Pakistan appreciates EU for GSP Plus status after passing controversial cybercrime law

Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar shakes hands with EU Special Representative for Human Rights Ambassador Olaf Skoog in Islamabad on January 28, 2025. (Photo courtesy: MOFA)
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Updated 29 January 2025
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Pakistan appreciates EU for GSP Plus status after passing controversial cybercrime law

  • Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar meets EU Special Representative for Human Rights Ambassador Olaf Skoog in Islamabad
  • Pakistani rights activists say government’s new cybercrime law is aimed at cracking on dissent on social media

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday met a senior European Union official to thank the inter-governmental body for its support for Pakistan’s GSP Plus status, hours after it passed a controversial cybercrime law that rights bodies and journalists allege is aimed at suppressing freedom of expression online. 
The GSP Plus status gives developing countries such as Pakistan a special incentive to pursue sustainable development and good governance. Countries have to implement 27 international conventions on human rights, labor rights, the environment and good governance in return for the EU to cut its import duties to zero on more than two-thirds of the tariff lines of their exports. In October 2023, the EU rolled over the current GSP Plus status for developing countries, including Pakistan, till 2027.
Pakistan’s digital rights experts, however, have raised concern that the government’s action of adopting the controversial Prevention of Electronic Crimes Amendment Bill, 2025, which opposition and journalists say is aimed at taking action against dissent on social media platforms, can put Pakistan’s GSP Plus status in danger. 
Dar, who also serves as Pakistan’s foreign minister, met EU Special Representative for Human Rights Ambassador Olaf Skoog at the foreign ministry’s office on Wednesday. 
“The DPM/FM highlighted Pakistan-EU’s growing cooperation in the political and economic spheres and appreciated EU’s continued support for Pakistan’s GSP plus status,” the ministry said. 
Dar underscored the importance of Pakistan-EU dialogue on human rights, emphasizing that Islamabad was a firm believer in the protection of fundamental rights. He said the Pakistani government continued to enact and strengthen human rights legislation.
The ministry said Skoog “positively” assessed the potential of Pakistan-EU relations and appreciated the continued growth of collaborative partnership across all sectors.
“The EU SR is on a four-day visit to Pakistan,” the ministry said. “The visit is part of Pakistan-EU joint efforts to enhance dialogue on Human Rights.”
Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday signed the bill into law after it was approved by both houses of Pakistan’s parliament following noisy protests by journalists and lawmakers. 
The new amendment bill now proposes the establishment of the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority to perform a range of functions related to social media, including awareness, training, regulation, enlistment and blocking. 
SMPRA would be able to order the immediate blocking of unlawful content targeting judges, the armed forces, parliament or provincial assemblies or material which promotes and encourages terrorism and other forms of violence against the state or its institutions. 
The law also makes spreading disinformation a criminal offense punishable by three years in prison and a fine of two million rupees ($7,150).
A copy of the bill seen by Arab News has set imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of Rs2 million or both for “whoever intentionally disseminates, publicly exhibits, or transmits any information through any information system, that he knows 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.”
Information Minister Ataullah Tarar told reporters last week that the bill will protect journalists and not harm them.
“This is the first time the government has defined what social media is,” Tarar said. “There is already a system in place for print and electronic media and complaints can be registered against them.”
He said “working journalists” should not feel threatened by the bill, which had to be passed because the Federal Investigation Agency, previously responsible for handling cybercrime, “does not have the capacity to handle child pornography or AI deep fake cases.”


Revived Champions Trophy up for grabs with no clear favorite

Updated 5 sec ago
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Revived Champions Trophy up for grabs with no clear favorite

  • Reigning ODI world champions Australia are among several countries sending weakened contingents 
  • Pakistan are defending champions and hosts as they stage a first global tournament since 1996 World Cup

