Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • Supreme Court orders reopening of shopping malls across Pakistan

    Supreme Court orders reopening of shopping malls across Pakistan

    Despite coronavirus continuing to spread across the country, the Supreme Court (SC), which seems to be at odds with the government over the latter’s handling of the pandemic, has ordered the reopening of shopping malls across the country.

    According to the details, a five-member larger bench of the apex court was hearing a suo motu case regarding measures taken to curb the spread of COVID-19.

    The bench was headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed while Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel, Justice Sajjad Ali Shah and Justice Qazi Muhammad Amin Ahmed were also on the bench.

    During the hearing today, Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed remarked that if the shops are shut down then shopkeepers will ‘die of hunger rather than the coronavirus’.

    CJP Ahmed said that in Karachi, except for five big malls every market has resumed operations.

    Upon which, Commissioner Karachi Iftikhar Shallwani said that a few markets were sealed for not following the Standard Operating Procedures laid out by the government.

    “The sealed markets should be opened and instead of intimidating them (shop owners) make them understand (the situation and SOPs),” remarked the top judge.

    The CJP noted that the SOPs will be ‘better implemented’ at the big shopping malls.

    The apex court also ordered that on the weekends, all the small markets should remain open to public.

  • ‘One Indian is enough for your thousands,’ Dhawan tells Afridi, gets trolled with Abhinandan pictures

    ‘One Indian is enough for your thousands,’ Dhawan tells Afridi, gets trolled with Abhinandan pictures

    Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan, who hit out at former Pakistani skipper Shahid Afridi for his comments on Kashmir during a recent visit to the Pakistan-administered side of the valley, is being trolled by Pakistanis for saying that “Kashmir belongs to India” and “one Indian is enough for 125,000 Pakistanis”.

    As per the details, a video clip of Afridi speaking to the people of the Azad Kashmir village went viral on social media, which showed the former Pakistani cricketing star criticising Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi for deploying forces in Kashmir and making it a living hell for Muslims.

    “At a time when the whole world is fighting corona[virus], you are concerned about Kashmir. Kashmir is ours and will remain ours. Bring your 220 million, one [Indian] is enough for 125,000. You do the math,” Dhawan tweeted while tagging Afridi.

    It wasn’t later that Pakistanis started trolling the Indian batsman, reminding him of what happened last year when an Indian Air Force (IAF) jet violated Pakistani airspace.

    The jet was shot down by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and the pilot captured. Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was released a day later by Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan as a goodwill gesture to promote peace between the two countries.

    While Afridi himself is yet to respond, here are some other responses to Dhawan’s tweet:

    What do you think of the Indian cricketer’s tweet? Let The Current know in the comments.

  • Govt announces Eid holidays

    Govt announces Eid holidays

    The federal government has announced Eid holidays from 22nd to 27th May (Friday to Wednesday).

    According to the notification, all businesses, public places, community markets and shops, etc will remain closed during these holidays. Only essential items’ shops and medical stores/pharmacies will remain open.

  • Halime Sultan sends her love to Pakistan

    Halime Sultan sends her love to Pakistan

    Turkish drama Diriliş: Ertuğrul has taken Pakistan by storm ever since it was released in the country in Urdu on Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s advice to “help youngsters connect with their roots”.

    As praise pours in for the historical fiction over the internet by both celebrities and the general public, fans have started following the show’s actors on social media. While a handful of people were disappointed with the real lives of the actor, many sent their praises and love to the actors.

    Read more – Pakistanis lose it over ‘un-Islamic’ Instagram of ‘Diriliş: Ertuğrul’ star

    Esra Bilgiç, who essays the role of Halime Sultan, Ertuğrul’s wife has now responded to Pakistanis fans and thanked them for the love they have sent her way. She also added that she would love to meet all her fans in Pakistan once the pandemic is over and the situation normalises.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CAQEy7bjYiU/

    Similarly Gülsim Ali, who plays Aslihan Hatun in the third edition of Diriliş: Ertuğrul also expressed her desire to visit Pakistan once the coronavirus pandemic is over.

