Current Final

Tag: Pakistan

  • US Secretary Blinken congratulates Anwaar Kakar

    US Secretary Blinken congratulates Anwaar Kakar

    According to Bol News, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has congratulated caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan Anwaar-Ul-Haq Kakar on assuming office.

    “Congratulations to the new Pakistan Interim Prime Minister, @anwaar_kakar. As Pakistan prepares for free and fair elections in accordance with its constitution and the rights to freedom of speech and assembly, we will continue to advance our shared commitment to economic prosperity,” Blinken tweeted.

    In response, Anwaar Kakar said on Thursday that “The caretaker government would assiduously work to facilitate a free and fair election in the country”.

    Anwaar Kakar also thanked the US Secretary for his good wishes and said in his tweet “We place importance on our partnership with the US and deeply value the shared commitment to economic prosperity, democracy, and stability in the region”.

  • ‘Not Jinnah’s Pakistan’: Celebrities protest against Jaranwala riots

    ‘Not Jinnah’s Pakistan’: Celebrities protest against Jaranwala riots

    The Jaranwala attacks have shocked the entire nation after the town’s Christian community came under siege on Wednesday by a violent mob. Speaking to The Current, a local resident said violence broke out after a Christian father tried preventing a group of boys from harassing his daughter.

    “This is a case of harassment. A girl from the Christian community was being teased by some members of the Muslim community and when her father and brother tried to stop them, allegations of blasphemy were raised.”

    READ MORE: Mobs burn churches in Jaranwala after alleged blasphemy incident

    Since the incident went viral on social media, politicians including Interim Prime Minister of Pakistan Anwaar ul Haq Kakar have come forward to condemn the riots. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) the Premier said that strict action would be taken against those who violate the law and target minorities.

    Celebrities in Pakistan like activist and singer Shehzad Roy have taken to social media to condemn the incident and called for justice for the Christian community residing in Jaranwala.

    “If the state does not arrest each and every person involved in it through video footage and make an example, then we are doomed,” tweeted the ‘Laga Re’ singer.

    ‘Kuch Ankahi’ actress Sajal Aly called the violent attack ‘shameful’ and tweeted that there is no place for violence in religion.

    Actress Azekah Daniel slammed the incident as ‘not Jinnah’s Pakistan’ and asked why do people not show the same respect to a church that they demand for a mosque. She also called on mainstream media organisations and journalists of Pakistan to report against the growing ethnic violence against Christians in Pakistan.

    “This is NOT Jinnah’s Pakistan! I strongly condemn this atrocity against the Christian community. Why can’t show some respect for Holy places be it a Church or a Mosque? I stand against these atrocities and unjust acts of violence! I DEMAND JUSTICE FOR ALL”

    https://twitter.com/azekahdaniel1/status/1691784585624039868?s=20

    “Today we are witnessing the beginning of ethnic cleansing in Pakistan. Pakistani Christians are being persecuted,Church burnt down & the whole colony ablazed,will you raise your voice for us?”

    https://twitter.com/azekahdaniel1/status/1691791282295709952?s=20
  • Caretaker Prime Minister condemns attack on Christian Community in Jaranwala

    Caretaker Prime Minister condemns attack on Christian Community in Jaranwala

    On Wednesday morning, Jaranwala, Faisalabad, became the site of communal violence as multiple churches were burnt amid allegations of blasphemy against two Christian community members. Mobs attacked churches and residential houses along with office of the assistant commissioner of Jaranwala. As yet, Salvation Army Church, United Presbyterian Church, Allied Foundation Church, and Shehroonwala Church situated in the Isa Nagri area along with multiple houses have been burnt. Christian colonies all around the city have been evacuated, while the Lahore-Multan motorway was also blocked by protestors amid a complete shutter down in the city.

    Caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan, Anwaar ul Haq Kakar has asked all law enforcement to apprehend the culprits & bring them to justice and given assurances that stern action will be taken against those who violate law and target minorities.

    Politicians from different political parties of Pakistan have raised their concerns, condemned the incident, and shown solidarity with the Christian community of Pakistan.

    Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif has condemned the incident while saying that government should take action against the culprits.

    Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party and former Foreign Minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, urged the administration to ensure the safety of the Christian community and their churches.

    The Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan, Riina Kionka, said, “We call for restoring calm & order.”

    Senator Sarfraz Bugti tweeted, “Punjab Govermnet should enforce its full might to protect the Christian churches and homes.”

    Former Interior Minister of Pakistan and President of PMLN Punjab, Rana Sanaullah said, “The culprits must be brought to justice at the earliest, and the law should take its due course.”

    Chairman Pakistan Ulema Council, Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, tweeted that there is no space in Islam for violence.

    Politician and activist Ammar Ali Jan stated that the police is helpless in front of bigots.

