Category: Lifestyle

  • Spooky halloween events in your city

    Spooky halloween events in your city

    Halloween is the day when the boundary between the living and the dead becomes a blur and the ghosts of the dead return to earth. But the question is how to celebrate this creepy day properly. Here are a few events in major cities that might make your Halloween a little more spooky.

    For people in Lahore

    Howdy, Johar Town Lahoris can head over to Howdy Johar town for a drum circle and wear the spookiest costume if they want to win the best costume award. Date: 31st Oct (Today) Time: 7 PM – 10 PM Venue: 7 R3, Johar Town, Near Shaukat Khanum Hospital   Emporium Mall Emporium mall’s spooktacular Halloween will last till 3rd November. You can find the gruesome graveyard, tarot card reading, exorcism room, and haunted house all in one place. Date:  24th Oct- 3rd Nov Time: 11 AM-11 PM Venue: Johar Town  

    Karachi

    Halloween at islands of fun If you are a Karachiite, you can spend your Halloween with some adventurous rides along with Halloween competitions and prizes at ‘Halloween at islands of fun’.   Date: 31st Oct Time: 3PM-12AM Venue: Islands Of Fun, Main University Road, Gulshan-e-Iqbal Koyla Chai If you are more of a scary movie type person, you can visit the Koyla Chai for an Open Air cinema to watch horror movies. Date: 31st oct Time: 7 PM – 10 PM Venue: 7 R3, Johar Town, Near Shaukat Khanum Hospital

    Islamabad

    Safa Gold Mall Grab your broomsticks and head over to Safa Gold Mall for trick or treat. Date: 29th Oct- 3rd Nov Time: 3 pm-9 pm Venue: Safa Gold Mall, Jinnah Super, College Road, F-7 Markaz Centaurus Mall At Centaurus mall’s haunted city, you can explore horror house, blood-curdling makeover and photo booth.   Date: 1-3rd Nov Time: 11AM-11PM Venue: F-8, 4th floor, Centaurus Mall.
  • Pakistan introduces commemorative coin for Guru Nanak’s 550th anniversary celebrations

    Pakistan introduces commemorative coin for Guru Nanak’s 550th anniversary celebrations

    To mark the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Devji, the founder of the Sikh religion, the Government of Pakistan has issued a memorial coin.

    The move comes after Islamabad and New Delhi signed a treaty to open the Kartarpur Corridor for Sikh pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib without a visa. The Gurdwara is one of Sikhism’s holiest pilgrimage sites in Narowal district of Punjab.

    Prime Minister Imran Khan will formally inaugurate the corridor on November 9, three days before the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak.

    The PM also laid the foundation stone of Baba Guru Nanak University in Nankana Sahib on Monday.

    As per reports, pilgrims will be able to buy this coin worth Rs 50. Postage stamps, worth Rs 8 with the image of Gurdwara Janam Asthan will also be issued. They can be used commonly.

  • Earn $20,000 – by completing a terrifying tour at a ‘Haunted House’

    Earn $20,000 – by completing a terrifying tour at a ‘Haunted House’

    Russ McKamey, owner of a Haunted House in Tennessee, offers visitors $20,000 if they complete a 10-hour tour of the house. The tour is apparently a very disturbing and horrifying experience. No one has so far been able to complete the tour. McKamey’s Manor tour is known as the scariest haunted attraction in the United States.

    Before you go on this haunted tour, you are required to sign a 40-page waiver, insurance and get a doctor’s clearance.

    Details of the waiver here:

    Participants who can visit the Manor have to be 18-20 with parental approval or be 21 and older. Once they go inside, “there is no quitting unless serious physical or psychological injury is present.” Having a panic attack doesn’t count!

    The haunted experience

    Reports say that the disturbing tour may also include choking, shock dog collars, and tasers.

    The waiver says that “injuries may occur during their tour…which may include, but not limited to, head, neck and back injuries, death, stroke, and traumatic brain injury.”

    No one has completed the haunted house tour

    Even though some visitors have taken legal action against McKamey, he’s protected by the waivers and video footage.

