Current Final

Tag: Pakistan

  • Pakistan condemns burning of Quran in Sweden on Eid-ul-Azha

    Pakistan’s foreign office has condemned the burning of the Holy Quran by a protester in Sweden on Wednesday on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.

    “Such wilful incitement to discrimination, hatred and violence cannot be justified under pretext of freedom of expression and protest”, read the statement issued by the foreign office.

    “Under international law, States are duty bound to prohibit any advocacy of religious hatred, leading to incitement of violence,” it added.

    Salwan Momika, said to be an Iraqi living in Sweden, set fire to a copy of the Quran in front of Stockholm’s central mosque.

    Turkey has also condemned the desecration, calling it a “heinous act.”

    “It is unacceptable to allow these anti-Islamic actions under the pretext of freedom of expression. To turn a blind eye to such heinous acts is to be complicit in them,” a statement issued by Turkey’s foreign minister read. 

    Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said the Quran burning was “legal but not appropriate”.

  • Saas bahu narrative in dramas, Mani thinks channels know best while Hira says no comment

    Saas bahu narrative in dramas, Mani thinks channels know best while Hira says no comment

    Saas bahu narrative in dramas; Mani thinks channels know best while Hira says no comment

    Ahead of the release of the film ‘Teri Meri Kahaniyaan’, The Current team had a chat with the iconic pair Hira and Mani, who will be starring together in the horror-comedy directed by Nabeel Qureshi, along with veteran actress Gul-e-Rana.

    Aside from the questions about their upcoming film and how the two find collaborating with each other on film sets, we asked the couple what they thought about stereotypical dramas that revolve around saas-bahu narratives, and whether its time for scripts to evolve.

    To this Mani replied, “This is what people like to watch.”

    While Hira said, “I don’t know whether they should change or not, I can’t say anything.”

    Hira previously starred in the Kashf Foundation drama ‘Kashf’, in which Hira’s character was someone who had the ability to forsee the future and unfortunate events that will come to pass. It quickly went on to become a fan favourite.

    On whether more dramas like ‘Kashf’ should be made for screens, Hira replied: “I feel like everyone should be able to do what they think is right.”

    “Channel heads are well aware of what kind of dramas should be made. They are closely watching which dramas are getting good ratings. Look at the current two to four dramas which have become a hit,” Mani opined.

    Teri Meri Kahaniyaan is coming to cinemas across Pakistan on June 29.

  • After Asad Abbas, veteran actor Rashid Mehmood opens up about needing financial help

    After Asad Abbas, veteran actor Rashid Mehmood opens up about needing financial help

    Veteran actor Rashid Mehmood has opened up about suffering medical setbacks after suffering a stroke. The event has impacted movement in his hands, face and tongue, the actor revealed, adding that he received limited financial assistance from the government upon appealing for help.

    “I don’t need charity,” revealed the former ‘Ainak Wala Jin’ star to Daily Point. “I need respect and dignity.”

    The actor, who had worked in renowned dramas like ‘Saheen’, recalled his disappointment when he received a check of Rs200,000 from the government upon appealing for financial assistance. “After working hard all my life, my worth was only 2 lac rupees.”

    Former Coke Studio singer Asad Abbas has also appealed to his fans and other singers to help fund a surgery as he battles kindey failure. Abbbas, who sang the OST for ‘Raqs-e-Bismil’, revealed to the Daily Pakistan podcast that his family members had spent everything they had on his operation, while most of the public figures he had collaborated with had not inquired after his health or sent any help. He currently needs PKR 50 million in order to fund his treatment in the US.

    Actor Adnan Siddiqui shared a clip of Abbas where he appealed to fans and other public figures to fund his kidney transplant, and shared that he is getting four dialyses sessions per day. In the caption, Siddiqui highlighted Abbas’ achievements as a singer:

    “Asad Abbas has graced our lives with his beautiful voice,capturing our hearts with his soulful performances and musical genius. Sadly, behind the curtain of his immense talent, he is today waging a personal battle that has left him in a state of extreme financial distress.

    He is currently grappling with a critical kidney issue, which has not only taken a toll on his health but has also created significant financial burdens.

    It is in times like these that we, as a community, need to rally together and extend our support to someone who has given us countless moments of joy through his music. As an artist too, it is our responsibility to stand by fellow artists and help them during their times of need.

    I appeal to each and every one of you to contribute whatever you can to assist Asad Abbas in this trying time. Your contribution, no matter how big or small, will make a significant difference in easing his financial burdens and allowing him to focus on his recovery and return to doing what he loves most – creating beautiful music.

    You can donate here—
    Support Asad Abbas for Kidney Transplant
    PK46HABB0001437900548101.
    Habib Bank Asad Abbas.
    Jazz Cash 03003456490.
    Easy Pesa 03003456490.”

  • Javed Latif demands punishment for those who launched ‘Chairman PTI’

    Federal Minister and senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Javed Latif, has demanded punishment for the individuals who launched project “PTI Chairman”, Express Urdu has reported.

    While talking to media personnel in Lahore, Javed Latif said that an institution initiating self-accountability sends a positive message, and other institutions should also follow the line.

    He further added that if the individuals who have launched this project [PTI] are not arrested and punished, a similar incident like May 9 could happen again.

    If the serving members can face a court-martial, then the retired officers should also held accountable, he opined.

    Latif further said that both the facilitators and masterminds of May 9 events, no matter how powerful they may be, should face punishment.

  • No Chinese journalist left in India after last one expelled

    No Chinese journalist left in India after last one expelled

    Freedom of expression in India is shrinking as the last remaining Chinese reporter has been expelled from New Delhi. The visa extension of the last Chinese reporter, who was associated with the Chinese official News agency Xinhua, was denied by Indian authorities last month.

