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  • US issues its first passport with ‘X’ gender marker

    US issues its first passport with ‘X’ gender marker

    According to a statement from the United States (US) State Department, the first American passport with an “X” gender marking was issued on Wednesday, aiming to allow non-binary, intersex, and gender-nonconforming people to mark themselves other than male or female on their travel document, Reuters has reported.

    US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced in June that the X marker would be offered as an option on passports, following other countries, including Canada, Germany, Australia and India, which already offer a third gender on documents.

    US Department Spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement that the US was moving toward adding the “X” gender marker as an option for those applying for US passports or Consular Reports of Birth Abroad.

  • ‘I wrote a letter to PM Khan about women’s rights in Afghanistan, have not received any response’: Malala Yousafzai

    ‘I wrote a letter to PM Khan about women’s rights in Afghanistan, have not received any response’: Malala Yousafzai

    Nobel Peace Prize laureate and education activist Malala Yousafzai, during a conversation with Dawn News programme, ‘Live with Adil Shahzeb’, said, “I wrote a letter to the prime minister about women’s rights in Afghanistan but so far have not received any response.”

    Anchorperson Adil Shahzeb questioned Malala on girls’ education, a cause she has been advocating and supporting for years. Malala expressed her worry over the situation in Afghanistan.

    “The current temporary restriction on girls’ education [in Afghanistan] shouldn’t turn out to be as long as in their (Taliban’s) first tenure [in the government], when the ban stretched for five years,” she said, adding that she feared something similar. “We don’t want a repeat of their previous rule.”

    When asked about Pakistan’s role for girls’ education in Afghanistan, she said “I am very much hopeful that Prime Minister Imran Khan would … champion [the cause],” she said, urging him to push the Taliban to ensure female education and women’s rights in Afghanistan.

    Speaking about the Taliban in general, the Nobel laureate said, “One should not differentiate between the good and bad [Taliban] as their thinking is the same — of repression [and] forcing their own laws,” further adding, “I do not see any justice system in their governance, but Islam is based on [the principles of] justice,” she said.

  • ‘We will not bow down and let TLP play havoc’: Punjab IGP

    ‘We will not bow down and let TLP play havoc’: Punjab IGP

    Inspector General of Punjab Police (IGP) Rao Sardar Ali on Wednesday called the situation alarming, saying it was a matter of serious concern that the violent protesters of the banned Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) were armed with weapons and opened straight fire on police, reports Dawn.

    “We will not bow down and let the proscribed organisation play havoc,” said Sardar Rao.

    “A banned organisation is dictating the government to devise the country’s foreign policy as per its (TLP) wishes forgetting that it was the sole domain of state authorities,” the IGP said.

    “The TLP is a proscribed organisation and its armed men fired straight shots at police besides carrying out violent attacks,” he said.

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry on Tuesday in a hard-hitting press conference on TLP’s ongoing protests, said, “No one has the guts to blackmail the state.”

    “TLP will be treated as a militant party and not a political party in Pakistan. Other institutions [in Pakistan] should also realise their role in this matter. It is the duty of all the institutions to fulfil their duty in this regard,” said Fawad.

    “Just like we dealt with all terrorist organisations, TLP shall be dealt in the same manner,” said the minister.

    Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed said on Wednesday that the Rangers were being called in Punjab for 60 days to maintain law and order in the province.

  • Groom reaches bride’s home despite TLP protests

    Groom reaches bride’s home despite TLP protests

    Blocked roads and violent protests could not stop a groom in Punjab from going to his bride’s house. The groom crossed the River Jhelum on the shoulders of his relatives to reach the wedding venue, ARY News reported.

    The groom left to attend his wedding ceremony but had to stop at River Jhelum bridge owing to its closure due to the Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan’s (TLP) ongoing protests in the province.

    Read More: Newly-wed bride asks groom to bring water, runs away with cash, jewellery

    The groom crossed the River Jhelum on the shoulders of his relatives. The wedding guests were able to reach the bride’s home after covering the distance on foot.

    Various roads, including the GT Road, are blocked to stop the violent protesters from marching towards Islamabad.

  • Twitter calls out Harbhajan Singh for abusing Pakistani woman journalist

    Twitter calls out Harbhajan Singh for abusing Pakistani woman journalist

    Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh triggered anger, disgust and outrage after he abused a Pakistani woman journalist on Twitter.

    Harbhajan Singh and Mohammad Amir have been engaging in a Twitter spat, hurling abuses at one another after the latter took a dig at the former in a couple of tweets.

    The Pakistani woman journalist tagged Harbhajan Singh in a video from the Lahore Test match that was played between India and Pakistan in 2006.

    One of the most memorable events from the match was former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi dismantling Harbhajan in an over, hitting him for four consecutive sixes in an over.

