ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Wednesday tabled amendments to a contentious cybercrime law in parliament, lowering the punishment for spreading “fake information” online to three years, according to a draft of the document.
Pakistan’s state minister for information technology, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, last month confirmed the government was reviewing amendments to the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016. Passed in 2016 by the then government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party, the law was originally enacted to combat various forms of cybercrime, including cyber terrorism, unauthorized access, electronic fraud and online harassment, but it has variously been used to crack down on journalists, bloggers and other critics of the state.
The amendments proposed up to five-year imprisonment or fine extending to Rs1 million ($3,588) or both for anyone who “intentionally” posts false information online to create “a sense of fear, panic or disorder or unrest.”
“Whoever intentionally disseminates, publicly exhibits or transmits any information through any information system , that he knows or has reason to believe or has reason to believe to be false or fake and likely to cause or create a sense of fear, panic or disorder or unrest in general public or society shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend up to three years or with fine which may extend to two million rupees or with both,” Section 26A of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 2025 states.
The amendments also propose establishing a “Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority,” which would perform several functions related to social media such as education, awareness, training, regulation, enlistment, blocking and more.
It said that anyone “aggrieved by fake and false information” would be able to approach the authority to remove or block access to the content in question, adding that the authority would issue orders no later than 24 hours on the request.
“Any person aggrieved by fake or false information may apply to the Authority for removal or blocking of access to such information, and the Authority shall, on receipt of such application, not later than twenty-four hours, pass such orders as it considers necessary including an order for removal or blocking access to such information,” a copy of the amendment bill states.
The draft stated that authority would have the power to issue directions to a social media platform to remove or block online content if it was against the “ideology of Pakistan,” incited the public to violate the law, take the law in their own hands with a view to coerce, intimidate or “terrorize” public, individuals, groups, communities, government officials and institutions.
The authority will also have the power to issue directions to the social media platform if the online content incited the public or section of the public to cause damage to governmental or private property; coerced or intimidated the public or section of the public and thereby prevented them from carrying on their lawful trade and disrupted civic life, the draft said.
Pakistan’s digital rights experts have recently pointed to the government’s restrictions on the Internet, which include a ban on social media platform X since February 2024 and on the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) as moves to curtail freedom of speech and voices of dissent.
The government rejects these allegations and has repeatedly said it is enacting laws to battle fake news on social media platforms.
Pakistan minister tables amendments lowering jail term for spreading ‘fake’ information to 3 years
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Pakistan minister tables amendments lowering jail term for spreading ‘fake’ information to 3 years
- Changes to contentious cybercrime law says fake news disseminator could be fined up to Rs2 million [$7,177]
- Amendments propose creation of social media authority with powers to block content on online platforms
Pakistan will continue to play ‘constructive role’ for Middle East peace, PM Sharif tells US
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif speaks to United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, says Sharif’s office
- Both agreed to continue working closely to strengthen Pakistan-US ties, particularly through enhanced trade, says PMO
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke to United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday, telling him Islamabad will continue to play a “constructive role” to bring peace in the Middle East, the Pakistani premier’s office said amid regional tensions following the Iran-Israel military conflict.
The 12-day war between Iran and Israel began on June 13 after Israel carried out airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, killing several senior military commanders and scientists, while officials in Tehran were engaged in nuclear negotiations with the US. The conflict worsened when before the ceasefire announced by Trump, US forces struck three Iranian nuclear sites last week. The American president claimed the strikes set back Iran’s nuclear program by years.
Pakistan had remained engaged in talks with regional partners Saudi Arabia, Iran, China, Qatar and other states to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East. Sharif said on Thursday Tehran had thanked Pakistan’s political and military leadership for playing a constructive role during the war.
“While exchanging views on the current situation in the Middle East, the Prime Minister stated that Pakistan would continue to play a constructive role for bringing peace to the Middle East,” Sharif’s office said in a statement.
“While appreciating these efforts, Secretary Rubio said the US would like to work with Pakistan for promoting peace and stability to the region.”
Pakistan and India also engaged in a days-long conflict last month before US President Donald Trump announced on May 10 that both countries had agreed to a ceasefire. India and Pakistan had pounded each other with missiles, fighter jets, artillery fire and drone strikes during the four days of conflict that killed over 70 on both sides.
Pakistan has repeatedly thanked Trump for his mediation during the crisis and decided to formally nominate him for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. The American president has claimed he convinced both sides to back down by threatening not to do a trade deal with them.
During their conversation, Sharif thanked Rubio for the “key role” Washington played in the Pakistan-India ceasefire, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.
