Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • ‘We have not been pressing for dialogue’: Opposition seeks written assurances from govt on legislation

    ‘We have not been pressing for dialogue’: Opposition seeks written assurances from govt on legislation

    Members of the united Opposition on Thursday met National Assembly (NA) Speaker Asad Qaiser twice and asked him to give them in writing the terms of engagements, which should include a categorical statement that it was the government that approached them for dialogue, reports Dawn.

    “We are going to communicate to the Speaker that he should give us in writing because we do not want to hear that we (the Opposition) have been pressing for a dialogue,” said the parliamentary leader of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in Senate Sherry Rehman.

    “The steering committee will consider further action after receiving legislation in writing from the Speaker regarding the bills and ordinances to be discussed in the joint session,” said Sherry. “We believe in the supremacy of parliament and dialogue but obviously, our leadership will take the final decision after the steering committee deliberations,” she added.

    Former Speaker NA Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said, “The Speaker called me and Naveed Qamar and said he wanted the government and the Opposition to sit down and talk about the 20 bills related to the ordinances. We responded that we will talk to the party leadership first.”

    The Opposition parties had formed a steering committee on Wednesday to formulate a joint strategy after the government postponed Thursday’s joint session of parliament.

    The Opposition Leader in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif and PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari termed the government’s decision of postponing the joint session as their victory.

    “The hasty convening of the joint meeting and then the hasty adjournment shows the seriousness of the government that had made sensitive and serious issues like legislation a child’s play,” said Shehbaz.

    Bilawal said “Kaptaan bhag gaya” (the captain ran away), sharing President Arif Alvi’s notification for the postponement of the session.

  • Taliban given a clear message to uphold international legal obligations: Troika meeting

    Taliban given a clear message to uphold international legal obligations: Troika meeting

    A meeting of the Troika Plus, hosted by Pakistan, including China, Russia, and the United States (US), was held in Islamabad on Thursday.

    The Taliban government in Afghanistan was given a clear message to uphold its international legal obligations, including universally accepted principles of international law and fundamental human rights, reports Geo News.

    During the meeting, alluding to the US, Pakistan said efforts should be made to enable Afghanistan to access its frozen funds, which would dovetail into efforts to regenerate economic activities and move the Afghan economy towards stability and sustainability.

    Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi took to Twitter and said, “The meeting reflects our common desire to see a peaceful, stable, unified, sovereign & prosperous Afghanistan; a shared responsibility.”

    A joint statement issued after a meeting of the Troika Plus stressed that the representative government should protect the rights of all Afghans and provide equal opportunities to women and girls to participate in all aspects of Afghan society.

    The forum agreed to continue practical engagement with the Taliban to encourage the implementation of moderate and prudent policies that could help achieve a stable and prosperous Afghanistan as soon as possible.

    Condemning in the strongest terms the recent terrorist attacks in Afghanistan, the forum called on the Taliban to cut ties with all international terrorist groups, dismantle and eliminate them in a decisive manner, and deny space to any terrorist organisation operating inside the country.

    The participants reaffirmed their expectation that the Taliban will fulfil their commitment to preventing the use of Afghan territory by terrorists against its neighbours, other countries in the region and the rest of the world.

  • Shoaib Malik sizzles in bold photoshoot with Hania Aamir, oozes crackling chemistry

    Shoaib Malik sizzles in bold photoshoot with Hania Aamir, oozes crackling chemistry

    A-list cricketer Shoaib Malik and Lollywood star Hania Aamir’s latest fashion photoshoot has been creating waves on social media.

    After creating a stir with a sizzling photoshoot alongside Ayesha Omer, this time Malik paired up with the Dilruba diva.

    Hania Aamir and Shoaib Malik’s bold photoshoot stuns everyone
    After Ayesha Umar, Shoaib Malik photo shoot with Hania Amir went viral
    Latest Photoshoot of Hania Amir and Shoaib Malik

    Earlier, Shoaib garnered praise for his extensive shoot with the Bulbulay diva, Ayesha Omar.

    READ MORE: Ayesha Omar breaks silence on wedding rumours with Shoaib Malik

  • ‘I believe that I can enjoy friendship, love and equality in marriage’: Malala

    ‘I believe that I can enjoy friendship, love and equality in marriage’: Malala

    In a personal essay written for British Vogue Nobel Peace Prize Winner Malala Yousafzai talks about her marriage with Asser Malik, her comments about partnership vs. marriage and how she met the guy she married this week.

    “In the summer of 2018, Asser was visiting friends at Oxford and we crossed paths. He worked in cricket, so I immediately had a lot to discuss with him. He liked my sense of humour. We became best friends. We found we had common values and enjoyed each other’s company. We stood by each other in moments of happiness and disappointment. Through our individual ups and downs, we talked and listened to each other. And when words failed, I sent him a link to our horoscope compatibility, hoping the stars could help reinforce our connection,” Malala writes in the article.

    RELATED: Sign up for The Current’s daily newsletter to get your daily horoscope

    Addressing the controversy in an interview where Malala talks about a partnership instead of marriage, Malala says, “Knowing the dark reality many of my sisters face, I found it hard to think of the concept of marriage. I said what I had so often said before – that maybe it was possible that marriage was not for me.”

