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  • ‘Protect our children’: Sajal Aly speaks out after 13-year-old tortured in Islamabad by judge, wife

    ‘Protect our children’: Sajal Aly speaks out after 13-year-old tortured in Islamabad by judge, wife

    After the news of a 13-year-old domestic worker in Islamabad being tortured by a judge and his wife went viral, many social media users were shocked and expressed outrage for what the girl went through. Now prominent actors like Sajal Aly and Nadia Jamil have spoken out against the injustice and demanded that the domestic worker gets immediate justice.

    READ MORE: Police ‘reluctant’ to register 13-year-old housemaid torture case against civil judge

    Nadia Jamil shared a clip of actor Sajal Aly who demanded that the act of forcing small children to carry out domestic chores is banned:

    “For the love of God, stop forcing little children to do all of your work. Child labor is wrong. It is illegal. It is punishable under the child protection laws.”

    The ‘Kuch Ankahi’ actress urged her followers to report anyone forcing little children to work as slaves and call the Child Protection Bureau to take strict action.

    Nadia Jamil, a long time advocate for children’s rights, herself also shared a strongly-worded message slamming those who hire children as domestic slaves:

    “You and both know the truth. Often these tiny children are made to carry rich babies, clean rich peoples homes, serve them and press them. They are beaten, starved and NEARLY ALL are deprived of an education! An education which is their constitutional right AND their deeni right. Remember poverty alleviation IS NOT the job of innocent children. Robbing them of their childhood is criminal. Too many of our children suffer. Too many.”

  • AI-generated virtual influencer ‘Milla Sofia’ takes social media by storm, blurring lines of reality

    AI-generated virtual influencer ‘Milla Sofia’ takes social media by storm, blurring lines of reality

    The world of social media has been captivated by the virtual influencer Milla Sofia, a 19-year-old blond sensation with nearly 100,000 followers on TikTok. Unveiled as an artificial intelligence creation, Sofia’s photorealistic images and engaging content have left netizens in awe and bewilderment.

    With her first posts on Instagram and TikTok dating back to November 2022, Milla Sofia has quickly risen to prominence as a fusion of cutting-edge technology and elegance. The mastermind behind the AI-driven influencer is not shying away from the truth, openly acknowledging that she is an AI-generated entity.

    Despite this, her enigmatic allure has attracted a dedicated fan base, and it remains unclear how many of her followers fully comprehend her virtual nature.

    Sofia’s online persona portrays her as a fashion model and tech enthusiast, often flaunting bikini pictures from exotic locations like Greece and Bora Bora. Her intriguing interactions with her followers include TikToks featuring herself alongside real-world personalities like Elon Musk, showcasing her office outfit, and even seeking advice on hashtag preferences.

    To discerning eyes, a giveaway sign of her AI origins lies in occasional imperfections, notably in the form of distorted fingers in her photos.
    Astonishingly, some followers genuinely engage with her questions, while others seem to believe they have a personal connection, expressing gratitude for receiving her “beautiful photos” as if she were a real person.

    As the lines between reality and artificial personas blur, questions arise about the impact of virtual influencers on social media culture and the extent to which audiences can distinguish fact from fiction in this new era of digital influence.

  • Humaray paani mein kuch hai? In third love story this month, Chile woman flies to marry Pakistani lover

    Humaray paani mein kuch hai? In third love story this month, Chile woman flies to marry Pakistani lover

    There are actually women out there in the world who think Pakistani men are worth marrying. Indeed, a more shocking discovery than alien life.

    For the third time this week, another foreign woman has flown to Pakistan to marry a man from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Yes, humein bhi kuch nahi samajh araha.

    READ MORE: Veer-Zara Chinese version? Woman travels to KP to marry Pakistani lover

    Nicole Iglesias, 36, from Chile, a manager at an Apple Store, developed a relationship on Tiktok with Ikramullah, after she found his videos interesting. Aaj News reports that Iglesias had moved to the region a few weeks ago on a two-month visa. She has converted to Islam and taken up the name Noreen. The two began conversing with each other online through Google Translate, as Ikramullah couldn’t speak Spanish, and Noreen was struggling to learn the local language.

