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## National Security and Digital Sovereignty
Senator Talal Chaudhry, Federal Minister of State for Interior, issued a stern warning regarding the exploitation of digital platforms by hostile entities, emphasizing that state sovereignty remains non-negotiable. During a press conference, the Minister asserted that terrorist organizations are actively utilizing social media channels to undermine national security.
Minister Chaudhry acknowledged the government’s commitment to freedom of expression but cautioned against the malicious campaigns targeting national institutions disseminated through these platforms. He specifically accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of systematically running an organized social media campaign against state apparatuses.
The Minister made startling claims regarding the funding and origin of these digital campaigns, stating that accounts linked to the PTI are often operated from outside Pakistan and are leveraged to amplify trends created by terrorist organizations, specifically mentioning the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). He stated that specific messages, hashtags, and trends are created for monetary compensation. He warned that participation in anti-national trends may result in legal prosecution, as many accounts are managed by foreign companies that frequently alter their identities to evade monitoring.
## Provincial Governance and Policy Updates
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Chief Minister Suhail Afridi conducted a visit to Central Jail Peshawar, where he announced a two-month special remission in sentences for eligible prisoners. Paradoxically, the process to declare CM Afridi an absconder was simultaneously initiated elsewhere in the province.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti highlighted the rapidly deteriorating drought situation in the province, announcing the commencement of comprehensive planning to mitigate the crisis’s effects. Separately, the Peshawar High Court received a petition seeking the removal of Provincial Minister Amjad Ali’s name from both the Exit Control List (ECL) and the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL).
The Sindh Assembly saw the presentation of a resolution aimed at modernizing the province’s fire brigade infrastructure. Furthermore, a resolution concerning the 1971 East Pakistan tragedy was passed, paying tribute to the sacrifices made by the Pakistan Armed Forces and the Bihari community.
## Law and Order
Zafar Hijazi was formally sworn in as the Federal Tax Ombudsman in Islamabad, administered by President Asif Zardari.
In security matters, 14 passengers who had been abducted from a public transit bus traveling from Sadiqabad to Quetta were successfully recovered by law enforcement agencies. Karachi’s security was reviewed ahead of the Christmas holiday during a meeting chaired by Additional IG Javed Alam Odho. Separately, a railway track near Humayun in Shikarpur was damaged by an explosive device. High-profile crime incidents in Karachi included two consecutive robberies at superstores in the Gulshan-e-Hadeed area over a period of two days.
In a significant judicial development, DSP Usman Haider was arrested and subsequently suspended on charges related to the alleged murder of his wife and daughter.
## Diplomatic and Political Engagements
The newly appointed Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Pakistan, Salem Mohammed Al Zaabi, visited Sindh Governor House. The Ambassador met with Governor Kamran Tessori, where discussions centered on strengthening Pak-UAE relations, boosting investment, and bilateral cooperation.
Political activities intensified as a delegation from the Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Aaeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) visited the Jamaat-e-Islami office and later met with Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) chief Aftab Sherpao in Islamabad.
## Human Rights and International Events
The Human Rights Council of Pakistan (HRCP) strongly condemned the actions of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar after he was filmed pulling back the veil of a Muslim female doctor during a public event.
Internationally, the father of the civilian hero who neutralized the attacker during the recent Sydney stabbing incident, Muhammad Fateh, credited his son’s bravery with saving dozens of innocent lives. The Indian police also issued a statement regarding terrorism suspect Sajid Akram in connection with the same Sydney incident.
In cultural news, renowned Bollywood actor Anupam Kher shared his experience of traveling by train after missing an Indigo connecting flight from Varanasi to Khajuraho.
