ISLAMABAD: The attorney general of Pakistan told the Islamabad High Court on Monday the government was ready to review new Internet rules approved last year and which critics have argued would give the government wide powers of censorship.
IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah was hearing a petition filed by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and others against social media rules introduced by the government in November.
The attorney general informed the IHC that the government supported a review of the regulations and would invite all petitioners and relevant stakeholders for consultations.
Justice Minallah said the matter of enforcing social media rules involved Article-19 (Freedom of Speech) and Article-19A (Right to Information) of the constitution, which were “related to fundamental rights.”
“Court feels the government did not consult the stakeholders before promulgating the rules,” the judge was quoted by Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper as saying.
The attorney general assured the court that the petitioners would be consulted and the government was not looking to put a “complete restriction” on social media and did not believe closing any platforms was a “solution.”
He asked the court to give the government some time to review the rules in consultation with the Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA) and other concerned stakeholders.
The chief justice advised the petitioners to express their concerns regarding the regulations in the meeting the attorney general would convene and to submit their contentions before him in writing.
“Let’s start this with a positive note,” he said.
The new rules were approved initially by Prime Minister Imran Khan’s cabinet last February but rolled out in November.
They give the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority “removal and blocking” powers of digital content that “harms, intimidates or excites disaffection” toward the government or poses a threat to the “integrity, security and defense of Pakistan”.
A service provider or social media company could face a fine up to 500 million rupees ($3.14 million) for non-compliance, which would in turn trigger a mechanism preventing the uploading and live streaming, particularly related to “terrorism, hate speech, pornography, incitement to violence and detrimental to national security”.
A platform has to act within 24 hours or, in case of an emergency, six hours to remove content. The rules also empower the telecom authority to block an entire online system.
In November, industry body, the Asia Internet Coalition, wrote a letter to PM Khan and said the new social media rules would prevent Pakistani citizens from accessing a free and open Internet and shut the country’s digital economy off from the rest of the world.
The Asia Internet Coalition was (AIC) set up in 2011 by Google, Facebook, Yahoo and eBay to lobby for free and open access to the Internet and to promote e-commerce. It has since expanded its membership.
In the letter to PM Khan, dated December 5 and seen by Arab News, web giants said: “We seek your assistance to ensure that your government makes critical changes to the Rules through a credible consultation process.”
“We would request for a credible consultation process where AIC members can provide substantive suggestions. AIC is not against regulation of social media, but we believe that the Rules must address crucial issues such as internationally recognized rights to individual expression and privacy.”
The AIC added: “The Rules, as currently notified and gazetted, would make it extremely difficult for AIC Members to make their platforms and services available to Pakistani users and businesses.”
The AIC said that during bilateral meetings with AIC and its member companies, the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority had committed to share a draft copy of the rules, but the rules were then updated by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication on its website without due process.
“Industry stakeholders have therefore lost trust in the consultation process, because it is neither credible nor transparent,” the AIC letter said.
Pakistan government agrees to review new internet rules decried by critics
https://arab.news/pwxrz
Pakistan government agrees to review new internet rules decried by critics
- Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists has filed petition in the Islamabad High Court against social media rules introduced last November
- Attorney general tells court government supports a review of the regulations in consultation with relevant stakeholders and petitioners
US says ‘closely’ monitoring situation after attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir
- The attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 people, has once again brought India and Pakistan to the brink of another war
- The UN has urged both nations to show ‘maximum restraint’ as the nuclear-armed rivals announced tit-for-tat measures
ISLAMABAD: The United States (US) is “closely” monitoring the situation after an attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir, the State Department said on Thursday, as both India and Pakistan teeter on the brink of another conflict.
India and Pakistan have come close to a war as the two nuclear-armed South Asian neighbors downgraded diplomatic and trade relations, closed the main border crossing and revoked visas for each other’s nationals in tit-for-tat moves this week.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to pursue and punish the gunmen responsible for killing 26 civilians in the tourist hotspot of Pahalgam on Tuesday, accusing Pakistan of supporting “cross-border terrorism.” Pakistan has denied it was behind the attack, claimed by a previously unknown militant group.
“As we all know, it’s a rapidly changing situation and we are monitoring it closely,” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said during a press briefing.
The statement came after Modi vowed to hunt down the gunmen responsible for killing 26 civilians in Pahalgam and the Indian police identified two of the three fugitive gunmen as Pakistani.
“I say to the whole world: India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backer,” Modi said, in his first speech since Tuesday’s attack in the Himalayan region. “We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth.”
Islamabad has called the attempts to link Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack “frivolous” and vowed to respond to any Indian action.
“Any threat to Pakistan’s sovereignty and to the security of its people will be met with firm reciprocal measures in all domains,” a Pakistani government statement said.
Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since their independence in 1947, with both claiming the territory in full but governing separate portions of it. The Muslim-majority region has been the cause of two of their three wars and also witnessed a bloody insurgency against Indian rule.
Bruce, however, declined to comment on the status of the disputed region.
