SHC seeks arguments on plea against PECA

A division bench of the Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday sought more arguments on the admissibility of a petition against the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Amendment Act (Peca), while another petition was filed in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against the legislation. The SHC bench, led by Chief Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui, took up the petition against Peca amendments. Barrister Ali Tahir, the lawyer for the petitioner, informed the bench that they had challenged sections 2R and 26A of Peca. The lawyer said that the Section 26A criminalised the transmission and receipt of information by declaring it "false and fake". He added that sections G and H of the act used the words "false, fake and misrepresentation" in a very vague manner. He said that sections 2R and 26A were in violation of the articles 19 and 19A, and the fundamental rights given in the Constitution. He added that Articles 19 and 19A of the Constitution granted every citizen the right to freedom of expression within reasonable limits. The chief justice asked the lawyer what was the harm in removing illegal and objectionable contents from social media. Barrister Ali Tahir replied that under Peca, the authority would use "judicial powers" to determine which content was objectionable and should be removed. The chief justice further remarked that what was wrong if an institution enforced compliance with the laws of the country. Barrister Ali Tahir raised the issue of restrictions on some social media platforms. He cited the closure of X in Pakistan and said that journalists had been disappeared in the past. He said that after the Peca amendments their problems would multiply. The chief justice remarked that the petition before the court was not about the disappearance of journalists. He asked the lawyer to satisfy the court that this petition was admissible, and adjourned the hearing till Monday.

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Imran's lawyer released after brief detention

Advocate Faisal Chaudhry, lawyer for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan, was released after being detained for two hours for hurling abuses at a jail official. Faisal Chaudhry had an altercation with an Adiala jail official on Thursday when he had to wait outside the prison for meeting PTI founder Imran Khan. However, when he turned up on Friday at Adiala Jail, he was taken into custody from Gate No 5 and shifted to Adiala police kiosk. Chaudhry's colleagues Advocates Mubashir Maqsood Awan, Faisal Niazi and Imran Niazi also followed him to the police picket. After being released from detention, Faisal Chaudhry said, "if someone wants me to tender an apology over heated argument with the jail staff a day go, I won't," adding, "hurling abuses is not my trait but it is my right to protest over maltreatment." He said that he along with other lawyers had reached Adiala Jail to meet Imran Khan on Thursday but they were not allowed to meet their client. Reacting on the arrest of Faisal Chaudhry, PBC expressed concern over his detention. Stopping a lawyer from court proceedings is tantamount to obstructing justice, it stated. Faisal Chaudhry went to Adiala Jail to appear before the Anti-Terrorism Court. The jail authorities had no legal justification to stop Faisal Chaudhry. Lawyers perform their professional tasks and they should not be associated with political parties, stated the PBC. Meanwhile, taking his X handle, Chaudhry Fawad Hussain termed the arrest of his brother and lawyer Faisal Chaudhry an insult of the lawyers.

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Onijah Robbins sent back home

Security and health officials heaved a sigh of relief as the 35-year-old American woman, Onija Andrew Robbins, who has been receiving psychiatric treatment at JPMC, was declared fit to travel and discharged on Friday evening. She was escorted to the Women Police Station by an all-female squad from where she was taken to the Jinnah Interantional Terminal and put on a flight back home. Earlier, hospital officials confirmed that arrangements for her travel, including necessary documents and an air ticket, were pending from the US Consulate General in Karachi. Once the formalities were complete, she was sent off. The hospital had been in regular communication with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the US diplomatic mission regarding her return. Medical reports had indicated major improvement in her condition. Her hemoglobin level had risen from four to 9.9. However, she continued to battle bipolar disorder, which would require ongoing treatment. According to Prof Chooni Lal, head of the Medical Board overseeing her care, patients with such conditions tend to recover faster when surrounded by family and in a familiar environment. Dr Salman, Joint Executive Director of JPMC, confirmed that the Medical Board had submitted its report on Friday, declaring her fit to travel. Once the US Consulate finalises her travel documents, she will be discharged and flown back to the United States. The FIA and the US Consulate are coordinating with the hospital to ensure smooth arrangements for her departure. Robbins, who travelled to Karachi to be with a young man she fell in love with online, was admitted to JPMC Psychiatry Ward a week ago after she was ditched by her love. Initial medical tests and psychiatric evaluations led to her transfer to the Special Care Unit. On February 3, she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

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Rising sea levels, extreme weather endanger Gwadar