    You have to sign a 40 page waiver before you can go in

    A Change.org petition was started to shut down McKamey Manor, due to concerns over physical and mental trauma. Almost 60,000 people have signed it so far, which says the experience is “a torture chamber under disguise” and “some people have had to seek professional psychiatric help and medical care for extensive injuries”.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    The video on the haunted house has more than 3M views on YouTube
  • 25,000 female students to receive scholarships under Ehsaas Program

    25,000 female students to receive scholarships under Ehsaas Program

    Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan says the promotion of quality education is the mission of Prime Minister Imran Khan under the banner of Ehsaas program.    

    She took to social media to announce that fifty thousand scholarships will be given to deserving students under this program.

    As per reports, scholarships will be awarded to the students whose family’s income is less than forty-five thousand rupees. Fifty percent quota will be fixed for women whilst two percent for the disabled students.

    Dr Firdous added that this scholarship will ensure the provision of books, transport, accommodation and other facilities to the students.

    PM Khan on October 24 directed an increase in the sphere of Ehsaas Program. PM Imran asked Special Assistant to the PM on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation Dr Sania Nishtar to ensure transparency in the social welfare program at all costs.

    Speaking on the occasion, he said that the state was responsible for the protection and welfare of the poor segments of the society.

  • Food Wars: And the winner is…

    Food Wars: And the winner is…

    The Biryani vs Pulao debate has long dominated social media. But now we have an official winner.

    According to a survey carried out by Gallup & Gilani Pakistan, 47% Pakistanis claim that biryani is their favourite Pakistani dish.

    A nationally representative sample of men and women from across the four provinces was asked, “Please tell us what your favorite Pakistani dish is?” 

    In response, 47% said biryani as their favorite dish, 14% said pulao, 9% said karahi, 11% said paaye, 6% said haleem, 3% said nihari and while 8% said something other than these options, 2% did not know/did not wish to respond.

    So basically biryani has officially beaten pulao in food wars. The Current totally endorses this survey! Munch munch…

  • MAO College principal removed over ‘negligence’ in professor’s suicide case

    MAO College principal removed over ‘negligence’ in professor’s suicide case

    The principal of Government MAO College, Dr Farhan Ebadat Khan has been removed from his post after he was found ‘negligent’ in the case involving harassment allegations against deceased lecturer Afzal Mehmood. His negligence had driven the lecturer to commit suicide.

    As per reports, Dr Farhan has been directed to report to the Punjab Higher Education Department (HED). Riaz Hashmi has been given charge of the college for now.

    Last week, Punjab HED had issued a summary after conducting an inquiry into the case, which expressed serious concerns over the attitude of Dr Farhan regarding the death of the lecturer.

    The summary issued by the education department had called for action against the principal saying his attitude was “very rude and lazy”.

    Reports further reveal that Dr Farhan had failed to take necessary measures to address the concerns of the late lecturer after he was proven innocent by the college harassment committee.

    On these bases, the education department had recommended the elimination of Dr Farhan.

    MAO College lecturer Muhammad Afzal Nadeem had committed suicide after a female student accused him of harassment. The allegations were later proven to be false.

    However, college authorities had failed to clear Afzal’s name by not issuing an official notification. Afzal, in his suicide note, had said that the incident had caused considerable damage to his reputation.

  • Cyclone Kyarr: Sindh govt imposes ban on seaside

    Cyclone Kyarr: Sindh govt imposes ban on seaside

    The Sindh government has imposed a ban on swimming or bathing at the seaside within the regional limits of the Karachi Division for eight days due to Cyclone Kyarr.

    In an official notification issued by the Interior Ministry of Sindh, people in Karachi would be barred from swimming, bathing and fishing activities till November 5.

    The provincial government has issued orders to Commissioner Karachi in this regard.

    The ban was imposed due to the flow of high waves and sharp tides as a result of Tropical Cyclone Kyarr in the Arabian Sea.

    Strict action will be taken against anyone found violating the order.

    Mayor Karachi, Waseem Akhtar has also declared emergency in the metropolis owing to MET office predictions about cyclone Kyarr.

    The mayor issued directives to the concerned authorities to remain on-duty and alert to deal with any unexpected situation that may arise due to the natural calamity.

  • Air purifiers that are effective and available

    Air purifiers that are effective and available

    As smog levels rise across Pakistan and Lahore reaches hazardous levels, air purifiers are selling out across the country. The biggest debate: do they actually work?

    According to research, air purifiers do work and have benefits. The demand for air purifiers is increasing worldwide and in 2022, there will be a 10.2 billion dollar global market for air purifiers.

