Pakistan says ready to unblock TikTok if ‘vulgar’ content removed

A man wears a protective face mask with the TikTok logo as he walks along dental shops in Karachi, Pakistan July 14, 2020. (REUTERS)
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Updated 12 October 2020
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Pakistan says ready to unblock TikTok if ‘vulgar’ content removed

  • Pakistan’s telecommunications regulator banned TikTok over failing to remove ‘immoral’ content from its platform
  • Experts say the ban will have adverse economic impacts as it makes the environment unfriendly to investors, especially in the tech sector

KARACHI: Chinese social media application TikTok, recently banned by Pakistan, will be unblocked if it removes “vulgar” content, the country’s information technology minister told Arab News on Saturday.

Pakistan’s telecommunications regulator, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), said on Friday it had banned TikTok over failing to remove “immoral” content from its platform after being granted “considerable” time to comply with the authority’s instructions.
“For the time being, (TikTok) has been closed. If they give guarantee, then it will be allowed to reopen,” Syed Aminul Haque, the federal minister for information technology and telecommunication, told Arab News. 

“They were warned twice during last three months to remove the vulgarity related content. Every time they promised but did not comply,” he said, adding that the government is ready talk to TikTok.

“If they approach (us), we will sit with them and after removal of the content, it (the app) will be restored,” Haque said.

After warnings in August, in September PTA said it had approached TikTok to immediately block “objectionable content” available on its platform in Pakistan and prevent the use of its platform “for disseminating illegal content.”

PTA did not say at the time what actions it would take if TikTok did not comply with its orders.

The decision to block the social media platform has stirred a debate, with experts warning that the move will have adverse economic impacts. 
“Platforms like Facebook, YouTube, TikTok are the cheapest source of marketing outreach and fastest conversion sources. If the touch points of access to market are closed and we don’t understand their needs, then many small and micro business will be affected. Their marketing cost was low due to these marketing tools,” Badar Khushnood, member of the National E-Commerce Council (NeCC), told Arab News.
“It would be far better to make decision by multi-stakeholder engagement”, Khushnood said. “We need to understand how these new communication technologies operate. How to align our cultural, religious, and national agendas with them for this deep multi-stakeholder engagement is must.” 

The ban is also seen as detrimental to the government’s Digital Pakistan Policy to accelerate the country’s digitization for economic development.

“It shows a regulatory environment where apps can be blocked and that makes the environment unfriendly to investors, especially in the tech sector at a time where the IT sector is growing,” said Usama Khilji, director of Bolo Bhi, a civil society organization geared toward advocacy, policy, and research in the areas of digital rights in Pakistan. 
“Moreover, apps like TikTok are a source of income for thousands of content creators, with some having a following of more than 10 million. This shows the economic potential that such a ban averts to the detriment of so many creative Pakistanis,” he told Arab News.

One of Pakistan’s most popular TikTok celebrities, Hareem Shah, said the ban would affect those who make a living from the platform.
“If we look at TikTok, there were many poor who have taken to this platform as means of livelihood. Their means of livelihood has been taken away ... This should not happen,” she said. 

According to political analysts, blocking social media platforms makes Pakistan look like a county that is not too keen on allowing innovative disruptive technology companies to grow. 

In August, Pakistan blocked five dating apps, namely Tinder, Tagged, Skout, Grinder and SayHi. In July, PTA said it had banned the Singaporean live-streaming app Bigo over “immoral, obscene and vulgar content.” Bigo was subsequently unblocked. The hugely popular online game PUBG also remained banned in Pakistan through July. 

“Applying laws in such a broad manner does not send the right message to local and international investors and startups. It raises a cloud over Pakistan’s technology sector,” Uzair Younus, political economist and host of podcast Pakistonomy, told Arab News from Washington.


Pakistan forecasts rain, snowfall in northern and western regions this week

Updated 24 February 2025
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Pakistan forecasts rain, snowfall in northern and western regions this week

  • The South Asian country last week received rains after a months-long drought severely dented winter crops in several areas
  • Authorities have warned of flash floods, landslides due to rains and urged citizens to exercise caution from Feb 24 till Mar. 1

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Monday forecast rain, wind, thunderstorms and snowfall in northern and western parts of the country till March 1, urging citizens to exercise caution during this period.

Parts of the South Asian country last week received rains after a months-long drought severely impacted crops like wheat, a staple food, as well as vital cash crops like potato in several regions, according to the Pakistani climate change ministry.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said rainfall from Sept. 1 to Jan. 15 was 40 percent below normal across Pakistan, with Sindh, Balochistan, and Punjab being the most affected provinces with deficits of 52 percent, 45 percent and 42 percent, respectively.

