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  • Zahid Ahmed opens up about his nose job, says it was a big mistake

    Zahid Ahmed opens up about his nose job, says it was a big mistake

    It is rare for a celebrity or public figure to come forward and discuss their experiences with plastic surgery. However, Zahid Ahmed decided that he wanted to keep his promise of being true and honest with his fans and followers and thus decided to open up about his nose job which went wrong.

    Zahid started by saying that opening up about his nose job experience was hard for him because the topic is a sensitive one. But because he made his YouTube channel with the intention of being true and honest to his fans, he decided to open up and talk about this.

    Read more – Zahid Ahmed apologises to the nation for choosing a script ‘so blindly’

    Zahid then went on to label his nose job a gunnah (sin), saying that it was a big mistake.

    “Your ego sometimes makes you do things which are not right for you,” said the actor.

    Zahid said that despite achieving great success and Allah’s countless blessings, his nose bothered him. He shared that the left side of his nose was different from the right side and that when the camera would be at a certain angle, it would make his nose look unflattering and this would irk him and make him feel conscious.

    “I asked my director multiple times to change the camera’s angle, but he would tell me that I should focus on my performance and that there is nothing wrong,” said Zahid, adding that his self-criticism blinded him at that point.

    Zahid said all of Allah’s creations are beautiful and only He can create perfection but because we are so involved in our own ego, we often forget that and continue to point out flaws in ourselves.

    Zahid said that he had contemplated getting rhinoplasty (nose job) for a long time and then just decided to go for it.

    “It’s a common procedure and everyone around the world gets it done. So I thought ‘What’s the big deal?’”

    Zahid explained that the six months which follow the rhinoplasty are very sensitive and that one has to be very careful. However, following his procedure, things went down. He said that while he does not believe that someone should shed light on their sins but because the matter had become so public, he thought it would be a good idea to discuss it as well as educate his fans not to mess with the rule of Allah.

    “Things can go wrong,” he asserted. “Focus on your blessings and not on your shortcomings. Don’t look for faults in your appearance.”

    Zahid said after his nose job went wrong, it took him two years to get his nose back to normal. He said that he was very lucky that his work wasn’t affected by this.

    “Please learn from my heartbreaking experience and don’t make the same mistakes. Allah has made you perfect and most of the time it’s only us who see these nuqs,” concluded Zahid.

    Watch his full video here:

    Meanwhile, here is an old picture of Zahid when his nose looked different.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/1IwhAXwK3i/
  • President Alvi endorses video removed by YouTube for spreading coronavirus misinformation

    President Alvi endorses video removed by YouTube for spreading coronavirus misinformation

    President Arif Alvi retweeted a tweet by his son, Awab Alvi, on April 26, and said: “Lockdown or No Lockdown? Coronavirus is new so there is a major difference of opinion in the world & in Pakistan on how to handle it. As data comes in, opinions change. So please keep an open mind. This is long but a must-watch for all our opinion-makers including politicians.”

    The tweet was a video by doctors who were arguing that people should develop resistance to COVID-19.

    In a Twitter thread, President Alvi’s son Dr Awab Alvi goes on to say: “Historically of the human race and medical outbreak We’ve always “quarantined the sick” NEVER have we “quarantined the healthy” In the panic of the unknown we are reacting (may have been right earlier) but now we know this better and we need the population to develop resistance. [sic]”

    But if you click on the YouTube video shared by Dr Awab Alvi, it says the video has been removed. Link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfLVxx_lBLU&feature=youtu.be

    The video has been taken down by YouTube for violating YouTube’s Community Guidelines. YouTube has recently been taking down videos spreading misinformation about the novel coronavirus.

    Twitter recently also updated its guidelines on misinformation regarding COVID-19. Last month, Twitter and Facebook removed posts shared by Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro for including coronavirus misinformation that violates the social media companies’ rules against posting harmful content.

    Facebook said it took down a video that had been shared on both Facebook and Instagram, in which Bolsonaro said the anti-malaria prescription drug hydroxychloroquine was an effective treatment for COVID-19.

    Twitter earlier had removed two videos that also showed Bolsonaro praising hydroxychloroquine and encouraging the end of social distancing. It is rare for Facebook to take down a post from a head of state, but the coronavirus pandemic has led tech companies to move aggressively to filter out unfounded medical advice, hoaxes and other false information that they say could risk public health.

    Facebook has a policy against sharing posts that could cause users physical harm, a spokesperson said.  “We remove content on Facebook and Instagram that violates our Community Standards, which do not allow misinformation that could lead to physical harm,” the company said in a statement. Twitter, too, has a policy that requires people to remove tweets that recommend cures or advice that goes against the recommendations of public health authorities.

