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September 19, 2025 - Comments Off on All Public Sector and Govt Payments to be Digitized by June 2026

All Public Sector and Govt Payments to be Digitized by June 2026

The Government’s “cashless economy” initiative intends to rapidly transform the digital economy ecosystem by expanding channels for secure digital payments and social protection. Recently, the State Bank of Pakistan Governor Jameel Ahmad briefed the Parliament’s Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue, providing essential progress updates on key ventures like the “Raast ID” digital payments system, digital banking and wallets, and on issues of financial inclusion, literacy, and regulations. Key indicators suggesting a positive expansion of digital infrastructures include the fact that 88% of retail transactions are conducted digitally and over 46 million Raast ID’s have been introduced. On the basis of these improvements, the government has provided a roadmap for digitizing all state-related payments, at a federal, provincial and municipal level. State-owned Enterprises are also to shift towards digitizing their payment systems by mid-2026.

September 19, 2025 - Comments Off on AI Systems to Assist Lahore Police in Predicting Crimes

AI Systems to Assist Lahore Police in Predicting Crimes

The Punjab Safe City Authority has introduced “Punjab Emergency AI”, a software designed to predict crimes and allow the police to take effective action. The Ai system will identify crime hotspots, accidents, and situations where the likelihood of crime is high. According to Deputy Inspector General Faisal Kamran, these innovations will enable smart policing and more effective patrol plans. Over 8000 Smart City cameras in Lahore have been upgraded to incorporate AI tools in Facial Detection, and while these enhancements were mostly restricted to monitoring traffic violations, they will now cover a wide range of functions by identifying suspicious activities in real time.

September 18, 2025 - Comments Off on Google, PayPal Announce Partnership to Power AI and Payment Solutions

Google, PayPal Announce Partnership to Power AI and Payment Solutions

Google and PayPal have entered a multi-year strategic partnership to integrate advanced AI-powered shopping and payment experiences across Google platforms.

Under the deal, PayPal’s enterprise payments solutions, including PayPal-branded checkout, Hyperwallet, and Payouts, will be embedded into Google products such as Google Cloud and Google Play, making PayPal a key provider for processing card payments.

“Through this partnership, PayPal will use our industry-leading AI to enhance services and security, and we will more deeply integrate PayPal's innovative payment capabilities for a better experience across Google products and platforms,” said Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet.

The announcement boosted PayPal shares by over 3% in late afternoon trading. Earlier this month, PayPal also partnered with AI startup Perplexity, offering users early access to its Comet browser with a 12-month Pro subscription trial.

September 18, 2025 - Comments Off on IT Secretary Says Repair of Damaged Undersea Internet Cables May Take Weeks

IT Secretary Says Repair of Damaged Undersea Internet Cables May Take Weeks

IT Secretary Zarrar Hasham told the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on IT and Telecommunication that repairing damaged undersea internet cables could take four to five weeks, after multiple cables were cut off the coast of Yemen.

“Not only one or two cables have been cut, but between four and five,” he said, noting that two of the damaged cables connect directly to Pakistan, affecting national connectivity. Bandwidth, he added, had been shifted to alternative networks, but full restoration required special repair vessels.

Hasham also confirmed that three new cables are planned within the next 12 to 18 months, which will connect Pakistan to Europe and enhance overall resilience. “Agreements have been made to bring these three cables to Pakistan,” he said in response to concerns raised by committee member Sadiq Memon.

This is not the first time submarine cable cuts have disrupted Pakistan’s internet. Earlier this year, faults in AAE-1, SMW4, and IMEWE networks caused repeated outages, with PTCL cautioning users about reduced bandwidth during peak hours before restoring services.

September 18, 2025 - Comments Off on Lawyers in Peshawar Announce Indefinite Strike Over Mobile Signal Disruptions

Lawyers in Peshawar Announce Indefinite Strike Over Mobile Signal Disruptions

The Peshawar Bar Association (PBA) has announced an indefinite strike across local courts after persistent disruptions of mobile signals at the Peshawar High Court, Judicial Complex, and adjacent courts, allegedly caused by jammers installed in the nearby central prison.

The decision followed approval from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council (KPBC), with PBA leaders declaring that lawyers will not appear in court proceedings until the issue is resolved. A joint statement by PBA office-bearers Qaiser Zaman, Zahidullah Zahid, and Imran Khan Yousafzai said the strike would continue until normal mobile service was restored.

Earlier, lawyers staged protests, even locking one of the prison gates leading to the Judicial Complex. The PHC Bar Association also voiced its frustration, with President Aminur Rehman Yousafzai and other representatives noting that repeated attempts over three months had failed to resolve the problem.

The KP Bar Council expressed concern, accusing prison authorities of creating unnecessary hardship for the public by installing the jammers. PBA also announced plans to file a petition in the high court challenging the signal suspensions.

It is worth noting that the Peshawar High Court had already sought a response from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in July to a related petition on mobile disruptions in court premises.

September 18, 2025 - Comments Off on IHC Suspends Order Removing PTA Chairman Hafeezur Rehman

IHC Suspends Order Removing PTA Chairman Hafeezur Rehman

A division bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has suspended an earlier ruling that ordered the removal of retired Major-General Hafeezur Rehman from his position as Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) chairman.

