NEW YORK: Hackers from Pakistan used Facebook to target people in Afghanistan with connections to the previous government during the Taliban's takeover of the country, the company's threat investigators said in an interview with Reuters.
Facebook said the group, known in the security industry as SideCopy, shared links to websites hosting malware which could surveil people's devices. Targets included people connected to the government, military and law enforcement in Kabul, it said. Facebook said it removed SideCopy from its platform in August.
The social media company, which recently changed its name to Meta, said the group created fictitious personas of young women as "romantic lures" to build trust and trick targets into clicking phishing links or downloading malicious chat apps. It also compromised legitimate websites to manipulate people into giving up their Facebook credentials.
"It's always difficult for us to speculate as to the end goal of the threat actor," said Facebook's head of cyber espionage investigations, Mike Dvilyanski. "We don't know exactly who was compromised or what the end result of that was."
Major online platforms and email providers including Facebook, Twitter Inc, Alphabet Inc's Google and Microsoft Corp's LinkedIn have said they took steps to lock down Afghan users' accounts during the Taliban's swift takeover of the country this past summer.
Facebook said it had not previously disclosed the hacking campaign, which it said ramped up between April and August, due to safety concerns about its employees in the country and the need for more work to investigate the network. It said it shared information with the US State Department at the time it took down the operation, which it said had appeared "well-resourced and persistent."
Investigators also said Facebook had last month disabled the accounts of two hacking groups which it linked to Syria's Air Force Intelligence.
Facebook said one group, known as the Syrian Electronic Army, targeted human rights activists, journalists and others opposing the ruling regime, while the other, known as APT-C-37, targeted people linked to the Free Syrian Army and former military personnel who had joined opposition forces.
Facebook's head of global threat disruption, David Agranovich, said the Syria and Afghanistan cases showed cyber espionage groups leveraging periods of uncertainty during conflicts when people might be more susceptible to manipulation.
The company said a third hacking network in Syria, which it linked to the Syrian government and removed in October, targeted minority groups, activists and members of the People's Protection Units (YPG) and Syria Civil Defense, or White Helmets.
It said this group used Facebook for social engineering and sharing malicious links to attacker-controlled sites mimicking apps and updates around the United Nations, White Helmets, YPG, Facebook-owned WhatsApp and Alphabet's YouTube.
A Facebook spokeswoman said the company had notified about 2,000 users affected by the campaigns in Afghanistan and Syria, the majority in Afghanistan.
Facebook says hackers in Pakistan targeted Afghan users amid government collapse
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Facebook says hackers in Pakistan targeted Afghan users amid government collapse
- The social media giant says it is not sure about the ultimate objective of hackers or what they managed to accomplish through their cyber attacks
- Facebook maintains cyber espionage groups leverage periods of uncertainty during conflicts when people are more susceptible to manipulation
Pakistan court asks defense secretary to present report on Kashmiri poet’s ‘abduction’
- Ahmed Farhad Shah, poet and journalist from Azad Kashmir, went missing from his Islamabad residence on Tuesday night
- Shah’s recent social media posts were highly critical of Pakistan’s powerful military and government in backdrop of Azad Kashmir protests
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday asked the defense secretary to present a report on the “abduction” of a poet and journalist from Azad Kashmir Ahmed Farhad Shah allegedly by Pakistan’s intelligence agencies, local media widely reported.
Shah, who had taken to social media in recent days to criticize Pakistan’s powerful military for the recent inflation protests in Azad Kashmir in which three people were killed, went missing from his Islamabad residence on Tuesday night.
Shah’s wife Ain Naqvi filed a petition at the IHC on Tuesday against her husband’s alleged abduction, requesting for his recovery. She urged the IHC to identify, investigate and prosecute those responsible for his disappearance.
Shah’s wife was represented in court on Thursday by lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha while Senior Superintendent of Police Jameel Zafar, Assistant Attorney General Usman Rasool Ghuman and other officials were also present, Pakistani newspaper Dawn reported.
“At this stage, learned counsel for petitioner contends that petitioner has specifically nominated Inter-Services Intelligence in abduction,” Dawn reported, quoting a copy of the order issued by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani.
“Therefore, secretary Ministry of Defense is directed to submit a concize report after seeking report from relevant quarters of Inter-Services Intelligence, as well as from Military Intelligence, with an explanation as to how and under what circumstances the detenu has been kidnapped and abducted from Islamabad Capital Territory, on the next date of hearing,” the order read.
