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Pakistan

NEPRA approves tariff cuts, power consumers to get Rs56bn relief

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LAHORE – The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has approved a reduction in electricity tariffs that is expected to provide consumers relief worth about Rs56 billion over the next three months.

In a notification issued on Thursday, the regulator announced a Rs1.99 per unit decrease under the quarterly tariff adjustment for the January-March 2026 quarter. The reduction will remain effective during June, July and August and is estimated to translate into consumer relief of roughly Rs67bn.

However, Nepra also allowed a fuel cost adjustment increase of Rs1.19 per unit for electricity consumed in April, which will be charged in June bills. The increase is expected to generate approximately Rs11bn for distribution companies.

As a result, consumers are likely to see a net reduction of around 80 paisa per unit in their June electricity bills, while the full benefit of the quarterly adjustment will continue in the following two months.

The approved FCA increase is lower than the Rs1.74 per unit sought by the Central Power Purchasing Agency, with Nepra trimming the proposed recovery amount to about Rs11bn from nearly Rs16bn.

According to the regulator, the quarterly adjustment was driven by changes in capacity payments, transmission charges, market operator costs, transmission and distribution losses, and the government’s incremental electricity consumption package for industrial and agricultural sectors.

Most consumer categories will benefit from the reduction, although certain lifeline and prepaid consumers, as well as some consumers covered by the incremental consumption scheme, will not be eligible for parts of the adjustment.

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Editorial

Why Pakistani Gen Z’s are admiring CJP protests in India

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Pakistani Gen Z admiration with CJP protests
This Image is Ai generated and used for Illustration purposes only.

LAHORE – Pakistani Gen Z admiration with CJP protests has taken social media by storm. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led satirical protest movement in India, has gained attention for its unique blend of humor, memes, and activism.  

Young Pakistanis are sharing clips, creating commentary, and engaging online with content from the movement. The fascination stems from a combination of entertainment, creativity, and the sense of shared frustrations with governance and opportunities that resonate across borders. 

Why Pakistani Gen Z's are admiring CJP Protests in India

This Image is Ai generated and used for Illustration purposes only.

What Is the Cockroach Janta Party? 

The CJP began as a satirical response to corruption, exam paper leaks, and systemic inefficiencies in India. Young protesters embraced the “cockroach” label—originally intended as an insult—to symbolize resilience and defiance. Videos of chants, creative placards, and peaceful sit-ins quickly went viral on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. 

Pakistani youth were drawn to the movement because it combines activism with humor and relatable energy. The creativity of the protesters, paired with the viral content, made it more appealing than traditional news coverage. 

 

Why Pakistani Gen Z Is Paying Attention 

Shared Youth Frustrations 

Many young Pakistanis see parallels between their own struggles and those highlighted by CJP. Challenges like exam stress, limited employment opportunities, and frustration with institutions resonate with the narrative of the Indian youth movement. 

Social Media Bridges Borders 

The virality of CJP content has made it instantly accessible. Reels, memes, and short clips allow Pakistani youth to follow the movement in real-time. This digital immediacy gives them a sense of participation, even from thousands of kilometers away. 

Humor and Creativity as Protest Tools 

CJP’s unique style—combining satire, memes, and playful yet pointed activism—resonates with the Gen Z digital culture in Pakistan. Pakistani youth admire the courage and cleverness of the movement, which uses humor to critique serious issues, making activism both entertaining and impactful. 

 

Memes, Reels, and Viral Engagement 

The CJP protests exemplify how modern activism is increasingly visual and shareable. Memes, TikTok clips, and Instagram stories allow Pakistani youth to not just observe but engage with the movement. Pakistani Gen Z admiration with CJP protests is fueled by this participatory culture, where content is remixable, shareable, and interactive. 

 

Admiration or Entertainment? 

While some might argue that Pakistan’s Gen Z is merely enjoying the spectacle, the admiration goes deeper. It reflects a recognition of creativity, courage, and youth empowerment. By following CJP, Pakistani youth are connecting to ideas of accountability, digital activism, and civic engagement, even in a different national context. 

 

Conclusion: Cross-Border Youth Energy 

The popularity of the CJP movement among Pakistani youth shows how digital culture is creating cross-border solidarity. Pakistani Gen Z admiration with CJP protests highlights the influence of humor, creativity, and activism in capturing youth attention. In a world connected by social media, youth movements no longer remain confined by geography—they inspire, resonate, and engage audiences far beyond their origin. 

 

Key Points:

  • Pakistani Gen Z admiration with CJP protests is growing across social media.  
  • The CJP movement uses satire, memes, and humor to highlight corruption and systemic failures.  
  • Shared frustrations between youth in Pakistan and India fuel empathy and engagement.  
  • Social media amplifies reach, making distant protests feel personal and participatory.  
  • The movement reflects a broader trend of Gen Z valuing creativity, digital activism, and cross-border engagement. 

 

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Pakistan

All about FIA and Meta’s partnership and what it means for countering cybercrime

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ISLAMABAD – The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has established a direct official communication channel with Meta Asia Pacific (APAC) to accelerate investigations into organised cybercrime, online fraud, hate speech, and other digital offences.