The bench, comprising Justices Muhammad Asif and Inaam Ameen Minhas, heard Rehman’s intra-court appeal against the order issued by Justice Babar Sattar, who had declared his appointment “unconstitutional, illegal and void ab initio” in a case filed by digital rights activist Usama Khilji.

During the hearing, Additional Attorney General Salman Mansoor argued that Justice Sattar had granted relief not even sought in the petition, without issuing a notice to the attorney general, which he said was required under Article 199 of the Constitution. Advocate Qasim Wadud, representing Rehman, contended that the rules had been amended and approved by the federal cabinet prior to the appointment.

Justice Sattar’s earlier ruling had noted that the PTA Appointment Rules were amended in May 2023 to accommodate the appointment, while the job advertisement was issued in March 2023 when no such post legally existed. The court observed the recruitment process “suffered from malice in law,” with a higher age limit set specifically to favour Rehman, and declared the appointment illegal and unsustainable.

The suspension of that order now allows Hafeezur Rehman to continue as PTA chairman pending further proceedings.

September 18, 2025 - Comments Off on Satellite Internet in Pakistan Awaits Licensing Regime Finalization

Satellite Internet in Pakistan Awaits Licensing Regime Finalization

At least five global companies, including Starlink, Amazon’s Project Kuiper, Shanghai Spacecom, Eutelsat OneWeb, and Telesat, have expressed interest in launching satellite internet services in Pakistan, but delays in finalizing the licensing framework are holding up investments and connectivity plans.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has prepared a draft policy for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) internet providers, but its promulgation may be delayed due to legal challenges facing the PTA chairman, whose sign-off is required for approval. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB) has yet to complete its registration process, a prerequisite for service providers.

Draft Policy Highlights

The PTA draft policy requires all user data to remain within Pakistan, routed through local Fixed Gateway Earth Stations. Additionally, compliance with content blocking requests from PTA and prohibition on granting foreign entities access to operations, infrastructure, or monitoring. Moreover, permission for LEO providers to offer Backhaul Services to mobile operators, helping expand coverage to remote areas. PTA also asks for measures to avoid interference with geostationary orbit (GSO) satellites and local wireless networks. The policy also establishes a Satellite Interference Reporting and Resolution System (SIRRS), with the Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) designated to handle interference cases at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Licensing and Investment

The licensing regime proposes an initial fee of $500,000 and an annual contribution of 1.5% of gross revenue to the Universal Service Fund (USF). However, until PSARB finalises its framework, companies cannot proceed with infrastructure development or service rollout.

Officials acknowledged that despite IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja’s earlier promise of services by November or December 2025, no clear timeframe is available due to the pending regulatory approvals.

September 18, 2025 - Comments Off on PAC Informed of Stolen Passports; DG Vows Digitization and Cyber Safeguards

PAC Informed of Stolen Passports; DG Vows Digitization and Cyber Safeguards

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was informed that thousands of passports were stolen from 25 passport offices across Pakistan in past years, raising concerns over potential misuse. During a meeting of Subcommittee IV chaired by Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Passports DG Mustafa Qazi confirmed that around 32,600 passports had been stolen from Abbottabad and other locations but said all had been blocked.

Audit authorities highlighted that such thefts posed a serious security risk, especially under current circumstances. DG Qazi acknowledged the issue but assured lawmakers that the passport system was now being completely digitised to prevent similar incidents. He stressed that a cyber audit of NADRA conducted two years ago had strengthened verification protocols, making it very difficult to produce fake documents today.

Qazi also noted that the Ministry of Interior had taken action against foreigners who illegally travelled to Saudi Arabia on Pakistani passports, with Riyadh deporting Afghan nationals caught in the misuse. The subcommittee instructed the DG to submit a detailed inquiry report on the matter.

September 17, 2025 - Comments Off on Balochistan Launches Pakistan’s First Digital Financial E-Filing System

Balochistan Launches Pakistan’s First Digital Financial E-Filing System

In a landmark step toward transparency and digital governance, Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti has launched Pakistan’s first automated digital financial e-filing system in Balochistan.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Quetta, Bugti said the system will streamline financial processes, eliminate bureaucratic inefficiencies, and strengthen public oversight of government spending.

The e-filing system will serve as the backbone of financial reform in the province. All government departments are now required to submit budget requests online, with each stage of approval and transaction digitally recorded and accessible.

Officials said the program aims to replace outdated, opaque procedures, ensuring greater efficiency and accountability in provincial governance.

September 17, 2025 - Comments Off on NCCIA Probes PTI Founder’s X Account for Anti-State Content

NCCIA Probes PTI Founder’s X Account for Anti-State Content

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has launched an investigation into the alleged use of the PTI founder’s X (formerly Twitter) account to propagate an anti-state narrative.

A three-member team led by Ayaz Khan visited Adiala Jail to question the PTI founder. However, sources said he refused to cooperate, demanding the presence of his lawyers before responding.

Investigators asked who operates the account, from where it is accessed, to whom access has been given, and whether he was aware of anti-state content being posted. The PTI founder declined to disclose details, instead demanding a written questionnaire and legal representation.

The NCCIA team remained in Adiala Jail for over an hour but left without progress.