Pakistan’s telecom regulator says social media access ‘restricted’ until further orders from interior ministry

In this file photo, taken on November 13, 2022, labourers watch live screen of a cricket match on a mobile phone along a street in Rawalpindi. (Photo courtesy: AFP/File)
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Updated 14 May 2023
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Pakistan’s telecom regulator says social media access ‘restricted’ until further orders from interior ministry

  • Pakistan’s IT minister says trying to restore access to social media websites in Pakistan
  • Access to Twitter, Facebook was restricted on Tuesday amid nationwide protests

KARACHI: Access to social media websites Twitter and Facebook will remain restricted in Pakistan until further orders from the interior ministry, a spokesperson of the country’s telecom regulator said on Sunday.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior on Tuesday night suspended mobile broadband services and temporarily cut off access to online platforms Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube as unrest spread across the country following former prime minister Imran Khan's arrest.

Thousands of Khan supporters took to the streets across Pakistan on Tuesday, clashing with law enforcers, burning tyres, and attacking military installations in many parts of the country to protest their leader's arrest.

While mobile broadband services were restored after Khan was granted bail in several cases and released from jail, social media websites remained inaccessible in Pakistan.

“Mobile broadband services have been restored, only social media access has been restricted,” the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) spokesperson Malahat Obaid told Arab News, adding that access would only be granted if the interior ministry issues directives to do so.

Pakistan’s Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Syed Aminul Haque, said he is trying to resolve the issue by speaking to authorities. He hoped Pakistanis would soon be able to access Facebook and Twitter again.

“I am personally against a ban, suspension, or restriction on any social media,” Haque told Arab News. “The PTA, however, doesn't come under my ministry. It directly comes under the cabinet division,” he added.

“But I am trying to remove restrictions on access by taking it up with relevant quarters,” the minister added.

Bans on social media websites Twitter and Facebook are common in Pakistan in the wake of unrest in the country or in blasphemy cases. In February this year, Pakistan blocked the online encyclopedia Wikipedia for a couple of days, accusing the platform of displaying “blasphemous content” on its platform.

The South Asian country has also frequently banned the short-video platform TikTok over charges that it promotes indecency.

“When TikTok and PUBG were banned during the previous regime of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, I raised my voice against it,” Haque said. "When Wikipedia was recently banned, I removed the ban within 24 hours,” he added.  

Haque, however, said he was also against the negative use of social media.

“As I am against banning and restrictions, I also oppose the negative use of social media for propaganda and inciting violence,” Haque said. “I strongly condemn the attack on the monuments of [Pakistan Army] martyrs and ghazis (victorious warriors),” he said.

Reports in Pakistani media said the telecommunication sector had suffered a loss of $2.85m since Tuesday while ride-hailing apps and online food and grocery delivery service foodpanda are also said to have suffered losses due to the internet shutdown.


Pakistan withdraws digital tax on foreign online purchases

Updated 4 sec ago
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Pakistan withdraws digital tax on foreign online purchases

  • FBR says levy on overseas online orders rolled back retroactively from July 1
  • Local retailers had welcomed the tax as a way to counter cheaper imports

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s national tax authority has withdrawn a levy on goods and services ordered online and supplied from abroad, a notification announced on Wednesday, rolling back a key provision giving relief to international retailers operating in the national cyberspace.

The government introduced new measures including the Digital Presence Proceeds Tax Act 2025 in the federal budget passed on June 26 to tax income earned by foreign vendors.

The measures included a five percent fixed income tax on digital retailers on goods delivered by foreign firms such as Temu, Shein and AliExpress, and a reduction in the duty-free threshold for imported parcels from Rs5,000 ($18) to Rs500 ($1.80).

“The federal government is pleased to direct that the Digital Presence Proceeds Tax shall not apply to digitally ordered goods and services supplied from outside Pakistan, by any person, which are chargeable to tax under the said Act,” the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) said in the notification, adding the decision would “come into force on and from the 1st day of July, 2025,” highlighting its retrospective implementation.

The government plans to collect over Rs14 trillion ($49.3 billion) in taxes in the ongoing fiscal year to meet targets set under the $7 billion International Monetary Fund loan program.

The government’s decision to impose the digital presence tax was welcomed by local retailers, who said foreign firms had been operating without paying taxes, allowing them to undercut domestic businesses.

Until the implementation of the new budget, foreign e-commerce platforms had been selling to Pakistani consumers through social media without being subjected to local tax laws.

Local retailers already paying up to 25 percent in taxes say they have struggled to compete with tax-exempt imports offering cheaper prices.


Pakistan speaker condemns Israeli strikes on Iran, voices concern over regional tensions

Updated 31 min 28 sec ago
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Pakistan speaker condemns Israeli strikes on Iran, voices concern over regional tensions

  • Ayaz Sadiq praises Tehran’s ‘measured response,’ reaffirms support for Iran’s sovereignty
  • He also calls for peaceful resolution of Iran’s nuclear issue through dialogue, cooperation

ISLAMABAD: Speaker of Pakistan’s National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq condemned Israel’s recent attacks on Iran, according to an official statement on Thursday, expressing concern over escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The condemnation came during a meeting in Geneva between Sadiq and his Iranian counterpart, Dr. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, on the sidelines of the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, held from July 29-31.

Sadiq emphasized the deep ties between Pakistan and Iran, reiterating his country’s “unwavering support” for Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“As neighbors and friends, the two countries are linked through shared aspirations of peace, stability and prosperity,” he said, according to a statement circulated by the National Assembly, adding Pakistan firmly condemned “unprovoked Israeli aggression against Iran.”

