Current Final

Category: National

  • Davos: Time Magazine issues special edition with PM Imran on cover

    Davos: Time Magazine issues special edition with PM Imran on cover

    Time magazine’s special edition on the World Economic Forum published January 20 features Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan along with four other world leaders.

    The annual summit of global movers and shakers kicks off in the Swiss resort of Davos on Tuesday and will last four days.

    Other leaders alongside the Pakistani premier included founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Klaus Schwab, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, and Europe’s Central Bank President Christine Lagarde.

    The magazine’s cover featured the five leaders sitting in a chair lift with the snow-covered Swiss Alps in the background. United States (US) President Donald Trump and young climate activist Greta Thunberg can also be seen sitting together on another chairlift in the background of the illustration.

    Meanwhile, Twitterati are not shying away from speculating what the cover of the special Davos issue is supposed to mean:

    PM Imran is expected to reach Davos, Switzerland on Tuesday for a three-day — January 21 to 23 — official visit, with his trip costing $68,000 due to austerity measures.

    PM Imran’s Advisor on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, Zulfi Bukhari and other officials will accompany him to Davos, where he is expected to hold meetings with several world leaders, including US President Trump. During the visit, the premier will also meet foreign investors and inform them of investment opportunities in Pakistan.

  • VIDEO: President says he doesn’t know who is responsible for wheat crisis

    VIDEO: President says he doesn’t know who is responsible for wheat crisis

    President Dr Arif Alvi has said he doesn’t know who is responsible for the wheat crisis in the country, but he should have known about it.

    According to Geo, the president on Monday arrived at National Institute of Child Health (NICH) on a surprise visit along with his wife Sameena Alvi. The two were welcomed and given a tour of the hospital by Executive Director Dr Jamal Raza.

    Speaking to journalists later, the president said he was visiting the hospital on Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s advice. “It is regrettable how patients have no other choice but to share beds for treatment and their families are being sent to buy medicines from outside the hospital,” he reportedly said.

    When asked about the condition of hospitals and the government’s apparent inability to bring relief to the masses, President Alvi said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was unaware of the economic conditions while making its promises ahead of 2018’s general election.

    To a question about the persisting wheat crisis across the country, the president said he had no idea who was to be held responsible for it. “But I should have known,” he added.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    WHEAT CRISIS:

    The PTI government was first warned of the ongoing wheat crisis in September last year when several high-ranking officials had suggested appropriate measures. The government had ignored the warning.

    Initially, the crisis appeared when Sindh decided not to procure wheat because different officials were facing corruption probes on account of its procurement. Meanwhile, Punjab had imposed a ban on inter-provincial movement of wheat.

    Keeping in view the situation, profiteers and hoarders started exploiting the situation and stock piling wheat.

    The federal government has refused to take any responsibility for the crisis, saying it is the domain of the provinces to procure wheat.

  • Buzdar granted permanent Gymkhana membership worth Rs1.4 million

    Buzdar granted permanent Gymkhana membership worth Rs1.4 million

    Despite the club committee opposing it, Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar has been granted permanent membership of the elite Lahore Gymkhana Club after a payment of Rs1.4 million, a private media outlet has reported.

    According to reports, the provincial chief executive was made a member while overlooking at least 3,000 people, the lease policy and terms, over which members of the club have sought details of the move — such as who paid Rs1.4 million for Buzdar’s membership.

    They have also said that at least 60 people were granted membership without following the due procedure, among whom is Buzdar, who was made a member of the social club without an interview.

    The report claimed that committee members had opposed granting membership to CM Buzdar, however, Chairman Kamran Lashari “misused his authority and overruled reservations so as to remain the director general (DG) of Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA)”.

    Lashari has been serving as the WCLA DG since 2016.

    While members of Lashari group have rejected the claims but supported the demand of an investigation into the episode, Lashari himself has said that Buzdar has been granted membership owing to the positive steps he has taken as the Punjab CM.

  • VIDEO: Journalist, activist own ‘Mere Paas Tum Ho’ writer on-air over gender issues

    VIDEO: Journalist, activist own ‘Mere Paas Tum Ho’ writer on-air over gender issues

    Renowned playwright and writer behind the very popular TV serial ‘Mere Paas Tum Ho’, Khalilur Rehman Qamar has been owned by journalist Owais Tauheed and social activist Tahira Abdullah, who argued with Qamar over gender issues and accused him of relating a woman’s reticence, in his dramas, to her dress.

    As per the details, Qamar, whose views from some TV and social media appearances have greatly irked a segment of the society, was invited for a show on SAMAA TV Sunday night. The other two panelists on Barrister Ehtisham’s show were Tauheed and Abdullah.