    “For your reference, highly educated cricketer,” tweeted the woman journalist.

    Harbhajan Singh shot back with a very rude response.

    After his brutal reply, Twitterati called out the former cricketer.

    Here are a few reactions:

    https://twitter.com/Nimrrraa/status/1453608031183310849?s=20

    In another video that he uploaded on Twitter to clarify the Mohammad Amir controversy, Harbhajan Singh took aim at Pakistani journalists as well.

    “You [Mohammad Amir] sold the country and these [Pakistani] journalists are supporting him,” he said in the video.

    “Well done,” he said, clapping. “It shows what you are.”

    “Learn something from Dhoni and Dravid on how to be a gentleman,” tweeted another Indian woman.

    He also misbehaved with another journalist after she said that the whole Sikh community would feel ashamed of him for his “dirty comments”.

  • ‘Blown away by Ayeza’: Ali Rehman Khan opens up on Ayeza, Alizeh and Sarah

    ‘Blown away by Ayeza’: Ali Rehman Khan opens up on Ayeza, Alizeh and Sarah

    Actor Ali Rehman Khan praised his Laapata costars Ayeza Khan and Sarah Khan in a recent interview. The Diyar-e-Dil star stated that the Chupke Chupke diva is the most well prepared actress he has ever worked with. From her clothes to her lines, everything is locked before the shoot.

    “I was blown away by Ayeza, their is no one in the industry who prepares like her, its on a different level. She takes charge of everything, for her its joy. I was very impressed by her.”

    Ali Rehman Khan to Play the Leading Man for Ayeza Khan

    He shared his comfort level with both the divas, “I have worked with Sarah earlier in a telefilm but this is the first time working with Ayeza, I never felt intimidated, it was a sigh of relief that I have good actors working with me. They have patience and regards for colleagues.”

    Earlier the Pyaray Afzal star revealed that when the director and writer of Laapata, Khizer Idrees approached her for the play, he gave her an open choice to select either of the two parallel female lead characters from the drama. When she read the script she only wanted to do Geeti and didn’t even consider the other role.

    On the work front, Ali will be seen next in feature film Parde Mein Rehne Do opposite Hania Amir and drama Bebasi co-starring Alizeh Shah.

    Alizeh Shah and Ali Rehman on Set of Lekin | Lekin Bts | Khushhal Khan Alizeh Shah Nousheen Shah - YouTube

    On his Bebasi co-star, the Parchi hero stated that she is a talented girl who has much to learn as she is a newcomer.

    Alizeh Shah's latest pic with cryptic caption takes the internet by storm

  • Azaan Sami Khan finally finds true love in Maheen Khan

    Musician Azaan Sami Khan has made his relationship with actor Maheen Khan official on Instagram, with cryptic social media posts.

  • “Asal Ghussa Toh New Zealand Par Tha, Yeh India Raaste Mein Aagaya”

    “Asal Ghussa Toh New Zealand Par Tha, Yeh India Raaste Mein Aagaya”









    *|MC:SUBJECT|*







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    Good morning, *|MERGE1|*.  It’s October 27.

    Mubarak ho! What a nerve-wracking match it was!!! It was a close call but Pakistan managed to win.

    On a lighter note, I think we, collectively as a nation, need to apologise to Haris Rauf for underestimating him.

    Information Minister Fawad Ch has said, “Asal ghussa toh New Zealand par tha, yeh India raaste mein aagaya,” and I could not agree more  

    It is going to be a sunny day.
     

     
         Laila-Th    e Current 

    STORIES YOU CAN’T MISS… 

    Notification issued (finally)

    The notification that everyone has been waiting for has finally been issued by PM Khan.

    Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed Anjum has been appointed as the new DG ISI and will take charge on November 20.
     
    The notification came after Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa called on Prime Minister Imran Khan for a meeting.

    Read On

    ‘Govt can’t expel the French ambassador as demanded by TLP’: Sheikh Rasheed

    Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed, while speaking at a press conference about the banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan’s (TLP), said: “We cannot expel the French ambassador as demanded by the TLP.”

    “We accept all other conditions of the banned TLP. They promised us that they will open all blocked roads but we are waiting for them to open the routes,” said Rasheed, adding that the only issue between the government and TLP is the French ambassador matter. “Otherwise we don’t have any reservations with their conditions.”

    “TLP’s demand of expelling the French Ambassador has a lot of complications attached to it. We are the largest nuclear force in the Islamic world. The world is conspiring to sanction us,” said Rasheed.

    Read On

    Federal Shariat Court declares ‘compensation marriages’ to resolve disputes un-Islamic

    A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Noor Mohammad Meskenzai, observed that the tradition of giving away a minor girl to settle disputes was against the teachings of Islam, Malik Asad reports for Dawn.