“The Prime Minister and Secretary Rubio agreed to continue working closely to strengthen Pakistan-US relations particularly through enhanced trade,” the statement said.
While the May 10 ceasefire continues to persist between the nuclear-armed nations, tensions simmer as New Delhi refuses to budge from its earlier stance of suspending a decades-old water-sharing treaty with Pakistan.
Pakistan has said any attempts to stop or divert its flow of water by India will be regarded as an “act of war” and will be responded to with full force.
Pakistani stocks decline by 715 points over profit-taking after two days of gains
- KSE-100 Index closes at 122,046.46 points, witnessing a decline of 0.58 percent, as per stock market data
- Profit-taking driven by fiscal year-end considerations, short-term portfolio rebalancing, says financial analyst
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a bearish trend on Thursday after two days of gains, losing 715.18 points to close at 122,046.46 points, which a financial analyst attributed to profit-taking driven by fiscal year-end considerations.
The PSX closed at 122,046.46 points when trading ended on Thursday, witnessing a negative change of 0.58 percent. The KSE-100 had closed at 122,761.64 points on Wednesday and before that on Tuesday, it surged by 6,079 points or 5.23 percent to close at 122,246 points. Analysts attributed the surge on Tuesday to the ceasefire announcement between Iran and Israel.
As many as 473 companies transacted their shares in the stock market on Thursday, with 200 of them recording gains and 237 sustaining losses, state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said, adding that the share price of 36 companies remained unchanged.
“After two consecutive sessions of strong gains, the local bourse witnessed a round of profit-taking today, driven by fiscal year-end considerations and short-term portfolio rebalancing,” Maaz Mulla, the vice president of equity sales at Topline Securities Limited, said in a statement.
Mulla said the benchmark KSE-100 index saw a “volatile ride“— climbing 656 points intraday before losing 715 points at close of business. He said the closing figure of 122,046 points reflected “a cautious investor mood” as the quarter draws to a close.
He said despite the decline at the end of the day, the overall market activity remained “vibrant.”
“Total traded volume clocked in at 750 million shares, with a traded value of PKR 29.8 billion,” Mulla said.
APP reported that the three top trading companies on Thursday were Pak Int. Bulk with 37,503,501 shares traded at Rs 8.52 per share, WorldCall Telecom with 33,285,442 shares at Rs 1.45 per share and Pervez Ahmed Co. with 32,962,174 shares at Rs 3.29 per share.
Pakistan’s National Assembly passes $62 billion budget for next fiscal year
- Budget reflects Pakistan’s attempt to balance security concerns with fiscal reform efforts under $7 billion IMF loan program
- Government has aimed to reduce fiscal deficit to 3.9% of GDP for next year’s budget, increase defense spending by over 20%
ISLAMABAD: The lower house of Pakistan’s parliament passed the federal budget for the next fiscal year on Thursday, which has a total outlay of Rs17.57 trillion [$62 billion] and projects economic growth at 4.2%, state-run media reported.
The federal government unveiled the federal budget on June 10, which reflects a 7% decrease in overall spending compared to the current fiscal year. The largest portion of the budget – Rs8.21 trillion ($29 billion), or nearly half of total expenditures – will go toward debt servicing, continuing to strain Pakistan’s fiscal space.
Another salient feature of the budget is Pakistan’s move to increase defense spending by more than 20% in the 2025-26 fiscal year to Rs2.55 trillion ($9.04 billion). Islamabad seeks to bolster military capabilities following Pakistan’s worst confrontation with India in nearly three decades in May.
“The National Assembly has passed the federal budget for the next fiscal year, with a total outlay of 17,573 billion rupees, focusing on sustainable and inclusive economic growth,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.
The House passed the budget with certain amendments, giving effect to the federal government’s proposals for the financial year set to begin from July 1.
The bill was read out in the National Assembly and approved clause by clause before the session was adjourned until 11 am, Friday.
Pakistan remains under a $7 billion IMF loan program approved last year, and the budget reflects an attempt to balance security concerns with ongoing fiscal reform efforts.
The government has aimed to reduce the fiscal deficit to 3.9% of the GDP for the next year’s budget. While it has projected a growth of 4.2% for the upcoming year, Pakistan’s economy grew just 2.6% in 2024/25, falling short of its 3.6% target due to weak agriculture and industrial output. Inflation has been projected for next year’s budget at 7.5%.
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Pakistan’s main tax authority, has been tasked with collecting Rs14.1 trillion of the projected Rs19.3 trillion in gross revenue in the budget, marking a 19% year-on-year increase.
