ISLAMABAD: One of Pakistan’s most prominent payment system operators, 1LINK Limited, has dismissed reports and speculation of a major cyberattack on automated teller machines (ATMs) and online banking across Pakistan, referring to them as “fake rumors.”
A message circulated widely on WhatsApp and social media platforms in Pakistan last week said ATMs would not function for two to three days as a ransomware had targeted the machines. The message warned users against undertaking any online transactions and also urged them to advise their contacts against opening a video called “Dance of the Hillary,” saying it was a virus that formats mobiles.
In a press release on Sunday, 1LINK dismissed the widely circulated message as a “fake” one, urging people not to pay heed to it.
“The public is advised not to pay any attention to such hoaxes and to consult their banks for any guidance,” 1LINK said, adding that Pakistan’s central bank “is actively working” with banks and 1LINK to maintain the security of the country’s financial infrastructure and digital payments ecosystem.
“Thus far, no cyber threat has been observed on the ATM and online banking ecosystem in this context, and the financial service industry remains vigilant as ever before,” the statement concluded.
1LINK is a prominent Pakistani payments operator system owned by a consortium of 11 banks. It provides a host of valuable online banking services like ATM switching, bill payments, interbank funds transfer, fraud risk management, switch dispute resolution and domestic as well as international payment schemes.
‘Fake rumors’: 1LINK says no cyber threat to ATMs, online banking in Pakistan
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‘Fake rumors’: 1LINK says no cyber threat to ATMs, online banking in Pakistan
- Message circulated widely on WhatsApp, social media platforms last week said ransomware had targeted ATMs in Pakistan
- Pakistan’s central bank “actively working” with banks, 1LINK to maintain security of financial infrastructure, says 1LLINK
Pakistan monetary policy ‘adequate’ to manage inflationary risks, support economic growth — analysts
Pakistan monetary policy ‘adequate’ to manage inflationary risks, support economic growth — analysts
- State Bank of Pakistan cut its key policy rate by 200 basis points to 13 percent on Monday
- This was fifth straight reduction since June as Pakistan tries to revive sluggish economy
ISLAMABAD: Analysts said on Tuesday Pakistan’s monetary policy was “adequate” to manage inflationary and external risks while also supporting economic growth, a day after the central bank cut its key policy rate by 200 basis points to 13 percent.
This is the fifth straight reduction since June as the country keeps up efforts to revive a sluggish economy with inflation easing. Pakistan’s latest move makes this year’s cuts one of the most aggressive among emerging market central banks in the current easing cycle. Cumulatively, the central bank has cut rates by 900 basis points during 2024, even higher than during the pandemic in 2020 when it cut 625 basis points in a year.
Monday’s move follows cuts of 150 bps in June, 100 in July, 200 in September, and a record cut of 250 bps in November, that have taken the rate down from an all-time high of 22 percent, set in June 2023 and left unchanged for a year.
“The key driver for this [rate cut] decision is continuous decline in food prices … sticky core inflation and volatile inflation expectation of consumers and business are also key factors,” Topline Securities said in an analysis of the monetary policy announcement on Monday evening.
“In addition, key demand indicators have shown signs of improvements. Based on these factors, central bank believes that current approach of monetary settings is adequate to manage inflationary and external risks and will also support economic growth.”
Key developments as highlighted by the monetary policy committee were a third consecutive month of a current account surplus, supportive global commodity prices, higher credit offtake primarily driven by the Advance-to-Deposit Ratio (ADR) threshold and a widening revenue shortfall by the Federal Board of Revenue.
“Policy rate cuts since June 24 are beginning to take effect and real policy rate remains suitably positive to ensure inflation stabilizes within the target range of 5 percent-7 percent,” the report said.
For the next fiscal year, average inflation is likely to remain much lower than the earlier forecast of 11 percent-13 percent. Core inflation saw a slight decline in November, while consumer inflation expectations edged higher. However, the inflation outlook remains exposed to risks such as additional revenue measures, a resurgence in food inflation, and rising global commodity prices, Topline added.
Responding to a question, the governor of the central bank said on Monday the sharp decline in the policy rate was likely to aid the government on the expenditure front and despite the shortfall on revenue, the fiscal balance was expected to remain in the budgeted range.
Pakistan is navigating a challenging economic recovery path and has been buttressed by a $7 billion facility from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in September.
While announcing the monetary policy, the central bank noted that “considerable efforts and additional measures” would be required for Pakistan to meet its annual revenue target, a key focus of the IMF agreement.
From mockery to mastery, the inspiring journey of a blind Pakistani cricketing star
- Naimatullah Shahwani, partially blind since age 8, was on Pakistan team that won Blind T20 World Cup on Dec. 3
- 22-year-old grew up playing cricket on streets of Quetta, joined professional academy in provincial capital in 2019
QUETTA: Naimatullah Shahwani walked into the cricket ground at the University of Balochistan earlier this month as the crisp winter sun shone down on him.
