Tag: ban

  • Twitter sues Indian government over content removal directives

    Twitter sues Indian government over content removal directives

    Twitter has sued the Indian government to challenge some of its takedown orders, a source familiar with the matter revealed, further escalating the tension between the American social giant and India.

    In its lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Karnataka High Court, Twitter alleges that New Delhi has abused its power by ordering it to remove several tweets from its platform.

    The lawsuit follows a rough year and a half for Twitter in India, a key overseas market for the firm, where it has been asked to take down hundreds of accounts and tweets, many of which critics argue were objected because they denounced the Indian government’s policies and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    Twitter partially complied with the requests but sought to fight back against many challenges. Under India’s new IT rules, which went into effect last year, Twitter has little to no room left to individually challenge the takedown orders.

    The tension between the two was apparent on May 24 last year, when Delhi police, controlled by India’s central government, visited two offices of Twitter — in the national capital state of Delhi and Gurgaon, in the neighboring state of Haryana — to seek more information about Twitter’s rationale to label one of the tweets by ruling partly BJP spokesperson as “manipulated media.”

    Delhi police said it had received a complaint about the classification of the spokesperson’s tweet and visited the offices to serve Twitter India’s head a notice of the inquiry. In a statement, the police said Twitter India’s managing director’s replies on the subject had been “very ambiguous.”

    Twitter at the time described the episode as “intimidation.”

    The company has “concerns with regards to the use of intimidation tactics by the police in response to enforcement of our global Terms of Service, as well as with core elements of the new IT Rules,” it said.

    Twitter India managing director resigned from the firm last year.

    Twitter is not the first tech giant to sue the Indian government. WhatsApp sued New Delhi last year, challenging new regulations that could allow authorities to make people’s private messages “traceable,” and conduct mass surveillance.

    It’s unclear if the new lawsuit will impact Twitter’s proposed acquisition by Elon Musk.

  • ITP fines hundreds of vehicles for causing environmental pollution

    ITP fines hundreds of vehicles for causing environmental pollution

    The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) police fined 315 vehicles for causing environmental pollution as the ban on smoke-emitting vehicles entering the Federal Capital went into effect on Tuesday.

    Islamabad police intensified the crackdown to protect the environment, and as a result, 239 vehicles with pressure horns and 76 smoke-emitting vehicles received fines, according to a police spokesman.

    He claimed that Dr Akbar Nasir Khan, the Inspector General of Police in Islamabad, had recently announced the ban with a specific directive to start an awareness campaign for environmental preservation.

    The representative said that major thoroughfares like the Islamabad Expressway, IJP Road, Srinagar Highway, and others have special enforcement squads stationed there. Additionally, social media platforms were used to educate drivers about the ban.

    The IGP was quoted as saying, “Fitness certificates will not be issued to any unfit vehicles and no laxity in the implementation of traffic rules will be tolerated”.

    To carry out the campaign against smoke-emitting vehicles, ITP has organised mobile squads. These teams would patrol different areas and ticket any vehicles that were causing noise pollution or smoke.

  • ’Threat to national security’, PEMRA bans Bol show after Khan’s interview

    The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has just banned Bol News’ programme “Tajzia” hosted by Anchor Sami Ibrahim after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s appearance on the show.

    The notice reads that “the statements that Khan gave at the show gravely threatened the national security, independence, sovereignty, integrity and ideology of the country and it is a clear violation of Article 19 of the constitution, PEMRA Ordinance, Electronic Media Code of Conduct (2015).

    Article 19 mainly states that “every citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, and there shall be freedom of the press, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defence of Pakistan or any part, therefore, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, or incitement to an offence.’

    Imran Khan, in an interview aired on Wednesday, said that the establishment needs to make the right decisions and if they don’t, “the army will be destroyed”.

    He further said, “If the establishment doesn’t make the right decisions then I can assure you in writing that the army and they will be destroyed. Pakistan is going towards default. If right decisions aren’t made, then the country will be on a suicidal path.”

  • Maryam Nawaz removes ARY mic from news conference, Kashif Abbasi asks where PML-N’s press freedom slogan has gone now?

    Maryam Nawaz removes ARY mic from news conference, Kashif Abbasi asks where PML-N’s press freedom slogan has gone now?

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz before starting her press conference in Lahore on Tuesday, removed ARY News’ mic from the table, accusing the media house of propaganda against state institutes and PML-N.

    “Whoever is here from ARY, I completely respect you, but there is no way a media house can run a campaign against state institutes or start working on someone else’s agenda,” she added.

    Senior journalist and anchorperson Kashif Abbasi of ARY News took to Twitter and said that ARY News has been removed from cables across Pakistan. It is being reported that ARY has been taken down in parts of Pakistan following the orders of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to the cable operators.

