Tag: trending

  • Justice Isa holds referendum on country’s press freedom situation in court; no hands raised

    Justice Isa holds referendum on country’s press freedom situation in court; no hands raised

    Supreme Court’s (SC) Justice Qazi Faez Isa has expressed serious concerns over the press freedom situation in Pakistan, holding a referendum on freedom of press in his court.

    “Tell me… is media free in Pakistan?” Justice Isa asked the attorney general while hearing the case regarding local government elections with Justice Maqbool Baqir.

    The top court judge asked the reporters present in the courtroom to raise their hands if media was free in the country. Even though a number of media persons were present, nobody raised their hands.

    At this, Justice Isa said, “The people who are behind curbs on media must go to jails.”

    “The country is systematically being damaged. The poor are crying,” he added.

    Justice Baqir, on the other hand, remarked that a judge should avoid discussing such things but for how long could one remain silent on a situation such as the prevailing one. “It is not an ideal situation.”

    Earlier, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) submitted schedule of local bodies elections to the court.

    The election watchdog, in its reply to the apex court, stated that local government polls will be held in Punjab on July 20 while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Cantonment Boards will hold the election on April 8.

    The commission further said that decision regarding date of the elections in Sindh and Balochistan will be taken on February 11.

    Last Thursday, the top court had asked the ECP to furnish a comprehensive reply within a week on holding the polls.

  • Here’s why you were stuck in traffic in Lahore despite South Africa playing Test in Rawalpindi

    Massive jams in major parts of Lahore on Thursday spelt misery for citizens on the second consecutive day with little or no public knowledge regarding the jams except assumptions that the South African cricket team was in town.

    According to the details of the jam, the city’s arteries, including Jail Road, Canal Bank Road and The Mall, remained blocked for traffic as contingents of police and rangers barred motorists from movement on the said roads.

    As a result, all routes leading to the aforementioned major roads also remained choked with traffic jams in Shadman, Shah Jamal, Gulberg, Mozang, Upper & Lower Mall, Lytton Road, Liberty Chowk, Kalma Chowk and Davis Road among other adjoining areas.

    But what could have been the cause, especially when the South African team is currently playing its second Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi?

    Well, a separate Proteas T20 squad arrived in Lahore on Wednesday for three-match series against the Green Shirts.

    Security before the movement of the team was beefed up in the Punjab capital and the guests were shifted to the hotel in the fully escorted motorcade.

    Heinrich Klaasen will lead the South Africa squad in the three fixtures which will be played on February 11, 13, and 14. The first practice session is scheduled for Friday.

    The series will start at the Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on February 11, and so, the current traffic situation is likely to prevail until February 15, after which the Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches could add to motorists’ woes.

    Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and elected to bat in the second and final Test in Rawalpindi against South Africa on Thursday.

    Pakistan retained the playing XI which won the first Test by seven wickets inside four days at Karachi last week.

  • Bilawal shares unseen family photo from Bakhtawar’s wedding

    Bilawal shares unseen family photo from Bakhtawar’s wedding

    Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has shared an unseen family photo from Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari’s wedding celebrations while wishing his sister Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari on her birthday.

    The picture which also features Bakhtawar’s husband Mahmood Choudhry shows Bilawal and Aseefa enjoying a light moment as the bride and groom pose for the photograph.

    Bilawal also shared pictures of himself and his siblings from their childhood and one of him and Aseefa with their late mother Benazir Bhutto in the post.

    Similarly, Bakhtawar also shared an old picture with Aseefa while wishing her on social media.

    Meanwhile, newlyweds Bakhtawar and Mahmood visited Garhi Khuda Baksh in Larkana, days after their wedding. Bakhtawar shared pictures their visit on social media.

    Garhi Khuda Bakhsh is a small village in Ratodero, notable for the Bhutto family mausoleum, where Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Murtaza Bhutto, Nusrat Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto are buried.

    Read more – ‘All in the details’: Bakhtawar shares closeup of mehndi outfit

    Bakhtawar and Mahmood tied the knot on January 29 in an intimate nikkah ceremony at Bilawal House. The nikkah was preceded by a mehndi and followed by a grand reception. While pictures and other details from the wedding festivities were limited considering the ‘no cellphone’ policy at the event, Bakhtawar while thanking everyone for their prayers and wishes, had promised that the couple “will be sharing [their] joy” with their wellwishers through the moments captured.

  • PM Imran gaining record weight because of workload: report

    PM Imran gaining record weight because of workload: report

    The workload that entails one’s election as the chief executive of a country can not even be imagined by someone who hasn’t been there, and requires spending a lot of time sitting in the office.