Once a vibrant hub for fishing and tourism, the coastal city of Gwadar in Pakistan is now grappling with the devastating impacts of climate change. After a decade of extreme weather events, residents and experts are warning that the city’s future is at risk. In February last year, Gwadar endured nearly 30 consecutive hours of torrential rain, which caused widespread flooding, washing away roads, bridges, and communication lines. The city, built on sand dunes and bordered by the Arabian Sea, is particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels and extreme weather patterns. Pazeer Ahmed, a hydrologist based in Gwadar, warns that the city’s low-lying areas could be partially or fully submerged if sea levels continue to rise. "It’s no less than an island nation situation," he said. The city’s once-beneficial proximity to the sea has now become an existential threat, with warmer oceans creating bigger waves that are eroding the coastline. Abdul Rahim, deputy director at the Gwadar Development Authority, described the situation as “alarming,” noting that many homes have already been washed away due to increasing tidal actions and rising sea temperatures. The rise in sea levels, compounded by melting glaciers, has caused significant coastal erosion. Karachi’s sea level has already risen by almost 8 inches (20 cm) between 1916 and 2016, with projections suggesting another rise of 1.3 cm by 2040. In areas near Gwadar, including Pishukan and Ganz, waves have submerged mosques, schools, and settlements. In some places, cliffs have eroded, leaving beaches devoid of structures. Despite efforts to build seawalls to protect the coast, these measures have proven inadequate in the face of the growing challenges posed by climate change. Saltwater intrusion has also affected government land and private properties, with residents like former local councillor Qadir Baksh struggling to keep water at bay with daily pumping. “The rain that came last year hasn’t gone,” said Baksh. “The water rises from the ground with such speed it will reach the four walls of my home if we don’t run the generator every day to extract it.” The rapid urbanisation and construction in Gwadar have worsened flooding, with traditional drainage systems being disrupted. The city, a key component of a major Chinese-led development project, has seen significant investment in infrastructure, including a deep seaport, an international airport, and expressways. However, despite foreign investments, the city lacks a proper sewage and drainage system, which exacerbates its vulnerability. Fishing, once a key industry, has also been severely impacted. Shrinking fish catches, disappearing native species, and changing migration patterns have left the community struggling. Rising sea temperatures and invasive species like pufferfish are contributing to these challenges, alongside illegal fishing practices and foreign trawlers. Agriculture in the surrounding areas has suffered from water scarcity, with locals reporting declining crop yields and livestock deaths. The broader pattern of climate extremes, including floods, heatwaves, and droughts, has led to a decrease in farming productivity across Pakistan, according to the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. “There are heatwaves and dust storms in Gwadar,” said Ahmed. “But the main impact of climate change here is that there is too much water and not enough of it. If nothing is done to address this problem, we will have no option but to retreat.” As climate change continues to threaten Gwadar’s economy and livelihoods, experts are urging immediate action to safeguard the city’s future.

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Dar's letter given to UNSC president

Pakistan's UN Ambassador Munir Akram, Wednesday met with his Chinese counterpart Fu Cong, who is also the President of UN Security Council for the month of February, to hand over a letter from Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan, as Kashmir Solidarity Day was observed around the world. In the letter, the DPM/FM drew the Security Council's attention to the grave human rights violations in IIOJK at the hands of the Indian occupation forces, and urged the Council members to take decisive steps.

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Khawaja Asif criticises PTI for disrupting Champions Trophy with protests

Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, has sharply criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party for calling for protests on the days of crucial Champions Trophy matches, accusing them of attempting to isolate Pakistan on the cricket field. In a statement posted on the social media platform X, Asif pointed out that PTI had requested permission for a rally in Lahore on 8th February, the same day as the first match of the series between Pakistan and New Zealand, part of the Champions Trophy preparations. He further noted that PTI had also called for a long march on 19th February, the day of Pakistan's first Champions Trophy match. Asif described these actions as an attempt to sabotage Pakistan's participation in the Champions Trophy, calling it an "anti-national" effort to disgrace the country on the international stage. "This is an effort to strip Pakistan of its Champions Trophy matches," he said, adding that the motive was to embarrass the country in the sporting arena. He also criticised PTI’s leader, Imran Khan, for seemingly putting his political ambitions ahead of national interests, adding that his actions were so extreme that even his supporters might not have anticipated them.

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Father, son killed by train while filming TikTok video in Karachi

A man and his young son were killed after being struck by a train while reportedly filming a TikTok video near the railway tracks in Landhi, Karachi. According to railway police, the incident occurred near Landhi railway station when Rehman Baba Express, bound for Karachi, hit the two victims. Rescue workers from Chhipa and railway police arrived at the scene and shifted the bodies to Jinnah Hospital for legal formalities. Duty officer ASI Ramzan confirmed that the deceased were identified as 45-year-old Jamil and his five-year-old son, Sabihullah. "Initial reports suggest that they were making a TikTok video near the tracks when the accident occurred," Ramzan said. "However, we are investigating further to determine the exact circumstances of the incident." Authorities have urged the public to exercise caution near railway tracks and avoid risky activities such as filming videos in unsafe locations.

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