Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • Wasim Akram’s hilarious response to question about his 90’s haircut has internet in hysterics

    Wasim Akram’s hilarious response to question about his 90’s haircut has internet in hysterics

    A clip from the sports podcast Batta Fast is going viral on Twitter where left-arn great Wasim Akram finally addresses an important question: How he led the burger haircut wave throughout Pakistan because of his hairstyle in the 90’s.

    “I suppose 90’s mein I do feel responsible’ cackled the Sultan of Swing. “I don’t know mera kis ne karwaya tha because when I look at it and think, what the hell was I doing,” Akram said as hosts Osman Samiuddin and Ahmer Naqvi burst into laughter.

    “I didn’t have any idea about fashion, whatever the nai in Lahore used to say I had done it. ‘Sir ye naya fashion aya hai Lahore mein’.”

    The tweet since then has gone viral and has social media in fits.

    https://twitter.com/faizanusuf/status/1699964150435213633?s=20
  • Fear of further delay in Fatima case after police officers transferred

    Fear of further delay in Fatima case after police officers transferred

    There are fears of further delay in 10-year-old Fatima’s case as police officers working on the child’s mysterious death have been reappointed.

    Currently, the new SSP Khairpur, Samiullah Soomro, has taken charge of his post.

    Pir Asad Shah, the main suspect, and compounder Imtiaz Merasi, are on physical remand while accused Hina Shah and her father could not be arrested.

    Police say that Asad Shah’s recovered DNA samples have been sent to Lahore, adding that it will take more time to receive relevant reports.

    According to police sources, the final post-mortem report of the girl has not been received yet.

    Fatima’s case

    A domestic maid, 10-year-old child Fatima Phuriro was found dead under suspicious circumstances in Ranipur city, District Khairpur.

    The child had been working as a domestic worker at a haveli owned by an influential local, Pir Asad Shah Jilani.

    Fatima’s mother, Shabana, was informed about the death by the employer who asked her to remove the body from the premises where two of Fatima’s sisters are also employed.

    According to DIG Sukkur Javed Jiskani, the parents initially did not share the facts of the case with the police and claimed that the girl was suffering from gastroenteritis. While her diagnosis was also confirmed by Dr Abdul Fatah Memon who treated her, the DIG revealed that Fatima was taken to the hospital either by the Pir or his staff and that the SHO was present at the time she was pronounced dead.

    It was not until videos of torture were leaked by an unknown source and circulated in social media that the case caught media’s eye. By then, the family had buried Fatima on August 15.

    The body was later exhumed and sent for an autopsy which revealed that the child had been raped both vaginally and anally.

  • Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis wrote letters in favor of star sentenced for 2 rapes

    Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis wrote letters in favor of star sentenced for 2 rapes

    Hollywood stars Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis were among the 50 people writing letters in favor of actor Danny Masterson, who has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after being found guilty of raping two women in 2003. The husband -wife duo had worked with Masterson for the sitcom “The ’70’s show” which ran from 1998 till 2006.

    In his letter, Ashton Kutcher wrote about Masterson being a ‘role model’:

    “While I’m aware that the judgement has been cast as guilty on two counts of rape by force and the victims have a great desire for justice, I hope that my testament to his character is taken into consideration in sentencing. I do not believe he is an ongoing harm to society and having his daughter raised without a present father would [be] a tertiary injustice in and of itself. Thank you for taking the time to read this.”

    While Mila Kunis commented on Danny’s drug-free lifestyle, prosecutors said Danny had drugged the two women in his Hollywood Hills home and raped them.

    “One of the most remarkable aspects of Danny’s character is his unwavering commitment to discouraging the use of drugs. His influence on my in this regard has been invaluable. In an industry where the pressures and temptations of substance use can be overwhelming, Danny played a pivotal role in guiding me away from such destructive paths. His dedication to avoiding all substances has inspired not only me but also countless others in our circle. Danny’s steadfastness in promoting a drug-free lifestyle has been a guiding light in my journey through the entertainment world and has helped me prioritize my well-being and focus on make responsible choices.”

    At the sentencing, the two women Danny was convicted of raping in 2003, spoke about the trauma the ordeal had inflicted upon them:

    “When you raped me, you stole from me,” said Jane Doe 1 “That’s what rape is, a theft of the spirit.”

    “You are pathetic, disturbed and completely violent. The world is better off with you in prison.”

    Jane Doe 2 spoke about how Danny “had not shown an ounce of remorse for the pain he caused.” She told the judge, “I knew he belonged behind bars for the safety of all the women he came into contact with. I am so sorry, and I’m so upset. I wish I’d reported him sooner to the police.”