    There have been no exceptions for Pakistan’s very own cricketer-turned-politician, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, who, according to Geo, now weighs around 15 pounds (6 kgs) more than he has ever weighed as a sportsperson, philanthropist or struggling politician.

    According to the premier, he has never weighed more than 185 pounds (83 kgs) but now weighs 200 pounds (90 kgs), the report said.

    PM Imran, who is well-known for maintaining good health through regular exercise, has lately not been exercising at all, the report quoted his close associates as saying.

    Back in 2018 when he had recently assumed office, PM Imran made it a routine for himself to work out in the morning before starting his official duties.

    At that time, pictures of the premier enthusiastically exercising had gone viral on social media, with people commending his healthy lifestyle.

    No holiday when there is a country to be run, Prime Minister Imran Khan has reached office

    #PMIK

    Posted by Imran Khan on Sunday, August 19, 2018

    What do you think of it? Let The Current know in the comments below…

  • Hafeez ka kya scene hai?

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday announced Pakistan’s squad against South Africa for the upcoming three-match T20I series. While many domestic performers were happy to see their names on the list, everyone was wondering why all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez was not on it.

    While the new chief selector Muhammad Wasim refrained from using typical excuses like age, bad form or that there is someone better than Hafeez in the squad, he did present an interesting reason behind Hafeez’s exclusion from the squad.

    In a press conference, Wasim said that Hafeez is playing the T10 league happening in Dubai and will not be able to return to Pakistan to join the bio-secure bubble on time.

    “Unfortunately, the scenario is such that every player has to join the bio-bubble on February 3, and if a player can’t do so, it means he is unavailable,” said Wasim during the conference.

    Talking about Hafeez, he added: “Same was the case with Mohammad Hafeez. He was not available for the bio-secure bubble, that’s why he was excluded. There’s no question on his performance.” 

    Furthermore, according to a report in The News, a PCB official had revealed that just before the first T20 against New Zealand on December 18, Hafeez through an email had communicated to the board that he would not be in a position to participate in the three-match home series against South Africa due to his prior commitment with the T10 league in the UAE.

    “We have our limitations. Though we wanted to include Hafeez for the series he was adamant to join only on February 5 after playing his last T10 League match on February 4. Since he would be travelling back to Pakistan and in between, he would be out of the bubble for almost a day and rejoining others could be a risky affair. The PCB on the other hand cannot go against the MoU so we have to stick to the agreement,” the official had said.

    As per details, the PCB and Cricket South Africa have signed an MoU through which all the selected players for the T20 series will have to join the bubble on or before February 3.

    The official added that Wasim talked to Hafeez on Saturday in an effort to convince him to join the bubble in time.

    “He was not ready for that as he said he could only join the bubble on February 5. That is the reason Hafeez has been left out of the T20 series,” stated the official further.

    The official also added that the PCB comprehended the situation well in time and that was why it had approached Hafeez in December.

    “Hafeez’s email came after PCB’s cricket operation department approached him to clarify his position. Hafeez clearly mentioned his inability to make himself available for the series,” said the official.

    Meanwhile, on January 20, Hafeez in a statement had said: “I’m fully available for the T20I series [against South Africa] as my priority is always playing for Pakistan. I was also given NOC for T10 League because it would not clash with Pakistan’s international commitments. I will also comply with all the bio-secure bubble requirements.”

    Soon after the squad was announced, Hafeez took to Twitter to express his disappointment over not being selected for the team.

    Later, in a virtual presser, head coach Misbah-ul-Haq has said that Hafeez is an important player for the team, but in certain situations, you are unable to do anything, adding that bubble date and protocols were decided by the medical panel.

    “As a coach, we will miss him but this is the opportunity for someone else to step up,” added Misbah.

    Taking a look at Hafeez’ performance in T20Is, he has four fifties to his name in the past year. The first he scored against Bangladesh in Lahore (67 not out), the second he scored against England in England (69 not out), the third came against England again in the very next T20 (an unbeaten 89), and the last one was a score of 99 not out against New Zealand recently.

    Apart from the fifties, he has been scoring with the average of at least 35 plus in T20Is in the past couple of years and there are no prizes for guessing that he has been the best with the willow for Pakistan.

    Hafeez’s inclusion in the team was the need of the hour and even senior cricket journalist, Aalia Rasheed is unable to understand the decision. In a tweet, Rasheed wrote: “Hafeez is the requirement for Pakistan.”

    “Why did you grant him NOC when you knew the final is on February 6,” she asked the board. “If a pillar player joins [the squad] after one day then what’s the issue in it? MOU is already in your hand.”

