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  • Punjab govt rushes to Tareen’s support amid reports of rift with PTI

    Punjab govt rushes to Tareen’s support amid reports of rift with PTI

    The Punjab government has said that disgruntled Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Jahangir Tareen is an important pillar of the party and had worked hard to form the government of Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar.

    Speaking to Geo News, Special Assistant to Punjab CM Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan had come to power on the manifesto of the supremacy of law and a corruption-free Pakistan.

    Awan, while responding to a question on accountability, said all those PTI leaders and ministers who were accused of corruption had returned to their positions after getting themselves cleared from the charges.

    The spokesperson dismissed media reports claiming that the government is taking revengeful action against Tareen.

    Tareen is facing charges of corruption in the sugar scandal and multiple cases have been filed against him.

    Amid his ordeal, reports had claimed the sugar baron was defecting to rival Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

    While the claims have been rubbished, any truth to the same could serve a severe blow to the ruling PTI, especially in Punjab where Buzdar is in power owing to the support of a number of loyal-to-Tareen MPAs.

    The PTI leader, after appearing in court on Wednesday, had said that his loyalty to PM Imran was being tested, but that he is not parting ways with the PTI.

    While responding to a question, Awan said that Tareen would never take a step that would harm PTI and that he had played an important role in forming the Buzdar government and taking forward the policies of the PTI government.

    “Jahangir Tareen will never want to see PTI getting weak on the political front. In pursuance of PM Khan’s mission he was active as a soldier,” she added.

    Meanwhile, the Punjab government has reportedly prepared a list of the PTI members who were in contact with Jahangir Khan Tareen.

    CM Buzdar is set to hand over the list to the premier, which would be followed by a final decision on said lawmakers’ fate.

    Tareen loyalists maintain that he also played a major role in securing PM Imran the recent vote of confidence and without his support, the government is struggling owing to a thin majority in Punjab.

  • Mrs World arrested for assaulting Mrs Sri Lanka on stage

    Mrs World arrested for assaulting Mrs Sri Lanka on stage

    The Colombo police has arrested the current Mrs World Caroline Jurie on charges of assault over an on-stage brawl in which she pulled the crown off the head of the new Mrs Sri Lanka Pushpika de Silva.

    In the video that went viral on social media, Jurie could be seen pulling the crown off de Silva minutes after she was declared Mrs Sri Lanka 2020 at a gala at Colombo’s Nelum Pokuna Theatre on Sunday. After the incident, De Silva in a social media post revealed that she needed hospital treatment for injuries sustained.

    Jurie was the previous year’s Mrs Sri Lanka and had gone on to win the Mrs World competition.

    According to reports, Sri Lankan senior police official Aith Rohan said: “We have arrested Jurie and [her associate] Chula Manamendra in connection with a charge of assault and causing damage to Nelum Pokuna [theatre].”

    De Silva told reporters outside the Cinnamon Gardens police station in Colombo on Thursday that she was ready to drop charges if Jurie made a public apology, but she had refused.

    “I tried to end this out of court, but she has refused,” de Silva said. “I can forgive, but not forget.”

    There was no immediate comment from Jurie or her lawyer.

    Police sources told AFP that a court hearing was likely next week and Jurie and her associate, who crashed onto the stage on Sunday, could be granted bail later on Thursday.

    Jurie had come onto the stage claiming that de Silva was divorced and therefore not eligible for the prize. To qualify for the title, contestants must be married. De Silva is estranged from her husband, but they are still legally married.

    Organisers said they were claiming compensation from Jurie for damages to the stage and backstage dressing rooms where several mirrors had been smashed.

    Jurie has also been accused by organisers of bringing disrepute to the event.

    The local franchise holder for the pageant, Chandimal Jayasinghe, said they were “deeply disturbed and sincerely regret” Jurie’s behaviour.

  • Rohail Hyatt says PM Imran’s words ‘have been taken out of context’

    Amid the recent criticism on Prime Minister Imran Khan over his remarks on rape, musician Rohail Hyatt has come forward to defend the premier.

    In a detailed Twitter thread, the musician said that PM Khan’s words were taken out of context and that he never said that rape is justified.

