Tag: trending

  • Sorry, there will be no new currency notes for you this Eid

    Sorry, there will be no new currency notes for you this Eid

    We will sadly have to spend our Eid this year without getting any crispy brand-new rupee note as Eidi.

    The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Thursday decided against issuing fresh currency notes on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr.

    SBP spokesperson has confirmed that the bank will not issue new notes as the supply-demand gap was on the rise fueled by people’s possession of the notes. 

    Eid-ul-Fitr is expected to fall on April 22 this year. The federal government has announced that Eid holidays which will run from April 21 to April 25, thus making Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday gazetted holidays.

  • Wahaj Ali, Hareem Farooq’s upcoming drama ’22 Qadam’ is an ode to women in sports

    If fans haven’t had enough of Wahaj Ali in ‘Tere Bin’ and ‘Mujhe Pyaar Hua Tha’ then they’re in for a treat. His next drama is unique because it explores the issue of women in sports.

    Ali shared a first look of the venture where he will be playing a cricketer, writing on Instagram about the drama’s premise which is about supporting women cricket players.

    “As a society we need to promote women coming into all professional fields – from sports to sciences. The roots of 22 Qadam are embedded in inspiring and taking pride in the dreams and achievements of our women.”

    The female lead of this drama is going to be played by ‘Sar-e-Rah’ actor Hareem Farooq, who will essay the role of a small town girl named Fari, who dreams of becoming a cricketer.

    The Current reached out to Farooq on why she had chosen to become a part of this project, and she responded:

    “When we came up with this concept, the thought behind it was that we need to empower women in the best way possible and there is no way better than projecting women in sports. Cricket, especially being the most loved sport in South-Asia.”

    Farooq also reflected on how women like Sana Mir, who is a commentator and former cricket captain, served as inspiration for the drama by breaking stereotypes:

    “The first person that comes to our mind when you talk about women and cricket is Sana Mir, she’s been an inspiration for so many women out there. It is just about breaking stereotypes and the taboos out there that women can also excel in sports, and if nothing else it makes you more independent and gives you that confidence that allows you to face the world in the best way possible.”

    Hareem Farooq said that she feels that society needs the kind of entertainment where people are not just enjoying themselves but are also educated that stereotypes and taboos can be broken. “Even women, infact everybody, can achieve their dreams if they’re passionate about it.”

    Speaking about her character, the actress said that her character Fari dreams of playing for the national cricket team and making her country proud:

    “I play the character of Fari, who is this bubbly and happy girl who wants to spread joy and happiness where ever she goes. But she has a dream and a passion she wants to follow and she is determined to do that. In this way breaking stereotypes and taboos by playing for the national team and make her country proud, and make her parents proud. It is a journey of achieving that dream and the up’s and down’s she goes through, and how or will she ever be able to achieve that dream.”

    In many ways, Farooq says that ’22 Qadam’ is a groundbreaking show because it is “the voice of the unheard.”

    The drama is written by Zeeshan Ilyas and directed by Anjum Shahzad.

  • ‘I was called dark and fat when I started working in the industry’: Kajol

    Bollywood actress Kajol has a long list of hits to her credit, including ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham’ (2001), ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ (1995) and ‘Baazigar’ (1993).

    However, in an interview with ‘Humans of Bombay’ the actress talked about the struggles she faced when she started out in the film industry. Kajol, who is the daughter of yesteryears heroine Tanuja, said that she struggled to find good roles because of inappropriate comments about her skin and weight.

    “‘She is dark, she is fat and she wears specs all the time.’ These were some of the judgments that were passed when I first started working in the industry,” the ‘Dilwale’ actress recalled.

    However, Kajol, known for her feisty sense of humor and outspoken personality, revealed that she didn’t let the negativity hold her back and kept fighting hard for success.

    “I couldn’t care less. I knew I was smart, cool and better than everyone out there who had any negative thing to say about me. So, I kept continuing to be myself and never let it show. Sooner or later, when they couldn’t pull me down, the world simply embraced me for who I was.”

    Kajol had previously starred in the critically acclaimed documentary ‘The Romantics’ where she had spoken about starting as Simran in the critically acclaimed Dilwale Dulhania Le Jaien Ge (DDLJ), and revealed that initially she had found her character to be boring and couldn’t relate to her at all.

  • ‘I loved my character in Kuch Ankahi because she’s fearless’: Qudsia Ali

    Qudsia Ali has won accolades from audiences for her performance as Tania in ‘Kuch Ankahi’, where she plays the younger sister of the family. Speaking to BBC Urdu, Ali opened up about what drove her to the script and how she fell in love with her character:

    “When I read about Tania’s character, the first thing I loved about her was that she’s fearless. She isn’t afraid of anything. A lot of the times women in our families are scared of a lot of things like disapproval from their parents or even their families, especially my character who is scolded for eating. But she loves herself, she doesn’t mind if her mother calls her a ‘gama pelwan’ to which she responds ‘kya gama phelwan meri tarhaan cute tha?’”

