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  • Farhan Saeed slams ‘Tich Button’ cast, says he would never work with them again

    Farhan Saeed slams ‘Tich Button’ cast, says he would never work with them again

    Singer and actor Farhan Saeed recently opened up about his experience working on the film Tich Button, saying he would never work with the cast again.

    During an appearance on Ahmed Ali Butt’s podcast, Farhan said, “When you connect with a project, if you are not sincere with it or with the team, or if you have issues with it, it becomes unsuccessful. Iman didn’t have any issues with the project, but it was the wrong casting altogether. We made a film, it was a success, but it was difficult.”

    Farhan didn’t mince any words. “There were unprofessional people involved. They will hear it and mind it, but that’s the truth. When I sign a project, I give my hundred percent. These are old-school, 90s-style things, being late on set, throwing tantrums. It’s obvious from their career graphs how they are progressing. We conducted screen tests for the actors, but they had a few issues,” he said.

    He added, “After the shoot, problems started to arise. The shoot itself was difficult, especially in Nankana Sahib in minus 2 degrees. I can only give room to Iman here, she had MS and collapses in winter, but she was a star in her own right. She wanted PC-level protocols, which isn’t always possible, but I give full credit to Qavi Sahab, Gul-e-Rana, Sohail Sahab, Samia Mumtaz, and Raahila Agha. They were amazing and dedicated people. I learned a lot. I would change many things about the film, casting and many other aspects. But for newbies, it wasn’t that bad.”

    Farhan also joked that the Button got Tiched, admitting that there were multiple issues in the project and adding, “If given a chance I won’t ever sign the cast I worked with.”

    The film was supposed to release at the end of 2019 but got delayed many times. It starred Farhan Saeed, Sonya Hussyn, Feroze Khan, and Iman Ali and finally came out in November 2022, but it did not do well at the box office.

    Farhan Saeed first rose to fame as the lead vocalist of Jal and later gained immense popularity with the Ramzan comedy series Suno Chanda. 

    His other notable dramas include Udaari, Prem Gali, Mere Humsafar, and Shirin Farhad.

  • 3 FC personnel martyred in attack on headquarters in Peshawar

    3 FC personnel martyred in attack on headquarters in Peshawar

    Three members of the Federal Constabulary (FC) have been martyred in an attack on the force’s headquarters in the Saddar area of Peshawar on Monday morning, as reported by police.

    Authorities stated that the event occurred just after 8 a.m. on a main road adjacent to the compound. CCTV footage revealed that one of the attackers, dressed in a chaddar, approached the entrance and detonated explosives at the gate. Shortly thereafter, two additional attackers tried to breach the premises.

    Peshawar Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Dr Mian Saeed Ahmad informed the media that “initially, three militants tried to attack the headquarters. One terrorist blew himself up at the gate, while two others tried to enter the premises but were gunned down by FC personnel.” 

    He confirmed that three FC members were martyred and two were injured and taken to a hospital. He noted that a clearance operation was conducted outside the compound.

    According to the CCPO, “the FC soldiers foiled the terrorist plot due to their alertness,” and the attackers were “neutralised” at the entrance.

    The headquarters of FC, formerly known as the Frontier Constabulary until its renaming in July, is situated near a military cantonment. The compound encompasses barracks, medical facilities, and residential units. The attack took place as personnel were assembling for the weekly first working day meeting.

    In the aftermath of the incident, an emergency was proclaimed at Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) and Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH). Hospital officials reported that 11 injured individuals were brought to LRH and one was taken to KTH.

    Monday’s assault marks the second significant attack on a security facility in Peshawar in recent years. In 2023, 84 individuals lost their lives in a suicide bombing at a mosque located within the Police Lines.

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif denounced the incident in a statement from the PM Office.

    He remarked that “timely action taken by security forces saved us from major harm,” and offered prayers for the recovery of the injured. He emphasized the government’s commitment to eradicating terrorism and countering any threats against Pakistan.

    President Asif Ali Zardari similarly condemned the attack, expressing condolences to the families of the fallen personnel. He stated that “externally backed Fitna-al-Khawarij cannot weaken Pakistan’s unity, resilience or resolve.”

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi released a statement honoring security personnel. He asserted that “such cowardly attacks cannot weaken our morale,” and affirmed that the provincial government stands alongside the police and law enforcement agencies.


