Date: September 7, 2025

Hashtags: 

An Islamabad district and sessions court has extended the physical remand of a suspect accused of threatening and attempting to abduct social media influencer Samiya Hijab. The suspect, who was arrested after a police case was registered at Hijab’s complaint, was initially granted a two-day remand, which was later corrected to a five-day remand. During the hearing, the court granted an additional three-day remand, falling short of the eight days requested by the prosecution. The defense counsel claimed the suspect and the influencer were engaged, presenting photos as evidence. However, the prosecution maintained that stolen money had been recovered and that alleged accomplices were still at large, needing to be arrested.

 

6. NCCIA Summons YouTuber Rajab Butt

Date: September 8, 2025

Hashtags: #PECA, #Cybercrime, #OnlineGambling, #DigitalRights

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has summoned YouTuber Rajab Butt to appear on September 9 for an inquiry into his alleged promotion of online gambling apps. The notice from the NCCIA states that Butt is accused of using his social media platforms to promote financial scams and gambling schemes, which is an offense under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). The summons follows the recent arrest of another YouTuber, Ducky Bhai, on similar charges.

 

7. Interior Minister Forms Body to Probe SIMs Data Leak

Date: September 8, 2025

Hashtags: #DataLeak, #Cybersecurity, #Privacy, #DigitalRights

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has taken notice of a massive data leak involving thousands of Pakistanis' mobile phone SIM data and has formed a special team to investigate. The leaked data, which includes information on federal ministers and senior officials, was reportedly available for sale online. The National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has been tasked with forming a special investigation team to look into the matter and submit a report within 14 days.

 

8. Digital Milad Trend Spreading in Capital

Date: September 8, 2025

Hashtags: #DigitalLife, #SocialMedia, #ReligiousFreedom, #CulturalRights

A growing trend of "digital milad" has emerged in the capital, where residents are using online platforms to commemorate the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). According to reports, people are hosting online mahafil-i-milad, streaming live naat sessions, and attending digital Seerat conferences on platforms like Zoom, Facebook Live, and WhatsApp. This trend is a modern extension of traditional religious observance, allowing families from different cities and even countries to participate in collective recitations and prayers.

 

9. TikToker Booked for Spreading Fake News About Floods

Date: September 8, 2025

Hashtags: #PECA, #FakeNews, #Disinformation, #DigitalRights

Police in Jhelum have registered a case against a TikToker under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) for uploading a fake video that showed water spilling from the Mangla Dam. The video caused widespread panic and fear, falsely suggesting that hundreds of villages were submerged. The FIR, filed on the complaint of a police sub-inspector, accuses the TikToker of spreading disinformation and creating public anxiety.

 

10. KP Launches Community-Based Disease Surveillance System

Date: September 8, 2025

Hashtags: #DigitalHealth, #PublicHealth, #Innovation, #DiseaseSurveillance

The Health Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has launched a new community-based surveillance (CBS) system to improve the early detection and response to communicable diseases. The system will be piloted in 20 union councils in the Mardan district and aims to ensure timely identification, reporting, and response to disease outbreaks at the local level. Under the new framework, Lady Health Workers (LHWs) and community workers will report emerging health issues to health officials, who will then relay the data to provincial and national authorities.

 

11. Sensitive Data of Thousands of Pakistanis Put on Sale Online

Date: September 8, 2025

Hashtags: #DataBreach, #Privacy, #Cybersecurity, #DigitalRights

Sensitive data belonging to thousands of Pakistanis, including federal ministers and senior officials, has reportedly been put up for sale online. The leaked information includes personal details like addresses, call logs, CNIC copies, and travel history, and is being offered on various platforms for a low price. In response, the Interior Minister has ordered the National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to form a special investigation team to probe the data breach.

 

12. Maria B Submits Defense to NCCIA in Defamation Case

Date: September 9, 2025 Hashtags: #DigitalRights, #FreedomOfSpeech, #Cybercrime, #TransgenderRights

Fashion designer Maria B has submitted her defense to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in a complaint regarding her anti-transgender rhetoric on social media. The complaint, filed by Saima Butt, accuses the designer of defaming the transgender community. In her response, submitted by her lawyer, Maria B claimed she was exercising her constitutional right to free speech. Her defense argued that her posts were "reasonable opinions on matters of public concern" and not defamatory because the individuals in her videos were masked and unidentifiable. The submission also called the complaint "malicious." This incident follows a separate case where police arrested transgender individuals based on her social media posts, a case that was later dismissed by a magistrate.

 

13. Senate Panel Rules Many PECA Cases Illegal

Date: September 10, 2025

Hashtags: #PECA, #Censorship, #DigitalRights, #FreedomOfSpeech

A Senate Standing Committee, chaired by Senator Syed Ali Zafar, has ruled that 378 cases registered under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) by provincial authorities are illegal and must be withdrawn immediately. The committee emphasized that PECA should not be used as a tool for censorship against journalists or the public. According to a report from the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), 1,214 cases have been registered nationwide, with ten against journalists.

 

14. PTA Denies Breaches in Licensed Sector

Date: September 10, 2025

Hashtags: #PTA, #DataSecurity, #Cybercrime, #Privacy

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has denied that the recent SIM data leak originated from its licensed telecom sector. The authority stated that it does not hold or manage subscribers' data, which remains with telecom operators. The PTA's initial review suggests that the leaked datasets were likely compiled from multiple external sources, as they include family details, vehicle registrations, and travel records. The statement comes after the interior ministry formed an inquiry committee to investigate the data leak. The PTA referenced a recent cybersecurity audit, which found no breaches within its licensed sector, and highlighted the ongoing challenge of combating cybercrime.

 

15. Pakistan Forms Committee to Counter Extremism

Date: September 10, 2025

Hashtags: #DigitalRights, #CounterTerrorism, #NationalNarrative, #Cybersecurity

Pakistan has formed a 'National Committee on Narrative Building' to combat terrorism and extremism by creating a cohesive national narrative. This 20-member body, led by the Information Minister, will include representatives from the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA), Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The committee's primary objective is to use media and cyber networks to counter extremist propaganda, as outlined in the revised National Action Plan.

 

16. Interfaith Body Set Up to Tackle Hate Speech

Date: September 11, 2025

Hashtags: #DigitalRights, #HateSpeech, #InterfaithHarmony, #CounterTerrorism

The government has formed the National Paigham-i-Aman Committee (NPAC), an interfaith body tasked with countering extremism, terrorism, and hate speech in the country. The committee, which includes clerics, religious leaders, and senior officials, will draft a unified national narrative to promote peace and religious moderation. According to a notification, the panel will specifically address the spread of extremist narratives through media and cyber networks. This initiative is an extension of the 2018 Paigham-i-Pakistan initiative, and aims to centralize national efforts and implement practical steps to stop divisive forces in society and encourage a more inclusive and strategic approach to peacebuilding.

 

17. Court Overturns Ban on YouTube Channels

Date: September 11, 2025

Hashtags: #FreedomOfSpeech, #DigitalRights, #JudicialOverreach, #Censorship

An Islamabad sessions court has set aside a lower court’s order to block 27 YouTube channels, granting relief to 11 petitioners. The original order, issued in June, had targeted channels run by journalists and political commentators for allegedly spreading “fake, misleading, and defamatory” content against the government and armed forces. During the hearing, Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka expressed anger at the National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency’s prosecutor, questioning the legal authority to shut down channels and accusing the agency of attempting to misuse the judiciary. The judge’s decision to overturn the ban for the petitioners is a significant victory for freedom of speech and highlights the judiciary's role in safeguarding digital rights against potential overreach by state agencies.