Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • Pakistan signs $85.6m deal with Ukrainian company to modernise tanks

    Pakistan has awarded a contract worth $85.6 million for modernising T-80UD battle tanks to Ukroboronprom, a state-owned association of major defence conglomerates of Ukraine.

    According to reports, the contract is signed at the International Defense Exhibition (IDEX) 2021, being held in Abu Dhabi.

    Zubaida Jalal, the minister for defence production, and the CEO of Ukroboronprom, Yuri Gusev, signed the contract. After signing the contract, the minister said that bilateral military-technical cooperation between Pakistan and Ukraine will increase in the future.

    The Ukroboronprom CEO said that Ukraine’s companies are constantly updating their production capacity and improving technologies to ensure high-quality work and products.

    T-80UD tanks were first introduced in 1976. They have significant importance in the defensive arsenal of many countries to this day.

    Besides Ukraine, China, Russia, South Korea, Kazakhstan, and Egypt, and Pakistan are a few of the countries which use T-80UD tanks to augment their defence. An estimated 6,000 of these tanks are present worldwide.

    Weighing around 46 tonnes, the T-80UD tank is 9.6 meters long with gun forward, 3.6 meters wide, and 2.2 meters high. At least three crew members can fit into the modernised T-80UD tank which has a ground clearance of 0.44 meters and a top speed of 48km/h.

  • Is Spotify finally coming to Pakistan?

    Swedish-based audio streaming and media services provider Spotify is finally coming to Pakistan. The biggest music streaming services provider confirmed the news on their official Twitter handle.

    “We launch in 80+ new markets over the next few days. See you soon Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nigeria,” the post read.

    Official Instagram account of Spotify Pakistan also hinted at the possibility of launching their services soon in Pakistan by sharing a post with the caption: “Check it out, a new way to discover and play music is coming your way.”

    According to a report, Spotify’s CEO Daniel Ek at a Spotify ‘Stream On’ event said: “This move will make Spotify available to more than a billion people in new markets around the world, with nearly half of them already using the internet.”

    As per Spotify, “Spotify is embarking on a sweeping expansion that will introduce the world’s most popular audio streaming subscription service available to more than a billion people in 80+ new markets around the world, and add 36 languages to our platform.

    “By reaching even more countries across Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, and Latin America, we’re giving millions of new creators the opportunity to create, discover, and build a career in audio creation—and giving a billion new fans the opportunity to hear it.”

    Last year in November, Spotify created a verified Instagram account for Pakistan, which has gained 24K followers already. However, no official statement was made at the time.

    Spotify is the world’s biggest music streaming platform in terms of the number of subscribers. Users of the service simply need to register to have access to one of the biggest-ever collections of music in history, plus podcasts, and other audio content.

    Spotify, launched in 2008, has grown to be one of the biggest streaming platforms in the world.

  • ‘Siyanay’: Maryam reacts to PM Imran’s demand for re-polling in NA-75

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz has lashed out at Prime Minister Imran Khan after the latter said he would ask the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate in Daska by-polls to demand re-polling in 20 polling stations of the constituency amid rigging allegations.

    On Friday, at least two people were shot dead as a result of firing at the polling place. Both the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had alleged irregularities during the by-election on the National Assembly seat in Daska. Subsequently, the ECP withheld the results, saying it suspected irregularities in 20 polling stations.

    The commission had said results of the NA-75 constituency were received with “unnecessary delay”, adding that it tried to contact the presiding officers several times but with no success.

    In the backdrop of these allegations, the PM, in a series of tweet on Monday night, reaffirmed his pledge to hold transparent elections in Pakistan. “Have always struggled for fair & free elections. So even though there is no legal compulsion to do so before ECP announces results, I would request our PTI candidate to ask for re-polling in the 20 polling stations Opposition is crying hoarse over in the Daska NA 75 by- election,” Imran had tweeted.

    “It is because we want transparency that we are seeking open ballot for Senate elections,” said Imran in reference to the upcoming elections in Senate that have become controversial after the government promulgated an ordinance to end secret ballot amid protests by the opposition.

    But the PML-N VP who had alleged irregularities in the by-election took exception to the remarks made by the PM. She said that the premier was trying to hide rigging by making such claims.

    “Don’t try to be a know-it-all. You tried to manipulate elections using the full force of the state machinery, but when you lost the by-election you abducted the staffer of the Election Commission. Your decision to support re-polling is an attempt to hide your crime [of rigging], but you have been caught red-handed. Vote thief,” she wrote on her Twitter handle.

