High-stakes diplomacy was seen. Three Muslim countries flew to Iran. Meetings organised by Turkish, Pakistani, and Saudi Arabian officials with European leaders of the UK, France and Italy last Friday in Istanbul paved the way for Pakistan to take credit for organising this assembly of influentials in Tehran a day before the general elections in Israel. The situation in reality is much more complicated than it appears.

Reportedly, Houthi militia activities inside Saudi Arabia and impending US-Israel combined strikes on Iran were two areas of discussion.  How much time participants give to each issue, and with what attitude and seriousness, remains to be seen.  However, the kinetic happening of the last three weeks between Saudi Arabia and Yemen and its aftermath remained a source of concern for Saudi Arabiaas well as other Mecca pact signatories.

A significant part of the meeting was concerning the Houthi militia’s activities at a time when Saudi Arabian interceptors are down by 91%. Saudi Arabia is under maximum vulnerability and continuous pressure but is operating with a lot of maturity. Why Saudi Arabia is under so much pressure from many directions is by itself a bigger question.One school of thought argues that pressure on KSA is about renegotiating and reconfiguring US military presence, and that the US wants Saudi Arabia to take the initiative.

On the other hand, Saudi Arabia is not only reluctant but has some reservations and sees other alternatives. Not allowing free use of its air space during active war period in the recent past, Mecca pact and military cooperation with Ukraine are few recent steps which speak of Saudi desire for a broad based, multifaceted security umbrella than the US specific shield which she wore for 65 years.

Participation in the meeting, especially by the Saudi defence minister, was exceptionally significant. It has melted the ice where diplomacy has been allowed to stretch its limits and resultantly the situation might evolve differently aftera week or so. Reportedly, Iran has remained stubborn and apparently made very few concessions. Iran’s strategy was very clear. If we are safe, you all are safe, and vice versa. Iran’s body language seemed more prepared to absorb the impending combined strikes than to make any concessions at this point. A window of six strike days is available before celebrating mid-term election results and Netanyahu’s victory in the USA and Israel on 4 Nov.

This is still possible if Iran gets permission to sell its oil in return for opening the Strait of Hormuz.  It might work for Trump at home as a last resort. It will not be a winning situation, but it may avert the disaster of war. Trump’s options, though limited, are still doable. At the same time, the global arena smells bad, as if a strike decision has already been made.  If Iran survives and retaliates, the world will see a kind of recession and events not seen before.

Let’s hope and pray that sense prevails over madness. Peculiar to Pakistan, in the event of a lingering and expanding Middle East conflict, the widening gap between military pressure and negotiated settlement had to be bridged. It’s a diplomatic race led by Field Marshall to prevent a wider Middle East war.  Pakistan has definitely created an opportunity, but timing could not be more critical than where the clock stands today.  All four countries have agreed to continue consultations on regional peace and security, which speaks to the talks’ conclusive nature and is exceptionally encouraging. Ice between Iran and Saudi Arabia is cracking if not yet melting and is likely to pave way for regional security and stability.

The US and the world need to understand how fragile temporary halts are during complicated, consequential issues.  Pakistan and its top leadership are extending diplomatic reach while promoting collective understanding by tying commitments to verifiable outcomes. Lastly, what did Field Marshall actually do in Tehran? The report says he offered a deal to Iranian officials with Donald Trump’s blessing.  It had something for both America and Iran. If approved, Mecca pact and Qatar shall act as guarantors.

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ISLAMABAD – The federal government kept petrol prices unchanged while increasing the price of high-speed diesel by 85 paisa per litre for October 30, 2026.

According to the notification, the petrol price stays at Rs377.91 per litre. High-speed diesel rate jumped from Rs399.82 to Rs400.67 per litre.

The revised rates take effect on October 30, bringing another increase for diesel consumers while petrol users face no change.

Meanwhile, international oil prices edged lower on Thursday as hopes for renewed US-Iran diplomacy eased some concerns over Middle East supply disruptions.

Brent crude futures traded at $114.92 per barrel, down 40 cents or 0.35%, while US West Texas Intermediate crude stood at $102.12, down 66 cents or 0.64%, according to the latest available Reuters update at 10:35pm Pakistan time on October 29. These were intraday prices, rather than closing rates.

