pakistan highlights mediatory
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Pakistan highlights mediatory role in US-Iran conf…

ByJustpaste.in

Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, has highlighted Pakistan’s mediatory efforts in the US-Iran conflict, saying the country remains committed to promoting peace and stability amid growing global tensions.

Speaking at an Independence Day ceremony at Pakistan House in New York, Ahmad said Pakistan continued to seek peaceful solutions to conflicts and reaffirmed its commitment to sovereignty, security and socio-economic development.

He paid tribute to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, describing him as a visionary leader who played a historic role in creating Pakistan. Reflecting on the country’s journey since 1947, he praised the resilience and achievements of Pakistanis despite major challenges.

Ahmad also praised the armed forces for defending the country and protecting its people, particularly during the May 2025 conflict with India.

He highlighted the contributions of Pakistanis around the world, including innovators, athletes and artists, and recognised the work of Saima Saleem and Aleena Majeed at Pakistan’s UN mission.

The ambassador said Pakistan had overcome major economic and structural challenges over the decades and continued to show resilience in the face of adversity.

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    FIA launches unit to hunt dark web criminals

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    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.

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    PM, Dar hand over official gifts to Toshakhana

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    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and several other senior government officials received a total of 21 official gifts during the April to June period, according to the latest Toshakhana record released by the Cabinet Division. The official record shows that the prime minister and deputy prime minister were among the senior officeholders who received gifts from foreign dignitaries and officials during official meetings and state engagements. In line with the Toshakhana rules, both leaders deposited all the gifts with the Toshakhana instead of retaining them. According to the Cabinet Division, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received several gifts, including a decorative sugar bowl, a luxury pen, a model of Masjid-e-Nabawi (PBUH), a shield and a tie. He also received a model of the Chinese Space Station, a commemorative cup, a wristwatch and another shield during separate official engagements. The records further show that Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar received a Chinese leather belt, a model of an Egyptian statue and a pair of cufflinks as official gifts. These items were also submitted to the Toshakhana in accordance with the prescribed procedure. The Cabinet Division said all gifts received by the prime minister and deputy prime minister have been deposited with the Toshakhana. It added that the process of assessing the monetary value of the gifts is currently in progress. The estimated value will be determined before the record is finalized, following the standard rules governing official gifts received by public officeholders. The Toshakhana maintains a record of gifts presented to government officials by foreign leaders, diplomats and visiting delegations during official visits and meetings. Under the applicable rules, such gifts must be declared and deposited, while their valuation is carried out through the prescribed official mechanism.

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    UK lawmaker seeks court order against Grok over fake sexualised images

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    LONDON: A British lawmaker has asked a London High Court to order Elon Musk’s xAI to prevent its Grok chatbot from generating manipulated sexualised images of her without consent. Labour lawmaker Jess Asato filed the case against xAI, alleging misuse of private information and breaches of data protection laws. She is seeking permanent technical measures that would stop Grok from producing altered images of her. Asato said fake content featuring her had been created after she publicly criticised Musk and Grok. She previously said one manipulated video depicted her being drugged and prepared for a sexual assault. Her lawyers argue that the design and training of Grok enabled users to generate sexualised material involving real people. They say the case could have wider implications for artificial intelligence developers and the way privacy and data protection laws apply to AI platforms. Court documents cited by Asato’s legal team reportedly refer to internal instructions given to Grok. Her lawyers claim the system contained safeguards against assisting users involved in criminal activity but had fewer restrictions concerning adult sexual and offensive content. Asato’s lawyer, Ravi Naik, argued that the platform’s behaviour reflected decisions made by its developers. He said those decisions should have legal consequences if the system fails to comply with privacy and data protection requirements. The lawsuit comes amid growing international criticism over AI-generated sexualised images. Critics have raised concerns that such technology can be used to create non-consensual material involving women and other individuals without their knowledge. xAI previously introduced restrictions on image editing in Grok. The company said it had blocked certain requests involving people in revealing clothing where such content was illegal. However, subsequent investigations found that the safeguards did not always prevent users from generating sexualised images of people, including when users indicated that the subjects had not given consent. The controversy has also triggered legal action in other jurisdictions. Baltimore filed a lawsuit against xAI over allegedly manipulated sexualised images generated using Grok. Other cases have also emerged in the United States and the Netherlands. Grok is available through Musk’s social media platform X. The AI chatbot has faced regulatory scrutiny in several countries over its image-generation capabilities. Asato’s case could therefore become an important test of whether AI companies can be held legally responsible for harmful manipulated content generated by their systems. xAI had not immediately responded to requests for comment on the allegations. The company had also not filed a response to the lawsuit at the time of the report.

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    Raja Nasir Abbas urges Govt to implement Supreme C…

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      Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Raja Nasir Abbas, has said that the government is legally bound to implement the Supreme Court’s decision and expressed hope that the ruling would be implemented today. Speaking during a Senate session, Raja Nasir Abbas said that the Supreme Court’s decision had created a positive atmosphere and provided an opportunity for political forces to move closer to one another. He noted that there had been signs of improvement in the political environment following the court’s ruling. According to the opposition leader, the government is obligated to respect and implement decisions issued by the country’s highest court. He said that the opposition expected the government to comply with the Supreme Court’s decision without further delay. Raja Nasir Abbas emphasized that implementation of the court’s ruling could help maintain a positive political atmosphere. He said that after the Supreme Court decision, the situation appeared to be improving and political sides were gradually coming closer together. He suggested that developments could lead to greater political understanding if the government continued to act responsibly. During his speech, the opposition leader also raised concerns about the health and treatment of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and physician Dr Yasmin Rashid, who is currently being held at Kot Lakhpat Jail. Raja Nasir Abbas said that it was the government’s responsibility to protect the health and well-being of people in its custody. He highlighted Yasmin Rashid’s medical condition and expressed concern about the circumstances in which she was being held. According to Abbas, Dr Yasmin Rashid is a cancer patient and has also continued to provide medical assistance to other people even while in prison. He said that despite facing serious health challenges herself, she had remained committed to helping others. The opposition leader further stated that doctors had raised concerns about a problem involving Yasmin Rashid’s spinal vertebrae. He said medical professionals had warned that her condition could become serious and that she might even lose the ability to walk. Abbas argued that, given her medical condition, Yasmin Rashid should not be kept in prison. He called on the government to take medical advice seriously and ensure that prisoners suffering from serious illnesses receive appropriate healthcare. He also expressed concern about conditions inside the prison, particularly the availability of electricity. According to him, there are periods of four hours or more during which electricity is unavailable in the jail. He suggested that such conditions could further worsen the difficulties faced by prisoners, particularly those with serious medical conditions. The opposition leader’s remarks come amid broader political discussions over the treatment of political prisoners and the implementation of judicial decisions. His statement reflects the opposition’s expectation that the government should follow court orders while also ensuring that prisoners receive adequate medical care. Raja Nasir Abbas maintained that respecting judicial decisions and protecting prisoners’ health were both important responsibilities of the state. He urged the government to take immediate steps to address the concerns raised regarding Yasmin Rashid and to ensure that her medical needs are properly addressed. He also expressed optimism that the Supreme Court’s decision could help create a more constructive political environment. According to him, cooperation and implementation of the court’s ruling could contribute to reducing political tensions and improving relations between the government and opposition. The opposition leader concluded by emphasizing the importance of the government fulfilling its legal responsibilities and protecting the health and dignity of individuals in its custody.

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    Shaheen Shah Afridi leaves Lanka Premier League du…

