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October 28, 2025 - Comments Off on 6 NCCIA personnel arrested by FIA over allegations of misusing authority, bribery: lawyer

6 NCCIA personnel arrested by FIA over allegations of misusing authority, bribery: lawyer

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested six personnel of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), including an Additional Director, on charges of misusing authority and taking bribes. Their lawyer confirmed the arrests and stated the personnel would be produced in court. The arrested officials were reportedly involved in recent controversies, including the handling of cases against social media influencers like Ducky Bhai and Rajab Butt. This development occurred as NCCIA Deputy Director Muhammad Usman remains missing. The arrested officials will be represented by Barrister Mian Ali Ashfaq.

October 28, 2025 - Comments Off on Punjab to Establish Own Cybercrime Agency Due to Dissatisfaction with NCCIA

Punjab to Establish Own Cybercrime Agency Due to Dissatisfaction with NCCIA

The Punjab government has decided to establish its own Cybercrime Wing to address the sharp rise in cybercrime and curb the misuse of digital platforms. The decision was approved by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz due to dissatisfaction with the federal National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), citing its slow and inadequate response to complaints. A senior official stated that the most-populated province needs a separate agency to efficiently handle thousands of monthly complaints related to account hacking, harassment, and financial fraud. The move aims to create a dedicated provincial body to strengthen the enforcement of laws like PECA within Punjab.

October 27, 2025 - Comments Off on Meta AI Launches Urdu Version in Pakistan

Meta AI Launches Urdu Version in Pakistan

Meta has officially launched its Meta AI in Urdu for users in Pakistan, a move announced at an event in collaboration with the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT). The initiative aims to accelerate the country's digital transformation by making technology more inclusive and accessible. Meta also announced an experimental program for AI education and government digital transformation, including an AI Literacy Programme for university teachers. The launch and related initiatives seek to empower citizens and public institutions with AI tools.

October 26, 2025 - Comments Off on Gen-Z Protest Forces University to Reinstate Student

Gen-Z Protest Forces University to Reinstate Student

A Gen-Z protest, mobilized largely through social media, successfully forced the Institute of Business Management (IoBM) in Karachi to reinstate a female student who had been expelled. The student was allegedly penalized by the administration after she attempted to file a harassment complaint against a staff member. Following a large-scale student demonstration and the threat of a larger protest outside the varsity, the university reversed its decision. This incident, which created a storm on social media, highlights the power of collective digital action in advocating for student rights and demonstrates the urgent need for universities to reform and strengthen their internal harassment complaint mechanisms.

October 24, 2025 - Comments Off on Over 1,000 Flee Myanmar Scam Hub into Thailand

Over 1,000 Flee Myanmar Scam Hub into Thailand

Following a military raid on a major cyberscam hub in Myanmar, over 1,000 people, including nationals from Pakistan, India, and China, have fled across the border into Thailand. The raid targeted the KK Park compound, one of the notorious centers where victims are swindled through online cons. Thai authorities confirmed the arrivals, stating that the individuals will be screened for potential human trafficking or face prosecution for illegal border crossing. The incident highlights the growing global issue of illicit online industries and the use of technology like Starlink satellite devices, which SpaceX reportedly disabled over 2,500 of at Myanmar's scam centers.

October 24, 2025 - Comments Off on Ducky Bhai’s Wife’s Bail Extended in Gambling Case

Ducky Bhai’s Wife’s Bail Extended in Gambling Case

A Lahore sessions court has extended the interim pre-arrest bail of Aroob Jatoi, the wife of popular YouTuber Saadur Rehman, known as Ducky Bhai, in a case involving the promotion of online gambling applications. Additional District & Sessions Judge Dr Sajida Chaudhry extended Jatoi’s bail until November 6 and directed the police to submit an investigation progress report. The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) registered the case, alleging that Jatoi, her husband (who remains in jail), and others are part of an international gambling racket. The agency claims the suspects promoted gambling apps on social media for significant financial gain, constituting an offense under cybercrime laws.

October 24, 2025 - Comments Off on LDA to integrate AI Systems for Map Submission Approvals

LDA to integrate AI Systems for Map Submission Approvals

The Lahore Development Authority recently announced that it will be making use of AI systems that can automate processes for map submission approvals in residential and commercial projects. These systems will bypass bureaucratic hurdles posed by Town Planning and Architectural Directorates, who, as per the Dawn report, raise repeated objections regarding map designs and urban projects. In contrast, AI-based automation would allow for rapid approval processes and can potentially eliminate irregularities and corruption. It remains to be seen whether this substitution of AI for Human oversight is feasible considering the complex legal infrastructure governing land-use and urban spacing issues.

October 24, 2025 - Comments Off on  Over a Hundred Social Media Users arrested for inflammatory content

 Over a Hundred Social Media Users arrested for inflammatory content

As part of the province-wide crackdown on Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan, an ultra-conservative religious party renowned for weaponizing blasphemy politics for political gains, Punjab Police has arrested over a hundred handlers of social media accounts associated with promoting religious extremism. Punjab has banned all public demonstrations or symbols associated with the TLP, and the extent of its crackdown has now reached digital spaces where religious extremist spaces have routinely promoted vitriolic narratives against religious minorities. The effects of this crackdown in curbing religious extremism, however, depend on a host of factors- least of all the fact that the state itself must comply with appropriate and proportionate accountability measures against those responsible for spreading hateful content.

October 24, 2025 - Comments Off on Minister Attaullah Tarar calls for nation-wide media literacy campaigns to curb disinformation

Minister Attaullah Tarar calls for nation-wide media literacy campaigns to curb disinformation

Speaking at an event hosted by the Canadian High Commission in collaboration with the University of Punjab, the Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting assessed the multiple obstacles allowing disinformation spaces to fester in Pakistan’s social media landscape. Firstly, he identified the lack of direct engagement with social media platforms- recommending that large social media companies open offices in Pakistan for better accountability measures. Secondly, taking a leaf out of Canada’s own history of dealing with online disinformation, speakers in the session recommended intensive media and information literacy training campaigns that empower citizens to participate in meaningful conversations through informed sources of online news.

October 23, 2025 - Comments Off on PTI MNA Booked Under Cybercrime Laws for comments regarding PM Shahbaz’s Egypt Trip

PTI MNA Booked Under Cybercrime Laws for comments regarding PM Shahbaz’s Egypt Trip

An FIR has been lodged at the NCCIA Cyber Crime Reporting Center against PTI MNA Shandana Gulzar for her alleged inflammatory and hateful posts regarding Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s trip to Egypt during the “Gaza Peace Summit”.  She is currently under investigation under  multiple sections of the PECA Act due to her allegations that PM Shahbaz was cordial with the Israeli premier during the Gaza Summit, despite Netanyahu not being present in Egypt for the Peace Agreement.

Over the last week, Shandana- along with other PTI affiliated accounts on X- posted low-quality images of what appeared to be a friendly meeting between Shahbaz Sharif and Israeli PM Netenyahu. Labelled as treasonous due to Pakistan’s position of non-recognition towards the Israeli state, these posts fuelled anxieties regarding Pakistan’s potential accession to the Abraham Accords- implying normalization with Israel. However, these rumors were quickly dispelled once it became clear that these pictures showed Shahbaz Sharif not with Netanyahu but rather the Armenian Prime Minister. PM Netanyahu, as was official news, was not present at the Gaza Summit.