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KARACHI – For Pakistani riders, owning premium bike has been difficult due to hefty import costs, and rider community is excited for Benelli’s planned move into local assembly that could bring that dream closer, with the prospect of lower prices giving enthusiasts something to watch.

The distributor of Benelli, QJMotor and Moto Morini motorcycles in Pakistan, is preparing to assemble selected motorcycles domestically under a programme scheduled to begin next year. The company announced Benelli’s inclusion, expanding a project that could give Pakistan’s premium motorcycle segment more competitively priced options.

The assembly facility was expected to be ready by December 2026, with the first locally assembled motorcycles rolling out in January 2027. Moto Morini’s Alltrhike 450 adventure motorcycle is expected to lead the programme, followed by a 300cc offering. Benelli’s first locally assembled model and its specific delivery schedule have yet to be clearly confirmed.

For Pakistan’s premium bike market, the price tag will be the decisive factor. Imported motorcycles carry substantial costs, placing many international models beyond the reach of buyers looking to upgrade from smaller commuter bikes.

The distributor is reportedly planning assembly through Completely Knocked Down kits to reduce costs and says it intends to pass the benefit on to customers.

Alltrhike 450 offers an early indication of the potential savings. Its reported imported price of Rs2.6 million could fall to a tentative Rs1.995 million after local assembly. That estimate applies to the Moto Morini model. Revised prices for locally assembled Benelli motorcycles have not been announced.

The imported Benelli range includes TNT 150i, 180S, 302S and TNT 600i. These motorcycles span different price and performance categories, although their inclusion in the local assembly lineup remains unconfirmed. More details are expected on November 2, including clarity on the first Benelli model selected for the programme.

Suzuki GD110, GS150 Price in Pakistan, Installment Plans

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KARACHI – Pakistan’s central bank reserves increased by more than $7 billion over the past year, reaching $21.52 billion following another weekly rise.

State Bank of Pakistan shared update of its foreign exchange holdings which increased by $33 million during the week ended October 23, 2026, taking the total to $21,521.7 million. The gain followed a $19 million increase in the previous week, when SBP reserves stood at $21.49 billion as of October 16.

Pakistan’s total liquid foreign exchange reserves reached $26.75 billion in the latest reporting week. This included $21.52 billion held by the central bank and $5.23 billion in net reserves maintained by commercial banks. Compared with $14.47 billion on October 24, 2025, the central bank’s holdings have grown by approximately $7.05 billion, an increase of 48.7% over roughly one year.

The upward trend included some declines. Reserves hovered at $16.38 billion in late March before slipping to $15.83 billion in April, and recovered to $17.19 billion in May, eased again in June and subsequently climbed above $21 billion in September.

SBP foreign exchange reserves 

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ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has issued a notification regarding Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi, stating that PTI leaders and office-bearers have been barred from presenting any agenda for changing the chief minister.

The notification says Afridi will remain KP chief minister with the trust and support of the PTI founder, and that he is, and will remain, the party’s chief minister in the province.

It says a ban has been imposed on calling any meeting regarding the nomination or replacement of the KP chief minister, and PTI leaders and office-bearers are prohibited from tabling any agenda on changing him.

The notification adds that no proposal or debate on nominating or replacing the chief minister will be permitted. No one other than PTI founder Imran Khan has the authority to nominate an alternative chief minister or alter the decision.

Barrister Gohar said the PTI founder’s decisions on the KP chief minister will be final and binding on all party members, and that a notification upholding Afridi’s status as chief minister has been issued.

The notification directs all PTI members and office-bearers to comply with it.

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WAZIRISTAN – Pakistani security forces again struck Afghan Taliban positions with heavy weapons after firing from across the border targeted residential areas in the Angoor Adda sector, triggering intense exchanges along the frontier.

Local residents called sustained gunfire and shelling, with both sides using light and heavy weapons. Journalists in the area reported that civilian settlements and houses on the Pakistani side were coming under fire.

Reports from the area said Pakistani retaliatory fire destroyed several Taliban checkpoints. Taliban fighters reportedly abandoned some positions, leaving behind the bodies of their comrades. These battlefield claims could not be independently verified.