“We, of course, are not now taking a position on the status of Kashmir or of Jammu either,” she said.
Also on Thursday, the United Nations urged both India and Pakistan to show “maximum restraint” as the nuclear-armed rivals imposed tit-for-tat diplomatic measures.
India and Pakistan urged to have ‘maximum restraint’ after Kashmir attack
- Relations have plunged to their lowest level in years after gunmen carried out the worst attack on civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir
- Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since independence in 1947, with both claiming the territory in full but governing in part
NEW DELHI: The United Nations urged India and Pakistan to show “maximum restraint” as the nuclear-armed rivals imposed tit-for-tat diplomatic measures over a deadly shooting in Kashmir.
Relations have plunged to their lowest level in years, with India accusing Pakistan of supporting “cross-border terrorism” after gunmen carried out the worst attack on civilians in contested Muslim-majority Kashmir for a quarter of a century.
“We very much appeal to both the governments... to exercise maximum restraint, and to ensure that the situation and the developments we’ve seen do not deteriorate any further,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters in New York on Thursday.
“Any issues between Pakistan and India, we believe, can be and should be resolved peacefully through meaningful mutual engagement.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday vowed to hunt down the gunmen responsible for killing 26 civilians at the popular tourist site of Pahalgam, after Indian police identified two of the three fugitive gunmen as Pakistani.
“I say to the whole world: India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backer,” Modi said, in his first speech since Tuesday’s attack in the Himalayan region.
“We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth.”
Denying any involvement, Islamabad called attempts to link Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack “frivolous” and vowed to respond to any Indian action.
“Any threat to Pakistan’s sovereignty and to the security of its people will be met with firm reciprocal measures in all domains,” a Pakistani statement said, after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a National Security Committee meeting with top military chiefs.
Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since their independence in 1947, with both claiming the territory in full but governing separate portions of it.
Rebel groups have waged an insurgency in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989, demanding independence or a merger with Pakistan.
India’s air force and navy both carried out military exercises Thursday.
Indian police say the three gunmen are members of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba group, a UN-designated terrorist organization.
They offered a two million rupee ($23,500) bounty for information leading to each man’s arrest.
A day after the attack, New Delhi suspended a water-sharing treaty, announced the closure of the main land border crossing with Pakistan, downgraded diplomatic ties, and withdrew visas for Pakistanis.
In response, Islamabad on Thursday ordered the expulsion of Indian diplomats and military advisers, canceling visas for Indian nationals — with the exception of Sikh pilgrims — and closing the main border crossing from its side.
Pakistan also warned any attempt by India to stop the supply of water from the Indus River would be an “act of war.”
Pahalgam marks a dramatic shift in recent Kashmiri rebel attacks, which typically target Indian security forces.
Experts say that a military response may still be in the pipeline, with some speculating that it may come within days while others say weeks.
In 2019, a suicide attack killed 41 Indian troops in Kashmir and triggered Indian air strikes inside Pakistan, bringing the countries to the brink of all-out war.
“Whatever little land these terrorists have, it’s time to reduce it to dust,” Modi said on Thursday, after holding two minutes of silence in memory of those killed, all but one of whom was Indian.
India has taken its time to respond to past attacks.
The worst attack in recent years in Indian-run Kashmir was at Pulwama in 2019, when insurgents rammed a car packed with explosives into a police convoy, killing 40 and wounding 35.
Indian fighter jets carried out air strikes on Pakistani territory 12 days later.
Tuesday’s assault occurred as tourists enjoyed tranquil mountain views at the popular site at Pahalgam, when gunmen burst out of forests and raked crowds with automatic weapons.
Survivors told Indian media the gunmen targeted men and spared those who could give the Islamic declaration of faith.
Indian security forces have launched a vast manhunt for the attackers, with large numbers of people detained.
The attack has enraged Hindu nationalist groups, and students from Kashmir at institutions across India have reported experiencing harassment and intimidation.
Pakistan seeks ADB’s credit guarantee for yuan-denominated Panda bond issue
- The development follows upgrades in Pakistan’s sovereign ratings by major credit rating agencies
- Islamabad plans to launch yuan-denominated Panda bonds in June to raise roughly $200 million
KARACHI: Pakistan has sought support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the issuance of its yuan-denominated Panda bond, the Pakistani finance ministry said on Thursday.
The statement came after Pakistan Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb’s meeting with ADB President Masato Kanda in Washington D.C., wherein the two sides discussed their Country Partnership Strategy 2026-2030 and budgetary support.
Pakistan plans to launch yuan-denominated Panda bonds in June to enhance its presence in Chinese capital markets and raise approximately $200 million from Chinese investors, following upgrades in its sovereign ratings by major credit agencies.
Islamabad is being advised on the issuance of Panda bonds by the China International Capital Corporation, a partially state-owned financial services company. However, the latest figure shared in Jan. is lower than the $300 million targeted by Pakistan last year.
“The minister requested ADB’s support for a partial credit guarantee for the issuance of Pakistan’s Panda bond,” the Pakistani finance ministry said.
