Tag: trending

  • NO, the Transgender Rights Act does not promote homosexuality

    NO, the Transgender Rights Act does not promote homosexuality

    The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act of2018 has come under intense criticism from some sections of society during the past few weeks with two petitions also having been filed in the Federal Shariah Court against the Act.

    The act was enacted in the year 2018 to guarantee transgenders equal rights to Education, basic health facilities , issuance of CNICs and passport and giving them a right to vote and contest elections.

    The Supreme Court’s decision on September 25, 2012, that said that eunuchs were entitled to all of the rights protected by the Constitution and enjoyed by other members of society led to passing of the 2018 Act.

    However, now a few religious parties are seeking amendments in the act. The major amendment that is being considered is that a trans person should be allowed to change their gender identity after evaluation from the medical board instead of their self-perceived identity.

    Criticism:

    A lot of misinformation is being propagated about the Act, including accusations that “The bill is merely a disguise for the LGBT community”, while others are saying that it is creating a pathway for same sex marriages.

    https://twitter.com/_anees001/status/1572137136056602625?s=20&t=Ofi5G9VBUUJUi4Xsgi90MQ

    Former Additional Advocate General Punjab/Advocate Supreme Court Chaudhry Faisal Husain while talking to The Current said that transgenders have been given protection in this act. Calling the debate ‘needless’ Hussain added that every law has minor issues.

    He further said that if people are trying to identify themselves as something in particular then NADRA should take precautionary measures.

    Does the act allow same sex marriage?

    There is a common misconception going on that as per the act, any person can change their ID card from M to F and F to M based on their own perception. However, that is simply not the case, The rules that were notified under this act clearly say that if you are a transgender man or a woman you can change your identification card on the basis of your self-perception but only to X, not to Male or Female.

    A person having an X card can not marry a person with an ID card with a male or female gender mentioned on it.

    This provision rules out the possibility of same-sex marriage under the transgender act 2018

    Lawyer Reema Omar has also shared some ‘”facts and context”, regarding the social media campaign against the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018.

    Barrister Muhammad Ahmad Pansota, Supreme Court while talking to The Current said, “The bill is criticized by certain religious parties based on some misconceptions that this law would open doors for homosexuality, which is against Islamic injunctions. Complaints of these religious groups are from a perspective that there is possibility of it being misused in terms of same sex marriages. However, nothing in the bill allows room for same sex marriage. It is only strengthening the rights of the transgenders by providing them protection, relief and rehabilitation of the rights of transgenders persons.”

    “It is not true as the bill is only for transgenders and doesn’t provide/mention that any person can come up and say that he/she wants to change his/her gender/sexual orientation, only a transgender can do it,” he added.

    Even otherwise, same sex marriages are against Islamic principles and cannot be allowed in Pakistan as the same is unconstitutional and un- Islamic, thus will not be allowed in any manner whatsoever.

    “No where in the bill has it been stated that same sex marriages are permitted.”

    This bill only promotes what has only been guaranteed to the citizens of Pakistan in the Islamic Constitution of Pakistan. There shall be no discrimination against the transgenders. They will be given right to inheritance, the right to education, the right to health, and the right to employment for transgender persons, hence, guaranteeing all constitutional rights. This law only upholds basic human rights.

    Talking about the formation of medical boards, Pansota said, “Opinion of medical board can be taken into account. Sensitive history of transgenders may be required to understand the individualized changes and characteristics in the context of hormone administration and surgical intervention. It is important to discuss procedures with the patient beforehand, including the order in which steps will occur and to provide/allow time for the patient to express any concerns prior to beginning the exam.”

    Talking exclusively to The Current, Dr Mehrub Moiz Awan called the criticism “unjustified”, adding that it is a part of global far right conspiracy

  • Is Bilawal Bhutto getting married?

    Is Bilawal Bhutto getting married?

    Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the Foreign (FM) Minister of the country, is one of the most eligible bachelors in Pakistan, whose wedding is being highly anticipated by all.

    At the age of 33, this young politician’s marital status evokes curiosity in a lot of Pakistanis about his plans to tie the nuptial knot.

    In a video shared by Arab News on Twitter, a journalist was heard asking the FM, “There are my Pakistani friends asking if you have any plans to marry.”

    Bilawal replied smilingly, “Of course, I have plans to marry.” However, he stopped short of disclosing any other details.

    The journalist again questioned, “When?” But Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had no time to answer as he moved away along with the Pakistani delegation.