The reported fighting follows a deadly confrontation in the same sector on October 27, when a mortar shell allegedly fired from Afghanistan struck a house. Security sources said one civilian was killed and five members of the same family were injured, deepening concern among border communities.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting described the October 27 firing and mortar attacks as unprovoked, accusing Afghan Taliban forces of targeting unarmed civilians.

According to the ministry, Pakistani troops responded swiftly, destroying seven Taliban posts and inflicting heavy losses in personnel and equipment. Security sources separately said several Afghan positions were hit during the retaliatory action.

The ministry also rejected statements by Afghan Taliban spokespersons, accusing them of spreading misinformation about the confrontation.

It further alleged that the firing took place at India’s direction and linked it to what it called a pattern of attacks by Indian-backed proxies. No independent evidence supporting that allegation was provided in the supplied material.

Pakistan slams Afghan Taliban for targeting Civilians in Deadly Border Attack

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LAHORE – Vote counting for the presidential seat in the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) annual elections has been completed, and Syed Amjad Ali Shah, the candidate of the Ahsan Bhoon group, has been elected president, according to unofficial results.

According to unofficial results, Independent Group presidential candidate Syed Amjad Shah won with 644 votes from Lahore, while Professional Group candidate Sardar Aman Khan secured 400 votes.

Ahsan Bhoon congratulated the lawyers of the bar on the win and thanked all political parties. He also thanked Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi. Bhoon said they would support amendments made in accordance with the Constitution and the law.

The newly elected president, Syed Amjad Shah, expressed gratitude for the heavy mandate and thanked the legal community for its support. He said there would be no compromise on the supremacy of the Constitution and the law, adding that the welfare of lawyers is among his priorities.

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SHANGHAI – China’s massive AI investment frenzy turned into bruising market retreat, wiping out around $480 billion from STAR50’s constituent companies during months-long slide and leaving investors questioning whether the sector’s soaring prices ever matched its earnings potential.

Selling intensified this week as Shanghai’s technology-focused STAR50 index closed at 1,228.09, down 4.27%, reversing the previous session’s recovery. The broader CSI 300 fell 1.03% to 4,041.84. China’s blue-chip CSI 300 had dropped approximately 20% from its June peak, underscoring how the damage had spread beyond speculative technology shares.

Top players suffer heavy losses

Unitree’s retail offering attracted subscriptions around 8,000 times the available allocation. MetaX and Moore Threads had surged approximately 700% and 400%, respectively, on their market debuts the previous year, illustrating the speculative enthusiasm that preceded the reversal.

Fresh earnings added to the pressure on Unitree on Thursday. Its shares fell 4.3% in morning trading after its first post-listing quarterly report showed declining net profit despite revenue growth of 70% from a year earlier.

No single shock explains the wider retreat. Expensive valuations, tax considerations and the prospect of restrictions on Chinese equipment in overseas data centres have contributed to investor unease. Optical component suppliers face particular exposure to Washington’s policy decisions, given their substantial overseas business and links to the data centre supply chain.

Despite the earlier correction, STAR50 was still trading around 100 times trailing earnings, compared with nearly 250 times at its peak and approximately 30 times for the Nasdaq 100.

The downturn threatens to complicate Beijing’s effort to channel household savings into technology investment. Falling prices can weaken demand for new listings and make fundraising harder, even as China continues pursuing semiconductor development, domestic AI capabilities and technological self-reliance.

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LAHORE – The University of Health Sciences (UHS) has announced the results of the postgraduate entry test. A total of 8,271 candidates took the test, of whom 2,131 passed.

In Medicine and Allied, 2,939 candidates appeared and 744 passed. Surgery and Allied Group One had 959 test-takers, of whom 248 passed, while Group Two had 1,031 candidates, with 274 passing. In Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 1,136 candidates sat the test and 287 qualified.

In Paediatric Medicine, 485 candidates appeared and 126 passed, while Radiology saw 411 candidates, with 108 passing. In Anaesthesia, 338 candidates took the test and 86 passed.

Among the smaller specialities, 197 candidates appeared in ENT and 51 passed, and 189 appeared in Ophthalmology, with 51 passing. In Psychiatry, 186 candidates took the test and 52 passed, while Pathology had 114 candidates, with 29 qualifying.

