Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • Hamza contacts Elahi over appointment of caretaker CM in Punjab

    Hamza contacts Elahi over appointment of caretaker CM in Punjab

    Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Hamza Shehbaz, has instructed Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Malik Ahmed Khan to consult and contact Chief Minister (CM) Pervaiz Elahi over the appointment of a caretaker setup in Punjab.

    Governor Punjab Baligh Ur Rehman while forwarding the names sent by Pervez Elahi to Hamza Shehbaz tweeted, “I have received three names from Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi, which are being forwarded to Opposition Leader Hamza Shehbaz Sharif. I would like to see both of the leaders jointly agree on any name within the stipulated period.”

    One of Elahi’s nominees, former civil servant Nasir Mehmood Khosa, when contacted by the PML-N, excused himself from accepting the post of caretaker CM.

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif took to Twitter and confirmed that Nasir Khosa excused himself from the offer and declined to take the chair.

    It is pertinent to mention that if both Elahi and Hamza CM fail to reach a consensus, then the Punjab Assembly speaker would constitute a parliamentary committee, finalising the name within three days.

    If the committee also fails to reach an accord then the Election Commission will decide the name for the interim CM from the names forwarded by the government and Opposition.

  • Most infectious XBB.1.5 Covid subvariant detected in Pakistan through genome sequencing: AKU

    Most infectious XBB.1.5 Covid subvariant detected in Pakistan through genome sequencing: AKU

    The most contagious COVID subvariant, XBB.1.5, has been found in Pakistan through genome sequencing, according to the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), The News has reported.


    “Yes, we have found the XBB.1.5 sub-variant of Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 (Coronavirus) through genome sequencing of the virus from an infected patient”, The News has stated while quoting an expert associated with AKU.


    A very small number of COVID-19 cases were reported from the country, the expert, who asked to remain anonymous, claimed. The expert also believed that the majority of those infected with the new sub-variant of the Coronavirus were not getting themselves tested despite having upper respiratory tract infections.


    Infectious diseases expert Dr Rana Jawad Asghar while talking to The News said that genome sequencing of only 0.5 per cent of COVID-19 positive cases was being carried out in Pakistan, which is a relatively small and adhoc proportion when compared to the rest of the globe.

  • Here’s why United Bravo flopped in Pakistan despite being cheap

    Here’s why United Bravo flopped in Pakistan despite being cheap

    United Motors introduced the 800cc Bravo hatchback in Pakistan back in 2018, soon after Pak Suzuki officially announced discontinuing the wildly popular 3-decades old Suzuki Mehran.

    The car was seen as a ‘better replacement’ for the Suzuki Mehran as it came with many interesting features, including an interior with a wooden touch that was actually made of plastic, a dual gauge speedometer, three-spoke steering, alloy rims, power windows, power steering, and keyless entry.

    Due to its features and relatively contemporary looks, it was believed to perform well in Pakistan.

    However, even after more than five years, finding a Bravo on the roads is a rare event. You might come across one in the cities of Punjab.

    Bravo was launched with an 800 cc naturally aspirated 3-cylinder petrol engine that makes 40 hp and 60 Nm of torque, mated to a 4-speed manual transmission.

    There is not just one reason for its flop in the Pakistani auto market.

    United Bravo initially attracted a lot of attention due to its low cost. After some time, those who purchased Bravo began to experience a number of build quality issues. Additionally, it was said that the company’s after-sales services were subpar and that there was a shortage of car parts.

    Numerous online reviews of the car’s substandard build, messed-up paint, and poor assembling frightened potential buyers or anyone even considering purchasing a Bravo.

    Bravo had minimal resale value, and the small hatchback was viewed as a scary investment as it was incredibly difficult for the owner to sell the vehicle once they had purchased it since there were few people interested in owning it.

    United Bravo has been unable to draw buyers despite being aimed at Pakistan’s largest automotive sector by sales volume. If the manufacturer had launched the car with long-lasting, good-quality parts, it might have done better in Pakistan.

    Any auto parts store will sell spare parts for the Suzuki Mehran, but you can’t imagine buying parts for Bravo at every shop.

    Pakistanis often assess how a new brand or product will perform in the long run before accepting it or placing their trust in it. Since established brands like Suzuki, Honda, and Toyota have gained the trust of consumers and deliver acceptable after-sales service, it is difficult for newcomers to compete with them in the Pakistani auto market.

  • A small library thrives in a Pakistani town known for guns, drugs and bombs

    A small library thrives in a Pakistani town known for guns, drugs and bombs

    In the town Dara Adamkhel, guns and drugs are common but now Raj Mohammad, an academic and poet, has set up a small library which has over 500 members, AFP reports.


    Dara Adamkhel is the main town in the Kohat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, known as the center of illegal arms trade where markets and stalls are stockpiled with pistols, automatic rifles, as well as various types of bullets.


    The library is only a short walk away from the markets where books like Virginia Woolf’s “Mrs Dalloway”, as well as the YA “Twilight Saga” series are available for readers.


    Raj Mohammad was at first pessmistic about the idea of starting a library, as he tells AFP that in a town notorious for gun violence, a library would have no place.
    “Initially we were discouraged. People asked, ‘What is the use of books in a place like Darra Adamkhel? Who would ever read here?’


    We now have more than 500 members,” he said.


    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has the lowest literacy rate among all of the provinces in Pakistan, which was reportedly 55 percent in 2020. A study compiled by Huma Zia Faran and Zohair Zaidi on the growing rates of children dropping out of school in 2021 found that in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 60 per cent children had dropped out of school.

    However, 33 year old volunteer librarian Shafiullah Afridi told AFP that more of the younger generation are interested in reading rather than engaging in the guns and drug business.

    “Especially among the younger generation who are now interested in education instead of weapons.”

    “When people see young people in their neighborhood becoming doctors and engineers, others also start sending their children to school,” he told the news outlet.

    Despite the noise from gun testing and bombs raging outside, the librarians have ensured that they offer a quiet and peaceful environment within the library, enforcing a strict “no guns policy” as their members browse through the 4000 books in English, Urdu and Pashto. Along with popular fiction titles, the library has books on the history of Pakistan, guides for sitting the civil service exam and also selections on Islamic teachings.

    “You could say we planted the library on a pile of weapons”, said Mohammad.

    The story was originally covered by The New York Times in 2019.

  • ‘Let us sit, have serious and sincere talks’: PM Shehbaz extends olive branch to Modi

    ‘Let us sit, have serious and sincere talks’: PM Shehbaz extends olive branch to Modi

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, extending an olive branch to his Indian counterpart PM Narendra Modi has said that both leaders should hold serious and sincere talks.

    “My message to the Indian leadership and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is that let us sit down on the table and have serious and sincere talks to resolve our burning issues like Kashmir,” said PM Shehbaz in an interview with Al Arabiya news channel.

    “In Kashmir, flagrant human rights violations are taking place day in and day out,” he pointed out.

    The Premier further added that the neighbouring country had usurped any semblance of autonomy given to the Kashmiris according to Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. The autonomy was revoked in August 2019.

    Reminding the world that both Pakistan and India were neighbouring countries who had to find a way to live together, Shehbaz Sharif said, ” “It is up to us to live peacefully and make progress or quarrel with each other, and waste time and resources. We have three wars with India and it only brought more misery, poverty and unemployment to the people. We have learnt our lesson and we want to live in peace provided we are able to resolve our genuine problems. We want to alleviate poverty, achieve prosperity, and provide education and health facilities and employment to our people and not waste our resources on bombs and ammunition, that is the message I want to give to PM Modi.”

    The Premier remarked that both countries are nuclear powers and armed to teeth. “If God forbid a war breaks out who will live to tell what happened,” he said.

    He said the leadership of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) could play a vital role in bringing Pakistan and India together., adding he would hold talks with the Indian leadership with sincerity of purpose.

    Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader, Fawad Chaudhry rejected PM Shehbaz’s approach of holding talks with Modi and tweeted, “Shehbaz Sharif cannot be allowed to sell Kashmir”.

    Later, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) gave a statement on the issue and said, “The Prime Minister has repeatedly stated on record that talks can only take place after India has reversed its illegal action of August 5, 2019. Without India’s revocation of this step, negotiations are not possible.”

  • Huge surge in malaria, TB in Pakistan after floods

    Huge surge in malaria, TB in Pakistan after floods

    The devastating floods of 2022 have caused a significant increase in the number of cases of malaria and tuberculosis in Pakistan among the poorest people of the nation.
    The executive director of the largest health fund in the world revealed the report on Monday at the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual conference in Davos, Switzerland.


    According to Peter Sands, executive director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, climate change is increasing the number of the mosquito borne infections. He also said that there has been a rise in malaria infections, following the recent floods in Pakistan and storms in Mozambique in 2021.


    Poorer communities are more vulnerable as a result of the rise in extreme weather occurrences and the stagnant water that persist after such events.

    He said that mosquito habitats were shifting as a result of climate change. A change in the low temperatures that historically rendered the region unsustainable for mosquitoes has led to malaria becoming more prevalent in the highlands of Africa, particularly in Kenya and Ethiopia.


    In some of the world’s poorest countries, Sands oversees the largest global fund, which provides aid in the fight against tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV/AIDS.

    He said that mosquito habitats were shifting as a result of climate change. A change in the low temperatures that historically rendered the region unsustainable for mosquitoes has led to malaria becoming more prevalent in the highlands of Africa, particularly in Kenya and Ethiopia.
    In some of the world’s poorest countries, Sands oversees the largest global fund, which provides aid in the fight against tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV/AIDS.

  • Sarwat Gillani gushes about meeting Bollywood lyricist Javed Akhtar

    Sarwat Gillani gushes about meeting Bollywood lyricist Javed Akhtar

    Pakistani and Indian celebrities had a wholesome interaction at a party held on Monday night.
    Pakistani actresses attended a party where Bollywood screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar and his daughter filmmaker Zoya Akhtar were also in attendance.
    Sarwat Gillani posted pictures of the interaction, thanking Fauzai Kehar for hosting the event.

    “Had the pleasure to meet the Master, Javed Akhtar Sahab and his brilliant filmmaker daughter Zoya Akhtar.

    Thank you @fauzia_kehar for opening your heart and home to us, you’re a wonderful host to say the least.”

    Among the attendees included actresses Ayesha Omar, artist Rashid Rana, Kiran Malik and Rao Ali Khan.

  • WhatsApp to get new camera modes, blocking shortcut

    WhatsApp to get new camera modes, blocking shortcut

    WhatsApp will soon get two new features that will make using messenger more convenient. The first feature is the option to block a contact right from the message notification pop-up, and the second feature offers separate tabs for taking photos and recording videos from within the app.

    Presently, if you want to block someone on WhatsApp, you have to go to the app, select the chat, tap on the contact information, and then select the option to block the contact. Some people might find the process too lengthy, which is why WhatsApp is working on offering an option to block a contact right from an unwanted message’s pop-up notification. This will make it easier to block a contact.

    To prevent you from unintentionally blocking your contacts, this option will only appear for contacts that are not saved on your device.

    Currently, in WhatsApp, you must press and hold the camera shutter button in order to shoot a video. If you want to record a lengthy video, it can feel fairly difficult.

    WhatsApp is now testing a new feature that provides various tabs for shooting pictures and making videos. So, all you have to do to record a video is choose the video mode in the viewfinder and give the record button one quick tap.

    These features are expected to roll out to the stable version of the app in the next few months.

  • UN rights experts urge Pakistani authorities to end forced child marriage

    UN rights experts urge Pakistani authorities to end forced child marriage

    On Monday the United Nations’ rights experts condemned an increase in forced marriages, conversions, and kidnappings of girls from Pakistan’s religious minority and urged the government to immediately put an end to such practices.


    “The group of around a dozen independent United Nations rights experts includes the UN special rapporteurs on the sale and sexual exploitation of children, contemporary forms of slavery, violence against women, and minority issues,” the statement read.

    “We are deeply troubled to hear that girls as young as 13 are being kidnapped from their families, trafficked to locations far from their homes, made to marry men sometimes twice their age, and coerced to convert to Islam,” the experts said. They pointed out that abductors often “force their victims to sign documents which falsely attest to their being of legal age for marriage as well as marrying and converting of free will”.

    The experts demanded that the Pakistani government act right away to stop and fully examine these activities.

  • Srha Asghar makes revelations about her brother’s demise, gets emotional

    Srha Asghar makes revelations about her brother’s demise, gets emotional

    Actor Srha Asghar recently spoke about her brother’s untimely death for the first time in an interview with Nadir Ali.

    Srha Asghar told about her military brother who was stationed in Afghanistan. Srha said this about him in Nadir Ali’s podcast: “I think that I feel sad about the time when my brother died in the USA, I could not even go to his funeral, even if I could go I can’t tell about my feelings, I think I can’t attend funerals, and at that time I had my exams and my other brother was with me, I know it’s important to be at the funeral of brother but I could not go and even when I visited his grave , I didn’t react.”

    Srha Asghar discussed her brother's tragic death for the first time

    The Pyaar Ke Sadqay star added, “I remember that I cried after two three days, my brother died in 2012, he was 31’yeard old, he used to serve in US Army and he got a bullet in Afghanistan. a troop hit his camp. I talked to him on skype before his death. He talked to everyone, it was difficult for me but I think how difficult would it be for my mother”.