Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • Govt launches COVID-19 immunization certificate portal

    Federal Minister for Planning, Development, Reforms and Special Initiatives Asad Umar has announced that the federal government has launched an online portal that will issue certificates to recipients of the prescribed two doses of COVID-19 vaccination.

    Umar, who also heads the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC), said that “COVID Immunisation certificate issuance portal has been launched across the country today.”

    “Citizen’s whose vaccination process is complete (both doses) can now download COVID Immunisation Certificate from nims.nadra.gov.pk or get it issued by visiting NADRA mega centres.”

    The certificate can be obtained for only Rs 100 and is a documented proof of completed vaccination.

    The government is currently administering Chinese COVID-19 vaccines to healthcare workers and senior citizens aged 60 and above across the country. Registrations for those aged 50 and above have also begun from today (March 30).

  • Hammad Azhar to replace Hafeez Shaikh as Finance Minister

    Hammad Azhar to replace Hafeez Shaikh as Finance Minister

    The federal government has decided to replace Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh with Federal Minister for Industries and Production Hammad Azhar.

    Hafeez Shaikh shall be replaced by Hammad Azhar because according to Article 91 (9) of the constitution, a person who is not part of the parliament can be minister for only six months.

    However, to become a minister again, the individual should be elected to one of the two houses of parliament, Senate or National Assembly.

    Hafeez Shaikh had a period of six months to be elected as a member of the assembly. For that purpose, the ruling party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chose Hafeez as a candidate for Senate elections, which he could not win. Therefore, the government has selected Hammad Azhar as his replacement.

    Hafeez had been serving as an advisor to Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on finance before he was appointed federal minister.

    He was given the portfolio after the Islamabad High Court ruled that unelected advisors and special assistants cannot head government committees.

    Muhammad Hammad Azhar has held his current portfolio since April 6, 2020. Previously, he served as Federal Minister for Economic Affairs from July 10, 2019 till April 5, 2020.

    PM Imran reportedly conveyed to Hafeez Shaikh to step down from his role, and a notification in this regard is also expected to be released soon.

    Hammad Azhar tweeted that he is “honoured to be entrusted with the additional charge of Finance by the Prime Minister”.

  • The Current’s followers share their top 5 Strings songs

    The Current’s followers share their top 5 Strings songs

    After entertaining us for more than three decades, Strings called off their partnership as a band on March 25, leaving fans heartbroken across the world.

    Bilal Maqsood and Faisal Kapadia’s thirty-year long journey, which hit a roadblock once before in 1992 as well, has blessed the Pakistani music scene with some timeless classics that generations have been grooving to for years.

    After their split, we (The Current) asked our followers to share their favourite songs of them. Here are the evergreen ones that topped the list:

    Duur

    Duur was the third album by Strings, first released on January 21, 2000, and then re-released on January 1, 2002. Singles from the album included Duur, Anjane, and Aankhain.

    Dhaani

    Dhaani was the fourth album by Strings, released in 2003. Singles from the album included Mera Bichara Yaar, Soniye, Chaaye Chaaye, Pal, Bolo Bolo, Dhaani, Najane Kyun, Hai Koi Hum Jaisa and Kahani Mohabbat Ki.

    Dhaani was Pakistan’s first record-breaking album with eight videos and five awards. All songs in the album were written by Anwar Maqsood and composed by Bilal Maqsood.

    Mera Bichraa Yaar

    Mera Bichra Yaar is a classic song from Dhaani.

    Hai Koi Hum Jaisa

    Hai Koi Hum Jaisa is a compilation album by Strings that was released in 2003. Soon after its release, the song became the favourite patriotic song of the year and was also the Cricket World Cup Anthem in the year 2003.

    Main Tou Dekhoonga

    Main Tou Dekhoonga, which released on April 4, 2011, is a sociopolitical song by the duo. The song was written and produced by Bilal himself while the music video was produced by Jamshed Mehmood (Jami).

    Special mention to Sarr Ki Yeh Pahar, which is also a classic by the band.

  • Chakwal resident spends Rs35,000 to cancel Rs300 fine

    Chakwal resident spends Rs35,000 to cancel Rs300 fine

    A citizen hailing from  Punjab’s Chakwal district spent over Rs 35,000 challenging a traffic violation ticket worth Rs300 for using improper number plates on his vehicle. The challan was issued to him by the National Highway & Motorway Police (NHMP).

    As per reports, the petitioner Mohammed Noman Awan had to involve a lawyer, bear his travel expenses and deposit a court fee to register a writ petition against NHMP. He has approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to withdraw that challan.

    The petitioner challenged the NHMP act on the basis that there was no specific violations in the Motorway Ordinance under which vehicles on Motorway with improper/duplicate number plates was illegal.