However, the NDMA says a strong westerly wave is expected to bring fresh rains, thunderstorms and snowfall in upper parts of the country between Feb. 24 and Mar. 1.

“Islamabad, upper Punjab, Pothohar Region, central and southern/northeastern Punjab, is expected to experience rain, wind, and thunderstorms accompanied by snowfall or hailstorms. Heavy rainfall may trigger flash floods in vulnerable areas,” the NDMA said in a statement.

“In Balochistan, rain, wind, and thunderstorms with snowfall over hills are anticipated in western, northwestern, and northern parts of the province, with the possibility of flash flooding in susceptible regions.”

Similarly, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province is likely to witness rains, winds and hailstorms along with snowfall over the hills in upper and western parts, including the Malakand and Hazara divisions, according to the NDMA.

In Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), rain and snowfall are expected over the hills, which may disrupt travel and routine activities. Sindh is likely to experience mostly cold and dry weather throughout this period.

“Heavy rainfall in northern KP may lead to flash flooding and landslides,” the authority said. “The NDMA is closely monitoring the evolving situation and coordinating with relevant authorities to ensure timely response and mitigation efforts.”

Meanwhile, local authorities have issued warnings regarding potential hazards associated with the weather system, particularly the risk of heavy snowfall in Murree, Galliyat and other northern regions, which may impact travelers and tourists.


Saudi Arabia reaffirms $500 million pledge for polio eradication in Pakistan, Afghanistan

Updated 24 February 2025
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Saudi Arabia reaffirms $500 million pledge for polio eradication in Pakistan, Afghanistan

  • Contagious disease is endemic in Pakistan and Afghanistan, which together reported 99 cases last year
  • GPEI hopes to declare an end to wild virus and vaccine-derived variant by 2027 and 2029 respectively

Saudi Arabia has reaffirmed its $500 million pledge to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), the World Health Organization said on Monday.
The funds, initially pledged in April 2024, will be disbursed to help end the wild form of polio in Pakistan and Afghanistan and stop outbreaks of variant polio.
Wild polio — a naturally occurring form of the viral disease — is endemic in Pakistan and Afghanistan, which together reported 99 cases last year, according to the WHO. Variant polio is caused by the weakening of the oral polio vaccine.
The GPEI hopes to declare an end to the wild virus and the vaccine-derived variant by 2027 and 2029, respectively, compared with a previous deadline of 2026 for both forms.
The US, which has announced its intention to withdraw from the WHO, was previously a major donor to a program to eliminate polio and contributed 17 percent of its budget during 2024-2025, the WHO data showed.


New Zealand’s Bracewell puts Bangladesh in a spin in Champions Trophy match in Rawalpindi

Updated 24 February 2025
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New Zealand’s Bracewell puts Bangladesh in a spin in Champions Trophy match in Rawalpindi

  • A win for New Zealand would send them into the semifinals and also knock Bangladesh and hosts Pakistan out in the group phase
  • New Zealand elected to field first in their second match and their bowlers dominated despite a battling 77 by Bangladesh skipper

RAWALPINDI: New Zealand spinner Michael Bracewell returned career-best ODI figures of 4-26 to help restrict Bangladesh to 236-9 in a key Group A Champions Trophy clash in Rawalpindi on Monday.
A win for New Zealand would send them into the semifinals and also knock Bangladesh and hosts Pakistan out in the group phase of the 50-over tournament. India would go through with the Black Caps.
New Zealand won the opening match of the competition against Pakistan, who then lost to India on Sunday.
New Zealand elected to field first in their second match and their bowlers dominated despite a battling 77 by Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and Jaker Ali’s 45.
Bangladesh started well with a brisk opening stand of 45 between Tanzid Hasan and Shanto.
Tanzid took on the pace bowlers as he hit fast bowler Kyle Jamieson for a four and six but his run-a-ball 24 was cut short by Bracewell.
The 34-year-old off-spinner struck with his second delivery to get the left-handed Tanzid caught by Kane Williamson at midwicket.
Rookie pace bowler Will O’Rourke sent back Mehidy Hasan Miraz for 13 and the middle-order suddenly surrendered to Bracewell’s off-spin.
Bracewell tied down the batsmen with his disciplined bowling and despite Shanto’s efforts to chip in with a few boundaries the runs dried up.
The patience paid off and Bracewell got his second wicket in his seventh over when Williamson took his second catch, a stunning effort as he turned from extra cover to catch the ball over his shoulder to dimiss the dangerous Towhid Hridoy for seven.
Bracewell completed his full quota in the 27th over and got two more wickets, removing veterans Mushfiqur Rahim (2) and Mahmudullah Riyad (4) as Bangladesh slipped to 118-5.
Shanto reached his fifty and attempted to rebuild with Jaker adding 45 for the sixth wicket before O’Rourke dismissed the captain with a short ball.
Jaker stood firm with the lower-order including a cameo by number eight Rishad Hossain, who hit a rapid 26, but the total looks below par on a pitch that usually favors batsmen.


