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

The post After NCCIA, Pakistan moves to tighten Social Media Control with New Regulatory Authority appeared first on Daily Pakistan English News.

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.

The post FACT CHECK: Has Punjab govt banned showering Currency Notes at Mujra and Qawwali Events? appeared first on Daily Pakistan English News.

The post Israel Election 2026: Latest Party-Wise Seats, Netanyahu’s Position appeared first on Daily Pakistan English News.

ISLAMABAD (Daily Pakistan) – Pakistani lawyers are heading to polling stations today to elect new leadership of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) for 2026-27, with two powerful rival groups battling for control of the influential lawyers’ body.

The elections brought Asma Jahangir Group and the Hamid Khan Group into direct competition, with the presidency and other crucial positions at stake. A total of 4,634 registered voters are eligible to participate in the nationwide electoral exercise, for which 13 polling stations have been established. However, the voting process encountered an early hurdle in Karachi, where polling was delayed as election officials awaited the arrival of polling agents.

The key contest is unfolding between Syed Amjad Ali Shah, the presidential candidate of the Asma Jahangir Group, popularly known as the Independent Group, and Sardar Amanullah Khan, representing the Hamid Khan Group, also called the Professional Group. The rivalry between the two established groups has traditionally been a defining feature of Supreme Court Bar politics, making the presidential contest particularly significant for the country’s legal community.

Beyond the presidency, several key positions are also being fiercely contested. For secretary’s office, Muhammad Arif Awan of the Independent Group is taking on Mian Irfan Akram of the Professional Group. The race for additional secretary features Qazi Shehryar Iqbal and Saira Khalid Rajput, while Muhammad Tanveer Chaudhry and Rai Azhar Iqbal Kharl are competing for the finance secretary’s position.

Supreme Court Bar Association occupies strong position in Pakistan’s legal landscape, frequently taking positions on judicial independence, constitutional matters, legal reforms and issues affecting the judiciary. Its elected leadership represents Supreme Court practitioners and can play a prominent role in debates concerning the justice system.

With the Independent and Professional groups competing for the association’s most influential offices, the outcome will determine which camp leads the SCBA during the 2026-27 term.

The post Supreme Court Bar Elections 2026: Amjad Ali Shah locks horns with Amanullah Khan for SCBA top post appeared first on Daily Pakistan English News.

RAWALPINDI (DAILY PAKISTAN) – Lawyer and rights activist Imaan Mazari and her husband, Advocate Hadi Ali Chattha have been sentenced for 10 years in prison each in case involving allegations of breaching security arrangements during an international cricket team’s visit to Pakistan.

The duo gets prison terms totalling 13 years each under three separate legal provisions in a security breach case, with the effective imprisonment set at 10 years each under terrorism-related charge. The court also imposed two years’ imprisonment and a Rs50,000 fine under Section 353 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which concerns assault or criminal force used to deter a public servant from performing official duties.

Additionally, one year’s imprisonment and a Rs50,000 fine were awarded under Section 186, relating to obstruction of a public servant in the discharge of official functions. The sentences under the three provisions total 13 years for each convict, while the combined fines amount to Rs200,000 per person.

However, the court extended the benefit of Section 382-B of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which provides for time already spent in custody to be counted towards imprisonment. According to the reported short order, the effective prison term will be 10 years rather than 13 years, indicating that the sentences will run concurrently.

The case stems from allegations that the lawyer couple interfered with security arrangements during an international cricket team’s visit to Islamabad in October 2024. The case was registered at Aabpara Police Station.

The ruling, announced on October 29, 2026, followed months of legal proceedings over allegations that the lawyer couple interfered with security arrangements established for the visiting cricket team, creating potential risks and obstructing official duties.

The case was registered at Islamabad’s Aabpara Police Station, with prosecutors accusing the couple of disrupting security protocols and interfering with state functions.

The verdict came despite a last-minute attempt by the defence to secure an adjournment on the grounds that related legal challenges remained unresolved before superior courts.

During the proceedings, defence counsel Aimal Mandokhail strongly opposed the announcement of the judgment, arguing that the court should first await decisions on petitions pending before the Supreme Court and the Islamabad High Court.

He maintained that proceeding with the verdict while those applications remained under judicial consideration raised serious legal and procedural concerns. Mandokhail also informed the court that an application seeking the transfer of the trial to another court was still pending before the high court. The defence argued that the outstanding petitions should be decided before the trial court delivered its final judgment.

Security Breach Case

The prosecution centres on an incident dating back to October 2024, when security arrangements were in place for an international cricket team’s movement through Islamabad. Authorities alleged that Mazari and Chattha interfered with the designated security route and removed barriers intended to protect the visiting players.

The couple faced accusations involving obstruction of government officials and violations of security arrangements, with terrorism-related provisions also included in the proceedings. The defence has disputed the allegations and challenged the application of anti-terrorism laws to the incident.

The case formally advanced earlier this month when the court indicted both lawyers on October 7, despite objections concerning access to case documents and the completion of procedural requirements.

