Blog

  • EXCLUSIVE: Accused journalists, Fawad Chaudhry respond to leaked audio allegations by Maryam Nawaz

    EXCLUSIVE: Accused journalists, Fawad Chaudhry respond to leaked audio allegations by Maryam Nawaz

    In a 2022 first, another leaked audio conversation between Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz and PML-N Leader Pervaiz Rashid has come to the surface.

    Audio leak: “There is not one single person [journalist/analyst] whom we can call a spokesperson for the party,” Rashid

    As per the leaked audio, Pervaiz Rashid, referring to how criticism was directed towards PML-N on a political talk show on Geo News, said to Maryam Nawaz, “They have a programme called ‘Score Card’ [Report Card], Hassan Nisar is a part of its [panel] he abuses us a lot.”

    “They have added Irshad Bhatti as well,” added Maryam Nawaz. “Irshad Bhatti whom they have added gives derogatory remarks [against us],” said Rashid.

    “Mazhar Abbas has a tilt against us in his comments. He criticises us and sometimes spins the conversation and makes fun of us, but it is primarily against us,” said PML-N leader Rashid.

    Rashid lamented the fact that there was not one single person [journalist/analyst] whom they could call a spokesperson for the party.

    “Sattar Babar [Babar Sattar] has his independent opinion,” said Rashid. “He [Babar Sattar] generally isn’t in our favour,” interjected Maryam.

    “There was another one who didn’t give our point of view. Just like these people abuse us, he used to do the same to [Prime Minister (PM)] Imran Khan,” said Pervaiz Rashid. “Niazi [Hafeezullah Niazi]”, added Maryam Nawaz. “Yes, Niazi,” replied Rashid. “They have removed him and are not publishing his columns as well.”

    “This is really unjust and cruel [behaiour] towards us,” said Rasheed.

    At this point in the alleged audio, Maryam says she would first ask Niazi the reason for his removal from the panel and then take up the matter with Jang Group owner Mir Shakeel-ur-Rehman.

    “I will request you to ask Mir Shakeel-ur-Rehman, that why is this happening, in this way the programme will be unbalanced. There was one check on Imran Khan, you have stopped that and you have imposed barking dogs on us,” Rashid continued.

    “You are absolutely right uncle, this is biasness towards us,” said Maryam Nawaz.

    Towards the end of the clip, Maryam allegedly passes instructions that a pair of baskets that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif brought from Azerbaijan should be sent to journalists Nusrat Javeed and Rana Jawad.

    “Maryam Nawaz has been trying to dictate the media in a rather stupid manner”: Fawad Chaudhry

    The Current contacted Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry to provide the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) stance on the leaked audio.

    “Many anchors consider themselves as God when they sit on TV channels. They speak against people,” said Fawad, adding “Language is very important. When one sits to analyse or critique on someone they should be careful with their words.”

    “PML-N has been mananging the editorial policy. Maryam Nawaz has been trying to dictate the media in a rather stupid manner,” said Fawad.

    In an exclusive conversation with The Current, the journalists and analysts who have been called out by the PML-N leadership had rather interesting revelations to make.

    “I am not surprised. I stand by words and comments”, Journalist Mazhar Abbas

    Senior Journalist Mazhar Abbas, while talking to The Current, said, “I am not surprised, be it Maryam Nawaz, Pervaiz Rashid, Fawad Chaudhry or anyone from Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), I stand by my words and comments.”

    Responding to the allegations of PML-N Abbas said, ” I do not spin my words, though I have been a left-arm leg spinner in my earlier days and that has nothing to do with my journalism.”

    “I have been a journalist for 40 years and I am not bothered by the criticism of these politicians.”

    Agreeing with Fawad Chaudhry, Abbas said that the use of proper language is very important but the minister needs to tell this to his party fellows as well.