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    Pakistan’s star fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has returned home after leaving the Lanka Premier League (LPL) due to personal reasons. The left-arm pacer, who was representing the Kandy Royals in the tournament, departed from the event before its conclusion, ending his participation in the ongoing competition. During his time in the Lanka Premier League, Shaheen Afridi was also involved in a disagreement with his team management over his exclusion from the playing squad for a match on July 19. The incident reportedly created tension between the player and the franchise during the tournament. In the match against the Colombo Capitals, Shaheen Afridi was informed that he would be used as an impact player. However, his name was not included in the official team sheet submitted for the match. The omission reportedly upset the Pakistani fast bowler, who expressed his disappointment over the situation. The issue was later addressed after the Kandy Royals management apologized to Shaheen Afridi. Following the apology and discussions with the team officials, the fast bowler returned to action and participated in subsequent matches for the franchise. Despite the disagreement, Shaheen Afridi continued to contribute to his team’s campaign in the tournament. He played six matches in the Lanka Premier League and took seven wickets, demonstrating his effectiveness as one of the leading fast bowlers in the competition. Shaheen Afridi is regarded as one of Pakistan’s most important international cricketers and has established himself as a key figure in the national team’s bowling attack. Known for his pace, swing, and ability to take early wickets, he has represented Pakistan across all formats of international cricket and has earned recognition as one of the world’s top fast bowlers. His participation in overseas T20 leagues has provided him with valuable experience and exposure against international players. The Lanka Premier League was another opportunity for him to showcase his skills and maintain competitive form ahead of future international assignments. The Kandy Royals management’s decision to apologize after the team sheet controversy helped resolve the matter, allowing Shaheen Afridi to continue his involvement in the tournament. However, his early departure due to personal reasons means that he will no longer be available for the remaining matches of the league. The exact nature of the personal reasons behind Shaheen Afridi’s return to Pakistan has not been disclosed. His decision comes as part of his personal commitments, and there has been no official indication that his departure is related to any injury or cricketing issue. Fans and cricket analysts have closely followed Shaheen Afridi’s performances in the tournament, particularly because of his reputation as a match-winning bowler. His seven wickets in six matches highlighted his continued ability to perform at the highest level in franchise cricket. The Pakistan Cricket Board and supporters will now be hoping that Shaheen Afridi returns refreshed and prepared for upcoming international challenges. His fitness, form, and availability remain important factors for Pakistan’s future cricketing plans.

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    Daily petrol prices trigger Senate debate over tra…

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    Islamabad: Pakistan’s new daily petroleum pricing system came under serious discussion in the Senate as lawmakers questioned whether the mechanism is providing relief to consumers or creating new challenges for the public and fuel dealers. The Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum reviewed the daily petrol price determination system and demanded clarity over why the government replaced the previous fortnightly price revision system with daily changes. The committee questioned the reasons behind the new policy and asked whether frequent price adjustments were helping ordinary citizens or increasing uncertainty in the fuel market. Federal Minister for Petroleum informed the committee that the government had removed political influence from the petroleum pricing process by giving the responsibility of setting prices to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), an independent regulator. He said the new system was introduced to make petroleum price decisions more transparent and based on market conditions. OGRA Chairman informed the committee that petrol prices are calculated through a seven day average of international Platts benchmark prices. He explained that instead of directly passing sudden changes in international oil markets to consumers, the seven day average spreads the impact over time. According to OGRA, the system helps reduce sudden price shocks, especially during international tensions and market uncertainty. Officials said the daily pricing mechanism also aims to discourage people from creating artificial shortages or making unfair profits through speculation. However, senators raised concerns about the effect of frequent price changes on citizens and businesses. The committee expressed concern over the high tax burden on petroleum products and questioned how increasing fuel costs affect the daily lives of ordinary people. Representatives of the Petroleum Dealers Association informed the committee that frequent price revisions were creating operational difficulties for fuel dealers. They said continuous price changes make business planning more difficult and require better coordination between authorities and dealers. The committee directed OGRA to consult all stakeholders, including petroleum dealers, and prepare practical recommendations to address their concerns. Members also stressed the need for greater use of technology in the petroleum supply chain to prevent fuel smuggling, adulteration and illegal storage. The committee said a stronger digital monitoring system could improve transparency and ensure consumers receive better quality fuel. Senator Umer Farooq chaired the meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum, where members reviewed the new pricing system and related petroleum sector issues. The committee emphasized that petroleum pricing directly affects every citizen because fuel costs influence transportation, business expenses and prices of daily goods. Members said the government and regulators must ensure that any pricing system protects consumers while maintaining stability in the petroleum market. The committee directed OGRA to continue reviewing the mechanism and ensure that the interests of consumers remain the top priority.

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