    If Hafeez has sent an email to board with his demand, the PCB should share it with media and if there isn’t any email, then this puts a big question mark on the credibility of management. Nonetheless, the truth is bound to come out sooner or later.

    Former cricketer and commentator, Ramiz Raja has slammed Hafeez, calling him ‘selfish’, he said, “International teams are now coming to Pakistan so it is imperative that everyone religiously follows Covid-19 protocols. Among those playing in T10 League, Asif Ali is coming but not Mohammad Hafeez because he doesn’t want to end his contract. This shows the level of thinking because, considering the situation, we should be prepared to follow the necessary protocols even if there are last-minute changes.”

    He further opined, “If you look at Haris Rauf, he left Big Bash League to join Pakistan’s Test squad which shows what his priority is. If Pakistan is your priority then you are headed in the right direction. If you want to serve the leagues at the cost of selection for the Pakistan team, then you are certainly not on the right path. One should think about Pakistan instead of being selfish because nobody will back you.”

    Meanwhile, the current T20 squad includes – Babar Azam (c), Aamer Yamin, Amad Butt, Asif Ali, Danish Aziz, Faheem Ashraf, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hussain Talat, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, M Hasnain, M Nawaz, M Rizwan, Sarfaraz, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Qadir, Zafar Gohar and Zahid Mehmood.

    The squad along with the officials will enter the bio-secure bubble from February 3 while the players, taking part in the Test series, will join the bubble at the end of the second Test, which starts in Rawalpindi from February 4.

    The three-match T20I series will commence from February 11 at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore.

  • ‘All in the details’: Bakhtawar shares closeup of mehndi outfit

    ‘All in the details’: Bakhtawar shares closeup of mehndi outfit

    Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari and Mahmood Choudhry’s wedding extravaganza over the weekend is all anyone can talk about. The two tied the knot in an intimate nikkah ceremony on January 29 with a wedding reception the next day. Pictures and details from the wedding festivities are limited considering there was a no cellphone policy at the event and guests were also limited because of COVID-19 SOPs.

    However, while thanking everyone for their prayers and wishes, the bride promised that the couple “will be sharing [their] joy” with their wellwishers through the moments captured.

    Staying true to their word, Bakhtawar and Mahmood shared pictures of themselves from their mehndi night on social media. While the groom donned a cream shalwar kameez with a shawl for the occasion, the bride glowed in a red and green outfit by Zara Shahjahan. Bakhtawar also shared a closeup of her outfit to show the details which included a tribute to her late mother Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.

    The dupatta was embroidered with the poem, ‘Woh ladki laal qalandar’ and Bakhtawar also held a pouch an embroidered portrait of Benazir on it.

    Speaking to a local media outlet, the designer shared that the “lehnga had patchworks of Sindhi embroidery and mirrors” on it. She further revealed that the embellishments on the shirt “were worked with flowers and at the centre of every flower, we embroidered Bakhtawar and Mahmood’s names.”

    “It was all done very minutely which is why it isn’t easily visible in the photographs,” she added.

    The couple had earlier also shared glimpses of their nikkah ceremony.

    Mahmood also shared a picture of himself tying his own turban saying: “Gentlemen always tie your own pugree.”

    Meanwhile, check out pictures from the reception below:

    UAE Minister for Culture Sheikh Nahayan bin Mubarak Al Nahayan also flew to Pakistan to attend the reception.

    Bakhtawar and Mahmood got engaged in an intimate ceremony in November 2020 at Bilawal House. Bilawal was unable to attend the event since he had tested positive for coronavirus at that time and was in quarantine.

  • Senior journalist accuses close aide of PM of disrupting Pak-Qatar ties; Twitter is guessing who…

    Senior journalist accuses close aide of PM of disrupting Pak-Qatar ties; Twitter is guessing who…

    Senior journalist Arif Hameed Bhatti has accused a close aide of Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan of disrupting Pakistan-Qatar business ties.

    Speaking during a talk show on Saturday, Bhatti claimed that a cabinet member, who is also an advisor of the premier, visited Qatar and snubbed the government by asking to start personal business ties.

    He went on to claim that the issue was also discussed in the recently-held cabinet meeting.

    When the host of the current affairs programme, Paras Jahanzaib, asked Bhatti to name the advisor who visited Qatar and told the authorities to end business ties with the Pakistan government, Hameed seemed reluctant to answer, but Twitterati have not been holding back their guesses.

    What do they owe their guesses to? Well, this clip from the show…

    WATCH VIDEO:

    What do you think of the claims? Let The Current know in the comments below…

  • Faisalabad man refuses to marry daughter into family that praised PM Imran

    Faisalabad man refuses to marry daughter into family that praised PM Imran

    A man in Faisalabad rejected a marriage proposal for his daughter after the other side praised Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, an undated Urdu newspaper clipping claimed.

