Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • Naumaan Ijaz says artists nowadays are forced to work like donkeys

    Naumaan Ijaz is not one to mince words. In a recent interview with filmmaker Rafay Rashdi, the actor candidly discussed and shed light on issues and problems faced by actors and producers of the entertainment industry.

    Responding to a question about the issue of pending payments in the entertainment industry, Naumaan said: “There is no actor or producer in the industry who does not have pending payments.”

    “My [own] payments are also pending,” stated the actor. “One channel owes me almost five crores, while another owes me around two and a half crores. They all are big channels and they are not paying. If they [artists] are not going to get paid on time then how will they deliver?”

    Ijaz, however, clarified that the delay in payments is the broadcaster’s fault, not the producers.

    “What is happening in Pakistan? Which ethics? Which morals? Which professionalism? Which contract? Which law? Who will listen to them? This all rubbish,” remarked Naumaan angrily.

    “No law provides them [people working in the entertainment industry] safety,” asserted the actor. “No law stands behind them. No one raises their voice for them.”

    He added: “There is no unity among us.”

    Naumaan further sarcastically remarked: “We do not need an outsider to drown us, Alhamdulillah we are self-sufficient in this regard.”

    “Artists these days, I apologise for my words, are all donkeys. We work like donkeys,” stated Naumaan. “If they are not going to get paid on time, then how will they deliver?”

    Further talking about working in tough COVID-19 times, Naumaan said: “During the COVID-19 pandemic, the broadcasters blackmailed the producers to provide content, so the producers went to artists and warned them that if they won’t work, they will be blacklisted.”

    “Artists are forced to work by placing a gun on their head,” claimed Naumaan, clarifying that he did not mean it in the literal sense. The actor added that if something happens to anybody, no one is willing to take the responsibility of covering the financial burden.

    Read more – Naumaan Ijaz slams Pakistani dramas for spreading negativity

    Ijaz further said that private TV channels have ruined the essence of Pakistani dramas.

    “Dramas used to educate people. What are dramas giving to society nowadays?” questioned the actor. “You [private TV channels] have ruined the mindset of people.”

  • Kashmala’s husband in custody after ‘reckless’ driving kills four in Islamabad

    Kashmala’s husband in custody after ‘reckless’ driving kills four in Islamabad

    Four people were killed while another was injured after a vehicle reportedly driven by the son of Federal Ombudsperson Kashmala Tariq rammed into a Mehran car on Kashmir Highway after it jumped a red light.

    According to report, Kashmala’s son Azlaan was also in the vehicle, but he fled the scene; however, her husband Waqas Khan was taken into custody and transferred to Ramna police station by the cops.

    Geo News reported that five speeding vehicles, part of Kashmala’s protocol, broke a traffic signal in G-11 and crashed into two vehicles. It also claimed that one of the vehicles had a government number plate. The ombudsperson’s son and husband were travelling with their protocol when the incident happened. The report said that Waqas, the husband, is in police custody.

    However, the FIR named Kashmala’s son as the driver of the vehicle that rammed into the car.

    The first information report said that five men, who came from Mansehra to Islamabad to take an exam for the Anti-Narcotics Force, were travelling in a Mehran which was hit by a Lexus at the G-11 traffic signal. The FIR alleged that the vehicle was driven by the son of the ombudsperson. A bike was also hit and the rider was taken to the hospital by the people who gathered at the site of the accident.

    The complainant, who was the only one to survive the crash, said when he was rescued, people who had gathered at the site were naming Tariq’s son as the driver of the car that hit them.

    Islamabad Police confirmed the accident but did not name the suspect. In a tweet, the police said a “tragic accident” took place at a signal in G-11 which resulted in the death of four people.

  • Iqra Aziz calls ‘Khuda Aur Mohabbat 3’ director Wajahat Hussain ‘Sanjay Leela Bhansali of Pakistan’

    Iqra Aziz calls ‘Khuda Aur Mohabbat 3’ director Wajahat Hussain ‘Sanjay Leela Bhansali of Pakistan’

    Iqra Aziz has penned down a heartfelt note for the team of Khuda aur Mohabbat 3, weeks before it is expected to go on-air.

