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March 31, 2026 - Comments Off on Court Orders Meesha Shafi to Pay Rs5 Million in Defamation Case

Court Orders Meesha Shafi to Pay Rs5 Million in Defamation Case

A sessions court in Lahore has ordered singer Meesha Shafi to pay Rs5 million in damages to Ali Zafar in a defamation case stemming from allegations of sexual harassment shared on social media and in an interview. The court ruled that the statements constituted defamatory imputations that were not proven to be true or made in the public interest, causing reputational harm and mental anguish to the plaintiff. The order also permanently restrains Shafi from repeating the allegations across any media platforms. The case, ongoing since 2018, has sparked significant debate around defamation laws, freedom of expression, and the challenges of addressing sexual harassment claims within legal frameworks.

March 31, 2026 - Comments Off on LHC Seeks Assembly Debate Record on Punjab Defamation Act 2024

LHC Seeks Assembly Debate Record on Punjab Defamation Act 2024

The Lahore High Court has directed the provincial government to submit the record of assembly debates preceding the enactment of the Punjab Defamation Act 2024, as it hears petitions challenging the law. The court also raised key questions regarding legislative authority over social media, judicial independence, and the constitutionality of provisions such as fixed damages. Petitioners, including journalist bodies and civil society members, argue that the law undermines free expression, creates a parallel judicial system, and violates fair trial rights. The case has sparked broader debate around digital regulation, press freedom, and compliance with international human rights obligations in Pakistan.

March 31, 2026 - Comments Off on Court Records Testimonies in Ongoing Sana Yousuf Murder Trial

Court Records Testimonies in Ongoing Sana Yousuf Murder Trial

A district and sessions court in Islamabad recorded statements from key witnesses, including the mother, father, and maternal aunt of Sana Yousuf, as proceedings continued in her murder trial. The victim’s mother testified about the events of the day, identifying the accused and detailing the circumstances surrounding the incident. The court also completed cross-examinations of other family members, bringing the total number of recorded witness statements to 28. The case has drawn attention to issues of gender-based violence and the importance of due process, with further hearings scheduled as the prosecution continues to present evidence.

 

March 31, 2026 - Comments Off on PhD Scholar Seeks Bail in Cybercrime Case Under PECA

PhD Scholar Seeks Bail in Cybercrime Case Under PECA

Canadian national and Pakistani PhD scholar Hamza Ahmad Khan has approached the Lahore High Court seeking post-arrest bail in a cybercrime case registered under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016. His earlier bail applications were rejected by both a judicial magistrate and a sessions court. The petition argues that the case is fabricated and politically motivated, alleging unlawful abduction and lack of evidence by the prosecution. It further states that bail should be granted as a right, particularly in the absence of credible proof and risk of evidence tampering. The case highlights ongoing concerns around the application of cybercrime laws in Pakistan and their implications for due process and digital rights.

March 30, 2026 - Comments Off on Pakistan Joins Sovereign AI White Paper Launch at Beijing Forum

Pakistan Joins Sovereign AI White Paper Launch at Beijing Forum

The Pakistani Embassy in China participated in the launch of a sovereign artificial intelligence (AI) white paper at the Zhongguancun Forum in Beijing, alongside representatives from several countries including China, Brazil, Malaysia, and Kazakhstan. The document emphasizes national control over AI systems, data, and infrastructure, while encouraging international cooperation on governance and deployment. Pakistan’s Tech Affairs Counsellor highlighted the country’s interest in collaborative AI development, particularly in adapting technologies to local needs and expanding partnerships with Chinese firms. The initiative reflects growing global attention toward “sovereign AI” as countries seek greater control over critical digital infrastructure, data security, and technological independence.

March 30, 2026 - Comments Off on DeepSeek Chatbot Faces Longest Outage Amid Growing AI Reliance

DeepSeek Chatbot Faces Longest Outage Amid Growing AI Reliance

China’s DeepSeek AI chatbot experienced its longest recorded outage on Monday, lasting over seven hours, raising concerns about the reliability of rapidly scaling AI systems. The disruption affected both general users and developers relying on its API services, though the company did not disclose the cause. While previous outages had impacted developer services, this marked the first major extended disruption for public-facing users. The incident comes at a time when global dependence on AI tools is increasing, highlighting vulnerabilities in digital infrastructure and the potential risks of outages in critical technology systems.

March 30, 2026 - Comments Off on PMDC Takes Action Over Filming of Patients During Surgery at Lahore Hospital

PMDC Takes Action Over Filming of Patients During Surgery at Lahore Hospital

The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has taken notice of a widely circulated video showing patients being filmed during surgery at Lahore’s Lady Willingdon Hospital, raising serious concerns about patient dignity and confidentiality. The footage, allegedly recorded inside an operating theatre, appeared to show medical staff engaging in unprofessional conduct while filming procedures without consent. In response, the Punjab government suspended multiple staff members, including senior doctors and nurses. PMDC has issued notices to those involved, emphasizing that recording patients in such settings constitutes a serious breach of medical ethics and patient rights. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has reinforced a strict ban on photography and videography within hospital premises without official approval, underscoring the need to uphold professional standards and protect patient privacy.

March 30, 2026 - Comments Off on Fake AI Detection Tools Raise New Disinformation Risks

Fake AI Detection Tools Raise New Disinformation Risks

As concerns over AI-generated content grow, researchers are warning about a new wave of fraudulent AI detection tools that falsely label authentic content as machine-generated. Investigations found that several tools, including JustDone AI, TextGuard, and Refinely, incorrectly flagged human-written text, including news reports and literary works, as AI-generated, while prompting users to pay fees to “humanise” the content. Experts say these tools not only produce unreliable results but may also be deliberately designed to monetise misinformation. The misuse of such detectors risks damaging reputations, undermining trust in verification systems, and enabling a growing disinformation tactic known as the “liar’s dividend,” where authentic content is dismissed as fake.

March 30, 2026 - Comments Off on PCB Fines Naseem Shah Rs20 Million Over Social Media Policy Violation

PCB Fines Naseem Shah Rs20 Million Over Social Media Policy Violation

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has fined fast bowler Naseem Shah Rs20 million for violating clauses of his central contract and media policy following a controversial social media post. The post, which briefly appeared on his account, criticised the presence of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz at a Pakistan Super League match before being deleted and attributed to a management team error. After reviewing his response and apology, a disciplinary committee concluded that contract violations had occurred, leading to the penalty. The incident has sparked debate around professional conduct, athlete expression, and the growing scrutiny of social media use by public figures in Pakistan.

March 28, 2026 - Comments Off on Pakistan Plans App-Based Fuel Subsidy System for Low-Income Users

Pakistan Plans App-Based Fuel Subsidy System for Low-Income Users

The government has announced plans to introduce a mobile application-based system to deliver targeted fuel subsidies to low-income consumers amid ongoing energy challenges. The initiative will use digital vouchers and QR code verification to distribute subsidised petrol through designated nozzles at fuel stations, primarily for two- and three-wheelers. Users will be allocated fixed monthly quotas linked to their CNIC and vehicle registration, ensuring controlled and transparent distribution. To support implementation, around 24,000 mobile devices will be deployed across petrol pumps nationwide. Officials say the system aims to replace blanket subsidies with targeted support, improve efficiency, and reduce misuse, while leveraging digital infrastructure to manage fuel distribution more effectively.