ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif this week formed a committee to resolve tensions between the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), a key coalition ally of the government, state-run media reported.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari publicly lashed out at the PML-N-led government last week, regretting its decision to block virtual private networks (VPNs) across the country. Authorities say the measures are meant to deter militants and other suspects who use VPNs to conceal their identities and spread “anti-state propaganda” and promote “blasphemous” or other illegal content online.
Speaking to journalists at his party’s media cell, the PPP chairman had also criticized the government for approving a project to construct new canals on the Indus River, saying the decision had been taken without consulting his party.
“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a committee to resolve issues between the Pakistan People’s Party and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and to foster cooperation on political and other matters,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported on Friday.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar and Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema are members of the committee.
It also includes Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Engineer Amir Muqam, Adviser to Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah, Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmad Khan, Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, PML-N leaders Khawaja Saad Rafique, Jaffar Khan Mandokhail, and Bashir Ahmed Memon, it added.
“The Prime Minister has assigned the committee the responsibility of having detailed consultation with the PPP to ensure political collaboration and resolve the issues,” Radio Pakistan said.
It added that the committee would hold talks with members nominated by the PPP to discuss the future course of action between the two parties.
The PPP is a major coalition ally of the coalition government which also voted Sharif into power after the contentious national election in February. While it is not part of the federal government, the PPP has its government in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province.
Sharif’s government has relied on the PPP’s crucial votes in parliament to pass the national budget and key constitutional amendments earlier this year.
Pakistan PM forms committee to resolve tensions with key coalition ally
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Pakistan PM forms committee to resolve tensions with key coalition ally
- Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif and Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar key members of committee
- PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari last week criticized federal government for imposing Internet restrictions, other issues
Pakistan ruling coalition ally criticizes cyber law amendments, warns of threat to free speech
- Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act is widely criticized as a tool to stifle dissent
- PPP’s Raza Rabbani calls the PECA amendment bill ‘black law,’ says it can weaken the state
KARACHI: A senior Pakistani politician from a party supporting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s ruling coalition on Saturday condemned the recent amendments to the country’s cyber laws, warning they would jeopardize freedom of speech and weaken the state.
Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) was originally enacted in 2016, but an amendment bill passed in January 2025 expanded its scope by broadening the definition of “fake news” and criminalizing defamation against government officials.
The law also established a new social media regulatory authority to oversee digital content and a cybercrime agency with the power to prosecute violations.
Speaking at a convention related to the issue, Raza Rabbani of the Pakistan Peoples Party denounced the PECA amendments as a “black law,” asserting they would further restrict an already regulated digital space, especially for journalists.
“Trying to stop or restrict freedom of the press actually weakens the state. Freedom of expression is a fundamental right,” Rabbani said, highlighting the law’s “vague provisions on fake news” and other reforms that he warned could be easily manipulated.
He criticized the government for failing to consult stakeholders before enacting the amendments and urged an immediate suspension of the law’s implementation. Rabbani called for dialogue with journalists, civil society and other relevant groups to revise the legislation.
Barrister Salahuddin Ahmed, a legal expert, told the gathering the amendments undermined democratic principles by granting the government disproportionate power.
He also warned against the new authority mandated to take swift action against social media platforms during his speech.
“This authority is empowered to block platforms and remove content within 24 hours of a complaint being filed,” Ahmed said. “This gives an alarming level of unchecked power to a single body, which could easily be misused to stifle dissent.”
Sohail Afzal Khan, secretary of the Karachi Press Club, where the convention was held, echoed these concerns, arguing PECA was designed to suppress journalists rather than combat disinformation.
“If the government had been sincere in combating fake news, it would have enacted legislation in consultation with journalist leadership and other stakeholders. Instead, it seeks to suppress the voice of journalists,” Khan said.
The event was attended by representatives from major political parties, lawyers, rights activists and media workers, culminating in a resolution rejecting PECA 2025.
The resolution called for the removal of restrictions on free speech and an end to legal actions against journalists under the pretext of combating misinformation.
“The meeting resolves to continue its struggle against PECA and similar laws, within democratic frameworks, by collaborating with civil society and democratic forces,” it said.
PM Sharif highlights Palestinian and Kashmiri struggles as Ramadan begins in Pakistan
- The prime minister says it is time to strengthen Muslim unity and promote cooperation
- He urges people to support financially disadvantaged segments during the holy month
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday recalled the struggles of the Palestinian and Kashmiri people while urging greater unity among Muslim states, as Pakistan prepares to begin the holy month of Ramadan from tomorrow.
Pakistan’s central moon sighting committee announced a day earlier that the Ramadan crescent was not sighted anywhere in the country, confirming that the first day of fasting would fall on Sunday.
Observed by Muslims worldwide, the month is marked by fasting from dawn to sunset, which many consider a time for spiritual reflection, self-discipline and devotion.
Fasting is also seen as a way to strengthen faith and develop empathy for the less fortunate.
“We are grateful to Allah for once again blessing us with the holy month of Ramadan, a time of mercy, blessings, and forgiveness,” the prime minister was quoted as saying by his office in a statement.
“We must remember our Palestinian and Kashmiri brothers and sisters who continue to suffer oppression and raise our voices against this injustice,” he continued. “This is the time to strengthen Muslim unity and promote cooperation and brotherhood.”
Sharif also called on Pakistanis to support financially disadvantaged segments of society during the month, which places a strong emphasis on charity and social welfare.
Ramadan holds special significance for Muslims, as it was during one of its nights that the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The month is observed with increased prayer, charitable giving and community gatherings, culminating in the festival of Eid Al-Fitr.
