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June 27, 2025 - Comments Off on Online loan scam gang busted, 18 remanded in NCCIA custody

Online loan scam gang busted, 18 remanded in NCCIA custody

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) conducted a successful raid apprehending 18 individuals suspected to be involved in an online loan scam. Several digital devices were recovered, revealing an elaborate scam targeting both locals and foreign nationals from the Gulf Countries. Preliminary examination suggests that the scammers lured victims into giving up precious personal and financial details under the guise of attractive advertisements. This information was then used to extort money. Suspects also made use of sophisticated software such as “Voice over IP” (VoIP) to gain access to other WhatsApp contacts, made spoofed calls, and tricked people into giving up their information. Those apprehended have been booked under different sections of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), including Electronic Fraud, Forgery, and unauthorized access to user  information.

June 26, 2025 - Comments Off on Interior ministry vows to take strict action against religious hate online during Muharram 

Interior ministry vows to take strict action against religious hate online during Muharram 

In an effort to increase security measures across the country during Muharram, the interior ministry announced a plan on Thursday to tackle religious hate speech on social media. In this regard, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has been asked to monitor social media for hateful content. Whether the government will also be suspending internet and mobile services during religious processions, is yet to be decided. 

Further security measures include monitoring religious gatherings throughout the holy month via technology. Previously this week, provincial governments in Punjab and KP have also planned to impose Section 144 from 1st to 10th Muharram, barring people from public gatherings, protests and any other actions that disrupt peace. 

June 26, 2025 - Comments Off on PM approves search committee for Pakistan Digital Authority appointments 

PM approves search committee for Pakistan Digital Authority appointments 

On Thursday, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif approved the search and selection of members for the Pakistan Digital Authority (PDA) under the Digital Nation Pakistan Act. 

 

The Ministry of IT and Telecommunication issued a notification stating that the search committee will appoint a chairperson and two members for the PDA. Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Federal Minister of IT, has been appointed as convener of the committee. In addition to selecting members of the PDA, the committee will also be responsible for making recommendations in regards to salaries and benefits given to employed persons.  

 

The act, approved by the federal cabinet in June 2024 and passed by the senate in January 2025, aims to transform Pakistan into a "digital nation” by combining digital society, digital economy and digital governance under one roof. The PDA, a body established for the act, will develop, plan and implement a digital masterplan for the entire country.

June 26, 2025 - Comments Off on Nadra employees arrested for selling individuals data

Nadra employees arrested for selling individuals data

In Hyderabad, official NADRA employees Abdul Hakeem and Mohsin Iqbal were found and caught selling citizens' data. The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) have arrested the two after a tip off received by an individual. Under the Pakistan Penal Code and the Prevention of Electronic Crime Act, a formal complaint was filed. Investigators verified that the suspects sold NADRA data using WhatsApp groups. Both the culprits were unable to defend their positions or the fact that they had access to vital Nadra data.. The accused were transferred to NCCIA Hyderabad and their cell phones were confiscated.

June 26, 2025 - Comments Off on KP police acquire anti-drone technology to counter terror threats

KP police acquire anti-drone technology to counter terror threats

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) police have employed high-tech gadgets like anti-drone technologies to counter the increase in aerial terrorism threats in Pakistan. In sensitive areas such as North Waziristan the advanced technology will help in identifying and neutralizing the drones. A police officer from KP mentioned the importance of including the latest technology in security operations. The sudden rise in terrorism by the Taliban in Afghanistan has triggered greater alerts at borders.

June 26, 2025 - Comments Off on Pakistan Senate’s pioneering steps toward integrating AI to streamline legislation: Anusha Rahman

Pakistan Senate’s pioneering steps toward integrating AI to streamline legislation: Anusha Rahman

During a parliamentarians' panel titled "Enhancing Digital Policy Practices" at Internet Governance Forum in Norway, Senator Anusha Rehman represented Pakistanon and addressed the country’s efforts to integrate technology by developing AI-based bots and tools. These innovations will help Pakistan's legislation system to become more transparent and accessible. 

 

Additionally, she also mentioned that when AI is officially integrated, they'll make sure to not only mitigate its harmful effects, but also call for tightened security measures to protect women, children and marginalized communities in Pakistan and preserve fundamental democratic values such as the right to dissent, access to information and meaningful digital. Moreover, Senator Anusha Rehman also criticized large and influential social media parties who do not come forward to show support of such national laws.

June 26, 2025 - Comments Off on F, M, J Visa Applicants Must Make Social Media Public, US Consulates Announce 

F, M, J Visa Applicants Must Make Social Media Public, US Consulates Announce 

President Donald Trump has officially ordered the resumption of student visa appointments but has emphasized that applicants' social media activity must be reviewed to ensure they do not hold views considered hostile toward the United States. This vetting process is intended to be “comprehensive and thorough.” The United States Consulates in Pakistan have announced that applicants for F (student), M (vocational student), or J (exchange visitor) nonimmigrant visas are now required to make their social media accounts public for verification purposes. A similar announcement was made earlier this week in Delhi. An Instagram post by the U.S. Consulate in Karachi stated: “Effective immediately, all individuals applying for an F, M, or J nonimmigrant visa are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media accounts to ‘public’ to facilitate vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States.” They also warned that omitting social media information from the application could result in visa denial and future ineligibility to apply for a U.S. visa.

June 25, 2025 - Comments Off on Punjab CM orders crackdown on hateful content on social media

Punjab CM orders crackdown on hateful content on social media

As Muharram approaches, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ordered a strict crackdown on individuals spreading hateful content online regarding this significant period. She emphasized that anyone participating in the violation of regulations such as putting up banners, posters, wall chalking or using drones will face arrest, with a zero-tolerance policy in place for such offenses.

June 25, 2025 - Comments Off on NAB uses AI to trace suspicious financial transactions

NAB uses AI to trace suspicious financial transactions

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in Islamabad has introduced the use of AI to carry out financial fraud investigations, which will not only be a step forward in making NAB's work practices reach international standards but will also improve efficiency and transparency. AI systems are being employed to analyze banking records, trace financial transactions and detect complex money trails more accurately and swiftly. Moreover, NAB is collaborating with the National Centre of Artificial Intelligence (NCAI) and through their advanced technical expertise AI-based investigative modules are being designed, meeting international standards and uncovering corruption cases all around Pakistan.

June 20, 2025 - Comments Off on IT Minister reaffirms government commitment to 5G rollout as mobile users cross 200m

IT Minister reaffirms government commitment to 5G rollout as mobile users cross 200m

The IT and Telecom Minis­ter Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Thursday reaffirmed the government’s plans to launch 5G internet services in Pakistan. The plans had been in the pipeline for a while, but had run into some financial and infrastructural hurdles. Speaking at a recent ceremony commemorating a landmark 200m mobile users, including 150m broadband users and over 2m fibre-to-home subscribers, Khawaja announced that work on the 5G project was ongoing.

The event, which was organised by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to mark Pakistan’s accelerating digital growth, was attended by senior members from Ufone, Jazz, Telenor, Zong, and SCO. As a celebration for this achievement, a mobile data and call minutes package offer was announced, which allows all mobile users to receive 2GB of free data and 200 on-net minutes, valid for 24 hours on Friday (June 20). Subscribers can activate the offer by dialing *2200#.

At the event, PTA officials also announced that Pakistan’s mobile internet gender gap was closing, with women now making up 38pc of mobile internet users, an increase from 25pc last year.