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July 13, 2025 - Comments Off on Police arrests elderly man over offensive video against Punjab Government

Police arrests elderly man over offensive video against Punjab Government

An elderly citizen from Lahore was arrested after his video on the account of heavy rainfall went viral. The video records his frustration over poor drainage systems and maintenance all over Lahore while using abusive language towards Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and other government officials. After his arrest, he delivered a public apology to the government.

July 12, 2025 - Comments Off on IT Minister meets Google team, stresses government’s focus on AI training in education & workforce

IT Minister meets Google team, stresses government’s focus on AI training in education & workforce

Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to integrating artificial intelligence (AI) across sectors including education, workforce development and industry. In a meeting with Google’s Regional AI team, she emphasized the importance of inclusive access to AI tools. The minister noted the rising interest in AI among young people and businesses, while experts stressed upon the need for regulation to ensure AI development serves the public good and isn’t solely market-driven.

July 12, 2025 - Comments Off on Islamabad court halts banning of 5 more YouTube channels

Islamabad court halts banning of 5 more YouTube channels

An Islamabad District court has temporarily suspended the ban on several YouTube channels that were blocked for allegedly spreading false and defamatory content against the government and military. The original order, released on Tuesday, targeted 27 channels run by Pakistani journalists and influencers. Journalists Matiullah Jan and Asad Toor successfully challenged the ban, followed by five others who were also granted a relief. Petitioners argued they were not given prior notice, thus violating their constitutional rights.

 

The ban attracted significant criticism from rights groups and legal bodies, who called it an attack on free speech. Meanwhile, the government has indicated that possible criminal action may be taken against the channel owners.

July 11, 2025 - Comments Off on Platform launched to boost digital trade

Platform launched to boost digital trade

The Ministry of Commerce in collaboration with the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), has launched Pakistan’s first official platform dedicated to boosting digital trade and e-commerce, with a focus on strengthening regional connectivity through digital corridors. The ceremony emphasized the government’s commitment to creating a secure and globally connected digital trade environment, focusing to support e-commerce and help local businesses reach international markets.

July 11, 2025 - Comments Off on Starlink internet satellite to launch in Pakistan

Starlink internet satellite to launch in Pakistan

Pakistan is set to launch its first satellite internet service, with Starlink likely to begin operations in the country by year end.  Authorities are finalizing a licensing framework after which Starlink will receive formal approval.

July 11, 2025 - Comments Off on Sindh Human Rights Commission says blasphemy laws must not be used to settle scores

Sindh Human Rights Commission says blasphemy laws must not be used to settle scores

The Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has warned that repeated blasphemy accusations based on fake or unverified social media content could trigger violence and disrupt communal peace just as seen in the past. In a letter to the Umerkot SSP, the SHRC urged the police to prevent misuse of blasphemy laws, take community based preventive steps and ensure due process in sensitive cases. They also called for stricter action against those spreading hate and requested a report on police efforts by July 16.

July 10, 2025 - Comments Off on Pakistan, China agree on joint media cooperation against fake news

Pakistan, China agree on joint media cooperation against fake news

Pakistan and China have agreed to strengthen media cooperation through joint broadcasting projects and a collaborative effort to stop fake news and disinformation spreading in Pakistan. 

In Beijing, at a meeting between Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Chinese official Cao Shumin, both sides discussed expanding collaboration between state broadcasters, including a proposed agreement between PTV and CCTV. They emphasized technical training, cultural exchanges and influencer visits to boost people-to-people ties. The meeting concluded with China and Pakistan reaffirming each other to put a stop to the spread of fake news and "digital terrorism" on social media platforms.

July 10, 2025 - Comments Off on Meta, Pakistan discuss deeper cooperation in AI, digital skilling and public sector innovation

Meta, Pakistan discuss deeper cooperation in AI, digital skilling and public sector innovation

Federal IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja met with the Meta delegation led by Sarim Aziz to discuss advancing digitalisation in Pakistan. The discussion focused on AI in public services, digital innovation and skill-building for Pakistan. The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a “Digital Pakistan,” noting PM Shehbaz Sharif’s weekly oversight of the country’s move towards a cashless economy. 

Meta also shared updates on its latest AI tools, including open-source LLaMA models and efforts to develop Urdu language AI.

July 9, 2025 - Comments Off on Rawalpindi Police arrest man for allegedly killing daughter over ‘honour’ after she refused to delete TikTok

Rawalpindi Police arrest man for allegedly killing daughter over ‘honour’ after she refused to delete TikTok

A 16-year‑old girl in Rawalpindi’s Dhok Chaudhrian area was allegedly shot and killed by her father after she refused to delete her TikTok account, as an honor killing, the Rawalpindi Police reported. The family initially reported her death as a suicide but investigation revealed it was homicide, prompting an FIR under Section 302 and Section 311 of the Pakistan Penal Code. The suspect, identified as the victim’s father, fled the scene but was later arrested along with the murder weapon. Police have formed multiple teams to conduct a thorough investigation, emphasizing that crimes against women and children are intolerable and will be prosecuted with full accountability. With a number of 346 people falling victim to honour killings from just last year’s reports, Pakistan has seen a consistent increase in honour crime.

July 9, 2025 - Comments Off on 149 arrested in online bank fraud after NCCIA raid on Faisalabad factory

149 arrested in online bank fraud after NCCIA raid on Faisalabad factory

The National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) raided a factory in Chak 54-RB near Faisalabad owned by the now fugitive Malik Tehseen Awan, which uncovered a major online fraud and hacking operation. During the raid 149 suspects were arrested, including 48 Chinese nationals and countless others who belonged from Nigeria, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Myanmar and Pakistan. The suspects were allegedly involved in hacking banking systems. Authorities seized hundreds of laptops and devices as evidence. The factory was also reportedly being used to carry out digital frauds mainly targeting financial institutions. As of now, investigations are ongoing, with the detainees being questioned for further leads.