Category: Uncategorized

  • Azma Bukhari slams FIA cybercrime wing for ‘incompetence’; requests PM to shut it down

    Azma Bukhari slams FIA cybercrime wing for ‘incompetence’; requests PM to shut it down

    Punjab Minister for Information and Culture, Azma Bukhari has lashed out at the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cyber Crime wing for incompetence while requesting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to shut it down.

    Talking to media outside the Lahore High Court (LHC), Bukhari expressed her trust in Chief Justice Aalia Neelum, she said, “I think that the Chief Justice wants to get to the bottom of this matter.”

    A few days ago, an explicit fake video of the minister was circulated online, which received widespread condemnation.

    Bukhari stated, “FIA cyber wing has no expertise in its field, and it is not worth it. Cybercrime does not know anything, and they do not know what they are supposed to do.”

    She also said that, ever since a “fitna” party came to light, these kinds of incidents have become common, a thinly veiled dig at arch-rivals Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

    Bukhari also stated that her party and personal ethics disallow her from making such fake videos; otherwise, she would know how to do such things.

  • Gold price in Pakistan falls from record high to Rs256,800 per tola

    Gold price in Pakistan falls from record high to Rs256,800 per tola

    Gold prices in Pakistan experienced a decline on Saturday, following a rise in the previous session, reflecting a downward trend in international markets.

    In the local market, the price of gold per tola fell to Rs256,800, marking a decrease of Rs500.

    The All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA) reported that the price of 10 grammes of gold dropped by Rs429, bringing it to Rs220,165.

    On Friday, gold prices had surged by Rs2,400 per tola, reaching a record high of Rs257,300.

    Globally, gold prices also fell on Saturday. The APGJSA noted that the international price stood at $2,443 per ounce, which included a $20 premium, after experiencing a $15 decrease during the day.

    In contrast, silver prices remained unchanged, holding steady at Rs2,900 per tola.

  • Fact Check: Viral video of Mahrang Baloch’s arrest actually from 2020

    Fact Check: Viral video of Mahrang Baloch’s arrest actually from 2020

    A video circulated on social media on Thursday shows Baloch activist Dr. Mahrang Baloch being dragged into a police van, suggesting that she has been arrested.

    Dawn.com, however, conducted a fact check and confirmed that the video is from 2020.

    This spread of misinformation coincides with renewed unrest in Balochistan following protests by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) in Gwadar on July 28. The protests were against human rights violations and exploiting the province’s resources. The demonstrations led to arrests and violent clashes with security forces.

    Since then, the arrest of prominent leaders has intensified the protests.

    Currently, the BYC has signed an agreement with the provincial government to end the protest, as their demands, including the release of all those arrested, have been met.

  • No visa-free entry into Pakistan for two countries

    No visa-free entry into Pakistan for two countries

    The Ministry of Interior has informed the Federal Cabinet that Indian and Afghan citizens will not be given visa-free entry under the program launched for businessmen from friendly countries.

    According to a Business Recorder report, the Cabinet was informed on July 24, 2024, that in alignment with the Prime Minister’s vision of visa-free entry for businessmen and tourists from other countries, the Ministry of Home Affairs, in consultation with key stakeholders and the PM Office, has developed various proposals for visa reforms.

    Previously, the Prime Minister had directed a further relaxation of the visa system to attract businessmen, investors, and tourists from friendly countries.

    The Ministry has also taken several initiatives, including signing visa-free entry agreements with Nepal and the Maldives. Additionally, a ‘Visa on Arrival’ facility was available for 108 countries on the Business Visa List (BVL) and 64 countries on the Tourist List.

    Businessmen traveling to Pakistan now need only to complete the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) form 24 hours before travel, after which the visa will be issued electronically.

    Visas will now be issued through the electronic travel authorization form, which has reduced the required fields from 161 to 30 for basic information only, according to the Ministry.

  • PTI founding member killed in Lahore

    PTI founding member killed in Lahore

    Update

    In a new twist to the story, police claim that the murder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding member Dr Shahid Siddique was planned by his son.

    Siddique was shot dead in Valencia Town, Lahore, on August 2 when he was returning from the mosque after offering Friday prayers. His son was present at the crime scene but remained unhurt.

    Police alleged that Siddique’s son, Qayyum, planned his father’s murder with a friend because he wasn’t allowed to marry a girl of his choice by his father.

    Qayyum had made a deal of Rs. 5 million for the murder of his father in January for the same reason, said police, adding he paid Rs20 million for the second attack on Siddiqui. Dr Shahid was attacked in January as well, but police remained unsuccessful in finding the culprits at the time.

    Police said that the same son who was the mastermind behind the murder led his father’s funeral prayer.

    Previous

    One of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s founding members, Dr Shahid Siddique, was shot dead in Valencia Town, Lahore, yesterday as he returned from the mosque after offering Friday prayers.

    As he was returning from the Khizra Mosque in the H-block of Valencia Town, an unknown man approached him and opened fire.

    The victim suffered four bullet wounds and was taken to a nearby hospital where he passed away.

    IG Punjab Usman Anwar ordered immediate action to arrest the perpetrator(s) and sought a detailed report from DIG Operations.

    PTI leaders expressed shock and condemned the incident, with Zulfi Bukhari saying that he was “devastated to learn the assassination of Dr Siddique.”

