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April 30, 2025 - Comments Off on NADRA app enables online registration of births, deaths, marriages

NADRA app enables online registration of births, deaths, marriages

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has launched a new mobile application allowing citizens to register life events such as births, deaths, and changes in marital status remotely from their homes.

The app was launched during the second meeting of the National Registration and Biometric Policy Framework Implementation Committee, attended by federal and provincial officials. Initially being rolled out in Punjab, the application is supported by extended biometric verification services at union councils. According to NADRA Chairman Lt Gen (Retd) Muhammad Munir Afsar, the initiative marks a significant step toward improving service delivery and maintaining a more accurate population database. 

NADRA also announced the establishment of one-window counters in Islamabad to streamline citizen access to civil registration services. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) chairman also updated the committee on the finalisation of the National Biometric Policy, signalling further integration of biometric systems in public service delivery.

April 29, 2025 - Comments Off on NCERT warns against sharing sensitive military content amid rising tensions

NCERT warns against sharing sensitive military content amid rising tensions

Amid growing India-Pakistan tensions, India’s National Cyber Emergency Response Team (NCERT) has issued a stern advisory warning media personnel and content creators against posting sensitive national security information online.

The advisory highlights a surge in the circulation of videos, images, and commentary disclosing troop movements and military deployments. NCERT warned that such disclosures, whether intentional or accidental, could endanger national security and aid adversaries in planning hostile actions. It further cautioned that sharing mapping coordinates, terrain analysis, or logistical details could assist hostile actors in gathering open-source intelligence, refining targeting strategies, and planning ambushes. The agency also flagged the spread of deepfake content and false narratives, noting their potential to trigger civil unrest or public panic. Media professionals and social media users were urged to refrain from amplifying unverified military-related content and to report disinformation.

A separate NCERT alert issued a day earlier warned of possible state-sponsored cyberattacks targeting Pakistan’s critical infrastructure, media, and government entities.

April 29, 2025 - Comments Off on India blocks 16 Pakistani YouTube channels

India blocks 16 Pakistani YouTube channels

In a move raising concerns about cross-border censorship, the Indian government blocked 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, including those run by major media outlets, independent journalists, and public figures.

The Ministry of Home Affairs reportedly recommended the bans, which have affected media organisations such as Dawn News, ARY News, Samaa TV, Geo News, and content creators and journalists including Shoaib Akhtar, Asma Shirazi, and Muneeb Farooq. Popular podcast ‘The Pakistan Experience’ by comedian Shehzad Ghias has also been blocked.

Viewers in India attempting to access these channels are now met with a notice citing government orders related to “national security or public order.” Indian tech journalist Aditi Agarwal noted the legal basis for the bans remains unclear.

April 28, 2025 - Comments Off on India protests BBC coverage of Pahalgam attack

India protests BBC coverage of Pahalgam attack

The Indian government has formally objected to the BBC’s coverage of the recent Pahalgam attack, which claimed 26 lives, criticising the broadcaster for referring to the attackers as “militants” instead of “terrorists”.

In a letter addressed to BBC India head Jackie Martin, officials expressed concern over the language used and stated that the broadcaster's future coverage would be closely monitored.

The BBC has not issued an official response to the letter, but in earlier statements maintained that it reports “accurately, impartially and responsibly.”

April 23, 2025 - Comments Off on Pakistan vows cooperation on emerging tech threats

Pakistan vows cooperation on emerging tech threats

In an international conference held in Islamabad on Tuesday, experts from around the world emphasized the need for global dialogue and cooperation between international stakeholders in addressing the risks posed by emerging technologies to international security and regional stability. 

Ambassador Ali Sarwar Naqvi, Executive Director of the Center for International Strategic Studies noted that the global shift to AI-enhanced surveillance and cyber technology, introduced a host of ethical, legal and humanitarian challenges that can potentially threaten to destabilize the global security order.

April 22, 2025 - Comments Off on Pakistan establishes National Cyber Crime Agency NCCIA

Pakistan establishes National Cyber Crime Agency NCCIA

The Government of Pakistan has formally established the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) as an independent institution with full authority to investigate and act against all cyber-related offenses across the country.

In light of increasing incidents of harassment, blackmail, identity theft, and other social media crimes, the previous cybercrime wing under the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has been elevated to the status of an autonomous body specifically tasked with combating online crimes. 

According to an official statement from the FIA spokesperson, all responsibilities related to cyber crime prevention, investigation and enforcement will now be handled exclusively by the newly-formed NCCIA.

April 22, 2025 - Comments Off on IHC terms FIA report in judge’s intimidation case unsatisfactory

IHC terms FIA report in judge’s intimidation case unsatisfactory

Justice Babar Sattar of Islamabad High Court filed a case against KP Director Anti-Corruption Siddique Anjum and others accusing them of orchestrating a social media campaign against District and Sessions Judge Humayun Dilawar. 

In 2023, Humayun Dilawar convicted and sentenced former prime minister Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case on a complaint filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). 

In the aftermath of the court's decision and after the case was transferred to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Judge Dilawar and his family faced increased intimidation allegedly specifically as ACE KP government officials lodged an FIR in a land-related matter against Judge Dilawar and his family. 

During the investigation of this case, the Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) registered a separate case against ACE KP officials who were allegedly found attempting to discredit Judge Humayun Dilawar via social media with the help of a vlogger. In proceedings, the FIA submitted a report to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) detailing how government officials in KP were using social media to target a member of the judiciary for his involvement in convicting former prime minister Imran Khan. 

Justice Babar Sattar of the IHC, upon receiving the report deemed it ‘unsatisfactory’ and reprimanded the FIA for their tone and format, claiming that there was inconsistency in the complaint and a lack of understanding of the proper judicial procedure. 

April 21, 2025 - Comments Off on TikToker Kashif Zameer arrested by Punjab Police for ‘disrespecting police uniform’

TikToker Kashif Zameer arrested by Punjab Police for ‘disrespecting police uniform’

On Friday, TikToker Kashif Zameer was arrested by the Punjab police on charges of disrespecting the police uniform on social media. 

An FIR registered on Thursday by the Punjab police on driver constable Khurram Shahzad under Section 115 of the Police Order 2022 (police officer at any time liable to be called for dutied) stated that in a video posted on TikTok, Zameer was shown at a wedding holding a tray of money in front of Shahzad. 

In an attempt to curb charges, Zameer tried to pass an AI-edited video, where the constable’s uniform was replaced by a plain black shalwar kameez, as the original video However, during an earlier inquiry, the constable confirmed that the video where he was wearing the uniform was real. 

The police’s report stated that by using AI to show a false narrative, Zameer and Shahzad were disrespectful of the police, invoking sections 13 (electronic forgery), and 26 (spoofing) of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 (PECA).

In a separate video posted by Zameer on his Instagram, he claimed that the man in the video was not a police officer but his personal guard and that the video from the wedding event was altered by his “enemies” through AI to purposefully convict him. Zameer claimed that this was being done because of his vocal support for YouTuber Rajab Butt.

April 21, 2025 - Comments Off on FIA Gujranwala arrests agent for tampering with NADRA data

FIA Gujranwala arrests agent for tampering with NADRA data

FIA Gujranwala arrested an agent working outside the Nadra office for involvement in interfering with birth certificates and family registration. 

On the complaint of NADRA assistant director in Zafarwal, Athar Butt was taken into custody for being involved in tampering with birth certificates, family trees and identity records with the help of some NADRA officials.