Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • Rawalpindi man booked for sharing fake information on PECA

    Rawalpindi man booked for sharing fake information on PECA

    A case under the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) has been registered in Rawalpindi following a social media post that violated the law.

    According to details, Waris Khan Police charged a man identified as Muhammad Rehan with spreading false information online, including sharing inappropriate content.

    The police spokesperson stressed that spreading propaganda or false information under the guise of free speech is unacceptable.

    Under the Electronic Crimes Act, any content deemed harmful to state security, public order, or peace will result in immediate legal action. The law aims to curb the misuse of social media for spreading false narratives.

    The spokesperson urged the public to exercise caution on social media, warning them that misinformation or negative propaganda would lead to legal consequences.

  • Noor slams her neighbours for complaining to DHA about her charity work

    Noor slams her neighbours for complaining to DHA about her charity work

    Noor Bukhari, a former actress who transitioned from the entertainment industry to a more spiritual path, has recently found herself at the centre of an unexpected dispute.Known for her commitment to religious principles, Noor has been actively involved in charitable work, including providing food to those in need. However, her act of kindness has seemingly upset some of her neighbours.

    In an Instagram post, Noor revealed that she had received an official notice from the DHA authorities warning her against distributing food in front of her home. The notice stated:

    “It has been noted that food distribution is taking place in front of your residence, causing disturbances to neighboring residents. You are advised to cease this activity immediately. Non-compliance may lead to necessary action in accordance with DHA regulations.”

    Clearly disheartened, Noor expressed her disappointment on Instagram, directly addressing those who reported her:

    “How wonderful my neighbors are! Does halting food distribution for those in need bring you joy and satisfaction? I can always find another location to distribute, but what have you achieved from this? I have received this notice because they had a problem with feeding the poor.”

    Her post quickly gained traction, sparking an online debate. Many rallied to her side, criticising the insensitivity of those who opposed assisting the less fortunate. Supporters praised her efforts and questioned whether minor inconveniences should outweigh the moral duty to help those in need.

    However, not everyone agreed with Noor’s stance. Some argued that residential rules exist for a reason and that haqooq-ul-ibaad (the rights of people) should be considered before engaging in such activities.  

    “Neighbors’ rights should be prioritized. If it’s bothering them, it’s reasonable to move the distribution elsewhere,” one user remarked. Others suggested that instead of distributing food in public spaces, she should collaborate with a welfare organisation to ensure smoother and more organised assistance for the underprivileged.

  • Aamir Jamal slams former Australian cricketer for mocking Rizwan’s English

    Aamir Jamal slams former Australian cricketer for mocking Rizwan’s English

    Pakistan’s national team captain, Mohammad Rizwan, recently became the subject of mockery over his English-speaking skills. However, all-rounder Aamir Jamal did not hold back and gave a strong response to former Australian cricketer and commentator Brad Hogg.

    Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Aamir Jamal criticised Hogg, stating, “It is a very shameful act from @Brad_Hogg who called himself an international cricketer, making fun of @iMRizwanPak about his English, which is his 3rd language, not even 2nd. I would rather suggest you become #TikToker because you might need followers and attention by making fun of other people. That’s the platform for you, not the cricket community.”

    Aamir Jamal defends Rizwan after video of Brad Hogg making fun of his English emerges : r/PakCricket

    The controversy erupted after a video of Brad Hogg mocking Rizwan’s English went viral on social media, drawing widespread criticism.

    In the video, Hogg is seen interacting with an impersonator, mimicking Mohammad Rizwan. Hogg asks him about Kohli, to which the impersonator jokingly replies:  “I and Virat are the same. He drinks water, I drink water. He eats food, I eat food. We are the same. There is no difference.”

    The impersonator then shifts focus to Rizwan, mimicking his accent while discussing Pakistan’s “win or learn” strategy. Hogg sarcastically praises Rizwan’s English, to which the impersonator responds: “Yes, in Pakistan, everyone says my English is very good.”

    The video sparked outrage among fans, who condemned it as disrespectful to the Pakistani cricketer.

  • ‘People are starving, not fasting’; Bushra Ansari lashes out at Ramazan transmissions

    ‘People are starving, not fasting’; Bushra Ansari lashes out at Ramazan transmissions

    Renowned actress Bushra Ansari has raised concerns over the growing trend of Ramazan transmissions on various news channels, claiming that they have shifted people’s focus away from worship.


    The veteran star recently shared a vlog on her YouTube channel, where she spoke about the impact of the transmissions while preparing for Iftar.

    “Every other channel is running the same Ramadan transmissions. They used to happen before as well, but back then, people didn’t watch them as much. Those were better times,” the veteran comedian said. 

    Pointing out that now people watch them with great interest, Bushra saus, “Even I sometimes sit in these transmissions, and they entertain people. They probably feel good, and it helps pass the fast comfortably.”

    However, she then pointed out the downside of the growing trend, “I believe that when we didn’t have these transmissions, we used to worship more. With no other distractions, we would recite the Quran and engage in Tasbeeh.”

    She further added, “Back then, fasting didn’t feel like mere hunger. But now, without worship, without reciting the Quran or Tasbeeh, and just by watching Ramadan transmissions, fasting is no longer about true devotion—it’s just about starving.”

    Her statements have sparked a debate on social media, with many discussing whether Ramadan transmissions bring people closer to faith or simply serve as entertainment.

  • Afghanistan is not our enemy: Imran Khan tells Aleema Khan

    Afghanistan is not our enemy: Imran Khan tells Aleema Khan

    The sister of incarcerated former premier Imran Khan, Aleema Khan, on Tuesday, quoted her brother as stating that “Afghanistan is not our enemy.”

    Speaking to reporters outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, Aleema quoted her brother as saying, “Afghanistan is not our enemy. Don’t attempt to make it the enemy.”

    She further quoted Imran Khan as asking, “Why are you trying to trigger a war with Muslim brothers for no reason,” adding that whatever she was disclosing to the media was a private conversation with Imran Khan.

    On being asked about Imran Khan’s point of view regarding the rapid uprising of terrorism in Pakistan, she argued that during her brother’s tenure as the country’s premier, terrorism was at its lowest level.

    Aleema further said that terrorism in the country remained at its lowest level since 2021. However, a resurgence in terrorism was again observed in 2022. “You [reporter] will come to know after conducting research that the entire country accepts that he [Imran Khan] is the need of Pakistan,” and nobody can better handle terrorism issue than Imran Khan, she added.

    Asked what the jailed Imran Khan’s reaction was after knowing that his party was not participating in Tuesday’s in-camera session of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS), Aleema stated that the PTI founder said his party would go to a PCNS meeting only with his permission. 

    Days after outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) terrorists attacked the Jaffar Express in the Bolan district of Balochistan last week, the in-camera session of the PCNS occurred on Tuesday.

    The former ruling party did not attend the session. PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, while speaking at a press conference in Islamabad hours before the initiation of the session, said that their party would skip the session until they were given access to the party founder in jail.

    Raja confirmed that no PTI representative would participate except for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) Ali Amin Gandapur, who is, in fact, attending the huddle in his capacity as the province’s representative.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir, Director General Inter-Services Intelligence (DG ISI) Lieutenant General Asim Malik, chief ministers of all four provinces including Ali Amin Gandapur, and other top officials had attended the meeting.

    Complaining that her brother was not receiving newspapers nowadays and his TV set was turned off as well, she quoted her brother as claiming that he could talk to his children on the phone only four times during the last six months.

  • Hindutva extremists clash with police; demand destruction of Aurangzeb’s grave

    Hindutva extremists clash with police; demand destruction of Aurangzeb’s grave

    Overnight clashes in the Mahal neighborhood of Nagpur, India, resulted in over a dozen injuries, burned automobiles, and bouts of stone-pelting.

    The violence centered around the tomb of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, a stone structure less than three yards long, which has stood on the spot for over three centuries.


    The Tomb and its historical significance

    In contrast to the magnificent tourist destinations of the final resting places of Mughal Kings Humayun, Akbar, and Jahangir, as well as the graves of his father Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb’s ultimate resting place is simple and less ostentatious than his predecessors. However, politics, history, and emotions have collided to the point where this once-obscure monument is now at the center of a Maharashtra storm that threatens peace and harmony. 

    Who was Aurangzeb?

    From 1658 until 1707, Aurangzeb, the sixth Mughal emperor, ruled India for over fifty years. He is frequently portrayed as a pious Muslim who led a modest life but was brutal in his efforts to grow the empire by enforcing harsh sharia regulations and discriminatory taxes.

    Although some historians point out that he also constructed a few Hindu temples, he was also accused of demolishing them. He relocated from Agra to the Deccan and established Aurangabad as his capital, determined to step up battles against the Marathas. In 1707, he passed away there. He requested to be buried in a modest mausoleum at Khuldabad, near to his spiritual master Sayyad Zain-ud-din Shirazi. 

    The political and social divide

    Aurangzeb, like most historical personalities, is controversial. Some argue that politics, not religious extremism, motivated his acts. In Maharashtra, however, Aurangzeb is widely considered a villain due to his prolonged war with the Marathas and his execution of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. Against this backdrop, Aurangabad was renamed Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in 2022 to honor the Maratha ruler.

    The demand to remove the tomb

    Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi reignited the debate over Aurangzeb’s tomb by declaring, “I don’t think Aurangzeb was a terrible emperor. Power battles in the era were political rather than religious.” Even though he eventually took back his comments, the harm had already been done and the Mughal emperor from the 17th century was once again in the news.

    Udayanraje Bhosale, a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and BJP’s Satara MP, was the first to call for the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb from Maharashtra. “What is the need, send a JCB machine and raze his grave, he was a thief and lootera (robber).

    Those who visit Aurangzeb’s tomb and pay homage may be his future. The glorification of Aurangzeb will no longer be tolerated,” Mr. Bhosale stated, adding that they should move the tomb to their own homes.

    While acknowledging the demand, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made it clear that the tomb is an ASI-protected monument and that any action taken against it has to conform to the law.


    Protests and violence

    In Nagpur, organizations such as the VHP, Bajrang Dal, and others held protests to demand the destruction of the tomb, setting a replica of the tomb and Aurangzeb’s pictures on fire. Sacred phrases were allegedly scribbled on the green cloth that covered the copy, according to a video.

    Tensions increased as a result, and a mob went on the rampage, attacking police officers and burning cars. Following the clashes, Maharashtra police have detained over 50 people and injured 33 police officers; shops and businesses in central Nagpur are still shut down and security has been increased throughout the city, a curfew has been enforced in certain areas of Nagpur.

    The Role of Chhaava and its impact

    The recent success of the Bollywood film Chhaava, which shows Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj’s struggle against Aurangzeb and his eventual execution, has been connected to the clashes. The film’s dramatic and largely made up depiction of historical events has increased calls for Aurangzeb’s tomb to be removed. The film’s INR 62.3 crore (PKR 18,211,626,202) box office receipts strengthened Hindu nationalist parties’ negative perceptions of Aurangzeb and fueled Maratha pride. 

    Political reactions and security measures

    Maharashtra’s political parties are still split on the matter. The Congress and NCP argue that the tomb removal is a distraction from pressing problems like unemployment and inflation, while the BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde group) support the demand. 

    ‘Shivaji Maharaj and Sambhaji Maharaj defeated Aurangzeb. His tomb here is a symbol of his failure, not his success,’ said Sanjay Raut of Shiv Sena (UBT). On the other hand, BJP leader Ram Kadam stated, ‘Aurangzeb was a cruel ruler. His tomb has no place in Maharashtra. Those who want to glorify him should think twice.’

    To stop more turmoil, authorities have stepped up security at Aurangzeb’s tomb. Following earlier efforts to damage the site, the ASI temporarily closed the tomb in 2022 before reopening it with increased security.

    The controversy surrounding Aurangzeb’s tomb is still quite political and emotionally charged due to the rise of Hindutva extremism and the continuous protests. For now, the Maharashtra government faces the challenge of balancing historical preservation with contemporary public sentiment, ensuring that peace prevails amid the controversy.

  • Virat Kohli names the toughest bowler he has faced in his career

    Virat Kohli names the toughest bowler he has faced in his career

    Indian cricket star Virat Kohli has revealed the toughest bowler he has faced in his career, naming one of his teammates as the best in the world.

    In a video shared by Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Kohli praised his teammate, Jasprit Bumrah, saying, “There is no doubt that he is the best bowler in the world across all formats. He has dismissed me a few times in the IPL.”

    The 31-year-old fast bowler has established himself as a nightmare for opposition batters, and even Kohli is no exception.

    Kohli first faced Bumrah during the 2013 edition of the IPL. Interestingly, Kohli became the fast bowler’s first-ever wicket in the tournament during a match between RCB and Mumbai Indians.

    Although Kohli does not play him frequently in net sessions, their real battles occur in the IPL when RCB takes on Mumbai Indians. Speaking about their intense contests, Kohli said, “We don’t get to do this in the nets, but even there, it feels like we are playing an actual match. The intensity is the same as in an IPL game. We always think of every ball as a mental challenge.”

    Kohli has played against Bumrah 16 times in the IPL. While the RCB batter has scored 140 runs at a strike rate of 147.36 against him, he has also been dismissed five times.

    Currently, the star pacer is recovering from a back injury that ruled him out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Mumbai Indians could feel his absence in the early matches of the IPL. He is expected to rejoin the five-time champions in early April, provided he receives clearance from the medical team at the BCCI’s National Cricket Academy in Bangalore.

    He suffered a back strain during the fifth Test match against Australia in Sydney and was initially advised five weeks of rest. This led to his exclusion from the Champions Trophy 2025. Earlier, he had undergone back surgery in March 2023.

    The fast bowler’s recovery will be crucial for India and Mumbai Indians, as he remains one of the most lethal pacers in world cricket today.

  • ‘Critics don’t need to be actors to judge you’; Raheel Rao claps back at Danish Taimoor

    ‘Critics don’t need to be actors to judge you’; Raheel Rao claps back at Danish Taimoor

    Editor-in-chief of DIVA magazine, Raheel Rao, has addressed Danish Taimoor’s recent comments on drama critics, offering a thoughtful perspective on the significance of criticism in the entertainment industry.

    On Instagram, Rao wrote an open letter to Danish, acknowledging his journey from modelling to acting while questioning his views on criticism.

     “Dear Danish, I have closely followed your journey. Your shift from modeling to acting has been impressive, and we all greatly admire your growth as an actor. It’s perfectly fine if you don’t place much importance on critics (or their critiques). However, to dismiss them by saying, ‘Woh banda jiska acting se door door tak koi talluq nahi, woh kaise acting ke baare mein baat kar sakta hai?’ feels inappropriate,” expressed Rao.

    He elaborated that critics worldwide are typically not actors themselves but rather evaluators who analyse performances for audiences. 

    “Just like a food critic isn’t required to be a chef to evaluate a dish, or a sports analyst isn’t obliged to be an athlete to analyze a game, drama critics don’t need to be performers to critique acting. Disregarding feedback based on the source instead of engaging with the content weakens the dialogue,” he continued.

    Rao’s response was prompted by Danish Taimoor’s recent remarks on Mehfil-e-Ramzan, where he openly dismissed online critiques of his acting choices, stating, “I don’t even pay attention to them. That’s their job; they seek attention. Honestly, I don’t care, and my fans don’t care either.”

    While acknowledging that criticism is part of the entertainment field, Danish questioned the merit of all opinions. He argued that critiques should come from individuals who understand the craft, stating, “When I critique something, I do so with a thorough understanding of this industry. But if someone with no acting background scrutinises performances, how does that make sense?”

    His comments sparked an intense debate online, with many pointing out the irony of actors voicing opinions on topics beyond their expertise—such as politics, fashion, or sports—yet reacting negatively when the situation is reversed. Others noted that Danish has consistently faced criticism for portraying similar roles in dramas, a concern many view as legitimate rather than mere negativity.

    While some fans defended him, agreeing that critiques should be based on knowledge rather than attention-seeking, Rao’s response has shifted the conversation. His argument that criticism is an essential part of storytelling—regardless of the critic’s background—has resonated widely.

  • Colombian influencer puts pizzazz into recycling

    Colombian influencer puts pizzazz into recycling

    Colombian influencer Sara Samaniego braids her long straight hair, checks her make-up in a mirror, places her phone in the centre of a ring light and flashes a big smile for the camera.

    “Hola mis recicla-amores [Hello my recycling loves]!” the 32-year-old, who is on a mission to teach Colombians how to sort their waste, says to greet her half-a-million Instagram followers. Samaniego, who wears blue overalls and a baseball cap on backwards as part of her “Marce, la recicladora” (Marce, the recycler) social media alter ego, has also become an unofficial spokeswoman for the 74,000 people who rummage through the garbage of Latin America’s fourth-biggest economy every day.

    Colombian cities have no public recycling systems. Instead, they rely on informal waste pickers to go through bins and garbage left out for collection to salvage cardboard, glass, plastic and other reusable materials.

    Across the world, between 20 and 34 million people play a crucial role in environmental protection by collecting and sorting waste recyclables — dirty, dangerous work for which most are paid a pittance.

    Throughout the developing world, waste pickers can be seen pulling carts laden high with bric-a-brac through dense traffic. Samaniego tries to boost their visibility by profiling waste pickers on her YouTube and Instagram accounts.

    She “encourages people to understand the work of recyclers from the inside,” Zoraya Avendano, the manager of a warehouse where the recyclers sell their wares for a few pesos, said.

  • New US bill proposes ban on Chinese students

    New US bill proposes ban on Chinese students

    A number of Republican House members proposed legislation on Friday, March 14, aimed at banning Chinese students from studying in American schools amid what they deem national security concerns.

    The bill was introduced by Rep. Riley Moore and co-sponsored by five other Republicans. The bill, if passed, could restrict Chinese nationals from getting visas that permit foreigners to travel to the U.S. to study or partake in exchange visitor programs.


    Moore said in a statement that the U.S. has “invited” the Chinese Communist Party “to spy on our military, steal our intellectual property, and threaten national security” by granting Chinese nationals such visas.


    “It’s time we turn off the spigot and immediately ban all student visas going to Chinese nationals,” he added.


    The bill, however, is unlikely to pass, reports AP news. Organisations and scholars have been critical of the proposed measures, stating that extreme policies and narratives against Chinese students could affect US interests.


    The executive director and CEO of NAFSA, Fanta Aw, an association of international educators, stated, “No policy should target individuals solely on the basis of their national origin.”


    “Making international students — the most vetted and tracked nonimmigrants in the United States — a scapegoat for xenophobic and anti-Chinese sentiment is misguided and antithetical to our national interest,” Fanta Aw added.


    The spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington, Liu Pengyu, also expressed “strong concern and firmly opposes such practices,” further highlighting that education exchange and cooperation have been a pillar for the stable development of China-U.S. relations for a long time.


    The Asian American Scholars Forum pointed out that the bill would harm the brilliant Asian American scientists, scholars and researchers and compromise the US leadership in science and innovation.


    Yangyang Cheng, a research scholar at Yale Law School’s Paul Tsai China Center, added that the bill “should be seen as part of a broader effort to restrict academic freedom and hurt higher education in this country, to control what can be taught, which research projects can be pursued, and who have access to the classrooms and laboratories.”


    Citing an annual report on international students from the Institute of International Education, AP News reports that more than 277,000 Chinese students were enrolled in US universities in the 2023-24 academic year – a quarter of the total number of international students. However, the number of Chinese students in the US has been decreasing over the past few years. In 2024, Chinese students did not top in numbers as international students in India.


    Back in 2023, Florida passed a law barring state universities from hiring students from China and six other countries for graduate assistant and postdoc positions. This move, however, was challenged in court. Additionally, a number of  US universities have terminated academic partnerships with Chinese schools as Republican lawmakers coerced them in the name of national security concerns.