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ISLAMABAD :The Senate standing committee has approved the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). Senator Faisal Saleem chaired the standing committee session, which gave assent to the amended bill. Journalist organisations objected to some of the provisions of the law. In response the committee head questioned their failure to highlight objections to the law in writing. Journalists say they also are victims of fake news but certain clauses in the bill are unacceptable. Senator Irfan Siddiqui said anyone could be handcuffed without any law in the country and he himself faced a tough situation in a case. Kamran Murtaza also…

Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) startup DeepSeek has dethroned OpenAI’s ChatGPT to become the top-ranked free application on Apple’s App Store in the United States. The milestone, achieved just days after the company’s AI assistant was launched on January 10, has not only disrupted the competitive landscape of generative AI but also raised questions about the effectiveness of US export controls aimed at curbing China’s technological advancements. DeepSeek’s rise to prominence The DeepSeek AI assistant, powered by the company’s flagship R1 model, quickly surged in popularity among US users, according to app analytics firm Sensor Tower. By January 20, the app…

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has referred appeals challenging the acquittal of PTI Chairman and Bushra Bibi to Chief Justice Aamer Farooq for forming a new bench. The appeals, filed by Khawar Maneka, were heard by Additional Judge Justice Azam Khan. Representing the petitioner, lawyers Zahid Asif Chaudhry, Iqbal Kakar, and others appeared in court, while the PTI Chairman’s legal team included Ali Bukhari, Shoaib Shaheen, and Niazullah Niazi. The appeals were filed against the decision of an Additional Sessions Judge issued in July 2024. During the hearing, Advocate Shoaib Shaheen requested the case to be transferred to another bench,…

An explosion in a gas tanker ignited a massive fire in Faisal Town, Multan, killing six people and injuring 31 others. The powerful blast caused several houses to collapse and destroyed numerous homes. Firefighters, supported by 18 fire tenders, fought the flames for five hours before bringing the fire under control. Rescue teams evacuated over 100 trapped residents and transferred the injured to Nishtar Hospital, where an emergency has been declared. Hospital officials reported that five to six of the injured are in critical condition. Authorities suspended electricity and gas supply in the area following the explosion. Commissioner Multan, Amir…

Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) has delivered its verdict in the contempt of court case against Registrar Judicial Nazar Abbas. The two-member bench, comprising Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Aqeel Abbasi, ruled that Nazar Abbas did not willfully commit contempt of court. Consequently, the show-cause notice issued against him has been withdrawn. In its decision, the court stated that the Practice and Procedure Committee and the Judges’ Constitutional Committee had ignored a judicial order. The matter of initiating contempt proceedings against the two judicial committees has been referred to the Chief Justice of Pakistan. The bench has requested the…

Oil prices slipped on Monday after U.S. President Trump called on OPEC to reduce prices following the announcement of wide-ranging measures to boost U.S. oil and gas output in his first week in office. Brent crude futures dropped 53 cents, or 0.68%, to $77.97 a barrel by 0430 GMT after settling up 21 cents on Friday. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $74.16 a barrel, down 50 cents, or 0.67%. Trump on Friday reiterated his call for the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to cut oil prices to hurt oil-rich Russia’s finances and help bring an end to the war…

MULTAN: Spinner Jomel Warrican took five wickets as the West Indies won a Test match in Pakistan for the first time in nearly 35 years on Monday. The West Indies won the second Test in Multan by 120 runs on day three to draw the series 1-1. Pakistan triumphed in the first Test by 127 runs, also in Multan. Warrican finished with nine wickets in the match — 19 in the series — to give the hosts a taste of their own medicine on sharply spinning pitches. The last time the West Indies won a Test in Pakistan was in…

Pakistan Navy Chief Naveed Ashraf pledged unwavering commitment to the security of Gwadar Port and the success of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), emphasizing its regional economic significance. In a written interview, he highlighted the longstanding bilateral relationship between the Pakistan Navy and the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA Navy), aiming to enhance cooperation for maritime security. Ahead of the AMAN-2025 naval exercise in Karachi, Ashraf underscored regional collaboration to combat maritime threats and organized crimes. He also expressed aspirations for long-term collaboration with China in emerging fields like AI, robotics, cyber warfare, and space.

ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Pakistan’s sesame seed exports to China surpassed $226 million in 2024, reflecting a growing demand for Pakistani agricultural products in the Chinese market. Trade and Investment Counsellor Ghulam Qadir attributed this growth to improved agricultural practices, quality control, and direct trade links between Pakistani farmers and Chinese importers. Known for their nutritional value and versatile culinary applications, Pakistani sesame seeds have gained popularity among Chinese consumers, with 177,640 tonnes exported in 2024, according to Chinese customs data. As the third-largest supplier after Niger and Tanzania, Pakistan’s sesame seeds are widely used in cooking oil, snacks, and health…

Azerbaijan’s Minister for Defence Industry, H.E. Vugar Mustafayev, visits  Pakistan Monument Museum on the occasion of Pakistan-Azerbaijan 8th Joint Commission Meeting.