Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • Sisters gang-raped after being lured on marriage proposal pretext

    Sisters gang-raped after being lured on marriage proposal pretext

    Two sisters were allegedly gang-raped after being called to discuss a marriage proposal in the South Cantonment area of Lahore.

    According to the FIR (First Information Report), the main suspect, identified as Zia, invited the sisters to his residence for a meeting regarding a proposed marriage. Police said he later persuaded them to accompany him to a hotel.

    Investigators said three men assaulted the sisters inside a hotel room. The suspects also recorded a video of the incident. 

    The hotel owner, identified as Imran, has been nominated in the case for allegedly facilitating the crime. Police said the hotel management is suspected of being involved.

    South Cantonment police have registered a case on the complaint of the victims. Raids are being conducted to arrest the nominated suspects, including Zia, Khurram and Bilal.

  • Sajid Khan, Noman Ali express disappointment after being left out of PSL

    Sajid Khan, Noman Ali express disappointment after being left out of PSL

    Pakistani spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali have expressed disappointment after going unsold at the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 auction, despite being two of the most in-form bowlers in Pakistan cricket over the past year.

    Sajid Khan took to X to voice his frustration. “For 11 years, I have consistently delivered strong performances in domestic cricket and continue to perform at the highest level for both my region and department. Yet, I have not been given an opportunity in the PSL,” he wrote. 

    “As a professional cricketer, that is naturally disappointing. Still, my focus remains on performance. I will continue to work hard and leave the rest to those entrusted with the decisions,” he added.

    Noman Ali also took to X to write: “World number 1 spin bowler from Hyderabad; still no place in Hyderabad team. Allah is the best planner.”

    Both spinners were among the 879 local and international players registered ahead of the auction held on February 11 at the Expo Centre. Noman’s base price was set at PKR 6 million and Sajid’s at PKR 11 million, yet none of the eight franchise teams placed a bid for either.

    The auction marked a significant shift in how PSL selects its players, replacing the traditional draft system that had been in place since the league’s first edition in 2016. 

    The snub is a curious one given the recent form of both spinners. Together, Sajid and Noman have been the driving force behind Pakistan’s Test success over the past year, taking all 20 England wickets between them in the second Test in Multan in October 2024, a feat achieved for the first time in 52 years. 

    They went on to help Pakistan win the series and then dominated the West Indies at home in January 2025, where Noman became the first Pakistani spinner to take a hat-trick in a men’s Test match. Across four Tests in 2024, the duo claimed 70 wickets combined.

    Sajid has taken 65 wickets in 14 Tests at an average of 28.92, with a best of 8 for 42, and currently sits at number 29 in the ICC Test bowling rankings. Noman has been equally influential, with his career-best figures of 8 for 46 in the second innings against England in Multan standing as one of the finest individual bowling performances in recent Pakistan Test history. He has taken 97 wickets in 21 Test matches.

    PSL 11 runs from March 26 to May 3.

  • ‘It’s not just Babar’s responsibility’: Shahid Afridi says no issue with his place in T20 team

    ‘It’s not just Babar’s responsibility’: Shahid Afridi says no issue with his place in T20 team

    Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has defended Babar Azam’s place in the T20 side, saying the senior batter is not solely responsible for Pakistan’s struggles in the T20 World Cup.

    Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Current, Afridi said other senior players must also step up in big moments.

    “Look, in the last match [46 against USA], Babar scored runs, right? Okay? But as a senior player, it’s not just Babar’s responsibility. There’s also Fakhar, there’s Shaheen. These are players who have been representing Pakistan for quite some time. It’s their responsibility too to deliver big performances in major events. To win matches for Pakistan. So, I think right now there’s no issue with Babar. He faces balls but he should try to convert those balls into more runs,” he said.

    It is worth noting that the interview was recorded before Pakistan’s match against India.

