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  • Mehwish, Adnan, Sanam congratulate Riz Ahmed on his Oscar nomination

    Riz Ahmed, who played the role of a drummer who begins to lose his hearing in Amazon Studio’s Sound of Metal charted history by becoming the first Muslim to be nominated in the leading actor category at the Academy Awards.

    Read more – Obamas to adapt Mohsin Hamid’s ‘Exit West’ for Netflix with Riz Ahmed in the lead

    The actor, while responding to the nomination said that he was “honoured to be nominated by my fellow actors alongside such inspiring performances”.

    “I am grateful to the Academy for their support and encouragement,” the actor added.

    Mehwish Hayat, Adnan Siddiqui and Sanam Saeed celebrated Riz’s big achievement and congratulated the actor on social media.

    “Congratulations Riz. You have created history with your nomination as the first Muslim for lead actor at the distinguished Academy Awards,” said Siddiqui. “Hard work and talent always get recognised.”

    “Pakistan is proud of you,” added the actor.

    Mehwish Hayat also expressed her delight over the nomination, saying: “In a world where we’re fighting for fairer representation in mainstream media, a Muslim nominated for Best Actor for the first time since 1929 is one hell of a big deal.”

    Sanam Saeed also congratulated her ‘dosst‘, saying: “Proud moment, you totally deserve it.”

    “Go on then keeping making waves and bringing about change,” she added.

    The 2021 Oscar nominations were announced from London by presenters Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. The Academy Awards would typically have happened by now but this year will be telecast on April 25. The film academy said Monday that the show will be held at both its usual home, the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, and the city’s railway hub, Union Station.

  • ‘I’ve done it’: Bushra Ansari celebrates as she receives first dose of COVID-19 vaccine

    Bushra Ansari has received her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

    Sharing a video of herself receiving the shot, the veteran actor wrote: “Yyyyyeeee. I’ve done it.”

    She urged her followers to get the vaccine saying that it was necessary for themselves and their loved ones.

    “This vaccine is so important to get for our friends and family,” said Ansari in her video.

    She also joked about getting the jab first since she is a senior citizen.

    “I never had fun being a senior citizen until today,” she joked.

    Earlier, Reema Khan, Samina Peerzada, and President Dr Arif Alvi along with his wife shared pictures and videos of themselves getting vaccinated for the novel coronavirus.

  • Contempt case against ECP possible, warns govt

    Contempt case against ECP possible, warns govt

    Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry has said that the government will begin contempt proceedings against the members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), including the chief election commissioner (CEC) if they do not resign from their posts.

    Addressing a press conference along with Minister for Industries Hammad Azhar on Tuesday, Fawad said that the government is working with the Attorney General of Pakistan and will go for contempt of court proceedings against ECP officials. He warned that the ECP officials should step down themselves or legal options will be exercised.

    Earlier, the government had demanded election commission officials to resign and reconstitute the election body as it “failed to act as a neutral umpire”. 

    Meanwhile, ECP has sent notices to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its own scrutiny committee to appear before the watchdog on March 22 to explain their stance over keeping secret the foreign funding documents of the ruling party.

  • PCB to bear former cricketer Tauseef Ahmed’s medical expenses

    PCB to bear former cricketer Tauseef Ahmed’s medical expenses

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday announced that it would bear all treatment costs of former Test cricketer Tauseef Ahmed, who recently underwent two stents during angioplasty.

    According to details, Tauseef Ahmed will remain under observation for 12 hours, said PCB’s spokesperson while talking to media, adding that Tauseef has been an asset to Pakistan Cricket.

    “I am in touch with Tauseef Ahmed. [Once discharged from the hospital], he will stay at the National High-Performance Centre until he is able to travel,” said the spokesperson.

    The former spinner is currently undergoing treatment at the Punjab Institute of Cardiology, where his angioplasty was successfully carried out.

    According to Tauseef’s nephew Saifuddin, Ahmed has been given two stents during the procedure.

    “After 12 hours of observation at the recovery centre, he will be transferred to another ward,” said Saifuddin, adding that neither Ahmed nor his family faced any problems at the hospital.

    Saifuddin says he is “hopeful that Ahmed will be discharged from the hospital soon.”

    The former cricketer had suffered a heart attack while attending a wedding ceremony Sunday night.

    Meanwhile, several cricketers including Ramiz Raja, Kamran Akmal and Mohammad Hafeez prayed for Ahmed’s swift recovery.

  • Harry has ‘unproductive’ conversation with Charles, William after bitter TV interview

    Harry has ‘unproductive’ conversation with Charles, William after bitter TV interview

    Prince Harry has spoken to his father and brother after he and his wife Meghan Markle raised allegations of racism in the royal family during an explosive TV interview, a friend said Tuesday.

    In the interview, Harry said that his father Prince Charles had cut him off financially and at one point stopped taking his calls, and also described his damaged relationship with Prince William.

    The British monarchy has been rocked by the couple’s allegations that an unnamed royal asked how dark their child’s skin would be before he was born.