  • ‘Potli main raakh aur taweez milay’; DIG who arrested Imran reveals details of strange findings

    ‘Potli main raakh aur taweez milay’; DIG who arrested Imran reveals details of strange findings

    Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Lahore, Imran Kishwar, has said in an interview that after receiving the order to arrest former Prime Minister Imran Khan, when police reached Zaman Park, the doors were locked, thus requiring the need to break them down.

    The DIG told Geo News that while searching the premises, he found ash and taweez in a box. He further said that when I touched them, Imran Khan’s wife, former First Lady Bushra Bibi, resisted and said, “You should not touch them; they are sacred things”. 

    Bushra Bibi misbehaved with the police officials and said, “Police walay hain, Paisy lainy aye hoon gay,” [They are policemen. Must have come to take money], the DIG narrated. 

    Imran Khan got arrested in the Toshakhana case on August 5 and was transferred to Attock jail for a 3-year sentence on the same day.

  • Ali Mardan Domki will be the interim CM of Balochistan

    Ali Mardan Domki will be the interim CM of Balochistan

    Balochistan’s Chief Minister, Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, and the Leader of the Opposition, Malik Sikandar, have mutually decided to appoint Mir Ali Mardan Khan Domki as the caretaker Chief Minister of Balochistan, Geo News has reported. 

    Balochistan Assembly was dissolved on August 12 when Governor Malik Abdul Wali Kakar signed the summary of dissolution.

    Ali Mardan Domki is the son of Mir Hazor Bakhsh Domki, who served as senator from 1975 to 1977. The interim CM belongs to the Lahri area of Balochistan.

    After the dissolution of the Sindh and National Assembly, the Balochistan Assembly was the last one to be dissolved.

    Governer Sindh, Kamran Tessori, signed the summary of dissolution moved by CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah on August 11, a day before the completion of the assembly’s constitutional term.

    Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar is expected to announce the federal interim cabinet in the next few days.

  • CIE students continue to demand justice

    CIE students continue to demand justice

    On August 10, Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) announced the results for this year’s May/June A Level examinations, leading to a loud uproar from students who believed that the marking was unjustified. Students have said that their devastation stems from the fact that only a few students have achieved A or B grades while many only managed to get Cs, Ds, Es, and Us.

    This year, Cambridge examinations were disrupted in Pakistan following the May 9 and 12 riot, leading to a shut down across many areas and cities. The riots also resulted in the cancellation of three whole days of examinations.

    While students believe that the CIE grading criteria has been unfair and that the papers should be taken again, Cambridge International on August 13, published an official statement to address the controversy.

    Responding to students, the CIE stated that this year’s marking has returned to the pre-pandemic 2019 standard. This means achieving, for example, an A grade, would mean getting an A grade in 2023. “Students all around the world have seen this return to the 2019 standard,” the statement said.

    The grading has been done on the basis of the components given. CIE has acknowledged the disappointment of students in Pakistan but it has also offered reassurances of its fairness and reliability of grading for the missed exams.

    The anger, however, has refused to cool down. On Tuesday, several students went out on the streets of Lahore and Karachi to protest against the “unfairness”.

    The students demanded retakes so they could improve their grades.

    Institute of Business Administration (IBA) has taken into consideration that many students have not been able to achieve the grade they could have otherwise. According to IBA’s Registrar Dr Asad Ilyas, the number of students who cannot meet their usual admission standards is more than double this time. Henceforth, the university will also reconsider their admission requirements for this year to be fair to the students.

    Nonetheless, A Level students apply to universities across Pakistan and around the globe, and with the grade they have been granted this year, their chances of getting into prestigious universities have lowered.

  • President Alvi returns 13 bills

    President Alvi returns 13 bills

    President Dr. Arif Alvi has returned over a dozen bills for reconsideration by the parliament, resulting in an indefinite delay in their progression since a new assembly will be formed after the general elections, to be held later this year. The bills were approved by both houses of the parliament towards the end of the PML-N-led government’s term.

    Among these bills is the recently proposed amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure, aimed at increasing penalties for those found guilty of showing disrespect to the Holy Prophet (PBUH), his companions, and other revered religious figures.

    Additional bills that have been sent back include the amendment to the Press, Newspapers, News Agencies, and Books Registration legislation, which seeks to change the term ‘federal government’ with ‘Prime Minister’ wherever mentioned in the law.

    Similarly, the Bill for the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals aims to shift the jurisdiction over journalist protection from the Ministry of Human Rights to the Ministry of Information. The National Commission for Human Development (Amendment) Bill is also among the returned bills, proposing revisions to the functions of the National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) and changes in its administrative structure to enhance efficiency and facilitate business operations.

    Furthermore, a returned bill linked to the 2023 amendment of the Imports and Exports (Control) Bill.
    This measure addresses instances of economic difficulty and has been prompted by appeals from the business community and other sectors, seeking temporary relief from import/export-related restrictions.

