IT Ministry Urges Finance Ministry, SBP to Revive IT Cash Reward Program:
The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication has urged the Ministry of Finance and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to secure the necessary funding and devise a robust mechanism for the distribution of IT cash rewards. The IT ministry has written letters to both the Ministry of Finance and the central bank to revive the IT cash reward program that has been on hold since 2021 due to budgetary constraints. With the Ministry of Finance pledging to release the requisite funds and the central bank tasked with compiling a list of top IT services export companies, the stage is set for approximately 400 to 500 deserving companies to be recognized and rewarded for their exceptional contributions.
Internet, Phone Services Are Being Restored: Interior Ministry:
Internet and phone services are being restored in Pakistan following a partial communications blackout that occurred at exactly 8 AM i.e. when voting commenced across the country. Our channel checks have confirmed that mobile services have been restored in various regions across Pakistan. The restoration comes as a relief to residents who have been facing disruption all day.
Govt is Setting Up Computer Emergency Response Teams to Protect Pakistan’s Cyberspace:
The government has decided to establish National Computer Emergency Response Teams (NCERT) to monitor and safeguard Pakistan’s cyberspace 24/7. In this regard, the Federal Cabinet will take up the summary of the Ministry of Information and Technology for the constitution of NCERT u/s of the prevention of Electronic Crimes 2016 and CERT rules 2023 on Friday.
IT Industry Slams Govt Blockage of Internet On Election Day, Demands Immediate Restoration:
A leading IT exporter of Pakistan, Noman Said, has lambasted the consultation-less and blanket blockage of internet services in the country due to the elections – as the IT industry has come to an abrupt & loss-making standstill. The Internet is our lifeline, our office, our communications infrastructure and the IT industry can’t operate without it, he added. He maintained that IT & ITeS services are already under a lot of pressure on account of the cost of doing business and experiencing non-competitive challenges in the exports of IT services due to the weak governance structure & lack of continuity in policies; and, now the political turmoil has completely stopped the IT industry’s operations.
Govt Suspends Mobile Services On Election Day:
The Government of Pakistan has suspended mobile phone services across the country to “maintain the law and order situation” in a General Election preceded by an increase in militant violence. “As a result of the recent incidents of terrorism in the country, precious lives have been lost, therefore security measures are essential to maintain the law and order situation and deal with potential threats. It has been decided to suspend mobile services across the country temporarily,” the Ministry of Interior said in a message on X (formerly Twitter).
LCD Monitors to Become More Expensive as FBR Imposes New Customs Valuation:
Directorate General of Customs Valuation Karachi has imposed customs values on the import of old and used LCD/LED computer monitor panels for accurate assessment of duties and taxes. A new customs valuation ruling (1849 of 2024) issued on Wednesday revealed that there was zero customs value on the import of old and used LCD/LED computer monitor panels. The new value has been fixed at US$ 0.70/- per inch on the import of old and used LCD/LED computer monitor panels.
International Telecommunications Union Appoints Dr. Umar Saif As Board Member:
The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has announced the appointment of Dr. Umar Saif to the Digital Innovation Board of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance for Digital Development. Dr. Umar Saif is currently serving as Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information Technology & Telecommunication. The alliance was set up to bridge the global digital innovation divide and to support ITU members as they work towards an equitable digital future.
Enjoy Uninterrupted Connectivity this Chinese New Year with Zong 4G’s Data Roaming Bundles:
Zong 4G, Pakistan’s leading telecom operator offers exclusive international roaming bundles for your next trip to China specifically designed to cater to your data needs by providing seamless, uninterrupted connectivity to ensure you stay connected with your loved ones this Chinese New Year. Zong 4G has introduced a wide array of customized data bundles explicitly tailored to provide ease of access, top-notch connectivity, and affordable rates. As a supporter of inclusivity, Zong 4G is committed endlessly to enhancing the affordability of travel for contemporary travelers, aiming to eliminate the challenge of switching networks for every international trip. Zong 4G currently offers specially curated international roaming bundles for various international destinations.
Ignite Inks Agreement with Pakistan Services Limited – Hashoo Group to Manage National Incubation Center Islamabad:
In a significant development for the thriving Pakistan’s technology and startup ecosystem, Ignite National Technology Fund, Company incorporated under Ministry of IT & Telecom signed an agreement with Pakistan Services Limited (PSL) – Hashoo Group, led consortium that includes Fauji Foundation, Telenor Pakistan, Change Mechanics, CyberVision International and Founder Institute to manage the National Incubation Center Islamabad for the next 5 years. This initiative underscores a collective commitment through public private partnership to further bolster the startup ecosystem in Pakistan, with a special focus on nurturing technology startups that promise to elevate the country’s economic GDP and generate employment opportunities for its youth.
