Tag: warning

  • Govt issues warning to be cautious with Indian tech products 

    Govt issues warning to be cautious with Indian tech products 

    The government has warned information technology (IT) and financial institutions, including regulators, to avoid using artificial intelligence (AI) and information and communication technology (ICT) products from India. They say these products could pose a serious threat to Pakistan’s critical information systems. 

    According to Geo News, this warning came through a cybersecurity advisory shared with federal and provincial ministries and regulators. The advisory noted that AI and ICT products from India are used worldwide, especially in the financial industry, to help businesses grow. 

    However, it pointed out that some Pakistani fintech companies and banks are working with Indian firms that offer IT, cybersecurity, and AI solutions. The government is concerned for two main reasons: 

    Indian products could have hidden “backdoors” or malicious software that collects data, including personal information. 

    There might be direct access to Pakistan’s critical systems by Indian entities, allowing them to monitor and control these systems. 

    Read more:

    The government has asked all ministries and regulators to make sure their affiliated organisations and licensees understand the risks of using Indian products. Instead, they suggest consulting with the Pakistan Software House Association (P@SHA) to find affordable alternatives from local tech companies. 

    Two years ago, a US company called Exodus Intelligence claimed that India used its software vulnerabilities to spy on Pakistan and China. 

  • Will your city get monsoon rain in the next four days?

    According to the Met Department, monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea are likely to penetrate the upper parts of the country from Tuesday night, whereas a westerly wave is also likely to enter these areas today.

    Under the influence of these systems, rain and wind-thunderstorms are expected in different parts of Kashmir, including Neelum, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur.

    A warning has also been issued for different parts of Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Haripur, Kohat, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi and Nowshera from August 23 to 27 with occasional gaps.

    Rain and thunder showers are also expected in Kurram, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Karak, Waziristan, Mianwali, Sargodha, Khushab, Faisalabod, Toba To Singh, Jhang and Bhakkar from 24th to 26th August. While in Dera Ghaz Khan, Ramrour, Musa Khel, Barkhan, Zhob, Kalat, Khuzdar on 25th and 26th August.

    The warning stated that moderate to heavy rainfall is expected to increase the water flows in local nullahs/streams of Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Mardan, Nowshera, Swabi, Galliyat, Murree, Rawalpindi/Islamabad from August 23 to 25.

    Moreover, moderate to heavy rains may cause urban flooding in the low-lying areas of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Peshawar, and Lahore as well as may trigger landslides in the vulnerable areas of Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan and hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the wet spell.

  • NDMA warns of potential high level of flooding in Sutlej

    NDMA warns of potential high level of flooding in Sutlej

    The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a warning stating that the Ganda Singhwala area along the Sutlej River may experience a medium to high level of flooding within the next 24 to 48 hours, Dawn has reported.

    The NDMA advised the administration of flood-prone areas, particularly in the Trimmu area of the river Chenab and Jassar area of the river Ravi, to remain vigilant until July 20.

    In a weather advisory released on Wednesday, it is predicted that scattered thunderstorms and light to moderate rainfall may occur in Islamabad and Punjab, including the upper catchments of the major rivers in the Indus River System. These weather conditions could potentially lead to medium to high-level flooding in the Sutlej River at Ganda Singhwala.

    The period from July 14 to 16 is expected to bring scattered to widespread thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in isolated areas within the upper catchments of the major rivers in the Indus River System, added the report.

  • Pakistani rupee reverses losses against greenback

    Pakistani rupee reverses losses against greenback

    After strengthening against the US dollar on Monday, the Pakistani rupee started the new week positively.

    Discussions between Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) employees and currency traders had positive effects as the local currency increased by Rs1.59, or 0.72 per cent, versus the dollar.

    In the interbank market, the rupee was able to settle at Rs220.89, according to the SBP.

    The rupee last week dropped 0.93 per cent versus the dollar, trading at Rs222.47. Analysts predicted that this week will see range-bound trading in the local currency.

    Earlier, Ishaq Dar issued a warning last week saying that anyone detected manipulating the currency rate will face harsh punishment.

    Dar said that the rupee’s true worth in relation to the dollar is less than Rs200. He predicted that the rupee will soon strengthen against the dollar and gave a warning to those who were speculating in and hoarding foreign cash.

    Furthermore, the price of Brent oil fell by 0.65 per cent to $95.15 per barrel on Monday, while the price of US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell by 0.83 per cent to $87.17 per barrel. With advances of 7.7 per cent and 9.3 per cent so far in October, respectively, Brent and WTI are on course to post their first monthly gains since May.

    Europe, which is anticipated to experience a recession this winter, poses a threat to global oil consumption. The European Central Bank’s policymakers are also continuing with their plans to raise interest rates, despite the fact that doing so might plunge the region into recession and stoke political unrest.

  • PFA issues warning notices to 28 eateries in Lahore for selling sub-standard food

    PFA issues warning notices to 28 eateries in Lahore for selling sub-standard food

    During a province-wide inspection of food outlets, the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) inspected 1,200 food points, issued improvement warning notices to 28 restaurants, and disposed of a significant amount of unwholesome food.

    Mudassar Riaz Malik, the Director General of the PFA, stated that a PFA team visited a well-known restaurant in Gulberg and found expired food products.