The sprinkling of stardust over the Champions Trophy may appear somewhat thin on its return to the calendar after eight years but fans can expect a wide open one-day international tournament in the absence of an overwhelming favorite.
The tournament featuring the top eight teams in the ODI format was discontinued by the International Cricket Committee (ICC) after the eighth edition in 2017, when Sarfaraz Ahmed’s Pakistan beat India in the final.
Pakistan are therefore holders as well as hosts as they stage a first global tournament since the 1996 World Cup, even if political tensions mean India will play all their matches, including the March 9 final should they make it, in Dubai.
Reigning ODI world champions Australia are among several countries sending weakened contingents with Steve Smith standing in as captain of a squad featuring a second-string pace attack.
Regular skipper Pat Cummins, fellow quick Josh Hazlewood and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh were all ruled out by injury, while left-arm quick Mitchell Starc withdrew for personal reasons and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis has quit ODIs altogether.
Sri Lanka did not make the cut for the Champions Trophy but nevertheless handed the Australians a humbling reality check in the run-up to the tournament with a 2-0 series drubbing.
Reigning Twenty20 world champions India have made the finals of the last three ICC events and Rohit Sharma’s team signaled their fine form by winning seven of eight limited-overs matches against England.
Runners-up in the 2023 ODI World Cup on home soil, India boast one of the world’s most destructive batting lineups but will be without pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who has been laid low by a back injury.
Seamer Mohammed Shami’s impressive return to action in the home series against England was a big relief for Rohit, who will also expect vital contributions from spin all-rounders Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja.

SOUTHEE BACKS NZ

New Zealand will also fancy their chances of claiming the title having won the tri-nation trophy in Pakistan, beating the hosts in the final of a warm-up tournament also featuring 1998 champions South Africa.
Mitchell Santner’s Black Caps side went through the tournament unbeaten and now have a fair idea of the kind of conditions they will face in the Champions Trophy.
“If you look at the track record of New Zealand in ICC events, they are always there or thereabouts,” former New Zealand pace spearhead Tim Southee told the ICC.
“In a tournament like the Champions Trophy, if you get on a bit of a roll, anything can happen. I’d love to see the Black Caps there and hopefully lifting the trophy at the end.”
England were unable to defend to defend the T20 or ODI World Cup under Jos Buttler and are now licking their wounds after a tour of India where they were blanked 3-0 in the 50-overs matches.
They have already lost the services of Jacob Bethell through a hamstring injury, while their bowling trio of Brydon Carse (toe), Jamie Overton (hamstring) and Jofra Archer (hand) are all nursing fitness issues.
Giant-killers Afghanistan will make their Champions Trophy debut following their sixth place finish in the ODI World Cup in 2023, when they beat former champions England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Pakistan, who face New Zealand in the tournament opener in Karachi on Wednesday, are hoping a successful Champions Trophy will pave the way open for more such tournaments as the country battles perceptions that it is not safe for visitors.
The icing on the cake would be if Mohammad Rizwan, a stumper-batter like Sarfaraz, could guide Pakistan to a first global title since their Champions Trophy triumph in England eight years ago.


Champions Trophy will rekindle Pakistan's love of cricket, say former captains

Updated 10 min 30 sec ago
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Champions Trophy will rekindle Pakistan's love of cricket, say former captains

  • Pakistan spent nearly a decade in wilderness after attack on Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore in 2009, wounding six players
  • Champions Trophy was discontinued by ICC after the eighth edition in 2017, when Sarfaraz Ahmed’s Pakistan beat India in final

ISLAMABAD: Cricket fans in Pakistan are buzzing ahead of the Champions Trophy and hosting the elite one-day international tournament will rekindle the country’s love affair with the sport, three former captains said.
The event, which features the sport’s top eight sides in the ODI format, begins on Wednesday with the hosts up against New Zealand in Karachi.
It will be the first major global tournament hosted by Pakistan in nearly 30 years and former batting great Inzamam Ul Haq told Reuters there was no escaping the excitement in the lead-up to the event.
“Right now everyone is talking about the Champions Trophy, in schools, houses, markets, offices, everywhere,” he added.
Pakistan spent nearly a decade in the wilderness after gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team’s bus in Lahore in 2009, wounding six players.
Top teams shunned Pakistan after the 2009 attack and it took the Pakistan Cricket Board years to convince foreign counterparts that it was safe to visit.
“The events of 2009 feel like a bad dream,” Inzamam said. “We were punished for 10 years. Our cricket went backwards.”
The national team, captained for the bulk of those years by Misbah Ul Haq, hosted its ‘home’ games in the United Arab Emirates and remained relatively successful until fixtures trickled back onto Pakistani soil in 2018.
“For fans and young cricketers to see the stars playing live is a big deal,” said Misbah, Pakistan’s most successful test captain. “Not having that meant the whole cricket machinery was jammed.”
Former captain Aamer Sohail said the connection between fans and players was evident at Wednesday’s warm-up game against South Africa where Pakistan reeled in the visitors’ 352 to complete their highest successful ODI run chase.
“What was heartening in yesterday’s game is that people turned up and then the players turned up. It was kind of reciprocating, wasn’t it?” added Sohail.
The Champions Trophy was discontinued by the International Cricket Council after the eighth edition in 2017, when Sarfaraz Ahmed’s Pakistan beat India in the final.
Should both teams reach the title decider when it returns to the calendar, Pakistan will not have the advantage of playing at home as India are playing all their matches in Dubai due to political tensions.
“A Pakistan-India match is not just a game of cricket, it’s a game of expectations, of emotions,” said Misbah.
Inzamam recalled a 2004 ODI against India in Karachi where he scored a thrilling hundred in a losing chase.
“I got a standing ovation but so did the Indian team for their performance,” he said. “Supporters from both sides would have wanted to see this match.”
Sohail will forever be remembered for one of the most famous on-field spats with Indian bowler Venkatesh Prasad in the 1996 World Cup quarter-finals, the last major event played in Pakistan.
“It’s not just important for both the countries, I think this rivalry is important for international cricket,” he said.