The 22-year-old cricketer was there for his daily practice following his return to Quetta, the provincial capital of the remote, impoverished Balochistan province, after being part of the team that won the Blind T20 World Cup on Dec. 3, defeating Bangladesh by 10 wickets.
For Shahwani, the victory was not just a national achievement but a personal milestone in his journey from obscurity and discrimination to mastery of a beloved game — and stardom.
Blind cricket, governed by the World Blind Cricket Council (WBCC) since 1996, is a modified version of the sport designed for players with varying degrees of visual impairment. The game is categorized into three groups: B1 (fully blind), B2 (partially blind), and B3 (players with limited vision). Teams are composed of a mix of all categories to ensure inclusivity and a competitive balance.
Shahwani, a B2 all-rounder who lost his sight to cataract at the age of eight, says he grew up playing cricket on the streets of Quetta and eventually joined a professional blind cricket academy in the city in 2019.
“As I grew up and started playing cricket with boys in the streets, I was unable to see properly whenever the ball would go up,” Shahwani told Arab News.
“Because of this, the other boys used to make fun of me, and it didn’t feel nice, I wondered why they were doing this. Then I joined the blind cricket academy and by the grace of god, my performance got better and today I am part of Pakistan’s national team.”
After consistently performing well in domestic and national leagues, Shahwani joined the national blind cricket team in August 2023 and that month, Pakistan won gold at the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) games in Birmingham, England. The player has never looked back.
“PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT“
The Blind T20 World Cup, inaugurated in 2012, has been dominated by neighboring India who won the 2012, 2017 and 2022 editions of the tournament. This year, the defending champions refused to travel to Pakistan due to political tensions between the nuclear-armed archrivals. This series was then played between Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan, and South Africa.
“Pakistan hadn’t won this title since the inception of the Blind T20 World Cup, hence we did utmost hard work and the entire team performed well in the final,” Shahwani said.
“I received the ‘Man of the Match’ award in three games against Sri Lanka, South Africa and Nepal, and the ‘Player of the Tournament’ title in the final.”
Shahwani, the eldest of four siblings, credits his blind parents for supporting his dreams and never letting him lose hope in the face of discrimination.
“Despite facing stereotypes in society for being a member of a blind family, I encouraged my son, and people who used to mock his impairment are now coming to congratulate him for his performance in the Blind T20 World Cup,” Shahwani’s father, Nasrullah, told Arab News.
At the same time, he lamented a lack of appreciation by the government: “No one from the government and provincial sports department has come to see my son and to encourage him after the win.”
Nisar Ali, the captain of the national blind cricket team who praised Shahwani as a “bright and talented” player, also highlighted the challenges faced by blind cricketers in Pakistan.
“Blind cricket in Pakistan doesn’t receive much support from the government, because it is not a commercial sport,” Ali told Arab News. “Blind cricket is as neglected a sport in Pakistan as in Balochistan.”
Yasir Bazai, director-general for the Balochistan sports department, said the Pakistan Cricket Board was leading all cricket affairs in Pakistan, including blind cricket.
“The provincial sports department will support Naimatullah under its limited resources,” he added.
While the Pakistan Cricket Board awarded the blind cricket team Rs10 million ($36,029) for their World Cup victory, players like Shahwani hope for more acknowledgement and resources for the sport in the future.
“I thank god that he gave me a platform where I performed well and he gave me so much respect,” the player said as he walked away to start practicing.
“My future plans are to serve Pakistan as much as I can and take forward the name of my Balochistan.”
Three-match ODI series between Pakistan and South Africa begins today
- Series to be played on Dec. 17, 19, 21, all matches to begin at 5pm PST
- South African won T20 International series against Pakistan last week
ISLAMABAD: South Africa will lock horns with Pakistan in a key three-match ODI series beginning today, Tuesday, at Boland Park in Paarl, days after the hosts beat the South Asian nation’s team in a Twenty20 International championship.
South Africa won the T20I series 2-0 after the third T20I was washed out on Dec. 14. The ODI series is significant for both the teams as they prepare for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, which Pakistan is hosting in February and March 2025. Pakistan will also play South Africa later this month in a Test series.
“This is a vital ODI series in terms of our preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy and with Allah’s help we will look to emulate our performances from the ODI series against Australia,” Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan’s ODI captain, said in a statement shared by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
“We couldn’t get the ideal results in the T20I series but I am really happy with some of the performances put in by our players in these conditions especially Saim’s batting was brilliant in both games. Our batting, pace and spin stocks are decent enough to challenge South Africa and win the series with the help of almighty.
“I see a lot of potential in our ODI squad with players young and experienced both willing to put the best step forward, which makes us an exciting prospect as a one-day side not just going into this series but also in the home tri-nation series and the blockbuster white-ball mega event at home.”
Pakistan’s squad has been bolstered with the return of pacer Naseem Shah, opening batter Abdullah Shafique and top-order batter Kamran Ghulam while wrist-spinner Sufyan Moqim and Usman Khan have received their maiden ODI call-ups.
This will be Mohammad Rizwan’s third ODI series as skipper of the side as he has started his stint with back to back ODI series wins over Australia and Zimbabwe.
