Pakistan mulls WhatsApp alternative to thwart data breach

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In this file photo, Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan chairs meeting of the Federal Cabinet at Islamabad on Nov. 5, 2019. (PID)
Updated 22 November 2019
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Pakistan mulls WhatsApp alternative to thwart data breach

  • All government functionaries, including president and prime minister, will use a local app from next June
  • Government in the process of banning senior government, military officials from using WhatsApp to share any classified information

ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: Pakistan is trying to develop a local instant messaging application to protect official data and sensitive information from hackers and hostile intelligence agencies, senior government officials said on Thursday, as the government of the South Asian nation considers banning senior government and military officials from using WhatsApp at official premises.
Last month, officials at Whatsapp told media senior government officials in multiple US-allied countries were targeted earlier this year with hacking software that used Facebook Inc’s WhatsApp to take over users’ phones. Victims belonged to the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Mexico, Pakistan, India and other nations.
“We have been working to improve our cyber security and develop a messaging application like WhatsApp for government officials,” Dr. Arslan Khalid, Prime Minister Imran Khan’s focal person on digital media, told Arab News. “This local application will help us protect sensitive government data and other classified information from hostile spying agencies and hackers.”
Pakistan is ranked among the top seven countries for inadequate cyber security, with 25 percent of its mobile phones and 14.8 percent of computers infected with malware, according to a study conducted by technology site Comparitech.
Authorities have proposed introducing intranet in government offices and developing a local alternative to WhatsApp after NSO – an Israeli spyware firm – was sued by WhatsApp/Facebook on October 29 for “violating both the US and California laws as well as the WhatsApp terms of service.”
A special type of malware named “Pegasus” was employed, reportedly between 28 April and 10 May 2019, which affected approximately 1400 senior government and military officials in twenty countries including Pakistan.
“The malware is capable of infecting any mobile phone [iOS and Android] only by generating a missed call on the targeted WhatsApp number,” a special advisory issued by the Ministry of Information Technology earlier this month said.
The advisory, a copy of which is available with Arab News, directed senior government officials holding “sensitive portfolios and dealing with national security matters” to consider that “no official/classified information be shared on WhatsApp or similar applications” for security reasons.

In order to minimize the possibility of any infections by Pegasus malware, the ministry also directed government functionaries to immediately replace all mobile phones purchased prior to 10 May 2019.
Against this backdrop, the government has started developing an intra-communication system, a WhatsApp-like service, to ensure “no data leaves GoP [Government of Pakistan] data centers.”
“It will be an official channel of communication which will provide an interlink to all federal ministries to share official documents,” Ali Khan Jadoon, a ruling party lawmaker and chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology, told Arab News.
Under the new system, any government official using the local area network would not be able to use WhatsApp, Facebook messenger and other social media platforms.
“This network will have the ministry of defense, interior and others on it since we don’t want any sensitive information to be leaked,” Jadoon added, saying each government official would have a unique ID to use the system and anyone trying to leak information would be identifiable with their ID.
He said the application, which costs round Rs1.3 billion ($8.37 million), would be launched by June 2020: “Everyone will be on this [application] including the president and the prime minister.”
The National Information Technology Board (NITB) is also implementing an e-government program in all federal ministries to protect official data and sensitive information from leaking to hackers or hostile intelligence agencies.
“We have so far completed our work in 28 ministries out of 42, and the remaining will also be converted to an e-government program by June next year,” Faisal Iqbal, director-general NITB, told Arab News.
Asked about rumors that the government may curb freedom of speech and freedom of expression by expanding the local instant messaging app to the public, just as it happened in China, Dr. Arslan Khalid said the government wanted to protect official data only.
“We are not planning to restrict the public use of social media or curtail freedom of expression. All these rumors are baseless,” he said. “Even government employees can use WhatsApp and any other social media platforms for personal interaction once they are outside of their public offices.”


Pakistan, Saudi Arabia to form joint committee to produce films, songs and documentaries

Updated 33 min 20 sec ago
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Pakistan, Saudi Arabia to form joint committee to produce films, songs and documentaries

  • Pakistan’s information attends fourth edition of Saudi Media Forum in Riyadh 
  • Islamabad, Riyadh stress on collaborating to combat misinformation, propaganda

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to form a joint committee to produce songs, films and documentaries, Pakistan’s information ministry said on Wednesday, as the two countries aim to foster stronger ties in the media industry. 

Pakistan’s Information Minister Ataullah Tarar met Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary in Riyadh as he attended the fourth edition of the Saudi Media Forum. 

The event brings together over 200 leading media professionals, innovators and thought leaders from across the world. This year’s edition is taking place under the “Media in an Evolving World” theme and will run from Wednesday to Friday.

“Pakistan and Saudi Arabia agree to form a joint committee for joint productions, songs, films and documentaries,” Pakistan’s information ministry said. 

“The meeting also focused on enhancing cooperation in various sectors including the exchange of journalists and training programs.”

The ministry said discussions between the two ministers focused on strengthening media relations and enhancing cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in promoting regional peace and stability.

