Thai PM Anutin Charnvirakul Hosts FBI Director Kash Patel in Push for Stronger Anti-Crime Cooperation With USA

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has called for a stronger national effort to counter terrorism, extremism and misinformation, saying Pakistan’s fight against militancy cannot be limited to security operations. Addressing a capacity-building workshop in Islamabad, Tarar said the country also needed to win the battle of narratives by addressing misinformation and reducing the gap between public perception and facts. He said Pakistan had made considerable progress against terrorism through coordinated efforts by the federal and provincial governments, security forces and other state institutions. The National Action Plan, he added, had played an important role in bringing stakeholders together. According to Tarar, Pakistan’s security situation had improved significantly by 2017, allowing economic activity and investment to recover. However, he argued that a subsequent policy shift weakened years of counter-terrorism efforts. The minister stressed that national security policies should have continuity and should not change with changes in government. He called for political parties to develop consensus on major national policies so that long-term strategies could continue regardless of which party was in power. Tarar also highlighted the importance of Pakistan’s international narrative. He said the country had suffered heavily from terrorism and had made significant sacrifices involving security personnel, political figures, professionals and civilians. He said Pakistan had increasingly used international media platforms to present its position and challenge what it described as misleading narratives about terrorism and regional security. Discussing tensions with India following the Pahalgam incident, Tarar questioned the version of events presented by New Delhi. He reiterated Pakistan’s call for a transparent and internationally conducted investigation and said the country had sought to address the issue through diplomatic and media channels. The minister said terrorism had no religion, colour or ethnicity and maintained that the state would not allow violent groups to impose their ideologies on society. He warned that militant organisations were increasingly shifting their focus towards vulnerable and “soft” targets after facing pressure from security forces. He cited the Jaffar Express attack as an example and praised security agencies for their response. Tarar also raised concerns over the role of digital platforms in spreading extremist material and misinformation. He said the government was strengthening its legal and institutional mechanisms to deal with cybercrime and harmful online narratives. He said a Digital Communication Department had been established using modern technologies, including artificial intelligence-based monitoring and speech-to-text systems, to identify emerging narratives in the digital space. According to the minister, provincial governments were also being offered assistance in establishing similar communication structures. Tarar said state institutions also needed to promote Pakistan’s positive image by highlighting its culture, tourism, music, cuisine and arts. He praised Pakistan Television for contributing to efforts aimed at presenting a broader image of the country. He also stressed the need for better communication and timely reporting from Balochistan. The government, he said, was willing to support television networks in establishing bureaux in the province’s southern districts. Speaking about Balochistan, Tarar said development and security remained key government priorities. He highlighted infrastructure and counter-terrorism measures and said political stability and economic development were essential to addressing long-term challenges. The minister also cited Rescue 1122 as an example of a public policy that continued beyond political changes. He argued that successful national programmes should be preserved and expanded rather than discontinued because of political differences.

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari has expressed confidence that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will emerge victorious in the second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections. In a statement, Azma Bukhari said political opponents alleging electoral rigging would continue to make such claims, but the people would keep placing their trust in the PML-N through the democratic process. She maintained that the party’s candidates were expected to secure victories with comfortable margins. The minister said polling during the second phase of the AJK elections was conducted in a peaceful atmosphere, with voters actively participating and exercising their democratic right across the constituencies. Azma Bukhari claimed that many voters were supporting the PML-N because they appreciated the performance of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. She said the provincial government’s development initiatives had strengthened public confidence in the party and encouraged voters to support its candidates. Criticising the opposition, she said parties raising allegations about the electoral process had failed to gain significant public support. According to her, such criticism did not reflect the overall mood of the electorate. Highlighting the party’s development agenda, Azma Bukhari said the people of Azad Kashmir also deserved modern infrastructure and public welfare projects. She referred to improved road networks, electric bus services, and the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar housing programme as examples of initiatives that could also benefit the region.

Islamabad Traffic Police has warned citizens to remain alert against fake e-challan messages being circulated through SMS, WhatsApp, and other online platforms. The police urged the public not to fall victim to online scams and to verify all traffic-related notices through official channels only. In an official statement, the traffic police advised citizens to stay cautious of fake websites, suspicious links, and unverified messages claiming to be issued by government authorities. It said cybercriminals are using fraudulent messages to deceive people into sharing personal or financial information. The police specifically warned citizens not to click on any link included in suspicious SMS or WhatsApp messages related to e-challans. Such links may lead to fake websites designed to steal sensitive information or install malicious software on users’ devices. The statement further advised the public to immediately report any suspicious or fake e-challan message to the nearest police station or the FIA Cyber Crime Wing. Prompt reporting can help authorities trace those involved in online fraud and prevent others from becoming victims. Islamabad Traffic Police also emphasized that citizens should check and verify their e-challans only through the official government website. It urged motorists to avoid relying on messages received from unknown numbers or unofficial sources. The police reiterated that public awareness is essential in preventing cyber fraud. Citizens have been encouraged to remain vigilant, verify all online communications related to traffic fines, and avoid sharing personal information through suspicious websites or links.

QUETTA: A sudden suspension of mobile phone and internet services has disrupted daily activities across Quetta, leaving residents struggling to communicate, conduct business and access essential online services. The connectivity shutdown affected a wide range of people, including students, healthcare professionals, traders, delivery workers and journalists. Many residents were unable to make calls, send messages or use internet-based services. Students were among those facing major difficulties. Those relying on online classes and digital learning platforms could not access study material or communicate with teachers and classmates. The disruption also affected students preparing assignments and completing other academic tasks online. The outage created problems for healthcare workers as well. Doctors, medical staff and patients often depend on mobile phones and internet services for communication. The interruption made it harder to coordinate with colleagues, contact patients and exchange important medical information. Businesses and traders also faced disruptions. Many shops and small businesses now depend on digital payments, online orders and messaging applications. The suspension affected their ability to communicate with customers and manage routine transactions. Delivery riders were particularly affected because they rely heavily on mobile applications and phone calls to receive orders, locate customers and coordinate deliveries. The loss of connectivity made these routine tasks considerably more difficult. The shutdown also created challenges for journalists reporting from Quetta. Reporters faced difficulties contacting sources, verifying information and sending updates from the field. The lack of reliable communication can slow down coverage, particularly when events are developing quickly. For ordinary residents, the disruption meant difficulty staying in touch with family members, friends and colleagues. People who depend on mobile services for work and other essential activities were forced to deal with additional inconvenience.