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Author: News Desk

  • ‘Gunjal’; What is it about and when is it releasing? We have the details

    ‘Gunjal’; What is it about and when is it releasing? We have the details

    Upcoming thriller ‘Gunjal’ is the talk of the town, a film that promises to revive the industry with an insight into the crisis of child abuse in Pakistan. The film boasts of a star-studded cast with the likes of Ahmed Ali Akbar, Resham, Ahmed Ali Butt, Samiya Mumtaz and Amna Ilyas. The team behind ‘Gunjal’ was present at the prelaunch event held at University of Management and Technology (UMT) where we got some interesting details about the film, including the wholesome reason why Resham wanted to work with Ahmed Ali Akbar.

    When is ‘Gunjal’ releasing?

    Gunjal will release in theatres across Pakistan on 8th December.

    What roles will Ahmed Ali Akbar and Resham be playing?

    Ahmed Ali Akbar will be playing the role of journalist Shahbaz Bhatti, who investigates the murder of prolific child activist Iqbal Masih. Speaking at the event, Ahmed opened up about his reason for choosing the role.

    “Gunjal is inspired by the life of a prolific child activist and is an insight into the trials and tribulations of Iqbal Masih and what he went through, and the conditions he was working in under and the events that took place. It’s also about the life of a regular person who overtime, through the eyes of Iqbal Masih, starts to see things that are very common around us, yet we don’t notice them.”

    “It’s about the rights of children… and is inspired by Iqbal Masih’s legacy,” stressed Ahmed. “It’s very relevant, on what Iqbal wanted to accomplish, it was relevant then and is still now. It’s happening in front of us. So I feel it is our duty but it takes time to act upon it.”

    Resham said her role in ‘Gunjal’ was quite different from her previous films. She plays Sarwat, the founder of a newspaper ‘Nai Subh’. Resham explained that her character tries to ensure her journalistic stories are focused on truth and justice.

    The sweet reason behind why Resham wanted to work on Gunjal: Ahmed Ali Akbar

    Resham also shared the sweet reason that propelled her to take part in the film, revealing it was her desire to work with Ahmed Ali Akbar.

    “I had watched all of ‘Parizaad’ from that point on I really wanted to work with him. While Ahmed’s drama was airing I didn’t watch it because I was suffering from depression and had lost a lot friends. Then I decided to watch all the episodes on Youtube. After finishing it, I made a prayer to Allah while watching alone, that I hoped to work with this man some day. Two-and-a-half months later the film’s director Shoaib sahab reached out and asked if I would act in his film. I asked who would be the hero, and he said ‘Ahmed Ali Akbar’. I said ‘The Parizaad one!’ and was overjoyed!”

    Resham shared she had watched the last episode of Parizaad with Ahmed, which she said she was extremely lucky for. “Despite the fact that I’m his senior, but I’m still a huge fan of his.”

  • Lahore High Court orders two-day work-from-home policy for private sector

    Lahore High Court orders two-day work-from-home policy for private sector

    Lahore High Court has directed the caretaker Punjab government to implement two days weekly off for all educational institutions till January next year, along with a two-day work-from-home policy for the private sector.

    In reply to a plea seeking the court’s intervention in tackling smog in the province, the court released a three-page long order.

    In a bid to counter deteriorating quality in Punjab, the caretaker government on Sunday made it mandatory for all citizens to wear a face mask for a week in the smog-hit districts of the province.

  • Social media slams Harbhajan Singh for comment on Anushka and Athiya

    Social media slams Harbhajan Singh for comment on Anushka and Athiya

    Social media users slammed former Indian bowler Harbhajan Singh for the statements he passed about Anushka Sharma and Athiya Shetty during commentary in the India-Australia World Cup final.

    Many Bollywood celebrities were present at the final, played at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, including Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Shah Rukh Khan, Ayushmann Karan. Virat Kohli’s wife Anushka Sharma and KL Rahul’s wife Athiya Shetty were also present.

    During the match, Singh, who was in the Hindi commentary box, made a comment about Anushka and Athiya, which did not go down well with the fans.

