Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • ‘Soul of my soul’; Bereaved grandfather comforts injured children in Gaza hospitals

    ‘Soul of my soul’; Bereaved grandfather comforts injured children in Gaza hospitals

    A few days back, a video of a Gazan grandfather bidding goodbye to his dead granddaughter went viral. In the video, the man, who’s two grandchildren were killed by Israeli airstrikes, kisses the little girl and hugs her as he calls her the “soul of my soul”.
    What touched hearts across the world was Khaled’s relationship with his granddaughter Reem.

    The grandfather, Khaled, is now volunteering in hospitals in Gaza. He can be found comforting other children who have been injured from Israeli air strikes. Many of the patients are severely wounded, having no access to adequate medical facilities because Israel has blocked aid into Gaza.

  • Governor House wedding shoot triggers furious debate on social media

    Governor House wedding shoot triggers furious debate on social media

    Renowned journalist Saleem Safi shared a TikTok video on Tuesday on X (formerly Twitter) of a newlywed couple in wedding attire running around the Governor House for their wedding photoshoot. He criticised the KP governor for allowing such practices.

    Safi later shared the response of Governor Haji Ghulam Ali where he was defending the practice as something that has been happening for a long time. The media in-charge to KP Governor Maaz Fida issued a clarification, explaining that governor house has always been open to the public for wedding photo shoots, with the condition that they obtained prior permission. In a post shared by Saleem Safi, the screenshot of the clarification, Fida dismissed the news of any film shooting taking place in the governor house.

    He said, “Public’s governor’s public governor house is just as accessible to newly married couples as it is for anyone else”. He said that the video doing rounds on social media is of such a couple that had formally obtained permission for the photoshoot.


    Fida added that there used to be a fee for such photo shoots, which was abolished by Ghulam Ali when he became the governor. He said that a specific portion of the governor house is open for such photo shoots and anyone can obtain the facility.


    Safi counter-criticized the Governor’s statement by saying that if this is the case then would couples from lower strata of society be allowed to have their photoshoots in there.

    The interaction has divided social media where some are defending the practice while others are criticising the fact that romantic photoshoots mar the sanctity of the place.

    Some X users found this funny enough to make memes on it.

    It is important to note that renting out public properties for a nominal fee for photo shoots or events is a common practice, all across the world and in Pakistan as well. In March 2020, the then-Governor Punjab, Chaudhry Sarwar, had also approved renting out the Lahore Governor House estate for commercial activities to generate operational expenditures.

  • Minor child worker Rizwana discharged from hospital, handed over to Child Protection Bureau

    Minor child worker Rizwana discharged from hospital, handed over to Child Protection Bureau

    Rizwana, the 13-year-old minor house help assaulted by her employers, has been discharged from hospital and handed over to the Child Protection Bureau.

    Talking to the media after recovery, Rizwana claimed to be very happy, stating that everyone took good care of her; “I was not well at first, but the doctors and nurses took good care of me”, she said.

    According to the hospital administration, Rizwana has been discharged from the General Hospital and handed over to Child Protection Bureau Chairperson Sarah Ahmed.

    Rizwana, a young domestic worker beaten up by the wife of a civil judge in Islamabad, was under treatment in Lahore General Hospital since five months. Rizwana was brought to Lahore General Hospital from Sargodha with injuries on her head, face and back.

    According to the medical report, due to lack of timely treatment, Rizwana’s wounds were infected with worms, the girl had 15 injury marks on her body including her head and her internal organs were also affected.

  • Toshakhana Case: Court rejects Imran Khan’s withdrawal petition

    Toshakhana Case: Court rejects Imran Khan’s withdrawal petition

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday rejected the plea of former prime minister Imran Khan to withdraw his petition challenging the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision on his disqualification in the Toshakhana case.

    On October 28, 2022, the former Pakistan. Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief filed a plea against his disqualification by the electoral body. He filed another petition on January 18, 2023, to withdraw his appeal against ECP.

    Imran Khan requested the withdrawal of his plea from IHC as the matter is pending before Lahore High Court (LHC).

    Justice Aamer Farooq announced the verdict, reserved on September 13, today, after hearing the arguments of all parties.

    The ECP disqualified Imran Khan on October 21, 2022, under Article 63(1)(p). The electoral watchdog said in its verdict that the PTI founder is not a member of the National Assembly anymore, and he is disqualified for making “false statements and incorrect declaration”.