    Ikramullah told Aaj News that Nicole was willing to stay in Pakistan if he didn’t want to fly to South America with her, but he had received his visa and was flying out on August 27th.

    READ MORE: Dir-Zara? Indian woman flies to Upper Dir to marry Pakistani man

  • Taliban attack PPP leader’s house in Nowshera after asking for Rs1 crore extortion

    Taliban attack PPP leader’s house in Nowshera after asking for Rs1 crore extortion

    According to a report in The News, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Pir Muhammad Aslam’s house was partially damaged after a hand grenade attack on Friday in Nowshera district’s Risalpur.  

    In a report registered at the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) police station, the PPP leader said that he had received a threatening letter from the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on July 1.

    Aslam also told the police that the Taliban was demanding Rs1 Crore from him, mentioning the amount in the letter.

    The complainant had received phone calls from Afghanistan phone numbers to arrange money or face “dire consequences”.

    Pir Aslam also mentioned that he also received phone calls from Pakistani numbers, in which the Taliban threatened to eliminate his whole family if he did not arrange the money.

    This is not happening for the first time. Last year, in October, senior Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister Atif Khan also received a letter from the Taliban demanding Rs8 million as extortion.

  • We’re not shocked: Salaried class pays 200% more tax than exporters, retailers

    We’re not shocked: Salaried class pays 200% more tax than exporters, retailers

    In the fiscal year 2022-23, Pakistan’s salaried class emerged as the leading contributor to the nation’s income tax, making a substantial contribution of Rs264.3 billion. Astonishingly, this amount was nearly 200 per cent higher than the combined income tax paid by the country’s exporters and largely undertaxed retailers.

    Data collected and released by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) unveiled that salaried individuals paid a total of Rs264.3 billion in taxes during the fiscal year, marking an impressive increase of over Rs75 billion or 40 per cent compared to the previous year. This rise was attributed to the imposition of up to a 35 per cent tax rate on their earnings.

    Ranked as the fourth-largest contributor to withholding taxes, following contractors, bank depositors, and importers, the salaried class has faced increased taxation in the latest budget. Despite grappling with this added burden alongside historically high inflation rates, the government once again raised taxes on salaried individuals earning more than Rs200,000 per month in the recent budget. In a surprising move, around 5,000 retailers were relieved from stricter registration conditions.

    It is noteworthy that during the preceding fiscal year, the FBR managed to collect over Rs2 trillion through withholding taxes, accounting for 61 per cent of the total income tax generated in the same period. However, concerns were raised over the ease of collecting withholding taxes, especially from non-filers at double rates, which has become a reliable revenue source for the FBR.

    The Salaried Class Alliance expressed apprehension over the prioritisation of additional taxation on existing taxpayers while allowing the informal sector to thrive. The highest income tax collections came from contractors, savings account holders, importers, salaried individuals, non-filers’ electricity bills, telephone & mobile phone users, and dividend income. According to Express Tribune, other significant contributors included taxes on property transactions, exports, foreign income fees, brokerage commissions, and car registrations.

    Comparatively, provisional figures revealed that exporters and retailers combined paid Rs175 billion less in taxes compared to the salaried class. Despite earning $27.7 billion during the last fiscal year, exporters contributed only Rs74 billion in taxes. Although their tax contribution increased by 17.4 per cent from the previous year, it did not match the rise in their income in rupee terms. Retailers, subject to a 0.5 per cent advance tax on sales, contributed a mere Rs15.6 billion, reflecting the lowest contribution among income groups. Surprisingly, despite accounting for approximately 19 per cent of the economy, retailers and wholesalers only contributed 0.4 per cent to the total income tax collection.

    The approach of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) came under criticism for disproportionately burdening the salaried class, which lacks representation in the corridors of power, unlike exporters and retailers.

    Lastly, tax collection from contractors and service providers reached an impressive Rs391 billion in the last fiscal year, marking the largest single-income tax collection head over which the FBR has no control. Additionally, profits on debt witnessed a remarkable 106 per cent increase, amounting to Rs320 billion, reflecting higher interest rates and increased savings. Importers also contributed significantly, paying Rs290 billion in income tax on various types of imports, ranking as the third-largest contributor to withholding taxes.