    As coronavirus cases continue to increase in Pakistan and across the globe, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently warned that COVID-19 cases in Pakistan can rise to 200,000 by July.

  • Azhar Ali is auctioning two of his ‘closest belongings’ for COVID-19 relief

    Azhar Ali has put up two of his ‘closest belongings’ – a bat and a national jersey – for auction in a bid to raise funds for those affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

    In a video message posted to Twitter, the test cricketer shared that he is auctioning the bat with which he made a triple Test century during the day-night Test match against West Indies and the jersey from the 2017 Champions Trophy which also bears signatures of all squad members.

    Azhar Ali hits out during the ICC Champions Trophy
    Azhar Ali hits out during the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final between England and Pakistan

    In his message, Ali said that the base price for the two items was Rs 1 million each.

    “These two things are very close to my heart and I wanted to keep them but desperate times call for desperate measures,” he added.

    https://twitter.com/AzharAli_/status/1255016799583813632?s=20

    Earlier, Rumman Raees had also auctioned his debut ODI cap, which he received during the Champions Trophy, along with his jersey, cricket bat and the two-starred Islamabad United shirt. He had managed to raise almost Rs1 million.

    Cricketers and sportsmen all over the world and auctioning their memorabilia to raise funds for coronavirus relief efforts.

  • Three UFO videos by US Navy pilots released officially

    Three UFO videos by US Navy pilots released officially

    The Pentagon — headquarters of the United States (US) Department of Defense — has released three declassified videos that show US Navy pilots encountering what appear to be unidentified flying objects, The Guardian reported.

    The grainy videos, which the Pentagon says depict “unexplained aerial phenomena”, were previously leaked, with some believing they show alien UFOs.

    The Pentagon said it released the footage to “to clear up any misconceptions by the public on whether or not the footage that has been circulating was real or whether or not there is more to the videos,” a statement on the Department of Defense website said.

    “After a thorough review, the department has determined that the authorized release of these unclassified videos does not reveal any sensitive capabilities or systems, and does not impinge on any subsequent investigations of military air space incursions by unidentified aerial phenomena,” the statement said.

    The videos had been “circulating in the public domain after unauthorized releases in 2007 and 2017”, the statement said, adding that “the aerial phenomena observed in the videos remain characterized as ‘unidentified’”.

    The three videos show what the pilots saw during training flights in 2004 and 2015. Two of the videos were published by the New York Times in 2017. The other video was released by the To the Stars Academy of Arts and Science group, a media and private science organisation.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    The 2004 video shows an incident that happened 100 miles out over the Pacific, according to the New York Times. Two Navy fighter pilots found an oblong object hovering above the water. It then flew quickly away. “It accelerated like nothing I’ve ever seen,” one of the pilots, Commander David Fravor, told the NYT.

    The 2015 videos show objects moving quickly through the sky, one of them seeming to spin in the air. “Look at that thing, dude!” a pilot says. “It’s rotating!”

    The release of the videos by the Pentagon adds to the legitimacy of the videos and will spur more speculation that humans have recently interacted with extraterrestrials.

  • After media, Tariq Jamil apologises to nation for controversial remarks against women

    After media, Tariq Jamil apologises to nation for controversial remarks against women

    After media, renowned preacher Maulana Tariq Jamil has also apologised to the nation for his controversial remarks on women, which had drawn mixed reactions over both mainstream and social media.

    During Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s Ehsaas Telethon to raise funds for government’s coronavirus relief programme on April 23, Jamil, who was invited to deliver a prayer, had said that the COVID-19 pandemic was caused partly because of the “immodesty” of women.

    He had also called out media houses both in Pakistan and around the globe for “spreading lies”.

    The comments sparked outrage on social media with leading human rights activists, as well as some of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) ministers, demanding Jamil to tender an apology for his “callous” and “demeaning” remarks.

    “My aim was to point out that we are all to blame for our current state. It was meant to be a general remark not targeting any specific men, women, persons, or gender, but as a reminder to get closer to what Allah teaches us,” Jamil clarified in a series of tweets early Tuesday morning.

    The cleric also said that his “goal was to remind us all to focus on the spiritual and away from our desires and the materialistic”.

    “I am the first to admit as I have taught over the years, that there is no excuse for making any hurtful comments about anyone or making anyone feel uncomfortable.”

    The apology has been very well received by a majority of netizens.

    “Thank you for the clarification. Really appreciate it. You have many followers and this will send a clear message to those who seek to misinterpret your words to target women,” wrote Federal Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari while retweeting Jamil’s apology.

  • Hamza Ali Abbasi says he now ‘trembles’ before saying something publicly

    Hamza Ali Abbasi says he now ‘trembles’ before saying something publicly

    If there is one person who has gone through a complete transformation, it has to be Hamza Ali Abbasi. The actor has gone from being a flamboyant and outspoken person to someone who is calmer and more reserved.

    Read more – Hamza Ali Abbasi to make Islamic videos

    In a recent social media update, Hamza shared that this is because he has grown closer to Allah. The actor further said that he now “trembles and thinks a million times” before saying something publicly.”

    Meanwhile, Hamza is currently pursuing his religious studies at the Ghamidi Center of Islamic Learning in Dallas.

    When asked why he chose Ghamidi Sahab as his teacher, Hamza said that because he “understands Islam for what is it, free from all political, cultural influences.”

    Late last year, Hamza had announced that he was quitting acting to focus on his spiritual journey.

    Read more – Hamza Ali Abbasi quits acting to focus on his ‘spiritual journey’

    “I had this divine revelation some time back, that all that I am doing in this world will end the moment I die,” Hamza said in a video message, adding that death is inevitable.

    “All these trophies, all these accolades will not bring me any good on the day of judgment when I meet my Maker. I have decided that I want to leave everything that might be a hurdle when it comes to making my matters easier on the day of Judgment.”

    Though Hamza will be quitting acting, he shared that he will still continue to make videos and use his voice and popularity to spread the message of Islam and inspire others to undertake this spiritual journey.

  • VIDEO: Fawad Ch removes successor Firdous Ashiq Awan from Imran cabinet’s WhatsApp group

    VIDEO: Fawad Ch removes successor Firdous Ashiq Awan from Imran cabinet’s WhatsApp group

    Incumbent Federal Minister for Science & Technology and former information minister Fawad Chaudhry has removed his successor Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan from the WhatsApp group of Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s cabinet after Awan, who had been handed the reins of the Information Ministry last year, was removed as the special assistant to the PM on information and broadcasting.

    Ever since Fawad was replaced by non-elected Awan in 2019, reports had hinted at a possible rift among the ranks of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The now science & tech minister had also discussed with a media outlet the cold war that was going on within the ruling party, saying that “non-elected people had the power to change portfolios of ministers” and “important decisions were made without many team members knowing about them”.

    Among several other reported spats between Fawad and Awan, with the ex-SAPM even complaining of some lawmakers’ behaviour to PM Imran, Fawad’s statements of a battle going on between elected and non-elected members was followed by Awan “admiring Fawad’s ‘struggle to always stay in headlines“.

    Amid rumours that the two weren’t best of friends ever since Fawad’s removal and Awan’s subsequent appointment, the federal minister had earlier this year even called out PM Imran’s former aide on “illiterate” remarks regarding Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Sardar Usman Buzdar.

    With Awan being replaced by former military bigwig Lt Gen (r) Asim Bajwa on Monday and PTI Senator Shibli Faraz being handed the reins of the Information Ministry, senior journalist and analyst Arshad Sharif asked if Fawad, being an admin of the WhatsApp group of PM Imran’s cabinet, had added Faraz and removed his successor, cracking the minister up.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    “That is how it is. If they go, they have to be removed,” a smiling Fawad told the journalist, adding that he was shocked to know that Sharif knew about the group, its admins and whatever happened in it.

  • Couple uses scone dough to recreate scenes from ‘Game of Thrones’ during COVID-19 lockdown

    Couple uses scone dough to recreate scenes from ‘Game of Thrones’ during COVID-19 lockdown

    Bored by the weeks-long coronavirus lockdown? Not Hungarian film buffs Fanni and Norbert who have recreated dozens of scenes in their flat from Ghost, Game of Thrones, Scarface and other films using whatever household utensils they could find.

    The couple’s photos quickly went viral on social media, and now they just can’t stop, coming up every day with new ideas.

    “Inspiration struck when we were in the kitchen cooking,” said Norbert Hosszu, 30, as he prepared to put on a wig to act out a scene in which Tyrion Lannister pours himself a glass of red wine at his wedding in the Game of Thrones.

    The couple, who used to work as improvisation actors before the coronavirus crisis hit, quickly recreated the scene in their kitchen using the scone dough. Viewers now write to them asking for more, and also ask for scenes from specific movies.