The latest judgment followed the conclusion of trial proceedings at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail earlier this week. Both accused recorded their statements under Section 342 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which allows defendants to respond to evidence presented against them. State prosecutors subsequently completed their final arguments, after which the court reserved its decision for October 29.

Meanwhile, the couple had approached the Supreme Court to challenge an earlier Islamabad High Court decision declining to halt the trial. Their legal team also contested the framing of charges and the inclusion of terrorism-related provisions, maintaining that the proceedings suffered from procedural irregularities.

The post Imaan Mazari, Husband Hadi Chattha get 10 Years Sentence in Security Breach Case appeared first on Daily Pakistan English News.

The post Islamabad to get New Water Source after 3 decades as CDA moves ahead with Shahdara Dam appeared first on Daily Pakistan English News.

ISLAMABAD – Defence Minister Khawaja Asif strongly responded to JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman in heated National Assembly session, clarifying that Field Marshal Asim Munir’s Tehran visit was aimed at promoting regional peace, not negotiating a defence agreement.

A fierce political showdown occured in National Assembly as Defence Minister Khawaja Asif launched counterattack against Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, questioning his political legacy, challenging his performance on Kashmir and accusing him of exploiting religion for personal and political gains.

Asif defended Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir’s visit to Tehran, rejecting suggestions that the high-level diplomatic engagement involved negotiations over a new defence agreement. The minister insisted that Pakistan’s military leadership is playing key role in reducing regional tensions and bringing rival countries to the negotiating table.

Asif maintained that the Tehran visit was a diplomatic initiative focused on regional peace, not a mission to negotiate or finalise a military pact.

Why Khawaja Asif Did Not Attend the Tehran Meeting?

Addressing questions surrounding his absence from high-level gathering, Asif explained that his participation was unnecessary because the discussions did not concern any agreement falling under the Ministry of Defence.

He said the meeting brought together representatives holding different positions, including Saudi Arabia’s defence minister and Türkiye’s intelligence chief, rather than the defence ministers of all participating countries. The minister argued that describing the gathering as a defence-related negotiation would misrepresent its purpose.

Asif praised Field Marshal Munir’s diplomatic involvement, saying the military leader had consistently encouraged dialogue as a way to resolve regional disputes. Referring to Pakistan’s military victory last year, Asif said the field marshal had subsequently contributed to efforts aimed at promoting negotiations and restoring stability across the region.

He stressed that Pakistan and its military leadership deserved wider international recognition for their contributions to peace-building initiatives.

The defence minister’s response became increasingly confrontational as he shifted from explaining the Tehran visit to challenging Fazlur Rehman’s political credentials. Although Asif acknowledged JUI-F chief’s seniority and influence in national politics, he argued that those questioning others should also be prepared to defend their own records.

He reminded the house that Fazlur Rehman had enjoyed positions of influence in several governments and had served as chairman of the National Assembly’s Kashmir Committee for approximately a decade. Asif questioned what tangible achievements the JUI-F leader could claim for the Kashmir cause during his lengthy tenure.

Asif further claimed that he had been willing to acknowledge his own mistakes publicly, describing himself as the only politician to have apologised for his past positions. He conceded that his earlier speeches frequently returned to haunt him whenever he discussed the country’s hybrid political system, but insisted that political accountability should apply equally to everyone.

The parliamentary clash took a sharper turn when Khawaja Asif accused Fazlur Rehman of using religious influence to advance his political interests and obtain financial benefits. The defence minister alleged that JUI-F leader had made religion a source of political and financial advantage, contrasting his approach with that of other mainstream political parties.

The confrontation followed Fazlur Rehman’s criticism of the government’s representation at the Tehran discussions. JUI-F chief had questioned why Pakistan’s defence minister remained in Islamabad while the country’s senior military leadership participated in important regional security talks.

The diplomatic engagement took place against the backdrop of growing instability in the Middle East and efforts by regional powers to prevent another escalation. October 26 discussions involved Field Marshal Asim Munir, Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin and senior Iranian officials.

Iranian authorities described the initiative as an effort to develop regional security cooperation and reduce the risks of further conflict. The talks also drew attention because of the existing Makkah Joint Defence Agreement involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.

Fazlur Rehman rejects emergency in KP, vows strong political response

The post Khawaja Asif clarifies Field Marshal Asim Munir’s Tehran Visit in strong response to Fazlur Rehman appeared first on Daily Pakistan English News.

LONDON – Good news for those who just started earning from posting shorts or long duration videos on YouTubers and struggle to reach platform’s $100 payment threshold as the streaming giant begins testing 80 percent reduction in the minimum amount creators must earn before receiving their money.

Google-owned video-sharing platform is experimenting with new payout system that allows selected content creators to receive payments once their earnings reach just $20, instead of waiting until they accumulate $100. The move could be breakthrough for smaller YouTube channels, particularly those generating modest advertising revenue and waiting several months to receive their earnings.

The new move has already been introduced for randomly selected members of the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) in the US, and some other countries. The revised threshold applies to payments beginning in October 2026, marking a potentially important shift in how YouTube distributes earnings to its content creators.