While announcing the budget on June 10, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb had announced plans to grow IT exports to $25 billion over the next five years and forecast a rise in workers’ remittances to $38 billion by the end of the current fiscal year.
Pakistan issues rain and flood alert for multiple regions from June 26–28
- Rains lashed Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province over last 24 hours, killing at least four and injuring 19
- Disaster management authority calls for drain clearance, deployment of emergency services measures
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Thursday issued a rain and flood alert for multiple regions in the country from June 26-28, warning local authorities to ensure preemptive measures are in place with the monsoon season expected to trigger heavy downpours in the coming days.
The Pakistan Meteorological (Met) Department forecast on Monday that several parts of the country are expected to receive heavy monsoon rains from June 25 onwards, urging masses to take precautions against the resulting flash floods and landslides in low lying and hilly areas. Rains have also lashed Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province over the last 24 hours, the provincial disaster management authority said on Thursday, killing at least four people and injuring 19 in rain-related incidents.
“National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC) of NDMA has issued impact-based alerts due to expected widespread monsoon rainfall and associated flooding risks across several regions of Pakistan from 26th to 28th June,” the NDMA said in a press release.
It said heavy rain, windstorms, and thunderstorms are likely in multiple districts of Punjab including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Mianwali, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Multan and Islamabad cities.
“Urban flooding is particularly expected in Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Multan, Bahawalpur, and Rahim Yar Khan, with possible disruption of transportation, drainage overflow and interruption of essential services,” the statement said.
The disaster management authority said urban flooding is anticipated in Sindh’s Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Jamshoro, Shahid Benazirabad, and Sujawal cities due to rain and thunderstorm with isolated and heavy falls in the same period.
It said widespread moderate to heavy rainfall may affect Jacobabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Nawabshah, Khairpur, Kashmore, Tharparkar, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Sanghar, Tando Allahyar, Tando Muhammad Khan, and Badin in Sindh, posing threats of waterlogging, road blockages, and infrastructure damage.
“In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Chitral, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Mansehra, and Battagram may experience moderate to heavy rainfall with possible flash flooding and landslides, particularly in vulnerable mountainous terrain,” the NDMA warned.
It said in Azad Kashmir, including Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Rawalakot, Haveli, and Hattian Bala, the forecast predicts moderate to heavy rainfall with the risk of flash floods, landslides, and riverine overflow. It said the Potohar region is also likely to be affected by similar weather patterns.
“NEOC has advised all provincial and district disaster management authorities to ensure preemptive measures such as drain clearance, public adviseries, deployment of emergency services, and readiness for evacuation or rescue operations where needed,” the disaster management authority said.
It advised residents in flood-prone areas, particularly near nullahs, low-lying zones and slopes, to remain alert and avoid unnecessary movement.
The authority called on emergency services to ensure readiness for any potential response operations, urging people to stay updated with real-time alerts and guidance from the official NDMA mobile application.
The NDMA’s warning comes as Pakistan braces for another season of extreme weather, following deadly heatwaves and catastrophic floods in recent years. Ranked among the ten most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, Pakistan is ramping up preparedness efforts, especially in Punjab, where authorities expect significantly above-average rainfall this monsoon.
Pakistan grouped with Saudi Arabia, Iraq in AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers
- Thirty-one international teams to partake in qualifiers from Sept. 20-24
- AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026 will be contested in Jan. 27-Feb. 7
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s football team has been selected in Group D along with Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Chinese Taipei for the qualifiers of the upcoming AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) confirmed on Thursday.
Thirty-one teams have confirmed their participation for the 11th qualifiers, which will take place between September 20 to 24. The draw has divided the teams into eight groups— seven groups of four and one group of three— with each to be played in a centralized league format.
“Our journey to the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026 begins in Group D, sharing the pitch with hosts Saudi Arabia,” the PFF wrote on social media platform X.
“An exciting draw that sets the stage for some incredible matches. Time to prepare!“
India are in Group A with Kuwait, Australia and Mongolia while top seeds Thailand will have to contend with Korea Republic, Bahrain and Brunei Darussalam in Group B.
Four-time winners Japan are the top seeds in Group C with hosts Tajikistan, Macau and Cambodia their challengers. Group E will see Vietnam, Lebanon, hosts China and Hong Kong face each other while Group F includes Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz Republic (hosts), Timor-Leste and Palestine.
Iran, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates and Bangladesh are part of Group G while Afghanistan, Myanmar and Maldives are part of Group H.
The AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026 will be contested from January 27-February 7.
