Category: National

The federal government has announced the partial suspension of internet and mobile services in Islamabad and other areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab in light of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest scheduled for November 24.

Maryam Nawaz from Geo News reports that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will activate a firewall for mobile internet service from November 22, and the internet services will be suspended from November 23.

The report also quotes sources that have claimed that internet and mobile services might be suspended at certain locations at any time.

The shutdown will result in users being unable to download audio and videos from social media apps.

The interior ministry has asked the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, which is administered by the PTI, to ensure that the province does not utilise state machinery to facilitate the protest.

“[…] in the wake of protest by PTI, it is requested that it may kindly be ensured that Government of KPK does not utili[s]e state machinery, equipment, officials or finances for political protest by the political party,” read the ministry’s letter.

The Punjab government has also made known that the PTI protesters will be dealt with iron-handedly, while Information Minister Azma Bokhari asserted that the demonstrators will be handled the “same as terrorists.”

The Islamabad administration announced on Monday the imposition of Section 144 in the federal capital for the coming two months to avoid any lapse in law and order.

A ban, moreover, has been placed on all processions, rallies, demonstrations and gatherings having five or more than five people, as per the notification issued by Additional District Magistrate Usman Ashraf.

Additional security has also been requisitioned by Punjab and Islamabad police. For this, over 10,700 police personnel from across Punjab have been put on standby equipped with tear gas, rubber bullets, and anti-riot gear.

Islamabad administration alone has requisitioned 8,000 additional personnel from Punjab, Sindh, and Kashmir.

Rangers and the Frontier Corps (FC) are already deployed in the capital, which is likely sealed off with shipping containers by Friday (November 22).

Dr Raghib Naeemi, Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), recently addressed the controversy surrounding his earlier remarks about VPNs, clarifying that deeming their use as “un-Islamic” and “against Shariah” was a clerical mistake.

A 10-point agenda was adopted during the CII’s 240th meeting on Wednesday, which reaffirmed that Article 191 of the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of expression and access to information, provided it aligns with religious principles, national unity, and the laws of the land.

Dr Naeemi also clarified the confusion caused by his previous statement, explaining that it was the result of a “clerical error.” He asserted that one had declared VPNs un-Islamic or against Shariah and that a “typing mistake” in their earlier statement, “where the word ‘not’ was omitted, led to this misunderstanding.”

The CII Chairman further explained that the typing error in the statement from his Friday sermon was a mistake that was overlooked by his staff. He categorically rejected any pressure behind the earlier remarks, asserting that they were made independently.

Stance on blasphemous content 

Dr. Raghib Naeemi, during a press conference, addressed the government’s stance on the use of VPNs to access blasphemous and vulgar content. He described it as a matter of shame for the nation that 20 million Pakistanis visit websites containing such material, including content that threatens national security.

He also reiterated the government’s deadline of November 30 for VPN registration and emphasized that all users, including ministers and officials, must use registered software applications.

Dr. Naeemi further stated that whether using a VPN is un-Islamic depends on its purpose and how it is used or misused.

Previous statement

Previously, state-run Pakistan Television (PTV) reported that the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has termed the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) “un-Islamic”. 

CII Chairman Dr Raghib Hussain Naeemi, in that statement, said the federal government had the prerogative to curb evil and prevent access to it, declaring that adopting measures to prevent or restrict access to immoral and offensive content was in accordance with the Shariah.

Ironically, this was also announced on the blocked microblogging site X, which is widely used in Pakistan via VPN.

A unique love story has unfolded as Shahad Hussain, a 23-year-old man from Chitral, Pakistan, married 18-year-old Flores Sarah from the United States. The couple connected through the popular online game PUBG and maintained a long-distance relationship for three years.

Their relationship led to a traditional wedding held at a private hotel in Chitral, with the Nikah ceremony performed by Maulana Khaliq-uz-Zaman, the khatib of the Shah Mosque in Chitral. Sarah’s mother attended the wedding, and she did not need to change her name since it was already an Islamic one.

Raisuddin, a local from the Marooi area of Chitral, confirmed their three-year relationship, stating that Sarah had obtained her mother’s permission before marrying Shahad. The wedding followed local traditions, with Sarah wearing a traditional bridal outfit and her mother dressed in local attire. Women from nearby areas also joined the celebration.

This story highlights how cross-cultural relationships can also develop through online gaming and social media, leading to marriages that cross geographical boundaries.

In a similar heartwarming cross-border love story, Seema Haider from Pakistan and Sachin Meena from India found each other through the popular online game PUBG.

Seema Haider, drawn by her growing affection for Sachin, decided to leave her home in Pakistan and cross into India to be with him. This bold move was filled with challenges, not just because of the geographical distance but also due to the legal and social barriers they faced as citizens of two different countries with complex relationships.

In an interview shared by BBC, Seema and Sachin opened up about how the romance began for them and what they mean to each other. They started talking on PUBG in 2020, becoming close friends in seven months. According to the lovers, they met in Nepal in March for the first time, and Seema got Sachin a ticket.

The Punjab government’s launch of the #DETOXLAHORE campaign, spearheaded by Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, marks a pivotal moment in Pakistan’s fight against air pollution. Coupled with the announcement of Lahore’s 10-Year Sectoral Smog Mitigation Plan, this initiative aims to address the persistently high smog levels in Lahore and transform the region’s environmental outlook.

Lahore’s 10-Year Sectoral Smog Mitigation Plan

This groundbreaking plan is Pakistan’s first comprehensive strategy to tackle urban air pollution and smog through targeted, sectoral interventions. Developed by the Punjab government, it aligns with the province’s broader objectives to mitigate the environmental, health, and economic impacts of air pollution, particularly in Lahore, one of the country’s most populous and industrialized cities.