    Air purifiers filter out harmful particles, kill germs and removes volatile organic compounds that can harm the lungs, liver or kidneys.

    In Pakistan, most air purifiers are now out of stock as Karachi and Lahore are facing the brunt of the air pollution. The Current brings you a daily smog level check at 7AM on Instagram and Facebook for your city and what’s really worrying is that Lahore has hit hazardous levels and Karachi is at very unhealthy – and about to get worse.

    Wearing smog masks can help protect you against air pollution and air purifiers are also a great investment. They aren’t cheap but worth it in the long run.

    Here are three air purifiers that are currently in stock on Pakistani websites and have been tried and tested by customers

    1. Smart Air Cannon Air Purifier

    Available here this small but powerful air purifier is effective for a room sized 323 square feet. It was effective in removing pollution particles and comes with a one year warranty. It is cheapest air purifier that is currently available, at 18,000 rupees.

    2. Beurer LR 200 Air Purifier

    Available here Beurer is a tried and tested company, with a popular humidifier range. The air purifier is sleek but according to reviews, it’s difficult to clean the filter. It is for 27,500 rupees and also has a one year warranty.

    3. Hextio Air Purifier

    At 60,000 Rupees the Hextio is available here. It has automatic settings where it detects air pollution and increases the level of the fan. It also has a two year warranty.

  • Sialkot’s historic Hindu temple celebrates Diwali after 72 years

    Sialkot’s historic Hindu temple celebrates Diwali after 72 years

    Sialkot’s ancient Hindu temple witnessed Diwali celebrations after a long hiatus of almost 72 years.

    The Shawala Teja Singh Temple closed since Partition was opened for worshippers earlier this year on the directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan. Members of the Hindu community had long been demanding for the temple to be opened.

    According to reports, the historic temple which is believed to be more than 1,000 years old was illuminated by the Hindu devotees to mark the festival. Local Hindu leaders also cut Diwali cake and lit clay lamps at the temple.

    The devotees started Diwali celebrations with worship and rituals and prayed for the unity, peace and integrity of Pakistan.

    Tight security arrangements were in place to ensure that no untoward incident takes place.

    Made of granite and sandstone, the temple sits high on a sand dune in a congested, residential neighborhood. Over the years, the temple has fallen prey to neglect as a result of which the intricate carvings on the thick outside pillars have long faded or been scrubbed off by drug addicts. The sacred idols of Lord Shiva in the building have also been stolen or destroyed. However, work on the restoration of the temple is currently underway and officials say that it will be restored to its former glory.

  • Five-step guide to breast self-examination

    Five-step guide to breast self-examination

    October is often referred to as Pinktober in a bid to raise awareness about breast cancer among the masses, given the stigma attached to using the word “breast.”

    However, given the spread of the disease, it is absolutely essential to spread awareness on the topic. Early detection is the best way to combat the disease and one way to detect it is breast self-examination.

    Here is a step-by-step guide on how you can do Breast Self-Examination (BSE):

    Know what to look for

     Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips. Your breasts should be their normal size, shape, and color, and they should be evenly shaped without visible swelling or any other changes. 

    Try to sense how your breasts feel at different times of the month

    This can change during your menstrual cycle and knowing your breast shape and size could bring any abnormality to your attention.

    Do breast self-examinations yourself

    There are different ways to perform a self-exam. You can do the examination lying down. While lying down breast tissue is more spread out and easier to feel. Or you can perform one in the shower where soap and water can help your fingers move more easily over your breast skin.

    Know what to feel for

    Lie flat and place your right hand behind your head. Using the first three fingers of your left hand, feel the breast tissue on your right breast. Be sure to use the pads of the fingers, not just the very tips.

     Feel for anything that feels hard and round. Then start at your armpit area and work your way towards the center of each breast. Move across to the middle of your body until you only feel the breastbone.

     Make sure you use three different levels of pressure to feel the tissue: light pressure at the top for tissue just under the skin, medium pressure to check tissue in the middle of the breast, and deeper pressure to feel the tissue closest to the chest wall. Make sure to apply each pressure level to each area before moving on. Do this with both breasts.

     Finally, you should squeeze each nipple gently to check for discharge.

    When to take an action

     If you feel something uncommon, or see something different, schedule an appointment with your doctor promptly. Don’t delay.