Pakistan watchdog announces cash rewards for exposing cartels manipulating markets

Updated 24 February 2025
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Pakistan watchdog announces cash rewards for exposing cartels manipulating markets

  • Initiative aimed at promoting public participation in eliminating illegal practices, competition commission says
  • Scheme will encourage members of public to be part of protecting economy, economic rights, watchdog says 

KARACHI: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP), a government agency for the enforcement of economic competition laws, said on Monday it would pay cash rewards to people who exposed cartels involved in the manipulation of various markets.

The development comes ahead of the holy month of Ramadan, during which various elements hoard essential items and artificially increase prices at local levels to make unjust profits.

The artificial increase in prices of goods and services in Pakistan, and a lack of quality goods is largely the result of business cartelization in the markets, according to the CCP.

Cartels are formed when suppliers in a market coordinate or enter into agreements to fix prices for goods and services and control the supply which is an illegal practice.

“If any individual is aware that a business association or product suppliers have colluded to fix prices or control supply, he is urged to immediately report such information to the CCP,” the watchdog said.

“Those who provide information and evidence regarding such illegal cartels will be rewarded with amounts ranging from Rs200,000 ($714) to Rs2,000,000 ($7,146). It is important to note that the identity of the informant will remain confidential.”

People can reach the CCP through WhatsApp number 0304-0875255 or its website www.cc.gov.pk to report any cartelization in the country.

“If your information is verified, you will not only receive a reward but also be recognized as a national hero,” it said.

The CCP said the initiative is aimed at promoting public participation in eliminating illegal business practices and the scheme would not only provide a legal avenue but also encourage the public to be part of protecting the country’s economy and their economic rights.

To ensure the provision of better-quality goods and services at fair prices to consumers, it is essential that all suppliers in the market compete with each other by offering better services and products at better prices, rather than colluding to fix prices, according the watchdog.

Engaging in agreements or understandings to control prices or supply of goods and services for unjustifiable profits is a serious crime under the Competition Act 2010.

“The Competition Commission of Pakistan has called for cooperation from the public in general and the concerned stakeholders in particular to take strict action against such illegal business nexus and cartels and to report any such act,” it said.


Pakistan Navy holds Sea Guard-25 exercise for key maritime sector representatives

Updated 24 February 2025
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Pakistan Navy holds Sea Guard-25 exercise for key maritime sector representatives

  • Exercise, the second in Sea Guard series, will run from Feb. 24-28 
  • Exercise seeks to enhance coordination among national stakeholders

KARACHI: The Pakistan Navy on Monday launched the Sea Guard-25 exercise in the southern port city of Karachi to bring diverse sectors and agencies together on one platform to “collectively address multifaceted challenges in the maritime domain.”

The exercise, the second in its series, will run from Feb. 24-28 and bring together representatives from fisheries, law enforcement agencies, private entities, and non-profits.

“In addition to prominent figures from the private sector and fishing community, representatives from various organizations, including the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency, Pakistan Coast Guards, Pakistan National Shipping Corporation, Anti-Narcotics Force, Federal Investigation Agency, Karachi Port Trust, and Port Qasim Authority, attended the session,” the navy said in a statement. 

“The exercise seeks to enhance coordination among national stakeholders while operating within their respective legal frameworks, using JMICC as a common platform to strengthen security of Pakistan’s maritime zones,” the navy statement added, referring to the Joint Maritime Information Coordination Center. 

“It includes a series of practical scenario-based exercises at sea, along with table-top discussions, to refine and improve existing security mechanisms.”

Pakistan frequently conducts drills in Karachi, home to key naval bases and whose strategic position along the Arabian Sea is vital for safeguarding the South Asian nation’s territorial waters.

Earlier this month, Pakistan hosted the AMAN-25 multinational naval exercise, with 60 nations participating. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia also concluded their annual Affaa Al Sahil naval exercise in Karachi in February.