The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has extended the deadline for registering non-registered VPNs by two weeks, moving the cutoff to November 30. This decision follows a review meeting after the Interior Ministry’s directive to block unregistered VPNs due to concerns over misuse, particularly in terrorist activities. Sources indicate a crackdown on non-registered VPNs will begin on December 1. PTA has successfully registered over 20,000 VPNs, including those used by companies and freelancers. For registration, applicants must submit an online form with details such as CNIC, company registration, and taxpayer status, with approvals processed in 8 to 10 hours. A second…
Author: Web Desk2
In a swift and efficient operation, Pakistan Army personnel successfully rescued locals stranded in Deosai, near Skardu, due to heavy snowfall. The group of travelers, who had been traveling from Giltri to Skardu, got marooned in the Deosai plains, which are known for their extreme weather conditions. The travelers were in two cars when they were trapped by the snowfall, and their family members, along with local residents, immediately sought the Army’s assistance. Despite the harsh weather, including torrential snowfall, the Army launched both ground and air rescue operations. After being safely transported to Giltri, the rescued locals expressed their…
The recent success of cloud seeding experiments in Punjab marks a groundbreaking step in environmental management and weather modification in Pakistan. The experiment, a joint initiative involving the Armed Forces Research Institutions, SPARCO, and international collaboration, was conducted to address severe air pollution and smog issues in the region. Lahore, which has long struggled with high pollution levels, became the focal point of this pioneering experiment. As part of the cloud seeding procedure, flares were deployed over multiple areas of the city, with the Shahdara area being a key target. The process aimed to induce rainfall and help clear the…
WASHINGTON, Nov 15 (Reuters) – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded a constructive staff visit to Pakistan from November 12 to 15, focusing on economic policy and reform measures under the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) approved earlier this year. Nathan Porter, IMF’s Pakistan mission chief, commended Pakistan’s renewed commitment to reforms aimed at reducing vulnerabilities and laying the groundwork for sustainable growth. The discussions, though preliminary, highlighted significant economic weaknesses. Key concerns included a revenue shortfall of nearly 190 billion rupees ($685 million) in the fiscal year’s first quarter, an external financing gap of $2.5 billion, and the…
The Interior Ministry has instructed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to block unregistered Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) across Pakistan, citing their misuse in terrorist communications, financial crimes, and access to prohibited content such as pornography and blasphemous material. This directive aligns with PTA’s ongoing efforts to tighten VPN regulations. The authority revealed that it has already blocked over 100,000 URLs containing blasphemous content and more than 840,000 pornographic websites. Additionally, nearly 20 million attempts to access such material are intercepted daily at the international gateway level. The Interior Ministry’s letter highlighted the rising misuse of VPNs by terrorist groups to…
ISLAMABAD: Dr. Raghib Hussain Naeemi, Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), has stated that using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to access blocked or prohibited content violates Islamic principles. Emphasizing the religious duty of the government, he highlighted that banning VPNs aligns with Islamic injunctions aimed at safeguarding societal values. Dr. Naeemi remarked that bypassing restrictions imposed for ethical and social benefits constitutes aiding in sin (‘Aun ala al-ma’siya’), a concept explicitly forbidden in Islamic jurisprudence. While VPNs have legitimate uses for privacy and security, their misuse to access unethical or illegal content, such as adult websites or platforms…
ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir has cautioned against the growing threat of “Fitna-tul-Khawarij,” referring to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), highlighting its role as a breeding ground for global terrorism. Speaking at the Margalla Dialogue 2024, organized by the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI), Gen Munir addressed Pakistan’s commitment to fostering regional peace amidst evolving global challenges. The army chief stressed the destabilizing impact of misinformation, calling for regulations to counter the spread of disinformation and hate speech. He described unregulated freedom of expression as a factor eroding moral values and fueling divisions along religious and…
On November 14, 2024, security forces, led by Major Muhammad Haseeb, acted swiftly in response to intelligence about terrorists planning to target innocent civilians in Harnai District, Balochistan. Upon mobilizing to neutralize the threat, the forces engaged the terrorists, resulting in the death of three militants. However, the operation turned tragic when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated on the leading vehicle of the security forces. Major Muhammad Haseeb, aged 28, from Multan, and Havildar Noor Ahmed, aged 38, from Barkhan, both made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, embracing Shahadat (martyrdom) while fighting gallantly to protect the…
An IMF delegation, led by Nathan Porter, visited Islamabad this week to hold discussions regarding Pakistan’s $7 billion loan program, which was approved in September 2024. The team, which arrived unexpectedly, met with key officials from the ministries of finance, energy, and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). Although the visit is not related to the official review of the loan—which will take place in 2025—it serves as an important interim check on Pakistan’s progress in meeting the program’s objectives. One major topic of discussion was Pakistan’s domestic debt. According to the central bank, the country’s domestic debt has risen…
On the night of November 13-14, 2024, North Waziristan witnessed a tragic escalation in the internal conflict among militant factions, specifically between Fitnat al-Khawarij and the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group. A powerful explosion in a mosque in Tapi village of Miran Shah not only led to the destruction of several surrounding homes but also tragically claimed the lives of innocent civilians, including women and children. This incident underscores the complex and violent nature of militant infighting that has been escalating in the region. According to defense analysts, the Fitnat al-Khawarij, which claims to operate under strict Sharia principles, has been…