    Taking a jibe at PML-N, Abbas said, “The PML-N should also ponder on their own actions and the way they talk. I will not comment on the way they do it. I have my way of criticism. However, I shall want to correct Rashid Saab, the show he is talking about is called ‘Report Card’, not Score Card.”

    “Fawad Chaudhry publically slaps anchors and now he is schooling us about language,” Columnist Hafeezullah Niazi

    Columnist Hafeezullah Niazi while commenting on the leaked audio said, “This conversation is from 2017 after former PM Nawaz Sharif’s visit from Azerbaijan.”

    “In 2017 Maryam Nawaz was handling the PML-N media cell. And this audio is of a private conversation. Whatever is being said in this audio is absolutely correct,” said Niazi.

    “They have said the right thing about me. I used to come hard on Imran Khan. Unfortunately, some loose talk does take place on private news channels political talk shows,” said Niazi.

    Reacting to the words of Fawad Chaudhry, Hafeezullah said, “Fawad Chaudhry publicly slapped anchors and now he is schooling us about language. Why didn’t he remember ethics and language then? He is taking out some old grievances with PML-N.”

    Talking about the remarks of Pervaiz Rashid, and his derogatory words, Hafeezullah said, “Pervaiz Rashid talks like this. It’s his private style of talking. These talks weren’t for the public,” adding that Maryam Nawaz has never denied these conversations.

    “Maryam’s fame in politics started with her managing the media cell of PML-N. Her career is from social media,” said Niazi.

    The Current has also reached out to senior Journalist Hassan Nisar, Irshad Bhatti, and Geo News and we are still waiting for a response.

  • PCB announces nominations for 2021 Awards, Rizwan gets 3 and Babar 2

    PCB announces nominations for 2021 Awards, Rizwan gets 3 and Babar 2

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the nominees for the annual cricket awards 2021.

    “We are all set to bring to you the PCB Awards 2021,” the board announced on its official Twitter handle on Monday.

    Shedding light on further details, the PCB said that the categories and nominations will be revealed on Tuesday.

    Taking to Twitter, PCB shared Impactful Performance of The Year Nominees. Fawad Alam was nominated for his impressive Test against South Africa, Hassan Ali for his 10-fer against South Africa, Mohammad Rizwan for his 79 not out against India in T20 World Cup and Shaheen Shah Afridi for his 3-31 against India in the same match.

    In emerging cricketers’ category, wicket-keeper-batter Azam Khan, young pacers Arshad Iqbal, Mohammad Wasim Jnr. and Shahnawaz Dahani are nominated.

    In Men’s ODI Cricketer of The Year category, skipper Babar Azam, power hitter Fakhar Zaman, pacers Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi are nominated.

    On the other hand Women’s Cricketers of the year nominations include Aliya Riaz, Anum Amin, Fatima Sana and Nida Dar.

    Revealing Test Player of the Year of Award, PCB wrote: “Many thrilling performances in the Test cricket format, here are the stars who made it to the nominations for “Test Cricketer of the Year.” Players included in this category are Test opener Abid Ali, batter Fawad Alam, pacers Shaheen and Hassan.

    In the T20 Player of the Year category, all-rounder Shadab Khan, Haris, Shaheen and Rizwan are included.

    PCB named five cricketers in Domestic Cricketer Of The Year Nominees. Cricketers in this category include Asif Afridi, Mohammad Huraira, Iktikhar Ahmed, Sahibzada Farhan and Tayyab Tahir.

    The last category for today, “Most Valuable Cricketer of the Year” but certainly not the least. A valuable player not only performs exceptionally well but also inspires others to do more,” wrote PCB.

    Here are the nominees: Babar Azam, Hassan Ali, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

    Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has been shortlisted in five categories for the PCB Awards 2021.

    Rizwan has earned nominations for the Impactful Performance of the Year, T20I Cricketer of the Year and Most Valuable Cricketer of the Year, Hasan Ali has been shortlisted for the Impactful Performance of the Year, Test Cricketer of the Year and Most Valuable Cricketer of the Year awards.

