Current Final

Category: Politics

  • NCOC to give winter vacations in January instead of December

    NCOC to give winter vacations in January instead of December

    The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has decided to shift the annual winter vacations for education institutions from December to January, reports Geo News.

    The decision was made in a meeting held on Tuesday, which was attended by all the education ministers who backed and agreed to the proposal.

    According to the NCOC, the vaccination process will continue in educational institutions. However, the institutions will remain closed in areas where heavy snowfall occurs.

    On the contrary, Sindh has already announced winter vacations for educational institutions from December 20, 2021 to January 3, 2022.

    Prior to this development, Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood on Tuesday said that as per the “agreed proposal”, winter vacations should be announced from December 25 to January 4.

    However, he added that further notifications will be issued from the concerned governments.

  • Zardari corruption case: NAB references busted, not in accordance with law

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday declared the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) reference against former president Asif Ali Zardari ‘ultra vires and not according to the law’, reports The News.

    IHC Chief Justice (CJ) Athar Minallah condemned NAB authorities and said that all its references got busted for not being prepared as per law. He said that the Bureau was just wasting its time by making pointless references, adding that NAB was not above the law.

    “How the bureau could declare null and void the Income Tax Order by itself,” the CJ observed, adding that NAB did not have any jurisdiction to nullify the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Assessment Order.

    Earlier, IHC had noticed that NAB challenged the acquittal request of Zardari, without obtaining the original record of the case.

    The court noted that it took NAB seven years to realise that the appeals were filed without possessing the original record.

    CJ Minallah said NAB should now admit it had made a mistake by filing these references since it did not have proof against the former president.

    “And if indeed, there were no proofs, then the court will also take action against the former bureau chairman in whose tenure these cases had been filed,” said the IHC CJ.

  • ‘Set the record straight’: Jahangir Tareen responds to allegations of giving PM Khan pocket money

    ‘Set the record straight’: Jahangir Tareen responds to allegations of giving PM Khan pocket money

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) disgruntled leader Jahangir Tareen, clears the air on the allegations levelled towards him of bearing the expenses for Bani Gala, the residential place of Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan.

    Jahangir took to Twitter and wrote, “Regardless of the current status of my relationship with Imran Khan, the truth must be told. I did whatever was in my capacity to help PTI in the quest to build a new Pakistan.”

    “I never gave a penny for the household expenses of Bani Gala. Just want to set the record straight,” tweeted Jahangir.

    Earlier, former PTI leader, Justice (retd) Wajihuddin Ahmed, claimed that PM Khan’s monthly household expenses were once catered by Tareen.

    Wajihuddin revealed that Tareen initially gave funds worth Rs3 million per month for Imran Khan’s household expenses, which was later increased to Rs5 million per month.

    Speaking further about the honesty of the premier, Wajihuddin said that the notion about Imran Khan being an honest man is “completely wrong”.

    “This belief is entirely false that Imran Khan is a [financially] honest man,” Wajihuddin said. “His condition is such that he hasn’t been running his household himself for years.”

  • Sri Lankan cricket legend Ranatunga thanks PM Khan for ensuring justice for Priyantha Kumara

    The former 1996 Cricket World Cup-winning Sri Lankan captain, Arjuna Ranatunga, thanked Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan for his efforts to find all those involved in the lynching of Priyantha Kumara and his support for the deceased’s family.

    Sharing the letter he wrote to the premier, Arjuna tweeted, “Thank you for all your efforts in bringing justice for the crime committed against Priyantha Kumara, and for the continued support and commitment toward his family.”

    The letter reads, “You [Imran Khan] have always been unwavering in facing challenges whether it be on the cricket field or the political arena. Since you’ve become the prime minister of Pakistan, you have been carefully addressing some controversial issues in the country.”

    Earlier this month, 49-year-old Kumara, a manager at Rajco factory in Sialkot, was lynched by a mob. The mob tortured him to death and later burnt his body.

    Following the news, PM Khan condemned the incident and ensured the punishment of those who were involved.