In the dental specialities, 120 candidates appeared in Oral Surgery and 30 passed. Operative Dentistry had 64 candidates, of whom 18 passed, while Orthodontics had 62 test-takers, with 16 passing. In Prosthodontics, 26 candidates appeared and 7 passed, and in Periodontology, 14 candidates took the test and 4 passed.

The postgraduate entry test was held on October 25.

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ISLAMABAD – The Finance Ministry has released its monthly Economic Update and Outlook report, which expects an economic recovery this fiscal year. Improved agricultural output could support the economy, and inflation is projected to stay between 9.5 and 10.5 percent in October.

According to the report, Pakistan is expected to see an economic recovery during fiscal year 2026-27. Better crop yields are expected to raise rural incomes and business activity. Inflation in October 2026 is likely to remain between 9.5 and 10.5 percent, and its future path will depend on global energy prices and food supply.

The report said improvements in the tax system and energy savings would help sustain economic growth, and that reforms of state-owned enterprises are expected to strengthen the economy. The food processing industry will benefit from higher agricultural output, while increased construction activity is expected to boost economic activity. Production is likely to rise in a few large industries, and machinery imports are expected to expand the country’s productive capacity.

Remittances from abroad and services exports are likely to grow. Higher remittances will support national income and foreign exchange reserves, and strong reserves are already supporting the economy. The government is focused on raising tax collection and keeping expenditure under control.

The report stressed the need to continue measures to support vulnerable and low-income groups. It described the budget surplus as a positive development for economic stability. It also noted that the improvement in industrial output is uneven, with performance varying across sectors. Inflation declined in September.

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Pakistani mobile phone market witnessed several new players over the years, but the prices of new devices are getting out of hand, while buyers are still looking for solid camera phone within Rs70-75k range.

If you are low in budget, you can consider iPhone 12 for its video recording, gaming experience and iOS experience. Pixel 8a counters with smoother OLED display, strong photography, more storage at the entry price and a longer software support commitment.

iPhone 11 and Pixel 8a Prices in Pakistan

The comparison quotes the following prices for devices described as officially PTA-approved. These are indicative prices from the review; individual sellers may charge differently depending on condition, battery health and repair history.

Buyers choosing the cheaper 64GB iPhone should consider how quickly videos, photographs, games and messaging apps can fill its storage. Pixel 8a configuration discussed in the local review is 8GB/128GB. That does not mean it is the only configuration sold internationally.

For used-phone buyers, physical condition deserves greater attention than small differences in thickness. The reviewer found clean Pixel 8a units easier to locate, while finding an original, unopened iPhone 11 required more effort. That is a market observation rather than a guarantee. Either phone could have been repaired, refurbished or fitted with replacement parts.

Both models originally offered water resistance, but buyers should avoid treating a used device as waterproof.

Pixel’s OLED screen offers deeper blacks, while its higher refresh rate makes scrolling and supported animations look smoother. Google lists Gorilla Glass 3 protection and peak brightness of up to 2,000 nits for the Pixel 8a.

iPhone 11/12 remain usable for browsing, messaging and video playback, but its lower-resolution and refresh rate show its age beside the Pixel. When inspecting either phone, check screen brightness, touch response, dead pixels and signs of replacement. On Pixel, also look for OLED burn-in.

The iPhone 11 runs Apple’s A13 Bionic chipset, while the Pixel 8a uses Google’s Tensor G3. iPhone achieved the higher single-core score, while the Pixel led in multi-core performance and the reported AnTuTu result.

iPhone 11/12 are preferred for gaming, with more consistent frame delivery and better-feeling shooting and gyroscope response. Both phones reportedly delivered 60fps in the settings tested. Pixel 8a remained playable, but the reviewer noticed performance reductions as it heated up. The iPhone also became warm, although it maintained steadier frame rates in that comparison.

iPhone offers iOS, while the Pixel provides Google’s Android experience. Both felt smooth in the comparison. Customisation differs between the platforms, and buyers should check whether specific features they need—such as app duplication—are supported.

Google promises seven years of software support for the Pixel 8a from its initial availability, including operating-system upgrades and security updates. This gives it a clear advantage for buyers planning to keep their phone for several years.

Pixel 8a offers access to features such as Circle to Search and Google’s AI tools. Availability can vary by software version, region, account and language. In the speaker comparison, the reviewer gave the Pixel a slight advantage. The difference was more noticeable when the phones were played side by side than when heard separately.

