Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • Dalai Lama apologises after kissing young boy and asking him to ‘suck his tongue’

    The Dalai Lama has apologised for kissing a young boy on the lips and asking him to “suck his tongue” at a public event in India.


    The incident happened on February 28 at the Dalai Lama’s temple in Dharamshala.


    Video of the event show the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize seated in a chair, while the unnamed youngster is standing in front of him, surrounded by numerous people.


    The video shows the Dalai Lama kissing the youngster on the lips while holding the boy’s hand. The spiritual leader then places his forehead on the boy’s forehead and says, “And suck my tongue,” while sticking out his tongue.


    “A video clip has been circulating that shows a recent meeting when a young boy who asked his Holiness, the Dalai Lama, if he could give him a hug,” said a statement from the leader’s Twitter account said.


    “His Holiness wishes to apologise to the boy and his family, as well as his many friends across the world, for the hurt his words may have caused,” the statement read, adding that the spiritual leader “often teases people he meets in an innocent and playful way, even in public and before cameras. He regrets the incident”.

  • Twitter users troll Salman Khan for calling for censorship against vulgarity, nudity

    Bollywood superstar Salman Khan came under fire on Twitter after he spoke about digital platforms normalizing nudity and vulgar topics, asking that they should be subjected to censorship.

    “I really think there should be censorship on the medium (OTT). All this… vulgarity, nudity, swearing needs to stop. Kids as young as 15 or 16 can access it. Would you like it if your young daughter watches it? I just think the content on OTT needs to be checked. The cleaner the content, the better it will be. It will also have better viewership.”

    According to The Hindustan Times, the ‘Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan ‘ actor spoke out against actors who perform nude scenes on television and expose themselves on screen, suggesting that this should not be acceptable in India, because it could also lead to security problems:

    “You have done it all – love making, kissing and exposing in scenes. And when you enter your building, your watchman has also watched your work. I just don’t think that is right for security reasons. We don’t need to do that… You don’t need to cross the boundary. We live in India. It was way too much before, finally, it has been curbed. Now, people have started working on a lot of good and decent content.”

    Khan’s comments led to a revolt against him on social media, with users bringing up the problematic things the actor has said and done in the past, pointing out the irony in him speaking out against vulgarity, yet refusing to address his own problematic behavior.

    Twitter users shared how the 57 year old has consistently played hero to women 20 years younger than him, as currently the female lead of his upcoming film ‘Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan’, Pooja Hedge, is 32 years old.

    Other users pointed out Khan’s history of making problematic comments, especially when in 2016, he drew outcry over saying his schedule was so hectic that he felt like a ‘raped woman’.

    Many also pointed out how Khan has a history of being abusive to his partners. Former girlfriend Somy Ali shared details of domestic violence she suffered during their eight year relationship. Other people also recalled how Bollywood superstar Aishwarya Rai Bachchan suffered from domestic abuse from the actor during the time they were together.

  • ‘Isko katein’: Maryam Nawaz asks anchor not to question her about Nawaz’s Toshakhana purchases

    ‘Isko katein’: Maryam Nawaz asks anchor not to question her about Nawaz’s Toshakhana purchases

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senior Vice President and chief organizer Maryam Nawaz recently gave an interview to anchorperson Mansoor Ali Khan in March. The wide-ranging interview, released in two parts, covered contentious topics, including Sharif family rivalries, economic challenges and arch-rival Imran Khan. However, an unedited leaked clip of the interview has surfaced on the internet on Monday and it shows a question Maryam Nawaz did not want to talk about.

    In the leaked video clip, the PML-N Vice President can be seen interrupting the journalist in response to a question regarding a car purchased by her father Nawaz Sharif from Toshakhana while he was the Prime Minister. Maryam said that she is not aware of the law regarding purchase of vehicles from the official state registry. She further requested the anchor to not add this question to the final version of the interview.

    Twitter users have all kinds of opinions about the video clip, some criticising Maryam Nawaz for interrupting the journalist, some criticising Mansoor Ali Khan for compromising on his journalistic values, while some are having fun by making memes. Have a look at some of the tweets:

    https://twitter.com/gayomarlic/status/1645400569463316485?s=20
    https://twitter.com/LifeWasGoodd/status/1645404164296417280

    The Current reached out to Mansoor Ali Khan, however the anchorperson refused to comment, saying that he will give his stance in his ‘next vlog’.

  • Gold price soars to an all-time high of Rs217,700 per tola amid economic tensions

    Gold price soars to an all-time high of Rs217,700 per tola amid economic tensions

    The price of gold has soared to an all-time high following a significant slump in the rupee against the dollar, with the country struggling to secure external financing. The data released by the All-Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA) shows that the price of gold (24 carats) has spiked by Rs3,100 per tola and Rs2,656 per 10 grammes, settling at Rs217,700 and Rs186,643 respectively.

    The gold rush is in line with the movement of the rupee, which has fallen 2.44 or 0.85 per cent against the US dollar in the interbank market, and an increase in weekly inflation. Inflation has shot up 0.92 per cent week-on-week and 44.49 per cent year-on-year during the seven-day period that ended on April 6th. Prices of sugar and chicken have surged due to Ramzan, and hoarding has caused a likely uptick in inflation.

    Gold is often seen as a hedge against inflation, increasing in value as the purchasing power of the dollar declines. Plus, it’s the season of Ramzan, which brings with it a surge in demand for the precious metal. Investors’ attention has shifted towards gold as economic tensions continue to rise, with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reviewing external financing commitments from friendly countries before it releases bailout funds. The delay in the revival of the program has negatively impacted the currency market, which is boosting demand for gold.

    The APSGJA also noted that the price of gold in Pakistan is Rs5,000 per tola “undercost” compared to the Dubai market. Thus, the Pakistani gold market is cheaper than the global market. Meanwhile, silver prices in the domestic market have also jumped to historic highs, increasing by Rs30 per tola and Rs25.72 per 10 grams to settle at Rs2,480 and Rs2,126.20, respectively.

    In the international market, the price of gold dropped $6 per ounce, settling at $2,002. Nevertheless, gold’s rise in Pakistan is set to bring a lot of excitement to the local market.

  • Islamophobia? Imam stabbed while leading Fajr prayers in American mosque

    Islamophobia? Imam stabbed while leading Fajr prayers in American mosque

    An imam was stabbed during Fajr prayers in Paterson, New Jersey, on Sunday, Geo has reported. The attacker was apprehended by worshippers present at the scene. The imam, Elnakib, is presently receiving medical treatment for a punctured lung and is in stable condition, as per local officials.

    “Imam Sayed Elnakib was stabbed during the first prayer of the day, around 5:30am, at Omar Mosque in south Paterson while the congregation was kneeling for prayer,” said mosque spokesperson Abdul Hamdan.
    Reportedly, the individual accused of the attack was present among the 200 worshippers praying at the mosque on Sunday.

    Mayor Andre Sayegh of New Jersey said that he paid a visit to the imam, who was in a better condition than before. Sayegh disclosed that Elnakib was receiving medical attention for a punctured lung, and that the attacker has been arrested, though the reason behind the attack is not yet evident.

  • Pakistani rupee drops to Rs287.09 versus US dollar

    Pakistani rupee drops to Rs287.09 versus US dollar

    In Monday’s interbank market, the Pakistani rupee experienced a substantial decrease against the US dollar. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) reported that the local currency closed at Rs287.09, down by Rs2.44 or 0.85 per cent.

    Last week, the rupee had already depreciated by 0.3 per cent, closing at Rs284.65. During the week, the currency fell in four of the five sessions, with the only gain on Thursday, the day when an official from the finance ministry announced that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had received a financing assurance from Saudi Arabia.

    The recent drop in the value of the Pakistani rupee is partially due to the delay in the confirmation of funding from a friendly country. The staff-level agreement between Pakistan and the IMF is taking time solely because of this delay. The financing confirmation is crucial to bridge

    Pakistan’s external account gap and meet the last condition of the IMF. Until then, the currency is likely to remain under pressure.

    Meanwhile, globally, the US dollar began the week strongly after the release of US jobs data indicating a tight labour market. This firming up of expectations has led to predictions that the Federal Reserve will again raise interest rates at its meeting next month.

    In the currency market, the dollar index, which measures the US currency against six major peers, rose 0.225 per cent to 102.25, recovering from the two-month low of 101.40 that the index touched last week.

    Additionally, oil prices, a key indicator of currency parity, stabilised on Monday after rising for three consecutive weeks. This was due to looming supply cuts from Saudi Arabia and other OPEC+ producers, which balanced concerns about weakening global growth that may dampen fuel demand.

  • ‘Domestic violence is not a personal issue’: Social media slams Ushna Shah for justifying support for Feroze Khan

    Actor Ushna Shah has been in hot waters in the past few days after she shared a picture of herself with controversial actor Feroze Khan at a gym on Instagram. She quoted a hadith that called for Ramzan to be a month of mercy and forgiveness. In her next post, she recalled the death of controversial televangelist Amir Liaqat, and asked her followers not to pass quick judgement that could lead to people committing irreversible acts.

    Feroze Khan has been accused of domestic violence and neglect by his former wife Aliza Sultan. The two divorced in 2022, after multiple celebrities including Oscar winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, and actor Sarwat Gilani rallied behind her.

    In November, Feroze Khan was criticized for leaking the personal phone numbers and home addresses of ten celebrities -including Mira Sethi, Osman Khalid Butt and Yasir Hussain- who had declared that they would take action by suing Khan for emotional and mental trauma.

    On Saturday, Shah once more defended her stance by sharing a detailed statement on Twitter, where she called herself a “human sympathizer” rather than an “abuser sympathizer”.

    Shah went on to reveal that as someone who became the target of unfair bullying, like the backlash to her Indian lehnga that Shah wore on her Mehndi, she didn’t think that social media users should abuse a person and their families for something they “allegedly did”.

    “The backlash at my choice to wear the supposed ‘Indian style lehnga’ and dance at my own wedding, was prime example. So when hundreds and thousands of people abuse a person for whatever they allegedly did and abuse their families relentlessly, day and night, non-stop, I know what that can do and it isn’t fair punishment.”

    https://twitter.com/ushnashah/status/1644702178458710017?s=20

    Shah’s statement has received extensive backlash on social media for refusing to recognize how problematic her stance to support Khan is, and for being an abuse apologist.

    One Twitter user wrote:

    “Sympathizing with a human who is an alleged abuser/involved in domestic violence is basically being an abuser apologist. “even if the alleged criminal was found guilty” so u r telling me that a guilty criminal shouldnt have to face the consequences. also what even’s w the lehnaga.”

    “Pakistani celebrities are hypocrites,” another user wrote.

    https://twitter.com/peesho444/status/1644992794442993665?s=20

    “Why is it always ”let’s forgive abuser Muslim m3n because it’s Ramzan”, that man has literally brutalized his wife, you are not only a domestic violence apologist but a traitor to your own women class, using your privilege to disregard the voices of numerous DV women victims,” another user wrote.

    https://twitter.com/auratsoch/status/1644970742549819393?s=20

  • We will not compromise on hosting Asia Cup 2023 at any cost; Najam Sethi lauds Pakistan’s stance over India controversy

    We will not compromise on hosting Asia Cup 2023 at any cost; Najam Sethi lauds Pakistan’s stance over India controversy

    Asia Cup 2023 is scheduled to be played in Pakistan, however, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has continuously pressurised Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to pick a neutral venue for the tournament, stating that they will not send their team to the neighbouring country.

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi has lauded Pakistan’s stance in a recent interview on Geo TV. Talking to Yahya Hussaini, Sethi said that Pakistan will never compromise on hosting over any controversy.

    “We will hold a dialogue and if conditions are not in our favour, we will withdraw from the tournament,” the head of the PCB said.


    Revealing that four to five meetings have already been held with Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and BCCI, Sethi said that PCB is ready to provide solutions:


    “We asked them that don’t you see the international teams coming to Pakistan. Its clear that there is no security concern, perhaps you are concerned about your security. We will provide fool proof security to your team.

    Even if you are not ready to come then tell us the main reason. We will consider your opinion and provide solutions. But they are not ready to talk and are just saying we will not travel to Pakistan, our government will not allow us.”


    Najam Sethi further elaborated that Pakistan had asked if there is any letter from the Indian government. “Show that in the meeting or to media, then both countries will solve the issue diplomatically but they are not showing any letter,” he stressed.


    He said that a hybrid model has been proposed for Asia Cup.

    “We proposed that if India will not want to play in Pakistan that they can play in another country but we are the host and we will decide which country they will play in. We consider their opinions and suggestions but the decision is all ours.


    We have done all the work and logistics. We are just waiting for their call. If they signal a green light to hybrid model that we will play; if they create more hurdles, then we will definitely show the red card,” he warned.

  • Overseas Pakistanis send home remittances worth $2.5 billion, marking a seven-month high

    Overseas Pakistanis send home remittances worth $2.5 billion, marking a seven-month high

    According to data from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), remittances sent by overseas Pakistanis to their home country hit a seven-month high of $2.5 billion in March, which is attributed to Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr.

    Compared to the prior month of February, the inflow of workers’ remittances increased by 27 per cent, but it was 11 per cent lower than March 2022. The legal channels for sending funds to family members were used more frequently, resulting in comparatively high inflows as the difference between the interbank and open market rates decreased.

    Samiullah Tariq, the head of research at Pakistan-Kuwait Investment Company, described the increase as a positive sign. He explained that the kerb and interbank rates have minimal differences. Furthermore, the historical trend suggests that overseas Pakistanis send record-high remittances ahead of Eid festivals each year. The Ministry of Finance predicts that remittances will “further improve due to positive seasonal and Ramadan factors.”

    The central bank reported that the cumulative inflow of $20.5 billion during the first nine months of the fiscal year 2022-23 led to a 10.8 per cent decrease in remittances compared to the same period last year. In addition, it is important to note that this month’s remittances have surpassed the trade deficit data of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), increasing the possibility of a current account surplus.

    The Ministry of Finance also highlighted in its monthly outlook report that the current account deficit is expected to remain on the lower side due to the economic factors contributing to the figures. It should also be noted that the SBP trade deficit data point is usually even lower than the PBS trade deficit.

  • UK organisations want Home Secretary to apologise for racist, Islamophobic allegations against British Pakistanis

    A group of healthcare professionals have demanded that England’s Home Secretary Suella Braverman issue an apology to British Pakistanis for levelling baseless accusations of racism, Islamophobia and other falsehoods against them, endangering their safety in the UK, Murtaza Ali Shah has reported for Geo.

    Several healthcare organizations, comprising a significant number of healthcare professionals from diverse backgrounds, have appealed to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to acknowledge the unfounded and discriminatory accusations made by the Home Secretary, connecting Pakistanis to sexual grooming gangs, despite contradicting evidence from the government.

    During an interview with Sky News last week, Braverman claimed that British Pakistani men were involved in child abuse rings or networks that specifically targeted vulnerable white English girls.

    “(We see) a practice whereby vulnerable white English girls – sometimes in care, sometimes in challenging circumstances – being pursued, raped, drugged, and harmed by gangs of British Pakistani men, who work in child abuse rings or networks,” Braverman said while speaking to the news channel.

    These professionals have cited a Home Office-commissioned report from 2020, which stated that “research has shown that white individuals are the most common perpetrators of group-based child sexual exploitation,” and that it could not be determined that any specific ethnic group was significantly overrepresented.

    The letter further states, “We demand an apology from the Home Secretary and an honest commitment to meaningfully tackling this vital issue which has ruined the lives of thousands of young people. We must also remind the Home Secretary that words have consequences; in 2014, Boris Johnson’s comments on women in niqabs resembling letterboxes directly resulted in a 375% increase in hate crimes targeting Muslim women.”

    “Language that empowers racist hate crime has no place in modern British society. We urge the Home Secretary to reflect on her grossly irresponsible framing of this complex and serious issue and commit to working with members from all communities to address the urgent issue of CSE together. A retraction of her statement and apology is sought.”

    Earlier, Pakistan’s foreign office also criticised Suella Braverman for “discriminatory and xenophobic” comments.