‘Investment is priority,’ Pakistan PM tells World Bank delegation after $20 billion loan

Updated 36 min 49 sec ago
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‘Investment is priority,’ Pakistan PM tells World Bank delegation after $20 billion loan

  • Delegation of nine World Bank executive directors call on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
  • World Bank last month announced providing Pakistan $20 billion in loans over next decade

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told a visiting World Bank delegation on Monday that Pakistan prioritizes investment and partnership rather than loans, a statement from his office said weeks after the international financial institution announced supplying the country with $20 billion of loans. 

Sharif met a delegation of nine executive directors of the World Bank, who are on a visit of the country to discuss its economic projects and investments, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said. The Pakistani premier met the delegation with senior officials and members of his cabinet. 

The delegation arrives in Pakistan after the World Bank last month announced supplying Pakistan with $20 billion of loans over the next decade. These loans are expected to be invested in nutrition, education and renewable energies in the hope of stimulating private-sector growth in the country. 

Welcoming the delegation to Pakistan, Sharif acknowledged that the World Bank’s partnership with Pakistan spans seven decades. Various national projects that contributed to the country’s development were built through Islamabad’s partnership with the World Bank, he said. 

“Instead of loans, investment and partnership are priority,” Sharif was quoted as telling the World Bank delegation in a statement released by the PMO.

The Pakistani prime minister pointed out that the country’s exports and remittances are both increasing, adding that low interest rates were causing investment in the manufacturing sector to increase. 

Sharif said his government was working on digitizing the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Pakistan’s main tax collection authority, in its bid to control corruption. He also said that the government’s recent power reforms were ensuring uninterrupted power supply to many parts of the country. 

The premier said that the World Bank’s Country Partnership Framework program for Pakistan will lead to an investment of $40 billion in the country, describing it as a “welcome development.” 

“With $20 billion, a new chapter of development will open in Pakistan through various projects in health, education, youth development and other social sectors,” Sharif said. 

The World Bank delegation appreciated Pakistan’s reforms in energy, industry, exports, privatization, revenue and other sectors, the PMO said. 

The World Bank’s lending for Pakistan will start in 2026 and focus on six outcomes: improving education quality, tackling child stunting, boosting climate resilience, enhancing energy efficiency, fostering inclusive development and increasing private investment.

Pakistan nearly defaulted in 2023 on the payment of foreign debts and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) rescued it by agreeing to a $3 billion bailout. 

Last year, Islamabad secured a new $7 billion loan deal from the IMF. Since then, the country’s economy has started improving with weekly inflation coming down from 27 percent in 2023 to 1.8 percent in January. 

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has vowed to reduce dependence on foreign loans in the coming years.


Pakistan to deploy thousands of police for ICC Champions Trophy 

Updated 17 February 2025
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Pakistan to deploy thousands of police for ICC Champions Trophy 

  • Over 12,000 police officers and personnel will perform security duties in cities of Lahore and Rawalpindi 
  • Various police units to carry out patrols during matches with snipers stationed on tall buildings around stadiums

ISLAMABAD: Over 12,000 police personnel will be deployed in the cities of Lahore and Rawalpindi as Pakistan stages its first major International Cricket Council (ICC) tournament in nearly three decades from Feb. 19, police said on Monday. 