    The decision of Khan’s disqualification was taken by the five members’ bench, and the ECP stated that Imran was found involved in corrupt practices, including submitting a false affidavit.

  • Khumar: Navigating Love Across Class Divides

    Khumar: Navigating Love Across Class Divides

    The Pakistani drama Khumar is a captivating series broadcast on Har Pal Geo. The drama focuses on the lives of two central characters, Hareem and Faiz, played by Neelam Muneer and Feroze Khan respectively. The plot revolves around the male and female protagonists, who fall for each other, but matters take unexpected turns.
    It’s the first time we get to see Feroz Khan and Neelam Muneer together on TV. Plus, Khan is making a comeback to the Pakistani television industry after taking a break.


    Khumar is a heartwarming tale that explores the challenges of love amongst social class differences. The story follows Faiz and Hareem, individuals from contrasting backgrounds whose lives become intertwined by destiny. Faiz, born into privilege, silently supports Hareem’s struggling family, creating a one-sided love affair.
    An ultimate love story will be shown, where status will not be an issue, but time will be a problem. The theme of the whole play can be put above that if your timing is not perfect, reveal your love and tell your partner that you really love him/her.


    The drama delves into the complexities of societal expectations and hurdles faced by Hareem, who strives to meet her family’s needs. Faiz’s love for Hareem remains a secret due to disapproval from his mother. However, an unexpected event shakes their lives, raising questions about the impact of societal gaps on their love.
    The drama’s first two episodes garnered tremendous support from fans, with the debut episode reaching over seven million views and the subsequent one crossing five million views.


    Will Faiz be able to persuade his mother to accept Hareem? Can the couple overcome their diverse backgrounds and create a joyful life together? This timeless love story unfolds against a backdrop of challenges, keeping audiences engaged in the pursuit of love across societal divides.

  • PCB unhappy with injured Shadab Khan walking out on teammate’s shoulder

    PCB unhappy with injured Shadab Khan walking out on teammate’s shoulder

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed displeasure over how an injured Shadab Khan was carried off the field on the back of a fellow cricketer. Shadab Khan sprained his leg during a National T20 match in Karachi. A video surfaced online, showing him being carried out on the shoulders of his teammate.

    PCB is reportedly puzzled as to why Shadab was carried by his teammates instead of being carried out on a stretcher despite all necessary medical facilities being available at the United Bank Limited (UBL) Sports Complex in Karachi.

    The Board is very concerned about the actions of the Rawalpindi team management. An inquiry has been started while PCB is considering issuing a show cause notice to the team management responsible for the incident.

    The incident took place two days ago during a match between Rawalpindi and Sialkot at the UBL Sports Complex, raising questions over the decision to carry Shadab Khan on the back of his teammate while adequate medical equipment, including a stretcher, was readily available at the ground. The PCB is investigating the matter.

  • Why are students in Islamabad protesting?

    Why are students in Islamabad protesting?

    A large number of university students in Islamabad protested on Tuesday demanding their universities and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) resolve their accommodation problem.

    Thousands of students were evicted from privately-run hostels after the Capital Development Authority (CDA) sealed many buildings over ‘non-conforming use’. It means that they were operating as a commercial enterprise without authorisation, reports The Express Tribune.

    The students also registered a public interest petition in Islamabad High Court (IHC) against CDA’s policy that has left around 30,000 students on the verge of eviction.

    The petition is filed under section 4(xxiii) of the Federal Universities Act and other laws stating that the universities are bound to create sufficient student accommodation on campus and also to “approve or license” hostels and lodgings existing in the city.

    However, in Islamabad, only five out of the 35 universities over the last two decades have taken any such steps. “As a result, students are compelled to reside in privately-managed student hostels located in the CDA sectors,” it informed.

    CDA issued non-conforming notices to over 70 hostels in November.

    According to the hostel owners, many students had to spend the night on the street after at least two hostels were shut down late in the evening without proper warning.

    The petition also points out that HEC has a statutory mandate to protect the interests of students including their accommodation matters, “but has so far failed to intervene in this crisis”.

    At the preliminary hearing, Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb issued directions for the HEC chairman to grant a hearing to the students and redress their grievances.

