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June 12, 2025 - Comments Off on New taxes on digital transactions spark backlash  

New taxes on digital transactions spark backlash  

With new tax laws on e-commerce and online shopping, Pakistan is compromising its vision of a cashless economy. In a report by The News, multiple leaders from the IT industry expressed concern and disappointment on the new budget, claiming that such laws were slowing down Pakistan’s journey and missing a crucial opportunity to broaden the tax base into the informal economy.   

Source:  ​​https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1320395-new-taxes-on-digital-transactions-spark-backlash

June 11, 2025 - Comments Off on Social media activist alleges rape in Lahore, five booked

Social media activist alleges rape in Lahore, five booked

Lahore police have filed a criminal case against five men, including a popular YouTuber, following allegations of rape, blackmail, and harassment by a female social media activist. According to the FIR, the survivor stated that the primary accused befriended her online, gained her trust, and lured her to his home where she was drugged and raped. She remained silent until he later sent her an explicit video of the assault, using it to blackmail her into repeated abuse. When she approached him with her sister to demand the videos be deleted, four accomplices allegedly harassed them, deleted the clips, and issued death threats before releasing them. While all five men have been nominated in the FIR, no arrests have yet been made.

Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1916345/five-booked-in-rape-case-of-social-media-activist-in-lahore

June 11, 2025 - Comments Off on Government introduces digital tax law targeting social media and online businesses 

Government introduces digital tax law targeting social media and online businesses 

In Pakistan’s budget for 2025-26, the government has introduced a new law that directly applies a digital tax on earnings generated from Youtube, social media platforms and other online services. Income specifically derived from making audios, videos and/or music for online platforms and social media websites will now be subjected to tax. This legislation also applies to digital sectors such as e-learning platforms, online stores, banking, and e-commerce websites. Furthermore, under this law, social media platforms operating in the country are obligated to submit quarterly reports to the government. 

Source: https://arynews.tv/pakistan-enforces-tax-on-youtube-social-media-online-earnings/

June 6, 2025 - Comments Off on NCCI foils major cyber crime network 

NCCI foils major cyber crime network 

In collaboration with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Multan, Pakistani intelligence were able to crack down on an international cybercrime network operating in Pakistan. Five members of a 21-member gang were arrested by Pakistani authorities on the charge of multi-million dollar fraud against foreign nationals, mostly Americans. Earlier this month, US and Dutch authorities cracked down on the group’s activities and blocked scam websites associated with the group. 

Raids in Lahore and Multan found ample digital evidence linking individuals to the group, including mobile phones, laptops and other devices. All parties found guilty have been booked under PECA and other state laws.

Source: https://arynews.tv/pakistans-intelligence-agencies-foil-major-cybercrime-network/  

June 6, 2025 - Comments Off on FIA uncovers multibillion-rupee scam 

FIA uncovers multibillion-rupee scam 

In Islamabad, the Commercial Banking Circle of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has registered a multibillion-rupee scam case. Sources report that a network of call centers have been identified to show suspicious transactions worth billions of rupees across more than 30 companies. Upon further inquiry and investigation, it was found that a woman, an employee at a private bank as well as two Chinese nationals were linked to the criminal enterprise. The network illegally collected funds through online activities such as gambling, loans apps, and pornographic content platforms. These funds were then sent abroad using different channels and subsequently converted into cryptocurrency to avoid detection. Further investigations are looking to see if the FIA and other cyber crime officials were also involved in the case. 

Source: https://tribune.com.pk/story/2549711/fia-uncovers-multibillion-rupee-scam

June 6, 2025 - Comments Off on Four arrested after torture video surfaces on social media 

Four arrested after torture video surfaces on social media 

Four suspects involved in the torture of a man are claimed to have been arrested by Sialkot police after a video of the incident was found online. 

The victim had recently bought electronic appliances on installments from a private company that one of the four suspects worked at. On the victim’s refusal to pay the monthly installment, the suspects subjected him to torture and videotaped it. District Police Officer (DPO) Faisal Shahzad noticed the footage on social media and formed a raiding team to arrest the suspects and register an FIR under sections 355, 431, 148 and 149.  

Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1915662/four-arrested-after-torture-video-surfaces-on-social-media

June 5, 2025 - Comments Off on Influencer Sana Yousaf’s murder prompts safety advisory for digital creators

Influencer Sana Yousaf’s murder prompts safety advisory for digital creators

In the wake of Sana Yousaf’s murder, the National Cyber Emergency Response Team (NCERT) has released an advisory for online content creators and influencers, urging them to stay safe online by guarding their online and offline identities. The advisory warns that lives and opinions shared online can expose them to threats both digitally and physically, calling for a responsible use of online spaces.

Source: https://www.samaa.tv/2087334537-tiktoker-sana-yousaf-s-murder-prompts-safety-advisory-for-digital-creators

June 3, 2025 - Comments Off on NCCIA busts German-led child sexual exploitation gang in Muzaffragarh 

NCCIA busts German-led child sexual exploitation gang in Muzaffragarh 

A child sexual exploitation gang, operating out of Muzaffargarh, Punjab, has been exposed by the National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA). The police investigation found a ‘huge network’ operated internationally by a German citizen which exploited and groomed children between the ages of 6-10 years old. Videos of these children were taken and uploaded onto the dark web, where they were sold for thousands of dollars, while other live-stream videos were also found. An operation by the NCCIA took place on May 23, where the network was exposed and ten children were recovered and sent to the child protection bureau.

Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1915195

May 29, 2025 - Comments Off on Chenab Club scuffle: Notice to SP for posting video on social media 

Chenab Club scuffle: Notice to SP for posting video on social media 

On Wednesday, SP Mirza Anjum Kamal, a police officer, also a member of The Chenab Club, was issued a show-cause notice by club secretary Asghar Ali for posting a video on social media of an argument between a judicial officer and a senior member of the club. 

The notice reads: “It has been noted with deep concern that a quarrel took place on May 13 in the tennis court [of the club] and you recorded a video of the incident which was uploaded on social media, damaging the repute and prestige of the club.”

He stated that the act of recording and posting the video on social media is an open violation of the club rules and regulations, terming it detrimental to the interest and cause of the club.

May 29, 2025 - Comments Off on Watch out! Fraudsters using fake PTA calls, messages to steal personal data 

Watch out! Fraudsters using fake PTA calls, messages to steal personal data 

According to The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) there has been a rise in phishing scams where fraudsters are impersonating the institution and attempting to obtain personal information. 

Citizens are cautioned against sharing their details such as passwords, One-Time Passwords (OTPs), or online credentials with anyone over call, email or message as the PTA never contacts individuals personally. People are also advised not to click on suspicious links.