Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • PIA flight operation resumed after deal with PSO

    PIA flight operation resumed after deal with PSO

    Update: After intense deliberation, PIA has cracked a deal with PSO due to which flight operations are slowly restarting. The delay in reaching an agreement caused the cancellation of more than 19 flights and delayed more than 20 others. 

    According to the deal, PIA is to pay Rs.100 million to the PSO on a daily basis. Flight operations have resumed since then. 

    Previously, the feud between Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and Pakistan State Oil (PSO) continues while the passengers bear the brunt.

    Flight operations were adversely affected with 14 flights being cancelled and four others being delayed due to a halt in the supply of fuel to the airline, over the issue of non-payment of dues.

    The domestic cancelled flights were from Islamabad to Gilgit, one from Islamabad to Quetta, one from Karachi to Sukkur, one from Islamabad to Multan and one from Karachi to Faisalabad.

    Pk 304 from Karachi to Lahore, Pk308 from Karachi to Islamabad and Pk 309 from Islamabad to Karachi were delayed due to fuel unavailability. Pk 305 from Lahore to Karachi was delayed after its delayed arrival in Lahore.

    Hundreds of people, including passengers and flight crew, are facing inconvenience in the face of these partial suspension and delays in flight operations.

    To mitigate the severe issues of PIA’s flight operations, the Airline company has already requested the Aviation Division in a letter to arrange for them a loan of over Rs 7.5 billion from banks to keep itself afloat. The letter further states that fuel supply in Jeddah and Dubai was halted due to PSO’s refusal of fuel supply. This letter has been sent by the General Manager Funds Management to the Deputy Director Division and is now directed to the Ministry of Finance, urging them to intervene.

    Interestingly, no bank has shown any interest in providing loan to the loss-making national flag carrier.

    Earlier, in the mid of September, caretaker PM Anwarul Haq Kakar had aimed to sell-off the airline but the Interim Minister of Finance Dr. Shamshad Akhtar had said that the Government would support PIA to keep it in the skies. This was followed by the Caretaker Privatization Minister Fawad Hasan Fawad announcing later on that the government would not ground the PIA. He claimed to have already worked out a plan in a press conference.

    On the contrary, a plan is currently lying on his table as shared by the PIA which involves a debt restructuring program (which has reached 260 billion), blocking tax payment to the FBR and not paying fees and charges of the Civil Aviation Authority but does not address the mammoth of issues in administrative affairs.

    Dr. Shamshad has vowed to support the airline as the government has 92% stakes in it implying the saga of PIA going downhill seems to linger on for it has also announced bonuses of 915 million for its employees amidst all of this.


    Read more on this: https://currentold.perceptiond.net/loss-making-pia-announced-bonuses-for-employees-on-their-good-performance/

  • Schools will remain open on Wednesday: Punjab Government

    Schools will remain open on Wednesday: Punjab Government

    Caretaker Education Minister for Punjab, Mansoor Qadir, confirmed that the government has chosen not to close educational institutions in the province this coming Wednesday, October 18, taking a u-turn from the administration’s previous plan. 

    Discussions were held by caretakers about the possibility of temporarily shutting down schools and offices on Wednesdays, in addition to regular weekends, as a government measure to counter smog. 

    Recent rainfall has significantly contributed to an improvement in the air quality in Lahore, the provincial capital most affected by the smog. This positive development has prompted the ruling authorities to delay the implementation of the proposed closure.

    Minister Qadir stated during the press conference, “Schools will remain open this Wednesday. We will continue to convene meetings to address the smog issue and make future decisions accordingly.”

    During the same briefing, Caretaker Information Minister Aamir Mir highlighted the annual health risks posed by the smog. “Raising awareness about the consequences of smog is essential for the public,” he emphasized.The government has taken measures, including the enforcement of Section 144 to curb smog, and has imposed restrictions on vehicles to prevent further exacerbation of the situation

  • What’s going on in your city this weekend                                                                      

    What’s going on in your city this weekend                                                                      

    ‘Anarkali Sy Agay’, a play created by a group called Behrupiya, will be performed on October 21 – 22 in Lahore. If you like theater and drama, this could be a fun and exciting event to attend. You can enjoy the performance and be part of the audience on those dates. So, mark your calendar and don’t miss this show!

    Experience a captivating musical adventure to Ormara Beach with Mubashir Hasan and Ali Asad, alongside popular bloggers and TikTokers, happening on October 21, 2023. The concert promises a day filled with music and scenic beauty. Don’t miss out on this memorable trip!

    Get ready for a month-long Halloween extravaganza at Winterland in both Karachi and Lahore. From October 1 to October 31, Winterland promises a spooky and fun-filled experience. You’ll be immersed in a Halloween wonderland with eerie decorations, ghostly encounters, glow-in-the-dark face painting, trick-or-treat adventures, mask crafting, and a photo booth to capture all the memorable moments. Don’t miss out on this frightfully delightful event at Winterland inLahore’s Bahria Town.   

    Join an electrifying experience at the Red Bull Off The Roofevent in Islamabad on October 28, 2023. It’s not just a concert; it’s a mobile stage on wheels, bringing your favorite artists to the heart of Islamabad. Don’t miss out on this thrilling musical journey through the city.

  • Abdullah Shafiq ko hogya bukhaar

    Abdullah Shafiq ko hogya bukhaar

    Pakistan’s opening batsman Abdullah Shafique has contracted fever ahead of the national’s team match against Australia on October 20, team sources have told Geo News’s reporter Faizan Lakhani on Tuesday.

    As per team management, earlier Fakhar Zaman was suffering from knee pain, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Usama Mir were suffering from fever, however, all three have now recovered.

    Reports state that the team underwent comprehensive medical examinations as part of the COVID-19 and dengue fever protocol.

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday rejected media reports that claimed several players have contracted an infection.

    “Thankfully, there is no viral infection or disease,” a PCB spokesperson said after reports triggered speculations.

    The team also changed their training sessions multiple times lending credence to these reports.

    “Those who are in the stage of recovery remain under the team medical panel’s observation,” the spokesperson added.

    Meanwhile, the team also rescheduled a training session after cancelling it earlier today.

    Pakistan team will have a two-hour training session at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium today (Tuesday) from 6pm to 8pm in Bengaluru.

    Assuring concerned fans, sources stated to Lakhani, “There is no concern about the health of players.”

    “Some players got fever in the past few days, and most of them have fully recovered from it. Those who are in the stage of recovery remain under the team medical panel’s observation,” said the Pakistan team’s spokesman.

    Schedule of Pakistan’s remaining matches

    October 20 – vs Australia in Bengaluru

    October 23 – vs Afghanistan in Chennai

    October 27 – vs South Africa in Chennai

    October 31 – vs Bangladesh in Kolkata

    November 4 – vs New Zealand Bengaluru (Day match)

    November 11 – vs England in Kolkata

    Day matches will start at 10:00am Pakistan Standard Time (PST) while all other matches will be day-night fixtures starting at 01:30pm (PST).

    Pakistan squad for ICC World Cup 2023

    Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, M Wasim Jnr, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha.

    Travelling reserves: Mohammad Haris, Abrar Ahmed, Zaman Khan

  • Waqar Younis advises Shaheen Afridi to copy Jasprit Bumrah’s World Cup blueprints

    Waqar Younis advises Shaheen Afridi to copy Jasprit Bumrah’s World Cup blueprints

    Pakistan’s former fast-bowling great, Waqar Younis, has advised pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi to learn from India’s Jasprit Bumrah, if he wants to make an impact in the World Cup.

    Afridi has been struggling with his pace and fitness during the World Cup, putting in what fans have called unimpressive performances in all three World Cup matches, conceding 139 runs and taking only four wickets so far.

    While talking to AFP, former national pacer Waqar Younis said, “I don’t know if there is any problem with Shaheen’s fitness or not but his bowling lacks discipline and he is trying to get wickets. When you do the same thing over and over again, like Shaheen does with his yorkers in succession, the batsmen knows that and they are ready to play it”.

    Read More: ‘Reading Namaz in front of Indians’; Rizwan targeted by same lawyer who harassed Zainab Abbas

    Younis suggested that, “Shaheen follow the example set by Bumrah,” whom he described as a “top bowler”. Bumrah is putting pressure on the opposition teams, Waqar pointed out, adding that his line is above the off stumps, “as we saw, that he bowled well against Pakistan”.

    “There was a lack of discipline from Pakistan’s bowling side in the World Cup. I don’t think it’s just because of the lack of  Naseem Shah, he used to bowl with Shaheen Afridi and both of them put pressure on the opposition batsmen” Waqar Younis said.

  • Usama Mir and Fakhar Zaman may be included in squad against Australia

    Usama Mir and Fakhar Zaman may be included in squad against Australia

    Pakistan’s opening batsman Fakhar Zaman and leg-spinner Osama Mir have been declared fully fit before a crucial match between the green shirts and Australia, Geo News has said in a report.

    Fakhar Zaman was suffering from knee pain while Usama Mir had high fever. Both the players have recovered just in time to be considered for the match against Australia. The Pakistani team has reached Bangalore, where a practice session is scheduled to be held from 6 pm to 9 pm today. Pakistan will play its next match against Australia on October 20 on Friday.

  • Indian man to buy iPhone 15 with sack full of coins

    Indian man to buy iPhone 15 with sack full of coins

    A young man from India can be seen in a viral video, attempting to buy the newly launched iPhone 15, with a sack full of coins, while dressed as a beggar. 

    Dressed in a tattered vest and a lungi, the “Experiment King” conducted a social stint cum promotional video to see how shopkeepers react to his demand of buying the very expensive iPhone 15.

    Experiment King, as the man calls himself on Instagram, visits multiple shops in Jodhpur, where he is refused entry in some outlets while being judged by others. Eventually, one showroom accepts his mode of payment and the owner along with his associates can be seen counting the coins. The video ends with him getting pictured with the owner with the same phone bought by him.

    The video has garnered a plethora of reactions from netizens along 34 million views. Some praised him for bringing about a thought-provoking video while others criticized him for being over-the-top exaggeration. 

     Nonetheless, the video has managed to attract as much attention as it wanted. 

  • Five-member committee to probe fake passport case

    Five-member committee to probe fake passport case

    The interior ministry has constituted a five-member committee to extensively probe cases pertaining to the issuance of over 12,000 fake passports to Afghan nationals.

    The ministry issued a notification stating that the Director General of Immigration and Passports (IMPASS) will be the convener, whereas Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) deputy secretary, a representative of National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA) and assistant director of IMPASS headquarters will be members of the committee. 

    The committee will investigate lapses in the issuance of passports, determining the connivance of various institutions to facilitate the departure of fake passport holders from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia, to determine the responsibility of various officers in NADRA, IMPASS and FIA in the process and suggest remedial measures to curb the menace in the future.

    The report is expected to be submitted to authorities within 15 days.

    On October 14, 12,000 fake Pakistani passports were retrieved from Afghan nationals in Saudi Arabia.

    The law enforcement agencies initiate a crackdown against people and groups involved in the issuance of fake citizen documents to illegal immigrants.

    The Pakistani embassy in Riyadh was informed of the passports by Saudi authorities.

  • ‘Special relief’ to Nawaz Sharif; PPP expresses concerns

    ‘Special relief’ to Nawaz Sharif; PPP expresses concerns

    The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has lifted up concerns about speculation that former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif will get “special relief” on his return to Pakistan on October 21.

    PPP’s Secretary General, Syed Nayyer Husain Bukhari, said in his statement on Monday that the PML-N supremo had been legally convicted by courts, stressing that Nawaz Sharif will have to face the law after his return to the country.

    “It is surprising [for PML-N] to hope that the judiciary will set a precedent of special relief for Nawaz Sharif,” he added.

    The PPP leader also said that the election is necessary for the prolongation of the parliamentary system in the country, demanding that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announce a polling date as soon as possible.

    “The PPP demands a level playing field for all,” he maintained.

  • Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras Tour film’ is the top grossing concert film in the US

    Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras Tour film’ is the top grossing concert film in the US

    Look what you made her do

    Taylor Swift has broken records with her concert film ‘Eras Tour’ to be declared the highest grossing concert film of all time in the US. According to distributers AMC Entertainment, domestic earnings for the film were between $95 million to $97 million for the opening weekend.

    The film has already surpassed previous concert films like Justin Bieber’s ‘Never Say Never’, which made $73 million on its opening weekend, and Miley Cyrus’s ‘Best Of Both World’s Tour’.

    According to CNBC, ‘Eras Tour’ was declared to be the highest grossing October debut, defeating the 2019 Joaquin Phoenix film ‘Joker’ which made $96.2 million on its opening weekend domestically.

    Internationally, ‘Eras Tour’ has made $32 million, and was number one at the box office in countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, Mexico, Germany and the Philippines.