IT Minister Inaugurates Pakistan’s First E-Rozgar Center:
Caretaker Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunications Dr Umar Saif inaugurated the country’s first e-Rozgar Center in Islamabad on Tuesday in collaboration with Excel Consulting Services in which 100 workstations equipped with all facilities have been built for freelancers, which can later be extended to 300 workstations. Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that with the establishment of the center, the project of setting up 10,000 e-rozgar centers across the country has now begun officially, and we have also fulfilled another promise made to the people, where a significant number from the existing 1.5 million and upcoming new freelancers can work independently at very low rates.
Apple Vision Pro Price in Pakistan Likely to be Over Rs. 1.2 Million:
The Apple Vision Pro has undoubtedly shaken up the VR headset market with exceeding capabilities, even though Apple doesn’t like to call it a simple VR headset. The recently launched ‘Spatial Computer’ from Apple costs a mind-boggling $3499 in the US, leaving many wondering what the Apple Vision Pro’s price in Pakistan is going to be. The price in Pakistan is not going to be as straightforward as converting the USD price into PKR. We also have to account for taxes, duties, and the retailer margins on top of the base market value. That being said, here is the expected Apple Vision Pro price in Pakistan.
Broader policy on deepfakes needed, minister says:
A broader policy is needed alongside new sexual offences laws to protect from deepfakes, the Justice and Home Affairs minister has said. It comes as the Sexual Offences and Obscene Publications Act 2021, external is due to come into force on the Isle of Man next month. Jane Poole-Wilson said while it included protections against deepfakes, a “broader policy” was still needed. She said regulating Artificial Intelligence (AI) was an issue “challenging many governments around the globe”. Deepfakes are a type of AI technology that swaps or digitally alters faces in videos and images. Ms Poole-Wilson told the House of Keys progress had been made “to protect the island against such threats” but there was a need for broader reaching policies to “address the threats and opportunities artificial intelligence brings”.
Lincolnshire PCC wants more AI to fight crime:
Lincolnshire police and crime commissioner Marc Jones is calling for officers to increase their use of facial recognition to identify suspects. It follows a request from the government for police forces to expand their use of the artificial intelligence (AI) crime fighting tool. Mr Jones has increased Lincolnshire Police’s part of the council tax from April and is planning to use some of that money to explore the use of AI. The Home Office said facial recognition had already helped police catch a large number of serious offenders. Mr Jones said scanning crowds at a football match to try to locate a fan who is suspected of committing a serious offence was an example of how the technology could be used. He said: “We are now seeing it [facial recognition] being so impressive at getting results. I think the people of Lincolnshire deserve to get some of those results as well.”
Piers Morgan to move TalkTV show Uncensored to YouTube:
Piers Morgan is taking his daily Uncensored show off TalkTV to focus on its YouTube channel. The broadcaster said television schedules had become an “unnecessary straitjacket” and that moving online would allow him to conduct longer, more in-depth interviews. He also said it would enable him to attract a more global audience.
The show’s YouTube channel currently has 2.35 million subscribers, many times its estimated daily TV audience. The announcement comes less than two years after the launch of TalkTV by News UK, a subsidiary of the Murdoch family’s News Corp.
The channel was one of a number set up to offer alternatives to the news coverage of the more established broadcasters. Speaking to the Times, Morgan said greater numbers of people were watching his show on YouTube and that “you can’t defy audiences or tell them how they should be consuming”.
Why the e-bike boom is raising fire fears:
When Ollie, a delivery rider in York, England, got his first e-bike in 2022, it was a bit of a splurge. He bought it at a discounted rate negotiated by his delivery company. Even with the discount, it set him back £1,000. “The biggest issue is that e-bikes are expensive, and ones with safe batteries are extremely expensive, so many people opt for cheaper, less reliable and often dangerous batteries,” Ollie says. While he was initially tempted by cheaper models, he ultimately decided that investing in a better e-bike would pay off in terms of “higher range, safer batteries, easier access to repairs and a solid warranty”. While that might have been true, it also made his bike an attractive target – his e-bike was recently stolen outside a supermarket. He has no plans to buy a replacement. “Spending £1,000 on an e-bike or buying a bike at all that stands out would just be shooting myself in the foot,” Ollie believes.
TikTok and Temu pull cheap heaters after testing revealed fire risk:
TikTok and Temu have pulled cheap electric heaters from their online stores after Which? found they could explode or start house fires. The consumer group tested eight heaters, the cheapest of which was £7.20, and found most did not meet UK safety standards. It said the devices, some of which had been promoted by influencers on TikTok, posed “a serious safety risk” to users. TikTok and Temu both said customer safety was their priority. However, despite both companies removing the items from sale, Which? said it had found that more similar listings had since appeared in their place. Temu and TikTok, though its Shop platform, have emerged as rivals to more established online marketplaces such as Amazon and eBay, with millions of UK shoppers turning to them for seemingly affordable products.
US FCC makes AI-generated robocalls illegal:
The federal agency that regulates communication in the US has made robocalls that use AI-generated voices illegal. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced the move on Thursday, saying it will take effect immediately. It gives the state power to prosecute any bad actors behind these calls, the FCC said. It comes amid a rise in robocalls that have mimicked the voices of celebrities and political candidates. “Bad actors are using AI-generated voices in unsolicited robocalls to extort vulnerable family members, imitate celebrities, and misinform voters,” said FCC chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel in a statement on Thursday. “We’re putting the fraudsters behind these robocalls on notice.”
Microsoft denies it went back on its word on Activision job cuts:
Microsoft has denied claims by US regulators that it went back on its word by cutting jobs after its purchase of Activision Blizzard – the biggest gaming deal in history. Microsoft Gaming announced 1,900 job cuts in January, three months after the $69bn (£56bn) purchase was completed. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says that “contradicts” Microsoft’s previous representations. But Microsoft said the idea of job cuts did not originate with its takeover. “Consistent with broader trends in the gaming industry, Activision was already planning on eliminating a significant number of jobs while still operating as an independent company,” the firm said in a filing with the US court, seen by the Media. “The recent announcement thus cannot be attributed fully to the merger.” The controversial deal gives Microsoft control of popular games such as Call of Duty, World of Warcraft and Candy Crush.
Children’s commissioner backs ‘under-16s’ phone’:
The children’s commissioner has backed the idea of a “phone for under-16s” put forward by Brianna Ghey’s mum to try to keep children safe online. On Sunday, Esther Ghey said children must be stopped from having access to social media apps. Her daughter’s killers, both 15 at the time of the murder, were fascinated by violence and had planned the killing for weeks using a messaging app. Dame Rachel de Souza told the Media a ban on children having phones is unlikely, but more can be done to promote phones that are “safe by design”. That could theoretically include phones for children to be able to contact their parents, but not access social media sites. “The thing with Brianna’s mother’s vision for a phone for under-16s, there is something really smart there,” Dame Rachel told the Media on Thursday.
The AI companions you can have conversations with:
Technology reporter Stephanie Power likes to think she is comfortable with artificial intelligence, but the new breed of talking AI companions unnerve her, as she reports. My husband is a huge Liverpool FC fan who gets into a state of anxiety almost every time they play. It is very irritating, but I’ve recently realised that the best technique is to avoid him before, during, and sometimes after a game. Recently following a match, I could hear a friendly woman’s voice talking to him in his home office. “Oh yes, it was a tough game, but the Reds really are on good form,” she said. “Liverpool’s strikers were able to deliver the goods.” Who was this woman? And why was she indulging David in this way?
ESPN, Fox and Warner in US sports streaming tie-up:
Three US media giants have announced a new sports streaming platform to be launched in autumn. Walt Disney’s ESPN, Fox Corp and Warner Bros. Discovery own a wide range of portfolios of sports rights including those for the FIFA World Cup, Formula 1, NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball. They hope to capture younger audiences and save costs. The service would have “a new brand with an independent management team” which would be available via a new app. Its pricing will be announced at a later date, according to their statement. The firms say each company will own one-third of the joint venture and have equal board representation. The announcement comes as sports leagues charge more for broadcasting rights.
Actress Gina Carano sues Disney and Lucasfilm with Elon Musk’s help:
Actress Gina Carano has sued Disney and Lucasfilm after she was sacked in 2021 over a social media post in which she compared being a Republican to being a Jew during the Holocaust. The lawsuit is being funded by Elon Musk, who made an open call on his platform X for others to join the suit. Ms Carano is seeking $75,000 (£60,000) in damages. She is also asking the court to force Lucasfilm to recast her. Representatives for the defendants were not immediately available for comment. Ms Carano, 41, a former MMA fighter, portrayed Cara Dune in the first two seasons of the Disney+ show The Mandalorian. During that time, she frequently tangled online with left-wingers.