    Ali also shared what set Taniya apart from other characters in Pakistani dramas is how she has male friends. It is still quite rare that a man and a woman are shown as just friends and not be romantically innvolved:

    “In the drama, Tania’s closest friend is a boy, which is a new thing for our industry to witness a boy and a girl being friends because in our society, we don’t believe in such things.”

    The ‘Betiyaan’ actress also raved about working next to actors like Sajal Aly and Bilal Abbass.

    “My first question had been ‘Who else has signed up for this drama?’ Then I was told that Sajal Aly and Bilal Abbas had, I was so overwhelmed and excited to become a part of this show.”

    On the fan-favorite moments of the drama involving her interaction with Shakeel, played by Samad Khan, Ali revealed that most of their moments weren’t scripted. Instead, they were improvised.

    “Our bond was based on how both of them are confident, despite their flaws. Shakeel fumbles while speaking but he owns it, while she is told she eats a lot but she doesn’t care. Which is why they have such a strong bond with each other.

    Watch the complete interview below:

  • ‘Nawaz was given assurances PTI would be crushed’: Khan lashes out after security chief’s arrest

    The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s security chief, Iftikhar Rasool Ghumman in a case pertaining to charges of money laundering.

    Condemning the arrest, the PTI chief said people close to him were being harassed, abducted and tortured.

    Taking to his official Twitter account, Imran wrote: “When Ali Amin was abducted, the DPO told sessions judge in DIK [Dera Ismail Khan] that he would take a contempt charge but had to take custody of Ali Amin as orders came from above.

    “Today, my security in-charge Iftikhar Ghumman has been abducted. This is all part of the London Plan where Nawaz Sharif was given assurances PTI would be crushed.”

    “So now people close to me, along with my leadership, are being harassed, abducted, tortured and confronted with sham cases across Pakistan in total violation of the Constitution and rule of law.”

  • Govt vs Supreme Court: Ruling alliance rejects ‘controversial’ bench constituted to hear pleas on SC bill

    Govt vs Supreme Court: Ruling alliance rejects ‘controversial’ bench constituted to hear pleas on SC bill

    The ruling alliance on Thursday rejected the eight-member bench constituted earlier in the day to hear petitions challenging the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill 2023.

    In a harshly worded statement, the coalition government vowed to resist attempts to remove parliament’s authority and interfere in its constitutional scope. The ruling parties further said, “such a move was never seen in the history of Pakistan and the Supreme Court”.

    The statement mentioned that top court judges — Justice Faez Isa and Justice Aminuddin Khan  — had in their earlier judgments openly expressed their objection to the “one-man show”, biased and dictatorial behaviour and the formation of special benches, while criticising the unchecked powers the Chief Justice of the apex court holds.

    “The constitution of the controversial bench in haste and fixing the bill for hearing, apart from the will and intent, also clearly expresses the decision to come, which is sad and tantamount to murder of justice,” the ruling alliance maintained.

    “With the formation of the eight-member controversial bench, the facts stated in the judgments of these honourable judges have become clearer,” the statement read.

    “The constitution of the controversial bench in haste and fixing the bill for hearing, apart from the will and intent, also clearly expresses the decision to come which is sad and tantamount to murder of justice,” the ruling alliance maintained.

    The bench set to hear plea against the bill comprises of Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bnadial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Ayesha A. Malik, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Shahid Waheed.

    The Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill 2023, is aimed at depriving the office of the CJP of powers to take suo motu notice in an individual capacity. It was initially passed by both houses of parliament and sent to the president for his assent. However, President Dr Arif Alvi had sent it back, saying that the proposed law travelled “beyond the competence of parliament”.

    The formation of the bench was met with surprise from the legal fraternity as the bill is yet to become law.

  • Saas-bahu tamasha say akhir chuti mili, Hum TV’s ‘Fairy Tale’ is winning hearts

    Pakistani dramas have a quintessential love story format: shy and naive girl meets mysterious and broody boy, a quick marriage, fights, misunderstandings, infidelity, the necessary tarka that is the scheming saas, her weird obsession with her son and then jump to the happily ever after.

    But this Ramzan, ‘Fairy Tale’ has put a twist in the tale and given audiences a wholesome, enemies-to-lovers story that has captivated audiences. That there’s a headstrong female lead, is just icing on the cake.

    The plot has engaged audiences right from the start with a completely different set up: game shows. It revolves around the 20-years-old Umeed, a chai-obsessed vivacious girl who dreams of becoming a millionaire to be able to afford all the things her strict father refuses to purchase for her. When the opportunity to sign up for a game show turns up, Umeed is quick to fly to Islamabad, but her outspoken nature puts her at direct odds with Farjaat, a grumpy CEO who is her complete opposite in every way.

    Audiences have praised the story for its humor and creativity. Twitter users have pointed out how Umeed and the rest of the women in the show depict female friendships in healthy ways.

    Other users have praised the growing chemistry between Umeed and Farjaat, and how despite how the two coming off as complete opposites, they are able to cultivate respect, coming to love the unique perspectives they bring into each other’s lives.

    Although not much is said between the two because of how much Umeed and Farjaad are trying to avoid each other, but Twitter users love how the male lead’s powerful expressions show how much he is falling for Umeed despite his efforts not to.

