Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • Punjab govt to declare rape emergency after rise in cases

    Punjab govt to declare rape emergency after rise in cases

    Punjab Home Minister Attaullah Tarar announced on Sunday that the Punjab government will declare an emergency following an increase in rape and sodomy cases in the province.

    Tarar said that the increase in rape cases is a cause of concern for both society and government officials.

    “Four to five cases of rape are being reported daily in Punjab due to which the government is considering special measures to deal with the cases of sexual harassment, abuse and coercion.”

    Read more: Pakistan Railways will help train gang-rape survivor get a job

    Tarar said that to combat these issues, stricter legislation would be introduced along with a separate helpline dedicated to victims seeking out help. The number of DNA samples on a fast-track will also be increased. The Punjab Home Minister added that academia, women’s rights organisations, lawyers, and civil society will be consulted regarding this issue and the process will be completed within a fortnight.

    He also urged parents to not leave their children at home unattended, as perpetrators of most sexual abuse cases were close relatives and neighbours. An awareness campaign will also be run in schools about sexual harassment, added Tarar. 

    The Current records the tally of rape cases that are reported in news outlets on a daily basis to highlight the alarming situation. We have used many different sources as listed. When will it stop?

  • Number of 3G, 4G users in Pakistan increases to 113.89 million

    Number of 3G, 4G users in Pakistan increases to 113.89 million

    The latest data from Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) reveals that the number of 3G and 4G users grew by 1.14 million from 112.75 million in April 2022 to 113.89 million in May 2022.

    Pakistan’s cellular subscriber base grew by 0.25 million to 193 million by the end of May 2022, up from 192.75 million at the end of April, according to Brecorder.

    By the end of May, cellular mobile teledensity had risen from 87.6 per cent to 87.67 per cent. By the end of May, the total teledensity had risen to 88.81 per cent, up from 88.74 per cent in April.

    The monthly penetration of Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS) at the end of April had risen to 51.73 per cent, up from 51.24 per cent.

    Network providers

    The total number of 3G users on Jazz fell from 6.222 million at the end of April to 6.068 million at the end of May, a reduction of 0.154 million. By the end of May, the number of Jazz 4G users had risen from 36.567 million to 37.168 million.

    Zong 3G subscribers fell from 3.357 million at the end of April to 3.272 million at the end of May, while 4G users grew from 27.952 million at the end of April to 28.317 million at the end of May.

    Telenor 3G subscribers fell from 3.696 million at the end of April to 3.613 million at the end of May, whereas Telenor 4G users enhanced from 21.216 million at the end of April to 21.494 million at the end of May.

    By the end of May, there were 3.576 million Ufone 3G users, up from 3.673 million at the end of April. Ufone’s 4G users increased from 8.761 million at the end of April to 9.052 million at the end of May, a 0.291 million increase over the previous month.

  • ‘Free and fair’ elections, demands Khan

    ‘Free and fair’ elections, demands Khan

    Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan on Sunday demanded free and fair election and revealed that he expects match-fixing in Punjab by-elections.

    PTI took out countrywide protests against rising inflation at Khan’s call on Sunday. Khan addressed his supporters via video-link.

    On Monday, Khan thanked his supporters for coming out across Pakistan yesterday, especially those “who braved difficulties & in some cities rain, to join our protest against massive inflation & clearly reject Imported Govt of crooks imposed by US regime change conspiracy”.

    No free lunch, warns Khan

    Imran Khan warned that Pakistan can become the next Sri Lanka. He said that Finance Minister Miftah Ismail has asked for the support of the United States (US) for the revival of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme. “I want to tell Miftah Ismail and Shehbaz Sharif that the Americans have a philosophy, which is that there is no free lunch. Everything has a price. The US will extract our sovereignty as a price.” Khan said that the new government seems ready to pay this price.

    Recognising Israel part of foreign conspiracy agenda: Khan

    Khan also mentioned Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Saleem Mandviwalla’s statement on the potential of Pakistan having diplomatic ties with Israel. “This is part of the same agenda due to which there was a regime change. The agenda is to follow what Israel, India and the US want,” said Khan.

