SMEDA showcases MSME support services at ‘Expo Faisalabad 2026’

MIRPUR, July 26: Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has accused political opponents of attempting to influence the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections before polling. Speaking to journalists in Mirpur, Memon alleged that buses worth Rs200 million were sent to the region a day before polling as part of an attempt to influence voters. He claimed that the move was aimed at creating an impression among voters and affecting their electoral choices. Memon also criticised the Election Commission of AJK. He alleged that the commission had failed to take timely action against what he described as pre-poll rigging. He said the PPP would oppose any attempt to manipulate the election process. The provincial minister also criticised the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz. He accused the party of ignoring what he described as unconstitutional and unethical actions. Memon said the final decision in the AJK elections would be made by the people of Kashmir. He urged federal ministers to focus on their official responsibilities. He also called on them to stay away from activities that could interfere with the electoral process. The Sindh minister alleged that attempts were being made to influence voters through buses and trucks before polling. He questioned whether the people of Kashmir could be persuaded through material incentives. Memon said the people of Mirpur were politically aware. He expressed confidence that voters would not be influenced by such offers. He said PPP leaders had reached Mirpur to monitor the election situation. According to him, the party wanted to prevent alleged attempts to manipulate the electoral process. Memon also called on the Election Commission to examine the activities of federal ministers during the election campaign. He questioned why action had not been taken over alleged violations of the election code of conduct. The minister specifically asked why federal ministers involved in election campaigning had not faced action. Memon also highlighted the PPP’s position on the Kashmir issue. He said the party had consistently raised the issue at international forums. He praised PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for presenting the Kashmir issue before the international community. Memon said he expected voters to support the PPP in the elections. He claimed that voters would reject what he described as smaller political parties. The minister further said Kashmiri voters could not be bought through financial or material incentives. He said people in Kashmir would reject attempts to influence their decisions through such tactics. Memon also questioned why action had not been taken against Defence Minister Khawaja Asif over alleged election-related violations. His comments came a day before the first phase of the AJK general elections. The polling process is set to begin on July 27 in the Mirpur division. The election campaign has intensified ahead of polling. Political parties are making competing claims about the electoral process, while authorities have warned against actions that could disrupt peaceful and transparent elections.

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.

An Islamabad court has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi after he repeatedly failed to appear in a case related to alleged misleading statements and defamatory remarks against state institutions. The court observed that the chief minister neither appeared personally nor sent legal counsel despite being summoned on multiple occasions. After noting his continued absence, the judge ordered law enforcement authorities to ensure his appearance at the next hearing. The court also warned that if Afridi fails to appear again on the next hearing, scheduled for September 3, legal proceedings could be initiated to declare him a proclaimed offender under the relevant provisions of law. The case was registered by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). Investigators allege that the chief minister used electronic media to make misleading statements and defamatory remarks targeting state institutions. In another significant legal development, former senator and senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ejaz Ahmed Chaudhry has approached the Supreme Court after the Lahore High Court refused to suspend the sentence handed down to him by an anti-terrorism court. Chaudhry is currently serving his sentence at Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail. He was convicted over his alleged involvement in meetings held before the violent incidents that followed the events of May 9, 2023. In his petition, Chaudhry argued that the conviction was based on weak and disputed evidence. He maintained that he was not originally nominated in the FIR and that his name was added later through supplementary statements. The petition also stated that no weapons, electronic devices, or other incriminating evidence were recovered from him. The petition further argued that police witnesses failed to present independent evidence linking him to the alleged conspiracy. It asked the Supreme Court to suspend his sentence and grant him bail until his appeal is decided. Meanwhile, Aleema Khan, sister of PTI founder Imran Khan, alleged that her brother was being denied his basic rights in prison. Speaking to journalists outside Adiala Jail, she claimed he was facing mistreatment and said public support would be crucial for securing his release. Aleema said supporters from across the country were expected to participate in the PTI’s planned protest movement. She added that she was not concerned about possible legal action against herself and would continue campaigning for her brother’s release. Another sister of the former prime minister, Noreen Niazi, also criticised the judicial system and expressed hope that Imran Khan would soon be released.