Fazl alleges IK orchestrated ‘Cypher’ drama for political gains
ISLAMABAD, Jul 19 (APP): Jamiat Ulema e Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlul Rehman on Wednesday claimed that the PTI chief was a puppet of the United States who had intentionally staged the “cypher” drama for political gains, as confirmed by his former principal secretary Azam Khan.
With each passing day, new facts about Imran Niazi were emerging, he said while talking to the media.
Fazl said that a decade ago, he had apprised the nation of “Imran’s connections with foreign agents.” In 2018, he came to power with the backing of international powers and spy agencies Mossad and RAW, he alleged.
The JUI-F still stood on its position that Imran Niazi had connections with hostile forces, and this stance remains unchanged till today.
Fazl highlighted that after 75 years, Israel unjustly criticized Pakistan at the United Nations, a move not acknowledged by Pakistan. He emphasized that Pakistan’s foundation is rooted in supporting the Palestinians.
After its establishment, Israel mentioned in its first foreign policy speech that the eradication of the nascent Muslim state, Pakistan is included in its agenda, he added.
Fazl announced that the party’s membership drive has begun on Wednesday and expressed a strong commitment to fully participate in the upcoming elections, stating their intention to contest candidates for every seat throughout the country.
Fazl also mentioned that if necessary, adjustments would be made at the district level, with Maulana Atta-ul-Haq Darwish serving as the central moderator of the election process.
Cypher still in possession of ‘criminal’ Imran Niazi: Rana Sana
ISLAMABAD, Jul 19 (APP): Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah Khan on Wednesday said that the cypher was still in the possession of Imran Khan Niazi, who would remain “criminal” until it was recovered from him.
The reported statement of Azam Khan, former principal secretary to the prime minister, confirmed that he had handed over the cypher to the them prime minister, who told him next day it was lost, the minister said while addressing the press conference, flanked by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Attaullah Tarar.
He said Azam Khan, in his statement, had clarified that when the then secretary foreign affairs brought the issue of cypher in his knowledge, and former foreign minster Shah Mehmood Qureshi was also part & parcel of the whole planning to use it (cypher) against the national interests for personal and political gains.
The interior minister said a case would be got registered against Imran Niazi and his accomplice Qureshi under the Official Secrets Act for making a classified document public. Eventually he would have to appear before the court as his case would be tried in the special court.
He said Azam Khan reportedly admitted that he had told Imran Niazi that using a classified document for political gains was a criminal act under the Official Secrets Act, but the then prime minster used the cypher to gain political mileage.
“That cypher is still in his custody and he will remain a criminal until he returns the classified document or it is recovered by an investigation agency from him,” he added.
Citing that former United States president Donald Trump was being prosecuted on the same charges, he said Imran Niazi would be booked for violating the Official Secrets Act.
He said the May 9 incidents were also in continuity of the PTI chief’s conspiracy against Pakistan and its institutions as it had been proved that the group led by him was involved in anti-state activities.
“This group has also connections outside the country,” he said, adding it was now inevitable to punish them as per law.
Mayor Karachi, Barrister Murtaza Wahab along with Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad inaugurates the Newly Installed Surveillance System at KMC Building
Sajid Sadpara ascends Broad Peak
ISLAMABAD, Jul 19 (APP): Pakistani climber Sajid Ali Sadpara on Wednesday successfully ascended Broad Peak (8,047-metre high) without the aid of extra oxygen or assistance, Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) said.
“With this notable accomplishment, Sajid has now summited eight 8,000-meter peaks without using oxygen, including all five peaks of Pakistan’s above 8,000-meter,” Karrar Haidri Secretary ACP said in a statement.
Located in Gilgit-Baltistan adjacent to K2, Broad Peak is the world’s 12th highest mountain.
Guterres warns against malicious use of artificial intelligence (AI); calls for new UN body
UNITED NATIONS, Jul 19 (APP): Malicious use of artificial intelligence (AI) systems could cause a “horrific” amount of death and destruction, the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has said, calling for a new UN body to tackle the threats posed by the technology.
Speaking in the UN Security Council, Guterres said that if AI became primarily a weapon to launch cyberattacks, generate deepfakes, or for spreading disinformation and hate speech, it would have very serious consequences for global peace and security.
“Look no further than social media. Tools and platforms that were designed to enhance human connection are now used to undermine elections, spread conspiracy theories, and incite hatred and violence,” he said.
“Malfunctioning AI systems are another huge area of concern. And the interaction between AI and nuclear weapons, biotechnology, neurotechnology, and robotics, is deeply alarming.”