Tarar and Al-Dossary also emphasized the importance of collaborating to combat misinformation and propaganda, the statement said, adding that Tarar reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

The Pakistani minister said Islamabad’s brotherly ties with Riyadh were transforming into an economic partnership. He said relations between the two countries were growing stronger with each passing day. 

Al-Dossary said several Pakistanis were playing an important role in Saudi Arabia’s development, the information ministry said. 

“Promoting cooperation with Pakistan in all sectors, including information, is our priority,” Al-Dossary was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s information ministry. 

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are close regional partners and economic allies. Both countries signed 34 agreements worth $2.8 billion in October last year. 

The Kingdom is also home to over 2.7 million Pakistani expatriates, serving as the top destination for remittances for the cash-strapped South Asian country.


New Zealand hand Pakistan mammoth 321-run target in Champions Trophy opener

Updated 51 min 9 sec ago
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New Zealand hand Pakistan mammoth 321-run target in Champions Trophy opener

  • Will Young, Tom Latham hit centuries to guide New Zealand to 320-5 in Karachi
  • Fast bowler Naseem Shah was the best Pakistan bowler, returning figures of 2-63 

KARACHI: Will Young and Tom Latham hit sparkling centuries to guide New Zealand to 320-5 on Wednesday in the opening match of the Champions Trophy, marking Pakistan’s first international tournament in three decades.

New Zealand's Will Young celebrates after scoring century during the ICC Champions Trophy cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on February 19, 2025. (AP)

Tom Latham hit an unbeaten 104-ball 118 while opener Young scored 107 from 113 balls as New Zealand — sent in to bat by Pakistan — made the most of a flat National Stadium pitch.

New Zealand's Tom Latham celebrates after scoring fifty during the ICC Champions Trophy cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on February 19, 2025. (AP)

The eight-nation event was launched with country’s Air Force flying over the stadium to mark the occasion as thousands of fans, including President Asif Zardari, took their seats on a historic day.


On the field, Young and Latham revived the innings from 73-3 with a 118-run fourth wicket stand, helping their team overcome the early loss of Devon Conway (10), Kane Williamson (1) and Daryl Mitchell (10).
Young hit 12 boundaries and a six in his fourth one-day international century before holing out to Naseem Shah in the 38th over.

Pakistan's Naseem Shah celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of New Zealand's Will Young, caught out by substitute Faheem Ashraf during the ICC Champions Trophy cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on February 19, 2025. (REUTERS)

Latham and Glenn Phillips, who made an aggressive 39-ball 61, gave the innings more impetus as New Zealand smashed 113 in the last 10 overs and 64 in the last five.
Latham hit 10 boundaries and three sixes in his eighth one-day hundred while Phillips’s robust knock had four sixes and three boundaries.

Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi, right bowls as New Zealand's Tom Latham watches during the ICC Champions Trophy cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on February 19, 2025. (AP)

Fast bowler Naseem Shah was the best Pakistan bowler with 2-63 but fellow pacers Haris Rauf finished with 2-83 and Shaheen Afridi conceded 68 in 10 wicket-less overs each.


Gunmen shoot dead policeman guarding Pakistan polio team

Updated 19 February 2025
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Gunmen shoot dead policeman guarding Pakistan polio team

  • Two motorcycle riders open fire on police officer in northwestern Bajaur district, say police
  • Militants have attacked vaccination teams, police guarding them over the years in Pakistan

PESHAWAR: Gunmen shot dead a Pakistan police officer guarding a polio vaccination team on Wednesday in a remote area close to the Afghan border, police said.
Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan are the only countries where polio is endemic and militants have for decades targeted vaccination teams and their security escorts.
Polio has resurged in Pakistan, with two cases reported so far this year, and at least 73 polio infections last year, compared to six in 2023.
"Two motorcycle riders opened fire... as a result, the police officer died on the spot, but the polio team remained unharmed," Niaz Muhammad, a police officer in Bajaur district, told AFP.
Bajaur district in northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province shares a 52-kilometre (32-mile) border with Afghanistan.
The start of the polio campaign had been delayed in the district for security reasons, after a rise in militant attacks in the area, said Waqas Rafiq, a senior police official.
"Despite the attack, the campaign continues in all areas (of the district) except the site of the incident," he said.
Polio mostly affects children under five and sometimes causes lifelong paralysis but can easily be prevented by the oral administration of a few drops of vaccine.
Over the past decade, hundreds of police officers and health workers have been killed by militants waging an offensive against the Pakistani state.
In the past, firebrand clerics falsely claimed the vaccine contained pork or alcohol, forbidding it for consumption by Muslims.
A fake vaccination campaign organised by the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in Pakistan in 2011 to track Osama bin Laden compounded the mistrust.
Pakistan has witnessed a dramatic uptick in attacks in its remote border regions since the return of the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2021, with Islamabad claiming hostile groups plan their attacks from Afghan soil.
The Taliban government denies the claim.
It comes as the Champions Trophy cricket tournament kicked off in Pakistan on Wednesday, with the hosts and seven international teams visiting Rawalpindi, Karachi and Lahore under improved security.