    When Anushka Sharma and Athiya Shetty were shown on the screen, Harbhajan Singh said, “And I was thinking whether it was about cricket or films because I don’t know how much they would understand about cricket.”

    Social media was quick to respond, with some demanding a public apology from Harbhajan.

  • JUI-F opposes rigging of elections, even if it’s in party’s favour, says Fazlur Rehman

    JUI-F opposes rigging of elections, even if it’s in party’s favour, says Fazlur Rehman

    Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said on Monday that he is strictly against political engineering and rigging of elections, adding that his party will oppose this “heinous crime.”

    While addressing a two-day general council meeting, Fazlur Rehman said that “rigging of elections is the most heinous crime. We would not allow it even if it is in our favour, adding that his party has differences with state institutions, but it doesn’t want permanent rivalry with them.

    “We would continue to speak against wrongs. We know how to protect our mandate, and we will never tolerate rigging at any cost,” the former-ruling Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief said.

    Fazal stated this after he was chosen as JUI-F central chief and Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri as general secretary for another five-year term.

    The upcoming election on February 8 was also on the agenda of a two-day central general council huddle.

  • Anushka’s gesture to comfort Virat after World Cup loss goes viral

    Anushka’s gesture to comfort Virat after World Cup loss goes viral

    Australia won the World Cup title for the sixth time on Sunday, defeating hot favourites India by six wickets. Many Indian celebrities and politicians turned up at Ahmedabad to watch the final. As it became clearer that Australia will walk away with victory, the stadium became quieter.

    After the winning runs were scored, Indian players appeared emotional, with captain Rohit Sharma seen leaving the ground in tears, while other Indian players were also seen crying on the field.

    A picture of Virat Kohli with his wife, actress Anushka Sharma, has gone viral on social media.

    Anushka Sharma was seen consoling Virat Kohli after India lost the game. In a photo shared on X, Anushka was seen hugging a heartbroken Virat after the match.

    A video, filmed during the last overs of the match, is also being shared rapidly on social media, showing Anushka and Athiya Shetty looking depressed before the defeat.

  • PHA becomes first government department to give electric bikes to employees

    PHA becomes first government department to give electric bikes to employees

    The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) of Lahore has become the first government department to distribute eco-friendly electric bikes to its workforce. The first batch will be distributed on Monday.

    PHA has taken the step in order to combat air pollution in Lahore which is at an all-time high since a few weeks. 25 e-bikes are to be given to the employees.

    The Electric Vehicles Policy of Pakistan 2020-2025 also emphasised on providing incentives to promote local production of e-vehicles, with the ultimate goal of capturing a substantial share of the market.

    The PHA has also undertaken a city-wide plantation drive, sowing millions of plants in far-flung as well as central Lahore neighborhoods to increase the green cover of the city.
    Just last month, it entered into a partnership with a foreign business group to plant a million trees.

    The Lahore High Court has already told the government to give bicycles to all government servants so that pollution and deadly smog could be curbed.

  • ‘Tamasha hum bhi daikhein gay’; Pakistanis troll Indian fans after WC defeat

    ‘Tamasha hum bhi daikhein gay’; Pakistanis troll Indian fans after WC defeat

    Australia defeated India by six wickets in the final of the Cricket World Cup 2023 on Sunday, winning the title for the sixth time.

    Pakistanis started trolling Indian fans and ex-cricketers including Irfan Pathan and Virender Sehwag who trolled the Pakistani team and fans after their elimination from the World Cup.

    Former batsman Vinender Sehwaag wrote on social media, “Pakistan Zindbhaag” after the green shirts left the tournament. Ex-bowler Irfan Pathan danced at Pakistan’s defeat to Afghanistan in the World Cup. Last year, Virat Kohli wrote on Instagram, “Well deserved England” after England defeated Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2022 finals.

    Last night Pakistan’s former captain Babar Azam shared an Instagram story saying “Congratulations Australia What a commanding performance in the final.”

    Pakistan fans unleashed a storm of memes on social media on Sunday night.

