Current Final

Tag: Pakistan

  • Argentina may put Messi’s picture on banknote

    Argentina may put Messi’s picture on banknote

    The Argentine Central Bank has proposed putting Lionel Messi’s photi on their 1000 peso banknote after the country won the FIFA World Cup. As reported by financial newspaper El Financiero, the proposals have been made by the Central Bank officials of Argentina.


    “Capturing Lionel Messi’s face on the thousand-peso bill, since it is important for officials that the figure begins with a ’10’,” wrote El Financiero.


    The proposal to place Messi’s face on the bank notes was, according to the publication, made “jokingly” by central bank officials.


    “And before you think otherwise, this option was ‘jokingly’ proposed by members of the Argentine Central Bank, although the most enthusiastic directors, such as Lisandro Cleri, a fervent supporter of Boca Juniors, and Eduardo Hecker, a follower of Independiente, agreed on that a bill with this design would awaken the collecting spirit of Argentines,” wrote El Financiero.


    The Argentina Central Bank previously created commemorative coins following Argentina’s 1978 World Cup victory. Additionally, commemorative coins were produced in honour of Eva Perón, the former First Lady of Argentina, on her passing.

  • 75% of Pakistanis suffer from depression: Public health experts

    75% of Pakistanis suffer from depression: Public health experts

    According to public health experts, approximately 75 per cent of Pakistanis suffer from various mental health problems. The majority of Pakistanis, according to Vice Chancellor of the Health Services Academy (HSA) Prof. Shahzad Ali Khan, are either sad or under stress.
    Public health experts and intellectuals have portrayed a bleak picture of Pakistanis’ mental state.


    Prof Shahzad Ali Khan, while addressing the launch of the 24th Thematic Calendar by Jahan-i-Maseeha Adbi Forum (JMAF), said that the majority of the population is suffering from different mental health disorders including depression and anxiety.
    He continued by adding that the majority of young people in Pakistan, view everyone as corrupt and incompetent, despite the fact that similar problems, such as inflation, unemployment, and recession, affect young people everywhere.


    “Initially, teachers and academia of our society were targeted and they were defamed. Later, character assassination of physicians and healthcare professionals was carried out and the same treatment was meted out to politicians,” he added.

  • Pakistani classical singer Bilqees Khanum passes away after prolonged illness

    Pakistani classical singer Bilqees Khanum passes away after prolonged illness

    Pakistani classical singer Bilqees Khanum passed away yesterday in Karachi after a prolonged illness. Her prayers will be held today at Imam Bargah Khairul Amal.

    Bilqees Khanum was a renowned classical singer famous for such hits as Anokha Ladla, Kuch din to baso, Lathay di chaddar and Chaap Tilak.

    Bilqees had received musical training from her grandfather Inayat Ali Khan.

    Khanum was previously married to Ustaad Raees Khan, the celebrated sitar performer, who passed away in 2017. She is survived by her four sons, two of whon are in India while the other two remain in Pakistan.

  • Joy oh joy! Joyland has been officially shortlisted for the Oscars

    Joy oh joy! Joyland has been officially shortlisted for the Oscars

    This has been an amazing year for the Pakistani entertainment industry. With the Ali Sethi and Shae Gill song Pasoori topping charts worldwide, our singer Arooj Arif winning a Grammy, and now the film Joyland has been shortlisted for the Oscars.

    This is the first time a Pakistani film has been officially recognized for the category Best International Feature Film at the Oscars.

    The official page for the movie uploaded a clip where activist and executive producer of the movie Malala Yousafzai was on the phone congratulating director and writer Saim Sadiq and also extending her well wishes to the rest of the team.

    Other Pakistani-British actors like Riz Ahmed also sent their congratulations to the team behind the film, as he posted this screenshot of an article by Deadline this morning.

    Joyland had began generating excitement among Pakistani audiences when it received the Jury Prize in the Uncertain Regard Awards Category at the Cannes Film Festival. It also received a 10 minute standing ovation at its debut.

