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Pakistan’s telecom regulator says social media access ‘restricted’ until further orders from interior ministry

In this file photo, taken on November 13, 2022, labourers watch live screen of a cricket match on a mobile phone along a street in Rawalpindi. (Photo courtesy: AFP/File)
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Updated 14 May 2023
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Pakistan’s telecom regulator says social media access ‘restricted’ until further orders from interior ministry

  • Pakistan’s IT minister says trying to restore access to social media websites in Pakistan
  • Access to Twitter, Facebook was restricted on Tuesday amid nationwide protests
Updated 14 May 2023
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: Access to social media websites Twitter and Facebook will remain restricted in Pakistan until further orders from the interior ministry, a spokesperson of the country’s telecom regulator said on Sunday.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior on Tuesday night suspended mobile broadband services and temporarily cut off access to online platforms Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube as unrest spread across the country following former prime minister Imran Khan's arrest.

Thousands of Khan supporters took to the streets across Pakistan on Tuesday, clashing with law enforcers, burning tyres, and attacking military installations in many parts of the country to protest their leader's arrest.

While mobile broadband services were restored after Khan was granted bail in several cases and released from jail, social media websites remained inaccessible in Pakistan.

“Mobile broadband services have been restored, only social media access has been restricted,” the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) spokesperson Malahat Obaid told Arab News, adding that access would only be granted if the interior ministry issues directives to do so.

Pakistan’s Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Syed Aminul Haque, said he is trying to resolve the issue by speaking to authorities. He hoped Pakistanis would soon be able to access Facebook and Twitter again.

“I am personally against a ban, suspension, or restriction on any social media,” Haque told Arab News. “The PTA, however, doesn't come under my ministry. It directly comes under the cabinet division,” he added.

“But I am trying to remove restrictions on access by taking it up with relevant quarters,” the minister added.

Bans on social media websites Twitter and Facebook are common in Pakistan in the wake of unrest in the country or in blasphemy cases. In February this year, Pakistan blocked the online encyclopedia Wikipedia for a couple of days, accusing the platform of displaying “blasphemous content” on its platform.

The South Asian country has also frequently banned the short-video platform TikTok over charges that it promotes indecency.

“When TikTok and PUBG were banned during the previous regime of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, I raised my voice against it,” Haque said. "When Wikipedia was recently banned, I removed the ban within 24 hours,” he added.  

Haque, however, said he was also against the negative use of social media.

“As I am against banning and restrictions, I also oppose the negative use of social media for propaganda and inciting violence,” Haque said. “I strongly condemn the attack on the monuments of [Pakistan Army] martyrs and ghazis (victorious warriors),” he said.

Reports in Pakistani media said the telecommunication sector had suffered a loss of $2.85m since Tuesday while ride-hailing apps and online food and grocery delivery service foodpanda are also said to have suffered losses due to the internet shutdown.

Topics: Ex-PM Imran Khan arrested internet access Internet Shutdown

Pakistan Senate committee approves bill to establish commission for minority rights

Updated 17 April 2025
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Pakistan Senate committee approves bill to establish commission for minority rights

  • Constitution guarantees equal rights and protection for all citizens, including religious minorities but disparities in practice persist
  • Minorities face persistent challenges in accessing public services and participating fully in social and economic life
Updated 17 April 2025
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani Senate Subcommittee on Human Rights on Thursday approved a bill to establish a commission on minority rights in accordance with the United Nations and international standards and regulations, a statement from the committee said on Thursday.
The Pakistani constitution guarantees equal rights and protection for all citizens, including religious minorities, but disparities in practice persist. While the constitution protects freedom of religion and prohibits discrimination based on religion, minorities face persistent challenges in accessing public services and participating fully in social and economic life. There is also widespread persecution of minority groups. 
On Thursday, the minister of law briefed the Senate committee on the National Commission for Minorities, which will constitute eight members, four from the government and four representing the parliament.
“There will be Parliamentary Committee consisting of four members: which will be nominated by the Speaker National Assembly, two from the treasury and two from the opposition benches,” according to a statement from the Senate.
“Besides this, two minority members from each province, who are Pakistani citizens not younger than 35 years of age and possessing considerable knowledge and practical experience in Human Rights advocacy, will be included in the commission.”
The statement said the recommended timelines for the process were a maximum of 45 to 60 days. The commission would hold the power to direct other local human rights institutions to take up matters in their own ambit of expertise. 
The committee reached consensus on two key points.
“First, the nomination for the National Commission for Minorities will be shortlisted within 30 days, and the Constitution of Commission will be completed within 45 days,” the statement said. “Secondly, the minimum age for nominated members will be 35 years.”
According to a copy of the bill widely reported by local media, the commission will “assess and monitor [the] implementation of the constitutional guarantees and safeguard for promotion and protection of rights of minorities.”
The commission will also review existing or proposed policies or programs to prevent discrimination and protect minorities and provide recommendations to the relevant departments.

