ISLAMABAD: The local administration in Pakistan's northwestern Swat Valley on Thursday issued an order for the release of journalist Fayyaz Zafar, who was detained a day earlier on allegations of defaming security agencies.
The journalist, who is associated with both Voice of America and the local Daily Mashriq newspaper, was arrested after a district magistrate in Swat granted approval for his detainment under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance of 1960 on Wednesday. Zafar is accused of spreading “fake and offensive” information to stoke “anti-state sentiments” and posing a “threat” to the peaceful atmosphere of Swat by “defaming/ demoralizing the law enforcement agencies fighting against militancy.”
As per a letter released by the office of the deputy commissioner in Swat, the notification regarding Zafar's arrest was retracted following requests from the district bar association and a tribal jirga.
“As per request of the District Bar Association and notables of Tehsil Babozai Swat, the detention order U/S 3 of the West Pakistan Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance 1960 issued vide this court […] is hereby withdrawn, and the accused namely, Fayaz Zafar s/o Zafar Ali r/o Saidu sharif District Swat, be released from Jail if not involved in any other case,” the notification said from the deputy commissioner’s office said.
Pakistan's interim information minister, Murtaza Solangi, on Thursday asked authorities in Swat district to furnish a report regarding the journalist's arrest and called for a transparent investigation into the incident, saying no official should misuse their authority to suppress journalists.
Global rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders, have expressed concern over shrinking media freedom in Pakistan in recent years. The issue has been in the spotlight recently after a top Pakistani anchor, Arshad Sharif, was shot dead in Kenya last year after going on the run from Pakistan. Another broadcaster, Imran Riaz Khan, also disappeared earlier this year.
District administration in northwest Pakistan orders release of journalist detained for ‘defaming’ security agencies
https://arab.news/chq76
District administration in northwest Pakistan orders release of journalist detained for ‘defaming’ security agencies
- Journalist Fayyaz Zafar was arrested on Wednesday on charges of stoking "anti-state sentiments"
- Orders to arrest the journalist were withdrawn upon request of district bar association and tribal jirga
Pakistan regulator says over 21,600 new companies registered in first half of FY26
- This reflects a 29 percent increase compared to the 16,839 companies that were registered during same period last year, says regulator
- These incorporations contributed $109.5 billion in paid-up capital, says Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan report
ISLAMABAD: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) said this week it registered over 21,600 new companies in the first half of the current fiscal year, reflecting rising investor confidence and positive economic outlook in the country.
In a report issued on Jan. 6, the SECP said it registered 21,668 companies in the first six months of the current fiscal year, adding that these incorporations contributed Rs30.7 billion [$109.5 million] in paid-up capital.
The report said this represented a 29 percent increase compared to the 16,839 companies registered during the same period last year.
“Pakistan’s business landscape continues to demonstrate strong momentum, reflecting rising investor confidence and a positive economic outlook,” the SECP report said.
The SECP said the latest increase has brought the total number of registered companies in Pakistan to 279,724. It said the top ten sectors by incorporations were led by the IT & e-commerce, with 4,277 companies, followed by trading (2,997 companies), services (2,686 companies) and real estate (2,031 companies).
“This sectoral diversity highlights expanding entrepreneurial activity, particularly in technology-driven and service-oriented industries,” the report said.
The SECP said foreign investment also remained “robust” during the period, adding that 524 newly incorporated companies received foreign investment amounting to Rs1.26 billion [$4.5 million] with the participation from 731 foreign investors.
“China emerged as the leading source, accounting for 71 percent of total inflows,” the SECP said. “It was followed by Afghanistan (8 percent), the United States (2 percent), and the United Kingdom, Germany, South
Africa, South Korea, Norway, Vietnam, Nigeria, and Bangladesh, each contributing 1 percent,” it added.
The SECP said an additional 11 percent of the investment originated from other countries.