  • Malala condemns Taliban ban on university education, says ‘can not lock up women’s minds’

    Malala condemns Taliban ban on university education, says ‘can not lock up women’s minds’

    Nobel laureate and social activist Malala Yousafzai has condemned the ban on higher education for Afghan women by Taliban administration.


    “The Taliban may lock all the classrooms and university gates in the country — but they can never lock up women’s minds. They cannot stop girls from seeking knowledge. They cannot kill the quest to learn,” the wrote in a tweet.

    The Taliban on Tuesday banned women from universities in Afghanistan. The statement was made by the minister of higher education, who stated that it will go into effect right away.


    “You all are informed to implement the mentioned order of suspending education of females until further notice,” said the letter signed by the minister for higher education, Neda Mohammad Nadeem. The letter was issued to all government and private universities.

    The decision is being condemned across the globe, with U.N.’s mission in Afghanistan asking the Taliban-run administration to “immediately” revoke the ban.


    The US government has declared the ban ‘unacceptable’, with the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, announcing that he was “deeply dismayed” at the development.

  • Why are women still being pushed back from their right of public transport?

    Why are women still being pushed back from their right of public transport?

    We’ve heard sleazy men behind anonymous accounts push back against this. We’ve seen boomers roll their eyes every time they see this happen. Now, recently, we’ve had to listen to the unsolicited opinion of Behroze Sabzwari on this issue. Can you guess what causes these men to go into frenzied anger? It’s the ability of a woman to choose independence by taking public transport.

    It is amusing how this country won’t revolt in a political or economic crisis, however, our mard hazarat will unleash hell when a Pakistani woman is walking down the street without a dupatta or even riding a bike. The consistent way women have to fight away unsolicited opinions that drag her in to a box, unable to express her individuality and bound away from walking outside is a by-product of centuries of male entitlement and patriarchal oppression that consider women as inferior beings.

    A few days ago, women had to witness a mansplaining Behroze Sabzwari expressing anger that women shouldn’t wear tight-fitted clothes while riding bikes. “The clothes are not only see through but usually are very tight, women should be fully covered,” said the television veteran who owes his career mostly to women’s writing. It’s shocking that not only does Mr Sabzwari encourage drivers to spend more time oogling women while driving, but also does not take into account how dupattas or abayas can get caught in wheels, potentially causing a dangerous accident.

    Founder of Soul Sisters Pakistan, Kanwal Ahmed, has now jumped in to take back the narrative from men and allow women to express their own choices whether that includes driving motorbikes wearing abayas or refusing to sit sideways. The film maker has posted on Twitter that she wishes for women to stop feeding in to misogynist policing that is making them neglect proper safety while riding bikes on roads, and shared how today she had seen a woman suffer because her dupatta had gotten entangled in the tire of her bike.

    Women soon began to flood the comments with instances of how they had to counter sexism and shame when choosing to ride motorbikes .

    This user shared how even in situations of life and death, a man’s honor is considered more important than a woman’s safety because of how little regard is given to the way women are sitting on motorbikes.

    https://twitter.com/m1shkat/status/1605306717927272448?s=20&t=Mls-QjW0ZTGLmpJl5VZl3Q

    We need to stop validating male honor and giving it preference to the point that women have to risk the chance of an accident rather than riding motorbikes safely. Women should not be forced into molding themselves according to what men think, and it’s about time the anonymous Bashir’s of the internet back off, let women reclaim the streets wearing whatever they want and ride any vehicle of their choice.

  • US offers ‘resolute’ support to Pakistan to counter terrorism

    US offers ‘resolute’ support to Pakistan to counter terrorism

    The United States (US) has offered its “resolute” support to Pakistan to counter terrorism while Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari spoke to Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

    Antony Blinken tweeted, “I hope for a productive climate conference next month and give my condolences for the lives lost in recent terrorist attacks.”

    Bilawal Bhutto also tweeted about the conversation, writing, “Spoke with @SecBlinken & conveyed gratitude of GoP for USG’s flood assist. of $97 m. Will continue coop. for rebuilding resilient infrastructure in & to further enhance & diversify bilateral relations & to work together for regional peace & stability.”