    “As a leader he is simply speaking to us about the ground realities of what is around us,” said Hyatt. “Yes indeed there is a sickness out there and one can contest if the better solution is to target the oppressor as opposed to the oppressed.”

    Hyatt added that as a father he would give similar advice to his child “to be mindful of how you dress in our society”.

    “There’s a sad trend by a certain group to attack IK on all such matters, labelling him as a ‘right-minded’ individual,” continued Hyatt, saying that he sees him “closer to [the] centre”.

    Elaborating his point further about extremist views, Hyatt said: “One wants to cover from head to toe and the other wants to strip-down from head to toe as a display of their preferences.”

    The musician concluded by advising people to bring themselves to the middle ground and not get caught up with the play of either extremists.

    Rohail in the past has shown his support for Imran Khan on various occasions.

  • Hajra Khan appeals to President Alvi, PM Khan to resolve PFF issues

    Hajra Khan appeals to President Alvi, PM Khan to resolve PFF issues

    Pakistan National Women Football Team captain Hajra Khan has urged President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan to resolve issues pertaining to the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF).

    In a video message, Khan said: “Today I speak in utmost sadness that the Pakistan Football Federation was suspended today for the second time in the last five years.”

    “I speak on behalf of all those football players, whose hard earned bread came from the sport. It came from representing Pakistan. We’ve worked hard, blood and sweat, to represent this country and we’ve taken it to the podium, we’ve won championships in the past,” said Khan.

    “Where do we go next? What is next for us? What sport do we switch to? Who do we rely on? Where do we express our love for the country, how do we do it,” she questioned.

    Requesting the President and Prime Minister, Khan said: “Today I request the President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan to take notice of the matter. There is still hope and we are expecting a response from you two. We expect the country to back us when we need them the most right now.”

    “It is a request, it might not be humble anymore, but it is a request. It is a need, it is a representation from all football players and again, it all relies on you,” she added.

    Reiterating her point, Khan in the caption said: “Players have all been affected roughly. Football as a sport has been ridiculed over time in Pakistan.”

    “Who’s answerable,” she questioned.

    Meanwhile, the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has said that they are “surprised” by the ban, expressing that the decision was taken in “haste.”

    PSB director-general Col (retd) Asif Zaman while talking to The News, said that Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Dr Fehmida Mirza had requested patience during her press conference held a couple of days back.

    “We were not expecting such a hasty decision from the football’s governing body. It has shocked us as the game of football will be the ultimate sufferer after such a decision. The minister had assured her help for resolving the issue in the best interest of the game,” said Col Zaman, adding: “Though the government does not want any interference, for the sake of the game’s future we wanted an amicable settlement of the issue.”

    Zaman said he was expecting FIFA to carry out a detailed and thorough review of the prevailing situation.

    “We were taken by surprise by this hasty decision that I feel would serve no good to the future of the game. We were expecting a rational review of the situation by the game’s governing body before imposing a suspension on the PFF,” said the DG.

    The FIFA in a handout issued on Wednesday said the decision to suspend Pakistan was prompted by the recent takeover of the PFF’s Headquarters in Lahore by a group of protesters and an alleged decision by certain individuals to remove the FIFA-appointed Normalisation Committee of the PFF led by Haroon Malik and to hand over the leadership of the PFF to Syed Ashfaq Hussain Shah.

    When PFF president Ashfaq Shah was approached in Islamabad where he was nursing his minor surgery, he said he was disappointed by the decision like any other Pakistani.

    In 2009, Khan was selected in the Pakistan national team for the 2010 South Asian Games in Dhaka, Bangladesh. After Khan’s participation at this event, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) selected her for a FIFA women’s football coaching course in Colombo, Sri Lanka. In December 2010, she played in the inaugural SAFF Women’s Championship, helping Pakistan reach the semi-final.

    21 year old Hajra Khan made history for Pakistani national women football team when she invited to top three German football clubs SGS Essen, FSV Gütersloh 2009 and VfL Sindelfingen to play, she spent three weeks there and played preseason trials. Being a Pakistani international footballer that opportunity was an important milestone in her career, she said.