    A First Information Report (FIR) was registered against 900 workers of Rajco Industries and several arrests have been made.

  • ‘PM Khan needed 30 lakhs and then 50 lakhs from PTI to run his home’, claims former PTI member, Fawad refutes

    ‘PM Khan needed 30 lakhs and then 50 lakhs from PTI to run his home’, claims former PTI member, Fawad refutes

    A former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) member, Justice (retd) Wajihuddin Ahmed, recently claimed that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s monthly household expenses were once catered by PTI’s disgruntled leader Jahangir Tareen. He made the claim while speaking on Bol news’ programme ‘Tabdeeli’.

    Wajihuddin revealed that Tareen initially gave funds worth Rs3 million per month for Imran Khan’s household expenses, which was later increased to Rs5 million per month.

    Speaking further about the honesty of the premier, Wajihuddin said that the notion about Imran Khan being an honest man is “completely wrong”.

    “This belief is entirely false that Imran Khan is a [financially] honest man,” Ahmed said. “His condition is such that he hasn’t been running his household himself for years.”

    He further said certain people within the party would try to outdo each other in footing the bills for things like keeping Imran’s car fuel tank and “keeping his pocket full at all times”.

    Recalling the statement of another party member without revealing the name, Wajihuddin said, “The man who doesn’t even pay for his shoelaces, how can you call that man honest?”

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Tuesday, responding to the claims of retired Justice, called him a “buffoon”.

    “Such buffoons roam around trying to seek importance in media by making such allegations. These people are not even given respect in their own homes, therefore please do not give importance to them,” the minister told media persons.

    Special Assistant to PM for Political Communication Dr Shahbaz Gill rubbished Ahmed’s claim as “completely false and illogical”.

    “Whoever knows Imran Khan, knows his honesty and dignity. Wajih sahib often makes illogical remarks such as these in despair over being expelled from the party,” he tweeted.

  • ‘Pakistan will have no gas in years to come’: Fawad Chaudhry

    ‘Pakistan will have no gas in years to come’: Fawad Chaudhry

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Tuesday said that Pakistan will not have gas in the years to come.

    Fawad’s comments come after the cabinet meeting when he was talking to the media. He said that the gas reserves were depleting by nine per cent each year, therefore, there will be no gas available for people.

    He said people getting gas at cheaper rates in big cities should now change their habits. “This trend will not continue for long,” he added.

    Fawad highlighted that price of oil in the international market has declined. However, they haven’t been reduced much and an impact can be seen here. He, therefore, urged people to pray that the price of oil comes down globally.

  • Shehbaz or Maryam: Who will be PML-N’s candidate for PM slot in 2023, reveals spokesperson

    Shehbaz or Maryam: Who will be PML-N’s candidate for PM slot in 2023, reveals spokesperson

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Muhammad Zubair while speaking on Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’, said that the party vice-president Maryam Nawaz has political ambitions hinting that she might be a candidate for the position of prime minter in the next general elections from PML-N.

    His comments come after former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had announced that Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif will be PML-N’s candidate for prime minister in the general elections of 2023.

    Khaqan made these comments during a political talk show on Dawn News, ‘Khabar Se Khabar’. He said as Maryam Nawaz was not illegible, it’s likely that the party president is nominated since he leads the party.

    “Shehbaz Sharif is our president and he will be our next candidate for prime minister,” said Khaqan.

    Responding to Khaqan’s comments, Zubair said that Khaqan was one of the most senior members of PML-N and that he could not challenge his statements.

    “It’s a long way to go, Nawaz Sharif is not illegible, both Shehbaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz are facing court cases. The situation isn’t clear yet. The future will tell who is illegible [to be a candidate],” said Zubair.

    PML-N leader further said, “I have been hearing the case hearing in Islamabad High Court (IHC), I do not have a legal background but I am100 per cent sure that Maryam Nawaz will get relief in her cases because there is no corruption against her.”

    Anchorperson Shahzeb Khanzada further asked Zubair if Shehbaz Sharif will be the next nominee for the position of prime minister, to which he responded that Shahid Khaqan might have some knowledge as he has been in a place of leadership, he might have information on the matter.

    Khanzada said, “You are one of the closest leaders to Maryam Nawaz in the party, it is not possible that this interview [of Khaqan] came a day earlier and it is not possible that you have not conversed with Maryam Sahiba on this.”

    “I have not talked to Maryam Nawaz. She is busy with her son’s wedding. Having said that, there are no second thoughts on the leadership qualities and competence of Shehbaz Sharif. He has led upfront during the toughest of times,” responded Zubair.

    “I will not hesitate in saying that Maryam Nawaz has political ambitions. But along with that, she abides by party discipline. She will completely contribute to the electoral victory of PML-N,” added Zubair.

  • Shehryar Afridi calling Pakistani community in Europe to physically attack a journalist is unacceptable, says RSF

    Shehryar Afridi calling Pakistani community in Europe to physically attack a journalist is unacceptable, says RSF

    Reporters Without Borders also known as Reporters Sans Frontiers (RSF) took to Twitter to condemn the attack on Younas Khan, a journalist who questioned the chairperson of the Parliamentary Special Committee on Kashmir Shehryar Khan Afridi in France during an event.

    RSF’s condemnation comes in relevance to Afridi’s leaked audio, where he was not happy with the organisers of the event during which Younas Khan questioned him whether he had any interactions with parliamentarians or Tink Tank when he was touring France.

    RSF tweeted, “Pakistan: #RSF strongly supports Paris-based Pakistani journalist @younaskhan1977, who is now the target of death threats after he was thrashed and insulted by a famous Pakistani politician, @ShehryarAfridi1, recently visiting #France.”

    “@younaskhan1977’s only wrongdoing was to ask a question that displeased @ShehryarAfridi1. In a leaked audio clip, the politician can be heard calling members of the Pakistani community in Europe to physically attack the journalist. These threats are unacceptable,” added RSF.

    Afridi’s leaked audio revealed that he was unhappy and could be heard talking to the organisers that he came to the event at their request. “If I did not answer the questions there, people would have said that I was scared and ran away,” said Afridi.

    “When the journalist was asking me questions, why did you [organisers] stay silent, why didn’t you ask him why this news was published?” Afridi questioned using explicit language.

    Shehryar Afridi told the organisers of the ceremony that they did not miss the chance to demean him, adding, “As far as I am concerned, it would have been good, but it is a matter of Pakistan’s honour.”

    “If you do not ask this journalist about the news, I will not spare you,” warned Afridi.

  • Pakistanis in trouble again as more tax hikes planned by the government

    With rising inflation, and an increase in taxes, the poor and working middle-class are being adversely affected.

    At the moment the government is planning on tightening the budget of tax hikes and spending cuts if the country is to get the $1 billion it needs from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    “I never thought it would become so difficult to survive,” said Sibte Hasan, a 43-year-old construction supervisor from Pakistan’s second-biggest city Lahore.

    The Pakistani rupee has also fallen to around 14% since May, which is a historic low.

    Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin is still hopeful things will be better but little to no relief is being given by the government as the country faces an inflation and gas crisis and rising taxes.

  • IN PICTURES: Maryam Nawaz raising bar for all the Dulha ki ammis out there

    The reception of Junaid Safdar is scheduled to be held on 17 December in Lahore, and the pre-wedding festivities are at full swing. The pictures and videos from the events are being widely shared on social media. The one thing we love most about the pictures are Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz’s looks. Maryam Nawaz is making our heads turn with her multitudes of looks in all the events.

    On one of the pre-wedding event Maryam opted for a while minimal dress with statement red lipstick and all we can think is how can someone carry this look so gracefully?

    This Mayun look of Maryam Nawaz is our personal favourite at The Current. The yellow outfit featured sliver glittery embroidery all over, making it look absolutely regal and ethereal.

    Now coming towards the Mehndi look: we love how she carried her sky blue dress and accessorised it with silver jewellery, letting the outfit steal all our attention.