If you’re getting a used phone, make sure to check:

• every IMEI’s PTA approval status and match it with the phone.
• Inspect the display, body, camera lenses and charging port.
• Test calls, mobile data, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
• Check microphones, speakers, vibration and biometric unlocking.
• Record videos with the front and rear cameras.
• Assess battery drain and heat during gaming or recording.
• Ask about repairs and replacement parts.
• Make sure the previous owner’s account has been removed.
• Confirm the seller’s checking and return terms.

iPhone Duo to cost around Rs15Lac in Pakistan, enough to Buy Used Cultus, Mehran

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Slim phones have always come with a catch. The slimmer the design, the more buyers expect to give up: battery life, strength or performance. TECNO’s POVA Curve 2 5G, launched in Pakistan on October 15 at PKR 99,999, is built to challenge that rule, and it starts with design.

Design That Looks Ahead

TECNO says the POVA Curve 2 5G takes its inspiration from interstellar spaceships. Bold, flowing lines and a minimalist finish give it a futuristic look, while a symmetrical layout echoes the triangular deco detail at the back. Nothing about it looks crowded or over-designed. Every line seems to have a reason to be there.

Three colours, three personalities

The phone comes in three colours: Melting Silver, Mystic Purple and Storm Titanium. Silver suits the buyer who likes a clean, understated look, purple is for those who want to be noticed, and titanium sits somewhere in between with a more serious, technical feel. At the front, a curved display with a screen-to-body ratio of 93.18% keeps the focus on the screen.

The slimmest 8000mAh design

The headline claim is size. At 7.42mm and 195g, TECNO says the POVA Curve 2 5G has the slimmest design with an 8000mAh battery. That matters because big batteries usually mean heavy, bulky phones. Here, the design is meant to slip into a pocket and sit comfortably in the hand, so it feels like a phone you would be happy to carry all day and to put on the table in a meeting.

Slimmest, but not fragile

A slim phone also has to survive daily life, and TECNO says the design has been made with that in mind. The POVA Curve 2 5G pairs Corning Gorilla Glass 7i with SGS-certified 1.5m drop resistance, so it is meant to look good without looking fragile.

There is more behind the design

TECNO says a slim design is only the start, and that there is a lot more behind it, from the battery to the processor to the display. How all of that fits into a 7.42mm design is the question worth looking up, and it is the kind of thing you will want to check before you decide.

Price and the bottom line

The TECNO POVA Curve 2 5G is available across Pakistan in 8GB RAM + 256GB ROM at PKR 99,999. 5G alone no longer sets a phone apart at this price, but a design like this does. Daily use will show whether it delivers, but on paper TECNO has built a slim phone that asks buyers to give up very little.

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LAHORE – England have set Sri Lanka a target of 387 runs to win in the last league match of the tri-nation series.

In the match being played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field first. England, batting first, scored 386 for the loss of five wickets in their allotted 50 overs.

Ben Duckett played a superb innings of 167 and was the top scorer for England. Tom Banton made 74, while Harry Brook contributed 44.

England are still searching for their first win in the series, and the match will be little more than a formality, as Pakistan and Sri Lanka have already booked their places in the final.

Earlier, Sri Lanka had chased down a target of 430 against England, the second-highest successful run chase in ODI history.

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ISLAMABAD – JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza protested during Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s speech in the Senate session, triggering an uproar in the House.

Naqvi and Murtaza exchanged harsh words. Responding to the protest, Naqvi said Murtaza would have to listen to him, adding that those who criticise should also have the courage to hear the response.

In his address, the interior minister said that it was inappropriate to spit on the state when one is denied a share, after enjoying its benefits for as long as they last. Murtaza retorted that Naqvi should mind his language.

During the session, PML-N Senator Abid Sher Ali also lost his temper and, addressing Murtaza, said he should be ashamed of himself. Sher Ali and the JUI-F senator also traded bitter remarks, and Minister of State Talal Chaudhry made Sher Ali sit down to keep the situation under control.

Naqvi urged the protesting members to find the courage to listen to the reply. He said it was not acceptable for anyone to say whatever they please without hearing the other side’s position.