    President Alvi also returned the bill related to the Higher Education Commission (HEC), which seeks to extend the term of the HEC chairman to four years.

    The remaining bills that have been sent back include amendments to the Public Sector Commission legislation, the Institute of Management Sciences Bill, the Horizon University Bill, the Federal University Bill, NFC Institute of Engineering and Technology Multan Bill, and the National Institute for Technology Bill.

  • Relief for PTI; IHC issues release orders for Shandana Gulzar and Shehryar Afridi

    Relief for PTI; IHC issues release orders for Shandana Gulzar and Shehryar Afridi

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has on Wednesday ordered the immediate release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Shandana Gulzar and Shehryar Afridi after suspending their arrest warrants under Maintenance of Public Order (MPO).

    The IHC had previously ordered that both Shandana Gulzar and Shehryar Afridi be presented in court.

    IHC conducted a hearing against the detention of both the leaders under the MPO on Tuesday.

    Afridi’s lawyer Sheer Afzal Marwat told the court that, “This is the seventh MPO order passed against Afridi, and the accused has been in jail for 90 days.”

    IHC judge Justice Babar Sattar asked, “Before this, which MPO order was passed by the deputy commissioner?”. The order against Shehryar Afridi was then read aloud by the counsel.
    The lawyer told the court, “Arrests were made in seven cases, but his client was later released on bail. Seven MPO orders issued against Shehryar Afridi so far have been declared illegal by courts.”

    The court further asked, “Where the MPO has not been issued?” To this question, the lawyer told the court that MPO orders have not been issued in Balochistan and Sindh.

    Justice Babar Sattar remarked, “If you have to keep a citizen in custody, you will have to provide reasons.”

    The court restricted Shehryar Afridi from speaking on media or social media until the trial ends.

  • Rana, Raja say general elections will be held next year in February

    Rana, Raja say general elections will be held next year in February

    Former interior minister Rana Sanaullah and ex-opposition leader Raja Riaz have said that it is probable that general elections will be held next year in February, Geo News has reported.

    Rana Sanaullah, leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has said that PML-N supremo and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will return to Pakistan very soon and will lead his party’s electoral campaign.

    While speaking in Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath’, Rana Sanaullah stated that the establishment also wanted general elections to be held in 90 days, however, due to the delimitation of constituencies, the polls will be held in February next year.

    On the other hand, Raja Riaz has also said that general elections will be held at the start or middle of February next year.

    He also mentioned that there are chances that elections could be delayed due to the present economic situation in the country.

    “It is time to save the country, not politics,” he added.

    Without explaining much, he said that “elders” had decided to conduct elections next year.

    On the other hand, the president of the PML-N, Shehbaz Sharif, has high hopes from caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, expecting him to conduct transparent, free, and impartial elections.

  • Exclusive: Man who made fake bomb threat on Malaysian flight is former Pakistani model Arif Ali

    Exclusive: Man who made fake bomb threat on Malaysian flight is former Pakistani model Arif Ali

    On August 14th, a Malaysia Airlines flight from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur was forced to turn back when an agitated man claimed he had “explosives” in his backpack, Australian police said.

    The 45-year-old was arrested after the plane returned to Sydney and has been charged with one count of making a false statement about a threat to damage an aircraft.

    Videos of the man went viral where he can be seen praying on a prayer mat in the airplane’s aisle and repeatedly asking people if ‘they are a slave of Allah’.

    https://youtu.be/PJ5KW0oi83Q

    The Current has confirmed with multiple sources that the man is a former Pakistani model and actor, Muhammad Arif Ali. According to his LinkedIn profile, he graduated from NCA in 2002. He worked as an architect at a number of firms in Karachi and Lahore from 2002-2016.

    He was also featured in renowned Pakistani singer Abrar-ul-Haq’s song, “Preeto” and as an actor he was in a Pakistani sitcom, “Kollege Jeans”, which revolves around the campus life of the National College of Arts, directed by Jawad Bashir.

    Most of his entertainment industry friends say that they lost contact with him while one of our sources confirmed that, “I lost contact a long while ago but I heard that he has developed extremist views”.

    We followed his social media and here is what we found:

    His Behance profile as an architect was made in January 30th, 2012, where he shared different projects he worked on during his career.

    His Facebook profile is open and shows that he lives in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. People have started commenting on his public posts.

    His YouTube channel “food for thought” is made up of shorts and videos, mostly based on his religious views. The last video on August 12 2023.

    His Instagram profile was made in June 2014 and has a throwback video with his “Kollege Jeans” co-actors. His former colleagues and his lawyer say they hope he is given a psychological assessment and is dealt with in a fair manner, saying that he likely suffers from mental health issues.

    https://youtu.be/e8GpD8BhDL4