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  • Shireen Mazari takes notice of harassment at Lahore’s private educational institutions

    Shireen Mazari takes notice of harassment at Lahore’s private educational institutions

    Federal Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari has taken notice of allegations of harassment and inappropriate behaviour by instructors at two of Lahore’s premier private institutions. While the minister did not name the institutions, it is being speculated that she is referring to Lahore Grammar School 1A1 Branch (Ghalib Market) and the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS).

    In a Twitter update, Mazari said that she has taken notice of the matter and that the regional offices have been alerted on the matter.

    The Ministry of Human Rights (MoHR) also announced that they have taken notice of matter and said that assistance is available on their helpline 1099.

    Earlier in the day, The Current reported that the management of LGS 1A1 Ghalib Market Branch, including female teachers, had come under fire for covering up harassment and inappropriate behaviour by instructors for years. It is pertinent to mention here that most of the girls studying at the school were minors at the time.

    Read more – Private school in Lahore comes under fire for covering up harassment

    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, their teachers had been covering up for their colleagues and brushing the matter under the carpet. They resorted to victim-blaming and refused to take any action. Strict and immediate action was only taken after the girls shared their ordeal on social media.

    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.

    Similarly, students and alumni of LUMS shared their experiences of being harassed by instructors and fellow students on a private group. Some of the students have also decided to pursue the matter and their perpetrators through legal channels.

  • LUMS distributes free internet devices amongst students on financial aid

    LUMS distributes free internet devices amongst students on financial aid

    The Lahore University of Management and Sciences (LUMS) has sent internet devices to those students who are studying at the university on need-based scholarship.

    Wardah Noor, a student of LUMS shared the news, which went viral on social media.

    Noor shared: “LUMS sent internet devices with free data of (75GB/ month) to the students on full financial aid.”

    She shared that she was concerned about the internet package given that she doesn’t have a job and her father’s pension is Rs 25,000.

    This initiative is being appreciated because the university — LUMS — has identified a major issue and took action without any requests from deserving students. People are also urging the administration of other universities to learn from this initiative and facilitate their students.

    This development has come when a large number of students across the country were protesting against online classes due to internet connectivity issues.

    Many students from far-flung and remote areas like Gilgit Baltistan (GB), Kashmir, Sindh and Balochistan have been protesting because they do not have an internet connection. In some cases, students have to travel more than 25 kilometres to take online classes.

    Furthermore, more than 60 students were arrested by police in Quetta for a peaceful demonstration against internet connectivity issue. Later on, they were released on the same day.

  • Indian filmmaker trolled for celebrating attack on Pakistan Stock Exchange

    Indian filmmaker trolled for celebrating attack on Pakistan Stock Exchange

    The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) building was attacked by four heavily armed terrorists in Karachi on Monday morning. Police killed all four assailants who attacked the building. At least two civilians also lost their lives in the attack and multiple were injured.

    Some reports said that four guards and a policeman were also martyred.

    As the news of the incident started circulating on social media, Indian filmmaker Ashoke Pandit took to Twitter and wrote, “#TerroristsKillTerrorists in #Karachi stock exchange in Pakistan.”

    https://twitter.com/ashokepandit/status/1277483890005827584?s=20

    Following his remarks, Twitter users started criticising Pandit for his insensitive remarks and demanded him to apologise for his comments.

    https://twitter.com/VORdotcom/status/1277501262867697664?s=20
    https://twitter.com/hushamahmed/status/1277499381638475776?s=20

    Pakistani actor Armeena Rana Khan also condemned the director’s remarks.

    https://twitter.com/ArmeenaRK/status/1277613212746252288?s=20
  • VIDEO: Khawaja Asif, Fawad Chaudhry trade barbs in National Assembly

    VIDEO: Khawaja Asif, Fawad Chaudhry trade barbs in National Assembly

    The National Assembly (NA) on Monday approved the federal budget for the fiscal year 2020-21. The session, however, was yet again marred by an altercation, this time between Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Asif and Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry.

    “Sir, bass vee kar deo [sir, please stop]” Fawad was heard as saying as Asif addressed the Lower House of the parliament.

    To this, Asif replied, “Tuvaaday mutalak mai aisiyaan aisiyaan gallaan karaanga, Khuda di qasam tavanu jagaah nayi labnni ais hall ich [I will say such things about you that you will not find a place in this hall].”

    Asif went on to say that for the past few days, Fawad had been “involved in some activities”, to which the federal minister said the PML-N leader would not “find any space in Sialkot — Asif’s hometown — either” and asked him to apologise for his remarks.

    NA Speaker Asad Qaiser kept on asking both the lawmakers to stop.

    “No cross talk please… sit down please. Please, Fawad Sahib. Take a seat. Khawaja Sahib, continue please.”

    “No, how can you let this happen? How can one person say anything and not apologise? How dare he? He must apologise!” Fawad said.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    Speaking to The Current, Fawad said he was discussing something with Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri.

    “Khawaja Asif got upset because we were not paying attention to his speech. Then he made up some lies about me, for which I asked him to apologise.”