23,620 Pakistani pilgrims to perform Hajj under private scheme this year — ministry

Updated 17 April 2025
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23,620 Pakistani pilgrims to perform Hajj under private scheme this year — ministry

  • Pakistan was given a quota of 179,210 for the pilgrimage this year
  • Nearly 90,000 Pakistanis to perform Hajj 2025 under government scheme
Updated 17 April 2025
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: The ministry of religious affairs said on Tuesday only 23,620 Pakistani pilgrims would be performing Hajj under the private scheme this year.
The annual Islamic pilgrimage is expected to take place this year in June. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the Hajj Agreement 2025 in January, under which Pakistan was given a quota of 179,210 for the pilgrimage this year. The quota is divided equally between government and private schemes.
Nearly 90,000 Pakistanis are expected to travel to Saudi Arabia under the government scheme this year. 
“General public is hereby informed that only 23,620 pilgrims will be able to perform Hajj under the Private Hajj Scheme from Pakistan this year 2025,” the religious affairs ministry said in a statement.
“The list of service providers providing services with the Hajj 2025 quota has been updated on the website of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony and the Pak Hajj App.”
The ministry urged pilgrims who had made bookings with registered service providers to check the status of their application and contract on the ministry’s website.
“All organizing/service provider companies are directed to provide updated contract (Hajj Form) to Hajj pilgrims as per the approved quota of Hajj 2025 and ensure the process of issuing Hajj visas to pilgrims by April 18 as per the instructions of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” the ministry added. 
Hajj flight operations will begin from Apr. 29 when the first flight will depart from Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a three-member inquiry committee to probe why Pakistan had failed to use the whole 179,210 quota for Hajj 2025.

Topics: Hajj 2025

Soldier, four militants killed in armed operation in northwest Pakistan

Updated 17 April 2025
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Soldier, four militants killed in armed operation in northwest Pakistan

  • Military has launched frequent operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan in recent years
  • Pakistan says militants launch attacks using safe havens in Afghanistan, a charge Kabul denies
Updated 17 April 2025
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: A sepoy was killed in an intelligence-based operation in the northwest of Pakistan, the military said on Thursday, as it battles a spike in militant attacks.
In recent months, the military has launched frequent operations in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan. The army’s target in the area are militants it says launch attacks inside Pakistan and against the army using safe havens in Afghanistan. The Taliban government in Kabul says it does not allow its territory to be used by insurgents against other countries.
Groups like the Pakistani Taliban, commonly known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), have been waging a war against the Pakistani state for nearly two decades in a bid to overthrow the government and replace it with what they consider an Islamic system of governance.
In the latest operation, the army’s media wing said security forces had conducted an intelligence-based operation in general area Maddi in the Dera Ismail Khan district on Apr. 16, killing four militants.
“However, during intense fire exchange, one brave son of soil, Sepoy Basit Siddique (age: 23 years, resident of District Attock), having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat [martyrdom],” the army’s statement said. 
Militants have intensified their attacks since revoking a ceasefire with the government in late 2022, with recent months witnessing significant strikes targeting the military and its bases.

Pakistan to seek bids to sell national airline next week

Updated 17 April 2025
Reuters
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Pakistan to seek bids to sell national airline next week

  • Privatization board approves pre-qualification criteria for selection of prospective bidders
  • New expressions of interest in buying between 51-100 percent of airline would be sought next week
Updated 17 April 2025
Reuters

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government will seek expressions of interest next week for the sale of Pakistan International Airlines, the privatization ministry said on Thursday, days after it reported its first annual profit in over two decades.
Pakistan has been seeking to sell a 51-100 percent stake in the debt-ridden carrier, to raise funds and reform cash-draining, state-owned enterprises as envisaged under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund program.
Its failed attempt to privatise Pakistan International Airlines last year received a single offer, well below the asking price of more than $300 million.
The privatization commission board has approved seeking new bids, the ministry said in a statement.
“The board approved the pre-qualification criteria for selection of prospective bidders,” it said. It added new expressions of interest in buying between 51 and 100 percent of the airline would be sought next week.
Pakistan has shifted almost all of the national carrier’s legacy debt to government books after issues raised by bidders led to the failure of the last privatization attempt.
Muhammad Ali, government adviser on privatization, said last week all the issues raised at the time of last year’s failed attempt had been dealt with.