    However, after Pakistan’s 61-run defeat to India on Sunday, Afridi’s tone shifted. Speaking to a private television channel after the match, he said, “I would drop Babar, Shaheen and Shadab. Give new players a chance against Namibia.”

    Babar managed only five runs against India before getting dismissed playing an unnecessary shot. India batted first and posted 175 for 7 in their 20 overs. Pakistan collapsed in reply, managing just 114 before being bowled out in 18 overs.

    Babar had scored 66 runs across three matches at a strike rate of 100.08 going into the tournament. His absence from last year’s Asia Cup, where Pakistan badly missed an anchor batter, had kept him under scrutiny ever since.

    Pakistan face Namibia on Wednesday needing a win to stay in the tournament.

  • ‘He got my child aborted’: Ex-wife levels fresh allegations on Imad Wasim as he remarries

    ‘He got my child aborted’: Ex-wife levels fresh allegations on Imad Wasim as he remarries

    Cricketer Imad Wasim’s ex-wife Sania Ashfaq has claimed that the all-rounder made her get an abortion in 2023.

    “In December 2023, he got my child aborted in Lahore. He’s a murderer, and I have a video that proves it. He cheated on me,” read one of the posts shared by Ashfaq shortly after the announcement of Wasim’s second marriage.

    She also said that their marriage ended under “deeply distressing circumstances” and urged followers to boycott Islamabad United for including “a murderer and a cheater” in its lineup.

    “If he could not remain loyal to his family, there’s no way he could be truly loyal to the team,” she wrote.

    Earlier, videos on social media showed that Wasim had gotten married to social media influencer Nyla Raja in an intimate ceremony.

    The same was then confirmed by the former national cricketer, who wrote, “I went through one of the hardest chapters of my life after a marriage that did not work. Even so, that chapter gave me the greatest blessings of my life, my children. I love them beyond words, and that love will never change.”

    “I stayed longer than I should have, holding on to hope and trying to protect what mattered most to me. In doing so, I made decisions I regret. My delay and silence contributed to a situation where an innocent person was unfairly judged and subjected to criticism she did not deserve. I take full responsibility for that, and I carry that weight with sincerity and remorse.”

    Rajah also shared a post on Instagram, calling her marriage to Wasim the “best decision” of her life.

    “If it wasn’t you, I might have never chosen marriage at all. You protected me in so many ways, even when you were fighting your own battles. Your strength, your patience, and your quiet support mean more to me than words can ever express.”

    In a separate post with a black-and-white bridal photograph, Rajah addressed public scrutiny, writing, “Only the person going through it truly knows the pain behind it.”

    She said the situation escalated when journalists engaged in targeting her character and personal life, in reference to December last year when Wasim announced his divorce, citing long-standing unresolved issues.

    He had gone on to warn against “misleading narratives” and mentioned legal action against defamatory claims amid Ashfaq’s account that a “third party” seeking to marry her husband had contributed to the breakdown of their marriage.

  • Naqvi says political handling by Aleema Khan delayed Imran’s eye examination

    Naqvi says political handling by Aleema Khan delayed Imran’s eye examination

    Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday said the eye examination of PTI founder Imran Khan was delayed for three days due to what he described as political handling of the matter by the former prime minister’s sister Aleema Khan.

    Speaking at a press conference, Naqvi said doctors who examined Imran Khan at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail later met PTI leaders and the former prime minister’s medical team, after which all parties expressed satisfaction.

     Quoting the medical team, he said: “His doctors said, ‘Excellent. Had we done the treatment, we would have done the same.’ Political leaders said, ‘We are satisfied, and we will tell our people about this.’”

    Naqvi said he asked the doctors whether any further tests were required and was told that all possible examinations had already been conducted. “But all I can tell you is that Aleema Khan sahiba told her party that if we accept this, the issue will die down,” he said. “Due to her, the medical check-up could not be conducted for three days.”

    He added: “On the one hand, they say that they are very close, and on the other hand, they politicised this issue.”

    The interior minister said the government did not want to politicise Imran Khan’s health, referring to the medical report prepared by the doctors and submitted to the Supreme Court. He said that certain requests by the opposition were allowed but were not suitable enough to make public. “Putting up such a show is extremely inappropriate, especially misleading people,” he remarked. 

    Naqvi said he had invited PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan to reach Adiala Jail on Sunday so that the examination could be conducted in his presence. “We waited for about an hour, but he did not come,” Naqvi said.

    He said Gohar, along with Senate opposition leader Raja Nasir Abbas, National Assembly opposition leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai and doctors nominated by the PTI, was later invited to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad, where the doctors briefed them. “They expressed satisfaction over the treatment,” Naqvi said.

    Addressing claims regarding hospitalisation, Naqvi said: “We would 100 percent admit him even for two weeks if the doctors recommend it. But if the doctors do not recommend, then how can we have him admitted?”

    He said the government had asked the PTI to suggest the name of a “non-political” eye specialist, which was refused. They insisted that a family member should accompany the doctor, which we agreed to, he said, adding that a relative named by the party was also allowed.

    Naqvi said Imran Khan was taken to a hospital as a precaution for an eye injection, although the procedure could have been carried out at the jail. “All facilities being provided are documented,” he said. “It is the government’s responsibility to ensure medical care for every prisoner.”

  • 11 security personnel martyred in Bajaur terrorist attack

    11 security personnel martyred in Bajaur terrorist attack

    A terrorist attack on a checkpost in district Bajaur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), killed 11 security personnel, the military’s media wing said on Tuesday.

    The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that on February 16, a vehicle-borne attack was carried out on a joint checkpost of security forces and law enforcement agencies by Khwarij, described as belonging to the Indian proxy, Fitna al Khwarij. Fitna al Khwarij is a term the state uses for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban (TTP) Pakistan.


    The statement added that 12 terrorists were eliminated after security forces retaliated and “engaged the fleeing khwarij with precision”. “In their desperation, the attackers rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the perimeter wall. Due to the blast impact infrastructure at check post collapsed, eleven brave sons of the soil, rendered the ultimate sacrifice and [embracing] martyrdom.”

    The blast also affected nearby residential buildings, killing one young girl. Seven others, including women and children, were injured.

    The ISPR said sanitisation operations are under way to eliminate any remaining threats in the area as part of a counter-terrorism campaign under the vision “Azm e Istehkam,” approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan.

    President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack and extended condolences to the families of the martyrs. He said the elimination of terrorists operating with external support remained the state’s “topmost priority.”

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the attack in the “strongest terms,” extended condolences to families of the martyrs, and prayed for the recovery of the injured. He noted the elimination of 12 terrorists and lauded the security forces for their timely action, saying that under the vision of Azm e Istehkam, security forces are gaining success in the fight against terrorism.


    The attack comes days after a station house officer (SHO) was killed in an attack on a police station in War Mamund tehsil of Bajaur district. In December 2025, a major-ranked officer was martyred during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the district.

  • Meta secures AI patent to keep dead alive on social media

    Meta secures AI patent to keep dead alive on social media

    Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, has been granted a patent for an artificial intelligence system capable of replicating a user’s social media activity, including posting, commenting and responding to messages after their death.

    Filed in 2023 and approved in late December, the patent outlines a system that trains a large language model on a user’s historical activity to recreate their online behavior.

    The filing, which lists Meta Chief Technology Officer Andrew Bosworth as the primary author, describes how the AI could generate posts, likes, comments and direct message replies using data such as past content, interactions and engagement history. 

    While it could also simulate video or audio calls, according to the patent, the system may maintain a user’s presence during long absences or after death, noting that inactivity has a lasting impact on the experience of followers who cannot interact with the user.

    Meta has stated the patent is conceptual and has no immediate plans to develop or deploy the system. A company spokesperson said that patents are often filed to protect ideas that may never be commercialised.

    However, the concept aligns with remarks made by CEO Mark Zuckerberg in 2023, when he suggested AI could help people interact with digital representations of loved ones, provided it operates with user consent.

    It merits a mention that the concept is not unique. Microsoft patented a chatbot in 2021 designed to simulate deceased individuals, public figures or fictional characters. Several startups have since launched services offering AI-driven memorial avatars. 

    The technology raises legal and ethical questions, particularly regarding post-mortem privacy, as noted by Edina Harbinja, a University of Birmingham professor specialising in digital rights.

    Public response to the news has been largely critical. Users expressed concern over the potential for AI to manipulate the digital identities of the deceased.

    “Imagine arguing with someone online and they’ve been dead for three years,” wrote one user, while another said, “That should be illegal. How can they co-opt the words and data and digital likeness of a dead person without that person’s permission or the permission of their family?” 

    Others highlighted risks to social networks, noting, “Imagine finding out months later that your friend who died was actually an AI chatbot. This isn’t about personal choice when it affects everyone in someone’s network.” 

    Comparisons to fictional scenarios also appeared, with one reaction stating, “So Black Mirror was a product roadmap.”

    One comment used the news to make a joke about politics, stating, “Oh my god. We’re never getting rid of Trump.”

  • Former Pakistan cricket stars rally behind Imran Khan, call for urgent medical care

    Former Pakistan cricket stars rally behind Imran Khan, call for urgent medical care

    Former Pakistan cricket legends have spoken out in support of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, calling on authorities to ensure he receives proper medical treatment after reports emerged that he has lost most of the vision in his right eye.

    Wasim Akram, who was part of the Imran-led team that won the 1992 Cricket World Cup, posted a heartfelt message on X. 

    “It is heartbreaking to hear our skipper Imran Khan going through health issues. I sincerely hope the authorities take this seriously and ensure he receives the best possible medical care. Wishing him strength, a speedy recovery, and a full return to good health,” he wrote.

    Waqar Younis struck a similar tone, setting aside any political dimension to make a direct human appeal. 

    “Putting politics aside, our national hero who gave us our greatest glory on the sporting field, a cancer hospital which helped so many, including my own mother, is suffering a health emergency and requires urgent treatment. I humbly request the related authorities he gets the appropriate treatment in a timely manner. Get well soon skipper,” he said.

    Shoaib Akhtar, who recently spent three months in the United States (US) raising funds for Imran’s Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital, also weighed in. 

    “The last three months I’ve been raising funds in USA for Imran Khan’s Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital. I’m deeply saddened to hear the news of him losing vision in his eye. I hope he gets the best treatment and I’m wishing him a speedy recovery,” he said.

    Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja termed it “an emotional meltdown” to see Imran suffering and losing vision in one eye. “I hope humanity prevails and his suffering is reduced.”

    Earlier, Shahid Afridi, responding to a question about Imran’s health, also kept his message simple and grounded in principle. “Health is a basic right of every human being. Imran Khan must be given this right, that he and his family can seek treatment from wherever they choose,” he said.

  • 14 cricketing legends write to govt for better treatment of jailed Imran Khan

    14 cricketing legends write to govt for better treatment of jailed Imran Khan

    As many as 14 former international cricket captains from five Test-playing nations have written to the Pakistani government for better treatment of jailed former prime minister (PM) and World Cup winning captain Imran Khan.

    As per the details, the cricketing legends sought proper medical treatment and humane conditions for Khan in prison, in a letter that came amid reports that he has lost most of the vision in his right eye.

    The letter, a copy of which is available with The Current, was drafted by former Australian captain Greg Chappell and carries the signatures of former Indian captains Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, Australians Allan Border, Steve Waugh, Ian Chappell, Kim Hughes and Belinda Clark; England’s Mike Atherton, Nasser Hussain, Mike Brearley and David Gower alongside West Indies great Clive Lloyd and New Zealand’s John Wright.

