Category: Information Technology

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday questioned the Federal Investigation Authority’s (FIA) jurisdiction to investigate personal brawls on social media platforms.

A single-member bench comprising Chief Justice of the IHC, Justice Athar Minallah, heard the case pertaining to a personal conflict between two activists, Ramsha and Sobia Saeed. The fight was over the usage of funds of an organization for coronavirus patients.

One of the girls, Sobia Saeed, had reportedly accused Ramsha of misusing the organization’s funds on social media and reported the activity to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), using her contacts in the agency.

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Acting on the complaint, the agency began formal proceedings and called Ramsha to visit the FIA office for investigation.

The lady, instead, moved to the Islamabad High Court against the alleged harassment by the FIA, drawing the Chief Justice’s attention towards the matter.

While hearing the petition on Monday, the Chief Justice IHC inquired the FIA representative if it had the jurisdiction to investigate personal matters on social media platforms.

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Justice Athar Minallah remarked that the country is not a police state and is run through the constitution.

If the FIA investigates personal fights then who will do their work?

The top judge then questioned the Cyber Crime Wing officer from where and for how long they had got the training. “We are trained for a month,” said the officer, detailing the different aspects of the cybercrime laws.

The court adjourned the hearing for two weeks and sought a reply from the FIA on the next date.

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Japanese researchers have claimed to have identified a previously unknown mechanism for pain control involving a newly identified group of cells in the spinal cord.

While neurons remain the most well-known cells of the central nervous system, a group of non-neuronal cells, discovered first in the mid-nineteenth century, also play a number of important roles.

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Known as glial cells, these non-neural cells are imperative for regulating neuronal development and function in the central nervous system.

Among the different types of glial cells, astrocytes are the most abundant in the central nervous system. But unlike neurons, scientists, until now, never developed a comprehensive understanding of groups of astrocytes with distinct properties.

However, now, the researchers at the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Kyushu University have discovered a unique group of spinal cord astrocytes with a role in producing pain hypersensitivity.

These astrocytes are found in the superficial laminae of the spinal dorsal horn which carries general sensory information such as pressure, pain, and heat from the body to the brain.

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Using mice, the researchers demonstrated that stimulating noradrenergic neurons, which carry signals from the locus coeruleus in the brain down to the spinal dorsal horn, activates the astrocytes which results in pain hypersensitivity.

These observations contradict the current view that noradrenergic neurons suppress pain transmission in the spinal dorsal horn.

The discovery of this new population of astrocytes reveals a new role of noradrenergic neurons in facilitating spinal pain transmission, said Makoto Tsuda, the study’s lead researcher.

He added that suppressing the signaling of these astrocytes by noradrenaline enhances the effect of drugs for chronic pain.

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Kyushu researchers also tested this on mice in which the response of astrocytes to noradrenaline was inhibited after they were administered duloxetine, a drug that increases levels of noradrenaline in the spinal cord by preventing uptake by noradrenergic neurons.

Tsuda said that the mice demonstrated an enhanced easing of chronic pain by duloxetine which corroborated the proposition that suppressing signaling of astrocytes increases the effects of drugs for chronic pain.

Although more research is needed with different drugs, this astrocyte population appears to be a very promising target for enhancing the therapeutic potential of drugs for chronic pain, concluded Tsuda.

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The second wave of COVID-19 has hit Pakistan, and it is spreading rapidly. Amidst the second wave of the pandemic across the world, the demand for the influenza vaccine has increased manifold.

Doctors in western countries are administering the influenza vaccine to counter symptoms related to the novel coronavirus. This spike in demand has limited the availability of the vaccine in many developing countries, including Pakistan.

Health experts across the country recommend people living in high-risk environments to get vaccinated against the influenza virus every year in October to marginalize morbidity, and in some cases, mortality. October and November are considered a prime time to get flu shots, but during this winter season, vaccine distributors have not received a single vial to meet the demand.

Currently, two leading manufacturers of the vaccine haven’t issued any supply orders to Pakistan. Western countries have cooped up most of the demand.

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Sanofi S.A. is a French multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Paris, France, and its products are not being imported currently due to the boycott of French products. Abbott hasn’t provided influenza vaccine to distributors in Pakistan as well because of having huge orders from the developed countries.