    Babar Azam, Fawad Alam and Haris Rauf have been shortlisted in two categories each.

    For the Emerging Cricketer of the Year, Arshad Iqbal, Azam Khan, Mohammad Wasim Junior and Shahnawaz Dahani have been shortlisted.

    The winners of the Umpire of the Year and Spirit of Cricket awards will be announced directly on Thursday, January 6.

  • Half of the covid cases in Sindh are of omicron variant: Sindh govt

    Half of the covid cases in Sindh are of omicron variant: Sindh govt

    The Sindh government has announced, in the meeting held on Monday, that the emergence cases related to the omicron variant of coronavirus have exceeded 50 percent in the province, especially in Karachi.

    A high-level meeting was held which was presided over by the Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah to discuss the worsening situation of covid in the province which accelerated from the new variant, omicron. The brief was given by the Sindh Health Department to the Chief Minister regarding the alarming situation of the new wave of coronavirus.

    According to reports by provincial health officials, 351 samples were taken from positive covid patients for analysis, out of which 175 patients were found to be infected with the omicron variant.

    The meeting was attended by the concerned government officials including Dr Bari of Indus Hospital and Provincial Minister Health Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho.

    It was informed in the meeting that the number of covid cases has surged from the last 30 days. The new cases reported on December 3 were 261 and it exceeded 403 new cases of covid on January 2 this year.

    The Chief Minister claimed the situation is alarming and asked the health department to speed up the tests and initiate the vaccination drive on a large scale.

    Statistics were also shared in the meeting that during the last 30 days, the number of covid positive patients who died was 51. Out of 51 patients, 40 were on ventilators, six were on ventilators, five were at home.

    In the meeting, it was informed to the Chief Minister that until now, 29,579,471 vaccine doses had been administrated across Sindh province.

    The spokesperson for the Sindh government Barrister Murtaza Wahab said that the provincial government does not want to take strict action and requested people to follow precautionary measures to avoid the spread of the virus.

  • Woman gives birth to twins in different years

    Woman gives birth to twins in different years

    The astonishing news about the birth of twins by a mother in two years is a new year special. One twin came in 2021 while the other came in 2022.

    According to NDTV,, the first twin was born at 11:45 PM on New Year’s Eve (2021), while the second one said hello to Earth exactly at midnight in 2022.

    Fatima Madrigal and Robert Trujillo gave birth to the twins — a boy named Alfredo and his sister Aylin. The hospital, Natividad Medical Centre, shared on its Facebook page. “Baby Aylin Yolanda Trujillo was born exactly at midnight in 2022, but get this: Her twin brother, Alfredo Antonio Trujillo, was born 15 minutes before in 2021.”

    Madrigal’s take on her babies having unique birthdays: “It’s crazy to me that they are twins and have different birthdays,” she said, “I was surprised and happy that she arrived at midnight.”

    People magazine reported that Aylin weighed 5 lbs, 14 oz (2.66 kg approx), and big brother Alfredo weighed 6 lbs, 1 oz (2.75 kg approx) and the twins are healthy and doing well.

    According to NDTV,, Dr Ana Abril Arias who delivered the babies at the hospital, said,“This was definitely one of the most memorable deliveries of my career.”

    “It was an absolute pleasure to help these little ones arrive here safely in 2021 and 2022,” she said.

    The doctor further added: “What an amazing way to start the New Year”.

  • ‘Tell people there is no inflation’: PM satisfied with economy, says he is ‘brand’ of the party

    ‘Tell people there is no inflation’: PM satisfied with economy, says he is ‘brand’ of the party

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Monday asked his party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) spokespersons to inform the masses that there is no inflation in the country, as he expressed satisfaction over the economic team’s performance, reports The News.

