Lahore’s Punjab University (PU) is going to set up a climate research laboratory to look into accelerating climatic changes in the country, for which the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has approved Rs100 million funding.
As per the details, the lab will run under the supervision of Department of Space Science Director Ziaul Haq while Sahida Adeela Batool will act as the co-principal investigator along with faculty members such as Khalid Mehmood and Salman Tariq.
Ziaul Haq explained that “climatic change can trigger social inequalities and also increase social factors that lead to conflicts, displacement, changes in migration pattern and instability in the country”.
“If proper measures aren’t taken in time, extreme weather events like temperature rise, flooding, drought, yield reduction, the spread of infectious diseases, deforestation and water scarcity will hit Pakistan.”
He further explained that “the purpose of establishing the lab is because Pakistan does not possess high technical, professional and financial capacity to adapt, prevent or lessen the adverse impacts of climate change”.
Satellite data and GIS analysis can provide cheap easy to adopt alternatives for the locals to adapt so that climatic changes can be prevented in due time.
Amid Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s (PTA) ban on popular online multiplayer game PUBG and social networking application Bigo besides a “final warning” to TikTok, the Supreme Court (SC) has reportedly hinted at banning YouTube in Pakistan.
According to The Express Tribune, the apex court, while hearing the case of one Shaukat Ali involved in a sectarian crime, objected to unregulated content on social media, particularly comments regarding the judiciary, the armed forces and the government.
We have no objection to freedom of expression, remarked Justice Qazi Muhammad Amin. “Our salaries are paid from the money of the people, they have the right to raise questions on our decisions and our performance,” he said. “But the Constitution also grants us the right to privacy,” added Justice Amin.
He remarked that family members of the judiciary come under scrutiny on YouTube and referred to a decision announced a day earlier, which was discussed on the platform and asked whether the PTA and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had taken notice of such happenings on the platform where judges were mocked and embarrassed.
A PTA official told the court that the PTA cannot remove objectionable content but can only report it.
YouTube is banned in many countries, said Justice Mushir Alam, who was also on the bench. He asked whether anyone would dare post content against the United States (US) or the European Union (EU) on the platform.
Justice Amin asked how many people had been prosecuted for such crimes while Justice Alam noted that social media was regulated through local laws in many countries.
People are incited against the judiciary, the government and the armed forces, remarked Justice Amin.
The court then issued notices to the attorney-general of Pakistan (AGP) and the Foreign Ministry on the matter.
Pakistan’s digital space has been frequently restricted and is monitored closely through laws such as the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 as well by the federal agencies PTA and FIA.
The Petroleum Division has tasked energy and technology experts to carry out a technical assessment for the automation of the petroleum sector.
With the help of technology, an automation system will be created that will record real-time data of petroleum products’ daily sales.
The structured and organised real-time data will also help streamline the fuel supply countrywide which would make oil-sector self-sufficient, and save billions on its annual petroleum import bill.
The government of Pakistan is working on a strategy to revamp the oil and gas sector of the country.
The primary function is to supply uninterrupted fuel across Pakistan by recording daily sales of oil depots and petrol pumps along with increasing the technical and professional capacity of the Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA).
According to the officials of the Petroleum Division, they have drafted a bill that will legally bind oil depots and petrol pumps to allow the government to record daily sales once signed into law.
Oil depots and petrol pumps will have no choice but to follow as in case of refusal, OGRA would be legally authorised to seal the disputing depots and pumps and cancel their licences.
“The government will not approve the attitude of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) from now on and will put an end to the issue of artificial fuel shortage once and for all,” an official said.
Following are some snippets that stood out from Urdu newspapers on July 22, 2020, which The Current takes no responsibility for.
‘Noon League pr aitebaar nahi’
It was reported by Daily Jang senior leader of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Aitzaz Ahsan has said, “Noon League pr aitebaar nahi, apni party ko bhi raaye doonga k in se bach kr rahein.”
The statement comes at a time when the two largest opposition parties, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and PPP, are in talks to work out a strategy and take entire opposition on board to get rid of the current government.
‘Lagta hai NDMA khatam krna parrayga‘
According to Daily Jang, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed, while hearing the coronavirus suo motu case, has said,“NDMA arbon rupay kaisay kharch kr raha hai? Lagta hai idaara khatam karna paray ga.”
It has been reported by Daily Dunya that Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad chaudhary has said, “Baadal hain tou chaand kaisay nazar aaye ga? Ruet App pr dekhein, chaand nazar ayega.”