    She was the first Pakistani women footballer to sign an international contract in 2014 with Sun Hotels & Resorts Football Club to play in the Maldives National Women’s league.

  • Police arrest boy for stealing brake plates from moving train in Sukkur

    Police arrest boy for stealing brake plates from moving train in Sukkur

    Police claim to have detained a teenager from Sukkur for stealing iron from a moving train.

    As per reports, a video of a boy hanging from one side of the train’s locomotive engine, allegedly stealing brake plates of the engine, did the rounds on social media a few days back.

    The police filed a case against the boy after the video went viral and conducted a raid at a house in Sukkur where they managed to nab the suspect identified as Sarfaraz Sheikh.

    After the video of him stealing from a moving train aired on TV, the police said that Sheikh altered his appearance to escape arrest.

    According to the police, the train, the boy was seen clinging to, was the Hazara Express and was travelling to Karachi.

  • ‘Real men do not stop women from excelling,’ says Yasir Hussain

    ‘Real men do not stop women from excelling,’ says Yasir Hussain

    Yasir Hussain, who never shies away from expressing his love for wife Iqra Aziz, has publicly appreciated his wife and mother-in-law for being empowered women.

    “My beautiful wife Iqra with her proud mother Asiya Aziz (Pakistan’s first female Careem driver) sitting in her daughter’s new car,” said Yasir, while posting a picture of the duo.

    “Powerful aurton k chehry pe alag hi glow hota hai (powerful women glow differently),” said the actor further, adding: “Apni maon, behnon, betiyon aur biwi ko roknay walay insecure hotay hain, mard nahi (Those who stop their mothers, sisters, daughters and wives [from excelling] are insecure. They are not real men).”

    Replying to Yasir’s post, Iqra said: “And this is why I fall for you all over again.”

    Iqra’s mother was Pakistan’s first female cab driver in Karachi and raised two girls as a single parent.

    Meanwhile, Iqra on several occasions has opened up on her relationship with Yasir saying that he is her biggest support and encourages her to achieve her goals.

    “I chose Yasir because he always speaks the truth and does not differentiate among people,” the actor had said. “He respects everyone and gives them their due credit. In addition to this, he knows how to respect a woman. After my mother and sister, no one has given me more confidence than him.”

    She further said: “This is important in these times that a man, your husband, supports you in your work, your dreams and wishes to see you succeed in your life.”

  • ‘Meera is perfectly fine’

    ‘Meera is perfectly fine’

    Imran Abbas has stepped in to defend Meera after reports of her being admitted to a mental facility in the United States started doing the rounds on social media and television.

    “Meera called me this morning to clarify to all of our media/social media that she is perfectly fine and there is nothing wrong with her mental health,” wrote Abbas on social media. “Kindly don’t sensationalise the story and make fun of her. Calling someone mentally unstable is not a bloody joke.”

    “She doesn’t need your sympathies or prayers to be fine. Kindly don’t show this fake concern by putting status. Let’s pray for our sick society, news channels and social media which can actually push anyone to commit suicide by their petty jokes and flimsy humour,” the actor added.

    Meanwhile, speaking exclusively to The Current, Meera’s manager Hasan said that the actor is doing perfectly fine and is working on a few projects in the States. He said that she does know who started this terrible rumour and asserted there is no truth to it.

    When asked about the video of Meera’s mother Shagufta Zahra, in which she appeals to Prime Minister Imran Khan to bring back her daughter, Hasan said that Zahra is elderly and hard of hearing. He added that Meera had recently gone to get vaccinated for COVID-19 and had narrated details of her experience to her mother who misunderstood them.

    On the other hand, speaking to a local media outlet, Meera’s mother claimed that reports of the actor being admitted to a mental facility were true.

    “I received a call from Meera on April 5 and she kept crying,” Zahra told the media outlet. “She was telling me that the US police is sending her to a psychiatric facility. She did not tell me why they were doing that, but said she repeatedly told them that she was an actor and not mentally ill.”

    Read more – Meera loses her phone, seeks help on social media

    Speaking to the same media outlet, Meera’s manager Muhammad Qasim and another family member trashed the reports and Zahra’s claims saying that “Meera is perfectly fine, both in terms of her mental and physical health”.