    Sharing a picture of the team including Feroze Khan, director Wajahat Hussain and producers Abdullah Kadwani and Asad Qureshi, Iqra said: “Khuda Aur Mohabbat 3 has been a long yet the most beautiful journey.”

    The actor then thanked the producers Kadwani and Qureshi for their efforts, before going on to praise director Hussain, referring to him as the ‘Sanjay Leela Bhansali of Pakistan’.

    “Wajahat Hussain, you [are the] Sanjay Leela Bhansali of Pakistan,” wrote the actor. “The best part about you as a director is that you’re fantastic at creating moments. You know what you want and you know how to make it happen.”

    Writing about her co-star Feroze, Aziz said: “Feroze, it was a delight to work with you and I hope and wish this project creates a benchmark for all projects in the future.”

    The actor also recalled fun moments on set, saying: “And who all are not in this picture, I’m so happy to work with you all and would never forget all the off-screen moments, jokes, late-night Bahawalpur ki sardi aur Multan ki tapti garmi wali shoots, and whatnot.”

    Read more – Iqra Aziz, Naumaan Ijaz’s ‘Raqeeb Se’ an unconventional love story

    Beside Iqra and Feroze, the cast of Khuda aur Mohabbat 3 includes Zain Baig, Sunita Marshall, Junaid Khan, Tooba Siddiqui, Momina Iqbal, Asma Abbas, Usman Peerzada, Rubina Ashraf, Javed Sheikh, Hina Khawaja, Meher Bano, Sohail Sameer and Noor-ul-Hassan. The drama has been written by Hashim Nadeem.

    While a release date for Khuda aur Mohabbat 3 has not been announced, it is being speculated that the drama will air on Geo Entertainment in the upcoming weeks. The OST of the drama was recently released and was an instant hit with the audience.


  • Sonic the Hedgehog will save the multiverse in new Netflix series

    Sonic the Hedgehog will save the multiverse in new Netflix series

    A new Sonic the Hedgehog series is in the works at Netflix.

    Read more – Netflix to release a new movie every week in 2021

    Sonic Prime, a family-friendly, 24-episode animated series starring the popular video game character, is set to premiere on the streamer in 2022, Netflix, Sega of America and Wildbrain announced Monday.

    According to the announcement, the show will focus on Sonic’s race to save the multiverse. The “high-octane adventure” will also be “a journey of self-discovery and redemption” for the hero. Man of Action Entertainment — known for creating Ben 10 and the characters of Big Hero 6 — will serve as showrunners and executive producers. The series will be animated by Wildbrain.

    “Sonic is a beloved character and holds a special place in everyone’s heart including my own,” said Dominique Bazay, Netflix’s director of original animation, in a statement. “I spent many hours with the blue blur as a kid and it’s a privilege to be able to bring this character everyone knows and loves on a brand-new adventure with Netflix — one that a generation of loyal fans and brand-new fans around the world can enjoy.”

    Since debuting in Sega’s 1991 video game Sonic the Hedgehog, the critter has been the face of a media franchise that has grown to include TV shows, comic books and movies.

    Meanwhile, the beloved video game is completing it’s 30th anniversary this year.

    The beloved blue speedster was seen most recently in the 2020 movie Sonic the Hedgehog, starring Ben Schwartz, James Marsden and Jim Carrey. The film grossed almost $320 million worldwide.

  • Pakistan’s Diana Baig shortlisted for ICC award

    Pakistan’s Diana Baig shortlisted for ICC award

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) has nominated 25-year-old Pakistani fast bowler Diana Baig for January’s Performance of the Month award.

    Baig played three ODIs and two T20Is against South Africa last month and bagged nine wickets. According to ICC, the Pakistani pacer, among others, has been shortlisted on the basis of “their performance and laurels from Jan 1 to 31”.

    The 25-year-old has been nominated alongside South Africa’s Shabnim Ismail and Marizanne Kapp, according to the ICC statement.