    Earlier, the US offered to help Pakistan in dealing with threats posed by militant outfits.

    “Well, first, we are aware of the ongoing situation in Pakistan. We’ve been closely following reports that militants have seized control of the counterterrorism centre in Bannu. We offer our deepest sympathies to those injured,” said State Department Spokesperson Ned Price.

  • Restaurant owners and traders denounce government’s national energy conservation plan, calling it ‘counterproductive’

    Restaurant owners and traders denounce government’s national energy conservation plan, calling it ‘counterproductive’

    Restaurant owners and traders condemned the national energy conservation plan the government announced yesterday, warning that it will create more problems rather than solutions.

    Under the National Energy Conservation Plan, the government has announced that all restaurants and markets shall be closed by 8 pm, while the timing for wedding halls will be limited to 10 pm.

    President of the All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran, Ajmal Baloch, urged the government to reconsider the decision, stating that it might bankrupt traders as they purchase the most expensive electricity during the timings 6pm to 8pm.

    “The government, before defaulting the country, will bankrupt all traders.”

    Rizwan Irfan, the President of the Karachi Electric Dealers Association, said while lamenting the policy. He pointed out that traders were facing problems due to electricity and gas load shedding, stressing that such a decision might cause merchants to start protesting in the streets.

    The President of the All Pakistan Restaurants Association, Athar Chawla, has called the national energy conservation plan a “counterproductive” approach to ressolving the energy crisis in Pakistan. In a letter to the Minister of Defence Khwaja Asif, who had unveiled the plan at a press conference on Tuesday, he asked that the policy be reconsidered because of how much it could harm restaurants.

    “All restaurants carry an inventory of perishable items, which is to be kept in cold storage 24 hours a day and seven days a week, another major electricity consuming machinery are air-conditioners which are already off due to winter season,” he said.

    The letter also urged the minister to consider the losses restaurants suffered during Covid-19, and mentioned that almost 50% restaurants suffered losses due to the present economic situation:

    “Any further restriction will aggravate the situation resulting in huge unemployment and loss of revenue for the government.”

    The letter requested that the government allow restaurants to operate their dine-in function till 1 am, and food delivery to function 24/7.

  • World Bank approves $1.69 billion financing for flood-hit Sindh

    World Bank approves $1.69 billion financing for flood-hit Sindh

    The Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank approved funding for five projects totaling $1.692 billion on Tuesday in order to support those residing in Sindh, Pakistan’s flood-affected areas.

    According to Geo, out of the five initiatives, three support rehabilitation, home reconstruction, and the restoration of crop production for vulnerable populations, according to a statement released by the World Bank. Two of the three projects have a combined value of $500 million, while the third is worth $292 million.

    “Sindh was the province worst affected by the 2022 floods. There were huge damages to the housing, health, and agriculture sectors and people lost their livelihoods. Beyond the rehabilitation and reconstruction of damaged houses and infrastructure, our engagement in the flood response effort is an opportunity to strengthen resilience, and reform institutions and governance structures”, said Najy Benhassine, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan.

    The “Sindh Flood Emergency Rehabilitation Project,” which will cost $500 million, will prioritize creating short-term livelihood opportunities and enhancing the province’s ability to respond to emergencies.

    “The project will help restore and improve critical irrigation and flood protection infrastructure, water supply schemes, roads, and related infrastructure. At least 2 million people—approximately 50 per cent of whom are women—in the most flood-affected districts will benefit from the restoration and the resilient reconstruction of critical infrastructure”.

    About 100,000 households will get short-term financial support through a community-level cash-for-work program.

    “The $500 million Sindh Floods Emergency Housing Reconstruction Project will support owner-driven and multi-hazard resilient reconstruction of core housing units. A housing subsidy will provide reconstruction and restoration grants for 350,000 housing units (almost 20 per cent of the total housing rehabilitation needs for Sindh). Cash grants will be provided for houses with structural damage to partially finance reconstruction or restoration. “

    To increase access to water and sanitation, twin pit latrines and simple rainwater collection systems will also be provided.