Key Features of the Plan

1.      Industrial Emissions

• Introduction of cleaner production techniques and adoption of zigzag technology in brick kilns.
• Transition to low-emission fuels and installation of emission testing systems to monitor industrial pollution.

2.      Vehicular Pollution

• Encouragement of electric vehicles (EVs) and phasing out older, high-pollution vehicles.
• Expansion of public transport networks to reduce private vehicle dependency.
• Implementation of fuel quality standards and vehicle fitness programs.

3.      Agricultural Sector

• Promotion of sustainable practices, such as crop residue management and biogas production.
• Incentives for farmers to curb stubble burning, a major contributor to seasonal smog.

4.      Urban Planning

• Expansion of green spaces and urban forests to serve as natural carbon sinks.
• Adoption of smog-resilient urban designs and improved management of construction dust.

5.      Energy Sector

• Transition to renewable energy sources like solar and wind power.
• Modernization of power plants to reduce emissions and promotion of energy-efficient technologies.

6.      Monitoring and Enforcement

• Deployment of enhanced air quality monitoring systems and real-time smog alert protocols.
• Strengthening of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) for more robust enforcement.

#DETOXLAHORE Campaign Measures

As an immediate response, the Punjab government has rolled out key actions targeting Lahore’s air quality crisis:

• Industrial Crackdowns: Factories and brick kilns operating without environmental compliance are being shut down​
• Electric Buses: Lahore will see an influx of 200–250 electric buses to curb emissions​
• Traffic Regulation: Surveillance systems monitor and flag smoke-emitting vehicles, with fines imposed for repeated violations​
• Public Engagement: The government has mandated mask usage in public and launched awareness campaigns to encourage eco-friendly practices.

Enforcement Strategy

The provincial government has declared a zero-tolerance policy for negligence in smog control. A task force comprising environmental experts and enforcement agencies is working on implementing penalties for non-compliance and rewarding adherence to environmental standards. Regular sessions in the Punjab Assembly ensure legislative support for these initiatives​

 

Tackling Smog for the Long-Term

The 10-Year Smog Mitigation Plan complements the short-term actions of #DETOXLAHORE by addressing root causes of air pollution through structural reforms. Together, these measures promise a cleaner, healthier future for Lahore and its citizens, setting an example for the rest of the country.

By targeting Lahore’s air quality holistically, this initiative underscores the importance of government, industry, and public collaboration in combating the escalating environmental crisis. The combined efforts could transform Lahore into a model for sustainable urban living, reducing smog levels and improving the quality of life for generations to come.

In a worrying development, Pakistan’s state-owned broadcaster PTV News posted a news alert yesterday on its official X (formerly Twitter) page, informing the public that the Interior Ministry has warned students that if they “participate in the 24th November protest, their educational certificates, admissions and CNICs could be blocked.”

The News Alert further stated: “The federal government has started geo-fencing Afghan Muhajireen camps within the federal capital and nearby cities. The government is considering blocking the CNICs, degrees and admission of students who engage in violent protests. The interior Ministry is also considering blocking the passports, CNICs, and SIMs of those who participate in protests.”

The statement follows a call by the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, for nationwide protests while also warning party leaders to either participate in the upcoming protest or leave the party.”

In a recent statement, Khan stated that those unable to join the planned “power show” should “disassociate themselves” from the PTI, calling it a critical moment in the party’s struggle for freedom and justice.

Khan, in his announcement on November 13, also denounced what he described as a “stolen mandate,” unjust arrests, and the passage of the 26th amendment, which he claimed strengthened a “dictatorial regime.” 

In a statement shared on X, Imran reiterated the importance of the November 24 protests. He framed the event as “a golden opportunity to secure genuine freedom for Pakistan” and warned that “enslaved nations eventually die away.”

The PTV News alert also noted that the federal government is ready to “deal with strictness” on the upcoming November 24 protest by PTI. 

“Islamabad’s deputy commissioner has imposed Section 144 for two months,” read the news alert by PTV News. 

Upset social media users reacted over the Interior Ministry’s policy, with one user writing, “Foreigners may find it wild: Pakistan state TV is broadcasting this government message threatening: – surveillance of Afghan refugee camps (fuelling ethnic tensions) – cancellation of ID cards, passports and degrees of students. All to stop PTI protests.”

Another X user, Ammar Rashid, posted: “Unelected regime thugs inciting racial fears & openly threatening Pakistani students with stripping of their citizenship & right to education for attending a protest. No depth to which this dictatorship will not sink to cling on to power.  Meanwhile, the spineless gaggle of PDM frontmen & their mindless acolytes in the media & social media will clap at these violations of the constitution as if they’re markers of democratic progress & ‘resistance to fascism’.”

The Punjab government has issued a notification to reopen schools in Lahore and Multan starting tomorrow (Wednesday) as the smog situation has improved.

The notification was issued by Environment Department Director General Imran Hamid Sheikh, who announced the reopening of educational institutions “in the whole province, including Lahore and Multan” starting tomorrow, November 20.

Days after the government announced the closure of schools and eventually the educational institutes due to the cities’ air quality reaching hazardous levels, the government has decided to reopen them. 

Certain restrictions have, nonetheless, also been imposed to ensure the health and safety of students and staff. These include all educational institutes, which shall not open before 8:45 am. Students and teachers are required to wear masks throughout the school day, outdoor activities will be banned, and schools shall close within class-wise school hours to avoid traffic congestion.  

The Environment Department urged schools to strictly adhere to these guidelines to mitigate the impact of smog and air pollution in their area.

Improvement in the smog situation in the province prompted the provincial government to implement the decision to reopen schools in Punjab.