    He stated that “every resource available will be utilised to eliminate terrorism,” and instructed authorities to ensure medical care for the injured while expressing prayers for the families of the martyred.

    Pakistan has encountered an increase in attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan since the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022 and expressed intentions to target security forces, police, and law enforcement personnel.

    In September, six soldiers were martyred and five attackers were killed during a thwarted assault on the FC headquarters in Bannu district.

    The military indicated that the attack was conducted by Indian proxy Fitna-al-Khawarij.

  • ‘Delusional’; Foreign Office brushes off Rajnath Singh’s remarks suggesting Sindh could ‘return’ to India

    ‘Delusional’; Foreign Office brushes off Rajnath Singh’s remarks suggesting Sindh could ‘return’ to India

    Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) has dismissed comments made by Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, denouncing his “delusional and dangerously revisionist remarks” about Sindh, after he suggested that the province could “return” to India.

    According to Indian media reports, Singh stated: “While the territory of Sindh is not currently a part of India, culturally, it will always belong to India. As for land, borders can change. Who knows, perhaps Sindh could become part of India again in the future.”

    He passed the remarks during an event in New Delhi, where he also claimed that Sindhi Hindus from his generation never truly accepted the province’s incorporation into Pakistan. The comments were made at the Sindhi Samaj Sammelan, a gathering associated with the Sindhi community.

    Sindh has arisen in Indian political discourse at various times, often during periods of tension or significant events within India.

    In response to Singh’s statement, the FO stated that the comments exhibited an “expansionist Hindutva mindset that seeks to challenge established realities” and infringed upon international law, recognised borders, and national sovereignty.

    The FO urged Singh and Indian authorities to “refrain from inciting remarks that jeopardise regional peace and stability,” adding that it would be “much more constructive for the Government of India to focus on ensuring the safety of its own citizens, particularly vulnerable minority groups.”

    It further stated that New Delhi should “hold accountable those who incite or commit violence against them and address discrimination grounded in faith-based bias and historical distortions.”

    Citing unrest in India’s northeast, the FO noted that many communities in that region “continue to face systematic marginalisation, identity-based persecution, and cycles of state-enabled violence.”

    Reaffirming its stance on the Kashmir conflict, the FO called on India to take “credible measures toward the genuine resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir issue in line with UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people under occupation.”

    The FO emphasised that Pakistan remains dedicated to resolving all disputes with India according to international legal standards while being “steadfast in protecting its security, national independence, and sovereignty.”

    Separately, Rajnath Singh remarked: “Our soldiers possess both weaponry and high morale. No challenge can prevail against us. Whether it is terrorism or any other issue, we have the capability to address and overcome them all.”

  • Govt finalises plan for new cybersecurity authority

    Govt finalises plan for new cybersecurity authority

    The federal government has decided to set up a Cybersecurity Authority to strengthen the country’s digital security landscape and safeguard critical information systems. 

    The Ministry of Information Technology has confirmed that a preliminary draft of the Cybersecurity Act has been created and distributed to stakeholders for consultation. 

    The ministry stated that a national framework for digital protection is already provided by the National Cybersecurity Policy and is presently being implemented under the Digital Economy Enhancement Program.

    The Secure Data Exchange Layer and digital identification efforts have advanced, according to government records. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), NADRA, and the telecom industry are all recognized as key digital infrastructure. Additionally, the process of designating immigration and passport services as critical infrastructure is currently in progress.

    According to officials, the new authority will be in charge of enforcing cybersecurity programs nationwide and suggesting cybersecurity measures for vital national infrastructure.

    Meanwhile, the Pakistan Information Security Framework 2025 is under development, and until the new authority becomes functional, the CERT Council consisting of 14 public and private sector institutions will continue to lead national cyber incident coordination and response.

  • Doctor Nabiha reveals she considered divorce immediately after marriage

    Doctor Nabiha reveals she considered divorce immediately after marriage

    Clinical psychologist and social media influencer Nabiha Ali Khan recently shared that she thought about divorcing her husband Haris Khokhar right after their wedding due to overwhelming criticism.

    Nabiha married her close friend Haris Khokhar in a private ceremony at the residence of Maulana Tariq Jameel, who personally conducted the Nikah. Photos and videos from the event quickly went viral on social media.