Pakistan rejects Kabul’s ‘misplaced’ allegations of mistreating Afghan refugees

Updated 19 February 2025
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Pakistan rejects Kabul’s ‘misplaced’ allegations of mistreating Afghan refugees

  • Afghanistan on Wednesday accused Pakistani authorities of subjecting Afghans to arrest, searches in Islamabad, Rawalpindi
  • Pakistan urges Afghanistan to create “conducive conditions” in its country to fully integrate Afghan nationals repatriated

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office spokesperson on Wednesday rejected allegations by the Afghan chargé d’affaires that Islamabad was mistreating Afghan refugees in the country, describing them as “misplaced” and calling on Kabul to ensure its nationals’ smooth repatriation.
Pakistan’s response comes a few hours after the Afghan embassy in Islamabad issued a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, saying Afghan nationals in Islamabad and the nearby garrison city of Rawalpindi have been subjected to arrests, searches and orders from the police to leave the twin cities and relocate to other parts of Pakistan.
Islamabad launched a deportation drive in 2023 mainly targeting Afghan nationals after a spike in suicide bombings which the Pakistan government, without providing evidence, says were carried out by Afghan nationals. Islamabad has also blamed them for smuggling, militant violence and other crimes.
The Afghan embassy said Pakistan’s foreign ministry has confirmed that there is a “definitive and final plan” to deport all Afghan refugees from the entire country in the near future. Pakistan has so far deported over 800,000 Afghan nationals since it launched the deportation drive in 2023.
“We have noted the remarks made by the Afghan Charge d’ Affaires in Islamabad, about Pakistan’s Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan,” the foreign office said.
“His assertions regarding mistreatment of Afghan nationals are misplaced,” the ministry added.
It said that Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghans for decades “with respect and dignity” with little support from the international community. 
The foreign office said Islamabad began its deportation drive against illegal immigrants in 2023 and put in place appropriate mechanisms to ensure that no one is mistreated or harassed during the repatriation process.
It said Pakistani authorities extensively engaged Afghanistan to ensure a smooth repatriation of Afghan nationals. 
“While Pakistan has done what it could, we expect interim Afghan authorities to create conducive conditions in Afghanistan so that these returnees are fully integrated in the Afghan society,” the foreign office said.
“The real test of Afghan authorities would be to ensure that the rights of these people about whom the Afghan Cd’A talked are protected in Afghanistan.”
Other than Afghan officials, international rights agencies have also expressed concerns over the alleged harassment of Afghan nationals by Pakistani law enforcement agencies. 
In January, Amnesty International expressed its concern over reports of arbitrary detention and harassment of Afghan refugees and asylum-seekers by law enforcement agencies in Islamabad.
Until the government initiated the expulsion drive in 2023, Pakistan was home to over four million Afghan migrants and refugees out of which around 1.7 million were undocumented, as per government figures.
Afghans make up the largest portion of migrants, many of whom came after the Taliban took over Kabul in 2021, but a large number have been present since the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
Islamabad insists the deportation drive is not aimed specifically at Afghans but at all those living illegally in Pakistan.


Pakistan says improving telecom services to increase IT exports, freelancers countrywide

Updated 19 February 2025
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Pakistan says improving telecom services to increase IT exports, freelancers countrywide

  • Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chairs Economic Advisory Council meeting in Islamabad
  • Rights activists, opposition accuse government of throttling Internet to suppress dissent 

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that his government is undertaking efforts to improve telecommunication services and ensure Internet access in remote areas, his office said, adding that the move would increase IT exports and freelancers countywide. 
Pakistan’s government has been accused of stifling dissent by rights activists and the opposition with what they call restrictive measures. These include the blocking of social media platform X and the banning of virtual private networks (VPNs) last year. 
The government also confirmed its move to install a national firewall last year to regulate content online, saying its moves were aimed at regulating content online to make cyberspace safe for people. This caused Internet speeds to slow down considerably across the country, inviting criticism and anger from freelancers and IT experts. 
“We are working to increase the number of IT exports and freelancers in the country by improving telecommunication services and providing Internet access to remote areas,” Sharif was quoted as saying by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). 
The Pakistani premier was chairing a meeting of the Economic Advisory Council, an independent body that advises the prime minister on economic policies and affairs. 
Sharif praised his economic team for its efforts to ensure growth in the country, saying that his government is determined to work harder for sustainable economic development.
He said his economic team would take “full advantage” of Pakistan’s current potential for trade in the region and enable local industries to compete in the international market. 
“Development of industry, agriculture, IT, generating employment and increasing exports are among the top priorities of the government,” he said. 
Participants of the meeting said the country’s economy was heading toward economic stability, adding that Pakistan’s production had increased due to price stability, the PMO said. 
The PMO said that the meeting’s participants presented various suggestions to Sharif relating to various sectors.
“The prime minister directed relevant authorities to work with council members to formulate a comprehensive action plan regarding the suggestions,” the PMO said.