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Archives for February 2026

February 10, 2026 - Comments Off on Islamabad to be made the safest city

Islamabad to be made the safest city

A comprehensive security strategy to make the federal capital of Pakistan the safest city has been finalized by Islamabad officials. Following directives from the Interior Minister, Islamabad law enforcement have reviewed law and order arrangements and have agreed on enhancing measures to protect citizens and prevent crime. All entry and exit points in the city will be monitored using the Safe City surveillance system, with special focus given to areas such as the Diplomatic Enclave and Red Zone. 

February 10, 2026 - Comments Off on Suspected BLA propagandist remanded

Suspected BLA propagandist remanded

Zafar Iqbal has been given a three-day physical remand by a court in Islamabad after being arrested for allegedly promoting the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) on social media. Officials from the NCCIA requested the remand to recover and examine multiple social media accounts linked to him. Investigators claim that Iqbal has been spreading false propaganda against state institutions and was inciting and provoking the public through his online content. 

February 10, 2026 - Comments Off on Landmark trial in apps being designed for addiction begins

Landmark trial in apps being designed for addiction begins

A landmark trial has begun in California as a 20-year-old woman is suing Meta and Google (owners of Facebook, Instagram and YouTube) for allegedly deliberately designing their applications to be addictive to children. Lawyers claim that internal documents from the big tech companies show that platforms are being “built to addict the brains of children on purpose,” and that early exposure to these features has contributed to serious mental illness in children. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is expected to testify as part of the trial, with company attorneys saying that mental health struggles suggested by the complainant may stem from family difficulties and personal history rather than social media applications. 

February 9, 2026 - Comments Off on Pakistan to invest $1 billion in AI by 2030

Pakistan to invest $1 billion in AI by 2030

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced that Pakistan will invest $1 billion in artificial intelligence (AI) by 2030 to help build a national AI ecosystem. The plan was unveiled at the Indus AI Week 2026 event in Islamabad. Additionally, the government will introduce an AI curriculum in all schools, including remote areas such as Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan, while also launching a nationwide program to train 1 million non-IT professionals in AI skills. 

February 9, 2026 - Comments Off on IHC questions the definition of ‘fake news’ in PECA

IHC questions the definition of ‘fake news’ in PECA

Islamabad High Court Justice Minhas has raised critical questions about how ‘fake news’ will be defined and enforced under the amended Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). The amendments, challenged by journalists and other media bodies, are argued to undermine freedom of expression and vest excessive authority in the executive. Justice Minhas has sought clarification on who decides whether information is fake and how proceedings in a case like this would begin, highlighting the vagueness in the law. 

February 9, 2026 - Comments Off on Ducky Bhai indicted in gambling app case

Ducky Bhai indicted in gambling app case

Youtuber Saad ur Rehman, better known as Ducky Bhai, was formally indicted by a Lahore magistrate alongside his wife and others in connection with the alleged promotion of gambling and betting apps on social media. The case was registered by the NCCIA in June 2025 and has accused several influencers of using their platforms to advertise gambling apps for financial gain, which violates several provisions of PECA. The accused all pleaded not guilty.

February 7, 2026 - Comments Off on Imaan Mazari and husband move IHC against conviction

Imaan Mazari and husband move IHC against conviction

Lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali have filed separate criminal appeals in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to overturn their conviction in the social media posts case. They seek to have their verdict from January 24 declared null and void arguing that it was issued in violation of legal and procedural norms. The couple, sentenced to a combined 17 years in prison, say that the trial court lacked jurisdiction and that their right to a fair trial was undermined. Claims of custodial torture were at arrest were also raised.

February 5, 2026 - Comments Off on Pakistan to chair Digital Cooperation Organization

Pakistan to chair Digital Cooperation Organization

At the 5th General Assembly in Kuwait, Pakistan’s Minister of IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja has taken over the chairmanship of the Digital Cooperation Organisation (DCO) for the upcoming term. The DCO is a multilateral international platform that promotes cooperation among member states in areas such as digital economy, infrastructure, cyber security and data governance. As the chairman of this commission, Pakistan plans to focus on digital education and online safety all while providing equitable access to technology for the benefit of women, children and other vulnerable communities. 

 

February 4, 2026 - Comments Off on Mobile internet suspended in parts of Balochistan

Mobile internet suspended in parts of Balochistan

Parts of Balochistan have faced mobile internet shutdowns for several days following a series of coordinated terrorist attacks in the province. Amidst such heightened security concerns, authorities in Quetta have said that the shutdown was necessary to deal with deteriorating law and order situation. Officials have indicated that services would be restored in the coming days once the situation is stabilized. In addition to the communications blackout, Pakistan Railways has halted train services from Quetta to other regions. 

February 3, 2026 - Comments Off on Fact Check: Video tying former cricket players to Epstein files is fake

Fact Check: Video tying former cricket players to Epstein files is fake

A viral video circulating on social media claimed to tie former Pakistani cricketer Wasim Akram said Imran Khan visited Jeffrey Epstein's island has been found to be fake. The clip was shared by multiple pro-PML-N accounts on X early February 2026 and presented an excerpt from a podcast that alleged Imran Khan and others were flown to the island on a private plane. According to iVerify at Dawn, there was no such statement made in the original podcast – traced back to an Australian podcast from 2022 – by Wasim Akram.