  • Every day I’m told it’s my last in power… I am the only choice: PM

    Every day I’m told it’s my last in power… I am the only choice: PM

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has said that every day he is told by someone that it, or the day after, is his last in power, but he knows he can “easily complete his five-year tenure”.

    Addressing a dinner reception hosted at the PM House to muster support of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers as well as coalition partners for the passage of budget 2020-21 in the face of its rejection by the joint opposition, the premier asserted that his government would definitely complete its five-year term because he was determined to face every challenge.

    “I am the only choice,” he said, adding that all rumours regarding his government’s uncertain fate and the challenges facing his administration would cease to exist “if he strikes a deal with people”.

    He was of the opinion that opposition leaders had a bigger stake than the ruling PTI.

    According to Dawn, a participant of the event quoted PM Imran as saying that the members of opposition parties had a bigger stake because if PTI leaders lose the election they would only lose their seats while “if opposition leaders lose them, they would go to jail”.

    Responding to the allegation that the government was being run by a team of non-elected people, the premier said, “If we have included some non-elected members in the cabinet, they [opposition parties] had filled the slots with their relatives.”

    He reportedly also asked PTI leaders and all government allies to get the budget passed on Monday with a significant majority and spoke about the recent hike in petroleum prices, corruption as well as coronavirus in the country.

    The function concluded after the PM’s address, as no one spoke after him on the occasion.

    As many as 14 MNAs belonging to the Imran-led PTI, Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) Baloch­istan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M), Pakistan Awami Muslim League (PAML) did not attend the dinner, reports said.

    It merits a mention that a day later, the National Assembly has approved the federal budget for the fiscal year 2020-21, despite the opposition’s vow to not let it sail through the house.

  • Audit unearths Rs270,000,000,000 corruption, irregularities under PTI govt in one year

    Audit unearths Rs270,000,000,000 corruption, irregularities under PTI govt in one year

    The first audit report of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has unveiled irregularities and corruption to the tune of Rs270 billion in 40 departments and ministries.

    According to Dawn, the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) has unearthed misappropriation and embezzlement of public funds to the tune of over Rs12 billion, with irregularities of government funds amounting to Rs258bn.

    The AGP’s report covers the fiscal year 2018-19 — the first year of the PTI government — and recommends strict action, including references, to investigation agencies against those responsible. The AGP has finalised its report on audit year 2019-20 and it would be submitted to parliament and the president in a couple of days.

    The report also disclosed that record for a number of entities and accounts was not given to audit teams in violation of rules.

    The audit revealed corruption and fake receipts in ministries and departments to the tune of Rs12.56 billion. It stated that recovery cases of Rs79.59 billion in federal ministries were reported and a record of Rs17.96 billion was not provided to the auditor general by government departments.

    The report further said that Rs8.89 billion in corruption cases had been recorded owing to weak internal controls and cases worth Rs152.20 billion were reported due to poor financial management.

    The AGP recommended that government institutions not be allowed to undertake expenditures unless approved from the parliament and similarly, to not allow supplementary grants to these institutions without the parliament’s approval.

    He recommended that corruption cases be handed over to investigative agencies.

    A government minister while commenting on the audit report said that such irregularities during the period of past governments used to involve up to Rs1,000 billion. Geo quoted Minister for Industries Hammad Azhar as saying the graph had come down by 80 per cent but added that the PTI government needed to improve it further.

  • FAST University expels students over making memes

    FAST University expels students over making memes

    FAST Lahore has reportedly expelled students over making and sharing memes about the university on social media. 

    The university’s administration has also issued a notification demanding an apology from students that posted ‘defamatory memes’ on Facebook. According to the notification, six students were expelled and the academic grades of many other students were downgraded. The notification also directed students to post an apology on their social media accounts.

    Read more – Private school in Lahore comes under fire for covering up harassment

    “Failure to comply with the orders will render the respondent liable for either cancellation of the degree; or blacklisting; or reporting to authorities for trial under cyberbullying and harassment laws; or all of the mentioned punishments,” the notification read.

  • Private school in Lahore comes under fire for covering up harassment

    Private school in Lahore comes under fire for covering up harassment

    The management of Lahore Grammar School (LGS) 1A1 Ghalib Market Branch, including female teachers, has come under fire for covering up harassment and inappropriate behaviour by instructors for years. 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, their teachers had been covering up for their colleagues and brushing the matter under the carpet. They resorted to victim-blaming and refused to take any action. Strict and immediate action was only taken after the girls shared their ordeal on social media.

    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. To make things easier to understand, here’s a breakdown of the details:

    Aitezaz Rehman Sheikh

    Aitezaz Rehman Sheikh, who used to teach politics and served as a MUN coach had been sending obscene pictures and messages to his students. The students accused him of being manipulative and said that he would coerce girls on international trips.

    Aitezaz Rehman Sheikh

    Zahid Iqbal Warraich

    Similarly, Sir Zahid Warraich, who taught Chemistry to A’ and O’ Levels used to inappropriately touch his students and make them uncomfortable during class.