    Taking up a petition filed by Sakeena Bibi, the bench held that Ulema had come to an agreement that vani, or swara, was against the teachings of Islam.

    What is Swara?Swara is a tradition where girls, often minors, are given for marriage or servitude to a distressed family as compensation to solve disputes, often murder. It is a punishment decided by a jirga (group of tribal elders).

    Read On

    TOP PICKS 

    India’s Dabur withdraws same-sex ad after minister threat

    The Indian company Dabur, which makes beauty creams, withdrew an advertisement about a lesbian couple celebrating Karwa Chauth after online trolling and Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra’s threat,

    When Katrina Kaif visited Pakistan

    Bollywood actor Katrina Kaif visited Pakistan in 2005 for a show in Fortress, Lahore along with Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan.

    .

    What was trending? 

    1.#PakvsNz

    It was the top trending hashtag on Pakistani Twitter yesterday.

    2.#HarisRauf

    Haris Rauf was trending as he performed exceptionally well against NZ.

    3. #AsifAli

    Asif Ali was also trending because of his amazing batting performance. 

    The Current Recommends: Comedy Premium League

    The Current Recommends you to watch Comedy Premium League on Netflix. If you are a fan of Indian standup comedians, you will enjoy this show as much as I did.

    The Current Horoscope 

    Even if you don’t feel 100 percent sure, move forward. Luck is with you.Check yours now! 

    ON THIS DAY

    Black Day

    October 27 is observed as a black day. Each year, October 27th is observed as a ‘Kashmir Black Day’ to mark the protest and resentment of Kashmiris around the world in commemorating the forced occupation by Indian security forces of the Jammu & Kashmir valley.

    CURRENT BABA’S WISDOM FOR TODAY 

    It is going to be a productive day.

     
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  • ‘No one has the guts to blackmail the state, TLP will be treated as a militant party in Pak’: Fawad Chaudhry

    ‘No one has the guts to blackmail the state, TLP will be treated as a militant party in Pak’: Fawad Chaudhry

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry in a hard-hitting press conference on Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan’s (TLP) ongoing protests, said, “No one has the guts to blackmail the state.”

    “TLP will be treated as a militant party and not a political party in Pakistan. Other institutions [in Pakistan] should also realise their role in this matter. It is the duty of all the institutions to fulfil their duty in this regard,” said Fawad.

    “Just like we dealt with all terrorist organisations, TLP shall be dealt in the same manner,” said the minister.

    “In today’s cabinet meeting, it was decided that such activities will not be tolerated. We will not tolerate those who challenge the writ of the state,” he said, adding that the Pakistani state had defeated major terrorist organisation such as Al Qaeda.

    “No one should make the mistake of thinking that the state is weak. Those who made this mistake later realised they were wrong.”

    “No one has the guts to blackmail the state. We have acted in a restrained manner and not once used power. This is a matter of respect for our country and the safety of every citizen,” added Fawad.

    Warning the people spreading fake news on the matter, Fawad said, “We will come hard on you. And this will not be tolerated.”

    The minister’s remarks came as fresh violence erupted between law enforcers and TLP supporters near Sadhoke in Punjab’s Gujranwala district on Wednesday. At least four policemen were martyred and dozens injured.

    Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the government will not allow anyone to take the law into their hands, reports Geo News.

    “The government will not allow violence for political purposes,” PM Khan.

    “The government and the state are on one page regarding the protests, the protesters will be dealt with severely if they try to enter Islamabad,” said the premier.

    On the other hand, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said, “If Imran Khan’s sit-in was legitimate when the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was in the Opposition, then why isn’t TLP’s long march justified.”

  • ‘Speaks of being two-spirited and queer’, netizens praise ‘Parizaad’s’ latest episode

    ‘Speaks of being two-spirited and queer’, netizens praise ‘Parizaad’s’ latest episode

    Social media users are praising a scene from the latest episode of Parizaad, for sensitively portraying a queer character.

    In the latest episode of the show, the police are searching for Parizaad (Ahmed Ali Akbar) and they finally capture him from Behroze Karim’s house.

    Parizaad in the middle of the night, risks his life to go and meet Bubbly’s (Saboor Aly) parents. Bubbly is his friend who wants to be treated like a man and has run away from home. He luckily dodges the police and goes to Bubbly’s parent’s house to convince them to accept Bubbly who is now Dilawar. The scene where both the parents come to meet Bubbly and end up accepting Bubbly as Dilawar is quite emotional. Some Netizens who relate themselves to the character, praised the drama for showing it so sensitively.

    Here are the reactions:

    https://twitter.com/_TheHijabiGirl/status/1453115395280445443?s=20

    https://twitter.com/AyeshaA31301152/status/1453327490638884874?s=20

    The drama is based on Hashim Nadeem’s novel of the same name and follows the story of a neglected man with low self-esteem who sets out to prove himself.