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

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1 year ago

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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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Green Impact Mission in GB: Rakaposhi Camp Cleanup Campaign Organized by Serena Hotels

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The Green Impact Mission at Rakaposhi Base Camp was effectively completed by Serena Hotels.

At Rakaposhi Base Camp, one of Gilgit-Baltistan’s most well-liked tourist sites, the project sought to solve the growing garbage problem.

50 volunteers, including sherpas and climbers, participated in the cleanup effort. To maintain the basecamp’s natural beauty, the crew put in endless effort to remove trash from it. In order to encourage future guests to dispose of their waste responsibly, ten sturdy trash cans were also placed across the property.

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Indicating Pakistan’s Dedication to the SCO Agenda: Jam Kamal

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4 days ago

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Pakistan is dedicated to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Agenda, according to the Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, who stated that the SCO is playing a significant role in regional cooperation.

Jam Kamal, while speaking at the World Trade Organization (SCO) Trade Ministerial gathering in Islamabad, stated that Pakistan is an important member of the SCO and that it is a pleasure for us to host its gathering.

We are aggressively trying to modernize our infrastructure, improve regulatory frameworks, and establish an atmosphere that is suitable to business, as he stated that the SCO Region has a significant potential for both commercial and economic exchange.

According to him, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Region is home to a big amount of the world’s population as well as some of the world’s economies that are expanding at the fastest rates. This region also hosts a significant portion of the world’s people.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s (SCO) 23rd Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Foreign Economic and Trade Activities is now being held in Pakistan.

In the course of the Council of Heads of Government Meeting, which is slated to take place in Islamabad on October 15-16, 2024, the conclusions of this meeting will be discussed.

Sunil Bharatwal, who is India’s Deputy Minister of Commerce, gave a short speech at the conference.

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The president approves the addition of thirty PHC judges, up from the previous twenty.

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5 days ago

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A sizeable increase in the number of judges to be appointed to the Peshawar High Court has been sanctioned by President Asif Ali Zardari.

The number of judges has been increased from twenty to thirty and this change was made in order to address the growing backlog of cases and to improve the efficiency of the judicial system.

Regarding this matter, the notification from the Presidency has been distributed.

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