    “I did actually call them to see how they were feeling, and it’s true Harry has talked to his brother and he has talked to his father too,” Gayle King, a US television presenter and friend of the couple, said on CBS.

    “The word I was given was that those conversations were not productive, but they are glad they have at least started a conversation.”

    King said the couple were “frustrated” that alleged racism in the royal family had dominated the news agenda since the interview was broadcast on March 7.

    “All they wanted all along was for the royals to intervene and tell the press to stop with the unfair, inaccurate, false stories that definitely have a racial slant,” King said, adding that no one had spoken to Meghan as yet.

    She added that Harry and Meghan wanted “healing” in the family, but that Meghan had “documents to back up everything” she had said in the interview with Oprah Winfrey.

    As for what Meghan and Harry hope will happen in the future, King explained, “The family has to acknowledge that there are issues, and right now, no one is acknowledging, ‘Houston, we have a problem here.’ That’s really all they want. They want a conversation.”

    The allegations, which the royal family said would be investigated, have plunged the monarchy into its biggest crisis since the death of William and Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, in 1997.

    Meghan, a former actress, told Winfrey she was “naively” unprepared for life as a royal and had contemplated suicide while pregnant with their first child. On the other hand, Prince Harry said that he felt let down by his father Prince Charles and that his late mother Diana would have been angry and upset at the way the British royal family had treated his wife Meghan.

    “My family literally cut me off financially,” Harry had said. “But I’ve got what my mum left me and without that we would not have been able to do this.”

    Meanwhile, William while responding to the interview had said: “We’re very much not a racist family,” while Buckingham Palace, in a statement, said that they will address the couple’s grievances privately.

  • Maya Ali refutes relationship ‘scandals’ with co-actors

    Maya Ali refutes relationship ‘scandals’ with co-actors

    Maya Ali has shut down relationship scandals with co-actors.

    Ali, who was recently seen with Bilal Ashraf on Time Out with Ahsan Khan opened up about her link ups with co-actors.

    Upon being questioned about her pairing with Sheheryar Munawar, Ali said: “When I started my journey as an actor, everyone linked me with Osman Khalid Butt.”

    “I think there’s a certain pairing that delivers a chemistry fans love or adore. Hence, they start to ship the two celebrities as couples,” said the actor.

    The Mann Mayal actor further shared: “When we were at the premiere of Parey Hut Love, people called us a ‘Filmy Jodi’ which, for me, was a compliment. But this does not mean I will limit myself to only be seen with Sheheryar. From all the actors whom I have worked with, I absolutely adore Bilal Abbas.”

    Adding onto the expectations of being an actor, Ali added, “People aren’t familiar with what goes on behind the scenes. I’ve come to the conclusion that these netizens are prepared to pen negative feedback, waiting for something to pick on.”

    “I always tell people that we are public figures, not public property. Pick on our work! Be it negative or positive, we will happily entertain you. But judge till what we show you and not beyond the lines that are set for you to never cross,” said Ali.

    The actor has recently made a comeback on our TV screens with Munawar in ARY Digital’s Pehli Si Muhabbat.

    Meanwhile, when asked by Vasay Chaudhry onhis show Ghabrana Mana hai, that if he [Sheheryar] is single, the actor quickly replied, “Yes definitely I am single.. Alhamdulillah!”

  • Sales to avail this Pakistan Day

    Sales to avail this Pakistan Day

    Pakistan Day is just around the corner and despite COVID-19 lockdown and restrictions, Pakistanis are ready to celebrate it with full zest. While people are excited to celebrate it, many brands are also offering discounts for their customers. The Current has tried to make your shopping drill easier by compiling a list of brands that are offering discounts. Don’t miss out on these sales for a chance to grab some steals.

    WARDA

    Website: https://www.warda.com.pk/

    WARDA is offering 23% off on selected items.

    Gul Ahmed

    Gul Ahmed has upto 50% sale on online in-stores shopping.

    Beech Tree

    You can avail upto 50% off on Beech Tree sale.

    Website: https://www.beechtree.pk/pk/

    Khaadi

    Website: https://pk.khaadi.com/

    Sapphire

    Website: https://pk.sapphireonline.pk/

    EGO

    Website: https://wearego.com/pk/sale.html

    Ego is offering upto 50% discount on a few items.

  • Is PDM over? Nawaz believes ‘you know why’ PPP isn’t sure about long march, resignations

    Is PDM over? Nawaz believes ‘you know why’ PPP isn’t sure about long march, resignations

    With differences apparently coming to the fore among ranks of the opposition alliance as the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) seems to be stepping back from confrontation, a statement by former prime minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif has raised quite a few eyebrows.

    Talking about the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) Tuesday meeting, Nawaz told reporters in London that the long march “was set to be held on its time”, but the PPP had sought time to discuss the issue of the resignation in its Central Executive Committee (CEC) due to “reasons you already know”.

