Atif Aslam reveals why he misses his Indian fans

Pakistan has faced more than 400 cyberattacks during the current year, with authorities successfully stopping all reported attacks in time, according to the Director General of the National Cyber Emergency Response Team, Dr Haider Abbas. Dr Abbas said the growing number of cyber threats showed the need for stronger national cybersecurity measures. He called for the establishment of a powerful National Cyber Security Authority to coordinate cybersecurity efforts across the country. Speaking in an interview, he said Pakistan was facing increasingly complex cyber threats. He also warned about the risks posed by cyberattacks allegedly backed by state actors. According to Dr Abbas, Pakistan needs a central institution with sufficient authority to deal with the growing cybersecurity challenges. He proposed placing the National Cyber Security Authority under the prime minister. He said a national authority working under the prime minister could respond more effectively to major cyber threats. It could also improve coordination between government institutions and other organisations responsible for digital security. The official stressed that cybersecurity had become an important national issue. The increasing dependence on digital systems has also increased the potential risks to government institutions, businesses and other critical sectors. More than 400 attacks reported this year highlight the scale of the challenge facing Pakistan. Although the attacks were reportedly prevented, officials believe the country needs stronger systems to detect and respond to future threats. Dr Abbas said the proposed authority should oversee cybersecurity across the country. It should also ensure that different institutions follow effective security measures and remain prepared for emerging digital threats. A central cybersecurity body could help improve coordination during cyber emergencies. It could also allow authorities to respond quickly when sensitive digital systems come under attack. The official’s proposal comes as cyber threats continue to become more sophisticated worldwide. Governments are increasingly focusing on protecting critical infrastructure, public institutions and digital networks from cyberattacks. Pakistan has also expanded its dependence on online systems in government, banking, communications and other sectors. Any major cyberattack on important infrastructure could potentially disrupt essential services. Dr Abbas therefore called for a stronger national framework to protect Pakistan’s digital environment. He said the proposed authority should have a clear mandate and sufficient powers to manage cybersecurity across the country. He also emphasised the importance of a coordinated national response. Different government departments and institutions need to work together to identify threats and prevent attacks before they cause damage. The official said placing the authority under the prime minister would give it greater effectiveness and allow important decisions to be taken quickly. The disclosure of more than 400 cyberattacks this year has renewed attention on Pakistan’s digital security. Authorities are now facing growing pressure to strengthen national cybersecurity systems and improve preparedness against future threats.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ruled that the widow of a deceased retired employee is the lawful recipient of the employee’s pension and post-retirement benefits, clarifying that siblings cannot claim such benefits solely on the basis of being legal heirs. The ruling was issued in a detailed four-page written judgment authored by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi. The decision provides important legal clarification on the distribution of pension and retirement benefits after the death of a retired government employee. According to the judgment, pension is not treated as inherited property that can automatically be divided among all legal heirs. Instead, the court held that pension payments are governed by the relevant laws, service rules and institutional regulations. The Supreme Court stated that the widow of a deceased retired employee has the primary legal right to receive the pension and related benefits. It further observed that if a person has been legally nominated under the applicable rules, that nominee would also be entitled to receive the benefits. The court made it clear that brothers and sisters cannot claim a deceased employee’s pension merely because they are legal heirs under inheritance laws. It explained that pension rights arise from specific statutory provisions and are separate from the general rules governing inheritance. The judgment emphasised that all pension payments must be made strictly in accordance with the applicable laws and the regulations of the concerned institution. Authorities responsible for disbursing pensions must follow these legal provisions while determining the rightful beneficiary. The case reached the Supreme Court after the siblings of a deceased employee of the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) challenged an earlier court ruling and sought a succession certificate to claim pension-related benefits. After reviewing the case, the apex court dismissed the appeal and upheld the decision of the Peshawar High Court, which had ruled that the siblings were not entitled to receive the deceased employee’s pension. The Supreme Court observed that pension is a statutory benefit and cannot be distributed under ordinary inheritance principles unless specifically permitted by the relevant legal framework.

MULTAN: Flight operations at Multan International Airport have increased, with the airport recording a new daily high of 37 flights on Wednesday. According to the flight schedule, 449 flights were operated across Pakistan during the past 24 hours, while 68 flights were cancelled and 112 flights faced delays of up to seven hours. Of the 37 flights operated at Multan airport, 18 arrived and 19 departed, marking the highest number of daily flight operations recorded at the airport. The schedule showed that 135 flights were operated from Karachi, 118 from Islamabad, 105 from Lahore, 17 from Peshawar, 15 from Sialkot and 12 from Faisalabad. Flight delays were also reported at several major airports. Karachi recorded delays involving nine flights, while Lahore and Islamabad each reported 33 delayed flights. Multan had eight delayed flights, Peshawar six, Sialkot eight, Faisalabad nine and Quetta six. A number of flights were also cancelled during the same period. Karachi recorded 20 cancellations, Lahore 21, Islamabad 12 and Multan three. Peshawar, Faisalabad and Sialkot each recorded two cancelled flights, while six flights were cancelled at Quetta airport. The latest figures indicate increased flight activity at Multan International Airport, with the 37-flight total setting a new daily record for the southern Punjab city’s airport.