Not one to lose his cool, Sheheryar Munawar recently hit back at a troll(s) who called him “Ghareebon k Bradley Cooper”.
Responding to the user Nasir Ali, who posted the comment on Sheheryar’s post, the actor said: “Ghareeb isn’t a stigma. Thank you for associating me with a group that works hard day and night to earn for themselves and their families.”
For reference, this the picture from the actor’s recent shoot under which Ali had posted the comment.
Meanwhile, responding to another social media user who advised him to say his prayers, Sheheryar said: “Alhumdulliah. 5 waqt partha hoon. Kabhi kabhar rab ki meharbani se tahajud bhi naseeb ho jaati hai.”
The actor further said that the matter is between him and his God and that his work is also a form of worship for him.
Munawar also advised the social media user to stop judging people on Instagram and focus on his own deeds.
Football legend Diego Maradona of Argentina passed away at the age of 60 on Wednesday.
According to reports, the 1986 World Cup winner passed away at home in Tigre after suffering a heart attack.
Maradona was recovering at home following brain surgery in Buenos Aires, where he was successfully treated for a possible bleeding on the brain earlier this month.
Last Friday, Maradona was sedated by medics after the former footballer suffered issues related to alcohol dependency following his surgery, with doctors describing the legend as suffering from a “mix” of serious issues, including cardiovascular and liver issues.
It was stated that Maradona would require constant support, including admission to an alcohol addiction clinic, following his discharge from hospital.
However, according to Argentinian newspaper Clarín, while recovering at home, Maradona suffered a heart attack and passed away shortly afterward.
A national hero in his home country, Maradona also captained Argentina to the 1990 World Cup final in defence of their title, losing to West Germany.
Domestically, he won two Series A titles with Napoli, including a league and cup double in 1987, as well as the UEFA Cup, his only European trophy.
A short tenure at Camp Nou with Barcelona nevertheless saw the barrel-chested Maradona win three domestic cups in 1983, before falling out with management.
He is celebrated as one of the greatest footballers to have ever graced the field.
Islamabadis are in for a treat as the Capital Development Authority (CDA) plans to open a drive-in cinema in the city next month.
Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Hamza Shafqaat shared the news while responding to a Twitter user, who suggested that a car cinema should be opened in Islamabad given the rise in COVID-19 cases.
“Sir given, we have Covid-19 on the rise and there can’t be any big gathering in the city, how about DC office plan a car theatre every weekend in F9 until things are back to normal. Food vendors can put stalls and serve in cars,” said Twitter user Faizan Khan.
Replying to his tweet, DC Islamabad hinted that the Islamabad administration is planning to launch a car cinema next month.
Later, the official Twitter account of CDA Islamabad tweeted that that authority is working towards setting up an “open-air cinema of international standards” in the city.
In view of current situation, cinema will be prepared while implementing Corona SOPs. Citizens will be able to enjoy cinema by sitting in their cars in view of Corona concerns. #CDA#driveinislamabad#atyourservice
— Capital Development Authority, Islamabad. (@CDAthecapital) November 25, 2020
Drive-in cinemas have gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic as people are forced to maintain physical distance. Several countries around the world have set up car cinemas to keep their citizens entertained during the lockdown while following SOPs.
International airport in LithuaniaDortmund, Germany Marl, GermanyMall of the Emirates, DubaiAustin, TexasSeoul, South Korea A technical museum in Speyer, Germany
Scotland has become the first country in the world to offer free and universal access to menstrual products, including tampons and pads.
According to reports, the Scottish Parliament voted unanimously in favour of the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act, under which the Scottish government will introduce a nationwide program that will place a legal duty on all local authorities to make feminine hygiene products like tampons and pads freely available for those who need them.
It means period products will be available to access in public buildings including schools and universities across Scotland. According to the new rules, it will be up to local authorities and education providers to ensure the products are available free of charge.
The campaign for free menstrual products was spearheaded by Scottish Labour’s health spokeswoman, Monica Lennon, who told media outlets that it was “a proud day for Scotland”.
“This will make a massive difference to the lives of women and girls and everyone who menstruates,” said Lennon. “There has already been great progress at a community level and through local authorities in giving everyone the chance of period dignity.”
She added: “Periods don’t stop for pandemics and the work to improve access to essential tampons, pads and reusables has never been more important.”
Period poverty – the struggle to pay for basic sanitary products on a monthly basis – reportedly surged during the coronavirus pandemic. Research has revealed that period poverty has a significant impact on women’s hygiene, health and wellbeing.
The new law was praised by a number of equality and women’s rights groups as well as politicians from across the parties represented in the Scottish Parliament.
