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March 30, 2026 - Comments Off on Pakistan Joins Sovereign AI White Paper Launch at Beijing Forum

Pakistan Joins Sovereign AI White Paper Launch at Beijing Forum

The Pakistani Embassy in China participated in the launch of a sovereign artificial intelligence (AI) white paper at the Zhongguancun Forum in Beijing, alongside representatives from several countries including China, Brazil, Malaysia, and Kazakhstan. The document emphasizes national control over AI systems, data, and infrastructure, while encouraging international cooperation on governance and deployment. Pakistan’s Tech Affairs Counsellor highlighted the country’s interest in collaborative AI development, particularly in adapting technologies to local needs and expanding partnerships with Chinese firms. The initiative reflects growing global attention toward “sovereign AI” as countries seek greater control over critical digital infrastructure, data security, and technological independence.

March 30, 2026 - Comments Off on DeepSeek Chatbot Faces Longest Outage Amid Growing AI Reliance

DeepSeek Chatbot Faces Longest Outage Amid Growing AI Reliance

China’s DeepSeek AI chatbot experienced its longest recorded outage on Monday, lasting over seven hours, raising concerns about the reliability of rapidly scaling AI systems. The disruption affected both general users and developers relying on its API services, though the company did not disclose the cause. While previous outages had impacted developer services, this marked the first major extended disruption for public-facing users. The incident comes at a time when global dependence on AI tools is increasing, highlighting vulnerabilities in digital infrastructure and the potential risks of outages in critical technology systems.

March 30, 2026 - Comments Off on PMDC Takes Action Over Filming of Patients During Surgery at Lahore Hospital

PMDC Takes Action Over Filming of Patients During Surgery at Lahore Hospital

The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has taken notice of a widely circulated video showing patients being filmed during surgery at Lahore’s Lady Willingdon Hospital, raising serious concerns about patient dignity and confidentiality. The footage, allegedly recorded inside an operating theatre, appeared to show medical staff engaging in unprofessional conduct while filming procedures without consent. In response, the Punjab government suspended multiple staff members, including senior doctors and nurses. PMDC has issued notices to those involved, emphasizing that recording patients in such settings constitutes a serious breach of medical ethics and patient rights. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has reinforced a strict ban on photography and videography within hospital premises without official approval, underscoring the need to uphold professional standards and protect patient privacy.

March 30, 2026 - Comments Off on Fake AI Detection Tools Raise New Disinformation Risks

Fake AI Detection Tools Raise New Disinformation Risks

As concerns over AI-generated content grow, researchers are warning about a new wave of fraudulent AI detection tools that falsely label authentic content as machine-generated. Investigations found that several tools, including JustDone AI, TextGuard, and Refinely, incorrectly flagged human-written text, including news reports and literary works, as AI-generated, while prompting users to pay fees to “humanise” the content. Experts say these tools not only produce unreliable results but may also be deliberately designed to monetise misinformation. The misuse of such detectors risks damaging reputations, undermining trust in verification systems, and enabling a growing disinformation tactic known as the “liar’s dividend,” where authentic content is dismissed as fake.

March 30, 2026 - Comments Off on PCB Fines Naseem Shah Rs20 Million Over Social Media Policy Violation

PCB Fines Naseem Shah Rs20 Million Over Social Media Policy Violation

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has fined fast bowler Naseem Shah Rs20 million for violating clauses of his central contract and media policy following a controversial social media post. The post, which briefly appeared on his account, criticised the presence of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz at a Pakistan Super League match before being deleted and attributed to a management team error. After reviewing his response and apology, a disciplinary committee concluded that contract violations had occurred, leading to the penalty. The incident has sparked debate around professional conduct, athlete expression, and the growing scrutiny of social media use by public figures in Pakistan.

March 28, 2026 - Comments Off on Pakistan Plans App-Based Fuel Subsidy System for Low-Income Users

Pakistan Plans App-Based Fuel Subsidy System for Low-Income Users

The government has announced plans to introduce a mobile application-based system to deliver targeted fuel subsidies to low-income consumers amid ongoing energy challenges. The initiative will use digital vouchers and QR code verification to distribute subsidised petrol through designated nozzles at fuel stations, primarily for two- and three-wheelers. Users will be allocated fixed monthly quotas linked to their CNIC and vehicle registration, ensuring controlled and transparent distribution. To support implementation, around 24,000 mobile devices will be deployed across petrol pumps nationwide. Officials say the system aims to replace blanket subsidies with targeted support, improve efficiency, and reduce misuse, while leveraging digital infrastructure to manage fuel distribution more effectively.

March 28, 2026 - Comments Off on Coordinated Disinformation Network Targeting Pakistan Exposed

Coordinated Disinformation Network Targeting Pakistan Exposed

A coordinated disinformation campaign targeting Pakistan has been uncovered, involving fake Iranian identities and networks allegedly operated from India and Afghanistan. The operation used a structured model, initiator, proliferator and amplifier, to spread false narratives portraying Pakistan as aligned with Western interests and hostile to Iran. Investigations revealed that initial content was created through fake accounts, while amplification was carried out through networks designed to simulate Iranian public opinion. Among the claims circulated were allegations that Pakistan was facilitating oil transport for the United States. Experts warn that such coordinated campaigns are part of broader information warfare strategies aimed at undermining regional trust, influencing public perception, and escalating geopolitical tensions.

March 12, 2026 - Comments Off on Senators Raise Security Concerns Over Islamabad Safe City Surveillance System

Senators Raise Security Concerns Over Islamabad Safe City Surveillance System

Members of Pakistan’s Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology raised concerns about the security of Islamabad’s Safe City surveillance system, questioning whether software used in the system could have links to Israeli technology companies. Lawmakers from PML-N and JUI-P warned that potential vulnerabilities in the surveillance infrastructure could expose sensitive information, including VVIP movements. Officials from the Safe City project assured the committee that the system is protected by multiple cybersecurity safeguards, including firewalls, secure data servers, and regular technical audits. The committee directed authorities to provide a detailed list of all software used in the surveillance system and requested further technical briefings to assess potential risks.

March 12, 2026 - Comments Off on Data Centres Emerging as New Targets in Modern Warfare, Experts Warn

Data Centres Emerging as New Targets in Modern Warfare, Experts Warn

Experts have warned that data centres, critical facilities powering cloud services, banking applications, and artificial intelligence platforms, are emerging as potential targets in modern warfare following reported drone strikes during the ongoing Iran conflict. Amazon confirmed that two of its data centres in the United Arab Emirates were struck by drones on March 1, while another facility in Bahrain was damaged by debris from a nearby attack. Analysts say such incidents may represent some of the first known physical attacks on data infrastructure, highlighting the growing strategic importance of data centres as national-level AI and digital infrastructure. Experts caution that targeting these facilities could disrupt civilian services and cloud systems, raising concerns about the security of digital infrastructure in conflict zones.

March 11, 2026 - Comments Off on US Military Confirms Use of Advanced AI Tools in War Against Iran

US Military Confirms Use of Advanced AI Tools in War Against Iran

The United States military confirmed that it is using advanced artificial intelligence tools during the ongoing conflict with Iran to process large volumes of battlefield data and support military decision-making. US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper said AI systems help analysts quickly sift through intelligence and operational data, allowing commanders to make faster strategic decisions. While AI assists in analysing information, Cooper emphasized that human operators remain responsible for final targeting decisions. The announcement comes amid growing concerns from rights groups and experts about the ethical implications and potential risks associated with the increasing use of AI technologies in modern warfare.