    An official of the NHMP on February 27, 2021, had stopped Noman’s vehicle when he entered the M2 (Lahore-Islamabad) section of the Motorway from Balkasar Interchange.

    Motorway official told him that he was not using specified number plates on his vehicle. However, the police official could not state the exact law under which plying of vehicles on the Motorway with such number plates was a violation.

    Talking to Gulf News on Sunday, Advocate Saad Bin Safdar, the lawyer for the petitioner,  said it was not a matter of Rs 300 but it involved a substantial question of law and the petitioner had asked for the IHC’s involvement for its explanation.

    “Under the Motor Vehicle Ordinance 1956, only Motor Vehicle Registration Authority issues specific registration number plates that are computerised and of similar size and shape. For the motorists plying their vehicles in Punjab it is mandatory to use these plates on their vehicles. However, since Motorway falls under federal government’s jurisdiction, Punjab’s or any other province’s laws don’t apply there,” said Bin Safdar.

    Moreover, he said it is the basic principle of the criminal law that no conduct may be held as criminal unless it is precisely described in a penal law in the shape of unambiguous statutory text, he said.

    Justice Babar Sattar after hearing the petitioner has asked the Inspector General of the NHMP to submit a detailed reply by April 29.

  • COVID-19: Punjab to impose lockdown in districts with over 12% positivity rate

    COVID-19: Punjab to impose lockdown in districts with over 12% positivity rate

    The Punjab government has decided to impose lockdowns in districts with a COVID-19 positivity rate of more than 12 per cent from April 1 to control the spread of the virus.

    Talking to media, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar said  the lockdown will continue till April 11. He added that this will be reviewed by the cabinet committee on COVID-19 after seven days.

    The Punjab districts with a positivity rate higher than 12pc, as of March 28, include:

    Lahore – 17pc

    Faisalabad – 15pc

    Rawalpindi – 15pc

    Multan – 12pc

    Sargodha – 12pc

    Sialkot – 12pc

    Districts/cities with positivity higher than 8% are:

    Buzdar stated that the provincial government will not enforce any limitations on economic activities or industries. “The construction, transport, goods and industrial sectors will continue to operate as per regular according to standard operating procedures (SOPs),” he said.

    A complete ban will be imposed on wedding events and other gatherings in the province. “It was also decided to close down the mass transit transport system which includes the Orange Line Metro Train and the Speedo bus service.”

    There will be also a complete ban on indoor and outdoor dining at all restaurants and hotels, Buzdar said. “However, takeaway and home delivery will be allowed.”

    He said that the same restrictions will be applied  on sporting, cultural and social activities. “Parks will be closed. Commercial timings for bazaars and markets will be till 6pm, while shops will remain closed two days of the week.”

    Buzdar urged people to follow SOPs strictly. “You will protect yourself and your family members by wearing face masks,” he said.

    Pakistan is currently fighting against the third wave of COVID-19 with a total tally of 659,116.  The country reported 4,525 cases and 41 deaths on Monday.

  • PDM hype dies down further after Fazl, Maryam fall sick

    PDM hype dies down further after Fazl, Maryam fall sick

    Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz are suffering from fever and have suspended all political activities for four days, their parties have said.

    Fazl, who also heads Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), has been suffering from the fever for the past two days,” a report said citing JUI-F sources. “He is currently residing at his Dera Ismail Khan residence.”

    It further said Fazl had sent his sample for coronavirus testing but the result came back negative.

    “He has suspended political activities [for the time being] as he is unwell,” said sources. “Doctors have advised him to rest.”

    On the other hand, Maryam too has caught “high fever” and is experiencing severe pain in her throat, said the PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb.

    “Maryam has suspended her political activities for four days,” she said in a statement. “She has also gotten herself tested for coronavirus.”

    The PML-N spokesperson said Maryam has been advised by her doctor to take rest, adding she attended a Lahore High Court (LHC) hearing the other day despite being sick.

    CRACKS IN PDM:

    Responding to Maryam’s comments against their party, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leaders on Sunday said that the PML-N VP’s tone was regrettable but their party knows how to respond to taunting remarks.

    Addressing a joint press conference with Shazia Marri and Maula Bux Chandio, Sherry said that while PPP Chairman Bilawal-Bhutto Zardari adopted a “political tone”, the PML-N VP’s tone in her Saturday’s press conference was “regrettable”.

    “We were sorry to see the word ‘selected’ being used to describe the PPP,” Marri said. “However, the PPP knows how to respond to every taunting remark.”

    “There are people in PML-N who understand the delicacy of the occasion. We will continue democratic traditions inside and outside the parliament,” she said.

    The PPP leader said that her party had reservations against Azam Nazeer Tarar, PML-N’s candidate for leader of the opposition slot in the Senate.

