KARACHI: September 10 –
Caretaker Federal Minister for Energy Ali Muhammad Chairing a meeting with officers of K electric
KARACHI: September 10 –
A view of sewerage water accumulated on the road at unit number 11 Latifabad
HYDERABAD: September 10 –
Students are solving their question papers during Pre entry test for admission in the Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences (LUMHS) at Jamshoro
HYDERABAD: September 10 –
HYDERABAD: September 10 – Students are solving their question papers during Pre entry test for admission in the Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences (LUMHS) at Jamshoro. APP/FHN/FHA
Principal Quaid-e-Azam Medical College Dr. Soufia Farrukh talking to media persons
BAHAWALPUR: September 10
Farmer busy spraying pesticides on the crop at his farm field
MULTAN: September 10 –
SNGPL launches crackdown to prevent gas theft
MULTAN, Sep 10 (APP): Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has launched a crackdown to prevent gas theft at industrial, commercial and domestic levels.
A high-level meeting was held at the distribution Multan office chaired by General Manager Rashid Ishaq in this regard.
Deputy Chief Engineer Hussain Zafar, Senior Engineer Zubair Ahmad Khan in charge Task Force Ghulam Abbas, Deputy Chief Admin Officer Usman Karim Baig, Syed Ahmed Kashif Shah, Saif-ur- Rehman were also present.
General Manager Rashid Ishaq said that a crackdown has been launched against gas thieves nationwide and vigorous action started in this regard.
The circle has been tightened around those who have caused huge losses to the public exchequer by stealing gas at industrial, commercial and domestic levels and joint action will be taken with police.
He said that not only the connections of gas thieves will be disconnected but they will also have to face lawsuits. Rashid Ishaq further said that taking gas by installing a compressor was also an illegal measure which destroys the gas network and also endangers the life of the user.
He said that action would also be taken against the vendors with the help of district administration to stop the sale of compressors.
He urged the citizens to play their role in the crackdown against gas thieves and identify such elements.
APP/sak
Youth at risk: cyberbullying epidemic grips Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, Sep 10 (APP)::In today’s fame-driven world, where one’s worth is often measured by their social media followers, Pakistan has emerged as a prominent player with over 72 million internet users. However, this growing access to free social media platforms has brought about significant concerns regarding e-security.
Pakistan ranks as the 5th largest mobile phone market in Asia. Internet regulation falls under the jurisdiction of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). Data from these authorities highlights alarming issues within our society, ranging from privacy breaches and disagreements to political rivalries, disinformation, and the targeting of religious and gender minorities.
The UN Broadband Commission for Digital Development Working Group on Broadband And Gender defines cyber violence against women, encompassing hate speech, publishing blasphemous content, hacking, intercepting private communications, identity theft, online stalking (criminal harassment), and uttering threats, which can even lead to convincing a target to end their own life. It is crucial to acknowledge the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which recognizes online intimidation, threats, privacy breaches, and identity theft against vulnerable groups, primarily women.
In 2020, the FIA’s cybercrime wing received over 85,000 complaints, primarily concerning financial fraud, fake profiles, identity theft, defamation, hate speech, cyber harassment threats, and cyber blackmail. According to the Digital Rights Foundation (DRF), they report over 146 monthly calls to their cyber harassment helpline, with 57% of the complaints coming from women and 30% from men. Punjab accounts for 57% of the reported cases, followed by Sindh with 15%.
The most concerning aspect of the DRF’s report is the age group between 21 and 25, with the majority of victims falling in the youth sector. The exponential spike in cyber harassment cases was noted with the advent of the coronavirus pandemic and increased internet accessibility.
Research Gate suggests that individuals subjected to social media trolling or cyberbullying are 1.9 times more likely to contemplate suicide. Nearly 90% of Pakistani university students surveyed reported experiencing cyberbullying, with higher socioeconomic status individuals being more susceptible.
Cyberbullying knows no boundaries and affects individuals across all age groups and backgrounds. Even prominent figures, including politicians, celebrities, and internet personalities, have not been immune to its harmful impact. Notably, even the caretaker prime minister found himself targeted by online trolls, with increased Pakistani emigration becoming a contentious topic in the cyber world.
