Tag: Syed Amin-ul-Haque

  • IT minister denies involvement in internet suspension resulting in billion-rupee losses

    IT minister denies involvement in internet suspension resulting in billion-rupee losses

    Following the internet blackout in Pakistan, Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Syed Amin-ul-Haque distanced his ministry from the blockage, stating that they were not taken into confidence.

    According to Geo, Haque revealed that mobile internet services were suspended without the Ministry of IT’s consultation. Since 2017, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has not been under the Ministry of IT, and the PTA has been operating independently.

    The minister explained that blocking social media websites or the internet was not the solution to any issue, and he urged people to be open-minded rather than resorting to using a VPN to access blocked sites.

    Haque suggested that instead of completely blocking the internet, it could be blocked in specific areas. He emphasized that the IT sector suffered losses of billions of rupees due to internet blockages.

    The suspension of mobile broadband and restricted access to Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube occurred after violent protests arose in response to the Rangers personnel arresting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan from the Islamabad High Court. At least ten people died, and dozens sustained injuries during the days-long protests.

    After almost a seven-day suspension, the government restored access to social media platforms such as Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook. The suspension was recommended by the interior ministry and is the longest continuous shutdown in a country that often suspends communication as a tool to quell unrest. Telecom operators suffered an approximate revenue loss of Rs820 million, which was a significant blow to the sector as the economy remained in a fragile state.

    Additionally, the government blocked major social media platforms, including Twitter and Facebook, while YouTube services were slower to control the spread of disinformation.

  • ‘PM Khan is a predator of free speech’: Pakistanis denounce PECA Ordinance

    ‘PM Khan is a predator of free speech’: Pakistanis denounce PECA Ordinance

    Since the promulgation of the Ordinance amending the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, the law has been receiving a lot of criticism from the Opposition, civil society, journalists and even government allies.

    In a joint statement, the Opposition termed PECA “fascist and dictatorship”. The statement was released after a meeting between Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leadership, reports Geo News.

    Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif took to Twitter and said, “So-called ‘defamation’ amendment to PECA, promulgated by presidential ordinance, shows the real fascist face of the ruling clique.”

    PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto- Zardari said that freedom of expression and press is being muzzled under the guise of preventing false news. “Khan Sahib himself is the biggest leader of fake news mafia in Pakistan,” said Bilawal.

    PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz was of the view that PECA is going to be used against the government.

    While condemning the Ordinance, PPP’s Senator Sherry Rehman said that such laws are unacceptable.

    Lawyer Reema Omer tweeted, “With PECA Ordinance, PM Imran Khan has proven yet again that he is a predator of free speech.”

    However, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) restrained the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) from making arrests under Section 20 of PECA despite its promulgation by President Arif Alvi on Sunday, reports Dawn.

    Federal Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunication Amin Ul Haque has written to Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, urging him to either withdraw or review the Ordinance.

  • MQM-P’s Amir Khan seeks mercy from PM Khan, says they don’t want more ministries

    MQM-P’s Amir Khan seeks mercy from PM Khan, says they don’t want more ministries

    Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Amir Khan in a Geo News‘ programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath‘ said that the party seeks mercy from the government, doesn’t want any more ministries and the government can take back the MQM-P’s current federal cabinet seat.

    Currently, MQM-P holds two federal ministries— Information Technology Minister Syed Amin-ul-Haq and Law Minister Farogh Naseem. However, MQM-P has been saying that the law ministry has not been given to it.

    Amir raised serious concerns about government policies. He stated, “Our legs have started trembling, carrying the weight of the government’s economic policies.”

    “We have our own identity and are independent in making decisions; we are not obligated to work with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led government, and we will make decisions as we deem appropriate”, he added, while talking about the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan.

    Talking about the recent meetings with the Opposition who are gearing up for the no-confidence motion, the MQM-P leader stated, “The Opposition should have a clear stand on a vote of no confidence.” He demanded that the party wants an independent local bodies system in Sindh, and if contacted, they will present Sindh problems before the Opposition.

    On the contrary, while speaking on Geo News‘ Programme ‘Jashan-e-Cricket’, MQM-P leader Wasim Akhtar said that their party has a lot of compulsions to support PTI yet he questioned the incumbent government wining in Karachi. He claimed that PTI would not have won 14 seats in Karachi if Khalai Makhlooq (‘Aliens’) had not played a role.

    Akhtar further said that he wondered, “How Imran Khan has become Prime Minister of Pakistan.”

    It was reported on Wednesday that the premier would soon make changes in the federal and Punjab cabinets by including allied parties’ members i.e MQM-P and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP).

  • Huawei to launch training for IT Ministry officials

    Huawei to launch training for IT Ministry officials

    Huawei Technologies Pakistan is going to launch a training programme for the government employees of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication.

    Huawei, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mark Meng, and a delegation of Huawei Technologies Pakistan called on Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Syed Amin Ul Haque on Wednesday.

    The Minister welcomed the delegation in his office and matters related to information and communication technology (ICT), connectivity, and digitization were discussed during the meeting.

    CEO Huawei Pakistan briefed the Federal Minister about the company’s programs and its initiatives in the ICT sector.

    The Federal Minister also praised Huawei Technologies Pakistan for it’s IT training program for government employees and development projects for ICT sector. He also assured Ministry full support to Huawei.