The Head of Planning and Development, Dr. Muhammad Najeeb Durrani, said in a statement that the leading vaccine manufacturers prepare a vaccine for the international community as per standard practice, but this year the demand from economies bigger than Pakistan has exceeded overwhelmingly.

According to Durrani, Pakistan’s vaccine distributors may not be able to provide the vaccine for the local population. He remarked,

People in developed countries are more aware, they may like to avoid co-infection, flu along with coronavirus illness.

Dr. Muhammad Najeeb Durrani, who is an epidemiologist and also a Member of the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), further stated that there is no direct link between the flu shot and protection from COVID-19.

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Toyota Indus Motor Company (IMC) has announced the revised prices for Corolla Altis along with the launch of the new ‘X-Package’.

For those wondering, the X-Package includes some upgrades over a standard Corolla such as an All-Black Interior, passenger seat belt sensor, parking sensor, and a new body kit for the car that’s intended to make it look more aggressive.

However, reports add that the black interior choice shall only be available in the Corolla Altis Grande 1.8 Automatic, which is the most expensive variant of the vehicle. The rest of the lineup gets only the body-kit, parking sensors, and passenger seatbelt sensors.

Although the changes are sparse in the new ‘X-Package’, the price differences are quite significant. Furthermore, it’s not yet clear as to whether or not these prices are just accompanied by just the X-package, or if the package is an option or a standard addition to the entire lineup.

Following are the new prices of the Corolla lineup:

Vehicle
Previous Price (PKR)
Revised Price (PKR)
Price Increase (PKR)

Corolla Altis 1.6 Manual
3,159,000
3,219,000
60,000

Corolla Altis 1.6 Automatic
3,309,000
3,369,000
60,000

Corolla Altis 1.8 Manual
3,479,000
3,549,000
70,000

Corolla Altis 1.8 CVT Automatic
3,629,000
3,699,000
70,000

Corolla Altis Grande 1.8 CVT Automatic with Beige Interior
3,899,000
3,979,000
80,000

Corolla Altis Grande 1.8 CVT Automatic with Black Interior
3,899,000
3,999,000
100,000

The value Pakistani Rupee has gone up against the US dollar, however, the automakers continue to increase the prices of their vehicles. The balance of power might finally shift for the better once the new entrants, of which there are plenty in line, finally hit the market.

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Pakistan Cricket Board has responded to the allegations of sexual abuse made on Pakistan cricket team captain, Babar Azam. PCB Director of Media and Communications, Samiul Hassan, said that the allegations made are personal, hence PCB cannot give any comments on it.

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Babar was recently made the Test captain of the national side, making him the captain in all three formats. He has been accused by Hamiza Mukhtar who claims to be his schoolfellow and old neighbor.

She said that Babar and she were in a relationship ten years ago and she was sexually abused by the star batsman. Babar, just 16 at the time of the incident, had eloped with Hamiza and were living in various places around Lahore.

Hamiza said that she financially supported Babar early on in his career and when she asked to marry him, he tortured her.

Hamiza also said that she made a complaint to PCB but no action was taken. “When I called the PCB to lodge a complaint, they said that it was a personal matter,” she continued.

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She added that FIR [First Information Report] was also filed regarding the matter but no action was taken.

Hamiza has now filed a petition in the sessions court in Lahore, the hearing for which is set for 5th December.

Babar is currently with the national side on the tour of New Zealand. The team is scheduled to play three T20Is and two Tests, starting from 18th December.

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The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has notified the ‘Critical Telecom Data and Infrastructure Security Regulations, 2020’ aimed at ensuring the security of critical data and infrastructure related to the telecom sector.

Critical data and infrastructure will be identified and designated by the PTA’s licensee to ensure cybersecurity. Automated network monitoring systems will be installed by the licensee to detect unauthorized or malicious users, connections, devices, and software with preventive actions.

The PTA may also issue guidelines or specifications for deployment, operations, management, and access to information and logs of the monitoring systems.

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The Critical Telecom Infrastructure (CTI) will be monitored to identify and prevent eavesdropping, unauthorized access, and cyber threats.

The PTA has devised the regulations to exercise its powers conferred via Clause (o) of sub-section (2) of Section 5 of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Reorganization) Act, 1996 (XVII of 1996).

Regulations will apply to all the PTA licensees for the security of critical telecom data and critical telecom infrastructure in accordance with the procedures specified in these regulations.

