Archives for May 2025

May 11, 2025 - Comments Off on Woman murdered after exposing social ills on social media

Woman murdered after exposing social ills on social media

In a harrowing case underscoring the dangers of online expression, a woman in Dera Ghazi Khan was allegedly killed for exposing criminal activities on social media. According to police, the 22-year-old was an active social media user who highlighted drug trafficking and other societal issues in her area. Her relatives believe her online activism made her a target. This case raises urgent concerns about the safety of digital whistleblowers and the state’s inability to provide adequate protections for those using online platforms for civic advocacy.

May 11, 2025 - Comments Off on Tech community urges development of alternative payment channels

Tech community urges development of alternative payment channels

As global financial platforms increasingly restrict access to Pakistani users due to geopolitical tensions, local tech experts are calling for the urgent development of alternative payment systems. Freelancers, digital creators, and startups have expressed frustration over the loss of business opportunities, especially due to disruptions in PayPal, Stripe, and similar services. Experts emphasised that reliance on foreign financial platforms puts Pakistan’s digital economy at risk and advocated for homegrown solutions backed by robust fintech infrastructure. The call comes amid tightening cross-border scrutiny following cyberattacks and media crackdowns.

May 10, 2025 - Comments Off on Former DG ISPR warns Modi against digital provocations

Former DG ISPR warns Modi against digital provocations

Lt Gen (retd) Asif Ghafoor, former Director-General of ISPR, issued a stern warning to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cautioning against continued misinformation and provocations targeting Pakistan. Ghafoor’s statement, released via the social media platform X, accused Indian media and state actors of manufacturing narratives to justify aggression. He emphasised Pakistan’s readiness to counter both physical and digital threats and urged restraint and responsibility from Indian leadership. His remarks come amidst escalating digital confrontations, including hacking threats and disinformation campaigns, underlining the role of digital warfare in modern geopolitical crises.

The former ISPR chief also alleged that X had hidden one of his tweets criticising Modi.

May 10, 2025 - Comments Off on Indian media criticised for spreading war hysteria and fake news

Indian media criticised for spreading war hysteria and fake news

As tensions rose between Pakistan and India, several Indian celebrities and commentators, including Nadia Khan and Parineeti Chopra, condemned Indian mainstream media for sensationalism and warmongering. Khan described Indian coverage as “cartoonish” and far from journalism, while Chopra criticised media outlets for fuelling public panic with fake news. Reports from Indian media often presented unverifiable claims and inflammatory narratives, intensifying fear and nationalism. Analysts argued that this reflects a larger trend of compromised media ethics, where misinformation is used as a tool of state narrative-building. This trend poses a significant challenge to public discourse and cross-border understanding in the digital age.

May 10, 2025 - Comments Off on Pakistan launches cyber offensive, hacks indian state portals

Pakistan launches cyber offensive, hacks indian state portals

Amid heightened India-Pakistan tensions, Pakistani hackers reportedly launched a large-scale cyber offensive targeting major Indian government websites, including the Ministry of Defence and National Informatics Centre. The attacks, which resulted in site defacements and service disruptions, are being seen as a digital response to India's recent online censorship of Pakistani media and artists. The move marks a new phase of conflict where cyberspace becomes an active theatre of hostilities. Analysts warn that such offensives could escalate the crisis beyond diplomatic or military domains, further destabilising the region’s digital infrastructure.

May 9, 2025 - Comments Off on Cyber Blasphemy: Three More Death Sentences Spark Alarm Over Digital Rights

Cyber Blasphemy: Three More Death Sentences Spark Alarm Over Digital Rights

An Islamabad court has handed down three additional death sentences in cyber blasphemy cases under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), bringing the total to 11 since September 2024.

The verdicts come amid mounting concerns over alleged entrapment, manipulated evidence, and collusion between FIA officials and a group known as the “Legal Commission on Blasphemy Pakistan.”

According to a leaked Punjab Special Branch report, dozens may have been falsely accused in what it called the "Blasphemy Business." Families of 101 accused have petitioned the Islamabad High Court for an independent inquiry.

Defense lawyers criticized the trials as biased and lacking procedural fairness, alleging the same pattern of evidence and charges in multiple cases.

One defense lawyer said his client, a university student, was lured with a fake job offer before being arrested. Another said his client had performed Umrah shortly before being accused.

