Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • Ahmed Ali Akbar’s upcoming film ‘Gunjal’ follows investigation of labor activist Iqbal Masih’s murder

    Actor Ahmed Ali Akbar’s upcoming film ‘Gunjal’ will certainly change the way Pakistani audiences see him. Akbar will essay the role of a journalist investigating the brutal murder of bonded child labor activist Iqbal Masih, who was assassinated on 16 April, 1995 when he was just 12 years of age.

    The film also stars veteran actor Resham and Aamna Ilyas.

    The film is directed by Shoaib Sultan and the screenplay has been written by Nirmal Bano and Ali Kazmi.

    Iqbal Masih had campaigned against abusive child labor in Pakistan from a very young age. He had received the Reeebok Human Rights Award in 1994 for spreading awareness about child labor and bonded slavery. He was posthumously awarded the Sitara-e-Shujaat in 2022.

  • ‘Janwaron say bad dua lenay say behtar hai’: Hamza Ali Abbasi joins rallying cry to shut down zoos across Pakistan

    ‘Janwaron say bad dua lenay say behtar hai’: Hamza Ali Abbasi joins rallying cry to shut down zoos across Pakistan

    Actor Hamza Ali Abbas has joined the chorus of voices calling for zoos across Pakistan to be shut down. As the country watches veterinarians try to save the life of one of Karachi Zoo’s elephants, Noor Jehan, celebrities have lent support to the demand that the animals be shifted to sanctuaries.

    Taking to Instagram, the ‘Maula Jatt’ actor shared a clip of a post by Express Tribune, slamming authorities for not caring about the welfare of the animals:

    “We can’t take care of animals in zoo’s- it is better than to receive curses from animals that we should ban zoos and send the animals to a safer place.”

    Abbasi’s criticism comes after countless celebrities, including Grammy award winner Arooj Aftab, raised their voices to support animals and shut down zoos. Aftab re-shared a clip from her interview with The Current where she had talked about the abysmal conditions of animals in Lahore’s zoo, calling for better facilities to be set up for animals.

    Just as Noor Jehan improved, she fell into a concrete pond built inside her shelter, leading to worsening of her condition. Authorities had remained in contact with the animal welfare organization Four Paws to coordinate for her treatment.

    Yesterday, The Nation reported that Minister of Climate Change and member of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Sherry Rehman, had advised Sindh government to shut down Karachi Zoo, and for the animals to be moved to enclosures where they are provided with proper facilities.

  • ‘Election won’t be held on May 14’: Rana Sanaullah

    Contrary to the Supreme Court’s (SC) order to hold elections in Punjab on May 14, federal Minister for Interior, Rana Sanaullah has said that polls will not be held on the said date.

    The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader said that elections would be “held together” throughout the country, under a caretaker setup.

    “If elections are not held in May, then October is not too far away either,” said Sanaullah.

    Calling Khan a “fitna”, Sanaullah said that he had been brought to power through a “conspiracy”. “Their [PTI’s] policies over four years created a crisis for the country.”

    “It was [Imran Khan’s] government that signed the agreement with the IMF, not us. The difficulties are only due to the previous government’s agreement.”

    Sanaullah also said that party supremo Nawaz Sharif would reach the country as soon as electoral preparations begin, adding that he would supervise the party’s election campaign.

    “The PML-N has always taken the country out of the crisis,” he emphasized.

  • Real Sinf-e-Ahan; Naila Kiani becomes first Pakistani woman to summit world’s 10th highest peak

    Real Sinf-e-Ahan; Naila Kiani becomes first Pakistani woman to summit world’s 10th highest peak

    Naila Kiani has become the first Pakistani woman to summit Nepal’s Annapurna, the world’s 10th highest peak. The mountain climber made the record on Monday morning.


    Kiani was also the first Pakistani woman to summit Broad Peak, which is the 12th highest mountain in the world. She has also climbed several other peaks, including Gasherbrum II, Gasherbrum I, and the mighty K2.


    Naila summited Annapurna alongside Pakistani mountaineer Shehroze Kashif.

    Arjun Vajpayee of India was part of the six-member team of mountaineers, besides the two Pakistanis.

    Naila Kiani is also an advocate for women’s empowerment and gender equality in Pakistan. She has spoken out about the importance of women pursuing their dreams and breaking down gender barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields like mountaineering.

    Her achievements have inspired many women in Pakistan to pursue their own passions and to challenge societal expectations. She will attempt to summit Mount Everest and Lhotse this season.

    Naila Kiani is the first Pakistani woman to scale four peaks above 8,000 meters.

  • ‘You are not safe here’: Former MPA asks Imran to leave Pakistan

    ‘You are not safe here’: Former MPA asks Imran to leave Pakistan

    Former Member of Punjab Assembly (MPA) Mian Jalil Sharaqpuri has suggested that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan should leave Pakistan.

    Addressing the former Prime Minister directly during a press conference, he said: “You are not safe here. If something happens to you, the country will break up.” He also said that “all religious parties trust you”.

    “No institution can shield you anymore. The nation has high hopes since you are alive,” the former legislator added.

    About the uncertainty of elections, Sharaqpuri said he does not see general election in the next two years and asked what the Supreme Court could do in such a situation.

    He also claimed that the incumbent government wants to destroy Pakistan like Iraq and Libya.

    In the 2018 general elections, Sharaqpuri won an MPA seat on Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) ticket, however, after the dissolution of the Punjab Assembly he formally joined PTI.

    It is pertinent to mention here that the former ruling party has repeatedly claimed that its chief’s life is in danger. Back in November 2022, Imran Khan survived an assassination attempt after a gunman opened fire on his convoy in Wazirabad.