    With the journalist and activist calling Qamar out for his portrayal of women, the writer strongly denied it, saying that he was not in favour of measuring a woman’s reticence from what she wore. Tauheed also raised the point that Qamar always portrayed women as oppressed and needy beings.

    At this, the playwright remarked that Tauheed had not even seen the dramas written by him.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    Speaking on the show, Abdullah said they were tired of listening to the taunts of “western culture” and “privilege”. She added that systematic hatred of women was taught in the society. Heated arguments also marred the discussion.

  • Islamabad bar moves to identify lawyers from Ahmadi community

    Islamabad bar moves to identify lawyers from Ahmadi community

    Members of Islamabad Bar Association have been directed to declare their faith on the finality of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) or face the suspension of their membership, in a move that is drawing strong reactions from both lawyers and the general public.

    According to The Express Tribune, the lawyers’ group has told its members to submit affidavits by the end of the ongoing month, failing which they would have their membership suspended and names posted on noticeboard.

    The notification in this regard comes in view of the decision taken by the General Body on December 6, 2019, while the report has quoted Association President Malik Zafar Khokhar as saying that “the purpose of seeking affidavits was not the suspension of non-Muslim lawyers from the association, but to identify the members of the Ahmadi community”.

    STRONG REACTIONS:

    Meanwhile, lawyers, as well as the general public, are strongly reacting to the notification.

    “Clearly Jinnah’s Pakistan remains a distant dream! His 11th August speech buried in heaps of paranoia, intolerance and bigotry,” tweeted Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, who is a member of the association.

    Here’s what others had to say:

    https://twitter.com/theRealYLH/status/1218447461397749761
    https://twitter.com/ShahidQuetta/status/1218287233603641345

    There has been no official reaction to the backlash.

  • Senate divided on ‘how much rights should Pakistani women get’

    Senate divided on ‘how much rights should Pakistani women get’

    The Upper House on Friday stood totally divided on how much rights should be provided to women in Pakistan, but shared consensus on how they lagged behind as compared to men, as senators discussed the National Commission on Status of Women report, The News reported.

    Among those who participated in the discussion over the 2017 annual report by Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari on January 22 last year, were Mohsin Aziz, Mushtaq Ahmad, Walid Iqbal, Nuzhat Sadiq and Sherry Rehman.

    The widely-discussed issue of a Faisal Vawda, showing a long shoe, also echoed in the House after the Question Hour, when PML-N Senator Kulsoom Parveen raised the matter, wondering should the lawmakers stop appearing in TV talk shows, the way a sitting member of this House was ‘insulted’.

    She clarified that they had voted not for the boots but for the country’s key security institution, which was so dear to them. “Is the punishment of stopping the minister for a few days from appearing in talks shows is enough,” she asked.

    Senators Mohsin Aziz and Mushtaq emphasised during the discussion on the commission report that the women rights should not be seen through the Western lenses and cultural invasion. They insisted that awareness about women rights could not be promoted and drives pushed for their rights while sitting in five-star hotels; instead such events be held in rural areas to read and asses the ground realities.

    They said events in the name of culture in academic schools could not be allowed, which ran contrary to social and cultural values, enshrined in the Shariah. They supported women emancipation and lifting their status in the society, freeing them from the clutches of exploitation but not at the cost of values and honour. They also objected to certain slogans raised and inscribed on posters during drives for women rights last year.

  • ‘Qabr mein sakoon?’ Twitter asks PM after ‘400% increase’ in death certificate cost

    ‘Qabr mein sakoon?’ Twitter asks PM after ‘400% increase’ in death certificate cost

    The cost of death certificate has reportedly been increased by 400 per cent, compelling netizens to take to Twitter and call out the Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan-led government in light of a statement by the premier from last week.

    According to a private media outlet, the cost of death certificate has been increased from Rs300 to Rs1,200. The hike comes a week after PM Imran said that life was not a fairy tale, and “one gets peace only in his or her grave”.

    With the increase in death certificate’s cost making headlines, Twitterati took to the social network to ask if “death actually is when one gets peace”.

    Meanwhile, some pointed out that the deceased would actually be resting in peace and the hike would only be a problem for his or her survivours.

    “Happily ever after is a myth. It’s there only in fairy tales. In real life, one gets peace only when he or she lies in their grave,” the premier had said last Friday as he addressed the inauguration ceremony of a skills development programme called “Hunarmand”.

    It wasn’t later that his statements broke the internet as a majority trolled him, and some criticised his government for its “flawed” policies.

    The Current is attempting to independently verify the report pertaining to the increase in cost of death certificates

  • Kashif Abbasi hosts show after PEMRA lifts 60-day ban within 24 hours

    Kashif Abbasi hosts show after PEMRA lifts 60-day ban within 24 hours

    Anchor Kashif Abbasi has hosted his show “Off The Record” after the 60-day ban imposed by the Pakistan Electronic Media Authority (PEMRA) was lifted within 24 hours of its imposition, following the submission of a written reply by Ary News.