    At the trial held on Thursday morning in Los Angeles, Judge Charlaine Olmedo gave a speech before sentencing Masterson to 30 years in prison:

    “I know that you’re sitting here steadfast in your claims of innocence, and thus no doubt feeling victimized by a justice system that has failed you. But Mr. Masterson, you are not the victim here. Your actions 20 years ago took away another person’s voice, and choice. One way or another you will have to come to terms with your prior actions, and their consequences.”

  • SPI index surges to three-week high at 26.41%: Food and energy prices drive inflation

    SPI index surges to three-week high at 26.41%: Food and energy prices drive inflation

    The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) index recorded a notable surge, reaching 26.41 per cent for the week ending on September 7, 2023, marking a three-week high. This increase was primarily propelled by the persistent rise in food and energy prices when compared to the same week in the previous year, putting added strain on households’ purchasing power and disposable income.

    Within this week, data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) revealed that out of 51 items, 32 (62.75 per cent) experienced price increases, 5 (9.80 per cent) saw decreases, while 14 (27.45 per cent) remained unchanged, in contrast to the previous week.

    Food items saw significant price hikes, including a 17 per cent increase in tomato prices, a 10.87 per cent uptick in pulse masoor prices, a 6.73 per cent rise in sugar prices, a 4.66 per cent surge in garlic prices, and a 3.62 per cent uptick in gur prices. Pulse moong prices rose by 3.55 per cent, onions by 3.43 per cent, and pulse gram by 3.25 per cent. Among non-food items, diesel prices soared by 6.28 per cent, LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) increased by 5.19 per cent, and petrol prices rose by 5.12 per cent.

    Conversely, there was a decline in the prices of certain items, including chicken by 3.20 per cent, 5-liter cooking oil by 1.03 per cent, 2.5 kg vegetable ghee by 0.47 per cent, Lipton tea by 0.43 per cent, and 1 kg vegetable ghee by 0.14 per cent, compared to the previous week.

    Looking at the bigger picture, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) revealed that monthly inflation has remained persistently high, averaging 27.8 per cent in the first two months (Jul-Aug) of the current fiscal year 2023-24. This was primarily attributed to recent rupee depreciation, imported inflation, and the continuous ascent of power and petroleum product prices.

    It is anticipated that September’s monthly inflation reading will reach its peak, with experts also suggesting the possibility of the government raising gas prices, further exacerbating inflationary pressures on the economy.

    To combat inflation, the Pakistan central bank is expected to raise its key policy rate by 1.5 to 2 percentage points during its upcoming Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on September 14. The current policy rate stands at a record high of 22 per cent.

    Topline Research highlighted significant developments since the last MPC meeting on July 31, 2023, including Pakistan posting a current account deficit of $809 million in July after four consecutive months of current account surplus. 

    Additionally, local fuel prices have increased by around 19 per cent, international oil prices in US dollars have risen by 6 per cent, and the rupee has depreciated by 6 per cent against the US dollar. These factors are expected to weigh heavily on the central bank committee’s decision during the upcoming MPC meeting.

  • 12 women raped daily on average: report

    12 women raped daily on average: report

    According to The News, War Against Rape (WAR), an advocacy organisation, published a report based on data taken from Punjab Home Department and Ministry of Human Rights which reveals that 21,900 women were raped in the province between 2017 and 2021. This indicates that an average of 12 women were raped daily or one woman assaulted every two hours.

    However, as per the organisation, this number is only representative of a small portion as many cases are not reported due to stigma, fear, victim-blaming, and systemic biases in the justice system.

    18 per cent of women are subjected to early and forced marriages. There are about 19 million child brides at the moment. Sindh has legalised marriage for boys and girls at 18 while other provinces have set the age for girls at 16.

    Karachi
    As per the police surgeon’s office in Karachi, there were 3,649 cases of domestic violence reported in 2022.

    WAR team investigated 66 cases of different forms of sexual violence from July 2022 to June 2023.

    The News highlighted statistics from the report: 44 survivors were children under 18 years with the most vulnerable age group being 4-11 years; the average age of survivors was only 13 years, with the youngest survivor being mere four years old; and of these cases, 85 per cent involved women and female children.
    A total of 35 of the 66 cases were of rape, 11 were gang rape cases, another 11 were attempted rapes, and nine involved incest.

    Additionally, in 10 cases, boys were also victims while 12 children were murdered after being subjected to sexual violence, including nine girls and three boys.

