Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • 41% people happy over Zardari’s arrest, 31% unaffected: survey

    A recent survey has revealed that 41% of Pakistanis are happy over the arrest of former president Asif Ali Zardari, while the development has left 31% people unaffected.

    As per the details, the Gilani Research Foundation survey, based on a sample size of 1,386 men and women, was conducted in both urban and rural areas of all four provinces of the country from June 15-24.

    Among other answers, just 22% Pakistanis said they were upset, 2% remarked that they did not hear about the matter and 4% commented that they were either not aware or did not wish to respond.

    Former president Zardari was arrested on June 10 by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) officials and is accused of plotting to “misappropriate and launder” money out of the country through fake bank accounts.

    Other allegations against the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman include his use of Omni Group “front men” as associates in crime and receiving millions in cash.

  • Govt increases tax on Landa clothes by 5pc

    Govt increases tax on Landa clothes by 5pc

    In the budget for the fiscal year 2019-20, the Pakistan Terheek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has increased withholding tax on secondhand clothes by 5 per cent.

    Reports quoted the Pakistan Second Hand Clothing Merchants Association (PSHCMA) as saying that the tax on used clothes has been increased from 1 per cent to 6 per cent, effective July 1 – start of the new fiscal year.

    The development is expected to pave way for an increase in the costs of secondhand clothes by at least five per cent — something that could’ve been bought for Rs200 earlier, can now cost you Rs210; Rs500, Rs525.

    Urging the government to bring down the withholding tax amid rupee depreciation against the dollar, members of the association have also demanded that 10 per cent regulatory duty (RD) on used clothes import be removed.

    Pakistan imports used ladies garments, gents’ trousers and shirts, blankets, warm clothing, winter garments, shoes etc mainly from the United States (US) and Europe. Landa Bazar is a marketplace where all these secondhand goods are sold at cheaper rates.

    According to the figures of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), import of worn clothing has risen to 426,797 tonnes valuing $165 million against 404,737 tonnes worth $148m in the last fiscal year.

    However, the development suggests that the trend might not live long with even used clothes and other items being out of reach for low-income groups.

  • Why don’t pedestrians use overhead bridges?

    Why don’t pedestrians use overhead bridges?

    Why don’t pedestrians use the overhead bridges to cross the road and risk their lives only to save a few minutes? TheCurrent asked people and here are some of the excuses which they gave.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=njL12_O0xV4
  • PTI MPA seeks ‘corrective surgery and appropriate measures’ for transgender kids

    PTI MPA seeks ‘corrective surgery and appropriate measures’ for transgender kids

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MPA Shahina Karim on Wednesday submitted in the Punjab Assembly a resolution to safeguard the rights of transgender children, ARY News reported.

    “Most of the times during childbirth, the kid is not transgender, but is presumed so,” the resolution read.

    “Such a child can be assigned gender after corrective surgery and appropriate measures so that they too can spend life like a man or a woman,” the resolution stated further.

    The move comes amid rising numbers of transgender persons’ killings across the country. Just last week, a 19-year-old transgender woman was found “riddled with bullets” beside a river bank.

    The teenager’s father and uncle were arrested for her murder.

  • Riches in the corridors of power

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has publicly released the asset details of key politicians in the country.

    According to the documents, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is revealed to be one of the wealthiest politicians with a net worth of Rs 1.5 billion. On the other hand, Federal Minister for Communications and Postal Services Murad Saeed has the minimum amount of assets. He reportedly only has 36 lakhs cash and 15 tolas of gold to his name.

    Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan owns assets worth Rs108 million. These assets include his Bani Gala residence which he declared was a gift, three foreign currency accounts (Dollar, Euro, Pound), four goats worth Rs 50,000 and 150 acres of agricultural land.

    PM Khan had also shared details of his wife, Bushra Bibi‘s assets which include a 3-kanal house in Bani Gala, 431-kanal land in Pakpattan and 266-kanal in Okara.

    Former president Asif Ali Zardari owns holdings worth Rs660 million. Leader of Opposition Shehbaz Sharif assets amounts to Rs189m.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Rana Sanaullah own assets worth Rs600m and Rs66m respectively.

    Minister for Railways Shaikh Rasheed has assets worth Rs35m.

  • Why don’t pedestrians use overhead bridges to cross the road?

    Why don’t pedestrians use overhead bridges to cross the road?

  • GRAPHIC CONTENT: Firing at Lahore airport kills two

    GRAPHIC CONTENT: Firing at Lahore airport kills two

    At least two people were killed and another injured when an unknown assailant opened fire at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport.

    According to the police, the suspect was taken into custody by the Airport Security Forces (ASF). The firing, however, caused panic among people which led to a stampede.

    “The suspect reached the airport in a taxi, while the two deceased had returned home after performing Umra,” reports quoted a police official as saying.

    The incident took place at the arrival/waiting area outside the main airport building. Footage available with The Current shows the deceased man lying on the floor with two women sitting next to the body.

    Heavy contingents of police reached the airport to secure the premises. The entry of vehicles at the airport was also barred as a precaution.

    A debate has sparked over the ASF’s failure to stop the flow of weapons into the airport premises.

    This is a developing story.