    On Wednesday, the media watchdog had issued a notification banning Abbasi for 60 days for “acting unprofessionally” and “not intervening” when Federal Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda produced a boot to put down political opponents during Abbasi’s show.

    The ban was roundly condemned by the Association of Electronic  Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND), which called for the ban to be lifted immediately. 

    Vawda had earlier this week appeared on the talk show along with Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Qamar Zaman Kaira and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) representative Javed Abbasi. He had caught the guests by surprise by suddenly placing a black boot on the table they were sitting around.

    He was mocking the opposition parties for their “unconditional” support for the Army Act amendment bill, saying the parties were “lying down to kiss the boot”.

    PEMRA, in its notification, had said the content aired live during the programme appeared to be a “willful attempt to debase and demean a state institution by dragging it unnecessarily in a debate”.

    “Therefore, in view of the aforementioned reasons the competent authority decides that in the exercise of delegated powers of the authority, the broadcast or rebroadcast of the programme is prohibited with immediate effect for 60 days starting from January 6, 2020.”

    The media regulatory authority further said Abbasi was also banned from appearing on television for 60 days. During the ban, he was not to conduct his show or appear on the television channel he was associated with or any other television channel as a guest/analyst or expert.

    In case of non-compliance by the TV channel, the authority said it would proceed under PEMRA laws, which may result in suspension/revocation of the satellite TV channel license conferred to the television channel.

    Amid protests by the journalist community, ARY reportedly approached PEMRA with its right to reply and was subsequently allowed to continue with the programme with Abbasi in his chair.

  • Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor removed as ISPR chief

    Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor removed as ISPR chief

    Major General Asif Ghafoor was on Thursday removed from the position of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) director-general (DG) and replaced by Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar.

    Maj Gen Ghafoor’s services were transferred to the 40th Infantry Division (Okara), where he will serve as the general officer commanding (GOC).

    “Thanks to everyone I have remained associated with during the tenure,” Maj Gen Ghafoor wrote on Twitter from the @OfficialDGISPR handle as news of his transfer broke.

    “My very special thanks to Media all across. Can’t thank enough fellow Pakistanis for their love and support [sic],” he said in his farewell message, while also wishing his successor the best.

    Maj Gen Ghafoor had headed the military’s media wing since December 2016. The announcement of his departure comes after Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed called on Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan.

    WHO IS MAJ GEN IFTIKHAR?

    According to Dawn, Maj Gen Iftikhar was commissioned in 6 Lancers in March 1990. He is a graduate of the Command and Staff College Quetta, National Defence University (NDU) Islamabad and Royal Command and Staff College Jordan. The General Officer carries with him a rich command, staff and instructional experience.

    He has served as Brigade Major in an Armoured Brigade, Brigadier Staff in an Infantry Division in North Waziristan and Chief of Staff in Corps Headquarters. He has commanded an Armoured Brigade and infantry Brigade in North Waziristan (Operation Zarb-i-Azb).

    He also served on the faculty of Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) and NDU Islamabad. He is married with four sons. An avid reader and golfer, Maj Gen Iftikhar was presently commanding an Armoured Division before being appointed as the military spokesperson.

  • Shut courts if oaths are to decide cases: ANF DG

    Shut courts if oaths are to decide cases: ANF DG

    Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) Director General (DG) Major General Muhammad Arif Malik has said that courts should be closed if cases “are to be decided through taking oath”, The News reported.

    The ANF chief’s statement came as Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Rana Sanaullah, who was granted bail in the drugs trafficking case against him, continues to swear over the Quran that he is innocent and the case is bogus.

    The ANF has challenged the bail of the former Punjab law minister Sanaullah before the Supreme Court, filing a petition against the verdict of the Lahore High Court (LHC). It has argued that there was sufficient evidence against Sanaullah for being involved in the drugs case.

    The ANF alleged the PML-N leader was carrying around 15 kilograms of heroin with him when he was arrested from Sukheki in July last year. The force asked the court to set aside the verdict of the LHC wherein he was allowed bail.

    Later, talking to the reporters, the ANF DG asked if any murderer ever admitted in court or in public that he/she killed a person. He said Rana Sanaullah’s case was being heard by the court and he should provide evidence of his innocence there.

    Major General Arif Malik said Rana Sanaullah and Minister of State for Narcotics Control Shaharyar Afridi both took oath and therefore, a draw should be held to figure out who is the culprit.

    Responding to a journalist who asked the ANF DG that if he could swear about the veracity of the case, he said courts should be closed if things were to be settled that way.