    Korangi has been deemed a red alert zone as it has the highest sexual violence cases with 31 per cent, followed closely by Surjani Town with 30 per cent of reported cases.

    The Saeedabad area reported 11 per cent of the cases, Iqbal Market nine per cent, Orangi Town seven per cent, Mehmoodabad six per cent and Gulshan-e-Iqbal reported five per cent of the cases of sexual violence.

    Cases underreported
    The official data from three major public hospitals of Karachi revealed the conduction of 1,256 medico-legal examinations (MLEs) in sexual assault cases from January 2021 to December 2022 whereas only 499 first information reports (FIRs) were filed in this same duration.

    WAR report stated: “This underscores the urgent need for improved mechanisms to encourage survivors to report incidents. In the first six months of 2023, Pakistan witnessed a harrowing increase in child sexual abuse cases, with an average of 12 children sexually abused daily, totalling 2,227 cases. The comparison with 2021-22 data shows a disturbing upward trend in child sexual abuse cases.”

    Workplace harassment
    The News highlights that the Federal Ombudsman Secretariat for Protection Against Harassment (FOSPAH) reveals that more than 2,000 complaints were filed between 2018 and 2022 in the government sector and around 1,400 cases in the private sector, involving both men and women.

    “Due to harassment, a large number of complainants end up leaving their jobs or normalising the harassment and hostile work environment. This discourages women from entering the workforce and restricts them from reaching financial independence”

  • Tekken 7 Pro Arslan Ash who put Pakistan on the eSports map wishes he had a different passport

    Tekken 7 Pro Arslan Ash who put Pakistan on the eSports map wishes he had a different passport

    Arslan Siddique, widely recognised as Arslan Ash, has emerged as an iconic figure within the Tekken 7 community, serving as an invaluable source of motivation for Pakistan’s gaming enthusiasts.

    With an astounding record of four Evo championship victories, Ash has indelibly etched his name into the annals of gaming history, thrusting Pakistan into the global eSports spotlight.

    Nevertheless, recent events have seen Ash express his frustration regarding the limitations of his Pakistani passport, which currently ranks a modest 100th in the Passport Rankings, lagging even behind countries such as Yemen and Somalia, positioned at 99th.

    Taking to the social platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Ash, who notably secured a remarkable $500,000 prize at the Nations Cup in South Korea in July, candidly stated, “Sometimes, I really wish I didn’t have a Pakistani passport.”

    His remarks stem from reported hardships, encompassing visa denials and travel complications encountered while representing Pakistan in international gaming competitions.

    Ash’s statements elicited a diverse spectrum of reactions across social media channels. Some empathised with the obstacles he faces and shared their own feelings of frustration, while others pointed out his triumphant journeys to nations like Japan and South Korea, where, with a Pakistani passport, he clinched multiple prestigious titles.



    Here’s how Ash clarified the ‘context’ of his earlier post:

  • New HRCP report reveals human rights violations in Northern Sindh

    New HRCP report reveals human rights violations in Northern Sindh

    Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has released a fact-finding report titled “Northern Sindh: In Search of Solutions”, detailing violations of human rights in the region.

    The report is based upon a mission conducted by HRCP in February 2023 in which the team conducted interviews and consultations in Ghotki, Mirpur Mathelo, Kandhkot, Jacobabad, Larkana and Karachi where they met human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists, students, workers, political leaders, government representatives and law enforcement authorities.

    The report reveals the lack of law and order, inaccessibility of education and healthcare, and other barriers on basic rights.

    Due to lack of shelters for survivors, the conviction rates in gender-based violence including physical and sexual assault, abductions, premature burials and murders, cases are low and hence, violence is high. Many cases, in fact, remain unreported. Existing shelters lack medical care and legal assistance, where victims are kept in unpleasant conditions. The rooms are few while the management and staff lacks sensitivity as they are untrained.

    Similarly, religious minorities are at a threat due to discrimination, arbitrary blasphemy accusations and faith-based conversions.
    People of the province, especially those residing in kachi abadis, are vulnerable to organised crime, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings and exploitative feudal power systems. This too, is linked to poor governance and lack of accountability.

    Conflicts are further topped by tribal feuds, stagnating the socio-economic development.

    And then, the rehabilitation of flood victims and long-term climate sustainability measures are issues still unaddressed.

    Over and above, law enforcement personnel and fake FIRs against journalists are used a weapon to stop coverage of human rights violations.