One tragic case involved Dr. Amir Liaquat, a renowned anchor, politician, and media personality, who took his own life following the leak of explicit videos. E-security breaches have taken lives in Pakistan, with misinformation being a significant contributor to the problem.
To establish a secure internet society, parental guidance, teacher involvement, and law enforcement are essential. Monitoring teenagers’ online activities is crucial to reduce cybercrimes and protect them from online abusers, identity theft, cyber intimidation, stalking, financial fraud, and more.
The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (PECA) addresses defamation, extending the right to file complaints to any member of the public, even if they are not directly defamed. PECA criminalizes false information that harms a person’s privacy or reputation when intentionally and publicly displayed.
Social media activist Shareef Ali Dawar shared his traumatic experiences of being threatened, bullied, and relentlessly trolled for expressing certain opinions. For many like him, deactivation and taking a mental break from social media have become the last resort to escape ceaseless political rivalry.
Under FIA’s Cybercrime Wing, various cyber offenses, including electronic financial fraud, cyber harassment, cyber defamation, cyberbullying, cyber blackmailing, hate speech, illegal SIM cards, child pornography, identity theft, cyber terrorism, and more, are treated with seriousness.
Recognizing the rampant spread of cybercrimes, the Federal Investigation Agency has proposed amendments to PECA Laws. Over 2 billion PKR has been invested in revamping the cybercrime wing project, with 15 dedicated cyber police stations established across the country. A helpline, 1991, has been designated for cyber complaints. Officials like Dr. Ehsan Sadiq, Additional Director General of the Cybercrime Wing, and Dr. SanaUllah Abbasi, Director General of FIA, are tirelessly working to enhance e-security for the nation.
As an educated and socially aware society, it is our responsibility to respect differing opinions without resorting to personal attacks online or in our daily lives. A civilized society upholds diversity of thought, action, gender, and religion. With strengthened PECA Laws and increased awareness, Pakistan can embark on a journey toward a secure, protected, and inclusive social media environment.
Committee formed to combat electricity theft
RAWALPINDI, Sep 10 (APP): On the special directives of Punjab Government, the district administration of Rawalpindi has taken a solid step on Sunday to combat electricity theft in the region.
According to a handout issued here on Sunday, the District Enforcement Committee has been established with Assistant Commissioner Headquarters, Waheed Sadiq as its focal person.
The Committee will include members from the local police force and the district administration. In this regard, a Control Room has been set up at the Rawalpindi Civil Defense Office. Citizens can now report about the electricity theft by calling on 051-9292963.
The government has appealed to the public to cooperate in this effort to curb electricity theft. This approach signifies a strong commitment to ensuring a fair and transparent distribution of electricity resources in Rawalpindi.
731 power pilferers booked in Vehari
BUREWALA, Sep 10 (APP): Police claimed to have registered cases against 731 power pilferers across the district including 229 in Burewala Circle from January to September 10.
According to details, the police department has also accelerated operations during the ongoing crackdown against power pilferers across the country. More than 40 pending cases of electricity theft have also been registered in seven different police stations of Burewala Circle.
APP/aaj-sak
Swabi Police conduct mock exercise
PESHAWAR, Sep 10 (APP):Swabi Police conducted a mock exercise to deal with any untoward situation in police lines, Tarbila Camp, Tehsil Lahore, and Tehsil Razar across the district, here Sunday.
The aim of the mock exercise is to test the performance of Police officers and Jawans.
Under the supervision of DPOs Topi Mohammad Shafiq Khan, Ajab Khan, Jawad Khan, Mohammad Iqbal Khan, Taj Mohammad Khan, Rooh Ul Amin Khan, Swabi Police organized a mock exercise in various places, in which all SHOs, Elite Force, RRAF Squad, Rescuers 1122 participated.
“The purpose of the mock exercise is to test the efficiency of the institutions, and the efficiency of the officers and men to assess the minimum response time in an emergency situation,” an official of the Police told media men.