    Furthermore, the $292 million approved for the “Sindh Water and Agriculture Transformation Project” will enhance integrated water resource management, boost agricultural water productivity, and enable farmers who were impacted by the flood to resume crop production.

    “More than 385,000 households (approximately 1.9 million people) are expected to benefit from the project. As an immediate response to the floods, the project will provide cash transfers to approximately 300,000 flood-affected farming households to help restore crop production through the purchase of seeds, fertilizer, and other critical inputs. In the medium term around 70,000 households will benefit from improved irrigation services and agricultural support that will help boost farming income. An estimated 14,000 households will receive direct financial benefits from the pilot smart subsidy schemes targeting small- and medium-sized farmers,” the WB said.

    By improving access to and use of mother and child health services, the Sindh Strengthening Social Protection Delivery System Project ($200 million) will also boost the province’s social protection delivery system. As part of the project, the Federal National Database Registration Authority will be aligned and connected, and conditional cash transfers (CCTs) will be given to 1.3 million mothers and their kids to support better maternal and child health outcomes, particularly in the wake of service disruption caused by the floods.

    The CCTs will be made available to Sindh’s bottom 15 districts, selected depending on the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), and will cover 65 per cent of the province’s total flood-affected areas. They are intended to help lessen the effects of the floods, particularly food insecurity, and to maintain access to maternal and child health services open.

    The Sindh Integrated Health and Population Project have been granted $200 million by the lender. The project will assist in raising the standard and uptake of fundamental nutrition, and maternal, neonatal, child, and adolescent health care. Additionally, it will aid in the repair and reconstruction of health infrastructure that was harmed during the floods and impeded the provision of these services.

    The initiative would enhance the population’s access to high-quality healthcare services in Sindh’s flood-affected settlements as well as in distant and peri-urban areas, particularly for women, girls, and children.

    “The World Bank will continue to support the Government and people of Pakistan to recover from the recent flood emergency and strengthen long-term resilience to such climate-related shocks,” the statement concluded.

  • Pakistan ‘played good cricket’ despite England’s 3-0 win: Brendon McCullum

    Pakistan ‘played good cricket’ despite England’s 3-0 win: Brendon McCullum

    The last Test match of the historic series between Pakistan and England was won by the visiting team by eight wickets at the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi. This gave the visiting team a 3-0 series victory.

    For the first time ever, Pakistan was thoroughly defeated at home in a Test series. In addition, it is the first time in the previous 22 years that England has triumphed in a Test series against Pakistan.

    The Babar Azam-led team’s campaign for the 2021–23 ICC World Test Championship final, which is set to take place at Lord’s in the year 2023, has also come to an end as a result of the series loss.

    Pakistan has had trouble winning Test series this year because to its struggles in red-ball cricket. Earlier this year, they suffered a 0-1 home loss to Australia, while the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka ended in a draw.

    Regarding the third game, only the captain managed to get a half-century as Pakistan was bowled out for 304 runs in the first innings. In response, England lost early wickets but gained a 50-run lead thanks to their tailenders.

    Rehan Ahmad, a debutant leg-spinner, grabbed five wickets for 48 runs to help the home team collapse in the second innings and be dismissed for 215 runs.

    The team captained by Ben Stokes had a 170 run target to reach in two days, which they did with the loss of two wickets. Zak Crawley scored 41 runs off of 41 while Ben Duckett quickly scored 75 runs at a strike rate of over 100.

    England’s head coach Brendon McCullum said that Pakistan played well despite England’s 3-0 win against the home team, according to Geo Super.

    “I think Pakistan has actually played some really good cricket throughout the series. If we look at all three Test matches, I think there was some defining moments in each of those Tests. And, whilst we might have maybe dominated a little bit more throughout the series, I think, Pakistan certainly had their opportunities and played their part,” he said.

    “I look at it from a holistic point of view, I think the series has been a really watchable one for people around the around the world and Test cricket has always been like that. I take my hat off to Pakistan for the part that I’ve played in it and obviously to our boys for how we’ve played also,” McCullum added.