“It’s an important message in the middle of a global pandemic that we can still put the rights of women and girls high up the political agenda,” remarked Lennon.
Its finally Friday and there’s sun, sun, sun. Every major city will have a perfect ‘park chalte hain yaar’ day, which is doable if you wear your mask. Just please, don’t go to ANY jalsa, will you?
Morning Meme
Exams not okay in corona times, Jalsay Balle Balle
PML-N ki Maryam Nawaz ko lagta hai kay it is unsafe to take medical entrance exams due to the coronavirus outbreak, but it is perfectly okay to organise massive political gatherings amid a second wave of the virus.
Apni aik tweet mien she expressed solidarity with the protesting students and a few hours later tweeted that the opposition’s rallies would continue as planned. To put things in context, Pakistan’s current positivity rate (ratio of positive cases) is at 7 percent (when it was at about 2-3 percent a few months ago). The positivity rate in the badly hit United States is 13.4 percent and there is one covid-19 death in the US every 40 seconds.
“Congratulations to you my friend for being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General.” wrote Akcent’s Adrian Sina on social media, tagging the former Director-General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor. The former DG has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General.
Aur humari chai k charchay tou waise hee sabki zuban pay hain, “I can’t wait to have the fantastic cup of tea again,” added the lead singer of the Romanian pop band.
There is no way that you will recognize Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan when you see his pictures for the upcoming thriller Bob Biswas. Photos of the actor wearing a blue shirt and dark pants, a wig and large glasses have gone viral on social media.
Want to go abroad to study but scared of that application?
To get that baahir ka thappa, you DON’T need to spend thousands of rupees on educational consultants for your application. Our tech guy Fahad Malik, fills out the London School of Economics application form and tells you how you can do it yourself. Good luck!
Sometimes we find amazing things in places we least expect them, just like today when you will find 100 bucks in the hoodie you borrowed from your friend.
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Juggling a heavy-duty sports career and motherhood is not easy and Sania Mirza, in a heartfelt note, opened up on the challenges it entails. In an emotional letter, Sania talked about motherhood and what it takes to defy all odds and balance family and professional life.
The tennis champion said that she took inspiration by American Tennis player Serena Williams and her journey to pen her note.
“Serena Williams your story has inspired me to pen this letter,” said Sania. “The ‘Being Serena’ echoes my experience and that of women worldwide who everyday balance family and personal goals.”
“Pregnancy is something that I had experienced for the first time in my life. I thought about it and I think we all have a certain picture about it, but, once you experience it, you really understand what it means. It absolutely changes you as a human being,” wrote Sania further.
In her post, she encouraged women to experience pregnancy.
“It’s an extraordinary thing. It’s an experience I recommend women should go through because it really does teach you to respect yourself and your body but also teaches you the selfless kind of love that at least I never knew existed for me.”
She also opened up about her physical transformation.
“Having put on around 23kg during my pregnancy, I wasn’t sure if I was ever going back to being fit and playing tennis again. However, I lost around 26 kilos with a lot of workout regimes and very strict diets and came back to tennis because that is what I know, love, and do.”
“Finally, when I won at Hobart after coming back, it was pretty amazing. I was honestly very proud of myself to have been able to put myself to compete at the highest level again and I think that’s where I was mentally,” she added.
“It sometimes becomes hard to find hope in difficult situations but our love for our profession and family equally, helps us gain that balance. It makes us what we are and proves that women can achieve what they want,” concluded the tennis champion.
Whopping losses of Rs122 billion were inflicted to the national exchequer in the petroleum sector alone due to fallout of illogical delays and misguided decisions, but the prime minister (PM) and his teammates are not prepared to disclose as to who benefitted from the damage, journalist Shahzeb Khanzada has claimed.
During his show on Geo News, the journalist claimed deliberate falsehood was spread in the media by ministers and the special advisers who, instead of owning the decisions, hold the media, bureaucracy or the past governments responsible.
While he also accused the government of losing taxpayers’ money to the tune of Rs400 billion in wheat and sugar scandals and taking no action against the ministers responsible, Khanzada raised the question about delayed purchase of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in August and September.
“In July, the LNG was available at 5.7 per cent for August but the government instead of timely tender purchased the commodity in August at the inflated rates of 9.3 per cent that turned out to be $5 million more expensive and the next bid further heaped a loss of $2.5 million. The same was repeated in the purchase of LNG for September in August.”
He said it was available at 6.9 per cent but the timely decision was delayed and then suddenly in September it was decided to purchase the cargo which cost 10.8 per cent. These two cargos alone cost the country Rs1.5 billion. When Special Adviser to Prime Minister (SAPM) Nadeem Babar was asked about it, he blamed K-Electric and accused it of suddenly raising the August and September demand instead of raising advance warning of depleting stocks.