The hearing was then adjourned till Monday.
Rights organizations have accused Pakistan’s military and intelligence agencies of illegally detaining and torturing dissenters without any explanation. Pakistan’s military and intelligence agencies deny they carry out enforced disappearances.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) politician Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar appreciated the court for “thundering” for Shah’s recovery and summoning the defense secretary to the next hearing.
“Glad to see the court taking a categorical position and wishing @ImaanZHazir & his family the best,” Khokhar wrote on social media platform X.
Pakistan PM forms committee to probe fault in Neelum-Jhelum hydropower project
- Power generation at Neelum-Jhelum project was suspended earlier this month due to a technical fault
- PM Sharif wants third-party experts to probe matter, says delay in findings of inquiry will not be tolerated
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formed a cabinet committee on Thursday to probe a technical fault in the 969MW Neelum-Jhelum hydropower project, which was shut down earlier this month after a problem was detected in its head race tunnel.
Located on River Neelum in Azad Kashmir, the project generates 5.15 billion units of power annually but has faced several problems over the years. The project first shut down in 2022 after a fault was detected in its head race tunnel but was later restored after a year in September 2023. The same problem was detected in April 2024 and power generation was suspended again earlier this month.
Sharif called for an urgent probe into the matter when he visited the project site during his day-long visit to Azad Kashmir, a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.
The prime minister expressed his displeasure that the inquiry’s findings were still not finalized, directing officials to submit a report on the matter within days and restore power generation after repair work was done as early as possible.
“I am very much clear. I need a thorough probe into whether lapses were in the design or in the construction and the responsibility should be fixed,” Sharif was quoted as saying by the PMO.
“No more delays will be acceptable.”
Sharif lamented that $5 billion was spent on the project despite its initial cost being estimated at $40 million, adding that it was unfortunate that the project was still facing technical issues.
The prime minister described the Neelum-Jhelum project as one of “national significance” in the power sector, saying it was constructed at a huge cost and must remain functional for decades.
He directed that the inquiry must be carried out by third-party experts and not by the designer or contractor of the project.
“If a mistake has been made and someone has committed an excess, then they will have to pay the fine,” Sharif said. “This is the trust of the nation, we will have to answer to them.”
Pakistan says will withdraw tax exemptions for industries in former tribal regions
- Tax exemptions, duty concessions approved in 2018 for FATA and PATA set to expire on June 30
- Finance Minister Aurangzeb says business communities across country want equitable conditions
KARACHI: Pakistan’s government will not extend the preferential tax treatment for the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and the Provincially Administered Tribal Areas (PATA), Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Thursday, saying that business communities across the country were demanding equitable conditions for industries nationwide.
Pakistan approved tax exemptions for erstwhile FATA, tribal areas in northwestern Pakistan which were merged with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, in 2018. The exemptions were also extended to PATA, regions within KP which are administered by the provincial government due to their historical and cultural significance.
The exemptions were extended till January 2023 but were granted another extension for one year. They are now set to expire on June 30, 2024.
KP lawmakers this week demanded the government extend the incentives for the regions, saying that many princely states in northwestern Pakistan decided to join the country after independence when they were promised tax exemptions.
“These exemptions are set to expire on June 30 this year by operation of law,” Aurangzeb said during a session of the National Assembly. He was responding to a call attention notice on the withdrawal of tax exemptions and concessions in former FATA and PATA areas.
He clarified that the government is not “proposing any new legislation” to extend the tax exemptions.
“The exemptions at that time were given for sales and income tax to integrate these areas into the mainstream economy,” the finance minister explained. He added that business communities, throughout their interactions with the government, were demanding equitable conditions for industries across the country.
The exemptions were granted to industrial units of iron/steel, plastics, ghee, textile and other sectors and industries located in former FATA and PATA areas.
Aurangzeb said business delegations from across Pakistan were seeking tax exemptions in line with those offered to ex-FATA and PATA.
“Since the past few days various chambers have been coming in including steel, fabric, tinplate, oil, tea, and ghee,” Aurangzeb said. “They all are consistently asking about preferential tax treatment.”
Former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser last week urged the federal government to extend the exemptions till 2028. He had argued that the withdrawal of tax exemptions would adversely impact industrial growth and employment in the areas.
Some areas of northwestern Pakistan, including Malakand division, have been observing shutter-down strike for the past few days against the government’s decision to bring PATA under the tax net.