According to the regulations, the licensees will constitute a steering committee comprising high-level representation from key operational areas to govern and ensure the implementation of cybersecurity initiatives.

Keeping in view the requirements of these regulations, necessary policies will be defined, approved, and communicated by the licensee to its employees and other stakeholders like partners, contractors, and any other entities that have an interface with its telecom data or infrastructure to ensure compliance with these regulations.

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The policies mentioned will be regularly reviewed by the licensee at planned intervals or upon any significant change or event. The roles and responsibilities for cybersecurity will be clearly defined and allocated by the licensee who will also maintain appropriate contact with relevant stakeholders to ensure cybersecurity.

Employees and contractors will be contractually bound by the licensee to relevant cybersecurity requirements with a formal and communicated disciplinary process for compliance. To ensure the proper implementation of security measures, employees and relevant contractors or partners will be informed by the licensee of the security policies and requirements through awareness sessions, education, and trainings.

Where applicable, the licensee will also inform its customers or subscribers of cybersecurity to safeguard them against security threats and incidents. Furthermore, physical security for secure areas should be designed and implemented by the licensee, including the definition of the security perimeters for secure areas.

The physical access to assets at secure areas will be managed and protected by the licensee, and only authorized personnel will be provided access to secure areas. The licensee will ensure that access points where unauthorized persons can enter a secure area are be controlled, and if possible, isolated from the CTI.

A physical log book or electronic audit trail will be maintained and monitored by the licensee for the personnel accessing the secure areas. The physical environment of the secure areas will be monitored or surveilled by the licensee to prevent and respond to a cybersecurity incident.

Procedures for working in secure areas will be designed and implemented to safeguard against cybersecurity incidents. Physical protection against natural disasters, hazards, malicious attacks, or accidents will be designed and applied by the licensee for the secure areas.

The secure areas should be protected from power failures and other disruptions caused by failures in the supporting utilities. Power and telecommunication cabling for the CTI should be protected from interception, interference, and damage.

The maintenance of the equipment at the secure areas will be properly carried out by the licensee for its availability and integrity. Appropriate protection will be provided by the licensee at the secure areas for unattended equipment to safeguard it against unauthorized access.

Assets pertaining to the CTI should not be taken off-site without proper authorization, and appropriate security measures will be provided by the licensee to off-site CTI assets while taking into account the risks outside the licensee’s premises. A clear desk policy for papers and removable storage media and a clear screen policy for critical data processing facilities will be adopted by the licensee.

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The licensee will ensure that the event logs for users’ activities, exceptions, faults, and cybersecurity incidents are produced, stored, and regularly reviewed to identify and mitigate security threats and incidents. The CTI will also be protected against malware by the licensee.

Automated malware protection will be provided by the licensee to identify and eliminate malicious software activity. A policy will be formulated and enforced by the licensee to prohibit the use of unlicensed and unauthorized software, along with the development and implementation of a vulnerability management plan.

For the systems and software being used by the licensee, the exploitation of related technical vulnerabilities will be avoided by obtaining their information on time and by taking appropriate measures to address the associated risks.

A formal policy will be formulated and enforced by the licensee to protect against risks that are associated with the data and software obtained from external networks or other media.

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The licensee should also prepare an appropriate business continuity plan for recovery from malware attacks, including necessary data or software backup and recovery arrangements. Privacy will be ensured for the critical telecom data stored by the licensee, and it will only be used for the purpose for which it was obtained from customers.

Data will be protected from unauthorized disclosure, modification, loss, and destruction. Licensed data retention timeframes will be observed, and where required, clarity will be sought from the authority for the retention timeframe of any data for which a retention timeframe is not mentioned in the license.

The licensee should only use vendor-supported software versions for systems and applications that store critical data. A Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) will be established by the licensee to ensure a quick, effective, and orderly response to cybersecurity incidents.

The CERT should be capable of planning, detection, initiation, response, recovery, and post-incident analysis while having well-defined functions and communicated processes in place that should be tested periodically.

The licensee will establish processes for collecting, analyzing, and responding to cyber threat intelligence information collected from internal and external sources, and will share the threat feeds with the PTA.

The post PTA Introduces Critical Telecom Data and Infrastructure Security Regulations appeared first on .

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Easypaisa, Pakistan’s leading digital payments platform, has bagged the Emerging Payments Award 2020 for the ‘Best Financial Inclusion Payments Initiative’. The popular Mobile banking platform was one of the two winners out of four contestants.

