Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • Samina Ahmed reportedly shooting for a Hollywood project in Thailand

    Samina Ahmed is reportedly shooting for a ‘Hollywood serial’ in Thailand, her husband Manzar Sehbai has revealed.

    Replying to an Instagram user asking where Samina is, Sehbai said: “She is in Thailand, shooting for a Hollywood serial. Will be back on 6th of May.”

    While Sehbai did not reveal what project Samina is shooting for, it is believed that the veteran actor is part of Disney+’s Ms Marvel. As per details, the series is currently being shot in Bangkok and Bollywood actor Farhan Akhtar is also in the city for it.

    https://twitter.com/iHaroonRashid/status/1380274222128320512

    According to a report in the Indian media, “Farhan is currently stationed in Bangkok, along with an international cast and crew, for the shoot of a project with Marvel Studios, who are known to be one of the biggest film studios worldwide.”

    Marvel Studio’s upcoming original series Ms Marvel, will see Iman Vellani play Kamala Khan aka Ms Marvel. Churails actor Nimra Bucha is also part of the cast and is expected to have a titular role in the series.

    According to a press release, “The Marvel Studios original series centres on fan-favourite Kamala Khan — a 16-year-old Pakistani-American growing up in Jersey City. A great student, avid gamer, and voracious fan-fic scribe, Kamala has a special affinity for superheroes, particularly Captain Marvel.”

    The episodes of the series will be directed by Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah (Bad Boys for Life), Meera Menon (The Walking Dead, Dirty John, Outlander) and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.

    The series is set to premiere on Disney+ later this year.

  • Forex reserves fall to $20.679bn

    Forex reserves fall to $20.679bn

    The Foreign Exchange reserves of Pakistan fell by $157 million or 0.75 per cent to clock in at $20.679 billion, said the central bank on Thursday.

    The total liquid foreign reserves held by the country stood at $20.836 billion in the previous week.

    The reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) decreased by $146 million to $13.527 billion due to external debt repayments. The reserves of commercial banks also reduced to $7.152 billion from $7.163 billion last week.

    Earlier, Pakistan received inflows amounting to $2.5 billion on Thursday evening as proceeds of recently launched Eurobonds.

    The central bank has confirmed on its Twitter account that SBP has received the government’s proceeds of $2.5 billion against Eurobond issuance, resulting in $16 billion surges in foreign exchange reserves. 

    After a gap of almost three years, Pakistan has entered the international capital market for Eurobonds trading. A multi-tranche transaction of 5-,10-, and 30- year Eurobonds was performed to build up the foreign exchange reserves. 

    During the past two years, Pakistan got almost $3 billion in foreign inflows and out of these, $2.5 billion from Eurobonds arrival on Thursday evening.

    Besides, in the last week of March, International Monetary Fund (IMF) gave around $500 million to Pakistan as a loan under Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for support. 

    As of April 2, 2021, SBP’s liquid foreign exchange reserves were $20.679 billion. With the addition of Eurobond proceeds, these foreign exchange reserves would likely cross the $23 billion mark.

  • Woman travels from America to marry Pakistani TikToker

    Woman travels from America to marry Pakistani TikToker

    A 40-year-old woman from America flew seven seas to Pakistan after falling in love with a Pakistani TikToker.

    VIDEO: Tiktokers Zulqarnain, Kanwal Aftab tie the knot

    As per details, Daniel, a resident of Washington DC arrived in Pakistan after falling in love with 27-year-old TikToker Afshan Raaj who hails from Rawalpindi.

    Daniel accepted Islam and married Raaj. She also changed her name to Hafsa. The couple’s love story began when they started liking each other’s videos on TikTok.

    Talking to The Express Tribune, Raaj said that Hafsa liked and commented on his TikTok video a few months ago after which they began talking to each other. He said that he is very lucky as Hafsa converted to Islam to marry him, adding that he has a lot of respect for his wife as she left her native country and came all the way to Pakistan to marry him.

    On the other hand, Hafsa said that before making this decision, she did detailed research on Islam. Hafsa said that she added followers of different beliefs and religions in a Whatsapp group after which concluded that Islam is the religion for eternal peace and happiness in life and hereafter. She clarified that she took this step by her own will and was not pressurised by anybody to change her religious beliefs.

    Hafsa further said that she is very fond of Asian culture and is trying to learn Urdu. She said that based on her experience, she finds Pakistanis very hospitable.

  • ‘Vaccination registrations for all ages to open after Eid’

    Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar has announced that the government plans to open registrations for COVID-19 vaccination for citizens of all age groups after Eid, which is around mid-May.

    According to a report in Gulf News, the minister made these remarks while talking to senior media persons in a press meet. He also said that Pakistan will be able to vaccinate more than 125,000 people per day after Eid.

    “We began a phase-wise approach at the beginning [and are expanding it now],” said Umar during the meeting, adding that the coming five to six weeks are very critical for Pakistan in the fight against coronavirus.

