UO eyes smart university transformation through agenting AI

LAHORE: In one of the largest cybercrime crackdowns in recent months, Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has dismantled an organised online fraud network, arresting 27 suspects during coordinated operations in Lahore, Multan and Faisalabad. According to officials, the suspects were part of an organised “OTP Gang” accused of targeting bank customers through sophisticated phone scams. Investigators said the group impersonated bank officials, customs officers and police personnel to deceive citizens into revealing sensitive financial information before stealing money from their accounts. The largest operation was carried out in Lahore, where NCCIA teams conducted raids at multiple locations and arrested 13 suspects in two separate operations. Authorities also recovered mobile phones, computers and other digital evidence believed to have been used in cyber fraud activities. In Multan, four intelligence-based operations resulted in the arrest of 13 key members of the network. Officials believe the suspects played central roles in planning and executing online scams that affected victims in different parts of the country. Meanwhile, in Faisalabad, investigators arrested another suspect allegedly involved in hacking bank and social media accounts. During the raid, officials recovered several fake SIM cards and digital devices that are being examined as part of the investigation. Preliminary findings suggest the network relied on social engineering techniques, convincing victims that their bank accounts or identity documents required urgent verification. Once victims shared one-time passwords (OTPs), banking details or verification codes, the suspects allegedly gained access to their accounts and carried out unauthorised financial transactions. Cybercrime investigators are analysing the seized electronic devices to identify additional members of the network, trace stolen funds and determine whether the group has links to other organised fraud rings operating across Pakistan. Following the successful operation, the NCCIA urged citizens to remain vigilant against phone and online scams. The agency warned people never to share their OTPs, ATM PINs, passwords or banking information with anyone claiming to represent a bank, government department or law enforcement agency. Officials also advised the public to verify suspicious calls through official customer service numbers and immediately report suspected cyber fraud to the relevant authorities. The latest crackdown highlights the growing threat of cyber-enabled financial crime in Pakistan and underscores the government’s increasing efforts to dismantle organised digital fraud networks while encouraging stronger public awareness of online security.

Pakistan’s petrol dealers have announced an indefinite nationwide strike from August 15 after talks with the government failed to resolve their concerns over the fuel pricing mechanism. The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) said on Thursday that negotiations with government representatives did not produce a breakthrough. The association maintained that its major demand regarding the daily adjustment system for petroleum product prices remained unresolved. PPDA Chairman Malik Khuda Baksh said the government was unwilling to change the existing mechanism during the talks. However, officials reportedly assured the dealers that an increase of Rs1.34 in their profit margin would be considered, subject to approval from the federal cabinet. The assurance failed to convince the dealers to withdraw their strike call. According to the association, its delegation left the negotiations following the unsuccessful talks and travelled back to Karachi. An emergency meeting of the PPDA executive committee was also convened to discuss the situation. The association subsequently reaffirmed its decision to shut petrol pumps across the country from Saturday morning. The proposed shutdown could create difficulties for motorists and businesses if it continues for an extended period, particularly as another major transport strike is already affecting movement of goods across Pakistan. The All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance has also decided to continue its nationwide strike after negotiations with the federal and Sindh governments failed to resolve transporters’ demands. Alliance President Malik Shahzad Awan said the strike had entered its sixth day and would continue until the government formally accepted the transporters’ demands and issued the required notification. He accused both the federal and provincial governments of failing to take the issue seriously. Awan said transporters would not end their protest merely on the basis of verbal assurances. At the same time, he appealed to transporters to remain peaceful and avoid blocking roads during the protest. The petrol dealers had initially announced their planned shutdown earlier this week after giving the government a 72-hour deadline to address their concerns. They had warned that the existing fuel pricing arrangement was making it increasingly difficult for dealers to operate their businesses. The dispute centres largely on the mechanism used to determine petroleum prices and the margins available to petrol pump owners. Earlier, another petrol dealers’ body had postponed a planned nationwide shutdown following talks with the petroleum ministry. The dealers had called for reforms to the fuel pricing mechanism and expressed concerns over delays in implementing previously agreed measures.

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari has rejected allegations of electoral rigging raised by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) following the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections. Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Bukhari said the people of Kashmir had made their decision through their votes. She claimed that voters had preferred the performance of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. Bukhari said the election results reflected the choice of the people. She dismissed the PPP’s allegations and defended the performance of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). The provincial minister also criticised PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. She said political pressure appeared to be increasing within a particular party. She further claimed that Bilawal had attempted to imitate another political leader during his election speech. Bukhari also criticised the PPP’s performance in Sindh. She said the party often used the name of Raiwind to target the PML-N and its leadership. She challenged the PPP to present its performance record from the past 18 years. She also questioned the condition of Karachi, Sindh’s largest city. Bukhari said voters should compare the performance of Punjab under Maryam Nawaz with the situation in Sindh under the PPP. “Look at Maryam’s Punjab and Bilawal’s Sindh,” she said while comparing the two provinces. The minister argued that a government unable to improve roads in its own areas could not claim that it would transform roads in Kashmir. She also highlighted differences in public services between Punjab and Sindh. Bukhari said Punjab had introduced air ambulance services to provide emergency medical assistance. She claimed that Sindh, by comparison, had introduced a bicycle ambulance service. She used the comparison to criticise the PPP’s governance record and defend the PML-N’s performance in Punjab. Bukhari also discussed the education initiatives introduced by the Punjab government. She said Maryam Nawaz believed that every child should have access to educational opportunities. According to Bukhari, students should be able to receive laptops and scholarships regardless of their background. She said such programmes were aimed at supporting young people and helping them continue their education. The minister contrasted these initiatives with the situation in Sindh. She claimed that students in the province were protesting to demand better educational facilities and opportunities. Bukhari’s remarks came after the PPP questioned the credibility of the first phase of the AJK elections and alleged irregularities. The first phase covered 13 constituencies in the Mirpur division. The PML-N emerged as the leading party, winning nine seats. The PPP secured four seats. The election results have triggered a political dispute between the two parties. The PML-N has defended its victory and rejected claims that the results were manipulated. Bukhari’s latest comments further intensified the political exchange. She presented the results as an endorsement of the PML-N’s performance and Maryam Nawaz’s governance model. The remaining phases of the AJK elections are expected to keep the political competition intense. Both parties are likely to continue highlighting their respective performance records as campaigning moves forward.