Edgbaston Stadium to transform into ‘Fan Park’ for India-Pakistan T20 World Cup clash
- Edgbaston Stadium to live stream India-Pakistan T20 World Cup clash on June 9 for thousands of fans on a giant screen
- Millions across the world are expected to tune in on June 9 to watch cricket’s most fiercest rivalry take centerstage in New York
ISLAMABAD: England’s famous Edgbaston Stadium will transform into a “huge Fan Park” on June 9 where thousands of spectators from India and Pakistan will watch their teams battle it out in New York in a T20 World Cup clash, the Warwickshire County Club said this week.
The June 9 T20 World Cup clash in New York between arch-rivals India and Pakistan is one of the most anticipated cricket matches this year. Millions are expected to tune in worldwide to watch one of the sports’ fiercest rivalries take centerstage in New York.
The Edgbaston Stadium, one of the leading venues in world cricket, has been the home of Warwickshire County Cricket Club since 1885. For over 100 years, it has hosted first-class and international cricket in Birmingham.
Warwickshire County Club announced on Wednesday that over 8,000 fans are expected to gather at the Edgbaston Stadium to catch the action live on a giant screen.
“For the first time ever the ICC are giving UK fans an opportunity to watch it live from Edgbaston Stadium where the piazza will be turned into a family festival of cricket,” Warwickshire County Club said in a press release.
“Fans will be able to watch the action on a big screen and enjoy the build-up as comedian and cricket commentator Aatif Nawaz takes to the stage alongside former India and Pakistan players.”
Edgbaston Chief Executive Stuart Cain said the stadium was the only venue in England chosen by the ICC as a T20 World Cup fan zone, terming the development as “amazing.”
“It’s an opportunity for our local communities to really feel part of the T20 World Cup experience and I’m sure it will be a fantastic occasion,” Cain said.
“Pakistan and India fans generated an electric atmosphere here in the 2019 Cricket World Cup and I’ve no doubt we can get close to replicating that in the Fan Zone.”
Apart from watching the match on the large screen with live commentary, fans will also be able to access a large family picnic area with activities including cricket skill challenges and cultural performances from both Indian and Pakistan communities, the press release said.
“Fan parks are an important part of bringing World Cups to more people across the globe,” ICC’s Head of Events Chris Tetley said.
“I am sure there will be a great atmosphere on the day and based on previous India and Pakistan matches that have taken place at Edgbaston it will be an occasion not to be missed.”
Gates are scheduled to open for fans at 1:00 p.m. GMT before the live feed of the match starts at 3:0 p.m. GMT.
Fans can buy tickets at t20worldcupfanpark.edgbaston.com.
Pakistan minister praises Saudi king, crown prince for providing ‘excellent facilities’ to Hajj pilgrims
- Pakistan’s religious affairs minister inspects Hajj 2024 arrangements in Madinah
- Over 15,000 Pakistani pilgrims have arrived in Madinah weeks before Hajj kicks off
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s religion minister arrived in Madinah on Thursday to inspect Hajj 2024 arrangements, praising Saudi Arabia’s king and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for ensuring “excellent facilities” were provided to pilgrims ahead of the Islamic pilgrimage.
Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Pakistan’s religious affairs minister, arrived in Jeddah on Wednesday to inspect Hajj 2024 arrangements for Pakistani pilgrims. The Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to the holy places of worship in Makkah and is obligatory on every Muslim adult who is physically and financially able to make the journey.
Over 15,000 Pakistani pilgrims have arrived in the holy city of Madinah from various parts of the country in a month-long flight operation that kicked off on May 9. Pilgrims are expected to depart for Makkah on May 17 after completing an eight-day stay in Madinah.
“We are thankful to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for providing excellent facilities to Hajj pilgrims,” Salik was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s religion ministry.
Hussain visited the Pakistan Hajj Mission and reviewed arrangements at the complaint management cell there.
“Timely redressal of complaints of Hajj pilgrims is proof of the system’s success,” Hussain said.
The minister said he was satisfied that Pakistani pilgrims were provided accommodations near the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, describing it as a notable achievement of the Pakistan Hajj Mission.
Pakistan has a Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims this year, of which 63,805 people will perform the pilgrimage under the government scheme, while the rest will use private tour operators.
Pakistan has set up two control rooms, one in Madinah and another at Makkah, to facilitate Hajj pilgrims. This year’s pilgrimage is expected to run from June 14-19.
