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Govt hints at blocking social networks yet again in Pakistan, ‘if needed’

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  • Defence minister says option to block social media always available.
  • “In Pakistan, social media is used to incite people,” he laments.
  • “Social media is regulated everywhere,” defence minister says.

As the Pakistani authorities ramp up action against May 9 vandals, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Tuesday that the government always has the option to block social media platforms, which can be exercised at any moment.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters ransacked private and public property, including military installations, on May 9 after their party chairman Imran Khan’s arrest. 

In the aftermath, the government, claiming that social media was a significant source of incitement, blocked not only the platforms, but internet services as well across the country for nearly four days, affecting millions.

Providing a rationale for blocking the services, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah had claimed that the party’s “entire work” was done on the internet, including “the planning and the abuse, all of it is done on social media”.

During an interview on Geo News’ programme “Geo Pakistan” today, Defence Minister Asif said: “The option to block social media is always available. If need be, it [the suspension] can come into force at [any time].”

Defending his stance, the defence minister noted that social media platforms are regulated in China and Europe.

“Social media is regulated everywhere,” the minister said, adding that the platforms were used to incite people, which led to their violent actions on May 9.

The minister also appreciated the accountability of those involved in the attacks on military installations and martyrs’ memorials.

The army dismissed three officers, including a lieutenant general, from service for failing to protect the military installations on May 9.

Asif said that talks are underway for trying civilians in military courts, and while there were legal hurdles, the government would overcome them.

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FO admits that a boat capsized in Greece, killing four Pakistanis.

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The deaths of four Pakistanis in a boat capsizing event close to the southern Greek island of Goudos have been verified by the Foreign Office.

The incident happened on Sunday and at least five illegal immigrants drowned as a result. According to Greek Coast Guards, 39 people were rescued after the wooden boat overturned, but 40 more are still unaccounted for.

According to a Foreign Office spokeswoman, the four Pakistani nationals were among those killed in the catastrophe. In order to help the remaining Pakistanis and repatriate the corpses of the deceased, the Pakistani Embassy in Athens has been in close communication with Greek authorities, she said.

Additional information was given by Aamir Aftab Qureshi, Pakistan’s ambassador to Greece, during a press conference. According to him, there were 80 Pakistanis on board the doomed boat, and efforts are still being made to find the people who are still missing.

He added that the overcrowding on the boat was a factor in the capsizing. There are worries over the safety of the missing people because a sizable portion of them are children. He stated that five boats carrying Pakistani nationals were traveling illegally from Libya.

The public was also informed by Ambassador Qureshi that the government will pay for the return flight of the accident victims’ bodies.

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Every office will have a biometric system installed by Lesco.

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system in each office.

Details show that the LESCO had ordered the installation of biometric systems in all offices, including the divisions and the circle.

The installation of the biometric system at the headquarters resulted in an increase in attendance, as the LESCO CEO had stated.

The CEO of LESCO claimed that the biometric system has resolved the issues related to the fictitious overtime and off-days.

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Around 450 Pakistanis have successfully crossed into Lebanon from Syria, according to a briefing from the Foreign Office.

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Approximately 450 Pakistanis, including 250 Zaireen, have successfully crossed into Lebanon from Syria, according to the spokesperson for the Foreign Office, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch.

During her weekly briefing at the foreign office in Islamabad, she stated that Pakistan is pleased with the resolution passed by the United Nations General Assembly on the Gaza Strip, which calls for an immediate ceasefire.

In addition, she expressed her satisfaction with the elimination of limits placed on UNRWA’s ability to carry out relief activities in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

It was stated by her that Pakistan is demanding an immediate cessation of hostilities in Palestine, an end to the genocide that is taking place in Gaza, the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, unrestricted access to humanitarian aid for those who are in urgent need, full support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and its mandated humanitarian activities, and medical assistance for those who are in urgent need.

Moreover, she stated that Pakistan emphasises the need for the international community to hold Israel accountable for the war crimes and crimes against humanity that it has committed in occupied lands.

The Israeli aggression against Syria, the illegitimate acquisition of Syrian territory, and the massive devastation of Syrian infrastructure as well as civilian and military sites are all topics that Pakistan is extremely worried about, according to the spokesperson for Pakistan.

According to her, this attack on Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is a serious violation of international law to the highest degree. By expressing our support for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, we are also expressing our opposition to the Israeli government’s attempt to acquire territory through coercion.

The resolution 497 of the United Nations Security Council, which declares the annexation of the Golan Heights by Israel to be null and illegal and to have no international legal impact, was reaffirmed by her organisation.

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