda, which will release in the theatres on 25 August 2022.

    Earlier this year during Gehraiyaan’s promotions, Deepika Padukone explained how Ananya does not like sharing food and further elaborated on how they (Gehraiyaan’s lead cast) tried to invite themselves for a dinner at Ananya’s house but Panday was not keen on having them over.

    When interviewer Cyrus Broacha asked Ananya why she did not want to have them over, she said, “Because my dad (Chunky Panday) is always roaming around in a towel. If you all still want to come, come.”

    Director Shakun Batra and Deepika also revealed how Ananya never shares food.

    Shakun and Cocktail diva recalled an incident when she didn’t share her keema pao with others but gave a few peas from the dish to Shakun.

    While talking about the incident, Deepika told Cyrus Broacha on his show Cyrus Says on YouTube, “She doesn’t share her food.” Shakun further revealed how Ananya only shared some matar (peas) from the keema pao she was eating. Deepika then says, “At least you got that.” 

    Kheema Pav Recipe | Indian Style Minced Meat/Mutton Keema | The Bombay Chef – Varun Inamdar - YouTube

    Deepika added, “We invited ourselves to Ananya’s house because she said that she is having keema pao for dinner. We said thanks for inviting us and she was like ‘Yes if you guys wanna come, please come but there isn’t enough pao for you all.’” She further said, “We then waited 40 minutes for our food that we ordered but she kept eating hers and didn’t share.” Ananya then points at Shakun and says, “I gave him 2-3 matar (peas).”

    Director Shakun Batra joined the conversation right after and pointed out how bizarre the reason was. “I can already imagine so many memes being made on that.”, he said.

  • Royal Snub: Queen Elizabeth bans Meghan and Harry from balcony appearance?

    Royal Snub: Queen Elizabeth bans Meghan and Harry from balcony appearance?

    The Queen Elizabeth on Thursday made an appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony alongside active members of the royal family, where she greeted thousands of people who gathered in London to witness the start of Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

    Platinum jubilee event times: When is it and what is taking place over the bank holiday weekend? | The Independent

    The 96-year-old Elizabeth made two appearances on the Buckingham Palace balcony, looking elegant in a light blue attire.

    In the crowds outside the palace on Thursday, it was a party. But people wondered aloud what happens to the monarchy after Elizabeth.

    The queen was joined on the palace balcony by members of the royal family, though not Prince Andrew, Prince Harry or Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex.

    Prince Andrew had tested positive for the coronavirus. Whereas the Queen announced that only senior working members of the royal family will be included in the balcony appearance hence Harry and Meghan who stepped back from royal duties in January 2020 weren’t a part of it.

    Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Duke of Kentl in the Major General's office overlooking The Trooping of the Colour on Horse Guards Parade.

    The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have since moved to Montecito, California.

    Angela Levin, during her conversation with Sky News, said that the Queen has made some tough decisions.

    Sky News host Kay Burley spoke to Ms Levin on the show.

    Ms Burley asked: “Will we see [Meghan and Harry] on the balcony?”.

    Ms Levin replied, “No, the Queen has been firm about that”.

    “The way she has done it is if you are not a working royal, you can’t be on it.

    “That’s a way of stopping Prince Andrew from going out [on the balcony]”.

    She continued: “I think there would be quite a feeling of anger amongst us all [if Andrew were to appear]”.

    The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived secretly in a private jet ahead of the event. The couple’s visit will mark the first time that the members of the royal family will meet their daughter Lilibet who turns 1 on June 4. It was previously reported that Harry and Meghan will be staying at Frogmore Cottage during their UK visit for the celebration. 

    Ahead of the big celebrations to mark the monarch’s 70 years on the throne, a new portrait of the Queen was recently released by Buckingham Palace along with a personal message from the monarch that said, “I continue to be inspired by the goodwill shown to me, and hope that the coming days will provide an opportunity to reflect on all that has been achieved during the last 70 years, as we look to the future with confidence and enthusiasm.” 

