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  • Religious Affairs Minister criticises Aurat march without reading manifesto

    Religious Affairs Minister criticises Aurat march without reading manifesto

    Federal Minister for Religious and Minority Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri who has written a letter to Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan asking him to put a ban on the Aurat March, appeared on Geo News’s programme Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath on Thursday night.

    During the show, Qadri said he does not have a problem with the Manifesto of Aurat March but has a problem with the way marchers express themselves by taking to the streets.

    To which the anchorperson asked him why he doesn’t criticise when other political parties, including PTI, when they take to street protests. Qadri replied saying that he raises his voice regardless of whomever is protesting but had a different response when asked about Tehrik-e-Labbaik’s violent protests.

    Khanzada asked while quoting Qadri: “You said that you do not want to make [Pakistan] a violent religious country, but when one organisation did processions,” and the organisation passed highly provocative remarks against the judiciary, the army chief and the prime minister, did hate speech, they even beat the police officer, you said that they have the right to protest. That organization is Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), you spoke in their favour. Here [Aurat March], women are protesting and we don’t see any examples that reflect what you are against but still, you are against them.”

    Qadri said that a few pictures from last year’s march were photoshopped and a few slogans were doctored but a few of them are genuine and are highly condemnable. However, he refused to mention the slogans, saying that he does want to repeat them.

    Qadri further added that he is not against the protest but he is against the way of the protest, as it’s against our cultural and religious values. He continued by saying that he is against “vulgar slogans”, based on ‘fabricated issues’ of women.

    Social media users are praising Shahzeb Khanzada for raising, ‘valid points’:

    https://twitter.com/Ranting_Expert/status/1494397933395062785

    Qadri, in his letter to the premier, wrote that March 8 should be observed as “International Hijab Day” rather than Aurat March.

  • Wahab Riaz, Shoaib Malik, Haris celebrate after winning hat-trick in PSL

    Wahab Riaz, Shoaib Malik, Haris celebrate after winning hat-trick in PSL

    In the 24th match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022, Peshawar Zalmi defeated Islamabad United by 10 runs. This was the third consecutive win for Wahab Riaz’s team. In this match, wicket-keeper-batter Mohammad Haris of Zalmi also scored a half-century in 18 balls.

    Haris smashed Islamabad’s bowling attack with a knock of 70 off 32 balls. In this exceptional innings, he completed his half-century in 18 balls, which is the joint-third fastest 50 in PSL history. After this, Yasir Khan (35) and Shoaib Malik (38) also made important contributions, taking Peshawar’s score to 200. Peshawar set a decent target of 207 runs for Islamabad to chase.

    Islamabad had a magnificent start by reaching 50 in the fourth over but opener batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz (46 off 19) got hitched by Salman Irshad. Then United wicketkeeper Azam Khan took the lead, who played an innings of 85 runs in 45 balls. But apart from him, no other batsman could do anything special. After holding the innings till the end, Azam Khan became the victim of Wahab Riaz on the first ball of the 19th over.

    From here the match changed and Zalmi’s return was made by Wahab, who took Azam’s wicket. Islamabad’s team scored 196 runs in 20 overs for the loss of 7 wickets and fell 10 runs behind the target. Fast bowler Salman Irshad took three and Riaz took two wickets. Talat and Cutting also got one wicket each.

    In this match, Wahab took his 100th wicket and became the first PSL bowler to reach the milestone.

    Taking to Twitter, he wrote: “Alhamdulilah for our 3rd consecutive win!”

    Praising Haris, he added: “Really happy with our brand of cricket and especially @iamharis63 has made a lot of difference with his batting.”

    He further added that he is looking forward to reach the play offs as well.

    Shoaib Malik also took to Twitter to congratulate Wahab and Haris.

    “Congratulations @PeshawarZalmi, truly a team effort today, great knock by youngster #Haris. Congratulations @WahabViki on your wickets century, keep going strong guys,” he wrote.

    Haris also took to his Twitter and wrote: “Hat-trick of wins for us. Alhamdulilah for another player of the match award.”

    Haris bagged Player of the Match award and its his second award in the three matches he played in PSL 7.

  • ‘Pride of Pak’, Iqrar-ul-Hassan’s son writes note for injured father

    Television host and Journalist Syed Iqrar-ul-Hassan’s son Pehlaaj Hassan took to his Instagram to write a short note for his father who was recently attacked.

    “The pride of Pakistan, I can proudly say that Mere baba is now on the road to recovery and inshallah will be back on the road soon, Thank you for all your support aur ap sab Dua karte rahe. Pakistan Zindabad,” he wrote in his Instagram post while sharing his father’s picture.

    Pictures of Hassan in bloodied, torn-up clothes, receiving medical treatment on a hospital bed started making rounds on social media on Feburary 14. Later, journalist Waseem Badami shared pictures and videos of him visiting Hassan at the hospital.