    The expulsion marks the first instance in history that not a single Chinese journalist is present in India since 1980.

    Critics say that the action reflects that there is no space for journalists in Modi’s government.

    Indian authorities have been accused of taking such steps to hide cruelty against minorities like Muslims, Kashmiris and Dalits.

  • Public Accounts Committee summons religious affairs officials on lack of facilities for Hajj pilgrims

    Public Accounts Committee summons religious affairs officials on lack of facilities for Hajj pilgrims

    The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has summoned officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs on July 4, over lack of facilities provided to Pakistani Hajj pilgrims.

    Chairman Noor Alam Khan, while presiding over a PAC meeting, criticised the performance of Religious Affairs Minister Talha Mehmood, emphasising that being a minister requires effective performance, not just holding the position.

    Noor informed the committee that he had personally witnessed the plight of the pilgrims and had received videos and written complaints highlighting their difficulties.

    Noor Alam said that not a single complaint had been received during the tenure of the pervious minister, late Mufti Abdul Shakoor, who died in a car accident.

    “This year, the situation is totally messed up. The President and the Federal Minister Talha Mehmood have also gone for Hajj but pilgrims are suffering. The President and the Minister should see what the condition of the pilgrims is,” he added

  • PM extends greetings on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha to all Muslims

    PM extends greetings on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha to all Muslims

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that Eid-Ul-Azha is the symbol of sacrifice, equality and compassion.

    In a tweet posted from his official account, the Premier wrote that the occasion “fosters unity by reducing socio-economic inequalities and creates feelings of empathy and complete surrender before Allah Almighty”


    https://twitter.com/CMShehbaz/status/1673912422158172162?s=20


    He has also extended Eid-ul-Azha greetings to all Muslims and specifically overseas Pakistani, who are celebrating Eid today (Wednesday).

  • Jahangir Tareen will be PM if IPP wins upcoming election: Aleem Khan

    Jahangir Tareen will be PM if IPP wins upcoming election: Aleem Khan

    During an appearance on Express News programme Kal Tak, Aleem Khan, the president of newly established Istehkam-e-Pakistan (IPP) Party, has said that Jahangir Tareen would be their candidate for premiership in the next general election.

    “[We] will contest against PTI and PDM in the next election because people are against both these parties. IPP will not make seat adjustments with any party in the polls,” he revealed.

    Aleem also confirmed that he invited Asad Umar to join the party, adding that many lawmakers will join IPP after Eid.

    At present, IPP comprises of more than 100 former legislators and leaders of PTI.


    Tareen himself was once considered one of the key figures in PTI, largely credited for getting independent candidates to join the party in 2018, paving the way for the formation of a coalition government.

  • Will Pakistan secure IMF’s bailout? Decision expected within 48 hours

    Will Pakistan secure IMF’s bailout? Decision expected within 48 hours

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif engaged in a telephonic conversation with Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), on Tuesday.

    During the discussion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his optimistic outlook, anticipating that a decision regarding the bailout programme would be reached within the next day or two.

    In an official statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), it was highlighted that the premier and IMF MD delved into various matters pertaining to the IMF programme. The statement further indicated that the efforts of the finance minister and his team were duly acknowledged by the IMF MD.

    The statement continued to convey the Prime Minister’s expectation that the coordination efforts on finer details would culminate in an IMF decision in the coming days. Additionally, Shehbaz reiterated his commitment to achieving the shared goal of improving the economic situation through collaborative endeavors.

    Last week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with Georgieva during the Summit for a New Global Financial Pact in Paris, wherein he provided a comprehensive briefing on Pakistan’s economic outlook. The Prime Minister expressed hope that the critical funds would be disbursed as a result.

    Pakistan is currently engaged in a race against time to revive its halted bailout programme, which is set to conclude on June 30. Experts emphasise the significance of resuming the IMF bailout, which has been at a standstill since November of the previous year.

    The cash-strapped South Asian economy is grappling with a balance of payment crisis, making the expected funding of $1.1 billion from the international lender crucial. This funding would also pave the way for additional inflows from Pakistan’s multilateral and bilateral partners, effectively reducing the risks associated with a potential default, as per expert opinion.

  • Piracy, copyrights: How will Pakistan’s first music policy help musicians?

    Piracy, copyrights: How will Pakistan’s first music policy help musicians?

    Federal Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Marriyum Aurangzeb, has released a statement announcing that Pakistan’s first music policy is being designed to help boost the industry and address issues like copyrights, pirating as well as artist rights.

    According to Aaj news, Aurangzeb pointed out how Pakistani artists have suffered from theft of intellectual rights because of weak policy planning.

    “Since the 1970s, no policy parameters, including legislative and administrative, for the music industry have been introduced,” the PMLN politician lamented in a statement. “The new policy will fully protect the copyright, which [will] help compose quality music for masses.”

    Aurangzeb revealed that the music policy has been prepared according to international music law standards, and will address issues like piracy, copy rights as well as artists’ public performance, production , adaptation, duration and communication rights.

    The rights of Pakistani singers, song writers, composers and producers will fall under this policy as Aurangzeb said that all issues and demands of music stakeholders, especially copyrights will be resolved.

    Aurangzeb also stressed that the policy will work to protect classical musicians, as well as set up initiatives to promote more regional musicians by providing incentives. The policy will address how Pakistan’s musical legacy can be preserved as it is, “rich, being a unique combination of Sufi poetry, with classic and modern music”.