The interior minister added that there should be a distinction between remarks about state institutions and political differences, and that critics must also have the resolve to listen to the response.

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KARACHI – A woman in Karachi’s Gulistan-e-Johar Mor area flew into a rage after a rickshaw hit her car, damaging the rickshaw and other vehicles and blocking traffic on the road. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media.

According to police, the incident took place yesterday morning. Angered by the damage the rickshaw’s collision caused to her car, the woman sat in the rickshaw driver’s seat and kept demanding the keys to her vehicle. A large crowd gathered at the scene, bringing traffic to a halt on the road from Rashid Minhas Road towards Johar Mor.

 

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In the viral video, the woman can be seen in an agitated state, trying to stop traffic. The footage shows that when a citizen tried to drive his car out, the woman climbed onto the bonnet of the moving vehicle, and the man pushed her off.

Police said a team arrived at the scene after being alerted and took the woman to the Shahrah-e-Faisal police station. Her family later came to the station and apologised, and assured that the losses of those affected would be compensated.

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KARACHI – Gold prices remained stable in both the international and local markets, while silver prices declined.

According to reports, the price of gold in the international bullion market held steady at $4,031 per ounce, unchanged.

Similarly, in the local market, gold stayed unchanged at Rs425,636 per tola, while the price per 10 grams also held steady at Rs364,914.

Meanwhile, silver fell by Rs86 to Rs5,768 per tola, and the price per 10 grams dropped by Rs73 to Rs4,945.

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LAHORE – Nestlé Pakistan, LUMS Rausing Executive Development Centre (REDC) and the Syed Babar Ali Foundation have launched Regenerative Agriculture: Leading the Nestlé Way, a multi-year Executive Training and Certification Program aimed at developing knowledge and leadership in regenerative agriculture and contributing towards more resilient and sustainable food systems in Pakistan.

The initiative is designed to deepen understanding of regenerative agriculture among stakeholders from government, the private sector, financial institutions, academia and media, while helping develop a wider network of advocates who can support the adoption of regenerative farming practices in Pakistan.

The program was launched as a tribute to Syed Babar Ali’s 100 Years of Impact and was formalised through a charter-signing ceremony between Nestlé Pakistan, LUMS and the Syed Babar Ali Foundation, celebrating his enduring legacy of leadership, service and excellence.

The program comes at a critical time for Pakistan’s agriculture sector, which contributes around 24% to national GDP and employs nearly 37% of the country’s labour force. Against a backdrop of increasing pressures from water scarcity, climate change and rising production costs, Nestlé recognises the need to build institutional capability to keep Pakistan competitive with other leading agricultural economies around the world.

Speaking at the occasion, Jason Avanceña, CEO and Managing Director, Nestlé Pakistan, said: “At Nestlé, we believe in bringing global best practices closer to our local realities and strengthening capabilities across the value chain. This program is an opportunity to build shared understanding and develop a network of informed advocates who can champion regenerative agriculture and keep Pakistan competitive with other leading agricultural economies around the world. For Nestlé, it is ultimately about creating shared value across our agricultural value chain,” said Jason Avanceña, CEO and Managing Director, Nestlé Pakistan.

Syed Babar Ali said: “I have always believed that the true value of education lies in what we are able to pass on to the generations that follow us. Agriculture remains central to the country, and the challenges facing it require us to equip a new generation of leaders. Regenerative agriculture plays an important role in that transition. I am pleased that this program focuses on an area highly important to Pakistan’s future, by investing in people who can contribute to a more resilient and sustainable agriculture sector.”

Dr. Tariq M. Jadoon, Provost at LUMS, said: “This program has been designed to move beyond theory by bringing together scientific understanding, business considerations and field exposure. Through areas such as soil health, water stewardship, climate resilience and farm economics, participants will be able to examine regenerative agriculture as an interconnected system and consider how these principles can be applied and scaled in Pakistan.”

The program will have two cohorts each year, with 25 participants per session. The four-day training model combines three days of classroom learning at REDC, LUMS with one day of field-based learning, connecting academic understanding with agricultural realities on the ground.

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ISLAMABAD – Just when Pakistani social media users were getting used to National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) keeping an eye on their online activities, the federal government announced plans to bring another regulatory authority into action as the country of nearly 245 million needs another watchdog.

