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Govt hints at blocking social networks yet again in Pakistan, ‘if needed’

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  • Defence minister says option to block social media always available.
  • “In Pakistan, social media is used to incite people,” he laments.
  • “Social media is regulated everywhere,” defence minister says.

As the Pakistani authorities ramp up action against May 9 vandals, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Tuesday that the government always has the option to block social media platforms, which can be exercised at any moment.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters ransacked private and public property, including military installations, on May 9 after their party chairman Imran Khan’s arrest. 

In the aftermath, the government, claiming that social media was a significant source of incitement, blocked not only the platforms, but internet services as well across the country for nearly four days, affecting millions.

Providing a rationale for blocking the services, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah had claimed that the party’s “entire work” was done on the internet, including “the planning and the abuse, all of it is done on social media”.

During an interview on Geo News’ programme “Geo Pakistan” today, Defence Minister Asif said: “The option to block social media is always available. If need be, it [the suspension] can come into force at [any time].”

Defending his stance, the defence minister noted that social media platforms are regulated in China and Europe.

“Social media is regulated everywhere,” the minister said, adding that the platforms were used to incite people, which led to their violent actions on May 9.

The minister also appreciated the accountability of those involved in the attacks on military installations and martyrs’ memorials.

The army dismissed three officers, including a lieutenant general, from service for failing to protect the military installations on May 9.

Asif said that talks are underway for trying civilians in military courts, and while there were legal hurdles, the government would overcome them.

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Microsoft and BlackRock are set to establish a $30 billion fund for artificial intelligence infrastructure.

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AI models, particularly those employed in deep learning and extensive data processing, necessitate considerable computer power, resulting in increased energy usage.

The computational demands of AI have compelled technology firms to interconnect thousands of chips in clusters to attain the requisite data processing capacity, resulting in a significant increase in the demand for specialized data centers.

The investment entity, termed Global AI Infrastructure Investment Partnership, seeks to improve AI supply chains and energy procurement, according to BlackRock and Microsoft.

MGX, the investment firm supported by Abu Dhabi, will serve as a general partner in the fund, while Nvidia (NVDA.O), a manufacturer of AI chips, will provide its expertise.

The collaboration is expected to generate a total investment potential of up to $100 billion, inclusive of loan funding, according to the corporations.

The investments will primarily be in the United States, with the remainder allocated to partner countries, as stated by the firms.

The Financial Times initially reported on the development.

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The price of gold declines in Pakistan.

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The price of 10 grams of 24 karat gold declined by Rs. 257, falling to Rs. 229,510 from Rs. 229,767, while the price of 10 grams of 22 carat gold reduced to Rs. 210,384 from Rs. 210,620, according to the All Sindh Sarafa Jewellers Association.

The prices of per tola and ten-gram silver remained constant at Rs.2,950 and Rs.2,529.14, respectively.

The Association reported a decline in the international gold price by $18, falling from $2,587 to $2,569.

On September 16, gold prices in Pakistan continued to rise, reflecting the increase in the international market, as reported by the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA).

The local market witnessed a surge in the price of gold per tola, increasing by Rs1,700 to reach Rs268,000. Likewise, 10-gram gold was transacted at Rs229,767 following a rise of Rs1,458.

Simultaneously, the global rate was noted at $2,587 per ounce, while silver prices remained consistent at Rs2,950 per tola.

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Prior to the Lahore demonstration, PTI seeks LHC against arrests.

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The petition requesting protection against the arrests of its workers and leaders prior to the event set for September 21 was submitted by Sheikh Imtiaz and Yasir Gillani.

The petition asserted that law enforcement is apprehending party members throughout Punjab, infringing upon their fundamental right to assemble for a rally.

The petitioners sought a court order to compel the authorities to cease arrests and for the march to occur peacefully.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is set to have a demonstration in Lahore on September 21.

Previously, multiple PTI MNAs, including party chairman Barrister Gohar, were apprehended by Islamabad police subsequent to the Sangjani demonstration in Islamabad.

Barrister Gohar and Sher Afzal Marwat were apprehended outside, while Zain Qureshi and Sheikh Waqas Akram were detained within the Parliament House.

Furthermore, law enforcement apprehended Owais Ahmed Chatha, Syed Shah Ahmed, Sahibzada Hamid Raza of the Sunni Ittehad Council, Yousaf Khan, Maulana Naseem Shah, and Ahmed Shah Khattak.

Sources indicated that Speaker of the National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq permitted the detention of PTI Members of the National Assembly outside the premises of the house. The situation occurred after police submitted a copy of the FIR filed against the PTI legislators for breaching SOPs during the public protest on September 8.

Furthermore, three complaints have been filed in Islamabad under the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Bill, alleging breaches of the event’s NOC. The FIR identifies 28 individuals, including PTI officials Barrister Gohar Ali, Sher Afzal Marwat, Shoaib Shaheen, Omar Gul, Zartaj Gul, Aamir Mughal, Seemabia Tahir, and Raja Basharat.

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