    Qasim alleged that the actor’s mother is spreading rumours to resolve a personal dispute. Meanwhile, the family member said that Meera is in fact in touch with her father and there is more to the story than what is being discussed on social media.

    As per the latest ‘reports,’ Meera has been released from the psychiatric facility after her husband Captain Naveed paid $50,000 to get her released. The report further claimed that the actor has been given 48 hours to leave the United States.

    The Current has reached out to Meera for further clarification.

  • Afridi ‘sad to see’ South Africa release players for IPL amid Pakistan series

    Shahid Afridi has criticised Cricket South Africa (CSA) for releasing their players for the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the middle of the three-match ODI series against Pakistan.

    Following Pakistan’s 2-1 ODI series win over South Africa, the former all-rounder said: “Surprising to see CSA allowing players to travel for IPL in the middle of a series. It is sad to see T20 leagues influencing international cricket.”

    “Some rethinking needs to be done,” he added.

    South Africa, playing without several star players — including Quinton de Kock and Kagiso Rabada — showed great grit and determination but eventually suffered a 28-run loss in the third and final ODI. 

    Anrich Nortje, who was a serious threat to Pakistani batsmen, and David Miller also left to play IPL 2021 in India.

    Meanwhile, Afridi also congratulated Pakistan on their “fine series win”. He was particularly impressed with opener Fakhar Zaman who scored back-to-back centuries in the last two ODIs and played a key role in Pakistan’s win. Afridi also praised the batting of Pakistan skipper Babar Azam, who missed out on his century by just six runs in the third ODI, getting out to Andile Phehlukwayo on the last ball of their innings.

    “Congratulations to Pakistan on a fine series win. Great to see Fakhar follow his brilliant innings in Jo’Burg with another 100. Babar was once again all class, excellent bowling effort by all. A job well done,” said Afridi.

    The national side clinched the series 2-1 with a comfortable 28-run win at Centurion, becoming the first ever Asian team to win a bilateral series twice in South Africa.

    Singer turned actor, who seems to have good knowledge of cricket also thrashed CSA, saying: “T20 + [bags of money] > national pride. Sorry to say but @OfficialCSA has let the whole cricketing world down.”

  • Leopard on the loose sparks fear in Abbottabad

    Residents of Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are panicking after a leopard strayed into the town.

    As per reports, a leopard is on the loose in the area a week after a big cat was killed in the city’s Khushi Kote Palak Union Council.

    The leopard entered Bakote town creating panic and fear among locals who said the animal also attacked the livestock of the area.

    The locals have also requested to the wildlife department to capture the leopard as soon as possible.

    Earlier the residents of Malkot village next to  Ayubia town captured and killed a leopard that attacked their valley. Three persons were charged under Wildlife Act 2015 for allegedly killing the leopard.

  • Hyundai’s upcoming car can run house appliances

    Hyundai’s upcoming car can run house appliances

    Electric vehicle (EV) makers are always looking for ways to increase the appeal of their potential buyers by increasing the novelty and utility of their cars.

    The latest example is of Hyundai’s Ioniq 5. One of its commercials shows a group of happy and energetic individuals on a camping trip enjoying activities like working out, cooking meals, and watching TV, with all their electronic appliances connected to the Ioniq 5.

    Ioniq 5 can give 3.5 Kilowatt (KW) of power to run appliances like refrigerator, treadmill or run a stove.

    Hyundai aims to seek the attention of young people and they are trying to catch up with the EV pioneers like Tesla and the Volkswagen Audi Group (VAG), among others.

    Hyundai claims to be the first automaker that has developed a car capable of both power consumption and power supply features.

    To meet the competition, General Motor Company (GMC), Tesla and Rivian will also add this feature to their upcoming cars.

    Hyundai has also added the option to add solar power to the car, and it will give an additional 1,300 Kilometer (KM) range to travel.

    Pakistanis often argue that such developments are of no relevance to our market, but bear in mind that the normalisation of EVs across the globe is inevitable, which is why Pakistan’s goal should be to promote EVs in a positive light to facilitate a paradigm shift in Pakistan’s growing automotive market.