Guterres noted the problematic debate over AI governance, highlighting the need for a universal approach, and citing similar experiences in the past which offer a potential way forward, under UN leadership.
“The international community has a long history of responding to new technologies with the potential to disrupt our societies and economies. We have come together at the United Nations to set new international rules, sign new treaties, and establish new global agencies”, he added.
The guiding principles on lethal autonomous weapons systems and the recommendations on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, for instance, were discussed and agreed at UN forums.
Similarly, the AI for Good summit, convened in Geneva last month, brought together experts, the private sector, UN agencies, and governments, to help ensure the groundbreaking technology serves the common good, he added.
Guterres pointed to a skills gap around AI within governments and other bureaucracies, which must be addressed at a national and global level.
“I therefore welcome calls from some Member States for the creation of a new United Nations entity to support collective efforts to govern this extraordinary technology, inspired by such models as the International Atomic Energy Agency, the International Civil Aviation Organization, or the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change,” he said.
“A new UN entity would gather expertise and put it at the disposal of the international community. And it could support collaboration on the research and development of AI tools to accelerate sustainable development.”
Guterres announced that he will be convening a high-level meeting for AI, which will report back on the options for global governance, by the end of this year. He is also going to issue a new policy brief on A New Agenda for Peace, which will make recommendations on AI governance to Member States.
The policy brief will call for negotiations to be concluded by 2026 on a legally-binding instrument to prohibit lethal autonomous weapons systems that function without human control or oversight, which cannot be used in compliance with international humanitarian law.
The Secretary-General called on the Security Council, which is responsible for international peace and security, to “exercise leadership on AI” and show the way towards common measures for their transparency, accountability, and oversight.
“We must work together for AI that bridges social, digital, and economic divides, not one that pushes us further apart. I urge you to join forces and build trust for peace and security,” Guterres concluded.
The meeting on Tuesday was convened by the United Kingdom in its capacity of holding the rotating presidency of the Security Council for the month of July.
It was the first-ever meeting of the 15-member Council on the potential threats of artificial intelligence to international peace and security.
PM grieved over death of Ashraf Nawabi
ISLAMABAD, July 19 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday expressed his deep grief over the death of Ashraf Nawabi, a friend of his father and family.
In a tweet, the prime minister prayed for the departed soul and expressed his heartfelt condolences with the bereaved family.
“Although he (Ashraf Nawabi) left Pakistan many decades ago, he made sure that he remained close to the motherland. He was an important bridge between Pakistan and the UAE & played his selfless role in strengthening the friendly ties between our two countries,” he posted in his tweet.
National IT seminar to converge efforts for IT growth; its role in sustainable development
ISLAMABAD, July 19 (APP): A national Information Technology (IT) seminar and the soft launch of related projects will be held here on Thursday which would help converge efforts to achieve a shared objective for fostering an environment conducive to IT growth, due to its paramount role in shaping knowledge-based economy and ensuring sustainable development of Pakistan.
The seminar would be attended by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif as the chief guest while Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir would be the guest of honour, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.
The seminar will be attended by ministers of planning, development & special initiative, foreign affairs, finance, defense, defense production, information technology and telecommunication, information and broadcasting, chief ministers of Punjab, Sindh, KPK and Balochistan, governor State Bank of Pakistan, chairman Federal Board of Revenue, IT experts, military and civil officials.
The foreign dignitaries including diplomats and industry leaders from Gulf Countries, China and EU will also attend the seminar.
National IT seminar is a unique opportunity for all stakeholders to collaborate for sustainable and profitable future especially in the field of IT.
The seminar is being arranged under the ambit of Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) which will focus on five major economic sectors including defense production; agriculture; mines & minerals, energy sector and IT industry, the press release said.
The immense potential of IT industry can also galvanize other industries through automation, digitization, Business Process Reengineering (BPR) and integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The seminar will also elaborate the impact of new budget on IT sector, industry landscape, measures to increase IT exports from short to mid term, development of requisite skills set, efforts to attract foreign investment and issues being faced by enterprises and startups.
Impact of SIFC on continuity of policies and ease of doing business will also be highlighted.
The seminar will include display of stalls by major IT companies of Pakistan and successful startups along with soft launch of Tech DestiNation Pakistan, Techlift Boot Camp, 1st Knowledge Park for Women Bagh (AJ&K), Agri Tech Incubator Faisalabad and Center of Excellence in Gaming and Animation.