  • New vehicles for government officials; LHC issues notices to Punjab caretaker govt

    New vehicles for government officials; LHC issues notices to Punjab caretaker govt

    The Lahore High Court (LHC) has issued notices to the Punjab caretaker government and others after hearing a petition filed against the purchase of new vehicles for government officials.

    The lawyer of the Punjab government objected to the admissibility of the application, while the petitioner, Shiraz Altaf, has made the Punjab caretaker government and others a party, asserting that public money should be used for the welfare of the people.

    The petitioner said that the caretaker government can only run the daily running of the province, having no public mandate, it cannot use public funds. The court has been requested to annul the notification of purchase of new vehicles for officers.

  • Sunny Deol wants Pakistan and India to put aside their differences

    Sunny Deol wants Pakistan and India to put aside their differences

    Bollywood actor Sunny Deol wants peace between Pakistan and India. The action star was speaking at the trailer launch of his upcoming film ‘Gadar 2’ where he called for both India and Pakistan to put aside their differences and not allow what he termed “the political game” to keep creating rifts between the two countries.

    “The essence lies in humanity, not in taking or giving. A conflict between the two sides should not prevail. There is love on both sides. It is the political blame game that creates hatred between India and Pakistan, a theme reflected in this film. Both nations comprise of people who seek peace, as we are essentially one and the same.”

    On Twitter, reactions from Indian users were mostly negative, who felt that the actor, who was also a member of the hardliner BJP, had spent most of his career making anti-Pakistani movies but now was flipping the narrative.

    https://twitter.com/dontwannashar3/status/1684314493449297922?s=20

    Yesterday, it was actor Adnan Siddiqui who called for peace between India and Pakistan, while speaking to the Indian Express:

    “Art has no boundaries, but artistes have a certain boundary, which shouldn’t be there. There should be healthy cultural exchange. I believe that the kind of tolerance–pardon me for being so blunt–but our tolerance, in comparison to Indian audience is much higher. We accept Indian artistes, Indian cricketers, we accept everything good about India. But when this thing goes across the border, it becomes very political. I don’t know why.”

    Read more: ‘Our tolerance is much higher’: Adnan Siddiqui thinks Pakistanis are more accepting than Indian audiences

  • New laws to fight cybercrime in Pakistan: Cabinet passes e-safety and data protection bills

    New laws to fight cybercrime in Pakistan: Cabinet passes e-safety and data protection bills

    In a significant development, the federal cabinet of Pakistan granted principle approval to two crucial pieces of legislation on Wednesday, which are expected to have a far-reaching impact on digital rights, e-commerce, and the digital economy of the country.

    The first bill, named the E-Safety Bill 2023, aims to tackle and prevent online crimes such as cyberbullying, online harassment, and blackmailing. To enforce the provisions of this bill, the cabinet also greenlit the establishment of a regulatory authority known as ‘The E-Safety Authority.’ This authority will be responsible for registering and monitoring websites, web channels, YouTube channels, and existing media houses’ websites. The main objective behind this initiative is to safeguard the rights of citizens, businesses, as well as public and private institutions from online harassment and blackmail.

    Presently, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has the authority to monitor content and enforce relevant laws online, while the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) handles cybercrime-related cases. However, the proposed E-Safety Authority will take charge of the front-end monitoring of all websites, promptly addressing violations and imposing penalties. This measure is deemed necessary due to the rapid pace at which cybercrime incidents occur, often exceeding the FIA’s investigative capacity, while the PTA’s role is primarily limited to regulatory functions for internet and telecom service providers.

    According to Dawn, the second bill, titled the Personal Data Protection Bill 2023, focuses on protecting user data and preventing the unauthorised use of information systems. The bill will apply to all types of online services, including online shopping platforms, various companies, and social networking websites operating in Pakistan. It aims to safeguard consumers’ data and ensure that it is not misused or illegally accessed.