    Advising Maryam, Sherry said that the PML-N VP must “reorient her political objectives” and “stick to [the aim of] ousting the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led government [instead of issuing controversial statements]”.

    “We do not want the PDM to dissolve, therefore, the PML-N should refrain from issuing remarks that would empower the selected government,” she stressed.

    Adding to the comments, Maula Bux Chandio said that the PDM is neither “anyone’s property” nor “a child’s play.”

    “Therefore, saying that the long march will not take place is [inappropriate],” Chandio said.

  • Punjab begins digital mapping of all cities including Lahore

    Punjab begins digital mapping of all cities including Lahore

    Punjab Board of Revenue has started a new project called Cadaster of Punjab. Under this project, the provincial government will create a digital map of urban centres all across the province.

    Through this project, the government intends to remove Khasra (the legal Revenue Department document) number linked to real estate assets. The Khasra number has impeded the real estate sector due to several unsolicited factors.

    The project is divided into two phases. In the first phase, the digital maps of all the buildings will be created. In the second phase, unique numbers will be assigned to buildings all across the provinces.

    The urban blueprint of Lahore has also been drafted under the same filing in coordination with the Survey of Pakistan.

    Specifics such as area, value, and ownership details will be made digital to maintain proper records.

    The project has secured foreign investments worth $150 million, which will help in the formation of the digital records within the next few months.

    Before this development, the Punjab Board of Revenue has approved legislations. Under its regulatory framework, the offices of private housing societies will be declared public.

    The new law has also levied strict legal action against the housing societies that regularly evade scheduled audits.

  • IN PICTURES: Shazia Wajahat’s beachside birthday bash

    IN PICTURES: Shazia Wajahat’s beachside birthday bash

    Ace producer Shazia Wajahat, whose ongoing drama Raqs e Bismil is currently making waves on television, celebrated her birthday on Sunday at the beach with colleagues, friends and family.

    The beachside party was hosted by her husband director Wajahat Rauf. Celebrities including Hania Aamir, Ali Rehman Khan, Fahad Mirza, Dananeerr Mobeen, Yasir Hussain, Iqra Aziz, Urwa Hocane, Imran Ashraf, Shahzad Sheikh, Momin Saqib and many others were spotted at the birthday event.

    Check out pictures from the event:

    Danyal Zafar, Aashir Wajahat, Hania and Dananeerr also performed a song for the birthday girl.

    Earlier, the couple also celebrated Shazia’s birthday at their home with their closest friends.

    Meanwhile, Wajahat penned a sweet note for his wife, saying: “Happy birthday to the love of my life. You not only won my heart 25 years ago, but you have a gift of winning over whoever you meet.”

    “I don’t blame them, how can you not love this woman?,” he added.

  • Chinese company gets license to produce liquor in Pakistan

    Chinese company gets license to produce liquor in Pakistan

    A Chinese company has received a license to manufacture liquor in Pakistan.

    According to media reports, the Chinese liquor manufacturer Hui Coastal Brewery and Distillery Limited (Ltd.) got a licence and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).

    The Excise, Taxation and Anti-Narcotics Department of Balochistan issued a license to the company for the joint venture at the Lasbela Industrial Estate Development Authority.

    Hui Coastal Brewery has vast experience in liquor manufacturing and is known for producing some of the most famous brands. With its plant in Lasbela, Hui will be the first Chinese company to manufacture liquor in Pakistan.

    https://youtu.be/dEIHb0KK3Fc

    The company plans to produce two famous liquor brands for export purposes. The entire process from manufacturing to packaging will be carried out in this plant.

  • TukTuk March: Celebrities come together for a cause

    TukTuk March: Celebrities come together for a cause

    Karachi-based NGO NOWPDP organised a ‘TukTuk March’ for individuals dealing with disabilities. The event saw several A-list celebrities in attendance including Mahira Khan, Maya Ali, Humayun Saeed, Bilal Ashraf, Ayesha Omar, Feroze Khan, Hassan Sheheryar Yasin, and Wasim Akram.

    NOWPDP is a disability inclusion initiative that works for the educational and economic empowerment of people with disabilities. According to a press release, the “TukTuk march was held to celebrate the right to livelihood and transport of people with disabilities.”

    “With inclusivity as the primary focus, the march was meant to empower people with disabilities and encourage them to pursue their rights to work and mobility,” it added.

    Strict COVID19 SOPs were followed including the wearing of masks, social distancing, and maintaining hand hygiene.

    The celebrities were spotted doing bhangra on the streets of Karachi and riding rickshaws driven by differently-abled people. As per details, the rickshaws have been modified to facilitate those who have disabilities.

    Check out pictures from the march below: