Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • Taliban threaten to go after Aurat March participants

    Taliban threaten to go after Aurat March participants

    The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has threatened rights activists, who organised peaceful demonstrations to mark International Women’s Day in the country, accusing them of blasphemy and promoting obscenity.

    Read more – ‘Ek hee dafaa sari aurton ko ban ker do’: Meesha Shafi defends Aurat March

    The proscribed Afghanistan-based militant group’s statement followed a flurry of falsified images and doctored video clips on social media that suggested participants in the March 8 protests had insulted Islam, which they denied.

    “We want to send a message to those organisations who are actively spreading obscenity and vulgarity,” the statement said, addressing the marchers. “Fix your ways, there are still many young Muslims here who know how to protect Islam and the boundaries set by Allah.”

    Conservative groups held demonstrations on Friday in several cities to demand that the government prosecute the march organisers for blasphemy, and they threatened vigilante action.

    Messages spread on social media, in some cases shared by journalists and politicians with millions of followers, included false allegations that the French flag was waved at the Women’s Day march, while doctored video and audio showed participants chanting slogans viewed as blasphemous against sacred religious figures.

    ‘MALICIOUS CAMPAIGN’

    “Each and every one of these allegations are completely false and part of a malicious campaign to silence women from speaking out about their rights,” the march organisers said in a statement.

    The Women’s Democratic Front, a leftist group founded in 2018 and one of the organisers of the march, said their flag — with red, white and purple stripes — had been misrepresented as the French flag, which has blue, white and red stripes.


    Pakistan has seen violent nationwide protests against France over issues such as the blasphemous Charlie Hebdo cartoons and restrictions on the veil there for Muslim women.

    Hassan Abbas, a security expert at the National Defense University (NDU) in Washington, told Reuters that the Taliban statement should be a “wake-up call” for authorities.

    “[It is aimed at] creating fear, gaining the sympathy of religious radicals and recruiting extremists in urban centres of Pakistan,” he said.

  • COVID-19: Here’s what you can and cannot do amid lockdown in Punjab

    COVID-19: Here’s what you can and cannot do amid lockdown in Punjab

    Amid a drastic rise in COVID-19 cases in Punjab, the provincial government has decided to reimpose numerous restrictions in different districts of the province.

    Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar tweeted an update on the new restrictions, saying that COVID-19 cases, especially the UK variant, were spreading across the province rapidly.

    “According to the advice of health experts, starting from Saturday night, we have decided to implement strict coronavirus SOPs in districts with over 5% positivity rate for the next 15 days,” he wrote.

    Later, the Punjab health department issued a notification listing restrictions across the province.

    “The positivity rate in some cities is constantly rising and third wave is looming, which poses a serious and imminent threat to public health,” read the notification, adding that the restrictions are being put in place under the Punjab Infectious Diseases (Prevention and Control) Act 2020.

    Meanwhile, here’s what you can and cannot do during the lockdown:

    • All commercial activities, establishments and markets will close by 6 pm on weekdays and completely closed on weekends.
    • This excludes medical services, general stores, bakeries, milk and meat shops, tire puncture shops, fruit and vegetable shops, tandoors, petrol pumps, oil depots, LPG outlets and filing plants, agriculture machinery workshops and spare parts shops, printing press, call centres (with 50% staff and no public dealing).
    • Complete ban on indoor and outdoor dining in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Multan, Gujranwala and Gujrat and only takeaway/ home delivery will be allowed in these cities. Only takeaway and home delivery from restaurants will be allowed.
    • Wedding halls are to remain closed in Lahore, Rawalpindi. Sargodha, Faisalabad, Multan, Gujranwala and Gujrat from March 15. Only outdoor functions will be allowed with a maximum of 300 guests.
    • Parks will close at 6 pm.
    • Offices are to follow a 50% work from home policy.
    • Cinemas and shrines will stay closed.
    • Indoor gatherings have been banned. Outdoor gatherings are allowed with a maximum of 50 people in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Multan, Gujranwala and Gujrat and 300 persons (outdoor) in the rest of the province for a maximum of two hours.
    • Sports and all cultural activities will still be banned.
    • Industrial activities and establishments are exempt from these restrictions

  • KRL Stadium renamed to Shoaib Akhtar Cricket stadium

    The Khan Research Laboratory (KRL) cricket stadium has been renamed and will now be known as Shoaib Akhtar cricket stadium. The initiative was taken to honour the world’s fastest bowler that Pakistan has produced.

    Rashid Latif, who is a former Pakistan Cricket Team wicketkeeper-batsman, and now a cricket analyst announced the news on Twitter and shared pictures of the ceremony, which had Akhtar and other former cricketers in attendance.

    https://twitter.com/iRashidLatif68/status/1370334687521034240?s=20

    Congratulatory messages flooded in soon after the news was announced. Famous cricket commentator and TV presenter, Dr Nauman Niaz, congratulated Akhtar and termed it a well-deserved honour.

    https://twitter.com/iRashidLatif68/status/1370334687521034240?s=20

    Akhtar was the fastest and bowler and had a notorious reputation. Many have labelled his bowling ‘scary’ due to his fearless, aggressive, and unparalleled performance on the field.

  • Netizens angry after Lahore university allegedly expels students for public proposal

    Netizens angry after Lahore university allegedly expels students for public proposal

    A university in Lahore has allegedly expelled two students for a public proposal followed by a hug, according to a notification circulating on social media.

    As per details, the notification dated March 12 states that the two students, who can be seen in the video, “were involved in gross misconduct and violation of university rules and were called to appear before the special disciplinary committee [but] failed to appear.”

    The notification further said that both students are “debarred from entering premises of University of Lahore and all its sub-campuses.”

    Soon after the notification went viral social media, students and other users stepped in to defend the couple and trolled the university over the decision.

    https://twitter.com/DennisCricket_/status/1370313907911282693
    https://twitter.com/theabubkr/status/1370068830718980096
    https://twitter.com/MFraz72159347/status/1370332304476884995

    The Current made multiple attempts to contact the university administration but were unable to get through.

  • 60-year-old man climbs electric pole after children object to second marriage

    60-year-old man climbs electric pole after children object to second marriage

    A 60-year-old man in India climbed up an electric pole to protest against his children who opposed his second marriage.

    As per reports, Sobran Singh, who hails from Rajasthan, India climbed a pole of high-tension wires to convince his children for second marriage. Singh, who has five children and several grandchildren wanted to get married for the second time but his family was against it.

    Villagers gathered near the electric pole and tried to convince Singh to come down but he did not listen to anybody.

    Singh even grabbed a high-tension wire and threatened to commit suicide. Luckily, there was no electricity running in the high tension line at that time.

    Singh’s family called the local sub-station about the incident after which the electricity department cut the power in the area.

    After about an hour, a local youth climbed the pole and convinced the elderly man to come down.

    When he was asked whom he wants to marry, he said, “Get me married to anyone. I just want a companion.”

    Singh’s wife died four years ago and he currently lives with his three sons.

  • VIDEO: Umar Gul recites Azaan in baby daughter’s ear

    VIDEO: Umar Gul recites Azaan in baby daughter’s ear

    Pakistani bowler Umar Gul shared a delightful video on Friday in which he can be seen reciting the Azaan in his newborn daughter’s ear – which is a ritual practiced by Muslims around the globe when their children are born.

    Taking to Instagram, Gul shared the video with a caption that read: “Giving Azaan again in my little princess’s ear! This feeling is just out of the world.”

    “Alhamdulillah for all His Blessings,” he added.

    On March 8, Gul had announced the birth of his third child.

    “Allah has blessed us again with his Rehmah! Baby Zainab is finally home and baby and Mama are both in good health,” the cricketer had written on Twitter.

    “May Allah bless her with long and healthy life, full of love and blessings,” he added.

  • ‘Kiskay vote ko izzat dein,’ asks Samina Peerzada

    ‘Kiskay vote ko izzat dein,’ asks Samina Peerzada

    Samina Peerzada, in a recent tweet, expressed her confusion over the recent Senate Elections.

    Referring to Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz’s (PML-N) slogan “Vote ko izaat do,” Samina wrote: “Kis kay vote ko izat dein (Whose vote should we respect)?”

    Earlier, the veteran actor had said: “Kya hum vote jorr torr karnay kay lie detay hain ya mulk ki behtari kay lie (Do we vote for manipulation or for the betterment of the country)?”

    Earlier on Friday, before the voting for the Senate Chairman began, senators Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Dr Musadik Malik of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) stated that they found spy cameras in the polling booth in Senate. Senator Khokhar and Dr Musadik, in a series of tweets, posted pictures of cameras they found and a series of allegations started on Twitter by Mustafa, Malik and Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry.

    While the government alleged that the opposition installed the camera to create a ruckus, the Pakistan Democratic Movement accused the government of installing them to tamper votes. Senator Mustafa alleged that Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani was seen leaving the Senate building early morning at 5:30 am on the eve of the elections.

    It is still unclear who installed the cameras but it is worth mentioning that the elections for Senate chairman and deputy chairman are critical for both the government and the opposition.

    Meanwhile, government’s candidate for the Senate chairmanship Sanjrani won after getting 48 votes, beating Gilani with a lead of six votes.

  • Punjab government to reimpose COVID restrictions to curb virus spread

    Amid a drastic increase in COVID-19 cases in Punjab, Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has announced that Covid-related restrictions will be reimposed in the province.

    “Coronavirus, especially the UK- variant is spreading alarmingly in some cities of Punjab,” stated the Punjab CM, adding that strict SOP’s will be implemented in regions where positivity rate is more than 5 percent, for the next 15 days, starting from Saturday night.

    According to the notification, indoor weddings and dining will be banned in those regions, whereas educational institutes, parks, shrines will be closed in areas with high positivity rate. In addition to that, markets will close at 6pm.

    CM Buzdar further added that a detailed notification in this regard will be issued by health department later.

    Buzdar added that he has advised the health department to speed up the process of vaccination for old age citizens.

    The notification was issued after CM Buzdar chaired the meeting of the cabinet committee for the eradication of corona and expressed concern over the increase in the number of patients in Lahore and other districts, reported APP.

  • Pakistan’s first bicycle-sharing system launched in Peshawar

    Pakistan’s first bicycle-sharing system launched in Peshawar

    TransPeshawar, which manages the bus rapid system in Peshawar, on Thursday launched a public sharing bicycle system, ZU Bicycle to further facilitate citizens traveling through Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).

    Read more – KP health coverage: PM announces Rs10 lacs per family every year

    The launch ceremony, held at the University of Peshawar, was attended by Finance Minister Taimur Khan Jhagra, KP Minister for Transport Shah Muhammad Wazir, Advisor to Chief Minister on Science and Technology Ziaullah Bangash, Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Information Kamran Bangash and other officials of TransPeshawar.

    Sharing pictures from the launch on social media, Jhagra encouraged citizens to use the first public sharing bicycle system.

    “Pakistan’s first bicycle sharing system is now open for public use in Peshawar. If you live in Hayatabad, or work or study in the University Campus area, use any of 360 bikes at 30+ stations to get around, be green, and be healthy. Remember to take care of public assets responsibly,” said the minister, adding: “I tried it out. So should you.”

    All the required arrangements have been made and as many as 360 bicycles have been stationed at the transit centers across the city.

    Interested riders may register for the ZU Bicycles at TransPeshawar’s sharing system as follows:

    • Get their CNICs verified at a NADRA E-Sahulat Center.
    • Sign an agreement of the terms and conditions for the use of the bicycles.
    • Bring their original CNICs with photocopies.
    • Deposit a refundable security fee of Rs. 3000.
    • Deposit a membership fee at a ZU station.
    • Only one registration is permissible under one CNIC.

    The following membership fare breakdown will be applicable on single-day/bi-weekly/monthly passes.

    The membership fee expires in accordance with relevant packages as per the BRT regulations.

    Individuals who are members of the ZU bicycle Sharing System can use the facility as per the following:

    • A single-day pass is valid for 24 hours.
    • A bi-weekly pass is valid for 14 days.
    • A monthly pass is valid for 30 days.

    Fare Deduction Mechanism

    • The amount in the ZU card or in the ZU mobile app can be used for both the bus fare (BRT) and bicycle usage.
    • With the ZU card, a passenger will be able to release a bicycle from the dock by simply tapping on the Validator/Dock (system) at the transit center.
    • For docking, passengers will be required to tap their ZU cards on the Validator/Dock (system).

    The system will measure the time of use and will deduct the fare/usage fee in accordance with the chosen payment plan. If the available balance is less than the deductible amount, passengers are allowed a one-time option to dock the bicycle and pay the remaining amount the next time.

    Travel Condition

    • Passengers must have a minimum balance of Rs 50 in their ZU cards.
    • The ZU card is to be tapped during entry and exit from the service to complete a transaction.

    Meanwhile, TransPeshawar reserves the right to block ZU cards in case of unpaid loans. In this regard, passengers looking to reinstate/reset their cards are required to visit the KIOSK website and pay their pending loans with penalties.

    When using the ZU app, customers must tap the Entry while releasing a bicycle from the dock. If a user loses a bicycle in their possession, they will have to pay Rs. 60 per hour until the full amount is paid in compensation to TransPeshawar.

    Penalty Brief

    As per the company’s guidelines, a bicycle will be considered lost if it is not returned within 72 hours. If the bicycle is lost, the refundable security will be forfeited. For compensation, the customer will be required to pay service charges at the rate of Rs. 60 per hour for up to 200 hours.

    TransPeshawar also reserves the right to block cards if the service charges are not paid in full, or in the event of misuse.

  • Sadiq Sanjrani defeats PDM’s Yousaf Raza Gilani, re-elected as Senate Chairman

    The ruling party’s candidate, Sadiq Sanjrani, was on Friday elected as the Senate chairman, defeating joint opposition’s candidate Yousaf Raza Gilani by reportedly three votes.

    According to reports, Sanjrani received 48 votes against Gilani’s 42 whereas seven of the latter’s votes were rejected during count.

    Earlier, polling for the Senate chairman’s post started at 3 pm, presided over by officials from the Senate Secretariat.

    The process of voting completed at 4:40 pm, but counting started after the official time, i.e. 5 pm.

    Earlier in the day, the newly-elected members of the upper house had taken their oath of office shortly after the session began at 10 am.