    And yes we’ll happily take an extra ten episodes only to watch them bicker in an adorable manner.

  • She grabbed, squeezed, and threatened, claims woman from Maryam’s viral video

    Journalist Waqas Ahmed has posted an unedited statement by the woman who allegedly harassed Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senior Vice-President Maryam Nawaz.

    A viral video that surfaced on the internet a few days ago showed the woman asked Maryam Nawaz for a selfie. When the PML-N leader posed with her, she made a video of her ridiculing the politician publicly.

    Maryam Nawaz was taken aback when the woman, after taking a selfie with her, asked her to repeat after her “My family are thieves”.

    In an email sent to the journalist, the woman has written, “I have seen the video of Maryam Nawaz going viral and would like to let you know that I am the girl in the video. First and foremost, I would like to stay anonymous as that video was a private video taken months ago meant only for close family but unfortunately it was leaked by someone, which I never intended.”

    “Secondly, I would never have felt the need to speak out however, have grown annoyed with the so called comments regarding, ‘her grace and patience’. My actions were not respectful and that’s exactly how I intended for them to be, I have no respect for corrupt politicians no matter what party or country they belong to, my heart will always be with people who are suffering, and when I can see that the legal system is not working in their favour, I have no issue with public ridicule. I also have no affiliation with the PTI party or Pakistani politics, so that is a nonsense narrative. I have no care for those individuals who are coming out to ‘condemn’ me for my actions, they mean nothing to me, I didn’t even know they existed.”

    “As I said, my actions were not intended to be respectful and Maryam’s further actions were not either, which is not an unexpected response given the situation, but her blissfully ignorant supporters seem to assume she is the most well composed woman. In the video you can see she grabs my shoulder to which she then squeezes my arm and threateningly tells me to delete the video, what you don’t see in that video are the three bodyguards surrounding me.”

    “To note, I was by myself. All of them, with Maryam grabbing me, refused to let me go until they had seen proof that the video was deleted. The grown men demanded that they go through, not just my camera roll but also my recently deleted photos, to which I stood my ground and refused. It was only until they began to become more aggressive and I eventually became uncomfortable that I had shown them that I had, ‘deleted’ the video, that too, was to Maryam’s daughter because I refused to show the men at Maryam’s request.”

    “There was an attempt of a power play in demanding that I delete the video, when I had the right to do what I did, I did not physically touch her like she did to me nor did I feel the need to. Freedom of speech is a human right here. A politician is a public job and thus public criticism/scrutiny should be expected. In that moment, when Maryam and her guards tried to overpower and intimidate me, I felt for a minute the helplessness thousands of Pakistani’s feel for being unable to freely speak and live how they want.”

    “And to those who have criticised me for being an obnoxious overseas Pakistani, they are right that I am far from Pakistan, yet why do I feel more hurt for the way Pakistanis are being treated than some of those who actually live there? Privilege is a gift, and I intend to use mine to raise the voice of those who are suffering and not to suppress them. Regardless of whether or not it garners attention, which in this case, was not the intention. You are free to share this on social media.”

    Where many criticised the lady for her act, several people praised Maryam Nawaz for her composure.

  • Fact check: Did passengers refuse to travel with Nawaz Sharif in a plane?

    Fact check: Did passengers refuse to travel with Nawaz Sharif in a plane?

    Claim: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif has reached Saudi Arabia from London to perform Umrah.

    A fake screenshot was shared by multiple Twitter accounts that passengers have refused to travel with Nawaz in the same airplane.

    The screenshot was taken from 7News and it has the name of the reporter Rana Waheed.

    Fact: However, the news turned out to be old and the reporter himself clarified that this has nothing to do with Nawaz’s recent visit to the Kingdom.

    In a tweet, he said, “This news and screenshot are old. I left 7news three years ago, and now I am working in PNN as a special correspondent.”

    Political Secretary to Maryam Nawaz, Zeeshan Malik, also retweeted the clarification of the reporter.

    Sharif is expected to spend the last 10 days of Ramzan as well as celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr in Saudi Arabia on the invitation of the royal family.

  • Iran to install cameras in public places to catch, punish women not wearing Hijab

    Iran to install cameras in public places to catch, punish women not wearing Hijab

    The police in Iran have announced a new measure to enforce the country’s mandatory dress code for women. Cameras will be installed in public areas and streets to identify and punish women who do not wear veils. Those who violate the dress code will be sent warning messages about the consequences of their actions. This move is an attempt to control the growing number of women who are choosing to not follow the compulsory dress code.
    The violators will receive “warning text messages as to the consequences”, said the police statement. The move is aimed at “preventing resistance against the hijab law”, it said.

    Iran has seen widespread demonstrations since the September 16, 2022, death of 22-year old Mahsa Amini after she was arrested in Tehran. She was taken into custody for not wearing the hijab, thus, breaching Iran’s strict dress code for women.

    Iran has an official law that requires females, including girls as young as seven years old, to wear a hijab. The law was introduced after the year 1979 and has resulted in approximately 40 million women and girls being under continuous observation.