The winners were announced recently at the virtual Emerging Payments Awards Ceremony, streamed online for the global community to participate. The Awards celebrate innovation and collaboration by recognizing companies that have made significant advances in payments. Now in its 13th year, the Emerging Payments Awards is one of the UK industry’s prestigious events.

Easypaisa has emerged as a major player in the sphere of financial inclusion on previous occasions too. It has made headway in the field by forging partnerships with other companies to play the role of an enabler for financial inclusion through ensuring access to digital financial services.

Commenting on the achievement, M. Mudassar Aqil, President & CEO, Easypaisa/Telenor Microfinance Bank, said, “It is a matter of great pride for us at Easypaisa to become the winner of the prestigious Emerging Payments Award for 2020 and we are ecstatic, to say the least.”

“Easypaisa has always strived to play the role of an enabler for the digital financial inclusion of the masses, and this recognition further strengthens our resolve to play our part in the development of a digital ecosystem. As the most widely used digital wallet App in Pakistan, serving millions of people every day, we look forward to continuing building the Easypaisa platform through which all Pakistanis will be able to participate in the country’s formal economy,” he added.

Easypaisa has been making consistent efforts to introduce a digital landscape by allowing more people to leverage various use cases and experience seamless digital transactions through its mobile app. The platform also won ‘The Innovators 2020’ Award in May this year for the second consecutive time in the field of Payments by the Global Finance Magazine, wherein it was recognized for forging new paths and introducing tools for greater financial inclusion.

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The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has praised the federal government’s support in resolving the delayed issue of the three percent fee and charges levied by five regulators as a contribution to the CCP Fund.

The Chairperson of the CCP said that the government’s commitment to the strengthening of institutions hinges on affording institutions administrative and financial autonomy, and that the resolution of long-pending matters will enable the CCP to pursue its legislative mandate more effectively, in addition to paving the way for organizational reforms.

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Pakistan needs an economic landscape that will allow consumers to benefit from competition that aims at inter alia reduced prices, improved quality, efficiency, and innovation. Once these funds are received and continue to be contributed, a financially autonomous CCP can facilitate the government’s economic agenda more effectively.

In its meeting on 24 November, the government demonstrated its unequivocal support for the CCP by approving the issuance of a statutory regulatory order (SRO), and prescribing three percent of fee and charges levied by SECP, OGRA, PTA, NEPRA, and PEMRA from the financial year 2009-10 and onwards to meet the charges related to the functioning of the CCP.

The Ministry of Finance subsequently issued the SRO on 27 November for the gazette notification. Necessary action has also been requested including standing instructions to their bankers for the transfer of the prescribed percentage of their total fee and charges collected during each quarter, for credit to the account of the CCP by the tenth of the month following the relevant quarter and before surrendering the surplus to the Federal Consolidated Fund under intimation to the CCP.

The CCP duly acknowledges the support and efforts of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Law in the entire process, and views them as the catalyst in making the CCP a truly independent and robust organization.

It also speaks about the commitment of the government to resolving the decade-old issue of payment of the said funding, thus duly supporting the transformation of the CCP into a sustainable and more effective organization.

On 23 December 2008, the government nominated the five regulatory bodies and fixed the said percent of fee and charges levied by them as the amount to form part of the CCP Fund. Despite numerous correspondences with all those involved, the full support of the Ministry of Finance, the favorable opinions of the Law & Justice Division, the objections of the Auditor General of Pakistan on the chosen regulators for non-payment, and the support of the Senate’s Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue on numerous occasions, the commission was not able to tap into this source of envisaged funding.

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Since its inception, the CCP has been operating under severe resource constraints with a fixed annual grant. All the penalties that the CCP imposes are deposited in the Federal Consolidated Fund, and so the CCP is also shielded from any conflict of interest, whether perceived or real, as the quantum of penalties the CCP imposes is not to be used for its operational budget.

The CCP is hopeful that the five regulatory bodies will be supportive now and play their due roles in strengthening the competition regime in Pakistan.

This three percent source of funding is appropriate and necessary, given the circumstances of the CCP. A multi-source budget with multi-year funding arrangements that are updated annually will contribute to the independence of the CCP to enable it to plan its work without the uncertainty of the future.

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