    Various cuisine dishes were being prepared using out-of-date items. According to him, the owner of the food establishment also neglected to provide the raiding team with the required documentation and maintain a clean working environment.

    Similarly, PFA seized 7,000 kg of beef last week that was about three years old.

    The meat was retrieved from a hotel’s cold storage unit and was imported from elsewhere.

    After looking into the matter, the food authority’s directorate general concluded that it is unknown if the stale meat is halal or haram. The meat was taken away and burnt by the authorities after the investigation.

  • After electricity, telecom companies warn of phone call loadshedding

    After electricity, telecom companies warn of phone call loadshedding

    Following a massive tax hike, telecom companies in Pakistan have warned the public of initiating ‘loadshedding’ of phone calls, similar to power cuts, across the country.

    Telecommunication officials informed senators during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance that, like electricity, load-shedding of phone calls would be observed in the coming days, according to ARY News.

    During the meeting, telecom company representatives stated that the federal government has enhanced the advance tax on imported fibre optic cable by 15 per cent while boosting duty by 20 per cent.

    The senators were informed that the companies are experiencing severe financial difficulties as a result of the enhanced financial strain of importing fiber-optic.

    Telecom company representatives claimed that fibre optic cable is only used in 10 per cent of towers across the country, and that unless the government lowers fibre optic cable taxes, Pakistan will fall behind in the global connectivity race.

    After hearing the telecom companies’ arguments, the Senate committee recommended that the federal government reduce relevant taxes on fibre optic imports.

  • Baseless propaganda, institution has right to take legal action against those involved: ISPR

    Baseless propaganda, institution has right to take legal action against those involved: ISPR

    Pakistan’s Military wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), has issued a warning and said that it reserves the right to take legal action against people involved in “peddling malicious allegations and blatant lies” against its leadership.

    ISPR’s warning comes in relevance to the claims made by journalist Shaheen Sehbai insinuating that former Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin was asked to switch sides and betray Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and help Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif. 

    Sehbai tweeted, “NEUTRAL EXPOSED: I am going to write soon about WHY the Chief Neutral, proved by Shaukat Tarin as Non-Neutral as he asked Tarin to betray Imran Khan and help Shehbaz, is so sensitive and DEAD SCARED about his remaining four months in office. Something fishy, intriguing, alarming, unpatriotic.”

    Tarin responded on Twitter: “I categorically deny what has been attributed to me by Shaheen Sehbai. I was never asked by anyone in the establishment to leave Imran Khan and join [the] Shehbaz Sharif government.”

    https://twitter.com/shaukat_tarin/status/1534536507872231424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1534536507872231424%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dawn.com%2Fnews%2F1693782

    The word ‘neutral’, used frequently by Imran Khan and his party, is seen as a reference to the military establishment.

    ISPR termed Sehbai’s remarks as baseless propaganda.

    “The insinuations by Shaheen Sehbai and some others on social media quoting the former finance minister are baseless propaganda,” an ISPR statement issued less than two hours after Tarin’s tweet said. “The same has also been duly rebutted by Shaukat Tarin himself.”

    “Peddling malicious allegations and blatant lies against the institution and its leadership to promote vested interests is condemnable and [the] institution reserves the right to take legal action against those involved,” it concluded.

    On Wednesday, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa presided over the 80th Formation Commanders’ Conference. 

    General Bajwa during the conference said that the Pakistan Army was a professional institution that shall always fulfill its responsibilities towards the security, integrity, and sovereignty of Pakistan as a sacred duty. 

  • Met department predicts torrential rains starting next week

    Met department predicts torrential rains starting next week

    The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted torrential rainfall starting next week, putting an end to the brutal heatwave in most parts of Pakistan.

    As per the latest PMD forecast, a new weather system will develop in the country from Sunday, attracting downpours from the May 16 to May18.

    Heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected in Islamabad, upper and central Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan, and Azad Jammu Kashmir. Following the rain, the PMD predicts that temperatures in these areas will decrease radically.

    In addition, the PMD has directed that the relevant Disaster Management Authorities be on high alert in order to avert loss of life and property throughout the rainfall.

    In other news, the PMD has warned that a severe heatwave will approach Sindh. The extreme heat will extend through May 17th, with daytime temperatures in most regions exceeding usual.

    Read more: Heatwave Alert: All physical activities in Punjab schools suspended

    Daytime highs in upper Sindh will linger between 46°C and 48°C, in central Sindh districts between 43°C and 45°C, and in lower Sindh districts between 38°C and 40°C.

  • VIDEO: 9-year-old boy steals car, gets away with police warning

    VIDEO: 9-year-old boy steals car, gets away with police warning

    A 9-year-old boy stole a car from the Karachi’s Sea View area and drove it until it ran out of fuel. The Darakhshan police caught the boy but later released him with a warning and allowed him to go with his parents.

    As per reports, the child had stolen the car from Khayaban-e-Mujahid. His act was caught on the closed-circuit television (CCTV) and footage of the incident went viral on social media.

    The boy is the resident of Machar Colony. Police officials said that the minor boy liked driving and had stolen a few motorcycles in the past. They added that he would drive vehicles until the fuel ran out after which he leaves them where they stop.

    According to police, the little boy’s father is a drug addict. Police noted that they have warned the boy and let him go.