    “I’ve never been in Pakistan before but I hope one day I’ll be there to meet with you after this pandemic period,” she wrote on Instagram.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CASvq4flSDN/
  • ‘Meri beti nihayat jhooti hai’: Mahira Khan’s mother roasts her on live television

    ‘Meri beti nihayat jhooti hai’: Mahira Khan’s mother roasts her on live television

    By now we all know that Mahira Khan’s mother has a lit sense of humour.

    Read more – ‘Tumhari tankha se katay ga’, Mahira Khan’s mother tells her off

    She was recently invited as a live caller on Jeeto Pakistan League, where Mahira was the celebrity guest, and while speaking to the host Fahad Mustafa, couldn’t resist roasting her daughter, much to the actor’s surprise.

    When Fahad asked Mahira’s mother what Adnan Siddiqui was doing wrong on the show, she replied, “Yeh mujhe nahi pata magar meri beti nihayat confused insaan hai (I don’t know this, but my daughter is a very confused person).”

    Her comments sent everyone present into a fit of laughter. But she was still not done roasting Mahira.

    She continued, “Yeh jhoot bol rahe hai. Yeh nihayat jhooti insaan hai. She’s just going to confuse you.”

    In response, Adnan said, “Thank you Aunty. You made my day.”

    Later, when Fahad asked Mahira’s mother what the other celebrity contestant Waseem Badami was doing wrong, she was all praises for him and said she was very fond of him.

    Watch video:

    Meanwhile, Humayun Saeed thanked Mahira for being on the show.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CASVhdqJvle/
  • Visually challenged Pakistani girl becomes a sensation on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’

    Visually challenged Pakistani girl becomes a sensation on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’

    14-year-old singer Sirine Jahangir – the only contestant of Pakistani origin on Britain’s Got Talent – has gone on to become a huge sensation on the show. She hopes to make it to the final.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CALPY6uliT5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
    https://www.instagram.com/p/B9W60tzlFna/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Born in 2005 in London, Sirine started losing her eyesight gradually from the age of five. By the time she was 10, she had completely lost it. Sirine excelled at sports and dancing was her favourite pastime.

    Speaking to a news outlet, Sirine’s father Kafeel Jahangir shared that during his trips to the UK, the late Junaid Jamshed used to sing with Sirine and teach her about music. Sirine uses music and her story to inspire other people with disabilities.

    Sirine is also the granddaughter of Sahibzada ‘Chico’ Jahangir who is an active Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) member. He is currently serving as Prime Minister Imran Khan’s spokesperson on Trade & Investment in UK & Europe. Fauzia Kasuri is Sirin’s aunt while the late singer Junaid Jamshed was her uncle.

    Every Monday she visits a school to teach a young 6-year-old boy who has the same condition as her. She teaches him Braille and gives him the confidence to believe in himself and not let his challenges hold him back.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B_5GGgpJwA_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
  • Yasir Hussain likens Turkish dramas to ‘landay k kapray’

    Yasir Hussain likens Turkish dramas to ‘landay k kapray’

    The debate around the airing of Diriliş: Ertuğrul doesn’t seem to end.

    After Shaan and Reema, Yasir Hussain has also come forward and urged PTV to make a historic drama using those artists and technicians who pay taxes to the country.

    “Landy k kapray aur Turkey k dramay, dono hee local industry ko tabah kardein gay,” wrote the actor.

    Read more – Humayun Saeed to play an Islamic hero in Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar’s historical epic

    It appears that actor received criticism for his comments because, in a successive Instagram story, Hussain said that when someone’s father or brother lose their jobs to Turkish people, only then will they understand what he is saying.

    Meanwhile there are some actors who have praised the series.

    Turkish historic drama series Diriliş: Ertuğrul has been trending ever since its first episode aired on PTV Home. Pakistanis are loving the drama series and it has become a sensation in the country to the point that PTV is now aiming to set a new record with the series.

    In an exclusive interview with The Current, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Faisal Javed Khan revealed that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had gifted the drama series to Pakistan as a goodwill gesture.