    “We had inherited a ruined economy,” he said while hinting at the Opposition while chairing a meeting of the government and party spokespersons to discuss the national economy.

    Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin briefed the meeting. He assured that inflation has come down in December as compared to November and next month inflation will come down further as global commodity prices are declining.

    The premier directed that the statistics of the economy should be made public and asked his party to inform the people about the reduction in inflation next month.

    He told his party members that their prime minister was “their brand”, as he advised them to not let the Opposition dominate the political environment.

    “Your leader is not like those of the Opposition. The Opposition defends its dacoit, thief, and corrupt leaders,” he added.

    Despite the reassurances the inflation is growing at an alarming rate as earlier this month, the government increased the prices of petroleum products by Rs4 per litre.

    Last week, through the mini-budget 17 percent Good and Service Tax (GST) has been imposed on mobiles and multiple imported food items.

  • Bollywood calls out Indian app which listed Muslim women for auction including Malala

    Bollywood calls out Indian app which listed Muslim women for auction including Malala

    Photographs of more than 100 Muslim women were displayed on an application known as “Bulli Bai” where women were posted as the auction of the day, reports Al Jazeera.

    The pictures were uploaded on an app for “sale” without their permission. The list included Pakistani Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai and award-winning Bollywood actor Shabana Azmi.

    Following the news, several Bollywood celebrities have come forward to express their anger.

    Actor and activist Swara Bhaskar, in a tweet, said, “At that point where we’ve to remind ourselves that it’s not okay to sell Muslim women online! Remind ourselves that it’s not kosher to rally & call for genocide! That it’s not okay to disrupt people’s prayers. This is happening in our name, in the name of our Gods. It’s on us!”

    Actor and Director Farhan Akhtar termed the auction a “grostesque act” and called for strict action against the perpetrators.

    Dozens of Muslim women began posting their shock and outrage on social media after seeing their photographs and details on the app. The app was taken down on Saturday.

  • ‘Bunch of bullies, abuse’: Ushna Shah hits out at trolls for accent shaming

    ‘Bunch of bullies, abuse’: Ushna Shah hits out at trolls for accent shaming

    Actor Ushna Shah recently took to Twitter and gave a befitting reply to trolls, who mocked her English accent and called it fake.

    On Sunday, she has acquired the accent after spending some “formative years” in Canada, where she received her formal education.

    “Having spent my formative years i.e all of grade school, most of high school and then uni in Canada, and then consciously downplaying my accent while in Pakistan,” wrote Shah.

    “I’m still accused of faking a “foreign accent”. You all are a bunch of bullies and this is abuse FYI,” said the Aakhir Kab Tak diva.

    Earlier, the Balaa actress, who never shy away from stating her opinions on social media, called out people who believe TV actors promote “vulgarity.”

    In her tweet, the actress said, “Every Pakistani with morals and ethics who finds acting and actors inferior, who thinks we spread ‘fahashi’ (vulgarity) should promptly get rid of their TV (or any channel that shows content that isn’t preaching Islam) and get off social media immediately!”

    Meanwhile, on the professional front, Ushna is all set to feature in the upcoming Pak-Turk joint drama series on Salahuddin Ayubi. The show will be based on the life of the great Muslim leader – better known in the West as Saladin.

    Ushna said that people should stop watching television and use social media if they feel celebrities are responsible for spreading vulgarity.

    The celebrity said that people with ethics and morals who think of celebrities as being inferior and responsible for spreading vulgarity should stop watching television and stop using social media.

    READ MORE: ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ fame Anurag Kashyap ropes in Ushna Shah, Saba Faisal in his next biggie

  • Video: Bollywood’s Pankaj Tripathi opens up on banter with Iqra Aziz

    Video: Bollywood’s Pankaj Tripathi opens up on banter with Iqra Aziz

    Bollywood actor Pankaj Tripathi has opened up about his cyber interaction with A-list Pakistani drama actor Iqra Aziz in an interview. The Stree star stated that a fan messaged him about the Raqeeb Se diva’s praise for his acting prowess.