  • Transporters overcharge passengers after fresh increase in fuel prices

    Transporters overcharge passengers after fresh increase in fuel prices

    The recent hike in petroleum prices has been met with public outcry, with many stating that the significant increase in petrol prices has severely impacted the common man, as transporters have raised fares just ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. This rise in oil product prices is also expected to have repercussions on the cost of daily commodities, particularly kitchen items.

    The Statistical Department of Pakistan has reported that people were already facing 44.6 per cent inflation, and the weekly report showed that this figure was expected to increase further with the recent hike in petroleum prices. The price of petrol has been raised to Rs282 per litre, while high-speed diesel and light diesel oil rates will remain stable at Rs293 per litre and Rs174.68 per litre, respectively. However, kerosene oil has seen an increase of Rs5.78 per litre, with its price now standing at Rs186.07 per litre.

    Long route transporters have increased fares by 10 to 20 per cent per ticket, while freight services charges have risen by 30 per cent. Over 70 per cent of people have started to travel to their native towns to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with their families, and they have protested against the sitting government for the fresh increase in petroleum prices. The business community has also warned of a new wave of inflation, and the Pakistan Oil Tankers Association and All Pakistan Truck and Trailer Association have rejected the hike in petroleum product prices.

    Local transporters have also increased fares without permission, claiming that there is no government in the country. However, the District Regional Transport Authority (DRTA) Secretary has stated that they have started a crackdown against transporters who are overcharging passengers. The senior representatives of the trader’s community have also rejected the present hike in petroleum prices and have advised political parties to work together to boost the country’s economy.

    The All Pakistan Clerks Association (APCA) has stated that they are facing difficulties due to the government’s wrong policies and have decided to start a revolution after Eid-ul-Fitr against the wrong government policies. Wagon owners and drivers have protested at the termination points of their routes, while public transport operators in the Rawalpindi division will be meeting to discuss the situation. In summary, transporters, traders, and the general public have strongly reacted to the recent increase in fuel prices.

  • Balochistan Chief Minister says he will not use bulletproof cars anymore

    Balochistan Chief Minister says he will not use bulletproof cars anymore

    Chief Minister (CM) of Balochistan Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo has refused to utilise bulletproof and bombproof vehicles for his own personal use.

    Bizenjo has also declared that no one in his government will get VIP treatment, prohibiting his cabinet and senior officers from using any of these vehicles.

    The decision took place in the backdrop of multiple provincial security forces recently losing their lives in terrorist attacks.

    “In many incidents, security duty officers were targeted by terrorists but we [civilians] use our own bulletproof vehicle,” Balochistan CM said.

    It is pertinent to mention that Balochistan is the most vulnerable province of Pakistan in terms of man-made disasters especially terrorism and civil unrest.

  • Pakistan sees increase in LPG prices following petrol price hike

    Pakistan sees increase in LPG prices following petrol price hike

    The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has announced an increase in the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in Pakistan, following the recent hike in petrol prices. As per the notification, the price of LPG has been increased by Rs10 per kilogramme, with the new price per kilogramme set at Rs229.

    Moreover, the price of domestic and commercial cylinders of LPG has also been raised. The price of a domestic cylinder has been increased by Rs120, whereas a commercial cylinder will now cost Rs450 more than the previous rate.

    In addition, the federal government recently increased the petrol price by Rs10 per litre for the next two weeks. During a televised speech, the finance minister explained that the hike was due to the rise in international petroleum prices and exchange rate fluctuations.

    As a result, the new petrol price has been fixed at Rs282 per litre, while the rates for high-speed diesel (HSD) and light diesel oil have remained unchanged at Rs293 per litre and Rs174.68 per litre, respectively.

    Furthermore, the government has also raised the price of kerosene oil by Rs5.78 per litre, pushing it up from Rs180.28 per litre to Rs186.07 per litre.

  • ‘Just get out!’: Sheheryar Munawar fights with director Sohail Javed in viral video

    A video showing actor Sheheryar Munawar fighting with director Sohail Javed has gone viral. The person responsible for sharing the video is unknown.

    https://twitter.com/NaylaAmir/status/1647048886001848321?s=20

    While many people are claiming that the feud looks staged, neither Sheheryar Munawar nor his PR manager have commented on the clip while Sohail Javed has also chosen to remain quiet.

    The Current has reached to both for a statement. We will update the article as soon as we receive a response.

    If it is proven that this feud was staged, we would condemn it because such publicity stunts aren’t acceptable and should not be commended.

    Actor Imran Ashraf has so far been the only public figure to comment on this video. Underneath the video of the feud shared by Diva Magazine, the ‘Heer Da Hero’ actor had written:

    “I am well aquainted with both of them and I know that Sheheryar wouldn’t shout like this and nor would Sohail bhai. I hope that this is dramatized.”

  • Daughter kills father for not letting her marry lover

    Trigger warning: Murder/Violence

    A 30 year-old-woman in Jhang conspired with her friend to murder her own father in order to clear the way for her to marry the person she had chosen, Samaa has reported.

    After killing her father, Sadia buried his body in their yard with the help of her friend Ashraf. The police in Jhang were able to locate the victim’s body and apprehend the perpetrators. The victim’s seven-year-old son Zulfiqar had reportedly begged the police to capture those responsible for the brutal murder.
    The police have revealed that Ashraf is a known criminal and has been involved in numerous previous cases. Jhang Police Spokesman, Muhammad Aun Raza, has stated that the police conducted an investigation and recovered the body from the yard of the house the daughter lived in, leading to the arrest of Sadia Bibi and her accomplice, Ashraf.

    The family of the deceased has demanded the toughest punishment for the killers.