  • Dubai set to open drive-in cinema

    Dubai set to open drive-in cinema

    After the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned that coronavirus may never go away and we will have to learn to live with it, Dubai came up with a solution to entertain people amid the pandemic crisis. People in Dubai will soon be able to watch films on the big screen but only from their own cars at a new drive-in cinema created on the roof of one of the world’s largest shopping malls.

    With social distancing essential in the United Arab Emirates to control the spread of the virus, VOX Cinemas says that only two viewers per car will be allowed at the open-air venue, which opens on Sunday and can accommodate up to 75 cars at a time. Tickets cost 180 dirhams ($50) per vehicle inclusive of popcorn, snacks and drinks.

    Dubai, the UAE’s business and tourism hub, has been easing coronavirus restrictions since the Ramzan began three weeks ago, allowing malls and dine-in restaurants to reopen at limited capacity.

    However, children aged 3-12 and people over 60 are still barred from such venues, including the outdoor cinema, which sits on the roof of Majid Al Futtaim’s Mall of the Emirates. The screen stands under the peak of the mall’s indoor ski slope.

    Dubai, a major shopping and entertainment destination, has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic due to travel troubles and closures to curb the spread of the disease.

    The UAE has so far recorded 20,386 coronavirus infections and 206 deaths.

  • Couple arrested for ‘Bollywood style’ robberies

    Couple arrested for ‘Bollywood style’ robberies

    The Delhi Police arrested a couple for committing ‘Bollywood style’ robberies. The duo, who is being dubbed ‘Bunty-Babli’ in reference to Rani Mukherjee and Abhishek Bachchan’s superhit film, reportedly committed dozens of snatchings in the city.

    Read more – ‘Death by massage’: police arrest serial killer masseur

    According to a report in India Today, the couple rode a white-coloured scooty and while the man would drive the scooter, the woman would snatch phones and other belongings as a pillion rider.

    After the robberies became common, an investigation team was constituted to look into the matter. Hundreds of reports with same modus operandi were searched but nothing could be substantiated. After that, the team started to collect and analyse CCTV footage of the crime scenes as well as the escape route used by the duo. While the CCTV footage had poor resolution and the police were unable to identify the criminals through it, it was enough to give the team the couple’s physical structure.

    After a tedious investigation process, the team finally managed to nab the criminals and arrest them while they were at the market to sell the stolen mobile phones. They recovered four mobile phones and one scooty from their possession.

    Read more – Mother sends son to buy groceries, he returns with bride

    The police revealed that the man, identified as Arjun alias Karan, was is an active criminal of central Delhi. He was involved in 31 cases and is a drug addict. Meanwhile his wife, Vaishali Kaushal is a tattoo artist and also a drug addict. The two had tied the knot a few months back and have been carrying out snatchings ever since.

  • Shahid Afridi buys Mushfiqur Rahim’s bat auctioned for coronavirus relief

    Shahid Afridi buys Mushfiqur Rahim’s bat auctioned for coronavirus relief

    Shahid Afridi has contributed to Bangladesh’s COVID-19 relief efforts by buying a cricket bat put up on auction by Bangladeshi batsman Mushfiqur Rahim for $20,000.

    The bat had been used by Rahim during his maiden double hundred in Test cricket. Rahim had made this score in Bangladesh’s match against Sri Lanka in the Galle Test of 2013.

    Rahim made the announcement on social media and thanked Afridi for purchasing the bat and helping him raise money for his fellow countrymen.

    Afridi also shared the news and said that he and his foundation Shahid Afridi Foundation “believe that human suffering and empathy is beyond borders” and that he “hopes this small token will help build bigger bridges”.

    https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/1261380200836878338?s=20

    In a video message shared by Rahim, Lala also appreciated Mushfiq for “doing wonderful work” for his people.

    “Only real heroes undertake such efforts. We’re all experiencing unprecedented times, in which we need each other. I’ll always remember the love I received from Bangladesh,” said Afridi. “Buying your cricket bat on behalf of the Pakistani people, I wish to become a part of your journey.”

    Cricketers and sportsmen around the world are auctioning their memorabilia to raise funds for coronavirus relief drives.