Pakistan’s army chief inaugurates combat simulation center in Bahawalpur sector
- General Munir interacts with officers and troops, commends their dedication and morale
- The army chief also launches two other facilities focusing on IT and medical education
ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir on Saturday inaugurated a combat simulation center and two other facilities focused on information technology and medical education during a visit to Bahawalpur, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement.
The strategically important garrison town in southern Punjab plays a crucial role in Pakistan’s military readiness, particularly in the context of its nuclear-armed neighbor, India.
The area is home to the Bahawalpur Corps, a key formation responsible for border defense and rapid deployment, given its proximity to India’s Rajasthan state, which hosts major Indian military bases. Bahawalpur also serves as a logistics and training hub, with large-scale military drills focusing on different warfare scenarios.
ISPR said the army chief received a briefing on the operational preparedness and training aspects of the Bahawalpur Corps during the visit.
“COAS inaugurated the CMH Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS), Innovista Cholistan and Integrated Combat Simulator Arena, pioneering initiatives aimed at advancing medical education, information technology and combat readiness,” it added
During his visit to CIMS, General Munir engaged with students from various universities, emphasizing the army’s role in nurturing young talent. He urged students to pursue academic excellence and develop the skills necessary for national development, reaffirming the army’s commitment to empowering youth
Earlier, the army chief was received by the Commander of Bahawalpur Corps and addressed officers and troops, commending their dedication and high morale.
He stressed that rigorous training remains the cornerstone of a soldier’s professional development, adding that it is essential for meeting the challenges of modern warfare.
Pakistan’s internet industry body seeks reforms amid digital connectivity crisis
- Internet service providers’ association says only two operators are controlling Pakistan’s digital connectivity
- It seeks a second internet gateway in Gwadar, asks regulators to negotiate bandwidth in local currency
KARACHI: Pakistan’s ongoing internet crisis, marked by soaring costs and sluggish speeds, stems from structural issues in which two operators control the gateway to global connectivity, the country’s internet service providers’ association said this week.
Pakistan is heavily reliant on digital connectivity for economic growth. However, the Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (WISPAP) said in a statement users were getting an average speed of just 20-30 megabits per second (Mbps), which was significantly lower than that of countries like Bangladesh in the region where speeds reach 50 Mbps, despite Pakistanis paying nearly twice as much for the service.
WISPAP warned against the “near-duopoly” of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) and Transworld Associates (TWA), saying it had led to monopolistic pricing, restricting competition and keeping internet services expensive and inefficient.
Its assertion comes as Africa-1, a new undersea cable system, recently landed in Pakistan, promising additional bandwidth, though the association said it would only benefit the two existing gatekeepers of global connectivity.
“Ban gatekeepers from overcharging or locking out rivals,” the statement prepared on Tuesday quoted Shahzad Arshad, WISPAP chairman, as saying. “Fair rules mean fair rates.”
Pakistan’s internet infrastructure is centered around Karachi, where PTCL and TWA manage the country’s seven undersea fiber-optic cable connections and two smaller overland links.
Arshad noted the lack of competition allows these operators to set high prices for bandwidth, which internet service providers (ISPs) must purchase before distributing internet services to consumers.
WISPAP also proposed policy recommendations, including creating a second internet gateway in Gwadar, saying it would reduce broadband costs by 30 percent in five years.
“Invite new operators, local or foreign, with tax breaks,” its chairman suggested. “PTCL and TWA will have to fight for customers, not just cash them out.”
Additionally, the group urged regulators to follow Malaysia’s model of negotiating bandwidth in local currency, shielding ISPs from volatile exchange rates.
“Cut the dollar leash, and ISPs save 20% overnight,” Arshad said. “That’s cheaper Wi-Fi for every household.”
Pakistan’s internet crisis has far-reaching consequences for businesses, impacting sectors such as e-commerce, fintech and freelancing. The country’s freelance industry, which generated $1.2 billion in 2024, is particularly vulnerable to unreliable connectivity.
WISPAP estimates that affordable, high-speed internet could double freelancing revenue to $2.5 billion by 2030, while also bringing 10 million more Pakistanis online.
Pakistan Navy ship participates in UAE defense exhibition to bolster maritime ties
- The UAE event features naval vessels from eight nations and participation from 65 countries
- PNS Yarmouk has carried out joint exercises with the UAE Navy’s ship Al Emarat, ISPR says
KARACHI: A Pakistan Navy ship is participating in an international defense exhibition in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of efforts to strengthen maritime relations with the Gulf nation, the military’s media wing said on Saturday.
The Pakistan Navy ship Yarmouk arrived in the UAE for the International Defense Exhibition (IDEX) and the Naval Defense Exhibition (NAVDEX 25), the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
Several high-profile officials, including the UAE’s minister for tolerance and the defense ministers of Romania and Yemen, visited the vessel.
“Participation in the defense exhibition reflects Pakistan’s strong defense ties with the UAE and its active role in global maritime security initiatives,” the ISPR said.
Pakistan has intensified its naval diplomacy in the region and beyond in recent years, particularly with Gulf nations, as part of efforts to enhance maritime security and defense collaboration.
The growing engagement aligns with Islamabad’s broader strategy of maintaining stability in regional waters and securing trade routes amid evolving geopolitical dynamics.
The UAE event, which features naval vessels from eight nations and participation from 65 countries, comes weeks after Pakistan hosted the AMAN-25 multinational exercise, where 60 countries took part in maritime drills aimed at enhancing interoperability and regional security.
Following AMAN-25, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia conducted the Affaa Al Sahil bilateral naval exercise, which concluded in Karachi last month with a demonstration of firepower and combat tactics.
During its visit to the UAE, PNS Yarmouk also carried out joint exercises with the UAE Navy’s ship Al Emarat.