    In men’s category, the cricket council has nominated Rishabh Pant, Joe Root, and Paul Stirling. Pant scored 97 and 89 against Australia in the Test match at Sydney and Brisbane, respectively. He helped India clinched the series against the Aussies.

    England captain Joe Root, who scored 228 and 186 to lead his side to a 2-0 sweep against Sri Lanka, is also nominated for the award alongside Ireland’s Paul Stirling who scored three centuries from five international fixtures.

    The ICC said that the players were shortlisted on the basis of their performances. “The list is then voted on by the independent ICC Voting Academy and fans around the world,” the statement read, adding: “The ICC Voting Academy comprising prominent members of the cricket family including senior journalists, former players, and broadcasters and some members of the ICC Hall of Fame.”

    The votes will be submitted by the academy through email.

    “Additionally, fans registered with the ICC will be able to vote via the ICC website once the shortlisted players are announced and will have a 10% share of the vote. Winners will be announced every second Monday of the month on the ICC’s digital channels,” ICC stated.

  • CM Punjab reportedly orders removal of Iqbal statue in Lahore park

    CM Punjab reportedly orders removal of Iqbal statue in Lahore park

    Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar has reportedly ordered the removal of Allama Iqbal’s sculpture built by the gardeners of Lahore’s Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park.

    Photo Credits: Sikandar Ali Hullio Twitter
    Photo Credits: Sikandar Ali Hullio Twitter
    Photo Credits: Sikandar Ali Hullio Twitter

    According to the Focal Person on Digital Media to CM Punjab Azhar Mashwani, the Parks & Horticulture Authority (PHA) will not remove the statue but will fix it so that it looks more like Iqbal.

    The structure drew the ire of social media users after pictures of it were widely circulated on social media.

  • Mahira Khan turns producer with web series ‘Baarwan Khiladi’

    Mahira Khan turns producer with web series ‘Baarwan Khiladi’

    After acing pretty much everything else, Mahira Khan is stepping into production with a web series titled Baarwan Khiladi. The actor has set up a production house Soulfry Films with her dear friend and producer Nina Kashif. Baarwan Khiladi will be their first project together.

    Read more – We can’t show a woman being assaulted and falling in love with the same man, says Mahira Khan

    “I’m nervous and excited to share with all of you my first venture into production,” said an excited Mahira while announcing the news. “I would have no one better to be my co-pilot on this trip with me other than Nina Kashif.”

    Mahira also gave a sneak peek into their upcoming project, revealing that Baarwan Khiladi is “a coming of age story set against the backdrop of the OG of all games – cricket.”

    According to Mahira, the web series featuring Danyal Zafar, Shahveer Jafry and Kinza Hashmi in the lead, is “a story about friendships, relationships, unity, failure, success, love and courage.”

    The series has been penned by Shahid Dogar and directed by Adnan Sarwar of Motorcycle Girl fame. Saba Faisal, Sarmad Khoosat, Mira Sethi and Khaqan Shahnawaz are also part of the cast.

    Baarwaan Khiladi has reportedly been shot inside the Walled City of Lahore and Shahveer in an Instagram story revealed that shooting lasted one and a half month. While a release date has not yet been announced, the series will stream on Tapmad, a South Asian OTT platform.

    Read more – UrduFlix to launch with Alizeh Shah’s ‘Dulhan aur Aik Raat’

    Meanwhile, Mahira while announcing her new venture had said: “There is a story behind everything and I live for stories – hearing them and telling them.”

  • After FIA, NAB too cannot probe BRT project

    After FIA, NAB too cannot probe BRT project

    The Supreme Court has stopped the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) from investigating alleged irregularities in the Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project.

    The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had approached the apex court against a ruling by the Peshawar High Court wherein the court had asked NAB to probe the mass transit project over alleged corrupt practices that resulted in massive losses to the national exchequer.

    A three-member bench headed by Justice Umar Ata Bandial set aside the decision of the high court, saying it was based on speculations.