    According to the report, the man, namely Hameed of Mamu Kanjan town in Tandlianwala, lost his temper when his potential son-in-law’s family praised the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and PM Imran.

    Done of inflation, Hameed lost his cool when Kamalia’s Ramzan and his wife praised the Imran-led PTI as the two families met to discuss the kids’ engagement, the report said.

    “He [Hameed] kicked the guests out of his house and refused to forge relations with them,” read the clipping.

    A massive loyalty shift has been reported among the supporters of the now ruling PTI as the opposition continues to support people against the government’s economic policies.

    Pakistan’s inflation rate, which was until recently at a record high, was 10.58% for 2019, a 5.5% increase from 2018.

    The premier claimed on Sunday that inflation had currently declined from the level of 2018 when the PTI came to power.

    “The government’s efforts are coming to fruition as both the consumer price index and core inflation had touched lower than the time of government’s formation,” he tweeted.

    “More good news on the economic front. Consumer price index and core inflation are both now lower than when our government was formed,” he said.

    Planning Minister Asad Umar also said on Twitter that inflation during January was down to 5.7% while core inflation was at 5.4%.

    “In July 2018, prior to the PTI government’s formation, CPI [consumer price index] was 5.8% and core inflation was 7.6%,” the minister said in his tweet.

    However, the Economic Survey 2019-20 released by the government as part of the current fiscal year’s budget documents and the current official data of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) depict a contrary picture about food inflation as the prices of essential items have gone up to between 50% and over 80% in the retail market as compared to prices in 2017-18.

  • UAE decides to grant citizenship to ‘talented and innovative’ people

    The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has adopted amendments that would allow Gulf state to grant citizenship to investors and other professionals, including scientists, doctors, engineers, artists, authors and their families, the government said on Saturday.

    “The UAE cabinet, local Emiri courts and executive councils will nominate those eligible for the citizenship under clear criteria set for each category,” Dubai’s ruler and UAE Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum tweeted.

    “The law allows receivers of the UAE passport to keep their existing citizenship,” Sheikh Mohammed added.

    It was unclear if new passport holders would benefit from the public welfare system. The UAE spends billions of dollars each year on free education, healthcare, housing loans and grants for its estimated 1.4 million citizens.

    Foreigners in the UAE usually have renewable visas valid for only a few years tied to employment. The government in recent has made its visa policy more flexible, offering longer residencies for certain types of investors, students and professionals.

    Last year, the government extended its “golden” visa system — that grants 10-year residency in the Gulf state — to certain professionals, specialised degree-holders and others.

  • ‘Don’t teach your daughters to go to Aurat March, educate your sons,’ says Sarah Khan

    ‘Don’t teach your daughters to go to Aurat March, educate your sons,’ says Sarah Khan

    Sarah Khan has said that Allah has made men and women as equals and that people shouldn’t try to distinguish them as superior or inferior.

    In an exclusive interview with The Current, Sarah said: “I believe in gender equality. I do not say that women should be superior, they should be treated as equals. The status Allah has given to them, we should follow that. Do not try to make it a competition.”

    “Women are already strong, then why do we have to say that the women are strong as well or they should be given equal salaries as men,” remarked the actor further.

    “I think, instead of fight for the rights, we should educate our sons. Don’t teach your daughters to go to ‘Aurat March’, educate your sons and teach them that their mother is also a woman,” she continued. “[A] woman is the one who runs the house, does the house chores and supports the man. If your wife is not helpful, then how will you be happy? Allah has already granted status to the woman, but I think men should be given the same rights. They deserve the same, not only women.”

    Sarah, who is married to renowned singer Falak Shabir, also opened up about her marriage saying that it gave it more freedom. Sarah and Falak tied the knot in July 2020.

    “To be honest, I am now [after marriage] doing my work much more freely and with a lot more passion. It wasn’t like this before. One of the reasons was that I used to be at home occupied with so many things, with my siblings etc,” said the actor.

    “Now after marriage, it’s just me and my husband. He gives me so much freedom and encourages me to pursue my passion and wants me to succeed in my work. I enjoy working even more now and I want Allah to give every girl a husband like him,” added Sarah.

    Read more – Imran Ashraf, Sarah Khan shine in ‘Raqs-e-Bismil’

    Besides her marriage and thoughts on gender equality, Sarah also discussed her sister’s Noor Zafar Khan’s career, her ongoing drama Raqs e Bismil and what she would have been if she wasn’t an actor in the interview. Check it out below: