Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • Kurram crisis: Warring tribes agree to peace after weeks of bloodshed

    Kurram crisis: Warring tribes agree to peace after weeks of bloodshed

    After weeks of violence, the warring tribes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) Kurram district have signed a peace agreement. 

    According to reports, the Grand Peace Jirga, under the supervision of government officials, has finally concluded in Kohat with both parties signing a peace agreement.

    Jirga member Malik Sawab Khan, in a statement, confirmed that the peace agreement had been signed by 45 people from each group.

    The signatures came after both sides agreed upon 14 points regarding ceasefire and surrender of illegal arms.

    The signatories are also required to dismantle the warfront and checkposts that were used to attack convoys over the past two months.

    Additionally, the Jirga member announced that plans were being made to open roads and establish peace in the region, whereas those who violated the agreement will be handed over to the government immediately.

    They also assured the government of cooperation with law enforcement agencies to ensure peace and order.

    Under the agreement, reparations will also be made for the damage inflicted during the conflict.

  • India involved in killing of six people in Pakistan: Washington Post

    India involved in killing of six people in Pakistan: Washington Post

    India’s external intelligence agency executed a methodical execution assassination programme to kill about six individuals in Pakistan, the United States (US) based newspaper Washington Post disclosed in a report on Tuesday.

    India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) allegedly planned the killing of the individuals in Pakistan; six such killings were said to have similarities to the alleged operations carried out to assassinate Khalistan separatists in the US and Canada, according to The Washington Post report.

    The US-based newspaper quoted an unidentified source as confirming that the killings in Pakistan were orchestrated not by Indian citizens but by Pakistani petty criminals or hired shooters from Afghanistan.

    According to the report, RAW allegedly hired Dubai-based businessmen as intermediaries. The businessmen were then put in separate teams to carry out surveillance, organise killings, and arrange for payments through hawala or informal transnational financial networks.

    The Washington Post writes that unidentified Pakistani officials told the publication that a woman who called herself Tanaz Ansari but was, in fact, said to be an Indian intelligence official, was involved in the operation to kill Zahoor Mistry in 2022, who was said to have murdered an Indian passenger during the hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight in 1999.

    As per the newspaper, Tanaz Ansari allegedly hired two Pakistani and two Afghan citizens to track and kill Mistry.

    The woman was also allegedly involved in the killing of Syed Khalid Raza, who had been active in Kashmir in the 1990s. 


    A labourer group led by Muhammad Umair shot dead the alleged mastermind of the 2016 Pathankot attack, Shahid Latif, in the Pakistani district of Sialkot in October 2023; however, Umair, after his arrest, was said to have admitted that he had been sent from Dubai to kill Latif. Umair also allegedly disclosed the location of a safe house in Dubai, as per the newspaper report.

    Additionally, Pakistani agents, on the basis of intelligence, broke into the Dubai safe house but did not find two Indians who were said to be the tenants. Their names are Ashok Kumar, Anand Salian, and Yogesh Kumar, said the US-based newspaper.

    The Washington Post claimed that Indian authorities have neither confirmed nor denied their role in specific assassinations in the past; however, it stated that such killings were not part of official policy.

    The accusations came eight months after the RAW was accused of being involved in an alleged plot to assassinate Khalistan separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and in the killing of another Khalistan separatist leader known as Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.

  • Salma Zafar on allowing husband to marry again instead of ‘having affairs’

    Salma Zafar on allowing husband to marry again instead of ‘having affairs’

    Veteran actress Salma Zafar has revealed why she allowed her husband to bring another wife instead of having an affair, and how it transformed her life.

    Appearing as a guest on Fuchsia Magazine, Zafar shared the story of her bold decision to allow her husband a second marriage instead of having to accept his affairs, and she is completely at peace with it.

    “I chose to let my husband marry again rather than tolerate his affairs… and I am happy with my decision,” she said.

    The Ghair actress, who got married back when she was just 18, recalled when her marriage was arranged by her aunt and how her husband’s kind personality made their relationship smooth.

    “My husband was always well-liked, and I never faced any issues with him,” she said.

    However, Zafar added, after hearing about his affairs from various sources, I grew concerned and decided to keep a close watch on him for three months.

    The actress said she consulted with her father-in-law when things became clearer. “I was devastated at first, but after talking to my father-in-law, I was able to move on and allow my husband to marry again,” she explained. 

    “I can’t tolerate affairs, but if you feel you can manage a second marriage, then go ahead,” she said.

    Zafar said her decision was not only about keeping peace in her marriage but also about maintaining harmony in the family.

    After her husband remarried and had a son with his second wife, Zafar said she found joy in accepting her new child. “I was overjoyed and I consider him my own child.”

    The actress said she also took the time to speak with her husband’s second wife, advising her that the children should live together as one united family.

    Zafar believes her openness about her marriage and thoughtful decision-making brought peace to her life, proving that her choices, though unconventional, were the right ones for her and her family. “It was difficult at first, but now, things are easier, and I feel at peace,” she concluded.

    Salma Zafar was married to Tariq Mehmood for 22 years. The two got divorced much after her husband’s second marriage and have two daughters.

    Salma Zafar starred in dramas such as, Paadash, Mirat-Ul- Uroos, Aahat, Kohar, Nijaat, Tumse Kehna Tha, Kifayat, Rajjo Masi, Shamim. Currently she is starring Qarz-e- Jaan and Ghair.

  • Sajjad Ali was the most talented kid and we have receipts to prove it

    Sajjad Ali was the most talented kid and we have receipts to prove it

    Some kids hum nursery rhymes; Sajjad Ali, it seems, was busy mastering classics before he even hit double digits.


    The maestro, favourite singer of many Pakistanis, comes from a musical family. His songs have been topping charts since the early 90s. Some of his biggest hits nclude Babia, Laari Adda, Ravi, and Chal Rehn De. Known for his hard work and dedication, Sajjad is a relatable star.


    Sajjad Ali’s singing journey didn’t happen by chance. He was trained from a young age, which is why his melodies are so powerful. Recently, he shared a beautiful audio clip of himself as a child, singing the difficult song Yaad Piya Ki Aaye. Even as a kid, he impressed everyone with his incredible talent.


    Fans are amazed by Sajjad Ali’s childhood singing abilities. The sight of a young boy gearing up to turn into a singing sensation is one to behold.

  • Diljit Dosanjh lands in hot water over controversial lyrics, singing ‘banned’ songs

    Diljit Dosanjh lands in hot water over controversial lyrics, singing ‘banned’ songs

    Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh is in legal trouble after his New Year’s Eve concert in Ludhiana. 

    As per the details, Punditrao Dharenavar, an assistant professor from Chandigarh, filed a complaint urging the singer to stop performing certain songs during his live show on December 31, 2024. The complainant maintained he was worried about the impact of these controversial songs on young people as scores of minors attend Diljit’s concerts.

    Dharenavar also cited a 2019 ruling from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which directed the police to ensure that songs promoting drugs, alcohol or violence were not to be performed at public events or live concerts.

    While the deputy director of Indian Punjab’s Women and Child Department issued a notice to Ludhiana’s district commissioner, asking him to bar Diljit from performing songs that promote alcohol, including ‘Patiala Peg’, ‘5 Tara Theke’ and ‘Case (Jeeb Vicho Feem Labbiya)’, Diljit went on to perform the same with altered lyrics.

    The performances came even though Diljit had been advised against them as per the warnings issued by various commissions earlier as well. He had also been told to not perform the songs even with tweaked or modified lyrics.

    While action against the singer for flouting the ban is awaited, he and his team are yet to react to the reports.

    This is not the first time Diljit has faced such controversies. He received a legal notice from the Telangana government for performing songs that promoted alcohol and violence during his concert in Hyderabad in November.

    Despite these legal issues, Diljit’s Dil-Luminati tour remains a major success. The Ludhiana show, announced on December 23, marked the grand finale of his three-month-long India Tour.

  • Many Indian players keen to take captaincy after Sharma’s retirement: Reports

    Many Indian players keen to take captaincy after Sharma’s retirement: Reports

    After Rohit Sharma’s departure, many players are eager for the leader’s role despite the presence of multiple seniors in the team. 

    Indian media has reported that the search for a strong candidate for captaincy is in full swing, but no decision has been made regarding his future yet. 

    Jasprit Bumrah captained the team in Rohit’s absence during the first match, but after Rohit’s departure, many players in the dressing room were eager for the  leader role. Bumrah is unlikely to be given the captaincy after Rohit Sharma’s retirement. 

    However, the Indian Express revealed in its report that a certain player on the team proposed an “interim captaincy”, calling him ‘Mr. Fix It’ so that the current situation and the dressing room atmosphere can be controlled.

    However, the report did not mention who the candidate for the interim captaincy is, but is considered to be among the senior players on the team.

    The team’s young candidates are not very impressed with the player who has shown ambitions for captaincy.

    On the other hand, Bumrah may be the only choice for long-term Test captaincy, but Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul are also seen as favourites for the captaincy.

  • ‘Bilawal used to watch Ainak Wala Jin episodes a day before they actually aired,’ recalls Hamoon Jadugar

    ‘Bilawal used to watch Ainak Wala Jin episodes a day before they actually aired,’ recalls Hamoon Jadugar

    Remember the days when magic and laughter filled your TV screen? Ainak Wala Jin, the iconic Pakistani children’s drama, not only entertained but also created unforgettable memories for a generation. Produced and aired by PTV Lahore, the series became a cultural phenomenon, blending humor and fantasy into a timeless story loved by all.

     

     One of the cast members of Ainak Wala Jin, Haseeb Pasha known as Hamoon Jaudgar, appearing as a guest on Adeel Asif podcast, he revealed that Ainak Wala Jin was such a hit that it would often be screened at Bilalwal House, the residence of the Bhutto family, two days before it aired on television.

    Haseeb Pasha recalled saying, “Our drama Ainak Wala Jin used to go to Bilawal House two days in advance, first Bilalwal and Bakhtawar would watch it, and then a day later, the children of the general public would watch it. They would tell each other in school that ‘Today, Hamoon Jadugar will do this, Zakoota Jin will do that’, they would say such things. Our children would watch it a day later.” 

    Pasha also noted that despite the show’s massive popularity, the ruling elite never thought about creating content for children.

                     

    “The Government said they would continue the drama. Now, they have a big position, Zardari Sahab is in charge. He never thought about what to do for the children,” Haseeb Pasha added.

     

    Ainkak Wala Jin was directed by Hafeez Tahir and written by Abdul Hameed. 

    The first episode was broadcast on April 25, 1993, and the series ran for a total of 152 episodes, concluding on July 4, 1996. The second season, Ainak Wala Jin 2, aired starting March 27, 2005, and continued until July 29, 2008, with 90 episodes in total.

  • Dropped players to return for Pakistan’s Champions Trophy campaign

    Dropped players to return for Pakistan’s Champions Trophy campaign

    Star players, previously dropped from the Pakistan cricket team, are expected to return to the national squad for Champions Trophy 2025.

    Geo reported that the only wicketkeeper in the Champions Trophy squad will be captain Muhammad Rizwan, while Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan and Imam-ul-Haq are expected to return to the team.

    The ICC Champions Trophy squad will include four fast bowlers and three spinners, while seven batters can also be made part of the squad.

    The opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy will be played between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi on February 19, and the tournament will continue until March 9, 2025.

  • Man accused of Rs 3 billion fraud gets bail for Rs100

    Man accused of Rs 3 billion fraud gets bail for Rs100

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has granted bail to Shahid Hussain Khawaja, a suspect in a Rs 3.2 billion sales tax fraud case, on a bond of just Rs 100.


    Geo’s Owais Yousafzai reports that during the hearing, Islamabad’s top court declared criminal proceedings of the Tax Department against co-accused Shahid Hussain as an abuse of power.


    Justice Babar Sattar ordered that a copy of the court’s decision be sent to the Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue.


    The court’s verdict states that the bank’s branch manager was arrested for assisting in opening an account of a power company in the branch. 


    However, the state did not present any evidence to prove the petitioner’s involvement in tax fraud.


    Additionally, the court argued that the Tax Department did not determine the tax due on the taxpayer, as per the law. 


    The department also arrested the petitioner in violation of the Lahore High Court (LHC) decision in the case. 


    It also initiated criminal proceedings despite being aware of the LHC decision.


    Justice Sattar emphasised that the tax department exceeded its powers by first initiating criminal proceedings, violating the constitutional rights of dignity and equality of the petitioner. Meanwhile, the authorities and tax officials violated the established law in an attempt to collect more tax.


    The IHC pointed out that, “It is a matter of shame that the magistrate who granted the remand and the court that rejected the bail did not take into account the provisions of the Sales Tax Act.” 


    The court also reprimanded the subordinate court for acknowledging the misleading actions of the tax department instead of protecting fundamental constitutional rights.


    In its judgment, the court clarified that the question of the legality of the criminal proceedings is not for it to decide. 


    However, it hoped that the trial court will take into account the legality of the action.
    The petitioner’s bail is granted in lieu of bonds of Rs 100 only. IHC directed Chairman FBR to distribute copies of its decision and those of LHC among tax officers. 


    The legal powers assigned to public officials should be exercised in accordance with the law, the court warned, as it concluded that “in case of a violation, the FBR and tax officers will face action for the misuse of powers.”

  • Bushra Bibi hypnotised Imran Khan: Nabil Gabol

    Bushra Bibi hypnotised Imran Khan: Nabil Gabol

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Nabil Gabol on Wednesday, while referring to former First Lady Bushra Bibi’s influence in Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) decision-making, stated that former Premier Imran Khan has been hypnotised by his wife, Bushra Bibi.

    “I believe Bushra Bibi has hypnotised Imran Khan. Now, it has been proved that Bushra Bibi has Moakkal [jinn under command]. If he [Imran Khan] is sent across the seven seas, the magic’s effect on him would fade,” Gabol said.

    “PTI’s new leadership is controlled by Bushra Bibi instead of Imran Khan. PTI MNAs are themselves worried, […] Bushra Bibi does not implement Imran Khan’s decision,” he said, adding that change in PTI leadership severely affected Imran Khan’s politics. 

    While acknowledging that founder PTI Imran Khan was a popular leader until now, he asserted “Imran Khan is not popular as a politician.”

    Speaking about the PTI negotiation with the incumbent government and establishment, he remarked that the founder of PTI, Imran Khan, engaged in talks for a long time with the establishment.

    Former Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) member Nabil Gabol observed that Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif was not focusing on government affairs as the country’s premier. “It seems Shehbaz Sharif wants to do something, but he is unable to do so […] his team is not good,” he added.

    Underscoring the unsatisfactory performance of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) led government, Gabol suggested that the government should offer the driving seat to PPP.

    Gabol complained that PML-N has not fulfilled some of their commitments, noting, “Disloyalty is in the nature of the PML-N. Their own people used to say that ‘Mian Sahib’ don’t used to be faithful,” he added.

    When the journalist asked how PML-N came to power if their party leader is disloyal to others, Gabol concluded by saying that they have good fortune, adding, “Nawaz Sharif was born with a golden spoon in his mouth.”

    Regarding the last year passed 26th Constitutional Amendment, Gabol said that the PPP affectionally achieved the required numbers to pass the amendment, adding that they don’t have steel in their necks as other party members have.

    It should be mentioned here that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s PPP is the key ally of the PML-N-led government in the centre. PPP had played a key role in the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment last year.