  • ‘Massive dissapointment’: Malala’s failure to mention genocide in Gaza during lecture has Twitter angry

    ‘Massive dissapointment’: Malala’s failure to mention genocide in Gaza during lecture has Twitter angry

    Girls education activist Malala Yousafzai was selected to give the 21st Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture in Johannesburg. In her speech, the Noble Prize Winner spoke at length about the gender apartheid in Afghanistan against women and girls, with no mention of the genocide of Gaza where the death toll has now crossed 15,000 civilians.

    In an interview with The Associated Press, Malala urged for a ceasefire in Gaza, pointing to attention to the countless schools and homes that have been bombarded in the war, and for war criminals to be held accountable.

    Nelson Mandela was a staunch pro-Palestine supporter, who famously said during his visit to Gaza in 1999 that he “felt at home among compatriots”.

    “There is an apartheid state committing a genocide at the moment which you’ve been disappointingly silent on. If you take away anything from this trip, it should be the courage to speak up about what is happening in the here and now,” wrote a user.

    “Ironic that she mentioned apartheid, reason for Mandela’s struggle, yet not a word about Israel’s apartheid against Palestinians, brutal human rights violation and the ongoing genocide. Nothing but just a mouthpiece can’t be my inspiration anymore,” wrote another user.

    “She’s visiting South Africa, a country with apartheid history and she chooses to stay silent on an ongoing genocide. Mandela would have hated her bigotry if he was alive, his resistance was against the same mindset,” said a tweet.

    Previously Malala released a statement on October 10 grieving for the Palestinian and Israeli children who were caught in the war. Many were quick to slam the feminist activist for failing to recognise that this was a genocide where more Palestinian lives were being lost everyday.

    Many have drawn comparisons between Malala’s silence and climate change activist Greta Thunberg’s outspoken resistance against the genocide of Gaza. Greta published an op-ed for The Guardian where she criticised Israel as the death toll grows in Gaza, with more children passing away from Israeli airstrikes.

  • Karachi’s Jaweria arrives in India to marry Kolkata’s Sameer

    Karachi’s Jaweria arrives in India to marry Kolkata’s Sameer

    Another cross-border marriage is about to take place, this time in India. Jaweria from Karachi and Sameer from Kolkata are set to get married soon. Jaweria Khanum finally made it to India after a wait of five years to marry Sameer Khan Yousafzai.

    The two befriended each other on social media and got the approval of their families in 2018. The pair got engaged and started trying to get a visa to culminate their deep bond into marriage.


    Detailing the difficulties she met, Jaweria revealed that her visa was rejected twice, in addition to travel restrictions imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

    She was eventually granted a 45-day visa after two rejections. The couple plans to marry in the first week of January, with Jaweria expressing joy at fulfilling her wish after five years.

    Following her arrival in India, she was received with a wholehearted welcome from her future in-laws. The couple is set to travel from Amritsar to Kolkata, where the marriage ceremony is scheduled to take place.

  • Sarfraz Bugti refuses to provide details of 14 bombing attacks by Afghans

    Sarfraz Bugti refuses to provide details of 14 bombing attacks by Afghans

    Caretaker government officials are not providing any information to support their claim that Afghan nationals were involved in 14 out of 24 suicide bombing attacks in Pakistan in 2023, Geo has reported.

    Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti disclosed on October 3 that from January until October, Pakistan has witnessed 24 suicide bombing attacks.

    “Of those 24 bombings, 14 have been carried out by Afghan nationals,” he added. “Afghan people attacked us. This includes the Peshawar mosque bombings and the one in Qilla Saifullah and Hangu, amongst others.”

    Sarfraz Bugti also claimed that the government has all the essential proof.

    “Afghan nationals are involved in the attacks on us. We have evidence. We have evidence of everything,” he stated.

    Sarfraz Bugti repeated his claim in multiple interviews with both international and Pakistani news channels.

    The interim government used these metrics to order all undocumented immigrants, as well as 1.73 million Afghan nationals, to leave the country or face deportation.

    Earlier last week, Sarfraz Bugti told Dawn TV that almost 400,000 Afghans have left Pakistan so far.

    Last month, Geo Fact Check reached out to the interior minister and asked for evidence of the involvement of Afghan nationals in suicide bombing attacks, but the interior minister hasn’t responded back until now.