    Talking about the incident, Iqrar said that he and his team members were “stripped naked, blindfolded and tortured for exposing the corruption of an IB inspector”. He alleged that IB officials also shot videos of him after stripping him and his team members naked.

  • ‘Ghaari ki bajaye ghorro pe safar’: Arslan Naseer, Noor Bukhari take a jibe at PM Khan over petrol prices

    ‘Ghaari ki bajaye ghorro pe safar’: Arslan Naseer, Noor Bukhari take a jibe at PM Khan over petrol prices

    The ruling government has increased the price of petrol by Rs12.03/litre, diesel Rs9.53/litre, kerosene Rs10.08/litre and light diesel oil (LDO) by 9.43/litre. The new rates will be effective from today (February 16) and will be revised at the end of the month.

    As per the press release issued by the Government of Pakistan’s Finance Division, the prime minister has considered the recommendation to increase the prices of petroleum products in line with changes in the international oil prices.

    The previous price of petrol was Rs147.83 per litre.

    Actress Noor Bukhari took to her Instagram stories to take a dig on the government due to the increased prices of petrol in the country. She jokingly said that we should start investing on cartwheels.

    The Chupke Chupke star Arslan Naseer also commented on the same.

    Earlier Arsalan took a jibe at PM Imran Khan’s government for his taxation policies especially in regards to Iphone 13.

    He took to his twitter handle to share his stance on the matter.

    Want to buy the new iPhone? Think again because the new Pakistan tax is shocking

    A government source has informed The Current that phones from abroad are now being subjected to 17% sales tax instead of a fixed sales tax. The total tax will also include customs tax.

    Earlier, the fixed sales tax on the iPhone13 Pro max was Rs. 10,000 but if you now calculate a 17 per cent tax on 305068.94 PKR in our case, the tax will be 51,861.7198. The customs tax is Rs 34,000 on the iPhone.

    If you now want to buy an iPhone 13 Pro max in Pakistan, the total tax will be 51,861.7198+34,000=85,861.17 for the high end iPhone.

    If you have a passport on which you came back with the phone, it will cost you a little less, 51,861.7198+26,000=77,861.7198.

    Government sources while talking to The Current said, “If a person can afford a phone worth almost 300k, then he can pay 78k too. These phones have inelastic demands.”

    “Most smartphones sold in Pakistan (more than 80%) and mid category (between $150-200). 70% of these are now made in Pakistan and have very little tax on them. The ones in the range that are imported have a tax of around Rs 5-8k on them,” the source added.

  • Kuwait allows women in Army combat roles after permission from male guardian

    Kuwait allows women in Army combat roles after permission from male guardian

    Kuwait has allowed women in Army combat roles. However, they will need permission from a male guardian. Women are also banned from carrying weapons which sparked controversy among Kuwaiti women.

    Activists have dubbed its policy as “one step forward, two steps back” after Defence Ministry announced women have to wear headscarves in the armed forces.

    Ghadeer al-Khashti, a sports teacher and member of Kuwait Football Association’s women committee, “I don’t know why there are these restrictions to join the army. We have all kinds of women working in all fields, including the police force.”

    She also revealed that her mother also took part in the resistance force when the Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in 1990.

    She further added, “My mum during the Iraqi invasion used to hide weapons under her abaya and transport them to members of Kuwait’s resistance, and my father encouraged it. I don’t understand on what basis they see women as weak.”

    In October 2021, Kuwait Defence Ministry decided to allow women in combat roles. However, it was questioned by orthodox lawmaker Hamdan al-Azmi. Later, the ministry imposed some restrictions.

    The lawmaker had criticised women’s roles in combat by saying, “does not fit with a woman’s nature.”

    Head of the Kuwaiti Women’s Cultural and Social Society, Lulwa Saleh al-Mulla also condemned the discriminatory law.

    She said, “We are a Muslim country, that is true, but we demand the laws not be subject to fatwas. Personal freedom is guaranteed in the constitution, on which the country’s laws are based.”

    Women were given the right to vote in 2005 in Kuwait.

  • Babar Azam is the best player in the world, says Saqlain Mushtaq

    Babar Azam is the best player in the world, says Saqlain Mushtaq

    Head Coach of Pakistan cricket team Saqlain Mushtaq has said that Babar Azam is the best player in the world.

    The head coach of the national team said that when cricket started, it was his dream to play for Pakistan. He wanted to serve Pakistan even after retirement.

    While talking about Australia’s tour to Pakistan, he said that the arrival of the Australian cricket team in Pakistan is welcome, for which he is grateful to Australia and Government of Pakistan. Saqlain said the whole nation is looking forward to this tour.

    Mushtaq said that they will form their own team keeping in view the Australian team, the home series is beneficial for the national side but Australia is the top team at the moment, they are planning for the series.

    In response to a question, the head coach said: “Captain Babar Azam is the best player in the world, he has given very good performances in the past also, Babar Azam plays every format and bowling well.”

    He said that if there are no good spinners now, then there will be in the future. “My thinking about spinners is very positive.” He also added that we will see which pitch will support us.

    Talking about Mohammad Yousuf, he added that he believes in his expertise, he is also working for high performance center. “We have to complete our preparations.”

    The Australian cricket team is scheduled to tour Pakistan in March and April 2022 to play three Tests, three One Day Internationals (ODIs), and one Twenty20 International (T20I) match.

  • ‘I got calls, casting couch exists’: Kiran Tabeir makes shocking revelations about showbiz

    ‘I got calls, casting couch exists’: Kiran Tabeir makes shocking revelations about showbiz

    Kiran Tabeir is currently riding high on the success of her recent dramas, Parizaad and Judwa, in an exclusive chat with a digital portal the Quddusi Sahab Ki Bewah diva opened up about her experiences in the entertainment industry.

    She said, “I gave an audition for a radio show and got selected, then became a host on a cooking show without telling my family,” she began. “Later on, there was too much drama and I started living with my khala because my father was against my career choices.”

    Kiran Tabeer's Weight Loss Journey from 85kg to 53kg | DESIblitz

    “He had put a condition that I should get married to pursue this career and Alhumdulillah, maybe it was destined that I met my husband during a drama shoot,” the Uraan star added. “Then, I did Hum Sab Umeed Se Hain and finally people started noticing me.”

    “Today, if anyone says that casting couch does not exist in this industry then I will not accept it,” said Tabeir. “I started with very small roles; my journey started from playing extras, junior artists, minor supporting roles, major supporting, negative, negative lead, and then I have reached lead characters.”

    “I have a long journey and it is a process,” she continued. “People usually write that I have not reached the position where I should be despite being a good actress and I think this ‘casting couch’ is one of the factors to be blamed for it.”

    GlamGalz.com on Twitter:

    “I was finalized for a lot of big projects; I got calls to meet with some big-shot director or producer two days before the shoot and when I did not accept the invitation, I was told that the project has been delayed. Later, I saw those dramas with a different cast on TV,” she said.

    “I believe that it exists but that does not undermine the hard work of many actors. Not everyone is a part of it and this is not the only way to success. However, every actor has to face it one way or the other,” she expressed.

    Earlier in another interview with a digital portal, the Parizaad diva expressed her reservations regarding the process of casting being done in the showbiz industry.

    Kiran said, “10 years ago when I started my career it wasn’t that difficult to find work without any social media power, but now it seems impossible to find work without having any social media power. Nowadays you can’t become an actor just on the basis of talent.”

    Tabeer further added, “You were eligible to work in a drama or film if you have that talent to portray a character strongly. Now the thing which matters is your social media followers rather than your talent and hard work. Social media stars are being cast in dramas nowadays just because people know them and they have social media power. Talent is not considered as the first priority in the current era.”

  • When Danish Taimoor signed a bold Bollywood film opposite Kareena Kapoor

    When Danish Taimoor signed a bold Bollywood film opposite Kareena Kapoor

    Actor Danish Taimoor recently bagged the Best Actor Award for his hit play, Deewangi at the Lux Style Awards 2021, however he opened up on a lost Bollywood opportunity in resurfaced interview.

    When the Deewangi star appeared on Bol Nights With Ahsan Khan along with his superstar wife Ayeza Khan, he revealed that he was offered to work alongside Bollywood glam girl Kareena Kapoor Khan but due to his misfortune, his big break in India never came.

    Veere Di Wedding 2: Sonam Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Swara Bhaskar, Shikha Talsania Give Their Nod, To Begin Shoot Post Bebo's Delivery | India.com

    During the show, the Mehrunisa V Lub U actor disclosed that he was approached for a lead role opposite Kareena Kapoor Khan in the star-studded Bollywood movie Veere Di Wedding which played in cinemas in 2018. According to him, the dates were finalised but then tensions between the two countries escalated in 2016 and he could not go to India to start shooting for the film.

    Was offered role opposite Kareena Kapoor: Danish Tamoor

    Sharing the details of how he was asked to work with the megastar, Taimoor stated: “We were all ready to go for the shoot but then we got to know that Kareena was pregnant. After Kareena delivered her baby in 2016, the situation between India and Pakistan got worse.”

    Not Sumeet Vyas, this Pakistani actor was supposed to star opposite Kareena Kapoor in Veere Di Wedding | Celebrities News – India TV

    He was later replaced with actor Sumeet Vyas, who played Kareena’s reel husband eventually.

    As the situation worsened between Indo-Pak after the Uri attacks in September 2016.

    On the work front, Danish is currently hosting a game show on a local TV channel and is shooting for a romantic serial opposite Dur-e-Fishan Saleem for ARY Digital.

  • ‘Chief Justice should not be deciding samosa or sugar prices’: Bilawal

    ‘Chief Justice should not be deciding samosa or sugar prices’: Bilawal

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, in an event organised by the Lahore High Court Bar Association, criticised the former Chief Justices of Pakistan (CJPs).

    Bilawal took a jibe at CJPs Mian Saqib Nisar and Gulzar Ahmed. He stated, “Some judges took it upon themselves to busy themselves, the courts and the legal community on deciding which building should be demolished and which should stay. The judiciary of Pakistan is a place for the battle of legal ideas, it is not a place for us to decide where or where not to build a dam.”

    In 2018, Justice Nisar had launched the initiative of collecting donations for the construction of the Diamer-Bhasha. Meanwhile, Justice Gulzar decided on several high-profile cases last year including the demolition of buildings in Karachi i.e. Nasla Tower and Tejori Heights.

    “CJP should be deciding constitutional issues instead of samosa or sugar prices”, said Bilawal. However, he made it clear that despite this, he had the utmost respect for the legal community and judges.

    He also called on the legal community to support his party’s planned anti-government long march on February 27.

    According to him, Pakistan needs a system of accountability that is fair and non-discriminatory instead of the present “witch hunt and persecution” of opponents and those who exposed the government’s failings.

  • ‘Imran Khan the standard you want to set for Bushra Bibi, apply the same for all women’: Maryam Nawaz

    ‘Imran Khan the standard you want to set for Bushra Bibi, apply the same for all women’: Maryam Nawaz

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz, in a fiery press conference, fiercely criticised Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan.

    “Yes, your [PM Khan] wife [Bushra Bibi] is of respect to us. The standard you want to set for your wife, the same standards should have been there for the deceased Kalsoom Nawaz [wife of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif]. When I used to go to check on my mother from our London apartment to the hospital, three to four Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers used to abuse me. When my son Junaid used to leave, they used to abuse his mother,” said Maryam Nawaz.

    She alleged that some PTI activists had barged into the hospital just to take pictures of an ailing Kulsoom.

    “The standard you set for your wife, apply the same for every woman,” added the PML-N leader.

    “I was innocent and you put me in the death cell. You did the character assassination of a daughter in front of her father. When I was in Gilgit Baltistan and running my political campaign in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, you did not have an answer to my political criticism. So your minister on record hurled below the belt criticism towards me.”

    “I want to request the media to play the footage of the speeches of the PTI ministers where they have made personal attacks against me. Imran Khan Sahib used to praise them for making such comments, clap at them. I too am someone’s daughter. What you have done with Asma Shirazi, Gharidah Farooqi, and Sana Bucha, the country has not forgotten it.”

    “Have the guts to take criticism,” reiterated Maryam.

    Responding to the arrest of journalist Mohsin Baig by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), who is accused of initiating a debate on a television show with obscene references towards PM Imran Khan and Minister for Communication Murad Saeed, Maryam said, ” When Mohsin Saab was with you [Imran Khan], helped you with your political matters, at that time he was very nice. And now that he is criticising you, you should have had the guts to take the criticism. You used FIA against him. I feel sorry for your mental condition Imran Khan Saab.”

    “People are cursing you for the price hike and increase in the petrol prices,” said Maryam, adding, “People don’t have fuel. The people of Pakistan do not travel on government-provided vehicles.”

    “I agree that you [PM Khan] are not eligible, and do not have the qualification but I wish you had a heart which was kind. You have used the hard-earned money of the people of Pakistan just to settle your score with your opponents,” said the PML-N leader.

    “You have made FIA, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) a part of your politics to settle scores with your opponents. Despite the fact that you are a liar and fake, you are sitting on the seat of a prime minister of the country, you should have spent all your time serving the people of Pakistan, instead you utilised all your energy to take revenge on the Opposition,” said Maryam.

    Talking to reporters after appearing at the Islamabad High Court in the Avenfield Apartments case, Maryam was asked if Shehbaz Sharif would resign as PML-N president if the “no-confidence gamble” failed.

    Maryam responded that she was hopeful of the move’s success “because Imran is on his last legs and it’s a risk that should be taken”, adding that the messages sent by her party to disgruntled lawmakers were also applicable to the PML-N itself.

    She did not elaborate on who she was referring to as “disgruntled” lawmakers or what messages were sent to them.

    “If the opposition does not take a united stand here then we will be blamed for it. It’s ultimately the public that we have to go back to at the time of elections.”

    Responding to a question on whether she supported another extension for the army chief, Maryam said “it’s a premature question and we don’t have any details before us”.