    However, Mandviwalla clarified on Sunday that his words were being taken out of context. “I never wanted Pakistan to further ties with Israel or indulge in trade with it,” said Mandviwalla, adding that recognising Israel was not in Pakistan’s interests.

    Match-fixing in Punjab by-polls on the cards

    “We have to struggle together. Get ready. I will soon give another call for protest, which will continue until we are given a date for free and fair elections. Not just elections but free and fair elections,” said Khan.

    He reiterated that there is a plan of rigging by-elections in Punjab through ‘match-fixing’. By-polls in Punjab are set to take place next month in July.

    Imran Khan’s full address can be seen here:

  • IN PICTURES: Hassan Ali’s dreamy vacation with family

    IN PICTURES: Hassan Ali’s dreamy vacation with family

    Pakistani cricketer Hassan Ali is currently on vacation with his wife Samiya and their daughter Helena.

    The all-rounder has lately been sharing pictures of his trip to Gilgit-Baltistan.

    Have a look at the pictures from Hassan Ali’s dreamy vacation.

    Sharing a picture with his wife, Hassan wrote: “There is never a dull moment when Samiya Khan is around me.”

  • WhatsApp now lets you hide profile photo, last seen from specific contacts

    WhatsApp now lets you hide profile photo, last seen from specific contacts

    Last year, the Meta-owned messaging platform WhatsApp began developing a new privacy setting that would allow users to hide their profile photos, last seen, and about information from specific people in their contact lists.

    It was only available for beta version users, but the company has now announced that it will be accessible to all iPhone and Android users worldwide.

    Users can now show their WhatsApp profile photo, last seen, and About information to anyone in their contacts list except those they choose to keep out.

    Previously, users could choose between three privacy settings for their profile photo, last seen, and About information: Everyone, My Contacts, and Nobody. According to GSM Arena, these are met by a third alternative named ‘My contacts except…,’ which can also be used for Status privacy.

    However, just like read receipts, if someone doesn’t share their last seen with others, they won’t be able to see others. The only difference is that the latter will always remain operational for group chats, even if they’ve turned it off.

    To test this new privacy control, users can go to WhatsApp’s Settings > Account > Privacy menu on an iPhone or Android device.

    WhatsApp also announced some group calling features, including the ability to mute others during a group call and send messages to particular users, in addition to new privacy control. When someone joins a group call off-screen, a banner appears.

    The latest WhatsApp beta update also includes an admin approval feature, which allows group admins to accept or deny requests from people who want to join via hyperlink.

  • Citizens will be given CPR training to save lives: Govt

    Citizens will be given CPR training to save lives: Govt

    Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the commencement of a countrywide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training programme in order to save lives in situations where medical help is unavailable.

    “National movement on CPR Training. CPR has saved countless lives around the world at places where immediate medical assistance is limited. Let’s learn & be a responsible citizen,” tweeted Head of Prime Minister of Pakistan’s Strategic Reforms Salman Sufi.

    A comprehensive strategy would be announced later.

    The development came after a video of a female doctor and her husband went viral on social media in which they administered CPR to save the life of a kid who was recovered from the Nultar River near Gilgit.

  • Covid on the rise again: 171 cases reported in the last 24 hours

    Covid on the rise again: 171 cases reported in the last 24 hours

    According to the National Institute of Health (NIH),171 cases of Covid-19 with a positivity rate of 1.53 per cent were reported in Pakistan on June 20.

    The number of positive cases has risen to 1,532,153. However, no death was reported. A total of 11,212 tests were conducted in the past 24 hours .

    Read more- Surge in Covid-19 cases in Pakistan

    The positivity rate in Sindh’s capital Karachi has reached to 5 per cent. The Sindh government has also requested citizens to get booster shots.

    In April, Pakistan reported zero Covid-19-related deaths for the first time since the breakout of the pandemic in the country.

    In March this year, the government announced the closure of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC). The body was set up in March 2020 to deal with Covid-19.

