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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.

April 20, 2025 - Comments Off on Balochistan to unveil social media policy soon: CM

Balochistan to unveil social media policy soon: CM

On Saturday, Chief Minister Sarfarz Bugti, announced that Balochistan has prepared its first social media policy, which will be introduced soon. 

During the meeting, which was held with social media influencers, the chief minister urged the youth to use social media positively by promoting Balochistan, its beauty while encouraging social harmony and national unity in the province.  

He emphasised the power of social media and assured influencers that their suggestions and concerns would be taken into account when drafting the upcoming social media policy. 

April 12, 2025 - Comments Off on Journalist Junaid Sagar Qureshi Booked Under PECA for ‘False and Provocative’ Video

Journalist Junaid Sagar Qureshi Booked Under PECA for ‘False and Provocative’ Video

Journalist Junaid Sagar Qureshi was booked on Saturday under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 over a video statement that police termed “provocative and false,” according to a police spokesperson.

The FIR, filed by ASI Tariq Mumtaz, states that the complainant saw the video on WhatsApp, in which Qureshi alleged that a dumper ran over a woman in the jurisdiction of the Sir Syed Police Station, triggering public outrage and a violent response involving stone-pelting that injured police officials, including a station house officer.

Upon investigation, authorities stated that no such incident had occurred, and both the claim of the woman being run over and the attack on police were found to be false. As a result, an FIR was registered against Qureshi under Section 21 of PECA, which pertains to spreading false and malicious information.

Since its introduction in 2016, PECA has drawn widespread criticism from rights groups, journalists, and civil society, who have described it as a “black law” used to suppress dissent and curtail press freedom. Over the years, it has been repeatedly invoked against journalists, political workers, and digital rights activists.

Qureshi is the latest in a string of journalists to be booked under PECA in recent weeks. On March 20, Farhan Mallick, founder of Raftar and former Samaa TV news director, was arrested for allegedly running “anti-state” content on YouTube. He was charged under both PECA and the Pakistan Penal Code.

Shortly after, Waheed Murad, a journalist with Urdu News, was also arrested under Sections 9, 10, 20, and 26A of PECA for allegedly glorifying an offence and spreading fake information online.

Earlier this month, a police officer in Karachi was similarly booked under PECA for making derogatory remarks against President Asif Ali Zardari.

These recent cases reflect a worrying trend of increased use of PECA against journalists and dissenting voices, prompting fresh calls for reforms to ensure the protection of press freedom and digital rights in Pakistan.

April 11, 2025 - Comments Off on CM Murad announces special unit to tackle social media misuse cases

CM Murad announces special unit to tackle social media misuse cases

In the 32nd Apex Committee Meeting held at CM House on Thursday, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah announced the establishment of a special unit to address cases and complaints regarding the misuse of social media.

 

The unit, which will be called the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority, will be created under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), and is to be set up within the Home Department. This new authority will regulate content, manage platform operations, and ensure the removal of harmful online material. It will involve collaboration among all federal agencies, including the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, the Federal Investigation Agency,  and the provincial police.

April 11, 2025 - Comments Off on Government to review 5G spectrum action policy

Government to review 5G spectrum action policy

The federal government is rethinking its 5G spectrum auction policy, which previously focused on generating revenue and auction earnings. The new focus is on rapid rollout of the new technology, infrastructure development, and ensuring widespread 5G connectivity.

 

Officials say the new strategy values long-term economic and technological progress over short-term profits. The government is reviewing global models like Saudi Arabia’s free-license policy, where telecom companies receive spectrum free of cost in exchange for swift, nationwide service deployment. Pakistan is considering a similar approach, where telecom operators may be offered spectrum without fees but required to ensure full coverage within 2 to 5 years. The Ministry of IT believes that reducing financial barriers will enable telecom providers to invest more in infrastructure, providing a boost to economic growth across key sectors such as health, education, and governance.

April 11, 2025 - Comments Off on Supreme Court Urges Regulated Use of AI to Improve Judicial Efficiency

Supreme Court Urges Regulated Use of AI to Improve Judicial Efficiency

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has recommended the regulated adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the judiciary to enhance efficiency and reduce case backlogs, particularly at the district court level.

In an 18-page judgment authored by Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, the court emphasized that AI must only be used as a supportive tool and not in ways that compromise judicial independence, constitutional principles, or public trust.

The judgment urged the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee and the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan to develop comprehensive guidelines outlining permissible uses of AI in judicial processes. The court stressed the need for calibrated integration, welcoming AI’s potential to streamline functions and legal research without replacing the human conscience essential to justice.

“Courts must pursue a calibrated integration harnessing AI's efficiencies without surrendering the conscience, independence, and humanity that justice demands,” the judgment stated.

The court also highlighted Smart Legal Research as a key area where AI can assist judges by efficiently extracting relevant case law and legal commentary. However, it reiterated that human judgment and ethical reasoning remain irreplaceable.

The bench called on judicial institutions to address systemic delays and adopt innovative case management systems, warning that without reform, the right to fair and timely justice under Articles 10A and 37(d) of the Constitution may be undermined.