    Talking about his marriage to The Current in 2019, Bilawal had said, “The right candidate will first have to win over the hearts of my sisters. I have to take them into confidence. And winning over the hearts of my sisters is a very difficult task for any girl.”

    The son of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and former President Asif Ali Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is also brother to younger sisters Bakhtawar and Aseefa.

  • PM Shehbaz speaks about Islamophobia, climate injustice, and India at UNGA

    PM Shehbaz speaks about Islamophobia, climate injustice, and India at UNGA

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan strongly condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, emphasizing that terrorism does not have a religion. “It is based on dogma, fueled by poverty, deprivation, injustice, and ignorance, and fanned by vested interests,” the Premier stated.

    During his debut speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Prime Minister said, “Pakistan is the principal victim of terrorism. Over the last two decades, we have suffered more than 80,000 casualties and over $150 billion in economic losses due to terrorist attacks. Our armed forces, with the support of our people, have broken the back of terrorism within Pakistan. Yet, we continue to suffer terrorist attacks from across our borders, sponsored and financed by our regional adversary. We are determined to defeat such cross-border terrorism.”

    Talking about Islamophobia, Shehbaz Sharif said that it is a global phenomenon. “Since 9/11, suspicion and fear of Muslims and discrimination against them have escalated to epidemic proportions. The officially sponsored campaign of oppression against India’s over 200 million Muslims is the worst manifestation of Islamophobia,” said the Premier.

    Continuing in the same vein, Sharif said that Muslims in India are subjected to discriminatory laws and policies, Hijab bans, attacks on mosques, and lynchings by Hindu mobs. “I am particularly concerned by the calls for ‘genocide’ against India’s Muslims by some extremist groups,” he told the General Assembly.

    “Pakistan needs a stable external environment. We look for peace with all our neighbours, including India,” the Prime Minister said, offering an olive branch to its regional arch rival. “Sustainable peace and stability in South Asia, however, remain contingent upon a just and lasting solution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. At the heart of this longstanding dispute lies the denial of the inalienable right of the Kashmiri people to self-determination,” he said.

    Talking about India, PM said, “India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5th August 2019, to change the internationally recognised disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir and to alter the demographic structure of the occupied territory further undermined the prospects of peace and inflamed regional tensions. India’s relentless campaign of repression against Kashmiris has continued to grow in scale and intensity.”

    “In pursuit of this heinous goal. New Delhi has ramped up its military deployments in occupied Jammu and Kashmir to 900,000 troops, thus making it the most militarized zone in the world. The serial brutalization of Kashmiris takes many forms: extrajudicial killings, incarceration, custodial torture and death, indiscriminate use of force, deliberate targeting of Kashmiri youth with pellet guns, and ‘collective punishments’ imposed on entire communities.”

    “India is seeking to turn the Muslim-majority Jammu and Kashmir into a Hindu-majority territory, through illegal demographic changes. Millions of fake domicile certificates have been issued to non-Kashmiris; Kashmiri land and properties are being seized; electoral districts have been Jerry Mandered, and over 2.5 million non-Kashmiri illegal voters fraudulently registered. All this is in blatant violation of Security Council resolutions and international law, particularly the 4th Geneva Convention,” said Shehbaz.

    The PM made a passionate appeal to the world on Friday to undo the ‘climate injustice’ done to countries like Pakistan that make little contribution to global warming and yet face its worst consequences.

    “Why are my people paying the price of such high global warming through no fault of their own?” the premier asked.

    “Nature has unleashed her fury on Pakistan without looking at our carbon footprint, which is next to nothing. Our actions did not contribute to this,” he stressed, adding that he came to the UN to “explain first hand” the scale and magnitude of the climate catastrophe that has pushed one-third of the country under water in a super storm that no one has seen in living memory.

    “For 40 days and 40 nights a flood of biblical proportions poured down on us, smashing centuries of weather records, challenging everything we knew about the disaster, and how to manage it,” the prime minister said.

    “Even today, huge swathes of the country are still underwater, submerged in an ocean of human suffering. In this ground zero of climate change, 33 million people, including women and children, are now at high risk from health hazards, with 650,000 women giving birth in makeshift tarpaulins,” he told the world.

    The Prime Minister said Pakistan had never seen a more stark and devastating example of the impact of Global Warming. “Life in Pakistan has changed forever. People in Pakistan ask why, why has this happened to them? When global warming rips apart whole families and an entire country at this ferocious speed, it is time to ask why, and time to ask not what can be done but what MUST be done,” said the PM while explaining how this calamity had affected hearts and minds in Pakistan.