In their last bilateral face-off in the 50-over format, Pakistan won the three-match series 2-1 in South Africa in April 2021.
Pakistan ODI squad: Mohammad Rizwan (captain & wk), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan (wk)
South Africa ODI squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), Aiden Markram, Andile Phehlukwayo, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Marco Jansen, Ottneil Baartman, Rassie van der Dussen, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tony de Zorzi, and Tristan Stubbs
Schedule of matches:
17 Dec – 1st ODI vs South Africa at Boland Bank Park, Paarl (5pm PKT)
19 Dec – 2nd ODI vs South Africa at Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town (5pm PKT)
22 Dec – 3rd ODI vs South Africa at The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg (5pm PKT)
26 Dec – 1st Test vs South Africa at SuperSport Park, Centurion (1pm PKT)
3 Jan – 2nd Test vs South Africa at Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town (1pm PKT)
Four Pakistanis identified among the dead in migrant boat tragedy off Greek island
- Coast guard said on Saturday at least five migrants had died, unknown number were missing, over 200 rescued
- Greek government officials say the spike in migrant arrivals is being driven by conflicts in the Middle East
ISLAMABAD: The foreign office said on Monday four Pakistanis were among the dead following the latest migrant boat tragedy last week near the Greek island of Crete.
In 2023, hundreds of migrants drowned when an overcrowded vessel capsized and sank in international waters off the southwestern Greek coastal town of Pylos. It was one of the deadliest boat disasters ever in the Mediterranean Sea.
Greek government officials say the spike in migrant arrivals is being driven by conflicts in the Middle East.
“We announce with deep sorrow that, as per the latest information shared by the Greek authorities, four Pakistani nationals have been identified among the dead in Saturday’s incidents of capsized boats in the south of Crete Island of Greece,” the foreign office said in a statement on Monday evening.
“Our Mission in Athens is in contact with the Greek authorities to facilitate the survivors and repatriate the dead bodies.”
Greece was a favored gateway to the European Union for migrants and refugees from the Middle East, Africa and Asia in 2015-2016, when nearly 1 million people landed on its islands, mostly via inflatable dinghies.
Incidents with migrant boats and shipwrecks off Crete and its tiny neighbor Gavdos, which are relatively isolated in the central Mediterranean, have increased over the past year.
Federal government tables Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2024 in National Assembly
- The bill comes amid what activists and critics describe as a widespread digital crackdown in Pakistan
- IT minister says government to set up National Digital Commission to transform Pakistan into ‘digital nation’
ISLAMABAD: The federal government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif tabled the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2024 in the lower house of parliament today, Monday, with the aim to create a digital identity for citizens and centralize social, economic, and governance data.
The bill comes amid what activists and critics describe as a widespread digital clampdown in Pakistan. The government has been cracking down on VPN use for weeks, with the PTA announcing that businesses and freelancers would be able to legally use VPNs by registering with the government, but unregistered VPNs would be blocked in Pakistan after Nov. 30. The deadline was later withdrawn, and a new one has not been announced.
Authorities say the measures are meant to deter militants and other suspects who use VPNs to conceal their identities and spread “anti-state propaganda” and promote “blasphemous” or other illegal content online. The government is also moving to implement a nationwide firewall to block malicious content, protect government networks from attacks, and allow the government to identify IP addresses associated with what it calls “anti-state propaganda” and terror attacks.
Monday’s National Assembly agenda said the new Digital Nation Pakistan Bill would “provide for the transformation of Pakistan into a digital nation, enabling a digital society, digital economy and digital governance.”
Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper reported that the bill aims to give a digital identity for every citizen.
“It would include data about an individual’s health, assets and other social indicators,” the top Pakistani English-language newspaper said.
“The bill’s objective, as stated by officials, was to improve access to departments managing ID cards, land records, birth certificates and health records.”
Earlier on Monday, while addressing a ceremony in Islamabad, Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunications, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, said the government was establishing a National Digital Commission (NDC) to “enable the transformation of Pakistan into a digital nation, fostering a digital society, digital economy and digital governance.”
“The Commission, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, will include all provincial chief ministers and representatives from key regulatory bodies such as the National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA) and PTA,” she said while addressing the National Broadband Network (NBN) Forum 2024 Gigabit for All.
Khawaja also said the government planned to establish a new digital authority, which would develop a comprehensive national framework and master plan for digitalization, focusing on three key areas: economy, governance, and society.
To address Internet speed issues, the government would introduce new 4G and 5G spectrums, which would help resolve a major challenge faced by freelancers and IT professionals, she said.
According to the Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (WISPAP), Internet speeds have dropped by 30-40 percent in recent months.
“5G spectrum auctions will be made in April next year,” Khawaja added, “which will significantly improve Internet services in the country.”
Digital rights activists say the Internet slowdowns and the government’s move against VPNs are attempts to block vital tools that allow users to bypass restrictions. The use of VPNs has sharply risen in Pakistan since February this year when the government banned X soon after allegations of rigging in general elections surfaced. The election commission denies them.