    As per the official statement, “personal data” under the proposed legislation refers to any information directly or indirectly related to an identifiable individual, encompassing sensitive or critical personal data. The bill mandates all entities collecting or maintaining data, digitally or non-digitally operational in Pakistan, to register themselves locally and appoint a data protection officer. The National Commission for Personal Data Protection (NCPDP) will oversee the registration process and will establish sub-offices in provincial capitals and other necessary locations within six months of the bill’s passage.

    However, the approval of the Personal Data Protection Bill 2023 has raised concerns among international bodies representing internet-based platforms. The Asia Internet Coalition (AIC), through its Managing Director Jeff Paine, highlighted that the bill’s current form falls short of international data protection standards and imposes unnecessary complexities that may increase the cost of doing business and hinder foreign investment. The requirement for “critical” data to be stored locally and the restriction on cross-border transfer of other personal data could potentially limit access to global digital services for Pakistanis.

    In response to these concerns, the AIC has called for more transparent stakeholder consultations by the government. Digital rights campaigner and Meta board member, Nighat Dad, expressed similar sentiments, stating that while the bill addresses important issues, the lack of consultations is undemocratic.

    Despite concerns from international bodies, an official from the IT ministry defended the legislation, emphasising that the government’s primary responsibility is to protect Pakistan’s interests and its citizens. He asserted that commercial entities’ apprehensions are primarily driven by their business concerns.

    The approval of these significant bills marks a crucial step towards enhancing digital rights and data protection in Pakistan. As the nation progresses into a more digitally interconnected era, finding a balanced approach that addresses concerns from both local and international stakeholders will be crucial for the country’s digital economy and growth.

  • Kevin Spacey cleared of sexual abuse charges

    Kevin Spacey cleared of sexual abuse charges

    Oscar winner Kevin Spacey has been cleared of nine charges of sexual assault, indecent assault and forcing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity, after a jury found him not guilt in a U.K trial. The actor was on trial after four men accused him of violating boundaries and sexual assault. The first complainant recalled being groped by the ‘House Of Cards’ actor at Old Vic Theatre where he was creative director. Spacey denied the almost-accident and provided evidence that contradicted the time and place the victim had quoted.

    The second survivor accused Spacey of making numerous sexually aggressive comments at a charity event in 2005, before pinning him against the wall. Kevin had denied ever meeting the man at the event.

    The third survivor accused Kevin Spacey of raping him in 2008, when he ended up at the actor’s apartment in London where he fell asleep, and woke up to the actor giving him oral sex. Kevin denied these charges too and presented telephone records which contradicted the man’s accusation.

    The fourth survivor accused Kevin of sexual assault by recalling meeting him at a party in Gloucestershire. Spacey’s defense team called the encounter a “drunken clumsy pass”, and said he had later apologised for his actions.

    The judge has dismissed all of the charges.

    In October 2022 the actor won a $40 million lawsuit brought in by actor Anthony Rapp, who had accused the Oscar winner of sexual battery, but a judge dismissed the complaint.

  • Indian couple sells baby to buy iPhone for Instagram reels

    Indian couple sells baby to buy iPhone for Instagram reels

    An Indian couple has been accused of selling their 8-month-old son in order to purchase an iPhone for creating Instagram reels.

    The couple, residents of North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal, were also accused of attempting to sell their seven-year-old daughter. Police have rescued the baby and arrested the mother and the buyer of the infant.

    The father, Jaydev, is believed to be in police custody, despite some conflicting reports suggesting he is still at large. A local councilor has been quoted by Indian media as saying, “After selling the boy, Jaydev also tried to sell the girl on Saturday midnight. We informed the police. Police have arrested Jaydev.”

    Initially, it was reported that the couple had sold the baby to buy alcohol. Locals described frequent episodes of intoxication and quarrels within the family and with neighbors.

    The incident was uncovered on Saturday, July 22, when neighbors noticed the financially struggling couple’s sudden acquisition of an iPhone and the coinciding disappearance of their baby. Initially, the couple claimed the child was with a relative, but suspicions from the neighborhood led to police involvement.

    Upon police interrogation, the mother confessed to selling the baby and using the money to travel around West Bengal, creating Instagram reels. Subsequently, the police managed to rescue the baby from a woman named Priyanka Ghosh in the Khardaha area.