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LAHORE: Authorities have arrested 28 suspects in Lahore, Faisalabad and Multan as part of a major crackdown on organised online fraud, exposing alleged schemes that relied on impersonation, fake investment opportunities and fabricated official identities to deceive citizens. The arrests were made during a province-wide operation by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Punjab, directed by Punjab Director Muhammad Ali Wasim, officials said. Investigators also seized 24 mobile phones and a laptop, which are now being examined for evidence that could lead to other members of the alleged network. The investigation has revealed how fraudsters allegedly manipulated trust to convince victims to hand over large sums of money. Millions allegedly lost in Lahore scam In Lahore, 18 suspects were arrested in separate operations. Investigators said the suspects allegedly impersonated relatives, visa agents, government officials and personnel associated with the Punjab Safe Cities Authority. In one case, suspects allegedly posed as both a relative and a visa agent and persuaded a victim to transfer Rs25.86 million. The case has highlighted how scammers can combine apparently familiar identities with urgent requests to make their schemes appear legitimate. Rs54.66m trading fraud uncovered Three suspects were arrested in Faisalabad in connection with alleged online trading fraud and unauthorised access to a company email account. According to investigators, a victim was shown fabricated trading records, digital-wallet balances and purported profit statements to create the impression that substantial returns were being generated. After being persuaded to invest, the victim allegedly lost Rs54.66 million, investigators said. The case demonstrates the growing sophistication of investment scams, where criminals allegedly use manipulated digital information to make fraudulent platforms appear genuine. Multan arrests expose impersonation tactics In Multan, seven suspects were arrested for allegedly posing as relatives, bank employees and individuals claiming to be based in Britain. Officials said victims were approached with various demands, including payments supposedly required for prize money, customs clearance, taxes and visa renewals. Such tactics typically create a sense of urgency, leaving victims with little time to verify the identity of the caller or the authenticity of the demand. Digital evidence now under forensic examination NCCIA investigators are examining the seized devices through forensic analysis. Financial transactions, call records and digital communications are also being reviewed to establish the full extent of the alleged operation and identify other people who may be connected to it. The crackdown comes amid growing concern over online financial fraud in Pakistan. The NCCIA’s own statistics identify financial fraud as a major category of reported cybercrime. The latest arrests underscore a simple but increasingly important warning: an apparently familiar voice, official-looking message or promising investment opportunity may not be what it seems. Authorities are expected to continue the investigation as they trace the alleged network and follow the digital and financial trails left behind.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said the recently signed trilateral agreement is aimed at promoting peace, development and prosperity in the region and has no aggressive objectives. Addressing a meeting of the federal cabinet, the prime minister said efforts to formalise the arrangement had been underway for several years. He said the framework was officially formalised last year to pave the way for a formal agreement. Shehbaz said the latest development was another step in the ongoing dialogue and cooperation, culminating in the signing of a trilateral agreement on Friday. He stressed that the agreement was entirely defensive in nature and was not directed towards aggression against any country. According to the prime minister, the pact is intended to strengthen peace, stability and progress in the region. He described the agreement as a significant development not only for the three participating countries but also for the wider Muslim world. Shehbaz congratulated Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their efforts towards finalising the agreement. He said the agreement was not the result of a recent initiative. Work on the arrangement had continued for several years before it was finally concluded on Friday. The prime minister expressed appreciation for the officials and leaders who contributed to the process and said the agreement represented an important step towards greater regional cooperation. He reiterated that the objective was to strengthen collective security while supporting peace, stability, development and prosperity across the region.

SUJAWAL:* In a disturbing incident on Wednesday morning, a teacher of Government Boys High School, Begna Mori, within Taluka Jati of District Sujawal, was injured when cement plaster from the staff room fell on him. According to the Senior Head Master of the School, Aziz Allah Dino Khowaja, Junior Elementary School Teacher Fayyaz Zaur was present in the staff room, working on an official assignment, when the roof plaster fell on his head, leaving him critically injured. “As the blood started oozing from his head, we took him to Basic Health Unit Begna Mori for treatment,” said the Senior Head Master, adding that after treatment, the condition of the teacher had become stable. School Teacher Abid Inayat disclosed that the tender for the school’s refurbishment had been passed, and the contractor had demolished a portion of the school comprising three classrooms, but a few months ago he abruptly stopped the renovation work and has been evading resuming work. “Multiple efforts have been made to contact the missing contractor, but he is evading a response,” the teacher said. He further disclosed that the lives of 22 teachers, over a hundred students, and the lower staff had been at stake owing to the ramshackle condition of the building. The school, he said, is one of the schools with high enrollment, and such an incident would leave an adverse effect on the newcomers. The Head Master mentioned that they had approached the District Education Officer (Secondary), Sujawal, and other concerned authorities to ensure the safety of children, but to no avail. He urged the Sindh Minister for Education, Syed Sardar Ali Shah, to take speedy measures for resuming the renovation work of the school and to conduct a thorough probe against the fleeing contractor.

A case has been registered against a female passenger over alleged misconduct and resistance towards immigration officials at Islamabad International Airport. The case was registered against the passenger, identified as Rabia, following a complaint filed by the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) immigration authorities. According to police, the woman was scheduled to travel to the United Arab Emirates on a private airline under a family visit visa. She was stopped during the immigration process for further verification of her travel documents. Officials said the passenger was travelling on a paper-based visa, for which the airline was required to obtain an OK-to-Board (OKTB) verification before allowing her to travel. The airline staff reportedly took her boarding pass for the required verification process. According to the First Information Report (FIR), the passenger allegedly misbehaved with immigration officials and resisted their instructions during the process. The FIR further alleges that she attempted to take back her passport and other documents from the immigration staff and issued threats to officials. The incident was also reportedly recorded on video, which was later uploaded to social media. Police said the passenger was offloaded from the flight because of her alleged non-cooperation and resistance during the immigration procedure. Following the incident, she was taken to the police station at Islamabad International Airport for further legal proceedings. Authorities also took several items into custody, including her passport, mobile phone, Rs17,000 in cash, handbag and trolley bag. Police said further investigation into the incident was under way and the allegations would be examined as part of the legal process.