    The minister said that the private sector had also started vaccinations and so far 14,000 people have been vaccinated through that, while 1.1 million were inoculated as part of the government campaign.

    Umar also relayed that China was Pakistan’s “primary source” for vaccination and that the CanSino vaccine would also be available in the country after Eid.

    Meanwhile, Pakistan is all set to start manufacturing the Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V locally in collaboration with Russia in the coming months.

    Vaccinations of people 60 and above commenced on March 10, while registrations for people above 50 started from March 30.

    Pakistan is currently battling with its third wave of COVID-19. According to the NCOC, Pakistan has recorded 5312 cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours and 105 people have lost their lives to the deadly virus.

  • God has told both men and women to ‘guard their modesty,’ says Hamza Ali Abbasi

    God has told both men and women to ‘guard their modesty,’ says Hamza Ali Abbasi

    Prime Minister Imran Khan’s comments on rising rape cases due to vulgarity in society have sparked an intense debate on social media with everyone from Jemima Goldsmith to Rohail Hyatt weighing in on the issue. Hamza Ali Abbasi, who recently embarked on a spiritual journey to connect with God, has now also stepped in to share his thoughts on the matter.

    “In my personal understanding, God has made it clear in the Quran that sexual instinct is one of the most powerful instincts in both men and women,” said Hamza. “Hence God emphasizes on overall modesty and responsible behaviour from both men and women, equally, in this particular area.”

    Quoting a verse from the Quran, the actor further said: “Speaking as a man, in my understanding of what I believe is the literal speech of God, Quran, God has very clearly told all men who say they are Muslims that no matter what anyone is dressed like or behaves like, unconditionally lower your gaze and guard your own modesty.”

    Hamza also shared verses from the Quran to further express his point of view.

    He also took time to respond to his followers and discuss the subject.

    “Allah has made it clear that we are only responsible for our own intentions and deeds,” said Hamza, asserting that as individuals, we all need to start acting responsibly.

    The actor also said that a woman’s dressing does not contribute to rising rape cases.

    When a user asked Hamza to explain indecency, the actor said: “Any kind of sexual behaviour or actions outside marriage.”

    Hamza also clapped back at a troll who raised questions on his wife Naimal Khawar’s dressing.

    “If you mean face covering and head covering, it’s not commanded by Allah in our understanding,” clarified Hamza. “In case you are thinking about verses of Surah Ahzab, it is a commandment to establish identity in a dangerous situation, not for purity.”

    Meanwhile, Hamza is currently working on his book on Allah and religion, which he announced in December 2020. The first draft of the book was completed last month and the actor hopes to make it free for everyone.

  • SBP could soon be launching digital currency in Pakistan

    SBP could soon be launching digital currency in Pakistan

    State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Dr Reza Baqir has said the central bank is carefully studying the options to launch digital currency in Pakistan.

    Speaking to a private media outlet, Baqir highlighted the role of the central bank in the wake of COVID-19 in Pakistan. He also talked about his vision to bring digitisation to the country’s financial sector.

    “The launch of digital coin in Pakistan will have a twofold benefit to us. Not only does it boosts our efforts for financial inclusion, but the central bank-issued digital currency will allow progress in our fight towards anti-money and countering terrorism financing,” said Baqir.

    On the entry of global fintech companies like stripe in the Pakistani market, Baqir said that big international payment providers are “very welcome” in Pakistan.

    “Pakistan is the home to the fifth-largest concentration of people. It is a market where people are generally tech-savvy, and it is a market that is waiting to burst as far as digitisation is a concern,” said Baqir.

    “We are very open, and we embrace any global mobile payment operator that wants to come to Pakistan.”

  • PPP, several others, including PTI’s Fawad, against criminalising criticism

    PPP, several others, including PTI’s Fawad, against criminalising criticism

    The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has said that it rejects any attempts to further gag the fundamental right of freedom of expression in the name of preventing defamation and disrespect of the armed forces.

    In a statement, Senator Farhatullah Babar expressed grave concern over a bill moved by a PTI MNA and approved by the National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior seeking to amend the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) to send anyone to jail for two years with fine Rs 500,000 or both for what has been described as ‘defamation of the army”.

    He said that Section 500 of the PPC already provides punishment for the defamation of anyone, and the addition of Section 500-A is aimed only at gagging freedom of expression guaranteed under Article 19 of the constitution in name of national security. It is not acceptable and will be opposed at every platform he said.

    “The nation has witnessed enough of how behind the facade of ‘national security’ citizens have disappeared mysteriously, national resources diverted, internment centres set up, ex-tribal areas made a no-go area, foreign and security policies hijacked and security establishment’s business and commercial empire expanded exponentially.”

    Section 500-A is liable to be grossly misused in the name of national security as Section 295-C has been misused in the name of religion, he said.

    “Defence forces working within their constitutional limits are universally admired and do not need any legislation to protect their honor and respect. Similarly, no legislation can stop people from questioning those who transgress their limits with impunity,” he said.