The development comes more than a week after global ratings agency Fitch upgraded Pakistan’s foreign currency credit rating to ‘B-’ from ‘CCC+’, citing increased confidence in the country’s progress on narrowing its budget deficits.
The upgrade also reflects confidence that the country would implement structural reforms, supporting its International Monetary Fund (IMF) program performance and funding availability, according to Fitch.
Pakistan’s economy had been teetering on the brink of default ever since inflation rose to a record high in May 2023 and reserves started shrinking, but has seen some respite thanks in part to a $7 billion bailout program from the IMF.
Aurangzeb and the ADB president also discussed the Bank’s Country Partnership Strategy 2026-2030 for Pakistan and agreed to fast-track the project’s execution, according to the Pakistani finance ministry.
“He also expressed hope that budgetary support from ADB would materialize this year and assured the participation of Pakistan’s delegation in the CAREC (Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program) meeting scheduled for November 2025,” it added.
Pakistan is a founding member of the ADB. Since 1966, the bank has committed over $52 billion in public and private sector loans, grants, and other forms of financing to promote inclusive economic growth in Pakistan and improve the country’s infrastructure, energy and food security, transport networks, and social services.
Pakistan says inflation likely to remain between 1.5-2 percent in April
- Pakistan’s inflation rate fell to 1.5 percent in February after central bank’s aggressive policy rate cuts
- Exports, remittances expected to maintain upward trend in the coming months, says Finance Division
ISLAMABAD: The rate of inflation in Pakistan is likely to remain between 1.5 to 2 percent in April, the government’s Finance Division said on Thursday in its monthly economic outlook, stating that the country’s macroeconomic indicators have shown “signs of overall stabilization.”
Pakistan’s economy has improved in recent months, supported by declining inflation which fell to 1.5 percent in February. The central bank has reduced its policy rate to 12 percent after a series of cuts totaling 1,000 basis points since June 2024.
In its outlook for the month of April, the Finance Division said inflation has reduced to its “lowest level,” creating space for a more supportive monetary policy in upcoming months.
“Inflation is projected to remain between 1.5-2.0 percent in April, with a possible rise to 3.0-4.0 percent by May 2025,” the report said.
The report said that Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation eased to 0.7 percent year-on-year in March 2025, down from 1.5 percent in February and 20.7 percent in March 2024. Month-on-month, it rose by 0.9 percent, following a 0.8 percent decline in February and a 1.7 percent increase in March 2024.
The monthly outlook report also noted that the current account registered a higher surplus, driven by remittances and export growth, while reserves improved and the exchange rate remained stable.
“Revenue mobilization and restrained current spending have contributed to a narrower fiscal deficit and a surplus primary balance,” it said.
The report also noted improvements in high-frequency indicators, such as rising automobile output, raw material imports and a more “accommodative monetary stance.”
“Improved weather conditions and increased water availability are likely to support higher crop yields and better farming conditions contributing to overall economic growth,” it said.
The report also said exports and remittances are expected to maintain their upward trend in the coming months, keeping the current account within a “manageable range.”
PSL X: Babar’s 50 helps Peshawar Zalmi cruise to 7-wicket win over Lahore Qalandars
- Babar Azam scores unbeaten 56 runs from 42 balls while Hussain Talat smashes 51 runs
- With two wins under their belt, Zalmi next face Quetta Gladiators on Sunday, April 27
ISLAMABAD: Spurred on by a stellar half-century by skipper Babar Azam, Peshawar Zalmi beat Lahore Qalandars by seven wickets to register their second victory of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) X edition in Lahore on Thursday.
Zalmi were set a modest total of 130 runs after Azam’s side bowled out the Qalandars for a modest 129 runs in 19.2 overs. Alzarri Joseph was the pick of the Zalmi bowlers with 3/15 figures while Luke Wood and Hussain Talat returned figures of 2/25 and 2/18, respectively.
The “Yellow Storm” ran into difficult earlier on during their chase, losing opener Saim Ayub for just 2 runs while star batter Tom Kohler-Cadmore fell for a duck. Azam kept his cool, scoring 56 runs from 42 balls and building partnerships with Mohammad Haris (20 off 16) and Hussain Talat (51 off 37) to see his team to the end.
“Not an ideal start for our home leg,” the Qalandars wrote on social media platform X. “Overwhelmed with the support of our home crowd, we will come back stronger!“
Qalandars skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi found his form with the ball, clocking in speeds of over 140 kilometers per hour frequently. The left-arm pacer was able to return figures of 2/22 from his four overs while speedster Haris Rauf finished with figures of 1/39 from 3.4 overs.
Zalmi now have two wins from five matches in the HBL PSL 10 edition so far, beating the Multan Sultans by 120 runs earlier in the tournament to register the largest win in PSL history. They are now placed at number four on the PSL points table, tied with four points with Lahore Qalandars.
Azam’s side will next take on Quetta Gladiators in the tournament on Apr. 27.