Federal Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the government intends to operationalise Social Media Regulatory Authority soon, in another step towards tighter oversight of Pakistan’s digital landscape. Sharing her views at ceremony of Cybersecurity Awareness Week, the minister presented the initiative as part of the government’s broader strategy to strengthen cybersecurity, protect personal information and tackle emerging online threats.

The announcement comes at time when Pakistan’s internet users are already facing increased scrutiny under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), with the NCCIA now functioning as a specialised agency responsible for investigating cybercrime.

One Cybercrime Watchdog is Not Enough?

The latest move follows a stern warning from NCCIA officials that online activities involving alleged anti-state content, harassment and defamatory material are under observation.

NCCIA Additional Director Atif Ameer delivered a particularly memorable warning to social media users: “You are not clicking alone.” The official identified three major enforcement priorities: fraudulent call centres, content considered anti-state and harassment conducted through digital platforms.

Now, with another regulatory authority expected to become operational, questions are likely to emerge about how far government supervision of social media will extend and where the line between cybersecurity and online expression will be drawn.

Explaining the government’s position, Shaza Fatima said increasing dependence on digital technology had exposed Pakistan to new cybersecurity challenges, particularly as artificial intelligence made online threats more sophisticated. She stressed the need for stronger reporting mechanisms, improved cybersecurity awareness and better protection of sensitive information.

The minister also gets attention to children’s growing exposure to social media, warning that cyberbullying, online fraud and careless sharing of private details could create serious risks for individuals and their families. Her remarks highlighted genuine concerns surrounding digital safety, particularly in a country where online services and social media are becoming part of everyday life.

While authorities maintain that stronger regulation is necessary to counter cybercrime, the planned activation of another social media watchdog is also likely to revive debate over digital freedoms, privacy and the potential misuse of regulatory powers.

The government has yet to provide a firm date for the authority’s operational launch or fully explain how its responsibilities will differ from the NCCIA’s existing mandate.

NCCIA Officer tries to Sound ‘Tough’, ends up becoming Internet Meme with ‘Cyber Petroleum’ comment

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LAHORE (Daily Pakistan) – Social media is buzzing with claims that Punjab government imposed ban on showering currency notes at mujra performances, dance shows, qawwali nights and Mehfil-e-Naat gatherings, with violators reportedly facing imprisonment and hefty fines.

The viral posts claim that anyone found throwing currency notes at such gatherings could face registration of a First Information Report (FIR), imprisonment for up to two years and a fine of Rs500,000. Some posts mentioned “National Currency Disrespect Act”, calling the measure as an officially approved government crackdown.

However, a review of available legal records, media reports and government-related information raises serious questions about the accuracy of these claims. Despite the circulation of official-looking posters, no Punjab government official has publicly confirmed the alleged province-wide ban or the punishments being widely shared online.

Although the latest viral claims remain unconfirmed, Punjab authorities have previously acted against money-throwing during stage performances. In September this year, Punjab Council of the Arts and Information and Culture Department initiated proceedings against several stage performers and theatre managements in Lahore and Gujranwala.

The action followed alleged violations of the Punjab Drama Act, government policies and standard operating procedures. Some notices specifically referred to money being thrown towards performers and the failure of theatre managements to stop the practice.

This shows that authorities addressed currency showering in regulated entertainment venues. It does not, however, establish that every such act is now a criminal offence across Punjab.

It’s Raining US Dollars at this viral Pakistani wedding; See Video

A review of currency-related legislation listed by State Bank of Pakistan and relevant sections of the Pakistan Penal Code did not identify any statute called the National Currency Disrespect Act. Existing Pakistani laws address offences involving counterfeit banknotes, forged currency, fraudulent circulation and related misconduct.

Sections 489A to 489E of the Pakistan Penal Code deal with specified currency-related offences. These provisions do not establish a general two-year prison sentence or Rs500,000 fine for simply showering genuine currency notes at gatherings.

State Bank also maintains regulations concerning the handling and condition of banknotes. However, penalties imposed on commercial banks for currency-management violations should not be confused with criminal punishment for individuals attending public events.

No Confirmation So Far

So far, there is no public statement from Punjab government official or government run social media handle confirming the alleged ban, the supposed National Currency Disrespect Act or the claimed imprisonment and fine has been verified.

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