    According to the petition filed in the high court, the project was transferred to the Peshawar Development Authority despite the formation of a special BRT cell in the provincial transport department that also hired staffers and consultants. The court had observed the project was not coordinated well, resulting in delay and loss of money. 

    This is not the first time that NAB has been barred from touching the BRT. In 2018, after the PHC asked NAB to probe the BRT project, then chief justice Saqib Nisar had suspended the decision in Sept 2018.

    In Feb 2020, an SC bench headed by Justice Bandial had stopped the Federal Investigation Agency to stop the BRT investigation. At this time, the KP government’s lawyer had alleged that the PHC had issued its verdict without any reasoning.

    PESHAWAR METRO:

    The BRT bus service was launched on Aug 13 last year by Prime Minister Imran Khan after much delay as it missed several deadlines.

    The KP government and the project’s execution agency had promised to open the project, launched in October 2017, within six months on April 20, 2018. However, the deadline was missed.

    The project managers kept changing the launch dates from May 20 to June 30 to December 31 in 2018 to March 23, 2019, but the project was finally launched in Aug 2020. Since then, multiple buses of the BRT have broken down or caught fire.

  • Iqbal’s sculpture in Lahore park built by gardeners as a tribute

    Iqbal’s sculpture in Lahore park built by gardeners as a tribute

    A new sculpture of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, erected at Lahore’s Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park, is all social media can talk about ever since pictures of it emerged on Twitter on Monday. While the structure appeared to be an honest attempt to pay a tribute to the country’s national Poet and renowned scholar, netizens are not happy with the way it turned out.

    Several social media users demanded authorities to immediately remove the sculpture as they felt it was a “display of insult” rather than a tribute to the poet.

    https://twitter.com/The_Najeeb/status/1356506382061735938?s=20

    Several journalists, social activists and renowned personalities including Hamid Mir, Jamal Shah, and Jibran Nasir also criticised the government for its incompetence.

    Several users questioned why it was even allowed to be placed at the park.

    However, it later emerged that the statue was built by the gardeners of the park as a tribute to the great leader. Chairman Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) Yasir Gillani shared this news on social media, saying that the gardeners prepared it on their own and the “authority did not pay a single penny” for it.

    Later, Focal Person on Digital Media to CM Punjab Azhar Mashwani also clarified that the sculpture was made by the gardeners of the park to express their love for Iqbal.

  • Arabic teaching compulsory in Islamabad schools after Senate okays bill

    Arabic teaching compulsory in Islamabad schools after Senate okays bill

    All primary and secondary schools in Islamabad are required to introduce the Arabic language as a compulsory subject after the Senate approved the Compulsory Teaching of the Arabic Language Bill 2020 on Monday.

    The bill presented by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Javed Abbasi was endorsed by all members of the upper house, except Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Raza Rabbani who wrote a dissenting note. The bill will be implemented within six months.

    As per the bill, Arabic will be taught in schools in Islamabad from grades 1-5, while Arabic grammar will be taught in grades 6-12.

    Senator Abbasi said Arabia is “the fifth most spoken language in the world”, adding that it would also open up more job opportunities for Pakistanis in the Middle East. According to the senator, the Holy Quran is in Arabic and “we would not go through the problems we are currently facing had we understood the Holy Quran”.

    Parliamentary Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ali Muhammad Khan also agreed with Abbasi. He said the bill was in line with Article 31 of the Constitution that says: “Measures should be taken to spend our lives according to the Holy Quran and Sunnah.”

    According to Khan, learning Arabic was crucial to “become a good Muslim […] and understand God’s message”.

    However, PPP’s Rabbani said that legislation to make Arabic a mandatory language in schools was an attempt to “use Islamic for political purposes”. He further termed this an attempt to erase the diversity of Pakistan by imposing the foreign Arabic culture.

    “The Arab culture is not mine, [the] Indus Valley [Civilisation] is my culture,” he said, adding the Arabic language has nothing to do with Islam or Quran beyond being the language it was revealed in.

    In a response to The Current’s story on Instagram, PPP Senator Sherry Rehman said that contrary to the media reports, the PPP opposed the said bill.