    Malala Yousafzai at her Nikkah. Image Courtesy: British Vogue

    Finding friendship and love in Asser, Malala, who says she did not expect to be married before she was 35-years-old, changed her mind. “With education, awareness and empowerment, we can start to redefine the concept of marriage and the structure of relationships, along with many other social norms and practices. Culture is made by people – and people can change it too. My conversations with my friends, mentors and my now partner Asser helped me consider how I could have a relationship – a marriage – and remain true to my values of equality, fairness and integrity.”

    Discussing how the Nikkah took place, Malala says it was a wholly family affair. “It was a small affair and group effort. My mother and her friend got my wedding clothes from Lahore, Pakistan. Asser’s mother and sister gave me the jewellery I wore. My father booked the food and decorations. My assistants organised photographers and a make-up artist. My three best girlfriends from school and Oxford took off work and travelled to be there. I put henna on my hands myself, after discovering I was the only one of my family and friends who had the talent! Asser spent several hours in the mall with me the day before the ceremony, buying his pink tie and pocket square and my sandals. My little brothers even wore suits.”

    Malala did her own mehndi for the event

    And how does she feel about her future? Malala writes that, “In Asser, I found a best friend and companion. I still don’t have all the answers for the challenges facing women – but I believe that I can enjoy friendship, love and equality in marriage. “

  • ‘Wonder Woman can defeat Deadpool and Black Adam’: Gal Gadot

    Hollywood star Gal Gadot got candid while promoting her new action film Red Notice about her opinion on co-stars Ryan Reynolds and Dwayne Johnson. The Wonder Woman diva shared that while Johnson was a better singer out of the two, Reynolds is the funnier one.

    She hilariously said, “He’s so good with jokes, his thing was to make sure he breaks DJ [Johnson] and me and that was the biggest challenge. Not to break takes.”

    While talking about special talents, Gadot also revealed that The Rock’s dancing skills surprised her, “He’s an amazing dancer. He has such light feet. No, I’m telling you. I was like, ‘Okay, I guess the wrestling days, He’s really good with choreography.”

    All 3 Red Notice cast members have their own superhero movies, Reynolds as Deadpool, Gadot as Wonder Woman, and Johnson as the upcoming Black Adam, the actress was asked whose superhero character would win in a battle (hypothetically)? “Wonder Woman…right?” Gadot responded with a smile.

    In the same interview, Ryan Reynolds also spoke to the publication and got candid about his co-star Johnson, who has been named the Sexiest Man Alive. “What makes Dwayne the sexiest man alive? Honestly, it’s the vulnerability he has,” Reynolds said.

    He also added: “He has access to a great wellspring of his own vulnerability, and I love that about him. It’s also a wild juxtaposition from his kind of persona as this ultra-macho kind of overly, you know, everything sort of bigger is better. But, on the inside he’s incredibly vulnerable and, and that’s something I think is really beautiful.”

  • ‘World’s most beautiful woman’ Bella Hadid opens up about struggling with anxiety and depression

    ‘World’s most beautiful woman’ Bella Hadid opens up about struggling with anxiety and depression

    Supermodel Bella Hadid created headlines when science declared her the world’s most beautiful woman.

    Bella Hadid declared as world's most beautiful woman.

    Bella’s eyes, eyebrows, nose, lips, chin, jaw and facial shape were measured and came closest to the Greeks’ idea of perfection.

    She recently broke down in an emotional Instagram post that includes video footage of a recent interview with her friend, Willow Smith, along with photos of Bella crying.

    In the video, Willow talks about feeling insecure at times and like she’s not good enough. “All humans are different, every single human has something so special and unique to offer,” Willow says in the video. “And people forget that everyone is basically feeling the same way: lost, confused, not really sure why they’re here.”

    Bella started off her post by addressing Willow, writing, “I love you and your words. It made me feel a little less alone and that’s why I’d like to post this.” Bella, 25 continued, “This is pretty much my everyday, every night for a few years now.”

    Bella then pointed out that social media is “not real,” adding, “for anyone struggling, please remember that.”

    Hadid emphasized that when it comes to mental health, no two battles are the same and it’s an ongoing struggle. “Self help and mental illness/chemical imbalance is not linear and it is almost like a flowing rollercoaster of obstacles…it has its ups and downs, and side to sides,” she explains. “But I want you to know, there is always light at the end of the tunnel, and the rollercoaster always comes to a complete stop at some point.” She also notes that while feelings of sadness and helplessness can always start up again, it’s helpful to know that they ebb and flow by nature, which helps bring her solace that “even if it’s a few days, weeks, or months, it does get better.”

    “It took me a long time to get that in my mind, but I’ve had enough breakdowns and burnouts to know this,” she continues, “if you work hard enough on yourself, spending time alone to understand your traumas, triggers, joys, and routine, you will always be able to understand or learn more about your own pain and how to handle it, which is all that you can ask of yourself.”