A 2009 militant attack on the Sri Lanka team in the eastern city of Lahore led to international teams avoiding tours to Pakistan for almost a decade because of security concerns. The Sri Lankan test team returned in 2019 as international cricket made slow inroads back and foreign players were drafted for a men’s T20 domestic cricket league held annually in Pakistan. 

Later this week, Pakistan will host the eight-team ICC Champions Trophy in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi. However, arch-rival India’s matches will take place in the United Arab Emirates after its government refused to give permission for the squad to travel to Pakistan. 

“For the Lahore and Rawalpindi matches, over 12,000 police officers and personnel will perform security duties,” a Punjab police spokesperson said in a statement. “More than 8,000 officers and personnel will perform security duties in Lahore and more than 5,000 in Rawalpindi.”

Senior officers, district superintendents of police, inspectors and women police personnel would be on duty for the series.

The statement quoted Punjab Inspector General of Police, Dr. Usman Anwar, as saying police were carrying out intelligence-based operations around the residences of players and team routes to stadiums, while Safe Cities Authority cameras would monitor these areas as well as stadiums and hotels.

Various police units would carry out patrols during the matches, with snipers stationed on tall buildings around the stadiums, Anwar added. 

“We will ensure the organization of international matches in a peaceful and secure environment,” he added, calling on fans to follow police instructions on security and safety protocols. 

The tournament will take place from Feb. 19 to Mar. 9 across three venues: Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. The Lahore and Karachi stadiums have recently reopened after extensive renovations to enhance broadcast quality and spectator comfort.

Pakistan won the Champions Trophy in 2017, defeating India by 180 runs in a one-sided final.

Pakistan’s last ICC event was when it co-hosted the 1996 World Cup with Sri Lanka and India.
 


18% of Pakistani Internet users use VPN, men among ‘heavier users’— survey 

Updated 17 February 2025
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18% of Pakistani Internet users use VPN, men among ‘heavier users’— survey 

  • Many in Pakistan increasingly turn to VPNs to access blocked websites such as X after government ban
  • Men (23%) and respondents under 30 (24%) among “heavier users” of VPN, says Gallup Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Among Internet users in Pakistan, 18% use virtual private networks (VPNs) with men and respondents under 30 years of age among “heavier users,” a survey conducted by leading research firm Gallup Pakistan said recently. 

Pakistan’s government last year banned what it said were “illegal” VPNs, citing their use by militant groups for financial transactions and violent activities. The decision followed the government’s move to ban social media platform X in February 2024 after allegations of electoral manipulation and media reports of it installing a national firewall to monitor online content. 

Pakistani rights activists and members of civil society have criticized the government, accusing it of taking restrictive measures to stifle dissent and crack down on opposition parties and their supporters. The government denies these allegations and says it is ensuring people’s protection in cyberspace. 

Pakistanis have increasingly turned to VPNs, which hides users’ browsing activity, identity and location, allowing for greater privacy and autonomy. It also allows Internet users to access websites that are blocked by the government, such as X in Pakistan. 

“Among Internet users in Pakistan 18% use VPN, with men (23%) and respondents under 30 (24%) among heavier users,” Gallup Pakistan said in a report published on Feb. 14.

When asked, “Please tell me if you use VPN?” 18% responded with a ‘Yes’ while 80% said ‘No’ and 2% either did not know or did not respond, Gallup Pakistan said. The firm said it carried out the survey on a sample of 1,042 men and women across urban and rural areas of all four provinces of the country from Jan. 7-12, 2025. 

It said Internet users aged under 30 years were more likely to use VPN (24%) compared to those aged 30-50 (13%) and those aged over 50 (15%). 

Of the 100% male respondents surveyed, 23% said they used VPNs while 75% said they did not, and 2% did not know or did not respond. As far as women respondents were concerned, 10% said they used VPNs while 87% said they did not, and 3% said they did not know or did not respond. 

“Male Internet users were far more likely than women to use VPN,” the report said. “Twenty-three percent of men used VPN compared to 10% of women, a 13% difference.”

Pakistan’s interior ministry in November 2024 wrote a letter to the PTA, asking it to block illegal VPNs as they are also used by Internet users in the country to access pornographic websites and blasphemous content online. 

PTA had already disclosed that nearly 20 million Pakistanis try to access pornographic websites banned by the authorities in 2011 on a daily basis.