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Wapda bans smartphones in offices citing security risks

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  • Middle, lower-level management banned to carry smartphones. 
  • Only officers of rank of general manager, above would be allowed. 
  • Many employees strongly object to imposing ban on phones. 

LAHORE: The Water & Power Development Authority (Wapda) has decided to beef up security measures by banning middle and lower-level management to carry smartphones in offices citing potential breaches of sensitive data, The News reported Monday. 

In view of the prevalent security situation, and threat alerts, the secretary of the state power utility issued a notification on April 14 saying that the officers of the rank of general manager and above, would only be allowed to carry smartphones (Android/ OS) inside office premises.

The general manager (security) has been tasked with ensuring the implementation of the instructions in letter and spirit. The employees have been asked not to bring smartphones from today (Monday).

Any violation would be liable to be proceeded under Wapda Efficiency & Discipline (E&D) Rules 1978, as per the notification. 

However, officers posted in the Public Relations Department, Protocol Department, Security Department and Wapda Secretariat would be exempted from this office order. 

As per another circular, the authority has taken a serious view of the fact that official documents are frequently being shared on different social media platforms. 

All general managers must ensure the employees under their administrative control refrain from any such activity in the future, it said, adding any deviation from the instructions shall lead to proceedings under relevant conduct and cyber laws.

Meanwhile, many employees strongly objected to imposing a ban on carrying/using smartphones at the workplace. They called it an autocratic as well as ridiculous decision by the management, terming it a foolish act.

However, according to the management, the step is indispensable to ensuring enterprise security and employee productivity. 

The step was direly needed to check possible breaches of sensitive data, intentionally or not, via smartphone cameras and microphones, an official said. 

“So some sort of regulation on the use of smartphones is a step in the right direction as a smartphone can be used for capturing photos, videos and audio of sensitive information,” he added.

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Using the Most Recent Technology. Water Resources Receive 12.2% Of PSDP: Ahsan Iqbal

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In order to solve the problems of food insecurity and water scarcity, Minister of Planning Ahsan Iqbal has underlined the significance of implementing cutting-edge technologies.

He described climate change as Pakistan’s greatest problem when speaking at a conference in Islamabad, stating that the gravity of the situation necessitates that we put aside political diversion.

According to him, despite having the smallest carbon footprint in the world, Pakistan is nonetheless affected by climate catastrophes.

Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the government’s efforts to tackle the various issues facing the nation’s irrigation system, stating that in spite of economic difficulties, 12.2 percent of the PSDP was devoted to water resources in the current fiscal year.

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Meeting of the Judicial Commission: Set for November 5th under CJ Yahya Afridi

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A meeting of the Judicial Commission has been called by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi for tomorrow.

The appointment of judges to the Constitutional Benches and the creation of the Commission’s Secretariat will be the main items on the agenda.

Justices Mansoor Ali Shah, Muneeb Akhtar, and Amin-ud-Din will be present, along with important government representatives Attorney General Mansoor Usman and Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar.

PPP Senator Farooq H. Naek, PML-N Leader Sheikh Aftab Ahmed, and PTI Leaders Omar Ayub Khan and Shibli Faraz will all provide political representation.

Additionally, Roshan Khursheed, a woman member, will attend the meeting.

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Shehbaz Sharif said that promoting foreign investment is his top priority.

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According to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the government’s top objective is to encourage foreign investment in the nation.

He spoke to a group of well-known and powerful British businessmen in Lahore who were led by Zuber Issa.

Among the delegation were prominent members of the UK business community.

The Prime Minister claimed that the Special Investment Facilitation Council’s one-window operation offers the greatest benefits to the business and trading sector.

He claimed that because of the government’s efforts, the nation’s economy has been growing recently, which has increased investor confidence.

The team was urged by the prime minister to make investments in Pakistan.

Additionally, opinions were shared regarding the investigation of new cooperation opportunities and the improvement of business-to-business ties between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.

The group affirmed their belief in the stability and long-term growth of the national economy while applauding the prime minister’s economic initiatives.

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