When Federal Minister for Power and Petroleum Omar Ayub was asked if he did not know of the required demand in time, he said the power utility had not intimated of the demand and the load shedding duration in Karachi was increasing prompting the federal government to release their stocks for K Electric.
But, according to Khanzada, the true picture is entirely different from that being stated.
In the last few years, there were differences between the government and the K-Electric due to non-negotiation of a new agreement, The News reported. The power utility kept on demanding gas from the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) on the basis of allocation. But the government denied that on the pretext that there was no prior agreement. The confusion led to a severe power crisis in Karachi.
Back in April 2018, the Cabinet Committee on Energy decided that the Karachi power utility be provided 130 MMCFD gas from the SSGC and 60 MMCFD LNG. Under the agreement, K-Electric kept getting 190 MMCFD since 2018. But SAPM Nadeem Babar and Federal Minister Omar Ayub erroneously claimed that the sudden raising of demand by the Karachi power utility in August and September forced them to tender expensive gas.
MMCFD stands for million standard cubic feet per day.
The anchor maintained the federal government provided K-Electric 198 MMCFD LNG in June, and 121 MMCFD LNG in July but reduced it to 73 MMCFD LNG in August and 66 MMCFD LNG in September. This clearly shows that the K Electric had not suddenly raised the demand in August and September but the government in fact had reduced the amount of gas supply. Not only this was far reduced than the amount given during June and July but was equivalent to the gas supply provided in August and September last year.
There was no justification for purchasing the LNG late in those months, Shahzeb maintained. The prime minister must ask his cabinet why the treasury was inflicted massive loss of Rs 1.5 bn because of this incompetency. Khanzada said when in June the petroleum crisis emerged why the government failed to import the fuel. Both SAPM Nadeem Babar and Federal Minister Omar Ayub blamed fuel companies and announced a thorough probe the results of which are still awaited. Due to this, the refineries had run out of furnace oil stocks and there was nothing left for K-Electric. Here once again the responsibility was lumped on the Karachi power utility.
In January 2019, the government banned the import of furnace oil and the PM ordered cheaper power generation through coal and LNG. It was decided that if need arise the K-Electric would be asked to procure furnace oil from the refineries. Against this scenario, K Electric could not have imported the furnace oil on its own. Furthermore due situation emerging out of Covid-19, the refineries had run short of furnace oil. Primarily, it was the responsibility of the government to monitor the fuel stocks. They must have imported LNG when it was cheaply available globally.
In June, the second LNG terminal was running only at its 45 per cent capacity but the government did nothing. In April, the K-Electric had informed the government in advance of its requirement of 120,000-tonne furnace oil for June.
But in June, the demand was increased to 130,000 tonne furnace oil but the PSO only provided 69,000 tonnes as the refineries had run short of furnace oil. In June 2019, PSO had provided 113,000 tonne furnace oil.
The PSO had informed the Ministry of Petroleum of the increased demand by K Electric on June 2, 2020, while reminding it of the May 19 directive by the Ministry of Petroleum to the refineries to supply maximum furnace oil.
But to this day, there has been no confirmation about it nor the allocation was increased. The PSO had intimated the Ministry of Petroleum of the impending crisis due to shortage of furnace oil, but it was not imported.
Similarly, the LNG was available at rock bottom prices but even that was not imported, causing power and fuel crisis in the country leading to losses running into billions of rupees, Khanzada said. He said the criticality of the situation forced the government to import furnace oil in panic at the last moment.
The anchor said ever since the inauguration of the PTI government, this was not the first time the gas crisis had occurred, but the central government ministers blamed the K Electric and the Sindh government for it.
In 2018 winters, a similar gas crisis had created severe problems for the people, but the government did not import the LNG in time nor it owed its responsibility for it and by blaming the MDs of the SNGPL and SSGC instead sacked them. This negligence led to power production using expensive furnace oil in 2018. In Dec 2018, the power sector was given 200 MMCFD gas which generated only 1,200 MW power instead of the needed 2,600MW. Furthermore, 1,600MW was produced by furnace oil which increased its daily consumption from 4,200 tonnes to 18,000 tonnes. The expensive power generation caused a loss of Rs 10 billion. When the then Minister for Petroleum Ghulam Sarwar was asked that though the SSGC and SNGPL MDs were sacked but if the Ministry of Petroleum and Ministry of Power had “in time “raised gas demand or if the two MDs had to import LNG on their own, Sarwar conceded that the meeting was held late in December.