  • Adding to arrested leaders’ misery: PM orders amending production order law

    Adding to arrested leaders’ misery: PM orders amending production order law

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has ordered to amend the parliamentary procedure of issuing production orders that are necessary for a detained lawmaker to attend assembly sessions, a private media outlet reported Tuesday.

    “Money launderers and financially corrupt individuals should not be facilitated via production orders,” the premier reportedly said while chairing a cabinet meeting to discuss corruption inquiries and the economic situation of the country.

    Stating that people facing corruption inquiries cannot be awarded the status of political prisoners, PM Imran ordered the Law Ministry for further action and possible amendments to the law, reports said.

    The move comes after National Assembly (NA) Speaker Asad Qaiser issued production orders for former president Asif Ali Zardari, who was arrested by the National Accountancy Bureau (NAB) last month.

    Similarly, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Hamza Shehbaz and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Faryal Talpur were brought to the Punjab and Sindh assemblies, respectively, after the speakers concerned issued their production orders.

    Earlier in the day, an appeal submitted to the Supreme Court (SC) also challenged the production orders of opposition leaders arrested over corruption allegations. The application challenged the production orders issued by speakers of the national and provincial assemblies.

    The appeal also sought nullification of the production orders citing that such orders can’t be issued when the accused is under physical remand of a law enforcement agency.

  • ICC kneels to another Indian demand

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved India’s request to replace injured batsman Vijay Shankar with Mayank Agarwal, who is set to fly out of India and join the rest of the squad in England.

    Earlier in the tournament, Shankar was drafted in to replace Shikhar Dhawan, who sustained a thumb fracture during his match-winning century against Australia. He, however, failed to impress the team management — scoring just 58 runs in three matches.

    Agarwal’s impressive domestic form, as well as his excellent record batting alongside KL Rahul, offers India a renewed hope after a campaign marred by constant injuries to their star players.

    He has amassed a total of 3,964 runs in first-class cricket and has consecutive test match fifties to his name against Australia. Agarwal’s form while batting for Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is also admirable.

    The Bangalore born batsman has scored 332 runs in 13 games, with a formidable strike rate of 141.88. At a time when India’s batting has struggled to pile up runs in the initial overs, Agarwal’s inclusion in the line-up could accelerate the run rate and lay the foundation for a big total.

    However, for their match against Bangladesh, India have opted to start Dinesh Karthik instead of the newly-arrived Agarwal. A win for India would seal their spot in the top four, while a Bangladesh victory keeps the Tigers’ hopes alive for progressing to the semifinals.

  • Meet the members of PM Khan’s National Youth Council

    Meet the members of PM Khan’s National Youth Council

    Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Youth Affairs Usman Dar on Sunday announced that Prime Minister Imran Khan has established the National Youth Council which aims to empower and enable the youth. The council includes influential persons from the fields of sports, education, religion, arts, culture and economy who will assist and advise the government on matters of the youth.

    Some of the more prominent members of the council, such as Hamza Ali Abbasi and Mahira Khan, need no introduction so here are some of the lesser-known members who have several accomplishments to their name.

    Samina Baig

    Samina Khayal Baig is the first Pakistani woman and the third Pakistani ever to summit Mount Everest. Hailing from Shimshal, Baig is also the first Pakistani to climb the Seven Summits. She is UNDP’s (United Nations Development Programme) National Goodwill Ambassador for Pakistan.

    Shazia Batool

    A differently-abled artist from Hazara, Shazia Batool is fighting against polio through her paintings. She has also been awarded Tamgha-e-Imtiaz for her work and efforts.

    Hassan Ali

    A modern-day fast bowler hailing from Punjab, Hassan Ali is Pakistan’s quickest bowler to take 50 wickets in ODIs.

    Marvia Malik

     A journalism graduate, Marvia Malik is Pakistan’s first transgender newscaster. She has also worked as a model in different projects.

    Major Tanvir Shafi

    A soldier who had fought in the Operation Zarb-e-Azb lost his leg during Shawal operation represents the jawans in the council.

    Karishma Ali

    21-year old Karishma is the first girl from Chitral who has played football at a national and international level. She has also represented Pakistan at the Jubilee Games in Dubai and is one of those five Pakistanis who have made it to the Forbes.

    Adnan Shaffi

    Shaffi is the founder of PriceOye.com, a price comparison platform for electronics. He is among those five Pakistanis who have made to the Forbes 30 under 30.

     Muneeba Mazari

    She is an anchorperson, motivational speaker and Pakistan’s goodwill ambassador for UN Women.

    Sana Mir

    Sana Mir is a cricketer and the former captain of the Pakistan women’s cricket team. She is also the most successful spinner in women’s one-day international history. Sana has tirelessly worked to uplift women cricket in Pakistan and has been successful in her mission.

    Dileep Kumar

    A lawyer from Thar (Sindh), Kumar is an activist working for the progress of youth.

    Zoe Viccaji

    Zoe Viccaji is a Pakistani singer, songwriter, and actress from Karachi. 

    Zain Ashraf Mughal

    An entrepreneur and philanthropist, Zain Ashraf Mughal is the founder of Seedout, a not for profit crowdfunding platform which is working to end poverty by establishing micro-entrepreneurs through interest-free Micro Financing.

    Sadia Bashir

    Pakistani entrepreneur Sadia Bashir is the founder of Pixel Art Games Academy which aims to bridge the gap between industry demand and education by providing training in video game development and recruitment opportunities.