His statement came as the tussle between the Science & Tech Ministry and the Ruete Hilal Committee, which is now witnessed at least twice every year over moon-sighting methods, began on Tuesday. Zilhaj moon was not sighted and Eidul Azha is to be celebrated on August 1 in Pakistan.
The wife of Arsalan, the man who was seen beating and abusing his mother in the video, has responded to allegations of physical and verbal abuse.
Taking to social media, Arsalan’s wife posted a video and said that the allegations her sister-in-law and mother-in-law have made are false. She said that her husband has asthma and she is six months pregnant.
“My mother-in-law attacked my husband’s private parts which made him unconscious. She also attacked my private parts as she wanted to abort my child,” said the woman in the video.
She also alleged that her mother-in-law beat her daughter and that Zobia Meer did not share the complete video.
The woman further said that the mother and daughter broke their cars, hid their jewellery, ID cards and other papers.
“They broke things in my room and even hid my daughter’s milk,” she added.
According to the woman, Zobia is her husband’s half-sister and that the property that Zobia claimed they ran away with is in her husband’s name.
Late Tuesday night, a video of a man beating and abusing his mother went viral on social media. Rawalpindi police registered a case against the culprit after the social media users including journalists, celebrities and social activists condemned the incident and demanded justice from the authorities.
The Supreme Court (SC) has criticised the National Disaster Management Authority’s (NDMA) failure to ensure transparency in expenditures pertaining to the coronavirus pandemic and locust control.
A five-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed, heard the coronavirus suo moto case, during which the CJP suggested abolishing the NDMA over the authority’s failure to explain its expenses.
NDMA has yet to submit crucial documents, observed the CJP. “Where are the documents permitting imports of machinery from Al-Hafeez Crystoplast (Pvt) Ltd?” he asked. The CJP also inquired why the documents have not been submitted despite directives being issued thrice in this regard. Where are the details pertaining to chartering the aircraft and its payments, he asked further.
The director of NDMA maintained before the court that the authority did not import machines from Al-Hafeez company.
The owner of the company has yet to appear, noted the CJP. The real issue is non-compliance with customs and other laws, he remarked.
Meanwhile, Justice Ijazul Hasan noted that the cost of the machinery has not been disclosed in the documents.
Over Rs10.7 million was paid for the charter, observed the CJP. How were the payments made according to the charter agreement, he asked. How can someone give this much cash in Karachi, asked the CJP.
Where are the documents pertaining to imports of vaccine and the medicines, asked the CJP
The relevant authorities will have to satisfy the court, said the Attorney General.
The CJP observed that it appeared that the NDMA would have to be abolished as its chief has failed to provide explanations.
Perhaps a lot has gone wrong and attempts are being made to cover up, observed the CJP. Should contempt of court notices be issued to the NDMA chief, he asked.
The institutions of the country should be run in a transparent manner, said the chief justice.
The NDMA was given a free hand and hefty amounts to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, said Justice Hasan. The authority is answerable to the court and the people, he added.
The NDMA is acquiring planes and machinery for locust control, noted the CJP. Transparency will have to be ensured through documents and not just verbal statements, he remarked, adding that it was not comprehensible how billions of rupees were being spent.
From corona to floods to locusts, everything has been handed over to the NDMA, remarked Justice Hasan. But the NDMA’s admin member himself does not know anything, he added.
Late Tuesday night, a video of a man beating and abusing his mother went viral on social media. According to details, the man thrashed his mother for property and cash.
The man’s sister Zobia Meer, who shared a video on social media, revealed all the details of the incident and said that she and her sister reported that violent act to the police but they released their brother an hour later. She added that they are trying to register an FIR but the police is not helping them in this matter.
The video sparked outrage on social media and many journalists, celebrities, social activists and other members of the civil society condemned the incident and demanded justice for Meer and her mother.
نہ ویڈیو پوسٹ کرنے کی ہمت ہے اور نہ ہی اس پر کچھ کہنے کو کوئی لفظ سوجھ رہا ہے۔۔۔ بس افسوس یہ ہے کہ اپنی ماں پر تشدد کرنے والا کائنات کا بدترین بدبخت اب بھی آزاد ہے۔۔۔ #zoobiameer
— Iqrar ul Hassan Syed (@iqrarulhassan) July 21, 2020
Ali Rehman Khan, Ushna Shah, Hamza Ali Abbasi and Armeena Khan also Tweeted to condemn the incident.