    Here are some reactions:

  • Trigger Warning: Indian cricket fans threaten Travis Head’s family with death, rape

    Trigger Warning: Indian cricket fans threaten Travis Head’s family with death, rape

    Australian opener Travis Head hit a sparkling 137 to power his team to a record-extending sixth cricket World Cup title with a convincing six-wicket win over India in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

    Chasing a tricky 241 for victory in the final, Australia slipped to 47-3 before the left-handed Head hit his second century of the tournament to steer the team home with seven overs to spare.

    Head’s century was the seventh in a World Cup final and the third by an Australian after Ricky Ponting (140 not out v India in 2003) and Adam Gilchrist (149 v Sri Lanka in 2007).

    He turned into India’s nemesis for the second time this year after his 163 proved decisive in Australia’s World Test Championship triumph at the Oval in June.

    Indian fans couldn’t hold their anger back and instead of questioning their team, threatened Travis Head and his family on his Instagram account.

    Here are some of the screenshots taken by The Current’s team. These might trigger some people because they include rape and death threats.

    We hope to see a world where no sportsman is threatened because of his performance.

  • ‘Our rivals see Nawaz Sharif becoming next PM’: Marriyum Aurangzeb

    ‘Our rivals see Nawaz Sharif becoming next PM’: Marriyum Aurangzeb

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Information Secretary Marriyum Aurangzeb has said that the party’s political rivals can see that Nawaz Sharif will become the next prime minister.

    While talking to journalists, the former Information Minister said that PML-N’s manifesto is to provide relief to the people of the country.

    “We have to rise above our personal interests. Our political rivals can also see that Nawaz Sharif will become the next prime minister,” said Marriyum, adding that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s statement about free and fair elections is “encouraging”.

    “The country is moving towards transparent elections,” Bilawal said on Sunday.

    Marriyum Aurangzeb also showed confidence in Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to ensure transparent elections on February 8.

    “We are not worried by any words or taunts; we have to give relief to the people,” said Marriyum during the presser.

  • Chakwal: Police seals Madrassa where 15 students were assaulted by two teachers

    Chakwal: Police seals Madrassa where 15 students were assaulted by two teachers

    Update: Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited one of the victims’ families on Sunday, and said the Punjab government would leave no stone unturned in providing justice to the victims and suspects would face the maximum punishment for the heinous crime. The district administration sealed the madrassa on Sunday.

    “We are ashamed over this incident, but at the same time, it would be unfair to blame all seminaries. Reforms should be made to address this issue,” the chief minister said and maintained that his government would do what it could in this regard.

    Chakwal police have obtained four days’ remand for the two teachers who have been arrested. “Fifteen students were brought to the hospital for medical examination. All of them carried knife and bite marks on their bodies,” Dr. Mohammad Haleem, the media coordinator of District Headquarters Hospital, told Dawn. He said the parents of nine victims had refused to proceed with the medical examination despite the fact that their children had complained of assault and knife and bite marks were also found on their bodies.

    “We have also recovered a knife that suspects used to inflict cut marks on the bodies of students.” According to the FIR, the suspects wrote ‘Z’ on the victims’ bodies.

    The DPO said that the management of the seminary was informed a month ago about the abuse.

    “Instead of reporting the matter to police, the management settled it on its own by expelling the two suspects on November 11,” he said, adding that strict action would be taken against all those found involved in the offence.

    When asked about the parents who had refused to pursue the case, the DPO said all the victims would be made part of the investigation.

    The victim’s father who took the matter to the police informed Dawn that his son wanted to be a Naat Khawan and that’s why he got him admitted to the madrassa. He went to meet the son and there the kid clung to him and started crying. “Had my son not told me, this heinous crime would never have come to light,” the father said.

    The management of the seminary, while talking to the media on Saturday, said it would cooperate with the police.

    Previously, Chakwal Police have registered an FIR against two teachers at a Madrassa for assaulting a 12-year-old boy, reports Geo.

    The FIR states that the boy’s father observed that his son was extremely perturbed. Upon asking, the boy revealed that the two teachers have made marks with knives over the bodies of many children, including him.

    A local hospital has also confirmed the presence of scars on the children.

    The police has arrested one of the two teachers while search for the other is underway. Both the teachers are not locals of Chakwal.