Topics: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) PIA privatization

Pakistan’s top diplomat meets Bangladesh’s Yunus as first foreign office meetings in 15 years held

Updated 17 April 2025
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Pakistan’s top diplomat meets Bangladesh’s Yunus as first foreign office meetings in 15 years held

  • Interactions in Dhaka come amid political shifts in Bangladesh following the ouster of pro-India PM Sheikh Hasina Wajid in student uprising
  • While Hasina’s removal from office was followed by cooling of relations between Dhaka and New Delhi, exchanges with Islamabad are growing
Updated 17 April 2025
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch met Chief Adviser of Bangladesh Muhammad Yunus on Thursday to discuss trade, investment, youth linkages and regional integration, following the first Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between the two nations in 15 years.
The two countries, which were once one, have shared a tumultuous history, with Bangladesh gaining independence from Pakistan in 1971 after a bloody war of independence. 
The latest meetings in Dhaka come amid significant political shifts in Bangladesh following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid in a popular student uprising last year. Hasina’s government was hostile toward Pakistan but closely allied with India, where she remains exiled. While her removal from office was followed by the cooling of relations between Dhaka and New Delhi, exchanges with Islamabad have started to grow.
“During the Foreign Secretary’s call on the Chief Adviser, Yunus, inter alia, trade and investment opportunities, youth linkages, regional integration, and revival of SAARC [South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation] remained the focus of discussion,” Pakistan’s foreign office said in a statement.

Pakistan Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch speaks during a meeting with Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka on April 17, 2025. (Photo courtesy: Handout/MOFA)

A separate statement from Yunus’ office said he “put the emphasis on strengthening ties with Pakistan to boost mutual cooperation and explore trade and business potentials.”
“There are certain hurdles. We have to find ways to overcome those and move forward,” the chief adviser told Baloch who was in Dhaka for the 6th round of Foreign Secretary Level Consultations (FSLC). 
A 7th round will take place in Islamabad in 2026. The consultations are expected to pave the way for a visit by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to Bangladesh at the end of the month, the first such visit by a Pakistani foreign minister since 2012.
The chief adviser said that Bangladesh and Pakistan should exchange more youth and cultural programs to increase people-to-people bonding.
“We kept missing each other for a long time as our relationship was frozen. We have to overcome the barriers,” he said.
“WE CAN’T MISS THE BUS EVERY TIME”
The statement from Bangladesh quoted Pakistani Foreign Secretary Baloch as saying ways must be found to “harness the potentials between the two countries.”
“We have huge intra-regional markets on our own rights. We should use it,” Baloch said. ” “We can’t miss the bus every time.”
She said that there was a need for regular B2B (business to business) interactions between the private sectors of the two countries and the exchange of visits at all levels.
“Both sides had a constructive and forward-looking engagement in a cordial environment where entire spectrum of Pakistan -Bangladesh bilateral relations came under discussion, including political, economic and trade relations, cooperation in agriculture, environment and education, cultural exchanges, defense relations and people to people contacts,” the Pakistani foreign office added.
“The focus of talks on economic cooperation and people to people relations is a realistic and pragmatic agenda for the revival of ties,” Former Pakistani diplomat Ali Sarwar Naqvi, an executive director of the Center for International Strategic Studies in Islamabad, told Arab News, commenting on the latest interactions in Dhaka. 

Pakistan Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch shakes hands with her Bangladeshi counterpart, MD. Jashim Uddin, in Dhaka on April 17, 2025. (Photo courtesy: Handout/MOFA)

In regional terms, Naqvi said growing ties between Islamabad and Dhaka were a “setback” to India’s hegemonic ambitions in South Asia.
Former Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said the people of Pakistan and Bangladesh were bound by history, faith and culture, and it was encouraging to see their bilateral ties on an “upward trajectory.”
“It was unfortunate that during Sheikh Haseena’s time, all these relations and relations were cut off, but now that the change has come, the situation has improved,” he told Arab News, saying any differences in the future should be resolved through “diplomacy and dialogue.”
“The cooperation between Pakistan and Bangladesh is not aimed against any third country, and India should see it as a natural interaction between two sovereign nations,” he added.
Another former ambassador, Masood Khalid, said Pakistan and Bangladesh were once one country and it was “illogical and unnatural” for them not to have diplomatic contact for decades. 
“Both countries deciding to explore cooperation in multiple fields and restore their historical bonding finds resonance among the people of two countries,” he told Arab News. 
“I am confident that this headway in bilateral ties will be of mutual benefit and conducive to regional peace and stability.”

Topics: Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch Pakistan Bangladesh Ties Dr. Muhammad Yunus

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