    Speaking on a private news show, Nabiha said, “This was the worst time of my life. I never imagined I would face so much pressure and public scrutiny.” She added, “At one point, I even considered taking a divorce because the criticism was affecting my mental health.”

    The couple received heavy attention after sharing details about the wedding, including the bridal outfit and jewelry. 

    Nabiha revealed, “My off-white outfit, designed by Hina Salman, cost around Rs1 crore, and my jewelry was valued at approximately Rs1.5 crore, taking the total cost for my bridal look over Rs2 crore.”

    Haris complemented her in an off-white sherwani, creating a coordinated appearance. 

    The event was attended by a small group of guests, including prominent personalities like Farah Iqrar. 

    Nabiha has faced criticism for multiple reasons. 

     Many people questioned the extravagance of her wedding, saying she often gives advice to women about modesty and restraint, yet spent Rs1.5 crore on jewellery and Rs1 crore on her bridal dress for the Nikah.

    She also faced backlash for her remarks about women’s bodies, saying, “A man has the right to look at a beautiful woman’s body. Pakistani women gain weight after marriage, so what will their husbands see? Men want beauty. If a man looks at Nora Fatehi, it is not his fault, it is the fault of women here because our body structures do not match hers.”

  • Pakistan win World Cup Snooker Team Championship 2025

    Pakistan win World Cup Snooker Team Championship 2025

    Pakistan has lifted the World Cup Snooker Team Championship 2025 trophy after beating Hong Kong 2 to 3 in a nail biting final in Muscat, Oman on Sunday.

    Former world champion and current Masters world champion Mohammad Asif partnered with Asjad Iqbal and delivered an outstanding performance. 

    The Pakistani duo fought hard throughout the match and sealed the title in the deciding frame.

    Pakistan reached the final after defeating arch rivals India 1 to 3 in the semifinal.

    PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi congratulated Asif and Iqbal on their remarkable win at the World Team Snooker Championship.

    He said, “Mohammad Asif and Asjad Iqbal have made Pakistan proud by winning the World Championship. They played brilliantly and secured the title with exceptional skill.”

    Naqvi added, “Our players have once again raised the national flag high. Both players and their coach deserve full appreciation. Pakistan is achieving success in every field.”

    Pakistan Snooker and Billiards Association chairman Alamgir Sheikh also congratulated the team on their historic victory.

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and several other public figures also praised Asif and Iqbal for bringing the title home.

  • Naqvi, Sethi clash publicly after Rashid Latif’s apology ends PCB standoff

    Naqvi, Sethi clash publicly after Rashid Latif’s apology ends PCB standoff

    A public showdown erupted in Pakistan cricket on Saturday when current PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi and former chairman Najam Sethi exchanged sharp words on X (formerly Twitter) moments after Rashid Latif issued an unconditional apology to the board.

    Latif apologised for linking Mohammad Rizwan’s removal as ODI captain with the wicketkeeper batter’s public support for Palestine, a claim that led the PCB to file a complaint with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency. 

    NCCIA summoned Latif for questioning, after which he approached the Islamabad High Court and challenged the inquiry.

    In his detailed post on X, Latif clarified his stance.

    “My principal contention was related to potential violations of the advisories upon such advertising issued by the Government of Pakistan,” he wrote.

    He added, “At no point, whether inadvertently or deliberately, have I ever sought or intended to implicate any individual including players, board members, or other stakeholders in wrongdoing.”

    Latif admitted his reference to Rizwan’s stance on Palestine was an “unwarranted” and “unfounded” assumption.

    “I deeply regret any distress or offence that my comments may have caused to the general public, or more specifically, to the Pakistan Cricket Board,” he said. “I offer my sincere apologies for any unintended harm arising from my remarks which I withdraw unconditionally.”

    But the apology immediately sparked a confrontation on X. 

    Najam Sethi stepped in to defend Latif and criticised the inquiry. “I am shocked at the trumped up FIA inquiry against ex cricket captain @iRashidLatif68 for his critical comments on social media against PCB policies,” Sethi wrote. “I urge cricket administrators to desist from such repressive tactics and expect the judiciary to protect our freedoms.”

    Mohsin Naqvi fired back within minutes.