  • Is scrutiny of Hum awards amidst flood crises justified? channel releases statement

    Is scrutiny of Hum awards amidst flood crises justified? channel releases statement

    A-listers of Pakistani entertainment industry are currently in Toronto, Canada for the ceremony of 8th HUM Awards under fire, being held in Toronto on 24th September 2022.

    Senior politician Sharmila Faruqi recently schooled local celebrities (with the noted exception of Hadiqa Kiani) for not doing enough for flood relief.

    In an Instagram post, she shared pictures of several celebrities in Canada for the Hum TV Awards, along with an image of Hollywood actor Angelina Jolie in Pakistan.

    The backlash by prominent personalities started a scrutiny fest for the channel on social media. While sentiments of the local netizens have been hurt, the reaction on social media seems to be strikingly overwhelming.

    For the unversed, the event was planned months in advance, from the venue to the performances and guests, everything was keyfully planned weeks before the event itself.

    Earlier when HUM TV held its award show in 2018, it garnered a similar backlash due to the snubbing of the General elections.

    To be factual, bookings of venues of that scale for events that are high profile cannot simply be postponed or cancelled in a matter of days. Celebrities that are set to perform have contracts in place for set performances which cannot be revoked.

    The show from the get-go was advertised with a disclaimer that HUM will donate a portion of the earnings through ticket sales to the flood victims. HUM has done its part in helping those in need, also hosting a live fundraiser telethon via their foundation ‘HUMdard’ that was held in Karachi in early September. Another such fundraiser event was also held in Canada prior to the Awards which was attended by numerous celebrities. 

    Hum TV even officially addressed the controversy on social media.

    All this backlash led to several celebrities coming to their own and HUM’s defence. We saw the likes of Ahmed Ali Butt who took to Instagram stories, sarcastically mocking those praising Angelina Jolie and calling out our people’s double standards or lack of fact-checking skills by pointing out how a portion of ticket sales will go to relief funds and that the event is not just some lavish party.

    Mahira Khan, Ushna Shah and Haroon Shahid also joined in on this with Haroon taking to Twitter to let people know that they already are and will continue to do their part in raising awareness and doing everything they can to help those in need. 

    We also however saw Azfar Rehman announce via Instagram post that he has chosen to not attend the event, having withdrawn by choice.

    Ushna Shah, who is also in attendance at the fundraiser event in Canada, was seen posting from the event showing millions being raised for the relief funds.

    Despite all of HUM’s efforts, the backlash is still nowhere close to dying down. It’s rather unfortunate that in most such cases of online backlash, audiences are proven to assume the worst without any fact-checking done from their end.

    That’s exactly what we are seeing here, with #BoycottHumTV still being blasted at them under every post and #BoycottHumAwards trending on Twitter. The internet is a cesspool of misinformation and vicious hate cycles and unfortunately, this is just the next one.

    The ceremony will be screened on Hum TV later this year.

  • ‘Woman killed, justice delayed is justice denied’: Mahira Khan highlights Sara Shahnawaz’s murder

    ‘Woman killed, justice delayed is justice denied’: Mahira Khan highlights Sara Shahnawaz’s murder

    Actor Mahira Khan has taken to her twitter handle to condemn the murder of Sara Shahnnawaz by her husband Shahnawaz Amir in Islamabad.

    The Raees star asked, “How long before we get any sort of justice for any woman who has been killed at the hands of rage and privilege?”

    she added, “Another long wait for justice. Justice delayed is justice denied. #JusticeForSarah”

    A harrowing murder took place in Islamabad on Friday morning. Daughter-in-law of senior journalist Ayaz Amir has been murdered in Islamabad. 37-year-old Sara was found murdered at a farm house in Chak Shahzad.

    According to details, journalist Ayaz Amir’s son Shah Nawaz killed his wife at their home with a gym dumbbell.

    After murdering her, the accused dumped her body in a bathtub.

    The police have arrested Shah Nawaz and the wife’s body has been sent to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for postmortem.

    As per media reports, Shah Nawaz and Sara got married only three months ago. According to the details, they met on social media. Sara came back from Dubai last night where she worked and resided.

    According to details, Shah Nawaz and Sara got into a fight on Thursday night after which he reportedly murdered her in the morning around 9AM.

    Sara was born in Canada. She was Shah Nawaz’s third wife, the police said, reports ARY.

    Islamabad Police confirmed that Ayaz Amir’s son has murdered his wife. Senior police officials and forensics teams are investigating the incident.

  • Iran President declines interview by CNN anchor who refuses to wear hijab

    Iran President declines interview by CNN anchor who refuses to wear hijab

    Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi didn’t turn up for a CNN interview when the interviewer, Christiane Amanpour, refused to wear a hijab during the taping.

    Amanpour took to Twitter to explain the incident, stating that the interview was long planned and this would have been President Raisi’s first-ever interview on US soil. However, things didn’t go as planned.

    “An aide came over and said that the President is suggesting that I wear a headscarf because it’s the holy months of Muharram and Safar”, she said while adding that the aide made it clear that the “Interview would not happen if Amanpour did not wear a headscarf”.

    She said that she “politely declined”, stressing that she was in New York, where there is no law or tradition regarding headscarves. “I pointed out that no previous Iranian president has required this when I interviewed them outside Iran,” she pointed out.

    The journalist concluded by saying that because of the situation going on in Iran, it would have been an “important moment” to speak with President Raisi

    “And so we walked away. The interview didn’t happen. As protests continue in Iran and people are being killed, it would have been an important moment to speak with President Raisi.”

    Anti-government protests erupted across Iran last week over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in custody, after having been arrested by Iran’s morality police on an accusation of violating the law on head scarves.

    However, Iranian officials have claimed that Amini died after suffering a “heart attack” and falling into a coma, but her family has said she had no pre-existing heart condition.

    Following the incident, thousands of people have taken to the streets. In the videos which are circulating on social media, women can be seen cutting their hair and burning their hijabs as a protest. According to media outlets, at least eight people have been killed in the demonstrations.

    It is pertinent to mention that since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, it has been compulsory for women to wear the hijab in Iran.

  • ‘Unless we get substantial relief how can the world expect from us to stand on our own feet? It is simply impossible’: PM Shehbaz

    ‘Unless we get substantial relief how can the world expect from us to stand on our own feet? It is simply impossible’: PM Shehbaz

    In an interview with Bloomberg TV, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the damage caused by floods and urged that the world to pay more attention to the crisis.

    The premier said, “What the world has done is commendable but it is far from meeting our needs. We can’t do it alone”. He stressed that flood losses are estimated to be at $30 billion.

    “Unless the world comes up with billions of dollars for relief, rehabilitation, for building resilient infrastructure, things will not come back to normal. And I need to put the economy back on track and put millions of people back in their homes,” he told Bloomberg.

    “Unless we get substantial relief, how can the world expect us to stand on our own feet”, he asked. “It is simply impossible. The world has to stand by us”.

    He reiterated that although Pakistan contributes very little to carbon emission, the country is among the top ten most vulnerable countries to climate change, adding that around 1,500 people had died in the situation.

    Talking about the economic situation of the country, he said that Pakistan recently signed a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under “very tough” conditions, including taxes on petroleum and electricity.

    He went on to say that several world leaders had talked about the devastation in Pakistan.

    Recalling his meetings with the world leaders, he said that he is “very grateful” to United States (US) President Joe Biden for speaking about Pakistan’s plight. He added that Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and France’s Emmanuel Macron had also done the same.

    The premier was of the view that such action from the world shows the intentions and sincerity of global leaders. While saying that, he added that “But I think it should come very fast because time is running out and we are racing against time”.

  • Emraan Hashmi praises Humaima Malick’s stellar look from Maula Jatt

    Emraan Hashmi praises Humaima Malick’s stellar look from Maula Jatt

    Actor Humaima Malick recently shared her fiery look from the Fawad Khan starrer magnum-opus The Legend of Maula Jatt, which is slated for a release on October 13.

    The Bol star garnered praise for her unique look in the film. Even Bollywood star Emraan Hashmi, who has previously worked with Humaima in Raja Natwarlal, praised her look with a comment on Instagram.

    Earlier this year, Malick opened up about the criticism she received by the public after she did a bold role in her Bollywood debut opposite Emraan Hashmi. The actress appeared on Nauman Ijaaz’s talk show, G Sarkar.

    Emraan Hashmi is good at romance: Humaima Malick | Entertainment News,The Indian Express

    The Bol star stated that although on a personal level she had a good experience working on the film and the Murder 2 actor is her friend however people bashed her by saying that she has gone from ‘Bol to Bold’.

    “There was a lot of hatred for me as I performed the role of a bar dancer.”

    “I have always been a bold girl who has paid my own bills, I started working from the age of fourteen.” She elaborated further that she was busy earning for the family and hence stayed focused on work only and didn’t thought much before doing intimate scenes.

    Ishqe Di Lat Tadpave (Ankit Tiwari) Feat. Emraan Hashmi & Humaima Malik - Special Editing - YouTube

    Although the backlash has made her realised that she needs to consider the sentiments of her fans before doing any project.

    Read More: ‘Love’: Hrithik Roshan smitten by Mahira Khan’s latest shoot

  • Exclusive: Sharmila Faruqi schools local celebrities for attending award ceremony in Toronto amidst devastating flood crises

    Exclusive: Sharmila Faruqi schools local celebrities for attending award ceremony in Toronto amidst devastating flood crises

    Senior politician Sharmila Faruqi recently schooled local celebrities (with the noted exception of Hadiqa Kiani) for not doing enough for flood relief.

    <p>Photo: Sharmila Faruqi/Instagram</p> <p>” width=”626″ height=”352″/></figure> <p>In an Instagram post, she shared pictures of several celebrities in Canada for the Hum TV Awards juxtaposed with photos of Hollywood actor Angelina Jolie in Pakistan.</p> <blockquote class=

    “Here is Angelina Jolie visiting our worst flood affected district Dadu, spreading love and hope, appealing to the international community to come for our help,” she wrote, sharing pictures of Jolie’s trip to Pakistan during which she has met several people affected by the floods. Jolie is the special envoy for the UN refugee committee, the UNHCR, and served for 11 years as a goodwill ambassador for the committee.

    Angelina Jolie makes surprise visit to flood-hit Pakistan - ABC News

    The PPP leader exclusively discussed the matter with The Current. She stated, “I am not calling out a particular celebrity, I have called out everyone involved in the event, including the organisers, sponsors, channels and defiantly the personalities attending it.”

    PAKISTAN'S BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS SHOW, HUM AWARDS 2022, RETURNS TO CANADA

    She continued, “In times of crises, celebrities around the globe come forward to help the people affected by natural disasters, however not even one celebrity came forward in Pakistan.”

    Although she acknowledged the initiatives and contributions of actress Resham and singer Hadiqa Kiani. Faruqi also cited that global personalities like Angelina Jolie have shown such concern for the Pakistani flood victims, but local celebrities are aloof.

    “Celebrities have a huge following, when they come out for special causes, it helps the cause, the issue, it inspires other people as the masses follow them.”

    “If there’s a dead body in the house (nation), one expresses grief but these celebrities are enjoying in Toronto instead.”

    “For the sake of publicity some celebrities post statements on social media but that doesn’t articulate into practical help.

    She added, “I am not saying to donate everything that you have but at least show concern and help in being the victims’ voice.”

    Apart from Sharmila, former actor Noor Bhukari also expressed her disappointment with local celebrities for snubbing the flood crises in the country.

  • Ayaz Amir’s son murders wife with gym dumbbell, dumps body in bath tub

    Ayaz Amir’s son murders wife with gym dumbbell, dumps body in bath tub

    A harrowing murder took place in Islamabad on Friday morning. Daughter-in-law of senior journalist Ayaz Amir has been murdered in Islamabad. 37-year-old Sara was found murdered at a farm house in Chak Shahzad.

    According to details, journalist Ayaz Amir’s son Shah Nawaz killed his wife at their home with a gym dumbbell.

    After murdering her, the accused dumped her body in a bathtub.

    The police have arrested Shah Nawaz and the wife’s body has been sent to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for postmortem.

    As per media reports, Shah Nawaz and Sara got married only three months ago. According to the details, they met on social media. Sara came back from Dubai last night where she worked and resided.

    According to details, Shah Nawaz and Sara got into a fight on Thursday night after which he reportedly murdered her in the morning around 9AM.

    Sara was born in Canada. She was Shah Nawaz’s third wife, the police said, reports ARY.

    As per journalist Nausheen Yusuf, Ayaz Amir’s son allegedly murdered his wife.

    Islamabad Police confirmed that Ayaz Amir’s son has murdered his wife. Senior police officials and forensics teams are investigating the incident.

    Senior Journalist Ayaz Amir has expressed his grief and shock over the murder of his daughter-in-law by his son.

    He said he is speechless about the incident, adding that the murder is really heart-wrenching.

    While answering a question about his son being drunk at the time of the murder, Amir said that he could not answer legal questions.

    The journalist stated that he doesn’t want anyone to experience something like this.

    This is a developing story.