    Abbasi blamed Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz and Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb as the main reason for the orders. Abbasi tweeted, “Ary removed from cables across pakistan.Maryam nawaz ne jalsa main ary pe tanqeed shuru ker aur ab Marium ne channel band ker dia.opposition main jamhooriat ka dard hai ke sone nahin deta.hukoomat main asliyat Nazar aati in sab ki.” [Maryam Nawaz criticised ARY during her jalsa and Marriyum Aurangzeb later shut down the channel. When they’re in Opposition, they want democracy but when in power, their reality is exposed.]

    The Current reached out to Kashif Abbasi, who asked the sitting government why they shut down ARY News.

    Abbasi said, “A news channel covers both the Opposition and the government, which is what ARY is doing. Covering the Opposition is not an issue, and there is nothing new in this. But how can you shut down a news channel on the basis of the coverage it is providing? When they are in Opposition, they represent themselves as being the biggest democrats and supporters of press freedom. Where has their press freedom gone now? All I want to know from the sitting government is why have they shut down the channel.”

    Nayatel, which is an internet service and streaming platform, has moved ARY from channel 7 to channel 66.

    “All licensed operators of Pakistan have shifted the position of ARY News channel. It’s available at 66 positions on Nayatel’s Basic Cable TV,” tweeted Nayatel.

    Following the shutdown of ARY News, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry tweeted that ARY News has been taken off the air in various areas, adding that the fascist government thinks censorship will succeed in the 21st century.

  • Global oil prices climb to highest in three weeks

    Oil prices increased on Monday as fears of limited global supply intensified, with the developing crisis in Ukraine raising the risk of more penalties from the West against Russia, the world’s leading exporter.

    Brent futures were up $1.50, or 1.3 per cent, at $113.20 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate futures were up 98 cents, or 0.9 per cent, at $107.93 per barrel. Both contracts surged more than 2.5 per cent on April 14, ahead of the Easter weekend holidays, on news that the European Union would phase in a ban on Russian oil imports.

    Last week, EU governments said that the bloc’s executive was working on ideas to ban Russian oil, but officials said Germany was not actively backing an immediate ban.

    Those remarks came before the Ukraine situation escalated over the weekend, with the Ukrainian military defying a Russian demand to lay down arms in the pulverised port of Mariupol on Sunday. Moscow, which refers to its efforts in Ukraine as a “special operation,” said its soldiers had nearly entirely captured the city, with no sign of a truce in sight.

    Read more: Oil prices jump following Russia’s biggest production decline

    Due to sanctions or importers voluntarily rejecting Russian shipments, the International Energy Agency has warned that around 3 million barrels per day (BPD) of Russian oil might be shut in from May onwards.

  • PIA prohibits pilots and cabin crew from fasting during Ramzan

    PIA prohibits pilots and cabin crew from fasting during Ramzan

    Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has prohibited its pilots and cabin staff members from fasting during the holy month of Ramzan.

    As per a recent safety notice released by the national flag carrier, fasting is one of the key factors behind diminished human performance.

    The decision is part of the PIA’s in-flight safety measures, which were recently announced by Aamir Bashir, the PIA’s General Manager (GM) of Flight Services.

    In order to meet the physical and psychological demands of flying, a healthy diet is crucial for pilots. Human errors that result in plane crashes can be minimized by focusing on nutrition due to its strong connection with flying performance.

    On-duty pilots and flying crew members should consider several aspects such as tiredness, performance degradation, and refrain from fasting throughout Ramadan, keeping in view the safety of the innocent lives (passengers and other staff).

    In addition to this, the administration has also allowed pilots and cabin crew members to apply for leave who do not wish to give up fasting during the month of Ramadan.

    Read more: Man hacks airline’s website after he lost his baggage

    Lastly, it also noted that non-compliance with the directive could result in the suspension or cancellation of the flying crew’s licenses.

  • TLP chief Saad Hussain Rizvi released

    TLP chief Saad Hussain Rizvi released

    Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Saad Rizvi has been released, party spokesperson Mufti Abid said on Thursday.

    A high-level meeting under Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat could not reach a consensus on the release of Hafiz Saad Rizvi on Wednesday, reports Dawn.

    The meeting linked Rizvi’s release with the decision of the Federal Review Board, which had already been approached by the provincial government seeking withdrawal of its application regarding his detention.

    The local authorities have been directed to cooperate with the TLP in observing the first death anniversary of the outfit’s founder, Allama Khadim Rizvi.

    Last week the government removed Saad Hussain Rizvi’s name from the Fourth Schedule — a list of proscribed individuals who are suspected of terrorism or sectarianism under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997.

    The Punjab Home Department issued a statement: “The name of Hafiz Mohammad Saad, being Ameer of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan, a proscribed organisation, was listed in the 4th Schedule of Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, under Section 11-E on the recommendations of District Intelligence Committee, Lahore.”

    Rizvi was taken into custody in April shortly after the federal government declared the TLP a proscribed organisation under anti-terrorism laws and launched a broad crackdown against it.