  • Nawaz Sharif confirms return to country next month

    Nawaz Sharif confirms return to country next month

    Nawaz Sharif, leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has announced that he will be returning to Pakistan in October of this year, Geo News has reported.

    Nawaz, who has been living in self-imposed exile in London since November 2019 for medical treatment, confirmed his return for the first time on Friday at a meeting with party members and supporters at Stanhope House. Former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as well as PML-N leaders Chaudhary Tanveer, Danyal Chaudhary, Chaudhary Nadeem Khan, Dr. Anjum, and others were present.

    Although Nawaz will arrive in Pakistan next month, according to sources present at the meeting at Stanhope House, no specific date has been confirmed as yet.

    Geo News had reported that the three times former Prime Minister was expected to return to Pakistan in the middle of October.

  • Nepra approves Rs1.46 per unit fuel charge adjustment

    Nepra approves Rs1.46 per unit fuel charge adjustment

    In the midst of widespread protests over surging electricity bills in Pakistan, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has taken a significant step.

    They have given the green light for power distribution companies to impose an additional charge of Rs1.46 per unit on consumers in the form of a fuel charge adjustment (FCA) for the month of July.

    This decision, rooted in the Regulation of Generation, Transmission, and Distribution of Electric Power Act of 1997, comes as an attempt to address financial challenges in the power sector.

    The FCA, however, excludes electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS) and lifeline consumers. This means that this adjustment will be itemised separately on consumers’ bills based on their electricity usage in July 2023. The billing for this adjustment is scheduled for September 2023.

    The background to this move involves costly imported coal inventory held by coal-based power plants, particularly the Sahiwal coal power plant, and limitations in the power transmission system. The latter includes issues such as the HVDC transmission line’s inability to efficiently transport cost-effective power from southern generators. These factors have placed a considerable financial burden on power consumers.

    This tariff increase compounds the woes of consumers, who are already grappling with record inflation, high fuel prices, and elevated electricity rates. As a result, consumers are expected to bear a cumulative burden of Rs24.76 billion in their September 2023 bills due to over 14 billion units sold in July.

    In response to public protests and growing dissatisfaction, the interim government, led by Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, has sought assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to provide immediate relief to electricity consumers.

    According to Geo News, Pakistan is under an IMF programme, making any relief or subsidy contingent upon IMF approval. Negotiations between the government and the IMF have been intense, resulting in some relief for consumers using up to 200 units, allowing them to pay electricity bills in installments.

    However, the IMF rejected the government’s plan to provide relief to those consuming up to 400 units of electricity per month, which could have benefited 32 million consumers. Instead, the IMF stressed the need to address electricity and gas theft and improve revenue collection.

    Furthermore, the IMF has proposed a 45 to 50 per cent increase in gas tariffs starting July 1, pending approval by the federal cabinet. These developments reflect a challenging situation in Pakistan’s energy sector as the government grapples with the need for reform amid rising consumer discontent.

  • Madhuri Dixit was fired from a film for refusing to do this scene

    Madhuri Dixit was fired from a film for refusing to do this scene

    Bollywood queen Madhuri Dixit can pretty much call herself a legend with a storied career and dominance over the box office. But even an A-lister like Madhuri is not immune to sexist demands by film makers.

    Veteran director Tinnu Anand, who directed Madhuri Dixit in Shanakht (1989), has revealed how the actress was fired after she refused to take off her blouse for a scene. Tinnu told Radio Nasha that he had discussed the scene with Madhuri prior to the shot, and she had consented to doing it. This was the first shot of the film in which Amitabh Bachchan was suppose to be captured by villains, which is when Madhuri’s character comes out and says “Why are you attacking a man in chains when a woman is in front of you?”

    “I had narrated the entire sequence to Madhuri,” said the director. “And I told her that you have to remove your blouse and for the first time, we should see you in your bra. And I am not going to hide anything behind a haystack or anything. Because you are offering yourself to help a man who is trying to help you. So it is a very important situation and I want to shoot it on the first day. She said okay.”

    Tinnu recalled that on the first day of the shoot, everything was ready but Madhuri backed out from doing the scene. When the director went to visit her, the ‘Devdas’ actress said she had some reservations about the scene.

    “I said, ‘I’m sorry, you have to do this scene.’ She said, ‘No, I don’t want to.’ I said, ‘Okay, pack up, say goodbye to the film. I’ll cancel my shoot.”

    Afterwards, Madhuri’s secretary called up Anand and reassured him that the actress was willing to do the role. Madhuri came back five days later and completed the scene. However, afterwards the two didn’t work together on any film.