ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s ministry of economic affairs said on Friday that its X account had been hacked after a post was published on it appealing to international partners for more loans, amid a growing conflict with India.
Tensions between the two neighbors over an April 22 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir’s Pahalgam escalated into a limited-scale military conflict, when India struck on Wednesday multiple locations in Pakistan after New Delhi blamed the assault on Pakistan. Islamabad has denied involvement.
Pakistan has claimed to have shot down five Indian fighter jets and 29 Israeli-manufactured Harop drones, launched from India, in retaliation to Indian missile and drone strikes this week. India said it had destroyed an air defense system in Lahore in response to a Pakistani air attack.
It was not possible to immediately verify all of the claims made by both countries. The two arch-rivals have also accused each other of cyberattacks on their critical digital assets and infrastructure in times of peace, and Indian media reported that Indian defense websites had come under attack after the Pahalgam attack.
“We are working to have the Twitter (X) switched off,” the Pakistani economic ministry told Reuters, adding that they “did not tweet” about it.
Meanwhile, New Delhi ordered X to block over 8,000 accounts in India, subject to potential penalties including significant fines and imprisonment of the company’s local employees.
“The orders include demands to block access in India to accounts belonging to international news organizations and prominent X users,” X’s Global Government Affairs team said on its account, adding it was unable to publish the executive orders at this time due to “legal restrictions.”
“The Indian government has not specified which posts from an account have violated India’s local laws. For a significant number of accounts, we did not receive any evidence or justification to block the accounts.”
The platform said it disagreed with the Indian government’s demands, describing the blockade of accounts as “contrary to the fundamental right of free speech.”
“X is exploring all possible legal avenues available to the company,” it said. “We encourage all users who are impacted by these blocking orders to seek appropriate relief from the courts.”
Pakistan says economic affairs ministry’s X account hacked amid conflict with India
https://arab.news/c2yfm
Pakistan says economic affairs ministry’s X account hacked amid conflict with India

- Tensions between the two neighbors have escalated into a limited-scale military conflict since India struck multiple locations in Pakistan
- Both neighbors have since fired and sent drones and missiles into each other’s airspace, leaving around four dozen people dead on both sides
UN backs peaceful dispute resolution as Pakistan slams India over water treaty suspension

- Pakistan’s deputy PM criticizes India for “illegally” suspending 65-year-old water-sharing treaty
- UN Security Council unanimously adopts resolution on mechanisms to resolve global conflicts
ISLAMABAD: The United Nations Security Council on Tuesday unanimously adopted a resolution calling on member states to use peaceful means, including negotiation, mediation and judicial settlement, to resolve disputes, as Pakistan accused India of undermining a landmark water-sharing agreement.
Signed in 1960 with World Bank mediation, the Indus Waters Treaty governs the distribution of the Indus River and its tributaries between India and Pakistan, two nuclear-armed neighbors with a history of conflict. Despite strained bilateral relations over the decades, the treaty has been regarded as one of the most resilient diplomatic frameworks in South Asia.
Speaking at the UNSC’s open debate, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the 65-year-old Indus Waters Treaty remained a “noteworthy example of dialog and diplomacy working for peacefully arriving at a water-sharing arrangement between two neighbors.”
“The treaty has withstood periods of trials and tribulations in bilateral relations,” Dar said.
“It is most unfortunate and regrettable that India has chosen to illegally and unilaterally hold this treaty in abeyance on baseless grounds with the intention of withholding the flow of water to 240 million people of Pakistan, who rely on it for their livelihood and survival.”
Dar’s remarks came as the Security Council adopted a resolution reaffirming the importance of peaceful dispute resolution mechanisms, with all 15 of the Council’s members voting in favor.
The resolution encourages states to make full use of existing mechanisms such as “negotiation, mediation, arbitration, judicial settlement or other peaceful means,” in accordance with the UN Charter.
India decided to hold the IWT treaty “in abeyance” after a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir killed 26 people in April. New Delhi blamed Pakistan for being behind the attack and announced a slew of punitive measures, including suspending the water sharing pact.
Pakistan denies involvement in the assault and has called for an independent international investigation.
The IWT ensures water supply for 80 percent of Pakistani farms. Pakistan has previously warned that the treaty contains no provision for unilateral withdrawal and any attempt to block or stop river water flowing into the country would be considered “an act of war.”
In May, weeks after the April attack, the most intense India–Pakistan military confrontation in decades ensued, involving a series of drone, artillery and missile strikes before a ceasefire was brokered by the US on May 10.
Pakistan grants first digital-only license to non-life insurer in regulatory first

- The license will enable Digi Insurance to sell general products like motor, health and travel coverage
- The approval marks a milestone for an insurance industry aiming to expand inclusion, accessibility
KARACHI: Pakistan’s top financial regulator has issued the country’s first-ever digital-only license to a non-life insurer, allowing Karachi-based Digi Insurance Limited to operate entirely without a physical branch network, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) said on Tuesday.
The license enables Digi Insurance to sell general insurance products — such as motor, health and travel coverage — through a fully digital platform, with no in-person interaction or branch infrastructure required.
The approval marks a regulatory milestone for Pakistan’s insurance industry as it seeks to modernize and improve accessibility.
“This development reflects SECP’s broader objective of enabling financial inclusion through responsible innovation and encouraging customer-centric, tech-enabled insurance solutions,” the commission said in a statement.
The SECP said the approval was granted under a revised regulatory framework aimed at supporting new business models and encouraging the use of technology in insurance distribution, policy issuance and claims processing.
The Pakistani financial regulator said it expects the move to promote competition, expand access to underserved markets and encourage further innovation across the sector.
It also maintained digital models offer a scalable, cost-effective alternative that could help close Pakistan’s insurance gap.
Pak-Qatar Asset Management reports 117% growth in assets for FY2025