    While the PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) reportedly tried to block the bill from approval by NA Standing Committee on Interior, saying it was a violation of right to freedom of expression, some government members have also expressed concern.

    While Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari had earlier blocked a similar bid to curb criticism, Federal Minister Fawad Chaudhry has now said it was an “absolutely ridiculous idea”.

    In a tweet, he said he strongly felt that instead of introducing new laws to quell criticism, the laws dealing with contempt of court “should be repealed”.

    He was seconded by Mazari.

    “Totally agree. Cannot state it strongly enough,” she wrote.

  • VIDEO: Giant lizard causes panic inside Thailand store

    Video captured from a supermarket in Thailand shows an almost six-feet long lizard creating panic inside the store.

    The video, which has gone viral on social media, shows a monitor lizard crawling up a shelf of products in the store. The nearly one-minute-long video was captured by a customer in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.

    https://twitter.com/gunsnrosesgirl3/status/1379788937921724419?s=20

    People who witnessed the event told the Daily Mail that the incident happened on Tuesday. No one was hurt and the lizard did not take any food, they said.

    The witness who filmed the video later also paused to take a selfie with the creature in the background.

  • Punjab govt rushes to Tareen’s support amid reports of rift with PTI

    The Punjab government has said that disgruntled Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Jahangir Tareen is an important pillar of the party and had worked hard to form the government of Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar.

    Speaking to Geo News, Special Assistant to Punjab CM Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan had come to power on the manifesto of the supremacy of law and a corruption-free Pakistan.

    Awan, while responding to a question on accountability, said all those PTI leaders and ministers who were accused of corruption had returned to their positions after getting themselves cleared from the charges.

    The spokesperson dismissed media reports claiming that the government is taking revengeful action against Tareen.

    Tareen is facing charges of corruption in the sugar scandal and multiple cases have been filed against him.

    Amid his ordeal, reports had claimed the sugar baron was defecting to rival Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

    While the claims have been rubbished, any truth to the same could serve a severe blow to the ruling PTI, especially in Punjab where Buzdar is in power owing to the support of a number of loyal-to-Tareen MPAs.

    The PTI leader, after appearing in court on Wednesday, had said that his loyalty to PM Imran was being tested, but that he is not parting ways with the PTI.

    While responding to a question, Awan said that Tareen would never take a step that would harm PTI and that he had played an important role in forming the Buzdar government and taking forward the policies of the PTI government.

    “Jahangir Tareen will never want to see PTI getting weak on the political front. In pursuance of PM Khan’s mission he was active as a soldier,” she added.

    Meanwhile, the Punjab government has reportedly prepared a list of the PTI members who were in contact with Jahangir Khan Tareen.

    CM Buzdar is set to hand over the list to the premier, which would be followed by a final decision on said lawmakers’ fate.

    Tareen loyalists maintain that he also played a major role in securing PM Imran the recent vote of confidence and without his support, the government is struggling owing to a thin majority in Punjab.

  • Mrs World arrested for assaulting Mrs Sri Lanka on stage

    Mrs World arrested for assaulting Mrs Sri Lanka on stage

    The Colombo police has arrested the current Mrs World Caroline Jurie on charges of assault over an on-stage brawl in which she pulled the crown off the head of the new Mrs Sri Lanka Pushpika de Silva.

    In the video that went viral on social media, Jurie could be seen pulling the crown off de Silva minutes after she was declared Mrs Sri Lanka 2020 at a gala at Colombo’s Nelum Pokuna Theatre on Sunday. After the incident, De Silva in a social media post revealed that she needed hospital treatment for injuries sustained.

    Jurie was the previous year’s Mrs Sri Lanka and had gone on to win the Mrs World competition.

    According to reports, Sri Lankan senior police official Aith Rohan said: “We have arrested Jurie and [her associate] Chula Manamendra in connection with a charge of assault and causing damage to Nelum Pokuna [theatre].”

    De Silva told reporters outside the Cinnamon Gardens police station in Colombo on Thursday that she was ready to drop charges if Jurie made a public apology, but she had refused.

    “I tried to end this out of court, but she has refused,” de Silva said. “I can forgive, but not forget.”

    There was no immediate comment from Jurie or her lawyer.

    Police sources told AFP that a court hearing was likely next week and Jurie and her associate, who crashed onto the stage on Sunday, could be granted bail later on Thursday.

    Jurie had come onto the stage claiming that de Silva was divorced and therefore not eligible for the prize. To qualify for the title, contestants must be married. De Silva is estranged from her husband, but they are still legally married.

    Organisers said they were claiming compensation from Jurie for damages to the stage and backstage dressing rooms where several mirrors had been smashed.

    Jurie has also been accused by organisers of bringing disrepute to the event.

    The local franchise holder for the pageant, Chandimal Jayasinghe, said they were “deeply disturbed and sincerely regret” Jurie’s behaviour.