  • PM endorses re-polling in 20 Daska polling stations amid rigging allegations

    PM endorses re-polling in 20 Daska polling stations amid rigging allegations

    Prime Minister Imran Khan has endorsed re-polling in 20 polling stations in NA-75 amid allegations of irregularities by the opposition and the Election Commission of Pakistan’s subsequent decision to withhold the election result.

    On Friday, at least two people were shot dead as a result of firing at the polling place. Both the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had alleged irregularities during the by-election on the National Assembly seat in Daska. Subsequently, the ECP withheld the results, saying it suspected irregularities in 20 polling stations.

    The commission said results of the NA-75 constituency were received with “unnecessary delay”, adding that it tried to contact the presiding officers several times but with no success.

    PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz also took the government to the task over alleged rigging in the by-election. Speaking to reporters, the PML-N vice president said that the events that transpired in the aftermath of voting in Daska have exposed the PTI government. She had said the government’s alleged plan to steal votes was foiled by people who guarded their vote.

    The PML-N vice president had accused the ruling party of taking the “20 presiding officers” hostage. She had questioned why out of the 361 polling stations, the staff of only 20 polling stations had to go missing during the “fog” and why were the results of these polling stations suddenly changed when the officers returned after 12 hours.

    In the backdrop of these allegations, the PM, in a series of tweet, reaffirmed his pledge to hold transparent elections in Pakistan. “Have always struggled for fair & free elections. So even though there is no legal compulsion to do so before ECP announces results, I would request our PTI candidate to ask for re-polling in the 20 polling stations Opposition is crying hoarse over in the Daska NA 75 bye- election,” Imran tweeted.

    “It is because we want transparency that we are seeking open ballot for Senate elections,” said Imran in reference to the upcoming elections in Senate that have become controversial after the government promulgated an ordinance to end secret ballot amid protests by the opposition.

    “Unfortunately others lack this commitment. When we wanted 4 constituencies opened after the 2013 elections, it took us over two years,” Imran said, referring to alleged rigging in 2013 election. The PTI had staged a months-long sit-in in protest against the 2013 election that saw PML-N rose to power.

  • Indian soldiers join ‘Pawri Horai Hai’ trend

    Indian soldiers join ‘Pawri Horai Hai’ trend

    After Bollywood celebrities, Indian soldiers have also joined the ‘Pawri Horai Hai’ trend. A video circulating on Twitter shows an Indian soldier saying, “Yeh hum hain, yeh hamari gun hai aur hum patrolling kar rahe hain” [this is us, this is our gun and we’re patrolling].

    The trend started after an influencer, Dananeer Mobeen, shared a video clip partying with her friends in front of a car. In the video, she was heard saying: “Yeh hamari car hai, yeh hum hain, aur yeh hamari pawri ho rai hai” (This is our car, this is us, and this is our party).

    Also Read: Mahira Khan, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor join ‘Pawri Ho Rai Hai’ bandwagon

    Soon after the video went viral, ‘Pawri Ho Rai Hai’ became a major meme trend in Pakistan and also across the border. Many celebrities from Pakistan and India recreated the ‘Pawri Horai Hai’ meme.

    The original video has crossed six million views on Instagram and Dananeer’s followers have also reached one million on Instagram.

  • Ranbir Kapoor to star alongside Aamir Khan in ‘PK’ sequel

    Ranbir Kapoor to star alongside Aamir Khan in ‘PK’ sequel

    According to Indian media reports, Aamir Khan and Anushka Sharma blockbuster ‘PK’ is getting a sequel.

    Talking to a news media publication, Producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra confirmed the news saying, “There is a story to tell but Abhijat Joshi (the writer of the previous installment) has not written it yet. The day he writes it, we will make it.”

    He also hinted including heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor, who also made a surprising appearance at the end leaving fans all in hooting in cinemas. Ranbir and Vinod also paired up for “Sanju” in 2018 which had rave reviews.

    PK Director Rajkumar Hirani has previously mentioned that people had been unhappy with the script ending the way it did. He added that the makers then decided to show PK’s return to Earth with another native from his planet, which would lead to a sequel. Ranbir Kapoor played the role of this particular native.

    The original film PK, was filled with funny and emotional dialogues and resonated with audiences around the world. Known for its thought provoking scenes and a Aamir’s depiction of a funny alien which comes to earth to find his “remotava”, the movie was controversial because of the questions it raised about different sects and religions in India. The movie also starred late actor Sushant Singh, Sanjay Dutt and Boman Irani.

