Latest news with #SarmadAli
Express Tribune
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Govt secures two-thirds majority in Senate
Two PPP senators tabled a bill in the Senate on Monday to ban boys and girls under the age of 16 from using social media accounts, with a view to regulating the online activities of the minors. The bill, presented by senators Sarmad Ali and Masroor Ahsan, makes the social media companies legally responsible to block the accounts of under-16 persons. In case of violation, the bill stipulates a fine of Rs50,000 to Rs5 million and a prison term of six months. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will have the authority to implement the law, make procedures and clarify, according to the bill.
Express Tribune
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Senate introduces bill to ban social media accounts for U-16s
Listen to article Senate has introduced the "Social Media (Age Restriction for Users) Bill 2025," which seeks to ban individuals under the age of 16 from creating social media accounts. The bill was presented by Senators Sarmad Ali and Masroor Ahmed on Monday, marking a significant step towards safeguarding minors from online exploitation, cyberbullying, and harmful content. The bill proposes severe penalties for violations. Social media platforms found to be allowing underage users will face fines ranging from Rs50,000 to Rs5 million. Furthermore, individuals who assist minors in creating accounts could face up to six months in prison. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will be responsible for deleting all existing social media accounts of minors, with the authority to draft and implement regulations concerning the matter. Read More: No under-16s on social media: New Zealand The bill places legal responsibility on social media companies to prevent underage access, aligning Pakistan's policy with those of Australia and New Zealand in a bid to foster digital safety. Senator Sarmad Ali highlighted the government's focus on protecting children in the digital age, noting that the bill is a vital measure to reduce online harms. It also aims to raise digital awareness among both parents and children, ensuring a safer online environment for young users. Last year, Australian lawmakers also passed a similar bill to ban under 16s from social media, approving one of the world's toughest crackdowns on popular sites like Facebook, Instagram and X. The legislation ordered social media firms to take "reasonable steps" to prevent young teens from having accounts was passed in the Senate with 34 votes in favour and 19 against.
Business Recorder
10-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Tarar tells APNS officials: Govt to enforce PM's pledge on ad rate hike
ISLAMABAD: The federal government will shortly implement the assurance of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to increase the government advertisement rates as it believes in the promotion and development of vibrant print media to counter the fake media platforms, stated Attaullah Tarar. The Federal Information Minister was addressing members of the APNS Executive at a dinner hosted by the Information Ministry. He stated that the issues of payments faced by the newspapers industry are being addressed and the federal government has paid over Rs.6 billions to the media towards their dues. He announced that the share of print media in the payment as well as the quantum of advertising would be increased. He assured that the Ministry is putting its best efforts that all dues be cleared regularly leaving no dues pending for payment. He stated that a committee of all stakeholders to weed out dummies has been formed which will benefit the economies of genuine publications. He advised newspapers to innovate themselves in order to brave the challenges being faced by the print media. The Minister was earlier briefed by the President APNS Senator Sarmad Ali and members of the Executive Committee on the issues confronted by the newspaper industry. The members stated that the Prime Minister in August 2023 had announced increased in the government advertisement rates but the decision has not yet been implemented despite various assurances. They also apprised that the print media was facing acute monetary crunch due to non-payment of their dues as the major share of the payment released was allocated to electronic media, whereas newspapers were paid less than 20% of the released payments. They also requested that a fair share in the quantum of advertisement for the print media be allocated. The members reiterated their demand that the regional PID offices be empowered to suggest media of their region. The dinner was attended by Secretary Information, Ambreen Jan, Mubashar Hasan, PIO and officials of the Ministry. The APNS was represented by the Muhammad Athar Kazi, Secretary General, Navèed Kashif, Finance Secretary, and other members of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee of APNS held its meeting on July 09 at Islamabad chaired by its President, Senator Sarmad Ali. Mohammad Athar Kazi, Secretary General announced the decisions of the meeting and stated that the members urged upon the federal and provincial governments to expedite payments of long pending bills to help newspapers to meet the financial crunch faced by the print industry. The members expressed their concern over the non-payment of dues by DGPR relating to previous tenures. The members also decided that a delegation led by APNS President will meet Secretary Information Sindh to press for payment of long overdue non budgeted payments. The Executive Committee approved the report of Advertising Committee and granted provisional accreditation to M/s Brand Spectrum (Pvt) Ltd Lahore. The meeting was attended by the following. Senator Sarmad Ali, President, Mohammad Athar Kazi, Secretary General, Naveed Kashif, Finance Secretary, Mohsin Bilal, Joint Secretary, Mohsin Seyal (Aftab), Bilal Farooqi (Aghaz), Ansar Mahmood Bhatti (Monthly Centre Line), Fauzia Shaheen (M/Dastak), Najamuddin Sheikh (D/Deyanat), Javed Mehr Shamsi (D/Kaleem), Imtinan Shahid (D/Khabrain), Bilal Mahamood (Nawa-e-Waqt), Rasakh Munir (D/Mashriq Peshawar), Aamir Malik (D/ Mashriq Quetta), S M Munir Jilani (D/Paigham), Usman Mujib Shami (D/Pakistan), Faisal Zahid Malik (D/Pakistan Observer), Khushnood Ali Khan ,(D/Sahafat), Humayun Gulzar (D/Sayadat), Imran Ather (D/Tijarat) and Syed Haroon Shah (D/Wahdat). Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
07-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Tax evasion, smuggling: MoC and PRIME update Senate panel
ISLAMABAD: The meeting of the sub-committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Commerce, chaired by Senator Sarmad Ali, was held here Friday. The Ministry of Commerce and a private organization, PRIME, briefed the committee on issues related to tax evasion, counterfeit goods, and smuggling. The meeting was attended by Senators Faisal Saleem Rahman and Zeeshan Khan Zada. The committee was briefed on the basic functions of the Policy Research Institute of Market Economy (PRIME) and was informed that PRIME is essentially a think tank established to assist government organizations in advancing ideas and policies for open trade and economic efficiency in Pakistan through its research. Dr. Ali Salman, Executive Director of PRIME, highlighted the issue of illicit trade of tobacco, medicines, and other items. He stated that such activities are mostly carried out in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu Kashmir, particularly in tax-free zones. He added that small units operating in these areas often avoid paying taxes and generate profits through illegal means. He also talked about the menace of smuggling of international cigarette brands which are sold in the market at very cheap prices, without any taxes and without any health warnings. The Convener of the Committee expressed concerns over the performance of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Pakistan Customs, which have failed to curb such activities. He directed that all relevant stakeholders be invited to the next meeting. Senator Zeeshan Khan Zada raised the issue of tobacco smuggling and suggested that a proper debate be held to address the problem. He emphasized that it is a matter of national interest and proposed that the Committee ask representatives from multinational companies, local companies, the Tobacco Growers Association, consumer rights groups, Pakistan Tobacco Board, the Ministry of Health, DG Track and Trace FBR, and IPOR for a holistic and sustainable solution. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
APNS supports armed forces
KARACHI: The APNS strongly condemns missile strike by India on the territory of Pakistan and pledges its resolve to support the state and armed forces of Pakistan to combat all threats to the independence and sovereignty of home land. Sarmad Ali President All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) in a press statement has stated that the attack by India in Pakistan territory is alarming threat to the peace and prosperity of the region and would cause unprecedented destruction of the people and economy of the region. He called for sanity to the jingoist leaders of India to stop their efforts to destabilize the region. Sarmad Ali assured the nation that the print media in Pakistan will play a positive and objective role in dissemination of authentic news and objective analysis to keep the people of Pakistan well informed. He regretted that the Indian media in general played on the tunes of the Hindutva driven extremist BJP government and spread fake news and war hysteria which is against the norms of objective journalism The President APNS assured all out support of the print media to the armed forces and the government of Pakistan to defend homeland against all aggression and threats from the Indian government. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