The arrangement enables secure and lawful coordination between the FIA and Meta for requests involving Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, according to officials.

Under the new mechanism, Meta has formally recognised the FIA’s Single Point of Contact (SPOC) at the agency’s National Command and Control Centre (NC3). All official requests related to Meta platforms will now be processed exclusively through this designated channel.

Faster Response Times Expected

Previously, requests submitted by the FIA had to be processed through Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs) or Interpol, a procedure officials said could take several months. With the new communication channel in place, authorities expect response times to be reduced from months to only a few days, allowing investigators to obtain digital evidence more quickly.

Types of Requests Covered

The new framework allows the FIA to submit a range of lawful requests to Meta during investigations.

These include:

  • Preservation requests
  • Basic subscriber information
  • Account registration details
  • Login IP history
  • Content removal requests
  • Emergency disclosure requests
  • Officials said every request must be supported by the required legal documentation before being submitted.

How the New Process Works

According to the FIA, investigating officers will first prepare a case file containing all relevant legal documents and Meta account identifiers. The case will then be reviewed and approved by the Circle In-charge before being forwarded to the FIA’s Single Point of Contact at NC3.

The SPOC will submit the request directly to Meta APAC through the newly established official communication channel. Authorities said routing every request through a single authorised office will improve accountability, maintain a clear audit trail, and ensure faster processing.

FIA Says System Will Strengthen Time-Sensitive Investigations

FIA Director General Dr Usman Anwar said the direct communication mechanism would significantly enhance the agency’s ability to respond to urgent investigations. He noted that the arrangement would be particularly valuable in cases involving terrorism, child exploitation, organised cybercrime, online fraud, and other time-sensitive digital investigations.

The new framework provides the FIA with a faster and more structured process for handling Meta-related requests while ensuring that all communications remain legally documented and centrally managed.

Key Points:

  • FIA has established a direct communication channel with Meta Asia Pacific (APAC).
  • The new system is expected to reduce response times from months to just days.
  • All official requests will be routed through the FIA’s National Command and Control Centre (NC3).
  • The arrangement covers Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp investigations.
  • Lawful requests include account information, login history, preservation requests, content removal, and emergency disclosures.
  • The FIA says the system will improve responses in terrorism, child exploitation, and organised cybercrime cases.

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Pakistan

Pakistani freelancers outperform earn record $1.76 billion

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LAHORE – Pakistan’s freelancers earned a record $1.76 billion in foreign exchange during fiscal year 2025-26, marking a 78 per cent increase compared to $984 million recorded in FY25, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

The latest figures underline the growing role of Pakistan’s freelance workforce in strengthening the country’s digital economy and increasing export earnings through global online platforms.

IT Freelancers Lead Export Growth

According to the SBP data, IT freelancers generated more than $1.16bn during FY26, compared with $779m in the previous fiscal year. The increase of 49pc, equivalent to $385m, highlights continued demand for Pakistani software developers, programmers, designers and other technology professionals in international markets.

Meanwhile, non-IT freelancers recorded even stronger growth. Their export earnings climbed to $592m during FY26 from $205m in FY25, reflecting a 188pc increase, or $387m, over the period.

Freelancers Strengthening Pakistan’s Economy

Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA) Chairman Ibrahim Amin said freelancers continue to make a significant contribution to Pakistan’s economy by bringing valuable foreign exchange into the country while supporting tax revenues.

He said Pakistan’s freelancing community has rapidly become one of the country’s strongest export sectors, surpassing several traditional industries within a relatively short period. According to Amin, Pakistani freelancers are improving their livelihoods while helping create a more productive, skilled and digitally empowered workforce.

Pakistan Among World’s Largest Freelancing Markets

Industry estimates suggest Pakistan is home to nearly three million full-time and part-time freelancers, making it the fourth-largest freelancing workforce globally.

PAFLA President and Chief Executive Officer Dr Imran Batada said expanding digital skills programmes is essential to prepare young Pakistanis for opportunities on international freelancing and digital platforms. He said wider access to digital education would help reduce unemployment, alleviate poverty and further increase export earnings.

Focus on AI and Digital Skills

Dr Batada said PAFLA plans to expand its free digital skills training programmes over the coming year, with a particular emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics. He encouraged freelancers to move beyond project-based work by establishing startups or registered companies while continuously upgrading their skills in emerging technologies.

Dr Batada also welcomed the government’s support for the freelancing industry through favourable tax policies and skills development initiatives, saying these measures would further accelerate the growth of Pakistan’s digital economy

Key Points:

  • Pakistani freelancers earned a record $1.76 billion in FY26, according to State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) data.
  • Freelance earnings increased 78% from $984 million in FY25.
  • IT freelancers generated over $1.16 billion, up 49% year-on-year.
  • Non-IT freelancers contributed $592 million, recording a 188% increase.
  • Pakistan is estimated to have nearly three million freelancers, making it the world’s fourth-largest freelancing workforce.
  • Industry leaders called for greater investment in AI, data analytics and digital skills training to sustain growth.

 

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