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  • Of ‘not-so-untimely’ ailments

    Of ‘not-so-untimely’ ailments

    Pakistani politicians are rather infamous for falling sick right after they are sentenced to imprisonment, taken into custody for investigation or even if summoned by a court.

    While some think of the sudden ailment as “nothing but an easy way out of the ordeal that could follow”, several others believe otherwise.

    Here are five politicians who fell prey to an untimely, or perhaps timely, sickness.

    1. Pervez Musharraf

    Soon after All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) chief and former military ruler Pervez Musharraf was charged with treason, he underwent chest and back pain. He was shifted to Combined Military Hospital (CMH), where he spent months and failed to appear before the court.

    Even though Musharraf’s name was put on the Exit Control List (ECL), the Interior Ministry allowed him to leave the country for treatment back in 2016 and he hasn’t returned since.

    2. Nawaz Sharif

    Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was advised to undergo a heart surgery soon after the emergence of Panama Papers in April 2016 amid calls for a probe into his offshore assets by the opposition.

    Since the case started and his subsequent imprisonment last year, the ex-PM has time and again sought bail on medical grounds, even the permission to travel abroad for treatment, and has taken multiple trips to the hospital from jail.

    3. Ishaq Dar

    The former PML-N lawmaker tendered his resignation as the country’s finance minister after the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) initiated an inquiry into his assets back in 2017.

    Dar fell ill, with his counsel requesting an exemption from the court. He later traveled to the United Kingdom (UK) and hasn’t returned since. The politician’s medical reports say he is severely ill; however, he has been spotted walking upright on London streets time and again.

    4. Asif Ali Zardari

    The former president’s little visit to the hospital after he was taken into NAB custody last week, wasn’t the first of its kind. Earlier, he had used his medical reports to fight a corruption case filed against him in a British court.

    Zardari had pleaded that he was diagnosed with a range of psychiatric illnesses during his detention in jail. He, however, went on to become the president of Pakistan in 2008.

    The list doesn’t end here as several other political figures, including ex-petroleum minister Dr Asim Hussain and ex-information minister Sharjeel Memon, have also sought medical attention in times of trouble.

    The Current asked people about what they think of all these untimely ailments and here is what they had to say:

    https://youtu.be/dDRCBhPsP78?list=PLJPlBvZludM5hFyDFmPIWOpgzZPJQzYWT
  • ‘Stay surprised’: ISPR chief trolls Indian home minister over World Cup defeat tweet

    ‘Stay surprised’: ISPR chief trolls Indian home minister over World Cup defeat tweet

    Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor has trolled Indian Home Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah over his congratulatory message to the Indian cricket team.

    “Another strike on Pakistan by Team India and the result is same [sic],” Shah had tweeted after India secured an 89-run defeat against Pakistan in the ongoing ICC World Cup on Sunday.

    He was referring to the aerial combat between the two neighbouring countries in February, which happened after Indian aircraft on February 26 carried out an airstrike on what it alleged was a “terrorist training camp” in Pakistan.

    “Dear Amit Shah, yes your team won a match. Well played,” Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor tweeted while responding to Shah’s tweet. He, however, advised the Indian home minister to not compared “two things with different denominators”.

    “Two things with different denominators can’t be compared. So are strikes and match. If in doubt, please see results of our Nowshera counter strikes and response to IAF violation on February 27, 2019, downing two Indian jets. Stay Surprised,” he said.

  • Pakistani cricketers come under fire for allegedly spending a night out before a critical match

    Pakistani cricketers come under fire for allegedly spending a night out before a critical match

    A day after members of the Pakistan cricket team faced severe criticism for their night out “right before the match against arch-rivals India”, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued a statement denying all claims.

    “So @TheRealPCB says that no team member violated curfew time before the #PakVsIndia match. According to them, the photos are from two days back,” journalist Zebunnisa Burki‏ tweeted.

    Earlier, a picture and video of cricketer Shoaib Malik, his wife Sania Mirza and other cricketers visiting a sheesha cafe on the eve of Pakistan’s match against India had gone viral.

    The media had started generating controversy as Pakistan faced a humiliating defeat in the match against India due to poor performance.

    After the match, fans alleged that Shoaib, Sania and other cricketers of the Pakistani team were at the sheesha café till 2 am in the morning, hours before the critical match.

    https://twitter.com/MurtazaViews/status/1140301732628402176

    However, according to the PCB’s statement, the video was from the night of June 14 (Friday) and not Saturday.

    “No player violated curfew and returned to their hotel rooms on-time the night before Pakistan’s match against India,” the board said, adding that players had gone out with their families two days before the match.

  • Amir Khan vows to avenge Pakistan’s loss

    Amir Khan vows to avenge Pakistan’s loss

    After Sunday’s humiliating defeat, which he witnessed first-hand, boxer Amir Khan has vowed to avenge Pakistan in his upcoming match with Indian boxer Neeraj Goyat.

    Taking to Twitter, Khan said, “Pakistan lost to India today. Come July 12th I will avenge the loss and knock out Neeraj Goyat in our upcoming fight in Saudi Arabia.”

    “Keep dreaming Amir Khan. You will witness my victory and India’s as well,” Goyat wrote in response.

    Amir and Goyat will be facing each other in Jeddah on July 12. This is the first time a British Pakistani will fight an Indian Boxer and as per details, Prime Minister Imran Khan will also be attending the match.

    Meanwhile, Amir has also offered to help the Pakistan cricket team “with some advise on how to stay fit and strong” and “how to be disciplined on food, diet and training.”

    Several critics and experts, after Pakistan vs India, had said that Pakistan’s fielding was poor and that the players were unfit.

  • #PAKvsIND: Angry fan puts up Pakistan cricket team for sale online

    #PAKvsIND: Angry fan puts up Pakistan cricket team for sale online

    After it was humiliated by arch-rivals India in the ICC World Cup, a disheartened fan has put up the Pakistan cricket team for sale at an online marketplace.

    As per the details, India on Sunday extended their unbeaten World Cup record against Pakistan as they managed to secure an 89-run win in the rain-affected match.

    While a majority of people resorted to social media to vent out their frustration against Pakistan’s yet another disappointing performance, an annoyed fan took it all to a whole other level by putting the team up for sale.

    https://twitter.com/sfurqan92/status/1140319513944252422

    “Pakistan cricket team, pretty useless and cannot take any responsibilities,” the ad from an anonymous seller read.

    It, however, was removed by the hosting platform after a while.

  • Live screening of Pakistan India match

    Live screening of Pakistan India match

    One day to go for the most awaited match of the ICC World Cup 2019. Long-time rivals Pakistan and India are all ready to face each other at Old Trafford, Manchester. Any cricket match between the two opponents becomes the talk of the town and all the restaurants, tea stalls and cafes arrange live screening for the cricket lovers.

    For Karachites:

    Q Star Convention Hall- DHA:

    Cricket lovers can enjoy the match on big screen with food, music and selfies. You can go with your children also and let them enjoy the face painting. Tickets are priced at PKR 1000/- per head.

    Pavilion End Club- Rashid Minhas

    Cricket fanatics can enjoy the match with numerous activities with just 400 rupees per person. They range from food stalls, lucky draws, gifts, and giveaways.

    For Lahoris:

    Emporium Mall:

    Lahoris can head to emporium mall to watch the match. Enjoy the match with various other activities. Go with your family. You can enjoy match and can go for shopping during match breaks.

    Uncle Tetsu Pakistan:

    Watch the nail biting Pakistan  vs India match  with the cheesy jiggly cakes. Uncle Tetsu Pakistan is giving a free drink with each cheese cake purchase if you bring your father with you.

    For Islamabadis:

    Shakar Parian National Park:

    Cricket fans can sit back and enjoy the match with free popcorn and a drink at Lok Virsa, Garden Avenue, Shakar Parian National Park. Ticket is for 800 rupees.

  • All the Pak vs India news you’ve got to see

    All the Pak vs India news you’ve got to see

    With Pakistan and India gearing up to clash in a historic ICC Cricket World Cup match, excitement and tension levels are at an all-time high on both sides of the border. Die-hard cricket fans have arrived in Manchester ahead of the match and the frenzy is unmissable. Pakistan is currently on the 9th spot with three points and one win, while India is on 4th spot with five points and two wins.

    Here is some interesting news on the match.

    Pakistani fan gets a match ticket from MS Dhoni

    A Karachi-born, Chicago-based fan Mohammad Bashir, also known as ‘Chacha Chicago’ will be receiving a ticket from MS Dhoni to watch the Sunday’s high-octane Indo-Pak contest.

    India Today reported that Bashir and Dhoni’s friendship blossomed during the 2011 World Cup semi-final between India and Pakistan when Dhoni gave Bashir a ticket for the sold-out match in Mohali. Their friendship has grown stronger since then and eight years later, Bashir has landed in Manchester, without a match ticket, to watch the two teams play.

    “I arrived here yesterday and saw that people are ready to pay as much as 800-900 pounds for a ticket. A return ticket from Chicago costs the same. Thanks to Dhoni, I don’t have to struggle for a match ticket,” the 63-year-old, who owns a restaurant in Chicago and is an American passport holder.

    Chacha Chicago says that he will be supporting both the teams and his match-day uniform will have both the Indian and Pakistani colours. He also met with players of both the teams in Manchester.

    Chris Gayle appears to be supporting India

    ICC shared a picture of Chris Gayle sporting a white, green and orange tie and dye suit with the caption “The #UniverseBoss is ready for #INDvPAK.”

    Wasim Akram and Virat Kohli ask fans to be calm

    Wasim Akram said the match should be enjoyed rather than used to inflame the situation.

    “This can’t be bigger,” Wasim said. “India and Pakistan playing at the World Cup with over a billion audience is the biggest thing in cricket, so my message to both sets of fans to enjoy it and stay calm.

    “One team will win, one team will lose, so stay graceful and do not take this as a war. Those who project this match as war are not true cricket fans.”

    Meanwhile, speaking to the press on the eve of the match, Kohli said, “Watch and enjoy… it’s just a cricket match.”

    Weather woes

    While everyone is trying to remain positive, the weather in Manchester is unpredictable and there are 60 percent chances of rain between 2 pm and 5 pm, with chances increasing to 80 percent at 6 pm UK time. The rains have already forced four wash-outs in the tournament and affected several training sessions as well.

    Wasim Akram, Kapil Dev think India is the stronger team

    Cricket veteran Wasim Akram believes the match is “70-30 in India’s favour because “India has depth in their batting and their bowling is also good.” Kapil Dev also shared the same thoughts.

    Meanwhile Sachin Tendulkar warned the Indian Cricket Team to be wary of Muhammad Amir and give him a tough challenge.

  • Buzdar beats Shehbaz in social sector reforms, increases education budget to Rs89.8bn

    Buzdar beats Shehbaz in social sector reforms, increases education budget to Rs89.8bn

    Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Sardar Usman Buzdar has beaten his predecessor Shehbaz Sharif in reforming the social sector, as an amount of Rs89.8 billion has been earmarked for the provincial education sector.

    As per the details, presenting the provincial budget on Friday, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government enhanced the education budget, which under the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) rule stood at Rs52.35 billion.

    In its last provincial budget for the fiscal year 2017-18, the outgoing PML-N government had allocated Rs52.35 billion for school education and Rs28 billion for providing basic facilities at government schools.

    An amount of Rs6.03 billion had been fixed for the construction of new classrooms in Punjab schools.

    According to the budget presented by the Buzdar administration, health stands second in the social sector with Rs47.5 billion. Water supply & sanitation will gain Rs22.4 billion, local governments Rs6.3 billion, social welfare Rs1 billion and women development Rs0.8 billion.

    Meanwhile, Rs350 billion have been allocated for the Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2019-20, which stood at Rs635bn under the Shehbaz administration in 2017-18.

  • Private bank fires employee for abusing journalist on Twitter

    Private bank fires employee for abusing journalist on Twitter

    A private bank has fired an employee for abusing journalist Hasan Zaidi during a Twitter spat earlier this week.

    As per the details, the bank’s Financial Reporting Unit head Fazeel Tajammul was fired after Zaidi reported him for abusing.

    Tagging the bank in his tweets with screenshots of Tajammul’s abusive remarks, Zaidi had urged the bank to take action against him.

    Zaidi also shared multiple similar tweets by the bank employee, which took the micro-blogging website by storm with people urging the bank to sack Tajammul.

    The campaign followed an official statement from the bank, wherein it announced having taken the “appropriate action” against Tajammul.

    Meanwhile, Twitterati are criticising Zaidi as well as the bank for the move, calling it unfair.  They allege that the journalist “used his influence to get Tajammul sacked”.

    Some are also seeking Zaidi’s removal for some of his abusive remarks.

    https://twitter.com/azbkt1122/status/1139393829193179136

    Tajammul, for the time being, has deactivated his Twitter handle.

  • Budget 2019-20: Expenses worth Rs2.3 million a day proposed for PM’s Office

    Budget 2019-20: Expenses worth Rs2.3 million a day proposed for PM’s Office

    Funds worth Rs860.28 million have been allocated for the Prime Minister’s (PM) Office in the federal budget for the fiscal year 2019-20, the Ministry of Finance has said.

    According to the proposed allocation, PM Office’s daily expenditure stands at Rs2.36 million (Rs2,356,931) at 365 days a year, which contradicts the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s earlier claims of reducing expenses for austerity.

    The proposal to spend over Rs2 million a day from taxpayers’ money comes just months after dozens of cattle and excess luxury cars of the PM House were auctioned to save money.

    The development had come after PM Imran Khan, in his first address to the nation on August 19, announced the austerity drive and vowed to cut down on government expenses.