    “We, the undersigned former captains of our national cricket teams, write with deep concern regarding the reported treatment and incarceration conditions of Imran Khan, the distinguished former Captain of Pakistan and a legendary figure in world cricket. As captain, he led Pakistan to their historic 1992 Cricket World Cup victory, a triumph built on skill, resilience, leadership, and sportsmanship that inspired generations across borders,” it read.

    “Many of us competed against him, shared the field with him, or grew up idolising his all-round brilliance, charisma, and competitive spirit. He remains one of the finest all-rounders and captains the sport has ever seen, earning respect from players, fans, and administrators alike,” they added.

    The letter also recognised Khan’s political and said that he served as prime minister of Pakistan, leading his nation during a challenging period. “Regardless of political perspectives, he holds the honour of having been democratically elected to the highest office in his country.”

    “Recent reports concerning his health, particularly the alarming deterioration of his vision while in custody, and the conditions of his imprisonment over the past two and a half years have caused us profound concern. As fellow cricketers who understand the values of fair play, honour, and respect that transcend the boundary rope, we believe that a person of Imran Khan’s stature deserves to be treated with the dignity and basic human consideration befitting a former national leader and a global sporting icon,” they wrote.

    The letter made three specific demands: immediate and ongoing medical attention from specialists of Khan’s own choosing, humane conditions of detention in line with international standards, including regular family visits, and fair and transparent access to legal processes without delay.

    “Cricket has long been a bridge between nations. Our shared history on the field reminds us that rivalry ends when the stumps are drawn and respect endures. Imran Khan embodied that spirit throughout his career. We call on authorities to honour it now by upholding the principles of decency and justice. This appeal is made in the spirit of sportsmanship and common humanity, without prejudice to any legal proceedings,” they wrote.

  • ‘I referred to those running international cricket’: Shoaib Akhtar clarifies ‘incompetent and ignorant’ comment

    ‘I referred to those running international cricket’: Shoaib Akhtar clarifies ‘incompetent and ignorant’ comment

    Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has clarified that the words he said on an Indian TV channel, apparently targeting Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, were taken out of context, adding that Indian television misrepresented what he actually said.

    Akhtar had come under scrutiny after comments he made on an Indian TV channel following Pakistan’s 61-run defeat to India in the T20 World Cup in Colombo on Sunday, where he used the words “incompetent” and “ignorant” while questioing the people in positions of power.

    But Akhtar on Monday sought to set the record straight. “The terms I used, like ‘incompetent’ and ‘ignorant’, did not mean I was targeting Mohsin bhai. My reference was to those running international cricket. Indian TV presented it in the wrong way,” he said.

    He also pointed to something he said in the same programme that went largely unnoticed. 

    “In that very show, I made it clear that nothing wrong should be said about Mohsin bhai and that I will not tolerate it. Mohsin Naqvi is a good person and he wants to help Pakistan cricket,” Akhtar said.

    The clarification came after his remarks on the Indian channel sparked a wave of reactions. Speaking after the defeat, Akhtar had not held back.

    “Now, one guy doesn’t even know about cricket and he’s the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board. How will the team be run now? You’re saying one guy, you’ve made him a superstar, he can’t win a single match. You’ve made him a star who can’t bowl 10 overs,” he said, without naming anyone directly.

    He had also delivered a broader warning. “When you give a big job to an incompetent and ignorant person, he will destroy the country. He will bring down any organisation. The example is in front of you; you’re intelligent enough to understand,” Akhtar said.

    While he named no one, his comments were widely read as a reference to Naqvi and to senior players Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi, both of whom drew heavy criticism for their performances against India. 

    Babar scored just five runs before getting out playing an unnecessary shot, while Shaheen conceded 31 runs in two overs.

    The defeat itself was bruising. Seven Pakistan batters failed to reach double figures as the side collapsed for 114 chasing 176, handing India their fourth T20 international victory over Pakistan in the last six months.