Under YouTube’s existing monetization system, creators generally need to accumulate at least $100 in eligible earnings before receiving payments through AdSense for YouTube. For popular channels attracting millions of views, reaching this threshold is rarely a challenge. However, smaller creators earning $10, $20 or $30 a month can spend several months waiting for their first payment.

The latest experiment aims to address that problem by reducing the payout requirement to $20, or its equivalent in local currency. For example, a creator earning $25 per month would normally need approximately four months to accumulate $100. Under the experimental arrangement, the same creator could qualify for a payment every month, provided other payment requirements are satisfied.

The change does not increase advertising earnings or alter YouTube’s revenue-sharing structure. It simply allows eligible creators to access money they have already earned sooner.

YouTube has initially limited the experiment to selected creators in three major markets: the United States, India and Indonesia. Not every monetized channel in these countries will automatically qualify. Instead, YouTube has randomly selected participating accounts and notified their owners about the revised payment arrangement.

Selected creators can monitor their payment activity through the YouTube Studio mobile application. They can also choose to maintain a higher payout threshold through their AdSense for YouTube accounts if they prefer receiving larger payments less frequently. YouTube says the initiative is designed to provide greater flexibility in accessing earnings, particularly for creators whose revenue remains below the traditional payment threshold.

Pakistan is not among the three countries participating in the initial experiment, and YouTube has not announced any timeline for extending the facility to Pakistani creators. Nevertheless, a wider rollout could make a considerable difference for emerging Pakistani YouTubers, including students, vloggers, educational content producers and small independent channels.

Many new creators generate relatively limited monthly revenue despite investing considerable time and resources in producing videos. Allowing these channels to receive payments at $20 instead of $100 could reduce lengthy waiting periods and provide more regular access to earnings.

The experiment comes at a time when competition between YouTube and Instagram is intensifying as both platforms attempt to attract video creators. Instagram is reportedly experimenting with longer video uploads, potentially challenging YouTube’s traditional dominance in long-form video content.

While Instagram is exploring new opportunities for video publishing, YouTube’s latest experiment focuses on improving the financial experience of creators already earning through its platform. Making relatively small earnings accessible sooner could strengthen YouTube’s appeal among emerging content producers, particularly in developing markets where even modest digital payments can make a meaningful difference.

Despite the excitement surrounding the development, YouTube has not confirmed whether the reduced payment threshold will become a permanent feature. The company has also not disclosed how long the experiment will continue or when additional countries might be included.

‘Not Just YouTube’: FBR moves to Expand Tax Rules to Facebook, other Social platforms

The post YouTube starts bringing Faster Payments for Small Creators with $20 Payout Limit appeared first on Daily Pakistan English News.

RAWALAKOT – A daring police operation in Azad Kashmir ended with recovery of Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Akram, who was reportedly kidnapped at gunpoint while travelling to Muzaffarabad, as separate incidents of armed violence in Rawalakot left a police officer and a civilian injured and parts of a government hospital damaged.

The developments triggered serious security concerns in Rawalakot, where police accused armed members of banned Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) of involvement in the judge’s abduction and firing incidents.

According to Rawalakot police, Judge Muhammad Akram was travelling from Rawalakot to Muzaffarabad through Palandri when armed individuals allegedly intercepted his vehicle on the Rawalakot-Palandri highway. The suspects reportedly stopped the vehicle at gunpoint and abducted the judge along with his car. His driver and armed security guard were also present in the vehicle at the time of the incident.

The alleged kidnapping of serving judicial officer sparked triggered police operation, and he was rescued during the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday, October 28 and 29.

A Rawalakot police official confirmed that the judge had been recovered following the operation. However, police did not immediately disclose whether any suspects had been arrested or provide further details about the circumstances surrounding his recovery.

The judge’s alleged abduction came amid reports of armed violence in Rawalakot, where police said firing incidents between noon and 5pm on Wednesday left two people injured.

Both injured individuals were shifted to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Rawalakot for medical treatment. The violence reportedly extended to a government hospital, where several sections of the facility sustained damage during the firing.

Police further claimed that an ambulance also came under gunfire, raising concerns about the safety of medical facilities and emergency services during the unrest. The authorities did not immediately disclose the identities of the injured individuals or provide detailed information about their medical conditions.

Rawalakot police directly linked the incidents to armed elements allegedly associated with the banned Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee. According to a police statement, JAAC activists allegedly opened fire outside a hospital during the operation connected to the judge’s recovery.

After these incidents, Rawalakot District Police announced that legal proceedings were being initiated against individuals allegedly involved in violent and unlawful activities. Officials warned that further action would be taken against those found responsible for disturbing public order and violating the law.

The police initially reported the judge’s abduction as a separate incident and said efforts were underway to secure his release. Hours later, authorities announced his recovery following the overnight operation.

Four security personnel martyred in Rawalakot firing by banned group

The post District Judge kidnapped by ‘JAAC Activists’ rescued in Rawalakot Police Operation appeared first on Daily Pakistan English News.