    It was reported that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will not be joining the Queen on the Buckingham Palace balcony during the Trooping the Colour ceremony since they are no longer serving royals. The couple will reportedly watch the ceremony from Duke of Wellington’s former office, overlooking Horse Guards Parade.

  • Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reduces free fuel allocation for ministers and govt officials

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reduces free fuel allocation for ministers and govt officials

    Following Sindh, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has decreased free petroleum quotas for all provincial government departments, institutes, and organisations.

    Chief Minister of KP, Mehmood Khan, has approved a 35 per cent reduction in the free gasoline allotment, according to an official notification issued by the KP Chief Secretary.

    The news comes just hours after the Sindh government decided to reduce the Chief Minister’s (CM), ministers’, and provincial government employees’ free fuel quotas.

    Keeping in view a substantial spike in POL prices within the last few days, the decision was made to limit spending and decrease the strain on the national kitty.

    Read more: Petrol quota for ministers, govt officials in Sindh lowered by 40 per cent

    The latest petrol price hike came just hours after the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) approved a power tariff hike of Rs7.91 per unit.

  • Khan or Shehbaz: Who should be blamed for the massive petrol bomb?

    Khan or Shehbaz: Who should be blamed for the massive petrol bomb?

    The incumbent government on Thursday unleashed another massive gasoline bomb on the country after another hike of Rs30. In less than a month, the price of petrol has risen by Rs60 to Rs209.86. The recent hike has been made to meet the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) conditions.

    The latest petrol price hike came just hours after the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) approved a power tariff hike of Rs7.91 per unit.

    The question remains who should the Pakistanis blame for the burden the governments of the past and present putting them?

    The interfering ex-prime minister is distracting the government with his constant threats

    The Economist magazine in its recent article titled, “Imran Khan is jeopardising Pakistan’s attempts to fix its economy” has blamed the former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan as the reason for what is happening in Pakistan.

    “The reserves are at their lowest level since 2019, when Pakistan last sought help from the IMF. Only half the $6bn bail-out agreed at the time has been disbursed. Mr Khan, then prime minister, originally agreed to cut subsidies and reform the economy but reduced fuel prices instead. The country is running deficits on both its budget and its current account. It needs some $37bn worth of financing for the fiscal year beginning in June, reckons the finance minister,” writes The Economist.

    The Economist further writes about how the federal capital witnesses a protest once every year where the state gets questioned and those in power are demanded answers. But this time it was a former premier whose continuous marches and threats are creating instability. “The interfering ex-prime minister is distracting the government with his constant threats.”

    “Mr Khan does not appear to be giving up hope. He is petitioning the Supreme Court to guarantee safe passage for potential follow-up marches. The coming spate of painful economic moves will supply him with plenty of excuses to paint the government as American stooges and enemies of the people. The appointment of a new army chief, due in November, will add yet more uncertainty to the political balance. To fix its economy, Pakistan badly needs stability. It will spend the coming months with anything but,” writes The Economist.

    Hesitation to get cheap oil from Russia

    The Current reached out to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Spokesperson on Economy and Finance, Muzzammil Aslam and he said, ” First international markets, second lack of planning by the current government, and the hesitation to get cheap oil from Russia is the reason for the recent petrol bomb.”

    “The price pass-through could be lower if they cut the refinery margins. Lastly, it is not necessary to raise prices, one can make up subsidies by imposing windfall taxes, wealth taxes etc,” says Aslam.

    Read more: Fact Check: Imran Khan did not arrange a 30% cheaper oil deal with Russia

    Decreasing prices was a selfish political move by PTI, but PMLN led-govt should have fixed it immediately

    The Current reached out to Geo News’ Anchorperson Shahzad Iqbal to ask for his point of view on the present conditions being faced by the people. Commenting on the issue Iqbal said, “Decreasing prices was a selfish political move by the PTI government to either survive or to create hurdles for the incoming government. But Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) led government should have fixed it immediately.”

    “The delay by the sitting government cost Pakistan Rs150 billion,” said Iqbal.