  • ‘Why woman has to choose?’: Zunaira Inam opens up about life after marrying Usman Mukhtar

    ‘Why woman has to choose?’: Zunaira Inam opens up about life after marrying Usman Mukhtar

    Research analyst Zunaira Inam who recently got married to actor Usman Mukhtar, has opened up about how her life has changed after marriage.

    Zunaira hosted a question and answer session on Instagram, one of her followers asked her that how different is she finding her married life?

    Answering to the question, she said: “It’s been great so far, Alhamdulillah! The only thing I’ve been struggling with is referring to my husband’s house as home.”

    “Butt on a deeper level, why should a woman have to chose? Why can’t both homes just be home? They should be,” she added.

    The couple tied the knot earlier in March in an intimate nikkah ceremony that took place in Islamabad.

    Their remaining wedding events took place in October.

  • ‘Busy providing protocol to powerful people’: Fahad Mustafa calls out unfair protocol culture at airports

    ‘Busy providing protocol to powerful people’: Fahad Mustafa calls out unfair protocol culture at airports

    Actor Fahad Mustafa has raised his voice against the protocol culture at airports.

    The Load Wedding star took to his official Twitter account and tweeted, “Most of the airport staff always seems busy providing protocol to the powerful people of the country i wonder is that really part of their job.”

    The Actor In Law star recently criticised the ruling government after a massive increase in the prices of the petrol in the country.

    He also slammed the famous phrase of PM Imran Khan, ‘Ghabrana Nahi Hai’ by tweeting that ‘ab khul ke ghabrao’.

    On the work front, the Jawani Phir Nahi Aani star will be seen next in Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad opposite Mahira Khan.

    Mahira Khan & Fahad Mustafa wrap up Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad with a picture worth a thousand words
  • Mohammad Rizwan gifts Matthew Hayden a translation of the Quran

    Mohammad Rizwan gifts Matthew Hayden a translation of the Quran

    Pakistan’s wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan has gifted an English translation of the Holy Quran to consultant coach Matthew Hayden.

    Hayden has revealed in his latest interview that he was curious about Islam and Rizwan gifted him the Holy Quran with English translation.

    “It was Rizzy (Mohammad Rizwan) and I have to say it was a beautiful moment I will never forget. I am curious about Islam even though I am a Christian. One follows Christ and the other Muhammad and in a sense never shall meet but he presented me with an English version of the Quran. We sat on the floor for half an hour and talked through it. I am reading a bit of it each day. Rizzy is one of my favourite individuals, a champion human being,” Hayden said.

    As per reports, Matthew Hayden has been impressed by the humbleness of the Pakistan cricket team, saying that they connect to a higher level.

    “I was taken aback by how neutral and humble these guys are. How everything is just meant to be. It has been great fun. They are really coachable athletes as well. It stems from a deep sense of spirituality. As a westerner, you don’t realise the implications of having that commitment and faith. Even their salat – their five different prayer sessions a day. You can be outside a lift or even in a lift and if it is time for salat, that is what happens. These guys connect at a higher level. It’s not like ‘how ya going, today mate?’” Hayden added.

    “Inside the changing room I’ve never seen a more disciplined and more humble approach to winning,” he added.

    The former Australian cricketer also lauded Babar and Rizwan in a previous interview, saying: ” Babar and Rizwan have created a unique opening for themselves.”

    In 2021, skipper Babar and Rizwan have amassed 826 runs in 14 Twenty20 international partnerships. They put on an unbroken 152-run stand, their third as an opening pair, as Pakistan trounced India in Dubai by 10 wickets. This is their first win over their arch-rivals in 13 World Cup matches.

    Now both Babar and Rizwan are the heart and soul of the Pakistan team as they target a second T20 World Cup title.

    The Green Shirts will be facing Australia in the second semi-final of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup. If they’ll win this match, they will be playing against New Zealand in the finals.

  • Punjab govt removes TLP chief Saad Rizvi’s name from Fourth Schedule

    Punjab govt removes TLP chief Saad Rizvi’s name from Fourth Schedule

    The Punjab government on Wednesday removed Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) Chief Saad Hussain Rizvi’s name from the Fourth Schedule — a list of proscribed individuals who are suspected of terrorism or sectarianism under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997, reports Dawn.

     The Punjab Home Department issued a statement: “The name of Hafiz Mohammad Saad, being Ameer of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan, a proscribed organisation, was listed in the 4th Schedule of Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, under Section 11-E on the recommendations of District Intelligence Committee, Lahore.”

    A copy of the Punjab Home Department notification

    “Therefore, name of Hafiz Mohammad Saad is hereby deleted from the list of 4th Schedule of Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, with immediate effect,” it stated.

    Police had arrested Rizvi on April 12 this year ahead of planned protests by the TLP. 

    The government, on November 7, revoked the ban on TLP.

    Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed on Thursday said, “I want to state this on oath, I don’t know what the agreement with Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) is.”

    The minister when questioned about the “secretive agreement” of the government with TLP, responded that thankfully he has been able to escape problems and said, “I am not a part of this problem.”

    Earlier, the government decided to disclose the details of the agreement with the TLP in the next 10 days.