Islamabad: The new amendments to social media laws have come into effect following President Asif Ali Zardari’s assent. These amendments introduce new definitions, establish regulatory and investigative bodies, and impose stricter penalties for spreading “false” information. Under the new amendments, the punishment for disseminating “fake information” online has been reduced to three years, along with a fine of up to Rs2 million. The amendments propose the establishment of the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority (SMPRA), the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), and the Social Media Protection Tribunal. Furthermore, any individual “aggrieved by fake and false information” can approach…
Author: Raja Zahid Khanzada
Islamabad: On Tuesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the government would introduce a Ramadan Relief Package this year without the involvement of Utility Stores, aiming to prevent corruption and the distribution of low-quality goods to the public. “As the month of Ramadan approaches, I have instructed the Ministry of National Food Security to bring a Ramadan package without the Utility Stores. I had told several months ago that it cannot continue with the Utility Stores,” the Prime Minister said during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. Last month, the current government formed a seven-member cabinet committee to oversee the immediate…
ISLAMABAD: The government is set to issue an Expression of Interest (EoI) this month in a fresh attempt to privatize Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). The move includes clearing the airline’s balance sheet and exempting the buyer from an 18% General Sales Tax (GST) on aircraft purchases, following approval from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Notably, after PIA’s privatization, the aviation sector across Pakistan will also be eligible for the same 18% GST exemption. This will support private operators in expanding their businesses and services. Previously, investors backed out from bidding due to two major concerns: PIA’s negative equity of Rs45…
ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Monday reaffirmed his support for the journalist community regarding the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025 (PECA), and suggested that President Asif Ali Zardari may have endorsed the bill under external pressure. Speaking to members of the Parliamentary Reporters Association (PRA) at the Parliament House in the federal capital, Fazl said he would hold consultations with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on the controversial legislation. “The president faced such pressure that he signed the bill into law immediately,” the JUI-F chief remarked, adding that journalism and politics had always been interlinked.…
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has claimed that a proposal was made to transfer Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan to Bani Gala, Nathia Gali, or the Chief Minister House, but no progress was made as Khan insisted on the release of all detained workers before his transfer. Speaking to journalists in Peshawar, Gandapur said, “When I set out for a mission, I burn my boats.” Regarding the November 24 protest, he revealed that the establishment had warned against staging demonstrations, citing the risk of clashes and damage. The protests were part of the party’s “final call”…
A new study conducted by British researchers has revealed that children born in January and February tend to be more intelligent compared to those born in other months. The research, based on data collected from 500 hospitals, suggests that individuals born in these months often excel academically and achieve great success in life. What Does the Study Say? According to a government-backed research report, individuals born under the zodiac sign of Aquarius (which covers parts of January and February) are more likely to become famous and wealthy. These children are believed to have stronger reading and learning abilities, setting them…
Pakistan’s fertility rate has experienced a significant decline, according to the United Nations’ World Fertility Report 2024. The country’s fertility rate, which was recorded at 6 children per woman in 1994, has dropped to 3.6 in 2024, representing a 2.4% decrease over the past three decades. This decline is part of a global trend of reducing fertility rates, which have been steadily falling across much of the world. The report highlights that 1.8 billion people, or 22% of the global population, now live in 63 countries and territories that are in the early to middle stages of demographic transition. These…
OpenAI is reportedly working on a new hardware device specifically designed for artificial intelligence (AI). According to reports, this device could serve as a replacement for smartphones. The CEO of OpenAI, Sam Altman, has announced that the company is collaborating with Jony Ive, the former chief designer of Apple, to develop this AI-focused device. As per the reports, this device will use generative AI to perform tasks and interact with users in a way that is more efficient than current software. Last year, reports suggested that the new AI device being developed by OpenAI and Jony Ive would have a…
Two agreements worth $1.61 billion were signed between Pakistan and the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) on Monday, strengthening the economic cooperation between the two countries. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and SFD CEO Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad witnessed the signing. The major agreements included a concessional loan arrangement for the development of a gravity-flow water infrastructure in Mansehra totaling $41 million, and a one-year deferred payment for oil imports from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia valued at $1.20 billion. The agreements were signed on behalf of their respective governments by SFD CEO Sultan Bin Abdul Rehman Al-Marshad and Economic Affairs Division…
The federal government has submitted a formal application to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), proposing a significant reduction in electricity tariffs for EV charging stations to promote electric vehicles (EVs) across the country. The application suggests cutting the basic tariff by Rs23.57 per unit. The government has already announced a 44% reduced tariff for electric vehicle charging stations, aiming to make EVs more affordable and accelerate the transition to clean energy. According to the government’s proposal, the reduced tariff aligns with the targets set under Pakistan’s Electric Vehicle Policy 2030, which aims to boost the adoption of electric…