    “Fanni and I have always liked to dress up, and when we were at university we went to a lot of costume parties. And of course, we both love movies and work with theatre,” Norbert said.

    Read more – Game of Thrones – The Pakistani style

    Which scenes they select depends on what they can find at home: flour instead of cocaine, tinned tomatoes instead of blood, a vacuum cleaner instead of a gun.

    “I just hope that these photos will bring a smile to people’s faces,” Fanni said.

    Check out their pictures below:

    Read more – ‘Game of Thrones’ quotes for Pakistani politicians

  • PM’s spokesperson ‘confuses’ Lt Gen (r) Asim Bajwa with Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor in congratulatory message

    PM’s spokesperson ‘confuses’ Lt Gen (r) Asim Bajwa with Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor in congratulatory message

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s spokesperson on trade and investment for the United Kingdom (UK) and Europe, Sahibzada Jahangir, has confused two of the military’s former spokespersons while congratulating one of them over his appointment as the special assistant to PM (SAPM) on information and broadcasting.

    Former Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) director general (DG) Lt Gen (r) Asim Bajwa on Monday replaced Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan as the premier’s media aide while Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Shibli Faraz was appointed as the new federal minister for information.

    With the new appointments being reported, congratulatory messages starting pouring in on Twitter, among which was that of Jahangir, who is also the elder brother of former PTI senior leader Fauzia Kasuri.

    The now-deleted tweet by Jahangir, a screenshot of which is available with The Current, congratulated Asim Bajwa while the picture attached along with the tweet showed the PM’s spokesperson with Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor instead.

    Ghafoor had replaced Bajwa as the ISPR chief in late 2016.

    The congratulatory message has once again been tweeted by Jahangir, but this time without a picture.

    https://twitter.com/ChicoJahangir/status/1254807812317855746

    “Congratulations to Lt.Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa on his desrved appointment as SAPM for Broadcasting & Information. I extend best wishes to him. @ImranKhanPTI @AsimBajwaISPR [sic],” it states.

    Jahangir, who is among PM Imran Khan’s oldest friends, was appointed as the premier’s spokesperson on trade and investment for the UK and Europe on an honorary basis in July 2019.

    PTI leaders say that Jahangir has always played a central role in raising funds for PTI, Shaukat Khanum Hospital and NAMAL University. They say his appointment was an acknowledgment of the loyal workers of PTI who have always stood by Imran.

    According to Jahangir, who had in 2018 refused to take charge as SAPM on foreign investment after criticism over social media, he does not take any salary or privileges while acting on behalf of the PM to take trade and business to Pakistan and generate more interest in investment in the country.

  • Over 700 dead after consuming poison to cure COVID-19

    Over 700 dead after consuming poison to cure COVID-19

    More than 700 people have died after ingesting toxic methanol, thinking it can cure the new coronavirus — COVID-19.

    According to Al Jazeera, the incident took place in Iran where the national coroner’s authority says that alcohol poisoning has killed 728 Iranians between February 20 and April 7 amid the coronavirus outbreak as compared to last year’s 66 fatalities from the same.

    An adviser to the Iranian Health Ministry, Hossein Hassanian, said that the difference in death tallies is because some alcohol poisoning victims died outside of hospital.

    Some 200 people died outside of hospitals, Hassanian was quoted as saying.

    Iran is facing the worst coronavirus outbreak in the Middle East with 5,806 deaths and more than 91,000 confirmed case.

    Methanol cannot be smelled or tasted in drinks. It causes delayed organ and brain damage. Symptoms include chest pain, nausea, hyperventilation, blindness and even coma.

    In Iran, the government mandates that manufacturers of toxic methanol add an artificial color to their products so the public can tell it apart from ethanol, the kind of alcohol that can be used in cleaning wounds. Ethanol is found in alcoholic beverages, though its production is illegal in Iran.

    READ: Britain, France, Germany bypass US sanctions to send medical aid to virus-hit Iran

    Some bootleggers in Iran use methanol, adding a splash of bleach to mask the added color before selling it as drinkable. Methanol also can contaminate traditionally fermented alcohol.

    The consumption of alcohol is generally prohibited in Iran. However, minority Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians can drink alcoholic beverages in private.

    Following the coronavirus outbreak, Iran’s government announced it would issue permission for new alcohol factories quickly.

    Iran has currently some 40 alcohol factory that have been allocated for pharmaceutical and sanitising items.

    The report comes days after United States (US) President Donald Trump raised the possibility of injecting disinfectant into patients, causing an international uproar with manufacturers, doctors and government agencies rushing out warnings against consuming disinfectants like bleach.