  • FIA traces culprits involved in Azma Bukhari’s fake video scandal

    FIA traces culprits involved in Azma Bukhari’s fake video scandal

    The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has made significant strides in investigating Punjab’s Information Minister Azma Bukhari’s fake videos, which circulated online last week.

    A Joint Investigation Team (JIT) has been formed, with Assistant Director Rana Shawaz leading the team and in charge of handling the case.

    Samaa News reported that the JIT has successfully traced the culprits behind the video and they will be apprehended soon. The FIA also used sources of NADRA in identifying the social media accounts involved.

    Meanwhile, the FIA’s cybercrime wing has summoned Falak Javed, an activist of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), in connection with the case. However, she did not appear for questioning.

  • What is the government’s new name for the TTP?

    What is the government’s new name for the TTP?

    Journalist Iftikhar Firdous has posted on X, formerly Twitter, that Pakistan’s interior ministry has ordered all government officials to use the term “Fitna al Khawarij” (FaK) for the banned terrorist organisation Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in all official documents.

    According to the notification issued by the interior ministry, TTP has tried to damage Islam by distorting its image.

    Historically, the Kharijites were an Islamic sect which emerged during the first civil war, called the First Fitna, in the Islamic community.

    The website Islamqa.info defines Khawarij as followers of whims and desires who have deviated from the path of Sunnat.

    Social media reacted sarcastically to this government decision.

  • No immediate relief in sight for high electricity costs, experts warn

    No immediate relief in sight for high electricity costs, experts warn

    Experts have little hope for a reduction in Pakistan’s high electricity prices. The government has turned electricity and petroleum products into revenue sources, and Independent Power Producers (IPPs) face no performance checks or contract revisions, they said, adding that it gives the generators unchecked freedom.

    Experts discussed the issues with DAWN at a seminar titled Pakistan Energy Crisis and IPPs: How Overbilling Impacts Quality of Life and Pathways to Solution, held at the Applied Economics Research Centre (AERC), University of Karachi on Thursday.

    Experts highlighted that over-billing and high electricity costs have become a crisis, adversely impacting poor and middle-income households. This crisis affects their spending on health, education, food, and transport.

    AERC Assistant Professor Dr. Aamir Siddiqui stated that electricity charges are unlikely to decrease soon because the government uses petrol and electricity as revenue sources. With around 100 IPPs and numerous suppliers in the country, electricity prices should at least be stable, but they continue to rise.

    He also noted that Pakistan generates more power than needed, yet load shedding persists. Despite this, the government is not addressing the quality and services of IPPs or revising their contracts, even though payments are made in dollars or equivalent exchange rates.

    Dr. Muhammad Saber, Principal Economist at the Social Policy and Development Center in Karachi, stated that electricity rates will not decrease until the government prioritises public welfare over its own interests. He pointed out that many contracts with IPPs were signed without considering public benefit, and even IPPs not supplying electricity receive timely and full payments.

    AERC Assistant Professor Dr. Fauzia Sohail mentioned that the residential sector is the largest consumer of electricity, followed by the industrial sector. Low and middle-income households are particularly affected by over-billing. Rising electricity charges force people to cut spending on essentials like health, education, food, transport, and housing. This not only adversely impacts these amenities but also drives some low-income individuals below the poverty line, especially in Karachi.

  • Foreign Office changes statement; removes ‘Israel’ from condemnation of Ismail Haniyeh assassination

    Foreign Office changes statement; removes ‘Israel’ from condemnation of Ismail Haniyeh assassination

    In an unusual development, the Foreign Office (FO) Pakistan on July 31st re-issued its press release condemning the assassination of Hamas’s Ismael Haniyeh, expunging the word “Israel”.

    Both press releases were issued on the same day; however, in the last paragraph of the initial press release, it was written, “Pakistan views with serious concerns the growing Israeli adventurism in the region.”

    First statement:

    Later, it was changed to “Pakistan views with serious concerns the growing adventurism in the region,” redacting the word “Israel” from its statement.

    Updated statement:

    Social media noticed the correction instantly and reacted with suspicion, with most questioning the intent behind FO Pakistan’s move.

  • 108 people die in July in terrorist attacks

    108 people die in July in terrorist attacks

    An Islamabad-based think tank has revealed that terrorist violence surged across the country in July following a slight decline in June.

    The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) reported that 79 militant attacks took place in July, resulting in 108 deaths and 71 injuries.

    Attacks rose by 14 per cent, while deaths surged by a staggering 80 per cent, and injuries increased by nine per cent from June.

    In response to the rising violence, security forces intensified their operations and killed at least 50 terrorists in July, a 56 per cent increase from June.

    Most of the terrorist attacks occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and its merged tribal districts (formerly FATA), with 36 attacks reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, resulting in the deaths of 60 people and 27 others injured. In the tribal districts of the province, 30 people died in 26 attacks.

    In Balochistan, 12 terror attacks resulted in 12 deaths and 24 injuries. Sindh experienced five attacks, leading to 6 deaths and two injuries.

    A significant development in July was the arrest of Al-Qaeda leader Aminul Haque by Punjab’s counter-terrorism unit on July 18.

    Security forces also killed 6 key commanders of the outlawed TTP in various operations based on secret information. This included Najeeb alias Abdul Rahman and Ashfaq alias Muawiya in the Tirah Valley of Khyber tribal district, Irfanullah alias Adnan in Bajaur, Shah Faisal in the Diamar district of Gilgit-Baltistan, and Noor Rehman in North Waziristan and Peshawar, where the shadow governor of the banned TTP was also targeted.