    Umer Shareef

    Sir Umer was reportedly a member of the admin who would make girls uncomfortable with his stares and glances.

    For more stories, click here.

    Following the outrage on social media, the management of LGS 1A1 immediately fired the instructors and barred them from working at any branch of LGS.

    A few students have also accused Omair Rana’s wife Maira Omair Rana for not taking action and “slut-shaming” the girls who came forward to report. One of the students has also accused the actor of exhibiting inappropriate behaviour.

    https://twitter.com/kaalakawaa/status/1277180064841396225?s=20

    LGS is one of the mose prestigious school for girls in Lahore, with several branches across the city. The management of each branch is separate.

  • [GRAPHIC VIDEO] All terrorists, who attacked Pakistan Stock Exchange, killed

    [GRAPHIC VIDEO] All terrorists, who attacked Pakistan Stock Exchange, killed

    Police killed all four assailants who attacked the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) compound in Karachi on Monday morning, police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon confirmed to media.

    Citing Memon, Reuters reported that the gunmen had attacked the compound on I I Chundrigar Road with grenades and guns. “Four attackers have been killed, they had come in a Corolla car,” Nabi said.

    Initial reports said that four attackers entered the building around 10 am and opened fire. A grenade attack was carried out at the entrance.

    At least two civilians were killed in the attack and multiple were injured.

    Police surgeon Dr Qarar Ahmed Abbasi said that five bodies and seven injured including policemen were brought to Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital in Karachi.

    Other reports said that four guards and a policeman were also martyred.

    [GRAPHIC WARNING]

    Police and Rangers’ officials arrived at the scene soon after the attack and killed all four attackers, Sindh Rangers said.

    A clearance operation is underway in the vicinity. Weapons and hand grenades have been recovered from the attackers.

    “An unfortunate incident took place at the Pakistan Stock Exchange,” said PSX director Abid Ali Habib. “They made their way from our parking area and opened fire on everyone.”

    He said that the militants had stormed the Railway Ground parking area and fired outside the PSX ground. They made their way to the main gate of the building and stormed it after trading fire with security guards. 

    Habib said that the firing by militants caused panic among the people in the building.

    The PSX building and surrounding areas were sealed by law enforcement agencies. People inside the PSX building were evacuated from the back door.

    Police said the militants conducted the assault with sophisticated weapons and were carrying a bag filled with explosives. 

    Counter Terrorism Department’s (CTD) Raja Omar Khattab said that police would try to find out details about the car used by the attackers. “CCTV cameras are being monitored by law enforcement agencies to obtain clues.”

    An earlier statement by the PSX said that its compound had been attacked by militants and that the “situation is still unfolding”.

    “There was an attack on the PSX compound earlier today. The situation is still unfolding and management, with the help of security forces, is managing the security and controlling the situation,” tweeted the PSX.

    “We will issue a more detailed statement in due course once the situation is under control and more details are known,” it said in a subsequent tweet.

    For now firing has stopped and reinforcement are in place, it added.

    Meanwhile, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail condemned the attack.

    “Strongly condemn the attack on PSX aimed at tarnishing our relentless war on terror,” he said, vowing to protect Sindh at all costs.

    The banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which was declared a global terrorist group by the United States (US) last year, has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack.

  • Asim Azhar receives hate for featuring Tiktok star in new song

    Asim Azhar receives hate for featuring Tiktok star in new song

    Asim Azhar’s upcoming song Tum Tum has already created waves before it even released. The reason for this is because Tiktok star Areeka Haq is featuring in the song. Asim’s fans were disappointed with him for including the Tiktoker and sent a lot of hate his way. It is pertinent to mention here that Haq has more than a million fans on Instagram.

    Areeka Haq in a still from the upcoming song
    Asim and Areeka in a still from the song

    Following the backlash on social media, Asim responded by tweeting:

    Meanwhile, several celebrities including Saba Qamar, Yasir Hussain, Hania Aamir and Zara Noor Abbas extended their support to the singer and Tiktok star and requested people to stop spreading unnecessary hate and learn to respect each other.

    “Please be kind towards each other,” asserted Saba. “Learn to support each other. Don’t make these beautiful, young talented people depressed with hate comments and trolls because you have no idea how harsh and unkind it is.”

    Saba Qamar

    Yasir said that Tiktok has more talent than television and that Asim featured Haq because of her talent.

    “We all need to grow up,” remarked Hussain.

    Yasir Hussain

    Zara said that she was proud of Asim for supporting new talent.

    Zara Noor Abbas

    Hania extended her support towards Areeka and wished her all the best.

    • Hania Aamir
    • Hania Aamir

    Asim also shared that Hania came all the way from Islamabad to be part of the song.

    The song touted to be “the biggest collaboration of the year” also features Shamoon Ismail, Talhah Yunus, Talha Anjum, Raamis, Hania Aamir, Mooroo and Asad Siddiqui and is scheduled to release on July 2. Watch the teaser for the song below:

    Asim’s last song Humraah, featured in the Bollywood film Malang was a massive hit garnering more than 4 million views to date.