Despicable and disgusting. How can one even think of raising their hands and calling their mother names?? Appalled and sick to the stomachs he needs to be in prison! #Shamefulhttps://t.co/Uw40xwuREV
Ya Allah… I don’t have words… At all…cant post tht video.. deleted it… Oh my God…deepest corner of hell awaits this demon who raised his hands on his old mother… DEEPEST MOST ROTTEN CORNER OF HELL #zoobiameer
I can’t believe what I just saw,it made me cry.This man beating his mother because of property and cash,his wife standing behind encouraging the act. You both animals just purchased the confirm deed of a land in Jahannum.#zoobiameerpic.twitter.com/KyGO1YJqdX
Newlyweds Sarah Khan and Falak Shabir have been on a social media roll sharing gorgeous pictures and videos from their wedding.
A new video shared by the couple shows the bride ask her groom to think again just before she walks to stage for their nikkah.
“Mein keh rahe hoon souch lein abhi bhi,” an ecstatic Sarah is seen saying in the video.
Responding to Sarah, Falak says: “Ab time guzar gaya sochnay ka, ab qabool hai qabool hai bolnay ka time aagaya hai.”
“Bohat darr lag raha hai Falak,” continues Sarah.
“Mat darein aap, main aapkay saath hoon“, says Falak in response.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CC6jlNsFMJ8/
Meanwhile, Falak while speaking to a local media outlet, revealed that he proposed to Sarah after their second meeting.
“It was at the 2019 Hum TV Bridal Couture Week where Sarah was a showstopper that we met properly,” said Shabbir. “Previously we had only met as acquaintances, but that day I was drinking tea at the hotel when Sarah and Noor were passing by. I asked them to join me and we had tea together. That was probably the first time we spoke to each other in detail.”
Their second meeting was at a restaurant in Lahore right after the show where the two talked a lot and when Falak was dropping Sarah home after dinner, he proposed to her.
“I didn’t say I love you or anything, I just directly said I want to do a nikkah with you, marry you, tell me how it can happen,” says Shabir.
Sharing further details, he said that Sarah told him to meet her father.
“She told me to meet her father. I went to her house from Karachi to Lahore. The first time I met her father, we spoke for about two hours. Sarah had told me, if Baba leaves in 15 minutes, it’s a no.”
Sarah and Falak tied the knot on July 16 in an intimate wedding ceremony. Sarah looked like a vision in a rose pink outfit by Nilofar Shahid.
Throwing light on the highly controversial Indian (and Pakistani) wedding and matchmaking culture, a new Netflix original reality series has stirred a debate online and received mixed reviews about the toxicity ingrained in the country’s age-old process of finding a life partner. The show is currently trending at number four on Netflix Pakistan.
The eight-part series Indian Matchmaking premiered on Netflix on Thursday and is currently among its top-ranked India shows. It features Sima Taparia, a real-life matchmaker from Mumbai, who offers her services to families within India and abroad. As the show gains traction, the one question which is crossing everyone’s mind is ‘Who really in Sima Taparia’?
In a recent interview, Taparia, who hails from a small town of Gulbarga in Karnataka, opened up about herself and revealed that she always wanted to be famous.
“I always had great ambition and wanted to make something of myself so people far and wide would know my name,” she says.
However, her marriage was arranged when she was just 19 and because her in-laws were from an orthodox family of Marwaris, she never really got a chance to work on her dreams.
But as fate would have had it, the small-town girl has become a sensation ever since her series streamed on Netflix.
On how she ended up in this business, Taparia said that she considers herself a natural born matchmaker.
“I am an extrovert and so I am very social and I love meeting new people, talking to them and finding out little details that I lock away in my brain,” says the 57-year-old.
“When people come to me saying they have a son, daughter, nephew, niece or a grandchild who is looking to get married, I immediately start thinking of all the people I know of who could be a good match,” she explains, adding that she is always mentally matching people. “I have found matches for people when I was on vacation in Zermatt and in Interlaken and even when we were in the Canadian Rockies, I was on duty matching people up. Hell, I have even matched people up while waiting at the luggage carousel at Mumbai airport.”
Ever since Taparia set up her matchmaking bureau ‘Suitable Rishta’, based out of her apartment in the midtown Mumbai neighbourhood of Worli, she has brought hundreds of couples together in India as well as in diaspora communities around the world.