    He, however, dodged a question pertaining to the possibility of a deal being struck, “a consequence of which could be delays in joint opposition’s anti-govt plans, as sought by the PPP time and again over the past several months”.

    Earlier in the day, PPP Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari urged the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo to return to Pakistan to strengthen the PDM.

    The two senior leaders spoke during the meeting of the anti-government alliance, wherein the former president told Nawaz that he must be ready to go to jail if they wish to fight against the establishment.

    Zardari said that he remained in jail for 14 years. He urged the PML-N supremo to return to the country at the earliest. He complained that PML-N Senator Ishaq Dar did not come to Pakistan to cast his vote in the Senate election.

    “The struggle against the establishment should be aimed at achieving democratic stability, instead of settling personal scores,” Zardari told the meeting.

    Nawaz, who attended the meeting through video link, was told that he needs to return whether the PDM moves forward with a long march or a no-confidence motion. Zardari further said that Nawaz’s presence was extremely important to secure support from Punjab.

    Speaking to Nawaz about the idea of mass resignations, Zardari maintained that such a move would only help PM Imran Khan and the members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government.

    He further stated that no move would be made to divide the parties of the PDM, emphasising that their war is within the parliament, not from the mountains.

    “When you return to Pakistan, we will hand over our resignations to you,” Zardari added, urging both Sharif and Dar to return.

    Defending her father, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz stressed that her father’s “life is in danger” and questioned how he could return under the circumstances.

    “Does Zardari sahab guarantee that my father’s life will not be in danger in Pakistan?”

    Maryam then reportedly said that she is there “of her own accord”.

    “Just like you are on video link, so is Mian sahab,” she said.

    She said that Nawaz’s life is “threatened under NAB custody” and that he had suffered “two heart attacks while in jail”.

    While the episode has “exposed” cracks within the opposition alliance which analysts say have now been there for a long time, reports claim Zardari later apologised to Maryam.

    “It was never my intent to have you apologise. I merely considered myself a daughter to you and complained as Bakhtawar or Aseefa would,” Maryam reportedly told the former president.

  • ‘Islamabad police receives 2,700 fake calls daily’

    ‘Islamabad police receives 2,700 fake calls daily’

    The Islamabad police receives approximately 2,700 fake calls daily because of which the police response system is being badly affected, Inspector-General Qazi Jamil ur Rehman has said.

    The police chief appealed to the masses to avoid making hoax calls as it may put someone’s life in danger.

    “If we are sent to a hoax call, it means we’re not available when someone really needs our help. It could be a matter of life or death,” said the IG in a statement.

    He said that police emergency department 15 plays an important role in receiving and transmitting calls from the public.

    However, the fake calls not only waste the time of the operator but may cause a delay in responding to an emergency situation.

    The IG directed 15 authorities to book frequent callers and proceed with legal action against them.

    SMS alert service launched

    Meanwhile, the Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has taken several initiatives like issuance of smart driving licenses, online appointment system, SMS alert service for the convenience of motorists, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Farrukh Rashid announced.

    The ITP also revealed that over Rs20 million fine was collected from drivers by issuing as many as 73,609 challans over various traffic violations during the ongoing year. Some 1,420 were ticketed against over-speeding, 2,767 for tinted glasses, 566 for illegal lights, 2,590 for lane violation, 8,816 for not using a helmet and 3,150 for not fastening their seat belt. Similarly, 1,831 people were fined for using mobile phones while driving, 737 over wrong parking and 3,136 were charged for using fancy number plates.

    Earlier, PTI Senator Faisal Javed Khan had also shared a picture of himself getting fined by the police for not wearing a seatbelt.

  • NAB strongly reacts to Maryam’s tirade

    NAB strongly reacts to Maryam’s tirade

    Reacting to PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz’ tirade, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has dismissed the same as an attempt to halt ongoing investigation against the Sharif family in Chaudhry Sugar Mills and money laundering cases.

    A day ago, Maryam had questioned who gave the bureau the right to “judge [her] statements”.

    Taking notice of the allegations that came as NAB moved LHC seeking cancellation of Maryam’s bail, the bureau, in a press release, said that the PML-N leader was trying to cause differences among institutions.

    “Statements against NAB and judiciary had been given in the past and attack over NAB Lahore office last year is evidence of it.”

    The bureau claimed that Maryam had “challenged law and order by giving inciteful speeches”, citing the violence that had erupted during her appearance at the NAB Lahore office in August last year.

    “NAB is an independent institution and striving to eliminate corruption from the country without any discrimination.”

    Read more – Maryam Nawaz being threatened, says Nawaz

    It said that after NAB summoned her in a personal capacity, Maryam was “making efforts to create an environment of chaos in the country, besides continuing to give treasonous statements against respectable institutions like NAB, judiciary and law enforcement agencies”.

    The primary purpose of these statements was to create obstacles in, and influence, the investigation of cases related to corruption and money laundering against the Sharif family besides promoting conditions that were detrimental to peace, the handout said.