  • Taliban ban barbers from trimming beards in Afghanistan

    Taliban ban barbers from trimming beards in Afghanistan

    The Taliban have banned hairdressers in Afghanistan’s Helmand province from shaving or trimming beards, saying it breaches their interpretation of Islamic law, reports the BBC.

    “Anyone violating the rule will be punished,” Taliban religious police say. Some barbers in the capital, Kabul have said they also received similar orders.

    The instructions suggest a return to the strict rulings of the group’s past tenure in power.

    In a notice posted at salons, Taliban officers warned that hairdressers must follow Sharia law for haircuts and beards.

    “No one has a right to complain,” the notice stated, which was seen by the BBC.

    “Stop following American styles,” said another hairdresser, who received a call from someone claiming to be a government official. 

    A barber said that although he has not received an official order, he stopped offering beard trims.

    “Customers don’t shave their beards because they don’t want to be targeted by the Taliban fighters in the streets. They want to blend in and look like them,” he said.

  • Federal Directorate of Education bans jeans for male, female teachers

    The Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) on Monday has ordered female teachers not to wear jeans and tights and barred male teachers from wearing jeans and t-shirts, Dawn reported.

    All principals have been asked to ensure that their teaching and non-teaching staff (both male and female) have personal hygiene, including regular haircut, beard trimming, nail cutting and use of perfume.

    The FDE released a letter directing the principals of schools and colleges to ensure the implementation of the dress code and personal hygiene of the staff.

    The letter issued by the director academics stated: “All heads of institutions/section in-charges shall ensure that every staff member observes reasonably good measures in their physical appearance and personal hygiene.”

    Read More: Bahawal Victoria Hospital bans jeans, bangles, rings in hospital premises

    This includes regular haircut, beard trimming, nail cutting, shower and use of deodorants/perfume. The letter stated gatekeepers must wear uniforms and all the support staff may also be allocated a uniform.

    “It is recommended that all teaching staff must wear teaching gown while teaching in the class and lab coats while taking practical periods in laboratories,” the letter said, adding that the non-teaching staff must be presentable and neat, clean and properly ironed clothes and appropriate shoes.

    The letter mentioned a formal dress for females, which includes: “Appropriate simple and decent shalwar qameez, trouser, shirt with dupatta/shawl. Purdah observing females are allowed to wear scarf/hijab while ensuring its clean and neat appearance. Wearing of jeans and tights are not allowed in any case. Only formal shoes (pumps, loafers and mules) are allowed. Owing to long-standing hours during teaching, comfortable shoes like sneakers and sandals can be worn as well. But wearing of slippers is not allowed at all.”

    During the winter season, coats, blazers as well as sweaters, jerseys, cardigans and shawls of decent colours and design are allowed.

    For male staff, the letter said: “Wear appropriate, simple and decent shalwar qameez preferably with waistcoat in accordance with the weather conditions. Wear dress shirt (full sleeves preferably with tie) and trousers (dress and cotton pants only). Wearing jeans is not allowed in any case. During the summer, a half sleeves dress shirt or bush shirt can also be worn but t-shirts of all types are not allowed.”

    “Only formal shoes (dress shoes, loafers, moccasins and boots) must be worn and owing to longstanding hours during teaching comfortable shoes like sneakers and sandals can be worn as well. However, wearing of slippers is not allowed at all,” the letter said.

    It said for males, wearing shalwar qameez with waistcoat, pant and shirt with tie (preferably jacket/coat) was mandatory.

    For females, event-appropriate decent dress (shalwar qameez, trouser, shirt) with dupatta/shawl must be observed. “Fancy/party dresses in official gatherings/meetings are discouraged,” added the letter.

  • Fact Check: TikTokers are not banned in public parks

    Fact Check: TikTokers are not banned in public parks

    Claim: TikTokers are banned from public parks in Pakistan

    Fact: A fake notification by the Parks and Horticulture Authority claimed TikTokers have been banned in public parks

    Media outlets reported on Sunday, August 22nd, 2021 that the Punjab Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) has officially banned TikTokers in all public parks. A document was also circulated, stating that ‘we are a responsible authority expect responsible attitude from the public too…[Youtubers and TikTokers] will be taking permission and sharing the content of the video prior to any shoot from now onwards.”

    However Azhar Mashwani, Focal Person of Digital Media to the Chief Minister of Punjab has clarified this statement, in a tweet. He, while calling the news a fake one said that “no such decision taken so far by Govt Currently TikTok is banned in Pakistan.”

    The Current spoke to Mashwani and asked him about the official notification related to the ban which is circulating.

    He stated that it is merely a suggestion by the Vice Chairman of PHA and it requires a lot of approval from the other high officials. We even asked him that if we go to a public park right now and make a TikTok video there would the authorities there allow us? He responded with a yes.

    The notice has been making rounds on social media platforms since yesterday following the Minar-e-Pakistan incident in which Ayesha Akram, a TikToker survived a mass sexual assault on August 14.

    No other official from PHA or Punjab Government has commented so far on the matter.

    VERDICT: FALSE