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Pakistan Press Foundation

Information Technology

Disruptions to mobile connectivity, internet access, social media platforms have cut off citizens right to access information

Since November 23, citizens in different parts of Pakistan have been experiencing disruptions in internet access and access to social media platforms. While the government had announced possible closures in specific “high-risk areas” ahead of protests by the opposition political party, the Pakistan Tehreek i Insaf (PTI), the sporadic, widespread, and unexplained service disruptions extend […]


PTA Partners with NERA for 5G Spectrum Rollout

Pakistan Press Foundation

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) briefed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology on November 20 about the progress in 5G technology development. PTA officials informed the committee that they have engaged a consultant to assist with the 5G spectrum. This consultancy, formalized through a contract on November 5, aims to recommend auction strategies, spectrum valuation, and regulatory reforms. […]


IT Minister Encourages TikTok to Prioritize Education for Users

Pakistan Press Foundation

Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunications Shaza Fatima Khawaja has expressed her support for TikTok to impart basic education and skill development. During a meeting held on November 20 with a TikTok delegation led by its Director of Public Policy, Mr. Emir Gelen, the minister emphasized the potential of TikTok in promoting quality […]


Government to Launch First AI Policy in Early 2025, Targeting Enhanced Cybersecurity and Digital Economy

Pakistan Press Foundation

The government is gearing up to introduce its first-ever Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy by early 2025, aiming to revolutionize cybersecurity with advanced capabilities designed to detect and respond to threats in real time, thereby preventing potential data breaches. This comprehensive policy is expected to accelerate the growth of Pakistan’s digital economy and pave the way […]


PTA Awarded Telenor Pakistan for Pioneering Cybersecurity in Telecom

Pakistan Press Foundation

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) awarded Telenor Pakistan the top accolade in the Cellular Mobile Operators category at the Telecom Cyber Security Awards 2024, held in Islamabad on November 5th. The award is based on PTA’s rigorous annual cybersecurity assessment, including detailed audits and security practices revalidation. Telenor Pakistan demonstrated a high compliance rate with the Critical […]


Pakistan Accelerates Development of Islamabad’s IT Park

Pakistan Press Foundation

Under the leadership of Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, the government is intensifying efforts to fast-track the development of Islamabad’s Information Technology Park. During a progress meeting with Ambassador Park Kijun of the Republic of Korea on November 6, Minister Iqbal highlighted the importance of aligning the IT Park’s development with the broader […]


PM Shehbaz Sharif Discussed Expansion of 5G, IT, and Digital Services with VEON Group

Pakistan Press Foundation

On November 8, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with a delegation from VEON Group, led by Chairman Augie K. Fabela, to discuss the expansion of IT, digitization, and 5G services in Pakistan. The Prime Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to partnering with VEON to promote innovation in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital infrastructure, acknowledging the role of VEON’s subsidiary, […]


PTA Exempts Itself from Responsibility of Securing Electronic Devices; Falls Outside PTA’s Mandate

Pakistan Press Foundation

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) clarified that it is not responsible for securing electronic devices, such as pagers, from explosive materials. The Authority emphasized that the detection and identification of explosives fall outside its mandate, as they are unrelated to telecommunications. In the context of incidents involving the explosion of pager devices in Lebanon and […]


PTA Blocks Accounts, Removed Content in Crackdown on Explicit Content

According to a report submitted to the Peshawar High Court, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has blocked 113,133 TikTok accounts since 2020 to regulate and remove obscene and blasphemous content on social media platforms.  The PTA report revealed that since 2020, TikTok has seen over 114,015 uploads of explicit videos in Pakistan. Additionally, the PTA blocked 2,463 posts featuring blasphemous […]


Digital Pakistan Cybersecurity Hackathon 2024 Launched to Strengthen Pakistan’s Role as Regional IT and Cybersecurity Leader

Pakistan Press Foundation

The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom has launched the Digital Pakistan Cybersecurity Hackathon 2024, setting the stage for Pakistan’s aspiration to become a regional information technology and cybersecurity leader. Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecom, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, inaugurated the event on October 30, underscoring the government’s commitment to establishing Pakistan as […]


Government Repeals Cybercrime Authority Rules, Sparking Confusion Over Future of Online Crime Regulation

The federal government repealed the rules governing the National Cyber Crime & Investigation Authority (NCCIA), a body created earlier this year to tackle cybercrime, internet-related offenses, and data protection, Dawn reported. The NCCIA, created earlier this year to tackle cybercrimes, online harassment and protect data privacy, was set to become the primary entity investigating internet-related offenses. Its […]


Shaza Fatima Khawaja Stresses AI, 5G, and Cybersecurity as Key Drivers of Pakistan’s Economic Growth

Pakistan Press Foundation

Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, stressed the importance of innovations in data networks, artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and 5G for Pakistan’s economic growth and addressing healthcare, education, and development challenges. Speaking at the SANOG-42 Conference, she emphasized regional cooperation to enhance Pakistan’s digital infrastructure and promote secure, sustainable technologies. Khawaja highlighted […]


Internet Crisis: IT Minister Cites Spectrum, Poor Infrastructure Behind Sluggish Speeds

Pakistan Press Foundation

Minister of State for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja attributed the country’s slow internet speeds to outdated infrastructure and limited spectrum availability, signaling that these are the key challenges affecting internet performance nationwide. During a press briefing on September 25, Khawaja outlined the need for significant improvements in both areas. She noted that Pakistan’s telecom sector has […]


PTA issues clarification about VPNs being blocked in Pakistan

Pakistan Press Foundation

On September 10, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) issued a clarification about VPNs being blocked in Pakistan. As per the PTA, recent news circulating in the media about the PTA blocking VPNs; however, the authority clarified that this was not being done. “However, PTA is encouraging all IT companies, software houses, freelancers and banks, etc. […]