  • Umair Jaswal has the cutest message for Sana Javed on their four month Anniversary

    Umair Jaswal and Sana Javed celebrated their 4 months Nikkah Anniversary yesterday and Umair wrote a cutest love note for Sana on his Instagram account.

    “Happy 120 days of bugging the hell out of me. I LOVE YOU,” wrote Umair, “Thank you for making me gain an extra 20 pounds of happiness.”

    He further added, “Herr stress ka hal hai kfc and cake, I look like a panda, thanks to you,” and “May we get old and chubby together.”

    “But Allah ka wasta hai let me workout and diet from tomorrow, Please,” concluded Umair.

    Sana responded to Umair’s post by telling him that there was more cake in the fridge.

    The couple recently tied the knot in an intimate ceremony.

  • PM sacks KP minister for supporting PML-N candidate in Nowshera by-polls

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Minister for Irrigation Liaqat Khattak has been de-notified for supporting the candidate of rival Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in by-polls for PK-63 Nowshera constituency.

    Special Assistant to KP Chief Minister (CM) on Information Kamran Bangash tweeted the notification, saying that Khattak was removed after Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s approval.

    “The Governor of the Province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in exercise of the powers conferred under clause 3 of Article 132 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan read with clause 1 of Article 105 thereof, is pleased to de-notify Mr Liaqat Khattak from his office,” read the notification.

    The PK-63 election was won by the PML-N, according to unofficial results.

    The seat had fallen vacant after the death of PTI MPA Mian Jamsheduddin, who had died of coronavirus.

  • Fawad says his ministry has developed e-voting technology for fair polls

    Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry has said that his ministry has developed a technology for electronic voting which would be transferred to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) soon to ensure transparency.

    Last week, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan had ordered the relevant authorities to expedite efforts to introduce the e-voting system.

    According to APP, the Science and Technology Ministry has developed the e-voting technology in collaboration with the National Institute of Electronics (NIE), National University of Science and Technology (NUST), and COMSATS University.

    “Electronic voting can help get rid of rigging in elections,” Fawad said in a reference to the new technology. According to Fawad, the government had also presented election reform bill for adopting electronic voting system in elections to end malpractices. 

    The minister stated that the opposition complained of rigging in the by-polls only in the constituency where Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate allegedly won. However, their own candidates won in Nowshera and Wazirabad which they accepted happily, he added.

    The minister further said, “Although we had spent crore of rupees in the past in by-elections in each union council during the whole week, but when late Kalsoom Nawaz contested by-election [in Lahore], Rs3 billion were spent in a single constituency without any audit.

    Rejecting the baseless claims of Maryam Nawaz regarding a delay in results in Daska, Chaudhry Fawad said “We do not live on Mars and are well aware of the fog situation in the area.” He demanded the ECP issue a formal notification about the winning of PTI candidate, Ali Asjad Malhi from NA-75 (Daska).

  • Khalil-ur-Rehman once again misbehaves with a female panelist

    Khalil-ur-Rehman once again misbehaves with a female panelist

    The controversial Pakistani writer, Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar, has once again come under fire for using foul language with a female panelist in a talk show. During the show, Qamar lost his cool during a debate and misbehaved with a lady panelist Ailia Zehra.

    During a panel discussion on divorce rate and child marriages, Qamar began to use inappropriate language while attacking a fellow panelist. Upon being told by the host, Awais Iqbal, to speak respectfully, he went on an outburst and left the show while shouting.

    Sharing the video clip on Twitter, Ailia said: “Just had a horrible encounter with toxic masculinity. Khalilur Rehman Qamar lost his marbles during a talk show when I called him out over his hateful rhetoric. He left the show while yelling at the top of his lungs. Called me a RAW agent and spewed sexist slurs.”

    It was also reported that in his fit of anger, Qamar also told the producer of the show that his action was justified because Ailia had not greeted him when he entered the studio for the show.

    This is not the first time Qamar has behaved inappropriately on TV. In March last year, Qamar had abused activist Marvi Sirmed during a TV discussion on ‘Aurat March’ and the slogan ‘Mera Jism Meri Marzi’ (my body, my choice).

    Earlier, the Mere Paas Tum Ho writer reprimanded women writers for humiliating relationships in dramas.

    In an interview when Rehman was asked what was the reason that people in showbiz are so afraid of him, he said: “People are afraid of me because I am honest with my work. They will be afraid of dishonesty.”

    He added: “Female writers have stigmatised relationships like that of a sister-in-law, mother-in-law and brother-in-law.” He said that there are 99.9 per cent of women who are writing in the industry but they only write about family politics and stigmatise sacred relationships.