The complainant admitted to using a fake Facebook profile and could not recall key details about the case.

Human rights groups warn the expanding use of PECA for blasphemy prosecutions poses grave risks to freedom of expression and due process in Pakistan’s digital space.

Source: https://nukta.com/cyber-blasphemy-death-penalty

May 9, 2025 - Comments Off on Flood of Misinformation Clouds India-Pakistan Tensions

Flood of Misinformation Clouds India-Pakistan Tensions

As tensions rise between India and Pakistan, social media platforms are being overwhelmed with misinformation, including fake videos, AI-generated imagery, and mislabelled conflict footage.

Since the early hours of 7 May, fact-checkers and digital forensics teams have debunked dozens of viral posts. False claims range from AI-generated drone footage to simulations and old war footage from Gaza, Ukraine, and even video games.

Indian and Pakistani media outlets, as well as prominent journalists, have circulated outdated or fabricated visuals, including a missile clip from Israel’s 2023 Gaza strikes and footage from the 2020 Beirut explosion.

India's Press Information Bureau has flagged at least 21 fake posts, including a widely shared civil defence “advisory” that it labelled as misinformation.

Experts warn that algorithm-driven content prioritizes engagement over truth, fueling an online information war where the line between fact and fiction continues to blur.

Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/operation-sindoor-fake-news-india-pakistan-strikes-b2747183.html

May 9, 2025 - Comments Off on X Pushes Back Against Indian Government’s Censorship Orders

X Pushes Back Against Indian Government’s Censorship Orders

Social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has pushed back against executive orders from the Indian government demanding the blocking of over 8,000 accounts, including those of journalists, international media, and prominent users.

In a statement, X revealed it was threatened with fines and imprisonment of staff in India if it failed to comply. The platform is withholding some accounts locally but has publicly opposed the orders, calling them vague, unjustified, and a threat to free speech.

X emphasized the importance of transparency and urged impacted users to seek legal relief, noting that it is currently restricted by Indian law from challenging the orders itself.

The move comes amid India’s escalating conflict with Pakistan, during which it has already blocked several Pakistani news outlets and voices online.

Following this statement, fact-checkers reported that the X account @GlobalAffairs (via which the statement was published) has also been withheld in India.

Media organizations blocked in India so far are Maktoob Media, The Kashmiriyat, The Wire.in and Free Press Kashmir. The Wire.in  has called this a “clear violation of the Constitutional guarantee of freedom of the press.”

Source: https://tribune.com.pk/story/2544747/x-refuses-indias-request-to-block-8000-accounts

May 9, 2025 - Comments Off on Pakistan’s Economic Affairs Division X Account Hacked Amid Rising Tensions

Pakistan’s Economic Affairs Division X Account Hacked Amid Rising Tensions

Pakistan's Ministry of Economic Affairs reported that its official X (formerly Twitter) account was compromised on Friday, following the appearance of a post appealing to international partners for additional loans amid escalating tensions with India. Source: ssb crack

The unauthorized post stated: "Govt of Pakistan appeals to International Partners for more loans after heavy losses inflicted by the enemy. Amid escalating war and stocks crash, we urge international partners to help de-escalate." Source: Profit Pakistan

In response, the Ministry clarified that the message was not officially sanctioned and that efforts were underway to regain control of the account. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting's fact-checking wing labeled the post as "fake," asserting that the account had been hacked. Source: Express Tribune 

This incident occurs amidst heightened geopolitical tensions following India's recent military operations, including "Operation Sindoor," targeting alleged terrorist infrastructures in Pakistan. The situation has led to increased cyber activities, with both nations accusing each other of digital intrusions. Source: Times of India

May 8, 2025 - Comments Off on PTA responds to cyberattacks, Indian social media blockade

PTA responds to cyberattacks, Indian social media blockade

In response to coordinated cyberattacks and an ongoing social media blockade imposed by India, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) confirmed it is actively monitoring threats to national digital infrastructure. The PTA acknowledged reports of distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks targeting key Pakistani digital services and vowed to bolster technical protections. It also criticised the Indian government’s moves to block access to Pakistani platforms, including the accounts of several celebrities and news outlets. The PTA stressed the need for global tech platforms to uphold neutrality and not bow to geopolitical pressure. It further called on users to remain vigilant and verify online content as tensions escalate.