He praised Iran’s “measured response” and reiterated Pakistan’s preference for resolving the Iranian nuclear issue through dialogue and multilateral engagement.

Pakistan National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq (left) gestures during a meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Dr. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, on the sidelines of the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, in Geneva on July 31, 2025. (Handout/ National Assembly)

The meeting coincided with a broader backdrop of rising hostilities between Iran and Israel.

On June 13, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a surprise military offensive targeting Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure, including sites in Tehran, Natanz and Isfahan.

Iranian military officials, including top nuclear scientists and Revolutionary Guards commanders, were killed in the attack.

Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks, causing massive damage to various neighborhoods in Tel Aviv and other areas. The conflict lasted approximately 12 days before a ceasefire was agreed upon on June 24 amid a number of casualties on both sides.

Sadiq also noted the importance of reinforcing legislative cooperation through the Pak‑Iran Parliamentary Friendship Groups and sought to strengthen people-to-people ties between the two countries.


Pakistan saddened by German Olympic champion’s fatal climbing accident in Gilgit-Baltistan

Updated 31 July 2025
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Pakistan saddened by German Olympic champion’s fatal climbing accident in Gilgit-Baltistan

  • Laura Dahlmeier, double Olympic biathlon champion, was struck by falling rocks while climbing Laila Peak
  • Poor weather prevented a helicopter rescue mission before two international teams confirmed her death

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday expressed deep sorrow over the death of German double Olympic biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier, who died earlier this week in a mountaineering accident on Laila Peak in the country’s Gilgit-Baltistan region.

The 31-year-old athlete was struck by falling rocks while climbing with a partner at around 5,700 meters in the Hushe Valley on July 28.

“Laura was an inspiration for athletes and dreamers across the globe,” Pakistan’s foreign office said in a statement.

“Her indomitable spirit and legacy as a true role model will shine on forever,” it added. “We extend our deepest condolences to her family, loved ones and the German people.”

The Alpine Club of Pakistan said poor weather conditions had prevented a helicopter rescue mission. Two international teams later confirmed her death on the mountain, which stands at 6,069 meters in the Karakoram range.

Dahlmeier’s body was not recovered in line with her previously expressed wishes, her management said. Her climbing partner, Marina Eva Krauss, was unharmed and has since returned to base camp in good health, according to the local authorities.

A winner of two gold medals at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, Dahlmeier retired from professional biathlon in 2019 at the age of 25.

Tributes have poured in from sporting bodies across the world, including the International Olympic Committee and the International Biathlon Union.

Germany’s Olympic Sports Confederation described Dahlmeier as “more than an Olympic champion,” calling her someone “with heart, attitude and vision.”


India withdraw from veterans’ cricket semifinal against Pakistan amid tensions

Updated 31 July 2025
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India withdraw from veterans’ cricket semifinal against Pakistan amid tensions

  • World Championship of Legends is sanctioned by England and Wales Cricket Board
  • Tickets to be refunded after Pakistan advances to final following India’s withdrawal

LONDON: India have withdrawn from a semifinal clash with Pakistan in a tournament featuring retired players amid tension between the nuclear-armed neighbors, organizers of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) said on Wednesday.

A group match between the two teams was also called off earlier this month in the veterans’ competition sanctioned by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

Tickets will be refunded for the semifinal match which was scheduled to take place in Birmingham on Thursday, WCL organizers said in a statement on Instagram, adding that Pakistan will advance to the final.

India and Pakistan, who have not played bilateral cricket since 2013, are set to face off in the Asia Cup on September 14.

The WCL is in its second edition, running from July 18 to August 2 in England, with six teams representing India, Pakistan, England, Australia, South Africa and West Indies competing across four venues including Edgbaston, Headingley, Leicester and Northampton.

A total of 18 matches are being played in this round-robin T20 format with playoffs at its conclusion.

The tournament was launched in 2024 and returns this year with high-profile former international stars like Shahid Afridi, Yuvraj Singh, Kevin Pietersen, Brett Lee, Eoin Morgan and Chris Gayle drawing crowds.

The India Champions, captained by Yuvraj Singh, entered as defending champions after beating Pakistan in last year’s final.
 


Pakistan hails ‘significant milestone’ as satellite launched with China to boost disaster response, food security

Updated 31 July 2025
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Pakistan hails ‘significant milestone’ as satellite launched with China to boost disaster response, food security

  • SUPARCO says the satellite will support precision agriculture, climate monitoring and urban planning
  • The launch deepens Pakistan-China space ties as astronaut training for Tiangong mission underway

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday announced the successful launch of its Remote Sensing Satellite in collaboration with China, calling it a “significant milestone” and expressing hope that the development will aid disaster management, food security and environmental protection.

The launch marks another step in Pakistan’s growing engagement with outer space with Chinese assistance. The two countries are also preparing to send the first Pakistani astronaut into space aboard China’s Tiangong space station, with training programs currently underway.

“Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), the National Space Agency of Pakistan, proudly announces a historic achievement with the successful launch of Remote Sensing Satellite from Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC), China,” SUPARCO said in a statement.

“Remote Sensing Satellite will provide imaging capabilities to revolutionize urban planning, disaster management, food security and environmental protection,” it added. “It will also greatly aid in monitoring climate change, managing water resources, mapping agricultural patterns and tracking deforestation.”

The satellite was launched with technical cooperation from the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) and MICROSAT China.

SUPARCO said the satellite will also support national development initiatives such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) by mapping transportation networks and identifying geohazard risks.

The statement noted the launch would serve as the foundation for an integrated Earth Observation System aimed at supporting national priorities and sustainable development.

It informed that Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal also praised the efforts of engineers and technical experts from both countries, calling the launch a symbol of “unwavering commitment to technological progress.”