Taparia follows a tried and tested approach that she has found success with. “I go and meet the boy and the family, see what their home is like, where they work, where they have been to school,” she explains. It’s not just the information the family provides but unsaid details she has learned to pick up over the years.
“This helps me assess their lifestyles so I can recommend a match that is on an even keel. This is where Tinder, Bumble and Shaadi.com can’t compete. I get to the bottom of things, finding out all the inside stories, the family’s values and other such details you would never get from looking at a person’s online profile,” says Taparia.
She further shared that she only works with “high-profile clients”.
“In India when I meet clients they usually have a working wedding budget in mind. So based on that golden number, I quote my price that I charge as a lump sum,” said the match-maker.
Following the series’ success, Taparia’s phone has not stopped ringing.
“Now young people who have seen the series have been getting in touch with me from all around the world and people in India are asking their parents to get in touch with me to find them partners like Nadia and Aparna,” she says.
Netflix’s ‘Indian Matchmaking’ divides the internet
Meanwhile, the show has the internet divided. The show has become a subject of memes and jokes, and criticism, on how individuals and their parents are picky and have a long list of demands that centre around factors like caste, height or skin colour.
The show “makes very clear how regressive Indian communities can be. Where sexism, casteism, and classism are a prevalent part of the process of finding a life partner,” wrote Twitter user Maunika Gowardhan.
Thousands of Twitter and Instagram posts echo that view. “The show is simply holding a mirror to the ugly society we are a part of,” Vishaka George, another Twitter user, wrote.
Created by Oscar-nominated director Smriti Mundhra, the show focuses on matchmaker Taparia’s visits to the homes of families who need her assistance. After hearing their demands, she presents résumés of prospective matches and then arranges meetings between them.
“The two families have their reputation and many millions of dollars at stake. So the parents guide their children,” Taparia says at one point in the show, referring to some of her wealthier clients.
In the first episode titled Slim, Trim and Educated, an Indian mother tells Taparia her son is getting a lot of marriage proposals but in most cases, the prospective bride’s education or height was not ideal.
Just as Taparia says: “So you want a smart, outgoing, height …” the mother interjects, “I won’t even consider (a girl) below 5 feet 3 inches.”
Some have praised the show for its honesty and treating its subjects respectfully.
“The hate against it is, frankly, baffling … Indian Matchmaking is well on its way to becoming a cultural phenomenon,” a column in the Mint newspaper said.
Omair Rana, who was accused of sexual harassment by some students of Lahore Grammar School (LGS) 1A1 Ghalib Market Branch, has rejected all such allegations and has said that he will be filing a complaint with the Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) against those who have wrongfully accused him. Female students of LGS 1A1 had alleged that Rana would pass inappropriate jokes and comments and make them feel uncomfortable. They also said that he flirted with young girls and exchanged inappropriate texts.
The actor, in a Twitter update added that “sexual harassment is a heinous crime and should be treated with the seriousness that it deserves”.
On June 28, dozens of girls came forward with accounts of harassment and inappropriate behaviour by teachers at LGS 1A1 Ghalib Market Branch. The management of the school, including female teachers, also came under fire for brushing the matter under the carpet for years. Among those teachers accused of covering up was Omair’s wife Maira Omair Rana, who was later suspended for abetting in the acts. It is pertinent to mention here that most of the girls studying at the school were minors at the time.
Such incidents had reportedly been going on for the past four or five years and the victims had been reporting the matter to the admin and their teachers. However, they took no action and resorted to victim-blaming. Strict action was only taken after the girls shared their ordeal on social media and the matter became public.
According to details, students have come forward and shared their experiences of being harassed by three teachers namely Aitezaz Rehman Sheikh, Umer Shareef and Zahid Iqbal Warraich. All three teachers were fired soon after the allegations surfaced.
Following the uproar on social media, Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari had said that she has taken serious notice of the allegations. The Punjab government had also said that they will hand exemplary punishments to the perpetrators and make an example of them.
Meanwhile, Chairman Senate Committee on Human Rights and PPP Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar said that the HR Committee has taken notice of the matter and will be discussing it on July 22. Sharing details, he said that concerned parents will be allowed to join the meeting.
Senate HR committee has taken notice of incidents of sexual harassment at LGS. To b taken up on the 22nd. Parents who r concerned with the way investigations have progressed so far, may attend. pic.twitter.com/xzd22UA4v6
— Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar (@mustafa_nawazk) July 20, 2020