    “Your comments are completely misplaced, ill timed, and factually incorrect,” he replied.

    Naqvi said the PCB acted only to counter false allegations.

    “The PCB’s action against Rashid Latif was never about silencing criticism, it was about addressing the deliberate spread of false and defamatory allegations,” he wrote. “We welcome his apology and offer a clean slate.”

    Sethi responded again, refusing to step back.

    “No sir, my concern is not misplaced. I don’t think PCB should use the FIA to silence critics even if their views are misplaced or factually incorrect!”

    The PCB appointed Mohammad Rizwan as ODI captain in October 2024, but replaced him with Shaheen Shah Afridi on October 20, 2025, after internal performance reviews. 

    Shaheen later said Rizwan “decided himself to take a step back,” signalling that the decision was not political.

  • Pakistan Shaheens clinch Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 title

    Pakistan Shaheens clinch Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 title

     
     
    Pakistan Shaheens on Sunday clinched the Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 title after a thrilling Super Over finish against Bangladesh A in Doha.
     
     
    Earlier, the final ended in a tie when Bangladesh A matched Pakistan Shaheens’ 125-run total in the last over, pushing the decider into a Super Over.
     
     
    Batting first in the Super Over, Bangladesh managed to score just six runs while losing two wickets.
     
     
    Pakistan Shaheens chased down the target in only four deliveries, sealing a dramatic victory and lifting the trophy in style.
     
     
    This is Pakistan’s third Asia Cup Rising Stars title.
     
     
    #TheCurrent #PAKvsBAN #asiacuprisingstars2025
  • Journalist Shahzad Iqbal elected president of Islamabad Padel Association

    Journalist Shahzad Iqbal elected president of Islamabad Padel Association

    The Islamabad Padel Association (IPA) successfully concluded its general elections on November 15, 2025.

    The electoral process was conducted under the supervision and guidance of the Islamabad Sports Board and Punjab Padel Association. 

    After a thorough verification of 11 registered voters through CNIC checks and member validation, 10 voters participated in the electoral process, fulfilling the quorum required under the IPA constitution. Senior journalist and anchorperson Shahzad Iqbal has been elected as the President of the IPA.

    The Islamabad Padel Association is the only legal association of Padel in Islamabad that is registered by the Islamabad Sports Board and affiliated with the Pakistan Padel Federation. 

    Newly elected office-bearers of the IPA: President (Shahzad Iqbal), Senior Vice President (Ameen Ul Hafeez), Vice President (Abdullah Noor), General Secretary (Raja Mushahid), Information Secretary (Salman Akbar), Joint Secretary (Rayan Khan), Finance Secretary (Maaz Sarmad) & Executive Members (Rehman Azhar and Laila Habib Khan)

  • Unemployment in Pakistan likely to hit seven percent

    Unemployment in Pakistan likely to hit seven percent

    Unemployment in Pakistan is expected to reach seven percent in fiscal year 2024–25, up from 6.3 percent in 2020–21.

    Media reports citing top officials confirmed that the overall unemployment rate has risen to around 7 percent, according to the latest Labour Force Survey (LFS). 

    The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) shared preliminary findings of the 2024–25 survey during the recent DataFest conference, though some experts raised questions about data from Islamabad and other areas. The government is expected to release the official report next week.

    The 2020–21 LFS showed Pakistan’s labour force at 71.76 million, with a slight decline in unemployment to 6.3 percent. The survey highlighted an overall employment-to-population ratio of 42.1 percent, with a significant gender gap—64.1 percent of men employed versus just 19.4 percent of women. 

    The services sector employed the most workers, while youth aged 15–24 faced the highest unemployment at 11.1 percent, particularly among females.

    The 2024–25 LFS adopts the 19th International Conference of Labour Statisticians (ICLS) standards, replacing the older 13th ICLS framework used since 1982. 

    The new framework distinguishes between work for pay or profit and unpaid own-use production work, such as growing food or raising livestock for household consumption, volunteering, or unpaid training.

    This change means many individuals, particularly rural women, unpaid family workers, and subsistence farmers, who were previously counted as employed, may now be classified as engaged in own-use production work or outside the labour force. 

    As a result, labour force participation and employment rates are expected to decline, while unemployment figures rise, providing a clearer picture of who is actively participating in the paid labour market.