Today the situation is being repeated in exactly the same manner and expensive power is being generated by furnace oil. Omar Ayub is continues to be the Minister for Oil and Power, while Ghulam Sarwar’s portfolio has been changed to that of aviation. He has, however, struck disaster with the national airline and the pilots. Nothing has changed, no responsibility has been affixed on the members of the cabinet.
Even today cheap LNG is available globally. In July, once again expensive power was generated from furnace oil at 18 month high rates and even then the gas is not available for bitter winters.
Khanzada said that from October to January one million tonnes furnace oil needs to be imported, expensive power would be generated, forex would be wasted with an additional loss of Rs25 billion.
GOVT RESPONDS:
Reacting to the report on Wednesday, PM’s petroleum aide said that LNG terminals are being run on full capacity while arrangements are being made to import around 1,300 cubic feet of LNG to meet domestic needs.
The special assistant said that it’s unfortunate that a negative media campaign is being run against the government about LNG through fudged statistics.
Addressing a press conference along with Information Minister Shibli Faraz, he said that the present government has imported 35 cargo ships of LNG in the last 27 months at a 20 per cent low rate as compared to expensive LNG agreements signed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) previous government with Qatar.
Babar said that the government has also allowed the private sector to construct LNG terminals in the country and two companies have shown their readiness to establish these facilities in Pakistan. In addition, he said that the last PML-N government had established two LNG terminals with the government’s guarantee of running these facilities, inflicting a huge loss to the treasury.
Blessed Friday in Pakistan is celebrated with the same shopping zeal anywhere in the world. This year many brands are offering online and in-stores discounts on blessed Friday. The Current has listed a few brands that have ‘Blessed Friday’ sales.
BTW – By The Way
BTW is offering upto 70 per cent off on its entire stock this Blessed Friday.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted bail to former Lahore Development Authority (LDA) chairman Ahad Cheema in an alleged corruption case.
Cheema, who was a close aide of former Punjab chief minister Shehbaz Sharif, was detained in Feb 2018 by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the Ashiana Housing scam. However, the accountability bureau also opened another inquiry against him for possessing assets beyond means.
During the hearing, the apex court directed the former top civil servant to furnish surety bonds worth Rs1 million to secure the bail. The NAB lawyer opposed the bail plea, saying Cheema was a key accused in the case.
At this, Justice Sardar Tariq Masood asked whether the accused doesn’t deserve bail due to the delay in the case.
Cheema’s lawyer responded that his client has been in jail for two years and nine months. Bail is granted in case of undue delay, he added.
Earlier this year, the Lahore High Court had dismissed a bail plea filed by Cheema, even though the co-accused in the case were granted post-arrest bail. Subsequently, ex-LDA chief’s counsel Azam Nazir Tarrar moved the apex court, seeking bail.
ARREST OF FOMRER LDA CHIEF:
In Feb 2018, NAB arrested Cheema after the latter failed to show up on NAB hearings. At the time, NAB had stated that that the inquiry conducted by the bureau “produced sufficient evidence to prove LDA ex-DG’s involvement in the Ahsiana scam”.
In its official press release issued at the time, it said that the Punjab Land Development Company assigned the Ashiana Housing Scheme project to LDA, where Cheema as its DG misused his authority and received illegal gratification in the form of 32 kanals of land, valuing approximately Rs30 million from the owners of Paragon City. The accused also awarded the contract for the project to Lahore Casa Developers, that was ineligible for the contract.
It may be noted here ex-CM Shehbaz Sharif and former principal secretary Fawad Hassan Fawad were also accused in Ashiana case.
Federal Minister of Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry, announced a special programme of animation and video games certification to encourage young people to be part of the multi-billion dollar gaming industry.
اگر آپ کو پڑھنے سےدلچسپی نہیں اور فون پر ویڈیو گیمز سےرغبت ہے تو تیاری رکھیں @MinistryofST ویڈیو گیمز پروگرامنگ کا خصوصی پروگرام لارہی ہے تا کہ ہم 90 ارب ڈالر کی اس انڈسٹری کاحصہ بن سکیں، Animation اور ویڈیو گیمز سرٹیفیکیشن پروگرام نوجوانوں کیلئے Game ہی نہیں Game Changer ہوں گے
The minister said that they are looking to make people a part of the $900 million programming industry. He said that this new programme is especially targeted at those uninterested in studying and looking into video game development instead. According to him, the certification program should prove to be a “game-changer” for many. The tweet does not reveal any details, but since the Minister talks about Smartphone games, we can expect the program to lean more towards phone apps and games.
The new initiative will be providing animation and video games certification programmes to young people in order to boost the local gaming industry.