- Company says asset growth driven by investor trust, demand for Shariah products
- It plans to expand its offerings, strengthen position in local Islamic finance market
KARACHI: Pak-Qatar Asset Management Company (PQAMC) said on Tuesday its assets under management (AUM) rose by 117% in the financial year ending June 30, citing growing demand for Shariah-compliant investment products in Pakistan.
The company is part of the Pak-Qatar Group, a joint venture backed by Qatari and Pakistani investors focused on the development and promotion of Islamic finance. It said the surge in AUM, which refers to the total market value of client investments it oversees, was driven by consistent fund performance, increasing investor confidence and a broader client base across both retail and institutional segments.
The growth reinforces the company’s position among the fastest-expanding Islamic asset managers in the country.
“We are humbled by the trust placed in us by our investors, which has enabled us to achieve this tremendous growth,” its chief executive officer, Farhan Shaukat, said in a statement. “This success is a testament to our unwavering focus on delivering sustainable and Shariah-compliant investment avenues that meet the evolving financial aspirations of our clients.”
Following its recent performance, the company said it aims to further strengthen its position by offering innovative Islamic investment solutions tailored to a range of financial goals. It maintained its strategy remains anchored in ethical wealth creation, sound governance and disciplined portfolio management in accordance with Islamic principles.
The company has expanded its reach in recent years by diversifying its product offerings and investing in client education around Islamic financial planning. It now manages a growing suite of funds catering to both conservative and growth-oriented investors seeking faith-based alternatives in a volatile economic environment.
The company’s performance comes amid increasing interest in Islamic finance across Pakistan’s investment landscape, with regulatory support and shifting investor preferences driving demand for Shariah-aligned mutual funds and retirement products.
The company said it would continue to build on its momentum by enhancing digital accessibility, improving client engagement and launching new funds in response to market trends and participant needs.
Pakistan army says 8 India-linked militants killed in two-day sweep in Balochistan

- Islamabad frequently accuses India of destabilizing Balochidstan, which it denies
- Balochistan province has long been the site of separatist and insurgent violence
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani security forces have killed eight militants in operations conducted over two days in the southwestern Balochistan province, the military said on Tuesday, describing the insurgents as Indian proxies.
The fighting took place in Kalat district during an intelligence-based operation targeting suspected “Fitna al Hindustan,” a term the Pakistani military uses for militants it says are backed by neighbor and archrival India.
Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province has long been the site of separatist and insurgent violence, and Islamabad has frequently alleged Indian involvement in destabilizing activities there, a charge New Delhi denies.
“Following the successful intelligence based operation conducted by the security forces in Kalat District of Balochistan on 19 July 2025, during which 4 x terrorists belonging to Indian proxy, Fitna al Hindustan were sent to hell; on 21 July 2025, a deliberate sanitization operation was conducted in the surrounding areas,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, said in a statement.
“During the conduct of the operation, four more terrorists of Fitna al Hindustan were hunted down and successfully neutralized.”
The military said a hideout was also “busted” and a large quantity of weapons, ammunition and explosives was recovered.
In a separate statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised security forces for the Kalat operation and reaffirmed his government’s resolve to eliminate terrorism.
“The terrorists who seek to harm the lives and property of innocent citizens will have their nefarious ambitions buried,” Sharif said in a statement issued by his office.
“We will uproot Fitna al Hindustan, the enemy of Pakistan’s sovereignty.”
The operation follows a series of recent accusations and military tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors, including most recently when they engaged in a four-day long air war in May.
India and Pakistan have in the past fought multiple wars over the disputed Kashmir region and regularly trade blame over cross-border militancy.
Punjab opposition leader, two federal PTI lawmakers sentenced to 10 years over May 9 riots

- Ex-PM Khan’s party confirms the development, questions the anti-terrorism court’s verdict
- Government says due process of law was upheld and there was no miscarriage of justice
ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Sargodha on Tuesday handed down 10-year prison sentences to Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Ahmed Khan Bachar, federal lawmakers Ahmed Chattha and Bilal Ejaz along with a group of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers in connection with violent protests that erupted across the country on May 9, 2023.
The unrest followed the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan by paramilitary forces in Islamabad, which triggered protests in different parts of the country. Demonstrators stormed military installations and government buildings, prompting a sweeping state crackdown.
Thousands of PTI members and supporters were arrested, dozens were charged under anti-terrorism laws and some were tried in military courts. The protests also led to a wave of high-profile defections from the party, as many leaders publicly distanced themselves from the events under apparent pressure.
“Yes, it’s true” Zulfi Bukhari, a close aide of Imran Khan and former federal minister, said in a statement. “The ATC judge announced 10 years sentence for opposition leader Punjab assembly and two others. MNAs Ahmed Chatha and Bilal Ejaz’s names weren’t even in supplementary documents but the judge sentenced them anyway.”
The development comes as PTI faces mounting pressure across political and judicial fronts. In the Punjab Assembly, tensions have flared in recent weeks, with Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan suspending 26 opposition lawmakers in recent weeks over disorder during the provincial budget speech.
The speaker also suggested some members could face disqualification, citing repeated violations of constitutional decorum.
Khan, the PTI founder and former Pakistan premier, remains imprisoned on a range of charges he says are fabricated. The party’s legal standing was further weakened after a Supreme Court ruling last month upheld a decision stripping PTI of its claim to reserved seats for women and minorities, significantly limiting its representation in legislatures.
While the PTI questioned the court’s decision, the government said the due process of law was upheld and there was no miscarriage of justice.
Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik said the court had listened to all the witnesses and recorded their statements. Subsequently, they were also cross-examined.
“Both sides gave their closing statements and today the verdict that was announced is according to the constitution and law,” he added.