Dera police arrest alleged inter-provincial robbers after encounter

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has established a dedicated unit to investigate criminals operating through the dark web. The move is aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s ability to deal with hidden online criminal networks. The new unit has been set up at the FIA’s National Command and Control Centre (NC3) in Islamabad. It will use advanced technology and digital investigation techniques to identify suspects who use encrypted platforms to conceal their identities. FIA Director General Dr Usman Anwar said the unit would focus on criminal networks involved in activities that fall under the agency’s jurisdiction. Investigators will also examine suspicious digital transactions, including those involving cryptocurrencies. A major focus will be networks involved in producing fake documents. Such documents can be used to facilitate human trafficking and illegal migrant smuggling. The unit will also investigate other forms of cyber-enabled crime linked to the dark web. The dark web is a hidden part of the internet. Its websites are not normally indexed by standard search engines. Access often requires specialised software and knowledge. Criminals can use these systems to hide their identities and locations. The technology has also been misused for illegal trade, cybercrime and other criminal activities. Authorities face additional challenges because many dark web networks operate across national borders. Criminals can also use cryptocurrency to make financial transactions more difficult to trace. The FIA plans to address these challenges through modern digital investigation tools and greater coordination between specialised teams. The new unit will work closely with the FIA’s cryptocurrency investigation unit. Both units will operate under the same facility and share technical expertise. Investigators will use blockchain forensic techniques to examine cryptocurrency transactions. These techniques can help authorities analyse transactions and potentially connect anonymous or pseudonymous digital addresses with real-world identities. Open-source intelligence will also be used to support investigations. Officials said digital evidence gathered from different sources could help strengthen criminal cases. Investigators will track aliases, usernames and pseudonyms used by suspected criminals across online marketplaces, forums and other hidden platforms. The information will be used to build detailed profiles of suspected offenders. Authorities can then use the evidence to identify suspects and pursue legal action. NC3 Director Dr Athar Waheed explained the basic structure of the internet. He said it is commonly divided into three broad layers: the surface web, deep web and dark web. The surface web includes websites that can be found through regular search engines. News websites, social media platforms, blogs and online shopping sites are examples. The deep web contains online material that search engines do not index. This includes private databases, email accounts, banking systems, academic resources and internal organisational networks. Much of the deep web is legitimate. Users normally need passwords, subscriptions or specific permissions to access such content. The dark web is a smaller and deliberately hidden section of the deep web. It uses technologies designed to provide greater anonymity. Tor is one of the technologies commonly associated with accessing dark web services. It routes internet traffic through multiple volunteer-operated relays, making it more difficult to identify the original source. The FIA’s new unit will seek to overcome these anonymity measures through digital forensics, intelligence gathering and technological investigation.

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has directed all provincial departments to prepare verified lists of corrupt, disreputable, underperforming and suspicious officers by August 7 as part of a major governance reform aimed at improving transparency, accountability and public service delivery. According to official directives, officers included on the verified negative lists will not be posted to sensitive positions or offices involving direct interaction with the public. The government has also instructed departments to ensure that all appointments and transfers are made strictly on the basis of merit, performance and suitability. The directives further emphasize transparency in public procurement and financial management, the establishment of an effective public grievance redressal system, the digitization of government services and ensuring that officers deliver timely and efficient services to citizens. Sources said the instructions were issued following a high-level meeting chaired by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah. The meeting was attended by administrative secretaries, director generals and heads of various government departments. According to the sources, if the decisions are fully implemented, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could become the first province in Pakistan to officially maintain a verified negative list of government officers with poor performance records, corruption allegations or damaged reputations. An official document quoted the chief secretary as saying that providing quality public services and ensuring the welfare of citizens should remain the top priority of every government department

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Police have accused the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) of deliberately targeting law enforcement agencies during recent unrest in the region. AJK Police spokesperson and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Riaz Mughal made the allegations during a press conference on Wednesday. He said 26 police and other law enforcement personnel had been killed in incidents of unrest across AJK during 2026. He claimed that another 157 personnel had suffered serious injuries, while 629 others sustained minor injuries. Mughal did not provide details of each incident linked to the reported casualties. He questioned how the JAAC protests could be described as peaceful if law enforcement personnel were being killed and injured. The police spokesperson said state institutions did not target people without reason. He claimed that security personnel took action against individuals who attacked law enforcement agencies. His comments came after clashes between protesters and security personnel in Rawalakot and Mirpur earlier this week. The incidents reportedly resulted in several casualties. The JAAC has been protesting for several weeks over various public demands. One of its key demands is the abolition of 12 seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly reserved for refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir. Mughal alleged that protesters had attacked police and Rangers personnel during the unrest. He also claimed that some people had been held captive and that their identity documents had been taken. The SSP urged people to visit AJK and observe the situation independently. He said the nature of the protests and the activities of those participating should be assessed impartially. Mughal further alleged that some protesters were equipped with firearms and claimed that police and other law enforcement personnel had been targeted by snipers. During the briefing, police officials displayed weapons they said had been recovered during operations against protesters. Mughal claimed the weapons had been used against law enforcement personnel. He also referred to previous clashes involving the JAAC. According to Mughal, a confrontation on May 11, 2024, occurred when police attempted to stop protesters travelling towards Muzaffarabad. He said one police officer was killed and around 60 personnel suffered serious injuries. He added that 174 other policemen sustained minor injuries. The SSP also cited unrest in October 2025. He claimed that three police officers were killed, 52 personnel suffered serious injuries and another 357 were injured in the incidents. Mughal described the protesters involved in violent incidents as anti-state elements. He alleged that some were involved in activities that amounted to terrorism. He further claimed that around 70 per cent of the protesters were criminals, including alleged drug dealers who had joined the protests under the JAAC banner. The allegations were made by the police official and were not independently verified. The police spokesperson’s remarks came amid heightened tensions in AJK following several days of protests and clashes. The government has also alleged that militant elements linked to a foreign agenda and allegedly backed by Indian funding were attempting to fuel unrest in the region.

Authorities in Murree have imposed Section 144 to maintain law and order during the Independence Day celebrations. According to an official notification, the restrictions came into effect on August 10 and will remain in place until August 16, 2026. The decision has been taken ahead of August 14 celebrations. Murree is expected to receive a large number of visitors during the holiday period. Officials have therefore introduced restrictions to manage crowds and prevent any situation that could affect public safety. Under the notification, access to key areas of the hill station will also be regulated. Only families will be allowed to visit Mall Road and GPO Chowk during the restriction period. Mall Road is among Murree’s busiest areas and usually attracts large crowds during public holidays. GPO Chowk is also a major gathering and commercial point. Limiting access to these locations is expected to help authorities control movement and reduce overcrowding. Security personnel will remain alert during the Independence Day period. Visitors have been advised to cooperate with law-enforcement personnel and follow the restrictions announced by the authorities. The administration is also expected to monitor the situation closely as visitor numbers increase. Any further measures required for crowd management and public safety may be taken during the restriction period.