    He was informed by the mutual fan that Iqra is a very famous actress of Pakistan and as a fellow artist he made sure that he responds to her appreciation.

    Taking to her Instagram stories on November 5, Aziz shared a picture of Pankaj Tripathi and wrote, “Hayee Kaleen bhaiya ap mere favourite ho (Oh Kaleen, you are my favourite).”

    But Aziz would’ve never thought her random appreciation would be acknowledged by the Indian actor who also starred in Netflix’s Sacred Games.

    Tripathi responded with an emoticon, a screenshot of which was shared by Aziz on her Instagram stories lately.

    “Pankaj ji replied to me and I can’t believe it!” wrote Aziz on top of the screenshot with several celebratory emoticons.

    Mirzapur’s season 2 recently premiered on Amazon Prime and received a lot of appreciation from the fans. Tripathi plays the leading role of Akhandanand Tripathi aka Kaleen bhaiya in the reknowned Indian show.

    The story revolves around a shocking incident at a wedding procession that ignites a series of events entangling the lives of two families in the lawless city.

  • FBR data 2019: CM Buzdar paid Rs2,000 tax, PPP’s Yousuf Raza Gillani paid zero tax

    FBR data 2019: CM Buzdar paid Rs2,000 tax, PPP’s Yousuf Raza Gillani paid zero tax

    The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) released its 2019 tax directory for parliamentarians. According to the document, the directory complied tax returns filed manually and electronically till January 3, reports Dawn.

    Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin said that special efforts were made by FBR to make the directory more informative “which will help not only in educating taxpayers but also in encouraging compliance with tax laws as a national duty.”

    According to the data, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan paid Rs98 lakh. Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly (NA) Shehbaz Sharif paid Rs82 lakh while Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari paid Rs5 lakhs 30 thousand.

    Former president Asif Ali Zardari paid Rs22 lakhs. Finance minister, Shaukat Tarin paid Rs2 crore 66 lakhs while former PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi paid Rs49 lakhs.

    Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Murad Ali Shah paid Rs11 lakhs while Punjab CM Usman Buzdar paid a minimal Rs2,000.

    Current Balochistan CM Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo Rs11 lakhs and his predecessor Jam Kamal Khan paid Rs11 lakhs 80,000. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM Mahmood Khan paid Rs66,258.

    Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi paid Rs9 lakhs while Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar paid Rs43 lakhs. Energy Minister Hammad Azhar paid Rs 1 crore 80 lakhs.

    Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Senator Faisal Subzwari, Punjab Education Minister Murad Raas, and Punjab Prisons Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan were among several lawmakers that paid Rs2,000.

    Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Yousuf Raza Gillani and PML-N’s Azma Zahid Bokhari did not pay anything in taxes.

  • World powers unanimously declare nuclear war unwinnable

    World powers unanimously declare nuclear war unwinnable

    The countries widely considered world powers (China, Russia, Britain, the United States, and France) have unanimously agreed to refrain from a nuclear arms race, according to a joint statement by the five nuclear powers published by the Kremlin on Monday.

    These five countries being members of the United Nations Security Council shoulder the responsibility to keep away from war.

    “We affirm that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought,” the English-language version of the statement read.

    “As nuclear use would have far-reaching consequences, we also affirm that nuclear weapons — for as long as they continue to exist — should serve defensive purposes, deter aggression, and prevent war.”

    The statement from the so-called P5 group comes as bilateral relations between the United States and Moscow have fallen to their lowest since the end of the Cold War, while relations between Washington and China are also at a low over a range of disagreements.

    The western countries have shown consternation on massive build-up at Ukraine’s border by Russia.

    As Russian forces build at the Ukraine border, last Thursday US President Joe Biden told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that a possible move on Ukraine will draw sanctions and an increased US presence in Europe.