  • Exclusive: Neelam Muneer reveals why she refused Yumna Zaidi’s role in ‘Ishq Zah-e-Naseeb’

    Exclusive: Neelam Muneer reveals why she refused Yumna Zaidi’s role in ‘Ishq Zah-e-Naseeb’

    Star-actor Neelam Muneer in an exclusive conversation with The Current, revealed why she rejected to play Shakra in Zahid Ahmed starrer Ishq Zah e Naseeb. The role later fell in stellar performer Yumna Zaidi’s lap.

    “It was a very good project, the director (Farooq Rind) is amazing, it aired on HUM TV and was a proper package.”

    She then spilled that the reason of turning it down was because there was a problem with her dates. She wasn’t available to shoot the project in the given time span. “There was a clash of dates and I felt I won’t be able to manage.”

    Muneer concluded on this topic by saying, “Yumna did a very fine job in the drama, I did watch the show though.”

    Last year, Yumna mentioned that her role in Ishq Zahe Naseeb was initially offered to Ayeza Khan and Neelam Munir who turned down the role as its screen time was less than the other female part played by Sonya Hussyn.

    In the fun interview, Neelam also opened up about her traveling preferences with A-list actors Ahad Raza Mir, Bilal Abbas Khan and Sheheryar Munawar.

    'Ahad ke saath private jet': Neelam Muneer exclusively opens up on travelling with Ahad and Bilal

    On being asked with which hero would she want to travel on a private jet, an auto-rickshaw or a car. The Wrong Number actress was given an option of these three actors.

    She said, “Bilal ke saath auto pe, Ahad Raza Mir ke saath private jet pe chali jaungi and Sheheryar ke saath car pe.”

    Seems like Neelam is fond of the Hum Tum star the most.

    The Mere Meherbaan star also opened up on her alleged engagement. When asked if she is engaged, the Chakkar diva stated that although she wouldn’t mind getting married at this stage of her career, however there is no truth to this speculation.

    “Maine koi hint nahi dia aisa, people are curious to know what is happening in my life so I responded to the fan on Instagram.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1e_LMBNYYI&t=1s

    However, the stunning actress mentioned that she wouldn’t mind marrying at the peak of her career as she thinks that it works.

    The rumour mills went buzzing when the Qaid-e-Tanhai heroine responded with a shy-face emoticon to a netizen’s query on the same.

  • ‘First time in history’: PM Shehbaz approves task force for protection of minority rights

    ‘First time in history’: PM Shehbaz approves task force for protection of minority rights

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has approved the formation of a task force that will look after the implementation of minority rights in Pakistan.

    An official notification in this regard states, “In light of the resolution passed by the National Assembly on May 9, 2022, the prime minister has been pleased to approve the constitution of the task force on minorities to oversee the implementation of rights of minorities in light with the decision of the apex court.”

    The task force will be headed by Member of National Assembly (MNA) Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani. It comprises 23 parliamentarians, senators and ex-officio members.

    As chairman of the task force, Dr Vankwani tweeted that such a step had been taken “for the first time in the history of Pakistan”.

    In another tweet, he said, “Recommendations will be made for the solution of the problems faced by the minorities and we will take people from all the segments of the society along with us.”

    In 2014, the Supreme Court (SC) issued an order that there should be monitoring of the practical realisation of the rights and safeguards provided to the minorities under the Constitution and law.

    However, the governments over the years could not implement the SC orders.

    In 2020, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed concern over the surge in blasphemy cases against religious minorities, and the potential for sectarian violence.

  • Only 9% of Pakistanis reported misuse of data, 51% unaware: Survey

    Only 9% of Pakistanis reported misuse of data, 51% unaware: Survey

    A survey conducted by Gallup Pakistan and Worldwide Independent Network of Market Research has revealed that only 51 per cent of Pakistanis are aware of the fact that their data can be missed by the applications downloaded on their phones.

    Only 35 per cent Pakistani respondents said that they are aware of it. In addition, only 9 per cent of Pakistanis said they have reported misuse of their data. Fake e-mails, company spam e-mails, bank accounts, credit cards, and e-mail hacking were among the most common issues reported by Pakistanis.

    66 per cent of Pakistanis said that technology is an important part of their lives.

    The survey was conducted between October 15 and December 18, 2021. A total of 33,000 people from 39 countries participated in the survey, out of which 1,000 were from Pakistan.